Here are a few you can cross off your list--

10 Worst Baby Names of 2007

What were these parents thinking?

Ptolemy: The only other one we know of is an ancient Greek astronomer, mathematician, and man extraordinaire. Actress Gretchen Mol reached a little too far back in history for this Mediterranean-inspired choice. No one will be able to pronounce it, and what happens when the kid studies his namesake in school?

Ashby: If a name's going to start with "Ash" and end in a "y", there's just no question -- the middle's got to be "le." If you must mess with Ashley -– or any common name, for that matter --  please pick something that doesn't sound like a mispronunciation of the real thing. Come kindergarten, Nancy O'Dell's daughter is going to have a lot of correcting to do.

E-: E...what? You'd think if you had to name your kid after a letter, Jay would be much better than this one, which was selected by parents in Washington. And while we're (grudgingly) willing to accept the use of apostrophes in baby names, we can't say the same for the hyphen. At least not when there isn't any more name to follow it.

Story: Actress Jenna Elfman's pick. It just doesn't make sense and certainly won't start a literary trend. Article, Essay, or Narrative, anyone? Every baby has a tale to tell, just not this way.

Ever: This is an adverb, not even an adjective or a noun, which do okay as names if you're in a pinch. It's going to get confusing when actress mom Milla Jovovich scolds the kid, "Ever, don't ever do that again!"

Heaven Rain: The only good news here: Brooke Burke's two older daughters are named Neriah and Sierra Sky. Though little Heaven's got a pretty lofty title to live up to, she'll fit right in at home.

Alabama: The trend of naming kids after locations obviously appealed to actress Drea De Matteo, but she's not even from the Southern state. We do hope she's going to be called Allie for short and turns out to be good at geography.

Princess: Every little girl is a princess to her parents, but it's a secret nickname. It's also a good name for a little fluffy white dog. Prince pulls off the male version because he's a rock star, but this baby, daughter of model Jordan, is set to be spoiled. (Don't get us started on Tiaamii, her middle name,...)

Evan: Don't go ballistic: Evan is a great name...for a boy. We know many wonderful Evans. But in this case, Napoleon Dynamite star Jon Heder bestowed it on his baby girl. Sorry, it's so not unisex.

Superman: No explanation necessary for why this New Zealand name made the list, but how about the story behind it? The parents' first choice was 4Real (as in, "when we saw him on the ultrasound, we realized he was for real"), but government officials didn't go for it. Mom and dad settled on Superman but insist they'll still refer to him as 4Real. Way to get the last word in.

Photo: The Nest Baby

© 2008 The Knot Inc. All rights reserved.

I am losing my mind. Really.

About a month ago - before we moved - I ordered a few things from OldNavy.com. They came in the mail, and 2 of the 3 shirts I ordered, didn't fit. So after learning the lesson 'maternity shirts that button up the middle don't fit me correctly' the hard way - I decided I'd just send them back. I've really never had any trouble returning anything to Old Navy.

So we moved. And the one shirt that fit - which I've now worn twice - is in my closet. And the bag with the rest of the clothes (including 2 things for Bump) - is missing. And it is consuming me.

I thought about it for the first time a few days ago. And went and looked around in the room in which I assumed it would be. No luck. So when I had more time, I took a good look around the house and checked my car. Nothing. Since then I have searched our house - more than once, bothered Jeff about it enough that he got up in the attic to check boxes of Christmas decorations and old yearbooks, asked Becky TWICE to check her apartment and car, rechecked every car WE own - multiple times, and I'm looking places it couldn't possibly be - like under the sink in the bathroom and in my file cabinet at work - just in case. 

It's all I can think about. I even went on my OldNavy.com account today to make sure I didn't dream the whole damn thing. Sure enough. The order exists.

Help.

I just got back from the vending machine. And I'm not happy.

We haven't had a vending machine for several weeks because of a new contract with Frito-Lay (a client of the agency) and something about conflict of interest, yada yada. I don't care as long as Frito-Lay is friends with Masterfoods (makers of delicious Peanut M&Ms). Which they are. Whew.

So we've been without a vending machine. I finally wrote a note to our building manager this week and asked him about the return of the vending machine. I kinda threatened him with the wrath of a hungry pregnant lady and he promised that the vending machine would be back by the end of the week. Yeah right.

