Literally. I have the Dyson DC25 Upright Ball and I can’t begin to tell you how much I love this thing. I know, you’re thinking it’s lame to be blogging about a stupid vacuum, but I’ve had this post as a draft for months. Every time I vacuum, I remind myself that I need to finish it. ((This should tell you how often I vacuum, and explain my need for a really good one. 😆 )) I think the world should know how great this vacuum is.

Hate to vacuum? You wouldn’t if you had this baby. The ball was a brilliant idea and I can’t believe it took this long for someone to think of it. Like my favorite prostitute said about the Lotus Esprit, “This baby corners like it’s on rails!” ((Let’s see who comments with the movie reference.))

And suck? The ball does! My Dyson picks up dirt from the lady who lived here before, and we’ve been here over three years. With 2 kids, 1 dog, 1 husband, 1 cat, lots of dirt, sand and dust, I don’t know how I survived before I got this thing. It also goes easily from carpet to bare floor at the touch of a button at the top of the vacuum and not the bottom.

If you can, do yourself (and your floors) a favor and invest in one. It’s the last vacuum you’ll ever own. This site has the DC24 for $399 and free shipping–not a bad deal.

I’m not one to ever miss a party, so here I am, adding my 25 things to the millions of other useless things other people have said about themselves.

25 random things about me

1. Polar bears are my favorite animal, which is too bad since they’re going to be extinct soon.
2. There are three movies that will always make me cry–no matter how many times I’ve seen them: “Juno,” “Pay it Forward,” and “Hope Floats.” ((Yes, there are probably more than three. If you think of others, let me know.))
3. Speaking of crying, this commercial always makes me cry–no matter how many times I’ve seen it:
   
   
   
   I’m crying right now, dammit!
4. Even though Zachary insists it should be pink since I’m a girl, my favorite color is really red.
5. I’ve been behind the stage (and underground) at Red Rocks. It was during a Harry Connick Jr. concert ((Yes, I got to meet him.))
6. At Red Rocks I’ve also seen Sting, John Mellencamp, Natalie Merchant, Tom Petty, Buddy Guy, Jonny Lang and Reggae on the Rocks.
7. I’ve had four best friends in my life. One I’ve just reconnected with, two I don’t talk to nearly as often as I would like to, and one I haven’t spoken to in over a decade. 🙁

8. I hate clowns. I have always hated clowns. Clowns are evil.
9. One of the best presents I ever received was one I was never able to use: an enlarger for a darkroom that we were never able to get built.
10. I hate Taco Bell. I think their food is possibly the worst on the planet. ((Okay, maybe it’s second behind Casa Bonita but only people from Colorado will know what Casa Bonita is.))
11. This is the second time I’ve been married. I didn’t try to be a very good wife to my first husband–I’m trying to be a good one to Chris. ((My first marriage was for 2 years. Chris and I are celebrating our 10th anniversary in June. 🙂 ))
12. I’m really bad at Guitar Hero, so I refuse to play.
13. I’ve only lived in two places my entire life: Colorado for 34 years, and Florida the past 3 years.
14. While I lived in Colorado my entire life I have never skied. Ever.
15. I’ve only been out of the country three times in my life. And all three trips were to Mexico.
16. Before I die I want to see Italy, Paris, and Africa.
17. I don’t like going to the movies–most movies aren’t worth the cost of admission. I’d much rather watch movies at home in my PJs with a glass of wine and the ability to pause it when I have to pee.
18. I love to throw darts, and was captain of a dart team in Denver until I got pregnant. Damn kids! 😉
19. I really miss Denver. If we could manage it, I think we’d move back.
20. I hate olives. ALL olives. Even Olive Oyl.

    

21. My dream car (Saab convertible) turned out to be not-so-dreamy. ((And I still hate to love it.))
22. I have seen John Elway drunk on a bar stage singing YMCA. Arm gestures and all.
23. I still love roller skating and go every Sunday I can, for adult night.
24. I didn’t appreciate Led Zeppelin until I was in my late 20s. Thank you Sara, wherever you are!
25. I actually enjoyed waiting tables ((I’m really good at it.))  My two favorite places to work were The Piper Inn and The Brewery Bar.

And there you have it. You can all stop tagging me now!

This post was generously brought to you by promotional pens. Here’s another random fact: I love pens!

Being the wonderful, loving wife that I am, I made corned beef and cabbage for Chris the other night. It’s one meal I know he loves, and it’s actually pretty easy since the slow cooker basically does all of the work. 🙂

I mentioned I was making this dish to my pleeps on Plurk and one friend requested the recipe. Being the obliging pleep that I am, @cfavreau, here is my recipe for corned beef and cabbage:

Web-Betty’s Corned Beef and Cabbage

Before getting started, learn from me: the one thing I always forget is how long it takes in the slow cooker. ((This is the main reason it doesn’t get made as often.)) Be sure you start early enough—this dish takes about 9 hours.

• 3-4 lb corned beef ((I like to rinse the corned beef off when I take it out of the package.))
• 4 carrots, cleaned and cut into pieces ((The size of the carrot pieces is up to you—the larger the carrots, the less squishy they get. I like ’em really squishy so I cut them into about 1″.))
• 1 large onion, quartered
• 6-8 medium-ish potatoes, peeled and quartered ((I use red or yukon gold potatoes, depending on what I have on hand.))
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 head of cabbage, cut in wedges

Beginning

1. Place all veggies—EXCEPT the cabbage— in the slow cooker. The order doesn’t matter.

2. Pour the water over the veggies.

3. Place the corned beef on top of the veggies. Most corned beef comes with a little package of seasoning. Spread the seasoning over the top of the corned beef.

4. Cover and cook on High for 6 hours.

Middle

1. After 6 hours, carefully remove the lid. Take the corned beef out (this is temporary 🙂 ).

2. Add the cabbage wedges and be sure to push them down into the “juice.”

3. Put the corned beef back into the slow cooker.

4. Cover and cook on High for an additional 2 1/2 to 3 hours.

End

Take the corned beef and veggies out of the slow cooker and serve hot. Bon Appétit!

I hope @cfavreau, and anyone else who is interested, enjoys this recipe. Let me know if you make it, and how it turned out!

This post was generously brought to you by healthy cooking, even though I’m not sure exactly how healthy corned beef is. 😛