For the past few days, we've noticed these ducks chillin' in our pool. It's crazy I know, but they are always the SAME ducks. A mallard and a brown one. (What's that saying about birds and flocking together?) Anyway....today I got home from work and let Red (The Weiner) outside. He makes a mad dash for the pool where the ducks are maxin' and relaxin' and starts creeping around. They swim to one end of the pool, he runs over to that end. They swim back, he runs to them. It's a funny, yet SLOW game of cat and mouse (or dog and duck). He finally realizes that there are some feathers floating in the pool- now here's a game folks. In this movie, you'll see Red stretching as far as his little weiner body will let him stretch to smell the feather. I told my grandmother and mom about the ducks and they both mentioned the Red Ryder BB gun I got when I was a little kid. (Think "A Christmas Story", "You'll shoot your eye out!" Although with my husband and his gargantuan knowledge of gun safety, I think shooting an eye out might take more effort than one would think.) Moving on- once the feather chasing game was over, Red decided to go roll around in the grass where the ducks stand and dry off once out of the pool. Rolling around in the grass where ducks have stood (and peed) = bath for Red the Weiner. Good times at the Thomas house these days!
What can you do in 55 minutes? According to my Mom, you can be on hold with Southwest Airlines (SWA) customer service, play a good game of Bejeweled, beat your high score on Hearts, and surf the internet for the daily headlines. Yes, all of this can be done in 55 minutes.
I know this very important information because my Mom just spent 55 minutes on hold with SWA trying to get through to someone about her broken luggage handle. Apparently, Bubba, the suitcase loader at the Midland INTERNATIONAL Airport, doesn't know his own strength and he miraculously was able bend/break the metal handle used to roll the suitcase.
According to the customer service rep at SWA, they do not cover handles because they consider that a "luxury" on a suitcase. They also do not answer their calls in 'the order received' (as they state on their recording). My Mom called and was on hold for 50 minutes. So, I did a test- I called the same number and got right through to a representative. I quickly put her on hold, IM'd my Mom and told her to hang up from being on hold, and transferred the rep to her. (Please note, this all took place within 1 minute of my calling the same number my Mom did.)
I then went to SWA's website to check out what damages they DO cover of Bubba's...couldn't find anything. I know, shocking, right?! I could however find a place where they tell you what items you can and cannot carry on the plane. You cannot bring on the plane:
• Animals or Pets- unless you have one for medical purposes
• Wet Cell Batteries
• Camping Equipment
• Human Remains, but you can bring on Cremated Remains...huh?
• Seafood, unless packed in an air tight, no leak bag and put in a styrofoam container that is not larger than the carry on size bag
I've written many a letter in my day for poor customer service, lack of service, etc. Because I've had such good luck with SWA, I will not be writing a letter for my Mom- but since she has the fire in her belly from this experience, I can assure you- she will be drafting a note to the President of the company.
Go get 'em Tiger!
Today Abe and I were driving to DFW so he could hop a flight to the Big Apple for work. While driving like Mario Andretti in the HOV lane (something I don't get to do often), Abe had an idea.
"I think the rule about driving in the HOV lane should be about percentages. (My inner thought: Huh? I seriously sucked at math, even more at percentages and fractions! I am never going to make it through this conversation! He continues...) So, say someone drives a Mazda Miata- they should only have to have 50% of the car full- being that it's a 2 person car, only 1 person would need to be present. Let's say there is a huge 8 passenger truck (this is where my math started to get fuzzy), and there are only 3 people in the truck. They cannot ride in the HOV lane because they lack that 4th person to make the truck 50% full. So, instead of the type of car and number of passengers, it's about the car being 50% full. Maybe more people would be inclined to purchase smaller, less gas guzzling vehicles."
IF the HOV laws were to be revised, I think we'd all, including our police officers, need a refresher on percentages. (I would be first in line for the tutorial.)
An interesting thought from Abe.
It's my birthday too-ooo-oooo!
I turned 29 today and I seriously do feel a little older. I am not kidding. I woke up this morning with an upset tummy and slightly ill feeling. (My Mom thinks it was something I ate, I tend to agree. However, my Dad told me very candidly that I "get that" from my mothers side of the family. I agree with him on that as well.)
