URGENT ACTION NEEDED

Today, I get one of those scary emails about a recall. Surprisingly, this wasn't a spam, but a legitimate notification. More importantly, this recall affected the infant carrier we bought last year. I was very concerned so I read carefully what was wrong with the carrier and what I could do to fix it.

So what was the big problem with our carrier?

The phone number for the NHTSA on a sticker was incorrectly listed, so they had to issue a recall and send people a new sticker with the correct number. Boy am I glad they issued that important safety recall!

The Deal Hunter Strikes Again

Score one for the internet!!

4 tickets to Baltimore, 1 rental car for 4 days: $695.

Not bad. I do, however, wish the trip were for a better reason.

Want to Feel Old?

First the good news: New X-Files movie coming out July 25th! Current Title is "The X-Files: I Want to Believe".

Now, the bad news: The first X-Files movie was released 10 years ago. TEN!!! WTF!!! The series premiered SIXTEEN YEARS AGO!! Suddenly, I feel the need for a walker.

Source: http://www.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/Movies/04/16/film.xfiles.title.ap/index.html

Dad: One exceptionally good at embarassing you

I'm at home today with a sick little one. Fortunately, it's the bigger little one. Lauren woke up screaming last night complaining about her ears. So, I stayed home with her and took her to the doctor. The doctor asked which ear hurt, but she clammed up tighter than ... well ... a clam. (My analogies are just horrid today). He took a look in the right ear and exclaimed "Oooh, I guess it's the right one." To be thorough, he checked the left ear. That led him to say, "Hmm ... I guess it's both!". Not only that, but the infection has blistered some. Based on his explanation, it was a shock Lauren hadn't spent the whole day just writhing in agony. Except ... other than the outburst last night, she's been her normal self.
To make for a special day, I decided to take her to a restaurant for lunch. Naturally, the restaurant chosen is more known for it's ice cream sundaes than food. After all, M&M minis, whip cream, and a cherry on top of a chocolate and chocolate chip ice cream smothered in hot fudge and peanut butter would brighten anyone's day. (Except for maybe billwith2js).
After lunch, we got her medicine and headed home. I had to do some work (what a lovely use of PTO), during which she was quite understanding. Once that was done, it was time for fun. We played with now half deflated balloons from Eric's party this weekend. That included her laughing hysterically as I tried to keep 2 balloons in the air by diving left and right and making mince meat of my knees. It was painful, but her laugh just erases any sense of pain.
At one point, I asked if she wanted to play keep the balloons in the air, but she preferred to watch and laugh.

Me: Ah! I see. You like seeing me make a fool of myself.
Her: Don't worry daddy! I know you can do it!

I thought I had a few more years before having to deal with a snarky daughter! She's just growing up too fast. Next thing you know, she'll be doing that tongue click/eye roll combo when I inevitably say something stupid or embarrassing. After all, what is being a father except doling out embarrassment as often as possible?

This Day in History

Seems like a rather auspicious day to me.

1790: US Patent System established
1847: Joseph Pulitzer born
1912: HMS Titanic departs from Southampton
1929: Max Von Sydow born
1932: Omar Sharif born
1947: Branch Rickey announces signing of Jackie Robinson to the Brooklyn Dodgers
2007: Eric William Brown born

Happy Birthday Eric!

I Think I'm Going to Throw Up

Over the past few weekends, I have been forced to engage in an activity I loathe: Exercise. I have tried to avoid this as much as possible, something my portly girth can attest to. Unfortunately, an insipid little person has taken it upon herself to be my personal trainer, whether I want one or not.
The problem all started with a new bike. When riding her tricycle, I could easily keep pace with just a leisurely walk. Having tires only 4 inches in diameter will do that. As we all know from our geometry classes, that's a mere 12.6 inches per rotation of the wheel. Lauren's little legs couldn't drive that puppy fast enough to make me break a sweat. Now, however, she's gotten a big girl bike with wheels a full 12 inches in diameter. THAT'S THREE TIMES THE SIZE!! Couple the bigger wheel with a more standing position and she goes so fast I have to jog to keep up. JOG!!! ME!!! I am especially annoyed when she starts going full tilt, then looks back and laughs at my continued insistence on not wearing a sports bra. She's got a wicked sense of humor for a three year old.
Why not just get a bike of my own? Because, silly reader ... ... I have no answer for that. But it would be tantamount to admitting I am going to work out because now I have made an investment. At least this way, Debbie might, possibly, have to do the running. In all likelihood though, it will be me. I just can't wait to be the laughing stock of the neighborhood when people are actually outside to see my portly behind bounding down the sidewalk in a desperate attempt to not be a negligent father. Hopefully, everyone will keep it down to a snicker until I pass out of earshot. Right now, that's the best I think I can expect.

A Public Service Announcement

Dear Reader -

Welcome to Stay Off the Internet Day. That's right! When you're finished reading this post, close your browser and do not open it until 2 April. Otherwise, you'll find yourself awash in such a torrent of crap, even a dinghy wouldn't be enough to keep you afloat. So, for your sanity, do what I'm going to do today. Close my browser and *shudder* pretend to work.