Friday Flashback

Some very fine ladies started a discussion this week about starting a new feature on fridays, entitled Friday Flashback, with the the first topic being “How [insert band here] Changed My Life”. There was no need to twist my arm, as I was in like Flynn. (Of course, when Catherine and Tracey come a-callin’, you don’t ask questions.)

(Except, um, I did ask many questions of Catherine. MANY QUESTIONS. How? What? When? Why are we all here, Catherine? What in the hell is going on with Penny and Desmond?! TELL ME NOW.)

On first thought, I was sure this would be a breeze! So, I started thinking….

How The Cure Changed My Life.

I was a sullen mess who only wore black with ripped-up jeans. I liked boys with long hair on one side and short hair on the other. The End.

Hmm, not much more on that one.

Okay, okay. How Red Red Wine by UB40 Changed My Life.

Spring Break Padre Island 1989. I kissed a hottie Senior when I was a Freshman. My plane was also struck by lightning on the way back - I figured it was my punishment. The end.

Wait, but that doesn’t encompass me as a whole! How about Hold Me Now by the Thompson Twins? When I didn’t get picked to dance at my youth assemblies? The REJECTION.

Good Lord. At this rate, we could be here all day. (It’s so hard! SO HARD.)

So, without further ado, I give you my altered Friday Flashback topic of the week (because, obviously, I ask too many questions AND can’t follow the rules) :

Songs From My Childhood/Young Adulthood That Have Made Deep Imprints On My Tiny Brain. (With bonus YouTube videos!)

When I was a weee little one

Lido Shuffle - Boz Skaggs
Taking It To The Streets - The Doobie Brothers
Hey Nineteen-Steely Dan

Grade school rocks

Maneater - Daryl Hall & John Oates
Gloria - Laura Branigan
We Got The Beat - Go-Go’s
I Love Rock-n-Roll - Joan Jett
Love Is A Battlefield - Pat Benatar
Time - Culture Club

Middle school through high school

Glory of Love - Peter Cetera (HELL YEAH MR. MIYAGI)
Never Tear Us Apart - INXS
I Touch Roses - Book OF Love
Careless Whisper - Wham
Blue Monday - New Order
La La Love You - Pixies
Fascination Street - The Cure
Angel - Morrissey
Step On - Happy Mondays
Bring On The Dancing Horses - Echo & The Bunnymen
Come Back Down - Toad The Wet Sprocket
The Only One I Know - Charlatans UK

College Years

Things - Paul Westerberg
The Mango Song - Phish
Goodbye - The Sundays
Diner - Widepsread Panic
Crash - Dave Matthews Band

This has GOT to be the world record for linked YouTube videos.

Looking for more musical flashbacks? Check out these other kick ass participants:

Sweetney
Her Bad Mother
Oh The Joys
Mamalogues
Mrs. Flinger
IzzyMom
Girl’s Gone Child
Mom-101

What about you? What songs/artists have branded your brain for life?

Valentine’s has made me batshit crazy

I can’t stop writing about Valentine’s Day over at the scary place. Just in case you are looking for some last minute ideas, feel free to take a gander. Don’t say I didn’t warn you, though.

Looking for a way to convey your hot, sexy love through food? Here you go.

Think Valentine’s Day is for wussy shitheads? You might like this.

Is Martha Stewart your idol? Knock yourself out.

Want to gain 10 pounds on Valentine’s? Have at it.

Is your loved one only worth a dollar? It’s too late, but you can look anyway.

Incidentally, I haven’t done one flippin’ thing for Valentine’s. Not even a CARD. So, um, CIAO.

Neilochka’s Great Interview Experiment

As part of Neil’s Interview Experiment (have you not signed up yet? Do it!), I was super lucky to be interviewed by the very funny Shash of Diary of a Crazed Mommy.

1. I read on your blog that your husband is an interior designer. Is your home like a spread in Elle Home or is your home more relaxed and lived in? Do you have any say in your decor, or does Wito really have the last word?

I think our home has all of the elements you mentioned. D is such a talented designer, and I really look forward to entertaining guests in our home. On the other hand, he’s a collector of many (OHMYGODSOMANY) things, which can present quite a challenge given we live in an area where space is a very precious commodity.

One thing I am really proud of is that our house hasn’t turned into a den of kiddie crap. Everything that Wito plays with can be tucked away out of sight from visitors, although keeping it that way is a constant adventure on my part. CONSTANT.

Overall, D thinks the home is our personal space, but I was granted a few shots for those who are interested.

2. I notice you live near a beach. Can you give us a general location of where you are and what the best thing for you is about living so close to a beach?

