Coffee Break with Liz and Kate » Archive
Betcha Didn’t Know…
Betcha didn’t know… that this year (2009) was the first year that Charleston, Mississippi held an integrated black and white prom, 54 years after school segregation was ended and 30 years after black students started attending the former all white school. Read the Huffington Post story. Enjoy your Coffee Break! … Read entire article »
Filed under: Handy Dandy Tips, Headline
Betcha Didn’t Know…
Betcha Didn’t Know… how to remove remove melted plastic from your toaster… Once the toaster is completely cool and unplugged, here are a few tips to try removing melted plastic from the side of a toaster. You may want to test a small area first to make sure the finish on the toaster won’t be harmed or scratched. How To Remove Melted Plastic From Toaster * Dab nail polish remover on a cloth, then rub away the plastic * Dab WD40 on a cloth, then rub away plastic * Try rubbing alcohol on a cloth, then scrub away plastic * Heat toaster again until plastic is soft, unplug toaster then firmly wipe off plastic with a damp cloth. Wash out the cloth then lightly sprinkle on some baking soda while cloth is still wet* and rub gently … Read entire article »
Filed under: Handy Dandy Tips, Headline
Product Review – Fun Scotch Tape Dispensers
The stores are busy putting all their summer items on clearance and making room for the back-to-school supplies. It was on one of these school supply rows that these fun and bright Scotch Tape dispensers caught my eye. We have a problem with tape at my house. It seems as if I am constantly buying those 3-packs of tape, you know, the little plastic rolls, and by the end of the week there is no tape to be found. Must be in the same black hole as the missing socks and flip flops. So these bright and fun tape dispensers caught my eye. One is a Scotch Pop-up Tape Dispenser. It’s the purple one in the picture. You just slip the pre-cut pack of tape in the plastic dispenser, slip … Read entire article »
Filed under: Headline, This 'n That
Guest Rant-The Good Ole Days…
We’re Livin’ ‘Em! by Denise Fuson
My grandmother used to wish and wish for “the good ole days”, and at the time, I could not understand what made her hindsight view of “the good ole days” so rose colored. I know from stories my father has shared that those times were not, by any stretch of the imagination, always so “good”, and in fact, at times, were quite horrible. I smile now remembering what my grandfather, a much wiser man in my opinion, would say. “The good ole days? Why we’re living ‘em, Ivy. We’re living ‘em.” But lately, I’m thinking I have a better understanding of her longing. Don’t get me wrong. I know that, like my grandfather said, I’m “living the good ole days”. I so appreciate being cool in the summer and warm in … Read entire article »
Filed under: Headline, This 'n That
Betcha Didn’t Know…
Betcha didn’t know…how many hours a day a whale sleeps. Go ahead. Make a guess. If you guessed zero, you are correct.! This juicy little tidbit comes courtesy of the Animal Planet show, Whale Wars. Apparently, whales are never fully asleep at any given time. Seems these amazing creatures shut down only one side of the brain at a time, never actually entering the unconscious state of sleep like we humans do. According to Billy Kirk over at eHow… To compensate for the necessity for conscious breathing while sleeping, whales keep half of their brains awake at all times, even while catching a nap. The other half of the brain is completely out of commission. Whales tend to be in this mode several hours each day. The estimation is that the closest humans come … Read entire article »
Filed under: Handy Dandy Tips, Headline
Betcha Didn’t Know…
Betcha didn’t know these strange animal facts… A Crocodile’s tongue is attached to the roof of its mouth. A group of larks is called an exaltation. A kangaroo can’t jump unless its tail is touching the ground. A group of owls is called a parliament. A monkey was once tried and convicted for smoking a cigarette in South Bend, Indiana. A pregnant goldfish is called a twit. A rat can last longer without water than a camel. A rhinoceros’ horn is made of compacted hair. A group of ravens is called a murder. A shark can grow a new set of teeth in a week A group of toads is called a knot. A group of rhinos is called a crash. Baby robins eat 14 feet of earthworms every day. Enjoy your Coffee Break! … Read entire article »
Filed under: Handy Dandy Tips, Headline
Kate’s Escapades – Take Me Out to the Ball Game
Perhaps you can tell from my sunburned cheeks and my wind-blown, pony-tailed hair. Perhaps you can tell from the sunflower seeds spilled in the bottom of my purse, or maybe it’s the empty gatorade bottles strewn throughout my car. Or it could be the fast food bags and boxes filling up my trash cans. Maybe it’s the sound of my washer and dryer humming away at odd hours of the night in futile attempts at removing red dirt stains out of stains white baseball pants. You see, it’s state baseball tournament time, and I am a baseball mom. Not of a high school baseball player, mind you, but of a cute little nine year old second baseman. And for the past few weeks baseball has taken over our lives. You see, … Read entire article »
Filed under: Headline, Kate's Escapades
Betcha Didn’t Know…
Betcha didn’t know…the top 10 foods to avoid while driving. (According to Insurance.com) The top 10 food offenders in a car are: Coffee – Even in cups with travel lids, somehow the liquid finds its way out of the opening each time you hit a bump. Hot soup – Many people drink it like coffee and run the same risks. Tacos – Any food that can disassemble itself will leave your car looking like a salad bar. Chili Dogs – The potential for drips and slops down the front of clothing is significant. Hamburgers – From the grease of the burger to ketchup and mustard, it could all end up on your hands, your clothes, and the steering wheel. Barbecued food – Ditto. The sauce may be great, but if you have to lick your fingers, the … Read entire article »
Filed under: Handy Dandy Tips, Headline
Liz’s Rants: Paper or plastic?
