A Year Goes By...

I wanted to write yesterday but I couldn't find the words. I wanted to sing yesterday but I couldn't hear the music. I wanted to dance yesterday but I couldn't wear the shoes.

So much goes on in a year. People move. Babies are born. Holidays memories are made. Vacations here and there. Through all of this, we grow and we heal from past hurts. Yesterday, I was hurting... even though I had healed a great deal in the past year, I was still hurting.

It's been a year since my grandfather passed away. A whole year. It seems like it was just yesterday that my sister, nephew, and I were driving home from her work conference. It seems like it was just yesterday that my mom went to the neurologist with my grandparents to get the diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease. But that isn't the diagnosis they got. What started out as a pretty good day, turned extremely sad and scary at the same time. That was November 3.

The doctors kept saying they were sorry. There wasn't much they could do. You'll have him for Thanksgiving, but never by Christmas. That's what they kept saying. And they were right. We celebrated my grandmother's birthday on the 19th, and then Thanksgiving on the 24th. We spent every day with my grandfather... at least for a little while. We listened to him. We sat with him. We watched him sleep.

The day he passed was a Sunday and we were there with him. My sister and I helped our Aunt Pat give him a bath that morning. He just didn't look like himself. Aunt Pat kept saying he wouldn't want to be there like that. So we helped with his bath and then Larea cut his hair and I shaved him. By the time we were finished this morning, he looked like my Poppa again.

I still see his face and hear his breathing. I remember that last breath like it were my own. The release of life is so sweet and yet so heartbreaking at the same time. I knew the moment he passed. I knew the exact moment he was gone. My sister did... and my father did, too. We all felt it inside of us. It was like a weight lifting off of us because we knew he was home.

Not one day goes by that my thoughts do not drift to him. I'm healing though. Slowly... I am healing. Another year will go by before I know it and I will be faced with the same sadness that I am facing now. But it will get better. They say "This too shall pass." I believe that. The pain and the hurt will pass, but the love and the memories will last forever.

Day 22: I Am Thankful For...

November 22: I am thankful for my dad and my mom.

 

(Have you ever seen a more handsome man? Or a woman more beautiful than her? 

I haven't... but my sister comes pretty close)

I see so much of my parents in me. I see little bits of their humor and I see some of their strengths and weaknesses. I see my mother's eyes and my father's hair. I have a little bit of my mom's personality, but I have a lot of my dad's attitude. I walk just like my daddy, especially when I'm in a hurry. I have my momma's habit of biting our nails. There are so many little things that I get from my parents that make me who I am. And I am so thankful for those little things.

Even more than the bits of them that are in me, I am thankful to have them as parents. My mom and dad are such amazing people. I have never known anyone else to have a heart like they do. They give so much... more than they should really. And they love so much... with all their hearts. I don't know how they did it, raising three children in their early twenties. Hell, I sometimes shy away from the idea of raising a kid now and I'm 33.

I could go on forever talking about how special my daddy made me feel at marching band competitions when he'd yell "Go Buzzy!" before our show opened. Or "That's my girl!!" when I'd actually win the trophy. I could ramble on for hours talking about how warm my momma makes my heart feel just by being there for me. How my eyes tear up every time I hear the song "I'll Be" by Reba McIntire or "The Best Day" by Taylor Swift. For some reason, those songs make me feel my momma's love so much more, whatever time of day I listen to them. I could go on and on talking about how they were both there for me in my darkest days... how they held my hand and helped me out of so many holes I had dug myself into. I could talk about how much they mean to me for a lifetime. They truly are the most wonderful people I know... and I love so much that I call them Daddy and Momma.

Day 21: I Am Thankful For...

November 21: I am thankful for my nephew.

There is not one day that goes by that I don't smile, laugh, and feel true happiness. I'm not saying that my life is only happy because of this little dude, but he sure does make the sun shine a little brighter. 

Years ago, before Nolan came along, I wasn't so sure that I was kid-friendly at all. In fact, I'm pretty sure my entire family was thinking I wouldn't have much to do with this kid. If you knew me back then, you'd probably say they were right. I was not good with kids. I don't think any kid really liked me either. LOL. Then comes along this little boy... and he stole my heart completely. 

I'm so thankful for every moment I get to spend with him. I'm even thankful for the fits he throws from time-to-time because that means that I have him in my life. And that makes my life so special. I love him so much, and I'm pretty sure he's fond of me, too. :)

Day 20: I Am Thankful For...

November 20: I am thankful for my sister.

 

I love this picture so much. In this one photograph, you can see the laughter and the friendship we share. Sometimes I take for granted what she means to me. Growing up, we weren't very close. In fact, there were times when I didn't like her much at all. These days, I don't know what I would ever do without her. People say that the bond between sisters is so much more than a friendship and I believe that now. She and I can complete each others' sentences. We have the same thoughts, at the same time. Some people think we are twins. Though we are not, we still have those moments that make no sense... but make perfect sense. I love my sister more than words could ever say. She makes me smile... she makes me laugh... and she makes me proud to be her friend. She's so great! 

I love you, Rea. You're such an amazing woman, mother, and friend. 

Day 19: I Am Thankful For...

November 19: I am thankful for my brother.

 

There are so many days when he gets on my last nerve... but I am so thankful to have him in my life. 

Growing up, we were the best of friends. I talked to him about everything. We were so close. As time has passed us, we have grown apart a little. I miss that closeness we used to have. We don't see eye-to-eye on a lot of things... and that's okay. We just have to agree to disagree. I have to say, though, that close or not he is still one of the most important people in my life. And I love him so much. 

Day 18: I Am Thankful For...

November 18: I am thankful for my grandmother.

 

I have one living grandparent left. This time last year, I was thankful for every breath my grandfather took because I knew that meant he was still with me. He was still with us. After Thanksgiving last year, my grandfather passed away.  It was a Sunday afternoon and my family had spent the whole day there with him. We tried to spend a little time every day with him. I guess losing him last year made me realize just how much family means to me. I mean... I already knew my family was amazing and I knew we were unlike most families these days. But it had been so long since we had had a loss so great. Losing the patriarch of my mother's family was hard. It's still hard. But I'm thankful for those days with him. 

I look at my grandmother and wonder how she gets through the days without my grandfather. She's so strong and she's so beautiful inside and out. I know there are days, moments when she is lonely and I know my grandfather has to be on her mind every day. 

I think I got a lot of my strength from her. Well... from my mother first... but ultimately from her. She's very wise and she's witty. I love her more than she knows and I have so much respect for her. And tomorrow is her birthday. So I'm wishing her another wonderful birthday with all my heart. Today, I'm just so thankful to have her in my life.

Day 17: I Am Thankful For...

November 17: I am thankful for wonderful friends.

I don't care what anyone says, everyone needs a friend... and mine are awesome!

I am so excited that I got to travel a lot this year with some really great friends. I made a lot of memories and share a lot of laughs. But there are some friends that I didn't get to travel with... and that's okay. They're still amazing people.

Crystal... my soul mate. You are the rainbow in my cloudy sky. You are the butter on my popcorn. You are the adult in my beverage. ;) Without you in my life, I am not sure where I would be. I know that things would be a lot different... I wouldn't really know me.

