Detroit Breakdown

Newt Gingrich made a statement to the world that many people already knew: Detroit is a disaster.

Don't get me wrong, I don't want to pile on, but the city of Detroit is a mess. Everyone knows it except the people in charge of the city. The city council holds the Motor City hostage by bickering and fighting amongst themselves. The Mayor, Kwame Kilpatrick, has proven to be a hoodlum and a tool for even more racial divide in one of the most racial divided cities in the country.

The school system is a complete joke and the State has tried taking over it's operation, but people in the city would never let that happen. Most in the city would rather leave things as they are to avoid getting help from "outsiders." It's a really warped mentality which again speaks to the racial divides of the Metro Area.

Add to that mess the fact that the governor of the great state of Michigan, Jennifer Granholm, has driven it into the ground, and you have a recipe for disaster.

Gingrich may be speaking out of turn in some ways, but maybe being able to look at something from the outside in gives him better perspective than those living in the middle of the situation.

Since Cheryl and I left the Detroit area, it's easier to see some of the things that hold back a place I will always love. There is this underlying mentality in Detroit that you are owed something or you deserve something "just because." The unions have a little something to do with that, but I'm not a union hater. They have their place in the marketplace, but there has to be a correction of the pendulum swing.

Living in Ohio near one of Honda's plants, I see first hand the fact that the Big 3 aren't the only game in town anymore. Honestly, most Americans would say that the Big 3 are irrelevant. There has to be some big changes in Motown when it comes to the automotive industry.

There is also a really negative attitude that pours out of people in the Metro-Detroit area. Not everyone, but there are a lot of angry, ticked off, ornery people there. Where I especially see it is in the sports world. Whether you are talking about the Lions, Wings, Tigers or Pistons, there is a lot of doom and gloom. I enjoy the Wings & Lions so much more since I moved. It's hard to explain, but in talking with others who have moved on, I am not the only one to suggest this.

Detroit will always be my hometown, I just wish it could make a comeback. Maybe more people need to speak out and start bringing attention and help to the Great Lake State.

The Two Coreys

I ended up watching a show called, The Two Coreys on A&E last night. This show was a little odd at first. I found myself wanting to turn it off, but wondering what event they would stage next.

You may remember the Corey's, Haim and Feldman. Feldman was in The Goonies. Haim was in Lucas. Both were in a string of movies, most notably The Lost Boys and License to Drive. Then both took a turn for the worse... drugs and bad behavior. Too bad they weren't acting that way now. Britney, Paris and Lindsay seem to be making a career out of it.

I'm slightly interested, because both of them have cleaned up their lives. Corey Feldman is married and is a lot more stable, while Haim is portrayed (and plays the part) as the immature, wild man. Really he comes off self centered and desperate at times. But he still has that "lovable guy" thing going for him.

I'm pretty sure that Corey Haim must have persuaded Feldman to do this. Feldman seems like he is fine with where he is in life, while Haim is dying for the limelight again. Haim ends up in tears when he finds out from Feldman that they are already doing a sequel of The Lost Boys without them. Very sad... was the movie even that good? I loved it when I was a teenager, but some things are better left without sequels.

When I was a teenager, I loved their movies. Now they are in their thirties and the movie roles have dried up... but reality TV will always be there for them. I'm a sucker for that. A very entertained sucker though.

Scotty Wept...

We watched Extreme Makeover: Home Edition tonight. Why do I do this to myself?

I cried like a little girl... a good cry never hurt anyone though.

It feels ridiculous and amazingly heartwarming all at the same time. Ty needs to stop tugging on my heartstrings.

What Are You Really Drinking?

Something I have always believed to be true finally has a little proof behind it...

It appears that Pepsi has admitted that there Auquafina bottle water is nothing more than tap water. The water is filtered, but couldn't you do that at home for pennies?

For years living in Detroit, I heard that Dasani, bottled by Coca-Cola, was nothing but filtered Detroit water. Let me just say that Detroit water is really good. I have been in a lot of places around the country and Motown water out of the tap is miles ahead of anywhere I've been (especially in my hometown in Ohio... good thing we pay three or four times more for it too).

I've always had a huge problem paying for bottled water. It comes right out of your faucet at home and no need to recycle all those bottles. These companies have made millions off our fears of drinking tap water, maybe it's time to drink what you already pay for every month, seeing as you are robbed by your city for that as well. No need for the double dip.

