Archives for April 2010

Watering my Irritation

April 21, 2010 by Maren 7 Comments

When I am at a restaurant, I drink more than a parched camel on a trek through the Sahara Desert. (Side note: Did you know that a camel will drink approx 26 gallons to 40 gallons in one drink? That’s a bathtub of water, people!) I require multiple refills during the course of dinner–probably equivalent to a bathtub, too. That’s one reason I skip the extra calories of a soda or the carbonation of a diet drink. I love my water!

So, I have a beef with Taco Bueno (Puns make me chortle at myself) and I’m irritated with Panera. Please allow me thirty seconds of your gripe time, and then I’ll put this issue to rest (until the next time I’m stiffed). Sunday, my irritation peaked.

I stopped in the drive-thru for lunch. I ordered $10 worth of food and a water. Now, I am fully aware that ten bucks isn’t a great amount of money. But I certainly have expectations when patronizing a food establishment-even a fast food one. When I pulled up, they handed me a dixie-size cup of water with my $10 order. Everything about this makes me want to snatch my money back and drive away. It REALLY gripes me.

First, and foremost, if skimpy-water-giver restaurants wanted my business, they could use a little reverse psychology. Here’s my reasoning: The larger the water cup, the more I’ll have to pee. The more I have to pee, the more often I’ll have to frequent the restroom. The more often I have to frequent the restroom, the more often I will frequent the restaurant. The more I frequent the restaurant, the more I’ll buy…But reverse psychology is beside the point.

I DO NOT LIKE BEING PUNISHED for ordering a water. I cannot imagine how they are saving THAT MUCH money by giving me an infant size drink. Is a few square inches of waxed cardboard REALLY that costly? Panera & Bueno, I’m sorry for putting you out with my order.

Before completing this rant, I realize that if you ASK, they will give it to you. That’s just it. I don’t feel that one should HAVE to ask–I should not be punished for ordering water over their dumb soda. I realize in a down economy, they are saving money. But maybe I’d spend a few more shekels at their business if they kept me happy.

So, thanks for listening to my two cents. But maybe I should keep those pennies. I understand many places are charging for condiments these days…but that’s a whole separate beef.

Packing For an Infant

April 20, 2010 by Maren 9 Comments

Last month, we had the opportunity to travel to visit my grandparents in Arizona. To avoid additional baggage fees, we somehow managed to check only one bag. Yes, we’re cheap like that. Granted, we had a stroller, car seat & two carry-ons. But thankfully, those were free!

Besides taking FOREVER in security because they had to test each of the baby food jars (and somehow setting off a chemical alarm???), we managed relatively hassle-free. One thing I would probably not suggest is to attempt a red-eye flight with a ten-month old infant. Were I rich, I wouldn’t have considered it. But the fact that it cut the airplane cost by a few hundred dollars, the red-eye flight was chosen. It was exhausting, yes. But we made it without crazy problems, and I’m really grateful that all worked out so well.

(Pierson’s face shows what he thinks of the ‘ole red-eye flight. This picture was taken at the Detroit Airport.)

I found an infant trip packing list online and it really helped me, so I’m listing it on my blog for my future reference. Maybe it will help you too. They are all fairly obvious, but having it all listed in one place is half my battle! Otherwise, I can get overwhelmed when starting to pack.

Packing list for infant:

Diapers (and changing pad-if necessary)
Blankets
Plastic Bags (Please click link to see my favorite baby accessory. Especially since I cloth diaper! Thanks, Munchkin!)
Diaper Rash Cream
Wipes
Hand Sanitizer
Disposable baby washcloths with baby wash
Tissues
Burp Rags (multi-functional)
Pacifiers
Toys
Clothes, socks, shoes
Sun hat/swimsuit
bibs (My favorite bib for travelling and for Pierson’s current stage, because you just run it under the sink and reuse! No washing machine needed!)
spoon/ baby food/plastic bowls
sippy cup/water (formula & bottles if needed)
snacks for parents
nightlight (I would have never thought to bring this, but it was invaluable when at my grandparents home!)
fingernail clippers/baby tylenol
pack-n-play
front carrier
car seat
stroller

With all those dumb extra fees these days, this certainly helped me to stick with the essentials & avoid more luggage than necessary! Happy & safe travels!

Between Now and Then

April 14, 2010 by Maren 9 Comments

Sometime I struggle with just ‘doing life.’ Between finding time for work, being mom, and the rest of life’s duties, blogging not only takes the back burner, it takes the Crockpot of life! Between now and the last time I wrote, here’s a rundown of life-in no particular order.

*I met up with my sister, who I dearly miss, in Nashville. I wish my family didn’t live a world (literally) apart. Good idea: travel 3 hours to see your sister. Bad idea: Do it solo with a cranky baby in the back seat.

*I’ve searched the world for a brown ball point pen. This was including but not limited to asking my UPS friends if they still had logo pens with brown ink. One of my UPS friends thought I was requesting him to STEAL from his supply cabinet at work. Failure. Note to self: Learn to speak more concisely so friends don’t think I want them to break the law for me.

*My beauty has returned (Read related post: here). Well, that’s debatable. But, the lost makeup bag has been found. Wasn’t it so nice of the thief to return it to the most random part of my coat closet? Had he/she just returned the stolen goods directly to my hands, I wouldn’t have asked any questions! I bet they just didn’t want to be found out. Also, here’s proof I wasn’t lying about my Ziploc Wet-n-Wild blush!

*I received a bouquet of love from my favorite 2-year-old friend. All two dozen of the dandelions screamed of my little friend’s love. Instantly, something incredibly ugly beautifully morphed.

I changed the keyboard on my laptop. I ordered one from ebay, and installed it myself. The problem is that I have a solitary screw that I can’t figure out where it goes. May or may not be a problem. Time will tell.