Nothin' says Summer...

Like a game of "Cornhole" and a cold beer at the lake. Here are my fellas down at the lake a few weeks ago. In case you're not familiar with the game, it's pretty much like throwing bean bags at a hole. Except the bags are filled with field corn. My huz made the game boards himself and even got fancy and made a "travel set" that folds up. So, enjoy my cornhole photo essay!This is my huz. He's pretty proud of his "throwing form".

The next cowboy is my little brother. He's a cutie patootie. He hates to play games of any kind.This guy is my step dad, Big D. Any occasion for a beer is okay with him.

That's my sister-in-law next to him.

Remember the beer I mentioned? My little bro doesn't usually drink much but he has to get thru cornhole somehow.

My huz pondering a loss. It's serious competition.

Whew! The agony of defeat.

My brother does not care in the least.

We're getting together next weekend at the lake. The boys are tearing out the old dock. I'll be sure to capture the whole crazy fiasco, uh, er, I mean the whole manly display of ingenuity. Right. Stay tuned.

P.S. Mare Update: She's still at Purdue University. The results came back from histopathology, it was squamous cell again (I'm not surprised at all). They have administered one Cisplatin treatment, are also treating topically with Efudex. Another Cisplatin injection will happen next week. She's is healing up fine from the surgery. A little bit of banamine from time to time to keep her comfortable, think, horsey Vicodin. I'll keep you posted. Sounds like she'll be home in a week or so.

Hello, room service, in-room dining! Hello!

I am exhausted. But before you feel sorry for me, let me tell you why. I am back up in Chicago for more job training. The training has been pretty stress-free, just time consuming. Nothing like the last trip. This time I have to pretend to be giving the doctor my schpeil while a trainer evaluates me...for four different drugs...so I have to practice a lot and learn what I'm allowed to say and such.
I am missing home. Boo was scheduled to come visit me this weekend, but it really doesn't make sense from a logistical standpoint. I have to prepare for my next role play certification, we'd have to pay to board the dogs, gas (nuff said!), and money to entertain the two of us over the weekend. So, we decided he would stay home, save money, time and fuel. The dogs won't get bent out to shape, and I can be focused on the task at hand. But that doesn't keep me from missing Boo and my critters and my bed. I will be going home a week from tomorrow. Yay!
Right now my hotel room smells like black beans and rice, I have Baja Fresh trash in my room. I am tired of take-out food and living in a hotel. I do however enjoy the fact that my room is cleaned daily, my toiletpaper is crisply folded into a little point each day, I get a wake-up call everyday and my meals are prepared for me. :) I also leave wet towels on the floor and they are magically whisked away with fresh ones hung in their place.
Some of my counterparts are characters. There is a wide variety of people here from all over. Most of them are interesting and likeable...I hope I fall into that catagory for them. Although today I was a little testy so I mostly kept quiet and to myself.
The company threw a little reception for us in the lobby last night; there were crudites, fancy cheeses and chicken satays...and an open bar. So, being salesfolks, we're a pretty social bunch. After three glasses of wine, Allison and Carol began mixing vodka with crystal light water. I hate vodka, but apparently I thought it was a good idea because I had a couple of those. I was a social bbutterfly, mixing and mingling with people I didn't even know. Eventually I went to bed and woke up at 5:45am with a headache and a sick feeling in my tummy. Somehow I muddled thru the day, but as mentioned, I was not happy about it. So now, I am blogging because I have been delinquent with my blogs. My eyelids are being propped open with toothpicks and I am going to have to hit the hay. So, good night blog friends.

Mmmm..Crabcakes!

The rest of the story...

