Monthly Archives: September 2013

A Favorite Trio – Plus a WHOLE MESS of LPs for Sale Right Here

Posted on September 27, 2013 | 19 comments

At long last, I give you the ODNT Great Online Record Sale of 2013. (There will never be another one, by the way.) Remember how my parents moved out of my childhood home last Spring? And how I was put in charge of selling off their old record collection? (Plus a paltry few of my brother’s and mine.) Well, I’m finally getting organized and am ready to share the list with you. Honestly, I don’t expect to sell many (if any!) here at all. I just really wanted to feature the list to demonstrate what colorful people my parents are. If you’re interested in anything below, we’ll figure out the details.

In the meantime, I’m also responding to a very short writing prompt from Trifecta asking me “for 33 of your own words about a famous trio.” So, I scanned the list. Easy. Here we go.

Performing since 1968, this trio was one of their favorites for as long as I can remember. “Spinning Wheel,” “And When I Die,” “One” … all great. But this song was always my favorite.

Oh, Yeah. And I guess I should post the albums for you. If you see anything you’re interested in, please comment below or you can email me at olddognewtits.com. 

Blues/Motown/R&B/Soul ( I really have no idea what I’m talking about here.)

  • The George Benson Collection
  • Peter Brown – Do you wanna get funky with me?
  • Ray Charles – Yes, Indeed
  • Isley Brothers – Between the Sheets
  • Stevie Wonder – Songs in the Key of Life

Broadway/Theater (This stuff I know. Ask me anything.)

  • A Little Night Music (original cast recording)
  • Annie (original cast recording) – two copies
  • Fiddler on the Roof (original cast recording w/Zero Mostel)
  • Fiddler on the Roof (original Broadway cast recording w/Mostel) (different album cover)
  • Godspell (Arista version)
  • Guys and Dolls
  • Guys and Dolls (original cast recording)
  • Into The Woods (original cast recording)
  • Little Shop of Horrors (original soundtrack recording)
  • Man of La Mancha (original cast recording)
  • Music from the Motion Picture West Side Story & others (Ferrante & Teicher)
  • My Fair Lady (w/Rex Harrison & Julie Andrews)
  • The Mystery of Edwin Drood (original cast recording)
  • Oliver (original broadway cast recording) – two copies
  • Porgy & Bess (original soundtrack recording)
  • Rodgers & Hammerstein Deluxe Set (Oklahoma, Carousel and The King & I)
  • Showboat
  • The Sound of Music (original soundtrack recording)
  • West Side Story (The Columbia Treasury of the American Musical Theatre)
  • West Side Story (original soundtrack recording)

Children (More children’s stuff can be found under Christmas.)

  • Disneyland’s Peter Cottontail
  • Monster Mash Sounds of Terror
  • Walt Disney’s Happiest Songs
  • Walt Disney’s Merriest Songs ‘

Christmas

  • The Bells of Christmas (Eddie Dunstedter)
  • Best of Christmas, Vol. 2
  • The Chipmunk Songs (The Bunnyhoppers)
  • Christmas Present (Andy Williams)
  • Christmas with the Chipmunks
  •  A Festival of Carols in Brass
  • The Great Songs of Christmas by the Greatest Artists of Our Time
  • The Great Songs of Christmas (Album 2)
  • The Great Songs of Christmas (Album 4)
  • The Great Songs of Christmas (Album 8)
  • I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus (Jimmy Boyd)
  • Ira Ironstrings Plays Santa Claus
  • Little Drummer Boy (Songs for Children)
  • Merry Christmas (Bing Crosby)
  • Merry Christmas from Sesame Street (1975)
  • Noel en France (Jacques Brison)
  • The Organ Plays at Christmas (Ken Griffin)
  • Pops Goes Christmas (Arthur Fiedler & the Boston Pops)
  • That Christmas Feeling (Bing Crosby)

Classical (Questions? I’ll ask my mom.)

