Lost & Found

I work at a college. I work under the umbrella of Public Safety. On top of the hundreds of things Public Safety does, one of the least favorite things we do is collect lost and found items. We have seen MANY odd and unusual things turned in over the years, like one shoe or old text books from two years ago. Along with those odd things there have been the valuable items that someone is thankful is turned in like car keys, iPods or cameras.

Well, yesterday I witnessed the strangest thing to be turned into lost and found in my 10.5 years working there. A dog.

He looked like this puppy in the image, but a little older

The poor thing was visiting from North Carolina with an irresponsible owner. After calling the vet that was labeled on his tags, they mentioned that we were the second caller for the dog "Pepsi" and the owner said to just let the dog roam and he will find his way home. Um, no! There are busy streets around campus and we were not going to allow that! Also, the dog was not in his home territory. So Char did some investigating to locate the owner directly and strongly urged that they come pick the dog up rather then letting him roam around the area. Good thing!

In the mean time, our new visitor was a happy go lucky, clean and healthy looking bundle of energy. He kept going back and forth between offices for attention. He was definitely the best entertaining lost and found item I've seen!


About a half-hour later, Pepsi's owner stopped by to pick up her dog. I'm not too sure how I feel about Pepsi's owner, since she had not expresed concern that he had got out in the first place, but I'm happy he found his way to us yesterday morning so he wouldn't get hurt. He was such a wonderful surprise on a Monday morning too!

Shopping for a Princess

Yesterday, I was in the mood to do something, but I wasn't sure what I wanted to actually do. I'm sure you've had that kind of day and it can be a little tiresome trying to think of something to do. First,I figured I would go to the local grocery store and cash in all my change (in the Coin-Star machine).

I hit the jackpot! I haven't cashed in my change since before vacation time, 2 summers ago. So, I picked a few things up at the grocery store, but after I got home I still had the urge to do something. Jeff didn't want to do much and my FIL was out cruising the town on his bike.

So, after lunch I decided to go birthday shopping for Ally. I know her birthday isn't until 11/2, but I had little extra coin in my pocket and I was looking for something to do! So, I hopped in the van and headed to the closest Toys R Us to check things out.

I browsed the whole store. It ended up being between pink playschool golf set or anything Princess. I went down pepto pink isle of Princess Land and figured out she would like something in this genera. I know she would love anything from us, but its just makes it special when you see that look of amazement when she opens her presents, like it was the best thing in the world!

The potential golf set (except in pink) but Princess stuff won this year

I couldn't remember which Disney Princess what her favorite at the time, but also I knew that could change by the time her birthday rolled around. So, I decided to buy dress-up stuff. Ally is starting to get into that sort of thing right now so I thought it was perfect. So, our little Princess will get an Ultimate Princess Dress-Up Set

and a Princess Dance-Along Studio (it has a floor mat to show her dance moves, DVD & magic wand). She can use her new dress-up clothes to dress up like a Princess while she learns the moves!

Now, I can't wait for her birthday!

Whats Zack been up too?

He's enjoying 5th grade. Zack likes his teacher and is making tons of friends.

He's has two fundraisers going on right now. One is for a Virginia nut company. He had this one last year and they were OK. Last year I bought peanuts with Old Bay seasoning on them, but they weren't that good. So, this year I'm trying pistachios. Jeff just got mixed nuts, can't go wrong with those.

The other is to collect as many water (Nestle brand) and food (Campbell's soup, Tyson Frozen food and box tops)labels so the school can earn new equipment. This contest will go on all year. Also, there is an individual contest to see who collects the most, gets a prize.

I know the fundraisers help the schools (even though only 40% goes to the school), but they are one after the other on top of school pictures, sport pictures, and any other school related cost. Phew! You can go broke just putting the kid through elementary school.

The poor kid just had bronchitis too. He's feeling much better, but it always makes you feel bad when your kid is sick.

Our next visit with him is over Thanksgiving in Maryland. We can't wait to see him!

I {heart} tags

Thanks Amy for the Tag.

Here are 7 random factoids about me!

