A Product Review: The Breeze Cat Litter System and the Litter Genie Litter Disposal System

This is the first product review that I have ever done, but rarely do I came across a product that I feel the need to review. Den and our cat, Gidget, pretty much have a mutual dislike for one another. So any time I find something that will address one of his complaints about the cat, I will give it a try. The Breeze Litter System and The Litter Genie address his complaint about the smell of the litter box and the fact that there is always litter dust on the floor on the laundry room. (Both of which are GROSS overstatements)

I got the Litter Genie first, about 3 months ago. If you have babies, you'll know what I am referencing when I say that it works pretty much just like the Diaper Genie. You open the top, scoop the litter into the genie, close the lid, and then pull the handle that drops everything down into the bag and contains the smell. The Litter Genie advertises that you can go 2 weeks before emptying it, but the thought of leaving poop sitting for 2 weeks grosses me out. I empty it once a week when I clean the litter box. 

I have been using the Breeze Litter System for about 6 weeks now. It's kind of genius. The concept is that the cat does it's business and urine goes directly down into what looks like a heavy duty puppy bad and solid waste stays in the pan to be scooped and disposed of. (Enter the Litter Genie!) It uses this weird pellet litter that is a little expensive, BUT you only change the pellets out once a month! As a warning, it did take Gidget a while to get used to the pellets. They freaked her out at first and she didn't use the bathroom for like 2 days. Had I read the directions, I could have avoided that by slowly mixing the pellets in with her regular litter over a few weeks' time. I change out the pad underneath once a week and I never get that litter box smell anymore. Plus there is no litter dust anywhere. Score!

But, Sarah, how do you clean all this stuff? I'm glad you asked. I spray both the Genie and the Breeze down with Lysol every week when I empty the Genie and change the Breeze's pad. I also wipe off any surface dirt with a Lysol wipe. When I actually change out the Breeze's pellets, I wash both items in a weak bleach solution and let them dry in the sun. I also spray the pellets and the bag part of the Genie with Nature's Best Litter Box Odor Eliminator every day, just in case Gidget ate a bug or lizard that may have disagreed with her.

There are very few products that I say are 100% worth paying full price for to me. One is organic milk, and another is Jif Peanut Butter. These two products fall into that category. I haven't heard Den complain about the litter box in over a month. I win!

Cinnamon French Toast Sticks

The girls are constantly begging me for the french toast sticks in the freezer section at the grocery store. I pretty much always say no, because, let's face it, they're gross. They're limp and made with ingredients from Heaven knows where. When I was making the grocery list on Monday and Summer asked for the umpteeth time if I would buy french toast sticks that I would try and find a recipe for some that both taste good and can be frozen so I can make a big batch and the girls can eat them all week.

SUCCESS!!!!

I found this recipe for Pain Perdu on one of my favorite recipe sites and it is perfect. The toast is crispy and soft when fresh and still that way after being frozen and reheated. Plus I was able to make it with healthier ingredients like whole grain flour and organic eggs. It can probably be made with less calories by substituting Splenda's baking blend or one of the stevia blends, but 1. Paige is allergic to Splenda and 2. I just don't like the taste of Stevia, so I went with plain ole' unrefined raw sugar.

Pain Perdu

1/2 tsp. salt

1 c. flour. (I used whole grain flour and reduced it to 2/3 c.)

2 1/2 tsp. baking powder

3 tsp. sugar (I used raw sugar)

2 whole eggs

1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

2 c. whole milk (I used skim and it was fine)

1 loaf Texas Toast (The ONLY bread for french toast)

Butter or oil for the pan (I'm lazy and used Pam)

For the topping - 4 T cinnamon & 3/4 c. sugar

In a small bowl, mix the salt, flour, and 3T sugar.

In a separate bowl, mix the eggs, vanilla, and milk, then add the dry ingredients to the wet and mix well. 

Mix together the cinnamon and sugar for the topping in either a bowl large enough for a slice of bread or on a plate.

Melt the butter or oil in a pan over medium/high heat. (I used medium heat, because our stove cooks VERY hot and at medium/high the toast burnt)

Dip the bread slices into the egg mixture and then add to the pan, cooking 1-2 minutes per side or until golden brown.

Remove the toast from the pan and immediately dredge through the cinnamon-sugar mixture on both sides.

