Squeaky Clean

Sunday night as Mark and I were getting ourselves ready to go out for the evening Grant found the Vicks Vapor Rub. I don't know why I didn't see what he was doing because he was right next to me the entire time. I did notice however he wasn't talking to me and asking a million questions like he usually does so I turned around and he had Vicks in his hair & on his face! I told Mark to stop whatever he was doing and get upstairs. A bath was drawn and shampooing began immediately. Mark finished making dinner & everything was right with the world (or so we thought). We left for the evening and left Grandpa Paul in charge of Grant. They had a great time playing with the train set and eating Cheetos. When we came home Grant's hair was worse! He looked like a 50's greaser. The next day I talked to my friend Amanda who is also a hair stylist. She recommended Dawn dish soap because it cuts grease. I soaped up his hair three times last night and it is much better. His hair even makes a squeaky sound when you touch it!

Is This Thing On?

Does anyone read this? Feel free to post comments (keep it nice). When you do I ask you not to post anything on where we live or Mark's place of employment.

Going Green?

Happy belated Earth Day! OK so I am a week late, who cares. Is Al Gore going to come find me and force me to plant a tree?

Actually our family (mostly me) is trying a few things to help the planet. We recycle newspapers, plastic, cans and glass. This has also kept us down to one garbage can per week! If something doesn't have enough of a taxable value to donate we place the item on Freecycle. I try to get errands done all at one time or a one stop shop place to save on fuel. For example at the grocery store I can rent a DVD, develop my photos, buy stamps and groceries all in one place. I have tried "green" cleaning supplies and have not been impressed. They are very streaky and twice the work.

My car gets great gas mileage. My car doesn't take ethanol. I wouldn't use it if it did. Using our food source for energy is scary and we shouldn't be doing it. Just take a look at grocery prices. Anything with corn has gone up in price! So have a lot of items but especially corn items. We are creating our own destiny people! If you drive a truck or SUV don't complain to me about the price of gas. Do you really need that large of a vehicle? I have never understood why people in the city need to drive such large vehicles (Ford Excursion, trucks, etc).

Happy belated Green Week everyone! Quincy is telling me he needs to go outside and contribute to the earth in his own way.

I Make This Look Good!

There is an epidemic among women, poorly fitted jeans! I have noticed this for awhile and can't keep it to myself any longer. Here are a few tips for choosing your jeans.

First and foremost jeans are to be worn at the hips/belly button or slightly below the belly button. Jeans should also fit comfortable in the back. No gaps in the back! It is disgusting to see people bend over right in front of you and get an eyeful of naked bootie! Also do not wear jeans that are faded in trouble spots such as the thighs and bootie, fading makes them larger! Wear the proper size. Who cares if your size is a 12. Do you really think a size 8 will make you look thinner? No it gives you a muffin top!

Along with the proper fit please wear the proper underwear! Thong straps, granny panties, etc. should not be seen. Don't people check themselves out in the mirror before leaving the house or at least do the bend test when trying on jeans?

Mom jeans. Please throw them out! High waisted, pleats and the ultra cool elastic waist band are just a few traits of the mom jeans. Also note elastic waist bands are for pregnant women and toddlers if your not anyone of them DON'T WEAR ELASTIC waist bands!

For the record I am not staring at women I just happen to spend way too much time lately at gymnastics class and parks. These fashion disasters cannot be ignored even if I tried.

I have said my peace. Ladies, please go out and buy yourself a good pair of fitting jeans (or 2 or 3)!

David

26 years go today my brother David passed away, he was only 17. Even though I was only 5 1/2 when the accident happened, some of my first memories have David in them.

David wasn't just my brother he was my playmate. I remember the motorcycle rides around the block, sharing a bag of chips in the family room & the vent between our rooms where David, Larry and Lori would try to pass me through. David had a tender side to him that you don't find in a lot of teen age boys. I remember one morning in kindergarten I didn't want to go to school but David took my hand and we walked to the the bus. Everything was better in my world because he was there. One day he brought home a Little Golden Book he found on the street, he was so happy to give it to me. It was a little beat up. I believe it is called "A Day on the Farm". I still have it and read it to Grant. One of my most vivid memories is the two of us dancing in the kitchen. I believe the song was I Love Rock N'Roll. People have said that where ever David was there were good times to be had.

Grant's smile some days takes my breath away, he looks just like David. When I see that smile I feel David's presence and it makes me smile.

David's passing has left some unanswered questions. I have always wondered what he would have done after high school. He was good at mechanics, I wonder if that would have been a career path for him. Who would he marry? Did he feel at peace when he died?. I guess those are normal questions people have when someone dies so young.

My heart goes out to my parents on this day. I can't imagine how it must feel to lose a child. They are the strongest people I know. They kept our family together through that difficult time and tried to keep us feeling normal even thought their hearts were broken.

We love and miss you David. I know you are looking down at us and will come to greet each and everyone of us when our time comes. Until them I cherish my memories of you and keep them close to my heart.

The follow words are lyrics to a song sung by Kenny Chesney. When I first heard the song it took my breath away. It sums up the feelings of loosing someone so close to you and the questions that you will always have.

