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Laurie Yarnell's Embedded in the 'Burbs can now be found at The Daily Mom.
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Txting 1, 2, 3

And, we have contact. I sent my first ever text-message to my daughter yesterday. It said: “Test” and it only took me and the rep in my local Verizon store (who discovered my number was blocked for texting purposes and the only way to unblock it was for me to call India) a mere 70 minutes to send it.

Her response?
“OMG. U sent me a txt?”

After exchanging a few of these scintillating messages back and forth, I received yet another text later that afternoon:
“Dont get usd 2 txting me all the time.”

Well, fat chance of that. Personally, I think the whole text messaging thing is a pain, and I’d rather just pick up the phone and leave a quick voice message. So here’s my question: What’s the allure with this? I can see that for kids, it’s a big plus being able to text during class and no one’s the wiser. But what’s in this for me? Help me out here; what am I missing?

A Half-Baked Idea

I love reading the local paper every morning, don’t you? I mean, where else can you find out the real scoop on what’s happening in your own neck of the woods? Take this recent breaking front page news from my hometown paper. Turns out the self-appointed nutrition police in the county just north of mine has come out with the brilliant idea of passing an ordinance prohibiting its senior citizen centers from serving donated doughnuts to this community's grandmas and grandpas.

You’ve gotta love tax dollars at work that result in front page photos of outraged seniors sporting signs like “We’re Old Enough to Choose” and “Give us Our Just Desserts.” Apparently Putnam County, NY's Office for the Aging made the decision without any input from its elders. “As a rule, I don’t eat doughnuts, but it’s a matter of principle,” explains one protestor. “We want our baked goods back and we want to be treated like humans.”

What’s next…a cuppa joe? Now, that would really show those seniors who's boss.

Home is Where the Laundry’s Done

My college student came home yesterday for a long family weekend. I pick him up from the train station.

Dog in car with me for the big reunion? Check.
Surprise at how more grown up he looks even after a few weeks away? Check.
Home cooked meal prepared and happily devoured (after all, it doesn’t take much to top cafeteria fare)? Check.

“Mom,” my Soph-person says with a mischievous smile later that night. “I brought you a present.” Of course, he was the real gift. The dirty laundry? A mere goody bag.

The Grass Really is Greener Here...Maybe

Bragging about one’s kids is practically a varsity level sport out here in the ‘burbs (hence, the proliferation of all those “My child is an honor student at ABC Middle School” bumper stickers). But how many residents can brag about that iconic symbol of suburban domesticity, their lawn? The answer: us.

Yes, the hubby and I are fairly bursting with pride. I came home from work the other day to find a letter in our mailbox informing us that our personal patch of earth is being considered for a national TV commercial for a big name lawn care company. Yup. Apparently our lawn is one of the finalists being considered to play the part of “Lush Green Grass” in a future commercial coming soon to a TV near you.

Of course, it’s not a done deal. Apparently several other talented lawns are being considered. But as they say, it’s an honor just to be nominated. Our chief gardener, the hubby, is, quite naturally, just beside himself. Too bad they don’t make a bumper sticker for that. ‘Cause in the battle of the bumper stickers, surely “My lawn is a TV star” would trump even the most ivy-covered college decal.

PS: So will our lawn get the part? Stay tuned.