Dressed Up Like a Car Crash

Gann: 1 Ruby: 0

2010-02-23T21:19:00.003-05:00

Saturday I was sitting on the couch not feeling very well when there was a tap at my door. Then the bell chain was pulled and the bell konged. Then more tap, tap, tapping at the door. Then I get looked at like I need to drag my ass to the door. So I go open the door for the mail carrier expecting to get a package placed in my hands. Oh, hell no. This bitch wants to scrap. I deemed her a bitch on Friday when she placed the mail beside the mailbox instead of inside. She whines that she is short and it is hard to carry the mail and try and open boxes and that our crappy box on the crappy table is just too hard. Um, you are a mail carrying professional, make it happen! I can do it with one hand while toting groceries and I am short too. Whatever. She wants the box secured. I want to blow up the post office for this whining lady that 100 people would line up to do her job. I asked her name and confirmed her post office. She then LAID THE MAIL ON THE FLOOR BY MY FEET. Seriously. Reminded me of the drunk mail man in Funny Farm that just threw the mail near the house.
Sure, our mail carrier walks and delivers the mail to the house directly. We have been renovating and we got a new door that no longer has a mail slot and until we know what we will have I am not spending $350 on a mail pagoda. The fab hub wired the box to the table. I taped a note to the inside of the glass that read, "Ruby: The mail box is secured. Please do not leave mail on the floor". Monday the mail was in the box. There was a parcel on the floor. I was fine and happy. Tuesday there was mail in the box with a note apologizing for the parcel being on the floor the day before.

Lookie Lookie!

2010-01-04T22:31:00.003-05:00

Our local paper recently had a discussion on interesting things to eat at breakfast and I was happy to see a comment I left on the food blog was published in the Sunday print. I hope someone out there tries it. I love my Italian roots. Panettone is a wonderful Italian sweet bread with little fruit bits in it. Panettone is NOT FRUIT CAKE. Not that there is anything wrong with fruit cake, you just have to have the right one and be sure there is no creepy green fruit in it. I will share with you what I make every Christmas morning. This is my own recipe that my family and friends have enjoyed around our table and I hope you will too. Yum!

Panettone French Toast

Required:

1 Panettone, sliced 1/2 to 3/4 inch rounds and laid out to dry about 30 minutes each side.
2 Large eggs
1/3 Cup Milk
1/3 Cup Orange juice
1 Tablespoon sugar
Pinch ground clove
1/4 Teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 Cup amaretto liquor
Pinch of salt
Butter for the pan

Method:

Combine all ingredients except the panettone and butter in a flat bottom bowl that the panettone will fit into. Warm your skillet to medium. Melt some butter. Dip the sliced panettone quickly through the batter and place in pan. Cook on each side 2 to 3 minutes for a nice golden brown using your spatula to flatten out after the first flip. No need for syrup unless you are a syrup junkie. Enjoy!

Oh, wow!

2009-12-26T17:43:00.003-05:00

I was recently turned on to Dragon for dictation on my iPhone. It is great. I had this fantasy that I would dictate my blog on my ride home. I tried...it will take a tweet bit more practice and less cursing at other vehicles. Just as fun and possibly more useful is Dragon Search. If you have an iPhone please go get it now while it is still free. So easy and wonderful. Just tell your friend the dragon what you ponder and he will go fetch the results. No typing.

And on the subject of why I have not been dictating on my way home.....I am effing addicted to Gowalla. Sure, go get it now too while it is still free. Less than 850 people are playing in Georgia currently so I find it a great time to be a founder. This is my first go at playing a geocatching game. I am intrigued. It also inspires me to travel more. I would rather be traveling for work than working to travel......

That is my current iPhone goodness. There are some good zoom camera apps out there. None worth giving kudos to.

Simply Amazing

2009-12-16T17:56:00.002-05:00

We snuck down to Orlando for a visit to Universal Studios and Island of Adventure the first weekend in December. Had a blast! The Fab Hub flew in to Minneapolis and I drove down. I really enjoyed the long drive. I had an iPod adapter installed on the TT before I left for added pleasure.
We stayed at the pink castle looking hotel that happens to be a Double Tree. A-la hot cookies whenever you ask. Great location. We were upgraded to the top floor for premier Hilton Honors people because I found a wonderful little code on retailmenot.com. There were dragons all around the hotel.

We went to Universal Studios on Saturday. Had a blast. No lines. No kids. We lost count of how many times we rode The Mummy roller coaster. The only thing we had to wait on was the Rock-it Roller Coaster. You get to pick your own soundtrack and then go straight up for take off only to go plunging back down and then into loops and corkscrews. I listened to Stronger. I think the music element adds to the ride. At the end of the day we watched the Macy's Parade down Main Street and I pined after being a balloon handler.

On Sunday we headed over to Island of Adventure. This was our first time in this park. We rode The Hulk, The Simpsons, Spiderman, Dueling Dragons and got to meet The Grinch. We saw the Grinchmas Show, which was wonderful, and had great food and even some sangria. We headed back over to the Rock-It Roller Coaster and saw some balloon handler people....AND THEY NEEDED VOLUNTEERS!!! That is right, I got to carry a balloon in the Macy's Parade!!! I carried a stupid football but I don't care---I got to do it!! Macy's sends all of the balloons down to Universal after the parade.

Saturday night we went to the Cirque Du Soleil show La Nooba. The show really was like a glimpse into a dream. It tickled my mind. It was layered in a way that was simply amazing. I highly recommend seeing the show. There are so many things going on at once that really put you in pure awe of the art of the performance. The experience is mind bending. I love the escape. The performers are top notch. The costumes are outstanding. Exquisite all around.

Florida was great and a much needed break with all fun and play.

Thanksgiving and Such

2009-11-26T18:36:00.002-05:00

I don't really care about Thanksgiving. Not a big day in my life. I do not eat meat and I spend more time asking questions about what is in something than enjoying. I love mashed potatoes. I love dressing. I love Hawaiian rolls.....just not all on the same plate. I feel like I ate a brick. Since we went over to family's house this years I made sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, a pumpkin cheesecake, a gingerbread cheesecake and fresh cranberry sauce. I did not get any dressing since it was laden with animal. To prepare for the eating festivity I participated in the Gobble Jog 5K. Yes, I actually finished. I am rather proud. Now I want to do more 5Ks and improve my time. I got magical running shoes that have changed everything. They actually fit and give my the proper support to jog.

The day after Thanksgiving the Fab Hub and I journeyed out to Augusta to see the Cirque Du Soleil show Alegria. Loved it! This show is heavy on acrobatics. The band is sensational. The opera is mind blowing. The performers are unreal. They have crafted their skills into true art. The presentation brings everything together into an incredible show.

