A Free Trip for Two

So I am a sucker...

Two weekends we went to the Babies and Kids Expo. We paid $20 to get in and sadly it was pretty much a waste of money and time. We expected there to be a ton of vendors selling everything from baby blankets to backyard swing sets. In fact, I told Jim I didn’t want to go because when it comes to Cade I truly lack any monetary self-restraint. I was afraid that I would see something that he “had to have” that would cost us a small—or large—fortune. In reality there were about 18 vendors. Most of the booths consisted of private photographers, time-share companies, or people selling cosmetics. (Kids Expo????) There was one booth selling toys—and nothing Cade had to have. It was disappointing to say the least. We spent approximately 8.2 minutes walking past the booths (not stopping at any) to find we had covered the entire “expo”. On the way to the exit, I stopped at a booth where they were having a drawing to win a gift card to Home Depot. I figured I would put our name in there. The booth was cleverly disguised—it was for a time-share. They were very anxious to sign us up for a tour so that we could get a free trip for two to several choice destinations. I am not a fan of listening to these presentations, but I decided that if we got nothing else out of this expo, we could get a free trip. So, I signed us up.

We went this past Friday for our time-share presentation. Our representative (used car salesman) was actually very nice and low pressure considering his line of work. He only kept us 25 minutes over our promised “90 minute presentation”. The resort was beautiful. The amenities cool. And since we live close to the resort, we would be able to use those amenities as often as we would want. Things like a beautiful pool with massive water slides and horseback riding and lessons for kids. And then, since we probably wouldn’t vacation 10 minutes from our home, we would be able to trade our week there to any one of the other resorts associated with this time-share company. This trading power would even include the Palm_Tree_Court_&_Spa for only $158 for the week. Sounds great doesn’t it? We were hooked. In their catalog (which they leave you to look at for several minutes so you can plan your dream vacation) we decided that we wanted to go stay in a castle in Ireland. How cool would that be?! We must have looked interested. The “closers” came in to offer us our very own vacation-ownership package. With today-only specials, of course. You too could own a week in a resort for a mere $21,000. I choked. We didn’t have that kind of money! Not even close. Needless to say, even though they got the last offer down to $7,000, we had to pass. (Especially since I calculated it to be actually $19,000 when all was said and done after the 120-month loan.) But, we got a “free” trip to Napa Valley Wine country including two free admissions for a Winery Tour. Doesn’t include airfare, but worth our 114 minutes, I think. I will let you know after we take the trip!

A Romantic Way to Perish

Candy Update

We are down to four candy bars. I am happy to report, that I am still only responsible for the disappearance of one of them. Apparently since I had one, Jim thought it was then okay to have one, too. So, out of the six candy bars I bought for my trip, we have four remaining. Hopefully those four will remain until the trip on Friday. (If you have no clue what I am talking about, read the previous post!)

In Remembrance

I met a girlfriend for dinner tonight. As I was leaving, I got in the car in the garage. I thought it smelled a little like trash in our garage. Rotting trash. When I came home after dinner, I thought the same thing. I wondered if maybe a poopy diaper made it as far as the garage, but not out into the trash can on the side of the house. I parked the car and came inside and complained to Jim. Trash hunting is definitely a "husband" job.

So I came into the office to check email. Jim went out to the garage. He came in like 10 minutes later. I asked him if he had located the source of the problem and he said yes. I asked what it was and I was told I didn't want to know. But I did. Or I thought I did. I am sure you don't want to know. But I am going to tell you anyway.

Jim and I had gone out to eat last week...and had left the cups of soda in his car. He handed them to me the next time we got in his car and told me to dump the soda in the rocks and throw the cups away. I told him I didn't want to pour soda on the rocks and attract ants. So I put the cups with some soda in them on his work bench in the garage thinking that I would pour them out in the sink when we got home. I forgot.

Apparently, at some point during the week that the cups sat on the workbench, a mouse got into our garage, chewed its way into the top of the cup, fell in and drowned in Dr. Pepper. So the rotting smell was not a poopy diaper...but a dead mouse in a moldy soda cup. Jim has disposed of the poor mouse. He now has plans to clean up his workbench area tomorrow to make sure there are no more undiscovered mouse "traps".

I suppose in the end it was a romantic way to perish--for a mouse.

My Lack of Will Power

If I have it, I will eat it.

I have very little self-restraint when it comes to food. Which is why even though the candy was on sale last week, I knew I shouldn’t buy it yet for my upcoming trip. At my grocery store, it was buy three candy bars, get three free. Great deal, right? Basically buy one, get one, but this way you have to buy three. So, since they were on sale, I thought I would put them away for my trip that is this weekend. Two girls getting together—we would need chocolate, especially after a long, hard day shopping. Well, I bought the candy this past Friday. A week before my trip. Who was I kidding? I actually held out until Sunday night. It is a good thing that I got three candy bars free. I am hoping that three of the original 6 candy bars will make it to Friday when I leave…but I am not guaranteeing that that will make it all the way to my destination. Aren’t Kit Kats the breakfast of champions? Perfect for an early plane ride! Sorry, Kim. My intentions were good!

Josh, that is why we will not be buying the chips for you until Thursday night. And they will go right into a suitcase. Last time we came to visit you, I had bought two to bring you…but as you well know, you only got one! They were good!

The Fortune Cookie

You have a keen sense of humor & bring out the best in others.
11 15 21 27 32 36

That was what my fortune cookie told me. But lately I feel like I have no sense of humor—and that as hard as I try to please everyone, I end up pleasing no one including myself.

In an effort to reconnect with certain people, I feel like I have made others feel alienated. Not intentionally. The situation is definitely one of just “not including” instead of actually “excluding”. There is a difference. But apparently, the ones who feel left out don’t see it that way.

There is a lot of strain in the family lately. Family dynamics are changing and it definitely affects more than just the people who are changing it. It is hardest on them, but not easy for the rest of us either. We are all in new territory.

I am a middle child. It is in my nature to be a mediator…a peacekeeper. I despise conflict. And there seems to be a plethora of that these days. Not knock-down-drag-out fights, but emotional turmoil, hurt feelings, and misunderstandings. “The middle child is internally compelled to find peace within the family and may have trouble finding a place.” I am having a hard time finding a place. I need shopping therapy.