Andrew has quite a few obnoxious toys, including a drum set that my brother gave him for Christmas (thanks alot Larry), a fire engine, and a jet. But the most obnoxious toy that he owns was given to him at Halloween by my mother. It is a pig. A rather ugly stuffed pig that plays the theme song to the Addam's Family, with accompanying oinks, when you push its foot. And it plays the song loudly. At a headache inducing volume. But that is not what makes this toy obnoxious. What makes it obnoxious is the fact that is squeals like a stuck pig when you pull on its tail. Andrew, of course, loves to grab the tail and swing it back and forth with it squealing loudly the entire time. It sounds like you are trapped in some Arkansas hillbilly hell or stuck in the movie "Deliverance" with Ned Beatty squealing like a pig. High-pitched and loud, it is truly the worst sound ever.
Andrew, as I said, loves the damn pig and especially loves to make it squeal. I hid it a few times, but he always managed to find it. Finally, blessedly, the batteries gave out. I was elated. "So sorry baby but the batteries are dead." I thought that was the end of it. And then my Benedict Arnold of a husband betrayed me.
Now, Adam knows I hate that pig. There is no doubt about it. So you can imagine my surprise when he turned up in the kitchen yesterday evening with the pig in hand and Andrew right behind him. "What are you doing?" I asked. "It needs new batteries," he replied. I reply that I think we are out of batteries and Andrew pipes up as he opens one of the kitchen drawers "Here batteries Daddy." That kid is entirely too observant for his own good.
So this morning when Andrew wakes up at 6:00 am, what is the first toy he grabs. That damn pig. There is nothing like hearing a squealing pig before you have had your first cup of coffee. And where is the love of my life, Adam? Buried under the covers in our bedroom. I can't decide if I should just leave the pig on Andrew's chair to find first thing tomorrow morning when Adam gets Andrew out of bed or to let Andrew wake him up with it's squealing one morning. Paybacks are hell...
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Friday, January 23, 2009
Caught in a compromising position
Today, I became a victim. The day started off well enough. Andrew and I went to the park. The grounds people were doing some work, so in addition to climbing on the playscape, we got to watch a tractor dig holes. Exciting stuff for a 2 1/2-year old. While we were at the park, we walked over and picked up the mail, another exciting moment for Andrew. We came home, ate lunch and both laid down for a nap.
I was up from my nap before Andrew and decided to check out the mail. Along with the various ads and the electric bill there was a love note from my bank. I thought about not opening the letter, it was probably just a note assuring me my bank was financially stable. But, on a whim, I decide to open it before shoving it into the bill drawer. And that was when I found out I was a victim. Here is what the letter said:
"ALERT! [their emphasis, not mine] Recently, our bank was notified from Mastercard Fraud Control that your card number has been possibly compromised." So not only am I a victim, I have been compromised (and not in a fun way). Apparently, I used my debit card at a vendor whose database was compromised. It suggested I review my account on-line to look for fraudulent charges. So, I did.
And there it was, a charge at Denny's on a Wednesday. Now don't get me wrong, Adam, Andrew and I have visited Denny's on occasion. I really like their omelettes (which is odd because I don't really like eggs). But my love of their omelettes aside, we have not visited Denny's recently, and certainly not on a Wednesday.
Further review turned up a charge at Lakeline Mall on Tuesday that was not ours. So, I called the number listed on the letter. Turns out my card was used to access our account information, but it was Adam's debit card that was used to make charges. So Adam is now over at our bank, cancelling our cards, getting new ones and filing out the paperwork to dispute the charges (totalling about $45).
You would think if you had stolen a credit card or debit card number, you would go ahead and buy yourself that new leather coat you have been wanting, not go to breakfast at Dennys. But according to the experts (aka the bank), most thieves make a few small purchases to see if you are paying attention. If nothing happens and the account is still open, then they buy themselves the new leather coat along with shoes and a purse that matches.
So the moral of this story is that we should all be reviewing our accounts periodically and, when your bank sends you a love note, go ahead and read it.
I was up from my nap before Andrew and decided to check out the mail. Along with the various ads and the electric bill there was a love note from my bank. I thought about not opening the letter, it was probably just a note assuring me my bank was financially stable. But, on a whim, I decide to open it before shoving it into the bill drawer. And that was when I found out I was a victim. Here is what the letter said:
"ALERT! [their emphasis, not mine] Recently, our bank was notified from Mastercard Fraud Control that your card number has been possibly compromised." So not only am I a victim, I have been compromised (and not in a fun way). Apparently, I used my debit card at a vendor whose database was compromised. It suggested I review my account on-line to look for fraudulent charges. So, I did.
And there it was, a charge at Denny's on a Wednesday. Now don't get me wrong, Adam, Andrew and I have visited Denny's on occasion. I really like their omelettes (which is odd because I don't really like eggs). But my love of their omelettes aside, we have not visited Denny's recently, and certainly not on a Wednesday.
