Did I mention that it snowed here on Tuesday? Because it totally did. It snowed.
If you look closely, you’ll see that I was able to get a documented photo of all five snowflakes.
Then on Wednesday, just one day after the big snow event of 2010, it was a sunny and gorgeous 60 degrees outside. So when I picked up Caroline from school and she asked if she could go play on the playground for a while, I immediately agreed. What I didn’t foresee was that when I told her it was time to leave, AN HOUR LATER, that she would declare it THE WORST DAY OF HER LIFE.
Then we still had to come home and get her homework finished. Which proved to be similar to a root canal but without all the fun and the pain medication.
From there, the day just spiraled downward because she was working on an extra credit book report about George Washington and one of the questions was, “What did you learn about the main character in the book?”
She wrote, “He had a brother”.
Well, sure. That’s what he’s really famous for. His brother.
The point is that I don’t really have the strength to do any more than list a few items that I feel compelled to mention.
1. After my post on HEB yesterday, I felt like there was a little misunderstanding. It was not meant to put down the store brands at all and I certainly don’t feel like I’m above buying the store brands. (That’s not totally true. I’m definitely above buying the HEB canned tomatoes with diced green chiles. There’s a reason people refer to Rotel as if it’s an entity of its own and not just a name brand.)
I enjoy some of the store brands. I find their cheese slices to be delicious.
The issue isn’t whether or not the name brand is better than the store brand. It’s about the packaging similarities. If you’re proud of your HEB brand, then own it with some original, unique packaging instead of making me feel like you’re trying to trick me into buying it.
That’s all I’m trying to say.
Next time I’m just going to stick with my thoughts on Sleepless in Seattle.
2. I bought a new lipgloss this week that is great if you don’t mind the sensation of your lips being on fire. It’s Maybelline XL Volume Lip Plumper in Tantalizing Toffee.
I was going to link to it, but I can’t even find the exact one I bought, even when I look on Maybelline’s website.
I bought mine at HEB. Maybe it’s not really Maybelline, but their store brand.
3. My friend Shaun Groves has worked so hard to put together a huge benefit concert for earthquake relief in Haiti. If you’re in the Nashville area, there are still a few tickets available.
But if you’re far away from Nashville, then you can watch it live here on February 27th. I am such a fan of technology when it’s used for good and not to drive me insane.
4. The Bike Rodeo is Friday. I haven’t mentioned this, but my dear friend AJ was the reigning Bike Rodeo champ for four years during elementary school. A fact that she shared with me when she dropped by on Sunday. She really wants Caroline to carry on her legacy and even suggested that we might want to do some two-a-day practices to prepare.
Clearly she is overestimating the levels of my patience.
However, P and I did take Caroline up to the school for a practice run on the course yesterday. She wasn’t nearly as concerned about doing a figure eight as she was with why we wouldn’t let her ride down this huge hill that would have surely rocketed her straight out into an intersection.
Obviously we are mean, uncaring parents who don’t want our child to plummet down a hill at sixty miles an hour.
5. I don’t have a five. I just hated to end on four.
Wait. I just thought of something. Don’t forget to click over here if you haven’t already entered the giveaway for a prize pack valued at $175.
I’ll be back tomorrow with Fashion Friday. It’s all about the trends for spring and summer.
“He had a brother”- LOL!!! hey, you learn something new everyday, and i didin’t know that.
please tell me that maxi dresses are still in for spring/summer? i will be checking tommorow to make sure.
-erika
theurthmama.com
I read your blog in my Google reader and rarely do I ever comment. But I had to comment when I found that you got “not so positive remarks” about your post in regards to HEB products. We don’t have a HEB where I live but it totally ticks me off when the stores try so hard to immitate the major brands. I am on your side here…..if your product is so great then don’t make it look like someone elses brand. You rock
ohhhh…the homework and the book reports…my brood’s only 4, 2 and 9 mos., and i gotta tell ya, i am NOT looking forward to all that.
Your blog makes my day! I love how you just say it like it is. Thanks for showing us who you are and making us laugh!!
Just wait until Caroline is too old to have a take home folder so the only way you know about upcoming assignments or special things going on in school is if they tell you. Which always happens about 8:00 p.m. when you find out that they need index cards for the next day or poster board for a poster that has to be handed in tomorrow. Fun times.
