SPLASH! But Not On Me

I was at Disneyland with two girlfriends (Lela and another childhood friend) on Sunday with no kids and no husbands.

You are either insanely jealous, or, more likely, think we are insane to go to Disneyland when we have adult girls time alone without the kids and spouses.

But it was SO much fun.

While there are certainly plenty of tales to tell, Splash Mountain is one of the funniest. I love Splash Mountain.

 source

But I hate being wet and cold. You see the problem? (For the record, I also hate getting my hair wet and having it curl and frizz and look like crap when I've taken the time to straighten it. It makes me a grumpy-lou, which is not fun for anyone. Both my husband and Lela can attest to that last part based on previous experiences.)

Never been on Splash Mountain?  You sit in a five person log-looking "boat", one in front of the other, and ride it through and around, dropping down a couple of smaller falls, then you head up for the big one - the drop down, ending in a giant splash.

Lela had a plan before we left for the park. She got big, black garbage bags and cut neck holes in them for each of us.

When we were ready to get on the ride, we popped arm holes and donned our bags. People looked at us like we were nuts... until they saw the people getting off the ride that were soaking wet. Suddenly we weren't so silly.

Now is a good time to mention that Lela specifically said, "We don't want the front. If they tell us to sit in the front, tell them you want to sit in the back. The front is where you get the wettest."

So as we waited in line, the guy asked us how many in our group, and then said, "Okay, lines one, two and three."

Obedient little sheeple that we are, we marched right up there and stood in the slots to be seated in the front of the boat. *sigh*

But I had a bonus to deal with that hair problem. I brought a plastic grocery store bag to cover my head with. Go ahead and laugh. I wore that thing like a 85 year old donning her rain bonnet, and was proud of my ingenuity, AND my dry hair. Especially when that huge splash of water doused Lela's head.

That's Lela in front and me with my bag-bonnet. 

I did sort of make Lela go to the first slot, despite her trying to manipulate me into that spot by telling me she weighed more than me, so we'd get more wet if she sat in the front. I wasn't buying it, though. As we climbed that last hill before the drop, she could be heard yelling, "I really hate you right now!" We were roaring with laughter the whole way.

Here's the verdict on the bags. Yes, for the most part, they kept us dry. Except for from the knee down where there was no coverage, and I was SOAKED on my right leg and both feet. So soaked I rang water out of my jeans leg and sock. In fact, I had to go buy seriously overpriced Disneyland socks. Not one pair of socks, though, because they came in two packs. Two pairs of seriously overpriced Disneyland socks. Very plain, very cheap Disneyland socks for $14.99.

Oh and where the water ran UP the bags, leaving two of us with wet crotches. Lela had figured out how to pull the bottom of the bag up between her legs to keep the water out. She forgot to pass that tidbit of information to us, though. I'm thinking pay-backs for making her sit in front.

I am NOT complaining. It was so much fun, we just laughed and laughed. We got lunch after the ride and I took my shoes off and put them in the sun, along with my wet right leg. With the fresh socks, I was nearly dry by the time we were done eating.

Next time I just need to remember one of those cheap rain ponchos with the hoods. And maybe go barefoot.

***Ally
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Monday Listicles - Class Reunion

Link up with Stasha at The good life for Monday Listicles. It's a different topic every week - follow along and join in. And look at her beautiful pictures while you are checking out her site.

This weeks topic was picked by my friend, Rachel at Totally Ovar It, and she chose 10 Pros/Cons Of Attending Your Class Reunion. Great topic!

Here's my list of totally superficial pros and cons:

Pros:
1. I find it a great excuse to get, or stay, in shape.
2. There is, of course, a handful of people I really do want to catch up with.
3. I get to see the guys that were nerdy who are aging really well. And the guys that were hot that are now... not so hot.
4. I get to show that guy I had the crush on way back then what he missed out on.
5. I get to see which people will still get drunk and act stupid, all these years later.


Cons:
6. Being on Facebook means I'm already caught up on more high school classmates than I probably would catch up with in person! What will we talk about?
7. I get annoyed by the gal who thinks she's an entertainment reporter (she has a podcast that no one watches) and name drops like she hangs out at the Academy Awards.
8. The food usually sucks.
9. I have to see that person who totally intimidated me way back when, and stupidly, still does.
10. I get to see which people will still get drunk and act stupid, all these years later.

