Who is this happy, agreeable imposter?
I’m not sure what has come over my husband. His behavior is so not like himself; I wonder if he has been abducted and an imposter is here in his place. He has been so agreeable; this is entirely not like him. When I come up with an idea, normally a wonderful, world-rocking idea, I might add, he is a big fat nay-sayer. For example, “Eric, I think we should…insert any amazing idea like: move to Hawaii, go on vacation, build a new building, have a summer soap camp for kids, offer soap classes for adults in the evening, have custom “merch.” Eric’s response is always, “no” or the never popular, “You should write that down, roll it up in a tight ball, and stick that up to your a$$.” Nobody ever likes to be told to stick anything up there. Rude.
I have been going back and forth about whether to do liquid hand soap or shower gel because I was certain Eric would say no to doing both. This morning, he shocked me. He told me I needed to sit down and get my packaging figured out for both hand soap and shower gel. My response was, “Who are you, and what have you done with my bib overall-wearing, naysaying wonder buns?” He answered me by impersonating a mocking, laughing British person. Sigh. It’s the real Eric.
Next week, we will begin phase two of liquid soap making. What I decide to do, how I dilute it, and what scents I add will determine if it is shower gel or hand soap. I have enough gel made to do a small batch of each. If it turns out the way I plan, I will be hitting up my diehard soap family for their opinions and very honest feedback once they try a sample. If it doesn’t turn out the way I envision, I will be back to square one. Please cross all crossable body parts and maybe say a prayer for success.
I am pleased to announce that we will be offering not one but two new liquid soap products. This is very exciting for me. Now, I just have to decide upon packaging and labels. This, too, is part of the fun for me. I’m thinking glass, square, black bottles with a bamboo pump for the hand soap. That way, one will be able to reuse the bottle and the pump creating less waste. On that green idea, I would like to offer refills of the hand soap, wait for it…compostable spouted pouches! I love being inspired. One naysaying bib overall wearing little black rain cloud has not agreed to this yet. I say yet because we all know he will eventually come around to my way of thinking. Insert a wink here. I can’t do glass for the shower gel. Glass in the shower is a bad idea. However, I am thinking of a recyclable black plastic bottle with a bamboo pump and also selling shower gel refills. I am an advocate of cutting back on waste. However, sometimes industry rules tie one’s hands when doing so. I really like the idea of compostable spouted pouches. Go ahead and insert a happy dance, a few squeals, and clapping here.
I’m very excited to be taking these steps. I’m still a bit apprehensive about the final process. However, I am pleased to report that the gel I made last week has remained nicely mixed, thick, and rich without any separation or needing to be remixed. I have it in a glass mason jar to keep an eye on it. I have spooned out a dollop and washed my hands with it undiluted, and it lathers nicely, leaving my hands feeling soft. I am hoping this will be my first and final round.
So, dear reader, with the knowledge that I am not living with an imposter of The Bibbed Wonder, my liquid soap dreams are coming true, and I will soon be offering two new products I leave you on this frigid January day. As always, stay safe, be smart, and keep washing your hands.