But sure enough - Angela just came by to tell me that it's back! So I dig out some change and brave the freezing cold of the breezeway to get some Peanut M&Ms. I discover that not only have the Peanut M&Ms moved from E4 to E6, but they now cost 60 cents! Whatever. I put in my 60 cents, and...

I don't know how well you can tell from the picture - but the M&Ms are perched on the edge. Taunting me. So I huff back to my desk to get 60 MORE cents and come back to the machine. And...

Note the first package of M&Ms in the bottom of the machine. And the second package still stuck.

So I just finished my $1.20 package of M&Ms and wrote a nasty email to the building manager about the "new" machine. I have waited for weeks to have the option to buy Peanut M&Ms at 3:00 in the afternoon. Injustice. That's what this is.

This past Saturday was Washer Delivery #4 from Lowe's, God love 'em. Number. Four.

Several weeks ago, we decided to take a trip to Lowe's and take advantage of their first purchase financing yada yada 10% off no interest deal. We talked to a nice man named Don and picked out a washer and dryer for the new house. Easy, right? We went back last week and bought the things and arranged to have them delivered Saturday (23 February). Saturday comes and I bravely stay at the house long enough to sign for the new washer and dryer before I go to the doctor for drugs to kill the flu. The Lowe's truck comes and brings our shiny new washer and dryer (Delivery #1). But there's a rather large ding in the front of the washer. Dang. The delivery guy says they'll either discount the dinged washer or we can get a new one delivered. We opt for the new one.

So about an hour later-- same two guys show up with a new washer (Delivery #2). Yah! New Washer and dryer! I spend the rest of the day in (Becky's) bed with the flu, while Jeff/Logan/Becky move our stuff into the new house. Sunday night we decide to try out the new washer. We load it up, push start and it's not long before our TV watching is interrupted by the most God-awful noise you ever heard. Coming from the new washer. I have since taken to referring to this noise as "The Wolverine" -- but that night it was quite alarming to hear metal-on-metal-grinding/shredding-that-could-wake-the-dead coming from our beautiful new washer. I know there are a few of you out there thinking, "it was probably just the washer settling" or "maybe it was off-balance". I'm here to tell you - this washer was possessed. So I drained it, left the soaking wet clothes in there to deal with later -- and decided to call Lowe's in the morning. 

So Monday morning, I talk to Don at Lowe's. We arrange Delivery #3 for later that day. And as luck would have it, the only other washer they have like ours - is the original washer from Delivery #1 - ding and all. So we agree that while they order us a new one, we'll take the dinged one. So they send a nice lady out to "take a look" at the possessed washer. They clearly didn't believe me that it was making a seriously unpleasant noise. So Monday morning, she comes in and turns on the washer. It is making some clicking between Soak and Wash or whatever -- and she gives me a look as if to say, "that's the noise you complained about?" I assure her that she'll know when she hears this noise. The washer keeps filling with water - gentle, normal noises coming from inside. I start to get nervous that I've cried wolf. Then, without warning, "The Wolverine" appeared. Slashing gnashing shredding - the whole scene. She quickly lifts the lid to stop the noise and then, embarrassed, looks at me and mouths "somethin's not right". You don't say.

So she hauls The Wolverine away, installs the dinged washer and promises to call when they get a new one ordered. I decide not to hold my breath for this.

Lo and behold, Don calls Thursday (28 February) with news of impending Delivery #4. We've since washed a few loads in the dinged washer and it seems to be functioning without problems. We arrange Delivery #4 for this past Saturday. Everything goes off without a hitch - except that we had to lend the delivery/installation guy some tools because he didn't bring any... - and we now have the washer for which we originally paid. Yah! The only problem now is that we are pretty sure we left the plastic measuring cap for the laundry soap in the washer that got hauled away Saturday so we are now "free pouring" our Tide. But so far, so good -- 4th time's the charm!

Now. You may be under the impression that I blame this on Lowe's. You'd be wrong. In reality, I have nothing but great things to say about their customer service and willingness to right the wrong. In case you are wondering, the Washer/Dryer are GE which - to my knowledge - is not owned/manufactured by Lowe's. I'm also pretty sure that this was my first Lowe's purchase - ever - and I will definitely be going back. Our new friend Don has single-handedly earned our home improvement business.