***Ally
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A Follow Up On Customer Service

You might have seen my previous post about a negative customer service experience my son had at Guitar Center.

I posted about it, and my son tweeted about it.

We were both contacted within 24 hours by reps asking for more information. Our experience was quickly relayed down the chain to the store manager where we had been. He emailed both my son and myself.

I'm happy to report that they have been incredibly responsive, and seem very willing to make it right.

The interface my son was interested in has been ordered for him and the manager assured us he wanted him to get it for the price he was quoted when it comes into the store next week.

My original intent in posting about it was airing my frustration over a customer service problem that resulted in disappointment for my son, who is really a great kid and really tries to do things the right way. I started in retail at 16 years old, and customer service was primary at the major department store where I worked. I know we've all had more than our share of poor customer service, and sadly it's gotten worse over the years.

The people who contacted us genuinely seemed to want to change that. And THAT I truly appreciate. The store manager even relayed his own experiences as a teenager who was into music, but felt like he often got the runaround at music stores. He told us it is his goal that his customers don't have that same experience, and he was willing to do what he could to change it.

I'm not usually the squeaky wheel. It used to drive me crazy that my MIL was so willing to verbally air her complaints if service wasn't exactly what she expected, no matter where she was. I usually wanted to crawl in a hole. And it is certainly not my intent to get an employee in trouble or, worse, fired, for goodness sakes. I do hope what results is a boost in communication to employees on how to execute good customer service.

So, my thanks goes out to the management at Guitar Center. My son is learning some valuable life lessons and improving his own communication skills, both of which he will take away from this experience.

***Ally
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Hawaii Sunshine In A Glass - Yum!

I work next door to a local store that has wonderful produce. They have recently been stocking Maui Gold pineapples and they have been awesome. Ripe, sweet, juicy. None of that still half green, half flavor stuff you get sometimes. They've had them at a great price, so I bought a few and froze some chunks.

*I'll insert here that I can cut up a pineapple like nobody's business, with little waste. We all have to have some skill to be proud of, right?

 Mmmm, doesn't that look like a tasty snack?

I'm also a smoothie queen. I'm sharing my Hawaii In A Glass Smoothie. It really does bring a little sunshine to my taste buds in the middle of winter. And with the right additions, you can make it as a snack, a meal, or an adult drink.

To start, you need frozen pineapple chunks. You also need frozen banana chunks. When bananas get too ripe around here, I usually peel them, cut them into bite size chunks and freeze them.

I add a handful of each of the frozen fruit chunks in the blender.
Then I add a splash of orange juice. Use any kind, I use orange-mango. Yummy!

Then I add some milk (1/2 cup? more?). You can use any milk. I normal use unsweetened vanilla almond or coconut milk, or a mix of the two separately, but I recently found this (new introductory sale price, too!) and had to try it, even though it has a little extra sugar in it:

Now, depending on what you want from your smoothie, you can add:

-A big spoonful of plain yogurt (great protein boost and creamy)
-A half or full scoop of vanilla protein powder
-Or even 1/3 to 1/2 of a cup of oatmeal (5 minute quick cook, not instant and not steel cut) - it makes it a little more filling to have for breakfast, and it grinds up pretty fine in the blender

You're still wondering about that adult beverage option? Skip the oatmeal and protein powder and add a little rum. YUM! The yogurt will still make it nice and creamy.

Now it's time to apologize. What kind of recipe is "a handful of this and a splash of that"? That's just how I do smoothies. There's no right or wrong. My only advice is start out conservative with your liquids, you can always add more if it's too thick.

Enjoy!

***Ally
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Hanging On For Friday - And A Little Humor

This has really been a bad week. And it's only Wednesday.

The weather is foul - windy and rainy and gray and dark.

I have to have a cracked tooth filed down and filled today, hoping to save it from needing a crown.

