Gas went down two whole cents to $3.35/gallon! Woo-hoo!! Better rush out and fill up your tank before they jack up the prices fifteen cents tonight. Isn't that crrr-azy, how it goes down two or three cents to make us think we are getting a bargain and then skyrockets up fifteen?!
Speaking of bargains, if you are out and about in Springfield today stop by the Salvation Army Superstore. Everything in the store is 50% off, including furniture -- now that's what I consider a real bargain! I got two cute tank tops for $2. The other day when I was having some retail therapy at the SA, I found DMan a Greg Norman golf shirt for $2. He said it would be $60 or more retail! He's already worn it twice; he loves it. Plus you get an adventure with the bargains at the SA 'cause you never know what you'll find!
Are you still praying for rain? I am and all we've gotten so far was a sprinkle on Thursday, just enough to make me run the wipers a time or two. Guess I'm not praying hard enough. I'll keep trying. I'm tickled for the lucky folks out there who did get the rain, but it looks like our chances are over for a while. So stay cool if you can and have a crrr-azy hootie weekend!
Saturday, July 28, 2012
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Just DON'T Do It!
I was driving home from work last night, after nine o'clock so it was totally dark with just a sliver of a moon. At a stop light, the 20-something gal in the car next to me was texting away on her on-screen keyboard. Glancing over at her typing furiously with both thumbs, I'm thinking she's returning a text and will stop when the light turns green. Wrong. She starts driving, still texting. Obviously, she's not big on listening to Oprah and the Highway Patrol and the law.
So I step on the gas, trying to get away from text chick in the right lane. Then I couldn't believe it -- this dude on a bicycle ahead of me goes from the right shoulder, across text chick's lane and into my lane, right in front of me and he's got one hand on the handlebar and he's talking on a cell phone with the other. And he had no lights on his bike. I only noticed him because I saw a little flash of light from his cell phone. I slam on my brakes so the driver behind me won't hit me or bicycle dude, who then crosses the rest of the lanes and heads up a side street. Without even looking up at the cars that almost hit him. And text chick didn't look up, either, just kept driving and typing. Believe me, I was doing some hellacious cussing at these Ignoramuses.
Seriously, People, do not text and drive or talk on your cell and bike -- just DON'T do it! If you don't care a thing about your own life, consider that it could have been your mother or grandmother in the car next to you that nearly got killed trying to avoid your ignorant behind.
I'm done ranting now. For all of you non-ignoramuses, have a safe and crrr-azy day!
So I step on the gas, trying to get away from text chick in the right lane. Then I couldn't believe it -- this dude on a bicycle ahead of me goes from the right shoulder, across text chick's lane and into my lane, right in front of me and he's got one hand on the handlebar and he's talking on a cell phone with the other. And he had no lights on his bike. I only noticed him because I saw a little flash of light from his cell phone. I slam on my brakes so the driver behind me won't hit me or bicycle dude, who then crosses the rest of the lanes and heads up a side street. Without even looking up at the cars that almost hit him. And text chick didn't look up, either, just kept driving and typing. Believe me, I was doing some hellacious cussing at these Ignoramuses.
Seriously, People, do not text and drive or talk on your cell and bike -- just DON'T do it! If you don't care a thing about your own life, consider that it could have been your mother or grandmother in the car next to you that nearly got killed trying to avoid your ignorant behind.
I'm done ranting now. For all of you non-ignoramuses, have a safe and crrr-azy day!
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Good times and RAIN
Do you remember that disco-era tune by Chic called "Good Times?" Great song with a thumping bass line -- "Good times, these are the good times, leave your cares behind, a new state of mind, these are the good times." Give it a listen on YouTube if you haven't heard it in a while and I guarantee your booty will be groovin'.
What put me in mind of the song was my Sister K came by last night for a visit and we had such a good time! I loaded up the CD player with relaxing New-Agey music and some smooth jazz from the Vince Guaraldi trio, cracked open a bottle of Farnese Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, and we reclined on the couch and chick chatted like we hadn't done in ages. Just what the doctor ordered for both of us because our lives have been extra crrr-azy lately and we both needed to get in a new state of mind. May I recommend good tunes, good wine, and convo with a good friend (who may be your sister) if you need to leave your cares behind. Works every time.
