But not Shuffleboad!

Annual cruise time came upon us quickly this year. The fab hub & I have been working long and hard hours. It was time for a break were cell phones did not work and computers were banished. We flew into Tampa and hopped on the ship and we were off to Belize City. We got to go on a zip line through the canopies of trees in the rain forest. I was really expecting to be scared and maybe scream. Nope, it was a nice easy zip through the trees. We floated on inter tubes through a cave also. The water was cold and I got gravel in my bikini.
I hit the pharmacia for mom and hooked her up with some needed meds since she does not have health care.
I had a drink of the day or three everyday. We hit Costa Maya and has beers on the beach. In Guatemala I got a cool little beaded chicken. When the ship was leaving many of the cab drivers and vendors sang and played music and danced as we set sail. That was really neat. That is the city's way of saying thank you for the tourist that are brought in.
We hit Key West and toured the Hemingway house. I have been to Mile 0. Key West is wonderful. I like how family unfriendly they are. No apologies and no desire to suddenly become a family destination. The people are great. You can get around on a bike and be fine. As the ship sailed we watched the sun set over the square.

London Calling

I really love London. I wish I had a magical red telephone booth to transport me there whenever needed. There is so much to say. The fab hub had a business engagement that got us across the pond. We had to take separate flights since I am a cheap skate and it was the difference of a couple hundred bucks but only two hours. Once we flew into Heathrow we took the Gatwick Express into the city where we met up with Jeff's boss. Boss loves to try new food. I love him for this. I love learning people through their food and community around it. Since I could not sleep on the flight over first things first was to get a power nap. Once I was up we ventured out for some of the best Thai food ever. The sauces were amazing. Light and tasty, not thick and goopy. The vegatables were so fresh. It was just what I needed to be off to a good start.
London knows about transportation. They have this down to a science. The Tube simply works. The buses are everywhere and they work. Traffic is a nightmare. The city is old, there are not intersections or round abouts--there are a mish mash of street converging on one another that you must navigate quickly and with care.
Jeff was off to work at the booth OpenNMS had at the Linux World show. I played. I saw Big Ben, the London Eye, Harrod's, Tower Bridge, and my favorite was going to St. Paul's Cathedral. I am still in awe. Something stirred and moved in me while climbing the steps all the way to the top in Prada shoes. Not the best climbing footwear choice, but hey, they looked great! When I got to the top of the crazy winding stairs and finally outside to view all of London I asked a lady to snap my picture. She said sure with an accent I knew too well. Yeah, she was from Marietta.
We went to an English pub for dinner. They were serving Mexican food. You know I had some. Indeed the enchiladas were super. FYI Guinness is served cold and they have no damn clue what a Tom Collins is but the made me one anyways and it was good too.
Whoever told you the English cannot cook lied to you.
We had some yummy fusion inspired food at a place called I Love Vodka. A great eclectic mix that was not forced together to make the description sound good. I had some wonderful Chinese food. I was enchanted by the food halls in Harrod's.
We stayed in one of the nicest hotels I have ever encountered. The Sofetel was amazing. One of the neatest features I hope to see more places adopt is that if you want the power in your room to work the key must be placed in a slot in the wall. Thus when you are gone you take the key and the power is out. They have Hermes soap. Seriously.
I love London. Fast city, amazing fashion, wonderful food, nice people, cute cabs and an intriguing mix of old and new.
I will visit again!

Good Things Come to Those Who Wait

After almost one year to the day it happened: The Pine Sol lady and her fried chicken have moved out.

When did it become okay to email in a resignation? It has happened twice in the last month.

At least I will not have urgent runs to the ladies' room due to the water fountain that used to run all day for soothing sounds. I will no longer be up to date on the latest gospel music. Join my euphoria and raise a glass.