Beth... I'm so happy you are back in my life. Life has handed us a ton of ups and downs. But you know, through it all we have gotten stronger. Our friendship has become stronger. And I'm so happy to have your friendship.

Casey!!!!!!! Where are you? I have not seen you in forever. Doesn't matter though, you know how we work. You have been a great person in my life and you always will be. I'm coming to see you soon, little momma. I know you can't get out of the house much so I must come to you. :)

* Must Get Photo Soon! *

Jennifer... What a trip we had to Vegas this year?! Thank you for thinking of me when you guys decided to go. I think we had a wonderful time and I know my life will be forever changed because of it. :)

Cameron... Our friendship continues to bloom. I have so much respect for you. More than you know. I cannot wait to get together and have a warm cup of life with you.

* Must Get Photo Soon! *

Aqua... Where have the days gone? It seems like only yesterday we were hanging out together on the band bus. I heart you. You're such a beautiful person inside and out.

* Must Get Photo Soon! *

Ashley, Kelly H, and Peggy... I never knew I could meet wonderful ladies through my work and develop a lasting friendship with them. Working with you three at Green River Fire School made me realize what wonderful ladies I work with. I'm happy I got roped into working that and I look forward to many more days spent with you three. I love you all! You're amazing women!

* Must Get Photo Soon! *

Robin M... I've already talked about you... but I'm thankful for our friendship. :)

Yankee... Meeting you has changed my life in many ways. NO. I am still NOT a Yankees fan. I don't think I'll ever be able to say that in my life. But you know what you mean to me. I know you know.

* Must Get Photo Soon! *

Libbi... I love our story. I love that we met through a mutual friend and have developed a friendship connection that means the world to me. I adore you. I'm so glad that I've gotten to see you TWICE this year!! I feel like such a lucky lady! I can't wait to visit you again.

Which brings me to Mary Jo... Your name may be at the end of this, but that has nothing to do with our friendship. I think I waited until the end for you because I have so much love for you that I cannot even begin to write the words. We have something special... I know you know what I mean. When I met you 12+ years ago, I knew we would be have forever together. Our friendship still amazes me. I wish I had the words... You are such an amazing woman, mother, wife, and friend. You mean the world to me.

To all my friends that I have not mentioned, you mean the world to me. I love you all!

Dad, Mom, Larea and Jeremy... your days are coming. I have special words for all of you.

Day 16: I Am Thankful For...

November 16: I am thankful for my career and the people that make it so special.

I'm getting into my "most thankful" week and I have to say that one of the things I am most thankful for is my work and the people I get to share that with.

Starting with my boss... John is more than I could have ever asked for in a supervisor. I have never laughed so much or enjoyed my job (any of my jobs) more than I do now. It's true... I used to think about taking off work all the time. Lord knows I love to travel. But working with John, I've found a good working relationship where I can be myself, as crazy as I am. He respects me and the person that I am, and I hope I show him the respect he deserves.

I have to say thanks to my instructors. If you guys are reading this... I think you're all amazing. I think we all have an understanding of how things should work... and we make it happen. We've added a few new people within the past year, and they've all fallen in just nicely. I can honestly say that I enjoy every one of you.

My student workers...
Charles, thank you so much for all you do with our IT stuff. Those envelopes drive me crazy every month and you worked real hard to help me fix that. And that website... you've created a wonderful website where we can showcase our area and the training we provide.

To my dear friend, Robin... Well, we've had busy days and not-so-busy days. You cook up a mean lunch and you always have a fund raiser going on. I enjoy your company every day and I'm so glad we have developed more of a friendship than just that of boss/worker. I hope that you know how much trust and faith I have in you. You're a wonderful person... don't let anybody tell you any different.

For all of my co-workers, you have made SFRT Area 4 more than just an office providing training. You have made us a family and I'm so happy to be a part of it.

So with that being said... I'm so thankful for the work family that I have and a wonderful job to go to every day.

Day 15: I Am Thankful For...

November 15: I am thankful that I have a place to call home.

I take it for granted. There. I said it. I'm proud of my home. I'm so happy I have one to go to when it's too cold, when it's too hot... There's nothing like home. I moved away when I got married and came back when I got divorced. I moved out with my sister. And then I moved back. I moved across town for a boy... then moved back. I moved out with my sister again... then I moved back. It's a back and forth kinda thing, but it works for me. They always say you can always go back home, and they're right. There's no place like home.

Day 14: I Am Thankful For...

November 14: I am thankful that I keep a diary.

At 33 years old, yes I still keep a diary. It might not be every day, but I do write every time I need to. I have a blog, too. But it isn't the same as keeping a diary. My diary is something so private, so personal to me. I can write every thought I ever have in it. I can be myself. I can be truly honest about my feelings without worrying about whether or not I hurt someone's feelings. Because my diary is for me.

Day 13: I Am Thankful For...

November 13: I am thankful for DVR.

I don't know how people sit down and watch television as it happens. I have to record all my shows and watch them later. When my brother moved home months ago, he would make fun of me because my television was always paused. I would get into a show then have to go do something else. So I just paused it constantly. LOL. I would never get to watch anything if it weren't for DVR.

Day 12: I Am Thankful For...

November 12: I am thankful for my past.

My life has been far from perfect. I have done things I know I shouldn't have done. I have said words that should never have been said. I cannot say whether or not I have regrets. I mean, I guess I do. But then I don't. The things that I have done, the experiences I have had make me who I am today. And no matter what happened in the past, I am proud of the woman I am today. And for that reason alone, I am thankful.

Day 11: I Am Thankful For...

November 11: I am thankful for freedom and the veterans that made it possible.

There's not a lot to say about this, I think it speaks for itself. But I will say that I have several friends who are veterans and I am so thankful for what they do, and what they have done, to keep my country free.

Day 10: I Am Thankful For...

November 10: I am thankful for weekends without plans.

I work all week long and by mid afternoon Friday, I am ready to check out. Sure, it's great to have something to do, places to go, people to see. But there is something so wonderful about a weekend when you have no set plans at all. I love it! I made dinner Friday night because mom wasn't feeling great... Attended the Veterans Day Parade downtown Bowling Green on Saturday morning, then spent the afternoon doing some much needed cleaning. By early evening, I had decided I deserved a little drink or two. So an impromptu visit to my local watering hole was just what I needed. I had a great time hanging with my friends there... except for those shoes. LOL. Today was spent sleeping in, then running some errands in town before returning home to clean a little more.

The best part of the whole weekend was how spontaneous it all was. Nothing planned. No destinations to be at... no people to entertain. Just me. And that was awesome! I love weekends like this... and I am so thankful to have these weekends every now and then because it helps me to refuel for what's to come next.

Day 9: I Am Thankful For...

November 9: I am thankful for humor.

I love to laugh, I really do. I love being around funny people because they make me feel so good.

Without laughter, life would be so glum. When I'm thinking about my friends, or even thinking about what I would want in a guy... I always factor in humor. Genuine laughter feels so good. I smile all the time and I laugh all the time because I fill my life with humor. I may laugh at you, but remember I always laugh at myself first. Humor makes the world go round and I love it!

Day 8: I Am Thankful For...

November 8: I am thankful for the holiday season.

