That's the title of the episode of Friends where Pheobe's fire alarm goes off and she can't get it to stop.  She disconnects it from the wall, takes the battery out, beats it with her shoe and finally throws it down the trash chute.  Unfortunately, she wraps it in a blanket that says "Property of Pheobe Buffay not Monica" and a fireman brings it back to her while it is still alarming.  He tells her that there is a little yellow reset button that she can press and it will stop.  However, when she beat it with her shoe...the yellow reset button fell onto the floor. 

Well, this is the story of life at our house this week.  Monday night we were rudely awakened to the sound of ear piercing chirping coming from our fire alarm a/k/a smoke detector.  Apparently, (I had never noticed) we have quite a few fire alarms around our house.  Scott got up and tried to figure out which alarm was the culprit.  This went on for what felt like an hour.  He figured out which detector was chirping and replaced the battery with a new one.  Back to bed he came and we settled back down to go to sleep.  Then again the alarm started chriping.  So after trying to figure out the real problem he disconnected it from the ceiling.  Even though it was disconnected and the battery was taken out...it kept chirping for a short while.  ???  I may have lost 2 hours of sleep but at least that was over. 

Tuesday night I went to bed thankful that I would be getting a good night's rest.  Then...around 4 am...CHIRP.  I asked, "How is that possible?"  Scott then informed me that there were more detectors.  So he got up and after a short while disconnected the alarm and came back to bed.  Finally, we could go to sleep.  So after a very brief nap, CHIRP!  You have got to be kidding me!!!!  Another detector started chirping.  It was maddening.  So...he got up and disconnected that one. 

Here's a picture of the 3 amigos now...

They are presently in the closet - silent.  I am so hoping that I will be able to sleep through the night tonight.  Scott has warned me that there is another one right above the bed; not to mention that there are several more in the basement and they are all connected. 

I'll let you know how it goes.  If they wake me up again tonight, I just might have to break out the shotgun.  Although...I don't believe even a shotgun could stop the chirping. 

Deanna Banana

Today, my friend Deanna invited me to go on a drive to NoDa with her & her daughter, Jenna.  After driving around town trying to figure out where to eat, we decided on Mama Ricotta's.  Mama Ricotta's is one of the most loved restaurants in town and it didn't disappoint today.  For those of you who do not know me and are confused, this picture is of Deanna & Jenna.  (Deanna and I are mistaken for sisters every once in a while.) 

After enjoying a scrumptious meal, we headed to NoDa for a mini art gallery crawl.  We had a lot of fun taking in the unique creations of local artists.  As usual, the heat was opressive so we decided to cool things off with a little ice cream. 

If you look at the front left corner of the above picture, you'll see my chocolate malt.  Mmmmm...chocolate malt.  Jenna loved her ice cream so much that she decided to wear it; after her mom took her to the restroom for a mini bath, she asked if she could make a wish at the fountain.

I'm not sure what Jenna wished for but I can tell you that she put a lot of thought into it.  Oh and that isn't a soft focus effect you are seeing in the picture....apparently, I had a fingerprint on the camera lens.  Probably chocolate.  And...if either one of you that read my blog are wondering...I took these pictures with the point & shoot.  I am a little too self concious to take my DSLR into a restaurant. 

Speaking of the DSLR, I thought I would try my skills with the tripod and take a profile picture with the self-timer.  First of all, take note that I am dressed for cold weather.  That is because I look better in winter clothes.  I was SWEATING in this outfit.  Also note that I totally misjudged where I would be sitting in these two pictures.  I finally got it right but the lighting was too dark and those pictures were out of focus.  Sadly, these were the best 2 out of 15.  Hold your laughter until the end....

First of all, what am I looking at?  Second of all, I'm barely in the picture.  In the next picture, I'm closer to the center but I missed the top of my head.   

I think I'll just wait for cooler weather and then see if Scott will take a profile picture for me. 

My Brand New Used Desk

I have to admit that I am already tired of renovating.  I just want my house back!  Even though we are only making 2 small changes...Scott says that the workers won't be finished until at least next week SO, I guess I will have to endure another weekend of dust, drop cloths and not being able to get to my basement from the inside of the house.  I should never complain about something like that....   

I promised my friends (they are also my coworkers) in Vermont that I would post some pictures of my new desk!  It's actually a hand-me-down from another business in the Park.  That company decided to go with a brand new "modern" look.  So...I got some brand new used furniture.  Here I am sitting at my desk:

It's hard to believe that I have spent 40 hours a week for the past 9 1/2 years in this very spot!  

Here's another view:   

And here's a bonus picture of yours truly...

OK...I really need to go do some laundry now.  I'll try not to get distracted by the TV along the way....

"but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint."

Isaiah 40:31

Father's Day

After hearing a great sermon on fathers at church this morning,  we went over the river and through the woods to Dad's house for lunch.  Actually....no river, just woods. 

No surprise here, I found Sleeping Beauty in his usual position.  If you clicked on this picture, you would see that he is sleeping with a toothpick in his mouth.  I can't tell you how many times over the years Dad has fallen asleep with a toothpick in his mouth.  When I was a little girl, we used to play a silly game where Dad would push the toothpick out of his mouth and I would try to guess where it was coming from and push it back in.  Kind of like "Whack-A-Mole"; only much more dangerous! 

It's Sunday so Mom is busy cooking roast beef, mashed potatoes & gravy, beans, macaroni, biscuits etc. 

Here's a picture of some of the food....

Sophie waits patiently outside the door for her plate.  Well, sort of patiently. 

Check out her plate.  She gets Sunday Dinner too!  Sophie loves Sundays.

After lunch, we all gave Dad his Father's Day gifts.  Kevin got a big surprise...  Rana had secretly given Mom presents for Kevin before she left for Syria.  He was very surprised.  After Dad and Kevin opened their presents, Kevin called Rana and we were all able to talk to her & Laura.  She is 7 hours ahead of us! 

Finally, here's a picture of Dad with his kids. 

I've always been a Daddy's girl and can honestly say that I thank God every day for blessing me with such a wonderful Dad (and Mom too). 

Fun With Mom

This morning I picked up Mom and we went shopping at Crate & Barrel.  Oh to have a gift certificate to Crate & Barrel.  I will have dreams about some of the items that I saw today but, they will have to wait until another day...

Afterwards, Mom and I ate at The Counter.

 We decided to "build" our own burgers and share a giant bowl of french fries & fried onion strings.  The food was really good.  I have to admit that it wasn't the cheapest burger that I have ever had but it was definitely one of the biggest.  The service was really good (today) and we thoroughly enjoyed our meal.    Thankfully, we were about 15 minutes ahead of the crowd and had no trouble being seated.

Here's a picture of my fave lunch date....

If only we had room for a chocolate malt...