Live from Tampa

I may need this in the upcoming months.

Best to have it on hand.

I cannot even fathom recognizing Paul Ryan as vice-president of the USA.

Cakeandicecream Day

Another lapse, I know.

Life's busy and blogging takes the backseat. Besides, the best of my thinking happens when my to-do list isn't looming overhead.

With all that said, I have a 1/2 day at work today, which means approximately 1 hour of work left and then birthday celebrations.

Well, first a dental cleaning. Then an orthodontist appointment. Radio station visit to pick up concert tickets I won. Renewal of tags. Grocery store. And then birthday celebrations. On second thought, this whole birthday thing isn't quite what it used to be.

I did, however get breakfast in bed from (and with) the kiddo.
She did it all on her own too (yayyy, kiddo).

I like my BnB in the dark!

I also had a weekend getaway with the boyfriend Fri - Sun; yesterday I came in to find my office decorated, a co-worker had made a cake and then several of us went out for a celebratory lunch. Today I got a couple of gifts from my co-workers (by the way, co-workers = friends as well), and la familia is coming over tonight for my bday/bday celebration. This weekend I'm celebrating with friends.
I feel loved.

Don't get me wrong: I have sort of grown accustomed to this kind of treatment. Birthdays are my favorite because they are the one holiday you (generally) don't have to share with anyone else. A personal all-about-you day. And I do take care of my family and friends on their birthday just as well as they take care of me! I joke about my birthday-month, but I do celebrate pretty much all week long.

Thanks to those of you who have texted/emailed/snail mailed/fb'd me a Happy Birthday message. To everyone else, well...you've got the rest of the week. :)

My day just keeps getting better and better. These were delivered for me after I wrote the ^^^ above:

Where's my cape?

If someone could find this shirt for me (A+), I would totally rock it out.

Giving blood in a few. Wish me (and my iron level) luck. :)

If you haven't given lately, please do.
Look how happy this ^^^ girl is.
(I bet it's the free soda and cookies--well, that and she's saving a life)

Shamefully Arising from My Hiatus

I literally cannot remember when the last time I posted was nor what it was about. What I do know is that I have had an intense, schedule-packed kinda summer and I need a break from kiddo's summer break.

Just 12 more days and that break will come. That's right: Just 12 more days til kiddo returns to school as a Sophomore. A sophomore. Eek. I'm overwhelmed.

So we've had a lot happen: two theater camps, a couple of mini-vacations, the long list of summer birthdays, some time with long-lost friends from San Diego, and a few disappointing trips to the orthodontist (yup, still in braces). Kiddo's had only two weeks of downtime all summer long and next week will be filled with the summer reading list (she hasn't even begun) and...(wait for it)...studying for her permit. That's more overwhelming than her being a sophomore. After all, she never even learned to ride a bike or her Barbie Powerwheels jeep. Lawdy. Things are about to get interesting. (I think I'll leave this one to Tommy).

What else is happening in the world? Politics...lots of that. I think it's a pretty pivotal election, but (unusually) I haven't gotten very active, short of a contribution here or there. In fact, I've started a little game in which every time someone posts or emails me something I know to be blatantly false or inaccurate, I donate $3 to the cause/campaign of my choice. It makes me smile a bit on the inside.

And speaking of donations...whoa(!) Chick Fil-A! Talk about publicity nightmare.
I wonder how long people are really going to go without their Chick Fil-A?
On one hand, the company/its owners and operators are entitled to whatever opinion they have. On the other hand, I don't think I want the profits from my value meal (and let's face it: Chick Fil-A (must resist the urge to type Chick Filet) is not cheap) to go towards anti-LGBT platforms. I don't think I'd feel very good if I supported the business. But I can't imagine going forever without eating there, afterall, that's some damn good chicken.

Did anyone see the letter from Boston's Mayor Thomas Menino to Chick Fil-A? First I thought: Surely this is a hoax. But no. Apparently Mayor Menino has some serious...(we'll keep it G rated) gumption:


Click on Photo  to Enlarge

 As a southerner, it's hard for me to even embrace that such a world exists...and it's further proof that I was never meant to be a Southerner.
Unless, of course, that was my purpose--to redeem at least one or two fellow-Mississippians.

And then there's the Jim Henson's estate, which pulled their Muppet campaign and donated the proceeds from their partnership with Chilck Fil-A to GLAAD.

All this begs the question: What did Cathy think would come from his initial interview? I guess he should be commended (at least) for his honesty in answering the questions about his beliefs, but here (in the South) there is no shortage of people willing to drone on and on about their beliefs. I guess the difference is that "people" have very little to lose, especially when they are surrounded by people with very similar views as their own. Companies, on the other hand, have a lot to lose. The old cliche that any publicity is good publicity just doesn't ring true for buisnesses. Or for Charlie Sheen. Otherwise, probably pretty much accurate.

So Aug 1st is National Chick Fil-A Day (thanks, Mike Huckabee, for showing that Alabama continues equality progression at a slower rate than the rest of America) and Aug 3rd is the day same-sex couples plan to meet and kiss at Chick Fil-A (not sure if there is a technical title for that or how it's supposed to work out (may need to Google). Ah, just did it and here's the FB page.) In all honesty, I don't know that the same-sex kiss-in is really going to change a thing and may actually create more enemies from those middle-of-the-roaders (are there any still out there?). But if I were going to take part in it, I'd at least change the date to Aug 1st so you hit your target audience. I assure you all the anti-gayers will not bring their children to the local Chick Fil-A for National Chick Fil-A day if they may be exposed to the horror and abomination of two grown men kissing (gasps). At least you could eat into their sales/profits (and therefore the amount of money they have to donate to the anti-LGTB causes) this way. Just a thought.

Now I've gottta stop, despite the fact that there is SO much more left to be said.

As they say in the hood, "Holla."

Another Brag-Type Post

The kiddo's choir director has finally updated the website with some of their recordings and they sound amazing. Here's the link if you want to give it a listen.

In other news...looks like kiddo will be doing a second theater camp this summer and will get to work with the cast of Momma Mia! Kiera loved that movie and really wanted to see the musical, which is coming to The Orpheum. Now she not only gets to see it, she gets to work and train alongside the cast and crew!

And then I reminded her of my rate of return expectation...
And took a pic as proof that she accepted. :)



This is going to be a great summer!

Currently...

These kind of memories make my heart smile:

Kiera and Claire, signature Autozone Park pose

Of course they knew someone sitting in the row directly behind us!

Requisite cracker jack pic (hums"Take me out to the Ball Game")

Redbirds won it with a run at the bottom of the 9th!

A DIY Realization

So I ordered everything needed for the living/dining room DIY makeover, and I discovered something: DIY projects can get pretty costly. Even using coupons on top of coupons on top of discounts, I honestly think we could have bought post-manufactured versions of our projects for less than it cost for the materials to make them. I'm currently waiting for the fabric to be delivered (custom fabric also means delivery charges!) but everything is lined up, at least. I am seeking solace in the fact that it would be nearly impossible to find accompaniments to so perfectly match my couch and love seat, given its obscure shade.

That is all.
Yes, I know: random.