Sum of My Soul

Mean Man

2006-09-17T21:21:00.000-07:00

My Mom and I recently visited the new Starbucks near my work with my 2-1/2 year old daughter, Gracie. And since I got the truck I was driving stuck halfway in the drive-through and parking lot, we decided to chuck the quick and easy idea and go inside to order. I was holding Gracie as I gave my order to the man at the cash register. He then gave his attention to my Mom who asked questions of a drink she wanted to try. She ordered and paid him with her $25 pre-paid Starbucks card, which all the girls at work have now because a little piece of Heaven is only 3 minutes away. Anyway, Gracie looked at me as we're still standing there, and in her loudest little mouse voice asked "Mommy, why is that boy so mean?" All the "bistros" working behind the Mean Boy stopped and looked at us and laughed at Gracie's confession. The Mean Boy seemed surprised and hurt. He looked at Gracie and asked "Am I mean?" Graice burried her head in my shoulder and wouldn't look at the Mean Boy. He offered her some cookies that were neatly stacked by the cash register to win her over. It worked.
So, my little trained monkey needs to learn how to ask for a Grande Carmel Light Frappuccino next time....but we're working on that.

I'm Baaack !

2006-09-17T21:18:00.000-07:00

So, I started a blog a couple of years ago but stopped posting after a month or so. But Mike and I agreed there are some priceless stories of Gracie, our 2 year old, that should be documented to share with her one day. So, I will start posting again...let's see how long I can keep it up!

2006-09-17T21:15:00.000-07:00

Every morning on my drive to work I totally pause at the same stopsign at McAuliff and Walnut. There has been road construction at this intersection for the last 4 months, and most mornings there are a few men holding stop/slow signs directing traffic. And if I'm in a good mood, I will smile or give a little wave, even though it is never returned by my stoic traffic directors.
Determined to get some kind of reaction from these men I planned out a little strategy this morning; I stuck a Kleenex in my nose with most of it hanging out to flap in the breeze of my open window. I had to do my best not to laugh as I came up to the intersection. Sure enough, there were my adversaries, dressed in their orange vests and hard hats holding my instructions to "SLOW" down. As I passed them I smiled, but I guess they couldn't really see my smile under the Kleenex, because they just stared at me. Then I got to thinking - maybe that wasn't the best way to make them smile "good morning" to me. Tomorrow they'll probably find an excuse to take a water break when they see my car coming, just to make sure they're off the road when the crazy lady drives by.

Not for the Faint of Heart

2006-09-17T21:11:00.000-07:00

True story.......
My good friend Melissa and her 10 month old son, Gavin, were over on Monday to visit Mike and I. We were sitting in the living room watching Gavin muster the courage to take his first steps, a beautiful moment. Mike wasn't really paying attention though, as he was reclining in his chair (on the other side of the living room) watching a movie.
All of a sudden a horrible smell of rancid fart wafted through the air and lingered. It was so bad I had to run and get the Lysol from the bathroom to neutralize the stench! Gavin had ripped a big one! And three minutes later he ripped another one! These were no ordinary toots though, these were the worst farts I had ever smelled. Even after a few squirts of Lysol the smell was still obvious. I'm sure they were a relief to poor little Gavin, but I wish he would have crawled outside to do his business. How can a little toddler that lives on Kix and Matlo-Meal produce such a wretched odor? This kid looked so innocent.
The next night Mike and I were lounging on the couch talking about our days as we watched a little T.V.
"Oh, by the way, I think those were my farts last night." Mike offered.
To which I replied, "How can you not KNOW they were yours? Didn't you feel them coming out?"
"I guess not. I was laying down so they must have just snuck out. And later, when I went to my office and I was sitting up straight I tooted again, and oh boy, it was pretty bad."
"No kidding?"