Not from around here

Animal Right’s group PETA is now demanding that the FDA pull DRY dog food due to deaths being reported from owners who exclusively fed their pets (cats mostly, it seems) dry food such as Iams. There’s an emergency news conference today, and here’s the link to the article. 

 I just don’t know what we’re going to feed our dogs! Looking at their cute smushed up faces I can’t imagine feeding them dry food when I’m no longer certain it’s safe for them.  But what food is left? Boiled chicken and rice? How long can that go on?

Being a homeowner has certainly created a new type of busy life for us.  AlmostHusband has decided projects around the house is his new hobby; frankly, I can’t complain.  He has created extensive lists to detail what he’d like to do around the house.  By the time we move, this place is going to be worth a million bucks! He’ll probably have dug a canal to Lake Erie by the time we move in 4 or 5 years.  Here are his lists:

I like to contribute to the list, too.  I wrote something in blue…

It says, “Flowers for Jessika and Annie”.  Yes, for me and the dog.  I told him it was her suggestion, I just wrote it.  Note how it’s not yet crossed off….

I might actually be a little more versed in some areas than he is, though, just by default.  My dad did a lot of work around the house, and he expected me to help.  I know how to change my oil faster than a lot of guys (not to say that I actually do this anymore, but I can) and same with tires.  I worked in a hardware store for 2 years, too.  So when AlmostHusband said he was going to “culk” the inset lights in our living room, I couldn’t help but laugh.

“Did you mean ‘CAULK’ them?” I asked, laughing but trying to hold back the hysterical laughter.

Long pause.  Fake hysterical laughter from him as he mocks me, then turns completely serious. “Nooo, I mean CULK.  There’s an L, you know.”

I walked away, laughing.  When I got home from my friend’s bachelorette party and we were catching up, he told me about his mini Lowe’s shopping spree.  He bought 2 fire extinguishers (I wanted one in the kitchen because it seems safe, but honestly, how many houses actually have FULL SIZE ones in the kitchen? Now we can extinguish fires clear across the neighborhood, hehe) epoxy for the garage floors, cleaning brooms, wood stain stripper, and CAULK.  Yes, he said it correctly.

I laughed again because he knew I was right all along…and because it would have been hilarious to see the guy at Lowe’s ask him what “culk” was. He’s a nice guy to humor me and let me lovingly tease him, isn’t he?

After work today I headed to my favorite work clothes store, New York and Company.  I also had to go get a bridesmaid dress (here’s the pic, if anyone is interested…and yes, it is that color, I actually love it) so I went up to David’s Bridal in Westland.  Anyway, it got me thinking about the outlet mall here and revisions to it.  So here’s the top 15 stores I’d add.

 15. David’s Bridal.  Just so I don’t have to drive to Taylor or Westland anymore to go there.  I could also drive to the one in Toledo but I don’t like to do that for larger purchases because it doesn’t make sense to pay sales tax in another state when we all know Michigan needs all the money it can get. I bet that if they opened one no one would ever ask me to be in their wedding again, so that would stink.  But if they did, it’d be convenient.  Sidenote: try Wedding Creations in Monroe for fantastic dresses - that’s where my bridal dress is coming from.

 14. Zales Outlet.  It’s just fun to look sometimes. 

13. Cheap-o book outlet.  My mom would visit me monthly just for this!

 12. Coldstone’s.  Anywhere we can throw one in or something like it, I’m game.  Which reminds me, has anyone been to Calder’s Dairy Farm? I’ve heard great things about them.

 11. Moosejaw.  For outdoor clothes, I love this place. It’s fun.

10. Mom and pop boutique of random fun things.  Kind of like a Spencer’s, but with a twist of Hallmark.

9. Holcomb’s Know Store (teacher store).  I’d be great to have a teacher anything here, doesn’t have to be a chain for sure.  I like the local ones better.

8. Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s.  Man, I miss these places.  It’d be nice to get such organic food easily.

7. Shoe store, maybe a DSW.  I need.more.shoe.stores!

6. Furniture store.  Art Van or wherever, Value City even or a cheaper locally owned place would be nice. We only know of the one on Monroe St.

5. Vanity.  My favorite real person dressing store. This one would make me feel safe going in here - I probably wouldn’t have to worry about students being there!

4. Body piercing shop.  Not that I need anything else pierced (9 earrings and one nose) but I’d like to get some new jewelry if possible.  Are there places around here already that I don’t know of?

3. Another tanning place.  Just kidding on that one, we’ve got plenty.

2. A new humane society building.  My heart breaks when I see what little space we currently have.

 1. New York and Company.  I’d love to buy teaching clothes right here in town. Tied with Starbucks, of course, though maybe that will change after I have a Newport Cafe beverage (tomorrow even).