My Husband is a Lurker

Usually, when I write my blog, my husband is not at home. He's normally in class, or off bringing home the bacon.


But these past few days, he's been on spring break. Which means when I sit down to start my blog, he's here. Which is WONDERFUL on so many levels....except one.


Here is an example of a conversation like we've had every morning since Sunday.


B: So, what are you going to blog about today?
A: I'm not sure.
B: Really? Do you need some ideas?
A: Sure. What have you got?
B: You could blog about the cats. Or music. Or you could blog about me. Tell them how great I am.
A: Funny. Ha ha. Really, though, I love your ideas. I actually already know what I'm going to write about today, but thanks for the ideas.
B: Oh yeah? What are you going to write about today?
A: You'll see.
B: Can't you just tell me?
A: No, because then it wouldn't be as funny.
B: Yes, it will.
A: No, it won't.
B: Yes, it will. Why wouldn't it be funny if you tell me first?
A: Because you won't have all the visuals I have planned. I want you to experience it like a reader, not like my husband.
B: Ok. I'll wait. (pouty face)


Thirty minutes later, and I'm totally in my Photoshop groove. Music's going, pictures are cropped and red-eye reduced, and I'm looking for graphics I can use for the day. Then I hear...


B: Are you looking at pictures of Richard Simmons?
A: Yes.
B: Is Richard Simmons going to be in your blog today?
A: Maybe.
B: So THAT means you're going to be writing about weight loss, right?
A: Perhaps.
B: Unless he's going to be helping you wash your face. Or maybe he's going to meet Manny? That's IT! Richard Simmons is going to wash Manny's face, right???
A: (Sigh.)


Forty-five minutes later, my Photo-shopping is done. Funny pictures are resized, cropped and saved, and I'm ready to get my writing on. Just when I'm concentrating on the perfect pun, I hear...


B: Hey, pretty lady. I love you.
A: Aw, thanks sweetie. I love you, too.
B: No, I really, really, REALLY love you.
A: I really, really, REALLY love you, too.
B: I love you to the moon and back with a bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck.
A: No take backs. (Smile.)
B: Really?
A: Really.
B: Sweet. So....what are you blogging about today?
A: Honey...
B: Ok, ok, I'll stop. I'll leave you alone now. Just tell me when you're done, ok?




A few minutes later I hear footsteps in the kitchen behind me. Followed by a very manly snicker. And when I look over my shoulder I see this:

Yes, he's adorable. And he's very smart. Sometimes....I might even tell him what the blog topic for the day is going to be.


Maybe if he sings to me, I'll tell him.


And I LOVE that he's so into my blog. I love that he looks forward to reading it everyday. It makes me so happy when he shares it with his friends, or puts it on Facebook. I mean, he's supportive in every single way, so I'm not surprised. He really is the most wonderful husband on the planet. (No, you can't have him. He's mine. All MINE!)


But you see, I know he's not reading this as I'm typing it. And I get to look forward to his reaction as he reads it. So in a way, making him wait isn't just for him, it's for me, too.


Just now:
B: Wow, babe. Those keys are really banging away. I guess you found your muse for today's blog."


You bet I did, honey. And it's YOU! 


Today's post is dedicated to my husband. The Lurker.

Monday with Manny

Hello, boys and girls! It's time for another adventure with our friend Manny, the Meerkat! This week, Manny's wanderlust took him to Waxhaw, North Carolina!

♪♫ On the road again... ♪♫

You, dear reader, may wonder why Manny would visit Waxhaw, North Carolina. Well there are LOTS of reasons. It's one of the oldest towns in Union County, it's extremely picturesque, and there's a railroad track that runs right through the center of town. 


Also, our friends Jenna and Reid, and their son Jacob, live in Waxhaw.


That's the most important reason.


A few weeks ago, we got an invitation in the mail to attend Jacob's 1st birthday party. When Manny heard about it, he packed his bags and sat by the door patiently, waiting for his chance to meet our college roommate and her family.


It takes us about 3 hours by car to get to Jenna's house, and Manny wasn't going to pass up the opportunity to take the wheel.

Thank goodness for cruise control.

After a few close calls with the median, a traffic cone, and an eighteen-wheeler, Manny noticed that we were getting low on fuel. So we directed him to the nearest gas station, and taught him all about pumping gas, inflated gas prices, and the importance of finding alternate sources of fuel.

Gas...fumes....are....awesome....

Finally, after the long three hour trek, Manny got to meet our favorite Waxhawian, and best college roommate ever, Jenna.

It was love at first sight.

Neither of them were disappointed.


After a quick snuggle-fest, Jenna put Manny in charge of greeting guests. He was granted a place of honor, next to Jacob's teeny little birthday cake. 

Good thing it was a strawberry and not a grub worm on top, or Jacob's cake would've been in danger.

There was food and cake and laughter. There were presents in the form of a drum kit, a swing to hang in the tree outside, a keyboard in the shape of a cat, and a family-sized blow-up pool for summer fun. 


