Friday, April 9, 2010

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.

Nacho in Sepia Tone


He looks like a real baby now! He wouldn't move his hands and arms out of the way for the pic.


Saturday, January 9, 2010

The Quest for a Sectional

A few weeks ago, we decided to go couch shopping. We visited Value City Furniture and actually found one. But there was a promotion to apply for their credit card and have 0% interest for 12 months! So I wanted to find a bedroom set as well to qualify.

Here's a picture of the bedroom set I liked.

I don't know. I think I really liked the coordinating dresser, but there was definitely something about the posts with the faux marble. Haha. Michael declared that it was a princess bed and then were at an impasse. We agreed to bring my mom with us to see what her opinion would be about the set.


She liked it, but was very against the foot board part of it. Yeah, yeah, potential hazard to stub your toe, and it's walking baby height, so poor Nacho would bash his forehead. Whatever. Michael added that the headboard was a perfect Lily launching pad. Sigh.


So since we're at the store, might as well go look at that couch again. Not in the showroom anymore. Inquired with a salesperson. The freakin' thing is discontinued! What?!?


And so begins the quest.


Here is a picture of it:


This sectional is comprised of a love seat, wedge and chaise. (Throw pillows included)

Michael started calling all of the Value City Furniture stores in the area, and not in the area. He found a floor sample left in Mansfield, which is an hour and a half south of Cleveland. And we were crazy enough to drive down there and buy it. The Mansfield store thought they could ship it up to the North Olmsted store (our alleged neighborhood VCF), but North Olmsted refused to take it. The Brooklyn store agreed, but only for store pickup (but then the furniture would arrive after Michael was already gone). What to do? Take it home ourselves!

We actually had rented a Ford Escape for the week, so we took home the chaise piece and throw pillows. My parents felt bad about how crazy and pathetic we were, and agreed to drive back with us with my mom's Ford Edge to take the rest of it home. So in case you wanted to know, an SUV can fit a love seat and ottoman (oh, did I forget to mention that we also got the coordinating ottoman), and a crossover can fit a wedge and a giant box containing a three piece chair and table set.

Monday, December 7, 2009

Nacho Cheese in Black & White

By now most of you know that Ann's pregnant and due in May. We're calling the little guy Nacho Cheese. Nacho & Ann are both doing well. (I am too.)

Because we have less to rant about now that we're in suburbia (except that people drive like babies playing Mario Kart in mall parking lots), we've moved most of our posting to Facebook. However, given the interest in Nacho Cheese, we've decided to bow to popular request and post the first pictures of him here.

Right now the little guy looks a little like an alien or the Panda Mii we created on our Wii.



The first thing that Ann's mother did when looking at this picture was count the toes. (Five.)


Ann couldn't see Nacho in this picture at first. Once I explained that he was looking like Alfred Hitchcock lying down with his hand on his head, she spotted him.



We'll post more pictures in May when the little guy's actually amenable to normal photography.

Monday, July 20, 2009

For your viewing pleasure

A legal way to jump the turnstile at the New York Transit Museum




This is where I have to mention that this was his second attempt.

Saturday, July 11, 2009

How long does it take for shoes to dry?


We're going on three days of wet. Fingers crossed they actually dry today. Shoes were completely drenched during the Outdoor Adventure tour in the jungle of the Sierra Madre.