Starbucks' Pick of the Week songs

Does anyone have any Starbucks/iTunes Pick of the Week codes they're not gonna use?

I am looking particularly for a code for the Airborne Toxic Event song "Sometime Around Midnight."

I'm also interested in Gomez's "Sunset Gates" and "Coffee Girl" by the Tragically Hip.

Thanks!

Man, time flies

How did it get to be July already?

I used to get so excited for July; it's my birth month!

But this year I'm dreading it -- not my birthday, but July.

Time is flying by. Daniel continues to grow and change; he is not my teeny-tiny baby anymore. I want to make time slow down so I can cuddle him a bit more.

July means I'm going back to work. Daniel will start day care on July 21.

July means I'll be 34. It means John will be 35.

I'm not a big fan of small children letting off fireworks. I hope to watch the July 4 festivities from afar. I always enjoy a good professional fireworks display.

One of the great things about this July, though, is that my brother and his wife will celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary on July 8. It doesn't seem possible that their wedding was 20 years ago. It feels like we were just getting gussied up and celebrating at the country club. I can still remember the hot pink silk Adrianna Papel dress my mom wore.

It's hard to believe that it was 20 years ago when my grandparents were here, that they took us to the Space Needle. That Noreen was still an awkward preteen. That I didn't wear makeup, and was getting ready to start high school. That there were no grandkids yet. Rich was the first of the six McEntee children to get married.

Wow. Time really does fly by. It's unreal. Got to slow down and savor each moment.

Addendum: I have two HUGE things I'm looking forward to in July: Hopey's coming to visit, and Matt & Sienna are coming to visit. These are some of my dearest friends in the world, and I cannot wait to share time with them. What blessings!

Fanning that old flame ...

Yep.

I'm pretty in love with Drew Carey again.

His blog kills me.

Quick hits from Casa DeWeese

I stole this "quiz" from Shelley. It's a quick and dirty way to catch up with Mama DeWeese ...

Outside my window ... the sun is trying to peek through the clouds. Wind is rustling through the trees and plants in my backyard.

I am thinking ... about my mom. That I need to clean my house. And that putting a new roof on our house is gonna be expensive. Mexican food sounds good for dinner.

I am thankful for ... my husband. He is patient and kind and gentle. He makes me laugh, and he takes many burdens off my shoulders. I realized on Monday night just how amazing John is when I was out with Dusti and Lisa. Our conversation turned to ex-boyfriends, and, man, I dated some losers/freaks/asses in my lifetime. John really is a blessing; he loves unconditionally, and he is a phenomenal dad.

From the kitchen ... The fridge is restocked with milk and cheese, and there are some Freschetta pizzas in the freezer. I just got home from the grocery store. I learned that my local Albertson's no longer accepts competitors' coupons.

I am wearing ... a Nordstrom Caslon shirt that I bought two years ago but only took the tags off of this week. My favorite Caslon jeans. My favorite Franco Sarto shoes.

I am creating ... a happy, loving son. Daniel is a smiley boy, and I can already tell he is filled with love. My favorite moments of the day are when I am watching him, and he turns and looks at me and gives me the biggest smile.

I am going ... back to work in less than a month. I am sad about this. While I am looking forward to seeing my co-workers and friends again, I am heartbroken about not being with Daniel all day. I am thankful, though, that my bosses agreed to let me cut my schedule to 32 hours a week. (It helps that I made the pitch when the executive editor was trying to make cuts.)

I am reading ... the newspaper every morning. I'm reading my friends' blogs and Facebook posts. I am trying to get back to reading "Bitter is the New Black" by Jen Lancaster. (I *love* her.)

I am hoping ... that my friends can adopt a baby soon. I am hoping that putting a new roof on the house won't cost huge sums of money. I am hoping for small miracles in my siblings' lives.

I am hearing ... wind. Planes in the sky. John is finishing feeding Daniel a bottle in the family room. Daniel is whimpering; he needs to burp.

Around the house ... there's lots to do: papers to recycle; piles to be eradicated; laundry to be washed; tables to be dusted; general crap to throw away.

One of my favorite things ... Other than Daniel's smile? I'll go with something frivolous: my DVR. I can pause the TV if Daniel is crying or needs a diaper change. I can record things that are on late at night so I can go to sleep early. It sounds so petty, but to a TV lover like me who is also juggling parenthood, it's a godsend.

