Picture of the Day

O standing next to the head of a T. Rex at the Museum of Natural History.

While one has nine inch, serrated teeth and an appetite for flesh (O stops at meatballs), I can't say for sure, barring the whole extinction thing, which one I'd consider more dangerous when left to his or her own devices.

The Votes Are In....

First, I want to know what two people can walk away from a big bowl of Halloween candy and, second, at what point did they sell their soul to the devil?

Does it even matter what the results are? I start by being very picky with my choices, favoring Reese's and Laffy Taffy as available. Then, as the pile diminishes, I'll eat anything....including those wretched Mary Janes or, gasp, Necco Wafers.

Best to just throw it away and blame Daddy.

On to the next poll....

Picture of the Day

Enjoying a dinosaur roar at the Museum of Natural History.

Question of the Day

I have 3,000 toys in my home.

On any given day you can come to my home and feel as though you are experiencing what it would look like if someone ever blew up a Toys R' Us and dumped the remains in someone's home. Princess everything, trucks, balls, train tables, ball pits, zillions of books and puzzles, and too many freshly vaccinated stuffed animals.

Given this salute to materialism (despite my best efforts to avoid raising entitled children), one question remains:

Why must half my morning be spent referring the proper sharing of one 25 cent rubber ball between two normally loving siblings????

Southern Hospitality

Just a few days ago I put a call into my mother (aka Bama) for no reason other than to say hello and see about her day. Since Joseph loves to get on the phone these days (though, talking isn't always part of that), he was quick to usurp the reciever from my grip and carry in and intriguing conversation that, from his end, went something like this:

"Hi, Bama.....uh huh.....yea......yea.....bye bye.......where's Papa?"

Since Papa was at work, my mother suggested that we call him at the office. Hoping we weren't interrrupting an important meeting or more important nap, I quickly dialed his office number and handed the phone back to Joseph. Again, the call went something like this:

"Hi Papa....are you at work?.......yea.....yea....playing with O........fire truck.....Mommy's right here....okay ......bye bye."

Thrilled that a substantial back and forth of information had occurred, I scooped up the phone to greet my dad who was chuckling on the end.

"Hi, Dad," I greeted.

"Uh, hello there," he responded.....only it wasn't him. It was a man, it had a strong Southern drawl, and it seemed to have enjoyed the conversation even more than Joseph. It then said:

"Now, I don't know who Papa is, but I'm pretty sure he ain't me."

"Oh, I'm sorry....must have....wrong number," I stumbled, trying to figure out what number I'd actually dialed.

"Ha! That's quite all right. That little guy can give me a call any time. Have a good one."

Still a little startled, I turned to Joseph who was still stationed nearby, playing quietly with his Mater car.

What did I miss?

I Had a Dream

I had a dream that I was grocery shopping.

Yep, that's it.

I went up and down aisle after aisle just grocery shopping. There did seem to include a climactic moment when, having discovered a steal of a sale on chicken cutlets, I couldn't decide whether or not to get them because they weren't free range.

That's it.

Enthralling.

Looking For Stories

I am starting a new project and am looking for any service man or woman who's been deployed to Iraq, from the Gulf War to present, and who also a very compelling story from their experience there.

My timeline is tight and so, if you know of anyone who has an amazing (and true) story, please direct them to me at: dalessandrochristine@gmail.com. I am looking for all ranks from all of the armed services.

Time is also of the essence.