This morning I get a call from a mom of a kindergardener at my daughter's school. Mom is talking quickly, frantically, explaing that "low-talker gobbledygook...is coming over at 3pm and I need to be here, so can you pick K. up from school?"

I think for a second after not hearing the first part of her request and reply, "Well, um, E. (my daughter) takes the bus home in the afternoons so I don't usually pick up there." I wait for her to back off her request until she states, "Oh no problem, I'll leave K's carseat so you can pick both girls up in the office."

I was happy to read this report about the good fortune (due to good planning) of the animals at New Orleans' Audabon Zoo. 

OK, since my last post was about numbskull marketeers, how about we take a look at some of the more clever things those guys and gals in advertising have devised over the years.

AdWeek magazine is taking a poll for best slogan. CLICK HERE to vote for your favorite.

It CAN'T just be me who thinks the name of this new product is worthy of a snicker, a giggle, and some serious blushing...

Hooray!

I got a call from our municipal administrator informing me that the building permit (and this is JUST for the sewer/water work, NOT the addition) was approved.

Hooray!

And then he informed me that I have the priveledge of paying $1,770 for the permit and $400 for the bond.

Hoo-f'ing-ray. Grrrrr!

Off I go to write a check for a very expensive piece of paper.

My husband was chuckling and shaking his head at me yesterday as I sat glued to "The Weather Channel" and some of the 24-hr news networks awaiting the pictures of devastation from Hurricane Katrina. I was worried about the storm all day - firstly because of all the problems it will cause for residents of that region and secondly for the enormous impact that destrucion of critical ports, refineries, and nautral gas/oil production and distribution facilities will have on the US economy.

Yeah, I have said before how much I hate these quizzy things but since none other than LOZ asked me to do it I will certainly indulge her request!

Seven things that scare me
aggressive drivers
guns
illegal drugs
Pamela Anderson's Fake 'n Bake tan
Most "Reality TV" game shows
All soap operas
Going to bed with my husband after he's indulged in a bean and carne asada burrito, washed down with 2 Negro Modelo beers!

Seven things I like the most
My family
My pets
Our garden/backyard and the creatures who reside there
Cooking original recipes
The beaches of Brigantine, NJ
A nice bowl of soup at a Greek diner
Playing slots in Atlantic City!

Seven important things in my room
Underwear
My ancient palm pilot
Lavender linen spray (handy after a post-burrito night!)
My in-need-of-replenishment Birkenstock collection
My bed
My 13" tv - my favorite tv in the house!
The ceiling fan

Seven random facts about me
I was born & raised in Delaware County, PA
I wear birkenstock size 39 regular
I hate fishing - its too gruesome and smelly for me to deal with
I despise large-screen tv's
A real east-coast "Corned Beef Special" is one of my all-time favorite sandwiches
I also love a good deli tuna salad sandwich...
...and an "All American" hoagie from Planet Hoagie (Hubby's fave is the Sigi)

Seven things I plan to do before I die (More like 7 things I plan to do UNTIL I die!)
Breathe
Eat
Excrete waste products
Do laundry
Do more laundry
Grocery shop
Pick dirty socks and underwear off the floor and place them in the proper receptacle (it's called a HAMPER, folks! Somehow my husband and child can't grasp the concept of the hamper)

Seven things I can do
See list above

Seven things I can't do
Live with clutter
Give a whoot about "American Idol" or Top 40 radio hits
Poop without pharmecuetical assistance
Indulge in pork, shellfish, amoxicilin, or latex products (allergies, yanno)
Have a vaginal orgasm (c'est la vie...)
Store excess bile for the emulsification of fats in my diet (no gall bladder)
Continue chain emails/games/quizzes

Seven things I say the most
No big whoop
Turn off that TV!
I love you (or the more terse yet playful "Love ya'!")
How ya' doin'?
Can I get coleslaw instead of fries?
Hiya (not "hi" or "hello")
"Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee..." etc., etc.

Seven celeb crushes

It is still warm here in Suburban Chicago, although not sweltering like much of the summer that has past.

We are happy to have "warm" weather that invites open windows instead of energy-gorging air conditioning running day and night.

Maybe its too much fresh air rushing to my head but I cannot help but crave homemade soup! I've been thinking about making a delicious beef noodle soup all day, but my duaghter vetos the idea when I bring it up. Well, she can eat a bowl of "easy mac" while I indulge in the warm earthy goodness of tender beef, soft, simmered veggies, and a rich, satisfying broth, accompanied by a small salad and bicuits or rolls.

The weekend went surprisingly well. My husband, although worried, saddened, and anxious, is also completely accepting of baby's situation and he has told me repeatedly he supports me and my desire to "play this one out" (i.e. hopefully get to a BIRTHDAY!). The most touching thing was his statement on Friday night over dinner; man, it was right outta' some Lifetime Made-for-tv-movie:

To set the scene, hubby's full name is John Patrick. And he's a "junior".

Hubby looks over at me, beyond the box of pizza, and proclaims,

"Honey, let's name him John Patrick so everyone will know he is my son." (insert sob or charmed sigh here.)

Thus he'll be "John Patrick H.(our last name) III (the third.) Kinda WIERD that J. P. II visited me nocturnally to reassure me about J.P. III, huh?! ;) (see aug. 1, 2005 entry)

So as you can tell by the tone of my entry today, I am really upbeat about the future. I have started shopping (window shopping) for baby boy clothes - especially a cute pram suit. I had such a hard time getting one for my daughter - I bought a bunting bag only to discover at the hospital that it was WAY too big for her. So I want to make sure to get a superfly, bright color, ultra-jazzy, snuggly footed pramsuit for the lil' dude before he (hopefully) makes his appearance. I have plenty of time to find one but its fun to have a shopping "goal" for now :)

Of course I am voraciously reading about early intervention and other proactive treatments to help DS babies achieve their true potential - and some of the information is really cool. I am already excited about a yoga program for DS and other special needs babies and toddlers to help their muscle and attention span development. That and many other theraputic and nutritional resources have just recently come to light as keys to unlocking more potential than anyone thought DS kids ever had. Its incredilbe, exciting, and inspiring.

I'm still saying my daily prayers that JP's heart condition turns out to be minor or at least, fixable and that his health is otherwise in good shape. Sept. 16th is my next Level II US and fetal echocardiogram.

Speaking of cardiology, I have already been shopping around for "top docs" in echocardiology and pediatric cardiac surgery, thanks to a friend whose daughter has a congenital heart defect and my sister, who works with some of the best of the best at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. SOme of her "Top Doc" colleagues have sent me recommendations, so I feel confident that, if needed, my little guy will get Top Shelf care.

Oh, so yeah, no more "Junebug". I guess he's "JP" or "JonJon" or...some other babylike diminutive of "John Patrick". Although I have to be flexible, as my daughter is INSISTING on naming him "Max" or any one of the train engines from "Thomas the Tank " such as "Gordon", "James", or "Thomas" - we already have a "Percy" in the house!