Kindle Fire and The Mysterious Parental Controls Password

I recently bought a Kindle Fire HD 7" (2014 version). When I made an app purchase a day or two ago, it asked if I wanted to turn on Parental Controls so that I would have to enter my password before completing future purchases. Since I let my kids play with it, I chose Yes. It didn't ask me to choose a password so I assumed it meant my Amazon.com password.

Today, I wanted to make another purchase. The Parental Controls password box popped up.

My Amazon.com password was not correct. The lock screen PIN was not correct. Leaving it blank was not correct.  Uh Oh.

I got on my computer to check the Amazon help files for my Fire. It said that if I forgot the Parental Controls password, I should reset my Fire to factory settings. That meant wiping out everything and starting over.

Google searching turned up a suggestion to deregister the device on Amazon, then reregister from the device. This was supposed to wipe out the parental control password.  It does not.

Other online advice was even less helpful, ranging from "Step One: Don't forget the password" to "You're too stupid to own tech."

In a fit of stubbornness, and even though I knew none would work, I started entering every password I could remember using since college. After about 10-12 wrong passwords, the heavens opened up and the Hallelujah chorus began, as a "Need to reset your password?" link appeared.

Yes, damn it, I sure do.

The lesson here is that sometimes you just have to push forward trying the improbable until things go your way.  

Orville Redenbacher's Gourmet Naturals Popcorn, Garlic Butter and Sea Salt

This popcorn sounded so appealing! You know I love popcorn. I also like garlic. Plus, I really dig the bag that turns into a bowl. Unfortunately, the flavor is a solid Meh. The taste is garlic-ish, but doesn't seem authentic.

I've made garlic popcorn before - air popped corn, butter, garlic, salt.  It is really good.

The ingredients in the Orville Redenbacher's popcorn are - popping corn, palm oil, sea salt, "natural flavor" (including milk) and mixed tocopherols.

The word Garlic doesn't appear, specifically. This seems suspicious. If they used garlic, why not say so? It doesn't taste like real garlic was used. It isn't gross or anything, but it certainly isn't proper garlic popcorn.

Eating this left me with a mouthful of regret that can't be washed away by Pinot Grigio.
I still like the bag-bowl.

Sutter Home White Merlot

Look at this mini bottle that caught my eye at the grocery store:

http://www.sutterhome.com/wine/white-merlot#

"When you're craving a red, but your barometer is screaming white, our White Merlot wine comes to the rescue. This lighter, friskier Merlot has juicy cherry notes that mingle with fresh raspberries, leading to a crisp finish. Enjoy it chilled as an aperitif or pair with barbecue, seafood, and food with a little extra kick to it."

For $1.00, I'm game.  The bottle is 187 ml in size, which amounts to about 1.25 servings if you're being proper about it.

White Merlot is made from the same grapes as regular Merlot, but once crushed the juice is separated from the skins quickly, resulting in a Barbie-doll pink rather than a deep red.

That is a reusable plastic strawberry-shaped ice cube in the glass. I'm classy like that. Seriously though, it is a fast way to cool a single glass of wine without diluting your drink or ruining a bottle by over chilling. Besides, no one is around to judge when you're drinking all alone. *sobs* At least I didn't use a bendy straw in the bottle. I considered it.

It is sweet, but there is some weight behind it, and it lingers pleasantly for just a moment. This would make a good picnic wine on a warm day in the same way that mimosas great with breakfast crepes.  It isn't too sweet for red wine drinkers and not too heavy for white wine lovers. It's not complicated or special, but what do you expect for $1? Sutter Home has 12 varieties in mini bottles, so I'm picturing a cooler full of them to share with friends while we play Cards Against Humanity.

P.S. It pairs nicely with tater tots.

Tootsie Pops and the Indian Wrapper

I don't eat a lot of non-chocolate candy, but a raspberry Tootsie Pop was given to me recently and I gave in to nostalgia. It is still pretty fantastic! I noticed that my wrapper had that legendary Indian (meaning a child dressed up as a Native American) on the wrapper.

When I was a kid, a popular myth that we all took for truth had to do with that picture. Word on the street (and in back yards, parks, school hallways) was that when you got a wrapper with an Indian shooting a star, it could be traded in for a free Tootsie Pop.

This childhood 'fact' was perpetuated for many years in my small town because the owner of a local corner store allowed it. Any kid that wandered into the store and presented the clerk with an Indian wrapper was given a free Tootsie Pop. The practice was not endorsed or promoted by the Tootsie Pop company, but was simply the choice of the nice owner who paid for this candy from his own pocket. This went on until that little shop was replaced by a chain convenience store.

I now live in an area roughly 10 times the population size of my hometown. I asked my kids if the wrapper meant anything to them but they had never heard of the free candy rumor.