The Best ________ That You are Not Using

2009-10-14T20:31:00.002-05:00

I find it my civic duty to share some things with you Internet. Behold my bounty that you should be paying damn good attention to.

Pandora: Go and download this treasure if you have not already. Computer or iPhone--either way you will be good. You get to compile your own radio station. Eureka!! Pandora then figures out why you picked what you did and makes your own private radio station of recommendations. Don't agree with a selection? Give it a thumbs down. Love what you are listening to but have no clue who it is? Read more and if inclined give it a thumbs up. The idea of Tivo, but for music. I have learned of a few new bands I had not heard being played before and I love it! Oh, and it is free.

Silversun PickUps: The music this band creates is amazing. The bassist is a chic and I have a girl crush on her. I love the song Panic Switch. I cannot wait for the tour to stop in Atlanta. Complex sound that has so many layers....check them out.

Shazam: I know....more music. Do you know that song? Can you remember who sings it? What album? If you do will you remember to download it? Shazam takes care of that. Nifty little iPhone application that allows you to tag songs by holding you device up and let it "listen" to the music. In less than ten seconds it will return all the info on that song to you. Amazing. Among my discoveries: People Ain't No Good by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, Beyond Here Lies Nothin' by Bob Dylan and 500 Miles by Tori Amos. It knows if you are listening to an album version or radio edit. Wow.

halfoffdepot.com: So you already use restaurant.com and love it. You get sad you cannot buy real gift cards....just print out the certificates. Not so nice for gift giving. You want a diff rent mix of deals. Super deals here. Seriously--check it out! And of course, check out retailmenot.com for a code to save a little extra on your savings. Also, sign up for groupon.com. I have used both of these sites a few times and I am in love with the savings and service. Yay!!

Stop Gloating, it is Ugly

2009-10-14T20:29:00.002-05:00

I love my iPhone. I really do. I think you should get one too.
The Fab Hub still smiles secretly whenever I discuss how much I cherish it.

Yuppie Scum Rockstar

2009-10-14T20:05:00.003-05:00

I love U2. I get excited when I get to see them live. I love having great seats. This combination proves to be costly.

For your consideration:

U2 fan club dues: $50 (So I could get pre sale tickets)
10th row tickets: $550 (Total for two tickets)
Parking: $30 (It was $40, but I negotiated)
Concessions: $25 (Two Miller Lite beers in a can and nachos for the fab hub)
Tour shirt: $10 (They were $40 inside, I bought a bootleg in the $40 parking lot)

Grand total: $665

I have flown to Europe round trip for less.
The show was great. Muse opened and was amazing. I wish it had been at The Ted instead. The sound was not so great at the Georgia Dome. Even though we had 10th row seats we were still pretty far away from the stage. I still found what I was looking for. A mass of people feeling music together. I adore the feeling of my lungs vibrating in my rib cage to the same music that is doing the same thing to 20,000 other people. And yes, I do sing along with Bono and dance the entire time. My feet hurt for two days because I had to wear my favorite patent leather four inch stiletto boots. I love that The Edge sang solo. The HD video was crazy. The lights and screens were mind bending. Totally worth the money. I enjoyed the PopMart tour far more for different reasons. U2 certainly delivered on the 360 Tour none the less. Once I figure out how to rip some video from my iPhone I will share a clip and a song that I shot.

Shoes for Ta Tas

2009-10-14T19:32:00.004-05:00

So charity is good....shoes are better.

For the 2009 FFANY event I treated myself. Not sure that this qualifies as a true full price purchase. All of the shoes were donated and they were sold for half off. All of the proceeds go to breast cancer research. To continue to fuel my obsession with red shoes I just could not live without a new addition.

These will be showing up soon.

Have you seen the muffin pan??

2009-10-05T18:47:00.002-05:00

So Bellini eats similar to the way a steam shovel operates. Packet will eat and eat and eat. They get stuffed and eat too much because they are eating too quickly. I discussed the eating issues with my wonder vet. He recommended we start putting the cat food in a muffin pan to slow down the gobbling four leggids. The kitties hate the muffin pan. The muffin pan works. No more bulimic cat barf around the house.

Seriously?! Yes, seriously.

2009-08-30T21:47:00.002-05:00

I work a ton. I take my job very seriously. If someone were suing me I would want to be sure it was being taken care of and nothing was missed and all defenses raised. Remember the Golden Rule? I guide myself by that idea.
Lately to maintain Golden Rule Standard (GRS) I have been putting in 60 - 70 hours a week. I do not get overtime pay. I do get a bonus, it is not tied to my hours. I love my job and it truly does interest me. I salivate before a good negotiation and feel victorious in settlement. I am Type A...whatever.
You know what I like even more than hard work being it's own reward?

VACATION!!

So we have a cruise booked for later this year and I am just about counting down the minutes. I have been to all of the islands before but I do not recall much of Puerto Rico, remember last time I was there I fell asleep on a park bench. Turks & Caicos all I remember was eating at Jimmy Buffet's place and falling asleep. It was a monsoon in St. Thomas last time I was there. The private island is still my favorite. So for hitting these four places in one fantastic week I am thrilled. The reason for my sleep goes back to my vertigo issues and taking the meclazine offered by the friendly front desk folks. Yeah, they fail to tell you that you will fall asleep on a park bench in Puerto Rico. Again, use the ginger root folks. Works better and as an added bonus you can stay awake!
The Fab Hub and I had been talking about seeing his parents for vacation for sometime. They live in Austin, TX so it is a to-do to see each other involving flights and such. So this year we are vacationing together. It is their first cruise and first big vacation in a long time. My in-laws are as cool as they come. It should be fun.
The Fab Hub goes to put the cruise on his work calendar and sees that his boss has the same week off with, "Caribbean Cruise" as the subject. The Fab Hub finds out if we are going to be on any of the same islands on the same day so we can meet up for a drink. No worries, the boss is on our cruise! Seriously.

Ear Cleaning PSA

2009-08-30T20:11:00.002-05:00

I like to have really clean ears. I can hear everything. Perhaps because I am still blind as a bat after two Lasik eye surgeries I have a heightened sense of sound. Or I was just an eves dropping bartender for many years.
Recently I have developed a rice crispy noise in my when I yawn. I also have horrific vertigo. If I am in a bathroom stall the room is moving in my world. Elevator: like a bouncy castle. I have been on a quest to figure it out. Why go to the doctor when I have dogpile and bing?
I have tried dandelion root to be all homeopathic or whatever. The ginger root really does work for my vertigo. Then I learned about a nice little ear cleaning kit in a little box. I had a coupon...score! I got my little box and had a nice first run at cleaning but I did not have enough time to let the stuff sit in my ear 5-7 minutes. Tonight I had all the time in the world. I let the stuff sit in there and then got it out. Then I thought to myself, hum, I could use the little cleaning bulb to blast some water in there and really get them spic and span. I had just brushed my teeth and I always use hot water for that. I filled up my cup and got all my ear cleaning stuff ready to use. Holy God in Heaven!!! Did you hear me scream? Eff eff eff. Yeah, that would be scalding hot water I just blasted in my ear. Eff. My right ear is so tender. Do not call me tomorrow. I will not be on the phone.

