I'm leaving right now...

Thanks to Katie for passing along the news about this delicious freebie from Starbucks!

Something new

I would like to start something new (hence the original title) on my blog. From time to time, I want to share books that Sam and Lily love with you. In turn, you tell me what books your little one is into. I love learning about new children's books. Then I can have an idea of something to search for at the library instead of wandering the aisles while library- whisper- shouting at Sam to get off the computer and go find a book. So, without further ado, our current favorites:

I loved Alexander when I was little and still do.


This book is so cute. There are several other "Pigeon" books that we'll be looking for soon.

Okay, your turn!

Helpful Hint

I know you've been sitting around thinking, "What am I going to get Katie for Christmas this year?" And chances are you are not considering the Marc Jacobs flats which I am head-over-heels in lust with- so let me offer you a suggestion:



It is the Bug Vacuum. It sucks up and zaps bugs so you don't have to squish them against the wall, or worse, actually touch them. Must have! We have encountered more bugs in our home than I am comfortable living with so I need to do something about it! This is where you, dear friend and reader, come in.
If you don't want to make any buggy friends when you visit, consider a trip to your nearest As Seen on TV store and help me get rid of these nasty things, one bug at a time!
If you are very nice to me, I will even let you use it ;)

Tag- you're it!

My SIL, Katie, tagged me. I am supposed to share 7 random things about myself on my blog, then tag 7 other people with blogs. This is very lucky for me, as I only know 7 other people with blogs! Enjoy.

1) My favorite smell-I am dating myself here- is the smell of a brand new tape (cassette tape, for you youngins') right after unwrapping the cellophane.
2) I have always wanted to write a children's book. I feel like there is a Junie B. Jones/ Ramona Quimby type character living somewhere inside me, she just hasn't revealed herself to me yet!
3) I am excited and slightly terrified by all the things Facebook can do.
4) I'm not crazy about surprises.
5) The song Ava Maria makes me cry.
6) I wish someone would potty train my son for me.
7) I love love love a good Shirley Temple.

Alright, ladies, you're up! Laura, Elissa, Michele, Christina, Jess, Lauren, and Ashley. Tiffany, you've been tagged in another way, but, what the hell, go ahead and count yourself in too!

The key to having great skin

is moisturize, moisturize, moisturize. (Man, it took me three tries to spell that correctly!)
Sam came down from his nap yesterday looking like this. He got ahold of some Cetaphil and "did lotion", as he says. He "did" it to his body, clothing, his quilt, pillow, sheets, Lionel, and Monkey. Now I am not one to name names (Andy), but I would suggest parents keep any and all types of lotion out of the reach of a three year old.
I was actually so surprised that I started laughing and couldn't get mad at him!

Picking out pumpkins

1-800-YOU-SUCK

Is there any bigger time suck that stepping into a cell phone store?
I don't get any service in my house or anywhere else, for that matter, so I thought I would go to the AT&T store to see what I could do about the situation. Every time I go to a cell phone place, the same thing always happens. First of all, there are like 12 people working and all of them are standing around not doing a damn thing. They can't help YOU though; They'll be happy to take your name and get to you when they are not so swamped. Oh, I see...you have to stand around a little, chit chat, check your email, flirt with each other, and head out back for a smoke break before you can say two words to me. Got it.
After about 30 minutes of waiting, some guy comes over, looks up my account in the computer, then says, "Hmm, let me see what I can do about this," and heads to the back, presumably to talk the manager. But I guess I'll never really know since he never came back!! So 15 minutes later, another guy offers to help (after I stare at him with slightly psycho stalkerish expression for a good 10 minutes). I tell him my problem and he looks at my phone and says, "Oh yeah, this phone just doesn't get good reception. You need to buy another one."
"I'm sorry, what? I don't want a new phone. I just want the one that I have to actually work from time to time."
"Well..."
"But I bought this phone from you. And you're saying it doesn't work. And your proposed solution is that I buy ANOTHER phone from you?"
"Well... yes."
"Really?"
(sheepish grin)
"Seriously?!"
"Yes."
"Can't you update the software on it or something?"
"No," handing me an ad, "but if you take it to this place (some shady third party), they probably can."
"How much will that cost?"
"I don't know. Seventy, seventy-five bucks."
"What is the penalty if I cancel my contract?"
"Ummm, eighty dollars."

Sold. Peace out, AT&T.
More bars, more places, my ass.

What service do you have and does it work in my house?

Rawkin' the 'hawk

An homage to cousins Trey and Michael.

Visitors!!

Last weekend my folks, Ben, Laura and Matt, and their daughter Charlotte came to visit. It was exciting because most of them hadn't seen our new house yet. We had some friends over on Saturday night for dinner, which was great fun. I also made them do work like hang pictures and put down a rug that had been leaning against the wall for weeks (okay, months). Thanks Mom, Dad, and Laura for your help. Otherwise those things might still be laying around the next time you visit :)


Laura, Matt, and Charlotte


Laura and Lily at the aquarium


Sam playing with the mouth of the whale slide. The slide was definitely his favorite thing about his trip to the aquarium. That and the touchscreen computers and elevators....What? There were FISH there?!

Andy and Char-Char-Binks

Peek-a-boo!

Baby's first Juicy

Yes, I think she likes designer duds.
No, it does not say JUICY across her heinie!

Sam's "Silly Face"

Help!

I keep rolling under furniture and can't get out!

True Story

One day Andy and I were in the car and some old hiphop song came on. I was very excited and, turning up the volume, said "Aaah! This song reminds me of high school!!"
He responded, "This song reminds of chess camp!"
I busted out laughing!!!

This one time, at chess camp.......

I need your help!

Please give me the names of books you love. I need something new to read and haven't found anything particularly exciting at the library lately. If you need a good book to read, check out A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole. It is one of my favorite books and Ignatius J. Reilly is a riot!

Time to get a REAL man...

I have been looking around for new bedding for our bed and saw this on overstock.com:


It's called the Hug Me pillow. It is going to look awesome on our bed, don't you think?

Who ya with?

Pesky pronouns

When Sam wants me to pick him up, he says "Mommy, me hold you? Me hold you?" I never correct him because it sounds so sweet. It just makes me smile. I want to remember it just like that long after he doesn't want to be held anymore.