Heinz Finished Product

Here is the finished product for the Heinz Ketchup's Top This TV Challenge. Let us know what you think.



Sometime in late August we'll know if we are one of the 15 Semi-Finalists... then we'll tell you where to vote for us!

WARNING... I May Be Contagious!

Socially contagious that is...

A new study by some people with way too much time on their hands says that if you hang out with "obese" people you may catch their fat cooties. As if little children pointing and staring at you in public wasn't enough, now being chunky may scare off all your "normal sized" friends.

I think there is a little something to this, but it has a lot more to do with who accepts you and who you feel comfortable around. I don't hang out with a lot of marathon runners... they might want to go jogging or something, so I most likely wouldn't be with them while they are training. Not that I detest joggers or hate the idea of being fit, but at certain points in our journey we aren't headed in the same direction. My opinion (if it really matters) is that people end up spending time with people that they identify with.

Even though a lot of "Christians" can get on my nerves, when you meet up with someone that shares your faith, you generally have a bond. Later you may end up being annoyed by them, but the initial foundation is there.

I don't search out chubby people when I come into a room, but we have a connection. You know what they are going through and what they have experienced, therefore, you may end up getting to know them. A lot of the plus sized people I meet in my life have a sense of humor, which is very appealing... you have to develop this to survive when you are overweight.

This study just reinforces prejudices and stereotypes that have been around for a very long time. Most people look at you differently when you are on the plump side. They look down on you. Pity you. Are disgusted by you and now need to fear that you may make them choose a pro-fat lifestyle.

I can see it now, politicians rallying their base against the obese. Other candidates choosing to be pro-plump. Another category for all of us to fear or to fit into... so nice and neat isn't it?

In the words of Rodney King, "Can't we all just get along?"

Maybe more people should take the time to help out the people who struggle with obesity rather than ostracize them. If you have been watching the show, Shaq's Big Challenge, you will see that getting people excited and encouraged about a healthy lifestyle can start a revolution.

Don't be afraid healthy people... even you rotten people with speedy metabolisms, I won't rub off on you. At least I'll try not to. But don't expect any marathon running... not yet anyway.

Jailhouse Rock

This is a video I saw on an old comedy buddies MySpace page. It's a large group of men in a Filipino prison doing a choreographed dance routine to Michael Jackson's, Thriller.

Tax dollars hard at work!

Handyman

This may be nothing to many of you, but I fixed another problem with my toilet last week.

When we were living in Michigan, Dad was just a phone call away. He knew how to or was willing to figure out how to fix anything and everything.

Since we moved (almost a year ago), I've had to learn to fix all the little stuff that goes wrong in the house... and as much as I used to think I couldn't fix things, it's not as hard as I thought.

So far on the two toilets upstairs, I have fixed almost everything in the tank: handle, filler valve & float and the flush valve. I've also replaced the seats.

Not rocket science, but I'm learning!

Grillin'

We finally got a new tank for the BBQ and I have been grillin' all day.

There is just something amazing about that wonderful grilled taste, isn't there? Chicken was on the menu today, I think tomorrow I'm gonna' try a little salmon. Let me just say, if you love to marinate before you grill, A1 Marinades are out of this world! We're hooked on Texas Mesquite.

I would love to hear some grillin' tips or recipes, so pass 'em on.

The Call

I got a call this morning that no one wants to hear...

Mom was rushed to emergency last night.

After a pretty stressful week and a night with her grandchild, Mom was pretty worn out. Dad said that Mom had a hard time communicating with him and eventually Dad felt something was very wrong. Matthew and Dad took Mom into the hospital and she ended up staying overnight for tests and observation.

Sounds like extreme fatigue and a possible TIA ended up being the diagnosis. Mom was allowed to go home this afternoon and finally get some rest (you can never rest in a hospital... odd isn't it?).

Keep her in your prayers...

Boys Day Out...

Ended up having a very cool Saturday morning.

Doug, Steve, Derek and myself met for breakfast at this place my Mom would love, Der Dutchman. It was just a lot of fun hanging out with the guys. They introduced me to this donut thing call a Long John. Cheryl told me to get her one since she had been there before and loved them. If you love sweets, beware, they're sinful. That's coming from someone who doesn't love sweets.