Happy Birthday?!

2009-08-24T20:25:00.005-05:00

Today was my Gramie's birthday. Because I work entirely too much the gift I had thoughtfully purchased never made it in the mail. I have no time to drive up to where she lives. Eh, I punted and sent a same day gift. Instead of flowers I went all out and got her one of the edible arrangements from Fruit Flowers.

Pretty nice, huh? I would be delighted to get this. The delivery fee was an additional $30. I cannot blame them, like I said, you have to pack a lunch to get there and it was last minute so I was at the Fruit Flowers' mercy. I did have a wonderful gift card I had purchased for this occasion at half price.
So I call Gramie after working 13 hours and not really feeling like it.
"Happy Birthday, Gramie!!"
"Oh, thank you Mandy. I got the interesting fruit thing you sent. It is really different."
"Does it look good? The picture I saw online looked great!"
"Yes, it was so big" *thinking: WAS* "It took over an hour to take apart and put in the fridge. I need to go, Kent just got here with Taco Bell dinner."
Are you friggin' kidding me?! Internet, the point at hand was not to send a $100 fruit bowl. Next year: Publix gift card.

Rush Hour?

2009-08-16T19:23:00.002-05:00

Traffic has been so great this summer in Atlanta during the morning I was bummed that school was starting back. I can leave my house at 7:15 and be to work at 7:30. I love that. When school starts back there are all of the SUVs and school buses on the road. It has been a week and a half now and the traffic is still great. I am sad it is great. It is not the lack of SUVs toting kids to school, it is that 10% of my city is out of work. Seriously. We have one of the largest unemployement rates in the US currently and we seem to lose jobs quicker. It worries me for my friends and nieghbors. Although it is not good to hedge bets, I can say both the Fab Hub and myself are safe and secure with our jobs. When I am on time or just do not care about warming my seat at 7:30 I stop by Dunkin Donuts and get a Large Turbo. Okay, so I have been by there everyday lately. Whatever. It really is the most fun $2.56 can buy.

Communication is Key

2009-08-11T21:18:00.003-05:00

So I was thrilled with my Blackjack II for a year and eight months. It called people, emailed, told me about the traffic, gave me directions, and searched the Internet. And then it stopped. And then I developed a relationship with AT&T customer service. It worked again! Then the email stopped harvesting. Then it stopped sending....you get the picture. After at least ten hours of relationship building with AT&T customer service, both over the phone and in person, I learned this was a compatibility issue. While tech one was calling customer service from the AT&T store tech two took me to an iPhone to see if it would work....yep, it sure did. He had time to install and uninstall my email both POP & IMAP and report back that it worked. Tech one was still on hold. It took a week to get the phone due to demand. I have had it less than a week. I love the iPhone. LOVE. So much fun and productivity is possible....or I can just be on Facebook all day.

DISCLAIMER

2009-08-11T20:04:00.003-05:00

I am back.
I know, whatever.
So, just because a few of you darlings may not be ready for this you get a disclaimer.
I vent and observe. I like to remember things. I post, therefore I am. In postings you may find some fowl language. I support marriage to whoever you like with no bias to religion, race or sex. If you love them, marry them. Not my business what you do behind closed doors. I think hard work is good and easy money, pandering, living off the government or just being a freedloader is wack. I like to discuss cars, Prada, nail polish, shoes, law, TV, my disdain for American Idol and my naked cat. I support Obama. I know I just lost some readers. I love food. Somehow I do not weigh four hundred pounds, I probably should because I eat like a sumo wrestler. I love music and wish I had more time and money to hit live shows. I love animals so much I cannot imagine eating them, so I do not. I am a strayed Catholic that does not have the spine to hike into mass. If you want to take me I will go, just scared. I think religion is what you make of it and I am not one to think any one form is any greater than the other. I am not going to call anything really fun out by name that has to do with my work life. Try and figure it, you will not unless you are directly involved. I think that about covers it...you have been warned. Enjoy at your own discretion.

Like a Rolling Stone

2009-04-07T18:13:00.003-05:00

Oh Internet, it has been me, not you. Really, it is me. You see, I am so busy and I have all these great blog posts written in my head but I have not emptied out my head in a while. I apologize. I made friends with this new fangled Facebook. It makes me feel young and in touch. Forgive my back dating of posts...it is more for me than you. I need ore than the Facebook two line story. You all know my stories are far more than two lines.....

You Can Call Me Nanner Puss

2009-01-25T19:01:00.002-05:00

This is simply genius. There are too many remixes out there for me to even go down that road. Best Super Bowl Commerical ever. Ever.

But not Shuffleboad!

2008-10-30T18:48:00.001-05:00

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

2008-10-20T18:25:00.001-05:00

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

2008-10-08T20:16:00.003-05:00

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

2008-10-08T18:18:00.000-05:00

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

2008-10-03T20:06:00.002-05:00

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

2008-09-27T19:45:00.001-05:00

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

2008-09-06T21:10:00.003-05:00

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

2008-09-02T17:06:00.002-05:00

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

2008-08-18T21:37:00.002-05:00

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

2008-08-18T21:21:00.004-05:00

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

2008-08-09T11:39:00.003-05:00

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

2008-08-03T17:48:00.003-05:00

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!

2008-07-29T17:05:00.002-05:00

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?

2008-07-27T16:32:00.003-05:00

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

2008-07-18T16:57:00.003-05:00

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

2008-07-18T16:51:00.002-05:00

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

2008-07-13T16:08:00.004-05:00

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!

2008-06-30T21:04:00.002-05:00

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

2008-06-10T19:01:00.003-05:00

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

2008-05-28T05:28:00.003-05:00

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

2008-05-23T11:01:00.002-05:00

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

2008-05-10T18:53:00.002-05:00

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

2008-05-02T10:17:00.000-05:00

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

2008-05-01T06:17:00.005-05:00

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!!!

2008-04-12T14:18:00.002-05:00

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

2008-04-11T22:38:00.003-05:00

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....

2008-04-11T22:27:00.004-05:00

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

2008-04-03T20:47:00.003-05:00

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

2008-03-24T21:35:00.002-05:00

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

2008-03-24T21:31:00.003-05:00

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!!

