Sunday, December 30, 2012

Bath Time

A few days ago, our washing machine broke.  We knew it was coming.  The unconscionably expensive thing started to go down hill very fast as soon as the warranty was out of date.  We bought a new one that--get this--sings little tunes at the end of each cycle.  Yes, I know, it's not exactly a selling point, but come on.  It sings.  And now, I can do full loads of clothes and they come out clean in just one cycle!  It turns out that being able to significantly cut down on the amount of laundry I'm behind on puts me in one heck of a good mood.  A friendly mood.  A nice mood.

I was going to go get a shower and Husband was coming with me.  We do that often.  It's a habit we got into long ago, and 99% of the time it's not a sexual thing.  Just a habit we have.  It's a time where we stop, talk about our day, our plans, and just reconnect for a few private moments when the kids are in bed.  I felt like doing something special for him, and whipped up some more vanilla lemon sugar scrub to use on him.  I washed him with a new, fluffy wash cloth and some eucalyptus mint soap, followed by exfoliating him with the sugar scrub.

It's amazing how just the simple act of washing each other, that simple act of care, affection, and love draw us together, no matter how far apart our minds had been a few minutes before.  The stress of the day just melts and for a few moments we are simply together.  There's no pressure, no worries, no responsibilities dragging us in a multitude of directions.  We are simply sharing a small space and being who we are together.  We feel comforted, calm, loved.  If we make love after these moments, it is often the best we have.  Taking that time out allows both of us to be in tune with the other's needs and desires.  Sometimes we try something new.  Sometimes we fall on old, comforting standards.  Either way, that level of connection can't be beat.

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Bimini Ocean Review

I had been eyeing Fun Factory's Bimini Ocean for months.  It seemed like the perfect size and shape for me, and, it's ridiculously cute looking.  Not cutesy in the worst-combination-of-pink-and-sparkles-I've-ever-seen kind of way that seems to practically be a trademark of lower quality toys, but an aesthetically appealing, fun-without-overdoing-it beauty.

Bimini Ocean via Rollinthehay.blogspot.com
A little bit about it: The Bimini Ocean is a rechargeable dual action/rabbit vibrator.  There is a curl on the end for G-spot stimulation, and a curl towards the base above the operating buttons for clitoral stimulation.  The shaft and curls are made out of silicone, and the base is made of plastic.  It's rechargeable, waterproof, has multiple speeds and patterns, and is relatively quiet.

Packaging: The vibe came in two piece packaging: the outer sleeve and the inner box.  The outer sleeve is classy, but not really discreet.  One side there is a large photo of the Bimini Ocean, on the other is a small photo of a woman in a camisole, but it's tastefully done.  The inner box is that strange copper/gold/silver color that I've only seen on Fun Factory packages.  I don't even know what to call that color.  Like...bronze with a touch of silver?  Anyway, it's a nice box that can be used for storage or even gifting, if you so choose.  The only graphics on the inner box are a red circle with "Fun Factory" written in white, and "Your Perfect Moment" written in red.


What I loved:   The intensity of the vibrations is just right.  If Hitachi is a 5, the Bimini Ocean is a solid mid-to-high 4, which is strong enough to have some definite pleasurable oomph without being too strong or too weak.

I'm not really sure what to make of the vibrations themselves.  I can't really call them rumbly, but I certainly can't call them buzzy.  It's a mix between the two.  Although I hate buzzy vibrations, this mix is not too bad at all.

I've found that the Bimini Ocean is also great to use as an external clitoral vibe during sex with Husband.  It's nice and soft, and not so big that it's intrusive, especially in the woman on top/cowgirl position.

What I didn't:  The angle of the G-spot curl isn't quite steep enough for me to get pleasure out of it unless I tilt the base way down so the tip goes up.  Then it hits my G-spot nicely, but the angle takes the clitoral curl off my clitoris.  It seems, unfortunately, that with the Bimini Ocean I can have clitoral stimulation or G-spot stimulation, but not both at once.  I have to say that was actually somewhat expected since everyone's anatomy is different.  No toy is going to work for everyone.

Final thought:  I like this one.  I'm not over the moon in love with it because it doesn't fit my anatomy just right, but I quite liked it.  The fact that it can easily double as an external clitoral vibrator and do it well is enough for me to recommend it.  Even if it doesn't fit a person's anatomy, it will be far from useless.



~I received this item at a discount in exchange for writing a review on another site.~

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Bedroom Misadventures Episode 3

Husband has always wanted to have sex in a car.  I don't get that, but it's something incredibly exciting for him.  One night, I finally agreed.  It was late, the kids were asleep, most of our neighboring houses were empty, and the vehicle we had at the time had tinted windows.  We would not be seen unless someone literally invaded our property.  Husband could finally have his little fantasy and nothing questionable would happen.

We walked out to the car (fully clothed).  Husband unlocked the door and pulled it open.

Then the car alarm went off.

We're not talking about a tiny little beep beep here.  It was a loud, repeating honk as the very bright lights flashed over and over.  Husband hurried to try to get it to turn off, but he didn't know how.  The car was new to us (we no longer have it now), and it took some figuring out.  When he finally got it to turn off, we slunk, red-faced, back into the house.

A short time later, he went outside.  When he didn't come back, I went to go see what he was up to.  He was standing outside, waiting for me.  He coaxed me into trying again and opened the car door.

The car alarm went off.  Again.

Do you ever feel like someone is trying to tell you something?

Monday, December 17, 2012

Jopen Key Io Review

Jopen, Jopen, Jopen.  I wanted to love you ever so much, but I don't.  Not at all.

If you recall, I wasn't particularly crazy about Jopen's Ego e3, which is the very first Jopen toy I bought.  Key Io would be the second that I own and, I'm sorry to say, possibly the last.  I knew I didn't like California Exotics's wares, and I knew Jopen is their company, but since Jopen is a luxury line, I thought I would at least be semi-pleased.  Not so much.

A little bit about it:  The Jopen Key Io is a vibrator that I can't tell if it is trying to be a clitoral vibe, vaginal vibe, or both.  It's relatively short (Jopen calls it a "mini massager"), so I doubt it will do much for vaginal use.  I'm guessing it is supposed to be a clitoral vibe.


The vibrator itself is made of hard, smooth, ABS plastic with a "stainless alloy" power button, runs off of a single AA battery, and comes in raspberry, lavender, and blue (which is more like aqua).  Each vibe comes with two silicone sleeves in a slightly lighter color.  These sleeves slip over the top of the vibe and are held in place by friction and slight tension (and I mean slight).  One of the sleeves is smooth, and one has bumps.
The bumpy sleeve.  The other sleeve looks exactly like this one, but smooth.


