Generation PerpleXed: October 2006

Wednesday, October 18, 2006

Carlene Turns 80

Happy Birthday Mom! Here's a kiss from me!

Your birthday card is going to be late.....Hanna style!

Monty Hall was the host of the game show Let's Make a Deal (1963-1977). On this show contestants dressed up in ridiculous costumes and then somehow from their seats got his attention as he walked the aisles. Calling them from their seat Monty would then engage them in some kind of contest. They would win some paltry sum of money and then Monty would say, "Let's make a deal." They were offered a trade, the money for what was behind door number 1, door number 2 or door number 3. Only occasionally would going for a door turn out well for the contestant dressed as an ape, or french maid, or farmer; most of the time they got burned.
A lot of times they would get a Year's SUPPLY of something, like Dinty Moore Beef Stew or ALPO. As a kid, I thought that was lame, but as an adult, who buys groceries, I can see now where that is something to get fired up about. But you know this about me aleady.
So now my thoughts lead me to: What IS a year's supply anyway? For example, I like Kraft Easy Mac and Cheese Cups (99 cents at HEB or 75 cents at Wal-Mart). Currently, I eat one everyday...do the math. It's expensive! I measured the "cups" and calculated how much storage I would need to house 365 Easy Macs and came up with 10 square feet plus room for 5 cups. If I got a years supply, how long before I would be SICK and TIRED of Mac and Cheese. I venture to say January 9th.
So I have concluded that a years supply in all things is not profitable. Currently I am milling around the idea of a years supply of Folgers Classic Roast (the brick kind). It's small, compact and I drink it everyday. I will not get tired of it because well, let's face it, I'm an addict in every sense of the word. I opened up a new "brick" two days ago and will see how long it last. Then I will be prepared to say how many "bricks" I will need to get though a year. I can always store it in the trunk of my car.

Friday, October 13, 2006

A Year's Supply

I have an obsession with toilet paper. It all began when I left home to attend the University of North Texas. While there I started getting care packages from Sue Laza. Every care package contained a variety of snacks and toilet paper. Once, near Christmas, she sent a live Christmas tree. Granted, the he tree was only about a foot tall, but it was fully decorated That box too included snacks and of course, toilet paper.

Back then I wondered how long a roll lasted, and being the home economist in training, I decided to run a field test. This was an independant study and not associated with any toilet paper manufacturer. I dated the inside of the roll in use when it was put on the dispenser. When the roll was finished, I recorded the date and calculated the amount of time the roll lasted. I did this for a while, until I felt I had an adequate amount of data to reach a conclusion. Don't ask.....I forgot the conclusion, but am still left with an impression: a roll of toilet paper doesn't last as long as you would think.

From that point on my dream/obsession/quest was to have a YEARS SUPPLY of toilet paper. Once I went out and purchased what I thought was a years supply, but miscalculated and came up short. So last year for my birthday I asked for toilet paper. I was overwhelmed at the response. I got 4 packs, 12 packs, 24 packs, some were double rolls, and I even got a case of Cottenelles from the ladies at Bay Window. Until recently the case was out in the garage (not a good place when you realized you are out and forgot to restock). So this week I moved all that was left into the bathroom under the sink.

I think I am set until sometime in 2007! And to everyone who participated: thank you. You made my dream come true. Now I need a new "years supply" to ask for on my birthday. Send me ideas.

Oh and I'd like to add, it's been almost 20 years and I still get GREAT packages in the mail from Sue and the last one had a 4 pack in it.