Tip - Clothes Left In Washer

We've all left clothes in the washer for a day or two and after drying them they smell bad. Don't let this happen to you. If you forget the clothes for a day in the washer, spray a generous amount of Lysol Disinfectant Spray into the washer, re-rinse and then dry the clothes with a Bounce pad.

Charlie Sheen - Pathetic

Bad boy Charlie Sheen talks the tough talk on all his recent interviews. He claims he is proud of his lifestyle and will embrace it. Booze, drugs, porn stars and prostitutes are part of his life and he has no shame letting everyone know about it. He has had three wives and has five children, three girls and two boys.

Why does a good-looking successful guy like this destroy himself? Because his fame and fortune came too easily for him. He fights a demon inside himself that makes him believe he does not deserve his success. This is a not uncommon syndrome in Hollywood. Some stars cannot accept that their dream came true. They self destruct, feeling unworthy of such success.

I feel sorry for Charlie's family, especially his kids. He is a horrible role model and most likely seldom sees his kids. They will suffer the lack of a father and all the baggage that goes along with it. He is wrapped up in the selfishness of his addiction with no care about the pain he puts his family through.

I caution any young man from looking at his life style with anything but pity. Charlie is missing the big picture with his skewed sense of what is truly important. A mature, meaningful long term relationship with a woman he loves and time with his children are just a start. Working at his trade with respect for the people around him is another suggestion. It shows character and maturity to work well with people you find difficult and people you actually do not like. One needs only to look at Charlie's once handsome face to see what his lifestyle is doing to him. My prayer for him is that he would give up the booze, drugs and hookers and take up the role of good looking and hard working actor of which he is capable.

Tip - Mirror Defogger

To keep your bathroom mirror from fogging up, place a small amount of shaving cream on the mirror and towel it off.

X-Men Origins: Wolverine Broke The Rule

Throw away your zombie survival guides. Don't bother defending yourselves against vampires. The anger inside me has been building up ever since the movie X-Men Origins: Wolverine, broke this cardinal rule, if the villian's head is severed they're dead. We hold our breath as the hero or heroine fights the monster only to keep stabbing and shooting it with no results. Then with a slice of a sword or a stream of bullets across the neck of the monster, the head comes off and we know that everyone is safe because it's surely dead.

X-Men Origins: Wolverine breaks this rule with the character Deadpool. They have messed up the comic book version of this character completely. The last battle scene is fought with Wolverine and Sabertooth facing off with Deadpool, a super villain created by Colonel William Stryker. Deadpool has superior powers compared with Wolverine and his brother Victor, (Sabertooth) so the battle is fierce. After many harrowing scenes Wolverine manages to decapitate his evil opponent. All is well and we are happy that Wolverine survives, although we don't much care for his brother, who is bad to the bone. The movie is over, the credits role and then the unthinkable happens, we see Deadpool's arm and hand reaching up to retrive his head. No way I say!! You can not do this!

Any movie sequel where Deadpool is revived, to battle Wolverine or anyone else, should be boycotted. The sacred tradition has not been followed. Hollywood must be taught a lesson, certain rules and absolutes can not be trifled with. If you lose your head you are da_n well dead.

Boy? Man?

There are some interesting articles about the problem of pre-adult males not making the transition into manhood. Kay S. Hymowitz writes a great article about this and brings up good points. Women want to meet and marry educated responsible men. Many women are frustrated at the bevy of video game playing, band wannabe boys who shun the idea of marrying a woman and starting a family. The lack of ambition and drive in these males is evident in the following percentages presented in Kay S. Hymowitz's article.

What also makes pre-adulthood something new is its radical reversal of the sexual hierarchy. Among pre-adults, women are the first sex. They graduate from college in greater numbers (among Americans ages 25 to 34, 34% of women now have a bachelor's degree but just 27% of men), and they have higher GPAs. As most professors tell it, they also have more confidence and drive. These strengths carry women through their 20s, when they are more likely than men to be in grad school and making strides in the workplace. In a number of cities, they are even out-earning their brothers and boyfriends.

Shamefully, our elementary, junior high and high schools are geared toward teaching girls. Boys cannot sit still and learn like girls. Changes are needed in our school system to give our boys a good start in their education. Young men also need good role models to give them the desire and drive to excel. Too often, baby boomer parents have inflicted their obsolete hippie philosophy on their children instead of setting good boundaries. Girls, who by their very nature, try to please are not as affected as their male counterparts, who need prodding and pressure to succeed.

