Happy Birthday, Dd

No, that's not a typo. My dad starting signing off on e-mails a good year or two ago as Dd. I guess by leaving the "a" out, the IT folks at work would never put together that he's sending out personal e-mails to his family. Very sneaky, that Dd. So when that signature came around, it just kind of stuck. If you know my family at all, we have too many inside jokes and code to ever list, and they never really go away. The Husband said it took about a year for him to finally catch on to them all. My Dad also has some sort of saying to pretty much go with anything. One example of that is when I'd come home from college and go out with my high school friends all night, I'd roll out of bed looking like death warmed over the following day. He'd say, "Whoa, you look like you were shot at and missed; shit at and hit." Touche. Or his clever farming (I grew up in the sticks for those who don't know) analogy for a hangover, "Plow all night, drag all day, Ker." I knew that one all too well. Or the ever popular Sunday night quote of "Back in the harness tomorrow". That gave "the grind" a whole new twist. Apparently at his place of employment they are called "Al-isms".

So last Sunday we celebrated my Dad's birthday. Five-eight and looking great. The whole fam got together at my parents' house. We grilled some burgers and brats, had some potato salad and my mom's famous turtle cake with ice cream. Good stuff.

We all got my dad a new set of golf clubs which he really liked. I know he'll get some use out of them. So then we all hit some golf balls in the backyard. My parents have a giant backyard, which is perfect for that. We got some cornhole in as well. The girls finished off the day with some hula hooping. Yeah, we sure know how to throw a party.

Aunt Nese blowing raspberries on Anders's stomach. He loved it.

Family photo #1.

Family photo #2.

Mom working it with some hula hoop action.

Oh Little Gnome

I saw this video on youtube months and months ago. I heard the original song on the radio today, which reminded me of this brilliant piece.

It's sure to bring a laugh, or your money back guaranteed.

The misheard lyrics to Pearl Jam's Evenflow...

The Art of Manipulation

On Sunday while I was eating lunch, I suddenly hear our Roomba in the other room start up and take off. I jump up to see what's going on, and I see all three cats standing around it, looking at it in awe. I turn it off and put it back on the dock. I'm laughing hysterically as I'm telling the Husband about how the cats accidentally turned it on, and then just stood there, circling around the thing like they couldn't believe it was moving, not sure if they should attack it, or run away.

On Thursday, the Husband calls me at work to say hello, and we chat for a few minutes. He works from home a lot, so he was filling me in on the happenings for the day. That's when he told me that for the past three days, while he's locked himself in the office, to keep the cats out so they can't bother him, they have started that thing up. The first time he thought it was an accident. After it kept happening day after day, he realized that they figured out how to turn it on in order to force him to come out. Apparently it happens mid-morning to about right before lunch, when they are all eager for attention or to be fed. Ahh, smart little creatures they are.

So his solution? Take the Roomba off the dock, so the battery drains, then when they try to turn it on for attention, it won't work. Pretty decent idea, except when I got home on Thursday night I didn't realize that's why it was sitting there, not charging. So I put it back on.

Friday when I get home from work, I'm unwinding in front of the TV for a bit until the Husband gets home and we'll have dinner. That's when I hear the thing start up. I go into the living room, and this is what I find...

So busted...





It can't be that he's hungry. He just ate twenty-minutes ago. So either he's looking for some attention, or something to play with. Hey, this thing will move around by itself so he can chase it. That's got to be more interesting than throwing your own toys across the floor to pounce on...

Deal of the Day

I received a Newport News catalog in the mail on Saturday. I somehow was put on their mailing list about a year ago, although I've never purchased anything from them. Typically when the catalog arrives, it goes straight into the recycle bin without me even cracking the thing open. I remember when I was growing up that my mom used to get that catalog, so I've always been convinced that it's full of "old lady clothes" (which I guess technically I am an old lady, but I still don't want to dress like one).

I had plans on Sunday to sit in the sun, so I was gathering up some catalogs and magazines, which are great time killers, when I saw the Newport News. The cover had a cute outfit on it, and it said in great big fuchsia letters "Fall Pre Sale". My curiosity got the best of me. I grabbed it and took it outside.

I was in for a surprise. I found a lot of stuff that I completely fell in love with. Cute stuff. Albeit, the jeans still need some serious work. I'd categorize them as "old lady", but I was impressed with the selection on the rest of the items. I spent about an hour outside flipping through the pages, and writing down item numbers and sizes of the things I planned on purchasing.

Here are a couple hot deals I thought I scored:

Crocodile, peep-toe pumps. $9.99! That's right. Nine, ninety-nine. There have often been times in the past when I've wished that I had a pair of cream or neutral shoes to wear. Problem solved.

I picked out this black cover-up for my upcoming vacation to Cabo. I've been eyeing these babies in the Victoria's Secret catalog for months. Holding out and holding out that their $29 (on sale from $36) would go on clearance to like $16. No such luck. I got this item for $12. Nice!

And for the final deal, I scoured the Internet looking for coupon codes. Be sure to do that, if you're an online shopping addict like I am. The codes are out there to be found. I ended up saving myself $18.99 on shipping costs all by entering a three-digit code at the checkout.

I'll post more about the awesome fall outfits I ordered once I receive them. After I placed my order, I asked the Husband, "Why am I addicted to buying clothes?". His answer was, "I don't know. Why am I addicted to buying electronics?". The dynamic duo, us two...

Sunflowers

Travel Gems

One of my favorite parts about travel is the shopping. I purchased this jacket on my second trip to San Diego with the Husband at L A Rack. The first time I was in San Diego, I dropped in by chance. The second trip out there, it was a must stop.

What I love most about this jacket, is that four years later, I still get compliments on it, and asked where it's from (vintage never goes out of style). Then I get to smile and say, "Thanks. I got it in California." So it's sort of like it's one of a kind.

No Bag

My order from endless.com arrived yesterday. Remember how I said the bag was sold out and not available by lunch time on Wednesday when I had ordered it? Well, they must have run out of them before they pulled my order to ship, because they sent me the wrong size bag. I hope it was just a warehouse pull error, and not a "just send her this one, we don't have any of the others left" type thing, where they were trying to pull one over on me. It's an adorable bag, but this particular style doesn't have a shoulder strap. I can't go clutch or wristlet for an everyday bag. So back it goes. I'll just have to keep looking. It was quite the deal too. Phooey.