I LOVE my Hoover SteamVac for cleaning my entire house but for small spots it’s just not convenient and really spots are a problem with a dog and a cat.  So I bought the Bissell SpotBot for quick spot cleaning.

OMG, it ROCKS.  I just did three spots and it was freaking EASY and, more importantly, the spots are gone.  Seriously, when I say easy, I mean easy.  You fill the tank, set the spotbot on the the spot, push a button, and walk away.  It’s seriously THAT easy.  I was able to do three “set-in” stains with one tank.  If you catch the stains sooner you can use the surface stain setting and will get more uses.

I know I’m going to use the Spotbot a lot.  I’m kind of excited…just wish it wasn’t because I have two messy animals that require constant spot cleaning.

This is my second Hoover SteamVac but not because the first one isn’t working, but because I gave my first one to my parents (sort of) a few years back. When Panda moved in it didn’t take me long to realize I needed a carpet cleaner.  That dog can drool!  So, it was a no brainer to buy another Hoover SteamVac since I loved my first one so much.

This thing can clean a carpet.  In fact, be warned when you empty the dirty tank…it’s GROSS.    Cleaning carpets really isn’t my favorite task (neither if vacuuming to be honest) but this machine makes that task less of a dreaded chore.  (Unfortunately, I can’t say it makes it desirable but it is less dreaded.)

Everything you need to clean your carpets is on board.  You have everything to measure, store,  and clean the machine right there.  The machine doesn’t come assembled but it’s super easy (I had no problems doing it myself).

The machine as an on-board upholstery attachment, I just haven’t figured it out yet.  It could be that I’m just clueless or that I haven’t taken the time to figure it out.  It does work though…I just tried it after I’d cleaned my entire house and didn’t have the patience to use it on my couch.  Although it cleaned the dog bed pretty good.

The only downside is that it isn’t super easy to use for a small spot on the carpet.  But, I solved that problem with the Bissell Spotbot.

When Panda started obedience school they recommended the Easy Walk Pet Harness. For our walks.  She loves going on walks but I can’t use a collar for her (due to throat surgery) and the harness isn’t really a helpful way to walk her.  So, when they recommended this I figured it was worth a try.

Awesome, awesome harness!

It looks a little strange at first but it works so well that you get used to it.  (It only looks strange because of how it fits her, I’ve seen it on other dogs and it doesn’t look weird on them at all.)  Because of Panda’s stocky build I actually put it on her backwards — it seems to fit better.

Panda walks good on leash but she does get excited sometimes and instead of pulling her backwards which a dog’s natural instinct is to pull harder back, the easy walk turns her which makes her walk better.

Seriously, I LOVE this harness.

I bought this Dog Crate for my dad’s dog when they were visiting this summer.  I thought she was going to be staying with me and needed something for her to be in when I wasn’t home.  Unfortunately, it’s to small for Panda so when I brought her home I had to go buy a new one.  I was in a rush (aka couldn’t wait two days for delivery) so I went to Wal-Mart and picked one up.  Definitely a disappointment.  The other brand works fine, but the hinges and locks just aren’t as nice. So, when I realized I needed a crate for the office as well I ordered the Midwest Life Stages Double-Door Crate without hesitation.

The two doors swing very nice and are very easy to lock (I don’t know if I would have realized what a great feature this was except for my experience with the Wal-Mart crate).  I wasn’t sure if I’d use the two doors and, really, I only use one but when I bring the Midwest home and the other one to the office I will be able to use the side door.  For me, it’s really about where I’m going to locate the crate….and it will be nice to set it side-ways and have the side door option.

The only way I’d ever replace this dog crate is if I decided to get a wood furniture design one but I don’t see that happening so I’ll stick with this awesome piece.

I purchased the Bodum Chambord Coffee Press to replace my Bodum 12-Ounce Coffee Press which I thought was too small.  I was very happy with my smaller press so it was a no brainer to go with another Bodum product.  I prefer my coffee made in a press but even better I LOVE not having a huge coffee maker sitting on my counter.

If you’re considering a press, I highly recommend this one.  The price is right, the size is perfect.  You can easily adjust how much coffee you make by how much water/grounds you use so you don’t need to worry about always having too much coffee.  However, when the need arises you have a bigger pot to make more coffee for those mornings when you need the extra jolt or when company comes.

Yummy, yummy….now I want some coffee.

I wasn’t sure if I would like using a french press so I purchased the Bodum 12-Ounce Coffee Press to see what I thought.  I love my coffee made in a french press and quickly found that this was just too small for my use.  Would I still recommend it, yes.  But, only as a second press.  If you’re considering one I’d suggest a larger size.

I wanted a french press to clear up counter clutter and be able to make coffee for myself in the morning easier.  The quality if great.  I love having less “stuff” on my counters.  If you’re in need of a personal french press, this one is for you.  If you drink more than one cup of coffee in the morning or have more than one person who you’ll be making for then this won’t be the one for you.  Honestly, if you have to choose between the this press and no press, choose this one. But, if you want the most for your money choose the Bodum Chambord Coffee Press.

About a year and a half ago I was visiting a friend and had the opportunity to use the Logitech ClearChat Wireless Headset.  I was impressed but for some reason didn’t buy one.  A couple weeks ago I was presenting at an online conference and realized I needed a new headset to sound better and for more comfort.  So, I decided to finally order this.

The only thing I can say is: why didn’t I buy this a long time ago?!?  After using this I can honestly say that my headset has kept me from attending a lot of the online seminars and gatherings that I always found excuses to not attend.

