While shopping at CVS this morning, I had an unusual experience. It was still early and the parking lot was nearly deserted, expect for a strange couple. The man was riding a bicycle aimlessly while his female companion sat by the entrance on a crate. Neither said a word to me when I went in, but as I left, they became aggressive and demanded money. At first, I was confused and thought it might be a charity collection because I live in a safe, suburban area where things like this just don’t happen. Not wanting to be rude, I asked who they represented.

Big mistake! “We need help,” the man claimed, with the woman echoing, “Do you have cash? There’s an ATM here,” adding, “C’mon, you can afford it,” when I shook my head no. I then realized that not only were they panhandling, they were obviously professionals.

Two bags were in my hand that contained some snacks. Now, I know when I’m being hustled and I didn’t want to engage them, but it was so uncomfortable and unexpected, I offered them something anyway.

Would you believe that they refused and started haranguing me: “Don’t be so cheap. It’s just $20 dollars!” Again I refused and then they swore at me. Disgusted, I made a beeline for my car and bicycle man starts riding in circles, blocking me in! 

Beeping the horn did nothing to scare him away, but it did create a commotion that alerted the store manager. Since I’ve been shopping there consistently since 2008, we know each other and he was more than willing to intervene by calling the police.

Throughout this ordeal, I didn’t really feel scared, but I did feel almost embarrassed, even though I’d done nothing wrong. In the end, the couple was escorted away and given strict orders to never return. No harm came to anyone, thankfully, but it was unnerving just the same.

As someone who likes to give people the benefit of the doubt and help those who are truly in need, I find their behavior sickening. Not only are they trying to scam innocent folks, they’re abusing those who don’t comply with their games.

It really makes you wonder what society is coming to…

Most of us are using our dishwasher daily for plates, cups, and cutlery, but it doesn’t have to stop there. Many items beyond kitchenware can be safely—and more efficiently—cleaned by a dishwasher.

Here are 17 uncommon items I’ve tried (no disasters yet!):

1. Toothbrushes. No matter how well these are rinsed, they tend to be germy. Works especially well for toddlers and youngsters who are careless with their brushes.

2. Potatoes. I first read this tip in a cooking magazine during Thanksgiving. If you have a large amount to wash like a 10-lb bag, put them on the top rack and run the cycle without soap.

3. Croc shoes & flip flops. Plastic footwear can easily be cleaned but DO NOT use the dryer or they’ll melt.

4. Plastic flower pots. At the end of garden season, a single rinse through the machine saves me a lot of scrubbing.

5. Baseball hats. Oh my goodness, between the sweat and grime, hats can be disgusting! The regular washer doesn’t always get them squeaky clean, even with pre-treat, but the dishwasher does.

6. Dish drainers. If you keep a drainer on the counter for hand washing, sterilize it every so often.

7. Glass covers for lighting fixtures. Heavy, thick, and irregularly shaped, these can be annoying to clean. Save time and elbow grease by putting them onto the top shelf.

8. Drain stoppers (kitchen sink and bathtub). Toss these into the silverware compartment.

9. Plastic hair brushes and combs. Most of us forget to clean these regularly, but putting them in the dishwasher is almost effortless. 

10. Scrub brushes and sponges. If used daily, figure on a weekly cleaning.

11. Small plastic containers. Think soap dishes, toothbrush holders, etc.

12. Kids bath toys. Yes, toys get washed in the tub, but that won’t remove caked-on soap scum.

13. Plastic clothes hangers. If they’re really dusty from being in the back of the closet, I do a big load of them in my dishwasher. They come out shiny clean!

14. Stove burner pans. I have a smooth-top stove, but my previous model had individual burners. Most don’t come 100% clean in the dishwasher and will require additional scrubbing, but this makes the job easier.

15. Glass tray from the microwave. We use the microwave multiple times per day and the tray gets filthy! Stuck-on spills, sours smells and the like seem to disappear after dishwashing.

16. Metal mesh screen from the kitchen stove hood. Ever notice how it gets coated with grease and food? Yuck!

17. Plastic dust pans. I put these in when I do a load of plastic clothes hangers usually.

While most items won’t present a problem, there are a few things I suggest:

• Put the non-food, non-mouth items in a separate cycle  
• Put plastic items on the top shelf only. (I’ve never had anything melt on the bottom rack, but better safe than sorry.)
• Don’t use the heated-dry setting (instead, I open the door and allow to air dry).

Have you ever used a dishwasher to clean something unusual?

Are most of you experiencing wild weather, too? Here in New England, it’s much warmer than usual and we haven’t had any snow yet.

It seems like it’s one extreme to the next. Last winter we experienced the snowiest season in 40 years while tomorrow it’s supposed to reach 66 degrees, shattering the all-time high record set in 1870!

I’m not complaining about a warm day—far from it!—but this is just plain weird. I have lived here for most of my life, and to step outside in late December without a coat is just unheard of. Instead of the usual flakes, it’s been lots of rain lately and it feels more like fall than winter.

No boots, no scarves, no sleds/skis—where are you guys?

How hot/cold is it in your area?

Date Night is something that can really help a relationship. Ideally, it’s a special time to spend alone together while communicating and growing closer as a couple. In reality, it can often be a huge stressor and waste of money. The last time Hungry Bear and I went out for dinner and a movie, it cost over $60.00 and the food/service was terrible! Plus, we worried about getting back home on time.

Rather than going out, we really do prefer at-home date nights. It gives us total control over the time, the food, and there’s no need for a baby sitter. Also, the savings are huge!

Here’s a recap of our $5.00 Date Night:

Earlier in the day, I stopped by Market Basket and picked up some snacks: Diet Coke 2-liter ($0.99) and party-size bag of Lay’s chips for him and pretzels for me ($1.99 each). There is a Redbox machine out front and I used a free code for Jurassic World (Anyone else remember watching the original 1993 version in the theatre? I do). 

We ate dinner together as a family, then put the littles to bed early, allowing us to watch the movie and eat our snacks with relative peace and quiet. Afterwards, we spent about an hour leisurely talking and trading foot rubs. I can’t even tell you how nice this little break was, nothing fancy, but quite refreshing and something affordable for every couple.

Sure, a fancy night out on the town is a treat, but a nice evening at home can be just as enjoyable.

Do you have an affordable idea for Date Night? I’d love to hear it.