Who You'd Be Today lyrics

Sunny days seem to hurt the most.
I wear the pain like a heavy coat.
I feel you everywhere I go.
I see your smile, I see your face,
I hear you laughin' in the rain.
I still can't believe you're gone.

It ain't fair: you died too young,
Like the story that had just begun,
But death tore the pages all away.
God knows how I miss you,
All the hell that I've been through,
Just knowin' no-one could take your place.
An' sometimes I wonder,
Who'd you be today?

Would you see the world? Would you chase your dreams?
Settle down with a family,
I wonder what would you name your babies?
Some days the sky's so blue,
I feel like I can talk to you,
An' I know it might sound crazy.

It ain't fair: you died too young,
Like the story that had just begun,
But death tore the pages all away.
God knows how I miss you,
All the hell that I've been through,
Just knowin' no-one could take your place.
An' sometimes I wonder,
Who you'd be today?

Today, today, today.
Today, today, today.

Sunny days seem to hurt the most.
I wear the pain like a heavy coat.
The only thing that gives me hope,
Is I know I'll see you again some day.

Some day, some day, some day.

Political Humor

These are courtesy of one of my favorite local talk show hosts. Larry you are hilarious!

Did you hear Obama is serving lunch today? He is starting with 2 fishes and 5 loaves of bread.

Announcer: Which of the three presidential candidates would you like to have a drink with?
Larry: I would like to have a drink with Obama to see the water turn into wine.

The last jokes courtesy of bumper stickers on cafepress.com.
"Life's A Bitch So Don't Vote For One"
"Hillary, Changing Democracy One Socialist Idea At A Time"
"Another Thinking Republican Who Won't Vote For McCain"-My favorite

Seriously

Please take down your outside decorations. It is April and Halloween & Christmas have been over with for awhile!

Chick Magnet

Last night Mark worked late so Grant & I went to a local pita shop and ate dinner. He was such a good boy! He was so happy to have juice he was smiling from ear to ear. Lately he wants to help me clean. It was no surprise when took everything off the tray one by one and placed it in the garbage can. For the past few moths he has been acting out at restaurants, maybe we are at the end of our "terrible twos".

After dinner we went to the gym. I dropped him off at the daycare and when I came back...he was sitting in the lap of an older women! She was about five and was reading him a story. It was very cute!

Bunco and Other Things

I joined our neighborhood Bunco last fall. I never thought I would do something like this but it turns out it is quite fun and a great way to get to know people in our neighborhood. It's a good group of women. I have also found it useful to scout out babysitters in the neighborhood since a few of the women have teenagers. By the way I actually won money last night at Bunco!

The neighbor next door is building a swing set for his kids. I don't care except that he chose the windiest day of the year yesterday to start on it and the wrapping is all over our "yard". Speaking of the "yard" I have spoken with some landscapers. Mark and I have come to an agreement that most of them are unorganized. I don't know how they manage to keep their businesses alive. When I mention the size of the lot and what I want done then they seem interested. I am tired of these people just trying to get their hands in my pockets. One of the companies called and wanted to speak to Mark. That seems strange since I was the one called and left a message. I guess the "missus" can't make a decision or write checks. We do however have a company lined up to install our sprinkler system, seeding and Invisa Fence (for Quincy not Grant) and will have an actual lawn this summer!

Grant's Food Logic

What is the best way to choose a grocery store A). Sales B). Location C).Bakery Samples D). Race car Shopping Carts. Answer: C&D

I have noticed in the past 2 1/2 years Grant has his own logic about food. Spaghetti tastes better when it is smeared all over your face. Grape jelly makes a great mustache. If I beg for food that is not in the house it will magically appear. Flirt with the bakery ladies, they will give you cookies! Don't worry about finishing your lunch, give it to Quincy. If someone is eating a snack at playgroup I must have one, even if I arrived 15 minutes ago and had breakfast 30 minutes before that. If you are eating something in front of me you have to share, I will not share with you though. Eat pickles until you puke. Don't stand in Quincy's bowls. Grandmas always have treats. They will give me Koolaid until I wet through my diaper and any clothing I have on. Grandma Susan always has raisins and animal crackers. I will eat anything for a babysitter or my grandmas.

Grant is actually a great eater. He loves fruit, we are working on vegetables. Tonight he actually ate asparagus! Sometime I miss the baby days when he had 1 choice and it was so easy to prepare. But it is fun to see what he will and will not eat. He surprised me by eating cantaloupe, grapefruit & green peppers (separately). The biggest surprise was a few weeks ago when he ate an entire garden sized tomato.

I can definitely see that Grant and I enjoy the same foods. I finally have someone to plant a garden for & share a Hawaiian pizza with!

Customer Service

In the past few weeks I have come across a few businesses that need to work on their customer service skills. Being a veteran of the customer service industry I feel I have a right to complain. I know when I receive good service and when I do the person is rewarded with a thank-you or sometimes I will call the 800 number and make sure the worker is given proper acknowledgement. To those who give me bad service beware I have a blog and I know how to use it! Ha, Ha.