If anyone wants to trade a Tootsie Pop for my wrapper, I like cherry, grape and chocolate too.  ;-)

Learn more about Tootsie Pop wrapper legends:
Shooting Star
A Tootsie Pop Mystery
Rumors for Tootsie Pops

The Legend of the Indian Wrapper

Winking Owl Wine - White Zinfandel

I had previously tried the other five offerings in the Winking Owl line from Aldi, intentionally leaving out the White Zinfandel because I usually refer to white zin as the training wheels of wine drinking.  It's too sweet, too weak, too...pink.  The problem is that I felt compelled to be a completest and try this sixth option.

White Zinfandel - "Cranberry and watermelon flavors with notes of fresh strawberry and cherry." Light, dry.

Right after I took a photo of the bottle, I tossed it it right into the refrigerator. Let's not even pretend that white zin can't live in the fridge.

After my husband went to work and the kids left for the pool, I uncorked the wine and got a whiff of something like Elmer's glue dissolving in apple cider vinegar, which isn't unpleasant to me. Make of that what you will.

The secretaries at my kid's school gave me this 16 oz tumbler as a gift, so I poured half of the bottle into it.

No, not really, but I could totally get away with it since it looks like juice or watery Kool-Aid.

Despite my snark towards white zinfandel, I was really hoping to be surprised by this one. I liked the Winking Owl Chardonnay and Pinot Grigio.

Noooooope.  It tastes like someone went strolling through a berry patch in sock-feet, then put those socks in a bottle, topped it off with water and the tears of a unicorn, left it in a prison basement for a year, the tossed it unceremoniously into a refrigerator.

Oh, that last one was me. I forgot.

It doesn't taste like it has gone bad; I think this is how it is supposed to be. There are cloying under-tastes that I can't identify and they are hard to swallow away. It's almost like it it started out sour and had a ton of sugar dumped into it. I swear I'm picking up the flavor of glue too. Don't ask how I know what glue tastes like.

It made my eyes burn and my face sweat. That's not pretty. I couldn't finish the partial glass I poured.

In my prior review I made the assumption that fans of white zin would probably love this. I retract that statement. I wouldn't give this to anyone that I liked. Leave this one on the shelf and go buy Oak Leaf at Walmart with your $2.89. They have nine to choose from...that could keep me busy for awhile. *hic*

DIY Rx Bottle Money & Key Holder

When you're lacking pockets this can help keep your cash handy and dry-ish. Water resistance varies depending on the type of bottle you use. Applying a thin layer of silicone under the cap can help.

You can enlarge the photos by clicking.

You will need:

• An empty prescription bottle, label removed
• Awl, drill, or other means of making a small hole in the cap.
• Durable string or cord. I used a soft synthetic yarn.
• Hot glue, waterproof craft glue, or silicone caulk.

Poke a hole in the center of the cap. Keep it small so it can be sealed up.

Cut your string long enough to fit over your head easily. For women, I suggest aiming for cleavage-length so you can tuck it in. Double the string and thread it through the hole. A piece of tape wrapped around the ends will help. Knot the ends inside the cap.

Apply a blob of glue at the hole then pull the knot tight to it.

When the glue is set/dry, trim the excess string inside the cap.

A 3" prescription bottle can hold a roll of bills, coins up to the size of silver/gold dollars, and standard keys.

Good for older kids that don't need much supervision, but a strangulation hazard for the littles.

Winking Owl Wine; getting your drink on for $2.89

Our local Aldi store added a small section of wine, beer and liquor.  Their Wine of The Month for March was Winking Owl, and far be it from me to pass up on $2.89 bottles.

I brought home five of the six varietals, skipping only the (pink) White Zinfandel.  That isn't a favorite of mine from source and I felt I'd be predisposed to dislike it.  The other Winking Owl options are Pinot Grigio, Chardonny, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvingon, and Shiraz.   In general I favor reds.

Each bottle has a back label that ranks Style (light to full-bodied) and Taste (dry to sweet). It also has notes, food pairing suggestions, serving temperature and origin. It amuses me that most of the descriptions start with the word "subtle".

Merlot - "Subtle flavors of black cherry, mixed berries, and a hint of vanilla." Medium, dry
Pretty pomegranate red, fruity jam scent but slight alcohol fumes when opened.  Let it breathe for awhile and that dissipates.  The taste is lightly tart, dry.  Not bad at all, but not wonderful.

Pinot Grigio - "Subtle flavors of citrus, stone fruits, pear and a hint of honeysuckle." Light, semi-dry
Very pale yellow, sweet pear scent straight upon opening.  Smooth, light, but significant. Delicious!  I would serve this to guests.

Cabernet Sauvignon - "Subtle flavors of blackberry, plum, toasted oak and a hint of vanilla." Medium, semi-dry
Deep ruby red, somewhat stale smell, very flat tasting.  I let the bottle sit for another day and tried again.  Slightly rusty and the barest hint of vinegar.  Fine for cooking wine but not a sipping wine. It is possible that I got a bad bottle.

