Dunkin Donuts (sometimes)

We are a donut loving family. They are our "special treat" of choice, and one of the few food items that all four of us can regularly agree on. When other families pick up cookies, or a cake to stop by for a visit, we pick up donuts. When other kids ask to go out for ice cream after swim class, graduation, or some other special event, Gavin and Isabelle are begging for donuts.


There are two Dunkin Donuts close to our house, and both kids have learned all of the roads that bring us close to them. However, on several recent occasions, a very disturbing trend has been emerging. Dunkin Donuts has been out of donuts! The signs are lit. They are open. But the voice on the other end of the drive through speaker just replies with "I am sorry, but we are out of donuts".

Imagine the scene. The giant glowing menu board of gooey-goodness. The kids joyfully screaming their favorite flavors from the back of the mini-van as we wait our turn to approach the speaker. I proudly deliver the order, fully prepared to be the hero-for-the-day in my children's eyes. Then......nothing. Dunkin DONUTS. Without any donuts. And I am left to drive away with a giant carload of disappointment.

Now, don't get me wrong. I understand business. I am sure there are hours of the day when it is not peak donut time, and it is not cost effective for the Dunkin Corporation to keep donuts sitting on the shelves. However, if the new business model is going to be that at a certain time of the day the stores transform from Dunkin Donuts, into Dunkin Coffee and Sandwiches, I would expect the consumers to be informed. We all know what time McDonald's stops serving breakfast, so why can't Dunkin Donuts offer the same courtesy?

Courtesy. Seems a small thing to ask as a consumer. Small things lead to large impact. Large as in I will find my donuts elsewhere.

Pomp and Circumstance

It's official, we had the first Anderson child graduation today. Gavin graduated pre-school and is officially heading to Kindergarten.
Gavin was dressed to the nines, and grinning from ear to ear all day. Gramma and Grampa, Mema and Papa, were all in attendance which made the day extra special for all of us.


The school put on a very nice little ceremony (enough to bring a little tear to Donna's eye), and Gavin even received the "Super Smile" award from his teacher. Our Gavin....smiley?? Love it.



Gavin loves school and is already looking forward to his summer camps (where he can see his girlfriend Stephanie again), and beginning Kindergarten. We are very proud of him and how well he has done all year. Now, only 13 more to go....

Cycling Fury

Here's one way to take out your fury when your chain snaps just meters from the finish line in the Giro d'Italia. Good thing David Millar (Slipstream-Chipotle Cycling Team) doesn't have to buy his own $10,000 race bikes.....

Happy Mothers Day

To the two incredible women in my life, Happy Mothers Day. Thank you for the endless patience, nurturing, love, education, direction, support, stability, kindness, and understanding you show each and everyday to Me, Gavin, and Isabelle.

Our family would not be as balanced, strong, and purely happy as it is today if it were not for you.

Thank you for all that you do and give. It does not unnoticed.

POSITION: Mom, Mama

JOB DESCRIPTION: Long term, team players needed, for challenging permanent work, in an often chaotic environment. Candidates must possess excellent communication and organizational skills and be willing to work variable hours, which will include evenings and weekends and frequent 24 hour shifts on call. Some overnight travel required -- including trips to primitive camping sites on rainy weekends and endless sports tournaments in far away cities. Travel expenses not reimbursed. Extensive courier duties are also required; frequently, on very short notice.

RESPONSIBILITIES: The rest of your life. Must be willing to be hated, at least temporarily, until someone needs $5. Must be willing to bite your tongue repeatedly. Also, must possess the physical stamina of a pack mule and be able to go from zero to 60 mph in three seconds flat -- in case, this time, the screams from the backyard are not someone just crying wolf. Must be willing to face stimulating technical challenges, such as small gadget repair, mysteriously sluggish toilets and stuck zippers. Must screen phone calls, maintain calendars and coordinate production of multiple homework projects. Must have ability to plan and organize social gatherings for clients of all ages and mental outlooks. Must be willing to be indispensable one minute, an embarrassment the next. Must handle assembly and product safety testing of a half million cheap, plastic toys, and battery operated devices. Must always hope for the best, but be prepared for the worst. Must assume final complete accountability for the quality of the end product. Responsibilities also include, floor maintenance and janitorial work throughout the facility.

POSSIBILITY FOR ADVANCEMENT & PROMOTION: Virtually none. Your job is to remain in the same position for years, without complaining, constantly retraining and updating your skills, so that those in your charge can ultimately surpass you.