1. My right foot is slightly longer then my left foot. When I'm trying on shoes, I always go by how my right foot fits and feels in the shoe.
2. I've had two dogs during my lifetime. Tasha who was a husky mix who lived to be 18 years old (she was part of the family before I was born) and Rowdy who lived to be about 13 years old who was a shepard mix. I miss them so much! I REALLY want a dog in my lift right now, but my stubborn landlord (my FIL) won't let me get one.
3. Christmas is my favorite holiday.
4. I send a birthday & anniversary cards to everyone in my family.
5. I have 22 cousins (not including their spouses) I have contact with on my side of the family. Who knows how many others are out there that I don't know who they are.
6. I like the house to be silent when I am alone (when I'm not watching TV). I'm not sure why??!
7. I've had grey hair in spots since I was 18 years old (thanks mom for your genetics). I've been coloring my hair for about 6 years to help cover up my patch. Its noticeable when I need a color when I pull my hair back and stray hairs can be seen on my right side of my head. Yikes!

New Arrival!

I would like to introduce you to my new cousin, Sebastian Michael. He arrived yesterday, 9/22/2008 at 4:50pm. He weighs 7lbs, 14 oz and is 21.5 inches long.

Happy Fall, Y'all!

Fall is here! This time of year is starting to become my favorite season. I still adore Spring and Summer for all of its slender, but Fall is starting to rub off on me since the Ol'New England Charm comes out the most during this season.

So, here are my favorite things about our current season:

1. Apple Picking
   
2. Leaves changing to brilliant colors
   
3. County Fairs
   
4. Sweater Weather
   
5. Beautiful fall weather
   
6. All the decorations to celebrate fall and Halloween
   
7. Carved Pumpkins on display
   
8. Halloween/trick-or-treaters
   
9. Planting for the Spring
   
10. Finishing up the yard for its last grooming before winter
    

Jeff Dunham Show

Last night, Jeff and I celebrated his birthday present. I know, those who read often know that Jeff's birthday is in July, but his birthday present was tickets to the comedian Jeff Dunham Spark of Insanity Show.

Jeff Dunham is the ventriloquist (that's a hard word to spell, thank goodness for spellcheck!) comedian who is hilarious. He's been on Comedy Central several times. Actually, we watch him when ever we notice he's on TV. This is what sparked my interest when I found out he was going to be in our area.

I was going to tell Jeff that he was coming and let him make the call if we go see him or not, but then I realized that I didn't know what to get him for his birthday. The tickets went on sale several weeks before his big day, so I decided to purchase the tickets and give them as a gift. Presto! The perfect gift!

So, last night was the show. There was an opening act who was hilarious. I don't remember his name, but he kept referring to himself as the guitar guy. I guess he's all over youtube. But, he was a good opening act. He got the audience laughing and ready for the headliner.

Jeff Dunham was so funny. He even made himself crack up, but the amazing thing was, he would look like he was starting to laugh but the puppet would still be talking. How the heck did he do that?!?!? He was on for about an hour and half and making everyone laugh for the whole time. Also, the guitar guy would come out and assist. Jeff Dunham was working on matireal for his Christmas Special, so he needed Christmas music for some of the acts!

It was such a great show. It wasn't a real family friendly show, more for the adults (just a heads-up), but it was so much fun. I'd definitely go see him again if he comes back to the area.

Summer is over

I know fall will officially be here on Monday, but there are hints all around that summer has left our area. We still have mild days, with the temperature being in the 70's, but the days start off in the low 40's. Its definitly fleece weather on the way to work!

Then there are those sporadic trees showing off there brilliant red and orange leaves in the sea of green still around them. Those tree's must be over achievers to have their colors seen first.

The geese are starting to leave. They fly overhead in their lop-sided V's going to warmer climates.

The mum's are being sold on the side or the road and in the grocery stores. The corn stalks are for sale at the local farm stands to help decorate for the fall months. Those pre-stuffed scarecrows also displayed in stores, smile at you hoping to go home with you.

Oh, and all the thousands of bags of chocolate in the stores for those trick-or-treaters around every corner.

