Yeah, he finished yesterday, but I won't be hiring him again. I'm happy my lawn looks the way I want, but the whole experience was irritating and unsettling.

Stephanie, there's a short quote from a book in this week's Time magazine about buying strollers and I'm trying to find it. It cracked me up yesterday.

Found the excerpt from the book From Here to Maternity.

Today he calls me and tells me that because it's an out-of-town bank, he can't cash it. WTF? Why would that be?

In my area cashing a check is a huge ordeal. The only way you could cash an out of town check was if you have an account with that much in balance which they would hold until the check cleared. Out of town - 10 days. Which is even more crazy since the fed clears most stuff overnight. Banks take zero chances here.

Which is even more crazy since the fed clears most stuff overnight.

What is the most irritating about that is that the banks now can take the money out of your account immediately but can wait 10 days (like you said) to deposit your money. [eta: This is some new legislation that just went into effect a few months ago.] It's ahrd to see why one would take any longer than the other. My guess is that this guy needs the money *now* and can't wait a few days for the check to clear. Which I get, but it does make me doubt that he's a legitimate "lawn care" guy and more likely a guy who needs money. Either way, I'll get him his cash today and then I'm done with him.

Cashmere, that excerpt made me laugh, mostly because it is so familiar. The first time I walked into Babies R Us, I just wandered around in a daze for a while until I eventually left.

you can inform him, if you think it would not lead to retaliation, that you found him expensive and difficult to work with. Or just lose his number.

Trying to be speedy at work today. So, hi/bye! Yay for baby Isaac!

What is the most irritating about that is that the banks now can take the money out of your account immediately but can wait 10 days (like you said) to deposit your money. [eta: This is some new legislation that just went into effect a few months ago.]

The first time I walked into Babies R Us, I just wandered around in a daze for a while until I eventually left.

We all do that. There were some other books recommended by Time. I'm going to go to the library to find Area Woman Blows Gasket. I'm intrigued by the title.

Welcome Baby Issac! And congrats Mom and Dad Burrell!

Owen's newest trick is hiding sippy cups and bottles in various areas throughout the house--preferrably in drawers. He then digs them out when my head is turned to drink the stale juice or sour milk still inside.

I'm now like the prison guard who has to count the spoons after lunch.