Further review turned up a charge at Lakeline Mall on Tuesday that was not ours. So, I called the number listed on the letter. Turns out my card was used to access our account information, but it was Adam's debit card that was used to make charges. So Adam is now over at our bank, cancelling our cards, getting new ones and filing out the paperwork to dispute the charges (totalling about $45).
You would think if you had stolen a credit card or debit card number, you would go ahead and buy yourself that new leather coat you have been wanting, not go to breakfast at Dennys. But according to the experts (aka the bank), most thieves make a few small purchases to see if you are paying attention. If nothing happens and the account is still open, then they buy themselves the new leather coat along with shoes and a purse that matches.
So the moral of this story is that we should all be reviewing our accounts periodically and, when your bank sends you a love note, go ahead and read it.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Superstition and Photoshop
Most people would say I am a very practical person. For the most part, I believe things are what they are and you just need to deal with it. That being said, I am also a very superstitious person. (Can you be both practical and superstitious at the same time? I know, I am a mass of contradictions.)
For example, every morning I play a hand of freecell. I bet you didn't know that freecell can predict whether or not it is going to be a good day. If I win my game of freecell, it is going to be a good day. If I lose, it is going to be a bad day. And of course, how easily I win the game is a predictor of exactly how good of a day it is going to be.
The law school I attended had approximately 6 classrooms used for taking finals. I had a specific chair in each of these classrooms that I sat in when taking finals. I always sat in the same chair when taking finals and I always wore the same clothes when taking finals...for 3 years. I passed all of my classes, so I guess it worked.
So now we get to Photoshop. I have two goals today, scrapbooking and some light housework (yes, just light housework, no reason to get crazy and do heavy-duty cleaning). I have been doing some scrapping this morning and needed to print out some photos. So I open my Photoshop and start loading photos. And my computer freezes. So I close photoshop and reboot my computer. And try again, 5 times. Yes, I have now rebooted my computer 5 times. I have finally decided that Photoshop is not working because I haven't done any housework. I did say I was going to do some light housework today and all I have done so far is scrapping. Clearly that is the problem. So I have now taken out the trash and swept. Photoshop should work. After all, freecell today was going to be a good day...
For example, every morning I play a hand of freecell. I bet you didn't know that freecell can predict whether or not it is going to be a good day. If I win my game of freecell, it is going to be a good day. If I lose, it is going to be a bad day. And of course, how easily I win the game is a predictor of exactly how good of a day it is going to be.
The law school I attended had approximately 6 classrooms used for taking finals. I had a specific chair in each of these classrooms that I sat in when taking finals. I always sat in the same chair when taking finals and I always wore the same clothes when taking finals...for 3 years. I passed all of my classes, so I guess it worked.
So now we get to Photoshop. I have two goals today, scrapbooking and some light housework (yes, just light housework, no reason to get crazy and do heavy-duty cleaning). I have been doing some scrapping this morning and needed to print out some photos. So I open my Photoshop and start loading photos. And my computer freezes. So I close photoshop and reboot my computer. And try again, 5 times. Yes, I have now rebooted my computer 5 times. I have finally decided that Photoshop is not working because I haven't done any housework. I did say I was going to do some light housework today and all I have done so far is scrapping. Clearly that is the problem. So I have now taken out the trash and swept. Photoshop should work. After all, freecell today was going to be a good day...
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Faith and Politics
I am sitting in my favorite chair and watching the inauguration of President Obama. And every five minutes I am bursting into tears. I have a box of Kleenex next to me and I am not afraid to use it! I am moved and inspired by Obama. I know many people regard politicians as lower than snakes, but I don't hold that view. I hope and believe that Obama can put our nation back on the right track.
As most of you know, I worked in politics for 11 years, including 7 years working for 2 Senators. You would think that I would be very cynical about politics and, believe me, I am. But it has also given me a very strong faith in our political system and the politicians who serve.
It is certainly true that some politicians are in it to get what they can for themselves. They are what the staff call "lobby whores." They are constantly on the look out for the free meal, the free tickets, the free hunting trip, etc. But in my experience, that is not the case with most politicians.
Most of the politicians I have observed during my 11 years truly want to do what they think is best for their constituents, the state, or the nation (even if I don't always agree with what they think is best). In some instances, I have seen politicians cast a vote that they knew their constituents would oppose but that they felt was right for the state. It is rarely easy being a politician. I get so angry when someone says, "He is supposed to represent me and I am opposed to this bill." Let me assure you that he also represents constituents who support that bill. So exactly who does he represent? The answer is both of you. Hopefully, when you voted you chose the person you trusted to make wise decisions not the best looking one or the one from the "correct" party.