2008-03-24T21:21:00.005-05:00

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

2008-03-24T21:02:00.004-05:00

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

2008-02-27T22:44:00.002-05:00

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

2008-02-16T09:27:00.004-05:00

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!)

2008-02-09T20:55:00.001-05:00

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

2008-02-02T12:32:00.000-05:00

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?

2008-01-20T07:30:00.000-05:00

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!

2008-01-05T12:42:00.000-05:00

Wow is all I can say. I L-O-V-E great big heart this website. The browsing is super, the lay out is the best, and the prices are amazing and second to none.
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!

Happy New Year!

2007-12-30T21:54:00.001-05:00

Happy New Year!! Hello 2008
Originally uploaded by ganners.

This has been an incredible year for me. Where I am not is not where I could have ever guessed this time last year. So many great things have happened and few that I have learned from. I hope 2008 is the best yet for us all.
Not sure where we will celebrate this year....but I know I will be drink ing champagne. A toast for all of you! Cheers and all the best!!

Not as bad

2007-12-29T07:50:00.000-05:00

I thought it was going to be awful this past week. It was just me on Monday and my fearless leader was back on Wednesday. Seeing as how we use firms for all of our work we must pay them. I understand this. You get a legal bill, make sure you are not being utterly gouged and you pay it. Simple enough. When I tell you my bill basket is empty I mean you can see through the bin and see my desk. As in nothing in it. As in keeping up my daily work. Other people however don't mind leaving bills unpaid. When I tell you we went through over 2 feet of bills I am not kidding. It was over $200k in bills we paid. It needed to be done before the end of the year for the firms and for us. The upside is that my pending did not grow. The even better part is I have a 4 day weekend to blow off some steam and drink some champagne for New Year's Eve.

'Tis the Season

2007-12-23T06:25:00.000-05:00

While in downtown running around doing some shopping I went by the Tower Liquor store. Not what I would usually expect to see out front.....it was a Shriner collecting money outside the liquor store. Yay! Get your liquor and throw your change in the pot for an unfortunate child.

Whatever, I've been super fly busy

2007-12-22T07:22:00.000-05:00

It seems like it was just Thanksgiving......It really has been a blur for me.
The first weekend of December I got to jet set up to Raleigh for the Christmas party by the fab hub's new office. I was there for less than 24 hours. The flight up was the worst thing for me in travel history. I had never had a bad travel day before. I aways fly out of and into Atlanta so not much bad can happen. They are the Mussolini of airports: the planes will run on time!
I get on the plane. Sit by the window in the row of three seats. Then it happens: a screaming child is on the lap of the lady next to me. And guess who is beside her? Yeah, her stupid sister with another stupid crying baby. The babies crying activates a little yappy chihuahua that is seated under the seat beside me. It is my own personal Hell. Did I mention that we were stuck for an hour? We were. We took off after we should have already landed. The worst ever.
The second weekend of December we had our 4th annual Holiday Warm Up Christmas Party. I had champagne pomegranate punch that people were licking the bottom of the bowl for and Hypntq Glacier Drop Martinis that were super yummy. The food was so good that when I was cleaning up around midnight I could not find a bite to eat.
Last weekend we hit Lenox and Phipps for some fabulous Christmas shopping. I highly recommend "Would you Rather.....?" as a super good stocking stuffer. Get the small travel size one...no need for the board and hoopla because you will not use it. Would you rather shave your dad's ass or your mother's bikini??
This weekend we tie up the loose ends and Mom comes in on Sunday. It is a blur.
I have been working my ass off. I have a pending of 193. I pray to sweet baby 8 pound Jesus that it does not hit 200....alas, I am the only person there next week in litigation---Joy! The upside to all this work is that firms are very nice in sending offerings to us this time of year. We had a breakfast sent, pounds and pounds of chocolate (the gold Godiva basket has a special place in my heart) and then there is the non sense we will never use but it is a trinket that I hold as a prize. If anyone ever needs a tiny mag light give me a shout, your choice of colors.

Because I had to

2007-11-25T08:04:00.000-05:00

Thanksgiving this year was a bit small for my liking. Mom joined the fab hub and I. So why did I make 7 sides? It is no secret I do not like Thanksgiving food. I made roasted asparagus and a broccoli dish that is served cold for this reason, the fab hub demanded my macaroni and cheese, I wanted the best mashed potatoes in the world, mom needed sweet potatoes, mom desired fresh cranberry sauce, who can have thanksgiving without stuffing? So I was a bit busy with that.
I have gotten 3 Christmas tree up so far. We are just about decorated. The cats really like the disco ball garland on the flamingo tree.
I need to go make Chex mix, ya know--because I have not cooked enough.

1st Defense Verdict!!!

2007-11-09T06:48:00.000-05:00

I am so freaking happy. I really am.

The Idiot Box.....Truly

2007-11-01T17:47:00.000-05:00

I am pissed that Sabrina was voted off or not voted enough to stay on DWTS. It hurts. It really does. I must exhaust all efforts on the race car driver. I hate Mel....she is the Laila Ali of this year to me.
George and Izzy need to break it up. Even the hand holding makes me puke a little bit in my mouth. I broke up with Private Practice...too slow. I still LOVE Kate Walsh and secretly hope Private Practice will be canceled and she will come back to Grey's.
The new evil neighbor in Housewives is killing me. I would throw down with her. Kick the shoes off, earrings out and hair pulled back kind of ass beating. And you know her lemon meringue pie is store bought.
Why is it that Kitty is pregnant? This does not seem like a good story line. Too many messes to clean up already and now this.

But my legs don't have a sore throat

2007-10-17T00:49:00.000-05:00

I am pulling an all nighter....college years anyone?
I have had my ass kicked at work. Since I have been at the new place a whopping week it is time for a vacation. We leave in a few hours for a cruise -woot-
Yesterday I had my Mystic tan...no Oompa Loompa effect....tonight I had my toes done. The usual place was closed, as I had worked late. I went to the mall. They used something that had Halls Vapor mints ground into it. My legs felt CRAZY after this. Whatever...the little piggies have I'm not really a waitress red and it looks better than I could do.
On the work front I am bummed I am going to miss one of my trials while I am away. And I have learned mediation is a complete joke. And this mess with binding high low agreements on arbitrations...oh mercy the chain saws I juggle. The juggling monkey will go enjoy the warm waters. Then I will juggle more.....
Oh, I purchased a Nikon point and shoot. I figure since the DSLR is a Canon I would mix it up a bit. I will post some pix sometime upon my return.

