Mr. Nielsen, You are Welcome!

USA, you can thank me for imputing my pristine t.v. viewing preferences to the Nielsen ratings guide. I didn't think anything would happen when we filled out the questionnaire that came in the mail. Kevin and I were just over the moon that they gave us $2 to fill it out. (We're simple people) But lo and behold, a few weeks later we were mailed a t.v. diary with $30 for our trouble. Needless to say with such a large amount of dough, we still haven't decided what splurge to use it on. I'm dreaming of a pedicure...

Writing out a T.V. diary would seem like a simple test, but it was a lot more involved than I thought. I would rather right down every calorie I've eaten than note what show was on, what channel, what call letters, for how long, and who was watching. I'll be completely honest here (hopefully Mr. Nielsen isn't reading) but I wrote we watched nothing on Sunday because I couldn't remember what boring program we vegged out to. Luckily my lazy nature got a free ride, and we were out of town for 3 of the days in the survey! I just had to scribble "not viewing" over all those days.

I will apologize to America that our boring, sometimes embarrassing, T.V. habits might mold your future show schedules. Ellen and All My Children will see a ratings boost, since I literally watch them every day. I even had to admit that I spent a whole hour watching a documentary on synchronized swimming on PBS. The real shame is that we got this diary in the summer, when all the crappy reruns stop us from watching our real loves. Because of the timing, Bachelorette and Wipeout had to be recorded instead of Modern Family, LOST, and 30 Rock. Not that I don't enjoy Bachelorette (please pick the hot Latino, Ricardo, Alli) and Wipeout (the sweeper arms make me tense), I just feel other shows could have been highlighted.

Let's hope there is some sort of mailing error, and they ask me to do it again in a month. Think of what I could do with another $30!

He works hard for the money...

Upon buying our first home 3 years ago, Kevin and I quickly learned an import thing about ourselves. We don't know how to fix anything. But we also quickly learned that my Dad knows how to fix anything! I swear he is a genius wrapped in button-up shirts and black slacks.

Every time my parents come to visit, I make up a huge list of fix-up and upgrade projects. Some might see this as a task master torturing her poor retired Father, but really he enjoys it. I swear! I once made the tragic mistake of not making out a list, and the poor man paced around my house looking for things to do.

He is a work horse. He has spent more time in my attic than the original contractors that built my house. Every visit must include 2 trips to Home Depot, or something is seriously off. I think he even knows our tool shelf better than Kevin. Here's a short list of the work he's done:

Installed 2 fans
Installed an Air Vent in Bathroom
Installed 3 Dimmer Switches
Painted Clare's Room
Installed a Bathroom Fixture
Changed Lawn Mower Oil
Installed Electric Fence
Baby Proof all the Cabinets
Fix Fence
Add Knobs to Kitchen & Bathroom Doors

We would be lost without him, and are so lucky we haven't officially broken his back yet. I'm hoping to get a tiled back splash installed before he hits 70 in 2 years!

Happy Birthday to Me

This Tuesday was my 26th Birthday! This is kind of an akward age for birthdays. You rarely have a huge group of close college friends around, you normally live far from family, and birthday parties as an adult are just not like when you were a kid. All that being said, Kevin and I try to make the other person birthday still memorable.

My day started with Kevin being late to work and getting the first morning diaper. That doesn't sound like much, but every millisecond I get to spend still in bed is heaven to me. I was greeted by a smiling pancake and a "26" sausage.

I also had these beautiful gladiloas to look at. We found out earlier in the week that my great grandmother used to grow them, and now my grandma Looten does too.

The day went well with Clare and I lounging at the splash pool and shopping in the afternoon. When Kevin got home, I was told to go outside to see my birthday present. I got a beautiful blue bird bath! I've always wanted a bird bath. Now, I'm all set up with bird feeders and a bath to attract some beauties to the yard.

The night ended with a delicious dinner at the Monument Cafe with one of my Mom's Club friends, Sheila. Like most adult parties, there was only two of us because everyone else couldn't get away to join us. I had the same problem as a kid, because everyone would still be on vacation from the 4th usually.

All the facebook messages were great to see, and it just reminds me how many wonderful people are in my life. I am a lucky and blessed 26 year old woman!