Archives for October 2007

Something Random:

Recently, I went into a Neighborhood Walmart (just the grocery store). In an effort to conserve energy, they now have sensored lights on the freezer/fridge display sections.  The lights only come on if you walk past the doors.  At first, I thought they were broken, but as I walked passed them, it was like the red carpet was being rolled out and every food item caught my eye.  Shamefully, I must admit that even though I was not shopping for any more frozen food or refrigerated items, I was tempted (and yielded) to walk by every single refrigerated door to make the light come on.  I know what you’re thinking: It doesn’t take much to amuse me.  Sadly, you’re right.

Something Fun:

Last night, with the help of friends, I planned and executed a surprise party for Michael’s 3-0th birthday.  All was going as planned, minus the fact that it was supposed to be outdoors ‘if the weather was nice’ and it didn’t look like that would be possible.  Michael and I cleaned our house in preparation for people to come over to our house (for what he thought was to be Bible Study).  At 6:45, I told him that I had other plans,  a ‘you and me’ date was in the plans, and that Bible Study had secretly  been canceled.  (Michael hates canceling ANYTHING).  Thankfully, he didn’t mind, though, he did give me a hard time about canceling.

My “Date” Plan to get him to the Surprise Party:  Michael was to go on a treasure hunt.  I had worked on a labor intensive clue for him to solve at Barnes and Noble–He was to search for children’s book by the author and then use words from the titles to form the clue.  It was planned out ‘perfectly’ (or so I thought).  The second clue was going to take him to his surprise party. 

BEFORE WE COULD EVEN LEAVE OUR HOUSE:  Michael questioned the idea of going on a ‘treasure hunt’ when the TORNADO SIRENS were blaring in our neighborhood.  Dilemma time: What was I to do?  I wanted to keep the surprise party a secret, yet the tornado sirens are sounding, and I had to get Michael to HIS surprise party!!!  He suggested we postpone ‘our date’ , but I think my impatience got the best of me, and he said we could go.  The hesitation about leaving put our timing offtrack and thus threw the Barnes and Noble plan out the window.

DRIVING TO THE PARTY:  I broke down…For you see, I had it all planned out ‘perfectly’, and the tornado warning was NOT IN MY PLAN!  For any of you that know me personally, drama is my forte.  To say it mildly, I’m not passive, and I broke down crying….perhaps wailing would be a better description. Though I don’t remember my exact wording, the implication of my ranting was to the effect that my plans had been ruined, though slightly  more wordy and dramatic than that… (Picture with me: sirens still sounding; To the west, the clouds look absolutely perilous; The radio is blasting with TORNADO WARNINGS not tornado watches….and then, there’s a hysterical Maren)

MY REACTION: Somewhere in the mix of emotions, despair entered.  Because of the weather, NOW NO ONE would come.  In desperation, instead of having Michael drive us to do the treasure hunt I had him drive us straight to the party.  Yet, (INCREDIBLY) somehow, even after all of my ranting, Michael thought  we were going to get a clue for the treasure hunt…NOT going to a party!

SURPRISE:  He truly was surprised and didn’t expect people to be there and had no idea about any party until 10 minutes beforehand from a wailing wife.  Many friends came, and even some from out of town, which was also a WONDERFUL surprise to ME, too!  And the best part? Plan B was in the basement of my friend’s home.  A perfect place to have a party when the tornado sirens are sounding…  It worked out just great!

Something Fun for Everyone:

ENJOY THIS VIDEO, ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE A MOM!!!!  THANKS FOR ALL YOU DO!