'Code Red': iPhone/iPad app for men who need to track women's menstrual cycles

"It's funny in a sense," Kevin says. "But also really helpful."

"I don't even think it's funny; I just thought it was necessary," Lisi says. "Kevin and I have been together for 15 years . . . and Kevin acts blindsided every month. It makes me want to scratch his eyes out."

Instead the Harrisons, both 40-ish, discussed Code Red with an acquaintance named Jon Rose. "Jon is an ex-professional surfer," Kevin says, "who is now an international humanitarian -- "

Wait, for developing "Code Red"? "No, for Waves for Water," an organization that brings clean drinking water to Third World countries.

Okay.

Anyway, Rose knew a guy named Dave Swartz, who works for a company called MEDL, which helps average schmoes turn their ideas into Apple apps. MEDL has had about 30,000 submissions but has found only a few dozen to be worthy of development.

Wait, what apps were NOT worthy of development?

"We get a lot of [potty] jokes, which we're not interested in," Swartz says.

Okay.

Anyway.

"We were sitting around in a meeting where we go over submissions," Swartz says, when he mentioned "Code Red." "About half the people there were young guys, and one said, 'I will pay $20 for that right now.' Actually, he said $19.99."

They decided to price the app at $1.99.