new year's eve 2109

i really have no idea where the time went.

if you had a bad 2019 i hope 2020 is bettrer.

if you had a good 2019 i hope 2020 is the same.

if you're going to a party tonight and want to drink, please don't drive.

christmas 2019

hope you got some nice stuff. if you're parting tonight & want to drink, please don't drive.

if you go to return stuff tomorrow or hit the after-christmas sales stay safe.

what kind of christmas tree are you?

You Are a Cranberry and Popcorn Strung Tree

Christmas is all about showcasing your creative talents. From cookies to nicely wrapped presents, your unique creations impress everyone.

except i picked the gift bag option for gift wrapping.

link to quiz

wal-mart s'mores dessert pizza

it's from the freezer section BTW.

it wasn't too bad. not sure i'd get it again. especally for nearly 5 dollars.

they also have a pineapple one & an apple cinnamon one. might get those at a later date.

thanksgiving 2019

hope you don't eat too much today. and if you're drinking, get a cab, ride share or a designated driver. (thanksgiving is a biger day for drunk/buzzed driving accidents then new year's eve).

and if you're shopping the big sales tomorrow, stay safe.

kinder bueno bars

heard a lot about them so we (brother & I) decided to try them.

found them at target, a 2-bar pack for 99 cents.

they were OK. noting special. like of like a better twix bar.

wal-mart apple pie sandwich cookies

while not tasting much like apple pie, they certainly smell like one. almost overwhelmingly so. not as strong as the candle/wax melt version of apple does though.

the wal-mart not-oreos (called twist & shouts) don't have the variety of actual oreos, but in general are better tasting. although, they have the annoying habit of the top cookie breaking away from the "cream" when you bite into them.

wal-mart mini pumpkin spice cupcakes

after looking for weeks, they finally had them!

they need to re-calibrate their machine that dust them with the spices, some had way too much.

but the cream cheese icing was not too bad.

pepperidge farm pumpin spice milano cookies

not that great.

but their milano cookies are vastly overrated anyway.

especially with the commercials they had several years ago were a woman would be hiding the cookies as her little "indulgence" & trying the keep the kids from eating them.

what starbucks fall drink are you?

You Are a Pumpkin Spice Latte

You are a very hopeful and dreamy person. You see what could be, and the world holds tons of potential for you. You are social and friendly. You love to be around people, and you naturally glow when you're with your friends.

You don't try to be, but you still end up as a very persuasive person. Others respect your opinion, and you have a lot of influence.
You are warm, easygoing, and quick to be distracted. You are always juggling in some aspect of your life, usually not literally though!

link to quiz

well, that fits because of all of the pumpkin spice stuff i've been trying.

haloween 2019

the place that do trick or treat already did it this past friday or saturday. which is why those people who want the holiday moved to the last saturday of the month have no clue.

but there are people who dress up today. (forever grateful where weren't in the zombie snow whit's section at the restaurant a few years ago) and i look forward to the candy sale tomorrow. although halloween candy is not as interesting as christmas or valentine's stuff.

what halloween treat are you?

You Are a Gumdrop

Your Halloween personality is enthusiastic, fun loving, and light hearted. You love Halloween as much as any kid... and possibly more than most kids.

While some people enjoy the scary aspects of Halloween, you're all about the nostalgia. Halloween reminds you of a happier, simpler time - when all you cared about was the candy in your pillowcase!

link to quiz

i didn't think gumdrops were a halloween thing, but what do i know?

the weather

....is getting more fall-like.

it seems that summer last longer every year.

although man years ago it got rhater cold towards the beginning of september.

pillsbury pumpkin cookies with cream cheese pieces

they were ok.

not too much pumpkin spice, no much pumpkin taste, but very pumpkin colored though.

wal-mart's frozen hot chocolate ice cream

one of the three holiday/christmas flavors they have new this year. (tried egg nog, not interested in peppermint)

it's not too bad. chocolate ice cream is hit or miss. mostly miss.

i don't know who started this "frozen hot chocolate" thing, they're just chocolate ice creams & frozen dairy things.

wal-mart's egg nog ice cream

it's one of three "holiday" (a.k.a christmas) flavors that they have. it's way  too early for that, but that's a rant for another time.

not really good. some nutmeg flavor, not overwhelming. but too much for our tastes.

hopefully this kills any urge that my brother has to have egg nog this year.

wal-mart's mini caramel apple cupcakes

got these the other day. nothing special. not much apple or caramel flavor.

there is a little bit of cinnamon spice or something though.

pumpkin pop tarts

took a chance and got these, despite worries that there might be too much spice.

well, there wasn't. they have a nice, mild pumpkin flavor. but then we've only had them one at a time. having tow (or more) might produce a different opinion.

mom's birthday 2019

Sapphire Says You Are Wise


You are a truth seeker... no matter what the truth ends up being. You want answers. And you don't believe in one truth either. The truth is always changing, and that's part of the journey for you.