It was near dark as she was leaving and we were standing by the driveway hugging good-bye. All of a sudden we heard this strange whirring noise and started looking around just as one of our automatic sprinkler heads pops out of the ground right next to Sister K's foot and starts squirting the yard. She screamed like a banshee and jumped a foot off the ground! She thought it was some huge bug clawing it's way out of the ground and attacking her. We got such an almost-tinkle-your-pants laugh out of that to top off our good-times evening!
What does rain have to do with this? When we were chatting, Sister K said, "I'm going to have to get on Facebook again and ask people to pray for rain." Just a while ago on the phone my mama asked me to start praying for rain. And on the news tonight, I heard the entire state of Missouri has been declared a disaster due to the drought. Now I'm not religious but I do believe in prayer, so I'm putting the call out for everyone to PRAY FOR RAIN. Or meditate or chant or do a rain dance if you don't get into prayer. And don't just do it for Missouri. The excessive heat and paltry amount of rain is making life tough for a good chunk of the country. Maybe if we all put our energy toward asking for rain, we may just break this drought. Then I can make DMan turn off those attack sprinklers!
Pass the word to PRAY FOR RAIN and have a relaxing Humpday evening, Yall!
What put me in mind of the song was my Sister K came by last night for a visit and we had such a good time! I loaded up the CD player with relaxing New-Agey music and some smooth jazz from the Vince Guaraldi trio, cracked open a bottle of Farnese Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, and we reclined on the couch and chick chatted like we hadn't done in ages. Just what the doctor ordered for both of us because our lives have been extra crrr-azy lately and we both needed to get in a new state of mind. May I recommend good tunes, good wine, and convo with a good friend (who may be your sister) if you need to leave your cares behind. Works every time.
It was near dark as she was leaving and we were standing by the driveway hugging good-bye. All of a sudden we heard this strange whirring noise and started looking around just as one of our automatic sprinkler heads pops out of the ground right next to Sister K's foot and starts squirting the yard. She screamed like a banshee and jumped a foot off the ground! She thought it was some huge bug clawing it's way out of the ground and attacking her. We got such an almost-tinkle-your-pants laugh out of that to top off our good-times evening!
What does rain have to do with this? When we were chatting, Sister K said, "I'm going to have to get on Facebook again and ask people to pray for rain." Just a while ago on the phone my mama asked me to start praying for rain. And on the news tonight, I heard the entire state of Missouri has been declared a disaster due to the drought. Now I'm not religious but I do believe in prayer, so I'm putting the call out for everyone to PRAY FOR RAIN. Or meditate or chant or do a rain dance if you don't get into prayer. And don't just do it for Missouri. The excessive heat and paltry amount of rain is making life tough for a good chunk of the country. Maybe if we all put our energy toward asking for rain, we may just break this drought. Then I can make DMan turn off those attack sprinklers!
Pass the word to PRAY FOR RAIN and have a relaxing Humpday evening, Yall!
Sunday, July 15, 2012
Sometimes, life just be good!
DMan and I had the most fabulous weekend together! It was the first time in a long time (and won't happen again for a long time) when neither of us had to work or had other commitments. We made the best of it.
Friday night we enjoyed the Springfield Cardinals game from the Redbird Roost. DMan had invited his friends Bob and Carol to join us, which was great because he could talk baseball with them (I am totally baseball ignorant and contented to stay that way) while I kept an eye on my nachos, and french fries and kettle chips for that matter. There was a baby girl with her mother in the seat next to me and she was intent on sinking the two tiny teeth she had into everything on my plate. I had to eat fast and watch out for her groping hands and feet! She left me alone when we got the free beer to sip while on the big screen for the "Thirst Inning" -- who can blame her, it was Budweiser. DMan and I snuck in a "kiss cam" moment during our camera time. The wonderful breeze kept us cool through 13 whole innings (was it the curse of Friday the 13th to make me endure such a long game?), when the Cards finally won because of a walk and they got to shoot off the fireworks before the 11pm noise ban. DMan loves fireworks, so it topped off a great night for him!
