some things are better left unsold

I’ll admit it. I’m addicted to Craig’s List. Addicted. Staying up until 1:30am, promising to sign offline in just five more minutes addicted. Oh, granted I’ve never purchased anything there, and most likely I never will. So why do I sit up alone as dawn approaches, my darling husband snoring soundly on the couch next to me, with 2 children under 3 waking in just hours? Good question. Perhaps it’s a bit like a car accident – you just can’t help but look. Who knows.

What I do know is that most of the people who post on my virtual vice are two tacos short of a combination plate. People will sell just about anything on Craig’s List, short of their own children (although I once did see a nanny up for bid). While I can almost suspend my disbelief and go along with the majority of postings, there are a few that go beyond my realm of comprehension such as, but not limited to toddler potties, “gently used” nursing, er, paraphernalia, formula that expires in 4 days…The list goes on.

I’m sorry. Sell your children’s old toys, sell their outgrown clothes. Sell your unopened (and hopefully far from mealy worm-infested) cases of Enfamil and the 33 boxes of sidewalk chalk your daughter bought at her elementary school fundraiser (I couldn’t even make that up if I tried). But people, please, please, when it comes to items such as those listed, take a deep breath, and just THROW IT AWAY. Some things just aren’t meant to be shared.

Perhaps then I can, {yawn}, once again get a decent night’s sleep.

hello my name is...

I always hated the first day of camp. Motion sickness from a turbulent bus ride, shlepping my overstuffed duffel bag up "the hill" (standard in the sleep-away world), deliberating over who gets top bunk privilege. But the worst part of that long day was the dreaded mixer. Always some lame-o game involving the last name of my first grade teacher, a roll of toilet paper or my favorite ice cream flavor. Snore. I didn't need to meet any more kids. I could've told you who my friends were going to be for the remainder of that summer by the brand of jean shorts they were wearing. Trust me, it wasn't the cool ones.

I got flashbacks of those sticky June days two years ago when I was asked to come up with an icebreaker for my fifth grade hebrew school class at the beginning of the year. I realized how corny my own summer counselors must have felt when they were forced to seperate my bunkmates and me into groups according to our astrological sign, where we would then disclose the third letter of our first pet's name.

So, here I am again, being faced with the challenge of an introducing myself to a (virtual) room full of strangers. I could toss you a bean bag and ask you to tell me how many sisters you have. We could play Mad Libs and have a tension easing laugh together. I could ask you to write a letter detailing what you are hoping to get out of this blog.

Or, I guess I could just take a deep breath, stand up straight (like you'd know the difference), and tell you a little bit about my online (and offline) self.

Phew. Okay, here goes.

My darling husband and I live with our two darling children, ages 3 months (our little boy) and almost 3 years (our big girl), respectively, in our darling (read: 825 square feet - ouch, its tight!) 2 bedroom apt. BG attends nursery school, while I stay home to take care of LB during the day. I have one older brother, but I always secretly wanted a sister too. Interests? Hmmm...that's a tough one. I love to cook (kosher, gluten-free cuisine), and much to our bank account's dismay, shop. Target is a girl's worst enemy. But I digress.

And now, my friend, I pass the bean bag along to you. Participation is optional, but encouraged. Besides, maybe this time you'll befriend one of the cool kids (who am I kidding).

Oh, and by the way, the third letter of my first pet's name was R. Just in case you were wondering.