She works hard for the money

Hey, everyone! I just made my first Etsy sale! Got a void in your life that can only be filled with handmade baby goods? Know someone who is pregnant? (Don't we all?) Check it out! I've got hands sewn reusable baby wipes (which could also be used as cloth napkins of any sort), fleece diaper covers, and baby-sized pants with more on the way.

It's FREEEEEEE!

I have always been a fan of getting stuff for free, so curbside shopping is something I have done with great relish for some time now. However, lately I have discovered that the recycling dumpsters in my apartment building often yield terrific finds, and I can see myself sliding down the slippery slope from casual curbside shopper to full on freegan dumpster diver! Here are some of the things I have saved from curbs, dumpsters, and recycling bins.

three small blue shelves from the curb at Atwater and Barat
a retro looking suitcase with wooden hangers inside from the curb at Atwater and Barat
a very large painting from just outside the dumpster at Monkland and Old Orchard
two clothes drying racks: one from Atwater and Breslay, one from Atwater and Barat
a shoe rack from the curb at Atwater and Breslay
six pairs of ripped up designer jeans from the recycling
an umbrella stand from the recycling
a nice big Bialetti saute pan with glass lid from the recycling
some tupperware from the recycling
three black Screen Stars t-shirts from near the recycling
a microwave from near the recycling
a perfectly usable pint sized mason jar from the recycling
lots of books from the recycling
a Euro Pilates workout VHS from the recycling
an awesome/freaky ceramic strawberry with a face from the recycling
four nice throw pillows from near the recycling
a big TV from a hidden trash area in the building
a pomelo from near the trash compacter behind the PA (shrink wrapped!)

Also found in the recycling but not taken: a coffee maker and an aquarium pump.

I am thinking of starting a blog to document my finds. Is that too dumb? If I do, I'll let you know the URL.

It's not as good without Bob Barker

Tonight my grandma called to make sure that her three and a half month old great granddaughter watches The Price Is Right. My family is weird.

Hit me!

Today is the day.

Back in May, an ultrasound technician took some measurements of our then 19-week old baby via some grainy 2D black and white images, fed the numbers into a computer program, and the computer program spit out a date: 19 September 2008. Since then, this date has been the magic golden number upon which all my prenatal analysis has been based. It is the all holy estimated due date. It is the day the doctors believe our baby should be born, no if, ands or buts. Certainly no discussion or consideration of any other contributing factors.

As far as I can tell, our baby has no intention of being born today, and if our baby is not born today, then, as of tomorrow, I will be considered — horror of horrors — overdue. The earth will split open, demons will slither out from the depths, the thick, deadly smoke of hell will block out the sun, and time will stop. So in the name of all that is good, just, and beautiful (and just because you like me) hit me with all the "baby, come out!" vibes you can muster. Pray, meditate, hope. Do what you have to do. Let's get this baby out!

The story continues

You may remember that we gave away The Snot Rocket a little while ago. Turns out that the recipient decided The Snot Rocket wasn't for him/her, so my poor dear bike is looking for a new owner again. I am happy that s/he included The Snot Rocket's name in the ad.

Here is a brief history of The Snot Rocket. At some point, someone bought The Snot Rocket, rode it around, had amazing adventures, and then left it on the campus of Florida State University. It was seized for reasons unknown to me by campus security or whoever seizes bikes on campus. In 2002 or 2003, Matt and I bought The Snot Rocket at a FSU surplus auction. It was a part of a lot of 5 bikes, including Consuela the big red bike with the bell with the eyeball on top (like this). We bought the lot for $20, ditched the three other bikes, and took home Consuela (my new bike) and The Snot Rocket (Matt's new bike). When we moved to Kansas City in August of 2003, the bikes came with us. The Snot Rocket got much more use than did Consuela. Matt used to ride it to work at the library. So when it came time to move to Montreal three years later, only The Snot Rocket came along. Last year, Matt became something of a bike snob and decided he was too good for The Snot Rocket. He tried to fix up The Snot Rocket so that I could ride it around town. On the first test run after new chain, new seat, new brakes, etc, he was hit by a car and had to carry The Snot Rocket home. Until we gave it away, it had been sitting in our bedroom, looking sad and lonely, unable to fulfill its true bike potential.

Did you know?

Pickled asparagus makes your pee smell just like regular asparagus. It's true!

Goodnight, sweet prince

Today we gave away The Snot Rocket. May he have many happy times with his new family!