After our home chores on Saturday, we roadtripped north of town to Tyler Ridge Winery. The winery is nothing fancy and still a work in progress, but owners Mike and Kathy Dennis were very hospitable and eager to talk wine. We did a full tasting and there wasn't an untasty wine in the bunch. We settled on a bottle of the Vignoles Semi-Sweet and the Burnt Barn Red. If you get out to Tyler Ridge yourself, ask Mike the story about the barn. It actually did burn, which is a shame, but they got a darn good wine out of the tragedy. We'll definitely be back to Tyler Ridge to sip more wine and spend time on their deck overlooking the rolling vineyard.
We stopped off at Fellows Lake, just a quick drive from the winery, and enjoyed the chilled Vignoles sitting under a pavilion and watching the sailboats and kayaks cruising the lake. There was a nice breeze blowing in off the water, and listening to the lapping waves was so peaceful and romantic.
Last stop was the new Hibachi Grill and Supreme Buffet on north Kearney. I swear, the place was like the Disneyworld of buffets -- bright lights and vivid colors, with kiosk after kiosk of exotic foods, and crowds of people wandering around grazing. DMan had heard they had octopus. We never saw that, but there was a wild looking "salad" someone said was made from squid. We stuck to regular salad to be safe. We did get crrr-azy and try the sushi. Yuck is the best way I can describe it. Won't be trying that again. Ever. But everything else was delicious, especially the macaroni and cheese casserole that had an unusual alfredo flair.
Today we did some major housecleaning (do the chores ever end??) and then treated ourselves to a chilled stroll through the Springfield Art Musuem to see the Watercolor USA show. We try to catch the show every year and save the big reveal until the end of which piece was our favorite. DMan picked the still life "Utility Pole" -- he was taken with the simplicity yet intricacy of something so ordinary -- while I was torn between "Winter Sunrise" (loved the rainbow pops of color in the icicles) and "Teepee Tourist Site" (just too fun and kitschy not to love!). What better to do to top off a hootie weekend but to have a long nap? Nothing! So we did.
Hope yall had a life-be-good weekend as well and carry that right on into the new week!
Friday night we enjoyed the Springfield Cardinals game from the Redbird Roost. DMan had invited his friends Bob and Carol to join us, which was great because he could talk baseball with them (I am totally baseball ignorant and contented to stay that way) while I kept an eye on my nachos, and french fries and kettle chips for that matter. There was a baby girl with her mother in the seat next to me and she was intent on sinking the two tiny teeth she had into everything on my plate. I had to eat fast and watch out for her groping hands and feet! She left me alone when we got the free beer to sip while on the big screen for the "Thirst Inning" -- who can blame her, it was Budweiser. DMan and I snuck in a "kiss cam" moment during our camera time. The wonderful breeze kept us cool through 13 whole innings (was it the curse of Friday the 13th to make me endure such a long game?), when the Cards finally won because of a walk and they got to shoot off the fireworks before the 11pm noise ban. DMan loves fireworks, so it topped off a great night for him!
After our home chores on Saturday, we roadtripped north of town to Tyler Ridge Winery. The winery is nothing fancy and still a work in progress, but owners Mike and Kathy Dennis were very hospitable and eager to talk wine. We did a full tasting and there wasn't an untasty wine in the bunch. We settled on a bottle of the Vignoles Semi-Sweet and the Burnt Barn Red. If you get out to Tyler Ridge yourself, ask Mike the story about the barn. It actually did burn, which is a shame, but they got a darn good wine out of the tragedy. We'll definitely be back to Tyler Ridge to sip more wine and spend time on their deck overlooking the rolling vineyard.
We stopped off at Fellows Lake, just a quick drive from the winery, and enjoyed the chilled Vignoles sitting under a pavilion and watching the sailboats and kayaks cruising the lake. There was a nice breeze blowing in off the water, and listening to the lapping waves was so peaceful and romantic.
