LaLaLand Mamma

My Review of Roku HD Player

2009-12-21T21:25:00.001-08:00

The best-selling HD Player (as known as Netflix Player by Roku) plays High Definition video and connects to surround sound audio.

Excellent product for a 1 computer house

By LaLaLand Mamma from Sunland, CA on 12/21/2009

Pros: Easy to use, Built in Wi-Fi, Video selection, Easy to set up, Reliability, Frees the computer, Compact, Great value, High quality picture

Cons: Hulu, Want more video choices

Best Uses: Living room, Kids Playroom, Primary TV, Secondary TV

Describe Yourself: Geek, Casual User, Netflix fan, Technophile

We are a cable-free household. I have been a Netflix member for years, so when streaming Netflix movies came along, we jumped right in. I love the Roku player, because not only does it free up my computer for other uses, I can pre-choose films that would be good for my young children. I don't have to worry about them watching inappropriate content. The other channels available are really good especially Amazon video which has many recent movies for purchase. The downside is there are not that many channels. But I am sure more will be added in the coming year.

(legalese)

2009-04-23T14:53:00.001-07:00

Bloomingdale's Neiman Marcus REI

The better to eat you with my dear....

2008-10-29T17:37:00.000-07:00

We made these Apple Bites for my daughter's preschool Halloween Party. They were a big hit with everyone.

These are sure to be a Halloween staple for years to come.

Here is the recipe.

Muffin Tin Crayons

2008-10-26T22:59:00.000-07:00

I was tired of finding broken bits of crayons all over the house. My 3 year old daughter and I made a gift for her 1 year old brother. We gathered up all the broken crayons we could find. Separated the colors accordingly. Put them in the mini-muffin tin I got a yard sale for 25 cents. Baked them and Oi-La! Toddler Crayons. We even decorated a tin to hold them from a Christmas Butter Cookie tin that I had been saving to use for something.

Crafty fun for mom and daughter. Art fun for a 1 year old. I was hoping that they would seem less edible to him, but not a chance. Soon after several of them were promptly chewed up.

Next we make these I will be sure not to include washable crayons in the mix. They stayed soft. Oh well, at least they are washable.

Here are the instructions that I used from a groovy blog called Crafty Daisies.

Coyotes & Cats

2008-10-23T17:23:00.000-07:00

....the cats get eaten.

Found this scene in my yard yesterday. I am going to keep the dog in the house during the day from now on. I was barefoot and thought I was stepping on a large branch. It was dusk, so I couldn't see that clearly. When I realized what it was I shoveled the kids into house. Wash my foot in Listerine and waited for the man to come home and take care of it.

I wonder if it was someone's pet. :(

Not sew crafty.....

2008-10-21T21:10:00.000-07:00

So I have been making some attempts at knitting. Started the project over today. I think I will get the hang of it. I got the knitting part down. Now for the other stuff, cast-ons, yard overs, perls, dropping stitches. Basically everything else. Seems daunting right now, but perseverance is the key to success.

Downtown Art @ 7th + Fig

2008-10-17T18:59:00.000-07:00

The Knitting Circle went to the Cheryl Walker Immersion Art installation at 7+Fig. We actually just happened upon it while going to lunch. A pretty neat find. Art makes your soul feel so good. I can't wait to take the kids. Gotta love hands-on. Gave me those same great feelings I get at Burning Man. Self Expression is totally under-rated.

Click here to see it for yourself

Happy 232nd USA!

2008-07-04T07:27:00.000-07:00

You know what. I love America. Why should I not love it, it's my country.

Rita made a the cutest flag in preschool, she says this is my country mamma.

We got a flag yesterday at OSH, I was very happy that it is Made in the USA. Many of the other flags said Printed in the USA and on the back in small letters, "all other components made in China". Not sure what that is all about, money I guess it what it's always about.

This is the 1st 4th we are celebrating at this house. Supposedly you can see the fireworks from the from the house. We are having a couple of friends over tonight for some food and fireworks.

Do you bittorrent?

2005-10-16T21:10:00.000-07:00

This is the coolest thing for file sharing. Forget Shareaza and Bearshare. Everyone has already forgotten about Napster. You can search for new torrents by using google. You need a client like bittorrent www.bittorrent.com to download.

Check it out, you'll love it.

Poor Poor Comet...

2005-10-12T21:05:00.000-07:00

Ugh! I can't believe it. I got rear-ended on the way home from work today. Thank goodness Rita wasnt in the car with me. I was at the stop sign and BANG!

I guess this restore job is going to take alot longer now. I think that the insurance company will total it. At least then I can get another car.

Check out the pictures.