Packaging:  The Io comes in a sturdy cardboard box.  There is an outer protective sleeve that, though it is not exactly discreet, is not horrible, either.  When you remove the outer sleeve, you find the inner box, which opens like a book and reveals the vibe resting in a bed of foam.


Outer Sleeve
Inner Box

What I loved:  Hahahahahaha!

OK, I guess if I have to pick something nice to say, I like being able to pick a blue-ish toy over the standard pinks and purples.

What I didn't:  Everything.  First off, I broke my rule about batteries.  I almost always get a rechargeable toy or a toy that plugs in because I just hate dealing with batteries.  Most high end toys are rechargeable anyway.  Still, I decided to give this one a try.  I mean, Jopen is a luxury line, right?  How bad can it be, even if it does run off of batteries?

It turns out this toy is a fail from start to finish.  First off the settings suck.  Although there are 5 vibration patterns, there is only one speed, and it's pretty weak.  If the Hitachi is a 5, and the We-Vibe Touch is a 4, then this is somewhere between a 2 and a 3.  I need at least a 4.  Further, not only are the vibrations weak, they are very buzzy.  I, like many, many other people, prefer rumbly.  Honestly, to me buzzy vibrations are the hallmark of a cheap or poorly designed toy.

Now, let's talk about that button.  It is very sensitive and in a bad place.  I accidentally hit it several times during use, thereby changing the settings when I didn't mean to.

Now the sleeves.  They are OK.  Nothing particularly special.  The don't grip the toy all that well, and I have a suspicion that they're just there so people like me, who are suckers for silicone, will take a closer look.

Final thought:  I can't recommend this toy to anyone.  After using it, I just felt like it was a mediocre toy that Jopen was trying to pass off as high-end by slapping their name on it.  Weak, buzzy vibrations make this toy completely useless.

Although I received this as my monthly free review assignment from Eden Fantasys, Husband wanted to know how much they sell for.

"Fifty," I replied.

"Fifty?" he asked.  "Seriously?  For that?"

I wanted to give Jopen another chance after letting me down so much with the e3.  I wanted to be excited and amazed.  But, I really ended up feeling like this:

Photobucket

~I received this item for free in exchange for writing an honest review on another site.~

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Life Choices: a Rant

Husband and I were on our way home from errands when he casually mentioned a bit of a financial argument between a mutual friend and his wife.

"Our system works great," Husband says.  "When you want something, you come and ask for it."

"Usually you say no," I blurted out.  Wait, who just said that?

Husband was equally confused.  "What?  No, I don't.  The most I ask you to do is wait a week."

He was right.  He very rarely says no, and I know that.  So why did I say it?  Where did it come from?  Clearly, I don't exactly feel deprived, and usually I get what I want, I just have to ask for it, and I'm good with that.  He keeps better track of the finances than I do, so I have no issue checking with him before making any purchases.  But, I had hurt his feelings and he started to question how I feel about the life we are living and whether I really was happy with our status quo.  It took a while, but I finally convinced that I'm happy, because I am.  So why did I bristle when he said that?  It's what we do, after all, and I'm good with it.

"It felt weird hearing it out loud," I said to Husband later.  "Really, I'm fine.  I'm happy.  I don't know where that came from."

It took a while of self-examination to find why that comment had fallen from my mouth.  It comes down to this: I hate having to defend my life decisions to other women.  As a stay-at-home mom, I face some really backhanded comments.

 "You mean you finished college?  And you stay home?  Wasn't that a waste of money?"

"Oh, you know how to bake things?  Isn't that cute.  I just buy my baked goods from the store."

"You won't come out drinking with us?  Aw, you poor thing."

But that's not all.  Those statements are kind compared to a rather snarky article that I just finished reading, titled "1% Wives are Killing Feminism and Make War on Women Possible." With really epic statements like "To be a stay-at-home mom is a privilege, and most of the housewives I have ever met -- none of whom do anything around the house -- live in New York City and Los Angeles, far from Peoria," [emphasis mine] and "I have to admit that when I meet a woman who I know is a graduate of, say, Princeton -- one who has read The Second Sex and therefore ought to know better -- but is still a full-time wife, I feel betrayed," and let's not forget "Being a mother isn't a real job," it's no wonder I'm sick to death of defending MY personal choices.  And what kind of bubble world does that woman live in, anyway, when she thinks that people like me turn over our kids to nannies, our houses over to servants, and just go be perpetual 14-year-olds?  Is she serious?  And then she says it's the housewives that makes the war on women possible?  Well, you know what?  I don't feel attacked by other housewives.  I don't feel attacked by men.  Who I do feel attacked by, more often than the author of the article would like to believe, are self proclaimed feminists who have decided that they know what's best for all women everywhere.  It seems to my tiny little stay-at-home mom, unfulfilled brain that it's actually sentiments like this that make the war on women possible and perpetuate the "Mommy Wars."  I don't stand here and judge other women whether they work or stay home, and I don't tolerate those that have that kind of sentiment towards me.

But, if we would just follow her lead, it seems, we'd all be happy, full-functioning adults.  Yes, by her definition, I am not an adult because I don't have a paycheck with my name on it.  Shame on me.  Clearly, I am leading to the downfall of society.

Now we circle back to Husband.  Why did I make such a hard (and untrue) remark towards him?  It was a knee-jerk reaction after hearing comment after comment after comment.

So here's the thing: I was presented with a choice, and I made it.  Other people will choose something different.  I don't judge them, and I certainly don't expect them to judge me.  We are all just trying to find where we fit in this life.  Right now, I fit right where I am.  May everyone have the opportunity to be able to just be where they function best with what they have.

In the end, I don't have power over how other people see me, but I do have power over how I see myself.  Yes, some people will rant and rave on how I'm a bad woman because I chose a traditionally female role, but guess what?  That's where I happen to fit.  I'm not going to push myself into misery to make someone I've never met happy with my life choices.  Being guilted into a role that I'm not comfortable in is no better than pushing a woman into being a housewife when she's miserable being one.  It's about choice.  I've made mine.  Now everyone else can make theirs.  I don't judge.  Accord me the same respect.

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Why I love Fun Factory Toys (and a little plug for Eden Fantasys)

~This sponsored post was brought to you by Eden Fantasys.~

Fun Factory Smartballs
Today I realized I have 4 Fun Factory toys: 3 different exercisers and a vibrator.  For some reason, I keep coming back to Fun Factory toys again and again.  Even when I'm just window shopping for what I might like to review or try next, I constantly look at what FF is currently offering, but why?  Well, I've narrowed it down to several reasons.

1. Rechargeable.  Not all of Fun Factory's things are rechargeable, and in fact, items like Smartballs aren't powered at all, but a very large amount of their offerings are.  I'm particularly a fan of their "Click 'n' Charge" technology.  In plain English, it's a charger that holds on magnetically.  Although some people complain that the charger can get knocked off rather easily, I haven't had too much of a problem with it.


