Stupid Traveler

Do you ever have one of those trips where you end up spending money on things you already have at home but you neglected to bring them? Last weekend on the way to Seattle, I bought another (black, zipper) totebag. I bet I have a dozen similar totes but I couldn't get my carry-on worked out. I had an extra KINDLE with me (don't ask) and it was too heavy and unbalanced so I bought yet another totebag. $19.99. Why oh why don't I just tuck an extra one in my suitcase everytime I travel?

Then I bought a Better Homes and Gardens magazine that I already have. Duh. $3.99.

Then I was freezing at SeaTac so I bought yet another one of those cheap airport pashminas. $14.95. Now I have one in turquoise to complement my lavendar and brown wraps -- why is it they are always sold out of black? It was 100 degrees at 8:00 p.m. when I got home so on the jetway I stuffed my new "cashmere" pashmina into my new totebag next to my Better Homes and Gardens.

A Long Way From Home

You know you're in the Pacific Northwest when you are greeted by this in your hotel room closet.

Pool Maintenance

Lynn has been trying to vacuum our pool for a few weeks now. There was severe dust build-up from our recent winds. It appeared we needed a new vacuum because no amount of elbow grease was working. He took apart the section that rolled along the bottom of the pool and he examined the motor. He couldn't find anything wrong but thought maybe it was just worn out and we needed a new one. Finally he detached the hose and looked inside for possible holes or obstructions...

then he found the culprit. A runaway Littlest Pet Shop.

And yet another reason I love having a 10 year old daughter.

Sparkle

There are many reasons I like having a daughter.
When I clean out the lint tray in the clothes dryer, it almost always sparkles with bits of glitter.

funk

Am feeling old and fat. Leah went grocery shopping with me and as we stood at the deli counter making small talk with JoAnne, the deli lady, she smiled and asked if we were having a "grandmother/grand-daughter day"? I should have just said yes but I feel the need to correct people when they call me Leah's grandma. So I said "no, this is my daughter." Had I known how JoAnne would react, I would have let it go. She paused and then in embarassment said "she should have known." Then as she readied the roast beef she apologized with each slice. I said "it's okay, I understand." The apologies would not stop and it made things much worse. I tried to reassure her but she continued. Even as we made our way to the dairy case, I could hear her relating the story to her co-worker. Stop. Enough.

I'm wondering if in the future I should just let it go when someone makes this assumption. I really do understand why. I mean I have friends with grandchildren that are Leah's age. It makes sense but I just don't need reminders of how old I am. I always wonder if all the celebrities with their IVF babies hear these same comments. Does their botox, plastic surgery and sparkling teeth make them immune?

In the car, on the way home, Leah told me that I'm pretty.

Easter 2011

Finished decorating a couple of weeks ago. This is a glimpse of our Easter Tree and the buffet in the entry. Don't you love Easter decorations? We have wooden eggs, plastic eggs, fabric eggs and glass eggs galore.

Leah woke us at 5:45 this morning for the egg hunt. Is this the same girl who accuses me of being the Easter Bunny? Luckily Tempe is an early stop so every rock, shrub and tree was ready for inspection. Am wondering why Mr. Bunny didn't put more chocolate in Leah's basket as I'm craving peanut butter cups...

Brunch at Z Tejas was good as usual but the service was a little off. They didn't have our reservation and at one point Lynn left the table to get a drink (Bloody Mary bar.) While he was gone (and I was sitting there!) the wait staff took his chair to use for a large table next to us. Lynn took the chair back and we watched as Musical Chairs began when the party was seated.

Had 21 kids in Sunday School this morning. We didn't have enough chairs. I thought people quit going to church.

Savor this day, our next holiday will deliver temperatures that have us heading for the pool.

I've Got It, But Don't Tell Anyone

Shhhhhhh. It's our secret. I was forced to see "Never Say Never" today and he won me over. Yes, I've got it - Bieber Fever.

Leah talked me into taking her to NSN and I thought I'd have two hours in the theater to daydream or snooze, but I watched every second of the "documentary". It's a compelling story. Really.

It seems he was born musical to a very young mom who felt guilty about being a young mom so she supported his dream and vowed to give him every opportunity to succeed. She posted some of his music videos on YouTube, they were seen by a music producer and the rest is history.

I think he's very talented. I'm not crazy about most of his songs...okay...I am. I've always said I have the musical taste of a prepubescent girl and now I just proved it.