After the breakfast we ended up at Steve's in-laws where my heart almost stopped as Steve climbed a windmill some thirty or so feet in the air. The ladder - if you can even call it that - was literally only wide enough for one foot to fit in at a time. He barely squeezed through the opening at the top. After all of us watched in horror, Steve made it down all right.

Luckily, I think all the other guys didn't get in any trouble with their wives for being out so long. Even if they did, I think spending time together was worth it.

I'm Ready for Some Football!

Sports two days in a row people... I know.

All I can say is that DirecTV sent me a schedule for the upcoming season so I am officially excited. Training camp starts at the end of this month and the added bonus is HBO is bringing back one of my favorite shows, Hard Knocks. It follows a team through training camp with some really behind the scenes access. They're following the Kansas City Chiefs this year.

I am a glutton for punishment since as you know, my favorite team is none other than the Detroit Lions. Lions fans are so full of optimism as training camp comes around. Let's hope that positive feeling finally pays off this year (come on Chris, you know you love those Lions).

Soccer Geek

The Scottish blood was a wee bit excited tonight as I watched the MLS All-Star Game on ESPN 2. For you American folk who may not know, the MLS is Major League Soccer.

Yes, soccer.

I watched it and it was particularly exciting (not something most would say about soccer in the U.S.) because Celtic FC played the MLS All-Stars. Celtic FC is a team from Glasgow, Scotland. I'll need to speak with my Uncle Matthew to find out which Scottish Premier League team he follows. My guess is his hometown team in Kilmarnock.

The MLS All Stars beat Celtic FC 2 - 0. It was actually quite entertaining.

The real excitement at the game and over this past week has been the arrival of David Beckham. If you are unaware of Mr. Beckham, you may actually know who he is in the next few years if he does what people think he will. Basically, Beckham is supposed to put MLS on the map in the U.S., put butts in the seats.

He's an international superstar and was paid $250 Million to play here. He is married to one of the Spice Girls, Victoria, better known as Posh Spice. He's one championships in Europe and played for his country, England, in a few World Cups, and of course, he knows how to bend it... like Beckham.

Check out this video of Beckham against Greece. Watch for the reverse angle replay. Tell me that isn't a thing of beauty.

Here We Go Again...

I have no idea why, but we're watching Last Comic Standing again this year. They've got a new host, Bill Bellamy, and now three past contestants are the judging panel. By the way, only one of them won the season they were on, in fact Alonzo Boden had to come back for a season vs. season showdown before he was crowned Last Comic Standing. Not to mention that idiot Ant... who is he kidding with that hair piece? Sorry... that was wrong.

This show grabs me and then infuriates me every time it's on. I know it's coming, but I still put myself through it. At least this year I saw a comic that I knew from my days back in the Detroit comedy scene... Dave Landau... he lost and didn't look to happy about it.

The reason that I get all ticked off with this show is the fine print. If you read the fine print at the end of the show each week, it says that, "portions of the show have been edited out for the sake of time... blah, blah, blah... oh, and winning contestants are chosen by the panel and producers of the show."

I wouldn't have a problem with that if the funniest people made it to the next round, but the producers - God love 'em - choose people not just because they are the funniest, but because they will bring Reality Show freakiness to the house. They want crazy, unbalanced people because they will bring drama into the house. They will cause otherwise semi-normal people to do and say things that will have America talking tomorrow around the water cooler.

I know comedy is subjective, but let me just tell you that a lot of great comics go unnoticed and unappreciated on Last Comic Standing. They say that the funniest person in the World will be found this season... probably not, but at least we'll be laughing most of the way.

Heinz

Dave and I shot a commercial for Heinz Ketchup tonight...

After all the editing is done on my lovely Mac, I'll post a link for you to go see it on You Tube. Hopefully they like it.

Dramatic Chipmunk

I know I am late on this one, but if you haven't seen this... you just have to laugh. The Dramatic Chipmunk came about from some video of a Japanese children's TV show where they had a prairie dog in a pen while the kids laughed and asked questions. At one point the camera zooms in and then the payoff... Dramatic Chipmunk is born.

Enjoy.



There are a million variations of this thing on You Tube, so check it out. Not all of them are family friendly... so beware.

This is my favorite.

Alcohol...

So all the neighbors had a little party out in our court area last night. I went out to chat and see how things were going. I ended up sitting down for a while and talking with a few people while the booze continued to flow and the guests became more and more inebriated.