For years, I've been made fun of by my family, friends, and sometimes even people I am barely acquainted with, for being a "grandma." I personally feel like I've gotten a lot better over the years, but I seem to be the only one who feels that way. I mean, I haven't hurt myself (i.e.: fallen, broken any bones, gotten horribly sick, etc.) in over a year! Give it up people! I am in what I like to call "reversal mode." Which means, that I WAS a grandma and now I am becoming closer to my own age! No more "granny" ways for me. (I hope!)
Thank you EVERYONE for the fun birthday wishes and celebrations! I've had a great birthday week!
xoxo
So, the show aired on Saturday night. Abe and I went to dinner beforehand and had a few drinks to "loosen up." Once we were loosened, we turned on the tube. After the initial shock of seeing ourselves on TV, we were in tears...laughing.
We got several phone calls and emails following the show. Here is a sampling of what people thought:
Phone call pre showtime: My cousin Kristi. I think she was a little intoxicated from the St. Paddy parade and marathon drink fest she attended that day/evening, but she asked me if I was recording the show so that she and her man could watch it. Oh it's recorded on BOTH TiVo's....
Phone call #1: My Grandmother, hysterically laughing, asks us how we are doing.
Phone call #2: My Aunt Laurie tells me that I have a 'potty mouth.'
Phone call #3: My friend Kelly calls to make sure I am still vertical.
Phone call #4: My Aunt Laurie again, telling me that she HATES my previous bathroom that we remodeled. (Thank goodness someone didn't like the 'locker room' bath.)
Text Message #1: A co-worker and friend Bo letting me know that I have been bleeped.
Phone call #5: My Dad. Abe answers the phone because I am again on the phone with my friend Kelly chatting about the likes/dislikes of the old house. Abe tells me that my Dad was laughing (and he totally missed his debut!)
Text Message #2: Bo again! He's being nice and telling me that the show was good. THANKS BO!
Phone call #6: My cousin, Kelley. She loved it. She loves the new house and I am glad. She has good taste in decor; now she just needs to see the house in person.
Outgoing Phone call #1: Me to my Mom. I call to tell her to beware of 2 minor things. 1- the fat factor of me in the beginning of the show and, 2- the bleeping at the end of the show. I am sure she was proud.
Morning After Phone call #1: My brother, the "disgruntled" mover. He was just laughing at us.
Here are some of the funny email bits we've gotten:
• Well, I loved the show and everything you did. Knowing you, I could pretty much gather what you were told to say. I can't wait to see the house in person!!
• Have you gotten any additional TV offers yet?
• From one of my mom's friends:
1. Your house looks great.
2. The coach was a mute and his wife was a whiner.
2. The reds are different.
3. Did Scott help much?
4. Did your parents help at all? I know your mother has strong opinions, too.
5. What is the deal with birds?
• I could totally see most the coaxing and editing... But all in all, even
though I don't agree with 100% of your decisions, yall's old house was cooler
(except of course the deck) and the other Fam's and those two newbs's
decorating choices spoke for themselves...
So, it sounds like people liked our old house the way we had it and our new house, the way we remodeled it! All in all, Abe and I are happy with the outcome of both the show and our house. We will now close this chapter in our lives!
Abe and I were having a little fun with Red tonight. He loves to chew and wail on this blanket. Sometimes he tugs so hard at it, it makes us laugh. And other times he just sits right next to it and doesn't even bother with it. He is nutty.
Check out the video.
A few months back, I was watching The Oprah Show, and the guests that day were show regular- Dr. Oz, the girl from "Crazy Sexy Cancer", and Randy Pausch. The only guest I recognized was Dr. Oz. I had no idea that evening when watching, that my life would be forever changed by these people. The show was about death. A morbid subject most people would rather not talk about. A subject as Americans, we do not deal well with. I, however, became inspired, changed, more alive. It sounds crazy I know, but it's true. Death made me rethink my life.
Randy Pausch gave a modified version of his "last lecture" on the show and even though he spoke about stuff I clearly did not understand (he is some sort of engineer), I understood his underlying message.
Live for today.
This is something that I've heard many times in quote books, from teachers, etc. You know the saying, "Do not put off today, what you can do tomorrow." Or the one that goes, "Live for today because tomorrow may never come." Although these are great words to live by, I found myself more connected with someone like Randy because he was actually LIVING for today.