Remember last week, when I wrote about how our credit card number had been stolen and used to buy $2000 worth of extravagant meals in Texas? Well with the weekend and the holiday, the replacement just finally came yesterday. Read that word again: replacement. Do you see what's missing? What's missing is the 's' at the end of the word. Because they only sent my husband a replacement. Not mine. Did I mention I'm leaving town on Friday? I kinda need that card. I called the bank and they are expediting me a new card, and waiving the fees. However, it will arrive Thursday by FedEx and requires a signature. I have to go into the office to see a patient Thursday morning, so I will be racing the clock to try to beat the FedEx guy home.

I went through our budget this weekend and came up with the sad reality that this economy has almost crushed my business. I've got to find a way to increase my business two to three fold, or find a new job. That's not an easy pill to swallow after seven years of successfully being an independent contractor. It's hard not to feel like I'm personally failing, even though I know I have no control over the economy or the increasing number of providers in my area that do what I do.

But if that has reached a low point of this post, let me enlighten you with a little stressful humor and storytelling.

Saturday, I took the light rail train downtown and met up with two amazing bloggers IN REAL LIFE! I met Stasha and Rachel for lunch and a lovely little wine bar and cafe. We started with appetizers of cheese and cheese (brie and goat cheese) and then just moved right on to dessert. These are my kind of women!! Really, besides the cheese and dessert, they are fantastic ladies.

Sea salt chocolate covered caramels, vanilla bean creme brulee,

and caramelized pear cheesecake.

Heaven.

I'd love to show you pictures of the three of us, but I ridiculously didn't take any. I thought of it several times during our lunch, but the waitress would arrive at our table and then be gone before we could say two extra words. She was quick! I kept thinking she'd come back, but then we moved on to coffee elsewhere. Next time, I promise. And there WILL be a next time. 

ANYLONGWINDEDSTORY, when I went downtown, I put my debit card and driver's license with some cash in a small wallet, as I didn't want to take my big purse. I remember coming home and as I went to put the wallet away, seeing the two cards and thinking how glad I was that I saw them and remembered to put them back in my purse. Today, I went to get my driver's license out for something and... it wasn't there. PANIC.

I went crazy. I couldn't find it anywhere. I'm supposed to fly to California on Friday. CRAP. I emptied my purse and my wallet twice. I searched pant pockets, coat pockets, the floor, the counter - everywhere. Hubs came home and asked if I found it. Sadly, I shook my head no as I made my plans to spend 2 hours at the DMV to get a new one and dug out my passport. 

I told him, "I don't get it! I remember putting them back in my wallet and now it's not there. We didn't go anywhere Sunday that I would have had it out..." realization swept over me "F**K - I - ran!"

"F**k Iran?" he said laughing.

I ran upstairs and checked my running belt. There was my driver's license. I NEVER remember to take ID when I run. Ever. But Sunday I had decided I didn't want to die a Jane Doe if I got hit by a car and had tucked it in my running belt with my cell phone. And promptly forgot about it.

"Found it!" I yelled.

"F**k Iran?" he asked again.

Smart ass.

For the record, as long as I can get on that plane, I'm good. I've got back up cash set aside if that credit card doesn't arrive. I'm going. And I'm going to have a great time with Lela and maybe convince her to blog once or twice again in the future. I will relax and clear my brain and come back ready to tackle life's problems.

***Ally

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Learning Disappointment - Thanks A Lot Guitar Center

I don't like feeling like a complainer. But sometimes poor customer service just needs to be talked about. I guess I hope that if we talk about it, maybe someday employers will take notice. Maybe someday, they'll change this new status quo of the negative retail experience and bring back good customer relations.

My son has always been good about saving money. He saves and saves and waits to buy something big he's had his eye on. He's done this for years. He's never been one to let it burn a hole in his pocket.

Now he has learned from Hubs to research brands, search for the lowest prices, find the best deal.

As a parent, it makes me proud.

After a couple of days of research, he had narrowed down a purchase he had his eye on. I'd tell you what it was, but I am not quite as versed in audio recording and production as he is and I have no idea what the thing is. Some kind of audio interface thingy. Yes, he does that. Yes, he's thinking of going to college to get a degree in it. Just trust me on this part.