Fun Factory G4 Big Boss
2. Nice materials.   I'm a sucker for silicone.  It feels nice (it can be smooth, velvety, or somewhere in between), it's body safe (no questionable chemicals like "jelly" toys have), and it is super easy to clean.

3. Quality.  My original set of Smartballs saw a lot of use over a few years before they started to show any kind of wear.  I've had my Teneo Uno and Duo for a few months, with no issues.  Same with my G4 Big Boss.

4. Tons of choices. Whether you need an Kegel exerciser, a G-spot vibrator, a clitoral vibrator, a combo clitoral and vaginal toy, a prostate massager, or a couple's toy, Fun Factory has it in tons of fabulous colors, not just your typical pinks and purples.  Who is sick of pinks an purples?  This gal!

With all that being said, the next toy on my list happens to be a Fun Factory toy: the Bimini Ocean.  I'm super excited about it, and will probably be receiving it in the next week or so.

Want to try a Fun Factory toy yourself?  Right now, if you buy any of these toys at Eden Fantasys, you get a free, fun little extra to go with it (your choice of Sensual Cooling Gel or Kissable Glamour Powder).  And, a little birdy tells me that from December 17th to December 21st there will be free standard shipping on every order, free 2nd day air shipping on orders over $90, and free next day air on shipping over $120.  You're welcome.



Sex toys - EdenFantasys adult toys store

~This sponsored but honest post was brought to you by Eden Fantasys.~

Sunday, December 9, 2012

Of Love and Sick Days (and a recipe!)

My youngest child has an amazingly strong immune system.  He always has.  A few years ago, a really nasty flu went around that had the ability to knock the infected into bed and keep them there for a week.  Husband and I felt like death for days and days.  When my little one came down with it, he had it for a few hours, and that's it.

Which leads me to now.  A few days ago, he came down with a mild sore throat, a bit of a headache, but mostly a runny nose.  He wasn't happy, but he was fine.  Yesterday, I came down with the same illness, except mine is a severe sore throat, a pounding headache, nausea, shaky muscles, really painful sneezing, coughing, tightness in my chest, exhaustion, and a runny nose.  Nice.  Mama wants her pillow and to be left alone for a while.

So, last night I went to make my special I-feel-like-utter-crap tea, the key ingredient of which is ginger. When I went to make some, I found my ginger root had gone bad.  My valiant Husband came to the rescue and went out to pick up some ginger root and lemon so I could make it.  How I love him.

Now, on to the recipe for the ginger tea.  I make this every time one of us comes down with a nasty cold or flu.  I'm not a doctor, nor do I play one on TV, but this tea always makes us feel a little bit better.  Lots of people make a tea similar to this during sick times.  Honestly, I don't care if it's a placebo effect or not, since it allows me to swallow freely for a few minutes and at least think I feel better for a while.  All that being said, here is the recipe

Ginger Lemon Tea


Ingredients:
Fresh ginger root
Lemon, cut into wedges
Honey, preferably raw (optional)

Take the ginger root and cut off a 1-2 inch section.  You can cut more or less to taste.  More will give a spicier tea, less a milder tea.  If you cut too much, it's OK.  You can always add some hot water to your cup to lessen the spiciness.  After you've cut off the section, peel it and cut it into thin slices.



Then, take your thin slices and put them in a pot of water.  I never measure the water, but I'd say it's about 4-6 cups worth.  Bring to a boil.  Once it reaches boiling, turn it down and simmer for about 20 minutes or so.

Strain out the ginger root, or leave it in and just ladle from the pot (I do).  Once in your cup, squeeze a lemon wedge into the cup (make sure you remove seeds).  Enjoy.

Note: Some people add honey to this tea.  If you want to, go for it.  Sometimes I do, sometimes I don't.  I suggest local raw honey, if you have access to it.

Friday, December 7, 2012

Another (and hopefully final) update on the Touch

After contacting We-Vibe, they suggested that the issue may be static electricity and gave me some tips for correcting it.  They graciously said that if I continue to have issues, I will not be required to send back this one, but they would lab test a new one before they sent it out to me.

Satisfied customer right here.  I can go back to recommending them with no reservations.

Thursday, December 6, 2012

A (very angry) update on the We-Vibe Touch (Updated)

If you've been following along (part 1, part 2, part 3), you know that my We-Vibe Touch broke under warranty.  International shipping is ridiculous, but I sent it back anyway.  Well, today I was delighted when my replacement came.  I took it out and charged it, and then went to turn it on.

It, also, is broken.

This is where I get annoyed, since I don't want to pay for international shipping again (I didn't want to do it the first time) for something that is not my fault.

I'm going to be getting in touch with We-Vibe again and see what can be done.

Update:  For some reason, the Touch spontaneously started working right after I contacted We-Vibe and I haven't had an issue since.  Now I don't know what to think.

Monday, December 3, 2012

Jopen Ego e3 Review

If you've done any research on sex toys, you've probably run across the Jopen line at least once.  Jopen is California Exotics's luxury line, and one that I've stayed away from for a very long time.  Not only are they very pricey, but I tend to stay away from anything made by California Exotics due to some negative experiences I've had.  However, with my We-Vibe Touch replacement not here yet (but it is on it's way) and many, many glowing reviews about it, I decided to give the Jopen Ego e3 a shot.

A little bit about it:   the Ego e3 is a penis ring made to be used during intercourse.  The penis slips through the opening in the ring and slides down to the base (you may or may not need lubricant for this part).  The vibrating shell shape then, in theory, sits against the woman's clitoris.  

The Ego e3 is rechargeable with the included USB charging cable, multi-speed, and waterproof.  To turn on, you press and hold the button on the top until the desired strength is reached, and push it once to turn it off.  There is a travel lock function to prevent an embarrassing vibrating suitcase moment which can be activated by pressing the button rapidly 3 times, and unlocking the same way.  The e3 is made of silicone, so remember that if you need some lubricant to use water-based lube only.  Silicone lubricant does not get along with silicone toys.

Packaging: This part was actually pretty nice.  The e3 package has several parts.  The outer sleeve is black, textured, and although not discreet (there is a large photo of the e3 on the back), it's not really tacky, either.  When you remove the outer sleeve, there is an inner blue box.  The box is lined with foam with shaped recesses for the vibrator and charger.


What I loved:  Um...it's waterproof, rechargeable, rumbly (not buzzy) vibrations, and made silicone.

What I didn't:  Everything else.  This vibe was a valiant effort by Jopen/CalEx to produce something amazing, and a lot of people are very pleased with it, but I hated it for several reasons.  