Nuttin' But Strings was so robbed

Jerry Springer has become America's sweetheart in his role announcing soon to be has beens and sweet old tap dancing ladies. There was the young & sexy Elvis, the freaky twins from Russia, a whiny 3 year old that should have been booted long ago, the fire breather that could have been so much more, the opera singer, Sinatra and then there was Nuttin' But Strings. Amazing raw talent that was polished. Something that has not been done before in front of a large audience. Violins gone hip hop and rock and roll. Seriously. They were the only talent I would have paid to see. I would have laid down good money to see these guys in Vegas. America, you robbed them. Robbed. They should have won.

Work Stuff

I seldom discuss the thing I do 8 to 12 hours a day Monday through Friday. This week has been a week of anomalies. Monday I find out that a co worker who was off all last week sent an email at midnight Sunday and was off all this week as well. Great more work for me. Thanks.
I get a new lawsuit on my desk Wednesday that the incident occurred in 2001. The suit was filed and our insured was served while he was in jail in 2003. So 5 years later...I am investigating this loss. Incident: A guy sitting in his car with his girlfriend. The car is parked at an apartment complex and the girl friend indicates that she was seeing a guy outside the car on the side and pointed him out. The guy in the car shot the player outside the car. Fully resolved GSW to the jaw. I was cranky that plaintiff's counsel sent this crap to me. We insure cars, not drive bys. I called the policy holder and explained that his son's actions may not be covered by the policy and I was sending a reservation of rights out. He wanted to know why it was not cover and I explained the spirit of the policy is for motor vehicle accidents. I explained that gun violence is not covered and nor is there a policy rider for drive by shootings.
I started the coverage write up. Yeah, the policy defines "occupying" but it does not define "motor vehicle accident". I will not be happy if I have coverage cousel and defense counsel involved. Something that seemed like a fishing letter......

I have another one where a guy was driving a hearse at 4:30 am drunk and hit a car. There was a guy on the other side or the car trying to service the disabled car. He was dragged about a quarter mile before the hearse fled the scene. Six months later the guy died. He never left the hospital. The driver was served in jail in January. Can you say punitive? What about policy limit?

The deer hit from hell has finally settled. Amen.

It has been a long week. I hope next week is better.

Atlanta Gas: There is None

Last Tuesday I needed gas in my car. I waited until later in the evening and checked gasbuddy.com and found that the QT near my house has some gas. I figured the good people of Marietta would be at home making lunches for kids and looking over homework or watching the latest reality TV show. I rolled up to the QT. I sat in line for an hour and a half. The line took me behind the building, through the next door Bojangles parking lot and then back all the way across the front of the QT. Unreal. It is finally my turn and I go to the pump as directed. Here comes this stupid white Hyundai with middle aged white man in it. He tried to steal my pump! Go wait in line! He got close enough in his swoop in that I could not get close enough to get the nozzle to my car. The gas diva directing me told the guy to move on. He did not and made a fuss. I may have been yelling like a crazy woman back at him. Then the Marietta police officer stepped in and threw the guy out of the gas station. Another crazy driver was yelling at the gas diva that people were breaking in line and had ideas of how to better direct the pandemonium. She yells back at the guy, "Sir, I work at a gas station---if you do not like the way I am doing this move on to another station!". I love her.
You see, truly here in the Metro Atlanta area we have not had any gas. It slowed due to the last 2 hurricanes. There is also the smog situation here so we use "Atlanta Blend" gas. Sorta like a fancy regional coffee. Our gas blend is lower in sulfur to help combat our growing smog problem. Our hill billy Governor has temporarily lifted the call for only low sulfur gas so we are using whatever we can get to get the stations back to normal levels to get the motorists back to normal levels.
I filled up my car. As in 2 seats and very little trunk. Yeah, I need to pick the fab hub up from the airport.....since he packed like a girl I cannot fit him and the large bag in the TT. Back to the gas station in the FJ. This time I waited until 12am on Friday night. Who the hell gets gas then? Yeah, everybody. I waited in a quarter mile line, if not longer, another hour and a half. No altercation this time. No kidding that more stations are closed than open. I am so thankful I have a six mile commute and the fab hub works from home so this mess will likely be over by the next time we need gas.

A List for the D List

I love Kathy Griffin. She was at the Fabulous Fox for a stand up show.
The fab hub's schedule has been unpredictable so when the tickets went on sale I was not sure if he was going to be here so I did not buy any. It ended up that he was here on the night of the show. I searched craigslist.org, eBay, StubHub and a few others. Finally, I found a broker in Arizona that had a local guy here on the street. Dude, we got 2nd row center stage. The crazy redhead was insane and 10 feet from us. We had awesome gays in front of us. She railed all over Palin and I loved it. Did I mention the guy that we met for the tickets was named Smooth? Yeah.

Thank You Senator McCain

Dear Senator McCain,

I wanted to personally thank you in the wonderful selection for your running mate. Sarah Palin is perfect. I love how conservative she is. Never mind her 17 year old daughter is unwed and pregnant. Forget that her husband has a string of DUI charges in his history. Forget she has 5 kids, one of which she learned prenatally has downs syndrome but kept as God's blessing to birth at age 44. I can look past that she has no foreign policy experience and just got her passport in 2007. I understand that being a member of city counsel, mayor of 5,000 people and a Governor for almost 2 years is great experience. God forbid you die in office, but I think she is ready to take over should you have an untimely demise. I like the fact that she will take all the confusion out of my life by allowing the government to make decisions regarding my body given she is against abortion for horrible acts such as incest or even rape. Since her husband works for BP Oil it comes as no surprise she is a pro-drill woman.
Obama says that the personal life and children of your running mate are off limits. I don't really think the Democrats need to comment on it.
It is like Christmas has come early. Thank you so very much for this gift. I cannot wait to see Tina Fey play her in a spoof.

With change I can believe in,

Mandy

Me + Dairy Queen = Pure Genius

I needed marshmallow in my life today. I wanted a s'more. No s'more materials.

We went to DQ. What I concocted should be on the menu. A peanut buster parfait with hot marshmallow cream. I did not share or even offer any to the fab hub. The hot chocolate, the hot marshmallow, the salty peanuts and the soft serve are meant to be together. Their union is a good one.

Hung Over

This has nothing to do with my Summertime affinity for Guinness.
The Olympics have been amazing this year. I have been up late every night watching. On work nights I try and get to bed in the ten o'clock hour. It has been no earlier than midnight lately. When you couple that with school starting back and all of the additional roving stop signs and SUVs driven by frenzied mothers I cannot get to work on time. I felt like I was going to die in my cube today.
I remember attending anything I could get a super cheap scalped ticket for in 1996 when the Olympics were here. The feeling in the Olympic village was a glowing pride. I think that was the first time I felt patriotic to my core. I have the same feeling this time. I guess in 2004 I was too engrossed in renovating and planning our wedding to get into the Athens games. The skill of the athlets just envokes awe in me. I find the Olympic events much more exciting than baseball or football.
Phelps is a machine. I sware the kid has gills. I love the women's beach volleyball. Who doesn't love the gymnastics? For all of this I have given up sleep.
Go USA!!!

Pink is just fine with me

I love election years. I have been upset ever since Hillary conceeded. So far this is the best thing that has come out of the election....

See more Paris Hilton videos at Funny or Die

My Second Trip to Africa

As you may recall I last visited Africa about this time of year in 2006.
Last night a huge storm swept through the booming metropolis of Marietta. The power went out around 9pm and came back on sometime in the middle of the night. Of course we had an overnight guest. I notice the house was warmer than usual, but dismissed it as the AC not working due to the power outage. There were huge branches down all over the place. I took two hours to clean up the yard today. A neighbor up the street has pretty bad damage from a tree coming down on the house. I came back in from yard work and thought it was warm, but I dismissed it again reminding myself I just shlepted limbs from all over the yard to the curb and pushed a broom since the blower is on the fritz.
The house is currently 85 degrees. Of course it is late Sunday, so it is slim pickings of who will come fix it and I am sure it will come with a premium when the Coolray man gets here.
To add insult to injury the Fab Hub is in San Fran and says it is too cold and he may need to buy a sweatshirt and jeans. As I wipe the sweat from my brow I dream of 60 degree weather.
Just pondering how much this will set us back. We just dropped $5k on tree removal so it would not surprise me if this time it needs replacement.....
The naked cat is in heaven.

Gnarsty!

I was driving home yesterday and a man at a bus stop had a gallon of milk in his hand that was about one quarter full. He then lifted the gallon of milk to his mouth and took a big drink. I thought I was going to puke. It was 98 degrees yesterday. What the hell?? Yuck. My eyes still burn from seeing it. I know the jug had to be sweaty. Icky. I hope he did not stand there and drink a damn gallon of milk at the bus stop. Eek.
I have a serious milk aversion. I will not drink it. That man is beyond gross.

How Dark & Twisty?

I have always been a rather dark and twisty person. I took it to a whole new level Tuesday. I had my teeth cleaned. My dentist of 25 years retired so it was time to find a new dentist. I wanted someone who was cool, yet knowledgeable. Instead of asking people who they go to I set out kudzu.com. I like this website bunches. I get it when people are so pissed off they unleash online about how horrible a good or service is. When you see oodles of people raving about a dentist that is something special. So I selected my new kick ass dentist based on reviews.
I had a super cleaning with Amy. I wish she were not moving away when her hubby graduates PA school. She is great. Dr. Snyder gave a look over and went over my xrays. I have only had the occasional filling done. Nothing exciting. I found out my lower right canine tooth has a dead nerve. When you look at this on an xray you see a little black halo around the base. I have never had a cavity in the tooth, it does not hurt, no trauma or anything. Yeah, I need a root canal. WTF?! So whatever, I have an Emo tooth with a black halo. It gets fixed in August.....

PSA for Men

Dear gentlemen,

I know you feel flip flops are great shoes to wear in the summertime. For the courtesy of all those around you, please get a pedicure. The Wolverine look it not working. Get the nice lady at the nail salon to clip and prune and file that mess. You will feel better and look better. I promise.

Thank you,

M.

Fancy Trash Bags

I make no bones about it: I HATE FAKE HANDBAGS.
It really grates me to see women carrying them around. Come on...how may people do you think you are fooling? Only yourself. If you really like the style go get a Nine West bag. Fakes do not wear the same. I can spot them a mile away. They are all over eBay. Stop it.

Yee Haw Y'all

Wow! This is so special. About an hour from me something very Whiskey Tango occured. Words do not describe. Be sure to check out the slide show.


Whisky Tango: adjective. Also known as: W.T. or White Trash

Sweet Baby 8 Pound Jesus IT HURT!

I mind my own business and pretty much keep to myself at work. I was having my usual busy day when I took a bathroom break. I go into the lady's room. Shut the big wooden louvered door when BOOM I slam my right index finger in the stall door. I thought I was going to pass out and hit my head on the toilet it hurt so bad. My finger nail is dented. I am happy to report my nail has not fallen off.

Confessions of a Waffle House Waitress

Hello, my name is Mandy and I was once a Waffle House waitress.
My beginnings were very humble. I turned 15 and it was time for me to get a job. The minimum wage in 1993 was $4.25. I figured out working for minimum wage was for the birds. I am proud to say I have never worked for minimum wage. I waited tables. My best girlfriend worked there too and we had tons of fun. Over the summer we worked from 9pm to 7am and met all kinds of people, some were customers and others worked there. We would have nights of making $100 cash or more--that was big time for two kids. I graduated high school early and stayed there a little long and started my first 401k and I still own shares! After working there for a few years I was almost old enough for a liquor license and I found the right upscale, yet family owned, shady place to let me wait tables a few months before I turned 18. When we were slow I would hang out in the back of the house with the chef and smoke cigarettes and learn everything I could about food. I learned sauces, meats, fish, cutting, garnishing, timing and how to think on the fly when everything goes wrong and a ton of money is on the line. I was working my way through college and having fun. I started bartending there. One of the bartenders was too drunk one night and there I was. I then got a second job at a night club. I was working hard, making good money and hustling my way through college commanding honors each quarter. I left the shady family joint for an Italian restaurant that quite literally could have saved my life. I was moon lighting still as a bartender working at whatever bar popped up that I could make $500 or more a shift (Buckhead was good to me in those days). The people I worked with at the Italian place were majority Italian as well. It was like a second family. We all were Catholic, had big families and drops of drama would hit our lives. We would take turns making cakes for birthdays and we all sat down for dinner together before our shift started. It was what I needed at that point to keep me on the straight and narrow and keep me away from the evil guy I had dated.
I was in my senior year of college and I was still on my mom's health insurance. I knew I need to start a 401k and I needed health care available so it was time to go into a corporate world restaurant. I started working at Ruby Tuesday. I decided to stopped smoking my final quarter in school, graduated with honors and eventually took a job in public relations.
I was working at the number 3 firm in the world. People would beg to get in the door. Like most big companies in 2000 there were tons of perks. People came to our office to give massages to us. I could not get health care with them for 90 days. I stayed working two jobs so I could build my 401k and also maintain health care. I came to realize I hated PR. I quit after 3 months. One day I just left, put the top down on my car and drove home. My mother thought I was nuts for going to school, getting a degree and then quitting a good paying job.
I started picking up bar shifts and waiting tables at Ruby's and eventually I started a new job selling produce to restaurants. This was perfect for me: food-people-negotiation. I loved the job. It was a small company, so they did not offer benefits until I had been there for one year. I stayed at Ruby's on the weekends to maintain the 401k and health care. I bought my first house all by myself. Met the fab hub while working at Ruby's. I finally quit the restaurant business in 2003. For the first time in a long time I had only one job. After working long crazy hours and getting a new boss that gave Satan a run for his money I quit the job I once had loads of passion for. I then stumbled into auto insurance. Five years later I have landed into the position I again have passion for. I enjoy litigation. I give a damn.
I have worked hard. I have earned my way, paid my way and paid taxes for 15 long years. I have saved and planned. I refuse to feel sorry for anyone that does not push themselves to the max. Suck it up and stop sticking your hand out. My hard work has paid off. I have a great life. Great husband, cool house, sports car, the best cat, wonderful friends, loving family. I have never been happier or more grateful. The entitlements our country gives out to people grates me. People perfectly capable of working do not and it is crippling our government. I hate hearing excuses. If people put as much into working hard and bettering themselves as they do into trying to get something for nothing they would be getting ahead.
Everything I do I go to the wall. I cannot handle mediocrity. We can all do more. What are you doing?

I am in "The Club" now

Well, it is the club I frankly do not care to be part of. I am celebrating the 1st anniversary of my 29th birthday. The fab hub says it is better than the alternative.....
I was born at 5:28am on 5/28/78---killer planning mom!
Due to things out of my control I had my birthday party the weekend before. I thought this was the worst thing but it ended up fine. We hosted a murder mystery party that was incredible. We had 20 people participating in the murder mystery that was set in the 1920's in a speakeasy that was a brothel cover up during prohibition. It was so much fun. My mom came up a day early to roll up her sleeves and help cook. My girlfriend from NYC flew in to help celebrate. We made almost everything from scratch--two sauces (marinara and vodka), chicken saltemboca, two kinds of fresh bread sticks-one with Parmesan the other with sesame seeds, six pounds of meatballs, endive stuffed with a Gorgonzola mix, a nut and cheese plate, ravioli, and I had the bakery that made our wedding cake hook up a revolver on the top of my cake. Everyone dressed up and played their role to perfection. There was so much extortion I could not keep up. It was a so much fun that I will be sure to do another one.
Happy birthday to me!

Because Everybody Loves Pomegranate-Champagne Punch

This is simply the best pomegranate-champagne punch. People have licked the bottom of the bowl.

From Bon Appétit December 2007.

1/2 cup water
1/2 cup sugar
2 750-ml bottles chilled brut Champagne
1 1/2 cups white rum
1 1/4 cups pomegranate juice
1 large lemon, thinly sliced
Pomegranate seeds
Fresh mint leaves
1 ice block

Bring 1/2 cup water and sugar to boil in small saucepan, stirring until sugar dissolves. Simmer 5 minutes. Cool syrup completely.Combine Champagne, rum, and pomegranate juice in punch bowl. Add enough syrup to sweeten to taste. Mix in lemon slices, pomegranate seeds, and mint leaves. Add ice block to bowl.

I leave out the mint. I leave out the seeds...I use pomegranate juice in my ice ring that I make in a cool bundt style pan. I layer my ring with lemon slices and blueberries. You have to freeze a layer...add fruit...freeze a layer....

This is really great! I recommend making more than what you think you will need.

Enjoy!

January 20, 2009 --- The End of an Error

I have seen some intersting things today. A bumper sticker with the above quote was my favorite. When I was out with the fab hub we saw a group of angry Taco Bell workers picketing. I saw one of the longest and jerri curliest mullets I have ever seen. Many, many ill behaved children. A rubber chicken. Kinda random.

I heart Little Italy

Alright, I have been here for a few hours and I have already found the place I will try and visit no less than twice a day. The Ferrara Cafe is heaven Pure bliss of biscotti by morning and cannoli by night. I am staying in Chinatown; Little Italy is 2 blocks away. Did I mention the streetside gelato? I have been up since 4:30 with only a 4 hour nap last night. The latte I just had with my almond biscotti will keep me awake for a bit but I need to sleep some before Century 21.

Bizarre is the only way to explaine it

This week has been an absolute roller coaster ride. In all my years of experience I have never seen this kind of stuff. Things that you may only see once in a three to five year span, odd things all through the week. Tuesday was the peek. Three crazy anomalies in one day. Jacked up. Due to the all the odd ducks floating in the moat around my desk I am going in on my day off today to go put the finishing touches on some stuff. If you need your dose of "Are you kidding me?!" law suits I can be your fix.
Then it is off to NYC. I am so excited to get out of my city and into another. I will share all the food I can. And yes, after each person I asked where to go: I now have reservations on Friday at NOBU.

NYC Baby!!!

I am so excited. The fab hub has a gig in NYC later this month. I am going up for a few days. I cannot wait. I will eat my way through the city. I have never had the pleasure of Century 21 so I must go there. I am starting my prayers that I catch a ride in the cash cab. Yay! The fab hub will be working most of the time so I will be on my own. I will get to see my best girl friend and my step mom too. Yippy!!!

And it was all Yellow

Our city is full of yellow dirt. It is nasty. There are clumps of pollen buds along the side of the road the way you see seaweed on the beach. We finally got some rain today. I had the air filter changed on my car earlier this week. The guy said it weighed three times more than what it should have. My car is yellow. The water in the street is yellow from washing down the street. Everything is yellow. Yuck.

Yeah, Another Defense Verdict....

I can tell you when it will rain by the ache in my knee. I can tell you the out come of a trial in some states by my gut feeling. This is the 4th defense verdict. Only 10 days to appeal and 3 of those days have elapsed. I have yet to have a plaintiff appeal. I get a little giddy about my record.

Because I Have the Money, That's Why

If you are expecting a check from me after being the most royal pain in my ass trust me, it is in the mail to be sure you do not raise your head to me again. There is someone so special in the a state somewhere north of California that I really think she kills puppies for fun. After several friendly letters back and forth we got some business done. I send the check and give thanks she is out of my life. She was not done with me yet. I got a slanted voice mail from Ms. Puppy Killer looking for her check. Given the time difference (east coast vs. west coast) I felt the need to leave a friendly voice mail back telling her to call the USPS to find out how they deliver mail, as I am not in charge of that once I throw it in the mail. Yeah, I probably provoked her. Ms. Puppy Killer calls me pissed that about certain words on said check and demands a new one. Yeah, you can mail it back with a letter and spell it out for me. Overnight it? Hell no hooker, unless you want me to deduct $20. Relax, Relate, Release......Whhoooo-Sawwwww

DWTS 2008

Okay, the dancers are bigger stars than the "stars". Whatever. I like the shiny outfits, hair, makeup and dancing. I am watching for Cheryl, Julianne, and Karina.

RIP Brandy

Brandy passed away on St. Patrick's day. Not really unexpected, but none the less sad. 20 years is a great run for a cat. Cheers, Brandy.

Where I have been? 2 Defense Verdicts--That's Where!!

Yeah, I am the girl with the reflective white skin. This is because I have been in my office working like a mad woman. I got 2 defense verdicts earlier this month and I have been so busy I could not even brag about it. That makes 3 in the less than 6 months I have been doing this. I really have been busy. I was there 13 hours today.

Idology

I really do not like American Idol. I cannot get too deep about it because I do not watch it at all. I have never tortured myself with a full episode. I am sick of hearing about it at work. There has yet to be any talent come out of it. The songs are on the radio and they all sound the same. I don't get it. It is just not music with staying power. Why do people like karaoke by teenagers? You have to be drunk to get it.....I need to drink more obviously.

Dayquil + Simply Sleep = Me

So whatever this crud is that everyone is passing around has had me feeling like crap for over a week. I have run out of Nyquil. I decided to mix my own tonight. Hope it all works out.

9 Lives

My father died an odd death back in 2001. It was unexpected. He was not married and was not close to anyone. My mother (divorced from him for 20 years), my step mom (divorced from him for 10 years) and I (had not spoken in a few years) all went down to clean out the apartment and take care of things. I am an only child, so the mess was mine. Over the long weekend we drank several pitchers of margaritas and laughed. He left his life insurance to a friend. She was nice enough to give it to me anyways. With that I bought my first home by myself.
My step mom and father had a cat. They got Brandy when I was 8 years old. When they split my father kept the cat. When my father died I took Brandy back to Atlanta with me. I had two other geriatric cats at the time that were confused and scared of the new addition. My uncle (brother of my father and had not spoken to my father in decades) took Brandy. Mom took her up to his house. This year my uncle lost his house. Brandy stayed in his room at my grandmother's house for a few days. My uncle and grandmother delivered Brandy here a week and a half ago. As you can see this cat has been with just about everyone in the family at some point, including my aunt and uncle in Savannah.
She is about 19 years old, so first things first I took her to the vet. She was very skinny and full of hair mats. The vet took one look and knew the problem. I was thinking she would recommend to put her down. Brandy had a hyperthyroid issue, but otherwise is in good health. $265 later it was time to set up for surgery to fix the problem. The surgery went fine and while she was under they shaved her down to get the mats out. I now have 1.5 naked cats. The surgery was over $700. I could not feel good about myself to put a cat down that still has quality of life just because it is cheaper. I am not saying money is no object, but I just could not sleep. I am kind of weird about making that call, when my father died I was the one that made the call to pull the plug since I was the only family member. Rather full circle, huh? So I have a cat that will put on some weight and be a good kitty.

Nobody Puts Baby in the Corner (Not in my House!)

Why is it wrong to not breed? I mean really.....
I don't like kids. It is no secret. I am good for maybe 5 minutes, then I get uncomfortable. Kids literally scare me. I don't know what to do with them or how to talk to them. I could not imagine cleaning up the messes....not the plastic toys, the spit and diapers and the pure nasty that comes out of them. Icky. All of my friends have either had kids or are pregnant. One of my best friends in New York is the only other chic I know that does not have kids. Even the ones that did not care for kids are pregnant. I am the only one.
Suddenly everyone is telling me I need to have children. Why? Isn't it okay and also responsible to know that I don't want kids? I do not have that maternal feeling. It's not something I dream about or desire. Screaming kids make my skin crawl. Having to own mounds of the latest and greatest plastic junk is not something that attracts me. A van....no. I cannot even handle having a back seat. I could not own a car with a back seat. I like it to be nice and clear there is no room for goldfish crackers or Cheerios in my car.
Over opinionated moms at work, on airplanes, in stores, at parties or where ever tell me how wonderful and rewarding being a mother is. They get sad when I tell them that is not a goal for me. They act like I am not fulfilling my duty as a woman. I have even been called selfish. They hate me for being on the cusp of 30 and not getting on my way to pushing a stroller.
So why is it a shame? I know what I want....and what I don't.

Molting

I have had horrible skin since I was too young to know the differance. As a child my mom had to put cream that was more of a paste than a smoothing moisturizer. As I have grown not much has changed. My skin is like the dessert. I have been to so many dematologists I am honestly surprised my health care insurance still entertains me going. I have rosacia as well. I have pale skin. You name it, I have it. I have spent stupid amounts of money on it. I had laser treatment to even out my skin and help diminsh the rosacia. It worked, but it is not permant. I have tried countless prescriptions. Maxed out my flex spending 3 years in a row. I have had laser hair removal on my face for a few hairs with minds of their own. On a freckle/mole thing on my cheek I have a hair that has been stubborn to the laser hair removal and then I have a chin hair. I do not want to be like a granny with the creepy chin hair. So I asked the derm about the chin situation since I have a small scar and a hair and neither will go away with laser treatment. The derm says I need to have it cut out. Derm says there is a cyst under the scar that the hair grows through and is the problem that all other game plans have been a bust. So then I show the derm 2 other scars I have that act the same....yeah they have cysts too. SUCK! I need to get all of the damn things cut out. I think we have already gone over that my one true primal fear in life is needles. I can look a storm in the eye and walk into it. Not needles. I am a sissy.
On a flip side I have gotten one solution on my quest to good skin. I had some sun damage on my face from cruising around in my convertable. They gave me a magic potion that actually worked!
Now I need to find a plastic surgeon for the chin buisness....

Tapas Anyone?

I love food. I am a food junkie. I like to learn about it, make it, eat it and watch endless Food Network. I excited when new mom and pop places open up. I am not into chain restaurants, but I go when the company is right or it is PF Changs.
Friday all I wanted to do was go out. I had worked myself to death and it was time for a nice cold beverage. We had noticed this new place called The Cave when we were going to The Beverage Resort and decided we would check it out. We checked them out on Friday. The waiter Mike came over and was great. Went over every single thing on the menu and was able to tell you about everything. I ordered a pomegranate martini and the fab hub ordered an extra dirty martini. He brought our drinks back and took our orders. That was the last time we saw Mike until we were finished with our food. The only thing they had for me was a salad. Why there is not a cheese/olive/nut tray is beyond me. After giving my martini a taste I thought it was made with cranberry. He never brought my water. I tried to drink it. I wanted more vodka taste and less syrup-y sweet. I assumed they would make it with real pomegranate juice and not pomegranate inspired flavored alcohol. I really like my pomegranate martinis and the pomegranate champagne punch we served this year was so freaking good....I wanted to be in that happy pomegranate place. Eventually it got sent back and I got a cup of vodka with olive juice. Mike was still no place to be found so I just put the credit card on the table so eventually he would come back and we could leave. He come back and takes my card and ran it twice....I was really peved at this point. $70 for 2 tiny salads, a meat stuffed pepper and a few martinis. Yeah, we won't be going back. And to be charged $140....sheesh. I am done with them.
Long story short: If you want tapas in Atlanta or if you want a great place to hang out with friends please do not miss Loca Luna. It is one of my all time favorites. Killer food, great prices and endless drinks. The music is great too! I mean look at this menu. You could eat there everyday for a week and eat something yummy and different and not be broke.

The BEST shoe website!

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Right now overnight shipping is free and they are giving a $5 discount.
I am a deal hound and I can find better prices anywhere and if you can they will beat it by 10%! The selection is incredible. I love that you can select all your favorite brands in the size you like and and they all show up in the same mix so you do not have to do 10 searches to look at your 10 favorite brands.
Go here, now!