Five questions of the day

Why are garage sales on Friday morning?

Who knew that we were getting another train to and from Chicago (to be named the Saluki)?

Did the movie “Keeping Up With The Steins” ever pass through C-U theatres?

What is up with the new “no pets allowed” policy at this weekend’s Taste of C-U?

Did anyone notice (or care) that bankrupt Delta is now flying to its Atlanta hub instead of Cincinnati out of Willard?

Service masters

It’s fun to go to Campustown during UI breaks. We made a night of it at Noodles/Cold Stone a little while back, which was very enjoyable.

But at some campus restaurants, when the students go home, so does all their experienced help. The lbotp family ventured to Bar Louie for lunch on Thursday. We might as well have stayed until dinner. Blaming the slow service/food on the “lunch rush” — we were well at the tail end of that — it took an hour to get our food. When we did get it, Mr. lbotp’s order was wrong.

Then on Saturday night, we ordered pizza from Papa Del’s. The wait was long — I can’t wait for the new location to open in Village at the Crossing later this summer — which was OK. What wasn’t OK was the fact that they switched my mushroom pizza with someone else’s pepperoni. At least they realized the mistake (the other people called too) and delivered me a new pizza.

So go to Campustown, but be sure to build in a lot of time — and take your sense of humor.

Walking In My Dreams

It’s amazing how eventful my walks have been lately with Peanut and KC. The other day we were just around the corner from my house when we see another mom and baby coming toward us. Me, trying to be friendly, says hello and makes a joke about the narrow sidewalks. The other mom says nothing but she does smile. Maybe she didn’t speak English. Maybe she was the nanny.

Anyway, what was so notable about this small exchange was the stroller the other baby was riding in. It wasn’t just any old thing. It was the Rolls Royce of all strollers, the Bugaboo Frog. For those unfamiliar with the high-end baby market, no self-respecting celebrity mom would dare go out in public with anything less. Ever since Miranda wheeled baby Brady in one on “Sex and the City,” these $729 buggies have been the rage on the coasts. But did I ever expect to see one in my neighborhood? No.

Speaking of baby products, I was thrilled to see that Babyland, the Savoy mom and pop (literally) baby store where I purchased Peanut’s furniture, will expand as part of the Schnuck’s deal. Jason, his wife and their staff have really filled a need in this community and it is great to see these young entrepreneurs succeed. If you’re looking for a great baby gift, head to Babyland and pick up one of these.

Editor’s note: Here is the new site … I have a few kinks to work out, but the purple was driving me crazy.

Pardon Our Dust …

I’ve always wanted to say that. OK, that’s a lie. I’ve decided to rip up the new design and really do it right. I’m challenging myself to figure this whole HTML/CSS thing out. So bear with me.

It’s been a veritable zoo in the ‘hood today. The city of Champaign has decided to rip up our sidewalks (yeah!) but not tell us when they will chop up our driveways (boo.) So I had to drive over my lawn today to get our cars. I guess courtesy is a word that this city doesn’t understand.

It was Sunday night in Campustown for the lbotp family. We finally made it to Noodles (I guess I was suckered by their cute billboards). I can’t believe that that place has been around almost a year and we still hadn’t been there. Mr. Lbotp had one of the non-noodle dishes (always can count on him to be Mr. anti-establishmentarian), which he liked. I had the spicy peanut noodle salad, which was OK. I got a taste of the mac and cheese, which I will definitely order next time, calories be damned!

We then went to Cold Stone, which had no fewer than 10 people working behind the counter. It was amazing how busy that place was, even though it wasn’t that hot. I can’t imagine what it will be like when the heat returns. If you’re curious, I strayed from my usual Peanut Butter Cup Perfection and tried the Birthday Cake Remix. It was OK; I liked the ice cream but the brownie mix-in didn’t do much for me.

They’re following me …

So the other day I was walking in the ‘hood with Peanut and the KC (killer cockapoo). We’re minding our own business when I notice this huge SUV stopped at a stop sign. It didn’t move for awhile, and I thought that was strange … all of a sudden this young woman gets out of the car and starts walking over to us. I look around like, are you coming over here? And she hands me this card. It is for a new company in town called Nannies, Incorporated. The woman driving the huge SUV starts talking to me like she’s my new best friend, saying I look like I could use some help.