First, there is the strength of the vibrations.  If Hitatchi is a high 5 in strength, the We-Vibe Touch is a mid-4 in strength, then this one is a low 3.  That's extremely disappointing because for me, I need at least a 4.  A 3 doesn't cut it.

Second, even though I was really attracted to that shell shape, it failed me.  Miserably.  I thought the ridges stood out much more than they actually do and the center ridge would hit my clitoris nicely.  However, the ridges were barely raised so it didn't help anything and just gave the sense of broad, mild vibrations, where I need something a little more exact.

Third, the battery life is horrible.  And I mean horrible.  The e3 only lasts for about 20 minutes on high, and with the vibrations being so weak, 20 minutes is certainly not enough.

Final thought:  Many people have used the e3 with great success and are head over heels in love with it.  Not me.  It didn't even kind of get me close to orgasm, and it's too uncomfortable for Husband to wear if it doesn't do anything for me.  Now, if the vibrations were stronger, the center ridge more pronounced, and the battery life longer, I would love it.  As it is, I just don't like it.



~I received this product at a discount in exchange for writing an honest review on another site~

Thursday, November 29, 2012

Liberator Wedge/Ramp Combo Review

Wedge on the left, Ramp on the right
Sex furniture.  It's something that I never thought I'd own.  That's something for R rated movies and porn...isn't it?  Well, apparently not.  The Liberator Wedge/Ramp Combo is now residing in our very real bedroom, and I couldn't be happier.

A little bit about them:  The Liberator Wedge and Ramp are two different products that are sold separately or can be bought together as a "Combo" set.  The Wedge is the smaller of the two and is often used to change the angle of the woman's hips in either missionary position or "doggy style".  The Ramp is much larger and generally used to help make "doggy style" more comfortable and supportive for the woman, taking the strain off her joints.  Put them together and you are only limited by your imagination.  Their microfiber covers create friction against each other, so they stick together.

Ramp
Wedge

What I loved: Choices!  If you buy from the Liberator site, not only can you choose the color of the Wedge/Ramp, but you can also customize the height and width to match your body type.  Don't worry, there's a guide on the site to help you select what size is best for you.  A friend, however, pointed out to me that the squishiness of your mattress matters here.  We have a Tempurpedic mattress and we don't sink very far into it, so the guide was right on for us.  However, my friend has a very tall husband and they tend to sink down into the mattress, so they bought the "average height" instead of the taller version, and it works just right for them.  It's something you may want to consider before you buy.

The microfiber of the Wedge and Ramp feel really nice under my hand.  Don't think of those microfiber cleaning cloths that stick to your hands.  It's not like that at all.  It feels more like velvet or velour.  The fabrics create friction against each other, so if you stack the Ramp and Wedge together, they won't slide around during use.
Look!  They stick!


Inside the removable covers is a very dense foam.  It's neither hard nor soft, but very comfortable and supportive.  Neither Husband nor I, nor both of us together, sink into it, but remain supported on top.  It doesn't collapse at all like pillows.  The same density that makes it great for sex also makes it great for lounging.  Placing the Ramp so it supports my back and head (so my head is high) with the Wedge under my legs is extremely comfortable.   I find myself back on it again and again, even though sex is not on my mind.  It's that comfy.
My favorite lounging configuration


Although this set can be arranged to facilitate a large variety of positions (and we intend on finding each and every one!), we actually bought it for one position in particular.  Husband loves the cowgirl (woman-on-top) position, but supporting myself like that just kills my wrists.  It was to the point that I was beginning to worry about irreversible injury.  I figured the Ramp would bring his upper body up towards me and I would be able to rest my arms on the ramp if I leaned forward.  Guess what?  It worked exactly like that.

Then, we tried doggy style with the Ramp.  Oh my freaking goodness, it was perfect.  I could rest my upper body on the Ramp (head pointed downwards).  The height was just right.  I wasn't having to adjust myself or strain my torso,back, arms or wrists.  Just wow.

What I didn't: It's hard to store, I guess.  You know what?  So far, there is nothing I've found that I don't like.  However, a friend did mention to me that the labels may be a problem for children or prying eyes.  If that's an issue, make good friends with a pair of scissors and a seam ripper so you can remove them.

Final thought:  Worth it!  The set is pricey at around $230, but consider this: it will save your joints, you can use it for things that have nothing to do with sex, you can get into all sorts of great, new positions (hello, G-spot!), and other owners I've talked to tell me that theirs shows little to no wear after 2 years of ownership.  This was a Christmas gift to ourselves for Husband and I, and I am beyond thrilled.  I highly recommend it!

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Bedroom Misadventures Episode 2

You've heard me talk about wanting to get a men's toy for Husband.  Well, a few days ago, the Tenga Flip Hole in black went on sale on Eden Fantasys for 35% off.  And, I had points to spend.  So I bought it.  It arrived today, but we haven't used it yet.  This is not a review.  Not yet.  This post is about what happened with the packaging.

The Flip Hole comes in a large, plastic tube that also houses the instructions and three small bottles of lubricant.  One of the lubricant bottles had come lose and spilled lube all over the inside and outside of the package, and all over the box.  I didn't panic.  Shipping issues happen, and as long as the item wasn't damaged, we were fine.  It wasn't.  I figured I'd just wash it off, no problem.

Checking the package, trying to find a way to open the cylinder, I noticed a tiny red dot near the top that said, "PUSH."  Ah, a way to open it.  I pushed.  Not hard.  This sent the round, plastic lid of the cylinder flying past me, across the room, but not before grazing my head and depositing lubricant all over my hair.

Not awesome.  Funny, but not awesome.

It's here!!!

My Liberator Wedge/Ramp came about an hour ago.  Unfortunately, it's too late in the evening to take good photos (I like to use natural light).  So, tomorrow look for what I'm pretty sure is going to be a glowing review with photos!

I actually just set them up and lounged on them.  They are that comfy.

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

SBS Project Day 10

And here we are, pretty much at the end.  You may just about be done, you may have lost track and have to do some (or all) of the SBS Project all over again.  If you need to go back, do so.  There's no shame in it.  Life happens and no space can be perfect all the time.  Or some of the time.  Or at all.  Right now I'm sitting in my living room and wouldn't even be able to walk a straight line through it due to all the Legos, books, and toys scattered on the floor.  And you know what?  It will still be there in 10 minutes when I'm done with my tea.  And guess what else?  I will be going back and doing half of the SBS Project again immediately and I'm not ashamed to say so.

As we wind down the SBS Project, I feel the need to note, rather emphatically, that we're going for a sexy sanctuary in the bedroom.  Don't get too tied up in making everything perfect, because it will never get there.  Perfection is unattainable in this life.  What you are going for is a place that you and your spouse want to be in.  A place that is (mostly) clutter free, comfortable, sexy, warm and inviting.  Don't get too discouraged if your place doesn't look like a magazine.  Most real houses don't look like that.