Serve warm or allow to cool and then place in a freezer bag to use another day

Menu Plan Monday: July 15th

BREAKFAST
Cinnamon Toast Sticks and Strawberries
Milk / Juice / Coffee / Tea

LUNCH AND SNACKS
Peanut Butter Wafflewiches, Yellow Bell Pepper Slices, Hard Boiled Eggs, Pumpkin Mini Muffins, Strawberries and Cantaloupe, Babybel Cheese Rounds

DINNER
Tuesday: Apple and Sage Pork Chops and Salad
Wednesday: Pulled Pork Sandwiches and Salad
Thursday: Chicken Marsala and Broccoli
Friday: Taco Soup
Saturday: Crock Pot Roast with Potatoes and Carrots
Sunday: Buffalo Chicken Salads
Monday: Leftovers / Out

SUNDAY DESSERT
Funfetti Cookies

I am using up a lot of random ingredients that are in my freezer / pantry this week. If you see a link in my post, it should take you right to the recipe. Enjoy!

School Days, School Days, Dear Ol' Golden Rule Days

As some of you may know, school is starting ridiculously early this year. Some of our schools here in Tucson are starting August 1st! Here in Tanque Verde, we are starting August 7th. (ACES parents, click here to link to this year's school supply lists)

One of my favorite things is school supply shopping. I don't know what it is about all those freshly sharpened pencils and new crayons, but to me it feels like a new beginning. It always has, even when I was a kid opening up my brand new Lisa Frank Trapper Keeper for the first time.

I also like couponing and saving money. It's become both a hobby and a game for me. So, I thought I would combine the fun and post here for you my lovely readers, the best school supply deals I found in this week's paper.

TARGET
Sharpie Tank Highlighters, 3 ct $1.33 Buy One Get One for $1.00
Use 5% Off – Sharpie Highlighters, Target Cartwheel Offer, (exp 8/3) – (cartwheel.target.com)
Final Price: $1.11 each, when you buy 2

Kids’ Licensed or Pet Pal Backpacks $13.00

Embark Backpack with Matching Lunch Kit $16.00

Fashion Backpacks, including Double Dutch Club, iPack and Grip by High Sierra $20.00

Embark Roll-Top Insulated Lunch Bag $3.00

Licensed Lunch Boxes, including Monster High and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles $9.00 

Up & Up Pencil Sharpener $0.50

Up & Up Rubber Erasers, 2 ct $0.50

Up & Up 3×5 Index Cards, 100 ct $0.50

Up & Up Slider Pencil Box $0.50

Up & Up Plastic Folder $0.50

Up & Up Spiral 1-Subject Notebook, 100 sheet $1.75

Up & Up Drawing Paper Pad, 40 sheet $1.75

Up & Up Printer Paper, 500 sheets $3.50

Up & Up Wooden Pencils, 24 ct $1.00

Up & Up Mechanical Pencils, 8 ct $1.00

Up & Up Scissors, 8 inch $2.50

Up & Up 3/4″ Invisible Tape, 3 pk $2.50

Up & Up Sticky Note Cube, 400 sheet $2.50

Up & Up Facial Tissue, 4 pk $4.50

WALMART
Composition Books $0.50

Spiral 3-Subject Notebook, 120 sheets $1.44

Economy View Binder $1.78

Poly Binder, 1 inch $0.97

Notebook Filler Paper, 150 sheets $0.82

Poly 3-Prong Folder $0.50

Walmart Yellow Self-Stick 3×3 Notes, 12 ct $5.37

Walmart Pastel Self Stick 3×3 Notes, 12 ct $5.88

Walmart Yellow Self-Stick 3×3 Notes, 4 ct $1.94

Walmart 3×5 Index Cards, 100 ct $0.48

Walmart Single Hole Punch $0.97

Westcott Value Scissors, 8 inch $1.44

Georgia Pacific Multipurpose Paper, 500 sheets $3.72

Bic Cristal Pens, 10 ct $0.97

Paper Mate Pens, 10 ct $0.97 Inc.

Pink Erasers, 2 ct $0.50 Inc.

Pink Erasers, 6 ct $1.84

Fiskars Wood Ruler $0.47

Studio C Binder Zipper Pouch $0.97

Elmer’s School Glue, 4 oz $0.74

Cra-Z-Art Colored Pencils, 12 ct $0.94

Cra-Z-Art Colored Pencils, 24 ct $1.92

Cra-Z-Art Chalkboard Chalk, 12 ct $0.47

Crayola Crayons, 24 ct $0.50

CVS
Kleenex Regular, 85 ct, With Lotion, 70 ct or Upright, 60 ct $0.99 Limit 6
Use $0.50/3 Kleenex Single Boxes, 50 ct or larger OR (1) Bundle Pack from SS 7/14 (exp 8/10)
Final Price: $0.82 each, when you buy 3

