If the Broom Fits....Ride it!

I don't especially love Halloween, but I don't mind it either. When I was a freshman in high school, I was invited to the Party of the Year. My invitation said to find my favorite costume and join the fun. My pal Janna and I dressed in our best attire - me...Minnie Mouse, Janna...a devil - and joined the fun. Turns out - jokes was on us - we were the only ones dressed up and the entire school had played a trick on some of the "freshmen." Mean, I say....just mean. I swore I would never dress up again. But I have - questioning every single time if I will be the only one there in a costume.

In my skinnier days, my favorite costume was a Dallas Cowboy's Cheerleader (a costume I borrowed from my friend Danni.) I love it...pom poms and all. I have also been a witch, an angel/devil, a pirate and a pumpkin. No costume parties for me this year, but I am excited to see the little ghouls that are wandering my neighborhood tonight.

Happy Halloween to all!

I Love Fall.

Although summer is my favorite, I do love fall - the colors, the decor, the cool mornings and warm days. I love to turn my house into a fall/thanksgiving wonderland each year. As my houses have inched little bigger, the more spread out my decor has come. I inherited a most beautiful new wreath for my front door (from Momma Moore - my very talented mom.) **She recently has gained the Momma Moore tag from my friend, Melissa, who is constantly referring to her as that. Love it.**

I don't have a photo the wreath just yet, but I do have a picture I took of a part of my fireplace mantle. I finally broke down and bought that innovative candles that you put batteries in. Those candles are perfect for a scattered-brained person like me. I don't know how many times I have lit a candle and forgot about it or panicked that I at least thought I forgot about it. I am surprised that I haven't managed to burn something down in my life. It is not like Dad didn't tell me a gazillion times when I lived at home to make sure my curling iron was turned off. I should have learned....well I guess I did - I bought candles with batteries! I am clever, I know.

I Don't Think I am in Kansas Anymore....

I have been so MIA this week - I know. But I have been to my annual communcation's conference in Topeka and let me tell you - our hotel had gone to the dogs....literally. There was some type of National Doberman Pincher Convention leaving the hotel the same days we were arriving. I have never seen so many doberman's (or dogs) at one time in my life. It was a bit hilarious. I also have never heard so many people say the word "Bitch" before in one elevator ride. (I know they were referring to their female doberman's, but it cracked me up much like it would have if I would have been in 8th grade.)

While there, my group toured the Kansas countryside, took a hay ride, experienced the Wizard of Oz museum and much more.

Here are a few of my hayriding friends from all over the country: Oregon, New York, Washington DC, Wyoming, California, Florida, Utah, Minnesota. What a great group! I swear the lady driving the tractor was drunk, but it was still fun. She said she was used to driving kids around - but she had some overgrown kids instead.

Before the conference started, I had the opportunity to introduce a huge Chiefs fan to Arrowhead Stadium for a game. My pal, Bruce from Oregon, is crazy about the Chiefs. I know - it's weird; how does a fifty-something year old guy from Oregon of all places love the Chiefs?!? But he does - and we had a great time. We actually met up with my KC pals, Mel & Ryan, for some tailgating fun. Here are Mel and I at the stadium tailgating, enjoying some BBQ and our morning veggies (aka - Ryan's Bloody Mary's.)

I clicked my Ruby Red slippers and am back in Jeff City....I don't think I am in Kansas anymore.

Whirlwind Weekend

Most of you that know me well know that I rarely stay in one place too long on the weekends. I like to shake it up a bit. Although I would love to stay home for two weekends in a row, there are too many temptations in my life to have fun. And that is what this weekend is going to be about - having fun.

Tonight Blaine and I are headed to south to visit family & friends in the Springfield area. We are staying with Blaine's mom tonight and having dinner at the infamous Mexican Villa. (Mmmmm....sweet sauce.) Saturday is when the whirlwind begins. The morning brings a trip to Mom & Dad's church for a fundraiser craft show where I am bound to drop the cash on one person's crafts - yes, my mother's. If I could, I would lock her in my basement only letting her make flower arrangements for me, but she told me no. So I will share her pure talent with the rest of the world.

After the craft show, I hope to squeeze in a couple of minutes of shopping for Misti....a few necessities need to be found. Then it is off to a BBQ for a friend's wife's birthday. I am excited to see of the new babies that are popped into their lives - not mine - their lives! I only get to stay for the fun for a couple short hours before I hop in the car (leaving Blaine) and drive to Topeka for a conference for most of next week. However, a conference is not complete without some action, some excitement, some fun - Sunday I am headed to the Chiefs game. (Tomahawk Chop!) I have nosebleed seats against a team that is undefeated...but that doesn't have me down. At least I will be at the game. After the game, back to Topeka for work, work, work.