A Change of Plan

2007-10-04T15:49:00.000-05:00

Sometimes I really do not know where I am headed, but I know where I am going will be better. I have made the decision to change jobs. Whoopie! I will be moving up the ladder kind of....I have accepted a position as a litigation handler of injury claims and bad faith claims. Basically I will be an attorney wrangler. I am so excited. This will be great for many reasons. I have been in the insurance industry for 5 years now and it was time to do more. I thought law school was the "more", then After careful examination of my lifestyle and what it will take (mainly money) I decided it was not a fit. Then I thought CPCU was the route to go. Not to sound lazy....but I am not in this to run an insurance company and the intense studying was not fitting in with my lifestyle. I will get to learn so much in my new role. I am very excited for this! I have been doing the same thing for awhile. New vocabulary words: summary judgement, deposition, mediation, and the one folks will make me pull my hair out with is proper service. Did I mention I will be handling 19 states? Yeah.

Games Galore

2007-09-16T18:25:00.000-05:00

I will not tell you how much time I have logged playing this game....too much. I love it. There is skee ball, the coin push game, a dunk booth, toss a coin onto plates and super wonder prizes. I am simply addicted. It is so much fun. The GA State Fair is here next week....I have my practice in....I can't wait.

Guess who moved in next door!?!

2007-09-05T19:54:00.001-05:00

Guess who moved in next door!?!
Originally uploaded by ganners.

You remember my wonderful neighbor, right? Yeah, she has been "gardening" more and more. There is now a scare crow that looks across the drive way at us. It is a crow and it is indeed scary she put this nylon piece of crap in the yard with a bamboo piece up it's butt. I also saw what I thought was a 10 Commandments tablet in the yard but after further investigation I found it is a memorial for a dead dog. I hope there is not a dead dog burried there. I am thinking there will be more plastic flowers for Fall "planted" soon. Don't worry, the patrotic bunting is still up over the front door. So fancy. So classy.

Save the Doors!

2007-09-04T15:52:00.000-05:00

I have been saving this one for ya. This is an honest 100% true story. Really.
We had some visitors in earlier this summer. They brought their 3 year old child and half of her belongings in a Honda Odyssey mini van. Not just any Honda Odyssey, a fully loaded and apparently one of the owners feels it will actually go up in value. Who am I to know about a $40k mini van?
We went out to dinner one night. There were 7 of us and due to all the stuff still in said mini van we took two cars to dinner. This was while we were going through the total loss and we were still in the rental. The fab hub parked the rental in the first space. There was the curb and yard on one side of the rental and on the other side was a space. We started to walk into the restaurant when the occupants of the Odyssey yelled at the fab hub to move the rental and let them have the space we were in and get the rental on the other side of the mini van. The fab hub then walks back to the rental and moved it. Unbelievable. They advised that the rental does not matter and they need to protect the Odyssey doors. They even advised how their parents will assist in protecting the glorious Odyssey when they go out. I still cannot believe the fab hub moved the car to indulge this unreal behavior.
Yes, really.

Hotter than two rats screwing in a wool sock

2007-08-15T15:55:00.000-05:00

Yeah, that's right. It is hot as effing hell here. The humidity and smog does not help. Think I will go have a heat stroke doing yard work.

I should have gotten this a year ago

2007-07-22T06:44:00.000-05:00

We picked up a Tassimo yesterday. Instant love! Really, if you enjoy coffee or fancy coffee drinks go get one. The cappuccinos come out under a buck a piece and are heaven. The milk froths so nice. Yummy
Did I mention the best part? No clean up! It is a dream.
Bed Bath and Beyond will match any brick and mortar store. My plan was: Get 20% off coupon in the mail from BB&B, find a store that has it lower priced (Target in my case, I believe Wally World too), ask BB&B to match said price, use my coupon, get the $30 mail in rebate sent in, get the machine registered to get 2 packs of coffee disks free....yeah, my cheap ass got the $170 coffee maker for under $100. Makes me smile just thinking about it....

SmurFJ II

2007-07-22T06:38:00.000-05:00

We grudgingly took delivery last night of our second 2007 Toyota FJ. It is exactly the same as the one we had....but it has a passenger side arm rest added. I have nothing nice to say about Marietta Toyota. Once I am able to put words together other than "Eff them" I will tell you more. It pissed me off to give them one penny, let alone close to $30k. The Smurf is good. The fab hub and I no longer have to carpool. Hopefully this one will not be cursed.....

Ganners: 1 Travelers: 0

2007-07-21T14:23:00.000-05:00

I won! Heh.
The difference between the first offer of ACV and what we settled for was close to $5k. Bitch got paid. Should you need help with total loss actual cash value I can give you some pointers. Doesn't hurt being in the business.
Bottom line: There is no reason to be screwed.

FJ + Total Loss = Groundhog

2007-07-15T19:24:00.000-05:00

I will be laying on a shrinks couch if this keeps up. I have a huge amount of anxiety about getting the FJ total loss settled. It is making me crazy. Really. My mind continues to go back to it. The rental is has to be turned in tomorrow and we cannot reach settlement so I do not have a check to use for a down payment. So since I have all of this anxiety I cannot sleep. I am getting about 3-4 hours a night. I even had a beer and a ground hog pill last night. I am turning into a zombie again. I need some sleep. I am stressed out.

Just Not Natural

2007-07-15T19:08:00.000-05:00

I met the best colorist in the world at Van Michael Sandy Springs, New Talents salon 7 years ago when she just started to learn color at Van Michael and charged $75 for hi lites and base color. I love her. She is a true artist. Aimee France I am talking about you. She got promotion after promotion and even started teaching at the Van Michael school. Then they opened a salon in Norcross about 2 years ago. I made the long haul once. Norcross and Alpharetta are like the New Jersey of Atlanta. Then I went outside the salon thinking that keeping my business local would be a good idea. Worst hair idea ever. EVER. I have seen 4 people since and one other outside of Van Michael. It just is not the same. I think I will have to drive to Jersey for my hair. And of course now I can hardly afford her, but Aimee is worth every single penny plus a 20% tip.
I am seeing someone at Van Michael now that I like. There is not love. She is a really cool person. Last time I went in I told her how much I loved the last color we did. I asked to do the same thing. Yeah, she matched my color faded hair which is just about my natural color and put in some honey hi lights. Eek. I hate my natural color. I hate honey blond, mousy brown, dishwater brown and any other ash type brown. I worked with it for a few weeks. I went to Target today. I bought a semi permanent color. HOLY CRAP MY HAIR COLOR KICKS ASS. I was scared. I had not colored my hair since college. I really like the color. I may just have to try it again when this fades out and save the money to go see Aimee.

