Play money

What is the world coming to? Last night I saw a commercial for an electronic version of Monopoly. In this version of the classic game, you use a debit card instead of cash. What?! Why must everything be modernized? I always loved playing Monopoly -- all the fake dough. As a child, those hundred dollar bills are the closest you get to hundred dollar bills. Oh what's next? No "Get out of jail free" card?

And baby makes three

The biggest reason I’ve been away from the blog is that I’m pregnant and that has sort of consumed my life for the last three months. Blogging seemed completely unimportant as I lie on the couch for an entire weekend sure I was going to toss my cookies at any second. And blogging seemed utterly exhausting as a complete lack of energy overtook my body.

Well, here I am in the second trimester and feeling better. The waves of nausea have passed and the exhaustion comes and goes. I’m hoping to post more regularly and will try not to bore you to tears with tales of a new mother-to-be.

I will offer up this bit of insight: Here are a few comments you just shouldn’t say to expectant mothers:

Person One: How are you feeling?
Expectant Mother: Better, but still really tired.
Person One: Just wait, it gets worse. You’re going to be tired for the next 18 years.


Person Two looking at EM’s high heels: You won’t be wearing those shoes for long.


Person Three: Oh, look at your belly and cute clothes.
EM: Well, I just couldn’t breathe in my regular clothes.
Person Three: Just wait, it gets worse.


Gee, thanks for the advice. I feel much better.

Debating in Charleston

I’m currently watching the Democratic presidential debate taking place right here in Charleston at The Citadel. I probably should have kept a tally as to how many candidates actually answered the questions that were posed. You have to love politician question-dodging. Having personally interviewed quite a few political candidates over the years, some of them are quite skilled in giving flowery answers that say nothing.

I will say Hillary Clinton, John Edwards and Barack Obama do seem to be leading the pack. Haven’t completely made up my mind about Hillary Clinton yet but it is cool to see a woman as a serious candidate for president.

We’ve seen so many debates and news coverage, I feel like the election should be THIS November. Oh, campaign fatigue.

I'm back

I’m embarrassed I haven’t posted anything in so long. Spring was full of travels and then a myriad other issues that kept me from taking a minute to update my poor, neglected blog.

In May, Clint and I spent a few days in San Diego. He was there on business and had to stay over a weekend. So using some of his frequent flyer miles, I hopped a plane for California. We had a great trip, visiting Sea World and the San Diego Zoo. We even crossed the border into Tijuana, Mexico, where I took part in my favorite vacation activity: bartering in Mexico. I managed to haggle with the shop owner for a great bracelet.

We visited Old Town San Diego, which had some wonderful shops filled with pottery and other Mexican items (it was like heaven with chimineas).

San Diego is beautiful. I just love the West -- big skies, little humidity, mountains. It's just so stunning.

Here’s a photo of us in La Jolla. You know how it is when just the two of you are traveling—you have to ask a stranger to snap your picture.

The Money Pit, Part III

It's been some time since I posted a house update. We have wrapped up 75 percent of our interior renovations. We still have to tackle the bonus room over the garage, the kitchen and a half bath downstairs. The house has really come together. Check out our online photo album here.

Benefit for Micah

Back in November I posted some information about friends who have a young child with cancer. Micah is scheduled for a stem cell transplant Monday, April 16. A friend of the Crimmins' has put together a benefit for Micah and the playroom at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital in Nashville, where Micah is being treated.

Purchase books from Usborne Books for the little ones in your life or purchase books for Micah (his wish list is available on the Web site). Micah's mom, Jacque, said she would share many of the books with the hospital. The friend organizing the benefit plans to donate her commission from the book sales to the Crimmins family to help with medical expenses. Click here if you want to help.

And do keep praying for Micah and his family. God does work miracles!

Sweet Marley

I realize the bestseller Marley & Me by John Grogan has been out for quite some time but I finally just got around to reading it. Several people had told me how great it is and it's been on my "to read" list for months. If you're not familiar with Marley & Me, it's the story of life with a crazy yellow Lab named Marley. Marley is goofy, loveable, crazy and fiercely loyal to John Grogan and his family.

Well, over the last few days, I read Marley & Me. It's a funny, sweet, beautiful and heart-wrenching book. If you have a dog that brings immense joy to your life, you must read this book. Just be sure you have a box of Kleenex handy. And you might want to schedule reading the final chapters when you're home alone so you can blubber uninhibited.

This evening I closed Marley & Me and laid the book on the end table. I crawled onto the floor and just let my dogs lick my face. I gave them hugs and petted their faces.

Mocha once chewed a hardback book autographed by the author. Belle has destroyed more items than I can count. They both shed--a lot. Sometimes they stink. Often they embarrass us by trying to jump on strangers and sniff friends' private areas. They dig holes in the yard and wallow in mud puddles.

But I wouldn't trade them for anything. They bring us such joy. Their loyalty and devotion is almost beyond comprehension.

Thank you, John Grogan, for writing such a beautiful book and for putting into words our love for dogs.

And, check out the book's Web site.