What can be done? Men need to realize that there are more opportunities now than ever before to obtain degrees helping them in today's workforce. Online courses, night classes and other avenues are available if you missed the educational chances you had at an earlier age. I would also encourage you to consider that with the commitment of marriage and children comes a sense of family and meaning to life. There is a spiritual aspect in creating this unique bond that is unlike anything else. It can be the making of a man to face the challenges and stay the course through the hardships certain to come in any marriage.

I also appeal to the well educated women at this point. There are good men out there that may not have comparable degrees but are intelligent, hardworking and able to improve themselves with the right woman by their side. As well educated as you may be, you might be overlooking an important asset, character. This is an underrated attribute superseded by the quest for a man with the superior education or status that you value. Cads can own there own corporations or have acquired a PhD. You should observe how a prospective mate treats those around him, what he values and what spiritual beliefs shape his core as a human being. A man with character faces and overcomes the strife and challenges of life with wisdom. He is patient, kind and willing to reach out to you for support without insecurity. He commits to the institution of marriage in a reasonable amount of time. He does not expect you to live with him until he gets bored and finds someone else.

Simple Creatures

Ladies, men are simple creatures. Simple does not mean dumb, or so says Oprah.

Most men are simple in the fact that it doesn’t take much to figure one out, to see beyond the surface and recognize what their motives, intentions, ambitions, and desires are. Most men are not complex in the sense that their way of communicating, responding, reacting, and dealing with certain relationships issues are the same. Men are not as complicated creatures as women are for the most part, and that is something that has been understood for ages. If you were to compare the two in mathematical terms men are Basic math or two plus two types of individuals, whereas women are Calculus, Geometry, or Trigonometry (and in some cases all three).

Case in point, a man is staring over at his wife with "a certain look." She instantly says, "well I can see you are still mad at me about yesterday." The husband cannot remember what happened yesterday. She continues, "I don't know why it is always my fault. You should realize I am under a lot of stress. How can you treat me this way when you know I try so hard. Well you could at least say something, you know I am feeling terrible." The husband finally gets a word in and says, "honey I'm hungry I was just wondering what we were having for dinner."

You might think this is a funny story and it is but a true one. Women read too much into looks or comments that men make. Women are emotional creatures. They let feelings dictate their words and actions in most situations. If men keep this in mind they have a good chance at preventing a potential argument. A calm attitude or even a little humor can de-escalate the growing tension between you and your lady. Women, try to realize that a weird look or insensitive comment is sometimes just that and does not rate a war. It is time for us to accept men as simple creatures and try not to make them into hairy girls.

Tip - Laundry

Avoid overloading your washing machine. The clothes will wash a lot better if there is room for them to circulate. Keep your washer clean. Occasionally pour a gallon of distilled vinegar into the washer and using warm water, let the machine run through a wash and rinse cycle. The vinegar will cut soap residue in hoses and leave the washer nice and clean.

Product Review - Sonos

B-Daddy here, reviewing one of the most unsung yet amazing tech products ever invented. Of course, I am referring to the Sonos music system. Not much to look at,











but a great product. In fact, it is the only thing we have ever purchased that actually improved over time. Here is how it works. The Sonos is a device to play music from the computers in your house, or the internet. No need for stereos, cd players, iPods, or radios any more, just one box with speakers (or several boxes), and an iPod like controller. At first the Sonos could only play music we had ripped to the computer. Later, it added various subscription music services, like Rhapsody. Initially the Rhapsody required the computer to be turned on to work, but later Sonos changed the software to allow Rhapsody streaming directly to the Sonos. Later radio stations, either local or worldwide were added to the mix. You can still attach your iPod or other device.

Our system has four boxes, that can operate independently, or in any combination. All four together is party mode. They communicate wirelessly, requiring only the connection to power and one or two sets of speakers. This gives maximum flexibility in their placement throughout the house. If you have a backyard party, you can just move the box and speakers outdoors. Speaking of parties, you can build playlists consisting of hundreds of songs themed for the party and can mix between streaming and home computer sources for the music. (For the very nerdy, you can even play from independent networked attached storage or an iPod you connect to your network.) We have a Halloween themed list that starts with the Monster Mash and has the Bloodletting by Concrete Blonde, for example.

