Dorothy....

You're Not in New Jersey anymore...

The past two times I was in the local grocery store, someone gave me a coupon for something they saw in my cart. Complete strangers.

And, when our car needed to be inspected, I called the station to ask if they had a drop-box for keys. The machine was very generic, which I thought was strange, but hey, Small Town USA, right? About an hour later I got my phone call returned. I had called the wrong number. But the guy I had called just happens to get his car worked on at this particular shop. So he wanted to let me know that they did, indeed, have an after hours drop-box.

Wow.

Friday Five: Heaven

Singing Owl of RevGals has had the loss of her sister and has decided to a heavenly Friday five. She writes:

So how about we share five "heavenly" things? These can me serious or funny or a combination of the two.

What is your idea of a heavenly (i.e. wonderful and perfect):

1. Family get-together
My husband's side of the family's annual reunion is a blast. I have to say that every one I have been to has brought on belly laughter. And that's just nice.

I also enjoy a simple Saturday with just my immediate family - my two sons, my hubby and all my brown dogs. Some chili cooking in the crock pot and snow on the ground outside.

2. Song or musical piece
Be Thou My Vision
There is just something about that hymn that brings me happiness. We sang it at our wedding and when I see it in the church bulletin know it will be a good hymn day and just smile.

3. Gift
This is an appropriate question for today. My husband gave me the best gift I think I have received in a long time - a vacation in my own home! He left this evening with the toddler to go spend some time with his sister. So it's just me and the baby (who is increasingly becoming less baby-like). If I clean this weekend, fine. If I sleep a lot, fine. I have no plans and no one to entertain. It's beautiful!

4. You choose whatever you like-food, pair of shoes, vacation, house, or something else. Just tell us what it is and what a heavenly version of it would be.
My dream house would be paid for. How about that?! That would be heavenly enough!

5. And for a serious moment, or what would you like your entrance into the next life to be like?
What, from your vantage point now, would make Heaven "heavenly?"
I don't really think much about heaven. I guess my perspective is to try to make this life as enjoyable as possible (although in recent weeks that has been difficult). I do imagine that everyone who has ever been important in my life is there and it is one big happy reunion. Plus, whatever you would not make you fat. I like that idea.

... The World Takes

I hate to harp on the name thing. But I have noticed a trend in Appalachia. Parents are naming their children Trenton. Clearly they have never been there. Or they would not name their children this horrid name.

If you have ever driven on Route 1 across the PA/NJ border, you get to see this lovely bridge with "Trenton Makes... The World Takes" emblazened across it. What does it mean? Everyone has their theories. But pretty much everyone agrees that Trenton sucks so much, that there really is no reason to find out just why exactly the city has this motto.

All I know is that when I hear, "Trenton!" being yelled on the playground, I half expect a little crack cocaine to come running my way.

Also.... I just put away all my son's Valentines. Names in his class include Bailey, Harley and Macy. Anyone else think those are dog's names?

3 years ago

Three years ago today, my big boy was born. I cannot believe how time flies!

I Thought I Found Jesus

The house we live in was built in 1986. It has some fabulous features (like a skylight in the bathroom) and some not-so-fabulous features (like pink shag carpet). We were fortunate enough to find a house with great bones that we were able to see past all the annoying "features" (and it was on the market a long time because no one else was able to see its possibilities).

It is a split level house (not split entry, mind you!). The lowest level has the garage, a game room, a full bath, laundry room and family room. This level is on concrete slab. We haven't spent a lot of time down there because it is cold and because the carpet is repulsive. It is beyond repulsive.

The family we bought from had a Jack Russell that was litterbox trained. At least that's what they said.

When we moved in with our dog and two cats we noticed a strange odor. It wasn't long before we realized the cats (who are moody beasts) were peeing on this lower level. Their litter boxes were in the laundry room. But they seemed to prefer the carpet. I think they were both pissed that this new house does not offer the sunbeam opportunities of the last and they were trying to mask the smell of something else.

Then the dog began to poop down there. We adopted a second dog and she would poop down there. Foster dogs come in and out of the house and they use the carpet when it is much too cold outside for their delicate little feet. We own a carpet cleaner, but it was still getting out of hand.

Let's just say it is now BEYOND disgusting.

I had had it on Friday. I tried to nap, but I laid there picturing myself ripping out the carpet. (Much like in our last house when I felt the burden of turquoise lift from my shoulders when I painted over our ugly basement walls in a soft light tan.) So after the boys woke up, we headed downstairs and I began ripping.

The infant bounced in a Johnny Jump Up while the toddler played daddy's drums and sang songs to amuse Mommy. It was the most fun I had ever had downstairs!

I started with the gameroom since that seems to be the room the animals hate the most. Hubby and I had decided to rip up the carpet and just paint the concrete underneath. I mean, why bother? We have dogs and two kids! If we hate it, we can carpet over it later!

Hubby came home as I was ripping up the carpet. He hadn't responded to my emails. Was he really busy? Or did he know I was in a mood?

At one point, I was ripping up the carpet and some of the foam had a weird print on it. I stared and stared. It was Jesus. What was Jesus doing on my carpet padding? Seriously! I mean, the people who built the house had some bad taste, but Jesus? I called hubby down.

He took one look at it and said, "Um. Stand up and look at it again. It's a Bloodhound."

And it was.

So I thought I found Jesus. But I didn't.

Thanks Chorus!

Special thanks to Chorus who saw my blog post below and commented with a fabulous link. Hubby and I laughed for a long time while reviewing the perfectly absurd names on the site along with the commentary! It's totally worth not being hidden in the comment section! Enjoy!!

Baby's Named a Bad, Bad Thing

Parents.... THINK!

I have a pet peeve. Well, I have many, but I only have time to vent about one right now.

Parents, when you are naming your children, THINK!

Your child will be an adult with that name far longer than they will be a child. So the name Sammie for a little boy is adorable, yes. But when Sammie is 45 and his name is on the law firm marquis, will he be taken seriously? Perhaps you could name him Samuel and call him Sammie while he is a child?

Along those same lines, let's talk about trendy names. I know a lot of people like the name Nevaeh (which is heaven backwards). Those of you who named your children this in 1987 were very clever. It is no longer clever. Get over it.

While we're at it, just because famous people name their kids names like Wolf, Apple, Zowie and Seven, does not mean you should. These children will grow up going to private schools, with nannies and hefty bank accounts. Your child will not. He or she will be teased. So just don't do it.

And take a look at your last name. If your last name is Hawke, do not name your child Skye. Seriously.

Superbowl!

So we are the parents of two little boys. How are our lives different now? Prime example - during the second quarter of the Superbowl, we were doing "Ring around the Rosie" in our living room.

And we hadn't been drinking.