These are the signs in our area that summer is coming to an end. But the fall isn't too bad. Its the season after fall I dread the most.

Worldless Weds - Boys & Their Toys

Updates, I guess

I don't have much to say today. Nothing really new. I hope to share some exciting news within the next couple of weeks, but I want to wait until all the pieces fall into place first.

I have pictures of Jeff's bike I could share, but I decided to save them for wordless Wednesday for tomorrow.

My cousin is 2 centimeters dilated with her pregnancy, but that's all the action she's seen this week. She isn't feeling an contractions, but she knows the little guy is getting ready.

That's about it! My mind is fried from a odd morning at work, so I can't think of anything to really throw together for a fantastic entry. Oh well! Maybe before the end of my lunch break I'll scan some new blogs and find a tag. That's always fun! Until then, enjoy your day!

The winning continues......

I'm a big fan of radio contests. I play OFTEN. After I win, I mark in my schedule book the date and radio station I won with so I know when my 30-day restriction is up so I can call up again for a chance at the next contest. I call several stations for contests. Just look at my cell phone's phone directory for all the stations on speed dial. Jeff just shakes his head, but enjoys the benefits of what I win.

I've won countless things ranged from CD's to money to a trip to California. There are actually things that I've forgotten that I've won so when I recap what I've won, I always leave something out.

This morning on my way to work, I heard those words.....be caller 9 now and you can win Big E* tickets. Well, my the first call in the lines were busy. The second call in, the phone rang and then I hear "Hi, who's this?". Yeah I won! I won two tickets to the Big E and Jeff and I will be going this weekend! Yeah.

I wonder what I'll win next.

*The Big E is a big fair that lasts 3 weeks for our area that celebrates New England*

His New Bike

Yup, Jeff bought a motorcycle. He did it on his lunch break on Wednesday. He with his dad to the local dealership and picked it out.

Jeff's new bike is a UM V2-S 250R. The bike pictured below is just like what he picked up except its silver rather then blue.

Jeff took the day off to get all his affairs in order to go and pick up his new toy this afternoon. I didn't get a chance to take a picture today when I got home since we had to help out my in-laws (yes, Jeff and his dad rode their bikes while I followed behind in the van to our destination) with some errands. As I was following behind them I was thinking that this was in no way saving on gas mileage! Oh well!

I'll have pictures to post soon!

Never Forget

So funny, it made me cry!

I usually wait until after I finish a book to talk about it, but I HAVE to share a blurb from my current read, Marley and Me. What I am about to share made me laugh until I cried while reading in bed last night. The book made me laugh out load and I haven't had a book do that in a long time (usually I have the little snicker to myself or the little smile on my face). It took me 4 tries before I could finish the couple of pages.

I want to share with you the funniest part of the book so far-

Background information:

Marley is now an adolescent, golden retriever puppy, who has anxiety and many other issues. He is on his way to get snipped at the vet's office. Marley had no idea what he had in store, but was excited for the car trip regardless.

Author Grogan "He was revved up and and ready to go on whatever excellent adventure I saw fit. Jenny (his wife) drove and I sat in the passenger seat. As was his habit, Marley balanced his front paws on the center console, his nose touching the rear view mirror. Every time Jenny touched the breaks, he went crashing into the windshield, but Marley didn't care. He was riding shotgun with his two best friends. Did life get any better than this?

I cracked my window, and Marley began listing to starboard, leaning against me, trying to catch a whiff of the outdoor smells. Soon he has squirmed his way fully onto my lap and pressed his nose so firmly into the narrow crack of the window that he snorted each time he tried to inhale. Oh why not? I thought. This was his last ride as a fully equipped member of the male gender, the least I could do was give him a little fresh air. I opened the window wide enough for him to stick his snout out. He was enjoying the sensation so much, I opened it farther, and soon his entire head was out the window. His ears flapped behind him in the wind, and his tongue hung out like he was drunk on the ether of the city. God, was he happy.

