Carry-on luggage

Today, as I was continuing to pack, I was complaining to Toad about how much I dislike packing. He, being the little guy that he is, was unfamiliar with the whole packing process. He was asking about the suitcases. So, I explained to him that the little suitcase was going to be my "carry-on". I proceeded to share with him that I put my most important travel items in my carry-on because those are the items that I would be really upset about losing, if my luggage were to get lost. And since I have experience with lost luggage and airlines not reimbursing for the most expensive and/or most sentimental items, I lectured him about always putting his most important items in his carry-on and keeping it close at hand when traveling. After finishing my spiel about all of this, I went to the laundry room to grab something I needed to pack. When I returned to the bedroom, this is what I found.

Mom, I packed your most precious cargo.

Now, I just have to get comfortable in here.

I'm in! Can you zip me up?

Just kidding, mom. I'm outta here! I guess I'm going to be your real "carry-on".

**Disclaimer: This was a dramatization. No children were harmed in the creation of this post. Photos were staged and captured under strict adult supervision.

Traveling

The anticipation. The excitement. The fun to be had. Oh how I love to go on trips. Even if those trips are just going "home". I put the word *home* in quotes, because my husband has reminded me that where I live (AZ) is home. But, going to see family and old friends and getting to go to some of my favorite food spots (Jakes, Sequoia, Mannings) has the feeling of "home" to me. So, whatever term is correct, I am going to CALIFORNIA in less than two weeks. And I am super excited!!
I get to take my son to see his Grandma and Grandpa and his great Gram... and of course, he will get to see his favorite Auntie A and Uncle T! I will get to see my best friend, who I haven't seen since October and who now actually looks pregnant. I can't wait to feel that little baby kick and just share in the joy of celebrating the new little life that is about to enter our world. I am so looking forward to seeing several other friends, old friends, whom I haven't seen in quite some time. To watching my parents love on my son. To enjoying having my bro and sis-in-law spoil him with hugs and kisses and maybe a cupcake, too. To showing them how much he has grown and changed and how much of a "big kid" he has become in the past few months.
My list of "things I want to do while I'm in Cali" is growing each day. But, before I can get to those things, I have another list to tackle: my packing list. I absolutely hate packing. Always afraid I'll forget something, I have a general, yet detailed "travel list" saved on my computer. But, with a baby, who changes so rapidly, it is hard to keep up with his list. Some things that I needed to pack for him in November aren't necessary now, but have been replaced by other, ever-so-important items. Now, if I can just remember what they are, I'll be set.
I know. I'm going "home". They have stores there. I have family there. Family who won't allow us to go without if we forget to pack an all-important item. But, still. I hate to forget things, and quite honestly, I love to make lists. I just hate to pack. I stress over packing. How do I know what to pack? How do I know what the weather will really end up being? What if Toad wets through his outfit twice in one day. I know. My parents have a washing machine. They even have baby laundry detergent. Yet, I stress. That is precisely why I will start my packing this week. :) I'll overpack and I'll end up not wearing half of what I take with me. But, I'll be prepared. And, I'll have a wonderful trip... even if I do forget something.

What's in a Name?

Isn't it funny how parents spend countless hours debating over what to name their child? After all, this is the label by which they will be recognized for their entire lives. It is a huge decision and a hefty responsibility. We discuss and debate and practice how the name options will sound. Finally, we settle on a name, only to end up calling the child by some random nickname half the time anyways.
Case in point: We named our son a name that lit up my husband's face every time he practiced saying it. Yet, more often than not, we call him Toad, Skeezix, Mortimer (pronounced "mo-tee-mo"), Lethargic Larry, Gomer, Bodey Bode, Bud Bud...and for the appropriate occasions, Fussbutt, Crankypants, Stinkpot and Naked Baby. Of course, there are times when we call him by his given name, or by the adoring monikers Precious Baby, Sweet Boy or Little Guy.
As I look at the list of names we call him, I realize that they aren't particularly flattering. Think about it. What connotations do people have when they hear the names Skeezix, Gomer and Mortimer? They probably aren't conjuring up images of a beautiful, blue-eyed, melt-your-heart-with-his-smile, lovable, giggly baby boy. In fact, I actually think of old crotchety men when I think of those names. To think that we put so much thought and consideration into picking "just the right name" only to end up calling him by everything but that name makes me wonder...What are we setting him up for!?!?! Yikes. Hopefully, we aren't causing irreparable damage to his little psyche.
I remember being called Shrimp, Squirt, Shorty, Rosebud and Pumpkin. I hated some of those names (thanks a lot, bro!). Yet, I am able to look back and laugh at them, now. So, what's in a name, after all?