Every year, I sink down into a depression that seems to never end. Eventually it does. But I know you know what I'm talking about. The weather is cold and the days are gloomy... and all you want to do is stay in bed all day wrapped in the warmth of a big comfy blanket. It's the time of year when you want to eat comfort food and just be lazy. It's times like these that make me so happy to know that the holidays are within reach. I love spending time with my family and friends. I love all the baking and decorating. The holiday music and the Hallmark movies are so romantic. They make you feel so warm and fuzzy. It just makes you feel so good. And when you're a seasonally depressed person, you need a little "pick-me-up." I love the holidays and everything that comes along with it. I cannot wait to roam the halls of the local mall with all the angry shoppers pushing their way towards the registers. It cracks me up really (Of course I say that now... might be feeling differently about it in another month. Haha).

There is just something so magical about this time of year. I am thankful for the good mood it puts me in when I need it most.

Day 7: I Am Thankful For...

November 7: I am thankful for knowing what it means to have and give respect.

My parents taught me to respect my elders, respect our leaders, and respect myself. Because I give respect, I am shown respect... and that feels pretty good.

Day 6: I Am Thankful For...

November 6: I am thankful that I have a voice in this campaign.

I have done my duty as an American citizens and exercised my right to vote. I didn't want to go with everyone else who has been saying all day that they are thankful for their right to vote, but I must say it is very important to me.

The race is tight and tempers are flaring amongst people across the nation. But the fact is this, if you don't get out there and rock your vote your voice will not be heard. Whether or not my candidate wins the election tonight, I voted. I cast my vote and I've done my part as an American citizen. I'm thankful that I can do that.

Day 5: I Am Thankful For...

November 5: I am thankful for dreams.

Dreams are all we have. Our dreams, our hopes, our wishes. When we are young, we dream about our wedding day, we dream about our careers, we dream about having a family. As adults, we dream about the same things. Our dreams grow with us. They help us mature and they are present in our experiences.

Not only am I thankful for those kinds of dreams, but I am also thankful for the dreams I have at night. When I lay my head on my pillow and close my eyes, I don't know what adventures will be waiting for me. Sometimes I remember them, mostly I don't. But having those dreams reminds me that there is so much more to life than what we see with our eyes.

I am thankful that I have those dreams to reflect upon.

Day 4: I Am Thankful For...

November 4: I am thankful for the ability to speak my mind.

My friends and family all know me well enough. They know that when I have a strong opinion about something, I'm going to say it. I'm going to voice my concerns and I'm going to shout loud enough for everyone to hear it. I am thankful that I have that ability. Sometimes I'm quiet and I keep things hidden inside. And there are other times when I feel like I just need to get it out. I'm loud. I'm obnoxious at times most of the time. That's just a part of who I am. I know I've gotten my mouth smacked a few times for speaking my mind, but I'm proud of that part of me. I stand up for what I believe in. My parents taught me that. They taught me to speak my mind.

Day 3: I Am Thankful For...

November 3: I am thankful for memories.

One year ago today, my grandfather was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer that would take his life by the end of the month. Five years ago in September, the most amazing little person entered my life and changed my views forever. Two months ago, I spent a few days in Nevada with two of the most amazing women I know just hanging out, catching up, and remembering why we loved each other so much in the first place. A year ago in August my sister was cleared of her cancer. And fifteen years ago this past May, I graduated from high school.

There are so many things that go through my mind as I age. Memories are the most wonderful of all those thoughts. Where would I be without them? My experiences have shaped me into the woman I am today. And how would I ever get to where I am without those memories. I am so thankful that I have them, that I have pictures and video clips from different moments in my life. Those pictures tell me a story. They tell my life story. And I am thankful for my memories.

Day 2: I Am Thankful For...

November 2: I am thankful for silence.

There's a moment in time when our hearts beat wildly, our minds are filled with memories, and our bodies feel numb inside. The moment when you lose someone so close to you that you cannot find the words to express how you feel.

There is so much pain in a moment of silence. Losing your thoughts, not being able to find some sort of understanding... Silence can leave us wondering about so many things.

Today, I am thankful for the moments in between the music. I am thankful for the pause that happens between the beats in our lives. Those moments when I can piece together the jagged thoughts in my mind and make the picture whole. Without the silence, I would lose myself completely.

Day 1: I Am Thankful For...

It's the beginning of the month that makes us really think about the things we are most thankful for in our lives. I did it last year, and this year is no different. I know that most of my "thankful for" things/people will be the exact same as last year, but I am thankful anyway. So with that being said.......

November 1, 2012: I am thankful for music.

 

~ photo credit ~

Growing up, I would sing a lot. I talked a lot more, but I would sing. Mom would watch Solid Gold on Saturday nights and we would watch The Monkees on television, singing all their songs. At family hayrides, I would sing "Who's Gonna Fill Their Shoes" by George Jones and "Tomorrow" from Annie. I loved it. By the time I was in the sixth grade, I was learning my first instrument, the saxophone (NOT TRUE. I first learned how to play the recorder). Taking lessons and learning from my band director helped me to develop my passion.

I didn't understand it then like I do now. Music is more than just songs. Music is my soul. Every song tells a story. Every song has an understanding.

I take each song as a piece of me, learning more about myself through the lyrics... feeling myself grow through the melodies. My experiences in life could be cataloged through a country album. The voices are so much stronger than what you hear. Music opens my heart to happiness. I feel the pain in a chord, and the pulsing in my veins with every thump of the bass. Music is life. The gateway to our souls. And I am thankful for the music that my life writes every day.

And just in case you're wondering what my favorite song of all time is, I thought I'd leave you with the video...

Secrets

What is really the point in having a secret? Or keeping a secret? Or telling a secret? Or being a secret? What point does it really serve?

It's really not cool to deal in secrets all the time. It seems sneaky and dishonest. You know, kind of like a white lie or dishonesty by omission. I am not okay with any of it. Whatever happened to a little bit of honesty?

I keep going in circles with the same questions about why secrets are necessary. I do keep secrets for people, but I don't really keep secrets of my own. Maybe it is the opposite of giving "too much information" about your life. Maybe. I don't know. I don't know how to answer these questions. This is just one example of how I cannot get my thoughts out of my head.

What's your stance on secrets? On telling secrets or being the secret?

Do You Feel A Draft Coming In?

I log onto this blog all the time. I click on "New Post" and I start writing. But it seems that I have nothing to say. Now that can't be right, can it? I talk all the time... non-stop actually. So what exactly is my problem? Writer's block? Fear of foot-in-mouth syndrome? Or is it that I really cannot find the right words to get it all out?

It seems like I have too much going on in my mind and I cannot process it all into words. I just don't know how I am feeling anymore, or what I should say. It's a bit disturbing I must say. I fight with myself all day trying to find the right way to express how I am feeling. I know that I need to figure it out so I can get it out before I explode. The days being gray and cold do not help any either. I keep busy at work and then when I get home I am so exhausted mentally and physically. I just need a break.

Yes. I am well aware of the many trips I've taken out of town this year. Yes. I am aware that you cannot escape your problems forever. And yes... I am aware that a stiff drink would probably help my mind ease enough to say the things I need to say... given that I find the words.

I need to shut the window and stop letting the drafts in. I need to make the drafts actual posts instead of ideas in my head. I feel like it will be soon when I let it all go.

Sickness... Health...

As the clock kept turning in September, my dad got pretty sick. In fact, we're still watching him to make sure everything is okay.