So, let's say you now have a completely clean, clutter free space of marital bliss.  Now what?  Celebrate!  Put the kids to bed and have yourselves an amazing night.  Buy some new lingerie (if you like and can afford it), light some candles, put on some music, and just be together in your new space.  Shut everything out for a little while and just be together in the space that is set aside for you both.

Make bed/do laundry/tidy the floor.

Do a quick dust and vacuum/mop, if necessary.

Enjoy.

Saturday, November 24, 2012

Coming up next...

The Tenga Flip Hole in Black is on its way!  That will probably be the next thing I review here on the blog, which should be happening sometime next week.

Photo Credit: Eden Fantasys

The week after, I'll be getting the Jopen Ego e3, which I am super excited about.  I'm just waiting for it to come back in stock.
Photo Credit: Eden Fantasys

Sometime in the next week or so, I'll also be receiving the Liberator Wedge/Ramp Combo!  Both Husband and I are very excited about it.  I'm going to include two links to the Liberator Wedge/Ramp, and I'll tell you why.  The Liberator site allows you to customize the fabric color, and more importantly, the height and width of the cushions so that they fit you (and your spouse).  However, the Liberator site does contain nudity, so if that bothers you, you've been warned.  The other is just an Amazon listing so you can see what I'm talking about if you don't want to look at the Liberator site.

Liberator site (contains nudity)
Amazon listing (no nudity)

SBS Project Day 9

We're coming to the home stretch now!  Whether you are literally on your 9th day of the (Sexy) Bedroom Sanctuary Project or it has taken you a month or so to get this far, applaud yourself!  You are closer to creating a sexy space that you and your spouse want to be in.

Make bed/do laundry/have your containers.  You get the idea.

Tidy floor, if necessary.

Clean under the furniture.  For many of us (cough...me...cough) this is a very scary thing, but it can be done.  Trust me.  I can nearly guarantee that under your furniture does not look as bad as under mine.  So, here's what you (and I) are going to do.  Figure out how many pieces of furniture you have in your bedroom that need to be decluttered underneath.  For me, I have a desk, nightstand, bed, and wardrobe that will need to be cleaned out from under and behind.  The bed alone is probably going to take a whole day's work.  Therefore, personally I'm going to break it up into a few days if I'm short on time or tired.  You should, too.  If it takes you a week to clean out from under the bed, so what?  It gets done when it gets done.

Do one piece of furniture at a time.  If it's very cluttered, set a timer for a certain amount of time, then stop working when the timer goes off.  Or, decide you'll do half, or a third, or a quarter of a piece of furniture at a time.  Go at your own pace.

A Sad Day

Remember when I received the JimmyJane Contour M, and I was ever so happy?  A nice little self or partnered massage was perfect for just relaxing and easing those muscles that are always tense (I have chronic tension headaches.  Fun).  Anyway, in short, I loved it.




Well, the other night I was crawling into bed in the dark when there was an unexplained noise that can best be described as cross between a crunch and a shatter.  I had left the massager on the bed and forgotten about it.  Now I have this:


And now I'm sad.

Friday, November 23, 2012

One More Reason I Love My Husband

Husband is not perfect.  I am not perfect.  I never claimed either of us were.  We have our ups and downs like every other married couple.  Sometimes, though, something extraordinary happens, and I love him even more.

We were trying to figure out what we wanted for lunch.  The kids snagged cinnamon pancakes left over from breakfast and husband voted to have leftover chili that he had made, which just left me.  He asked me what I wanted.

"I'll just have a sandwich or something," I said.  I'm still a little hormonal right now and certain foods just disgust me at the moment.  Chili is one of them.

"But what do you want?" he asked.  "Do you want some scallops?"

"We do have the calico scallops in the freezer."

"Or," he said, "We could go and get some sea scallops from the seafood market."

So we did.  And mussels, too.  Then, although he had already eaten, that marvelous man went in the kitchen and made fresh noodles, peppers from the garden, sea scallops and mussels, just for me, because he loves me.

Thursday, November 22, 2012

SBS Project Day 8

Today on the (Sexy) Bedroom Sanctuary Project, we're going to look at those flat surfaces that tend to collect junk.  Don't panic!  You can do this.  Remember that you can break this up over several days if you have a lot to do.

Make bed/do laundry/have your containers.  You get it.

Tidy main spaces of floor, if necessary.

Look at the flat surfaces.  These are the tops of dressers, wardrobes, desks, display shelves, nightstands, etc.  How long this step will take depends on how many surfaces you have and how messy they are.

Step by step, here is what you are going to do for each surface:

1. Grab your trash/donation/put away containers and keep them handy.  You will put anything that doesn't belong in that space in the appropriate container.

2.  Start decluttering.  If you have a lot to do or are feeling overwhelmed, set a timer for a reasonable amount of time.  I suggest 10 or 15 minutes if you are struggling.  For each item you find, ask yourself if you love it and if you need it.  If the answer is no, put the item in the donation or trash container.

3.  When you are done removing all the clutter, all that should be left are things you (or your spouse) love or need.  Dust the area.  If it's light dust, use a feather duster.  For heavier dust, use a rag.

We-Vibe 3, revisited

If you recall when I got the We-Vibe 3, you may remember that I was absolutely not in love with it.  I had high expectations and it completely failed me.  I was looking for two things: strong vibrations and something that would stay in place during sex.  I found neither in the We-Vibe 3.  My disappointment was, well, pretty deep.

So, let's look at the features that are left over: a flexible, silicone, rechargeable toy with moderate vibrations.  Once I got over the price of the vibe, followed by the insane amount of sadness it produced, Husband and I found it had one really great use.  It's fabulous for foreplay!  Several nights ago, he suggested using it when we're headed for sex soon, but not yet.  You see, the WV3 is wearable under clothing!  I mean, I wouldn't suggest wearing it out to run errands, but it's fun to wear when I'm going about a few last minute evening chores, and Husband finds that kind of sexy.  Multi-tasking at it's finest.

All this leads me to rethink my feelings on it.  I think I can sum it up this way.

As a couple's toy:  It doesn't work that way for us.  The vibrations aren't that strong and it doesn't stay on my G-spot or clitoris during sex.  So...  1 out of 5.

As a foreplay toy:  The fact that it's wearable and gives moderate, but not strong vibrations, makes it a lovely foreplay toy.  Going about whatever needs to be done while wearing it is fun for me and hot for Husband.  Win-win.  4 out of 5.  I'd give it a 5 out of 5 as a foreplay toy if the vibrations were a little stronger.

