TROUBLE with a capital T

We do not like Sears.  Not one little bit.  We have had too many issues to count.  The current issue involves our lawn mower.  When we moved into the new house last July, we needed something to trim our tiny little 0.1 acre.  No joke.  Postage-stamp size yard.  We bought an admittedly cheap Craftsman, but really?  Postage stamp.  It died within a week.  7 days.  Some itty bitty number of hours.  We took it back to Sears, and they DID replace that hunk-o-junk.  With the same model.  Which they told us had been discontinued.  Yes, BRIGHT RED lights should have been flashing.

Jump forward one year.  It died again.  OHHHH were we peeved.  I even refused to go to Sears with Chris because I knew there would be yelling and nastiness.  They tried to refuse to do anything, but eventually Chris's logical argument of "There is a 2 year warranty included on this mower" won.  Though they did still warn us that they might charge us if it wasn't a manufacturer's defect.  BAH

Chris is now studying for test number 5 million 32.  Therefore, I get all the fun little errands.  I went to pick up the lawnmower and took the dog with me.  However, because she was so scared of the loud growly thing, she refused to sit in the back with it, after it had been loaded in the car.  She immediately jumped up front and refused to move.  I immediately  called Chris and told him he had to take pictures of this ridiculousness when we pulled in. 

 

Oh, and isn't my new baby (the car) pretty?  I'm still loving it.  Still need to write about the wonders of the Chevy Traverse.  Later.

Do you have any stores you're loving or hating right now?

Chris has Broken Me

It is inevitable in marriage that we will change and evolve.  Some of interests will grow together, and some will grow apart.  It is all the flux that will be...

Ok, this is really a very shallow post, so I'll drop the pretense.  I don't think I like my hair straight anymore!!!  This is really disheartening because I have fought Chris on not wanting to leave it in its natural, curly state for years!  So...we'll see when I decide that it's time to try it out again, but this may be the last flat-ironing for awhile:

Oh, and see what I mean about hippie maternity wear?  Sheesh.  Anyway, fine.  Chris, YOU WIN.

Secret Reader

Every blogger knows that she has secret readers.  Sometimes we have suspicions who they might be, and other times, they are just numbers that appear on our counters.  And sometimes we find out we are absolutely wrong when someone we assume had been reading for awhile tells you they just started and are enjoying it!  (which means I have a city out there that completely mystifies me)

This is not my attempt to flush all of you out.  I love trying to guess who you are.  This IS my time to confess, though.  I am a frequent commenter on blogs.  But, I don't usually comment on blogs of people I know.  Or rather knew.  And don't talk to anymore, usually for innocent reasons.  Two prime examples?  And two blogs worth reading?

A Quick Remark - Anhtuan's insightful blog which also includes a captivating saga about his parents' journey to the United States during the Vietnam war.  

The Mother Runner - Liz (ok, I don't know Liz, but she's married to my HS friend Micah)'s take on running, healthy living, and raising her two adorable boys.

I also don't comment on the absolute best blog that I read.  This is because NO ONE comments on this blog.  I find it impossible to believe that no one else reads, because Ruth is so stinkin' funny.  She also has twin daughters named Harper and Piper, which, obviously are the names of my dog and my grandparents' dog, so just gotta love it.  Go over and check out:

Bogue and Weejer

So, there's my confession.  I could confess to a lot more, but small steps people, small steps.

Book Reviews

This is a highly unsatisfying post, since one book I did not like very much, and one I'm not quite finished with.  Sometimes it happens.

Killer Angels by Michael Shaara 
I liked this book exactly as much as I thought I would.  I apologize to the Pulitzer committee.  Was it well written?  Absolutely.  Historically accurate?  As far as I know.  Something a large portion of the population would enjoy?  Most definitely.  Me?  Nuh uh.

Why didn't I like this?  For 3 very important reasons.  1)  I know how Gettysburg turned out.  No surprises there.  2)  I watched the movie Glory, which is pretty true to the book.  3)  I just don't like war books.

If you like war books, and don't mind knowing how things are going to end, go for it.  Just not my cup of tea.
Grade:  C

  The Jester by James Patterson & Andrew Gross
Full disclosure: I have not finished this book yet.  Why?  I was actually listening to a book on tape in the car during our long road trip, and once at home, it's hard to convince yourself to put on the CD's, when there are paper books at hand.