Sapphires are thought to bring clarity. You are good at clearing the chatter out of your head and focusing on what's important. You are honest and loyal to your friends. If someone or something is harming your friend, you let your friend know.

You go best with topaz. You are both blunt and fiery, but you feel strongly about each other. You can set the world on fire together. You clash with turquoise. You feel like turquoise is too fluttery, and sag thinks you're too serious. You just don't mesh.

link to quiz

it's that time of year

where the pumpkin/pumpkin spice stuff comes out. i'm thinking of trying whatever new comes down the pike, within reason. i'm not trying the pumpkin spice spam for example. but the problem is i've tryed like 90% of the stuff there is.

new this year, however, are the decadent pumpkin cookies with white chocolate from wal-mart. 3 in a little bag for $1. they were OK,nothing special.

also new are pillsbury pumpkin cookies with white chocolate. they're those preformed globs that you just put on a cookie sheet. haven't tryed those yet, they're next on the list.

i wish my brother liked pop tarts, because i really want to try their pumpkin pie ones. i also wish they cam in a samller box than 12.

labor day 2019

today's the day for the official holiday, but people have been doing stuff all weekend. i hear fireworks from somewhere on saturday.

enjoy the sales and stay safe on the roads.

dad's birthday 2019

Peridot Says You Are Forward-Thinking

You are a very broad thinker. You like to think about possibilities, and you have a unique take on problems. You are a big fan of new beginnings. You feel like you have already led many different lives in this lifetime.

Peridot is thought to bring vitality. You can breathe life into anything; you are big on makeovers. You nurture personal growth - both in yourself and others. You believe that problems can be scrapped or fixed.

You go best with a turquoise. You and a turquoise both like to take on challenges and push your limits together! You clash with topaz. You both are a little too intense for your own good. Your chemistry is hot but also flammable.

link to quiz

mcdonald's stroopwafel mcflurry

had this back in july but forgot to post.

it was very meh. when caramel gets cold it clumps together & make's it hard to eat.

burger king's taco

not very good. the shell was kind of hard to chew which they probally do to have it hold up under the heat lamps.

i've had better at taco bell.

burger king's pulled pork king

it's different than the pulled pork sandwiches they had as part of their "summer menu" several years ago. it has pickle chips & crispy onion pieces.

it wasn't too bad. the bbq sauce was kind of spicy though.

chocolate peanut butter pie oreos

i don't know if they're a limited time thing, they probably are.

got them from wal-mart a few days ago. very meh. would not get again.

oreos have been going down-hill for a while. the target & wal-mart versions are better, but they just have original, double filling & sometimes vanilla cookie. wal-mart does have creme brulee, which is pretty good.

google tells me they also have key lime pie  chocolate banana, but the local one doesn't have those.

brother's birthday 2019

Ruby Says You Are a Leader

You're the type to take charge - whether it's leading a group or living your life purposefully. You seek power and influence. You refuse to be helpless, and you go after what you want... especially when it comes to love.

Rubies are thought to bring power, authority, and unbridled passion. It's true that you don't let anything stand in your way. Of all the types, you are the most goal oriented. When you set your sights on something, you make sure you get it.

You go best with emerald. Only emeralds can give you total and complete commitment - which is what your jealous self needs to be happy. You clash with amethyst. Amethysts are too aloof and logical for your passionate self. They drive you crazy with jealousy and desire.

link to the quiz.

peach cheerios

wanted to try this for awhile, but wal-mart only has the big family size. but we (brother & i) decided to try it.

it smells very much like peaches, but only tastes a little bit like them. over all not too bad.

not sure i'd get it again. i still think apple cinnamon cheerios is the best. followed by the frosted.

4th of july 2019

be careful with the fireworks.

don't sent any fires with the BBQ.

hope you don't get any food born illnesses.

if there are any good sales, hope you get something good.

dark berry dr. pepper

it's a limited time thing for some new spider-man movie.

not bad. kind of berry like. i haven't had dr. pepper in years and now i remember why.

panera bread's vanilla cinnamon roll

i finally got to try it & wasn't impressed.

it was a good size & soft, but the vanilla icing had a chemical tastes (the vanilla?).

over all not worth the price. you could get a 6-pack of cinnamon rolls from wal-mart that are better for the same price as one from panera.

my birthday 2019

Pearl Says You Are Natural

You're the type of person who is happy being you. You don't feel the need to put on airs.
You tend to follow your heart and do whatever feels right. Deep down, you always know the right path.

The pearl is thought to promote prosperity and longevity. You feel like you have lucked out a bit in life.
But what you think is luck is actually a knack for knowing what path to take. You end up making good choices.