7th graders, 8th graders & me....Oh My!

I only have one favorite 7th grader in the whole world. You guessed it - Shania! Well, this favorite 7th grader, along with her teacher Ms. Kendrick, invited me to visit Republic Middle School yesterday to speak to the 7th & 8th grade Career Path class about my job. It was odd to re-enter the musty hallways that I once hung out in many years ago. The pictures on the wall are still the same, the front office where I was an office aide looks the same, the ancient letter board in the hallway showing who holds records in sports was still there - and no my name is not on it. But one thing has changed - I have gotten much older.

It seemed weird cruising the halls in my work attire as a visitor that was just about to answer to a class about my career choices and accomplishments over the past....well....uh....many years ago (there is no need to out how many years it was that I was a student in those hallways.)

I had planned ahead for this career class. I knew that I had to suddenly become the "rock star," the "awesome older sister" and the "best thing to visit class." I brought some beef stick snacks from work AND, more imporantly, I stopped at Walgreen's on the way and bought candy. I knew they would love me!

I was quite shocked that the little critters asked me hard questions: why did it take you 6 years to graduate college? has there ever been a time where you made a mistake in your career? how much do you make? Geesh...I thought I was entering a middle school class not the witness stand!
Ms. Kendrick asked me who I was married to and when I replied with "Blaine" she let out a big ole, "awwwww....Blaine is so adorable. I just adore Blaine!" I guess the hubby knew how to schmooze the ladies even back in 5th grade when he was a student of Ms. Kendrick's. I assured Ms. Kendrick that my Blainer had grown up, was still adorable and had grown in to those ears that he had back then. (Sorry honey - you couldn't avoid those things much like you couldn't avoid telling me how I walked like a horse! Nay! )

But all in all it was a fabulous time. Ms. Kendrick's Career Path class treated me well, participated in my conversations and I even heard, "that's the best one we have had yet!!" I keep trying to convince myself that "best one" was me instead of the candy that I took - but I am not convinced yet.

Thanks Shania for reintroducing me to the halls of RMS - the home of the mighty Tigers!

Holy Smokes!

So I mentioned earlier this week that me & Blaine and pals, Ryan & Melissa, went to the Americal Royal BBQ Contest in Kansas City. Holy Smokes....it was a good time. Holy Smokes...there was a lot of great BBQ. Holy Smokes...my hair still smells like a campfire after many attempts to expel the smell by numerous washings. Holy Smokes....that was the team name - we co-sponsored.

A co-worker of Blaine's asked if he wanted to pay to "be a team member." Are you kidding...Blaine be a team member? He was all over that like....well you know what! Although we didn't have official team shirts, we celebrated the event with our team, Holy Smokes. It was quite an event. Blaine's friend, Todd, was there too but opted to leave early. So it was up to the Preston's and the Lanclos' to consume as much food and beverage as we could - and we did.

After our bellies were full and the Mizzou game had ended (because we couldn't miss listening to the game), we headed out to hear the concert. It was a bit of a redneck concert - since we saw two uncalled for punching matches amongst the drunk crowd - but it was a site to see (even a chair was thrown) and we were far away from the action - but close enough to laugh and watch as handcuffs were slapped on. Amusing I guess - I don't see too much of that action in my life...well except if Jason Watts invites us over for a UFC fight.

After we had had enough BBQ action, we headed to the Power & Light District in downtown KC to see the action there. After a quick stop at the Flying Saucer - a beer nerd's true paradise - it was back to the hotel to seek out Tina Turner - who was supposedly (or at least we were convinced) was staying at the Hilton also. I am sure if she was there she heard our rendition of "What's Love Got to Do...Got to Do With it! What's love.....blah, blah, blah, blah, blahblah!" I am sure she was impressed!!

My Thoughts on the Presidential Debate Last Night...

1) Buy a stop watch...

2) Read the directions before you get there...

And last but not least....

(Photo courtesy of roflrazzi.com)

Fun in the Kitchen

Blaine and I traveled to Kansas City over the weekend to attend our Culinary Class for Couples in Overland Park and join our friends for some fun at the American Royal BBQ Contest. What a great weekend of eating!!

