Vote For Me

Super Tuesday is here, which was exciting for Californians because we now vote in February rather than June. I've spent the last few weeks going back and forth, back and forth trying to decide who to vote for. I didn't decide until this morning, nothing like waiting until the last minute! I voted late this afternoon, and I got one of the last few Democratic ballots that was left (like seriously, I think they counted out 5 more after I got mine). So it seems like people turned out in droves, a good thing!

And on to my rant of the day... I took Patrick and Molly to the Picture People this afternoon to get Valentine cards. Every time I go there the experience is more awful than the last. My mom came with us today and she was just shocked at how long it took. I kid you not, we were in there for 2 hours! It's supposed to be snap and go, they take your pictures, upload them, pick your favorites and they are printed right there. There is no reason for it to take 2 hours! I think someone is going to be getting a nastygram from me about that one. Hmph.

King Pin

Happy New Year! It seems like just yesterday Tom was working on Y2K stuff so it seems a little unreal that the year 2008 is here. We spent the evening at home and didn't do anything special except break out the panini maker for dinner. Yum!

Patrick has been asking us to take him bowling for the last few days, today seemed like a perfect day and the bowling alley was practically empty. Patrick loved it for about a half hour before getting a little bored.



In the interest of time I decided not to bowl. But can you believe it cost $45 for a lane for an hour and 2 shoe rentals! I noticed later that holiday rates were the same as weekend rates, but sheesh! We used to go to that bowling alley all the time as teenagers, I can't imagine teens being able to afford that now. And this was at the local funky bowling alley, not the new hip one that opened last year. Fun treat, but if we go back it will definitely be during the week.

Total Recall

I'm pissed. Sorry there isn't a more polite word to describe it. I've ranted before about Patrick's Chinese-made toys that were recalled. It's hard to explain to a 3 year old why Thomas could make him sick and that he needs to be sent back. Or Diego, or Sarge...

More than anything, Patrick has been asking for Aquadots for Christmas. Thanks to a few commercials on Nick Jr. he became quite obsessed, and has asked for them nearly daily for the last 6 months. Well wouldn't you know it that Aquadots it the latest toy recall. And it's not a lead paint concern that only applies it your child eats the paint off of toys. Apparently the manufacturer didn't make the dots to the correct specifications, and if swallowed the dots metabolize into GHB, the date rape drug. It can send your kid into a coma. What the heck is wrong with these manufacturers?

Patrick saw something on the news about the recall, and I had to explain that they weren't being sold anymore because they made some kids really, really sick. And that Santa probably wouldn't be able to bring him any for Christmas because there weren't any to buy. Patrick was crushed, almost in tears, and said "But Mom, I promise I won't eat any. I promise. I promise."

Being the good mom that I am I had already bought an Aquadots set for Patrick for Christmas at Costco. Costco was kind enough to call me and let me know I need to bring them back in for a full refund. My heart is breaking a little that the one thing my child wanted more than anything will not be under the tree on Christmas morning.

Deep Thoughts

Why was is cold in September when we didn't have any cute fall clothes yet? And why is it now warm (80+!) in October when we have lots of cute pumpkin sweaters to wear? And how am I supposed to dress Patrick for school when it s 50 degrees at 9 am when I drop him off but 80 degrees at noon when I pick him up?

Being cute is hard work.

Breathe

So last week I mentioned that Patrick has been sick. He was still coughing and wheezy this morning so I called the pediatrician and was able to get him in today to see a doctor. The doctor listened to his lungs and did her exam and told me that Patrick has asthma :( I suppose it shouldn't have come as a big surprise because I have it, my brother has it, and my mom has it. The same thing always happened to me when I got colds as a kid (and actually, it still does). Patrick now has an inhaler, and an aero chamber and a nifty duck mask to cover his nose and mouth so he actually breathes the medicine in. Patrick couldn't be more pleased with his new duck mask and medicine. This coming from the kid we have to sneak cough syrup to mixed in with Sprite. The good news is that he isn't contagious.

