We got over 6 inches of rain yesterday and it’s still raining. School was even canceled today and is on a 2 hour delay for tomorrow as of right now. The weather has been unbelievable around here this winter. One day it’s 60 and sunny, and the next day is freezing rain.

As I was driving home today I was stopped behind a vehicle at a stoplight and saw that the driver was holding something out his window. I couldn’t really tell what he was doing, but then the light turned green and as he drove through the intersection it was clear.

He was driving and hanging half out the window cleaning, the rain off his windshield with a squeegee like this. I am assuming his windshield wipers were not working and he could not see where he was going, because why else would someone do this? (Which makes me glad I was behind him and not in front of him.)

The New 2008 Windshield Wipers - Manual Labor Required

Can you imagine driving and trying to clean your windows like this when it is pouring down outside? He had to be soaked. Not only that but it looked absolutely ridiculous. It is moments like this that I wish I had a camera to document the craziness I often seem to observe. Maybe I will start carrying one in my car.

Our 5 year old son has been pointing out patterns to us lately. When we play a game together he lets us know the order to go in.

“Me, Mom, then Dad. Me, Mom, then Dad. That is a pattern.”

The other morning he let me know that we have patterns in the meals we eat.

“I always have a fruit or vegetable and milk with dinner. Every night. That is a pattern.”

But he also pointed out something I already knew.

“You and Dad always sleep on the same side of the bed.”

As with most couples we picked our sides early. I am the left and he is the right. His statement made me think about where else my husband and I have patterns in our life together. I came up with several and they are all dictated by keeping our predetermined sides.

We’ve divided the bathroom sink and cabinets - my side is the left and his is the right. Just like in bed.

Our parking spots in the driveway are dictated by the same pattern. Even our sides in the closet and our seats at the dining room table are determined from our sides of the bed.

We’ve been living our life in patterns that a 5 year old can notice. I hope he recognizes other sequences in our life - like that my husband always kisses us goodbye in the morning as he leaves for work. Every morning, no matter how late he is running.

Even if he grows up and becomes the right side of a his own marriage, there are some good patterns he can continue.

I was asked to put the Kodak EasyShare 5300 All-In-One Printer to the test by Props & Pans. Of course I gladly agreed and now you can have the same experience I did. Kodak is graciously giving one lucky reader this same printer! To find out how head over to Props & Pans.

When asked if I would give a review on a Kodak printer, I was ecstatic because we have so many digital pictures that I haven’t printed simply because I’m too lazy to put them on a disk and head to the store. I didn’t expect such a massive machine to arrive that would offer to print, copy or scan anything my little heart I desired.

The Kodak EasyShare 5300 does all that and more. I love when products combine several tasks into one item and eliminate the need for several appliances to sit out on the desk or table. Although this printer is a little larger than I imagined, the quality of work makes up for the size.

I have to say that the pictures it printed were of high quality and the sharpness was terrific. Kodak is known for it’s brilliant colors and they’ve continued that tradition with this printer. It’s extremely user-friendly and worked well with both our digital camera and computer.

My biggest concern was the expense of buying refill ink cartridges. We had a photo printer several years ago that I finally gave up on because the refills were more expensive than having pictures printed. Much to my surprise Kodak offers black refill cartridges for under $10 and color cartridges for under $15. WOW! That is impressive and very affordable.

The scanner is great for pictures and images, as well as the copier. It’s only been up and running in our home for a week and I’ve already used the copier several times. The only way you could improve this product is to add “fax machine” to it’s list. It retails for just under $200 and is truly something every household could use.

It’s my first experience as a guest blogger over @ Velveteen Mind. You can find me there today writing about “My Shining Moment!” It’s a great story from college that promises a good laugh!

I have a confession to make. I’m one of those celebrity stalkers. I enjoy reading about them online and in magazines. Something about it is just fascinating. It’s not that I’m jealous or day dream about wanting to have their lives. If anything I pity them (i.e. Britney Spears), but on occasion you find a star who has a rags-to-riches story or intriguing family history that is interesting.

Two of the sites I follow are Cheaty’s Celebrity Gossip Blog and Dlisted on a daily basis. Go check them out. Good stuff.

When I saw this photo today I couldn’t figure out who it was. Any guesses?

Gwyneth Paltrow. It SO does not look like her! The hair - yes. The nose & eyebrows - not so much.

Go check out this photo shot she did for a magazine for more pictures. I know the girl has some done a few whacked out things - like naming her children Apple & Moses, but I enjoy watching her movies. Personally, I am not a fan of this photo-shopped look.