The sound quality on this headset surpasses my old one hands down — there is really no comparison.  I’ve been told the speaking quality is a lot better (but I can’t hear myself so we’ll take everyone elses word for it.  The comfort level — incomparable.  Seriously, I attended a two day conference and not once was I hoping a break would come so I could remove my headset.  The wireless aspect is amazing.  I didn’t realize how bad it was being tethered to my computer until I had freedom.  The range is great too — I can’t tell you how great it is to go refill your coffee from the kitchen or go grab a snack and not worry about missing a minute of the seminar.

If you attend online seminars or conference with people online you NEED this headset.  Trust me, you’ll be happy you bought it.

I love tea, love it.  I also prefer making my coffee in a french press (less counter clutter + better coffee = happy me) so having a tea kettle is a necessity.  Unfortunately, about a year ago I gave my tea kettle away.  I did so for a good reason — I wanted a new one.  Unfortunately, it took me about a year to find a new one that I liked.  See, I’m chea, and I’m picky.  I need to find one that:

• Wouldn’t break the bank
• Whistled
• Would look nice on my stove
• Was cheap

I admit it, I’m picky cheap, but tea kettles are EXPENSIVE.  I finally found the Medelco Glass Stovetop Whistling Kettle online.  The price was right (you can’t beat $11.45!!!) it was pretty looking and it whistled.  It also helps that it got great reviews.  So, I figured “what the heck”.  Worst case, I hate it and am out $11.

So, I bought it.  And I have to tell you

I LOVE THIS TEA KETTLE!!

Love it!  Seriously.  I don’t think I will ever go back to any other type of tea kettle.  I am seriously considering buying a few to keep on hand in case someone (anyone) accidentally drops this and it breaks.  OK…so that’s the only bad thing I can say about it, it could break if it’s dropped.

I have an electric stove (hate it but bringing gas to the kitchen and buying a new stove aren’t exactly in the budget right now) so I need to use the included metal thingy to raise the class off the electric burner.  The whistle isn’t obnoxious, in fact if it was louder it would be OK with me since I often forget I’m heating water, but it gets my attention.  Really…it just looks great.  I love that you can see the water heating so you can pull it before it gets too hot.

And, here’s the #1 reason why I will never, ever, ever go back to a non-glass tea kettle.  You can see inside so I KNOW there is no rust, mold, build-up, or anything inside my tea kettle.  I know it’s clean.  I know nothing is peeling off and yucking up my water.

If you have any need, even the slightest thought that you might need, a tea kettle get this one.  I’m seriously.  Just buy it.  You won’t regret it.

I started reading Love on the Line in October 16, 2009.  How do I remember the exact date?  Easy, that was the day I found out that you can download a new book on your Kindle in the middle of nowhere Washington.  (No, I wasn’t driving.)  But, that’s how BORING this book was.  It was next to read (this was way back when I only had a couple books on my Kindle unlike the 130+ books I have to read on there now) so I started it, but it was so stinking boring that I downloaded something new driving 65 MPH across Nowhereville, Washington on the way to Leavenworth for Oktoberfest.

But, with that being said you’re probably asking why I’m reviewing it.  Easy, I finally finished it.  Don’t ask me how, but I will tell you why.  I am a little obsessed with finishing books.  I don’t like leaving things unfinished and I wanted this thing removed from my Kindle.  So, I finished it.  But, seriously, much more of these and I’ll learn how to DELETE mid-book.

So, there you have it.  (And, in case that isn’t enough — DON’T WASTE YOUR TIME.)

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From the Cover

Thea Morgan, a widow, has worked many years to reach the top of her profession, and as an African American woman, she’s had to overcome seemingly insurmountable odds. Then she marries former sports celebrity Xavier Thornton, who has left wealth and fame to answer the call of the ministry. When Xavier says yes to an appointment at a small AME church in Arkansas, the charismatic athlete is greeted with open arms. The congregation’s reaction to Thea is another story altogether. Her skin is suspiciously light, and she has a career of her own. They expect what they consider to be a traditional preacher’s wife—a soft-spoken, modestly dressed woman who’s ready to volunteer at the church at the drop of a hat. In the meantime, Thea’s biracial daughter, Jesse, is having identity problems of her own. Castoro’s many-faceted novel honestly addresses significant universal issues—the give-and-take of marriage, self-sacrifice, the search for identity, prejudice, and preconceptions. Readers who enjoy emotionally fulfilling stories will find that this one more than fits the bill. –Shelley Mosley

I thought I had read other books by Gilbert Morris in the past and enjoyed them.  However, The Homeplace wasn’t one to add to that list.  Either I have him mixed up with someone else or my tastes have changed or his writing has gone downhill.  Don’t get me wrong, this book wasn’t bad, it was just dull.  It all seemed pretty predicable as far as story lines go and the writing was nothing to get excited about.

But, if you’ve exhausted your options and see this on the shelf get it but there are too many other good reads out there for me to recommend you run out and buy it.

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From the Cover

As the year 1928 begins, fourteen-year-old Lanie Belle Freeman of Fairhope, Arkansas, has bright hopes for the future. Her father has launched a new business, and her mother is expecting her fifth baby. Lanie has dreams of going to college and being a writer.

Then tragedy strikes.

First Lanie’s mother dies giving birth to the baby, and Lanie must assume the role of surrogate mother to her younger siblings. Then her father is falsely accused of murder—and convicted! With their father in prison, Lanie and her brothers and sisters do all they can to keep the family together, and hold on to their home.

In the face of a world shaken by the Great Depression, this young family finds salvation and encouragement in faith, family, and the tight-knit community of Fairhope. With warmth and an unflagging sense of humor, Lanie leads her siblings into a future that, against all odds, holds the promise of hope and love. Book One in the Fairhope Series.