Other amenities include a search function for Rhapsody that often finds obscure or hard to find songs. (Rhapsody requires a $12.99 per month subscription.) You can also download controllers that operate on the computer (Mac or PC), so the family doesn't have to fight over the one controller. It also has a simple equalizer if you need to adjust the sound.

As I said, this is the most amazing tech acquisition Tiger Lily and I have ever made, we recommend it highly.


FTC Disclaimer: I may or may not have received valuable consideration in the form of swag, jack and/or coin to endorse these products. I am not saying and have the right not to do so.

Song For A Friend

This song is dedicated to a beautiful and wonderful friend who is always there for me.

Be A Gentleman

She buys something new to wear and takes hours to get her makeup just right. When you pick her up you are blown away at how beautiful she looks and tell her so. After giving the valet your keys and walking into a swanky restaurant you feel confident at the wonderful time you will both have. As you settle into a booth with an ocean view a gorgeous waitress comes up to greet you. She smiles at you with some interest and you suddenly feel like Brad Pitt. Maybe it is a blond at the other table that bats her eyes seductively. You are too friendly with the waitress or keep glancing over at the blond to see if she is looking at you. The outcome will be the same, you are in for an expensive hellish night. Women hate this scenario. They find it demeaning and insulting and either react immediately or push it down only to give it to you later. You need to be respectful and resist temptation. It may be nice to be admired by a great looking babe, but if you care for your lady you need to show restraint. She wants all your attention. She wants to feel special. With the economy the way it is, expensive date nights are getting fewer and father between. Don't be a cad and ruin what should be a wonderful and romantic memory for the both of you.

Don't Interrupt

You have a rapt audience as you are telling your story. You are enjoying the buildup and just as you get to the good part when your girlfriend interrupts and blurts out her version of the events ruining your story. This is an infuriating and demeaning habit that many women and some men have. I recently witnessed a wife interrupting her husband's story by yelling, "oh get to the point already". She then took over the story as he sat there most likely stuffing his resentment down. I felt sorry for him having to endure such an emasculating experience. If you have someone in your life that does this to you sit them down and put them straight. It is a damaging habit in any relationship. Ladies respect your man and let him have his moment of glory as he spins a yarn to his captive audience.

Product Review

Chopping up vegetables for chili, tuna salad, spaghetti sauce and other dishes can take a while. A great product to help you out in this area is the food chopper. You do not need to invest in an expensive food processor. This little goody is an inexpensive work horse. It makes fresh salsa your friends will drool over.

Tip - Pick A Good Lettuce Head

When picking a head of lettuce check the underside to make sure there is no brown on it. Do not pick a heavy lettuce head, pick a nice green colored light one. Try mixing two kinds of lettuce for a great salad. Always wash the leaves well and pat dry with paper towels.

Borrowing

B-Daddy here, filling in for Tiger Lily.
Polonius, in the first act of Hamlet famously counsels his son Laertes:

Neither a borrower nor a lender be,
For loan oft loses both itself and friend,
And borrowing dulls the edge of husbandry.

Polonius is talking about a specific kind of borrowing, I believe, that between friends. In my observation, his advice goes double for borrowing from relatives. The problem with borrowing outside the normal framework of legal obligation is that the borrowed money becomes the "elephant in the room," dominating the thinking of both borrower and lender, corroding their friendship.

For young men in a dating relationship this is sage advice as well. Borrowing money from one's lady friend makes you look unmanly, and gives rise to the suspicion that you are secretly a cad. A young man wants to both be and appear to be the model of manly virtue, living within his means and taking care of his obligations being high on the list of his moral qualities. You want your potential mate to view in this way, and frankly, you wouldn't want to marry a woman who did not care about these characteristics in her man.

The converse is also true, with more room for an occasional exception, perhaps. A woman who continuously seeks cash from her man prior to engagement will cause him to question the basis for the relationship. It is good for no one.

So remember Polonius' advice. If you are ever in a desperate jam and have to borrow from a friend, repayment should be you highest priority, skip your next meal if necessary. It is a way to be that exemplar that in your heart you desire to be.

A Picture of Romance?

