Tiny but Hardcore Treadmill Cheap-ish

In January, when I was in the throes of the cabin fever gift of SDD, I purchased a space saver treadmill after much research.  My criteria:  high impact quality construction, fold up but still long enough jog area, inexpensive, low maintenance, easy assembly, and an extensive number of programs, features all working together to spice up the treadmill experience and motivate.  As usual, Amazon had it!

I am musing about it now because I feel it has significantly improved my daily outlook and motivation.  Before daylight savings time this past Sunday the blackness of night in the morning was killing me.  I decided to get up at (ugh, I know) 5:30 each morning and jump on the treadmill for 30-45 minutes.  Whether I walked or jogged I still got an emotional boost out of it and it made the rest of my morning continue on just a bit better than it would have otherwise.  Now, with it being light out and hour earlier it's 10 times easier to get out of bed and jump on the treadmill which in turn gives me a boost to work a little harder which in turn makes me feel just a bit better throughout the day.

Gym memberships (which I had at the time of purchase) cost about $50 and up.  My particular treadmill cost $399 minus (and here's a big tip) $50 for signing up for the Amazon no interest for a year credit card (which I immediately paid off and cancelled).  Also, the Merit Fitness 725T Plus Treadmill ships for free!  The point is, if you cancel your gym membership (lets be honest, how many of us are really getting our money's worth out of memberships anyway) this treadmill in your very own home will have paid for it's self and more in 8 months or less.

Lastly, my house is only 915 square feet.  Now add furniture and lots of it, appliances, a large dog with cage (bed), three cats, a husband, and gazillions of guests popping in and out 24/7 and you'll see space is limited for additional items...such as this treadmill.  However, it works and it can work in your place too...no matter how small you think your home is.

You have no excuses.  Click below now and start your self improvement (mind, body, and soul) today.

  I own and love this model.  Goes up to 10 on speed and incline, tons of programs, pick your time, set programs of your own, safety stop, heart monitor, calorie and mile read out, 2 cup holders, book or (my favorite) phone holder...to watch tv shows :o), and much much more.  Worth every penny!




Considered this model because it's $50 cheaper...Go for the 725T, it's worth twice what the 715T is :o)

Allium "Globe Master"

Right now through October 5th Michigan Bulb http://michiganbulb.com/default.asp?sid=0820032&eid=092811MB&utm_source=em&utm_medium=spec&lm=mich&M2 is offering FREE SHIPPING on purchases of $20 or more.  What more reason do you need to to spruce up your Spring?!

The Perfect Staples Of Your Garden's "Outfit", Perennials!



My design/install of sister's Seattle garden.



So I was thinking, maybe you don't want to plant those bulbs yourself, or maybe you're not quite sure what goes with what and where.  Behind every great outfit there are great designers.  Yards and gardens are no different.  Now that you've ordered bulbs for a beautiful Spring consider treating yourself to a whole lifetime of gorgeous, no fuss seasons.  Now is the perfect time to contact a local landscape company for design and installation.  Besides, after all those golden leaves fall a professional can plant your bulbs and give your yard a quick Fall clean up preparing it for both Winter and the upcoming Spring.  Plus, I bet a designer or a Master Gardener, such as The Country Gardener's, Kristopher Wulff http://www.thecountrygardenerltd.com/index.php can provide answers and solutions to all those landscape issues you've been putting off all these years.  This just may be the year you pull together the garden of your dreams.



Rachel's garden one year later.


Whether you consult a professional or research and tackle design and installation yourself, now is the time to get started.  Not only is Fall the time to plant bulbs but it's also a great time to get perennials, the staples of your yard's "outfit," in the ground and established before the first frost.

http://www.thecountrygardenerltd.com/

"Outfits" For Your Yard

I was welcomed this morning by my blushing Sedum 'Autumn Joy'.  Today is the first day of Fall and my beautiful Sedum reminded me how plants and flowers make the perfect yard accessories changing from season to season.  The brilliant colors of Spring, the bold and resilient colors of Summer, the hardy rustic colors of Fall, and even the grays and surprises of Winter.

Yes, it's Fall, and while I encourage you to enjoy it's brisk temperatures, surprise warm days, mosquito free nights, and communing around bonfires, I also want you to look to spring for a moment.  Now is the time to get your orders in for bulbs and get them in the ground.  Every year I like to pick out 3 to 5 (or more) varieties of flowers I want to enjoy with the first Robin sighting.  The trick is to pick bulbs that bloom in early (late Feb and March), middle (March/April), and late Spring (May and early June) so you have gorgeous "accessories" popping up until your perennials begin blooming.

  

This year I ordered my bulbs from Michigan Bulb http://www.michiganbulb.com/.  Right now they are offering $20 in free plants and you can find coupon codes online for free shipping.

My Magic Sleep Machine

I'm exhausted. Stayed up way later than I'm normally used to (capable of). However, as I get comfortable at my parent's place I miss my white noise machine. No matter where I am or what time of day it is, when I turn it on my mind and body just know it's nite nite time.

I was first introduced to the Marpac Sound Screen Sleep Conditioner when I was a nanny for a toddler and newborn. It was amazing. Not only did it lull the children to sleep with the constant calm non-noise like noise but it also acted as an added distraction and constant "blocking" other noises. I have since both gifted and recommended this to many new mothers and received rave reviews.

Why would this be great for adults as well? I have several friends who've heard it in my room and just had to know what it is and where I got it and all of them enjoy the same result. Have a husband who snores? No problem. The consistent white noise seems to keep random snoring from jarring me awake or, if I am awake it calms me so I can fall back to sleep. If there are loud guests it dulls the noise. And if you're a city girl lik me who's found herself living in a quiet wooded area, it adds some constant sound to make the quiet not so loud the way silence can be.

The best way to sum this product up is, "home is where my Marpac Sound Screen Sleep Conditioner is." You don't need pills or tea to fall asleep quick and soundly. It's been proven to me time and time again the best sleep comes with this white noise machine on.

Amazon.com Has It!

For as long as I can remember, when people ask me "where'd you get that?" or "where do you think I can find something like...?" I've been saying "GO TO AMAZON!"  Now, my new answer is, "GO TO MY BLOG AND CLICK ON THE AMAZON LINKS!"  As everyone should know, you can find just about anything you want or need on Amazon.com.  You can find deals, new products, used products, comments, groceries, reviews, things you haven't thought about in forever (maybe 8 tracks), ask questions, more often then not get free shipping, gifts, and so much more.  Amazon.com is my go-to site for the vast majority of "stuff" in my life, even coffee.  It's my one stop shop when I need to get a gift to go here, find that specific lure for my husband (Hi Kris!), need a new belt and duvet covers, and we're almost out of coffee.  "CLICK" and done!

So now when something on my blog catches your eye, or there's just something specific you're looking for, simply head down to the bottom of my page and click on over to Amazon.com.  You're a hop, skip, and a jump away from whatever it is you've been looking for.
http://www.theproductmuse.blogspot.com/

An Ode To Dawn Dish Soap

Roses are red.
Violets are blue.
The stain on my duvet
is gone thanks to you!

Came home to a sick cat :o( today and thought my beautiful new duvet cover was ruined. Scrubbed some Dawn dish soap on it since it's come through for me in the past and voila good as new! I'm pretty sure a stain pretreated with Dawn can disappear in a snap. Do not, however, put Dawn in your wash machine...think tons of suds!

I LOVE DAWN DISH SOAP!  Plus, when you purchase Dawn proceeds go to cleaning up animals in oil spills.  All around win win.