A few plans for the rest of the week ... Trying to meet up with Meredith for lunch. Trying to attend Pat Kruse's funeral. Picking up some necessities at Target. Taking shoes to the repair shop. Making appointments with more roofers.

A picture to share ... Here is what I found in my ice cream bar last week. (Hmmm? What's this hard bit I'm chewing on?) It has been reported to the manufacturer; in fact, this photo was sent to the company. I am getting coupons for free products, and the manufacturer seemed quite distraught when I spoke with its customer service folks.


FYI: The wood chip was not part of the stick. The stick showed no signs of missing a half-inch chunk. The wood chip was actually in the ice cream. Yum.

Yeah, money's tight, but look on the bright side ...

So much on my mind. I have several ideas for posts, but I'm not sure I have the energy right now to tackle any of them.

There are a couple of things milling about in my mind, like "things that used to be in Tacoma that I miss." (I think I've been promising that post for a year now.) Or perhaps "After seven years of no problems, Henrietta the Honda has decided to make trouble."

And Henrietta is making pricey trouble. And the roof of my house needs to be replaced. And our house needs to be painted. And what makes all of this troubling? We're down to one income for the next month.

I was not worried about one income until I got the estimate for the roof, followed by the service dude's report on my car. Ugh. (Thank you, Mom, for advising me to keep a strong savings account. I've done so. It is helping ... a lot.)

But as my dear friend Shelley points out, there is still so much for which to be grateful. (And Shelley looks on the bright side after her beloved dog disappeared. So sad.)

I have so much to give thanks for: a loving, devoted husband; a healthy, beautiful baby; brothers and sisters who are hilarious and loving and supportive; wonderful friends; a good brain; the ability to take almost six months off for maternity leave.

Daniel went to the doctor yesterday for his 4-month checkup. He weighs 14 pounds, 5 ounces (35th percentile) and is 26.5 inches long (90th percentile). His head circumference is 17.25 inches. He's strong and healthy and alert. As my mom would say, "Much to be grateful for."

I also have big things to look forward to: Hopey's coming to visit in mid-July; Matt & Sienna and their kids are coming to visit in late July; I'm going back to work on July 20 (that's sad and happy). But my employer was willing to let me go to four days a week. And that's good for Daniel and for me.

I like the day care we've chosen for Daniel. The staff is funny and kind and highly organized. The facility is clean and modern and secure. The teachers in the infant room actually get down on the floor and play with the babies. While I am almost devastated that those people will get to be with Daniel for much of his waking time, I feel like he'll be in good hands. And I am looking forward to being with adults (and many friends) and doing work that I am passionate about.

So I need to realize that we can (and will) get through the one-income woes and things will be OK. I've got soooo much good around me.

... sigh ...

Run, walk, ride to fight what ails us

The DeWeeses are big believers in good causes. We have several friends who are participating (or recently did participate) in charity runs/walks/rides/races.

I want to give them some ink here, and perhaps you'll feel called to donate to their inspiring efforts.

The Ravenscrofts: My friend Angie and her amazing children Sáin and Aidan (who are also my godchildren!) have participated in the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation's Beat the Bridge race for five years now. They walk/run to find a cure for juvenile diabetes, which Sáin is valiantly battling. I want her to win the fight. She is GOING to win the fight. All you have to do is read Angie's blog to grasp the toll diabetes takes physically, emotionally and mentally. Click on Angie's or the kids' names to donate.

Sandra & Brent Quebedeaux: Mr. and Mrs. Q are like family to us. But Mr. Q is ready, willing and able to jump on a bike to combat cancer; we are not. My coordination skills (or lack thereof) keep me from doing most bike-related things. However, we happily cheer Brent on and give him a financial boost as he rides 70 miles(!!!) in the Lance Armstrong Foundation's LIVESTRONG Challenge. As our friend (and fellow Table 10 partier) Shelley says, "Cancer sucks." (And she's damn right.) So donate to Brent here. (Sandra is doing the LIVESTRONG walk. While she would love your support, she told me that it's best to pool donations under Brent's name.)

The Hasselbach Family: My friendship with Brian and Amy goes back about 15 years. (Wow, is that even possible?) We met when we were all young and in college and perhaps a little crazy. (OK, Amy, Hope and I were loud and ... energetic. Brian was always an adult. Not crazy.) Amy and Brian now have three adorable kids -- Bella, Maggie and Hudson. Their family took on the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in Seattle last weekend. They participated in honor of Brian's mom, who is a breast cancer survivor. I support their efforts in this cause not only because they are my friends, but also because both of my grandmothers battled breast cancer. It's a disease I want to see stamped out. Click on Amy's, Brian's, Bella's or Maggie's name above to donate to Race for the Cure.