B-Daddy here, guest blogging while Tiger Lily is traveling to the wastelands to our north, in Orange County. With Valentine's day coming up, she has given some great gift giving advice. I would like to add my own two cents. I believe that women look for romance in a relationship, because it shows that you care about the relationship and want to build shared experience and good feeling. It is not so much the beautiful sunset or walk in a beautiful garden itself, but the sharing of the experience that is important. This is probably well known to those already married, but even doing projects together can be romantic and build relationship. In fact, doing a project together glue the marriage like few other things, because the couple is working on something of lasting value to both of them.

Marriages have a division of labor, of necessity, so my advice to men is to seek out opportunities to work together on common goals. Believe it or not, it will kindle romance as much as those diamond earrings you have tucked away.

Do These Jeans Make My Butt Look Big

Sweat pops out on his head as he glances right and left looking for an avenue of escape. His heart rate increases and his hands slightly shake as he faces his girl. His truck has not been totaled and his flat screen is intact. His panic is caused by the dreaded question, do I look good in this dress. It can be pants, jeans, skirt or whatever. He knows if he says she looks good she will tell him he is lying and start pointing out all her flaws. If he says the dress makes her look heavy he is doomed. Men face this dilemma with shear panic. I guiltily admit to having done this to my man. I now laugh when he actually runs away after being asked if something looks good on me. I have no magic answer, just a suggestion. A good answer that gives you a fighting chance is this, "Honey you look good in everything but I have seen dresses that are more flattering on you." Good luck!

Tip - Water Rings On Furniture

Got some water rings on the coffee table? Try applying a paste of cooking oil and salt. Wait 15 minutes and wipe off. Also, you can apply mayonnaise liberally over the water stain and leave it overnight. Wipe it off with a clean soft cloth the next day then polish the table with furniture polish.

H/T: Haley's Hints

Cheap Versus Sexy

You wonderful men often think with the wrong brain. Women are beautiful and wonderful to look at, especially when they wear provocative clothing. Herein is where the problem lies. Men need to realize what is sexy and what is cheap. Marilyn Monroe was soft, vulnerable and sexy. Madonna was and is loud tacky and cheap. You might want to sleep with her but ultimately you will be disappointed by the whole experience. Sexy is a woman who notices the admiring looks from other men then slips her hand under your arm giving you an adoring look. Cheap is the woman who notices the admiring looks she gets and shamelessly flirts as you desperately try to keep up with her. Women who are sexy do not embarrass you. They hold themselves in a certain way. They are intelligent, caring arm candy you are proud to be with. Don't sell yourself short, be cautious and selective with the women that turn your heads and drop your jaws. Sophia Loren (I rest my case).

Product Review

Dusting, cleaning glass and wiping TV and computer screens is easier with microfiber cloths. Cleaning glass is faster and more effective because they grip the surface with little microfiber fingers. Dash a cap full of rubbing alcohol on one of them before cleaning mirrors or glass and you will not have any streaks or clouding. They also pick up dust very well with one swipe, just shake the dust off outside once in a while and and keep going. Another good source for these cloths is HSN.

Tip - Clutter

Friends are coming by and your place is a cluttered mess. Always have a couple of strong laundry baskets handy. Pile the unsorted clutter into them and hide them in the garage.

Valentine Romance Music

Upstairs in my bedroom, home alone one day I was surprised when This Guy's In Love With You by Herb Alpert started playing from the wall speakers. My man came strolling up the stairs, flowers in one hand and champagne in the other. As he softly sang with the music tears came to my eyes. I tear up as I write about it. If you are looking for a romantic song she can't resist try this one.

Quite A Man (And Good Example)

Ronald Reagan would have been 100 years old if he had lived to see 2011. He was a man's man with principles that did not change with the political winds. He stood by his convictions and was loved by many. He was also a devoted and adoring husband. He is a good example of a man with character. A little more about Reagan can be found at The Liberator Today.

Tip - Juicy tomatoes

When you put your tomatoes in the frig they stop ripening. Put them stem-side down in a cool place. Space them so they do not touch. You will have juicy tomatoes in the salad you are making for your sweetie.

The Mother-In-Law

Take my mother-in-law please! Haven't we all heard tons of mother-in-law jokes. The vision of the poor husband putting up with his mother-in-law, suitcase in hand bursting through door is a common one. He sadly endures the sarcastic, criticizing woman to keep peace with his wife.

