Tell You [a] Little Story

Do we: a) buy the house built in the 70's in the perfect location with the most amazingly huge beautiful backyard which (the house) has been immaculately kept for at least the last 25 years which is in a cul-de-sac in really great school boundaries and a fireman lived there so there are freaking ladders (!) outside every second story window -- so, so safe in case of a fire, but sort of easy access for sneaking out and thieves coming in and kids climbing on and falling off of the roof -- and the house is 3800 square feet and lots of bedrooms and an unfinished basement that we could finish any way we wanted but Steve doesn't like the low ceilings and -- AND -- every single surface of the interior including the wallpapered walls, crazy-carpeted floors and light fixtures needs a majorly major cosmetic overhaul? OR b) buy the house built in 2001 (ugh) with a boring exterior and a garage that sticks out so that's the first thing you notice, which is heading into foreclosure and i...

1. Drano is bad, very bad. Apparently, it gets really hard after it gets really hot, thus making more of a mess in your pipes. And gel Drano turns rubbery. At least, so says the plumber. . . 2. Eggshells in the garbage disposal are bad, very bad. 3. Always run the water for a long while after you turn off the garbage disposal. It takes a while for the water to push the foodstuff all the way down. 4. Even if you don't have a coupon and you don't know if the company has a coupon, ask for him to give it to you anyway. 5. Writing out an invoice at the car is a good time for a smoke break. (This one I actually already knew.) I'm always open to learning more about plumbing. Does anyone have any more plumbing tips for me?

While I've chosen to not maintain a sidebar list of blogs that I read, it is fun to periodically highlight a few that I do faithfully check in on. Here is one for the enjoyment of the world: Becky -- My very cute, very intelligent, crafty, easily-frightened, knowledgeable, open-minded, accepting, meat-canning, self-help-book-loving, friendly, faithful sister-in-law. I think everyone who knows her adores her.

Thank you for defrosting me. 70's, 80's, and 90's also welcome.

Today I saw two (of my annual allotment of three) movies: Horton Hears a Who and Proof. A few thoughts. Horton was pretty overtly religiously symbolic. Maybe just for Mormons, though, I don't know. Lots of: if ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen which are true, worlds without end, persecution of the Savior figure. I even thought maybe the producers hired the MoTab for the climactic number. (we are here we are here we are here) I had a difficult time removing the images of Jim Carrey, Steve Carrell and Carol Burnett from my head each time I heard their voices. Doesn't that mean the acting wasn't convincing? Actually, very good acting. They made me laugh. Well, Steve Carrell made me laugh, and that's saying a whole lot for me and an animated flick. (e.g. - Ice Age? I thought it dreadfully unfunny.) I went to the movie with a whole gaggle of 6 and 7 year olds for a birthday party. My friend traded services to her husband's medical spa for a gazillion mo...

Take this little quiz to assess how likely you are to enjoy watching tv with me when I have absolute control of the remote. Which would you rather watch, if you had to pick one? 1. a) Cash Cab b) Trading Spaces 2. a) local news b) House 3. a) Lost b) Heroes 4. a) The Price is Right b) Friday Night Lights 5. a) Scrubs b) Clean House 6. a) A Baby Story b) cable financial news 7. a) Mythbusters b) America's Next Top Model 8. a) ER b) America's Best Dance Crew 9. a) Mad Money b) Larry King Live 10. a) any classic movie b) Deal or No Deal How similar are our tv preferences? See comments for how to score.

This morning I'm embracing my music collection. I'm late to the game, but I'm getting versed in how to use iTunes. I'm discovering all kinds of new music, the CDs of which I've had for ages. (Thank you, Ryan and Neil and Diana and particularly Nick from Steve's old work who most certainly does not read this blog.) I'm celebrating my iPod. I'm researching Lost and trying to decide if Jin and Claire are still alive on the island and whether Ben is good and Widmore is bad and what will become of Hurley and his fragile mental state. I'm folding laundry. I'm committing to return to reading and finish books I start. I'm making a recipe for dinner that my kids are about 60% likely to whine about. I'm loving my darling new J.Crew pea coat that I found for $40. I'm paying bills. I'm considering going to Classic Skate tonight and roller skating with my boys. I'm hoping that our house sells. I'm inviting anyone who wants to to play B...

Eliot Spitzer. That's all I have to say.

I imagine the pressure is high if you are a celebrity and you are naming a child. The world will scrutinize, criticize, either love it or hate it. That is why, if you are a celebrity, every care should be taken to ensure that you are not naming your children after the Hispanic brother and sister duo on a popular PBSkids show.