So here’s this huge SUV trolling the streets of C-U looking for potentially helpless mothers. I have to say it was a bit creepy.

A Whole New World …

So you’ve probably noticed that this blog looks a little different. It was way overdue for a makeover … Of course I took the easy way out — I downloaded this from a free site. When I get some time (hehehe) I will try to personalize it. I love the artwork but I really don’t like where it says “this other eden”. I’m afraid it will confuse people — so consider yourself warned.

A long time ago I decried the lack of reality TV stars from our fair burg. Well, ladies of Champaign-Urbana, here’s your chance. WICD is holding try-outs for the next edition of ABC’s “The Bachelor” tonight, from 7 to 10 at Soma. For those of you who didn’t realize that the show still existed, it might as well have been buried a long time ago. For those of you interested in an “Italian prince,” get yourself gussied up and head on over to downtown Champaign this evening. I wish I could go just for the inherent entertainment value.

Another edition of Random Thoughts

• If you’re a nosy neighbor like myself*, you can’t help but love the Thursday feature in the News-Gazette classified section that lists the prices of properties sold in the previous week. (*Nosy neighbors go to open houses in their neighborhood for fun and love to drop in to newly renovated houses for a cup of sugar.)

• The Asian cuisine explosion in South/southwest Champaign includes two Chinese restaurants (both off Windsor Road) and a Korean one in the space “Trout 45″ once occupied on South Neil. Be bim bop for everyone.

• TGIF: You don’t have to be Jewish to enjoy the scrumptious challah at Great Harvest Bread Company. Makes great french toast, too.

• After months of delays, the new Prairieland Feeds store finally opened recently. And it was worth the wait … the store’s interior makes you feel as if you’re on vacation. The merchandise is well-displayed and easy to find, and hey, they even have clothes for two-legged animals.

Just another day in C-U ….

• Saw UI men’s basketball assistant coaches Wayne McClain and Tracy Webster jogging on St. Mary’s Road this afternoon. I guess that qualifies as a celebrity sighting in Champaign. That’s certainly not as juicy as the time Da Vinci Code frontman Tom Hanks was seen at Custard Cup or when Harrison Ford ate at Hooter’s. Mr. lbotp and I saw two of the “Welcome to Tolono” stars at The Great Impasta the other night. Guess that counts too. Feel free to add your brush with celebrity below, and no, seeing Mr. Food at the Home and Garden show does not count.

• New mom goes to Potbelly’s with little baby in 90-degree heat. New mom forgets her money in the car. Manager overhearing new mom takes pity on her and gives her the food, trusting her to come back later and pay.

• Who knew water could be so interesting?

The Rabbits are Bigots

Why does it seem that all the tulips in my neighborhood bloomed, except for mine? Perhaps it’s due to the rabbit infestation in my backyard. The killer cockapoo evidently hasn’t scared them away, even though she mauled one of their many offspring last spring (OK, she thought it was a toy. At least that’s what I tell myself.)

Anyway, all this means is that it’s gardening time. Time to head off to Prairie Gardens for perennials, Home Depot for annuals, and World Market for cute accessories. I might even add another metal garden art piece from Wind Water and Light Gallery.

Perhaps the perpetual rain will hold off long enough for planting. Oh, and if anyone wants to dine on a little rabbit, I know a good source.

Worth the Price of Admission

It used to be that when the paper was delivered at my doorstep, my initial destination was the sports page.

Not anymore.

The News-Gazette Letters to the Editor page has been especially fertile lately. Between incompetent school boards, the $5 million Champaign city surplus (more on that later this week), wild turkeys on the lam in Urbana, the mascot follies and other controversies marring the Central Illinois countryside, it is a must read for entertainment value.

There’s no excuse to miss it. As part of moving into the 20th century (no that’s not a typo), the News-Gazette’s redesigned Web site actually permits you to enjoy the show.