Friday night we had dinner at Paula Deen's restaurant "Lady and Sons." It was fantastic! I have a new appreciation for black eye'd peas. Our server was Bruce and our bartender was James.they were very nice and gave us a few tips about what clubs to hit after dinner. So we took their recommendations and had a great time. We ran into them at a little local pub called Circa. As we walked in they were sitting to the right and some meat head guys were standing on our left. The meatheads were older men in suits that looked like military type guys and they greeted us as we walked in the door. No sooner than we picked a table the meatheads decended upon us like vulchers. About the time they started schmoozing a waitress informed us that James was buying our first round! When our drinks arrived I escaped from the meatheads and joined James and Mike (another L&S bartender) at their table. I thanked James for the drinks and then explained to them the meathead situation. He said as soon as we walked in it was apparent what was going to happen. So, one by one the girls defected to the table where the me and the L&S guys were. The meatheads got a clue and moved on to a new club. Then a random guy asked Frenchy if she wanted to come sit with him, to which she replied, "No I'm sorry I have to go to the bathroom." He looked at her sort of funny and then excused himself. Pretty soon more L&S folks joined us, Bruce and Brandy. James decided A needed to have a striptease since it was her Bachelorette party so he mentioned what a great dancer Bruce is. Somebody fetched a chair for A and Bruce gave her a little lap dance right there! No clothes came off but it was pretty funny and I'll vouch for his ability to shake what his mamma gave him!
We all decided after awhile to move the party to another club called Bachus. It was much louder but there was more room and better music to dance to. Most of us sat around and drank wine and chatted bbut A was ready to let loose so she and James cut a rug. They were a lot of fun to watch. I guess they were some sort of swing/jitterbugging. Lots of fun! Last call came too soon and we hailed our cab driver Dirty Henry. He looked sort of like a drunk homeless man and talked like it too. But he drove just fine. And he told us he was hoping we might need to "discipline him." Hmmm..thus the name Dirty Henry.
Saturday was spent laying by the pool at the hotel. Very relaxing. Took a nap late afternoon then got up and showered for another night on the town.
We had dinner at "Jazzed" a Tapas restaurant. After dinner we walked over to have a drink at L&S. The guys were working and shared their plans for the evening with us in case we wanted to join them. We enjoyed hanging out with them because they were just nice guys. No ulterior motives, they weren't trying to hit on us or single any of us out. So we all met at a rooftop bar called Churchills. It was so fun and I drank more that night than I have in a month. All Malibu and Diet's. So, that's how I earned the nickname "Malibu." All the L&S guys were there, and a couple of them we just met that night, like Durrel and Sherman. The more I drank the friendlier I got. I made friends with the table next to us and the bartenders Evil Bob and what's his name.
A and I danced more than anyone I think. At some point A was having her picture taken sitting on the bar for a 'bachelorette moment." Now, all of us ladies are married except Frenchy who is wrapping up a divorce. So, out of nowhere James has swooped Frenchy into his arms for a very dramatic french kiss. Then after it was over she says,"How about another?" So he dipped her back for another kiss..meanwhile Evil Bob is yelling, "Don't drop her!" It was very sweet and innocent.
After Churchills last call we started head back to the hotel, led by Bruce our Mother Hen. He walked us down the sidewalk and across the street to the waiting cabs. But James and Sherman headed us off at the pass and said, "Do you want to see something really cool?" So, trusting them as we did we all said sure. We walked down to the riverfront to a little plaza shaped like a circle. When you stand in the middle of the circle you can hear your voice echo back to you. So we took turns standing in the circle talking and singing and dancing. A couple came along and we shared it with them, then the guy took the opportunity to propose to his girlfriend! She said yes, but to be honest she seemed really apprehensive and frankly I think she can do better.
A made me sing a solo in the circle and since I was drunk I did. I sang a solo of "My Girl" on the riverfront in Savannah at 4am. It was just one of those magical nights for all of us I think.
The next day most of the girls left, Frenchy, A and me stayed and went to dinner that night. I had the best crabcakes that have ever passed through my lips! A restaurant called "Vics." If you're ever in Savannah you must go! You can't go wrong with the crabcakes. If you're a steak person, get the prime rib, Frenchy's was really good. A had scallops and they were tasty too. We were all tired and it was an early night for us.
The weekend was really great. Very memorable.
As a side note, I puked on the plane on the way home due to turbulence. Yep, it was really embarassing. But I was sitting right up front and told the attendant that I felt sick. He gave me a large plastic trash bag that I stuck my whole head into. I puked as quietly as possible. :)

No, I'm sorry, I have to go to the bathroom.

