Boy. What a bummer of a couple of days! Yesterday, I took my car in to have a routine service done to find out that I need $800 worth of brake work done. I escaped yesterday with a $600 bill but I need to take my car back in two weeks to have the remainder of the work done.
This is Son's senior year in band. Last month, we went to visit him at band camp. Usually we would get a preview of the year's show while there. This year, however, it was pouring down rain so they didn't get to march on Parent's Night.
I was actually really excited to go to the first football game tonight to see the band march. I EVEN gave up HAPPY HOUR (which NEVER happens!) About 12 minutes into the game, we had our first 30 minute lightning delay. The team came back out and played almost the rest of the first quarter - 25 seconds to go - when we had our second lightning delay. This time, the storm moved in shortly afterwards and the game got suspended until tomorrow.
They won't be able to mobilize the band (kids in other sports/activities, busing etc) for the game tomorrow so now it will be Tuesday (at the Fair) before I get to see the band show! Please pray for no rain on Tuesday!!!
Friday, August 28, 2009
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Aeropostale
Just a quick blog post to give some kudos to Aeropostale.
A couple of weeks ago, I ordered Son two pairs of jeans online during their Friends and Family sale. They arrived last weekend and since Son has lost quite a bit of weight, they were too big. The jeans arrived just as I was going out of town for business. I asked him to return them to the store to exchange them and explained that he was going to have to talk to the cashier about a possible price difference. That ended up being too big of a request for an 18 year old - actually TALK (and speak CLEARLY) to a STRANGER??? Needless to say, the jeans were still in the spare bedroom when I got home.
Today, I made him go with me to try on a smaller size to be sure that they fit so that I wouldn't have to make yet ANOTHER trip to the mall. The store was PACKED! Everyone must have suddenly realized "OHMIGOSH! School starts TOMORROW and I have NOTHING to wear!" A VERY nice clerk helped us to find the jeans that we were looking for and, surprise of surprise, they were NOT on sale. I explained the situation that I had purchased them online and the clerk shared that she could take 30% off the price. That still made them a few dollars more than I paid but I was quite happy.
When we got to the register, I explained to the cashier what the clerk had said and the manager was standing there. She said, "Oh no. We'll just override the price and even exchange them!"
YAY!!! Thank you, Aeropostale, for being reasonable and kind. Especially in light that the store was a mad house and I'm SURE that everyone working was extremely busy. For whatever reason, I have not run into too many kind hearted store workers anywhere lately. I suppose that is one reason why I do so much of my shopping online now-a-days!
A couple of weeks ago, I ordered Son two pairs of jeans online during their Friends and Family sale. They arrived last weekend and since Son has lost quite a bit of weight, they were too big. The jeans arrived just as I was going out of town for business. I asked him to return them to the store to exchange them and explained that he was going to have to talk to the cashier about a possible price difference. That ended up being too big of a request for an 18 year old - actually TALK (and speak CLEARLY) to a STRANGER??? Needless to say, the jeans were still in the spare bedroom when I got home.
Today, I made him go with me to try on a smaller size to be sure that they fit so that I wouldn't have to make yet ANOTHER trip to the mall. The store was PACKED! Everyone must have suddenly realized "OHMIGOSH! School starts TOMORROW and I have NOTHING to wear!" A VERY nice clerk helped us to find the jeans that we were looking for and, surprise of surprise, they were NOT on sale. I explained the situation that I had purchased them online and the clerk shared that she could take 30% off the price. That still made them a few dollars more than I paid but I was quite happy.
When we got to the register, I explained to the cashier what the clerk had said and the manager was standing there. She said, "Oh no. We'll just override the price and even exchange them!"
YAY!!! Thank you, Aeropostale, for being reasonable and kind. Especially in light that the store was a mad house and I'm SURE that everyone working was extremely busy. For whatever reason, I have not run into too many kind hearted store workers anywhere lately. I suppose that is one reason why I do so much of my shopping online now-a-days!
