It's the Fourth of July!

Happy Independence Day Week!

Me with fireworks, showing off the Unicorn Fountain.

Please enjoy these videos from our fireworks show last weekend:

How do you celebrate the 4th of July? Be safe, and don't eat too many hot dogs!

It Is My Birthday: Financial vs. Physical Health

Probably my favorite birthday episode of The Office is the "Lecture Circuit" episode (S5:E16) where Dwight and Jim have to throw together a belated party for Kelly without the help of the Party Planning Committee.

Jim: Why have you chosen brown and grey balloons?
Dwight: They match the carpet.
Jim: What is that? It is your birthday... period.
Dwight: Just stating a fact.
Jim: Not even an exclamation point?
Dwight: This is more professional. It's not like she discovered a cure for cancer!
Jim: I can't believe how bad this looks.

Although Kelly is slightly horrified at what they come up with, I would tend to agree with Dwight. I'm not big on making a big deal of my birthday, and have been plotting which probably-fake-but-still-semi-plausible age to give if anyone at work somehow found out it was my birthday... and then asked how old I was (I know, it sounds a little silly once I see it spelled out... Renata and I came up with 38, if you're wondering).

I won't get to see anyone's reaction today, however, because I am currently sitting at home sick.

My Year-Round Fail-Safe Gift-Buying Guide, Part 2

If you'll recall, I previously gave you my fail-proof guidelines for purchasing gifts.

As promised, here are the four items I gave as Christmas gifts this year, and why they were excellent choices:

The Practical/Sentimental

For: Carly 

What it was: Mickey Mouse bag clips

Cost: $4.46 (with Annual Pass-holder discount)

Why it was a good gift: Carly needed bag clips. As I was strolling through the World of Disney store at Downtown Disney, I stumbled upon these. Hey, Carly needs bag clips, I thought, and these have Mickey Mouse on them! And who doesn't love Mickey when he's actually being practical for once? She was excited, trust me. 

My Year-Round Fail-Safe Gift-Buying Guide

I found this email in my inbox the other morning:

Dear Lacey,

A coworker gave me a book for Xmas. The note says, "this is one of my favorite books..." I've started reading but, as I arrive at page 10, I find no motivation to continue. I suppose I'll forge ahead for at least a chapter or two. But what does one do when given a gift full of meaning but one is unimpressed with that meaning?

Good question, friend, and one we all certainly find ourselves asking at one point or another. The short answer is to thank the person, place the book on your shelf, and forget about it.