Left: two rolls of toilet paper before being downsized Right: two rolls of toilet paper after the shrinkage.
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Tuesday, April 26, 2011 - A few weeks ago, maybe as long as two months ago, I realized that the brand of toilet paper I've been using for years didn't seem to last as long as it previously had. And no, I wasn't using MORE!

When I buy a 12-pack, I can only put 8 rolls in the drawer in my vanity, so I store the other 4 up in Andrew and Jarrett's bathroom. All of sudden, I realized that I needed to check this out because something just wasn't right.

I put one of the old rolls next to one of the newer rolls and it was definitely shorter. When I put two rolls next to each other, it was considerably noticeable.

Here's the scoop from the package information:

Scott tissue - 1000 sheets per roll - unscented bathroom tissue

Former size:
One-ply: 4.5 x 3.7 inches (per sheet)
Total: 1382.4 square feet

NEW size:
One-ply: 4.1 x 3.7 inches (per sheet)
Total: 1257.6 square feet

So, I wasn't crazy! It's actually smaller with less square footage. And I just heard this morning that they're raising the price on toilet paper and coffee. Two of my favorite things. hmmm

How low can they go??????????? later, djb

Here's the second attempt by my tenacious robin friend at building a nest on top of the down spout on the deck next to the swimming pool!
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Sunday, April 10, 2011 - Yesterday, I took down the first attempt that was made at building a nest in this location. Then, this morning, I saw the robin out there going at it again!!

Of course, I love to see the birdies build their nests in the TREES but this is on the deck, next to the pool and there is always poopage associated with birdies. Yuk!

Plus, the eggs have a tendency to FALL (that darn gravity!) out of the nest when the winds blow. In fact, later today we're supposed to have severe thunderstorms with possible 75 mile an hour winds.

And tornado watches and warnings and so on. It's been predicated that we're going to get up to 88 degrees today. Seriously, that is awesome. I guess we have to take the warm with the dangerous.

Gotta go check out the situation. see ya later, djb

Here's the brutal snowstorm that invaded us today at around 12:30 p.m. CDT
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Friday, April 1, 2011 - So, we got our April Fool's Day snowstorm. When I pushed a few buttons on my camera to see what time it was, I realized that I hadn't SPRUNG AHEAD on my camera's clock. That was a good head's up from my camera.

I'm pretty sure wherever you are in the world, it's not snowing. haha. bye, djb

This picture of the front yard was taken through the kitchen window with Bob's new Blackberry's camera. I love it!!
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Friday, April 1, 2011 - April Fool's Day!!

Yesterday, Bob sent me a picture of his office that he took with his new Blackberry. I couldn't believe the quality of the photo.

When he got home, I tried to take the above picture and failed. But he got it. The only reason I would get a different phone is to get one with a camera so that I can take a picture any time, any place, anywhere. What a great invention!

The reason I wanted a photo of the middle flower bed up above is to show the lack of dead grass out there. I spent two hours cleaning it. Well, part of time was spent chatting with my neighbor, Phyllis.

Whenever I go out in the spring, I see everyone. It slows down my yard cleaning progress BUT I get to visit with all the neighbors who are out and about. It's so much fun.

Since the kids are off school this week, she had two of her grandchildren with her. So, Grace and Ryan were riding their bikes and playing catch with a bouncy ball. Then, it was time for them to go back next door.

That's when I started picking up some of the millions of sticks that had fallen during the winter. Well, the next thing I knew, Gracie walked back through the shrubs and was also picking up sticks in my yard -- and of course, Ryan was following her lead.

It was so sweet. She just did it spontaneously. No one asked her to do it. I was so touched by her kindness. And such a good example for her younger brother. WOW!

When we took all the sticks back to the burn pile I made an interesting and weird discovery. The moles have built a freeway in the back yard. Ay carumba! More on that later. see ya, djb