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Lexington, Kentucky
I have just returned from a business trip to Lexington, Kentucky. I have posted a review of our hotel, the Hilton Lexington Green, here: http://sharedreviews.com/r/45513-hilton-lexington-green-lexington-kentucky.
Upon some recommendations from friends, while we were in Lexington, we had some wonderful meals! The first evening, we went across the street from our hotel to the Fayette Mall Plaza and had dinner at Saul Good. I had a Cob Sandwich with fries which was VERY good! Since the weather was so beautiful, we ate outdoors so I can't really comment on the atmosphere of the restaurant but the food and service were very nice.
The second night, we ventured into downtown Lexington and ate at DeSha's. Prior to eating, we walked around Triangle Park and to the Rupp Arena and back. Dinner was HUGE and delicious. We started with the potato chips which were smothered in cheese, bacon, onions and barbecue sauce. Then I had the mushroom ravioli which came with a salad and cornbread. I was stuffed full by the time I was halfway through the salad but continued to eat until I thought I would burst!
We headed back over to the Fayette Mall to try to walk off some of the food but it didn't really help!
The last night, we walked right out the back of our hotel to the Regatta restaurant. You couldn't possibly get any more convenient than that and the food was, again, delicious and extremely fresh and reasonably priced for seafood. I had a combo platter that consisted of grilled salmon and a crab cake. This meal also came with salad, mashed potatoes and biscuits. So, once again, I completely stuffed myself!
After dinner, we explored the Joseph Beth Bookstore and before we returned to our hotel, we had a drink and listened to live music at the bar that is next to the Regatta restaurant. It was a warm, beautiful night and the bar and restaurant have outdoor seating that overlooks a cute pond.
We had a great trip to Lexington and I am happy and grateful that everything went so well - including the drive there and the training that we conducted at the University of Kentucky Medical Center.
Upon some recommendations from friends, while we were in Lexington, we had some wonderful meals! The first evening, we went across the street from our hotel to the Fayette Mall Plaza and had dinner at Saul Good. I had a Cob Sandwich with fries which was VERY good! Since the weather was so beautiful, we ate outdoors so I can't really comment on the atmosphere of the restaurant but the food and service were very nice.
The second night, we ventured into downtown Lexington and ate at DeSha's. Prior to eating, we walked around Triangle Park and to the Rupp Arena and back. Dinner was HUGE and delicious. We started with the potato chips which were smothered in cheese, bacon, onions and barbecue sauce. Then I had the mushroom ravioli which came with a salad and cornbread. I was stuffed full by the time I was halfway through the salad but continued to eat until I thought I would burst!
We headed back over to the Fayette Mall to try to walk off some of the food but it didn't really help!
The last night, we walked right out the back of our hotel to the Regatta restaurant. You couldn't possibly get any more convenient than that and the food was, again, delicious and extremely fresh and reasonably priced for seafood. I had a combo platter that consisted of grilled salmon and a crab cake. This meal also came with salad, mashed potatoes and biscuits. So, once again, I completely stuffed myself!
After dinner, we explored the Joseph Beth Bookstore and before we returned to our hotel, we had a drink and listened to live music at the bar that is next to the Regatta restaurant. It was a warm, beautiful night and the bar and restaurant have outdoor seating that overlooks a cute pond.
We had a great trip to Lexington and I am happy and grateful that everything went so well - including the drive there and the training that we conducted at the University of Kentucky Medical Center.
Monday, August 17, 2009
What a horribly (yet luscious!) lazy weekend we just had! Friday started with our usual Happy Hour at Don Pablos but this time it was just Hubby and I. Two other friends stopped by briefly but we didn't have 12-16 people joining us that we usually have. Not that I don't think that is GREAT fun but just Hubby and I was very nice. We stopped at Home Depot on the way home and splurged on new outdoor furniture. We were replacing a 20 year old set of treated lumber furniture that we loved but didn't find terribly comfortable to sit on and therefore rarely used. We used our anniversary last weekend and Hubby's birthday yesterday as an excuse.
Saturday, we got the furniture all set up and tried it out with coffee while waiting for the grass to dry. Hubby mowed while I straightened up the house and then we spent the rest of the day at the lake. We stopped on the way home and picked up some fresh corn and grilled corn and hot dogs for dinner.