Travelers asked me to dance

2007-07-14T15:26:00.000-05:00

Travelers wants to fight me over the total loss value of the FJ.
Really? huh.....

O.C.G.A. § 33-4-7

Yeah, I sent a love letter today......

Semi vs. FJ

2007-07-04T07:52:00.001-05:00

Semi vs. FJ
Originally uploaded by ganners.

On Thursday we said goodbye to the cursed SmurFJ. My friend was driving on I-75 and was hit by a tractor trailor. She is okay. I got some hook up throught the police department and we have filed the claim with Travelers. Did I mention I have in laws in town this week? Yeah, so I had to rent an SUV and all ERAC had was a Durango. I feel like a bus driver. So with in laws in tow we will be car shopping this lovely 4th of July. I personally will not set foot on a car lot unless there is an inflatable eagle or Uncle Sam involved.

Groundhog + Groundhog = Me

2007-06-17T20:19:00.000-05:00

When I got my groundhog pills the other day I got several sample packs from my doctor's office. In my clear mind, I thought combining the samples and the big bottle would be a good idea to combine everything and have less mess. Since it was late in the evening I took a pill since I knew I would be going to bed soon. Then I was ready to go to bed and in my fog I could not remember if I had taken a pill. I counted what was in the big bottle....then could not count them correctly and get the same number twice. So I took another one thinking I had not taken one. Then I slept through most of Saturday. I still love the groundhog.

Conversations with Groundhogs

2007-06-15T10:32:00.000-05:00

It has been awful. I have been sleeping about 4 hours a night. If I am lucky I get 6 hours. I have tried sleep advise and herbal crap....it was time to go to the doctor. My doctor is really cool--she believes in alternative medicine and conventional. I told her how worn down I am and that I cannot stay asleep once I finally fall asleep. I was given a hand out. I told her this has been going on a month or so and I REALLY need some sleep. Apparently my sleep clock needs to be reset and I was given Rozerem to do the trick. I am sure you have seen the commercials with Abe Lincoln and the groundhog. I was wanting Lunesta to have a visit from the sleep butterfly, but I will take what I can get. It has been 3 nights now. I am progressively sleeping more, but still waking up every few hours and not falling asleep for at least an hour when I try. I love the groundhog.

Because 9 was not enough

2007-06-07T16:39:00.000-05:00

I have had 9 ear piercings forever. 5 in the right ear and 4 in the left. When I was in high school a kid at the lunch table use to pierce my ears. I did one myself with a needle (I do not recommend). Since I just had a birthday I am still in denial about I felt the need to feel a little more counter culture or punk....so now I have 5 in each ear and for the 1st time in a long time I have earrings in all the holes. Did I mention I wore a Hello Kitty shirt to work today? Well, I did.

Theft by Taking

2007-06-06T20:24:00.000-05:00

DSW is having a mother of a sale. Stop reading this and get your ass over there.
I love DSW for several reasons:
1. They have my favorite brands: Kenzie, BCBG, Jessica Simpson, Guess, Rocket Dog and many more.
2. The sale section is larger than most shoe stores.
3. The prices are unreal. Example: Tonight I scored a pair of Jessica Simpsons that are super soft leather with acrylic leopard heels for $18 that were just marked down 70% from $60. I think crappy shoes at Payless are more than that. I also picked up a killer kitten heel pair of shoes from Charles David for $21.
4. They play good music. One time I was in there and actually turned my iPod off.
Really, they just marked a crap load of shoes down. If you need shoes, want shoes, wear shoes or dream about shoes you need to go. I may make another trip without the fab hub cause, well you know....sometimes shoes just find their way into the house.

Are you talking to me?

2007-06-01T15:49:00.000-05:00

I love my convertible this time of year. When I leave work and drop the top and turn on the radio I am instantly removed from my work day.
Today I was driving home with the top down listening to the radio when an old Nirvana song came on. I love the song and was singing along. Then a guy looked over at me. Yeah, I was singing Rape Me. It's still a great song.
Whatever.

What I am

2007-05-31T18:40:00.000-05:00

What I am thinking: I have shit in my own barn. Sometimes it really stinks. Still not sure if I meant to do it. I may have a mess to clean up.
What I am listening to: Anything from 30 Seconds to Mars or Muse
What I am reading: Endless demands. Cruise searching.
What I am watching: I am in withdrawal from Grey's Anatomy & Desperate Housewives. I have a new summertime addiction: Criss Angel
What is up at work: Case load of 140+ currently has me stressed out. I need to get my junk together for CPCU.
What I think about season finales: Edie can hang. George better be back. Can't wait to see Kitty's wedding.
What I am worried about: The opportunities that may come. Falls under the "be careful what you wish for" school of thought.
What I looking forward to: Girl's weekend, drinks, the beach, Steve & Barry's
What I am dreaming about: Metamorphosis
What I am eating: Anything from J. Christopher's
What I am in denial about: My birthday last week.
What I am sick of: The smoke from South GA smoothering the city. It is 200 miles away and you would think there was a fire in your yard when you walk outside. Yuck.

DWTS Oh Yeah!

2007-05-23T17:11:00.001-05:00

So happy for my Apollo! He won the super cool mirror ball trophy. At least with Dancing with the Stars my votes count! I wish he were on the tour.....and for that matter I wish it was coming to Atlanta.

Ha ha ha Leila. I may have enjoyed her getting kicked off too much.

Hooks, Spatulas, and Squeegies

2007-05-16T19:28:00.001-05:00

Friday was brought to you 100% by Xanex.....

January 2005 I had my first laser eye surgery. It was time for the enhancement on my left eye. My vision was so crappy it could not be done in one shot. I was freaked out for the 1st procedure and the second did not really bring warm fuzzies either. I planned ahead and had my one lonely pill of Xanex. The fab hub took me to the laser center early Friday morning. We were going through the pre op stuff...measuring, comparing and all the good stuff when you correct vision. The first time they "create a flap", aka: cut the top micron layer of your eye to reveal the orange peel layer below. This is freaky. Did I mention you can see when the top layer is off? It is like opening your eyes underwater.
The second time you have laser eye surgery they lift the original flap. This is where it got freaky. The surgeon "marks" the flap edges. When I think of marking things I think of a Sharpie Marker. When a surgeon marks a flap he uses a needle on a handle. CRAP!
I had not had the magic pill yet and he was coming at me like a spider monkey. I asked for 30 minutes to let the magic pill work.
He came back and "marked" the flap. It was more like scoring my eye. Now it was time to go back and visit my friend the laser. I had a patch on my right eye, Yarr! Next it was time to fully lift the flap. The spider monkey came at me with the little hook instruments that are similar to what the dentist uses to scrape your plaque. I see the two hooks fighting to lift the flap. I see them enting my vision from the right, the top, the left, all over moving across my vision to lift the flap. Then a spatula came and lifted the flap to the side. It was finally up and the familiar underwater vision was back. Then there was some laser action. I smelled the yummy burning. The flap was placed back into position. Then there were squeegies smoothing the flap and getting it into good position. It was like two little window washers working quickly. Finally I was done. See ya later!
Next day I was able to read half of the 20/20 line with my left eye only!! Woot! My goal was street signs.
This is the freakiest thing. You see it all. Totally worth it....just bring you Xanex.

Pair-Rhree

2007-05-13T19:16:00.000-05:00

Paris, I am sorry---but you really screwed the pooch.
Drinking and driving never ends up well. I think we have all done it, but we all regret it. We call it lucky. Paris is looking at forty five days in the clink. Not to bad considering.....
She will be on cupcake duty. I love Paris, really, more than Brittany. My girl did wrong.....I still love her. Don't hate.

Community Service

2007-05-13T18:05:00.000-05:00

So I owed a close friend a favor. Or more so, the fab hub was the one in debit.
DP was so kind as to lend his skill and know how to make it possible for us to have a HUGE party deck for last 4th of July party. A ton of sweat and tears went into this. We have a huge 700 sq ft deck. It is beautiful. It was our turn.....
I helped plan and execute a rocking hillside garden. There was nothing but weeds and scrub bushes and some stupid cypress trees. I picked out some butterfly bushes for the top, Shasta daisies and a yellow clumping daisy called Jethro Tull and lantana that is very hardy for freezing temps to fill in and make a pretty garden for humming birds and butterflies that will be drought friendly and low maintenance to come back every year and look great. It was damn near 90 degrees and this hillside garden made me feel like a mountain goat. MMMAaaaaah......I think I got off easy given the trade.

So I have been busy.....

2007-04-29T18:17:00.001-05:00

End of day 1: Monkey Bathroom
Originally uploaded by ganners.

Yeah, April has come and gone all too quickly. We started ripping out our bathroom 2 weeks ago. As you see we took it all out. The neighbors loved the dumpster in the driveway. The fab hub is working on the joint compound tonight. I believe the tile will be finished on Wednesday. I hope next weekend it is all done. This is the main bathroom we us and we have been stuck using a claw foot tub for the past two weeks. Looking forward to an "After Picture".

Devine Dessert

2007-04-29T18:12:00.000-05:00

We had dinner with friends at Aqua Blue last night and it was dang good. The dessert was out of control. We got a creme brulee and a bread pudding. I recommend this pair anywhere. Simply take your fork full of bread pudding and give it a dip in the creme brulee. I am happy just thinking about it.

Postcard from the edge (of the couch)

2007-04-16T20:01:00.000-05:00

Dear Clyde,
You make a world class dancer look bad. You walk like a zombie on the dance floor. I need you to have your family stop calling in. Really, it is just silly. I hope the red light shines on you soon.

Dear Laila,
You should lead. Laser hair removal is really not that expensive. Stop with the manly voice.

Dear Billy Ray,
You have won me over. You will not win, but I can think of you and not think of a certain country song.

Dear Apollo,
You must win. I hurt my fingers voting for you. I should have a pool boy opening soon. Meow!

Defiling Easter

2007-04-01T07:08:00.000-05:00

I love Easter. I love peeps, and hollow bunnies to eat the ears off then fill with water (don't ask me why, I just do), Easter grass stuck in places all over the house for months to come, and the only peanut butter I will eat: the Reece's Egg. I would kill for a good egg hunt but that has not happened for years......

The adult novelty shop Tantra has a sign that says, "Our rabbits and eggs take batteries". Must you mess with Easter? Now that is just nasty.....none of that in my basket. Easter is not a filthy holiday.....go have filthy at Christmas or Valentine's....not Easter. Nothing is sacred.

.......and it was all yellow.

2007-03-30T18:32:00.000-05:00

Pollen sucks. It really sucks. You would have to use a shovel to get all the yellow shit out of the sidewalk gutters in front of our house. The city has a yellow haze. It has been over 5000 for the pollen count everyday. A high count is over 125. It has not rained in 2 weeks. The shit just blows around. It is so freaking gross. We need rain. The city needs a good wash. I am so sick of the yellow dirt. My eyes hurt. I think there is a pine tree stuck in my nose. You can see it blow of cars as they leave stop lights. Every car looks like crap. When it rains it will look like a yellow river. Gross.

Tacky......Really Tacky......

2007-03-30T17:59:00.000-05:00

The neighbor has "grown" more garden. There are hanging baskets with fake flowers running over and new crap in pots that will never need to be watered, just keep an eye on the sun bleaching. The back porch has never looked better with such a nice array of fake plants. Really, somebody needs to have a talk with her. I think an anonymous letter may be dropped in the mail. Horrid....horrid fake plants are multiplying. Not sure if they put out plastic pollen....