  • 24 Preludes, Op. 28 – Chopin (Pollini)
  • 25 Most Beloved Melodies (from Operas, Symphonies  & Ballet)
  • 1812 Overture – Tchaikovsky (Gould)
  • 1812 Overture – Tchaikovsky (Borodine, Moussorgsky, etc.)
  • Appassionata – Beethoven’s Sonatas Nos. 23 & 2 (Robert Casadesus)
  • Beethoven & Bach (Glenn Gould & Leonard Berstein)
  • Leonard Bernstein – Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue & An American in Paris
  • Clair de Lune/Debussy (Aldo Ciccolini)
  • Complete Recordings of Handel’s Messiah
  • Concerto #1 – Tchaikovsky (Van Cliburn)
  • Concerto  #2 in C Minor – Rachmaninoff (Pennario)
  • Concerto #2 in F Minor, Op. 21 – Chopin  (Uninsky)
  • Falla/Bizet/Tchaikovsky (Maazel & Cleveland Orchestra)
  • Family Library of Great Music (Beethoven)
  • Arthur Fiedler, A Legendary Performer
  • Goldberg – Variationen BMV 988 – Bach (Kempff)
  • Grand Canyon Suite – Grofe (Gould)
  • Highlights from Handel’s Messiah (Bernstein)
  • Italian Concerto – Bach (Alicia de Larrocha)
  • Klavierkonzert NR. 5 – Beethoven (Claudio Arrau)
  • Kreisleriana Sonata #2 – Shumann (C. Arrau)
  • Les Preludes/Hungarian Rhapsodies – Liszt (Rudolph Schwarz)
  • Mostly Mozart, Vol. 3 (Alicia de Larrocha)
  • Mozart Piano Concertos (Ashkenazy)
  • Mozart Piano Concertos K466 & K491 (Brendel)
  • Number 1 in D Flat Minor – Prokofiev (Ashkenazy)
  • Overtures & Marches: Rossini, Donizetti, Schubert, etc.
  • Peter & the Wolf   Prokofiev (Kostelanetz)
  • Philadelphia Orchestra – Gala featuring Tchaikovsky, Debussy, Grieg & Ravel
  • The Piano Music of Chopin, Vol. 2 (Ashkenazy)
  • The Piano Music of Chopin, Vol. 5 (Ashkenazy)
  • Prokofiev Piano Concertos, Nos. 3&4 (Ashkenazy)
  • Rhapsody in Blue/Concerto in F – Gershwin (Hanson)
  • Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 3 – Rachmaninoff (Fleisher)
  • Romeo & Juliet Overture – Tchaikovsky (London Symphony Orchestra)
  • Scheherazade – Rimsky –Lorsakov (Ormandy)
  • Sorcerer’s Apprentice/Mother Goose (Munch)
  • Strauss Waltzes (Royal Viennese Orchestra)
  • Strauss Set 481 (Kostelanetz)
  • Swan Lake – Tchaikovsky (Ormandy)
  • Symphony #3 “Organ” – Saint-Saens (Barenboim)
  • The World’s Favorite Concertos – Grieg & Rachmaninoff (Van Cliburn)
  • The World’s Favorite Piano Music (Van Cliburn)
  • The World’s Favorite Tchaikovsky – 1812 Overture (Ormandy)

Comedy (Loosely defined)

  • Bill Cosby – I Started Out as a Kid
  • Steve Martin – Wild & Crazy
  • Richard Pryor – Craps (After Hours) – even filthier than I remember
  • Smothers Brothers – Curb Your Tongue, Knave
  • Smothers Brothers – It Must’ve Been Something I Said

Compilation Albums (Lots more of this type can be found under Christmas.)

  • Best Songs of 1968 (Longines Symphonette Society)
  • Best Songs of 1969 (Longines Symphonette Society)
  • I Love Music – Original Hits by Original Stars (Ronco’s As Seen on TV 1976)
  • Tele House, Inc. presents Easy Listening
  • Theme Songs of the Big Band Era (Longines Symphonette Society)
  • Roger Williams – Songs of the Fabulous Forties, Pt. 1

Everything I Just Couldn’t Friggin’ Categorize

  • Nora Bayes (Snoops, the Lawyer) (I think this record was manufactured in 1919.)
  • Dance to the Best of (Irving) Berlin (Al Goodman & His Orchestra)
  • Carmen Cavallaro Plays his Showstoppers
  • Carmen Cavallaro Serenade (Italian Folk Songs)
  • Martin Denny  – The Sounds of Martin Denny – Exotica (rare)
  • Martin Denny – The Exciting Sounds of Martin Denny – Exotica, Vol. 2 (rare)
  • Martin Denny – The Exotic Sounds of Martin Denny – Primitiva (rare)
  • Earl Grant – The Ebb Tide & Other Instrumental Favorites
  • Mills Brothers – 14 Karat Gold
  • Mills Brothers – Till We Meet Again
  • The Music of Johann Strauss (Andre Kostelanetz) (recorded in 1942)
  • Joe “Fingers” Oshay Plays Honky Tonk Piano
  • Peggy Donaldson Smith – Shady Grove (dulcimer/banjo music – don’t all come running!)
  • The Sound of Tomorrow Today (Soundproof)
  • Spirit of 176 (That’s just GOTTA be a typo) – John Philip Sousa-style music
  • Sweetheart of Sigma Chi – Ivy Hall Glee Club & Orchestra
  • Billy Vaughn – Blue Velvet & 1963’s Greatest Hits

Exercise (Why does working out to a record seem totally hilarious to me?)

  • Linda Fratianne – Tune up with the Hits
  • Good Housekeeping’s Musical Plan for Reducing (dullest thing ever recorded  = awesome)

Folk Music

  • Folk Music – Compiled by Harold Courlander (appears to be way rare)
  • The Kingston Trio
  • The Kingston Trio – From the Hungry
  • Peter, Paul & Mary
  • The Best of Peter, Paul & Mary – Ten Years Together

Foreign …  or Foreign-ish

  • Aloha Kauai – Songs from the Garden Island
  • Herb Alpert’s Tijuana Brass – Whipped Cream & Other Delights
  • Herb Alpert’s Tijuana Brass – Going Places
  • Baja Marimba Band – Watch Out!
  • Juliette Greco – Les Grandes Chansons (French)
  • Claudine Longet (French)

Jazz/Ragtime/New Orleans/Dixieland

  • Best of Louis Armstrong
  • Louis Armstrong Hit Parade
  • Louie and the Dukes of Dixieland
  • Oscar “Papa” Celestin – The Dixieland King
  • Best of Dixieland
  • Best of the Dukes of Dixieland
  • Dixieland from the Famous Door
  • Dixieland, My Dixieland (Rampart Street Paraders)
  • Dukes of Dixieland
  • Pete Fountain’s New Orleans at Midnight
  • Ahmad Jamal Trio at the Pershing – But not for me
  • Henry Mancini – The Music of Peter Gunn
  • Mr. New Orleans Meets Mr. Honky Tonk (w/ Pete Fountain)
  • The Music of New Orleans (music of the streets/music of mardi gras) (Samuel Charters)
  • Wally Rose – Honky Tonkin’
  • Chuck Sagle & his Orchestra – Ping Pong Percussion
  • Sweet Emma & the Preservation Hall Jazz Band
  • Lawrence Welk’s Ragtime Gal Joanne Castle
  • Johnny Wiggs – New Orleans Jazz
  • Teddy Wilson & Red Norvo – Improvisations