You see, Randy is a man who is currently living with pancreatic cancer. He's been in and out of treatment and hospitals. He is married and has three young children. (2 sons and a baby girl). His specialists predicted about 7 months ago, that he had 6 months to live. And that's exactly what he's doing. Living.
His words truly inspired me to look at the way I live my life. I made several vows to myself that evening after watching the show and doing some serious soul searching. Those vows- enjoy my life. Live my life for me. Love like I've never loved before. Tell people you love them- everyday. Live each day with inspiration and love. Don't try to tackle everything- life won't end if the dishwasher doesn't get emptied!
These are just a few of the ways I try to live my days. I am not sick, I am not terminally ill. I have no reason to be scared to die. I just learned that evening, that this life I've been given is precious. And I only get to live it once.
To keep tabs on Randy (should you be inspired by him as well), please check out his link, as he tries to keep it updated on a regular basis.
http://download.srv.cs.cmu.edu/~pausch/news/index.html
After sending out a massive email to friends, family and frankly folks I don't even keep up with, about the show on TLC- I decided to check out their website and confirm that the show is airing on March 15. It is...But when I got to the website, this is what the show producers have written about our episode:
"There's red on the walls and red mist in the air as three design styles spectacularly clash in Dallas. Bossy Erin does a good job of keeping husband Abe on track with the renovations, but had trouble hearing critiques when the old owners review changes." tlc.com
Bossy? Did they call me bossy? I mean, I am not a task master or anything and frankly people like me because I am an easy going (and sometimes a particularly hard headed) person. I sure hope that this show is not too crazily edited to make me look like a biz-natch. We all know I am not.
I wonder how many friends I'll have after this is all said and done...
So, tonight Abe and I were eating dinner and I had a thought...we really need to check the TiVo to make sure it's set to record Moving Up, so no matter when it airs, we can catch it! Well...we check and we air on March 15! The season premier of the show is OUR SHOW. I cannot believe this. Set your TiVo's- 9pm CST on March 15.
My 30 minutes of fame, err forced "Household CEO-ness" are about to come out.
Pic above is Doug Wilson, the host with Abe and me in our new "Adult Lounge."
This is a quote from one of my favorite movies, My Fair Lady. It is also the first thing that comes to mind when it rains in Dallas. And if you've ever lived in Dallas, you know, when it rains- it pours. Today, it didn't just rain...it sleeted, snowed, and rained some more. It went from being in the 60's just two days ago to below freezing. If you don't believe in Global Warming, move to Dallas and you will!
The pic (taken from the front door looking across the street) is just a taste of what we've gotten in the 'hood.
Happy Spring!
Today is my mom's birthday! She and my Dad are driving in tomorrow (for that babyshower you've been hearing about) and to celebrate her birthday! What I am finding funny about this trip is that I wanted to take my mom out to dinner to celebrate...However, my grandmother has a different idea- she wants to make a turkey. A turkey you say? Why, and in the middle of March? What a good question. I am not sure why she is insisting on a turkey, but whatev.
Marie-Antoinette would say, "Let them eat cake!"
Gran says, "Let them eat turkey!"
Happy Birthday MOM!
xoxo
Three things happened to me this weekend that made me smile:
1- Abe came home from his business trip, EARLY!
2- Ellen Page was on SNL (we watched it on Sunday).
3- I learned how to properly cut a grapefruit without using a grapefruit knife.
These things make me ecstatic for obvious reasons, however the grapefruit cutting was an experience, a sticky one nonetheless, that I'll not soon forget. I Google'd "how to cut a grapefruit" and many web links came up. (Why am I needing to know how to cut up grapefruit you ask- see post from March 1, re: Wholesale Clubs...I purchased a 5 lb. bag of them!) Anyway, I clicked on the first interesting sounding link and got a video of Renee Michelle. Please click on this link and you too will learn how to cut a grapefruit, using the largest knife in your kitchen, no make that your neighborhood block. You will also see what kind of video quality ends up on the web.
http://blip.tv/file/21811
Congratulations! You too can cut a grapefruit into beautiful sections. Moving right along to SNL...