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE: None required, unfortunately. On-the-job training offered on a continually exhausting basis.

WAGES AND COMPENSATION: Get this! You pay them! Offering frequent raises and bonuses. A balloon payment is due when they turn 18, because of the assumption that college will help them become financially independent. When you die, you give them whatever is left. The oddest thing about this reverse-salary scheme is that you actually enjoy it, and wish you could only do more.

BENEFITS: No health or dental insurance, no pension, no tuition reimbursement, no paid holidays and no stock options are offered -- however, this job supplies limitless opportunities for personal growth and free hugs for life, if you play your cards right.

Shrunken Footprint

I have reduced my footprint, slightly. No, it's not cold outside, and no, I did not sell my huge SUV. I have parked it.

My new job (which I still love, by the way) requires me to drive several hundred miles each week. Well, unless you have been hiding under a rock, or happen to be Amish (which would lead me to ask how you are reading this) you know that driving a full size SUV, several hundred miles each week these days is pretty darn pricey. So, I parked the SUV, and bought a nice, reliable, 4-cylinder car. 34mpg on the highway. Sweet!!

Before you fill your head full of images of Dodge Neons, Hyundai Sonatas, and Ford Focus', let me also say that I wanted to have some fun. So, I bought a 2004 Toyota Camry Solara. A red one. 34mpg never looked so good.


Best of all, it's Daddy's work car. No car seats, and no kids toys inside. Now, if I could just get Donna to give me the keys back.....

Happy Birthday Mom!

Happy Birthday Mom! Thanks for all that you do to bring happiness and smiles to all of our lives.

I love ya.

Ahhhhhhh, vacation.

We had a fantastic trip to Orlando. The weather was fantastic in the upper 80s and sunny each day, and we made the most of it. Our hotel was more than we could have hoped for. Plenty of space in our two bedroom villa, and Gavin and Isabelle LOVED the Pirate Ship pools and water slides.

Our first planned adventure was to Sea World to check out some animals, and of course, meet Shamu. It was a warm day, and Izzy seemed to feel the effects, but she (with the help of her new Monkey friend) and Gavin persevered and we managed to meet all of the Ocean creatures that were on our list. Gavin even rode his very first big roller coaster. Twice!! I guess he really is a big boy now...
Gavin really wanted to see the Sea Turtles, and lucky for us, they were at the end of the circuit. Great motivation to keep him going all afternoon.
All I can say about Shamu and the trainers that work with the whales is, WOW!!! I don't know how they do what they do, but Donna and I left incredibly impressed. I think Izzy's favorite spot was the Stingray touch pool. Daddy touched the big ones, but Izzy really wanted to get her hands on one of the little "baby" ones.
Sunday, after a round of golf, and some splashing in the hotel pools, we met up with an old friend of mine and Donna's, and headed into Downtown Disney to check out the coolest store in the world, The Lego Store. Probably my personal opinion, but still a very valid description.


Poor Gavin. I believe we actually witnessed his senses reach overload. As he stood in front of the store, surrounded by larger than life Lego people, animals, dinosaurs, and robots. With huge moving Lego displays in each of the windows. All he could bring himself to do was place his hands on his head and exclaim, "everything is Lego!"
After a train ride, some good shopping, and a great meal at a terrific Irish restaurant, we headed back to the hotel to rest up for our big day on Monday.

DISNEY!! And, if you ask Gavin, he has completely bought into the marketing and will tell you it is Disney World, Where Dreams Come True. Kids are cute, huh??

What can I say. If you have been to Disney with kids, then you already know. If you haven't, then you will never understand. I'll try to sum it up in a few words. If you could bottle the energy and excitement that comes out of a child when they see Pluto, Snow White, Tigger, Pooh, Captain Hook, Timon, Pumba, Chip n' Dale, Mary Poppins, Mickey or Minnie, you would never need to drill another oil well again.
Then, take every stroller that you have ever seen in your life, and put them in one place, and you have a pretty good idea of a day at Disney. We had a great time, and more important, Gavin and Izzy had an even better time. They met Pluto, Snow White, Dopey, Mickey and Minnie, even if Isabelle needed a little coaxing to get close. They rode just about every ride in Fantasyland, and Gavin and I racked up some serious scores on the Buzz Lightyear ride in Tomorrowland. Izzy loved the Princesses, and of course, is in awe of Cinderellas castle. We will be back. I know it.

Great trip, great to see the whole family smile and remember what is important in life. We came home with a new appreciation of all that we have, as well as an extra suitcase full of things we didn't have when we left.