Movie Soundtracks

  • The Big Chill
  • The Eddy Duchin Story (w/Tyrone Power)
  • The Eddy Duchin Story (Carmen Cavallaro)
  • Gigi (Original Cast Soundtrack)
  • How the West Was Won
  • A Man and a Woman
  • Music of 2001: A Space Odyssey
  • Saturday Night Fever
  • The Umbrellas of Cherbourg
  • The Wizard of Oz (original soundtrack recording)

Opera

  • Aida Highlights – Verdi (Torino)
  • La Boheme – Puccini (Renata Tebaldi)
  • The Mikado featuring Martyn Green, Barbara Troxell & James Pease
  • Opera Without Singing – Puccini’s La Boheme & Madame Butterfly (Fielder & Boston Pops)
  • Suite for Orchestra from Carmen – Bizet (St. Louis Symphony Orchestra)

Pop/Rock (From the 1950s until DVDs killed the Phonograph Star)

  • The B52s (self-titled)
  • Abba – The Album
  • The Backbeats – All The Fun in the World (NOLA band featuring Vance DeGeneres)
  • The Beach Boys – Endless Summer
  • The Beatles –Alpha Omega (4 disc anthology)
  • Blood, Sweat & Tears
  • Blood, Sweat & Tears Greatest Hits
  • Boston – Third Stage
  • The Carpenters – A Song For You
  • Chicago Transit Authority (who would later become Chicago)
  • Eric Clapton – Slow Hand
  • Chris Deburgh – Into the Light
  • Def Leppard – Hysteria
  • The Drifters Greatest Hits
  • The Fifth Dimension – The Age of Aquarius
  • Haysi Fantayzee – Battle Hymns for Children Singing
  • Thelma Houston – I Got The Music in Me
  • Michael Jackson – Thriller
  • Elton John’s Greatest Hits
  • Journey’s Greatest Hits
  • KC & the Sunshine Band
  • Don McLean – American Pie
  • Ohio Players Gold
  • Elvis Presley – Golden Records
  • Psychedelic Furs – Forever Now
  • Queen – A Night at the Opera
  • Linda Ronstadt’s Greatest Hits
  • Boz Scaggs – Silk Degrees
  • Paul Simon – Greatest Hits
  • Simon & Garfunkel Greatest Hits
  • Cat Stevens Greatest Hits
  • Styx – Crystal Ball
  • Styx – Grand Illusion
  • James Taylor Greatest Hits
  • Three Dog Night – Naturally
  • Best of Jethro Tull
  • War Greatest Hits
  • The Windows – Runnin’ Alone (Handed to me by a radio DJ who drove by my school)
  • Woodstock – Music from the Original Soundtrack and More
  • WRNO The Rock Album, Vol. 2

Solo Artists I like because of my parents

  • Bing Crosby’s Greatest Hits
  • John Denver – Back Home Again
  • John Denver’s Greatest Hits
  • John Denver – I Want to Live
  • John Denver – Rocky Mountain High
  • Judy Garland & Liza Minnelli – Live at the London
  • Olivia Newton John’s Greatest Hits
  • Barry Manilow Live
  • Liza Minnelli – It Amazes Me
  • Liza Minnelli  – Liza with a Z
  • Liza Minnelli – New Feelin’
  • Anne Murray – You Needed Me
  • Barbra Streisand – My Name is Barbra
  • Barbra Streisand – My Name is Barbra 2
  • Barbra Streisand’s Greatest Hits
  • Barbra Streisand’s Greatest Hits 2

Solo Artists I tolerated because of my parents

  • Andy Williams – Call Me Irresponsible & Other Hit Songs from the Movies
  • Andy Williams – Days of Wine and Roses
  • Tom Jones –  Live in Las Vegas
  • Wayne Newton – Live in Las Vegas (Danke Schoen is not on this one.)

Swing/Big Band

  • Benny Goodman & His Orchestra – A Treasury of Immortal Performances
  • The Great Vocalists of the Big Band Era
  • John Keating & Band – Swing Revisited