Mom called me one afternoon and asked me to go check on my father. When I got to him, he looked kind of rough. He was sitting in his truck under a shade tree. His face red and he was real weak. I insisted on taking him to the emergency room. He just wanted to go home.

He was released that night without any answers as to why he was feeling so bad. A few days later, he returned to the emergency room worried about his heart. They had checked his heart on the first visit and came up with nothing. But that doesn't really make you feel better when you're having chest pain. So back he went. This time they admitted him. They ran every test on his heart that they could and nothing came up. That's good. We've ruled out his heart.

But there still weren't many answers. Pneumonia is the last diagnosis given. So we're hoping this is all that is going on and life is getting back to normal.

And the Bagpipes Played...

My fire service family lost another brother while I took some time away from the blogging world. Director of State Fire Rescue Training for the Kentucky Fire Commission passed away after a two week battle of the unknown.

Bryant Stiles was laid to rest in his hometown of Calhoun, KY after spending nearly two weeks in ICU for an unknown infection. There were so many brothers and sisters from the fire service that came to pay their respects to a good man. It was emotional. It was so sad. It was a little shocking. I know I was still in shock about it all once it was all over.

I still don't know what really happened to him and I'm not sure I ever will. But right now, we are all just trying to get through it together. 

Happy Birthday

It seems unreal that 5 years ago, he came into my life. It just doesn't seem like he should be five already. Where did that time go?! I look at my nephew and think, "Oh my goodness! He has grown ten feet!" It's just so crazy how quickly time passes.

I mean, look at him! He's a mess! But he's precious. I love every minute that I get to spend with my little buddy, and his birthday was no different.  He and his friends had a really good time at his rock n roll party. They spray painted hair, did the limbo, and jumped in the massive MP3 player. They played musical instruments on stage, did some coloring projects, and ate lots of cake. 

It was a rockin' good time and I think everyone enjoyed it. It sure was different from all the baseball parties we've had the past few years. But I think it was perfect for my little sweetheart.

It's Been Awhile

It has been far too long since I last wrote an entry and I'm not exactly sure why. Life has happened. Life has continued to pass me by. There have been birthdays and vacations and hospitalizations that have occurred since I last sat down and put my thoughts into words. It seems like I let so much time go by before I deal with everything that has happened. And I think I'll deal with those things now.

Cut!! Action!!

After reading then re-reading my last post, I talked to one of the closest people to me and realized that I have the power within me to make changes in my life. It's not that I didn't know this already. I guess I just never had the will to want to make the changes that need to be made. There are things that I need to cut out of my life and actions that I need to work on if I want to move forward.

The toxins that invade my space are not there because I want them to be there. They poison me because I allow them to do that. It is so easy to say you should cut this person out of your life or you should start doing this instead, but it really is so much more difficult than that. I have given this same advice to my closest friends for years. I am confident when I speak to my friends, knowing my advice is good, strong advice coming from someone outside of the issue. But for some reason, I have had issues listening to myself... listening to my own advice. I'm pretty sure we all have had this problem at one time or another.

All I can do is hope that I stay on this path. I know in my heart that I do not deserve to be walked on or treated certain ways. My parents taught me better than that, so why would I allow it to happen anyway? I think I get so wrapped up in how others see me. I don't want someone to think I'm mean or hateful, but I can't sit back and be walked on.

I feel pretty good about the actions I'm moving forward with these days. My life is too good to be poisoned by hurtful people who only look out for themselves. So I'm cutting out the negatives and pushing forward the actions of making my life a happy one.

I'm Not That Girl Anymore

It was an every night thing. She would dress up in her pink comic strip heels and black lace shirt and I would put on some jeans and go through her earrings trying to find the biggest pair of chandaliers she had. We would waltz out of the duplex confident and sassy on our way downtown to drink in the night. We were invincible, so we thought. We didn't pay a cover charge and we had our own seats. We listened to the people ordering beers and shots and felt the music in our veins. This was the life. What could be better for single girls in their twenties? We stayed out late and slept in. Well, I slept in. She had to work earlier than I did. This was all before I started working the night shift. But it was good. We had the best time meeting local musicians and being crazy, wild, twenty-something girls.

It seems like that part of me was a dream. That life I lived so many years ago is so different from the life I live today. My perspective on life is different. I know that's how it is supposed to be as you grow up, but somehow this seems unreal.

I talked to a friend of mine from back in that time just today. This friend was someone I thought a lot of... he is so talented. He has a voice that is rich, almost like a smooth single barrel bourbon. He reminded me of that time - the days when I was carefree and had no problem dancing in the wind. He reminded me of a time when I was lost and uncertain about my life. I had no idea who I was (not that I do now), but I was truly a lost soul. I sought solace in a drink and the vibrations of the music. Things I used to do back then were a reflection of that.

Times have changed, and that lost girl found some of herself. She found truth inside her and grew a bit of a conscience. In doing so, she lost, too. That confidence she thought she had is not really there anymore. There are days when I feel pretty good about myself, but after the chat today I don't feel it. Being brought back to those days isn't a great feeling when I have come so far and grown so much. I have learned to take some responsibility for myself and my actions... my thoughts and my feelings. I cannot say that I am not happy to have matured a little. Being in my thirties is so different from being in my twenties, better really. I guess it's just hard to think of how ridiculous life was back then when I was searching for something, anything that would fill the void of unhappiness. Today, I just deal with it. Or maybe I deal with it a little better. I'm not unhappy with life, though, and I certainly am not complaining about it. But it does hurt a little to be reminded of how I used to be and being told that basically growing up and becoming a more responsible woman is "uncool" and how I should be more like my twenty-something self.

I realize this is ridiculous and I'm not making a lot of sense. I can't begin to explain it all without going into lengthy details of my past, but I can say that I'm just not that girl anymore.

And... Everything Else...

Not once on this trip to Las Vegas did we hit up a food court. Here's the low-down on all the other restaurants we opted to try out...

Gilley's at TI: This place was okay. The operator told us the only places open to eat at around 11:30 on a Tuesday night in Vegas was the McDonald's and Subway across the street from our hotel. Uh... not an option. So we walked around until we came up this place inside our hotel. I ordered barbeque with macaroni/cheese and corn on the cob; Mary Jo ordered the sampler appetizer platter. The food was okay. It came out hot and fresh, but it was nothing to write home about.

Chipotle: I guess this place is sort of like a Moe's Southwest Grill, or maybe like Baja Fresh. Anyway... it was really good. We got this on our walk back to TI the second night we were in Vegas. The burritos were hot and fresh and as big as your head, stuffed full of deliciously seasoned organic foods. LOVED IT!! I wish we had known about this place the night before when we sat down for dinner at Gilley's.

The Coffee Shop at TI: This place was open 24/7 I believe and it was right smack dab in the middle of the casino. We decided this was the place for breakfast on our last day in Las Vegas. By this time, Libbi and her husband, Aaron, had joined us and we sat down together for an expensive breakfast. I ordered a chicken quesadilla (Hey now! I'm not big on breakfast! lol), Mary Jo ordered a cup of grapefruit (she was sharing with Libbi), Libbi ordered this pancake tower thing (pancakes layered with sausage patties, covered with eggs - scrambled in this case - and bacon), and Aaron ordered this massive country fried steak with hasbrowns and toast. I'd have to say that breakfast was pretty good. The service wasn't great... the server left to go on break but no one else really checked after us for a while. It was good food, though.