Sunday morning was our usual church service and then breakfast. After that - a day at the lake! Summer took a long time to get here but this weekend it was sunny and almost 90 both days. Perfect lake weather! The corn was so good on Saturday that we picked up some more yesterday and grilled it again with some chicken.
We plan to celebrate Hubby's birthday next weekend with Low Country Boil (Frogmore Stew) and cake and ice cream. He was willing to postpone it for a week so that we can celebrate with friends and family. Everyone was busy this weekend!
Saturday, we got the furniture all set up and tried it out with coffee while waiting for the grass to dry. Hubby mowed while I straightened up the house and then we spent the rest of the day at the lake. We stopped on the way home and picked up some fresh corn and grilled corn and hot dogs for dinner.
Sunday morning was our usual church service and then breakfast. After that - a day at the lake! Summer took a long time to get here but this weekend it was sunny and almost 90 both days. Perfect lake weather! The corn was so good on Saturday that we picked up some more yesterday and grilled it again with some chicken.
We plan to celebrate Hubby's birthday next weekend with Low Country Boil (Frogmore Stew) and cake and ice cream. He was willing to postpone it for a week so that we can celebrate with friends and family. Everyone was busy this weekend!
Monday, August 10, 2009
Wear Sunscreen
This is one of my favorite speeches/columns of all time. It was originally written by Mary Schmich on June 1, 1997 for the Chicago Tribune. I am posting it the way I came across it years ago - as a commencement speech.
Ladies and gentlemen of the class of 2003:
Wear sunscreen.
If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it.
The long-term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by scientists, whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable than my own meandering experience.
I will dispense this advice now.
Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth.
Oh, never mind.
You will not understand the power and beauty of your youth until they've faded.
But trust me, in 20 years, you'll look back at photos of yourself and recall in a way you can't grasp now how much possibility lay before you and how fabulous you really looked.
You are not as fat as you imagine.
Don't worry about the future.
Or worry, but know that worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubblegum.
The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that never crossed your worried mind, the kind that blindside you at 4 p.m. on some idle Tuesday.
Do one thing every day that scares you.
Sing.
Don't be reckless with other people's hearts.
Don't put up with people who are reckless with yours.
Floss.
Don't waste your time on jealousy.
Sometimes you're ahead, sometimes you're behind.
The race is long and, in the end, it's only with yourself.
Remember compliments you receive.
Forget the insults.
If you succeed in doing this, tell me how.
Keep your old love letters.
Throw away your old bank statements.
Stretch.
Don't feel guilty if you don't know what you want to do with your life.
The most interesting people I know didn't know at 22 what they wanted to do with their lives.
Some of the most interesting 40-year-olds I know still don't.
Get plenty of calcium.
Be kind to your knees.
You'll miss them when they're gone.
Maybe you'll marry, maybe you won't.
Maybe you'll have children, maybe you won't .
Maybe you'll divorce at 40, maybe you'll dance the funky chicken on your 75th wedding anniversary.
Whatever you do, don't congratulate yourself too much, or berate yourself either.
Your choices are half chance.
So are everybody else's.
Enjoy your body.
Use it every way you can.
Don't be afraid of it or of what other people think of it.
It's the greatest instrument you'll ever own.
Dance, even if you have nowhere to do it but your livingroom.
Read the directions, even if you don't follow them.
Do not read beauty magazines.
They will only make you feel ugly.
Get to know your parents.
You never know when they'll be gone for good.
Be nice to your siblings.
They're your best link to your past and the people most likely to stick with you in the future.
Understand that friends come and go, but with a precious few you should hold on.
Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography and lifestyle, because the older you get, the more you need the people who knew you when you were young.
Live in New York City once, but leave before it makes you hard.
Live in Northern California once, but leave before it makes you soft.
Travel.
Accept certain inalienable truths: Prices will rise.
Politicians will philander.
You, too, will get old.
And when you do, you'll fantasize that when you were young, prices were reasonable, politicians were noble, and children respected their elders.
