Persistence

     When Jaime was little she had this admirable persistence that I don’t recall having seen in many children.  She would go after something and keep at it until she accomplished whatever it is she was trying to do.  She didn’t get upset or frustrated.  She never gave up.  That was so admirable as it started before she could walk.

          Two specific examples I remember were when she was in the tub and there was a sliver of soap floating around.  She was determined to pick it up out of the water.  Of course it would slip from her grasp and eventually became smaller and non-existent.  So it was the soap that gave out.  She continued to look for it though.

          She would see me remove bottle caps from the water I was drinking and replace the cap.  She tried her hand at removing the cap also until she was finally able to do it.  Replacing the cap took a lot more effort.  I don’t know how old she was when she mastered that one – but she could remove it long before she was walking whereas I don’t think she mastered replacing the cap until maybe two. 

          I love her persistence and for how often she has been an example to me.

I LOVE My Yeti!

I drink a LOT of water.  I have gone through several water bottles and have replaced over the years.  Many have not been to my liking as the water doesn’t stay cold.  I don’t know of any water bottles that can go into the freezer without cracking or somehow damage the container.  Thus I have used regular bottles from bottled water or sports drinks.  I can fill them up half way and put them in the freezer.  I will remove it from the freezer and fill the rest with water.  Throughout the day the ice will slowly melt and allow a cool temperature of water that I need.

            I have used various socks to act as a cozy around the bottle.  But I know it is not the best method especially when Roland constantly harps on how bad the bottle smells – even if I just purchased and washed one from the store.  But the water hasn’t been a problem for me until just recently.  I don’t know if it was the bottle itself or the filter in the fridge or some other reason, but I did throw the bottle away.

            I think it was for Mother’s Day last year that I had received a water bottle from the family of my middle son.  It was blue, no more than 12 ounces (12 exactly – but only when the cap is off; I checked it yesterday and had to dump out two ounces so that it wouldn’t spill when I screwed the lid on.) It is not conducive to my thirst, though I’m sure I could pack it with ice.  I left it in Roland’s office as he does not drink as well as he should.

            Cute cup.  Three of my grandchildren have their faces on the cup.  I do like it.  It just isn’t practical for me.  By the end of April, Roland and Jenna presented me with a water bottle to count as an early Mothers’ Day gift.  The bottle is insulated and holds up to 26 ounces.  I cannot freeze, but it will definitely keep my water cold. 

            It also works for hot drinks, but I am not big on hot drinks.  Those I would not be filling up to the brim.  But I don’t think my Yeti will ever be used for anything but cold water.  I don’t necessarily need it river cold – in fact I’d just assume it wasn’t (I know that isn’t especially healthy) but colder than room temperature.  I’m not opposed to room temperature.  I just don’t like WARM.  Not for quenching thirst.  I also don’t like flavor in my water.  Give it to me plain.  No lemon.  No fruit of any kind – but especially lemon.  Some people may find that refreshing.  I find it makes me even more thirsty.

Dishwasher Safe or Not

When I was younger, I remember mom loading the dishwasher with certain dishes and washing others by hand.  There were some dishes that were marketed as “dishwasher safe” indicating that it could be washed in the dishwasher.  Most dishes were considered not to be dishwasher safe.

Later, things turned around in which all dishes were assumed to be dishwasher safe unless indicated otherwise.  Meanwhile dishwashers seemed to add more safety features and not everything questionable has to be placed on the top.  There are some plastics that can go on the bottom – even if the dishwasher is turned to the “pots and pans” setting.

Some dishes will come with a notice that “needs to be washed by hand” or “not dishwasher safe”.  But those instructions are not always carried over when said items are donated and purchased at second hand stores. 

I don’t know what Jenna’s obsession is with water bottles – Army water bottles in particular.  I thought it had something to do with her brother, Tony, as they had always been so close and he had sent her an Army bear for Christmas one year (see this post) but I have since learned that the memories include going to seminars or fairs and getting items for free.

Army water bottles are not dishwasher safe nor made to last – at least the kind that she has always received.  I was loading the dishwasher when she handed me her newest Army water bottle and asked if I would wash it.  Hand wash it or dishwasher?  Hmm . . . she had handed it to me when the dishwasher was open.  I placed it in the bottom for it was to large to go on top.  I think it would fit on top now as the product seems to be made from shrink wrap.

Not only did it shrink in size, but it is slightly tilted and though the shape of it seems to fit Jenna’s personality (I don’t know that either picture captures how it leans) there is too much gap between the lid and the groves of the bottle that it would leak if it was knocked over (which could easily happen with the shape) She ended up throwing it away and laughed about it.  She really is so good-natured.

I think it was another Army bottle she had that seemed to explode as it hit the ground.  She laughed about that, too, and said she’d be grateful that it happened outside and not inside the school.