If you missed Ellen Page on SNL, you missed a real treat. She played characters such as Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus and friend to Virginiaca. Here's the blip. I was laughing so hard, my abs hurt (yep, went the gym yesterday and did a LOT of crunches- owwwwwwie!).
http://www.nbc.com/Saturday_Night_Live/video/#mea=224736
Hope you had a great weekend! I am welcoming the month of March by going to the gym on a semi-regualar basis, eating lots of fruit and fiber cereal/bars, and getting the house organized. Can you say, "someone is turning 29?"
et
Today I had to go to my aunts house to pick up some plates for this baby shower I am having at my house next Saturday. Well...as I am unloading the plates from my car to the kitchen- Red, the wiener dog, decides to trot out to the garage and hop into the car...Bribing him with a walk and even going outside (in the highest pitch voice I can muster), he is dead set on hanging out in the car. Ten minutes go by and I am desperate to get him out of the car and back in the house so I can get on with my day. (i.e. charge my iPod, change into my gym clothes as slow as possible, do a load of laundry, aimlessly walk around the house, ANYTHING to miss going to the gym...) I grab the camera to get a shot of this (because I know my husband will not believe me) and frantically call my mom- who has raised 2 successful, hard headed, and fantastically awesome children- to get advice on how to get Red out of the car...What does she suggest? A walk. Tried that. Ah ha! A t-r-e-a-t. I have to spell it out, otherwise Red, the smartest dog in the universe, will know what I am saying. (Wait, isn't that what I want?) I run inside, grab a treat, and he makes a mad dash right for me and jumps right out of the car. A treat? Seriously, that's what it took. The dog was holding himself hostage in my car for a TREAT?
And we wonder why our country is overweight...
Today I had to go to one of those large wholesale clubs to order some flowers for a baby shower I am helping hostess next week....This is not my first time to go to "the club," but it certainly was the first time to go at it alone. When I arrived, I flashed my photo ID and walked right in. Immediately noticing the long line of shopping carts and the vast array of bulk packed items in the distance, I decide to grab a cart a.k.a army tank. These carts are huge! I guess my husband has always maneuvered the cart because this thing was a bus! (I digress.)
As I make my way to the floral area, I notice a woman standing behind a cute little table with some napkins and small bits of "queso fresco." She offers me a slice, I accept (only have eaten a small salad and 2 bites of pasta salad for the day). Wow! This is great cheese! I grab a pack and toss in my cart. I then notice another woman standing behind one of these cute tables- she has ademame samples in mini plastic cups. Fabulous! (And good for you!) I grab a box from the large freezer and make my way around the corner, abruptly colliding with a 40 something and child. As I make my way towards the floral section of the store, I am again intrigued by a table, not manned, where pieces of pineapple and grapefruit rest on small plates. Helping myself to the snack, I notice a huge table of fruit- I grab a bag of grapefruit and 1 large pineapple please, and hurry away. NO MORE impulse buying!
Finally- I arrive at the the floral counter, where Gina, a 4'6" woman greets me from behind a pile of greenery and white roses. (She's in the middle of re-doing a bouquet for an unhappy bride, whose mother is impatiently waiting by the mound of dinner rolls that sits on one of the many tables filled with carbs.) I wave at her and ask her about how long she'll be (15 minutes) and tell her I'll be back with my easy order.
Circling the warehouse, I find a bag of almonds so big, 9 cups to be exact, that in my rolodex of a brain, I am remembering an episode of Oprah where Bob Greene tells me to eat 10 unsalted almonds a day as a snack. I grab the bag. On the end cap of the almond isle is a huge display of FiberOne chocolate and granola bars. (My girlie doc told me last month to get more fiber...think this counts?) I heave the box into my tank- which at this point is filling up...
Making my way back to Gina, I see some Organic Salad Spring Mix. It's only $3.89 for a whole container! I circle back by the queso fresco table, snag another sample and meander down the snack isle where I spot a huge box of 100 Calorie snack packs. Chunking that into the cart, I make a beeline for Gina. I came here to order flowers, by God, I am ordering the flowers.
Gina and I walk in circles and pick out what I want used in the centerpiece. (That took all of 10 minutes!) Realizing that I have some frozen Skinny Cows (don't ask) in my cart, I race to check out- heaven forbid my food thaws! My items are being scanned and dropped into old fruit and Bic pen boxes for easy carryout. I flash my receipt to the bouncer-like dude at the door and am on my way. Two hours and $79.96 later, I am finally heading home.
What gives? Next time I go to "the club", I need to forgo the shopping tank and get only what's on the list. I'll make sure to hit the food samples though and remind myself that I am still fully stocked up at home from my previous shopping excursion.