Respect your elders.
Don't expect anyone else to support you.
Maybe you have a trust fund.
Maybe you'll have a wealthy spouse.
But you never know when either one might run out.
Don't mess too much with your hair or by the time you're 40 it will look 85.
Be careful whose advice you buy, but be patient with those who supply it.
Advice is a form of nostalgia.
Dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it's worth.
But trust me on the sunscreen.
Ladies and gentlemen of the class of 2003:
Wear sunscreen.
If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it.
The long-term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by scientists, whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable than my own meandering experience.
I will dispense this advice now.
Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth.
Oh, never mind.
You will not understand the power and beauty of your youth until they've faded.
But trust me, in 20 years, you'll look back at photos of yourself and recall in a way you can't grasp now how much possibility lay before you and how fabulous you really looked.
You are not as fat as you imagine.
Don't worry about the future.
Or worry, but know that worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubblegum.
The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that never crossed your worried mind, the kind that blindside you at 4 p.m. on some idle Tuesday.
Do one thing every day that scares you.
Sing.
Don't be reckless with other people's hearts.
Don't put up with people who are reckless with yours.
Floss.
Don't waste your time on jealousy.
Sometimes you're ahead, sometimes you're behind.
The race is long and, in the end, it's only with yourself.
Remember compliments you receive.
Forget the insults.
If you succeed in doing this, tell me how.
Keep your old love letters.
Throw away your old bank statements.
Stretch.
Don't feel guilty if you don't know what you want to do with your life.
The most interesting people I know didn't know at 22 what they wanted to do with their lives.
Some of the most interesting 40-year-olds I know still don't.
Get plenty of calcium.
Be kind to your knees.
You'll miss them when they're gone.
Maybe you'll marry, maybe you won't.
Maybe you'll have children, maybe you won't .
Maybe you'll divorce at 40, maybe you'll dance the funky chicken on your 75th wedding anniversary.
Whatever you do, don't congratulate yourself too much, or berate yourself either.
Your choices are half chance.
So are everybody else's.
Enjoy your body.
Use it every way you can.
Don't be afraid of it or of what other people think of it.
It's the greatest instrument you'll ever own.
Dance, even if you have nowhere to do it but your livingroom.
Read the directions, even if you don't follow them.
Do not read beauty magazines.
They will only make you feel ugly.
Get to know your parents.
You never know when they'll be gone for good.
Be nice to your siblings.
They're your best link to your past and the people most likely to stick with you in the future.
Understand that friends come and go, but with a precious few you should hold on.
Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography and lifestyle, because the older you get, the more you need the people who knew you when you were young.
Live in New York City once, but leave before it makes you hard.
Live in Northern California once, but leave before it makes you soft.
Travel.
Accept certain inalienable truths: Prices will rise.
Politicians will philander.
You, too, will get old.
And when you do, you'll fantasize that when you were young, prices were reasonable, politicians were noble, and children respected their elders.
Respect your elders.
Don't expect anyone else to support you.
Maybe you have a trust fund.
Maybe you'll have a wealthy spouse.
But you never know when either one might run out.
Don't mess too much with your hair or by the time you're 40 it will look 85.
Be careful whose advice you buy, but be patient with those who supply it.
Advice is a form of nostalgia.
Dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it's worth.
But trust me on the sunscreen.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Happy Anniversary!
Today was Hubby and I's 23rd wedding anniversary. It seems impossible!
We spent an interesting anniversary weekend. This year it corresponds with our community's Pro Football Hall of Fame Festival so yesterday morning we got up at 4:30am to go see our parade. It is the last year that we'll have a child march in the parade as our son is a senior in high school this year.
Last night, as we were deciding about cleaning up and going out to dinner, we opted to just crash at home and order a pizza - how romantic huh?
Today, it was just about our only 90 degree day of the summer so we decided to spend the day on our boat. We've hardly been out at all because this summer has been so cold and rainy. We came home and grilled hot dogs and hamburgers in the backyard.