HOWEVER, I like this book so far.  It speaks to the politics behind the crusades, and one man's individual tribulations after his lord seeks to punish him for abandoning his serf-ship (is that a word?) to go fight.  He returns to find that his wife and son have been murdered and enters the court of the evil lord as a jester to reek havoc.  Entertaining, though gruesome at times.

The oddest note I have about this book is that, once again, I have more sympathy with animals dying than humans.  I suppose this was true in Killer Angels, too, because I found the horses dying on the battlefield heart-wrenching.  I don't know why I have the tendency to over-connect with the animals, but not the humans.  Perhaps that it would just touch too close to home to connect to the humans as well?  I can't answer this.  I just know that this was even true as a child when I wasn't able to make it through Bambi or White Fang because I was too upset by the mother deer dying and the dog fighting scenes.

Back to the book:
Grade: B+

Do you have trouble with animals dying in books and movies?

Inspired

Megan at Best of Fates just inspired me to make another piece of clothing.  I don't know what yet, but her bridesmaid's dress was beautiful.  The last time I sewed an item of clothing, it was for my Halloween costume in 2005. 

Back in those days, I was on the social committee for the Inter-Professional Council.  Which means I helped throw all the big parties for those of us who had spent way too much time in school.  That picture, other than making me look like a midget (and I was wearing HIGH heels), is with a doctor (our president) and a dentist (our secretary or treasurer?  Can't remember).  Ah memories.  This party was interesting because even though we had reserved hundreds of kegs of beer (no, not an exaggeration), we had run out and the bar was trying to charge the party-goers who had paid a cover charge for unlimited drinks.  Then my ex got on stage and was dancing inappropriately, and I was assigned to retrieve him.  It was an...interesting night.

Once upon a time, I was a prolific seamstress and created costumes for theater productions.  That was a long time ago.  Loved it, though.

Anyway, back to the sewing.  I think Halloween this year would be a good goal.  There will be a new outfit completed and worn to the embarrassment of all around me.       

Who me?

My grandparents have a friend named Barbara.  Barbara is the stereotypical image of a German woman in her 70's.  She is tall, fair, and powerful.  She also has an incredibly effusive personality, and can sometimes overwhelm those around her with her exuberance.  She has always been quite fond of my Grandfather.

One morning this past weekend, as Chris and I were walking Harper, we passed Barbara's house, and she rushed out to greet us, coo over the dog, and join us on our morning jaunt.  As we approached my grandparents' cottage, Harper ran over to my Grandfather to give him a big lick on his head at the same moment that Barbara called out, "Good morning, George!"  Without pause, my Grandfather gushed, "Hi, Baby!"...in reference to the dog.  Barbara was so startled that for a moment she was actually at a loss for words.   

My Idea of Vacation

My grandparents have a house on a lake in the middle of nowhere New Hampshire.  It is heaven on earth to me.  I know that this would not be the case for everyone, and even my brother is not quite as enthusiastic.  There are two kinds of vacationers.  Those who what to go, see, do, and those that want quiet relaxation.  I am part of the later camp.  Not that there isn't a lot to do on the lake!  It is merely low key.  You can swim, kayak, hike, read, pick blueberries...I could go on.  What you can NOT do is go to a four star restaurant and a Broadway show. 

But why would I want that when I have this peaceful scene right out the front door?  I try and make it up every year, but as all of the family has dispersed to parts farther and farther away from New England, it gets difficult.  I have missed 3 years since I was born.  One of them being last year.  I was devastated.  This year, I made it up, and was able to see both my parents and grandparents while I was there. 

I'm sure they'll love me for the not-so-fantastic pictures of all of them.  Everyone was doing really well!  We were amazed when we saw my mom.  Certainly made it easier to enjoy the week fully. 

Our little girl LOVED the lake.  In fact, we could barely keep her out of it.  Within seconds of arriving, she was so excited that she ran THROUGH a fence.  She has some nice cuts on her face now.  And we always tried to claim she was a bright dog. 

The scotties were alright with her.  Roonie (the chubbier one) was not a big fan.  He'd nip and squeal, but at the same time try and always be by her side.  It got better eventually.  Piper (the one in the solo shot) really liked Harper, but is just too old a lady to do much playing.  Was a little sad. 

Overall, I couldn't have asked for a better weekend.