Seven quick things that do not suck

1. Baby headbands. Photographic evidence:

(Not very good photographic evidence. I broke our good camera, remember?)

I bought this last weekend at my parents' town's founder's day celebration (catch all that?) and dudes, having a baby girl is making me BROKE. I was doing the drive-through-farmer's-market thing when I saw this stand and HAD to examine the cuteness galore. Lucky for you there is an Etsy shop! The owner and I totally bonded over our shared love of all things internet. LOVE this stuff, you guys.

2. Swiffer WetJet. I had a Swiffer, maybe two or three apartments ago, and was not impressed. I don't remember why, exactly, but I think it had something to do with feeling like I was just moving dirt from one section of my kitchen floor to another. But lately I've been thinking: Self? Surely there is some middle ground between spending an hour on your hands and knees with a bucket and a sponge, and a full on cleaning service. Don't you think? I believe that middle ground is called Swiffer WetJet. I swept up the stray Cheerios and raisins and then cleaned my floors in about one forty-sixth the usual amount of time. Amazing! I don't even really mind the headache I've had all afternoon from the "scented" cleaning solution! (I know it's supposed to make my house smell nice, but I don't want my house to smell like ANYTHING. Wait. I would be okay with cookie-scented cleaning solution. Do they make that kind?)

3. This plant.

.
Behold, the Mysterious Purple Flower

I've been trying to figure out the name of this flower and where I can find it since my WORKING DAYS, people. When I stole a stem out of my neighbor's yard and brought it to the office so the self-described garden expert in accounting could help me figure it out. DID NOT WORK. These are growing all around my neighborhood - against fences, around trees - and WHAT ARE THEY? Do you think I should just dig some up when my neighbors aren't looking and transplant them into my yard?

4. Audrey, Wait. My sister left this book at my house to give to my other sister, but then I started reading it and IT IS FUNNY. I'm only a few chapters in, so I can't give you my Final Recommendation, but a book about a sixteen-year-old girl whose ex-boyfriend writes a song about their breakup and gets famous is SO UP MY ALLEY. I know I'm supposed to be into Important Literature and books with big words and heavy thoughts, and I am, on occasion, but I'm sorry, my favorite books are about teenagers written for teenagers. Got any good ones for me, Kate?

5. Babies. Maureen had her baby today! Mary's going to have hers soon! So is And Not By Sight! Squeeeee!

6. Friends who send you links to cool stuff. The second part of that sentence should read "even though you haven't had time to look at the link." Sigh. Former Roommate, the one who is off Saving The World, sent me this video of Elizabeth Gilbert (Eat Pray Love) talking about "nurturing creativity". I haven't read the book and I haven't watched the video. But if Former Roommate sent it, it's worth watching. I haven't yet, my excuses being 1) it's 20 minutes long and 2) it might inspire me to DO something and I am much too lazy for that. But I WILL, Former Roommate, I WILL.

7. Good posts. Here's Elizabeth on division of labor. Jennifer on how to survive the baby/toddler stuff (I LAPPED THIS UP, PEOPLE). Jen on writing for your audience vs. writing for yourself.

More quick takes at Jennifer's. "Things that don't suck" willfully stolen from Charlotte.

Comments

[Formerly Gracie]

I've been OBSESSED with hairbows and my baby girl isn't even born yet... I'm in trouble once she's here. Thanks for the link to the Etsy shop.

[Charlotte]

Etsy does not suck. I was so late on the Etsy train, it is an embarrassment.

Swiffer WetJet, you say? I am still in the habit of boiling water with which to lace with Pinesol and mop. Because I am old. And childless. And old.

[Jen]

The internet just told me to get a Swiffer WetJet when I asked about cleaning bathroom floors. I ordered up my $5 off coupon which just came and I am going to.

[Redbecca]

I believe the flower is called Rose Campion. I also have it my yard over here on the East Coast - just discovered it in a book of flowers a coworker gave me because the former owner of our house was a flower NUT. So far I think we have 10 varieties of lilies already. Seriously, she was nuts. I've had to start a google spreadsheet to share with family that has descriptions, locations, care instructions, time of year, etc., just to keep them all straight. And I have a brown thumb so hopefully these suckers take care of themselves provided I can just do some weeding.
If you google image Rose Campion you'll find more pics.
(speaking of which, that pic is adorable!)

[Lizzie]

First, the perfection that is Molly is blinding. I prevented Lucy from seeing this picture lest jealousy be her first learned emotion...

Also, thanks for the links. I needed to meet Jennifer just today, would you know? And I will be reading it again later WITH A.

[Crystal]

That is one cute baby.

In my opinion, magical flowers are the best kind. Says the woman who can't garden for anything. I wish my yard would magically sprout some pretty purple flowers.

[Christiana]

I've sent your flower picture to my step-father - a PhD in environmental and biological science. :) Hope to hear back soon.

I LOVE that picture of Molly. So cute. And I am jealous that she will keep things in her hair. Caroline pulls every clip out of her hair within seconds. I'm going to have to try headbands. Unfortunately, the one on the Etsy website has a flower so big it looks like even my big-headed baby might topple over. :) Though I'm in love with the pillowcase dresses and shoes. :) Having a girl makes me broke, too. And it's really bad for my own wardrobe, since I spend all our budgeted clothing money on her instead of me. I miss new clothes. Sigh.

Have you read the Libba Bray books? Teen reads with a little mystery, a little fantasy. Not serious, but fun!

[Ashley]

I never have gotten into headbands and bows for my own girl, but Molly is rocking hers! What a cutie!

You should try a Swiffer Sweeper Vac. It works better for some messes than others, but for someone who absolutely LOATHES actually sweeping, it does the job just fine.

[Kate P]

Hey, I read "Audrey, Wait!" a couple months ago and loved it, too! I follow the author on Twitter.

I just finished reading "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies." Loved it. Hilarious. Not kidding.

Sarah Dessen is a good YA author, but more serious than funny. Serious/depressing teen books are the most popular, sadly (there even was a WSJ article about that recently). Let's see; what else did I booktalk with the schools last month? "The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks"--bit of a feminist slant, but has some really funny pranks in it. Anything by Neil Shusterman. That's all I can think of right now. I'm kinda fried.

[Heather of the EO]

You crack me up.

I saw your tweet about no husband on the weekends...yeah. I'm sure it'll be worth it, but that's hard! Mine travels for work, so I can totally relate to part-time single parenting. It's tricky, but um...you get used to it? :)

Now I want to read Audrey, Wait! I LOVE me a good funny book.

[Mrs Marcos]

re: the stink that is Swiffer Wet-Jet...

It is possible to wrench off the top of the solution bottles using a pliers, then refill with a solution that isn't as smelly (I use 1/4 cup Mr. Clean solution and top off the bottle with water).