All you men who are looking to marry the girl of your dreams keep in mind that you are marrying her family as well. If you can not stand her mother, father or the whole lot of them you are in big trouble. Make no mistake about it, she will always have an allegiance to her family. She may criticize them, agree that they treat you badly but watch out, once married she will want everyone to be one big happy family. You will be with them on holidays and every family get together that comes along.

The other thing to consider is this. If you do not like her mother than you better be prepared for fate to kick you in the pants. The statistics show that most women end up being very much like their mothers. Marriage is a lifetime commitment and should be considered carefully. The angel you hold in your arms today could become the fire breathing dragon of tomorrow.

Music - I'm On Fire

I am putting up two versions of a great song, the original by Bruce Springsteen and the remake by the man in black. Enjoy!

Super Bowl Dilemma

Tiger Lily is concerned about this year's Super Bowl. I am having a Super Bowl party. Most of my guests are rooting for the Packers, but I'm for the Steelers. When I was younger I was an avid fan of football. I watched all the games. I knew every quarterback's name and had a good idea of who would win. I bet on many of the games. I won money rarely and often lost on point spreads. Quite scandalous, admitting to the fact I had a bookie. After I had my two boys I kind of lost track of the teams. I was shocked to find out some of them actually changed cities and names.
To make a long story short I have recently gotten back into watching this magnificent sport. Because I haven't followed it closely, I don't have a favorite team, with the Chargers not making the playoffs. This causes me to be superficial in who I want to win. I am rooting for the Steelers because I think Mike Tomlin is quite good looking. I will be in a hostile atmosphere but feel brave enough to risk it. I appeal to any other Steeler fans to give me good reasons why they deserve to win. I will stand by my decision to root for the Steelers as I stand by my opinion that Mike Tomlin is talented and gorgeous.

Tip - Quick Cleanup

Your bedroom is a mess and your mom or girlfriend is heading over. Try making the bed really well first as this makes a huge impact. Picking up the dirty clothing on the floor should be second if you have the time.

Good Guys Finish First

She is the most beautiful girl you have ever been out with. You dress up for her, you put on cologne, you spend as much time as possible with her. You find yourself actually thinking about marriage without a panic attack. This feminine, soft spoken Goddess takes you to heaven and then with tears in her eyes tells you she is going back to the jerk that treated her like sh_t. You wonder what this phenomenon is after you talk to other guys with similar stories. I can tell you from experience it's not your fault. There is no lack on your part, you are a handsome, tender, romantic guy. There is a syndrome that twenty something girls go through that is self-destructive and irrational. They cling to these bastards who are inconsiderate, not a gentleman and self-serving, in short, a user.

Don't become one of these guys, you are better than that. You will be the one she will cherish and love if you do take her back. If you do not, you will eventually find a girl that has been through this foolishness and will value all your good qualities. She will be thankful for you and never look sideways at the good looking bad boy that passes by. You want lasting love that is based on mutual respect; playing the bad boy role won't get that.

Tip - Disposing Of Cooking Grease

Got grease congealing in a pan from the burgers you just fried? The worst thing in the world for garbage disposals or kitchen drains is grease. Flush your toilet and pour grease in as water goes down. Flush again after toilet fills for good measure. If the grease is congealed, wipe pan out with paper towels and toss towels into the kitchen garbage.

Valentine's Day Advice

Hey guys, Valentine’s Day is coming up fast. It’s sad to see hoards of panic stricken blokes trying to buy roses at the last minute. They’ve got you by the, well you know what’s and can overcharge you. Run by your local drug store to get a card before they are picked over. For the gift I recommend jewelry this year instead of flowers. Flowers die but she’ll have the earrings or necklace for a long time. You can go to Shop NBC and set up an account quite easily. I recommend a necklace or earrings unless you are serious enough to brave a ring. Order the Queen of Topaz earrings. She will love the Millennium/Platinum topaz pair for $57.04. There are plenty of other color choices in these earrings. There is a matching necklace that is an excellent choice and costs only $59.00. Depending on your budget you could get one or both pieces. Expedited shipping is available if you don't take my advice and wait to the last minute; but that will run you a good chunk of change.