45 records

  • AC/DC – Back in Black/You Shook Me All Night Long
  • Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock – Joy & Pain/Times are Getting’ Ill
  • Louis Bertignac & les Visiteurs – Ces idees-la/Les bêtes (French)
  • Bread – If/Mother Freedom
  • Black Sabbath – Iron Man/Paranoid
  • Shaun Cassidy – Da Doo Ron Ron/Holiday
  • Shaun Cassidy – Teen Dream/Do You Believe in Magic
  • Corynne Charby – Pile ou Face/Elle Part (Dans ses Reves) (French)
  • Patsy Cline Crazy/Your Cheating Heart
  • Phil Collins – Take Me Home/Only You Know and I Know
  • Sam Cooke – Another Saturday Night/Send Me Some Lovin’
  • Chris De Burgh – The Lady in Red/Fatal Hestitation
  • Dirty Dancing – I’ve Had the Time of My Life & Love is Strange
  • Erasure –  A Little Respect/Like Zsa Zsa Gabor
  • Falco – Rock Me Amadeus (American Edit)/Rock Me Amadeus (Canadian Version)
  • Happy Birthday/Peter Pan (Book & Record) (no book) (children)
  • Dan Hill – Longer Fuse/Sometimes When We Touch
  • Jackson 5 – Ben/I Wanna Be Where You Are
  • Howard Jones – New Song/Conditioning
  • Howard Jones – No One is to Blame/The Chase
  • Kon Kan – I Beg Your Pardon
  • LL Cool J – I Need Love/My Rhyme Ain’t Done
  • Led Zeppelin – Hey, Hey What Can I Do/Immigrant Song
  • Les Innocents – Jodie/Un Reve en Radio (French)
  • Manfred Mann – Blinded by the Light/Spirit in the Night
  • Don McLean – Vincent/Dreidel
  • The Meters – Mardi Gras Mambo/Jambalaya
  • The Models – Fool to Try/It Isn’t Over
  • Motley Crue – Smoking in the Boys Room/Home Sweet Home
  • Anne Murray – You Needed Me/I Still Wish the Very Best You
  • The Platters – My Dream/I Wanna
  • Tony Orlando/Dawn – Tie a Yellow Ribbon/Say, Has Anybody Seen My Sweet Gypsy Rose?
  • Elvis Presley – Can’t Help Falling In Love With You/Rock-A-Hula Baby
  • Lionel Ritchie – Truly/Just Put Some Love in Your Heart
  • Lionel Ritchie – You Are/You Mean More to Me
  • Sounds Orchestral – To Wendy with Love/Cast Your Fate to the Wind
  • Superbowl Shuffle (Chicago Bears)
  • Thin Lizzy – The Boys Are Back in Town/Jailbreak
  • Three With Spirit – Deniece Williams/The Emotions/Ramsey Lewis (plays at 33?)
  • The Tokens – The Lion Sleeps Tonight/B’Wa Nina
  • The Troggs – Wild Thing/Love is All Around
  • The Turtles – Happy Together/She’d Rather Be With Me
  • Van Halen – Jump/House of Pain
  • Van Halen – When It’s Love/Cabo Wabo
  • Van Morrison – Brown Eyed Girl/T.B. Sheets
  • Billy Vera and the Beaters – At This Moment/Peanut Butter
  • Von de Paradiesvogeln – Heute gehn wir nicht nach Hause (German)
  • The Who –You Better You Bet/Don’t Let Go the Coat
  • Wind – Lass die Sonne in dein Herz/Immer Dabei (German)
  • Stevie Wonder – Saturn/Ebony Eyes/All Day Sucker/Easy Goin’ Evening (plays at 33?)

See anything you like? Comment below or shoot me an email at olddognewtits.com. I’m using eBay to estimate average values. And, after a short while, I’m turning all the boxes over to a friend of mine who’s way better at all of this stuff than me. Thanks for indulging me. 🙂 

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Guess who’s at the top of my Fish List this holiday season?

Posted on September 27, 2013 | Comments Off on Guess who’s at the top of my Fish List this holiday season?

You guys have all heard of Gorton’s, right? As in (and I’m actually singing it in my head right now) “Trust the Gorton’s fisherman.“

He’s the friendly sailor who sells tasty fish-centric products to consumers just like you and me. He’s a little salty and crusty (not unlike the tasty seafood entrees he represents) but he’s definitely someone you’d trust completely to have at your dinner table. Especially if he brought the eats. Which is what we’re talking about today.

Representing yet another fine exhibitor at the BlogHer conference last July, Gorton’s contacted me (and lots of other fish-loving bloggers) about doing a little promotion here at ODNT. Here’s what’s involved:

  • Food Sampling (Eating. No problem. Next!)
  • For FREE (Seriously? It’s like this promotion was created for me.)
  • Easy recipes (Even for a kitchen spaz. In this example, the spaz = me.)
  • Prizes (I get to spoil one lucky, fish-loving reader.)

I wasted no time in getting started. I grabbed my press kit and ran to the nearest grocery store. Using the coupons and recipe cards in the kit as well as my trusty iPhone to look up a few other ideas, I came home and made the following three meals on three consecutive nights. Check ’em out!

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Fish tacos (with Gorton’s Signature Grilled Tilapia)

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Honey Mustard Beer Batter Fillet Sandwiches (with Gorton’s Beer Batter Fillets)

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Citrus Grilled Shrimp Salad (with Gorton’s Skillet Crisp Shrimp)

When I tell you that everyone was happy and wanted seconds, I’m not exaggerating one bit. (Well, except for my boy. Who doesn’t like fish. Or seafood in general. And we live in New Orleans, Louisiana. … I know, right?!!?) But Dave, Viv and I were very happy with our three meals. They were all yummy, ridiculously easy to prepare and even nutritionally balanced. Our favorite, you ask? Honestly? Probably the beer batter sandwich. I’ve only been to London once … but those fillets taste a lot like the stuff on a good fish and chips platter. Really makes me want to go back. (Sigh) Which reminds me …

WHO WANTS TO GO TO BOSTON?

The good people of Gorton’s invite everyone to enter their Wicked Good Seafood Contest to win a trip for four including airfare, lodging, activities and even a little spending money! (Gosh, I hope I’m eligible.) And while you’re at Gortons.com, why not check out their products, pick a recipe, download a coupon and get dinner on the table as easily as I did? Your family will think you worked way harder than you actually did. And that’s always a plus.

