Happy Panera Day!

Yes, you read that correctly, I am celebrating the change of the Panera menu. When the seasons change, Panera comes out with some new selections. Let me just say, phenomenal! Caedan and I enjoyed the BBQ Chopped Chicken Salad. They also have introduced a few other tasty items to tempt me with. Such as a Macadamia Nut Blondie, Chocolate Fudge Brownie, and Bogels. And yes, in case you were wondering, there site says: What We're Celebrating, as the header for their new items. I am not the only one who loves the seasonal change.

Score One for Our Side!

We finally have a neighbor that talks to us! Well ok, by talks to us, I mean nicely and/or not through letters. However, to be fair, I should mention that we pay him to mow and take care of the lawn. So, in essence, I guess we are paying him to talk to us. But it is a step! Maybe we can win over other people in the neighbor in similar ways. I could pay a neighbor to be look-out for strange happenings, or maybe someone to catch Raven when she decides to fly the coop again.

I do have one complaint though. Does the neighbor always have to ring the doorbell when I am in my pajamas? Enough already! I get that you want to mow the lawn before it is scorching hot, but can you at least wait until late morning or afternoon to talk to me? I did notice that our lawn was starting to border on Amazonian heights. Yup, you can cut it. Actually you don't really have to ask. We will pay you after you cut it. Just as long as I am not in my pajamas.

He never comes when I am in my pajamas and upstairs. It is always when I am in the kitchen, so it is not like I can pretend that I didn't hear the door. I wonder what he thinks of us? Caedan always in a wool soaker and no shirt and me in pajamas. Oh well, at least he is friendly.

Let Me Out of this Neighborhood

Yesterday I had the pleasure of attending a friend's baby shower. She actually had the party in the clubhouse in my neighborhood. I didn't know it at the time, but this was the perfect place considering the mayhem I would have to deal with.

When I left the house, I told Brian to make sure he checked on Caedan periodically. Caedan was asleep in his crib and Brian was having band practice. I kept getting glimpses of my baby screaming in his crib and no one hearing him. As I was leaving I also got this gut wrenching feeling that Raven would escape the house while I was gone. I just chalked both up to mommy nerves and left.

I got to the party and was enjoying myself. Great food, some games, and most importantly, other adults to converse with. About halfway through the party I took a bathroom break. At the same time I decided to call Brian and make sure that he had been checking on Caedan.

The call went a little differently then I had planned. I hear an out of breath Brian telling me that Raven got out. I excuse myself from the party and get home FAST. I keep calling Brian, he isn't answering. I am on the verge of hysteria. I search around the block. I even ask some people if they have seen a dog running around by herself. They kindly, point to a dog inside someone's house. Thanks for the stellar help. I keep searching, no sign of Brian or Raven.

Finally I see Brian inching toward the house. He is carrying a squirming Raven, still trying to get free. My heart was leaping for joy. Apparently Raven didn't like our neighborhood anymore. She bolted out the door as a band member was leaving. This started a half hour chase around our neighborhood, State Farm field, and the next neighborhood. Luckily dogs love other dogs and she stopped to socialize. Brian took that instant to grab her and bring her home.

Lesson learned. Trust your mommy instincts. I don't know why I keep forgetting this simple law. Caedan was fine, in fact, he slept through everything. I went back to my party, wondering if it was safe to leave the boys in charge a little bit longer.

Have a Menu, or Maybe Not

Brian and I decided to try a different restaurant in Frederick today. We have been eying it since we have moved here, but never made it in the doors. One of the main reasons is because it is in downtown Frederick and you need to pay to park. Nothing ever seems worth it enough to find quarters.

Well today was the day! We finally visited that Cuban Place. Upon entering, we were immediately asked "what would you like?" We said we have never been there before, so we needed a minute. To this she seemed shocked. She proceeded to ask "never, never?" Yes, we have NEVER eaten here. Hence why would kinda like a menu. So she asked what we like to eat. Being the only people there we couldn't sneak out, so we just had to go with it. I ended up getting a chicken sandwich and Brian got a steak sandwich.

We sat there waiting for our orders, wondering what might appear. Caedan seemed enthralled by the case with the chocolate cake. He stood on his tip-toes peering in, probably licking the case. It did look amazing, but I was able to control myself.

We finally found a menu randomly placed behind the counter. We grabbed it curious as to what our bill might be like and what might even come on or with our sandwiches. The menu was odd. The prices were completely random. Like bottled water - $1.33, Steak Sandwich - $9.01. Cuban - $8.56. Interesting. I guess they had their pricing down to an exact science. Doubly strange, chicken sandwich wasn't even on the menu. Uh-oh.

As we sat their waiting for our orders, we realized why they had no menu, they go with the flow on pricing. As one lady got her $3 back from a $7 even order, she wondered how much a slice of the amazing looking cakes were. The lady replied $3 something, would you like me to look it up? The customer said oh well, I won't have enough for tax. Surprisingly, the cake was exactly $3! Exit happy customer.

The food was good, however EXTREMELY greasy. I will remember the atmosphere more. However the staff was extremely friendly and loved Caedan.

I Feel Special

How many people can say that Panera employees were fighting over who gets to take your order? Oh wait, no not zero. There is at least one! Wahoo, add it to my book of accomplishments. Although, if I am being fully honest, I think it has to do more with my cute son, than me. But let's pretend it is because I am so enchanting.

No Freebies, Thanks!

Today is extremely hot and I am tired. So what better way to soothe my woes, than a Rita's Swedish Fish shake. Add in a little bit of hostility and no one could resist!

For the record, I am not an awful mom. But thanks for looking at me like I am. I also like the "you are crazy stare." Sorry if I didn't share your enthusiasm in giving Caedan a free "baby" cone.

Furthermore, I heard you the first time when you said "Would you like a free baby cone?" Hence, my reply, however confusing it must have been, of "No thanks." When you proceed to say "Its free" is just restating the obvious. I can hear perfectly fine. I am just one of those moms. The one that doesn't let her 18 month old have their own ice cream cone in the middle of day. If you think that is strange, come live with us. Although that isn't really an invite.

Just so you know, I did fully intend to share my shake with him. Hence, he learned to share AND got a delicious treat on a hot day. Thanks for the crazy looks though, they are appreciated and I am adding you to my Christmas Card list.

Why Does it Say Paper Jam, When There is No Paper Jam?!?!

I am finding out, more and more, that Office Space is still completely relevant to my life. Sure, I don't go to "work" everyday where every minute is carefully scrutinized. Instead I have a toddler deciding what I do with every minute. I would love one of those quick, but peaceful, thirty minute lunch breaks I used to get. Instead I eat with a toddler who quite frequently insists on sitting on my lap as I eat. Talk about resume skills! It is actually incredibly hard to manage to eat like this.

However, the appliances are still appliances. I think I would take both the printer and copier problems I used to battle daily, just for someone to make the dryer work. It insists that I should check the filter. Well, I have checked the filter. Numerous times, in fact. I even proceeded to unscrew the ENTIRE filter compartment and both vacuum and wipe it out. There is no problem with the filter. I repeat there is no problem with the filter. Could someone please let the dryer know that? Before I end up like this: