What Can I Say That You Don't Already Know

Book Club Night!

We did not disappoint as usual. I don't mean to gloat but we have the best book club ever, and that goes without saying. Everyone finishes the books and comes ready to discuss, whether we love it or hate it everyone brings something to the table and walks away even more excited for the next book.

This month was my turn to host. I chose Ladder of Years by Anne Tyler. I hadn't read this book prior my choosing, so I was in the same boat as everyone else reading it for the first time. How did I choose the book you ask; well I wanted a good discussion book and had seen this book on a book club listing somewhere and while perusing the bookstore over a lunch one day the cover caught my eye (yep judge my books by the cover, a book is a work of art and so should the cover be as well.. just like a person's first impression brings in your character so should a book cover but I digress) and read the back description and thought it would be an interesting read:

BALTIMORE WOMAN DISAPPEARS DURING FAMILY VACATION, declares the headline. Forty-year-old Delia Grinstead was last seen strolling down the Delaware shore, wearing nothing more than a bathing suit and carrying a beach tote with five-hundred dollars tucked inside. To her husband and there almost-grown children, she has vanished without a trace or reason. But for Delia, who has long felt like a tiny gnat buzzing around her family's edges, "walking away from it all" was not a premeditated act but an impulse that will lead her into a new, exciting, and previously unimagined life.

After the jump see my thoughts on the book...

10 Things: I'd Be...

if I wasn't currently employed in the fluorescent soul sucking tomb

- a teacher

- a marine biologist

- a National Park Ranger

- a dam tour guide

- a pastry maker

- a race car driver

- an Olympic athlete

- a Wal-mart greeter

- a front desk clerk at a Hawaiian hotel

- a wedding planner

Thank you SF for ruining my dreams of becoming something other than what I am.

Mmmmm Maks

Maksim Chmerkovskiy from Dancing With the Stars

Dear Old Lady.. I caught up on last night's epidode of DWTS and I definately see what you mean about those hips a moving.. me likey!

Dear Gym..

Words cannot express how sorry I am that we haven't seen each other as much as we should. It's not you... it's me. I just feel that sometimes you can be a cruel mistress, with your elipitical machines and bench press taunting me. I will take part of the blame but I also feel like Dairy Queen should be a little at fault too, she had taunted me with Blizzard treats and has kept me away. This other evil place called "work" has some blame as well. I get some tired once I come from this place that I don't really want to come see you. I promise I will try to do a better job and start coming to see you more often. I do hope you will understand. If it makes you feel any better I have been visiting your friend outdoor activies named Tennis and Softball.. does that help at all?

Hope to see you soon!
Love,
Heather

A Place in The Sun (1951)

I have been a sucker for old movies lately.. I've seen The Wild One with Marlon Brando, East of Eden, Rebel Without a Cause, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes and I can't stop watching them.

I just got done watching A Place in the Sun starring Montgomery Clift and Elizabeth Taylor. I really didn't know what to expect from this movie and was surprised by the plot. It seemed a little risque for the 1950's.

I was sad at the end, I wished it had ended differently. I hate when movies make you like a guy that maybe didn't do everything right, had good intentions and then doesn't end up with the girl like you want him to.

I'm pretty sure my love for classic movies will not end anytime soon. I have several more on my Netflix list. PS I love that I can now watch my instant queue on the Wii! Gives my boredom something to do on a whim.

Bottom line, I like this movie, you should check it out if you have never seen it.. I'm a sucker for the classics. If you have any great recommendations that I must see by all means pass it along.

Back on the Book Train

Book club fever is in the air! I am so excited for Thursday when we get to discuss my book pick Ladder of Years by Anne Tyler. I think it is going to be a really great discussion there are so many different sides you can take with this book, we have lots of discussion questions that will touch on life choices, family relationships, marriage/children and emotions. I am very excited.

I will admit that sometimes it is difficult to get into the reading mode but once I pick the book up or back up, I can't stop reading. It becomes an obsession and I will usually end up reading into the wee hours of the morning until I can no longer keep my eyes open. I was never a big reader, but enjoyed reading. I'd pick one up here and there. I am small time compared to The Page Turner but am thankful for book club to get me reading at least one book a month.

I don't think there is anything that compares to the satisfaction of finishing that last sentence, closing the book, and taking a breath and having that moment of reflection back on the book. It leaves you wanting more and wondering what is next. That said Book Club's next couple books are going to be some hardcore books.

Next month is Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck. I was supposed to read this book in high school for a book report book, but read a few chapters decided it was too much, read the cliff notes, and passed my test. It's a difficult book to really get sucked into, very descriptive, but I am looking forward to reading it. I'm at a different point in my life, the economy can draw similarities from the depression and I'm intesrested to see what I think of this book 1- now that I am acutally going to read it 2- book club discussions always bring something new to your own point of view.

June will bring In Cold Blood by Truman Copote. I'm not completely familiar with the story but will be excited to discuss it none the less. I wonder if our discussion will take us to looking more at the murder itself and the motive and execution of those convicted for it, or looking more at Copote himself and his obsession with writing the book and if he changed the story to better suit himself.

I ordered the books off Amazon this morning and can't wait for them to get here! Happy Reading!

Wanted: Sandman

It seems lately to be taking me forever to get to sleep I have like 500 things constantly on my mind but my time.. aka sleeptime.. all these things want to creep in at once, so annoying. That said I'm too tired to be witty or too funny and clever and will try to get to bed earlier tonight.

Here are some things I'm pondering today to get a legit blog in here...

- Why did I think it was a good idea to play tennis for our team outing today for several hours then proceed home, eat dinner and play tennis again for several hours with my little brother... I'm pooped.
- Why can't we go back to a bartering system.. I know I could make some hella cool beads and necklaces to buy lots of cool schtuff with
- Why do my arms tan so much faster than my legs, still corpsly white and I made an honest effort to expose them today.
- Why is Dairy Queen teasing me with their buy one blizzard get one for .25? I haven't had a blizzard in many many moons and I'm on my second one of the week as we speak.
- Why is my paycheck already spent and I haven't even gotten it yet
- My car is filthy.. I should probably wash it so I don't look like a slob
- Why do cravings for soda come in phases I have had too many lately
- I love tea, if that were the only drink I could have for the rest of my entire life I would be ok with that, no sugar, plain tea... [people think I'm weird because I like to eat most of my food plain, hot dogs plain.. nothing on them same with brats. I like most of my food completely as it is fixed no added salt sugar or pepper, is that weird]
- When the crap did my little brother become a junior in high school and asking girls to prom?!
- Why is a cobra the second thing that comes to mind when inquiring about Austrailian animals
- Wow, I can type fast and fairly accurate. Thank you evil calc teacher for making me drop your evil filled lectures on calculus from hell and forcing me to choose a late start class to fill up my hours so I could stay on my parents insurance plan thus choosing a typing improvement class

It's no wonder I have issues getting to sleep with such mind boggling questions and concerns...

Volunteer!

vol·un·teer 
–noun1.a person who voluntarily offers himself or herself for a service or undertaking.
2.a person who performs a service willingly and without pay.
 
Definition 2 is me.
I sometimes get bored and have absolutely nothing better to do.. and when that happens I usually find myself looking for something to do, and volunteering options are endless so I do that.
 
When I was in 5th grade I was bored, I really wanted to volunteer at the hospital to be a "candy striper" but I was too young to do that.. but I kept looking. I eventually wound up in contact with the activities coordinator at the nursing home in town and they were happy to have me. For three years after school and saturdays every chance I had I was there, I would visit, play card games, help with games.. Bingo was my favorite. I learned so much from all my friends out there. Why did I do it.. pure boredom.
 
In high school I was president of our Interact club, which is Rotary International's service club for 14-18 year olds. Through the club I was able to help with our town's Meals on Wheels program, and we helped at several soup kitchens and food pantry's in the Bloomington area. Again such an awarding experience, I learned so much from that opportunity; public speaking and community service and just really got such an apprecaition for all the little things that I took forgranted before.
 
I have continued my love for meeting new people and helping others and keep trying to find new ways I can help out whether it be something small and local or something on a huge national level. My current job has given me lots of opportunties to help out in the community and surrounding areas.
 
I am currently a mentor for a 5th grader through the Big Brothers, Big Sisters program. I'll admit, this can be a pain sometimes, and I wonder if I am actually helping my little out in life, we really don't do too much except play basketball ALL the time, every Wednesday over lunch. I didn't expect the experience to be completely life altering but sometimes I get frustrated that I'm not helping him any. But I do hope that maybe one day in his future he will remember that someone took the time to spend with him, and that's all I need.. so this opportunity may not be an immediate gratification, but hopefully one day.
 
The next thing that I am really excited about is the Habitat for Humanity Women's build that I will be helping with. All women work crew will work together to build a home for a single mom in the community. I have always wanted to be a part of a home build through this organization, and am especially excited to be apart of an all womens build. Everyone I have heard about these events from say how wonderful and empowering it is to work together to see something come from the ground up. We girls can do anything we put our minds to.
 
I'll admit there may be some selfish reasons I volunteer.. gives me something to do and I get to meet so many great people and learn tons of things. I will be able to tell people that I built a house.. yep me with my own bare hands. I guess I do it too, to stand out. Not in a everyone look at me look at me, where's the news crew kind of way, but more of a personal assurance that I am doing something that most others don't do, that I'm doing something with my life kind of thing.
 
The thing I would love to do the most is to do something either nationally (out of this state) or internationally. If I didn't need the money I would love to volunteer for the peace corps I can't imagine the things I could learn from an opportunity like that. I heard a speaker when I was in college that shared their experiences from their third world country volunteer efforts and it was amazing.
 
So I guess my point is, volunteer. It is such a rewarding experience and yes one person can make a difference, you get as much out of it as you put in, seek out the opportunities to put your mark on something.
 
 

http://www.habitatmclean.org/
http://www.bbbscil.org/

I Want to be James Dean Cool

James Dean at 24, the beginning of his career, is way cooler than I could ever hope to be in my entire life. This weekend I watched Rebel Without A Cause and was enamored with him. I couldn't take my eyes off the screen. What makes him so cool? The James Dean official site describes him as the legendary hero with a legendary story; live fast and die young. For over half a century, he has captured the world with his casual style, unflinching look and rebel attitude. James Dean has defined the essence of cool and without-a-cause for generations. His star continues to shine brighter and brighter. Man how cool is that?! I can only hope that three of those words could ever be used to describe me.

Part of what makes him so cool too I think is the era. The 40's and 50's I think are facinating. It is a far cry from the world we live in today. Times were simpler, people just seemed to be so much cooler. Photographs made the world look flawless, casual attire made everyone so elegant looking. Just look at my grandma and grandpa's senior pictures, they look amazing. Is it the sepia tone that makes the world look so glamourous?

Poodle skirts, Elvis records, drive-ins, dives, and amazing hot-rods. Everyone seems to look back on their years in High School and remember actually enjoying it. Grandpa always talks about the cars from when he was growing up people still pay top dollar for those classic rides. Do you think we will be trying to buy back the Nissan Sentras and Chevy Tahoe's fifty years from now? Doubt it.

Can you imagine life with no cell phones, 500 channels on TV was unimaginable, Elvis hitting the scene, hollywood glamour. I'm sure there were stresses of everyday life but if I could choose anytime in history to back and grow up in I think it would be 1950 suburbia.

I like to think that if I had grown up in the 50's I would have been as cool as James Dean, maybe we could have even went steady.... a girl can dream can't she?

What do you think? Could I pass for a teen in the 1950's?

This is from '02 (my junior year of High School) for homecoming week we had a 50's day.

Country Music Awards: My Picks

I'm sure this doesn't strike the fancy of all my followers.. I'm guessing there are some country haters out there.. your loss. I love country music (but listen to many other genres as well) and will be tuning in this evening to watch the awards. Here are my picks for the top categories

Entertainer of the Year: Zac Brown Band [even though Taylor Swift will most likely win it]

Top Male Vocalist: Kenny Chesney
Top Female Vocalist: Reba McEntire [she has had a good year, here's hoping]
Top Vocal Group of the Year: Lady Antebellum
Top Vocal Duo of the Year: Brooks & Dunn
Top New Solo Vocalist of the Year: Luke Bryan
Top New Vocal Duo of the Year: Steel Magnolia
Top New Vocal Group of the Year: Gloriana

WTF?! Friday

The Nasal irrigation phenomenon aka the Neti pot/NasaFlo

I should probably preface my lack of enthusiasm for the Neti pot craze with the fact that I am completely against spraying or putting anything, other than an occasional finger [you know you do it too, don't lie] up your nose. I will be forever scarred from a visit to the ENT to have my tonils looked at before they were ejected, and had to spray numbing spray up my nose [numb nostrels = weird feeling] then quickly followed by a camera tube being stuck up my nose and down my throat.. yikes just had some Vietnam flashbacks there. So I guess that may have something to do with the reason I will never jump on the neti pot bandwagon. My gma swears by the routine nightly, I've never seen her actually do it, the thought freaks me out and the sound is enough.

So what is this neti pot/nasal irrigation you may be asking. The process of cleaning nasal and sinus passages with saline solution (sterile salt water); Helps keep nasal and sinus passages open so they drain properly and breathing through nose is easier. Gross.

Oprah and Dr. Oz jumped on the bandwagon so now everyone and their brother is shoving a pot of salt water up their nose and letting it dribble out the other side... creeps me out. We all know that everything Oprah touches usually turns to gold, and that makes me wonder how long before all the celebrities are tweeting about their neti-pots and we.. well you all.. are able to buy fancy diamond encrusted neti pots.

So I guess for those of you who have sinus issues go for it and give it a whirl.. report back and let us know how it all went...



Check back on Fridays for another installment of WTF?! Friday for weird things I've run across and found myself thinking wtf?!

My Future Husband

Jason Segal as seen on 'How I Met Your Mother'

I am completely in love with Jason Segal. I can't pin it down to what exactly it is but there is something about him and I just want to steal him and make him my boyfriend. If you don't agree with me that is completely fine, less competition for me :) Heather Segal.. has a ring to it don't ya think! lol

If I Had a Million Dollars

If you found out you won a million dollars this second what would you do? Would you quit your job, keep working, invest it or spend it all.

If I had a million dollars I obviously won the lottery or pulled a Ann Nicole and married an old geezer, I will not be getting any sort of inheritance from anyone in my family (that I know of at least. Dear family if any of you are sitting on a huge nest egg.. remember me!)

Assuming that I don't fall victim to the lottery winners curse and hit rock bottom after I have tricked my truck and expanded my double wide, I have a few ideas on what I would like to do with that much dough.

First and foremost I would pay off my debt.. student loans, car, motorycle, etc. etc. Then before I do anything else it would probably be a smart idea to speak with a financial planner just to see what I really had to work with. I don't know if would ever quit working, I think would get too bored.. but I would definately quit working for while if I had enough money to do so.

I would also give some money to charity and to some close family and maybe a little bit to some close friends who have truely been there for me (there aren't many at the moment) it would be difficult to choose what charities to give to hmmm.. I might have to think on this a bit more

Then I would travel.. I would travel all over the world. Just be a student of the world meet all kinds of people see all kinds of amazing things, maybe have odd jobs here and there. I wouldn't go out and spend tons and tons of money on silly things, I would probably just buy the simple folk things that I want now but can't afford.

What would you do with a million dollars?

10 Things: That Tork Me Off

- Hangers that get stuck on each other and when I go to get one it's stuck.. works like a charm

- 'To Be Continued' at the end of the show

- Cardinal fans vs. Cubs fans.. can't we all just get along

- Scratched dvds that skip or get stuck

- Not having a good blog topic for the day

- Stepping in a wet spot with socks on

- Movies that are good until the ending

- Thinking you found a great close parking spot only to walk up to the person in the front spot backing out

- Warm weather here.. me in shorts and noticing that yep.. legs are the same color as a corpse (hopefully a nice tan will find me)

- Money not growing on trees :(

OK, I'll Get Carried Away

I love Sex and the City. I have the complete series in my pretty pink velvet box, and still find strength in the fictional lives of four women living in New York City. With the series being so good I was very skeptical about the first movie I couldn't imagine what more we had to discuss, but I was pleasantly surprised and the movie turned out to be really good... not amazing but it was nice to see the girls back in action after then had been gone for awhile.

May is around the corner and with that brings us movie number 2. Again I was not that excited about them doing another movie that is until i saw this trailer..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MjWl-82Yau4 one word... AIDEN!

I love Big as much as the next girl... but Aiden. Carrie why did you screw it up with Aiden?!?! Carrie has cheated before... hence screwing it up with Aiden. Turn about is fair play.

Big has been crappy to Carrie on numerous occasions so I think it only fair for him to get a taste of his own medicine. I do not in any way condone cheating on a spouse or significant other, but this is hollywood we can do what we want. Meeting halfway around the world is no accident.. we all need another Carrie/Aiden hook-up so we can put this all behind us. Give us what you want and you and Big can live happily ever after. I now must see the movie and I hope hope hope my wishes will be granted. Come on May!

New York State of Mind

A few years ago my sister and I started what has become a biennial event. In 2008 we decided we both needed to get away for a bit and we took a trip.  Our goal is to take a fabulous week long trip every other year and somewhere close for the day or weekend for the inbetween years.

In 2008 after checking out a local bus/tour group we found the perfect idea. New York City! We had so much fun and made lots of friends... now I must say that these friends were much older than us and lets say we were the youngest by oh.. about 40 years, but none the less we had a fabulous time.

As we are starting to get the 2010 trip details ironed out [Southern US Road Trip, with several days in the lovely Savannah, Georgia] I thought I'd share a few pictures from our New York trip to get us pumped about heading out again! We were only in the city for a few days but we managed to hit all the highlights. I'd love to go back for a longer time if I ever get to go again.. but I don't know that I would last very long [I mean I get annoyed with the GC traffic jams and that is nothing] I like small towns better. But like I said I'd love to go back, we saw Central Park, Rockerfeller Center, Times Square, Statue of Liberty and lots lots more... here's a few snapshots

Man Crush

Alex Skarsgard... Eric on True Blood

TV Talk: True Blood

I usually don't get too into a TV series that isn't already completely finished. I didn't fall in love with Sex and the City until it was all done and I could sit and watch all of the episodes back to back to back.

I can't say how I really got started watching True Blood, maybe it was a Netflix recomendation... but I got one disk (episodes 1 & 2} and I was hooked. I couldn't wait long enough to watch them one disc at a time so I found season 1 on sale for like $25 and snagged it up. I literally sat and watched it for like 2 nights until 3am..that good. Then I was in a pickle because I had already missed season 2 on HBO, it wasn't on dvd until May and the new season starts in June.

For a birthday present I got HBO and luckily they have been doing a season 2 repeat. It's only to episode 3/12 and I am dying to know what happens. This is why I don't like to get into them at this juncture, waiting does indeed suck. So as I keep trying to figure out what is going on, and trying not to ask others that I know have seen the second season already. It keeps you on your toes for sure. I can't wait for season 3 to start!

My Final Thoughts On the Matter

I love celebrity gossip/scandals/real life breaking news as much as the next person, but after awhile when it's been beaten to death and we have heard every side of everyone's story, I don't care anymore. If it's something we haven't seen before then ok fine but I really can't take anymore hollywood scandals, he/she cheated here are some of my final thoughts on the beaten-to-death hollywood/real news stories of today...

Kate Goesslin: I am tired of hearing your "whoa is me" little "America please love me act" You married a douche and got divorced deal with it. You have 8 kids and you are a single mom.. suck it up. There are plenty of single moms out there that have a real job and manage to do just fine. You are on Dancing With the Stars and are pleading America to vote to keep you on for your kids, stop exploiting your children for your own gain, your kids could care less if you can dance you are doing it for you so stop trying to get the pitty vote. You have saturated the American mainstream and burned your name into our minds. So quit whiney and being so annoying, I don't know maybe drop out of the mainstream and take care of your 8 kids, don't say you can't do it because you don't hear about every hollywood celebrity and their personal lives, you asked for it, you got, now let it go...

Sandra Bullock/Jesse James: This rant I direct towards the American media. I love Sandra Bullock and how she has supposedly handled this situation (from what I have gathered via every media outlet in America) good for you girl! America are we really shocked that our American sweetheart who married a big bad ass biker dude was cheated on (I judge books by the cover) I mean for pete's sake he was married to a porn star.. go figure. You broke the news now lets be done.. I don't care that he is acting like a big ol' baby because she won't take him back.. boo hoo Jesse you should have thought of that before. [Get a clue guys, if you got something good don't eff it up.. there's a newsflash for ya]

Lindsay Lohan: She's a hot mess, has been for years anything new she does we aren't impressed... moving on.

Angelina Jolie/Brad Pitt: Angelina is a man-stealer who tries to steal every man.. now she wants Johnny Depp?! She is weird she was married to Billy Bob wore his blood around her neck, you're weird; also, please stop adopting babies we don't care.  Brad Pitt, you used to be hot until you started being not married to Angelina Jolie, I refuse to mention you again until you shave that discusting beard off your pretty face.

Jessica Simpson: I don't think you will be getting any smarter anytime soon. You got a picture taken not looking so thin.. welcome to how the other half feels in every picture... over you.

Ricky Martin: He's gay... shocker.

Tiger Woods: He's a golfer.. why do we care. But since we are on the subject Tiger Woods - Golf $$ = not that good looking of a guy. Also here is my theory on being able to claim sex addiction as your alibi. Lots of pretty girls + a few uglies = air tight alibi for sex addiction. Obviously if you throw in some ugly girls everyone will believe it's an addiction.. I mean Tiger Woods could get any girl he wanted to, why would he go for the ugly girl.. alibi.