On Tuesday Grant I shopped at Sam's Club. After bribing him with the promise of free samples at Sam's he obliged and graced me with his presence. After shopping for the usual (Pull-Ups and produce) I came to the check-out line. Two lines open! Considering at their busiest time (Friday night at 7PM) they usually have approximately 5 checkouts open this wasn't a surprise. I went to one line great no one there! The cashier walked away and was chatting with another employee. Never came back. Are you serious! Went to the next lane placed one item on the belt previous cashier came back saw me and said nothing. I gave her a look to know I was displeased and made a comment to Grant loud enough so that she heard it.

Two weeks ago our local newspaper was offering a great subscription rate for weekend subscribers to add on the weekly paper. I called and wanted more information. First time I called the customer service person admitted she was new and didn't know much about the offer. She read me the info which was fine and told her I would think about it and call back. The next day I called back and Elaine answered. I told her that I was interested in the spacial subscriber rate for weekend customers. "We don't just offer it to anyone" she said. As she went on and on I finally got upset and raised my voice (which is something I usually don't do to strangers) and had to talk over her to say I received this offer with my weekend paper. She shut up and told me she would send out the bank information. Received the information, sent it back. I waited another few days to receive my daily service. Irritated so I called them to see what was up. I was told that the billing information goes to the business office first. OK I said but it's been five days. The paper came the next day. If I didn't call I would still be waiting for my paper.

Last complaint I promise. We are planning on doing some landscaping this spring/summer. I called a company last week and they said that they would get back to me the following week. Well today is Thursday and no appointment has been set up. I called and gave the person my reason for calling. He looked up my info and had no record of me. He said and I quote "I must have threw your information in the garbage." Are you freaking kidding me!

Jesse's Girl

My son has a new obsession. We have moved on from Sesame Street, Cars & Elmo to Rick Springfield. It all started when I Tivo'd The Oprah Show. Rick Springfield was the guest. I thought this might be interesting considering all the women in the audience. I started watching it and of course Rick Springfield played Jesse's Girl and the crowd of women went nuts. I had to show Mark this. I said look at all the 40 year old housewives going crazy. They were truly reliving their junior high, high school and college years all at once. It was a sight to behold. Christa that will be us once NYSNC and The Backstreet Boys start doing the casino tours in 20 years. So the next day I can't get the song out of my head. I remembered that I actually have that song on CD in my car. I pop it in on the way to the gym. The song is over. Grant: Again mommy, again. Play Friend song. I do over and over again until we arrive at the gym. Then he doesn't want to get out of the car because he wants to listen to "The Friend Song". We compromise and go in. An hour later we come back and he wants the same song played again! By this point I am a little tired of this song I try to listen to talk radio, he will have none of that. Two months later that darn song is still playing in my car. So if you hear Jesse's Girl coming from the car next to you it's not a 30 year old woman reliving her high school days it's just my toddler jamming away!

One Shining Moment

Tonight is the final night in the NCAA Tournament. It's actually a big deal in our house. Up until this year Mark and I would fill out separate brackets for the past few years. It is actually fun. I usually play it safe and choose the top teams to make it to the Final Four. Duke is usually a no brainer. The Devils sure surprised me this year and lost in the second round! My days of being a Duke fan go back to the Bobby Hurley, Grant Hill & Christian Laettner days. I will never forget the last second shot Christian Laettner put up against Kentucky which took them to the "Big Dance". My favorite part of the Final Four is actually the end when "One Shining Moment" plays in the background and you see all the highlights from this year in college basketball. I love to see the unbelievable shots and the raw emotion brought out in the players and fans.

I wish every student could have their own "One Shining Moment". Being on a championship team is something I will never forget. OK so I was a cheerleader so what! Cheerleaders are still part of the team. When the buzzer rang and we won it was bitter sweet. I was estatic that we won and sad that this would be my last time being part of a team. At least we the seniors left on a high note and won the first championship for our school! I still have the tape of that game and watch it once in awhile. I only watch one part, the end. I see the faces of my classmates. For that one moment in time we were young, happy and felt like we were on top of the world! I don't know what happened to a lot of them but I would like to remember them as I see them in that old VHS tape.

Jay Hawks win!!!

First Post

I have finally started a blog! Yes I have given into the computer age and have decided to write about my family and myself. One thing that has always held me back is if I had a blog what would I name it? I have to thank my husband for coming up with the name and for payment I have to tell everyone how great of a husband he is. Yes Mark you are a terrific husband. OK are we even?

Seriously he is a terrific husband. He works hard everyday as a Vice President at a local bank and always has time for our family. His success has allowed me to stay at home with our son and our furry child our annoying I mean adorable Westie Terrier.

Before I became a full-time mommy I worked in retail management and then moved onto selling advertising. I like this job much better and wouldn't trade it for anything! I love watching our son learn and explore new spaces and ideas everyday. I feel honored to be his teacher during this time in his life. A few years ago I would of said you were crazy if you thought I would enjoy being around children...nothing is better than a hug from my son which probaly left hand prints on my shirt from whatever messy object he was playing with. When people tell me they could never do what I do I tell them this: I get to wake up everday and do the things that I enjoy for the people that I love.