Sharpie Fine Point Permanent Markers, 8 ct $7.99
Spend $10.00, Receive $3.00 Extra Bucks, Limit 1

Paper Mate Pens, 10 ct $1.99
Spend $10.00, Receive $3.00 ExtraBucks, Limit 1

***Deal Idea***
Buy 2 Sharpie Fine Point Permanent Markers, 8 ct $7.99
Buy 2 Paper Mate Pens, 10 ct $1.99, regular price
Spend $10.00, Receive $3.00 ExtraBucks, Limit 1
Buy One Get One Free
Pay $9.98, Receive $3.00 ExtraBucks
Final Price: $1.75 each, when you buy all 4

Caliber 1-Subject Notebook, 70-80 sheets $3.29, regular price
Buy One Get One Free
Final Price: $1.65 each, when you buy 2

Pilot G2 Pens, 2 ct $3.79, regular price
Buy One Get One Free
Final Price: $1.90 each, when you buy 2

Any Crayola, excluding clearance Spend $10.00, Receive $3.00 ExtraBucks, Limit 1

***Deal Idea***
Buy 1 Crayola Wirebound Sketchbook, 40 sheets $2.79, regular price
Buy 1 Crayola Washable Large Crayons, 8 ct $3.49, regular price
Buy 1 Crayola Broad Line Classic Color Markers, 10 ct $3.69, regular price
Spend $10.00, Receive $3.00 ExtraBucks, Limit 1
Pay $9.97, Receive $3.00 ExtraBucks
Final Price: $2.32 each, when you buy all 3

WALGREENS
Backpacks or Tote Bags $10.99
Buy One Get One Free
Final Price: $5.50 each

Wexford 2-Pocket Folder $0.13 With In-Ad Coupon, Limit 16

Wexford Mini Highlighter $0.13 With In-Ad Coupon, Limit 1

Penway Crayons, 24 ct $0.39 With In-Ad Coupon, Limit 6

Wexford No. 2 Pencils, 8 ct $0.39 With In-Ad Coupon, Limit 6

Wexford 1-Subject Notebooks, 60-70 sheets $0.49 With-In Ad Coupon, Limit 8

Wexford Scissors, 5 inch $0.49 With In-Ad Coupon, Limit 6

Crayola Posterboard, 22 x 28″ $0.49 With In-Ad Coupon, Limit 6

Scotch Heavy Duty Shipping Package Tape Buy One Get One 50% Off

***Deal Idea***
Buy 2 Scotch Heavy Duty Shipping Packaging Tape with Dispenser, 2″ x 800″ $3.99, regular price Buy One Get One 50% Off
Use one $0.50/1 – Scotch Heavy Duty Shipping Package Tape, one coupon per day – (scotchbrand.com)
Final Price: $2.74 each, when you buy 2

Penway Markers, 10 ct $0.99

Penway Colored Pencils, 12 ct $0.99

KMART
Notebook Filler Paper, 150 sheets $0.25 With Purchase of $5.00 or more with Membership, Limit 3 

Character Backpacks $9.00

Solid Poly Color Folders $0.50

Westcott Shatterproof Ruler $0.50

Elmer’s School Sticks, 2 ct $0.50

Cool Stationery Eraser Set, 7 ct $0.50

Crayola Colored Pencils, 12 ct $1.25

Crayola Markers, 10 ct $1.25

Bic Round Stic Pens, 10 ct $1.49

Spiral 5-Subject Notebook, 150 sheets $1.49

Marble Composition Books $1.00

Super Sticky 3×3 Post-It Notes $1.00
Use $2.00/1 – Post-it Super Sticky Notes, purchase $10 or more, one coupon per day – (scotchbrand.com)
Final Price: $0.80 each, when you buy 10

Sharpie Black Markers, 2 ct $1.00

Avery Durable Binders, 1 inch $2.00

Dixon Pencil Set, 25 ct $2.00

Crayola Crayons, 48 ct $2.00

Avery Insertable or Plastic Dividers $3.00

Paper Mate Liquid Paper DryLine Correction Film $3.00

Paper Mate Flair Red or Black Pens, 2 ct $3.00

Lunch Kits, including Monsters University, My Little Pony and Iron Man $5.99

Kleenex Single Boxes, 50-160 ct $0.99 Use $0.50/3
Kleenex Single Boxes, 50 ct or larger OR (1) Bundle Pack from SS 7/14 (exp 8/10)
Final Price: $0.83 each, when you buy 3