He was looking at two brands, two different product packages for each brand. He called the store (Guitar Center), asked their President's Day Sale pricing and was quoted. He talked them through with me, explained his reasons while I nodded my head appropriately since he was talking a foreign language and told me the price the guy at the store had quoted him.

Regular price: $499
Sale price: $219
And on top of it, he had a 15% off coupon.

Good job, kid! Way to sniff out the bargain!

We were all going out to pick a few things up anyway, so all three of us went to Guitar Center so he could make his purchase. The salesperson helping him couldn't find the thing. So he got on the computer. Five minutes later, he reported they didn't have any in the store.

"But I called just a little while ago to check the price. He didn't say you didn't have any." My son was not happy to hear this.

Ten more minutes, with us having to ASK him to first check the computer to see if another store had one (one did - they only had ONE), then having to ASK where that store was located (he didn't know), then having to ASK him to call and make sure it was new in the box and not a floor model. Then we asked if they could have it transferred to the store we were in. They could. We asked if they charged shipping for that and he said no. But another employee overheard him and corrected him. They WOULD charge shipping because "we don't have any trucks - they have to ship it UPS." Oh, and we would have to PAY for it there on the spot if we wanted the other store to hold it for us so we could drive 50 minutes to pick it up.

But the kicker came when my son was informed that the item he was looking at was, NOT in fact on sale. Whoever he had spoken to had not only failed to check whether they had it in stock, he had price quoted the wrong item.

Misquoted.
Stock not checked.
We had to walk the salesperson through his job in the store.
He gave us wrong information on shipping.
He had no answers for half our questions.

The kicker for me - he never once offered to show him something else, and believe me, they had LOTS of other brands and options. Wouldn't it have been in the store's best interest to offer to show him some comparable products? The kid was standing there with a few hundred dollars cash in his pocket, ready to spend it! The guy was perfectly happy to let us walk out the door empty handed. Crazy.

I felt bad for my son. He'd done the research, made the calls, asked the questions, found the best deal.

And then poor customer service turns the whole thing on it's head. Sometimes I hate that our kids have to learn to deal with disappointment, though I realize it's part of life. Believe me, he's over it, back to looking around for other deals.

I wish I could say it was the first lousy experience there, but it wasn't. It might be the last, though. It certainly seems like another retailer might like our business a little more.

I understand new employees might not have all the answers, but they can ask. I understand the place can be busy on a sale day, but we weren't rushed for time. There were TWO other employees being told they shouldn't be standing around on a sale day, behind us. I wish I could understand whatever happened to quality customer service. 

***Ally
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An addendum to this post is that both myself and my son have been contacted since turning to social media with our disappointment. So maybe this is a problem with that particular store. I'm happy to see that Guitar Center, as a company, is listening to the customer. I will continue my conversation with the representative that contacted me, and I thank him for reaching out to do so. 

Monday Listicles - Cleaning House

Link up with Stasha at The good life for Monday Listicles. It's a different topic every week - follow along & join in. And look at her beautiful pictures while you are checking out her site.

This week's topic: 10 things I would rather do than clean the house...


Really? I can only list 10? Bwahaha! I am the QUEEN of procrastination of chores I dislike. But I'll try to come up with some besides the obvious.

Here goes:

1. I'd rather fold and put away laundry, than clean the house.
2. I'd rather go grocery shopping, than clean the house. (I really dislike grocery shopping.)
3. I'd rather give the dog a bath, than clean the house. (The dog really dislikes baths.)
4. I'd rather wash my car, than clean the house. (Ick.)
5. I'd rather go for a 6 mile run, than clean the house.
6. I'd rather lift weights for an hour, than clean the house.
7. I wanted to say I'd rather pull weeds, than clean the house, but I've decided this might be a draw.
8. I'd rather read blogs, which is what I usually do instead of cleaning the house, than clean the house.
9. I'd definitely rather curl up with a good book, than clean the house.
10. I'd really rather hire someone ELSE to clean my house, than do it myself. Maybe again someday.

So yes, like most, I don't really like cleaning the house. There's a lot I'd rather do.

***Ally
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Five Question Friday

Just a little fun on Friday!


Join the fun and link up for Five Question Friday over at My Little Life.