Final thought: The WV3 is a bit pricey, but it's a luxury, silicone, rechargeable toy.  That's to be expected.  However, the lack of power alone makes it seem overpriced at around $140.  Of course, everyone prefers a different vibration strength, and what's too weak to me may be too strong for someone else.  Vibration strength aside, the difficulty we face in keeping it where it needs to be during intercourse makes it seem even less worth it.  But how to reconcile that with the fact that it's great for foreplay?  I think I can do that by saying this: I'm glad I have it since it is fun to wear, but it's not worth the full price.  Get it, but get it on sale.  A really big sale.

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

SBS Project Day 7

Now we're going to get into some heavy duty stuff.  After we're done with the big stuff, which is going to take a few days, we're going to get into fun stuff, like making your sexy space.  It will be fun.

Laundry/Make Bed/Have your containers.  You've got this.

Tidy the floor.  Anything on the floor that needs to be picked up?  Do so.

Look at your clutter corners.  These are areas where clutter just kind of falls and stays there.  Next to your desk, between the bed and night stand, behind the door, etc.  Today, we're going to start cleaning these.  Have your donation, trash, and put away containers handy, pick a clutter corner, and start working.  If your clutter corners are particularly messy, you are short on time, or you are struggling, break up clutter corners into several days.  There's no shame in only doing one clutter area today.  Or half of one.  Go at your own pace.  Remember, we are not doing under the furniture yet.

Another Update on the We-Vibe Touch

If you haven't picked up on the idea, the We-Vibe Touch is one of my favorite vibrators.  It fits between Husband and I during intercourse (especially in the cowgirl position), and that's just awesome.  When it spontaneously stopped working, I was heartbroken, but thankfully it was under warranty.  So I submitted a warranty claim online, and a few days after that We-Vibe told me it sounds like it's defective and to send it back to them to be checked.

I debated long and hard as to whether or not to bother sending it back, mostly because the idea of going to the post office and standing in line at this time of year, plus filling out a customs form (it's going to Canada), frankly frightened me.  I have enough Eden Points that I could just get a new one for free, no post office line necessary, but I was saving those points for other things.

So, this morning I made the trip out to the post office, kiddos in tow, which by itself was scary.  I got there shortly after 9am, and found there were only two people ahead of me.  Score!  When it was my turn at the counter, I told the woman that my package needed to go to Canada.  She simply said, "Ah!  You'll need this custom form then."  She handed me a form that was a little bigger than an index card that only asked for what was in the package, how much it was worth, where it was going and where it was from.  In case you are wondering what I declared it to be, I wrote "Massager under warranty," which is what We-Vibe suggests writing, since when it comes down to it, it is a massager.  You don't really have to write sex toy or vibrator.  How embarrassing would that be?

The post office trip was actually pretty painless, although I really didn't like having to pay to send back a defective item.  That seems silly.  I've never had to pay for shipping to return a defective item before, and it slightly shifted my opinion of their customer service.  I ended up paying under $20 to ship it back, which is almost 1/4 of what paid for the thing in the first place.  I don't like that.

What happens next is if the Touch is in fact found to be defective, they'll send a replacement from New York.

Hold it.  They're making me pay the extra money to have it shipped internationally when they have a location in New York?  Couldn't they have people in New York capable of checking it for defects?  Obviously they don't, but why not?

The experience isn't horrible, but it is kind of a PITA.  But I went through it anyway.  I love the Touch that much.

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

A Little Change Today

Life sort of got away from me today.  So, there will be no SBS Project post today, but it will return tomorrow.  I just didn't get a chance to get in there today as I was occupied elsewhere.  So, anyway, come back tomorrow for more of the Sexy Bedroom Sanctuary Project!

In other news, I started a Pinterest account for Rolling in the Hay so I can pin the things that deal with what I talk about here.  Seemed like a good idea.  You can find a button for it on the sidebar.

That's pretty much it for today from me.

Reconnecting (and a DIY spa recipe!)

Lemon Vanilla Sugar Scrub
Sometimes the stress just gets to us.  It's not even anything particularly big, but a bunch of little things piled up together to the point where we throw our hands up in surrender and cry, "No more!"  A few nights ago was one of those times.  We were snippy, we were exhausted, we were all sorts of angry and hostile and just needed a time out.  Well, why let it just lie when you can do something about it?  I began to scheme.

While the evening was winding down I began to prep.  I started by giving the bathroom a really deep clean, because that's where the evening was going to begin.  Then I placed some candles on small dishes around the sink near the shower.  And then it was off to the kitchen.

Now, when I do anything in the kitchen, Husband gets excited and thinks I might be baking something.  He immediately wanted to know what I was up to, but I made him wait.  Then I started making a sugar scrub (recipe at the bottom of the post).

After the kids were in bed, I lit the candles and started the shower.  I took Husband in with me, and we spent quite some time using the body scrub on each other.  The contact was soothing, relaxing, and really helped us just stop and reconnect with each other.  We were able to ground ourselves and really just be with each other for those few minutes.  There is nothing quite doing something so caring for each other, even when it is as simple as washing the skin.  It had been a long time since we had done something just so aching beautiful.  I know it sounds ridiculous and dramatic, but it's true.

*          *          *

All this had an amazing side effect, besides the obvious emotional reconnection.  That body scrub I made?  It was beyond fabulous.  We now make and use it regularly.  Both of us had smooth, soft skin that we, yes, WE, loved.  Want the recipe?  Here it is:

Vanilla Lemon Sugar Scrub
  • 2/3 cup white sugar
  • zest of one lemon
  • a teaspoon or so of lemon juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
  • smidge of olive oil


Pour sugar in a bowl, add vanilla and stir until well combined.  Zest a lemon, making sure to break up any long strands of zest.  
My zester.  I love this thing.
Ribbons of lemon zest

Add it and the lemon juice to the sugar and stir.  Now comes the olive oil.  How much olive oil you need is really going to depend on how damp the atmosphere and sugar are, but it will be somewhere around a tablespoon or so. You are looking to make a paste, but not too wet.  Place in airtight container.
Ingredients mixed together


To use, place some in your palm and scrub over your body in circular motions.  Rinse off.  Take care, as the oil in the scrub may make the bottom of your shower slightly slick.  Now, enjoy the smoothness of your skin.

Monday, November 19, 2012

SBS Project Day 6

How are you doing with your own Sexy Bedroom Sanctuary Project?  Going well?  Not so much?  Remember, you can always back up and do a certain day or specific assignment again.  No big deal.  Remember, how fast you go here depends on the size of your room, what state it was in to begin with, how much time you have, and your physical ability.

Today is going to be an easy day.  You've done 5 days (or more) so far.  I'm proud of you!  And I'm proud of me!  So, we're going to slow down a bit today and pick up the pace tomorrow.

