Does this "count"?

 

Like most of you, I blog totally for fun and I leave the serious business behind the keyboard.  That being said, I've really enjoyed Facebook over the past couple of months since I joined it, and just have to laugh when I see people try and be tough behind their "groups" and "likes" and "followings", some of which are political.  Although I feel very blessed and fortunate to have been born in our country, I'm not a political person on the outside and feel that there's a time and place for all that, but my blog isn't it. 

I tend to see the humor in most things (unfortunate as that can be sometimes) and when I saw all this 2010 Census "stuff" in a big bowl where I work, I knew that had "BLOG" written all over it!!  Honestly, I came home with more souvenirs than I did when I went to Disney World in 1995.

I could go on and on about the approximate $40-140 million spent on census "trinkets" - yes, it's true, Google it - but I couldn't help but shake my head at the utter ridiculousness of it all!  I mean, sure let's get the word out - make a few T-shirts, maybe some stickers (like the ones they use when you give blood that say, "Be nice to me, I gave blood today") but the things I picked up were but a sampling of the absurd advertising loot.  Just where were the supposed 2010 Census dog booties when I wanted some?? 

Here's a little peek at what I grabbed and the way the 2010 Census is spreading the word (enlarge if you need a better view)...

Need a magnetic photo frame for the fridge?  Got it!

OK, we had to really figure this one out - it's called the "Perfect Grabber" and it's got Velcro on each end.  You roll it, Velcro it, and I guess carry a pan or a suitcase, or an I-don't-know-what.

Something we all can use, a bookmark...

Ummm, a luggage tag?  Yep...

Post-its (very usable, I must say)...

A key chain (bilingual, too):  Esta en Nuestras Manos...Ole! (OK, I added the Ole part)

And a couple more things that just make you say, "HUH?" - hand gel and crayons.  

Hand gel??  Crayons??   Yes sireee.  Gotta count the dirty people, too.

 And last but not least, a 2010 Census pen in Spanish.  Muchas gracias, el Censo, I could use a new gel pen.

This was the part that had me scratching my head a bit - some of these things, when you turned them over, were made in China.  Come on, people!  Can you say government faux paus??   

So far I've heard of people being counted twice, receiving two forms in the mail, and many who are picking up forms at the library because they never received them at all.  I don't know anyone at the Census Bureau so I don't know their side of all this, and really who cares, if they explained it all it wouldn't be funny.  I can say when the numbers finally do come out, I probably won't put a lot of stock in what they say.  You can "count" on it!  I know, I couldn't resist.

 

How time flies!

Thanks to Alicia at More Than Words for hosting this Friday Photo Flashback, where we get to browse all of our pre-digital photos and remember the good ol' days.  

Today (May 21, 2010) is my daughter Sara's high school graduation!  There may be a few tears here and there but overall we're excited and happy to start the next stage in life - and so is she!  This flashback is from Sara's first day of pre-school at VanDerBeck Learning Center (which sadly closed a few years ago), and she was 3 years old (which would make this around 1995).  She only went 2 half-days a week but she loved it because her brother and sister were already in school so she thought she was hot stuff.  Her hair was pulled back in a ponytail - I know it looks like she has a boy haircut but really she doesn't. :D  

CONGRATULATIONS, SARA, you've come a long way baby!

What not to wear

I know we've all heard the expression, "The clothes make the man", but on this day my husband brought that to a whole new level.  I know after a long day at the office, it's nice to come home and put on some comfy clothes but honestly, did I marry my grandpa???

I had to sneak that picture while he was out barbecuing but I'm pretty sure when he came inside, he could tell by my expression that I was either in shock or looked like I'd seen a dog with two heads.  Let's see:  First of all there's the pair of shorts that are probably as old as one of my kids and I'm pretty sure can walk by themselves.  No biggie, they're comfortable and he's in his own backyard - have at it.  But second, he kept his work shirt on and TUCKED IT IN!  You may have thought you misread that but nope, you didn't.  Finally, dark socks with shorts??  This man is not 95.  Dark socks belong under long pants...with shoes.  Remember those cartoons where they see something surprising and their heads go back and forth really quickly?  Yeah, that's what I did.  All that's missing from that outfit is a pair of suspenders and a toothpick. 

But really, was I going to insult a man who not only barbecued the food, but came inside and finished making the rest of the supper?  I don't think so.  You have to believe me, when he leaves for work in the morning, he is one sharp dressed man!  And this might be a bit hard to believe but I BET there are some days he may think I look less than par.  Thank goodness he doesn't have a blog and DOES have a sense of humor!!  ♥

Prom-tastic! A picture journey...

Sara's senior prom...

(click any picture to enlarge)

The invitations - I don't know who made all these, but they were SO cute!

Her date for the evening, who is a friend from her work.  She went last weekend to another boy's prom and this boy, Chris, was going to another prom the night after this one, at another school.   Cha ching!

I love these kind of pictures where everyone is figuring out the whole situation - how to stand, where to stand, etc.

  Yep, that's a storm approaching, complete with tornado warnings, thunder, and lightning.

I just had to post this because I think it's hilarious!  The boys were obviously doing some dance (I'm clueless) and I know they'll look back 20 years from now at those colored tuxes and wonder what they were thinking (even though they are tres chic right now).  And I love that girl's hair in the front!

Times have changed a bit though, that's for sure from "back in the day":

1.  We did our own hair in the bathroom in front of a mirror.  Or our friends came over and helped.  Today, it involves a trip to the hair place, the nail place, and the tanning place (don't EVEN get me started on that one!!).  She paid for it though.  Her friend is going to school at a hair place so she did her hair there, which was nice.

2.  I love this one - they're VERY strict about any use whatsoever of alcohol or anything like that.  They had to do Breathalyzers on the way in, the way out, and random checks throughout the evening.  They had cards on a table and throughout the dance if you picked up a card with an "X", you had to do the Breathalyzer.  Good job, faculty!

I think a cleavage check would've been nice, but nobody asked me. :) 

3.  Guess how WE got to prom - we drove.  The guys usually borrowed mom & dad's nice car, or they cleaned theirs up to look nice.  Today, it's limos and bus's and Hummers and trolleys.  I can't believe a helicopter didn't show up and a skywriter!  Cheapskates.

After hemming and hawing about whether to go or not, I think she ended up having a very good (and safe) time.   Countdown to graduation...2-1/2 weeks!