1. What do you do when you are really upset to calm yourself down?

Usually, I stomp off and spend a few minutes by myself. Or, I rant a lot  little when Hubs is around to lend a listening ear. Or eat some chocolate... that makes everything better, right?

2. Do you go all out for V-day or is it just another day?

Pretty much just another day. We do exchange cards, but we don't make a huge deal out of it.

3. Are you more or less productive when Hubs is away?

More, more, more! When he is out of town, I have a rhythm I get into. I get efficient, I get stuff done. What really happens is that my ocd comes bubbling to the surface and I simply can't relax until everything is completed and organized. Totally productive.

4. What is your favorite time of day and why?

On my days off, it's early afternoon. My workouts are done, I'm usually showered, I'm home alone. Otherwise, evenings, because that's the only time I have to spend with Hubs and The Boy.

5. What is your go-to karaoke song?

Bwahahaha. Oh this is easy. NOTHING. Seriously, you do NOT want me to sing karaoke. Ever. I'm a great audience, however.

How about you? What is your go-to karaoke song? Let me hear them!


***Ally 

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Wednesday Quotables

Source: images.search.yahoo.com via Ally on Pinterest

***Ally
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I Hope Dinner Was Good

We are one of those couples that puts everything on the credit card. Everything. And then we pay it off at the end of the month. The reward for this is airline miles, which have taken us to Hawaii for free twice already and will likely do so again. You get the idea.

So each month when the statement arrives, I scan the amounts and where the charges were made just as a safety precaution. As should you. Twice in the last 10-15 years, we have had our credit card number stolen. Once we caught the charge on our statement - it had been used to purchase an airline ticket. The second time, Southwest Airlines called US, to see if it was really us trying to charge an airline ticket. Obviously, it was not.

Okay, pause in the story - can we submit this to a stupid theives show or something? Really? Because you have to show ID to travel on an airplane. It's not like it is hard to trace the fraudulent charges!

Back to the story. So yesterday, my credit card bill shows up. I open it, knowing the balance will be low because we've been really good about cracking down on spending. Imagine my surprise to see a number that was MUCH higher than expected! I started reading down the list. 1... 2... 3... 4... 5... 6... 7!!! SEVEN charges, ranging from $220 to $391, to a restaurant in Addison, Texas. A total of $2,082.72 worth of charges! To the same restaurant.

I called the bank, they filed a fraud investigation, cancelled the cards and are sending us new ones. Which is a huge pain because we won't get them for 5-7 days and then I have to change all the auto charges that we do each month. (Like I said, we charge everything for miles!)

The guy at the bank said that they can tell whether it's been swiped or the numbers just punched in, and ours had been swiped. That means someone made a counterfeit card with our number. He continued that the counterfeit cards are often low quality and after a few swipes, they stop working and they toss them and go on to the next. He said they have a high number of counterfeit cards that come out of Texas. He did agree that it was strange that the charges were all for the same place, as usually they see a shopping spree that starts and then suddenly stops.

Hubs and I figure either someone was repeatedly taking groups of people there, or equally, if not more possible, it's an employee that was ringing up false charges every few days and then taking the cash.

All I can say (besides a mouthful of bad words) is that if they were really eating there, I hope dinner was good.

***Ally
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Monday Listicles - Love Is...

Link up with Stasha at The good life for Monday Listicles. It's a different topic every week - follow along. 

This week's topic is, of course, about Love. After all, Valentine's Day is tomorrow. Love isn't all roses and chocolates. It's real life, the good, the bad, the ugly and the lovely. But real love is a blessing that lasts. 

Love is:
- washing endless loads of laundry, and only complaining occasionally.
- hugs when I need them, and even when I don't.
- cleaning off the kitchen counter multiple times a day, when rarely did I leave any of it there.
- a shared love of chocolate.
- asking what I should buy from the store, only to be told "I don't know" and then hearing "there's nothing to eat."
- sharing common dreams.
- a slight hearing problem, possibly selective.
- mutual respect and admiration.
- a roaring sense of humor that makes me laugh, even when I don't want to.
- seeing a future of growing old together that brings a smile to my face.


***Ally
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FQF - Friday Fun

Just a little fun on Friday!