But I have a rant. We have good medical insurance, probably even great medical insurance. It's a PPO so we have deductibles and co pays but we also have the freedom to self refer and all that jazz. Despite having great insurance, I shelled out $88 today for the copay for the doctor, the aero chamber and mask (devices not covered), and a $30 copay for the inhaler. Seriously? And I know we're fortunate.

And the icing on the cake, I just realized that both kids have checkups on Wednesday, so we had plans to be at the doctor in 2 days and my brain is apparently just that mushy I forgot. I'll have the pleasure of shelling out $40 more in co pays. Sigh.

Car Trouble

Anyone who has small children has most certainly heard about all of the recent toy recalls. It makes me really mad. Why do we have a consumer product safety commission if we are letting toys (of all things) into the country that are dangerous to our children? Why doesn't the Chinese government seem more concerned? Why aren't moms speaking out and saying this isn't acceptable? What can we do?

I could toss all of his toys that were made in China but that would be most of them. Patrick's still upset of his Thomas trains that had to be sent back.

And more importantly, if you were a recalled "Sarge" car somewhere in our house, where would you be? We've turned the house upside down looking for it, I know I saw it last week. I'll just hope it's not hidden under something flaking off lead dust.

County Fair

This weekend was the Santa Clara County Fair. When I was a kid the fair was a big deal, it ran for 8 or 10 days and we usually went to see the animals, eat corndogs and ride the rides. Sometimes one of my cousins had an animal they were showing in the fair. I remember there being hundreds and hundreds of animals and lots to see. I always loved it. So when I saw the commercials for the fair last week we decided it would be fun to take Patrick. The fair is only 4 days now, and it was actually quite small. There was maybe 1/5 of what I remember from 15 years ago. It's kind of sad because this area has such a rich agricultural tradition and it's just about all gone. I was hoping to be able to show Patrick something about what this area was like when I was a kid, and what it was like for his grandparents and great grandparents who grew up here. My mission was only sort of accomplished, Patrick enjoyed seeing the animals but I'm not sure it was as meaningful as I would have hoped. Maybe next year.





In other news, Ella is in the pet hospital :( She has a kidney stone and a kidney infection, the vet needs to make sure the stone gets smaller and her infection responds to antibiotics. She only has one kidney so it's really important that she responds to treatment in order to avoid surgery. So please keep her in your thoughts! We all miss her, especially Louie.

Rain, Rain Go Away!

If it rains one more day I am going to scream.

Bad Day Blues

I did something really stupid today. This morning I took Patrick to Target because I had to pick up a few things. He doesn't do very well in shopping carts so I have to make the trip as quick as possible and offer bribes (raisins). Patrick was thrashing about by the time we got back to the car and it was a real struggle to get him in his carseat. I set my diaper bag down on the pavement while I put him in the car and then drove home without it. I realized it as soon as I pulled in the driveway and high tailed it back to Target to find my bag gone. No one turned it in. I raced back home and tried to remember what exactly I had in my wallet so I could cancel my cards. I still had hope that someone would turn it in so I tried calling my cell phone (it was in the bag) but no one answered. When I called Citibank to cancel my card they asked if I had just purchased gas, I hadn't. So there went my hopes of someone turning it over to the police. I had to cancel my bank account because my checkbook was in the bag, it is a joint account so Tom can't use his ATM card or write checks either. So now it is 3 weeks before Christmas and I don't have an ATM card, a checkbook or a single credit card. It will take 7-10 days for replacements or everything and I have to open a new checking account. After I cancelled all of my cards I looked up the number to Sprint PCS so I could cancel my cell phone. I tried calling my cell phone one more time and it was answered by a woman who was the manager at a Walgreens, she said someone had turned in my bag there saying a woman left it in the parking lot (umm, yeah I left it in the parking lot of Target a mile away). So in the end I got my wallet back, it had been cleared of all cash (including every last coin). My checkbook was still there and no checks were stolen. My cell phone was still there and no calls had been made. I threw out all of Patrick's supplies, it grosses me out to think of someone going through his stuff. In the end it isn't that bad, I may have to wait for my replacement cards but at least I don't have to go to the DMV for a new license.