Things to Know

2005-10-12T21:04:00.000-07:00

Budweiser beer conditions the hair.

Pam cooking spray will dry your nail polish.

Cool Whip will condition your hair in 15 minutes.

Mayonnaise will KILL LICE; it will also condition your hair.

Elmer's Glue - paint on your face, allow it to dry, peel off and see the dead skin and blackheads, if any.

Shiny hair - use brewed Lipton Tea.

Sunburn - empty a large jar of Nestea into your bath.

Minor burn - Colgate or Crest toothpaste.

Burn your tongue? Put Sugar on it.

Arthritis? Use WD-40 spray and rub in, it helps with insect stings too.

Bee stings - Meat Tenderizer.

Chigger bite - Preparation H.

Puffy eyes - Preparation H.

Paper cut - Crazy Glue or Chap Stick (glue is used instead of sutures at most hospitals).

Stinky feet - Jell-O!

Athletes' feet - Cornstarch.

Fungus on toenails or fingernails - Vicks vapor rub.

Kool Aid to clean dishwasher pipes. Just put in the detergent section and run a cycle, it will also clean a toilet (Wow, and we drink this stuff)

Kool Aid can be used as a dye in paint, also use Kool Aid in Dannon plain yogurt as finger paint. Your kids will love it and it won't hurt them if they eat it.

Peanut Butter - will get scratches out of CD's! Wipe off with a coffee filter paper.

Sticking bicycle chain - Pam no-stick spray.

Pam will also remove paint and grease from your hands!

Peanut Butter will remove ink from the face of dolls.

When the doll clothes are hard to put on, sprinkle with Cornstarch and watch them slide on.

Heavy dandruff - pour on the Vinegar.

Body paint - Crisco mixed with food coloring. Heat the Crisco in the microwave, pour into an empty film container and mix with the food color of your choice.

Tie Dye shirt - mix a solution of Kool Aid in a container, tie a rubber band around a section of the t-shirt and soak.

Preserving a newspaper clipping - a large bottle of Club Soda and cup of Milk of Magnesia, soak for 20 minutes and let dry. It will last for many years!

A Slinky will hold toast and CD's!

To keep goggles and glasses from fogging, coat with Colgate toothpaste.

Wine stains, pour on the Morton Salt and watch it absorb into the salt.

To remove wax - Take a paper towel and iron it over the wax stain, it will absorb into the towel.

Remove labels off glassware etc. - rub with Peanut Butter!

Baked on food - fill container with water get a Bounce paper softener and the static form the Bounce towel will cause the baked on food to adhere to it. Soak overnight. Also, you can use 2 Efferdent tablets, soak overnight.

Crayon on the wall - Colgate toothpaste and brush it!

Dirty grout - Listerine.

Stains on clothes - Colgate.

Grass stains - Karo Syrup.

Grease stains - Coca Cola, it will also remove grease stains from the driveway overnight. We know it will take corrosion from car batteries.

Fleas in your carpet? 20 Mule Team Borax - sprinkle and let stand for 24 hours. Maybe this will work if you get them back again.

To keep FRESH FLOWERS longer, add a little Clorox or 2 Bayer aspirin, or just use 7-up instead.

Did you know that bread is delivered fresh to the stores five days a week? Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Each day has a different color twist tie. They are Monday = Blue, Tuesday = Green, Thursday = Red, Friday = White and Saturday = Yellow. So if today was Thursday, you would want a red twist tie; not white, which is Fridays (almost a week old). The colors go alphabetically by color Blue - Green - Red - White - Yellow, Monday through Saturday. Very easy to remember.

My Disneyland Birthday

2005-08-04T21:03:00.000-07:00

My birthday was super cool! My work weddingchannel.com had a summer offsite. Disneyland for free. Rita and I had a great time. 31 years down, hopefully many more to come.

Metal Murder Madness

2004-12-09T20:52:00.000-08:00

I am sad. Dimebag Darrell from damageplan formerly of Pantera, was murdered last night. I thought music was supposed to make you feel good, not want to kill. He rocked. I loved going to see him play, being in the pit when he was shredding was the best. Rock hard, wherever you are, dude. R.I.P Dimebag Darrell, Nathan Bray, Erin Halk and the stilled unnamed 4th victim.

Election Day 2004

2004-11-02T20:44:00.000-08:00

Well I Voted. Got my sticker and everything. I upheld my right as an American. It puzzles me why so many do not vote. It wasn't too long ago that women and minorities were prohibited/discouraged from voting. Its up to me to protect my civil rights.

2004-09-20T15:14:00.000-07:00

My newest ride. A 1973 Mercury Comet. I love the Comet. Mercury's are more lux than Ford. This is my 2nd one.