Crazed Animal Gutter Removal

The most random recent event in my life is one that sounds as if I made it up, but I assure you, I didn't.  My brother-in-law and I were watching the hockey game on t.v.  Out of nowhere, we heard my husband screaming and yelling from the dining room:  "Hey! Hey! Yo! Stop! No!"  At first, we didn't think anything of it.  (That may sound odd to think nothing of someone yelling loudly for no apparent reason, but then you haven't spent much time with my husband when he's watching sports.)  But, he continued for several minutes in a very loud voice which became increasingly more alarming.  We went to check on him and investigate what was causing this angered tirade.  Surely it wasn't the hockey game since it had gone to commercial.  What we found was so bizarre.  To put it in the words of Clark W. Griswold:  "If I woke up tomorrow with my head sewn to the carpet, I wouldn't be more surprised than I am right now."  We found my husband, yelling ferociously out the dining room window to an unknown, crazed Jack Russell Terrier that was literally pulling our gutter off of the house.  It is important to note that the gutter is actually bolted to the side of the house and Jack Russell Terriers are not large dogs.  However, this dog, which we have never seen before, was ripping off exterior elements of our house with reckless abandon.  The animal was so pumped with adrenaline that it wasn't even acknowledging my hubby's boisterous verbal attacks.  The gutter broke loose, fell to the ground, and a rat ran out.  Yes, my life is a circus.  All three of us went running through the house looking out the windows watching the dog chase the rat across the yard.  After a loud squeal, the dog caught the rat, shook it vehemently, and guarded his newly killed prey.  Gutters typically break off during a windy day, perhaps an earthquake, your everyday tornado, or even a passing tsunami.  Jack Russell Terriers...not so much.  I can't wait to tell National Geographic that they can film episodes of the Life series right in my front yard.  I'm thinking "The Suburban Food Chain" or "Gutters: Rat Bungalows of the Future."

*Product Plug* - Love Your Mama Exhilarating Soap

Ever since my return from Hot-lanta, I have been using one of my souvenirs on a regular basis.  I bought some artisan soap at a cute shop in Decatur, Georgia.  It is made by Love Your Mama.  My soap was called "East Atlanta," but on the website, it is referred to as "Exhilarating Artisan Soap."  It combines the lovely scents of rosemary and peppermint.  It really is refreshing and gives you a great wake-up-it's-morning kind of feeling in the shower.  I can't speak to the rest of the products made by Love Your Mama, however, if they are anything like the soap, then they are fantastic.  They would make a great unique gift for someone or a special pampering treat for yourself.  The soaps are 100% natural and little bits of plants emerge as you use it.  (You can't get any more natural than that!)  If you are looking for a new, exciting way to enhance your body cleansing experience, then this is the product for you!  Treat your nostrils and enjoy!

Sneaking In For Free Food

So, if you were wondering about my trip to Hot-lanta, I'll fill you in.  It was a business trip for my hubby and I tagged along.  In order to spend extra time with my husband, get free food, and have more fun, I had to pretend to be a part of the client base.  After a quick trip to Kinko's and finding a spare lanyard, I officially became someone else, worked for a made-up company, and scored access to all events.  The hardest part:  hanging out with my husband and pretending to not be his wife.  I called him "hon" at least ten times, tried to hold his hand on several occasions, and talked with him about his family as if I knew them (which I do.)  The best part:  being an actress for a few nights and really playing it up.  When my husband called my name, I had to be very professional and reply:  "Yes?  Oh, hello there.  Good to see you again."  When the topic of weddings came up, my hubby turned to me and said, "Well, you planned your wedding in only 6 months, didn't you?  How did that turn out?,"  I nearly choked on my Caribbean chicken.  Of course, his sly smile indicated that he was having a ton of fun making me squirm.  All in all, it was a great trip and well worth the acting.  We will never forget it and have one hilarious scrapbook to boot.  We can't wait until next year's conference!

*Product Plug* - All That Glitters Sweet Scented Shimmer Body Powder

You can't bring any liquids with you that are more than 3 oz. when traveling on a plane.  That means shopping for stuff once you land.  Great!  Well, I wanted to try to find some stuff that met my needs, but were also under the 3 oz. limit.  As far as body splashes or perfumes go, that can be tricky.  When I went to a supermarket in Atlanta to find something that would work, I came across the All That Glitters Sweet Scented Shimmer Body Powder.  It was a closeout item so I got it for only $4.99.  It smells great, is under 3oz. (so I can bring it back home), and leaves a nice shimmer on your skin.  Added bonus:  When I looked for it online to plug on here, it cost more.  Therefore, I actually got a good deal!  Good deal + good product = product plug.  Done and done.

Fear of Flying

So, why is it that when I have to fly on an airplane and as I am doing so, I play every scary plane movie scene in my mind over and over again on a loop?  I mean, really.  Prior to and during our flight to Hot-lanta yesterday, every movie remotely related to flying in an airplane flashed through my mind.  Luckily, along with the scary ones (think Final Destination, Snakes on a Plane, and Air Force One), I did have a few funny ones:  "I am serious, and don't call me Surely.", "Oh, stewardess.  I speak jive.", and "This?  Well, I could make a hat, or a brooch, or a pterodactyl."  However, laughing out loud when I thought of these probably only served as to make my fellow travelers a bit suspicious.  At least I made it without having to be sedated.  Here's to the return flight home!