I have better hope for tomorrow. Maybe we'll go get our Christmas tree, Tom still has credit cards :)

Since I haven't posted pictures in a while, here are some from tonight from a camera phone. Patrick usually hates wearing hats but tonight he insisted on keeping it on during dinner out. Patrick and Tom split a milkshake, it was too cute.

Morning Blues

Can I use this as a forum to whine a little bit about my morning?

This morning when Patrick woke up he puked, Tom thought it was becase he coughed too hard. By 7:30 this morning Patrick had puked 4 more times. All over my new rug, my new couch, and me. Luckily my nose is plugged up with a cold so I don't really smell it. So I clean it all up and get Patrick ready to go get his 18 pictures taken at the Picture People this morning (a month late, oops!). As soon as I got Patrick out of the car in the parking garage at the mall he starts puking again, I'm worried about him getting it all over his outfit so I pick him up and tilt him forward and he pukes all over my shirt. At this point we're close to being late for our photo appointment to I clean us both up with baby wipes and run into the Picture People. I have a huge wet spot on my shirt and I'm sure I smell like puke. Patrick decided he wants to scream and cling to me and will not cooperate at all, he seems terrified of the camera. He starts getting really worked up and I'm worried he will puke again. After about 5 minutes the photographer asks me to reschedule my appointment. So we're going back on Saturday morning when Tom can come and hopefully help out. The rest of the day was better (and puke free!) but I feel like I've been run over by a truck.

To quote one of my favorite childhood books "it was a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day".

Sleep My Child

***Newsflash***
Patrick slept until 7:11 this morning. He hasn't slept in that late in 4 or 5 months. Just in time for daylight savings time to end. Sigh.

Strange Voyage

We're back from Texas! Patrick now has his own frequequent flyer number now. Unfortunately we were on a flight without the "extra leg room" and the seat in front of Patrick was the perfect distance for him to kick. The gentleman sitting in the seat was not the least bit amused and it is kind of hard to get a 10 month old to stop moving.

We were gone over Valentine's Day, Patrick and I enjoyed a nice lunch out (could I have asked for a better Valentine?).


I'd been to Dallas numerous times, but never ventured too far beyone DFW. When I worked at Sun I used to go to meetings at the hotel that is within the airport so I never saw too much. This time I had a chance to see Dallas and the surrounding area and I've decided that Texas is strange. Let me take you on a photo journey if I may. Please excuse the photo quality as these snapshots were taken from a moving car.

Reason #1 Texas is strange...they have wacky billboards. For a red state they sure have a LOT of "gentleman's clubs" advertised along the highway.





Reason #2 Texas is strange...the traffic lights are sideways. What's up with that?


Reason #3 Texas is strange...you have to pay to use some of the roads (see my rant below). It cost me $2.25 to go 15 miles on the tollway.



Reason #4 Texas is strange...which president is this road named after? GWB or GHWB? I think they kept it generic to please both.


Reason #5 Texas is strange...Dallas is home of the "grassy knoll".


Case closed.

Deep In The Heart Of Texas

Greetings from Dallas, Texas. Patrick and I are having fun playing while Tom is attending the HIMSS conference. Today we ventured north on the Dallas Tollway which was a very strange experience. You have to stop every few miles and pay anywhere from $.40 to $.75. You also pay when you get on the Tollway and again when you get off the Tollway. The whole thing was stressful, it made me miss our crazy California FREEways. I took a bunch of pictures but can't post anything until we get home.

Happy Valentine's Day to everyone!