Out of nowhere, one of the guests from the block over (who I found out later no one really knew) comes flying past me at full speed and tackles my neighbor in his chair. Ummm, o.k.? So then the drunkard gets up and says, "Are we cool man?"

Are we cool?!?

My neighbor, also a bit on the tipsy side, says everything is o.k. Some people were laughing while the non-intoxicated people like me, knew this would not end well. My neighbor - after much drunken plotting - waits for his chance. The fully drunken bum from the other block is standing on the curb with his back to us, when my neighbor comes flying out of his chair, nailing the liquored up fool in the back... right on top of the unsuspecting woman that was talking to him. They both landed on top of her right in the middle of the concrete.

Not good.

She said she was fine, but I wonder how numb she had become up to that point (she also was enjoying her drinks). Everyone kept asking if she was alright and I think more than anything, she was embarrassed by all the attention.

The party quickly started to disband by that point... just a shade to late obviously. The drunken bum ended up passing out while he was sitting in a chair, then stumbled - with his cooler of beer - back home through our neighbor's yards.

There always seems to be one of those idiots that ruins it for everyone else. Tackling people is always a bad idea... unless you are playing football or are doing a stunt in a movie.

Maxed Out

If you happen to own a credit card, it would be pretty likely that you also have credit card DEBT! I may be jumping way out on the limb with that one... probably not.

Quite some time ago, I saw a preview for a documentary called, Maxed Out, on the previews of a DVD that we were watching. I was very intrigued, so I put it on the list of DVD's at the local library. We finally got it this past Thursday and it did not disappoint.

This movie should be required watching for high schoolers, young adults, people about to get married, if you are about to go to college or if you happen to spend money. EVERYONE needs to see this movie.

Cheryl and I have major struggles with debt; especially credit card debt and I wish we had known the disaster we were walking into. We never learned about money management or more importantly the value of money earned. Both of us had it pretty good growing up. We took a lot of things for granted and lived way beyond our means when we first got married... 14 years later, we are still paying for those mistakes.

Dave Ramsey is one of the people featured on this DVD. I would highly suggest either reading some of his books or getting to one of his seminars, because this guy has the right idea.

As the tag-line of the Maxed Out suggests: Nothing Is Priceless.

Scott's Rent-A-Car

I let a friend borrow my car for the weekend today.

It was really weird, because I got into the car with him and told him about all the little ticks and problems he might experience with it. It made me feel like a father feels when he lets his son take the family car out for the first time.

Weird, huh?

Hmmm...

So my brother calls me this morning with an interesting proposition. It seems a friend of his at work may be interested in our house, but he would like some incentives thrown into the deal.

In Real Estate these days, people are having to sweeten the pot a bit with extras. It used to be things like paying closing costs or helping with the down payment, but now things have gotten a bit more creative. Everything from Plasma TV's to Mercedes are being thrown into the purchase deal.

So what does our perspective buyer want? A Crotch Rocket... we'll see how that works out.

Ask

I always have trouble asking for help. Why? I think there are a myriad of reasons. Pride, being afraid what people will think, not wanting to "owe" somebody, etc.

In America, very early on we learn to be independent. It's the best way to do things... so we're told. It's your choice, your bedroom, your body, your decision, your vote. Everything is about you. You deserve the best, you deserve a break today, be all that you can be.

This logic seems to go against everything I've read about the Church. Community, carrying for one another, sharing with one another... being together. The community of "believers" grew so quickly because this love and care they showed to one another was attractive. It was different than the norm.

Sometimes when we are too proud or afraid to ask for help, we don't give those in the body a chance to give. We take away their opportunity to experience the joy of giving that God provides them with.

So why not try to be a little un-American next time you are in need? Ask, and maybe it will be given to you.

Friends Are Friends... Forever?

Have you ever been betrayed by someone you really care about?

I'm not talking about being swindled by a used car salesman or getting ripped off or being duped into buying something from a TV Infomercial... I mean someone you invested in. Someone you gave pieces of yourself to. Someone you thought was like family.

For me - and I'm sure many other people - this feeling of betrayal by people I care about has been something I have experienced many, many times in my life. It's kind of like the devil's little hot button for me. The thing that really hurts me the deepest. Friends, family and people I will never meet again have helped push that button... and I'm positive I have pushed that button for others as well.

Most of the time, I've been able to talk to the person and hash things out. Not this time. I've been able to say that I'm sorry too. I've been able to forgive and begin again... but something different is happening here. Things out of my control...