Save Yourself

2007-03-24T07:58:00.001-05:00

I thought I had already met all the people in life I cannot stand to be around. I was wrong: The House Guest.
First I have to admit I did approve this guest's visit. However, if I had know then what I know now.....
HG came in on Thursday, this happens to be the day I found out Bellini was not dealing with an allergy and we would need to schedule her with another specialist for a closer look. I was so bummed and scared I just turned inward. HG came in and the fab hub took him to dinner. He could not understand why I was down. The next day HG had an interview that took up much of his morning and afternoon. My girlfriend was over to help decorate for the fab hub's party that was coming up on Saturday. Her son was over (he is the 1st lil' kid that rocks! he really is cool!) and he is pretty mellow with everyone. He has the 6th sense and knew HG was bad news....he stayed away. Jen and I were doing things around the house and getting ready for pirate festivities when: HG strolls around the house in long boxers with a bluetooth headset on talking as loudly as he can so we all know just how important he is. Jeff is lucky and at work. Finally Jen and I had enough. We went shopping. We split up and I went and had my hair done.
I came home and it was time for dinner. We went to a place we really like with great Greek food. HG is now a Greek food authority and points out each and every problem with each and everything. He then wants to talk about how the fruits and vegetable in Atlanta are horrible. I am texting a friend with my suicidal thoughts. Now he is the authority on cars and knows everything and is giving advise on engines and transmissions. I drink myself into not caring and say nothing until I am at home in my bedroom with the door shut. I told the fab hub about my homicidal thoughts.
Next morning I wake up and start preparing and assembling party food. I was making several things on sticks for the pirate theme that were very labor intensive. I am getting the house in order and getting the last of the decorations up, planning where the drink stations will go, setting up the bar.....busy-very busy. HG crawls his lazy ass out of bed around 11:30. Wanders around in his boxers and continues his loud talking just where he had left off. The fab hub is helping me get things done. HG whines for lunch. I needed the fab hub around to help me so them going to lunch was not an option. I tell him there is meat and cheese for sandwiches. HG does not know how to make an effing sandwich. I look in the freezer, "How about fish sticks?", the fab hub is on board and I preheat the oven and get he sticks laid out to cook. HG is not in the mood for fish sticks. I name off a few more things I have on hand. Ikea meatballs. Then he whines about what type of sauce and goes through all the sauces he has had on meatballs and how each of them is not a true authentic sauce. I think the fab hub gave him some cranberry mustard to shut him up. HG does nothing to help. I have to ask him to make his bed and put on real clothing.
Finally party time! I have to send the fab hub to rescue people from the clutches of HG and his know everything about everything conversation. HG drank a good bit. He goes to bed with the last of the hurricane grog and says to me, "You can wake me up when yo fix breakfast." I stayed up another hour putting things away and cleaning up a bit. I got to bed around 2:30.
Next morning the fab hub and I are up and our other friend stayed as well, a nice normal house guest, we decided it was time for breakfast. Yeah,we let HG sleep and went to breakfast without him. We get home and HG is up and whiny he needs breakfast. Jeff points out there is some bacon in the fridge and some eggs he can fix for himself. Yeah, the incompetent know it all HG does not know how to cook eggs either. I had enough already. The fab hub had to cook for him. This is the glorious day HG will leave. I thought he would pack his crap and go after breakfast like a normal guest......oh, no, not HG. He goes back to bed for a nap. 4 hours later comes out still in his boxers. He wants to talk and enjoy himself some more. 2 hours later he leaves. I am no longer held captive in my house.
A few days later HG called telling us he would in town for something. I told the fab hub if HG even gets near me again they will both die.

Pirate Party!!

2007-03-24T07:57:00.001-05:00

All Hands on Deck!!!
Originally uploaded by ganners.

The fab hub turned 30! Yay!
I threw him a kick ass pirate party. We had a great time and a ton of friends came out. Check out other photos for more pirate fun. I made different foods on a stick and the biggest antipasti platter you have ever seen, hurricane drinks and brew was all over the place. Woot!

The Worst Two Weeks Ever

2007-03-24T07:19:00.000-05:00

I know you think I am a lazy slack ass and do not care about you any more. My world has been turned upside down. What I knew as my happy normal came crashing down. I will get you guys an update and try and fill you in. On Monday, March 12 we took Bellini in for her breathing issue. I thought it was a pollen allergy. Surprise! It was a polyp growing from her ear canal to her pharynx. Horror! It had to come out and it had to be tested for the "c word". We left her for the surgery where the vet went in with a scope and no incision was made when he pulled the polyp off the stalk for removal. I went to pick her up and she was still VERY groggy from the anesthesia. So groggy and crank she would not go into the carrier. I kept her in my arms at the vet's office for over an hour. Finally I called the fab hub and he picked us up as she slept in my arms the entire ride home. She would wake up every 45 minutes or so and fight me for a minute and the go back to sleep. This went on until at least midnight. She slept in my arm all night. She made no effort to walk or anything for the next day. We took her back to the vet. The vet believes she had a anesthesia stroke event. You could sweep the pieces of my heart off the floor. We were hand feeding her baby food 3 times a day and having to give her fluids to her back with a drip bag and needle. It made a water hump like a camel. She would walk a little bit. She could not see. She could not hear.
It has been almost two weeks now. She is walking and trotting around. She is eating on her own. She started drinking for the first time yesterday. She made her first crawl up on to the couch. She still is not seeing well. When the vet pulled out the polyp one of her facial nerves was pulled a bit and her 3rd eyelid is still showing and the pupil in that eye is slower to react to light. She looks a little off. Like a naked Helen Keller or a lost Roomba bumping into things.
She is purring and making a little meow sound. I just hope for a full recovery. Two weeks is a long time to wait. Watching her slowly get better is great, but it really is taking too long. All my efforts and time have gone into Bellini---I am sure you understand.

Eh, So it Was a Mistake

2007-03-02T21:37:00.000-05:00

We have all made mistakes. Some small, some large. Some cost nothing, some cost millions, some cost lives. Some mistakes you can never take back no matter how hard you try. Some mistakes stay secret. Then there are our friends the Swiss. They really need to stick to punching holes in aged cheese. This is so damn funny to me. This is the only news I have seen since Anna Nicole died. I believe she is still dead and so dead they finally got her rotting body in the ground. If James Brown could only be so lucky........

Then I'm So Strung Out.....

2007-03-01T20:03:00.000-05:00

Wendy's is using "Blister in the Sun" as a song in a current commercial for a new cheese burger. I love the Violent Femmes. I loved them 15 years ago when they were only 15 years old....yeah, they have been around for a decade or three. I hear the commercial and I want to start singing. Then a get pissed because it is a fast food commercial. Internal conflict. I like the Wendy's raccoons, but they have gone too far with the Femmes. "American Music" was my favorite anyways....When I'm walking I start my stuff.....just does not say buy a burger to me.
The vegetarian will not be buying any fast food....even if the Femmes are involved.

Be Thankful

2007-02-26T20:22:00.000-05:00

Last week I thought I was going to hurl when Wife Swap featured a family that lived on a raw diet including raw chicken meat, aged raw beef, raw eggs and other disgusting habits. The family brushed their teeth with a butter and clay mixture. All shades of nasty.
This week features a family that bottles and sells deer urine and buys all clothing at a second hand store.
Where do they find these people? Eek.

I Dance for Choxie

2007-02-25T20:29:00.000-05:00

I picked up a big box of mixed truffles from Target during the 75% off Christmas blow out. I saved them for Valentine's day. I have had 6 so far. SWEET LAWD, they are pure Heaven. I savor each one. So far my favorite is the gingerbread dark chocolate. They are all so beautifully crafted. I dance when I eat each one. I just get so happy. Oh, so happy.
I highly recommend these little pieces of heaven. The lemon mint dark chocolate is amazing. The texture, the taste, the presentation.....how magical! I still have several flavors left to explore. Choxie knows what hey are doing with chocolate--don't be scared.

I Named my Newest Grey Hair Thurman

2007-02-20T17:24:00.000-05:00

This will really make me pull my hair out. I see my case load / inventory increasing. Errrr....in my opinion it really is crap. There should be no stack when the UIM policy has minimum limits. I can agree with the UIM exposure when the tort feasor has a CSL and property damage causes a decrease in recovery. I see arguing "made whole" occurring more and more with liens. Thurman v. State Farm: I despise you.