Join the fun and link up for Five Question Friday over at My Little Life.

1. How often do you shave your legs in the winter? 

Um, I let 'em go... a whole day. No, really, I have a serious ocd thing about shaving my legs. The last two years I've worked myself into every other day in winter. But that's the best I can do. It's every single day in spring, summer and fall.

2. Valentine's Day cards for your spouse: funny or romantic? 

Usually romantic, with an occasional funny thrown in. I don't know why we don't do more funny ones, though - Hubs has a great sense of humor.

3. What are you most looking forward to about spring? 

Well, around here, spring is still rainy, so I won't say warm, sunny weather. (It IS what I'm looking forward to about summer, though!) No, for spring, I'll have to say I'm looking forward to baseball!! (both The Boy's and professional) I'm also looking forward to the blooming cherry trees, tulips, daffodils, and all the beautiful color that spring brings to a tired dreary winter landscape.

4. What's your favorite way to pamper yourself? 

For me, pampering myself means being able to escape daily stresses. Being able to curl up and read undisturbed, or go out to dinner with girlfriends. A girls getaway weekend or even better, a vacation to Maui! Those are great ways to pamper myself, right?

5. Does your tax return go into savings or do you spend it instantly?

Wait, what's this you speak of? Tax return? You get those? No, being self employed means there is no tax 'return'. On the occasion that I overpay, the credit just gets applied to the next quarter's taxes. I do, however, put a few extra 'percent' into my tax savings account (that we use for paying taxes out of) each month so at the end of the year, as long as no unexpected business expenses have come up, it's like my own personal refund to myself... only I earned interest on it, instead of the government! :)



***Ally

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Does That Foot Tastes Good?

I bought a cocktail dress back in November for the function I have coming up this weekend. I got it for $25 at TJMaxx, because I am a proud bargain finder like that. I hung it in the closet and haven't given it much thought.

But with the event two days away, I pulled it out of the closet yesterday and tried it on. I even put on my good Victoria's Secret bra that gives an illusion that my boobs have not actually deflated.

I showed Hubs.

Me: What do you think?

Him: Nice! Are you going to wear a 'pushy-up' bra with it?

::: blink, blink:::

Me: looking at my chest This is the 'pushy-up' bra. This is all I got.

Him: Oh.

::: crickets :::

I returned the dress to my closet and returned me to my penguin pajama bottoms and old sweatshirt. Meh. Boobs are overrated.*

***Ally
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*I used to think I had 'bigger' boobs. I don't know what happened. Pregnancy, breastfeeding, time. And please don't use the a-g-e word. 

Why I'm So Behind

Besides having been hit with the 2nd nastyawful cold of the season, (what the heck?) I have been up to my eyebrows in preparations and projects for a big event.

I've previously posted that I belong to a guild that supports two transitional houses for women in recovery. These women have hit bottom, dried out, often been in the justice system, and have nowhere to go to support their brand new sobriety. The houses give them a last chance, with the structured support they need to get their lives turned around. Some of these women came from middle class homes, with children and families. Some have lost their parental rights and are in the process of reuniting with their children. Some are trying to complete an unfinished or unstarted education, find employment, etc. If you are interested in more about what we provide, you can read an old post here.

This Friday, we are hosting our 3rd Annual Mardis Gras Celebration, which benefits the transitional houses both directly, and through our guild. It also happens to be a blast of a night, with good food, music, dancing and a lot of fun.

For the second year in a row, I am "co-chairing" the event. We are working with a brand new manager at the Country Club we hold it at, which has presented some challenges*, but in the long run will be a very good thing. But it's like starting from scratch again.

*Challenges = New this year - $500 room fee we were not informed of until after committing with a deposit! New management means unhappy employees, like the CHEF quitting! New manager hired! New chef hired! New menu planned! New chef quits! (Quits as in YESTERDAY - did I mention the event is Friday??)

Somehow, because I don't actually learn the lessons I preach, and have no ability to delegate or say no, I am also:

- doing all the posters of photos we put on easels throughout the room (= trying to crop, edit and color correct to make really bad photographs look good when blown up to gigantic proportions)

- printing all the donation cards (= I print 28 thinking no way we need more than that, only to be told others think we need 40. Back to the printer I go.)

