Catch Up

I'm stuck in Houston waiting for the weather to pass so I can be on my way to my pit stop for this leg of the race. I thought what better time to offer up my (what is becoming) monthly blog post. Sorry about that, I'll try to do better.

Last night Amy was reading when I fell asleep, according to her when she was ready to go to sleep she leaned over to kiss me only to see me freak out. Allegedly I instantly complained that I was too hot and needed my space. The allegation also states I removed myself from the bed and laid on the floor again citing temperature issues. I can neither confirm or deny that any of this is true. But its funny either way, after she mentioned it I do vaguely remember laying on the floor for a brief period of time, you will have to ask her for more details.

We are getting excited only seven weeks left until the stork arrives at the Norton household! I believe we have checked all the boxes, read all the books, bought all the STUFF and painted everything pink that requires painting. In the interest of being prepared I considered drafting Claires daily schedule in Outlook, but we decided that could probably wait until we get some input from her.

We were suppose to have our final baby shower this last weekend in Washington. Sadly we overlooked Spring Break when scheduling this shower, and didn't realized until it was too late that getting home within a reasonable amount of time was a literal impossibility. So we had to put our visit on indefinite hold. Instead it has been decided that we will hold a virtual shower. I've never done this before but it sounds interesting -- people will send us gifts and we will open them via video conference the next time the family is together.

I hope you have a great day, we shall chat later...

Claire's Crib

Claire's crib arrived, and Steve has been hard at work. Check out the pictures on Claire's blog: www.claire-elise-norton.blogspot.com

Oh Honestly!

As one of my favorite relatives would say 'Honestly!' with the second and third syllables drawn out. I arrived in Port Aurthur today, and turned on the TV in the hotel room to find the Home Shopping Network pedaling their wears!

Now while the items at the end of this post are the most dastardly -- these two came in third and second respectively.
Just what I've always wanted -- salt and pepper shakers on wheels, the lack of these is all that has been holding us back from moving into our dream ginger bread house!

And now we have -- well I'm not exactly sure what, or why -- but I love that she has spiky hair, and am flabbergasted that she has a patch over her left eye. I'm reminded of the lady on Napoleon Dynamite that wanted to sell Tupperware to get the large scale model ship! "Hal, I whhaaant that!!!"

And now for first place!! -- This was actually on the television, they were pumping these things up as if they were perfectly normal. As if everyone needs one to complete their 'collection' as they put it. They touted the handiness of the 'handle' on top, and the three different grating sizes!

I really don't know how people 100 years ago ever got along without such foolhardy, repulsive, made in China products! I had a great disdain for HSN before today, but they have reached a new level of shame in my book, seriously "It would make a wonderful gift," they said.

If you received this as gift would you seriously be like -- 'Oh that's just what I needed!'?

Or would you be like me, frantically searching for a gift receipt --

And just wait -- with shipping this bad boy (or girl I guess) comes out to nearly $36.00 with shipping! Seriously!

Fun Times

So Amy and I drove to Tulsa this week -- she was having a baby shower and felt that her plunder may have exceeded the carrying capacity of two checked bags not to exceed 50 LBS. So it was, we hit the road last Friday and made it in exactly eight hours with all necessary stops included. Not too shabby.

So this guy comes up to me in the hotel and says 'Do you have a smoke?' to which I reply -- 'No, sorry dude.' The gentlemen exclaims and then goes on his way -- a little latter I see him at the convenience store, (by the way why does Sam's Club call them C-Stores? are the really that lazy in the marketing department?) he is asking the clerk if they sell cigarettes by the single -- like the individual cigarette!! Very funny indeed.

Speaking of Tulsa they are leading the way in aviation security -- they now have a machine that literally undresses you. Yes some little pervert in the next room can see under your clothes to ensure you are transporting no contraband onto your next flight. They say the faces are blocked from view, but seriously -- has it really come to this?

And finally speaking of flying -- Louisiana residents are enough to exhaust me. The configuration of the airplanes we fly out of Houston have the, shall we say loo, in the front right against the flight deck. The airplanes we fly out of DC have the loo in the back (which is better because all the air from the airplane exits the rear of the airplane), for some reason Continental wants the crapper right up front. WITHOUT FAIL if I am operating a flight out of or into Louisiana someone will go into the loo, seatbelt sign or no seatbelt sign, and just DESTROY IT! -- I mean tear it up, put it out of service, do some damage... you get the picture. I won't take this story to the next level by sharing the details of what one of our flight attendants had to do when one such 'deposit' wouldn't flush. But seriously, no where else do people flock to the loo like LA residents. I should like for the state legislature to propose a law requiring the schools in LA to teach bathroom etiquette, which should specifically recommend against waiting to go #2 until in a small confined airplane.

I'm in Waco at the moment, you faithful readers know that means tonight is Ninfa's night!!! oh boy!!

talk at ya soon.

Steve