Last stop was the new Hibachi Grill and Supreme Buffet on north Kearney. I swear, the place was like the Disneyworld of buffets -- bright lights and vivid colors, with kiosk after kiosk of exotic foods, and crowds of people wandering around grazing. DMan had heard they had octopus. We never saw that, but there was a wild looking "salad" someone said was made from squid. We stuck to regular salad to be safe. We did get crrr-azy and try the sushi. Yuck is the best way I can describe it. Won't be trying that again. Ever. But everything else was delicious, especially the macaroni and cheese casserole that had an unusual alfredo flair.
Today we did some major housecleaning (do the chores ever end??) and then treated ourselves to a chilled stroll through the Springfield Art Musuem to see the Watercolor USA show. We try to catch the show every year and save the big reveal until the end of which piece was our favorite. DMan picked the still life "Utility Pole" -- he was taken with the simplicity yet intricacy of something so ordinary -- while I was torn between "Winter Sunrise" (loved the rainbow pops of color in the icicles) and "Teepee Tourist Site" (just too fun and kitschy not to love!). What better to do to top off a hootie weekend but to have a long nap? Nothing! So we did.
Hope yall had a life-be-good weekend as well and carry that right on into the new week!
Thursday, July 12, 2012
Good friends
I did not want to go to Wal-Mart the other night, but I went. There were several things I absolutely needed and had been putting off getting. One must-have was an Arm & Hammer Fridge/Freezer pack. Something garlicky smelling had invaded my freezer and every cube of ice tasted like garlic -- YUCK! So I'm heading up the spice aisle hoping to stumble onto the anti-garlic freezer packs, when I run into an old friend of mine. Hadn't seen her in several years, and we'd been playing phone tag about trying to get together since I moved back from the beach, and there she was! We visited right there among the spices, laughing like drunk chicks, causing other shoppers to detour around us, hugging and catching up on each others lives. It was fantastic!! And I was so tickled that I had gone to Wal-Mart, even though I didn't want to, and had to buy a freezer pack, even though it was because I had stinky garlic ice, because otherwise I wouldn't have seen my friend.
I was reminded that good things can come from something distasteful and there are good friends in life that you may not see often but that make life shine just a little brighter. I have missed having her in my life and didn't even realize how much. We vowed to get together in a couple of weeks after she returns from vacation. The lucky gal gets to go to the beach in South Carolina, making this displaced beach babe mighty envious!! I'm hoping she'll tell me all about it over a glass of wine on my patio instead of in the spice aisle at Wal-Mart. They frown on folks sipping wine right there in the aisles!
If there's a good friend you haven't connected with in a while, call them up or get together! Life is just better with good friends to laugh with.
Yall have a crrr-azy good Thursday!
I was reminded that good things can come from something distasteful and there are good friends in life that you may not see often but that make life shine just a little brighter. I have missed having her in my life and didn't even realize how much. We vowed to get together in a couple of weeks after she returns from vacation. The lucky gal gets to go to the beach in South Carolina, making this displaced beach babe mighty envious!! I'm hoping she'll tell me all about it over a glass of wine on my patio instead of in the spice aisle at Wal-Mart. They frown on folks sipping wine right there in the aisles!
If there's a good friend you haven't connected with in a while, call them up or get together! Life is just better with good friends to laugh with.
Yall have a crrr-azy good Thursday!
Saturday, July 7, 2012
Chillin' at Ophelia's
DMan and I had a couple of firsts on Thursday night: a meetup with the Springfield Chill Wine Drinkers, and a visit to Ophelia's Tapas & Wine Bar downtown on Walnut Street. The Chill was a blast! Of the twelve that showed up, DMan and I were the newbies, but we were warmly welcomed and felt an instant chemistry with the group. A fun and eclectic bunch -- 20-somethings to 50-somethings (I'm guessing here); rookie wine-os and seasoned sippers (like me and DMan, we've got a lot of labels under our belts!); couples and singles (and two that may have coupled by the time the night was over, he-he-he); varied interests and occupations -- we shared lots of laughs, hootie stories, and impressions (and sometimes sips) of whatever we were drinking. We will definitely be meeting up with the Chill again SOON!
