Podasity

This weekend we enjoyed a visit from B's grandparents, the Podases. These people are perhaps two of the most amazing, sweetest people on the planet, for real. Although brief, our time together was filled with memorable moments, as usual:

- Shortly after arriving at our house, Annabelle became very eager to show us the presents she had brought along. First, she handed us a piece of country pottery with the outline of a cow on it. "Could you two find a good use for this?" she asked. Of course we answered emphatically that we could. Hmmm, the possibilities? Then, from within the vessel, A-belle pulled out a small, shiny metal basket filled with all sorts of pinkiness: pink plastic beads scattered in amongst the metal basket weave; pink and white toulle that served as a tissue paper; and best of all, tons of little artificial rose petals. "For Valentine's Day, kids!" she exclaimed, very excited about her clever little gift. "You know where to sprinkle these, right?" followed by a wink wink, nudge nudge; we were horrified. Was this really happening?

- Ralph was apalled to find that we did not have chairs to accompany our dining table in the kitchen. As a result, before they left we had gained not two chairs, but four - "so we can have our friends over for a good game of bridge," he said.

(As a side note: Brandon is actually looking into the game in response to the Podases' prompting; they have even sent us a how-to-play manual in the mail).

Things that happened that, when added together, make up my life

* Dreamgirls made me dance in my movie seat, as well as renew my love of glitter, wigs, and peacock plume eyeshadow effects. It then made me think I could actually be a Dreamgirl, which made me sing about it all night with my girl pals. If only we could, together, harness our musical genius.

* I called Sara's house last night and the phone growled at me like a furious canine. Thinking this was the new outgoing message she and Max conjured up, I stayed on the line, only to realize that the phone line may have acutally been a portal to the underworld. When I called again, I got their regular machine message...

* Jane Eyre has taken an unexpected turn for the better! Mr. Rochester is my new favorite literary figure. Tori + Mr. R = love.

* Last night, during an emergency trip to the grocery store at 1am, I was distracted by handsoap and spent a good 15 minutes trying to choose the one with the least amount of smell. I hate flowery-smelling hands. After removing the cap to one bottle and leaning in to smell and scrutinize it, I got the goo all over my face. While frantically trying to get it off, I merely created long, droopy, slimy strings everywhere. Brandon (and the night stock crew) found this very amusing.

*At work we are trying to find an entertaining "personality host" for an upcoming event; at the top of the list is Richard Dean Anderson, AKA MacGyver. I have spent a good portion of my morning researching him online and trying to find his contact information.

Happy Birthday + Annoying Singing Cards = Excellent Greetings from Athens

January is birthday extravaganza: all of my parents/in-laws have had birthdays this month.

In honor of my mom's and Brandon's mom's birthday, which are a day apart, and because we are too poor to send presents through the mail, Brandon and I went to Hallmark to buy them birthday cards.

Out of habit, I immediately went to the super sappy, "Mom, you are wonderful" birthday section, in which all the cards are designed in pastels with bouquets of flowers and perhaps a pink or purple ribbon looped through the front. While perusing these traditional cards we usually purchase as our mom-birthday staple, a strange sound began to fill the air.

One aisle behind me (I know this because Brandon's head was popping out over the tall racks of cards), I heard "Who Let the Dogs Out" blaring and Brandon making his signature honking laugh sound that he makes when he's thoroughly amused by something ridiculous. Soon, more classic melodies such as the theme song from Star Wars and "Achy Breaky Heart" were belting out from the aisle, as Brandon opened singing birthday cards, one after the other.

We were the only customers in the store; yet, I was getting slightly embarassed as he made his way through the rack, laughing hysterically to himself the whole time. I hissed at him: "Hey, quit it! You have absolutely no intention of buying one of those! Now, get over here and help me pick out the card with the best looking hydrangeas for your mom."

His laughter was contagious, however, as "Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In" started up. Soon I was standing at the rack too, and there were just so many songs to choose from! There was even a Lassie card that barked at us.

We finally decided on "Superfreak" for B.'s mom and the "Wang Chung" song ("Everybody Have Fun Tonight") for T-Pole senior. All covered in glitter and neon party hats, there was no doubt the moms would be excited and confused.

Yesterday I returned to the store to purchase "Mr. Roboto" for my father, whose birthday is today. His card, in keeping with this year's theme of hilarity, features stick figure robots showcasing their best robot dance moves, much like his famed "shovel" and "batman." I figure he can relate.