Garden Buffet at South Point: We enjoyed dinner at this buffet on our last night in Las Vegas. Libbi was really wanting to eat there because she said they had great seafood. I, not being a seafood lover, didn't love this place. I ate a few things there and sampled a couple of desserts, but nothing was great about it. The Buffet at TI was so much better. I guess I got spoiled by that one.

I can't think of any other restaurants we tried on this trip, though Mary Jo did bring some really great snacks which helped us through the times when we were hungry between meals. LOL.

Seredipity 3, Caesars Palace, Las Vegas

I can't explain, to the full effect, my absolute feelings about a little place called Serendipity 3. For years, I have wanted to go to this little restaurant in New York City and order their Frrrozen Hot Chocolate. I saw it in a movie once and thought it looked like the most amazing dessert ever. I had to try it. I just had to get to New York. Then as I was walking down the strip in Las Vegas last April with my friend, Jennifer, I saw it. There wasn't just one Serendipity 3 in New York City... there was one in Las Vegas, too! I was excited and thought I had my chance to experience a true part of The Big Apple... but I was wrong. We just didn't get there in April. So when my best girl, Mary Jo, and I decided to fly out to surprise our friend, Libbi, I knew I had my chance to stop in there.

Just as I suspected, my girlfriend was up for anything. She said we should definitely make Serendipity 3 a priority on our list of things to do while in Vegas... which consisted of nothing at that time.

On our second day in Sin City, we ventured out of TI and headed towards Serendipity 3. Along the way we stopped by the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace and looked around at all the luxuries we could not afford (Christian Louboutin shoes, Emilio Pucci clothes, and high dollar chocolates). After wandering along inside the mall there, we decided to just backtrack and try to find our way outside... and we did.

Finally, we arrived at our destination. The heat was pretty bad that day and we'd been walking around a while, so we opted for indoor seating. The atmosphere was so fun. It was perfect for a ladies luncheon. We were seated promptly and given a stack of menus to ponder over. I wanted to try nearly everything. It was hard to make up my mind, but I kept going back to the burger for some reason. I ordered a cocktail (Cotton Candy Martini) and my cheeseburger/fries. Mary Jo opted for the white pizza. When our food arrived, we were amazed at how good it all looked. Without even taking a bite, we just knew this was going to be a lunch we would remember.

 

Photo Credit (Not actually Mary Jo's pizza, but a remake just like it)

We had to stop. There was no way either of us could finish our lunches if we had any kind of desire to try dessert. So we packed up our left-overs and ordered what was quite possibly the most amazing thing I've ever had. I ordered the Frrrozen Hot Chocolate (the original... they have TONS of variations and toppings) and my girlfriend ordered the Fried Oreo Sundae. We were pretty much amazed at how huge they were. We could have shared HALF of one dessert. The fried oreos were coated in a corn flake type of batter and deep fried to golden deliciousness. Inside her bowl along with the fried Oreos were huge scoops of cookies and cream ice cream, hot fudge, marshmallow cream, and whipped cream. It was massive. I believe my frrrozen hot chocolate was said to be made from 20 different kinds of chocolates. I had no idea there were THAT many kinds of chocolate, but I can tell you now that I love them all. (Haha!!)

After finishing all that we could of our lunch and desserts, we sat there miserably. I know we gained a million pounds off that lunch, but it was SO worth it. I can't wait to go back and try something different. I recommend everyone going and trying this restaurant. It's amazing... really.

***** Serendipity: "It's such a nice sounding word for what it means: a fortunate accident." *****

The Buffet at TI, Las Vegas

Flying into Vegas takes a good long time from Kentucky. So, naturally, once we got into Sin City we were starting to feel the grumpy sounds of hunger. After losing my luggage (myself... not the airline) and getting shuttled around all the terminals at McCarran International Airport, you could say we were hungry enough to eat a horse. Luckily, there was a buffet in sight.

Upon checking into Treasure Island (or TI as they like to be referred), we received a 2-for-1 deal at The Buffet, as well as a 2-for-1 cocktail at any of the hotel's lounges. We dropped our luggage off at our petite suite and headed down to grab something to eat. We were excited to find out that along with our buffet, we could purchase "all you can drink champagne" for just $4 more. So yeah, we decided to take them up on that offer. We were seated at a nice table with a good view of what The Buffet offered. And off we went...

Photo Credit

My friend sampled the Asian fare, including fresh sushi, while I opted for more of an American plate, country fried steak and barbeque. Everything tasted great. We enjoyed trying this and that, but I must say that only one plate was good for me. After a few glasses of champagne, we decided it was time to check out the dessert section.

I would say that the food at The Buffet was really good, but the desserts were amazing. I know we looked like crazy vultures bringing back plates full of yummy sweetness, but we had to try a little of nearly everything. There were chocolate pudding cups with fresh cream and chocolate shavings, tarts of fruits and berries, cupcakes of many flavors, and donuts. Yes... fresh, hot, homemade donuts. These were probably the best things in that entire buffet. There were glazed donuts and chocolate covered donuts, caramel frosted donuts and powdered sugar donuts. They were heavenly. So good, in fact, that my friend decided she was going to sneak some into her bag for later. Hahaha!

I guess you could say we enjoyed our trip to The Buffet at TI. A few days later we ate at another buffet at South Point Hotel and Casino just off the strip... it wasn't nearly as good as The Buffet at TI. I know every hotel/casino in Las Vegas has some sort of amazing buffet and there's no way to try them all out without staying for months, but this one was really great.

Tamara's Travels and Marvelous Memory Making

A couple of years ago, I started a bucket list to experience all that I could of out my life. Not just a list of things to do before I die, but a list of things to do every year. Who said their 20s was the best time of their lives?? I think the 30s are my prime. I'm living in my time. It's my time to find who I am. It's my time to experience all I can. And it's my time to truly live this life of mine.

Every year, I put "Travel more" on my bucket list in hopes that I will go and do whenever I can... and let me tell you, I have gone... and I have done. And I'm not stopping there.

Last year I traveled a lot and I got to make tons of memories, but the happiness I had throughout the year was tainted by my sister's cancer and then losing someone very dear to me, my grandfather. After losing my grandfather, it seemed like life was dealing me a really sorry hand. I lost a great-uncle, and then several of my friends lost loved ones, too. By the end of the year, I couldn't really say whether my year was great or not. I had so many mixed emotions.

When I started on my bucket list for this year, I added the usual items including "Travel more." I know that I am doing a real good job at satisfying that one item on my list. So far this year, I've been back to Mardi Gras, spent a weekend in the mountains, worked out of town three times, visited Las Vegas (not once, but TWO times), surprised a couple of my best girls, and soaked my feet in the summer sun on the beaches of the Sunshine State. It's never enough, though. I'm already trying to plan more vacations and more weekend getaways. I need more road trips. I need more pins on my atlas of life.

Some people probably think it's a little much and I should stay home every once in a while, but I disagree. It's true that I could save more money and maybe have more material things if I did that. But that's just not who I am. I'm a "throw some clothes in a bag and go" kind of girl... a rambling child searching for my soul. It always makes me smile when I think of even the smallest memories that are made during my travels - the inside jokes... the photographs in my mind... and the musical soundtrack of life that makes each trip so special.

