Random Archives - Trinkets of Thought

Polly Wolly Google All Day

June 16, 2010 by Maren 7 Comments

Have you ever thought about how your life has changed since Google? Before Google, we went to books for answers or asked an expert. Now, we go to the grand Google poo-bah (case in point…I just googled how to spell ‘poo-bah’) and we google everything. We google what is embarrassing to ask; we google our former classmate to see who they’ve become; we google things we should already know; we google; we google; we google.

Over the past couple of weeks, I thought it was funny to think about how I spend my time googling–it usually happens to be the most random searches because my mind is crazy and I wonder about things that people shouldn’t wonder about. The funny thing is AFTER I started keeping my little list of recent searches, a friend on facebook posted this site, which exposes some truly whacked-out searches. It’s actually therapeutic–only because it makes my searches seem more normal.

So, here’s what I’ve been googling over the past week and a half (I’ve included the answers to some that I found interesting). And it’s okay if by reading my questions, you think I’m stupid. That’s okay. I’ve got Google to help with that.

*Itchy palm superstition–what does it mean if you have an itchy palm? Answer.
*Who is Steve Jobs? Answer.
*How do I know what size shoes my baby wears?
*Is it hold your peace or hold your piece? Answer.
*Are fireflies becoming extinct? Answer.
*Recaito? What is recaito? Video on how to make recaito.
*Is travertine difficult to care for?
*Which is bigger a MB or a KB?
*What do rolypolys eat? Answer.
*Definition: Scat

Now, my question is, what do you google?

P.S. If you get a second, can you weigh in which sconce you like better from yesterday’s post? My husband’s installing one today, and I want to see with youz people think.

Duh-Aha Tips

May 14, 2010 by Maren 18 Comments

These tips aren’t really to teach you anything. You probably already know them. I’ve recently thought about OBVIOUS tricks that took me FOREVER to learn around the house and kitchen. You know, the kind where you think, “Why did it take me so incredibly long to do this?”

1. Throw fresh ginger in the freezer and it can be used forever. (Well, maybe not forever, but a lot longer than the moldy green stuff it turns into in the refrigerator.)

2. Throw lemon peel in the freezer and user it for zest later or first make the zest then put it in the freezer (though I’m too lazy for option#2.)

3. I recently started keeping blow dryer plugged in next to my bed. After showering I go lay back in bed and blow-dry my hair. Why did I not think of this eons ago? It’s fabulous.

4. I’m sure 99.9% of people in the world do this. BUT I didn’t think of it until about 3 years after I was married!!! Cold water can be run over pasta to speed up the cooling process. I feel so dumb to admit this one. *tucks head in shame.*

5. I got tired of cooling HOT baby food by blowing on it. I now stir it with an ice cube for just a couple of seconds!

6. Label the tops of spices and throw them in a basket. BEST spice organization EVER because the ease of use sure beats the typical knock-over-every-single-other-spice-to-get-the-one-you-want method!!!!!

7. If a recipe calls for super fine/caster sugar, don’t buy it. Just pulse it in the blender for a few seconds.

8. If your gravy is lumpy, throw it in a blender. But make sure to avoid a blender explosion by blending in small batches and using a towel to cover the blender when blending anything hot. Been there Done That–Got the T-shirt and the burn; Thanksgiving 2007.

8. Aspirin is great for diminishing unsightly acne on one’s face (I may or may have used this remedy this weekend for a couple of ugly blemishes that made my mouth look like the Joker’s!). Right before bed, just crush a tablet up, mix with a tiny bit of water, and apply a very small amount to the gargantuan embarrassment. In the morning, it will look a ton better, I promise! Helps take away the redness and works like a charm. If only I had know about this one in high school when my whole face was a zit.

9. Use a behind the door shoe rack to store miscellaneous baby items.

I am embarrassed about how messy this is…but it is very handy for baby medicines, baby hats, baby socks, lotions, etc. etc.

10. Freeze chicken breasts in individual baggies so you don’t have to cook the entire package of meat. I know, I know…Another DUH one…this took me several years for me to figure out. I went to visit my friend in Massachusetts, saw how she did it, and had my chicken-freezing-AHA-moment. Also, I’d always get irritated about how THICK the chicken was. It took me about 7 years into marriage for me to realize that was the purpose of a meat tenderizer.

Do you have any DUH-AHA tips that took you a while to figure out…And that you’re not to ashamed to admit?

Between Now and Then

April 14, 2010 by Maren 9 Comments

Sometime I struggle with just ‘doing life.’ Between finding time for work, being mom, and the rest of life’s duties, blogging not only takes the back burner, it takes the Crockpot of life! Between now and the last time I wrote, here’s a rundown of life-in no particular order.

*I met up with my sister, who I dearly miss, in Nashville. I wish my family didn’t live a world (literally) apart. Good idea: travel 3 hours to see your sister. Bad idea: Do it solo with a cranky baby in the back seat.

*I’ve searched the world for a brown ball point pen. This was including but not limited to asking my UPS friends if they still had logo pens with brown ink. One of my UPS friends thought I was requesting him to STEAL from his supply cabinet at work. Failure. Note to self: Learn to speak more concisely so friends don’t think I want them to break the law for me.

*My beauty has returned (Read related post: here). Well, that’s debatable. But, the lost makeup bag has been found. Wasn’t it so nice of the thief to return it to the most random part of my coat closet? Had he/she just returned the stolen goods directly to my hands, I wouldn’t have asked any questions! I bet they just didn’t want to be found out. Also, here’s proof I wasn’t lying about my Ziploc Wet-n-Wild blush!

*I received a bouquet of love from my favorite 2-year-old friend. All two dozen of the dandelions screamed of my little friend’s love. Instantly, something incredibly ugly beautifully morphed.

I changed the keyboard on my laptop. I ordered one from ebay, and installed it myself. The problem is that I have a solitary screw that I can’t figure out where it goes. May or may not be a problem. Time will tell.

I love spring. I love the trees, new life, the smell of freshly cut grass, walks with friends, perennials, and just being outside.

…Also, in random uneventful news: we put in an offer on a house. Surprised even me! For now, that’s all. I’ll return sooner than later! Promise!

Traveling is a Double-Edged Sword

March 31, 2010 by Maren 6 Comments

We were living out of suitcases last week and enjoying a change from normalcy. I’m getting back in the swing of things this week and recovering from the more laid back style that we enjoyed while away.

Technical speak: I’m also changing up my 365 trinkets so that the RSS gets published and just doesn’t go to an obscure page. To do so requires a couple postings of pictures you may have already seen. Please disregard if you see the pics in Google Reader that you’ve already seen! It won’t happen again.

Also, your opinion please. I know this is a silly question, but I’m curious. Do you notice a difference when the pictures have more rounded edges or straight edges. Does it matter to you? I’ve seen a few other blogs do the rounded and I like it, but it’s a pain. I don’t think it’s really worth it. Do you think it is? Just wanted to see what you thought.

Caio,
Maren