When the guests had finished off the cake, the candles had been blown out and all the wishes made, they all began to make their way back home. And Manny finally had some bonding time with Birthday Boy Jacob.

"Mrrpph."

 Mr. Jacob was enthralled with our friend, Manny. And Manny, ever the fun-loving Meerkat, was as good of a babysitter as you can imagine. He was hugged, kissed, squeezed, tossed, and ultimately, hung upside down by his toes.

He even assisted in some ear-wax removal.

After a thorough half-hour play session, Jacob was whisked off to beddy-bye. And Manny enjoyed a refreshing adult beverage.

(And maybe a Zoloft...)

A few hours later, and Manny was back in South Carolina, enjoying the snug blanket he calls "burrow." Stay tuned for Manny's next adventure, coming soon!


Manny would like to thank Jenna, Reid and Jacob for inviting him to take part in such a momentous occasion. Upon meeting Master Jacob, Manny has decided that March 13 should be a national holiday, and he is taking it upon himself to start a letter-writing campaign. If you are interested in helping us institute a National Jacob's Birthday Day, please write to your Congressman-or-woman. Thank you.

Monday with Manny

Yesterday was "Take Your Meerkat To Work" day. 


(It was, I promise. Just because it wasn't on your calendar doesn't mean it's not true!)


My husband, ever the good sport, packed up Manny and drove him all the way to Daniel Island to visit the restaurant he's worked at for 8 years--Queen Anne's Revenge.

Standing on a cannon. Manny is a daredevil.

Manny is a big fan of fantastic seafood, so a trip to QAR was a major requirement in his travels of the world. B was happy to introduce Manny to the ins-and-outs of running a popular, pirate-themed (not in the cheesy way) restaurant. With B as his guide, Manny jumped headfirst into the world of cuisine.

Even Meerkats have to wait for a table. 

Manny's main interest was food. He'd neglected his bowl of grub worms at breakfast, knowing he'd be dining at the restaurant. And when a friendly group of QAR regulars offered him a seat at their table, Manny eagerly agreed.

It's not everyday that you can say you ate lunch with a Meerkat.

After a delicious meal of pan-roasted mussels, Manny was welcomed behind the scenes. The hustle and bustle of the kitchen was no new experience for this manly meerkat, who grew up in the untamed wilds of South Africa. Manny is no ordinary mongoose, and with the help of our favorite chef, Todd, was expediting food in a matter of minutes.

Todd watches Manny take the reigns.

After the lunch rush, Manny took a much-deserved break. What better place to relax and recoup than the well-stocked, expertly-manned bar? 

Bartender extraodinaire.

A few hours, and a couple of Palmetto Pale Ales, later, Manny disappeared. No one, not a server nor a line cook nor a bartender, could find the mischievous little rascal. They looked high and low, and finally he was discovered having a quick parley with Blackbeard himself.

"So, do you always carry that many guns? *GULP*"

After being rescued, the ever-maternal staff at QAR kept Manny in their sights. Why not put him to work? So he swept, he rolled silverware, he polished and buffed tables, and after copious amounts of sidework was completed, he was sent to the kitchens to clock out.

That was a LONG day. Seriously. Can I take a vacation now?

By the end of shift, Manny had put in a full day's work on the ship, and was ready to pack his things and head back to the burrow. But not before contemplating his future profession of choice...

C'mon. You knew it was coming. Pirates? You have to have the "ARGH" joke.

If you would like Manny to come and visit your part of the world, and if you're willing to send us photo documentation of his stay, please let us know! Our goal is to have a photo journal of all of Manny's adventures for him to keep once he settles down. Please note, we will expect Manny to return to us in one piece (mostly), and in a timely manner! We'll miss our little meerkat while he's away from home!

Meet & Greet with Manny the Meerkat

Meet Manny.

Manny. The Meerkat. That's right, I said meerkat.

We met Manny at our local Toys-R-Us store one fateful winter's night. My husband, who is an avid collector of all things Transformers, and I were perusing the aisles when we happened upon this adorable little Meerkat. Since we were huge fans of Meerkat Manor, we were immediately drawn to his adorable little face. At first, we were a bit confused, because we thought Manny might be an employee of TRU...

Once we determined that this wayward little meerkat was NOT, in fact, an employee (he wasn't wearing a name tag, you see), B immediately whipped out his cell phone and took this craptastic picture. We felt in our hearts that this little meerkat deserved a good home, and so B tucked him under his arm, marched up to the register, and we legally adopted Manny. 


Manny dreams of seeing the world. He talks often of the green hills of Ireland, the patisserie's of Paris, the beaches of Rio De Janeiro. 


But for now, he roams the Low Country of South Carolina, and awaits the day when he can pack up and head for the destinations of his dreams.


One day, little meerkat. One day, you will see the world...

♪♫The HILLS are alive....with the sound of music...♪♫

If you would like Manny to come and visit your part of the world, and if you're willing to send us photo documentation of his stay, please let us know! Our goal is to have a photo journal of all of Manny's adventures for him to keep once he settles down. And to help realize his dream of seeing the beauties of this world we live in.