Thankfully, God is helping me grow... increasing my faith.

He never betrays me, never forsakes me. He continues to strip away the things that get in the way. I'm realizing more and more that everything in my life is meaningless. Possessions, titles, family, friends... none of it matters.

A new realization is taking over.

Everything could crumble down around me, but God still loves me and His plans will be carried through to completion.

How many of us really understand His love for us?

I don't think any of us really know it's true fullness. We've never experienced anything close to it in human form because we're all messed up, broken. We see glimpses of it... but do we really open ourselves up to receive all that He has freely given to us? Do we believe He loves us the way He says He does?

Most often we have to experience the pain and betrayal. We have to let God pull the little band-aid off of our gaping wound. He has to expose it so He can heal it.

Really it's about how we deal with it, isn't it? Knowing that God is still God in the face of all sorts of trials and tribulations. We were made to be in relationship with others... because we're made in His image. Relationships will fail.

How many times have I betrayed Him? Many more than Peter. Yet, He still loves me. Perfectly. Exactly the way I need it... Exactly the way He intended.

His perfect love casts out all fear.

Even the fear that someone will hurt me again...

Blog Maintenance

No offense to anyone who may have noticed their link is gone...

I've noticed that some people haven't written in quite a while or very infrequently. So if you start Blogging again, let me know and I'll put you back in the links.

Assume the Position

Our little Bailey Boy made it into todays teaching at church! Tony was continuing a message on faith and how our faith grows. One of the points that he made was that we all have these misconceptions about who God is and that definitely shapes our faith (or lack thereof).

Tony talked about a dog his wife's family had that was very scared and timid throughout it's life. He remembers when that dog would meet people that it's tail would go between it's legs and it's ears would be pinned back. It came before people with fear and trepidation.

As Tony was preparing, he was studying what it meant when a dog licks you. He read a bunch of trainers who said it was a sign of affection, love and trust for their masters. When Tony and some other people came to our house one night a couple weeks ago we were praying and worshipping Tony was on the floor and became quite emotional. Bailey came up to Tony as he lay there and began to lick his hand. In that moment, he felt like God was showing him love through Bailey. Then Bailey flopped down beside Tony and rolled over on his back to get some love in return.

That, Tony explained, is how we should view the relationship we have with our God. We express our love to him, but the most important part is that we allow ourselves to be vulnerable to accept his love in return. Most of us come before God like the timid dog, worrying or frightened that God may zap us, but Bailey gave love and enjoyed receiving it as well.

Sometimes even dogs can teach you something...

Saturdays

Cheryl and I had one of those Saturdays...

One where you just spend the day together. Nothing to do, nowhere to go. Just us... and our furry little buddy, Bailey.

I love days like this.

Movie Week

We have watched a slew of movies lately!

We get our movies from the public library now, so the choice of what I get can be pretty sporadic. When we used Netflix, there was a little more rhyme and reason to the movies we ended up with. On the library website I can request books and movies, but a lot of times the newer stuff is requested by a ton of people and the library usually only has a single copy, so being too cheap to rent movies has it's drawbacks. How can you go wrong with free though (again, only free in my mind... our tax dollars hard at work)?

So we recently watched a documentary that Chris told me about a long time ago called, Devil's Playground. It's about the Amish... yes, the Amish. It is actually pretty interesting and strange and sad all at the same time. Basically at the age of 16, the Amish religion allows the teens to live like "the English people." They get to experience life on the other side and then decide if they want to come back and become Amish. It is a wild ride where the kids party, drink, smoke, drive cars, have cell phones, wear "English" clothes and pretty experience anything they want to... all while still living at home on the farm (most of them anyway). The interesting thing is that they have like a 90% retention rate in the church.

The second movie we watched was Shooter. This was just a good ol' fashion action movie. It was heavily influenced and filled with political commentary on how our government is crooked and covers things up (duh... like we didn't know that). But it was actually really good. Cheryl and I both enjoyed it. Conspiracies and sniper rifles always make me happy... that's kind of sad, no?

Lastly the movie Deja Vu. To me this one reminded me of a few movies, but it was a very interesting concept. Plus, Jesus was in it... well the guy who played him in The Passion of the Christ anyway. It kind of has some of the technological advances of Minority Report, mixed with pretty much every movie you have ever seen where you have to stop the bad guy before he blows stuff up... with a twist. Denzel Washington is always good in these movies in my opinion, so it's worth a watch.