The Coveys: Our check is in the mail to longtime friends Amy and Larry Covey who will pedal to combat hunger in the Wheels to Meals bike ride. The ride benefits Tacoma's St. Leo's Food Connection, one of Washington's largest food banks. I am sure most of you have read that food banks are suffering during our nation's economic troubles, and the Food Connection is no exception. Click on the Food Connection link to learn about the many services the organization provides. To donate to Amy & Larry, contact Amy through her blog.

Two more worthy causes to go. But first, I want to point out that all of the friends listed above are Saint Martin's University graduates. I met Angie, Brian, Sandra, "the Amys" and Larry when we all attended Saint Martin's. (Sandra later met and married Brent, who would then go on to graduate from the university.) This speaks volumes to me about a couple of things: 1. Saint Martin's taught us well to give back to our communities and to support causes that we care about; 2. At a small Catholic college, you meet people who will be your friends for life.

I almost feel like I should make a donation to Saint Martin's as a thank you for giving me some of my best friends! (What's funnier is that there is still one more SMU alum to come ...)

The Sprouffskes: Jonathan and Shelley Sprouffske are serious about kicking cancer's butt, and they deftly use Relay for Life as their weapon. Shelley actually travels and teaches people about Relay and how to help the American Cancer Society spread its message. Cancer has touched both their lives; most notably, Jonathan lost his mother to the disease in 2004. These two are amazing people and incredible friends. I actually knew them both before they ever knew each other. Shelley went through St. Charles and Bellarmine with my lil sister. And Jonathan? He went to some college down in Lacey, and we met as members of the Alumni Association board. The Sprouffskes are also the parents of Daniel's BFF, Thomas, who pities the fool who won't fight cancer. Don't make Thomas get all Mr. T on you; donate to the Sprouffskes here.

Pat McCoid: I'm trying to figure out the best way to introduce y'all to Pat. He is my co-worker and a friend. He shares my affinity for good coffee, excellent music, Irish-Catholic families and worthy causes. He's run marathons to raise money, and he used to chair Team TNT for Relay for Life. He overheard me talking about the SIDS Foundation's auction a few years ago and immediately asked how he could help. This year, he's cycling in the Courage Classic to raise money for Mary Bridge Children's Hospital in Tacoma. Pat's son, Matt, is a leukemia survivor. He says that the doctors and nurses at Mary Bridge "guided us through five years of chemotherapy." Matt has been cancer-free for five years and turned 21 in May. Now that I'm a parent, the need for a quality children's hospital in Tacoma means even more to me. This is a cause I can't say no to. Learn more about Pat and his Courage Classic ride here.

My friends have said that's it's OK if we can't give financially. They know times are tight; we are all feeling it. But they've asked, too, for prayers as they walk and run and ride and for prayers for those battling disease and hunger and sadness and financial strain. They've asked us to pray for cures for diabetes and cancer. I think that's something we can all do.

Happy Monday, everyone! Have a great week!

It's Friday, I'm in love ...

Lots of things going through my mind. Gotta keep it quick today.

* Praying for the safe return of Viper to Shelley & Jonathan.

* Considering buying an old-fashioned Sunbeam Mixmaster. (OK, it's new, but Sunbeam has resurrected its classic Mixmaster style.) While the KitchenAid is amazing, I learned to bake using the Mixmaster. I love it. I miss it. I am a pro with it. It makes me think of my mom's mad baking skillz.

* I need high chair recommendations. I've looked at several. Would love to hear what my readers have used (and loved or hated) in their homes.

* Will attend the 50th anniversary party/reunion for my grade school on Sunday. I attended St. Charles from first grade through eighth grade; I graduated 20 years ago. I have one niece and three nephews who attend St. Charles now. I hope some of my classmates come to the party. It would be awesome to see familiar faces.

* Found out that Hopey will be visiting next month. I cannot wait for her to meet Daniel and for us to meet her little Adrianna.

* Off to get coffee and mail some letters. Might even treat myself to a Pao's doughnut. It's a sunny Friday. John gets of off work early today. I pray this is the start of a good weekend!