Keep up with the Gorton’s by following them on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest. You could even win a prize package with coupons, recipes, postcards and even a cute little ship wheel keychain. (Yours is probably falling apart anyway.)

CLICK HERE TO ENTER!

Oh, and finally, a gratuitous shot of my adorable daughter and her favorite Gorton’s creation. (Thanks for helping me, Viv.) 

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Gorton's Wicked Good Seafood

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Bubble, Bubble … No Toil, No Trouble

Posted on September 24, 2013 | 15 comments

Fine. I took a few liberties with that infamous Shakespearian line but I did it all in the name of commerce. And soda. So I don’t think he would have minded.

Remember BlogHer13, the conference Mel and I attended in Chicago last July? Well, one of the many great companies we met there at the Expo was SodaStream USA. And thank goodness for that. In the weeks following the conference, we reached out to one of their incredibly cool reps (yes, I realize that sounds buttkissish, but I actually mean it!) about doing a joint product review and giveaway on our blogs … and SodaStream said YES! I immediately had visions of my kids carrying me around on their shoulders for weeks. We were getting a home soda machine!

So you can imagine how difficult it was for me to contain myself when that big box arrived on my doorstep. And I knew their homework and extracurriculars wouldn’t allow us to open it (and give it the proper pageantry) until the weekend. I nearly exploded. Much like a well-carbonated bottle of SodaStream when shaken. But I’m getting ahead of myself here.

When Saturday morning rolled around, Dave and I could hardly control our excitement. So we grabbed the big box and ran into the kitchen so we could surprise the kids.

“SODA FOR BREAKFAST!!!”

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We all immediately began tearing through the box and checking out all the flavors inside. (You were very generous, SodaStream. Thanks.) Setting up the machine took literally two minutes. The shipping box was huge because of all the flavor bottles but the machine itself is no bigger than a standard coffee maker. Actually, it’s lighter and smaller than mine in every direction except height. And it doesn’t even plug into the wall. So moving it in and out of a cabinet is no big deal if you don’t want another appliance on your counter.

The kids each picked a favorite flavor: Cola for Dean and Root Beer for Vivien. Dave made both back to back in less than three minutes. And that included clean up and drinking time! They all liked the cola. (I’m going on record as saying I liked it better than “the real thing” but I’m purely a diet soda drinker.) They also loved the root beer. Even my parents, who conveniently stopped by during the taste test, loved it. They said it tastes like old-fashioned root beer, like New Orleans’ own Barq’s brand. There’s no higher praise for root beer in these parts.

When everybody finally backed away from the machine, I tried the Crystal Light Fruit Punch. It was good (“tastes just like Kool-Aid!” says Vivien) and it makes me really look forward to trying some of the other diet flavors like Diet Cranberry Raspberry, Diet Cola with Lime and Diet Green Tea Pomegranate Peach. Seriously, there are over 60 flavors of cola, tea, lemonade, punch, energy drink, flavored water, etc. Or you can omit the flavor and just make your own sparkling water at home. Personally, I’m looking forward to making a little rum punch or maybe a white sangria sometime soon with the Sparking Orange Pineapple. (Who’s with me?)

And speaking of all their flavors, I took this next part about their Sodamix brand right off their website. “Regular Sodamix flavors contain less sugar, calories, carbohydrates and sodium than national drink brands. Regular flavors contain no high-fructose corn syrup, and are sweetened with a blend of sugar and sucralose. Diet Sodamix flavors contain no sugar, no aspartame and are sweetened with Splenda® brand sweetener. Sparkling Naturals are sweetened exclusively with cane sugar.” The flavor bottles sold at SodaStreamUSA.com and retail locations like Target cost about $5-7 per unit and they make 50 servings each. (That’s 10 to 14 cents a glass, no calculators needed.) And, at the end of that flavor bottle, ONE 16.9 oz. container will go into my recycle bin, instead of FIFTY 7.5 oz. cans. You get the idea, right?

Still not convinced? How about this 15 second demonstration video my adorable daughter made of herself using the machine? It’s just THAT easy.

Click HERE to view.

So, let’s recap the SodaStream benefits.

  1. No more flat soda.

  2. Better ingredients.

  3. Less expensive.

  4. More Earth-friendly.

  5. SOOO easy!

Seriously … WHY ARE YOU STILL SITTING THERE?!!?

Wait, what? You expect me to just GIVE ONE AWAY? That’s insane. It’s crazy really. Because Mel and I are actually going to give TWO away! (Say thank you to SodaStream, everybody!) Each of the prize packages includes the following items:

  • Fountain Jet – winner’s choice of black/silver, red/silver or white
  • 1 carbonating bottle, reusable for up to 3 years
  • Reusable carbonator to fizz up to 60L of soda
  • Variety 6-pack of popular sample-size flavors
  • 3 full-sized flavors of the winner’s choice

CLICK HERE for a chance to win your own SodaStream! 

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Good luck, everyone. Share the love and tell your friends.

We’ll announce the winners* after the contest closes on Tuesday, October 1, 2013.

*Winner needs a continental US shipping address. Sorry, Greenland. 😦

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In honor of Greenland, we’re celebrating a new holiday here at ODNT!

Posted on September 21, 2013 | 11 comments

This post is part of a series. Long story short – I noticed recently that I had no readers in Greenland. As in ZERO. Which is completely ridiculous. And it got me to thinking … Wouldn’t it be awesome to GO to Greenland? I could write a review of the entire country while making new friends along the way. And I could chronicle the whole thing. Right here on ODNT. To follow the dumbassery, please check out the posts that led up to this one.