Ophelia's had a classy look and relaxed feel. Our server was knowledgeable about the wine list, patient with our questions, and skilled at keeping twelve people's glasses from getting empty. The menu was a bit pricey, especially for the tapas -- which in case you didn't know either, means "tidbits served at a bar" in Spanish. And the portions were on the slim side, so don't come hungry if you are giving Ophelia's a try.
Why am I just now writing about this, you might ask. Well, I've either been working or sleeping since then. And no, I wasn't hung over. I was a good girl and only had one glass of wine (not counting the one I had before we went). But my allergies have come back in a big way and are kicking my booty! I know I've blown out or coughed up at least twice my weight in phlegmy fluids! How is that possible?? I've got to get through my library shift this afternoon, then I'll have tomorrow to rest and hopefully recoup. On a related note, I heard the stock market took a tumble yesterday. If yall are looking for a solid investment, I'd give Kleenex a try. If there are even a handful of folks out there suffering summertime allergies as bad as I am, then Kleenex stock will be going through the roof!
Wishing yall a crrr-azy good (and allergy-free) weekend!!
Ophelia's had a classy look and relaxed feel. Our server was knowledgeable about the wine list, patient with our questions, and skilled at keeping twelve people's glasses from getting empty. The menu was a bit pricey, especially for the tapas -- which in case you didn't know either, means "tidbits served at a bar" in Spanish. And the portions were on the slim side, so don't come hungry if you are giving Ophelia's a try.
Why am I just now writing about this, you might ask. Well, I've either been working or sleeping since then. And no, I wasn't hung over. I was a good girl and only had one glass of wine (not counting the one I had before we went). But my allergies have come back in a big way and are kicking my booty! I know I've blown out or coughed up at least twice my weight in phlegmy fluids! How is that possible?? I've got to get through my library shift this afternoon, then I'll have tomorrow to rest and hopefully recoup. On a related note, I heard the stock market took a tumble yesterday. If yall are looking for a solid investment, I'd give Kleenex a try. If there are even a handful of folks out there suffering summertime allergies as bad as I am, then Kleenex stock will be going through the roof!
Wishing yall a crrr-azy good (and allergy-free) weekend!!
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
Independence Day
Love the movie "Independence Day." I didn't when I first watched it. Thought it was hokey, with way over-the-top theatrics. Plus, I'm not into aliens and sci-fi action flicks. But when I watched it again, and again (it's been on AMC channel nearly every day for the past month), I got into the deeper messages. Like facing fears and roadblocks that keep you from living life to the fullest. Captain Steven Hiller (Will Smith) faces his fear of commitment and that he'll never live his astronaut dream if he's tied down and finally marries Jasmine (Vivica A. Fox). And he gets to fly the alien spaceship and be the hero, even better than being an astronaut. David (Jeff Goldblum, who is totally hubba-hubba, love his cocky little swagger in the final scene!!) faces his fear of flying and goes with Hiller to upload the computer virus that brings down the alien's shields. So, he gets to save the planet for real, instead of just through recycling and biking to work. And David's father, Julius (Judd Hirsch), forgives God for his wife's death and turns to prayer again, bringing comfort to a group of terrified earthlings and letting go of the bitterness that kept him from enjoying life for so long.
I love these triumphs and the quirky characters, but most of all I love that in the end it takes all of humanity working together, in our own unique ways, to defeat the aliens and save ourselves. This may just be a movie, but the message that coming together is the only way to save our planet rings true. I just hope it doesn't take an alien invasion to make it happen.
Sending a very grateful shout-out to all our servicemen and women working hard and sacrificing every day to keep us safe. And thanks to their families as well. Coming from a military family myself, I know the families sacrifice just as much as their soldiers do.
Yall have a happy, safe, and at least a little bit crrr-azy 4th of July! And watch "Independence Day" if you get the chance. Maybe you'll love it, too.
