Dubya News

Not sure if you've seen hubby's puzzle, but.... if you haven't -- go check it out

Those Sharpie people should really sell a solvent....

Despite the fact both of his parents were in the room, the 'lil Dubya got hold of a red Sharpie pen and introduced it to our fairly new (4, maybe 5 month old) sectional couch....... the carpet and a dresser took some abuse as well, but the couch got the lion's share of the "art".

It didn't occur to me to look at the time, but the Sharpie website does offer some guidance on stain removal.... apparently these guys have small children -- I might pick some up..... just in case.

The Big Dubya is supposed to be composing something witty, but let's just say...... our weekend was spent being "thankful" that we were able to get most of it out, and our kids "giving" each other a 24-hour bug that resulted in lots of vomit, diarrhea and of course..... laundry.

Black Friday

Tell me..... do you buy into the hype?

Do you go shopping the day after Thanksgiving?

Do you get up at 3:00 am and wait in line to get those bargains?

How is it possible?

My baby girl is a year old..... her first birthday was on Saturday.

I've been in denial over this milestone..... I just can't seem to get my head around the fact that a year has passed. She's so adorable.... I mean, I know all babies are cute and that I'm probably biased, but this kid is undeniably cute.

She's very much a Daddy's girl -- as soon as he walks through the door in the evening, she lights up and leaves whatever she's doing in the dust. She'll stand at his knee tugging at his pants until he picks her up and then she places her hands on the sides of his face and puts her forehead to his lips.

Where does the time go?

Satisfied Customer

Have you ever had a retail experience that just f'ing pissed you off?

How about one where the company went so far above and beyond that you were floored by their exemplary level of service?

A couple of weeks ago, the Dubya family was at ToysRUs and decided to pick up a small table and chairs for the 'lil ones. Nothing fancy, just something kid-size for them to color on, etc. Once we got home, I thought.... wouldn't it be great if we could get another couple of chairs -- so that when other kids come over they have a place to sit too? So, I went onto the manufacturer's website and sure enough.... I found that they do sell the chairs so, I ordered another set of 2 and a few days later they arrived.

Unfortunately, the chairs I got in the mail weren't the same color as the ones I got at ToysRUs -- same chairs, but different color. I figured I was out of luck, but I emailed the company anyway just to ask if there was a chance I could exchange them.

Let's be clear -- the company did nothing wrong, they sent me exactly what I ordered.... I just assumed they'd be the same color.... even the picture would have clued me into the fact that they aren't.

Apparently, the chairs I got at ToysRUs are part of a set that's a "ToysRUs exclusive" -- so they aren't available separately either online or at ToysRUs, BUT the customer service person tracked down a pair and had them shipped to me -- and then asked if I could leave the chairs I didn't want outside so that UPS could come pick them up.

Now that's customer service!

We are thinking of getting the kids a "kitchen" for Christmas and this experience alone would make me shop Step2 first.

What are you guys doing for Thanksgiving?

Three weeks ago

Nana Dubya: What are your Thanksgiving plans?

Mrs Big Dubya: We are just going to stay home --

Nana Dubya: Really?

Mrs Big Dubya: Yeah, we both have to work on Wednesday and it's just easier thank packing up the kids and trudging all the way home -- would you and Papa Dubya like to join us? We'd love to have you

Nana Dubya: Maybe -- we've got to see what everyone else is doing

Mrs Big Dubya: Okay -- the offer stands

Two weeks ago

Nana Dubya: Do you guys know what you are doing for Thanksgiving yet?

Mr Big Dubya: Yeah, we are staying home -- would you like to come out?

Nana Dubya: Maybe -- we'll see what your brothers are doing

A few days later

Nana Dubya: Are you guys coming home for Thanksgiving?

Mrs Big Dubya: No, we are staying home

Last week

Nana Dubya: Where are you guys having Thanksgiving dinner?

Mr Big Dubya: At home -- how about you?

Nana Dubya: We aren't really sure yet.

I'm starting to think that there might be some disapproval in our decision to stay home for Thanksgiving this year. We stayed home last year -- then again, last year the 'lil Dubyette was a mere 6 days old. I'm not a Thanksgiving person..... it's not my holiday -- to me, it's just a bigger version of Sunday dinner -- so, it's not worth the aggravation of traveling. I think my mother-in-law thinks that if she asks the question enough times, she'll finally get an answer she likes.