I have a pair of new boots that are extremely hard to zip. Luckily I learned many years ago a neat trick to get them zipped without hurting my fingers.

It’s really quite easy to zip a pair of boots using a pair of pliers. Simply grasp the zipper with the pliers and zip it. It works really well and every time.

The only problem with this method is that sometimes you can break the zipper head. I’ve already broke the small plastic piece on the zipper but not the whole piece. So, it’s a method that is best used while breaking in the boots and not an ongoing solution, unless you know how to replace zippers.

My first car was a 1966 Ford Mustang. I loved that car and tried to take good care of it. Since we didn’t have a garage, I used a couple of car covers to protect it from the weather. My first car cover lasted a few years and when it finally gave out, I quickly bought another one.

Covering my car helped the paint job to look newer longer. It’s amazing how cars parked in a garage or under a carport look really good even if they are 10 years old. A car cover may not take the place of a garage and might be a bit more work each day, but it can greatly help to keep your car looking good.

Our last dog was from a litter of a friend’s dog. She was a gentle dog but part pit bull terrier, which made us nervous. Rae was younger, so we decided not to keep her and found her a new home. Now that Rae is getting a bit older, I’ve been thinking about which pets or breed of dog - should we decide to go with a dog - would be best to bring into the family.

We definitely would like an active and smart dog. After reading this Boston Terriers dog guide article, I’m almost convinced that a Boston Terrier might be the right pet for us. Some concerns I have about terriers is that they are known to be high energy dogs. Terriers also need a lot of attention, which I’m afraid with my new job that I won’t be able to be there for the pet as much as I would like.

I do think the size of a Boston Terrier would be perfect for Rae. A really big dog might get too rough when playing and knock her down. A smaller dog, even a really active one, might be a better choice. Besides, an active dog might not be such a bad thing since it may just help me get some exercise I desperately need.

I noticed today that one of my engagement ring’s prongs is bent. I’m not sure how it happened but it worries me that the diamond may come out. I do love diamond rings even though my engagement ring is the only one I have. I guess I’m going to have to take it to get repaired.

My Dad can do some jewelry repair, so since that will be cheapest route, I will check with him first. Another place to go for cheap jewelry repair is to the local community college. They have a watch and jewelry repair program. They do repair jewelry from the general public for a nominal fee. Most of the times you are only charged for parts.

If you need jewelry repaired, begin at the local community college to see if they have a watch and jewelry repair program. It might save you some money plus give students some experience.

Having more than one computer is great for our geeky family. It means my husband can work and I can work at the same time. It does have a downside in that sometimes there are files I need that are on the other computer. Lately I’ve been thinking that an external hard drive would be quite handy.

We could basically put our ‘My Documents’ folder on the external hard drive so that way we can both get to our files no matter which computer we happen to be working on. When we’re not using the external hard drive, there are storage cases that will protect the devices when not in use. That will be a must buy item especially with a two year old who is developing a fascination with dipping everything in water.

To have all of our data portable would be a good thing. The best benefit to an external hard drive would be to access any pictures or files I needed to at anytime. It’s definitely an item to put on the Christmas list for sure.

When the Parent Bloggers Network sent out a call for wacky warning labels, I knew it would be easy to find some crazy warnings. I remember once signing a lease with at least 5 pages of statements like “I will not hook up a washer to the kitchen sink.” The landlord had informed us that each statement was a situation that had come up where a tenant was trying to do what common sense should tell you is a bad idea.

I didn’t have to look too far to find some crazy warning labels. Here is my favorite. It is from Rae’s step stool she uses when she brushes her teeth.

It’s a great little stool, but I was surprised to read the warning label that stated it is not to be used as a car seat. I wonder the story behind that warning.

The kitchen bag warning was also an interesting read, reminding me not to use bags in a baby crib.

And finally also from the kitchen is the warning from the Ziploc storage containers that I highly recommend since they are so cheap and work well. Who would have guessed that after warming something up in a container in the microwave that it would be hot? Inconceivable!

There are some crazy warning labels on products no doubt. Sadly most have been placed by either someone doing the exact thing in the warning - like with my lease agreement - or someone sued the company over the product not warning them of the “danger.” Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse sponsored this week’s fun blog blast to show the most off-the-wall warning label we could find. You can visit the Parent Bloggers Network to join in the fun. I just had to travel no further than my own kitchen and bathroom to find some crazy warning labels. It’s really not that hard once you actually start looking around.

When I first saw the advertisement for Tooth Tunes - toothbrushes that play two minutes of a variety of popular songs - I thought how gimmicky. My next thought was I have to have one! Since I needed a new toothbrush, I decided my next toothbrush would be one. They sell them at Wal-Mart, so I was able to pick up one while doing some shopping. I chose the one with two minutes of “Let’s get it started” by the Black Eyed Peas.

There is a learning curve with this toothbrush to hear the music. If you just press the button for it to play, then you won’t be able to hear it that well. Once you start brushing your teeth and have the toothbrush in your mouth, you can hear the music a lot better. It does seem to short out when moving the toothbrush or I guess it could be where the speaker is placed. I’m not sure.

I had wanted it because I like to brush my teeth for at least two minutes but find that it’s really hard to do when watching the clock. So, with tooth tunes I can listen to the music and then when it’s over I know it’s been two minutes. It actually goes by pretty fast. As far as a toothbrush, it’s pretty much run-of-the-mill. Too bad I can’t combine the music with a Reach toothbrush or something. It might be a great toothbrush to get kids to brush their teeth for a prolonged period of time but not sure how great adults will think it is. Still it’s a fun toothbrush even if it lacks something.

I have a new part-time job outside the home. It’s a good one and really fits with my experience. I’ve worked several places like the local television station and the drug rehabilitation and mental health center. At my new job I will get to use my journalism experience plus my web skills.

It’s nice to find something that is truly part-time since I have a free babysitter thanks to Mom. Having this job will really help us out and still give me plenty of time to be with Raegan. I’m not sure I ever want to go back to a full-time job. This week has been a great first week. It really doesn’t mean less blogging time. It just means I need to organize my time wisely, which I’ve been wanting to do for some time anyway.

So, it’s been an adjustment this week but one that we are all getting the hang of quite nicely.

We recently moved so that means we still have a lot of unpacking and settling into our new home. One thing we have yet to master is the new oven. It always seems there is a learning curve with a new oven. Our last place was gas, so now I have to get use to cooking electric again as well as a hot oven. Look at these cookies baked at 350 degree for 8 minutes.

So what I’ve learned is constant vigilance when it comes to the oven. That and to have an easy preferably microwavable backup plan for dinner.

We have to winners. Congratulations to A. Braun and an Iowa Mom who both won a pack of playing cards in the Geeky Housewife comment contest. Winners were randomly drawn from all participants.

More contests are coming up as I have some fun prizes in mind. Another comment contest will be taking place next week once I find the prize. (It’s still packed from our move in September)