I was flying home from Cincinnati (second leg of the flight home from Vegas) just yesterday and I was thinking how nice it would be to crawl into my bed and take a nice long nap. But when I woke up from that nap, I was already trying to figure out where to go this weekend. I mean, come on! It's a holiday weekend!! LOL. Aren't you ready to go, too??

Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da

We work every day for the couple of days we call our weekend off. We work hard pushing papers, pushing IVs, or pushing our way to the top. We make money to pay our bills and feed our habits. When those days off do come to us, we really just want to relax or party it up with friends and family. We do NOT want to spend them laying in bed all day.

That's pretty much how I've spent my weekend... laying in bed. I've been reading Facebook posts about this person getting sick, or that person still down with the sickness. I never thought I'd be one of those laid up on a summer Saturday sipping my ginger ale lightly and hoping to keep down the chicken noodle soup. But that was me. I think I am slowly getting over it. I have to get over. I have things to do this week and being down yesterday and today has really put a kink in my hose.

Life goes on, though, and we work it out, right? Isn't that what we women do? We just go on with it?

So while I've been holding up in my bed, my very best girl in Florida is holding up in her home trying to survive the wrath that is Hurricane Isaac. The rain and winds are pelting down on her family pretty hard I hear and hopefully it will be over soon.

Elsewhere in the news, Neil Armstrong has passed away. What is happening to the world?! We've lost Dick Clark AND now Neil Armstrong? Maybe the world really is ending in December. Hmmm... If it is, I need to get back to 100% so I can enjoy my last few months on earth. :)

#9 Steakhouse, Madisonville, KY

I have found a diamond in the rough. While working at Wendell Ford Training Center in Greenville, KY this week, we ventured off the beaten path in search of something edible for dinner. Not that the "mess hall" was THAT horrible, or that the canteen didn't make nice sandwiches, but it was nice to go out somewhere and enjoy a nice dinner.

So this little steakhouse does NOT look impressive from the outside. It looks about like your hole-in-the-wall dive, but it is so much more.

Upon entering the steakhouse, we noticed that it was a little tight around the hostess counter, but we were seated quickly at a table that was large enough for our party of five to be comfortable. We were served quickly by a young lady who was fresh and seemed happy to take care of us.

Each of us in the dining party ordered something different. One of us ordered the ribeye, one ordered the surf n turf, someone ordered the pork tenderloin (which was supposed to be medallions but were instead really nice sized pork chops), someone ordered the chef special (which was shrimp and grits), and I ordered the barbeque chicken. Dinner was excellent! It probably was one of the best dinners I have had in a while. I don't think anyone had a complaint at all. The dessert selection was fantastic, but there was no more room for that.

Overall, dinner was wonderful. The atmosphere was great and the food was more than satisfying. I've already told many people about this little place just a bit down the road. And I'll be stopping by there again to try more of their menu selections when I get back to Madisonville.

New Shoes

You know how good you feel when you get a new pair of shoes? You know what I'm talking about... that feeling like you can "run super duper fast" (as Nolan would say), or maybe you can conquer the world with your new confidence. New shoes are the best.

I have a friend who has started a new journey in their life. My friend has bought a new pair of shoes and that friend is tying them on and taking off. So many times we lose who we are, or maybe we become someone else out of fear of being who we really are. I am so proud of my friend for having the courage to take on such an adventure. It inspires me, actually, to start doing things for myself and learning who I am... again.

Like I've said before, I don't think we ever really know who we are. How can we when we are constantly experiencing new things and learning more about life? It feels good to buy those new shoes and take off with life's adventures. They say, "You're only young once," but I don't believe that. I don't know if we ever really get old... unless we stop buying new shoes.

Funny How A Melody...

I've been diggin' that "Springsteen" song by Eric Church lately. I listen to it, sing it, think about it... Not in that weirdo obsessed way. More like a "this song means something to me" kind of way. My favorite line is the one where he sings that a melody sounds like a memory. I find this to be so true. Songs have a funny way of bringing back all the memories, putting you right back in that very moment. It's so real, you can feel it. It's more than just remembering where you were or what you were doing. The emotions come flooding back and sometimes you are overwhelmed with feelings.

Certain songs bring tears to my eyes every time... "I'll Be" by Reba McIntire. "In The Garden" by Brad Paisley. There's even the occasion where songs that used to mean something (but don't anymore) creep up on you. I swear I can listen to "To Make You Feel My Love" (wedding song) a million times, and the very next time, I cry. It's weird because that memory is no longer important to me. But for some reason, it makes me remember how bad I failed.

A lot of these songs just make me feel good and I cry happy tears remembering my grandfather or thinking about how much I value the friendship I have with my mom. Others bring back heartache and sadness.

I guess this is why that "Springsteen" song really hits home with me. I really love the message it sends about how music make us feel. It's not just something you listen to when trying to fill the void of silence. It's a memory.

Fudpucker's Beachside Bar & Grill, Destin

"You ain't been pucked till ya been fudpucked."

Oh my, what a fun place?! After spending a few days in Panama City Beach (aka Partytown, USA), we decided to drive up the road a little ways to a place a little more "family-friendly." Upon entering Destin, you could just see the difference between PCB and Destin. We spent most of the day playing mini-golf and riding go-karts, bumper cars, and bumper boats at The Track. Larea did a little research and found a place where you could feed alligators. It seemed kind of cool, thought we might check it out. 

When we arrived at destination fun-time, we saw a trippy building with a VW bus sticking out the front. The building was painted up in lots of different colors and we could tell from the get-go that this place was going to be pretty cool. We started our adventure laughing in the gift shop as we read t-shirt after t-shirt with FudPucker's logos. Nolan got a wooden alligator that he named Richard and we both got these inflatable pink flamingo cup holders for our pool. 

Then we thought we would go ahead and put our name in for supper. It was late in the afternoon and we were all getting the munchies. We wrote our names on the wall, then were seated in a room that played some really good tunes (I even downloaded a few as we waiting on dinner). 

Now, I know that seafood is what people crave when they are at the beach. And I know that FudPucker's has a nice selection of seafood. But I ordered a grilled chicken sandwich. LOL. Dad ordered this huge hot dog with chili, while mom and Larea picked the hot dog off the kid's menu. Nolan finished up the order with his own mini-corndogs. It took a little while to get our food, not sure exactly why. But when we got it, it was pretty good. 

After finishing dinner, Nolan insisted on paying. So dinner was on the little man (so sweet!). We hurried outside to see the live alligators lounging on the decks and swimming in the pond in the center of a maze of decks. There was a fun playground for the kiddos and a booth set up where you could pay to feed the gators and/or have your photo taken with a baby alligator. Nolan was not really feeling the whole "hold-a-gator-get-a-picture" kind of thing, but he did get excited about baiting the rope to feed them. It was a lot of fun watching the gators snap at the bits of food on the end of the rope. 

All-in-all, it was a really fun time. We enjoyed the atmosphere and it gave Nolan something else to do. For entertainment purposes, it was fantastic.