Oh the hill reminds me of learning to ride a big bike…my dad took me to the top of our street and told my mom to stand at the bottom and ‘catch me’. It was a gentle hill but a hill all the same. I couldn’t quite reach the pedals and let’s just say it didn’t end well. There was shrieking involved (me and my mother) and then some ‘silent treatment’ (my mother). We all laugh about it now and I still ride a bike so no permanent damage done.
I can hardly bear to type this comment… the homework battles. *shudder* Oh my, but I hate them. My twins (2nd grade) have a book response paper due every Friday. It involves a drawing and a “deep-thinking” paragraph about a book they’ve read this week. Thursday afternoons, without fail, things get ugly. I’m a glutton for punishment so I follow that little task with a practice of their quick-fire math facts and forced piano practice. Shoot me now!
“Maybe it’s not really Maybelline, but their store brand.”
Thanks for a smile to start my day! Oh, and by the way, the boyfriend’s family I’m going to the beach with (Fashion Friday a few weeks ago) is now my fiance’s family.
Well, how about that! Thanks, Caroline, I didn’t know George had a brother! Good luck at the rodeo!
I think I just might be laughing all day at your Maybelline/store brand comment. Hilarious.
Glad to know you’re not a generic brand snob. My checklist from yesterday affirmed that I can still like you and your profession today that you DO buy generic brands sealed the deal.
By the way, the DO have Aldi (www.aldi.com) in Texas. About a bazillion in Dallas. Which, since I’ve been reading your blog for a while now I suppose I should know what general part of Texas you live in. But I don’t b/c being stalkerish and knowing stuff like that creeps me out. Plus, I really don’t even know exactly what part of Texas Dallas is located in (you for know, like Central, Eastern, Southern or Western) even though I used to live (for about 22 years) in a neighboring state.
And now this comment is boring and pointless.
Put the few snowflakes together with her careening down the hill, and you have yourself the makings of a future Olympic bobsledder.
Maybe HEB should take a note from Target in how to market their own brand–they made up their own catchy name (Up & UP) with unique logo (an arrow pointing up) and plain white/with main color packaging. No identity crisis there. I have been known to grab the wrong package in the right label–like buying whole tomatoes when I wanted crushed or buying “no boil” lasagnae noodles when I wanted to boil. We don’t have time to look at the details!
Tell us how it is girl! I love your humor an your post!
For the record, I agree with you about stores being sneaky with their labels. It’s not just HEB either…I’ve noticed it at WM and Target.
I think a bike rodeo sounds so cool…I don’t think the schools in our area do anything like that. I’m pretty sure I’d know too, b/c the elementary school is visible from my front yard. Caroline will one day thank you for not allowing her to plummet to her death in the intersection. You’re such a mean mom.
I can forgive you for your thoughts on Sleepless in Seattle, but you must share your impression of Sweet Home Alabama, which is a chick flick I think is great.
Not only is it not just HEB, Walmart and Target as someone pointed out – it’s also every grocery store in America. As far as I can figure. Our little grocery store has changed it’s brands and also it’s name. When it was Super Value the brand was Flavorite, now it’s something else. And they totally make their packaging to look like the name brands. Totally! And if you’ve ever bought generic cereal while thinking you were getting the real thing, you know that it generally tastes like crap!! Sorry. It really does.
And I live in Minnesota. Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me.
Thanks for keeping it real.
Hugs,
Marie
Hmmmm. Good point. Perhaps that’s why their ad slogan is “MAYBE it’s Maybelline…..”
that totally cracks me up about the book report – I can SO relate to that story – ha! the words ‘book report’ – can almost ruin an entire day – and why is it the mind turns to jello when you try to write those things – ugh
yep – I agree about the packaging…I remember the days when generic was just a black/white version – guess, they had to step things up to sell the stuff!
Oh Melanie…I TOTALLY GOT what you were trying to say about the similar packaging…and I did not think you were mocking store brands AT ALL.
I can’t believe folks didn’t get what you were saying about the HEB products. You are right, they need to own it if they want to put out their own brands. It’s like Tim Gun says, “Make it work people.” BTW, are you watching Project Runway this year? Loving it so far.