In other washer news (yes, there's more) -  

Whoever lived in the house before we did - had a washer that they obviously didn't want to take with them. So it was loitering in the garage - taking up space where my car should go. I talked to the new landlady about this and she agreed to get it out of there. So a few weeks ago - while Becky and I were at the house getting some stuff done - New Landlady comes over and she and her husband drag the old washer across the driveway and perch it on the curb with a sign reading, "FREE". She explains this to me like she does it everyday, "they" will come by and get it, no problem. I thought this was a strange way to get rid of things - but I didn't argue with her. And I tell Jeff the situation. And he acts like this is the most humiliating thing that's ever happened to him. He cannot believe that I agreed to let someone put appliances in our front yard! I patiently explain to him that she didn't so much ask me as tell me that's what she was going to do. And there was nothing to be done. So we had a washer in our front yard. 

A few days go by and Jeff continues to steam about the washer in the front yard and how tacky it looks. I agree, of course, but am at a loss. Do I stand up to New Landlady and tell her we refuse to have her garbage in our front yard? Or do I hope and pray that someone desperate-for-a-washer-that-may-or-may-not-work comes along and snatches it out of our yard? I didn't have to wait long for a resolution.

Someone reported us! How embarrassing! I don't know if you can tell from the photo of the neon orange "NOTICE" but the box marked "Junk/Debris" is checked. This incident happened to coincide with Delivery #1/#2 (see above) of our new washer so I politely asked the Lowe's guys to haul the eyesore from the lawn. Now we are the trashy redneck new neighbors who don't know how to dispose of our own trash... great. And Jeff gets to gloat, vindicated, that he knew the washer-on-the-front-lawn plan was a bad idea from the start. I hate that.

I'm a little disappointed that my cleverness was unappreciated in my last post...

So we were at Sam's last night eating supper. From Sam's Cafe you can see most of the store and I happened to glance over to several aisles on the far side of the store. 

Nothing exciting, right? But one in particular caught my eye.

Now, I'm not one to complain if Sam's Club finds it appropriate to devote an entire aisle to the heavenly goodness that is Peanut Butter. But I thought it was a little out of place. The other aisles were much broader categories like "Breakfast" and "Candy" and "Baking/Spices". Then--- "Peanut Butter". So I decided to check it out - and see what vast array of peanut butter Sam's Club must carry.

I turned down the aisle and didn't immediately see any peanut butter - very disappointing. So I kept walking. No peanut butter. I was beginning to think Aisle 19 was a complete scam when I came to the very end of the aisle and saw this.

And that's all folks. Two sad, half-empty pallets of Jif. The photo above warranted its own aisle indicator. Other products in the "Peanut Butter" aisle included coffee (mind you that Aisle 18 - above - is labeled "Coffee"), creamers, sweeteners, jelly, honey, maple syrup, and various other "condiments". Perhaps "What Not" would have been a better name for this aisle.  

Lately, I have paid a lot more attention to people's names. I think it's fascinating just how much a name can predetermine your fate in life. For example, do you know any Supreme Court Justices named Britney or Joaquin? Do you know any pop stars named Wilbur? How about school teachers named Juice?

Once it was determined that our baby is, indeed, a boy - most people then want to know if we have a name picked out. Truth be told, we had both a girl name and a boy name picked out since about day 6 of the pregnancy - and we really never found anything we like better. There was no great debate, no "compromising" and no internet "baby name finder tool" employed. I feel for the couples that argue until the last second and, instead of making a decision, give their baby 5 names that will never get used and will only make filling out forms difficult...

However unpopular it is with some, we have decided to keep the baby's name a secret until June. (Actually- and this may come as a shock - I am the one who doesn't want to tell his name - not Jeff.) I want it to be a fun surprise. You can go ahead and rule out Robin - for obvious reasons. Though I do think it would be great to name a baby girl Scarlet and see how many people get it.

This morning I was quite hungry and we are out of both Poptarts AND Granola Bars at home – so I decided to stop through Chick-fil-A on my way to work. It’s strategically placed between home and my office – and really between anywhere and my office – so it is easily my most favorite quick breakfast/lunch.