$4300

A couple weeks ago, I heard a radio personality talking about how Superbowl tickets were going for $4300! Holy shnikes! So, it made me start thinking about what I would do if I had an extra $4300 just lying around. What would I do with that kind of cash, if I had to do something "not practical" with it? If you know me at all, you know that I'd probably put it in the bank and save it. In fact, if this proposed "economic stimulus check" truly does land in my mailbox, that is likely what I will do with it... Put it in the bank. But, what if you just happened to have an extra four grand? Suppose you did and suppose you weren't allowed to spend it on practical things like bills, mortgages, savings, etc. What would you spend it on? (This means you are supposed to comment and tell me what you'd do with it.)

Me? I'd probably spend it on a trip with my husband or I'd buy several round trip tickets to CA to see friends and family... especially to Northern Cali, so I'd be able to see my friend and her baby boy whenever I wanted. Oh, and I'd get massages. Lots and lots of massages. Who doesn't love a good, deep tissue massage?!?
Sometimes it is just fun to dream. So, tell me, what would you do with that extra cash?

The Curse

Yesterday, while driving to Costco, what happened? My check engine light came back on!!!! GRR!!!!!! If you read my previous posts about all the car/emissions crap we've dealt with lately, you'll certainly understand my frustration. It is almost laughable now...but not quite. Perhaps we are just cursed by the "check engine light" devil.

People...in public

So, as I promised, I am posting the picture I captured on my cell phone while at the DMV last week. My friend's sister would refer to this as a "cell phone gem". The things people will do in public is sometimes just flat 0ut ridiculous. Other times, it is unbelievable what people will say, especially on their cell phones, with the rest of the world to hear it all!

The picture below is a picture of a lady who must have just spent quite a bit of time at the ball toss at the local carnival because she is carrying with her a huge stuffed tiger. What?!!! Why on earth would you bring this with you to the DMV? Seriously, the thing was as big as she was. It would be an understatement to say she was an interesting lady. When we first walked in, she was giving the woman sitting next to her advice about drinking some magical tea to help with certain ailments. Not sure if this advice was solicited or unsolicited. Nonetheless, she was free entertainment at the DMV.

In addition to the fun DMV lady, I was surprised by a middle-aged man at the polling booth, yesterday. A man, in his mid-50's/early 60's was standing ahead of us in line, waiting to vote. Apparently, he must have gotten bored, because he pulled out his clear nail polish and started painting his fingernails. I guess he wanted his top coat to be in tip-top shape when he filled in his little bubble at the polling booth. ?? Random.

Along with the nail polish man, there was also a young guy, probably around 18 years old, standing in front of us. I appreciate his sense of civic duty and his enthusiasm for voting, as he talked on the phone to a friend and encouraged him to register to vote in the general election. However, I was somewhat perplexed that he was also talking, in public, on his cell phone, loud enough for all to hear, about how he was going to try to scam Sears. He was asking his friend about whether his friend still worked at Sears because he was going to return something there that he had purchased elsewhere and get more money for it than he had paid, etc. My respect for his patriotism greatly diminished when I realized his integrity was seriously lacking. Would you not be ashamed to be talking about your scam plans, out loud, in front of 35 people? Ay yay yay!

Old Navy Amazement

Amazing! Thrilling! So Exciting! This is how I'd describe my recent trip to Old Navy.

Toad and I met our friend, Lara, at the mall a couple weeks ago. After enjoying a bite to eat and enduring a long conversation with some amusing old man who wanted me to try a piece of his chicken, we headed to Old Navy. Well, we headed there for a second time. We didn't quite finish getting all the fantastic deals before we decided we needed to eat, so we went back for round two.

The whole reason I even wanted to go to Old Navy on this specific occasion was because Amy had told me about her recent shopping experience there, in which she was pleasantly surprised to learn that her items were even cheaper than she had expected. And, she went back for a "round two" shopping trip, too.
So, needless to say, Old Navy's clearance sales rocked!! Not only was the clearance stuff 50-75% off, but they were also taking an additional 50% off that price! They might as well just have given me everything in Toad's size. :)

All in all, I left with 2 t-shirts with the thermal long-sleeve arms, 5 sets of adorable pajamas, 5 pairs of really cute and comfy pants, 4 long sleeve shirts, 1 turtleneck, and 1 long sleeve/long pants one-piece outfit. The most expensive thing was $6, but most items were $2-$4. I got all 5 pairs of pajamas for the price that one pair would normally cost. Seriously, $3.49 for an adorable two-piece (long sleeve-long pants) pajamas?!! That is hard to beat. I was so excited... But, I was expecting to have my husband help me decide what to keep and what to return, once I got home. Of course, he said that we were keeping it all, and proceeded to open the packaging on the pajamas so that they couldn't be returned.
So, overall, I spent $71 and I got Toad 18 new items!! Had I purchased each item at regular price, it wouls have cost me about $216. Needless to say, I was very pleased.