I live in coastal Orange County. I love living within walking distance of the beach- whenever Wito gets antsy, we pack up the stroller, head out the door and within ten minutes we’re making sand castles and playing in the waves. The ocean is good for mama’s soul.

3. Where did you grow up? What is your favorite grade school memory?

I grew up in Oklahoma and have fond memories of playing kick the can with all the neighborhood kids at sunset.

4. If you could travel anywhere in the world where would it be and who would you go with? What would you do while there?

I would travel to Italy (specifically Florence), mainly because I studied the language in college and was mildly obsessed at the time. It’s pretty depressing that I gave fluent presentations in Italian throughout my last year in college and now can’t remember a damn thing. Do you think it would all come back to me if I visited?

My dream travel situation would be with D, Wito, my parents and Lala’s family. That way, we could experience the sights, the food and the culture together. (Plus, I would have built-in babysitters. Let’s be honest.)

5. I have been following you on Twitter. You seem to have quite an obsession with Blues Clues. Care to elaborate? Who’s a better caretaker of Blue, Steve or Joe?

Ha! Actually, I had never seen Blue’s Clues until last week when I checked out a channel that SAJ had told me about. I watched two episodes with Wito, but was confused as to why there was a different dude on each episode. I immediately twittered my friends, who explained the whole Steve/Joe thing. I’ll have to get back to you on the caretaker issue after some careful analysis.

6. Are there any plans to continue Whoorl’s Running Blog? Suggestions on the best shoes to run in?

Man, there are so many things I would love to blog about, with running being in my top 5. However, my Hair Thursday website, daily posts at ParentDish, and weekly column at (toberevealedsoon) have filled up most of the time I previously used for rambling at this blog. I’m beginning to understand the concept of “not enough time in the day”. (p.s. - hey concept, you SUCK ASS.)

(Oh, and if you have a neutral gait, I highly recommend these.)

7. Tell us a little more about this new love affair with Ramón. Favorite chord? I’m playing Guitar Hero myself and have found my wrists really hurt after awhile. Does the same happen to you and how do you combat it?

Oh, I do love Ramón. 5 months and counting…

My fingers ache more than my wrists these days, but I play through the pain, BABY.

8. How did Hair Thursday get started?

The seed was planted here and I got the go-ahead here.

9. What makes you laugh? Cry? Burp?

Laugh: Wito’s intense excitement when he says the alphabet. 30 Rock. Finslippy. My husband’s horrible attempts at falsetto. The way my father creates new words, such a chezigs and wintomint. This video.

Cry: Sick babies. The evening news. This father’s love for his son. The Spice Girls Reunion Tour.

Burp: Spicy food. Although, it’s more of a hiccup-type spasm that my entire dad’s side of the family possesses. Thanks, dad.

10. Favorite swear word?

Fuck- with an emphasis on the “f’, like “ffffffuck”. Be sure to clench your jaw for the ultimate effect.

11. Will you be at BlogHer this July?

I had a great time last year and it’s definitely geographically closer this time around. I would say a strong maybe.

12. Favorite Alcoholic Beverage?

Vodka on the rocks.

13. I read you have an addiction to instruction manuals. What is it about them that addicts you?

I’m all about the details. I want to know how things tick, as well as every possible way to manipulate an object.

14. I also love online shopping. Care to share your favorite online shopping spots?

As most of you know, I have a sick obsession with J. Crew. I fully enjoy purchasing enough for a small country on the website and then returning three-fourths of it at my local retail store. They really love me over there.

Other than that- Etsy, Shopbop, Oompa, Running Warehouse and Sephora.

15. Finally, any thoughts on the Pats - Giants game?

I never in a MILLION years thought the Giants would pull it out. When Eli threw the winning touchdown, our Super Bowl guests went completely ape shit. Wito was running around with his hands in the air, yelling “Tothdow! Tothdow!” I can’t imagine what New York was like last night.

Thanks, Shash! I can finally say my FAQ page is finished. Hell yes.

Happy New Year!

Thanks to Linda for creating such fabulous time suckage.

1. What did you do in 2007 that you’d never done before?

Completed the Couch to 5K running program, and I can’t sing its praises enough. AWESOME.

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

I don’t remember…I think I resolved to exercise more. So yes! Yes, I did! This year I am going to take up crocheting. Someone needs to hold me to this.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

My sister Lala gave birth to her smooshable son.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

No, thank goodness.

5. What countries did you visit?

Zip, zero, nada.

6. What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007?

A personal jet or a futuristic human transporter so I can see my family more often.

7. What dates from 2007 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

November 28th - see #3.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Being offered a paid writing job by one of my favorite writers.