Make your bed/do some laundry/have your containers.  You got all that by now, right?  Same thing every day.

Take stock of clutter corners and flat surfaces.  Take a look around the room.  Notice where your clutter corners are.  This is where things just fall and stay there.  It could be next to your desk.  Behind the door.  Between the bed and the nightstand.  Notice where these areas are in your room.  Don't do anything else with them.  Just take note of where they are.

Now, look around at all the flat surfaces in your room.  I'm talking about the top of the dresser, nightstand, wardrobe, desk, etc.  It may even be your bed if you have the tendency to throw things there.  Notice where all these spots are, how many you have, and how cluttered they are.

That's it for the day.  Tomorrow we'll start work on the flat surfaces and the clutter corners.

Bedroom Misadventures, Episode 1 (revised, to make it a little less embarrassing)

I've been debating whether or not to say anything of our failed experiments.  Embarrassing, horrifying, failed attempts at new positions and toys.  The more I think about it, the more I figure that this blog is about honesty.  If I'm encouraging others to be open about sex with their spouses and know that it's OK to talk about, I certainly can't pretend I'm Little Miss Always Has a Perfect Love Making Session.  Because, well, I don't.  Sometimes I fail.  Sometimes I fail epicly.  All that being said, let me tell you about last night...

Husband and I are both pretty adventurous in the bedroom.  We'll try just about anything once with a few exceptions (things that are obviously illegal and bringing in another person/swinging.  Those are both a big, fat NO for us).  Anyway, when one of us has a thought on something new to try, whether it be a new position, using a different piece of furniture, or trying a new toy or sexy activity, we bring it up to the other person.  The other person gives a yes, no, maybe, not this time, ask again tomorrow, etc.  There is no judgement or anger involved in any of this and the worst we can possibly say is "no."  No big deal, right?  Well, usually it's not.

Last night I got up the nerve to ask for something that's been running around in my head for a while.  You know I do a lot of reading and research for all this blogging nonsense, right?  In my travels, I pick up on new ideas.  New activities.  New toys and positions.  Anyway, this idea (which I'm a bit too embarrassed to tell you what it was.  Shut up.  Don't judge me) had me curious enough to give it some deep thought, and, following our "We'll try just about anything once" mantra, I brought up the idea to Husband.  He gave me a "maybe."  Fine by me.

In the end, his answer ended up being a combination of "No, not my thing," and "We'll revisit the idea at a later time."  Again, no big deal.  It wasn't the first time either of us turned down an idea.  No further discussion is necessary.

Almost.

I'm a bit of a hormonal mess right now (no, I'm not pregnant, in case that's where your mind went), which for me means everything is a big deal.  We had our splendid couple's time and went about our evening, but afterward I felt so awful.  I felt personally rejected and embarrassed that I ever brought up such an idea.  Of course, those feelings were uncalled for.  He never meant to make me feel that way, but those feelings were there anyway.  He picked up on my mood, but interpreted as disappointment.  He tried to make me feel better, but since he misunderstood what was wrong, he failed.

He made his charmingly confused face at me when his attempts at making me feel better didn't have the desired effect.  The kind of expression that makes me melt and fall in love with him all over again.

Poor guy.

I didn't sleep well last night, and this morning I was still feeling all sorts of rejected and embarrassed.  Husband reassured me that those feelings are unnecessary.  He's said no to ideas before.  I've said no to ideas before.  So what was different about this time?  Well, that would be the ball of hormones that is me at the moment.  Ugh.  Hey, who wants some tea?  I know I do.


Sunday, November 18, 2012

SBS Project Day 5

Today, I got downright cranky.  The room was looking better and more comfortable, but I was moody for unrelated reasons.  Sometimes, when I get moody, I clean.  I did more today than I intended, but I'm happy with the progress.

Anyway, if you haven't cleared the clutter from the floor of your room (the obvious places in your line of sight), back up and do Day 4 until you have finished.

On to today's assignments!

Make your bed.

Have your trash/donation/put away containers handy.  As you move throughout your space, put any obvious items you find in the appropriate containers.

Do a load of laundry if applicable.

Clean the walls and baseboards.  Whether or not you can do this in one setting (or at all), depends on the size of your room and your physical ability.  My room is not huge so I did it all at once.  It's OK if you need to break it up over a few days.

My favorite way to get the dirt off the walls is to use a little bit of diluted Doctor Bronner's peppermint soap on a damp rag.  Not only does it look cleaner, but it smells nice, too!  And in all seriousness, it's amazing how far clean baseboards go to add a sense of order to a room.  It sounds crazy, I know.  But once you do it, you'll see what I mean.

Vacuum or mop the floor if applicable.  Cleaning the walls may have released some dust and debris. Or your floor might be a mess after removing all the clutter.  Either way, give the floor a quick cleaning.  We're not talking about perfection here.



Saturday, November 17, 2012

SBS Project Day 4

Carrying on, kids, carrying on.

When I walked into the bedroom Husband and I share this evening, I was not amused.  Not angry, but a little discouraged.  The new toner for the printer had come, and the boxes lay around.  There had been people climbing all over the bed and it was a crumpled mess.  There were pieces of errant laundry on the bed.  A stack of unfolded clothes were waiting for me.  The floor was still a sandy, cluttered disaster.  What's to be done?  Well, do what I did before.  Remind the kids that this is personal space and go back to cleaning up.  I can not stand to have a room that I can't walk through without tripping.

And, if I'm honest, it's not just the kids.  It's Husband.  It's me.  It's all of us.  But that's what this is all about.  Turning the family storage room back into a sexy sanctuary.  With that in mind, here are today's assignments.

Remind people of the law of your room, if necessary.

Make your bed.

Fold any leftover laundry.  Wash more.

Have your trash/donations/put away containers handy.

Pick up the obvious spaces in your floor.  We did a brief tidy of the floor yesterday.  Today we're doing a deeper clean, picking up any floor space that is visible.  That does NOT mean under your furniture.  That's later.  If your floor is particularly messy, break it up into smaller areas or use a timer set for a manageable amount of time.  There is NO SHAME in breaking up this step over the next several days.  Stop here and repeat this step until the visible parts of the floor (not under the furniture) are clean or manageable.  When you finish, go on to the next day.

Tenga Egg (Stepper) Review

photo credit Eden Fantasys
Most of our toys are all about me.  Stimulators, vibrators, nipple toys...me, me, ME!  Husband has never complained about that, but honestly, I felt a little guilty.   Surely, there must be something I can get for him?