Chardonnay - "Subtle flavors of ripe apple, pear, toasted oak and a hint of spice." Light, semi-sweet.
Light yellow, fruity aroma.  Sweet and smooth.  A lot of chardonnays tend to be buttery, but not this one.  It is light and clean with no residuals.  I don't really pick up on any oak or spice in this one. I prefer the richer type, but this one will please fans of pinot and zin.

Shiraz - "Subtle flavors of black cherry, blackberry, and a hint of spice." Full, dry
Such a deep burgundy that it looks black unless you hold it directly to the light. Deep, earthy aroma. When first opened, the flavor is nice but weak. It was disappointing, but I discovered that it improved the next day, so I recommend uncorking 24 hours before serving.

White Zinfandel - "Cranberry and watermelon flavors with notes of fresh strawberry and cherry."
Didn't try this one, but thought I should at least include the default description. Given the properties of the other whites, I have no doubt that fans of white zin will love it.


Results - for best enjoyment stick with the Pinot Grigio and Chardonnay for drinking, although the Merlot is not objectionable; allow the Shiraz to breathe before consuming; use the Cabernet cooking or making sangria.

The Sliding Sideways series by Emily Senecal

There are nine books in the Sliding Sideways series, all partially intertwined but focusing on different people. They are mysteries spanning several countries.  The timeline is sequential.

Each book is written in first person, which carries the risk of the main characters sounding like the same person with a different face.  This is not the case with Ms. Senecal's writing.  The personalities of her characters come through loud and clear; Lainey's hurt and determination, Molly's spontaneity and emotional growth, Megan's hesitant and introspective nature, Becca's list-making and healing.

They never get too dark, and they don't involve a lot of mental work to keep up, so they are really good to read to relax or fill time.

Book 1: Strangers On This Road (Avalon, Catalina Island, CA)
Book 2: Danger in Academia (New York City, NY)
Book 3: Enemy at the Wedding (England)
Book 4: The Heartbroken Brides (San Francisco, CA)

The first four books feature Elaine (Lainey) Parker.  In Strangers On This Road, Elaine is 18.  Four years pass before Danger In Academia.  In The Heartbroken Brides, she is 24. She meets her love interest, Aiden, in the first book but they do not reconnect again until the second.  These first four are my favorites.  Good flow, great chemistry between the characters, lots of mystery and carefully placed frustration. Each book furthers the relationships between characters and fills in back story.

Book 5: Death on the Menu (Los Angeles, CA) features Molly Faraday, the friend and college roommate of  Elaine.  We first meet Molly in Danger in Academia. Molly is an actress/waitress who literally stumbles upon a mystery, which she would really rather not have anything do do with.  She's emotionally immature, impulsive, and very likable.  Her coworker Dan becomes a stabilizing influence.

Book 6: The Night Ferry (Sweden, Denmark)
Book 7: The Missing Tourist (Europe)

Books 6 and 7 are about Megan Hofflin, who we have not met before.  Her parents, Nancy and Hugo, have a role, either directly or by reputation, in every book.  Megan's adventures begin when she goes through a breakup and decides to vacation alone to mark her 30th birthday.  When she helps a woman in trouble in The Night Ferry she is pulled into a cloak-and-dagger mission.  She meets Cai and it isn't long before they are attached at the hip.

The Missing Tourist takes place only three months after the previous book, so there is both continuation of character development on top of a new mystery.  Lainey and Aiden end up playing a significant supporting role in this one.

Book 8: Beneath These Streets (San Francisco, CA)
Book 9: Murder on Santorini (Greece)

Rebecca Rossiter is a new character for books 8 and 9.  She is a friend with Lisa, Lainey's childhood friend. Becca is in her early 30s, recently divorced.  Beneath These Streets involves Cal, but it isn't really much of a romantic interest.  The characters are not compatible that way, despite giving it a half-hearted try. The mystery topic should have been interesting, but despite a few interesting moments the storytelling fell flat.  Beneath These Streets is the weakest book in the series. It took the longest to read because it didn't keep my attention for long.

When I read Murder on Santornini, I got the feeling the point of the previous book was a long lead-up to make the story in this one possible.  It is much more intriguing of a story, start to finish.  This book introduces Miles, someone Becca went on a few dates with before he stopped calling. Cal is also in this book, with a new love interest. Although the behavior of the characters can be exasperating or confusing, it all gets explained in time. Aiden makes an appearance near the end.

I made a flowchart of how the main people are connected in the series.  It is not super detailed or complete, but it helps to keep track of the overlap. (One correction: Hugo & Nancy Hofflin make a personal appearance in Book 8.)

Can't see the forest for the trees.

