RIP Sir.

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday Junie! Welcome to double digits baby! - Lisa

Lisa's at Country Springs for LK's birthday (prepaid before the card number was stolen) and while the kids are having a blast, neither the TV nor fridge are working. The front desk clerk wasn't going to do anything about it until Lisa had me call; they've now been moved. The clerk is the same one that took my reservation last week, and she's just about as ornery and unhelpful a front desk clerk as I've encountered. And brother, I've known a few in my day.

My Efforts

I know, it looks like turd.  But I did make a cake for Junie's family party tonight,  and you didn't,  so shaddup.

Junie's Custom Birthday Cake

Margie S---y  made another storybook cake for us....gorgeous. Confetti cake inside with hidden heart candies on the inside. Junie loved it!  - Lisa 

Declaring myself sick of cutting the lawn, I drafted Smiley into doing it Sunday.

I'm trying to get OJ hooked on one of my favorite shows, Quantum Leap.  I think it's working: I woke up to Lu marathoning this show. I feel like I should leap out of here myself - my parenting duties are done, and have not been for naught. :) 

A Quote

A great way to improve your attitude about life is to significantly lower your expectations. - Me (and probably someone else)

The hip went whacky at around six and I took a handful of Tylenol and went to bed.  A heck of a way to spend an evening off.

Smiley's  having another homemade popcorn stand outside my house. It IS the best popcorn you'll ever have. Stop by and buy a bag.

update: his stand closed for the day. One hour of work = $12

A Blessing?

An example of the Lord working in mysterious ways: on Friday when I asked for my paycheck my boss laughed; we're paid biweekly and I'd gotten the week wrong. With all heart I thought it was payday, and planned the week's bills accordingly. The week before, my paycheck had gone to the mortgage and phone and utilities. I had barely wet my beak from it, and so, in my head, had forgotten all about it. This was a disaster in a week that will feature LK's birthday party and our vacation. But BUT. . . if I had got a paycheck, it surely would have been stolen in the card scam. In 2004, when we were victims of bank fraud, the bank returned only half of the loss, per their (then current) policy. I don't know if that policy has changed, but in theory I could have been facing a much bigger loss. So, looking on the bright side, Friday's "disaster" was a blessing in disguise.

Our Credit Cards Were Cloned!!!

As if we needed more problems: our bank card was cloned and physically used in Indiana,  a state we haven't been to since 2005. I froze the card,  drove 20 minutes across town at the request of the bank to get a temporary replacement,  discovered they don't do such a thing,  and drove home.  So,  to recap: account drained,  no bank card to use,  and I have a shitty bank. Yay us

update: Our bank cancelled one of our bank cards  Saturday when I reported the fraud. One.  OF THE TWO.  And not even the one that was cloned! So more charges in Indiana,  driving me from a frightening $15 in the bank when I reported it,  to negative $56. The bank alleges they will review and discipline the employee from Saturday,  but meanwhile I'll have my answer and money within ten business days. FML

update: Although it's paid in full, Junie's upcoming birthday party requires a cc for incidentals. When I spoke to the manager and explained the card situation, she cheerfully suggested using a different card - then acted like I offered to give her a disease when I said we only have the one. I'm 43, my only debt is the mortgage (and in recent years, law school), and that's precisely because we have avoided credit cards since college. What a world.

update: The money taken AFTER the bank failed to turn off the card has been credited to the account. So at least we're not in the red. That's good news.

The Popcorn Stand

Despite my predictions of failure,  Smiley has made six bucks peddling his popcorn outside. He does make the best popcorn EVER,  so that helps.  The threatening skies do not. I think the shop will soon close for weather.