We decided to get one of the many male stimulators out there to add some variety to foreplay, manual sex (hand jobs) and oral sex (blow jobs).  But since we had never had such a toy and there are oh-so-many out there, which one should we get?  Would he even like it?  I knew I wanted to get him something high-quality, but the idea of dropping a fair amount of money (or Eden Points) on a toy that he wasn't necessarily going to like was a bit daunting.  Then, we discovered the Tenga Egg.  It's relatively cheap and disposable, and we thought it would be perfect to find out if he (and we) would like this sort of thing.

A little bit about it: The egg is made of silicone (use water-based lubricant only!), disposable, and very, very stretchy.  It is textured on the inside, and each variety of egg has a different texture.  Ours was the "stepper."  Even though the egg looks very small (about the size of a tangerine) it can stretch all the way down the shaft of the penis.
Tenga Egg Review @ http://rollinthehay.blogspot.com
The egg flipped inside-out so you can
see the textures on the inside.

On the bottom of the egg is an opening.  Place some water-based lubricant in it (it comes with a small packet of it), and then slide the whole thing down over the head of the penis.

Packaging: The Tenga Egg comes in a little plastic egg very similar to the ones you see at Easter.  There's a little shrink wrap sleeve on the outside that gives some basic information.

What I loved: This was a great way to dip our toes, so to speak, into the world of male-specific sex toys.  He had never had a masturbator toy before, and found he really loved the convenience of it.  No mess to clean up after!  That's pretty handy.  I loved that my hand didn't get tired using it on him.  The egg did most of the work.  And, of course, it felt good for him!

What I didn't: The egg is meant to be a one-use disposable.  At around $10 each, it's a bit pricey for something you should only use once.

Final thought: This is what Husband has termed a "gateway toy."  It's great to use if you want to see if a masturbator is something you may want to add to the bedroom without a huge monetary commitment.  It's even great for travel, since if you lose it or forget it somewhere, you are only out about $10, and once it's used, you can just throw it away.  In short, I recommend it for people that fit into those two categories (newbies and travelers), but not for experienced users looking for a new favorite toy.

Friday, November 16, 2012

Coming up next...

Photo Credit Eden Fantasys
I have to wait for daylight to get some decent photos, but I wanted to let everyone know what I'm reviewing next: The Tenga Egg.  We bought it just for a fun little change to the normal.  In short, we loved it, but seems a little expensive for what it is.  Come back tomorrow for the full review!

SBS Project Day 3

Today on the Sexy Bedroom Sanctuary Project, we're just going to do what we did before, plus a little extra.  I don't know about you, but I'm starting to feel a little peace entering my room already, which is fabulous, because I'm feeling kind of crabby.

Make the bed.

Put some laundry in to wash (if you have any waiting) and fold any clean clothes.

Have your containers ready for trash/donations/put away.

Pick up the laundry.    Look around.  Do you have any clean or dirty clothes on the floor?  Pick them up.  Fold them and put them away or put them in the hamper.  If in doing this, you find any clothes that nobody wears but somehow keeps getting pulled back out, put it in your donation container.  Or put aside to make rags from.  Or toss it.

Brief floor tidy.  If you now have enough room to sweep or vacuum the floor, even if you can't do all of the floor, go ahead and do that now.  If you look and have anything on the floor that is obviously trash, doesn't belong there, or can get donated, put it in the appropriate containers.  If you have a lot of floor space to clean, limit yourself to one specific area or set a timer for no more than 15 minutes and clean for that amount of time.  Remember, if you do too much in one day you risk shutting down.  This is a quick and dirty tidy, picking up anything that jumps out at us.  This doesn't mean that you should clean all of the floor right now (you shouldn't), or clean out from under the furniture.  That's later.

Thursday, November 15, 2012

SBS Project Day 2

Yesterday, we took out the (obvious) trash, made our beds, thought about new sheets, and laid down the law as to who and what is and is not welcome in our sacred space.  If you haven't finished those things, do those first before moving on.

Try not to do too much in one day.  If you do, you'll just feel wiped out and will stop making progress. There is no shame in breaking up each assignment over multiple days or to do part in the morning and part in the evening.  Go at your own pace.

All that being said, let's talk about the assignments for today.

Make your bed.  We're going to making the bed every day from now on.  I know it may sound a bit silly, but trust me on this.  This little step adds a whole lot to the feel of the room.

Get your containers together.  From now on, while in the process of cleaning and getting rid of all the clutter, we're going to have a trash bag (big or small), a container for donations, and a container (or two) for things that don't belong in the room.  What the container is doesn't matter.  Boxes, bags, baskets, whatever.  Maybe you don't have anything to donate, or all that stuff actually belongs to you.  Adjust accordingly.  Don't do anything with the containers today.  Just have them.

Do some laundry.  Look around.  Do you have clean laundry sitting around your room that needs to be folded and put away?  Do it.  Then put another load into the wash.

Update on the We-Vibe Touch

After a few days, We-Vibe got back to me, told me it sounds like my unit is defective.  They advised me to send it back, they'd check it over, and if necessary, send me a new one from their New York location.  They also advised me what I needed to put on the customs form.

Crap.  Customs form.  We-Vibe is a Canadian company, and to be checked, my vibe must go back to Canada.  So, I get to go and stand in line at the post office, which will be PACKED right now, and pay to have my defective unit sent back, and fill out customs forms.  That sounds like quite a bit of a hassle, especially since our local post office cut their hours WAY back, and anyone I'll be standing in line with will be eight shades of pissed off.  Maybe I should just get a new one...I do have enough Eden points for it, but those were earmarked for something else.

Decisions, decisions.  Well, I'll let you know what I decide to do.

Anyway, coming up later today, look for day 2 of the SBS Project.

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

SBS Project Day 1

I want to be very careful about how I proceed here.  By "day" I merely mean a chunk of time.  It can be literally one day (it will be for me) or you can stretch it out over a couple of days.  Anyway, I'm digressing already.  So here's my strategy for the first day.

Lay down the law.  As you saw in the intro, my kids are always hanging out in my room and dumping their stuff in there.  I have now made it very, very clear that the space belongs to Mom and Dad.  All others may only enter upon permission.  Anything that goes into the room with a child comes out of the room with the child.  Absolutely no Legos.  Do you need a similar law?  Do it.  Do it with kindness and compassion, without blame, but be firm.

If this sounds a little harsh, remember: this is a haven and a sanctuary.  Not a closet.  Not a playroom.  They have the rest of the house for that.

Take care of the sheets. Take a look at your sheets and quilts or blankets.  Are they in good condition?  Do you love them?  If so, wash them, then make the bed.  If your bed linens needs some help, try to get new if you can afford it.  If you can't, wash and dry them and make your bed as best you can.  Having bed clothes you love can actually go a long way.

Remove all obvious trash.  Any trash cans or bags of trash that need to be emptied?  Go do it.  I'm talking about obvious trash, not to go looking for it.  That comes later.