BO

I decided to take the challenge. I bought Secret Platinum deodorant, as it has a 24-hour odor protection guarantee.

So, after a few days it became clear that my sweat glands were more formidable than the deodorant. The challenge was defeated. I now have the option of calling a 1-800 number to get a full refund. But how do I call someone and say "My BO is so strong that your puny, "platinum" strength, strong enough for a man deodorant can't touch it." It is a hollow victory, I can assure you.

I finally worked up the nerve and called the number this morning. Yay! It was an automated system. I'm going to get my refund and I didn't have to talk to a real person :)

And, just so you don't think I am freakishly sweaty and stinky, all my sisters have this same problems. We sometimes consult with each other to see what type of deodorant we are all using, trying to find the "one" that can defeat the problem. I like Arrid XX best, although it is a guys deodorant.

Aren't you glad you know all this about me now? We've just grown closer :)

leaves, protests, and a hero

I had to change my journal layout to reflect the joy I'm feeling over all the beautiful fall leaves! I love Spokane right now so so much. Leaves everywhere, in brilliant colors of yellow and red. I'm in hog heaven. And the shoes...that is appropriate because even though the weather has turned cool, my kids still want to kick off their shoes at the first chance they get and run around barefoot.

Today as I was driving along one of the big, busy city streets, I noticed a group of protesters. Their signs derided the McDonalds corporation for paying below local pay scale. Directly across the street from them was another group of protesters, with a huge sign stating "Shame, shame, shame on you Kohls". This was all taking place next to the mall, where traffic is the heaviest. Smart for the protesters to pick a spot to give them so much publicity. Stupid for them to pick a spot where drivers would become to distracted by protestation overload. A big white truck rear-ended someone else, having to pull off the road and backing up traffic even more. Then we had to move aside for the fire truck and ambulance (for a rear-ending? A little too much, if you ask me.) Anyway, I was thinking about how much money was spent on those signs, and how much damage that truck caused because he was distracted by the signs, and how much it would cost in emergency personnel salary...I just couldn't help but wonder what the actual cost of those protests were and if it was worth it in the long run.

We have an awesome jogging stroller which we kept in storage and I haven't been able to use it since we got it back because the tires were completely flat. I tried to fill them up with a hand pump, but they were too loose against the rim and wouldn't hold the air in. I decided the only thing left to do was take the stroller to a gas station and use the big meant-for-car-tires air pump to get the job done. So, as I was sitting on the curb, struggling to get the attachment thingy on the wheel thingy, a guy comes running up to me. "Be careful! You could easily explode those wheels using this air pump! Here, let me do it for you." Uh, ok. Actually, I was really glad he helped me because I'd been trying for several minutes to get the attachments to mesh and it just wasn't happening for me. I guess I was exuding damsel-in-distress-ness. However, in my defense, I was aware of the danger of overfilling a tire. I had even checked the side of the tires to see what the PSI was, and I had my tire gauge out of the glove box. Still, thank you Mr. Man, whoever you are. You made my day a little easier and I appreciate it :)