All American Diner, PCB

Outside the silver building is a sign that reads, "Steaks*Shakes*Pancakes." We went in looking for that diner experience and that's what we got. There was a nice breakfast buffet, which Larea and Nolan chose. Mom and I opted for "The Elvis" (ham and cheese omelet), and dad got some kind of breakfast sandwich on an English muffin.

For the most part, the food was good. Dad's sandwich had a tomato on it which was not really edible. Larea fixed that, though, by getting a fresh one from the buffet. Nolan had a waffle that was a little hard, but he scarfed down the pancakes. The omelets were bigger than we needed. LOL. But then, I don't think I've ever ordered an omelet that was smaller than expected. Mom and I could have shared one omelet. The only problem I had with the food was that the omelet was mostly egg, and I am not an egg fan.

Other than the food, the decor was what you would expect in a 50's style diner. I was not pleased with the cleanliness though. The bowl on the table that housed the creamer and sugar substitutes was dirty and there was something on the creamer cups (coffee or syrup maybe). The floors was dirty and in need of sweeping, with scrambled eggs resting under the table. It really looked like Robert Irvine should come in any moment and shut the place down for an overhaul. Dad even made the comment that he would be scared to see what the kitchen looked like.

But... with that being said, the food WAS pretty good. I don't know if I would visit there again, but it satisfied our hunger and everyone else seemed to really like it.

Pineapple Willy's, PCB

Smile Big. Eat Big. Drink Big.

That's the motto, and that's exactly what we did. We had these huge 24oz to-go cups filled with tropical mixes of rums, tequilas, and juices. Fill 'er up! Nolan had his own tropical drink and loved it. The food was just as good as the drinks. Mom and dad shared a bucket of ribs with the Pineapple Willy's signature barbeque sauce and pineapple slaw. They seemed to enjoy their dinner nearly finishing the entire bucket. Rea and I got the grilled chicken, which was also quite tasty. 

The best, though, was where we sat. We decided to go with "first available" when putting in our name at the hostess stand. After waiting about 15 minutes, we were seated outside at the end of the covered pier overlooking the Gulf. The warm breeze blew through as we talked and laughed and just enjoyed each others' company. 

I'd say Pineapple Willy's is a great place to go have some drinks with friends... it's also a great place to bring a family.

Hungry Howie's Pizza & Subs

"Original, sesame, butter, poppy seed, rye, garlic, hot cajun, and butter cheese."

Well, those were the choices 15+ years ago when I worked my nights and weekends flipping pizza dough and cutting slices. And you know what... it hasn't changed much. They nixed the poppy seed and rye flavors, instead opting for ranch and onion flavors. Now, I have not tried the new flavors, but that's only because I LOVE the cajun crust. If I could, I would put that cajun seasoning all over the pizza and not just the crust. It's delicious. We ordered so much food the first time that we had left overs to take back. The pizza is pretty cheap and the flavor is pretty spectacular. 

So spectacular that we ordered it again a couple of nights later... this time we had it delivered to the room and subs were on the menu. They've tossed out the old cheese (the swiss-american combo), which I LOVED, and stuffed their dough with a three-cheese blend. It was good, but not the same. I'd still go for the pizza and the three-cheese bread! 

I miss the Hungry Howie's we had here in town and I'd gladly stop at any Hungry Howie's along my travels.

Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville, Pier Park

I like mine with lettuce and tomato, Heinz 57 and french fried potatoes. Big kosher pickle and a cold draft beer. Well good God almighty, which way do I steer?!

Yeah, I was singing this song as I ordered my lunch while overlooking the pier in Panama City Beach. The breeze coming off the Gulf and the tropical drink in my hand just made everything perfect.

This makes the third Margaritaville restaurant we have tried out in the past couple of years, though we have frequented the one in Nashville a few times since it opened. Every time we find it amazing. The atmosphere is the most fun. If you can't make it to a concert, this has to be the next best thing. And for those of you who deny your inner parrothead, you have no idea what you're missing.

Dad enjoyed his hurricane (It's 5 o'Clock Somewhere), while mom sipped on her margarita. Rea even ordered a drink that tasted pretty great (Orange Crush). I cannot remember the name of my drink or what all was in it... but I know that I could not finish it. Yes, the lush in me had trouble finishing a drink a Margaritaville. It was so strong, really. My face turned really red and I got really hot (something about the way it hit my stomach, I suppose). Anyway, it was good before the reaction hit a few sips in. Nolan even enjoyed his own "kid beverage" while we waited on lunch.

 

After we finished lunch, we checked out the shop to see what kind of fun they had in there. Mom liked the chair and decided to lounge for a minute. Too bad we weren't "lounging in the lagoon" with all the other Parrotheads. 

Anyway... as far as reviews go, this place rocked it quite nicely. But then again, I wouldn't have expected anything less from a Margaritaville. 

Five Guys Burgers & Fries, Pier Park

You know that SIX DOLLAR BURGER that Hardee's says they're comparable to?? Yeah, this would be the burger from which they are referring.

I had the pleasure of munching on some yummy grub at a Five Guys Burgers & Fries joint in Pigeon Forge, TN sometime earlier this year. There were no complaints there, and since then we have been looking forward to the opening of our very own in Bowling Green.

Over the past week, my family has put our travelin' pants on and headed out yet again on one of our spontaneous trips. This time, we ventured upon Panama City Beach, FL. After arriving late in the afternoon, we needed to fill our bellies before heading back to the room to unload. Five Guys at Pier Park?! Heck yeah! We drove on down the highway until we got to the strip mall which housed Ron Jon Surf Shop, Rum Runner's, and Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville. The line was long, but not quite out the door... yet. Most all the tables were occupied inside and outside the venue. After ordering, we quickly grabbed a table where a group of four had just got up. The atmosphere was a little loud, but the workers were so quick rushing around behind the counter preparing meals for patrons.

The burgers have numbers on them that correspond to the numbers on the receipt. That made it easy to see which burger belonged to which member of our party. Let me just tell you... these burgers are huge. Mom was the smart one by ordering a "little burger." Everyone else ended up leaving at least three bites. And the small order of fries we each got were barely dented by the time we finished. We walked in hungry and left extremely happy.

I can only hope the one opening in our hometown displays the same excellence in service and food.

Just. Shut. Up.

I'm still on my soap box, apparently. But another text from Tweedle-Dumb just came in and it reminded me of a situation a friend of mine has been put in lately... so I just wanted to hit on this one for a moment.

When I say I'm done with a conversation, that does not mean I want you to continue blabbing on about things I care nothing about. It means I'm done. Why can people just NOT shut up?? I feel like there is some sort of mechanism instilled in their brains that keeps them going on and on.

Now, I'm a talker. My mom always calls me her chatterbox, especially when I come home from a trip. I just don't stop talking. But I have major issues with people who just don't know when to stop. There should be some kind of manual on how to deal with idiots that just don't get it. They exhaust me with their stupidity. I mean, can they hear the stupid coming out of their mouths?? Ugh! Just. Shut. Up.

Whatever... You're Stupid... I'm Done...

I've gotten to the point that I really cannot stand drama in relationships. I try not to have drama in my life and I try to stay out of other people's drama. But sometimes, I feel like the drama just follows me around.

So here's the beef of this sandwich...

I do not answer to anyone. I'm sorry if you thought I did, but you would be wrong! I say what I'm going to do. I make the decisions on who I see or don't see. And I'm the one of has to answer for the decisions I make. So please do not disrespect me by trying to tell me who I can and cannot talk to.