- printing the bar signs (= nothing too terrible about that except the PRICE INCREASES from last year)

 -and printing/folding/taping the stand up table cards that thank our sponsors (= OH CRUD I HAVEN'T DONE THIS YET)

- Oh wait! I'm also doing the slide show/video that goes along with our presentation. I got the video to be imbedded in the slide show on MONDAY afternoon. In it's rough form it is FIFTEEN minutes long. I've got to edit it down to 3-4 minutes tops. In the next 2-1/2 days. Yikes!

I'm not complaining. I really enjoy doing it. And at a time when my business is very slow (ugh), it gives me something to direct my energies to. It's just been... a lot all of a sudden.

As a result, I have been negligent, or very late, in reading your blogs, commenting when I do read, and responding.

So please forgive me. I'll be back on my game soon. This is all over come Friday.

***Ally

Monday Listicles - Passion

Link up with Stasha at The good life for Monday Listicles. It's a different topic every week - follow along. 

This week's topic was chosen by Jackie at Not Wifezilla, in honor of a friend that recently passed away. The topic - What are your passions?
 
Hmm, I gave some thought to this and realized I really liked this topic. I think if you pay attention to what someone is passionate about, it says a lot about who they really are. I tried to come up with an honest list, that reflected who I am. Not just things I really like, but things that when I talk about them, I truly become animated, or passionate. They are NOT in any particular order. So don't give me a hard time because Hubs isn't listed first. :)


1. Health - Just ask Hubs, I can get on a serious soapbox. And I currently often feel frustrated by how hard good health seems to be to grasp in this country.

2. Nutrition - I guess this goes hand in hand with #1, but it is only one piece, albeit a large one, to the puzzle.

3. Running. After years of claiming I was not a runner and a surgery some years back that allowed me a distance I had been previously unable to achieve, I had a change of heart. I love what it does for my body and my mind.

4. My marriage. It's a given for me. Kind of a good thing since I plan to spend the rest of my life with him. :)

5. Medical care. Everyone should have access to medical care. No one should leave a doctor's office without a clear understanding of their treatment plan. Everyone should be able to choose the physician they want to work with. Everyone should understand that it's okay to ask questions, it's okay to question treatment, it's definitely okay to seek a second opinion, and that treatment is a choice.

6. Sunshine. I never thought of it as a passion before, but it certainly invokes intense feelings for me. I crave it. I relish it. It lifts my mood. It calms my soul.

7. Maui, Hawaii. You've seen me write of it before. Sit and talk to me about it and act interested and I'll talk your ear off. The island worked its way into my heart when I lived there. It's not just beaches and palm trees with fruity drinks. It's a way of life and a peace of heart. It's a respect for the land and for the people whose roots run deeper than our 50th state. It's an awe of the customs and cultures of a life so different. And it's a constant awe of the raw beauty that surrounds you while you are there. The real beauty, not just the man made stuff for the tourists.

8. Reading. I can't imagine a life without books. The ability to leave this world for just a little while and completely lose yourself in another is something I cherish.

9. Being a mom. Is there anything better? I know we all talk about the ups, and especially the downs, because these blogs are our safe place to do so. But really, I wouldn't trade it for ANYTHING in the world. My son brings me a joy I didn't know could exist until I had him. And it honestly increases with every day that passes.

10. World Peace. I'm KIDDING. I wasn't really going to use that again. I guess I would have to say Life. I mean, what's the alternative, right? Yeah, I choose life and right now, at this time, we are working our butts off to make it something we can continue to be passionate about!

***Ally
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Five Question Friday

Join the fun and link up for Five Question Friday over at My Little Life.

1. What have you done recently that you are proud of?

I've joined a workout group with on Facebook through a friend. We kick serious butt. I've increased the intensity of my workouts, as well as added some new stuff. I've cleaned up my diet, eating mostly whole, healthy foods and keeping the treats to a minimum. The group "goal" was a 600 rep workout from BodyRock.tv. I hit the 600 reps a couple of weeks ago. It was an AWESOME feeling. (And no, I didn't do any of it to lose weight, but rather to build muscle and increase health and fitness. My weight has not changed, but my muscle definition is showing some changes.)