* * * * * * * * * *

There I was … standing in the middle of the Target parking lot in the rain. If it wasn’t weird enough that I stopped what I was doing every hour to take a picture of my day, I was now jumping up and down laughing (again … in the rain!) because of an email notification I received about a comment left on ODNT.

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Honestly, I expect that many of you are actually jumping up and down with me at this point. What a banner day at ODNT! We literally conquered another country, my friends. (I still contend it should be a continent, by the way. And I am not done fighting for you, Greenland! To quote American Actor Al Pacino in one of his most noted films … “Oh, I’m just getting warmed up!”) Needless to say, I just had to check my stats that very night. I needed to see it … right there on the screen … and then share it with you guys.

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Do you see that, world? THREE!!! I now have three views from the Icetastic Wonderland that is Greenland! Sure, they’re probably all from Dani, which I why I want to officially proclaim today to be … drum roll, please (and, in honor of Greenland, the drum is a qilaat which is made from an oval wooden frame covered with the bladder of a polar bear) …

Dani Henriksen Day!

Today is the day to celebrate like a Greenlander. Kick back with an icehouse brew or maybe just some coffee. But don’t be surprised when you see the bartender put whiskey, Kahlua and Grand Marnier in your glass then set the whole thing on fire. Which reminds me … don’t forget to appreciate the sun today! Greenland goes without it for long periods of time during the winter months and so, as you can expect, it’s literally cause for celebration when it shows its fiery, skin-damaging face again.

So Go! Hug the Sun!! And Happy Dani Henriksen Day, Everyone!!!

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I Don't Like Mondays Blog Hop

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My Day in Pictures

Posted on September 20, 2013 | 6 comments

6am – Waking up when it’s still dark blows.

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7am – This shot is supposed to represent breakfast. Which I made for three people but skipped myself.

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8am – Sometimes I’m jealous of moms living in nudist colonies.

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9am – Finishing up an article and catching up with MamaKat.

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10am – Would someone please put soap on the grocery list?

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11am – Off to a freelance writing appointment. In my RENTAL. Grrr.

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12pm – The welcoming private home where my appointment took place.

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1pm – My lunch from The Green Fork. There’s spinach and avocado in that cup. And I love it. I just can’t always be around people a few hours later. (cough)

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2pm – Thank you, Target, for not being Wal-Mart.

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3pm – Checking my girl out early to make it to her volleyball game.

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4pm – We WON!!! Also … they had NACHOS!!!

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5pm – “Well, your dad’s not home yet so you’re stuck with me. Sorry!”

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6pm – Fish tacos. I’m kinda proud of myself. Of course, if I hadn’t been chronicling my day, we probably would have had Hot Pockets.

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7pm – Getting an estimate on redoing all the finishes in my hideous kitchen.

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8pm – Taking a break from homework to catch up with Herve.

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9pm – “You guys … nobody fed Milo today.”

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10pm – “Mom! You’re finally reading it. What part are you on? Do you know about Vera yet?” my boy to his illiterate mother who managed to put off the book he has so wanted me to read for almost a year now.

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11pm – Because without teeth, what are we really? Turtles? 

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Midnight(ish) – Night, everyone.

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This post was written in response to MamaKat’s weekly writing prompt – “Take a picture every hour and show us what a day in your life is like.”

A rock star I’m not. My gig is actually way better.

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That Suburban Momma

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My Week Without Stress or Anxiety. Here’s How It Went.

Posted on September 19, 2013 | 6 comments

stress /’stres/ n.

  1. a state of mental tension and worry caused by problems in your life, work, etc.
  2. something that causes strong feelings of worry or anxiety
  3. physical force or pressure

Stress. I absolutely hate this word. Not because I don’t like the sound of it, like cloth or ointment. I really just hate it because it’s one of the most overused words in the English language. And, for the record, I’ll bet the words “estrés,” “le stress” and “stresas” are also sweeping the nations of Spain, France and Lithuania. Because it’s everywhere.

We all have stress, are stressed and feel stressed. We can be stressed out in general or stressed about something in particular. We stress over things but, at the same time, we can be under a great deal of stress. We get stress headaches, stress fractures, and stress knots in our backs and necks. We’re stress eaters. We measure our stress levels with stress tests. And, from there, we graduate to stress management. All the while craving stress relief. Because all we really want is to be stress-free.

And that’s what today’s post is all about.

Remember the conference I attended with Mel last July? The one in Chicago where we made connections with killer companies like Monster and others you’re going to be hearing about here soon? Yeah? Well, one such killer company (which is a weird way to describe them since they’re all about health and healing) is Boiron USA, a world leader in homeopathic medicine, something I’ve been into since becoming a mom. My kids used these natural alternatives as wee ones for everything from colic to teething to cradle cap. And, if they could use them, why not me?

Mel and I met their lovely rep at the Boiron booth and the three of us hit it off right away. I knew it was a match made in Heaven when she handed me a sample of one of their premier products.

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“Wow! Say that three times fast,” we said. “Oscillococcinum, Oscillococcinum, Oscillococcinum,” she replied, with the ease of someone reciting a child’s nursery rhyme.

I was impressed. And now I couldn’t stop thinking of Beetlejuice.