And, I feel like I learn something new when I read your blog. I’ve never heard of a bike rodeo. Sounds really cool. Oh the things I’ve missed.
Have a great day! Can’t wait for Fashion Friday.
Will you be decorating the bike for the rodeo? I wasn’t sure if that was like the big float fiasco from last year:). We will definately need pictures!
On another note… did you get the email I sent you last week? I could use some pointers for San Antonio… as in where to eat and where NOT to eat:)
Love the….”I bought mine at HEB. Maybe it’s not really Maybelline, but their store brand” comment. HILARIOUS!!
Good luck at the Bike Rodeo! Can’t wait to hear about it.
I didn’t read any of the comments from yesterday, but I can’t believe people didn’t get what you were saying.. You know you have a lot of women readers when people are up in arms over groceries. Can you imagine men being upset?
Anyway… Caroline is just thinking outside the box. I bet you everyone else in her class totally missed the part about the brother and focused more on the little things, like being the first president =).
Ok, your remark about Maybelline, plus Brenda’s comment about the “maybe it’s maybelline” ….comic genius. I love a good snarky reply!
Great post…..you handled the generic controversy very well. Loved the Maybelline comment.
I’ll tell you another part of Rotel cheese dip that you don’t want to buy the store brand–Velveeta. I’m not even sure what the “generic” name for Velveeta is…Processed Rectangle of Cheesy-Colored Product?
On vacation once we bought the store brand of Velveeta, and it was NASTY. We were just trying to save a little $$$, since it already felt like our wallets and pockets were just dumping out money every single place we went. So, instead of spending $4.99 on a block of Velveeta, we saved $1, and spent $3.99. OH! What a differnce that little dollar bill could have made!!! We sadly learned–store brand Velveeta is like eating orange colored paste.
Nothing can ruiin Taco Night at a vacation condo quicker than nasty Rotel cheese dip….
I totally get you about HEB. A friend of mine has documented all the brands that they are no longer carrying since going Plus. The HEB at 1604 and Blanco doesn’t carry Keebler and several other brands. Once you start looking for them, there are several.
I have never loved HEB, but since it has gone Plus it has gone down hill. I miss living somewhere with grocery store competition. I have contemplated going to Austin to have a least a little choice.
And, all the plump lipgloss stings- to give the illusion of plumpness.
Well, I had a nice lovely response all thought out, but then my son broke a snow globe, so now all I can remember is that I love my plumping lipsticks, too!
You solidfy that MY 6 year old daughter is NORMAL, apparently!
So thankful for you, and Caroline!!
=)
Dear Bigmama,
I just discovered your blog and it is a hoot!! I had to tell you that while I live in Oklahoma, my daughter lives in San Antonio and my son is a baseball player at Texas A&M! Small (blog) world!! Go Aggie’s!!
The store brands aren’t plotting to deceive (although I wouldn’t put it past them). ALL ITEMS sold under a store brand are manufactured by the major brands. The products are altered…slightly…so they aren’t the exact same product. You can tell what brand manufactured the store version by comparing the packaging to the different brands. Whichever it matches up with, that’s almost always the brand making it. It is far too costly for them to redesign the size/style of the packaging, so only the label is changed. Granted, when the label looks almost identical to the store brand, deception is at work. But just because the packaging is similar isn’t in an of itself a means to deceive.
Look throughout any store and you’ll almost always see that the store brand package looks just like (meaning size, shape etc) a brand package.
These stores are not in the manufactuing business, they are the middle man. The don’t produce laundry soap and peanut butter and crackers, they just sell them cheaper than the brand name. SOOO, everyone makes money either way. The original brand makes it wether you buy their brand or the store brand and the store makes it either way as well.
That is also why some brands taste oh so close to the original, while others…not so much. Depending on what ingredients change (or the ratio of said ingredients), the change from the original may be slight or dramatic.
Anyway, wanted to chime in on that discussion. I’ve NEVER left such a long comment on any blog…ever…so sorry about that.
Maybe she’s born with it . . . maybe it’s HEB.
(I cannot tell you how much I have just delighted myself. Or how horrified I am by that fact.)