As romantic as all that sounds, we've had some wonderful anniversary celebrations. We just chose to make this one low-keyed and laid back.
Hopefully, we'll have plenty more opportunities to have big, wonderful, romantic celebrations!
We spent an interesting anniversary weekend. This year it corresponds with our community's Pro Football Hall of Fame Festival so yesterday morning we got up at 4:30am to go see our parade. It is the last year that we'll have a child march in the parade as our son is a senior in high school this year.
Last night, as we were deciding about cleaning up and going out to dinner, we opted to just crash at home and order a pizza - how romantic huh?
Today, it was just about our only 90 degree day of the summer so we decided to spend the day on our boat. We've hardly been out at all because this summer has been so cold and rainy. We came home and grilled hot dogs and hamburgers in the backyard.
As romantic as all that sounds, we've had some wonderful anniversary celebrations. We just chose to make this one low-keyed and laid back.
Hopefully, we'll have plenty more opportunities to have big, wonderful, romantic celebrations!
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Meatloaf
After finishing the coldest July on record, I'm REALLY hoping that August will bring us REAL summer weather. Here we are at day two and it's not looking good so far.
This week is our community's Pro Football Hall of Fame Festival. Starting with this past Friday, there are activities every day. We went to the Balloon Fest last night but there were storms too close by so the balloons, sadly, did not lift off. We did stay for a great fireworks display. We headed out to the lake for a bit today but it was too cloudy and chilly to even have our swimsuits on so we never did swim.
We came home and since I had some time on my hands, I made a meatloaf. This is my husband's favorite meal and he always begs me for it. I am not such a fan and even worse, I hate "handling" raw meat and I hate that, since I make a 3lb meatloaf, that it takes almost two hours to bake so I really only make it when I have plenty of time.
There is no recipe. I use 3 lbs of hamburger, two eggs, some grated Romano cheese, a grated onion (I hate big chunks of onion in my meatloaf) some minced garlic, oregano, basil and bread crumbs. All amounts are just eye balled.
I make this into a loaf that often looks more like a log. I bake it for 1 hour at 400 degrees and then turn it over in the pan. I use Mid's meatless spaghetti sauce to spread on top (what used to be the bottom!) and bake it for 30 - 60 more minutes, checking occasionally to see if it is cooked through.
My son is beginning to take after his dad, he had, at least, a one pound helping on his plate for dinner tonight!
As a side dish, I marinated a diagonally sliced zucchini and two yellow squashes from my garden in Italian dressing and threw them on the grill for a few minutes.
This will probably be our only home cooked meal this week as we have plans every night this week - either appointments or participating in Festival activities.
This week is our community's Pro Football Hall of Fame Festival. Starting with this past Friday, there are activities every day. We went to the Balloon Fest last night but there were storms too close by so the balloons, sadly, did not lift off. We did stay for a great fireworks display. We headed out to the lake for a bit today but it was too cloudy and chilly to even have our swimsuits on so we never did swim.
We came home and since I had some time on my hands, I made a meatloaf. This is my husband's favorite meal and he always begs me for it. I am not such a fan and even worse, I hate "handling" raw meat and I hate that, since I make a 3lb meatloaf, that it takes almost two hours to bake so I really only make it when I have plenty of time.
There is no recipe. I use 3 lbs of hamburger, two eggs, some grated Romano cheese, a grated onion (I hate big chunks of onion in my meatloaf) some minced garlic, oregano, basil and bread crumbs. All amounts are just eye balled.
I make this into a loaf that often looks more like a log. I bake it for 1 hour at 400 degrees and then turn it over in the pan. I use Mid's meatless spaghetti sauce to spread on top (what used to be the bottom!) and bake it for 30 - 60 more minutes, checking occasionally to see if it is cooked through.
My son is beginning to take after his dad, he had, at least, a one pound helping on his plate for dinner tonight!
As a side dish, I marinated a diagonally sliced zucchini and two yellow squashes from my garden in Italian dressing and threw them on the grill for a few minutes.
This will probably be our only home cooked meal this week as we have plans every night this week - either appointments or participating in Festival activities.
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