Friday night, we drove to the Culinary Center of Kansas City to test our cooking skills together. To be honest, I had no idea what to expect - I am no Martha Stewart. Sure, Blaine watches the Food Network but I just keep clicking past that channel. I will never be the next Rachel Ray or Emeril - I know my strengths - and they are not in the kitchen. We joined 12 other couples in a quaintly decorated cooking studio to prepare an elegant meal. It was fabulous and WAY more fun that I expected. We didn't burn anything (well....except for my finger), our Shrimp/Wonton appetizer, strawberry and walnut salad with homemade vinaigrette, steak and shrimp dish and Boston creme cupcakes were all to die for. I was stuffed. I actually learned something! And I got to mess up someone else's kitchen and didn't have to wash one single dish (that had to be the best part!)

Our cooking class reminded giggly Blaine about the time right after I moved away from my home to Jefferson City. I was a recent college grad that thought she could take on the world. I moved with no job, little money and a deteriorating self-esteem to mid-Missouri to begin my life anew. After only being here for a short while, broke and desperately missing my family, I decided to bake Blaine a cake. I had never baked a cake before. And it was not pretty.

I went to the local grocery store to find my ingredients. I picked up all of the essentials and headed back to the "dungeon" apartment to create my masterpiece. I read the instructions (and although questioned some things), I skillfully crafted my cake. (Note: Always taste your baked goods before serving them for the first time.) When Blaine got home from work that evening, he dug into the chocolate creation. To his surprise (and unfortunately mine), I had substituted salt for sugar and my hard work had only produced a bitter, sodium-filled disaster. It was awful...and I was devastated. Yes, I cried. And yes, I cried for days.

Blaine tried his hardest to keep the laughter inside. He knew that I had NO idea how to cook more than Ramon noodles and scrambled eggs. I think he was impressed that I even attempted...but his laughter covered that up.

To this day, I still cringe when Blaine reminds me of that event. But you know, I have come a long way in those 5 1/2 years and am taking on the family Thanksgiving celebration next month. Although that dinner will be another venture I have never tackled before, I am confident that with 6 burners, a griddle and two ovens, I can whip up a mean batch of traditional Thanksgiving chow for all. A couple of years ago, Blaine's mom, Sandy, challenged me by saying, "as soon as you learn to cook fried chicken, I will pay you a visit." I said, "Bring it on, lady!" I fried up some scrumptious fried chicken (mine is better than Chef Blaine's) and proved that I can do anything I set my mind to in the kitchen.

Although the holiday is still a ways out, I am already preparing in my head how I am going to prepare the meal for my family and Blaine's at our place. I may be gluten for punishment, I am sure I can pull this one off. It will be chaotic, stressful and a complete mess, but I also think that this will be another fun experience to add to my database of "why in the heck did I even try that?"

$$ Vegas $$...Here I Come!!!

Blaine & I booked our trip to Las Vegas this week and I am so excited I created the image above. (I found this great new website called FaceinHole.com where you can magically input your pictures into several different options.) This one seemed perfect for me and Blaine.

This image reminded me of my first trip to Vegas with Mom & Dad for a talent contest when I was only 17. Outside of the MGM Grand where we stayed, I had my picture taken and inserted into the face hole of a woman in a skimpy bikini. At 17, I thought that was pretty funny! There is a lot of trouble a teenager can get themselves into in Vegas, but I managed to dodge security while I plugged my coins into a slot machine at MGM. It was a memorable trip that included my first cab ride (with a bunch of other teenagers and no adult supervision), the first time anyone had ever handed me a flyer for strippers, my first 120 degree weather and my first slot machine arm pull. I guess it ruined me for life because I have loved Vegas ever since.

Although I have to wait until November for me & Blaine's next trip to Sin City, I am so excited to make it out to Vegas again. I am not sure if it is the shopping, the exciting night life or all of the lights and action that draws me to Vegas, but I often long to go back. Fortunately, Blaine gets to fly out for work twice a year and I try to tag along occasionally.

Rumor has it that some of our friends are going to join us which will be a great time. The last time I went out, I was joined by Lora & Jason and Mitch & Beth....what a great time we had at Studio 54 and shopping at Ceasar's....not to mention our infamous trip downtown for the "cheap gambling" and plastic footballs full of our favorite beverage. On another trip a couple of years ago, I was also joined by our friends Ryan & Melissa in Vegas where we enjoyed fruity drinks in front of Ceasar's and Blaine's random disappearing act, Chinese television at the MGM and me & Blaine's constant need to get on the monorail to take us back to whatever hotel we were staying at that night.

You would think after venturing to Vegas so many times we would have seen it all - but Vegas is ever-changing and adds even more anxiety for the next trip. I can assure as soon as I step foot in Vegas I will head towards the Bellagio fountains with my Mojito from Cheesecake Factory in hand, shake a leg at Studio 54 and continue my shopping experiences at the Wynn or Venetian. Although I cannot afford my wants in Vegas, a girl can window shop, can't she?