I thought wrong.

When I was pregnant John and I agreed we'd wait until Gracie was old enough to make the decision herself before pericing her ears. It made sense at the time but lately I'd been thinking it would make more sense to do it now, while she's younger, because she wouldn't be so afraid. It's been on my mind -- but I didn't plan to act on it.

I went to the mall today to redeem Gymbucks, and return a pair of pants at Children's Place. Children's Place is across from Claire's. I ended up walking in there on a whim, and asking Gracie if she wanted pretty earrings. She agreed and hopped right up in the chair. I checked to make sure everything was sterile and signed the paperwork. The employee went to put the dots on Gracie's ears and she FLIPPED. She was screaming "stop, mommmy -- noooo!" So I took her down, got her calm, and sat in the chair with her. Again as soon as the lady got close, she flipped. I asked the lady to stop. I was still in the chair, holding her in my arms cuddling when some lady on her way out said "that's horrible you know." I stared for a moment and said "excuse me?" She said "what you're doing to that little girl is horrible" I took a deep breath and said "I don't think I asked what you thought." She said "well someone needed to tell you." So having already tried to take the high road with the self righteous bitch once I responded with "and so is dressing your child like the wal mart clearance rack..." She then stormed off.

Gracie's ears didn't get periced. I wasn't going to do something that she was clearly afraid of. But we sat in the chair until the crazy lady and her sorry looking offspring were long out of sight.

We'll try again in a few years.

Here we go, Again.

Over the summer my car got broken into twice. A couple of guests staying here also had their cars broken into, as did nuemerous hospital employees from across the street. Last fall the person responsible for all the break-in's was prosecuted and went to jail. We didn't have a single problem after that! He got out December 31st. Monday morning I woke up to find this:

The person who broke into my car, broke into 3 others the same night. He's currently back in jail -- but won't be for long. Despite having him on camera commiting the crime, all the police could pick him up for was recieving stolen properrty.

What property you might wonder?
Well, at least that part of the story is kind of funny.

For Christmas Gracie got a customized CD from a kiosk in the mall. It came in a pink sparkly case, and had "Graciebelle" printed on the actual CD.On the CD was 16 songs, each with Gracie's name inserted a couple of times through out them. The CD was found in a trash can at the residence where the bastard who stole my stuff lives. He claims it was his brother who took it. The police were unable to get a warrant because it was his Mom's house, but if they had I bet they would have found my stereo (minus the face plate... which I had,) Carseats (seriously... they're the most expensive thing he stole) and a bag of brand new Gymboree clothes.

The worst part is I can't even feel safe with him locked up because as soon as he gets out I know he'll be back here and doing it all over again.

That, with school starting, more work hours, and cold weather has made it a generally lousy week.