The Daily Dose: Random Thoughts, Garage Sales and a Brand New Fireplace Store

Good day, Waukee! I'm going to start your morning with a couple random thoughts I have swimming around in my head this morning. Here goes...

Since having kids my sense of smell has been enhanced ten-fold. I'm not even kidding. This superpower was super handy especially when the kids were babies because I could sense a diaper change at 20 paces. It's that powerful.

Anyway, last night when I walked into the house after only being away an hour or so, I noticed a strange smell. I couldn't explain it but it smelled a little like bad food. I went straight for the fridge and found nothing. Nothing in the trash either so here I sit with this mystery smell just hanging out in my nose. It's killing me that I can't figure it out.

Random thought number 2: why is it that whenever it's windy, all the trash from my neighbors' bins blows into my yard? I feel like my back fence is magnetized and is drawing the trash to its pickets.

Speaking of pickets, did you read the story about the yesterday? They were both so willing to talk about the situation with not an iota of anger or ill feelings. If that were me, I would have probably been raging mad. Instead, these two handled it calmly and with poise. I left our interview feeling hopeful for both of them that the union can come to a resolution for their benefit.

Just down the street from 1st Interiors, the is open for business. Today at 4 p.m., the will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the store's opening. This weekend, an open house will follow. I predict that this will be the first of many new businesses carving out a niche on Alice's Road.

I don't know about you but I love a good garage sale. With this weekend's citywide garage sale, I'm more than just a little excited. I can't wait to get out there and bargain shop.

Do you have a ? Ask it in the comments section below the story and get it answered by the experts.

While I'm thinking of it, have you voted in contest. Voting has been a little light this week but Jane & Friends Salon and Spa still holds the lead. Get your vote in for your favorite spot today.

Worried about the weather? I am. I'm not a big fan of severe weather just popping in while I'm asleep. I'd rather face it while I'm awake. That said, here's the forecast according to the National Weather Service (darn meteorologists!):

Thursday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 4 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 82. South southwest wind between 6 and 10 mph. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Thursday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62. South southwest wind between 3 and 7 mph. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 85. South southeast wind between 6 and 8 mph.

Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 66. South southeast wind between 7 and 9 mph. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Rain, shine, or whatever the weather, I hope you have a great day, Waukee!