Mark started griping when he saw news about a remake of the movie, "The Explorers".

Me:  I'm not familiar with the original.
Mark:  What? How can you not know?!  Ethan Hawke? River Phoenix?
Me:  Nope.
Mark:  Dear god woman, what kind of childhood did you have?!
Me:  I played outside. In forests and stuff.
Mark:  So did I!
Me:  You lived in Milwaukee and your "cabin" was not in real woods.
Mark:  ...there were trees...

It's been 30 seconds since I last used...

I might have a little bit of an eBook problem.  I own paper books.  I love the library.  But it is really hard to control myself when presented with free and cheap Kindle books.  I also buy books at full price when I love a series or find something I must.have.now.  I have over 500 unread books waiting on my Kindle right now and that isn't even all of them.  I "lost" a bunch when my previous Kindle died and and haven't re-downloaded the older books that I'd acquired before that point.  I'm afraid to do that.  What if my device explodes?

I'd like to share my addiction with you so I'm not alone on the dark side of literacy.  These are my favorite dealers for my drug of choice:

 Pixel Of Ink
http://www.pixelofink.com/



Inspired Reads
http://www.inspiredreads.com/

eReader Love
http://ereaderlove.com/



I also have an Amazon Prime membership, which allows me to borrow a book for free every month.  They also have Kindle First, http://www.amazon.com/gp/digital/kindle/botm which spotlights four new or pre-release books each month, and you can choose one for free.  If you don't have a Prime membership, you can get one for $1.99.

No Kindle?  Use a the free app!
http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html/ref=sv_kstore_3?ie=UTF8&docId=1000493771

They grow up so quickly

This morning at breakfast, Ethan decided to educate me about the potential health benefits of having a glass of red wine.  I have no idea where he got the information but it was accurate to current standards.  I almost expected him to start telling me which wines he preferred with which foods.  Since he is only 11, I felt compelled to tell him about the potential problems caused by drinking too much.

Liberty Creek Wines

I decided to try Liberty Creek wine because the register at the grocery store spit out a couple $2 off coupons.  Coupons for wine are a novelty so I went in search of it.

The first thing I noticed was the size of the bottle - 1.5 liters, which is called a Magnum.  It is double the size of a standard wine bottle.

The second thing I noticed was the shelf price - $6.99.  Wait, what?  This was not in the section that contained the Franzia and Arbor Mist.  With my coupon, that comes down to $4.99 per bottle.  Now I HAD to buy it.

I chose a Pinot Grigio and a Merlot.  Both tasted nice.  Nice is really the most descriptive word I can use. It is a straight up, no frills table wine.

Both smell pleasant straight out of the bottle.  There is no whiff of alcohol fumes.  Both have mild flavors that are pleasant.  As described by the maker, they have a light finish.

The problem is, both lack anything resembling body.  There is nothing that makes you slow down to sip, savor and think while drinking it.  You could easily chug down a tumbler full of this wine before realizing what you had done, which is not a good idea with the 12% alcohol per volume.

Although there is no Wow-factor, it is nice and I don't have any reason to say it should be avoided.  I'd call it a tall step up from wine cooler, but not something you'd bring as a hostess gift to a formal dinner party.  I can picture it working well for informal settings like summertime parties outdoors or as a stepping stone for a newbie wine drinker.

http://www.libertycreekwine.com

The Express Line

Mark and I made a quick stop at the grocery store as the last in our string of things to do before heading home.  We picked up our six items and went to the open "Express Checkout - 15 Items or Less" line.

There was a woman there, just starting to checkout.  She was well dressed with 'done' hair; older but not elderly.  She had a few things and seemed like it would be quick.  Some of it was fresh produce which required a moment to weigh and type in the code.  The cashier finished and the woman pulled out a coupon.  It wouldn't scan so the cashier typed in the number and the problem was solved.

The new total came up and the woman reached into her purse to pull out a checkbook.  She put that down and dove back in, looking for a pen.  Once she found the pen she carefully filled out the check as if she was a scribe recording a holy document.

At this point, Mark and I looked at each other and tried not to laugh.  It seems like every time we pick what should be the fast route, something happens to slow it down.

The woman finished her check and put away the book and pen.  The cashier waited until the woman looked up again and asked to see ID.  "You need ID?!" she gasped, as if she had never heard of such a thing.  Back into the purse she went until she came up with the ID.

The cashier wrote down some info, then entered it into the register.  S-l-o-w-l-y.  Beep.....beep.........beep beep............beep......  We couldn't help it anymore and cracked up loudly.  The transaction was finally finished but since no one was helping bag the cashier had to do that as well.

The woman went on her way as Mark and I stepped forward.  At this point, there were three other people waiting in line behind us.

Our six items were scanned very quickly and the total popped up on the screen.  Then I handed the cashier three coupons....