This is truly an experience that, had it not been for my desire to purchase a Star Wars-themed tablecloth for my son’s birthday, would never have occurred. I’m really not a tablecloth girl. Primarily because the ones I’m willing to pay for are usually vinyl, and I’m not industrious enough to make my own. Rarely (Christmas would likely be the exception) do I find a premade table covering made of real, uh, cloth, that I like. And I wouldn’t have been searching for a Star Wars tablecloth had I not been desperate to come up with additional decorations for the party. (In retrospect, I should have called Kate…)But for one day I figured I could suck it up and just get a paper one. Except I couldn’t find one. Oh I found Star … Read entire article »
Filed under: Headline, Liz's Rants
Betcha Didn’t Know…
Betcha didn’t know you could use paper toilet seat covers instead of expensive face blotting papers to soak up the excess oil. Apparently the toilet seat covers work just as well at the store bought blotters according to Tyra Banks (and my daughter, who swears by this method.) Just cut the covers into small squares and blot away. Kate’s advice…just make sure no one sees you snatching those seat covers from the ladies room. That could prove to be embarrassing! ~Kate Enjoy your Coffee Break! … Read entire article »
Filed under: Handy Dandy Tips, Headline
Betcha Didn’t Know…
Betcha didn’t know…that the summer nights of catching a jar full of lightning bugs, also known as fireflies, are quickly disappearing. Take a minute and try to remember the last time you saw a firefly. Unless you’re one of the lucky few, I’m betting it’s been quite a while. That’s because the firefly population is disappearing. Last year 100 entomologists and biologists went to Thailand for an international symposium on the “Diversity and Conservation of Fireflies.” They attribute the firefly decline to two factors, development and light pollution. The natural habitat of these magical bugs, which is fields, forests and marshes, is being overtaken by urban development and human traffic. More houses and people around = less fireflies. The other big problem is light pollution. Our night skies are no longer … Read entire article »
Filed under: Handy Dandy Tips, Headline
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Rating: PG for scary images, some violence language and mild sensuality Genre: Science Fiction – Fantasy Staring: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Tom Felton Director: David Yates Plot: Voldemort is tightening his grip on both the Muggle and wizarding worlds and Hogwarts is no longer the safe haven it once was. Harry suspects that dangers may even lie within the castle, but… Voldemort is tightening his grip on both the Muggle and wizarding worlds and Hogwarts is no longer the safe haven it once was. Harry suspects that dangers may even lie within the castle, but Dumbledore is more intent upon preparing him for the final battle that he knows is fast approaching. Together they work to find the key to unlock Voldemort’s defenses and, to this end, Dumbledore recruits … Read entire article »
Filed under: Entertainment, Headline
Kate’s Escapades – Woohoo!
It’s (Harry) Potter-time!
Harry Potter fans have been waiting for 2 long years AND 4 days for the release of the next Harry Potter movie installment…Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. It opens at 12:01 July 15. Some crazies in my neighborhood (and I use that term affectionately) my family and myself included, had a pre-pre Harry Potter premier party…because we just couldn’t wait one more night. Here are some ideas for your own Potter Party. We made quick and easy wands from tree branches. Just shave off the bark (or leave some on in a spiral) and then decoupage. Great for casting spells. Expelliarmus!!! (Which by the way, is a disarming spell which produces a jet of scarlet light, in case you didn’t already know that.) We also made Snitch hair clips out of spray-painted … Read entire article »
Filed under: Entertainment, Headline, Kate's Escapades, Let's Celebrate, Let's Eat
Betcha Didn’t Know…
Betcha didn’t know…which famous director initially negotiated to direct the first Harry Potter movie…It’s Steven Spielberg. His vision for the film was an animated adaptation with Haley Joel Osment as the actor providing the Harry Potter voice. Ummm…he’s American! Spielberg says he knew he could make money on the film, in fact he said it would have been like, “shooting ducks in a barrel. It’s just a slam dunk. It’s just like withdrawing a billion dollars and putting it into your personal bank accounts. There’s no challenge.” Spielberg ended up rejecting the offer. And we all have to say thank goodness for that, or we wouldn’t have the Harry Potter series we know and love. Enjoy your Coffee Break! … Read entire article »
Filed under: Handy Dandy Tips, Headline
Liz’s Rants: 15 items or less – Here’s your sign…
Do people choose not to read signs? Do they read them, then choose to ignore them? Or, as I suspect may be the case after my latest trip to the grocery store, are people just rude, inconsiderate BOOBS?!? Here’s the thing: I had seven items in my little basket. That’s right – I was there to get so little that I didn’t need a full-sized cart. Just a little plastic basket, thank you. As I approached the U-Scan aisles, the first thing that caught my attention was the line. Four self-check-outs, all occupied, with three people behind them in each of the two lines. In an effort to stop sweating the small stuff, I got in line as well. Which is when the second thing caught my eye. Three of the four people … Read entire article »
Filed under: Headline, Liz's Rants
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