You may consider these my Final Thoughts on the above matters and no longer up for discussion. :)

The Mayonnaise Jar & 2 Beers

I got this awhile back from a friend and ran across it again and thought I would share...

When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the 2 Beers.

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls... He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar.Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with an unanimous 'yes.'

The professor then produced two Beers from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.

'Now,' said the professor as the laughter subsided, 'I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things---your family, your children, your health, your friends and your favorite passions---and if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.

The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house and your car.

The sand is everything else---the small stuff. 'If you put the sand into the jar first,' he continued, 'there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff you will never have room for the things that are important to you.

'Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Spend time with your children.. Spend time with your parents. Visit with grandparents.Take time to get medical checkups. Take your spouse out to dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal. Take care of the golf balls first---the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.'

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the Beer represented. The professor smiled and said, 'I'm glad you asked.' The Beer just shows you that no matter how full your life may seem,there's always room for a couple of Beers with a friend.'

Happy Easter!

How Easter Eggs Are Made

Official Random Holidays

As many of you do not know, our calendar is peppered with randomly hilarious holidays and monthly awareness days., while I will say that the real holidays much way more rewarding (does 3 or 4 day weekend ring a bell?!), these holidays bring a little extra cheer with some of them... which ones will you be adding to your calendar and celebrating?

April:

04- Tell a lie Day

13- Blame Someone Else Day

24- National Pigs in a Blanket Day

30- National Honesty Day

Ironic that tell-a-lie day AND honesty day are the same month

May:

01- Save the Rhion Day

09- Lost Sock Memorial Day
14- National Dance Like a Chicken Day
26- Grey Day

28- National Hamburger Day

June:

03- Repeat Day

10- National Yo-yo Day

14- Pop Goes the Weasel Day

30- Meteor Day

July:
03- Compliment Your Mirror Day
07- National Strawberry Sundae Day
14- National Nude Day [will not be partaking this year]
26- All or Nothing Day
30- National Cheesecake Day

The Three B's

Bikes, Brats & Bowling

This week has been amazing... great weather, book club week what more could a girl ask for?!

It was so amazingly nice that I rode the HD to work today. It was a little chilly ride over this morning but so awesome this afternoon, she's at Chucks getting the 1,000 mi check, woot woot. I get my first mileage HOG pin soon too! The new pipes I feel give me respect and it's fun to talk motorcycles with the guys. I am really starting to like the camaraderie that bikers have. It's really nice to know that without knowing someone you already have something in common and could talk for hours. And contrary to belief bikers are not all tattoo big burly men, the bigger they are the bigger the teddy bear usually. I would like to eventually join a local HOG (Harley Owners Group) club and make lots of friends that enjoy riding too. So tomorrow after work I'll pick my baby up all good to go and washed too and enjoy another gracious gifted day from Mother Nature until she turns into a mean witch again on saturday (from 81 to 57 really?! and rain, b***h!)

My sis picked me up at the dealer along with our little cousin, who is in town and is staying for a sleepover tonight, and we headed home. What should await us but a full on summer cookout in early spring!!!! Burgers, Brats, and hotdogs, oh my! Nothing beats the smell of a charcoal grill. Why is it that everything tastes better grilled outdoors on a warm evening? I don't know but I don't care it's true and I will research until there is no more charcoal in the world..lol.

After we all ate ourselves into our fat pants for the evening the fam (minus gma & gpa = funsuckers) the rest of the fam headed out to bowling GC style. Thursday night is men's league night but there was room enough for us. This is how small town/redneck/hick GC is. First off there were more cut-off sleeve shirts in there than you could ever hope to see in your entire life. 2nd we were completely amazed that GC Bowl is now electric score keep.

For hundreds of years GC High Schoolers would look forward to January when we could bus it the 4 blocks to the bowling alley and have PE there for two weeks. Until apparently about 2 weeks ago and shockingly almost sad, we walk in to find that our little small town GC Bowl has upgraded and gone electric. For YEARS!, it was always keep score by hand... honestly how many people nowadays even know how bowling score is kept if the computer doesn't do it for you. Cracks me up as we go to get our shoes and they had to ask if we had ever used an electric score keep (like we have never been outside of town and for many I'm sure the answer is no they haven't used one) luckily we got our smart certificates away at the big city community college and had seen these there machines before and knewd what we was a doin.

It was a little sad to see the old way of things gone but we had to move into the 19th century sometime, but all one has to do is look around at the paint scheme from the 70's and realize we aren't going anywhere too fast. But that's what I love about small time life, nothing changes too much at all and if it does it's not very fast.