The Void that is UPS

The most un-funny thing that happened this Christmas:

We order TWO digital photo frames for Chuck and Cheryl, and they SHOULD have arrived on December 24th. Well, the 24th passes, and we decided to check on the package status on the 26th. Lo and behold, this package has been "delayed due to a train derailment" and is eventually squashed in a wreck on the 24th somewhere outside of Oak Creek, WI.
And the second package, according to the UPS customer service agent, was "lost somewhere between New Jersey and Chicago."... ah, yes, yet another reason to use Fed Ex, and to finish Christmas shopping in September.
So, in resolution, NewEgg, the seller, is sending us two new frames, VIA FED EX, which should be here by Friday. We'll keep you posted.

Tracking number 1Z039AF20308568496

Tracking number 1Z039AF20308568496 Ship date 12/19/2007 Estimated delivery	Destination LA CROSSE, WI, US Service type GROUND Weight 5.00 LBS
Status In Transit

Date/Time	Activity	Location	Details
12/24/2007	DAMAGE REPORTED / DAMAGE CLAIM UNDER INVESTIGATION[X]	LA CROSSE, WI, US
12/24/2007	UPS INTERNAL ACTIVITY CODE / ALL MERCHANDISE DISCARDED. UPS WILL NOTIFY THE SENDER WITH DETAILS OF THE DAMAGE[X]	LA CROSSE, WI, US
12/23/2007	UNLOAD SCAN[I]	OAK CREEK, WI, US
12/23/2007	ARRIVAL SCAN[I]	OAK CREEK, WI, US
12/21/2007	THE PACKAGE IS DELAYED DUE TO A TRAIN DERAILMENT[X]	HODGKINS, IL, US
12/20/2007	DEPARTURE SCAN[I]	EDISON, NJ, US
12/19/2007	LOCATION SCAN[I]	EDISON, NJ, US
12/19/2007	ORIGIN SCAN[I]	EDISON, NJ, US
12/19/2007	BILLING INFORMATION RECEIVED[M]

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to all. We are spending Christmas and New Years in La Crosse, Wisconsin this year. Matt's parents have their big tree up and decorated to the nines with colored lights and ornaments. Evan enjoys putting the tree "to sleep" by turning the lights off at night, and "waking it up" first thing in the morning.
Once Evan caught on to the present idea, we opened stockings... Evan LOVES candy canes, to the point of manic obsession. Which has resulted in anything peppermint to be hidden from his sight... and heaven help you if he smells peppermint on your breath, because he won't be satisfied until you produce the precious item that you've been eating. The neatest thing in the stocking, according to Evan, was a couple of plastic frogs. And the best gift was a front-end loader which could be filled with wrappings and bows from other presents.... everything else, for the birds. Oh, and Matt learned not to put the driver into the front-end loader... it can only be driven by a small plastic deer, of course!
We have been blessed with a warm home and a large family to celebrate our holidays with- our thoughts are with other members of our family that are far away, and those who are lonely this season.

We enjoyed our week of vacation, during October, in La Crosse. The fall colors were just starting to explode on the leaves. A couple afternoons warmed up and we wentfor a hike with Chuck and Cheryl. We traipsed through the fields on top of the bluffs, just behind Matt's childhood home. Evan certainly enjoyed all the fall colors, crunchy leaves, and brisk fall air.

Shih Tzu and Bichon Frise... Sh*t Freeze?

My mother-in-law, Cheryl, sent me an email about this breed of dog that has "hair" instead of "fur." And it does not shed!! bonus!! In my long search for a puppy that we can all agree upon, maybe we've stumbled upon something that will work! Matt with be happy with a non-allergenic pet, it's small enough that Evan won't be intimidated by it... now I just have to wrap my mind around having a "my dog's so cute that I put bows in her hair and carry it in a matching purse" dog.

From the website: "The Shih Tzu crossed with a Bichon Frise. This cross brings out the nose for a better breathing passage and gives the eyes tear ducts. It also livens up their personality making them better with those big families. For those with more serious allergies - they have a better chance at getting along with them."

Urban Stoneware Hippo planter

Urban Stoneware Hippo planter

how ridiculous is it that I am looking for a hippo planter online, in order to get a replacement cost for a planter that was broken in our last move... ah, military life!

Korea on my mind...

10 days ago we found out DH would be going to Korea for the next 12 months. A inevitable assignment while stationed in the USAF. We are delighted that he will be out of reach of the deployments and further delaying his trip to "the sandbox", but it gives our family a couple big choices to make. I have found that there are three opportunities for me to become employed with my original employer- all amounting to a six-figure salary in the first year. However, to stay at home I become the sole parent to our little boy and I will have a 60-80 hr work week... a big transition from a 0 hour work week. ha!
I think the hardest part of the decision is to make peace with whatever I decide. I can go to Korea and be far away from family and friends, but be near the ones I love. Or, I can stay in Tucson and get back on the corporate wagon, but be FAR away from DH. Really the idea of choosing to keep the little one and I away from DH is the biggest reason NOT to choose to stay in Tucson.