Calgon

When I first moved here and saw Calgon water-softening tablets, my first thought was to the Calgon bath commercials of the '80s: "Calgon, take me away!"

Today I have discovered the following:

1) Calgon bath stuff still exists;
2) The names aren't a coincidence: they were both made by the Calgon Corporation before it was broken up.

(Calgon water softener is sold in the US. I never noticed it, though!)

(Dang, no Calgon commercial on YouTube. They do have the "Ancient Chinese Secret" one, but that's not nearly as funny.)

Various other things

Neil decided that we should get a new camera. Ours is several years old now, and this trip provides the perfect excuse to replace it. So Sunday afternoon we'll head over to B&H Photo--they have the best selection and prices. We haven't decided what we're getting yet though.

Last night I had trouble with Aliza settling so she ended up in with us. I ended up not sleeping properly instead. Then she woke up at 6:30 for a bottle. Meh.

I went to Boots this afternoon to get baby milk for our trip, as they don't sell Aptamil in the US. There was a woman nearly clearing them out of 200ml ready-to-use Aptamil First. Luckily she didn't take all of it so I got 12 of them, as well as 3 packs of powder. (We're going to DC for 3 days and I don't know if we'll be able to boil water, plus I always like to have some of the ready-made around just in case.) I also got some extra bottles and teats, although they do have Avent in the US. I ordered the right steriliser for my mother, so that's all right. She got Pampers so I don't have to cart them, and some other baby bits--I think Aliza's pretty much set for the trip as long as I do her laundry Friday. :-)

I've just made the base for maple-walnut ice cream (minus the walnuts, which are added during churning). I'll let you know how it comes out.

Ooh, just remembered, need to get ingredients for blintzes for Tuesday night (it's Shavuot) and MUST go to butcher's tomorrow as they'll be closing early Tuesday, closed Weds/Thurs and we know how good I am about getting there in time on Friday!