It really bothers me when you get into a relationship with someone and they are controlling enough to decide who your friends are. Grow up! Stop acting like you are 13. The truth of the matter is this... if you are secure enough in your relationship, you shouldn't have to worry about who your boyfriend or girlfriend is talking to and what they're talking about. If you cannot trust your boyfriend or girlfriend enough to have an adult conversation (about anything) then  maybe you should rethink your relationship. But certainly do not go telling me what I'm going to do. I'm not in your relationship. No way, no how. And I'll be damned if you pull me into your pile of BS.

I just wish people would realize how completely stupid they can be. I'm so over trying to be a friend to people who allow these kinds of controlling situations to occur. Why can we not be grown up enough to NOT cheat on our significant others? Why can we not be an adult and say "I'll talk to whomever I want, whenever I want because NOTHING is going on?" Seriously... if you have to have the conversation about who you can and cannot talk to, maybe you should have the conversation where you get up and walk out. I'm just so over this crap. I mean... whatever! You're stupid... I'm done.

Mister B's Pizza & Wings

You didn't think ALL my reviews were going to be bad, did you?? Well maybe you did. This one, however, is not.

The family went to dinner tonight in search of a place we haven't been to in a while or somewhere we haven't been at all. For weeks (months maybe) I've been hearing how good this new wing place was that opened up next to Rafferty's on Scottsville Road. So... as we were driving down the road we made a collective decision that today was the day we were going to check it out.

Upon arrival, we were seated promptly. There was a slight issue with the air conditioner dripping condensation, but that wasn't a big deal to us at all. We sat and looked over the menu which provided a little bit of something for everyone. And everyone ordered something different.

For starters, we tried the loaded waffle fries and the fried mushrooms. I was surprised to see that the waffle fries were a big enough appetizer to feed all of us at such a cheap price. The mushrooms were apparently amazing because the sister didn't even want to eat her fries at all. My father ordered the famous wings. They were small, but he said the quite possible could be better than Buffalo Wild Wings. Now that's saying a lot coming from someone who really only likes to eat B-Dubs wings. Dad said the wings were the perfect size and their flavor was outstanding. My mother ordered the cheeseburger, which looked to be about as big as her head when they brought it out. She, too, enjoyed her dinner. My sister ordered the Philly cheeseteak sandwich and said it was better than her favorite at Cheddar's. The nephew ordered the chicken rings, but as fate would have it... he wasn't hungry when his food came out. I ordered the buffalo chicken fingers and they were great. The flavor was mild and the chicken was fresh. My brother ordered a thin crust pepperoni pizza. It came out as a pan crust, but looked pretty much amazing. It didn't even occur to me that it was wrong until he said something about it later. But he ate it and he loved it.

There were no complaints from this peanut gallery on anything at Mister B's. I think we'll be seeing a lot of this restaurant. There are still a ton of things on the menu worth trying... and I think I saw that they deliver?? If so, we might have to see how far that delivery range is for the next ladies luncheon during the weekday.

Thank you, Mister B's for a wonderful experience... great food and a nice atmosphere. I didn't catch the name of our server tonight, but she was just lovely.

IHOP in Bowling Green

For years, we have traveled to the Rivergate area of Nashville to enjoy those awesome omelets and sweet stacks of pancakes that only IHOP could deliver... and now that we have our very own in Bowling Green we still would rather travel to Rivergate.

The family was pretty excited when we heard that an IHOP was being built close to the interstate in town. Other than Denny's and Waffle House, there aren't a lot of options for restaurants of this type that stay up 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. I am not a breakfast food fan. My idea of breakfast is a frozen pizza and a coke. I don't usually mess around with eggs and sausage, but IHOP is different.

The parents visited IHOP on their opening day in town. They weren't impressed but they weren't completely disappointed either. It was okay. But again, we know opening days are crazy and we okay with mistakes and mishaps. The problem lies in the issues that happen every time we visit.

I'm not sure what the deal is, but the service at IHOP stinks! It doesn't really matter what time of day you go in there, or what you order, or how many people are in your party. The fact of the matter is that it's breakfast food. Busy or not, it doesn't take an hour to drop a pancake on the griddle and scramble up some eggs.

What's worse is that when you speak with the managers about the issues, they don't listen to you. They walk off as you're trying to explain to them what you are unhappy about. What kind of business isn't concerned with correcting issues? What restaurant out there is trying to lose their customers? I feel like places that consistently give bad service and horrible variations of their food are only asking to be shut down. And that's really sad because I like IHOP. 

Mellow Mushroom Bowling Green

Okay. So you KNOW I'm diggin' on some pizza. I first visited a Mellow Mushroom in Pigeon Forge, TN sometime last year and fell in love with the atmosphere and the food. Since that first visit, I've also spent a few afternoons enjoying the delicious fare at the Mellow Mushroom in Nashville. Equally fantastic!

When I heard about a Mellow Mushroom opening in Bowling Green... well you could say I was pretty ecstatic about it. I mean... awesome music, tasty foods, wonderful selection of drinks... Seriously, you can't go wrong.

My family and I went to Mellow Mushroom in Bowling Green on their opening day in the spring of this year. As expected, it took a little while to get our food. Once we got it, however, it was great. We enjoyed chatting and munching. The artwork on the walls is amazing and the booth we sat in was really comfortable. The staff was friendly and getting to know the menu pretty well.

BUT... since then, we have had less than expected service. Now let me say this: The food is ALWAYS spectacular!

On several occasions, we have gone back to Mellow Mushroom in Bowling Green and every time the service is horrible! I expect to wait for a table. That's normal. But I do not expect to be in a restaurant for hours unless I'm planning on throwing back a few pints all night long. The last time we visited, we complained heavily. It was ridiculous. A one-hour lunch break turned into nearly two hours and half of our party had to leave without food while tables all around us came in after us and had their food. The manager had a bunch of excuses, but what we ordered was simple... slices and salads. Food that we were told (when ordering our drinks) would only take 20 minutes tops. After waiting for 45 minutes, our server told us there were "only 6 tickets" in front of us. I did contact the corporation after leaving because I was so disgusted with the continuous bad service we get there. I received an email about some kind of credit when I come back in, but I don't want the credit. I want better service. I want to get my food in a timely manner. I would like to eat on my actual lunch break and not have to go back to my office hungry and smelling like garlic.

Now, I appreciate the effort that it takes to make good food. And I appreciate a good server. And I tip accordingly. I don't like to complain, especially in restaurants. And I do understand that I'm a picky eater. But I spend a lot of money in restaurants and bars. I have no problem at all paying full price for a meal as long as it's hot, fresh, and the service is good. I'm not saying I want someone to kiss my ass the whole time I am there, but I do expect the servers to not be standing around talking to each other and then come up with bullshit excuses about why our dinners aren't out 45 minutes later.

Since that unfortunate lunch, I have not been back to Mellow Mushroom in Bowling Green. I have not decided whether or not I will. I love the food, but in the time it took to get my lunch that last time I could have driven to the one in Nashville and ordered. Today, we had another ladies lunch and ordered Pizza Hut instead. They delivered it early and everything was right. Thanks, Pizza Hut! We all were able to enjoy our lunch today.