TOYS R US 
Free Lunch Kit with Purchase of a Backpack $12.99 or more Up to a $9.99 Value

Thermos Funtainers Buy One Get One 50% Off

***Deal Idea***
Buy 2 Thermos Solid Blue Funtainer Bottle, 12 oz $14.99, regular price
Buy One Get One 50% Off
Final Price: $11.25 each, when you buy 2

Character-Themed Folders, Notebooks, & Stationery Buy One Get One 50% Off

***Deal Idea***
Buy 2 Angry Birds Notebooks $2.99, regular price
Buy One Get One 50% Off
Final Price: $2.25 each, when you buy 2

Board Dudes Locker Accessories, Expo Dry Erase Boards, & Sharpie Items Buy One Get One 50% Off

***Deal Idea***
Buy 2 Sharpie Fine Point Markers Assorted Colors, 8 ct $7.99, regular price
Buy One Get One 50% Off
Final Price: $6.00 each, when buy 2

Filler Paper and Ticondgeroga Pencils Buy One Get One 50% Off

***Deal Idea***
Buy 2 Ticondgeroga Pencils, 12 ct $2.99, regular price
Buy One Get One 50% Off
Final Price: $2.25 each, when you buy 2

Elmer’s Glue, 3M Post-Its, & Fiskars School Supplies Buy One Get One 50% Off

Character-Themed Pencil Cases and I.D. Holders Buy One Get One 50% Off

***Deal Idea***
Buy 2 Lego Minifigures Gadget Case $4.99, regular price
Buy One Get One 50% Off
Final Price: $3.75 each, when you buy 2


OFFICE DEPOT
Office Depot Notebook Filler Paper, 150 sheets $0.25 Limit 3

Manual 2-Hole Pencil Sharpener $0.25 Limit 3

Office Depot Flexible Ruler $0.50 Limit 3

Foray Single Pens $0.50 Limit 10

Crayola Crayons, 24 ct $0.50 Limit 3

Jumbo Bookcover $2.00

Made In the USA Wood Pencils, 24 ct $3.00

Master Lock Combination Lock $4.00

Office Depot Premium Hardback Writing Pads, 3 pk $3.00

OFFICE MAX
Purell Hand Sanitizer, 1 oz $0.10 Limit 6

Crayola Crayons, 24 ct $0.50 Valid 7/14-7/15, Limit 4

OfficeMax Glue Sticks, 4 ct $0.25 Limit 3

OfficeMax Glue, 4 oz $0.25 Limit 3

All Just Basics Ballpoint Pen, 10 ct $0.25 Limit 5

Schoolio 1-Subject Notebook, 70 sheets $0.15 Limit 5

Schoolio Paper Folders $0.15 Limit 10

OfficeMax Poly Notebook, 70 sheets $1.00

Schoolio Poly Folders $1.00

Schoolio 3-Ring Poly Binder, 1 or 1.5 inch $1.00 Limit 5

Single Woodcase #2 Pencil $0.01 After Minimum $5.00 Purchase, excluding Max Value Items, Limit 20

Sharpie Accent Yellow Tank-Style Highlighters, 4 ct $1.00

Crayola Colored Pencils, 12 ct $1.00

OfficeMax 8.5″ x 11″ Multipurpose Paper, 500 sheets $6.99
Buy 1, Receive $5.99 in MaxPerks Bonus Rewards, Limit 2
Pay $6.99, Receive $5.99 in MaxPerks Bonus Rewards
Final Price: $1.00

Duracell CopperTop AA and AAA Alkaline Batteries, 20 ct $16.99
Buy 1, Receive $16.98 in MaxPerks Bonus Rewards, Limit 2
Pay $16.99, Receive $16.98 in MaxPerks Bonus Rewards
Final Price: $0.01

[In]Place Binders and Filing Buy Two Get One Free Buy 3

[In]Place Heavy-Duty Reference Binder with EZ Comfort D-Ring, 1 inch $5.99, regular price
Buy Two Get One Free
Final Price: $3.99 each, when you buy 3

STAPLES
Staples School Glue, 4 oz $0.25 Limit 2

Slider Pencil Case $0.25 Limit 2

RoseArt Crayons, 24 ct $0.25 Limit 2

Staples 60 sheet Memo Pad with Magnetic Closure, 3″ x 4.25″ $0.25 Limit 2

Staples 8.5″ x 11″ Multipurpose Paper, 500 sheets $6.99
Buy 1, Submit for $5.99 Easy Rebate, Limit 2 per household
Pay $6.99, Submit for $5.99 Easy Rebate
Final Price: $1.00