9. What was your biggest failure?

Giving my laptop more attention than Wito on several occasions.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

Nothing major, though I did drop trou for a tetanus shot administered by a hot male nurse.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

I know this seems rather shallow, but after two months of searching, I finally decided on a purse. I LOVE IT.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

My housekeeper - for never making a dig about the unbelievable amount of cheerios she has to pick up on a weekly basis.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

God, Britney Spears. I don’t know whether to laugh or bawl.

14. Where did most of your money go?

Hello, Southern California rent.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

Every little thing Wito did for the first time.

16. What song will always remind you of 2007?

Cataracts by Andrew Bird

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:? a) happier or sadder? b) thinner or fatter? c) richer or poorer?

Happier, Thinner and Richer. SCORE.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?

I wish we spent more time at the beach. I get so caught up in not wanting to deal with the effort that I forget how glorious listening to the waves can be.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?

Staring vapidly at my Google Reader, Flickr and Twitter.

20. How did you spend Christmas?

In Oklahoma with my family. It was truly wonderful.

21. Did you fall in love in 2007?

Does Tim Riggins count?

22. What was your favorite TV program?

Friday Night Lights. See #21.

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?

Nope.

24. What was the best book you read?

The Kite Runner.

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?

Regina Spektor.

26. What did you want and get?

To stay in our house without dealing with toxic fumigation.

27. What did you want and not get?

Nothing comes to mind.

28. What was your favorite film of this year?

We don’t see movies. *GASP* D despises the movie theater. The last movie I saw was Charlie and The Chocolate Factory with Brenda.

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

Unsuccessfully shopped for a purse, but laughed hysterically at the heinous options available to the masses. I turned 33.

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

Living closer to my family.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2007?

Ponytail bangs, bold glasses and Vans.

32. What kept you sane?

Wito’s early bedtime. My favorite blogs. Friends (both online and off.)

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

Taylor Kitsch. (Um, HELLO.)

34. What political issue stirred you the most?

The war.

35. Who did you miss?

My family in Oklahoma. (Can you tell I just returned from a trip home?)

36. Who was the best new person you met?

I met some really fantastic people this year - most of them are in these photos.

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2007.

Children are insane, tiring, precious, heart-wrenching and beautiful. A glass of wine at 7pm is key. Bangs are like botox for your forehead. Don’t obsess over things you can’t change- focus on what you can.

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.

Simple Things, by Zero 7

It’s an easy ride to roam
You’ll never walk alone
Naturally we blew
Simple things we say
Everyday we find the way

Seems like we’ve opened up the door
Feels like we’ve walked this way before
Naturally we blew
Simple things you say
Everyday you’ll find the way
It amazes
Everyday

Whizzing In My Brain

1. Ingesting any caffeinated product after 2 pm is dangerous.

2. I always feel the urge to eat cheese and crackers while watching The Biggest Loser.

3. According to my lipstick shape, I fall in love easily.

4. The mothers only know the names of the children in Wito’s music class, so we refer to one another as [so and so]’s mom. This has to stop.

5. Will Wito the Seasoned Traveler become Wito the Teething Tantrum Traveler on our flight to Oklahoma over the holidays? He’s 22 for 22 on plane flights, people. The bad behavior has got to be lurking around the corner.

6. I have to fire the housekeeper today. I was hoping to pansy out on her voicemail, but she doesn’t have voicemail on her cell phone. Damnit.

7. I don’t think D will ever break free of the Norah Jones, Amos Lee, John Legend and Jamie Cullum heavy morning rotation.

8. Can I really make it to December 1st for a trim? My bangs are brushing the tip of my nose.

9. Please let today be a better day for Wito. Damn you, molars.

10. I couldn’t be more thrilled that today is a not of the running variety.

11. How do you cook a turkey?

That concludes today’s peek into Whoorl’s brain. Hasta mañana, iguana.

Yummy Fall Recipes

That’s it. This fall, I’m going to be a Superhuman Stepford Wife Culinary Wizard. In a sexy pink apron. Donning my 50’s Buddy Holly glasses.

I need good recipes! Could you be a doll and tell me your favorite?

(You could leave your wisdom in the comments or here, where I will give you six in return.)

(Because I’m generous like that.)

(My husband thanks you in advance.)

Blog Action Day - Household Cleaners

Today is Blog Action Day, and as my part, I will be writing about our choice to rid our home of toxic cleaners. As you probably know, many of the most popular cleaners are toxic. Some of the ways you can gauge the toxicity of a product are by reading its ingredients or the warning label. It’s true! Literacy is wonderful!

Tip: If the label mentions causing dizziness and nausea or to “allow venting with fresh air” after usage, it’s probably toxic.