So, as we inaugurate a new president today, my faith in our government, and the politicians who run it, remains strong. And, I may have found a little bit of faith in the American people...but just a little...
As most of you know, I worked in politics for 11 years, including 7 years working for 2 Senators. You would think that I would be very cynical about politics and, believe me, I am. But it has also given me a very strong faith in our political system and the politicians who serve.
It is certainly true that some politicians are in it to get what they can for themselves. They are what the staff call "lobby whores." They are constantly on the look out for the free meal, the free tickets, the free hunting trip, etc. But in my experience, that is not the case with most politicians.
Most of the politicians I have observed during my 11 years truly want to do what they think is best for their constituents, the state, or the nation (even if I don't always agree with what they think is best). In some instances, I have seen politicians cast a vote that they knew their constituents would oppose but that they felt was right for the state. It is rarely easy being a politician. I get so angry when someone says, "He is supposed to represent me and I am opposed to this bill." Let me assure you that he also represents constituents who support that bill. So exactly who does he represent? The answer is both of you. Hopefully, when you voted you chose the person you trusted to make wise decisions not the best looking one or the one from the "correct" party.
So, as we inaugurate a new president today, my faith in our government, and the politicians who run it, remains strong. And, I may have found a little bit of faith in the American people...but just a little...
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
What I did to today...
4:15 am - Wake up when Andrew starts talking to himself
4:30 am - Andrew says "I ready to get up." Go upstairs and inform him that he is not ready to get up. It is another 20 minutes before he falls back asleep. Did I mention he talks to himself?
5:15 am - Give up on trying to go back to sleep and get up.
8:00 am - Send Andrew off to school. Leave house, pick up Mom and drive to Fredericksburg.
10:00 am - Shopping!
4:14 pm - Return home from shopping.
6:00 pm - Eat dinner
6:30 - Help Adam take down the Christmas tree.
Yes, you read that right. We waited until January 12th to take down our Christmas tree. I love putting up the tree, but I hate taking it down. And it is something I can't do by myself, Adam has to help. And, because I insist on a real tree, there are needles everywhere. Adam wanted to light it on fire, I reminded him of the burn ban.
A friend knows a person who built a storage room onto her house just for her Christmas tree. The artificial tree is mounted on wheels and she just rolls it from her living room into the storage room. No need to take down decorations. No needles. No request from her husband to set the tree on fire.
Maybe I should look into adding a room onto the house....
4:30 am - Andrew says "I ready to get up." Go upstairs and inform him that he is not ready to get up. It is another 20 minutes before he falls back asleep. Did I mention he talks to himself?
5:15 am - Give up on trying to go back to sleep and get up.
8:00 am - Send Andrew off to school. Leave house, pick up Mom and drive to Fredericksburg.
10:00 am - Shopping!
4:14 pm - Return home from shopping.
6:00 pm - Eat dinner
6:30 - Help Adam take down the Christmas tree.
Yes, you read that right. We waited until January 12th to take down our Christmas tree. I love putting up the tree, but I hate taking it down. And it is something I can't do by myself, Adam has to help. And, because I insist on a real tree, there are needles everywhere. Adam wanted to light it on fire, I reminded him of the burn ban.
A friend knows a person who built a storage room onto her house just for her Christmas tree. The artificial tree is mounted on wheels and she just rolls it from her living room into the storage room. No need to take down decorations. No needles. No request from her husband to set the tree on fire.
Maybe I should look into adding a room onto the house....
Sunday, January 11, 2009
My Very First Post
So, I have been thinking about creating a blog for a long time, but it just seemed like a pain in the a**. But then my friend Staci started blogging and I thought "Well, if Staci can do it, I can do it!" Ok, I am joking about that, but only partly. I have really enjoyed reading her blog and she encouraged me to do it, so here I go.
I am not really sure what I am going to blog about. My guess is that the postings will vary widely, from a description of my day to political rantings to really random stuff. We will just have to see what develops.
One issue I am still debating is whether or not to post pictures of/blog about my child. I have been opposed to providing any information/photos about my child on-line. I have always thought that was just making it easier for someone who may want to hurt him. I realize that I am probably being a little too paranoid and so in the coming days he may appear on this blog. I mean, if I don't talk about him, what am I going to talk about?
So, welcome to my brave new world...The Holleygram
I am not really sure what I am going to blog about. My guess is that the postings will vary widely, from a description of my day to political rantings to really random stuff. We will just have to see what develops.
One issue I am still debating is whether or not to post pictures of/blog about my child. I have been opposed to providing any information/photos about my child on-line. I have always thought that was just making it easier for someone who may want to hurt him. I realize that I am probably being a little too paranoid and so in the coming days he may appear on this blog. I mean, if I don't talk about him, what am I going to talk about?
So, welcome to my brave new world...The Holleygram
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