"Tide" and Other Family Names

I was almost 8 years old when the 9th child in our family was born (I'm #4). I remember that day so clearly. The mid-wife would be coming soon so I was whisked off to my Aunt Audrey's house to play with cousins. Actually, I may not remember as clearly as I thought because I have no idea where all the other kids were.
Anyways, I remember playing in the backyard of their Maryvale home (it wasn't so scary back then) in the heat (it was June).

After what seemed like FOREVER my Aunt stuck her head out the door, phone pressed to her ear, and announced that I had another brother (I already had 5!!!). I was told that his name was "Tide", or so I thought.

For the rest of the afternoon I kept shaking my head, wondering why on earth my mom would name a baby after laundry detergent. There were already a few alternative names peppered amongst the more mainstream names in my family:

Doena (a made-up name for a dog)(not kidding)
Desja--pronounced Desh-uh (after Edgar Rice Burrows' "Princess of Mars"-Think Princess Leia ala Return of the Jedi)
Debra (nobody, but nobody, in ANY of my school classes also had this name)
George(family name)
Clement (family name)

But "Tide"?

Whatever.

When I got home I found out that his name was NOT "Tide", but was Tyge".

I had heard incorrectly.

But was this new name any better?

I have come to love this name (it's also a family name--from the Danish aisle of our lineage variety-store).

Even thought of using it myself on more than one occasion.

Warning: Total change of subject ahead:

So about"Tide". The detergent, not the name.

I'm not only a collector but I'm cheap! I love a bargain. Use coupons, shop sales, price-match at Wal-Mart. You name it. If it's on sale and I have a coupon I'll get it. If not, forgettaboutit!

I have been using cheap detergent for years. I thought they were all pretty much the same. At the same time I noticed our clothes didn't hold up very well in the wash. They didn't seem as soft and comfortable as they once had. Cheap clothes, you know.
I don't know what made me do it, but one day I bought Tide. It was on sale and I had a smokin' coupon! We had just gotten back from camping for a week at the beach and our clothes really needed a good washing!

I noticed right away that our clothes smelled cleaner after getting washed. I noticed something else, too. They were softer. Wash after wash I would run my hands over the clothes as I folded them. Sooo soft. Even the really cheap ones.

Soft.
Soft.
And soft.

I will NEVER go back to All, Arm and Hammer, Cheer (never really bought Cheer anyways).
I've jumped on the Tide-wagon.
Livin' la vida Tida.
Hey, there Del-Tide-lah!
I am a "Tide Girl".
Through and through.

You should try it. Let me know how it goes. If you already use Tide, let me know your thoughts, too.

Another total change of subject (try and keep up)

So, about these new Tootsie Rolls.
I'm IN LOVE!!!
I bought 2 bags when they were half-off at Target (Halloween Sale).
I shoulda bought 20.
Pure heaven.
Try 'em. Become a believer in Heaven On Earth.

So, back to my brother (this post is waaaaayyyy tooooo loooonnnng!!!! And suffering from ADHD)

I just found out he's not coming for Thanksgiving (sniff).

I'm sad:(