What a pain!

Oh, I am so mad. I went to buy more paint for Leila's room the other day. I painted it and noticed it was slightly darker. I thought that was just because it was wet. I have let it sit for two days now and no change. Grrr... I think they mixed the original paint with the wrong base. They used the ultra white on it, and the new paint was the pastel base. The thing is, I like the lighter color more. I have to go back now and complain to Home Depot. Then, I have to get more paint with the white base so I can repaint the entire room. They better not make me pay for the new paint.

Can you tell the difference?

I love the lighter color with her zebra chair.

Happy Halloween

We had a great Halloween night trick-or-treating with the girls. Ava was so excited all day to go out. Leila had no idea what was going on for the first few houses. She would tentatively allow us to take her up to doors where people proceeded to give her odd things in her pumpkin. She quickly got into the whole "game" of TOTing, though. She would hold Ava's hand, and Ava would lovingly guide her up to the door so they both could knock. She would just hold up her basket and laugh once they dropped the goodies in. She even said thank you to every person. She was so sweet. Ava was pretty happy that she was teaching Leila how to do all of this.

They came home with so much candy. Leila isn't even allowed the stuff, yet. Luckily, I let Ava watch the Charlie Brown special on Tuesday night. She was blown away by the concept of The Great Pumpkin that brings toys. I took advantage of this by telling her if she gives up her left-over candy from Halloween night to The Great Pumpkin, then she would get a toy in return. She jumped at this notion. So, I went out yesterday afternoon to purchase a couple toys. Ava was so excited to wake up this morning and discover toys in her basket in place of candy. She received Moon Sand, and Leila received a little baby doll. They have been happily playing all morning. It was a great Halloween!

Pumpkin Patch Pictures

To infinity and beyond...

We have been following the latest space shuttle launch with Ava. We watched it the other day, and she has been really excited about it. Well, I saw on the news tonight that we would be able to see the shuttle in orbit making its way to dock at the International Space Station. It would only be visible from 7:07-7:12pm. So, we headed out to see if we could catch a glimpse of it. Sure enough, we could make out the flashing of the shuttle and the smoke trail behind it as it was maneuvering over. Ava was soooo excited! And I have to admit that I was, too. She kept telling me how important it is to have a space suit if you want to go into space. Of course, she is concerned about the wardrobe aspect of the whole thing.

It was really neat to be seated on the curb staring up into the sky with my little in awe of the concept of travelling to space. I clearly remember feeling the same way. Many school projects were done on different space topics. One of the more memorable ones being the biography report I did on Sally Ride in the third grade. I still wish I could go to space camp, too.

I think the whole concept of space for me signifies achieving dreams and goals. I suppose, literally reaching for the stars. I thought about how much I hope to instill a sense of yearning to achieve greater things as I sat there with her. That gave me just as many chills as seeing her face light up at the sight above us.

Rough Week

It seems we have all come down with a stomach bug. Leila started on Saturday. It passed to Ava on Sunday, me on Monday, and Daniel today. I had to cancel my first attempt at hosting playgroup today. I am pretty disappointed about that, but I am in no shape to do much of anything. Let's just say the laundry alone has been overwhelming. It does seem that it is passing rather quickly, though.

Target has sooo missed the target--BEWARE!

I am fed up with Target right now. Daniel had his boss pick up a pair of shoes for me while she was shopping there. She owned the shoes, and he really liked them and wanted them for me. Daniel told her that I wear a 7.5 which is correct. However, he brings them home, and they are just a bit too small on me. I really needed an 8. No big deal, I thought. I will just go and exchange them for the correct size. No big deal, ha!

Target by far has THE WORST return policy of any store I have ever shopped at. Apparently, you must have the receipt to do anything at all. I could not even exchange the size on them. They were clearly a Target product considering they are Isaac Mizrahi--their brand. Yet, they refused to be of any help. I asked for the costumer service number to complain. I called that, but I was met with the same crap of not being to do anything.

I am just blown away that a company that deals with people to make money would be so terrible at it. Maybe instead of assuming that all costumers that bring in items with out a receipt to return are returning stolen merchandise as the cause for having poor sales and start focusing more on the costumer, they would actually make more money. IDIOTS!!!

So for the record, you will need to do the following things in order to return anything there:

1. Have a receipt.

2. Make sure the item was not purchased more than 90 days ago.

3. Make sure that you have not returned more than two items in one year (yes, they will only let you return two things a year-- no joke).

4. Smile pretty.

5. Offer to wash and wax the employee's car that is handling your return.

6. Find a genie in a bottle and make a wish that they will take your item back.

7. Perform animal sacrifice in the return department to honor the Target gods.

8. and threaten to put a curse on any employee that stands in the way of said return.

And if that doesn't work, I reccomend shopping elsewhere. Don't find yourself with two new bookends that look like cute shoes like I have.

To read more return horrors, go here.

Gabriella Grace Anderson 04/11/06- 10/03/07

Well, this has been a rough week for me, and I am just now able to really write this down today. A dear friend of mine, Randy, lost her little girl, Gabby, on October 3 from a very rare and aggressive brain cancer called AT/RT. Gabby was only a few days shy of turning 18mths old. She was actually born the day after my precious Leila.

I have been in close communication with Randy since the diagnosis, and it just moves me to see her strength throughout Gabby's battle. It is truly inspirational. Gabby left this earth with the people that loved her the most surrounding her, and I believe she carried all that love with her. She has touched so many people and was a reminder to take advantage of the precious little time we have here. She will forever hold a special place in my heart.

In the end, Gabby really lived up to her name, "Strength in battle".

To read more about Gabby please go here.