A's bachelorette party was this past weekend down in Savannah, GA. She's marrying my brother-in-law in July so all her girlfriends converged upon the unsuspecting South.

Arrival
A and her friend/coworker Frenchy picked me up at the airport last Thursday in Savannah. By the way, her friends name isn't really Frenchy, but she earned it over the weekend. Story to follow shortly... So anyway, the three of us arrived at the Westin on the Waterfront, freshened up in our room then went down to the lounge to meet up with A's sister and niece.

Friday
We took the ferry across the river to go shopping. We went into a little restaurant an soon found ourselves being treated to mimosa's thanks to some generous older men. They decided they should treat the bachelorette and her friends to drinks. They also invited us to go on their boat later. We could see it from the ferry dock, it was a nice boat. They were nice guys too, but we didn't go on the boat.
So, a little bit tipsy, we went on our way shopping. We had lunch at a little tearoom. The ham and cheese quiche was fantastic! Then we walked around a little more and then A's sister and niece had to go home so we went back to the Westin. I took a little nap to rest up for the evening. So, you'll have to stay tuned because Oprah is about to come on and I'll have to finish this up later. But just so you know, the adventures have only just begun! Just to tease you...Find out why we call her Frenchy, Who is Malibu? and some men wanted to take us home!

Girl's Night Out

Last weekend was the best time I've had in awhile, as far as girls nights out go. My two very best friends, K and C, and me went to Bloomington, IN for C's little sisters bachelorette party. C rented a couple hotel rooms not far from downtown Bloomington, brought snacks, rum punch and jello shots. Oh, she also rented a male dancer. He had the unique ability to do a handstand over you while removing a dollar bill from your chest...in a thong. Anyway, he really livened all the girls up and got them a little bit rowdy. I'm sure the rum punch helped too. So, two or three jello shots into the evening I piled into the minivan to go downtown to eat. We ate at an italian place and tried to get our waiter to shake his groove thing for us. He wasn't having it.
After dinner we all pitter patted our way around the square to the Bluebird where we were seeing a band called Sixteen Candles. If you are into 80's music at all, they are awesome. I was hammered and throwing all my dancing inhibitions to the wind. Hell, it was a friday night, out of town with my girls! We got back to the hotel around 3am. I actually wasn't hungover at all the next morning. I had to stop the car twice for my friend K on the way home to Indy. We're in our 30's now, I think her body was protesting. All in all, a really great weekend!

2008

It's here. It snuck up while I was having cocktails. I seriously almost missed the ball drop on Times Square. Boo and I went to my moms house to celebrate my birthday and New Years' Eve, since they are one in the same. My brother and his wife were there too. Mom asked what I wanted for my birthday dinner and I decided I wanted Mexican food. So she and my stepfather went all out for a Fiesta. We had tacos, spanish rice, frijoles, tortilla chips and queso along with some chili pepper decor. However, one of the highlights was the large chili pepper pinata hanging in the front yard. Oh, but I'm serious. Yes there was! So, we sat in the kitchen and poured upside down margaritas for each other (except my sister-in-law because it's public knowledge that they are trying for a baby) until I was drunk enough to blindfold and spin around in the front yard. They spun me right round, baby, right round, like a record baby, right round, round, round. And then handed me a metal pole to smack the pinata. Let's just say they had to scatter at least once when I was swinging. After it was done and the candy had been spilled onto the ground my mother says, "Oh, even the neighbor came out on her front porch to watch, did you see her?" Now let's think about this...I was blindfolded.
I have discovered the quickest way for me to binge drink myself into a chattering dance machine is to do shots. I am, by nature, not a very thirsty person. And drinking alcohol is no different. I just don't drink enough of it to get a good buzz on. And let's face it, people like myself who aren't regular drinkers, just drink to get tipsy and have a crazy time every now and again. So, I had quite a few shots on New Years Eve. I'm just going to be honest, I really don't remember the ball dropping, but I remember somebody turning on the TV at 11:30 so we must have counted down at midnight.
Now it's 2008 and I have things I need to do. My blog will continue and hopefully I will have good things to post. Happy New Year!

It's Thanksgiving Charlie Brown!