2. What is your favorite way to work out? Or if you don't workout, what are you wanting to try?

See #1. I also run, and yes, I enjoy it. Running is primary for me. The strength workouts keep me healthy while running.

3. If you knew you best friend was cheating on spouse would you tell?

Totally irrelevant because my best friend wouldn't. And if she did, I'd totally call her out to her.

4. If you could afford a live-in maid or nanny, would you have one?

I don't need a nanny (my 17 year old would be totally offended) but the maid? Mmmm, no. I wouldn't want one living in. But they could certainly come on a regular basis! I'd even gladly leave the dishes if they'd come daily!!!

5. Do you stress out about birthdays (specifically the age) or do you enjoy them?

Neither? I don't stress out about birthdays. Maybe because I'm younger than Hubs and am younger that most of my closest friends. I gloat. Enjoy them? Meh, just another day. Well, wait. Depends on the gift.... LOL

And, a bonus question from Scott, that I wasn't brave enough to put in as a regular question...answer at your own risk, or not at all! (Or something...)

Bonus: Lights off or on?

Um, my mom reads this blog. Just sayin'.

***Ally 

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Free To A Good Home...

Up for grabs:

Two over-sharing household inhabitants. Generally a decent bunch. Will do housework if given a written list and possibly a verbal threat or three. No too demanding, though they do expect dinner every night.

They are quite willing to share most anything except chocolate. This includes every germ they come into contact with throughout their day.

If interested, please email to make arrangements for home drop off. I will deliver free of charge. First come, first served. Don't wait too long, I'm sure they'll go fast. Really.


My throat is currently swollen. Not sore, swollen. It's awesome feeling. Add in lungs that feel as if they are being squeezed. Top with sinus pressure and nothing that will "blow". Pure awesomesauce. The Boy had a cold first, still does, then Hubs complained of "flu-like" symptoms and had one terrible night. During which he tossed and turned and sighed, exhaling his germy air directly into my face. He feels 90% better, after 24 hours. Jerk. Two years WITHOUT being sick, or even having the sniffles that weren't allergy related. And now twice since fall. I'm being kind of a baby about it. So that's my post for today. Sorry about that.

***Ally
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Healthy It Up

I love brownies. I love chewy, slightly undercooked brownies. But that's just me.

I had to take dessert to a meeting I was attending Monday night, and had recently seen this recipe posted... somewhere that I don't remember. I tried to look it up, but found it many places with great variations in water amounts. Anywho, since I'm never afraid to embarrass myself with a never-before-tried recipe, I went for it.

This recipe is highly technical. Make sure you get these amounts right. LOL.

Take one of these:

Meh, whatever brand you have. Just make sure they're black. (If you are good at frugality, you might cook your beans from dry.)

Drain, rinse and place in blender. Guesstimate about a 1/4 cup of water in the can and dump it in with the beans. Turn that baby on high and blend until those beans are like a smooth paste.

Take one of these:

Again, use whatever brand you like. This is my favorite for those chewy brownies. Dump mix in a mixing bowl. Dump bean paste into mix. Stir. Yes, it will be thick, keep stirring, and it will all blend in. (I dare you not to take a taste right now.)

Spray the bottom of a 9X13 baking dish with cooking spray and spread in the batter. Try to smooth it the best you can, as it does less "spreading" without oil in the mix. No, it doesn't have to be perfect.

Bake as directed.

Voila. Sugar, yes. But no fat, and a bonus of added protein and fiber. And that brand up there? 99 cents a box. It's a bargain, baby.

I left some for Hubs and The Boy, and then served them at the meeting. No one there even asked if there was something up with them. Maybe they were being polite. But Hubs and The Boy didn't seem to mind, as they kept coming back for more and making sure one didn't get more than the other. Yes, it's like I have two kids instead of one.

Here's what was left last night:

Sorry about the blurry picture. It was late, and I missed my natural light window.

I swear they didn't taste like beans. At all. They were a little more cakey than I prefer, but even so, they were good. I was glad they were for the meeting, or I might have had fifteen too many.

***Ally
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