JanSport Big Student Backpack $44.99

Staples Fat 200-sheet Notebook, 5.5″ x 4.25″ $1.00 Limit 2

Staedtler Protractor or Pencil Compass $1.00 Limit 2

Zebra Z-Grip 0.5mm Mechanical Pencils, 7 ct $1.00 Limit 2

Dry-Erase Board, 5.5″ x 8.5″ $1.00 Limit 2

Bic Wite-Out Correction Tape, 2 ct $1.00 Limit 2

Post-It Die-Cut Notes, 2 ct $2.00 Limit 2

Staples Invisible Tape 3/4″ x 300″ with Dispenser, 4 rolls $2.00 Limit 2

Staples 3-Hole Binder Punch $2.00 Limit 2

RoseArt Classical Washable Markers, 10 ct $2.00 Limit 2

Purell Hand Sanitizer, 8 oz $2.00

Staples Hype Pen-Style Highlighters, 6 ct $2.00 Limit 2

Staples Photo Supreme 8.5″ x 11″, Double-Sided Matte, 50 ct $14.99
Buy 1, Submit for $11.99 Easy Rebate
Pay $14.99, Submit for $11.99 Easy Rebate
Final Price: $3.00

Kingston DataTraveler 101 G2 16GB USB Flash Drive $9.00

USB 2.0, Up to 10 MB/s Data Transfer Speeds

Avery Durable View Binder, 1 inch $3.99
Recycle Your Old Binder, Save $2.00 Instantly on the Purchase of a New Binder
Final Price: $1.99

And today (7/15) is the last day of JUSTICE's Buy One Get One Free sale. Justice carries a lot of fun non-traditional school items like backpacks and notebooks. In my opinion, they are overpriced and not very good quality, but I thought I would throw it out there anyway.

Please don't forget local needy children throughout your area. Add a few extra dollars into your budget and help where you can.

Today We Celebrate... Our Independence

This year, we broke our usual Tucson tradition of heading up to Summerhaven for their parade and instead headed over to our friends Pete and Laura Matthews' house for a squadron BBQ and "EPIC" fun. 

A little pool time....

A little Cornhole....

A little giant Jenga....

And a little Beer Pong.

Once we left Pete and Laura's we picked up some fireworks and headed home for our own celebration. This is the latest game to come out of Den's brain.

Summer couldn't quite hang on to the chair AND jump

After some dogs and watermelon it was time for the Casa de Haggis Fireworks Extravaganza with our neighbors. It was a really great, low-key holiday and here's a confession for you. 4th of July kind of snuck up on me this year, I hate to admit it. I did not put up single decoration OR buy the girlies a 4th of July shirt. Bad momma, no cookie!

The Fe Comes To The Old Pueblo

We were super excited to have family come and visit us this past week. My aunt, uncle, and sister flew in on Thursday and we crammed in as much southern Arizona fun as we could in the 4 days they were here.

They got in pretty late on Thursday night, so the fun and games began on Friday with a tour of the squadron and the A-10. Aunt Donna and Uncle Joe had never seen her up close, so it was especially cool to see their reactions to stuff.

I took advantage of actually being in the squadron with my camera to get a quick pic of Den in his new office. He was not excited. LOL

 More impressive to everyone than the new office was seeing Den's name on the sign outside the squadron. 

After the squadron, we took them over to El Guero Canelo for a true Tucson treat - The Sonoran Dog

Once our tummies were full of the above-mentioned goodness, we headed south to Tubac to do a little shopping. It was hotter than the surface of the sun down there, so I didn't take any pictures other than this one. I think I want to find a light like this to put on my patio

After a couple of hours melting in Tubac, we headed back to Casa de Haggis and cooled off with some poolside drinks and a beautiful sunset

Saturday it was going to be 114 here in Tucson so we decided that the cooler 106 in Tombstone would be much more enjoyable. Tombstone was on everybody's must-do list, so we packed up the Tahoe and headed east. We had lunch, saw the showdown at the OK Corral, toured the famous Bird Cage Theater, and even managed to find Lone Star Beer (first time I've ever seen it outside of Texas) at the Four Deuces Saloon.

Saturday also happened to be Auntie Donna's birthday, so we surprised her with her favorite German chocolate cake and some fireworks

My sister's one mission out here was to take the girlies on a shopping spree and boy did they hold her to it! Den took my Aunt and Uncle out antiquing and I took everyone else to the mall. Then we met back up at the house and enjoyed a good meal and a nice final evening together complete with a fashion show of the girlies' spoils.

It was such a wonderful visit and I did not want it to end!