It is the eve of returning to work. Bluh. I'm sitting here on this Sunday evening trying to muster up the realization that I'm going to work in the morning. It has been a lovely few days off. Thursday was spent at my in-laws and as always, I'm sure I gained five pounds while I was there. Boo's mom is a great cook and I fully appreciated the bounty set before me. After-all, it was Thanksgiving.

Certifiable

I was out the door at 3:35am on Friday to shop. Even I am wondering about my sanity. Kohl's opened at 4am and I had to be there. I bought a king size set of flannel sheets for $20. and they had been $80. Quite a deal! I picked up a few other items too. Then, I was off to Target because they opened at 6am. I was standing in the frigid early morning air at 5:30am. They had a particular item on sale that I wanted to get for my brother and sister-in-law. I won't mention it here because I can't remember if they read this blog or not. Don't want to let the cat out of the bag! So, after Target I went to, drum roll please, Castleton Square Mall. The mother of all Black Friday traffic jams and fender benders. It is the focus of all friday morning traffic girls trying to break a story on the news. I have to say though, I was pleasantly surprised. I found a place to park on the edge of the parking lot, the lines weren't too long and nobody cussed at me.
I started out in JCPenney and made a couple trips out to my car to drop off loot. Then, I went back in and ventured out into the mall. It was sort of festive. Sort of, almost enjoyable. They had a band playing in the middle of the mall (with a great saxophonist I might add) and State Farm Insurance was handing out free coffee! Santa was front and center with all the little munchkins waiting to get their photo with him. Most people were courteous and polite and I was too. About 9:45 am I'd had enough and went home to nap. Boo had ventured out to shop much to my amazement. I'm not sure where he went because it was a top secret covert operation. I may not go shopping that early next year. Then again, you never know.

Meet the Fockers

My family came over Saturday for Thanksgiving. My mom, her husband, my brother and his wife...and their dog Peanut. Seriously, I'm not sure there is another family like mine. My step dad likes to cut loose with a rum and coke sometimes (every weekend and sometimes on tuesday) but on really special ocassions he likes "Sailor Jerry" rum. It makes him crazy. So, he began drinking those almost immediately upon arrival. I had the bird in the oven and started whipping everything else together. I was asked by a couple different family members if I was "okay." When I am multi-tasking and focused I apparently get a pissed off look on my face. I assured them I was fine. So, we got all the food on the table around 3pm. After everyones' bellies were full my husband helped me rinse dishes and load the dishwasher. He also helped me clean the house before everyone came over. He is very very good to me and I appreciate him.
Anyway, my stepdads Sailor Jerry has been tempered by a mountain of food for the moment. As the evening wears on we rally out of our turkey stupor for a game of Pictionary. My sister-in-law, D is super competitive. During one moment of the game my stepdad, Sailor Jerry, challenged something and got D all worked up. The more worked up she got, the more he razzed her. Then my brother started farting. My mom is having a siatic (sp?) nerve issue and so she was walking around like Igor. I asked her when she was going up to the bell tower to ring the bell. She almost laughed herself right down onto the floor. Then I thought my dog was growling but it was mom farting on the wooden chair and it was the reverb that I heard. She said there was noway she could have gotten up and walked away without losing her grip anyway. Boo was about three sheets to the wind at this point. Peanut and Mya were humping each other all over the house. I was entirely too sober for all of this. D announced that they had to leave at 10pm. I was ready for everyone to go home. I love them, but I was exhausted.
So, my brother farted his way right out the door while everyone was getting in their respective cars to go home. Boo followed them all outside while I stood near the bay window waving goodbye. By this time it was 11pm and Boo is yelling at the top of his lungs (in our very quiet older neighborhood) "My brother-in-law's ass stinks! Peeyew! Woohoo! Nasty Ass! etc" Then Sailor Jerry pipes up with something about my brother and his rank ass. I was trying to shush Boo even though he couldn't hear me through the window. Finally, they all pulled out of the driveway and went the wrong way through the neighborhood. I went to bed and left Boo in his drunken puddle watching football on the couch.
That was my Thanksgiving weekend. I'm sure we'll replay a scenario very similar to that in about a month. Can't wait.