I love these triumphs and the quirky characters, but most of all I love that in the end it takes all of humanity working together, in our own unique ways, to defeat the aliens and save ourselves. This may just be a movie, but the message that coming together is the only way to save our planet rings true. I just hope it doesn't take an alien invasion to make it happen.
Sending a very grateful shout-out to all our servicemen and women working hard and sacrificing every day to keep us safe. And thanks to their families as well. Coming from a military family myself, I know the families sacrifice just as much as their soldiers do.
Yall have a happy, safe, and at least a little bit crrr-azy 4th of July! And watch "Independence Day" if you get the chance. Maybe you'll love it, too.
Sunday, July 1, 2012
Summertime blues and news
What a crappy time to have summertime allergies kicking my butt! Friday and yesterday was the sinus dripping and draining, raw throat, and blowing my nose every five blasted minutes. Today my nose is plugged up, I'm coughing up crud and still blowing every five minutes. I've already blown through a whole box of Kleenex! Enough already!!
Feeling so puny, I had to miss the first meetup yesterday of Springfield Chill Wine Drinkers at Oovvda Winery. From the posted comments, sounds like they had a fabulous time. Have you heard about this group? They are new on meetup.com and not hoity-toity wine snobs but regular folks that like hanging out and sipping wine with new friends. I can't wait to feel better and get to meet them. Some of the group are headed out to 7 C's Winery in Walnut Grove today for their Sunday free music under the tent. Get on meetup.com if you want more info. It's a great free website. You just list things you are interested in, and Meetup sends you emailed updates on groups you match and events they are having. Give it a try.
On the home front, DMan has been working like a wild man to beautify our new place. Where we had the dead trees and overgrown bushes taken out, he's planted flowers and laid down mulch. He even put in shepherd's hooks and hanging baskets with pretty petunias and mowed the yard in a swirly crop-circles pattern! If it was just me living here, we'd have big old bare spots where the bushes were, piles of dead leaves everywhere, and a yard full of scraggly weeds. I don't have an eye for fancying up the yard like he does, or the patience to do it. And I don't like to sweat nearly as much as he does! He's such a blessing. Mama also painted up a concrete turtle that had seen better days to put in our front rock garden. She decorated her up with jazzy-colored puff paints and named her "Tillie the turtle from Tijuana." Tillie does look like a turtle tart, but she adds a nice pop of color to the front of the house. Mama has quite a flair with those puff paints!
Wishing yall an allergy-free Sunday. Stay cool and crrr-azy!
Feeling so puny, I had to miss the first meetup yesterday of Springfield Chill Wine Drinkers at Oovvda Winery. From the posted comments, sounds like they had a fabulous time. Have you heard about this group? They are new on meetup.com and not hoity-toity wine snobs but regular folks that like hanging out and sipping wine with new friends. I can't wait to feel better and get to meet them. Some of the group are headed out to 7 C's Winery in Walnut Grove today for their Sunday free music under the tent. Get on meetup.com if you want more info. It's a great free website. You just list things you are interested in, and Meetup sends you emailed updates on groups you match and events they are having. Give it a try.
On the home front, DMan has been working like a wild man to beautify our new place. Where we had the dead trees and overgrown bushes taken out, he's planted flowers and laid down mulch. He even put in shepherd's hooks and hanging baskets with pretty petunias and mowed the yard in a swirly crop-circles pattern! If it was just me living here, we'd have big old bare spots where the bushes were, piles of dead leaves everywhere, and a yard full of scraggly weeds. I don't have an eye for fancying up the yard like he does, or the patience to do it. And I don't like to sweat nearly as much as he does! He's such a blessing. Mama also painted up a concrete turtle that had seen better days to put in our front rock garden. She decorated her up with jazzy-colored puff paints and named her "Tillie the turtle from Tijuana." Tillie does look like a turtle tart, but she adds a nice pop of color to the front of the house. Mama has quite a flair with those puff paints!
Wishing yall an allergy-free Sunday. Stay cool and crrr-azy!
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