After talking to her a while, we learned that Boiron actually has a whole online catalog of homeopathic remedies for everything from allergies to circulatory issues to digestive problems – to name only a few. She sent us away with a handful of products and encouraged us to visit their website to see if there were any other things we wanted to test drive. (Check out everything they have to offer!) Culling down the choices was no small task but we finally made our decisions. Mel wanted relief from her chronic headaches and I wanted to try something to quiet the voices in my head … exorcise my demons … deal with my occasional case of (wait for it) the vapors. Everyone needs a little calming agent now and then, right? (Of course, right.)

So here’s what she sent me:

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Anxious to get started, I dove right in. And did I EVER put that stuff to the test? Here are just a few things I’ve had to deal with since beginning with Boiron:

  • a five-hour visit to the DMV (yes, you read correctly)
  • a three-hour shopping “spree” at Wal-Mart
  • a car accident involving a valet driver wrecking my car
  • a visit to the insurance adjuster, body shop and Enterprise Rent-A-Car
  • a new consultation with an orthodontist for Vivien (yes, she needs braces)
  • a child’s sickness involving a third trip to the doctor
  • single parenting as Dave had a work thing that took him out of town
  • PMS (there I said it, right here on the internet)

Q: Did the alternative medicine work?

A: Well, I would have to say … yes, it did. I was a little sleepy the first day, which probably had nothing to do with the meds. (Next time I have insomnia, I’m visiting you guys, DMV.) From there, I never felt sleepy and managed to move from one unsavory destination to the next without screaming any obscenities and losing my cool. I got a little sloppy with my dosages over the weekend. (That is one thing you really need to remember with alternative medicines. It’s often about maintaining natural levels in your system so the dosages are frequent and consistent throughout the day.)  As such, I did become “highly agitated” over misplacing my cell phone recently. “Highly.” Apparently, my phone is more important to me than my car, Viv’s teeth or cramps. Good to know.

Q: Would I recommend the alternative medicine to a friend?

A. Absolutely. But you need to keep in mind that, just as with prescription medication, every person and every situation is different. And what works for one may not for another. But it’s a very nice experiment that I would encourage anyone to try before considering stronger, more complicated options. What have you got to lose?

 Wanna try Boiron’s Homeopathic Meds for Yourself?

You can win a prize pack of Boiron’s most popular products including Oscillococcinum, Chestal cough syrup, Arnicare, coupons and the Easy Guide to Homeopathic Medicines, their consumer booklet that describes the benefits of homeopathic medicines and lists their full menu of products.

Click HERE to enter.

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Letter #3 to the Greenland Tourism Bureau

Posted on September 17, 2013 | 14 comments

This post is part of a series. Long story short – I noticed recently that I had no readers in Greenland. As in ZERO. Which is completely ridiculous. And it got me to thinking … Wouldn’t it be awesome to GO to Greenland? I could write a review of the entire country while making new friends along the way. And I could chronicle the whole thing … right here on ODNT.

* * * * * * * * * *

BUT WAIT!!!

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Before you read the post below, please check out the following posts that led up to this one:

Hello, Greenland? Can You Hear Me?

Letter #1 to the Greenland Tourism Bureau

Letter #2 to the Greenland Tourism Bureau

OMG, You Guys! Greenland Called!!!

September 15, 2013

Dear Uiloq,

Thanks so much for writing back. I can only imagine how busy an employee of a tourism office that covers such a vast and interesting expanse of the world must be. You are correct about my wanting to visit your country as a travel writer. I review all kinds of products ranging from trendy, high-end headphones to blockbuster horror films to children’s books about underwear. So why not Greenland, right? Of course, right.
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Because you know the area so well, you would likely be a great person to point me in the direction of the cities or regions I should contact directly about a visit. I would love your advice or the advice of anyone there in your office. You guys are the experts. And, with a little luck, I will be one day soon as well. (What an honor it would be to call myself a Greenlandic Expert!) I’ve been reading up on your country non-stop and I’ve learned that all of your cities are established on the coastline because it’s the only area that is ice-free. I also know that Greenland has only two stoplights, both located in Nuuk, your country’s capital. When you google that traffic light fact, my website is now the second listing that comes up for that information (see below).
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Suffice it to say, visiting Greenland to write all about it is definitely at the very top of my Bucket List. (Do you guys know the expression “Bucket List” in Greenland? I’m afraid that term would not translate literally. For that reason, I’ve included a Wikipedia link explaining it here: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_does_’bucket_list’_mean. Additionally, there was a movie made about this concept appropriately titled The Bucket List starring Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman. Are you familiar with these American actors? I heard the movie was pretty good but I never actually saw it myself. Hey, maybe we could all see it together when I get to Greenland!)
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But I digress …
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Yes, I want to visit Greenland. As soon as possible. Ideally, it might be nice to visit on June 21, your national holiday, but I’ll gladly come there any day of the year. Except Christmas (December 25). I’m a mom and I should probably be home for that day. 🙂
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In the meantime, can you do me two favors?
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  1. Can you send me the names and email addresses for the individual cities I should contact about visiting to do a travel review?
  2. Can you please spread the word about my humor blog (OldDogNewTits.com)? I have no readership from Greenland. None! And I’m ready to start seeing that white void (below) turn yellow … and orange … and maybe even some day red!.
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I need people from Greenland to CLICK THE LINK … PLEASE! To read what what I’ve written about you guys so far, click here.

