The Big DumpTruck

It's that time, people. I have to make a big decision.

I've had the same license plate since I bought my first car. It's one of those old beat-up green ones. (I don't have two because you only needed one back when I got it. On my first car I had one of those airbrushed license plates of hot air balloons on the front. Sweeeeeeet!)

So after [does math on fingers] 21 years with the same license plate, I'm considering getting either one of those charity plates (Red Sox or the Trust one with the mill on it) or getting a vanity plate.

Because if I don't just cut the cord on my plate, I'm thinking I will have it for so long that I won't be able to get rid of it because it will be an antique. But is that a bad thing? Do people think "hey, that's an old plate" when they see an old style plate on the road?

I need your input, people. I have to renew my registration in March. Okay? Okay.

Labels: car, Red_Sox

I was looking at the dog this morning as I laced up my boots and looked for my hat, and I was annoyed because we can put a man on the moon but we can't figure out a way to get a 20 pound dog to remove ten inches of snow from the driveway. I don't think it is asking too much. Animals have worked for humans for a pretty long time now. The only two animals at my house are a hamster (who would not do well if we dropped her into even 3 inches of snow) and a cockapoo. Sure, it might not be easy, but he should be able to do something, don't you think?

We're off to go see our tax guy this morning. He'd better be in a good mood.

Labels: dog, phantom, snow, weather

Okay, so those of you who have subscribed to the podcast via iTunes will get this one automatically, but for those of you who haven't (ahem) I will share an .mov version of the movie for you to watch right here.

Now keep in mind that no cows were harmed in the making of this film. Junior was, because his feet went south on him while he was minding his own business standing on ice in the driveway.

Behold, the Cow Racing Safety Video

(I have no idea why this might appear twice in your browser. It is all controlled by Blogger, so blame them.)

Labels: Cow, driving, podcast, video

Oh, sir, but you are!

After watching the amateur footage the kids shot of the cop going apeshit on them for "being disrespectful" (um, dude, I'm pretty sure asking the kid if he was from county was pretty disrespectful as well. Let's just say kids learn by example, shall we?) at my house we are now dude-ing each other constantly. And at random intervals, one of use says "I am NOT A DUDE" just to balance things out.

Think about how these kids were treated. I don't believe this is a very unusual interaction, either. I can't imagine that this cop would have treated a group of adults the same way.

I'm glad they caught him on tape doing this so he can be disciplined in whatever way is appropriate. I do not want my kids to grow up hating the police and thinking of them as the enemy, as the kids in this tool's jurisdiction certainly did. Getting headlocked and thrown to the ground for "disrespecting" the uniform? Dude, you need to get a freaking grip.

Regardless of how you feel about the way the 14 year old responded to the cop, his reaction was in no way appropriate. Dude.

(The video is currently available at the ABC News website: http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=4278101

Labels: current events, kids

Another great weather day here in lovely Leominster. In case I forgot to mention it early, I AM DONE WITH WINTER!

This photo was taken with my little point and shoot. I snapped a couple before running upstairs to get my longest lens, and he flew off before I could get the darned thing on the camera. Fine, be that way, Mr. "I'm really pretty and you aren't".

Can someone remind me about this when I'm complaining about the heat this summer? Thanks

I seem to recall seeing something on television (No! Really?) where a bully would wet his finger or thumb with saliva and then rub the thumb on the glasses of the nearest glasses-wearing nerd. Such fun for the nerd! Bully spit at close view!

Today my right contact lens feels like someone did the same thing. Is it possible to have a finger print on a contact lens? I need to go check it out before my 10am meeting, because I don't want to spend two ours with a Popeye-like squint on my face. Sure, maybe if I had a pipe and a can of spinach, but not without my props, thanks.

Labels: eyes, fun, glasses

Okay, not me, Junior. Although he seems to be doing better today than yesterday. But he can't go back to school tomorrow because he had a fever today. He's actually upset that he can't go to school, not because of his burning love of school work and math lessons, but because he misses his friends. And apparently at aftercare he was supposed to join a club somehow related to Tech Decks (those little tiny skateboards). I don't have all the details on that one, but I'm sure I'll hear all about it eventually.

I am about done with the children's programming. He had no interest in doing anything but crashing on the couch. I made him watch the Food Network for a while thinking that it might help him take a nap but he actually got more animated and chatty about Rachel Ray's cooking show than he did about any cartoon. (We came to an agreement that no way no how would we want to eat the "hot dog salad" she made today. Gah.)

So wish us luck. I have to have my mom watch him tomorrow and I didn't want to do that but maybe he's getting past the contagious stage. Mr. Dump and I are convinced we won't be able to avoid getting what he has, based on the past three days. Yay.

Labels: cooking, illness, junior, Rachel Ray

Uh oh, I had one of those vacation dreams again. Usually it's a dream about being at a place that is sort of supposed to be WDW according to the dream but really is nothing like WDW. And that's okay because then I can tell people that I DO go on vacations to places other than WDW and the Cape. I go to wherever this place in my dreams is (I have for quite some time dreamt about the same basic place, although some details change).

I wish that would refresh me mentally the way a real vacation would, because I don't see a vacation looming on the horizon.

Unless one of you wants to loan me your timeshare. My preferences are

• someplace warm
• someplace fun
• I won't have to sleep on the couch because you just asked your mom if I could crash at their house in Tempe Arizona for a few days.

Labels: Friday stuff

A million years ago (11) I had a literary zine called Block Lines. I gave it up when I got pregnant because I just didn't have the time or energy.

I still don't bit Phsntom the wonder dog has a little poetry in his soul. he has asked me to distribute his words to the masses.

WHAT'S THIS?
by Phantom

I have to pee
letmeout LETMEOUT
I am free!
what's this?

it is cold and white and it sticks to my legs in little balls
AAAAAAAAAAAAAH!

letmein LETMEIN!

Labels: phantom, poetry

Today's post is brought to you by Noah's Ark Waders, the finest waders available for your 40 days and nights of rain needs.

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I got a new phone over the weekend. Actually, technically, I got two because I got one on Saturday and changed it for a different one on Sunday. I am loving the phone I got on Sunday, the Verizon XV6800. It's basically a little computer running Windoze. I got a huge huge huge discount on it, paid nothing like the list price (or else I would not have it, I can promise you that). So now when I post to my website from my phone, I'll be doing it in style.

Please note, however, that due to some kind of flakiness with the way blogger's comment system is built, I can't actually reply to comments with my full account. So I can't reply and have my little photo show up, I have to reply as a semi-anonymous person. I'm trying to figure out why that is, but I can also say with great confidence that I'm not going to kill myself trying to get it working.

Labels: phone

Step-Junior turned 17 today and that means cakeses for everyone. We loves us some cakeses. As birthday boy he got to choose the flavor, so we had spice cake with cream cheese frosting.

Wednesday is Mr. Dump's birthday so maybe we will have brand new cake in two days. I wonder what flavor he'll pick?

Labels: birthdays, cake, family

Let's go Pats!

So far, the Bridgesone screaming animals commercial is my favorite.

Pepsi Max wasn't bad...