You may remember that I frequently visit a “Neighborhood Wal-Mart” store in the hood that is fairly close to our house. A little too close perhaps.

My husband has a rule that we’re not allowed there after dark. Sometimes I break that rule. Not any more.

This past week I read in the paper where two men robbed the store and fired their guns off inside! Thankfully no one was hurt but the men are still at large. This all happened around 11:30 p.m. I’ve been there at 11:30 p.m. (against my husband’s wishes).

So in honor of my 30th birthday next week (one I’d like to live to see) I’m now asking for a bullet-proof vest.

Seems like the perfect gift to me. Practical in so many ways. You think they come in kid sizes?

If you’ve seen the movie A Christmas Story, you’ll get an eerie feeling as you read this. If you haven’t seen it - what is wrong with you????

Yesterday a card was in our mailbox stating my husband had a certified letter waiting for him at the post office. Wonder who from? The only identifiable information on the card said - “Polar Pop.” I didn’t think much of it until he got home and I told him about it.

Apparently he has been entering some online contest daily for Polar Pop. And in case you are wondering what that is - one of the chain gas stations (Circle K) around here offers fountain drinks called “Polar Pops” for like 59 cents. I’ve known he has an obsession for them. He stops on his way to work to get the guzzler of Diet Coke that keeps him functioning throughout the day. But it could be worse. At least it’s cheaper than a daily drink from somewhere like Starbucks!

He starts daydreaming last night wondering if he’s won something.

“Why else would they send me a certified letter?”

“Um….maybe to tell you to stop entering every hour?”

Since the post office was closed by the time we got home it left our imaginations running wild all night. He said the grand prize is a Corvette, but that drawing isn’t until September. So he got online and figured it out they give out monthly prizes as well. He is now convinced he is the winner of a $100 Polar Pop gift card. We’ll see…

I got a kick out of teasing him all night.

“Maybe it’s a bowling alley?”

“Or maybe it’s an ugly lamp?“

He’s taking his lunch hour to drive across town and find out…..I’ll let you know if we’ve won something red and shiny.

Props and Pans is giving away a copy of The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh: Friendship Edition on DVD. Go check it out and leave a comment to enter. What a cool gift that would make!!

With that song ironically playing on the car radio & rain pinging the windows I contemplated my dilemma today.

It was raining pretty hard & the only umbrella inside the car was our son’s Spider Man one.

What to do? Risk it or get wet?

Today we spent a large portion of the afternoon at a local city pool trying to cool off in the 100 degree heat. Instead it felt like we were taking a luke-warm bath in a pool that was likely filled with more urine than chlorine. If the people swimming were any indication of what the water contained, then we’re basically screwed. E-Coli here we come.

It’s the first public swimming pool visit for us this summer fueled by the fact I had a coupon to get in free. My first clue should have been the lady who almost ran us down in the parking lot.

Thank God I have good hearing, although her voice acted a horn as she drove up. Her kids should just be thankful she stopped at the pool entrance to let them out the door.

Her screaming demeanor started at one end of the parking lot and mostly contained the “F” word and a lot of “get your a** out of the car!” Apparently she was late to work and in a hurry. So much of a hurry that she threw a $10 bill out the window as she drove off. Her four children under the age of 12 walked slowly towards the pool with their heads hung low. The oldest one still coughing from inhaling the exhaust after picking up the money after her mother drove off.

For a moment I stopped to think about how I must sound to others, and to Ethan, when I raise my voice out of anger with him. Granted I NEVER scream the “F” word at him nor would I roll him out the car door as she did. But watching someone else’s faults does give you a moment to review your own actions.

Inside the gated fence of concrete and water didn’t get much better. An older lady that I can only assume was with her grandchildren had a very difficult time yelling at them with no teeth. I found it hard not to stare. I’m not sure if it was the way her mouth sunk in or just the fact her two grandchildren were under 4 years old and swimming alone in the 4 foot deep section.

Again I recall the misjudgments I’ve made with Ethan over the years, but I don’t think I’ve ever intentionally put him in harms way. Then again maybe I have without realizing it. In her situation she honestly more than likely didn’t know any better.

Sometimes I watch others like this, but not out of judgment. If anything I watch and make mental notes so that the next time I start to loose my cool and yell for Ethan to hurry up, I’ll think back and remember how low those young heads hung.

I have a confession to make. I’m one of those celebrity stalkers. I enjoy reading about them online and in magazines. Something about it is just fascinating. It’s not that I’m jealous or day dream about wanting to have their lives. If anything I pity them (i.e. Britney Spears), but on occasion you find a star who has a rags-to-riches story or intriguing family history that is interesting.

Two of the sites I follow are Cheaty’s Celebrity Gossip Blog and Dlisted on a daily basis. Go check them out. Good stuff.

When I saw this photo today I couldn’t figure out who it was. Any guesses?

Gwyneth Paltrow. It SO does not look like her! The hair - yes. The nose & eyebrows - not so much.

Go check out this photo shot she did for a magazine for more pictures. I know the girl has some done a few whacked out things - like naming her children Apple & Moses, but I enjoy watching her movies. Personally, I am not a fan of this photo-shopped look.