You go best with turquoise. A turquoise know how to get you out of your comfort zone for a rockin' good time.
You clash with a garnet. Garnet are too calculating for your blow with the wind, whatever happens happens style.

link to the quiz

triple chocolate twix

very meh.

for something with "triple chocolate" in the name, it wasn't very chocolaty.

white chocolate twix

not bad, but not good either.

just tasted like white chocolate with some of the caramel/cookie taste of regular twix.

ruffles double crunchy chips

tried the zesty cheddar not long ago.

unnecessarily crunchy (thicker cut) & too much "zest" and not enough cheddar.

easter 2019

this holiday is getting out of hand. it used to be candy (usually in easter baskets), church (with new outfits), easter egg hunts, candy & some kind of fancy dinner (ham optional).

now they're trying to make it into another christmas by pushing people into buying toys & crap for the eater baskets.

Coca-Cola Origins Georgia Peach

this one sort of smelled like peaches, but did not taste very much like them.

if i didn't know it was supposed to be peach-flavored, i seriously doubt that i would've guessed that was the flavor intended.

not worth getting again.

Coca-Cola Origins California Raspberry

it's a limited edition/time flavor & apparently in a different product group from the orange vanilla coke, because it's made with real sugar.

it smells rather raspberry-like & kind of tastes like it, which is good, no need for the overwhelming raspberry flavor that's boarder-line cough drop/syrup of the raspberry vinaigrette i had a few weeks ago. 

 not something i'd want to get again.

orange-vanilla coke

while most place have a 6-pack or a 12-count case we managed to find 20_oz ones at a convenience store.

it was too bad. really subtle orange flavor & not much vanilla, but i guess that's good.

the orange reminded me of orange bubble gum & i haven't had any bubble gum in many, many years..

snickers white

it's some new candy bar that my brother found in the candy rack by the check out. the "impulse buy" area. which worked.

it's not too bad. reminds me of a zero bar, but with nuts.

apparently it's a limited time thing.

what is your spring color?

You Are Lilac Pink

You are gentle and sweet to those around you, but that doesn't mean you don't have a funky side. You have a deep understanding of the world, and you're willing to stand your ground to make sure that things are done right.

You are a strong individual, although you tend to blend in most of the time. You like to find your niche and your people. Like a spring flower, you have a uniqueness that is stunning in its own way. You are at your best when you're just being you.

what is your spring color?

(this is also a test to see how blogthings is working. i have to copy & past the results & put in the link myself. but so far so good)

st. patrick's day 2019

if you got out to celebrate today, try not to drink too much green beer.

and watch out for those that do.

oat "milk"

it's one of those things that they keep coming up with so people don't have to drink cow's milk. saw that the company silk had it at wal-mart & decided to try it.

it was kind of terrible. it's unsweetened or flavored in any way so it tastes like unflavored oatmeal. yuck! don't know what i expected really. rice milk kind of tastes like unflavored rice.

the other two snickers bars

tried the other two new snickers bars, which we (brother & i) found at target.

the almond butter was ok. noting special.

the maple almond butter smelled a little like maple, but didn't taste like it.

overall i liked the cream peanut butter the best.

discount valentine's candy

got a nice haul at target for 50% off.

mostly dove & lindt, they're pretty good.

but there's one thing that isn't; the dove pink champagne & milk chocolate hearts. they're just terrible. i can't describe the taste, but i can't believe these go past the testing stages and intro production.

new candy bars

discovered new (to us) candy bars at a local convience store not long ago.

3 musketeers birthday cake; didn't taste like birthday cake or even vanilla.
toe be honest, 3 musketeers candy bars are sub-par to start with.

milky way fudge; not too bad. might get again.

snickers creamy peanut butter; pretty good. but then it has to be a very crappy peanut butter for me to hate it. would get again.

i'm over 1000 posts?!

when did that happen?

that's a lot of non-sense & random that no one reads.

pop tarts cereal

they have two out (for a limited time?)

straberry frosted & brown sugar frosted. had the brown sugar.

not worth eating. barely any brown sugar flavor & not any frosting to speak of.

late to the cereal party

found gingerbread flavored life at wal-mart a couple of weeks ago.
and (believe it or not) pumpkin spice flavored life cereal!

the pumpkin spice was really a surprise because we didn't see it before & they had a big stance of boxed on a pallet. so either they found some in the back or stuff that didn't sell at other wal-marts got shipped there.

both were nothing special. both smelled stronger than they tasted, which is probably a good thing.

trying blogthings again

What Shape Pasta Are You?

You Are Gnocchi

You are definitely not the quiet type, and you really don't keep a lot to yourself. You are responsible and trustworthy. You're always happy to be the accountable one. You are practical and matter-of-fact. You prefer to take the pragmatic approach. You are lovable, endearing, and affectionate. People gravitate toward your positive spirit.

winter cold

just in case a reminder was needed that it was january, it's cold & snowy.

at least the days are getting longer.