As we drove down Dixie Highway, I told Jenny how bad I felt about what we were about to put him through. She was beginning to say something no dought totally dismissive of my qualms when I noticed, more with curiosity than alarm, that Marley had hooked both of his front paws over the edge of the half-open window. And now his neck and upper shoulders were hanging out of the car, too. He just needed a pair of goggles and a silk scarf to look like on of those World War I flying aces.

"John he's making me nervous" Jenny said.

"He's fine" I answered. "He just wants a little fresh-"

At that instant he slid his front legs out the window until his armpits were resting on the edge of the glass.

"John, grab him! Grab him!"

Before I could do anything, Marley was off my lap and scrambling out the window of our moving car. His butt was up in the air, his hind legs clawing for a foothold. He was making his break. As his body slithered past me, I lunged for him and managed to grab the end of his tail with my left hand. Jenny was braking hard in heavy traffic. Marley dangled fully outside the moving car, suspended upside down by his tail, which I had in a position that didn't allow me to get my other hand on him. Marley was frantically trotting along with this front paws on the pavement.

Jenny got the car stopped in the outside lane with cars lining up behind us, horns blaring. "Now what?" I yelled. I was stuck. I couldn't pull him back in the window. I couldn't open the door. I couldn't get my other arm out. And I didn't dare let go of him or he would surely dash in the path of one of the angry drivers swerving around us. I held on for dear life, my face, as it were, scrunched against the glass just inches away from his giant flapping scrotum."

What ended up happening was Jenny jumped out of the car and pulled Marley back into the car and needless to say, they didn't feel bad about his upcoming surgery anymore!

That whole little blurb just sent me over the edge laughing hysterically. I don't know why but maybe because I could have visualized this actually happening with my much missed dog Rowdy since he loved to ride with his head out the window or what. But, I just had to share!

Oh, this can't be good!

A few months back, when my FIL was still in the look around stage of purchasing a motorcycle, my husband mentioned to his buddies at work that if his dad gets a bike, so will he (my FIL told me this since they work together and overheard Jeff one day).

I didn't think anything of it at the time since my FIL didn't seem too serious about getting a bike.

Well, as you know my FIL did purchase a bike a few weeks ago, on a whim. And now all my husband can talk about is when HE is getting a motorcycle. Um, what?

I tried to stall these thoughts for sometime by suggesting that he take a motorcycle class that is offered in our area which he could ultimately obtain his new licence with important knowledge about bike safety all in a weekends time. But, he is still looking and working hard at finding a deal and maybe he will sign-up for the class.

Other then going deep into our savings to purchase this new toy, I'm just worried about his safety. He is a crazy driver in a regular car, I don't want to see how he will be handling a bike. Also, there are all of those drivers who may not see him on the road. Its hard for me to really say anything since at one time I owned a motorcycle myself, but I only had it for about 6 months and it just wasn't for me.

So, I'm sure I will be sharing a new photo of my husband on a motorcycle soon. Now I have to worry about two people out there on bikes. If those two want to share a hobby, I just wish they were into model trains together or something like that! Sigh!

Sebatian's Shower

I have a cousin named Christina. She's pregnant. Her shower was yesterday for her little bundle of joy, Sebastian Michael. He is due to arrive on 9/25, even though he has dropped into position to join the world in his mom's belly. Christina thinks he will come next week or the next.....early no matter. She just wants it to be over and meet her little guy.

But, in the mean time her shower was lovely yesterday. Remember when it was tax free day here in MA I showed you a small preview of what my mom and me picked out for the big day? Well, here is a picture of the gifts before they went out the door. There are blankets, books, crib sheets, his Tigger bathrobe and slipper set, water temperature ducky and Red Sox bottles (behind the receiving blankets on the left, you can see part of the red cap) all on top of a hamper.

What you can't see inside the hamper is diapers and wipes holding up all the other goodies.

I don't have any other photo's since I was too busy eating the yummy polish pastries, talking, playing games, watching the presents being opened and keeping my eye on my mom (she's a wild one you know).

But, Christina made out beautifully and I am so happy for her. It looked like she received everything off of her registry and more. I will report back when little Sebastian graces us with his presence!

