Public Service Announcement

I know, I know..... I'm a bad, bad blogstress......

Anyway, I thought I'd interrupt all of this not-blogging with a public service announcement.

Town Fair Tire is the best company on earth!

Last Thursday, I was on my way home and my low-tire-pressure light came on. Yes, I'm a typical girl and was very annoyed that I was too far away from home to just let the Big Dubya deal with it. So, I stopped at a gas station -- looked around to see if there was some strappin' fella to notice me, the six-month-pregnant woman with low tire pressure..... but alas, there was nobody there to offer assistance, so I went to fill the tire myself. Sadly, I couldn't get the little screw thing off the tire -- it was metal and had sorta rusted on there. So, back in the car I got and stopped at Town Fair Tire -- sheepishly went inside and asked the man if he could put air in my tire for me. There was no snicker, no making me feel bad about myself -- just asked me to pull the car up to the bay and he'd send someone right out.

The guy filled my tire and thanked me for coming in! That's right -- no ridicule for not doing it myself AND no charge!

By the time I got home, there was a hissing sound coming out of the tire -- it was going to need repair. The Big Dubya took it off for me and on Friday morning the 'lil man and I set out to get it repaired. Because the fellows were so nice to me at Town Fair, I decided to go back there (albeit a different location). I got there first thing in the morning -- and explained to the guy that my flat tire was in the back of the car and that I'd like to get it fixed and put back on. He went outside, checked it out and told me they'd take care of it right away. While we waited, we had two guys come out to play with the 'lil man -- and when they were done -- I was shocked..... they thanked me for coming in and again, no charge.

Here's the thing, I hadn't bought the tire there.... had never bought a tire there..... yet, they took care of me like I was a life-long customer.

You know what? it worked -- I've told everyone I've talked to recently about what great service I got and when I do need tires..... that'll be my first stop.

Why does everyone forget about Zan and Jana?

The US Postal Service has announced plans to have a series of superhero stamps.... all the usual suspects are represented -- Wonderwoman, Superman, Batman, the Green Lantern, Plastic Man.... heck, even the ever-forgotten Aquaman is there.

But, here's my question.... where the heck are Zan and Jana, huh? Why do the Wonder Twins always get forgotten? They've got cool purple outfits, pointy ears and funky hair -- they can put their twin rings together and take the shape of neato stuff...... they represent truth, justice and the American way..... and they are a brother & sister that actually play nice.

Apparently baby names is a pretty good topic

Thanks so much to everyone who has already contributed to our quest to name the ‘liller Dubya (or Dubya-ette)…. please keep the suggestions coming. Believe it or not, it’s a comfort to know that we aren’t the only ones who struggle with what to name these ‘lil people we are entrusted with.

One thing that struck me as interesting…… is the number of people who commented or emailed me about being “talked out of” a name and wishing they hadn’t been…… I have more than a couple of friends who didn't go with their "first choice" for one reason or another.... and now wish they had stuck to their guns.

So, dear readers, I have another question to pose to you……

Is it okay to name your baby something similar to that of another family member?

For example – if the baby is going to have a cousin named Emma, is it okay to use the name Emily? If the baby is going to have a cousin named Jennifer, is it okay to use the name Jenna? If the baby is going to have a cousin named Danielle, is it okay to use the name Daniel?

I thought it might be okay if the children were going to have different last names….. ex Emma Jones and Emily Smith – but it would be too close if the children shares a last name ex Danielle McDonald and Daniel McDonald…..

The Big Dubya, of course, doesn’t think it matters…..

What do you guys think?

Go Ahead, Name Our Baby

Let's start with what we know..... We are expecting a baby.

Now, we'll share what we don't know... we don't know what flavor of baby we are having...... I mean, we aren't going to find out the sex.

We also do not know what we are going to name the baby..... we have no boys name... we have no girls name (we didn't have a girls name the last time either... luckily we didn't end up needing one).

So, Mrs Big Dubya is officially accepting suggestions.

The guidelines are as follows:
1. Must be spellable
2. Must be pronounceable
3. Must not be in the Top 100 names over the past 5 years
4. We tend to like Irish names.... but it's not required
5. Biblical is okay too....

You all should be honored that I'm seeking your assistance.... I thought about selling the right to name the baby on eBay..... this could be a revenue generator, but I opted to turn to you guys instead.

Not all I dreamed it would be

We live in an amazing country.... I mean, is there anything that isn't available to us?

The one thing that amazes me is that despite all that is available to us... we focus on what isn't. I'm thinking specifically of the various retail chains. I remember when WalMart first came to our area -- I was psyched.... I'd been to WalMart when I visited Texas and couldn't wait 'til we got one. I mean where better to get your cleaning supplies and toiletry stuff -- same with Target. I'd been to Target when I was in Colorado and hoped they'd open one near home -- eventually they did.... and I mean seriously, is there anything that you can't get at Target?

Same is true for food chains -- they are very regional. When the Big Dubya and I hit the Boston area, very often we hit Papa Ginos for some pizza..... when my friend comes home to the northeast from Colorado -- two of her first stops are for Dunkin' Donuts and for a D'Angelo's sub -- 'cause she can't get those where she lives. Aunt P heads right for Steak 'N Shake as soon as her plane touches down in Florida.

Well, for years I'd heard all about Cold Stone Creamery..... I'd even saw the company profiled on the FoodNetwork -- I couldn't wait to try this place. I love, love, love ice-cream and this was supposedly the best to be had. The Big Dubya and I were in Arizona with some friends for Thanksgiving last year and across the street from the hotel..... yep, there it was a Cold Stone Creamery.... right next to another of our favorites.... Red Robin.

Sadly, I went -- and it was just okay..... actually, I didn't even like it. When I told my friends who are big CSC fans, they said it must have been what I ordered -- I just had to give it a second chance. So, last week -- I saw that one had opened here in CT -- so I went on my lunch break and got a small cup of ice-cream -- and again..... it just wasn't good. I guess I'm just a Dairy Queen girl through and through.

Items that I love, but are way too expensive

Yes, I know.... I've been a really bad blogstress lately, but..... I'm back and promise to be better.


To begin with.... I've decided to highlight some diaperbag necessities that I've come to rely on but are wayyyyyy too expensive when you consider what it is you are getting.


First, Baby Orajel Teething Swaps...... these things are great for the diaper bag. If you're 'lil man's like ours and decides to get his four top front teeth all at once...... sometimes you need something to help ease the discomfort.... teething rings, frozen face cloths.... all those are great, but sometimes you need more. If you are in the car, or away from home -- using one of these is so much easier (and more hygienic) than trying to put your finger in the 'lil one's mouth. But, when you consider the fact that it's just a Q-tip with some orajel inside...... HELLO -- OVERPRICED! CVS is charging between $8-10 for a pack of 12..... Target usually has 'em for somewhere between $4-$5 -- still too much, but.......

Next, Huggies makes these disposable changing pads -- they are great. I know, I know -- all diaper bags come with re-useable changing pads that are perfectly fine -- but these are smaller, take up less space and they are disposable (again, more hygienic). The only downside is that they are kind of hard to find and that when you can find them..... they are a bit expensive when you consider what you are getting...... OVERPRICED!

Lastly, our 'lil man loves, loves, loves to feed himself -- yet, he doesn't understand the concept of a plate. He wants to pick it up too -- so we have to put food on the table in front of him. Restaurants aren't very clean -- so these little place mat things are awesome -- but Babies R Us charges something around $9 for a pack of 20 -- c'mon people it's the equivalent of a sheet if Seran Wrap -- OVERPRICED

But alas, they all make my life easier....... so, I buy 'em.