Well today, I drove around like I have a hundred times before and ordered my Chicken/Egg/Cheese biscuit, fruit cup and chocolate milk with no problem. As I pulled around to the window, the girl inside leaned out and instead of handing me my food she rang the little white (and VERY loud) bell in my face!! Hoorah! I was the 100^th customer!! Despite the loyalty I have to this place – I have NEVER been the 100^th customer. For those of you who aren’t Chick-fil-A fans – every 100^th customer eats for free. It has happened a dozen times while we were eating in the dining room – but never to me! So I decided today would be a good day and I drove to work.

Upon arriving at work, I settled in at my desk and unpacked my bag of breakfast as I babbled on and on to my cube-neighbor, Nicholas, about my recent good fortune. He is also a fan of Chick-fil-A and has also never been the 100^th customer. After going on about how much I love the place, I reached inside the bag to find yet another surprise. Not only did I get free breakfast – I got additional breakfast! There were two wrapped biscuits in there! Nicholas overheard my surprise and I gladly offered him my extra biscuit. Could this day get any better?!

I had just turned back to my monitor and started sifting through email when Nicholas called me over and asked what I thought I had ordered. He was sitting at his desk staring at a wrapper containing a biscuit with egg and cheese – no chicken. What? I went back to my desk and opened mine. Egg. Cheese. No chicken! What the hell? After I had just babbled my head off about the great and powerful Chick-fil-A – of all things, no chicken?

So I finished my fruit cup and chocolate milk – and grudgingly ate my egg on a bun. And tried to remember that it was all free…

Holidays are usually the times that make me thank myself for keeping a blog. I absolutely love looking back and reading what I was doing on this date a year ago – or two years ago. I love the photos, I love the comments, and I love that I have this written (though public) record of my thoughts and rants for the last (almost) 3 years.

For whatever reason, I didn’t sit down on 1 January this year to write my “Reflection of the Past Year” post. But, much like 2005 and 2006—2007 was a memorable one. I had 1-year anniversaries with both Jeff and my job at Saatchi, was selected for Jury Duty, switched from the Baby business to the Pet Food business at work (ironically), started back to school to finish my Accounting degree, turned the big 2-5, buried my big brother, and got to tell my parents that God had decided it is high time they become Grandparents.

We waited to share our news for a variety of reasons – but June 11 is getting closer and closer all the time. The doctor says everything is great and we will be welcoming a baby boy in a few short months.

Hope your Valentine's Day was a good one. I got flowers today from my sweet husband and we are looking forward to being a party of 3 this time next year! I'm already looking forward to writing my "Reflections of 2008" post!

Innocent Postal Worker: Does your package contain any hazardous materials, flammable liquids, yada yada?

Crazy Lady: No, (in a whisper loud enough to wake the dead) it's just panties.

Innocent Postal Worker: (Blank Stare.)

Crazy Lady: They're for my daughter. And my son-in-law. They're for Valentine's Day.

Innocent Postal Worker: (Blank Stare.)

Crazy Lady: See, when my daughter was a little girl, I used to call her "Sweet Cheeks". And guess what I found? Valentine's panties that say "Sweet Cheeks" on the back! They are SO cute - she'll love 'em.

Innocent Postal Worker: (Nervously glancing around the room.) Can I help you with anything else today?

Crazy Lady: Nope. Just the panties.

Lucky for the poor guy I was next in line, and all I needed was a Change of Address form.

So my friend Ross was in town this week, and she and I went to dinner last night. After dinner we both ran by Wal-Mart on the way home only to discover that Wal-Mart has (once again) been taken over by ugly and useless Valentine's Day paraphernalia. On our way to the shampoo/hairspray aisle we were distracted by a (HUGE) bin of stuffed animals in various shades of red/pink/etc -- gems like a tiny gorilla with "Don't Monkey with my Heart" stitched across his chest and floppy-eared dogs reading "Puppy Love". Clever.

One particular piece that caught my eye is below:

We stood for several minutes debating whether or not this should probably read "I love you this much!" We had a good laugh and decided that the people in China that make such ridiculous knick-knacks are obviously not big on grammar and "it's the thought that counts" anyway, right?

So we keep shopping - looking for the office supply department (which is now in the back corner of the store, since the redesign) - and we pass yet another shelf of Vday crap. This time, however, we are greeted by this:

Same dog, but bigger (longer?).

Ok. A couple things. Clearly the same company produced these two dogs. Did they really create two different templates for embroidering these stupid things? Was it a space issue? The longer dog has enough space for a complete sentence? Sigh.