Bringing home the nasty bugs that infect our household, sigh;) The kids and I were hit hard this week with bronchitis. We’re slowly on the mend but it really knocked us for a loop. Both kids were home most of the week sick and I’m not much better than they are. I’m sure if someone was eavesdropping at our house today, all they’d hear was *cough*, *cough, cough, cough*. All in tandem.

I remember as a kid being sick a lot in the winter. I had pneumonia when I was 7. I remember this particularly well because it happened when we returned from a trip to Disney World. And I had to spend a week in the hospital. My discharge day was a Saturday and I didn’t want to go home because the hospital had cable tv and we didn’t have it where we lived. That’s how kids prioritize things:)

Then as an adult I was hardly ever sick, except for the occasional cold, etc. UNTIL, the kids entered the system. Since then, it’s been open warfare in my home. Every winter from Jan-March, it’s just a big sick fest. Let’s hope this is the last of it for the season.

Think you’ll trust a company again? Best Buy got caught pulling off a fast one recently. They had a secret intranet site that had higher prices then listed on their consumer website. So when a customer came into the store saying they found something for a lower price on the Best Buy website, the sales people were pulling up the fake intranet site, with the higher prices.  The worst part is that Best Buy denied it at first (big surprise there) and then fessed up and said they never intended to cheat customers, uh uh. 

Makes you wonder who else might be trying the same scam?

I was reading Kymberly’s blog and saw a post about a new book out called Single Mom Seeking. I think it would probably be interesting reading. I’ve been dating again recently after a long break from it. I find that my perceptions about dating have changed a bit since I first entered the dating scene 3 years ago. Then I was dating a lot, met quite a few men, made good friends and just overall learned about dating life today and what was important to me.

Now I find that my interest level is there, but in a different way. I’m not as interested in meeting a whole slew of men and filtering through them and all the time and process involved in that. I know what I want and what is important to me. Some of my “list” has changed. So I’ve been “meeting” a few men and mostly making friends again. I find that the same challenges always seem to come up. Feeling connection with someone is still a rarity. Things like trying to organize custody schedules to line up a time frame that works for both people. Or some men seem great but don’t have children of their own and want to have a family of their own. Trying to align all the factors can be challenging.

The bottom line is that I’m happy with my life, with who I am and I don’t need a relationship to be complete. I’ve got an incredibly busy life, and dating provides an outlet for me to get out and enjoy some company for a while. If something from a date does develop into something more. I’ll take my time but I won’t be afraid of exploring the opportunity to have a wonderful partnership with someone.

Now for my long time loyal readers. I know I’ve disappointed you lately with no juicy dating scoops;) I’ll let you know when anything news worthy comes up;)

Updated: Since Dan has so politely requested this umm twice now. And I do give him grief about not posting enough pictures of himself on his blog, I suppose it’s only fair;) Here’s the pic, blurry and all;)

I was out running errands today to get ready for Boston tomorrow when I noticed a new vehicle, I hadn’t seen in town before. By the time I arrived home today, I had come across it another 3x. It’s what I call a marketing Hummer. It was for Austin Drisdelle - Exit Real Estate. It’s had all the details on the vehicle, a photo I think and is covered in basically a promo for himself and the company. This is the second hummer in Fredericton that I’ve noticed that does this. The other one is for Property Guys - a yellow hummer. I think it works in that you notice the vehicle right away and you remember it. Although I’d likely notice a hummer either way. I say it works, in the context that I notice it and remember it. But what does that mean for the action after that? Is there another message behind the hummer besides just being something noticed? Are they also using it as a tool to show their success? After all, you’d think if they can afford a Hummer, surely they must be a good real estate agent…. And then because these are both real estate companies, was it simply a matter of “hey he has one, I want one too”. Of course the risk is that someone will also be turned off by their choice of a Hummer. It’s a strong statement. They could potentially not gain clients with it, those who are concerned about the environment and all that entails.

I don’t know the prevalence of this form of advertising in other cities. Certainly advertising on vehicles can stand out. The computer company, Geeks Unlimited, I’ve noticed their car. Stone Ages Daycare has a neat van that is covered in kids cartoon like dinosaurs, etc. We all notice these vehicles and remember them. But the hummer seems like another step. What’s it like in other cities? What are your thoughts on the hummer choice for visual marketing?

I had a fabulous time in Boston, way too short. There’s so much to see and do that it would take days to do it all. Sat. was mostly a work day, but St. Paddy’s Day I managed to see Quincy Market (and numerous drunk university students) and lots of packed Irish Pubs. Sunday I visited the Museum of Science and Planetarium. Then the New England Aquarium, which I have to admit was my highlight. I kept thinking that Alec would love to see all this stuff. I’d love to take the kids there for a visit. The city itself had character in all ways from the brownstone buildings and architecture to the Boston twanged folks. Everyone was very nice and I’ve got some great memories from the trip. I stupidly forgot my camera out sight seeing. I did manage to snap some shots from my hotel room, will check later if any turned out and post if they did.

So yes, I highly recommend Boston for a vacation. I’ll be back for sure with the kids.

When I returned home, a review copy of Single Mom Seeking was in my mail box. I’ve read the first few pages and I can already tell that I’m going to enjoy it immensely. I’ll post a review once I’m finished.