He's an official 5th Grader

Jeff was finally able to get in touch with Zack to ask him how his first day of 5th grade was on Tuesday. Well, needless to say you know how kids are on the phone and he couldn't get much out of him, but Jeff said he sounded excited.

Here's the conversation-

Jeff: Hey buddy, how was the first day of 5th grade?
Zack: Good.
Jeff: Do you like your teacher?
Zack: Yeah.
Jeff: Did you get any homework on your first day?
Zack: No.

Then the conversation moved on to better things after that. But his mom never got on the phone to fill Jeff in with the grown-up talk about Zack's first day of school. She never does this! Actually, she never told us when his first day of school was, I had to find the school calender online so we know what's going on that way. Things never change!

Discounted Vera Bradley

I love Vera Bradley bags and accessories. I don't know why, but I just do. When ever I see a store that has a piece on display, it sucks me right in. I can't afford the products, but it doesn't cost anything to look right!

I've only purchased one thing at full price, but it was a gift to myself. Its a small duffel bag I use ALL the time for travel. It fits perfectly under an airline seat in the under seat compartment and fits great between my vans front seats. So, I use it to carry all kinds of stuff while on the road.

As for all the other pieces I own, I've purchased at a super discounted price thanks to my co-worker Char's SIL. Her SIL works at a local candle shop that sells all kinds of Vera merchandise. She purchases the items at a discount price from her store and when she is done with the pattern, her SIL has a cheap tag sale to make room for the new designs. Who cares if they patterns are "old" or sometimes retired, what matters to me is the discounted price! Also, they are always it great condition and still smell like the candle shop (added bonus).

Coin Purse, usually $14, purchased for $1. The round bag I couldn't find but I purchased it for Ally for $1.

Today was one of those days at work. Char and I spread everything all over her desk and I got to pick and choose what I wanted. The best thing was, everything that she was on display was under $10. I made out like a bandit! Some of the items I don't need, but its good to have a cosmetic bag hanging around for something! Also, I got a little something for Ally too!

The smaller cosmetic bag, usually $30 purchased today for $1. The larger bag usually $34, purchased today for $2.

Sometimes there are items still with the original price tags on it, so things can be bought cheap and then given as a gift with no one to know that they payed only dollars for the bag. These sales only come around about every 6 months, so its so exciting when Char announces she will be bringing in some Vera merchandise. Yeah for us!

Tote handbag, usually $46, purchased today for $5.

Some of Vera's patterns are out of control, but Char's SIL has good taste so most of the time the hardest decision is, what do I need or want!

Jeff doesn't get the whole Vera craze. Every time he see's an unusual pattern he says, it must be a Vera Bradley bag since its ugly. Most of the time he has spotted an original pattern (rather then a knock-off), but I never can agree with him. I just elbow him and say cut it out, I like it! Oh well!

Now I can't wait for the next sale to come around!

Swapping Lives

What a cute book!

This book is about a women, Vicky, from the UK who works at a magazine and isn't happy about her current love life. She breaks down to her editor and accidentally mentions out-load that she wants to swap lives with a married women. Vicky thought that being married with children would solve all of her issues. She just felt desperate.

Vicky is a single women in her mid-thirty's who continues falls for the wrong man. She lives with her cat in a "flat". She loves her job, but things something is missing from her life.

Her editor loved the idea so much, it was now Vicky's job to find a married women with children to swap with her single life. Several women apply all over the UK and one from America. The potential swapee's were narrowed down and a stay-at-home mom from CT was picked, Amber.

Amber is a mother of two children, married, lives in a McMansion, has housekeepers, top of the line clothing and everything at her disposal. She also feels she has to keep up with the "friendly" neighborhood league of women who raise money for charities, but also compete among themselves for popularity. She also feels something is missing from her live.

This book walks us through a few weeks of swapped lives between Amber and Vicky. With each women in the other one's shoes, it helps them realize that each of their lives is a perfect fit for them. They come to realize how much they really do have, but not without some life altering discoveries in the process.