Holy Cow! Carbon Monoxide!

The carbon monoxide detector went off again. There's nothing like getting roused from your sleep to an alarm with instructions written on it that says "get to fresh air."

Everything is fine, I guess. The last time this happened, the fire department came. Their detector also found carbon monoxide, but while they were there, it dissipated and they did not figure out the source.

This time, housing maintenance came (I guess the fire department didn't deem us worthy of a visit) and their detector did not find carbon monoxide. Their solution was to just give us a new carbon monoxide detector, because apparently, our other one was "too sensitive."

By the way, the top reasons for carbon monoxide being in the house is because of cooking, candles and setting your thermostat really high (although, I don't know what is "really high"). I also vaguely remember fireplaces, but don't quote me on that.

My non-expert opinion is I think it's the furnace, although both the fire department and maintenance checked the furnace and didn't find anything wrong with it. I just remember thinking it felt so hot both times the detector went off. Or was it just adrenaline? Note to self, I have to pack a carbon monoxide evacuation kit! Ha.

So I'm just supposed to open the windows, and be aware of any carbon monoxide poisoning symptoms, like having a headache. Sheesh.

Why is there a random Customs and Immigration checkpoint here?

And why is California Highway Patrol on base?

Michael and I really went nuts trying to figure out what was going on, and oh the injustice of it all, and it looks like they are targeting the military, blah, blah, blah.

I even start texting and talking about it while at a 1st birthday party later that day.

The answer was solved Monday morning, when Michael checked his work e-mail that explained that it was a FILM CREW for a made-for-tv movie. I forgot that this base is a whore for filming location opportunities. Upon reflection, I did notice a camera and a boom, but I just dismissed that, because it didn't fit in with my scenario. Sheesh.

American Express Publishing Corporation is trying to scam me!

A while back, I received an envelope about ordering the AmEx Appointment Book and/or Pocket Diary. This happens every year, and every year I'm not interested, so without opening the envelope, I just immediately tore it in half and tossed it in the trash.

Imagine my surprise when I recieved the darn thing in the mail! I called customer service and explain that I never requested this product. The rep says that she can see a scanned file on my account that says otherwise. I asked if she could read if my name was on the form, and she replied that it's just the bottom of the letter that you mail in, so no name on it. Hmm... so is there some magical code that connects it to my account? I asked to be sent a copy of said form. We shall see what comes of that.

Anyhoo, she went ahead and credited the amount for shipping and handling, and when I asked how to send the stuff back, she said I could keep the planner and diary. Uhh... still don't want it! But at least the situation is resolved for now.

My next concern is when reading the fine print, it says if I keep the product, I am now in a subscription program where I will receive this every year unless I notify AmEx in writing that I want to cancel. I guess I could play the redundant route and write a letter. I mean, I can't assume talking to a customer service rep to credit my account also means that I am not enrolled in a subscription program as well.

I guess they are not actually scamming me. It could have been some innocent data entry mistake. On the other hand, it could actually be a ploy to scam millions of people out of $4.94 in a desperate attempt to make money. Oh if that's true, I would have to say, AmEx, I thought you were classier than that.

Because facebook won't upload this pic

I'm doing it here. We did photo booth pics at the arcade at New York New York in Vegas.



A side note: I briefly panicked when I thought I forgot to go to Star Trek: The Experience, but was relieved (and saddened) that it closed awhile ago.

I'm officially a mom

Yes, Nacho is almost three months old, I spend my days knee-deep in poop and spit-up, I'm a pro at bottle sanitizing, I feel lucky when I get to sleep a two-hour stretch and I'm fairly confident that I can bowl two games using a 13 lb ball (not that I throw my baby around). But why do I now feel it's official?

I was hurriedly eating dinner while baby was taking a snooze in the swing, when I dropped my fork. I picked it up, wiped it off with a used kleenex on the table, and continued eating with it. What crossed my mind as I did this? The floor didn't look *that* dirty. The kleenex was probably used to wipe up baby drool or spit up. And I just didn't feel like getting up to get a new fork when I was almost done eating.

Three-second rule (or is it 10 second rule?): I finally get it.

Nacho Cheese (just pictures)

I sneak out of the house

Back in January, after Michael left for training, my parents decided that I could no longer drive or go anywhere by myself for the duration of the pregnancy. I am definitely aware that I am just a walking incubator for their first grandchild, and I understand that while I don't have a curfew, baby does. I have been given many reasons why I can't drive (or be in public by myself): my tummy is in the way and too close to the wheel, I might get kidnapped, the Taurus is old...

It's hard to maintain a balance of trying to not be a brat and being grateful that my parents have welcomed me into their home for an extended visit, because wouldn't I sound like a brat if I complained that my parents want to drive me places in addition to feeding me, providing lodging and buying stuff for the baby?

While I don't mind hanging out at home all day in my pajamas, sometimes I do get a little stir-crazy.

So my dad is out of town visiting his family, and while he's gone and my mom is at work, I have a bit of non-chaperoned time in the mornings to try and sneak out. I went to Trader Joe's three times, Big Lots, the mall plaza (Bed Bath & Beyond and World Market) and the doctor. The doctor counts as sneaking out, because my sister was home for Easter break, and my mom thought she was going to take me.

The first two Trader Joe's visits, my mom instituted a don't ask-don't tell policy (maybe all of this stuff was in the freezer the entire time?) The third Trader Joe's visit, I got cocky and bought bread, so she finally had to ask if I left the house by myself. "You went all the way to Trader Joe's?!?" Yeah, Westlake to Westlake. Very far trip.

For my Big Lots trip, I left a little late, and took way too much time browsing at the store, even though I found what I wanted at the very beginning. So I got busted, because I got back but was still in the car when my mom pulled into the garage.

My dad will be back on Monday, so my time of driving has come to an end for now. Oh well. It was fun while it lasted.