Until then, I’ll keep showing my support and wearing the colors (see below). I can’t wait to hear from you guys. I’m SO excited!
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Michele Robert Poche
New Orleans, Louisiana
United States of America
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So, for now, I’m putting all my eggs in Uiloq’s basket. Here’s hoping that basket also includes a plane ticket, hotel accommodations and some seriously warm boots. Size 7, please.

Come on, Greenland and Uiloq. I’m DYING to meet you both!

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Ketchup With Us #26

Posted on September 15, 2013 | 7 comments

Ever see a movie and just love a scene in it so much that you can’t stop thinking about it? You even dream about it? Except, in your dreams, YOU’RE the star reenacting everything. Singing, dancing, flying through the air, whatever it calls for. (looking around room at the sea of open mouths) Aww, come on. I can’t be the only dreamer here. Seriously?!!? (smoothing hair and skirt to gather self) I think it all started when I was a kid and I dreamed I was Lois Lane in the famous flying scene in Superman. The Christopher Reeve Superman. Sure, he was cute. But, dude, I could fly!

If I could reenact one movie scene, it would be … Oh, screw it. It’s my link-up. I’m listing three.

I’m her. I chose the first duet because the footwear seemed WAY more comfortable.

I’m her. Yeah. Bad footwear. But who cares? I’d reenact it every day if the world would let me.

I’m him. Best footwear ever.

For a QUICK EXPLANATION of this link-up, click here. In short, Mel and I will post a picture or video with a prompt on the 1st and 15th of every month. And, with each prompt, we’ll feature a linker from the previous KWU. Which reminds me …

Our esteemed Ketchup With Us Featured Writer for today is …

Mrs. Tee

RULES? WHO NEEDS ‘EM?!!?

The rules are … THERE ARE NO RULES! Just guidelines. And we’d be truly honored if you posted our button on your page and followed us on Facebook (Michele /Mel), Twitter (Michele/Mel), Instagram (Michele/Mel) and Pinterest (Michele/Mel).

GRAB OUR BUTTON!

olddognewtits.com

‘KETCHUP WITH US’ – Prompt 26

In 57 words or less … if you could reenact a scene from any movie, what would it be?

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I Don't Like Mondays Blog Hop

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OMG, You Guys! Greenland called!!!

Posted on September 12, 2013 | 14 comments

To follow the dumbassery as it unfolded, please check out these posts first:

Hello, Greenland? Can You Hear Me?

Letter #1 to the Greenland Tourism Bureau

Letter #2 to the Greenland Tourism Bureau

September 11, 2013

Dear Michele.

Thanks for your email. And I am sorry that we did not answer your email before, but we have had a lot of requests, and have just reached your to answer.
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It sounds very good, that you’re interested in our beautiful country.
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I understand that you want some opportunity to realizes your project. And it is always a pleasure to know that someone would like to do something in Greenland.
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But unfortunately as I wrote, the last several years we have had a really tight budget, which means that we can not give any kind of supporting to any kind projects, which implying all kind of support as traveling, accommodation etc. etc.
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I´ll suggest you to find the informations in our website at the following website, and search for town & regions and you´ll find the contact informations there.
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If you need more of my assistance or have any questions, please write me back.
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Wish you good luck from here.
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Inussiarnersumik inuulluaqqusillunga / Best Regards
Uiloq Mathæussen
Ikiorti ilinniartuusoq / Student assistant
_______________________________________________
Visit Greenland
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Hans Egedesvej 29
Postboks 1552/1615
3900 Nuuk
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Yes, his English is a little broken. But it is WAY better than my Greenlandic so I’ll think we’ll just stick to my native tongue for our correspondence. I’m very encouraged that he offered some other outlets I can pursue to get my butt to Greenland. (I wonder what kind of shoes I should pack. Uggs make me look fat.) But I also really just want to get some Greenlanders reading ODNT. And I’m thinking I should write him back to clarify.

What do you guys think?

Should I write Hans back?

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I Don't Like Mondays Blog Hop

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Letter #2 to the Greenland Tourism Bureau

Posted on September 11, 2013 | 6 comments

First, we wrote a post about Greenland. Then, we sent them the first letter. Here’s letter number #2.

September 10, 2013

Hello, People of Greenland!

I wrote you guys last week and have yet to hear back from anyone. And I’d REALLY like to communicate with someone at your office. It seems that lately Greenland is all I can think about. I am consumed with Greenland. Greenland rocks! (Not to be confused with the TV theme song for the old Drew Carey show. Although I’m willing to rework the lyrics to “Cleveland Rocks” to apply to you guys if you think it would attract more tourists. P.S. Have I mentioned how much I want to come visit Greenland and write a travel review for your country? I’m just waiting for your call!) 

Anyway, perhaps it’s because I live closer to the equator than you can toss a cat (not that I would ever toss a cat), but I find myself obsessed with Greenland. And I want to invite some Greenlanders to join the party over at ODNT (my blog mentioned in the first email below).

Thanks again for your time. I’m literally counting the minutes until you write back! (Alright, fine. Not literally. But I’m WAY excited!)

Michele Robert Poche

P.S. Greenland Rocks! (How do you say that in Greenlandic? I want to have bumper stickers made. At least one for me anyway.)

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Now, let’s take a look at that old TV theme song, shall we?

Seriously, how hard would it be to dub ‘Greenland’ over ‘Cleveland?’ Sure, the remaining references wouldn’t match up. But if we wanted to change a lot, we’d probably need to contact the original songwriter, Ian Hunter, for his permission. Great musician, by the way. Love him. I bet he’d do it for us.

Just let me know how you want to proceed. Okay, Greenland?

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