Big Brother 8

So we started watching Big Brother 8 last night on CBS. It's one of those dirty little secrets that we watch during the Summer months. A good friend of mine, Chris, got me to check this show out and I have been off and on ever since. (Last year's Big Brother All Stars was amazing though)

Essentially, Big Brother is a show where 14 people are put together in a house that has no outside contact with anything or anyone - except the host, Julie Chen. Throughout their time there (2 or 3 months) they vote one another out each week. It's like high school click neatly packaged for your TV viewing pleasure.

There is always a twist on the show. This year 6 people in the house know one another, which would usually be a good thing, but these people know and mostly hate each other. There are ex-romantic interests, ex-best friends (from junior high!) and father/daughter relationship gone bad.

The father/daughter thing was the one that really made me sad. The daughter had not spoken with her father in 2 years, she's only 21 and her dad is a tatoo'd punk rocker who manages a bar (reminds Cheryl and I of Lex from Survivor). I hope that there can be some kind of reparation of that relationship... right in front of millions of interested viewers - - touche CBS!

Boom!

So we sat out in our backyard tonight and watched the fireworks!

It was really cool. I think we need to make a party out of it. Have lots of people over and watch the explosions in our own backyard. We definitely need a soundtrack... the neighbors had the radio blaring, but I think I will need to make a soundtrack of good songs for next year and blast them over the stereo somehow.

Bailey was outside with us and nearly lost his mind, but I just kept holding him and telling him that, "fireworks are good." Let's hope that registers for next year.

I also happened to mention that fireworks symbolized our violent heritage as a nation. I told Bailey that all that violence allowed him freedom to run around panting when fireworks exploded and thunderstorms came along.

God Bless America.

And the Rocket's Red Glare...

So we have learned something new about our cute little dog, Bailey... Fireworks scare the living crap out of him! We're talking shivers, panting and pacing like a fiend. Worse than thunderstorms... I knew there was a reason I have no love for fireworks. Watching hard earned money explode into bright colors never appealed to me.

We watched Red, White & Boom on our local NBC affiliate tonight and even a couple of the firework sounds from the television sent him scurrying away looking for shelter.

By the way, someone at the local NBC station could be losing their job tomorrow or really get and earful because the regularly scheduled program, Law & Order: SVU, audio was playing over the music and explosions as we watched. Quite annoying, but funny at the same time.

Feeding Frenzy

If you love the NHL, the trade deadline is one of the most exciting days of the year. Probably the second most exciting time of the year, unless your team is in the Stanley Cup Finals, to be a fan of the NHL started yesterday at 12 p.m. EST.

Unrestricted Free Agency (UFA) is a very exciting time. You hope to bolster your team by signing a key piece or even a few pieces to give your team a better shot at hoisting the Stanley Cup.

Now with the NHL having a salary cap, GM's have to really be shrewd. My favorite team, the Detroit Red Wings, before the salary cap would spend like the New York Yankees to put together a team. That is not the case anymore.

The Wings have still been a favorite to win the Cup even though they are on "equal footing" with the rest of the NHL. So far this year the Wings have lost two key players to the Ducks - - the team who beat us in the Western Conference Finals and eventually won the Stanley Cup.

We'll have to see what Ken Holland does, but there is no reason to doubt him based on his track record to this point.

Let's hope for more exciting times to come before the Wings take the ice for the 2007-08 season.

Crest

I would just like to take this moment to announce my preference and allegiance to Crest Toothpaste.

After buying a cheaper brand that was on sale about a month or so ago, I realized that Colgate - oops, did I say that out loud - sucks. Not only that, but our friendly Chinese friends have also sent over some poisoned Colgate that is actually fake Colgate. Just a side note, why are we still allowing China to make stuff for us?

When I was growing up, I think we used Crest in our household, but I know we also used a couple of different things. Aquafresh comes to mind and there was this stuff called Close Up that I think we used for quite a while. Cheryl told me they had no set brand in her house, just whatever was on sale. Well, having used Colgate again and finding out again that is horrid, I will do my best to remember that Crest will be a staple from now on...

By the way, Mr. or Mrs. Crest, if you read this Blog and decide that my ringing endorsement deserves Crest for life, please contact me as soon as possible. I would also take money if that is easier.