This summer, the Household Hazard Report described five hazardous ingredients typically found in common cleaning products and their potential negative effects on people and the environment. It did an excellent job of explaining why to avoid conventional cleaning products.

The report identified MEA, alkylphenol ethoxylates, phthalates, the glycol ethers EGBE and DEGME, and quaternary amine disinfectants as hazardous chemicals linked to the development of asthma and reproductive defects in the people that use them and their families. Not to mention what the toxic by-products of these cleaners do to our environment. (You can read more here.)

Here is a small sample of the conventional cleaners that include one or more of these chemicals (that can cause asthma and reproductive defects, YO.)

Formula 409
Pine-Sol
Simple Green products (interesting choice of a name)
Windex
Glass Plus
Mr. Clean
Spic and Span
Clorox
Easy-off
Tilex
Comet
Bleach
Several laundry detergents (Tide Ultra, Tide 2X, Cheer, Dreft , Era, Ivory Snow, Gain…the list goes on and on. This was the most shocking to me.)

As you can see, most of the conventional cleaners are on this list. Frightening, no?

We made our decision to ban all of these products before the birth of Wito and we have never looked back. I’ll admit, finding products that clean as well as the conventional ones proved to be daunting at times, but one year later, we are 100% happy with our choices. (Which I will share with you. Right now. Because I love you and want you to spend your free time doing something else besides testing household cleaners.)

Whoorl’s non-toxic household cleaners (which is basically Method’s entire portfolio. Asterisks by the ones I can’t live without.):

*Method Naked Surface Wipes - I love these wipes! First off, let me say that a lot of my products are scent-free, however, Method does make several naturally-scented versions if you prefer. Just let me state for the record, CLEAN DOES NOT HAVE A SCENT. I know we have all been programmed to correlate lemon and pine with clean (It’s Pine Fresh!), but clean doesn’t smell like lemon or pine. Clean smells like nothing.

I use these wipes for the counters, Wito’s high chair, splats on the floor, etc. They are truly all-purpose.

Method All-Purpose Surface Cleaner - Same all-purpose cleaning ability, just in a spray.

Method Tub and Tile Spray - This is great for the bathroom shower and sink.

*Oxo-Brite - I would buy stock in this non-chlorine bleach. Use it in the laundry as a brightener, scrub the sinks and tub with it, anything that requires a little elbow grease will benefit from Oxo-Brite. I* also use it in places where I* would have previously used Comet. For instance, in the summer, our shower floor can get pretty grimy for our beach trips. If I* used the Method Tub and Tile spray only, I* could get it clean with a lot of work. Instead, I* just sprinkle some Oxo-Brite and it would be sparkling in 1/3 of the time. Seriously, I want to make out with this stuff.

Method Window Wash - Like Windex, but with healthy lungs!

*Method Stainless Steel Wipes - Holy mother. We have stainless steel appliances in the kitchen. Before, I used all of those products where you rub it in and buff and rub and buff. BAH. I was so skeptical that these wimpy little wipes could make my stainless sparkle. Holy shit, you guys! It works better than any of those rubbing/buffing liquids or potions. Just wipe down and toss in the trash. No streaking, no smears, nothing. I don’t understand how it works so quickly and perfectly, but I shall perish if they stop making it.

Method Wood For Good Spray and wipes - Shiny wood is good!

Method Dish Soap - We use the Pink Grapefruit scented version of this one. (I like it, JANET.)

EcoSense Diamond Brite Automatic Dishwasher Detergent - Do you remember my dishwasher woes? LVgurl sent me an email about Diamond Brite, and it is by far the best I’ve ever used (toxic or non-toxic). You have to be a member of Melaleuca to buy it, but you can bypass the membership by purchasing on eBay. (At least that’s what I did.)

*Method Foaming Hand Wash - We buy the Sweet Water scent, and we blow through this stuff in our kitchen and bathroom. (Hi! We get off on washing our hands at the Whoorl household!) You can buy the eco-friendly refills at Costco or Target, too.

Method Unscented Laundry Detergent - Perfect laundry detergent. No scent and ultra-concentrated so you only use a little. Side note: I also bought the Method Baby detergent, but the baby powder scent was a little overwhelming to me.

Folex Carpet Cleaner - This is a water-based non-ionic surfactant with no hazardous chemicals. Works like a charm and you don’t have to rinse after using.

The best part about Method products is the availability at places like Target. You don’t have to go searching for an eco-friendly marketplace to find these. So, you really don’t have an excuse? Right?

I would love to hear your suggestions for non-toxic cleaners. Bring it on!

* In the interest of full disclosure, “I” meaning “the housekeepers”. Just keepin’ it real.

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