Funky Chicken

Day 2 of Diane's visit consisted of more food adventures. After both working all day, we met up with Sarah & Co. at LoLo's. LoLo's serves chicken and waffles. Yes, you read that right. Fried Chicken AND Waffles, together on one plate. Definitely not something I would have thought to put together, but I kudos to the ones that came up with that combo! (You go Southerners) To top it all off? Koolaid in a mason jar. (It's ok, you can re-read that sentence again, I'll wait...back? let's proceed). If you are in town, you should check it out if you are up for an adventure. You should probably get one of their shirts too. "Ghetto-Fabulous" and "Hood Rich" are my favorites.

We took a little stroll through old town to the Coach House. We had some drinks and then were joined by the Fiesta Bowl crew. And to top off a great night? Stopping at the gas station for ice cream on our walk home.

Day 3? Even better. It consisted of a whole day with Diane watching the Buckeye's at an OSU bar, taking a nice little nap and then scoring big time at Last Chance - a discount Nordstroms. I walked out with one of the hottest pairs of shoes ever while Diane scored a LAMB purse to die for. We celebrated our retail success with a dinner at Sauce for old time's sake before heading out for the night for a little two-stepping at Toby Keith's. Diane is practically a pro now.



Day 4 was cut short when Diane had to go to the airport, but we sent her off in style by cruising around with the top down. Please come back Diane. Life is way more fun when I have a beach babe around :)

Soap & Sushi

My beach babe friend from Florida came to visit and I'm already refusing to take her to the airport at the end of the weekend. Last night we talked non stop about all the updates in our life (and other's) while we roamed the mall. I introduced her to LUSH soap. If you have ever been in that store you know that we then spent an hour smelling everything and might have spent just a wee little bit more money than we planned. But when we left we had a bag of the yummiest products ever. (I mean we NEED soap, so it doesn't really count as splurge...unless you want us to be stinky. I think not.)

After Soap we were adventurous and decided to go for Sushi instead of our comfort zone of Mexican. So we sat down at RA, ordered mojitos and let the waitress school us in the way of ordering. We settled on a Lobstertail roll and Tootsie Maki. We had both tried sushi before and enjoyed it but had never explored beyond the California roll. Boy were we missing out.

I slept so well last night with a belly full of yummy sushi, knowing I'd take a delicious shower in the am, and pillowtalk with one of the coolest chicks ever. And this was just Day 1 :)

We're in a Recession, People!

I can't tell you how many times, I've heard this phrase uttered lately. The recession has almost become a fad. Good thing too, because I don't have any other choice but to but cool (Like really really cool. I should be voted Recession Queen or something). It's almost like I even started the fad of being broke and economical, but even I am having to find ways to cut back on my already minimal spending. I've never had "spending money" before, but it's down to counting pennies to pay all my bills and still be able to participate in society.

If you were to look at my banking statement, you'd see bills, bills, more bills, and coffee. My one splurge is a jolt of java to get me through my day. The actual liquid is good to keep me perky while I'm dealing with customers, but it's also the "treat" aspect. I would look forward to the afternoon to take a break from work, treat myself and to give me motivation to get through my day. Sometimes, I'd even bribe myself to go to work by telling myself I can stop and get coffee on the way.

When finances got tight, I cut back my visits to Starbucks. Things were still tight so I downgraded to Dunkin Donuts (not really a whole step down in quality, maybe a half-step, but about half the price).

And now it's time to get serious. I am making a valiant effort to (almost) eliminate coffee purchases from my banking statement. It's almost disheartening to give up my little splurge, but desperate times call for desperate measures. I gave myself an advance on coffee money, took myself to target, and bought a real coffee pot. I decided it was worth the extra $10.00 to upgrade to the programmable function. It's kinda like having a barista at Starbucks making the coffee for you, right? I grabbed the coffee filters, flavored coffee, and my coffee pot and headed home to set the alarm.

Sure enough bright and early in the morning, I'm awoken to the coffee pot doing it's magic. I thought I'd be joyous to wake up to the smell of hazelnut coffee, but I actually remember thinking to myself that maybe it wasn't a great idea to get the programmable option as it loudly brewed away. I guess it did it's trick of waking me up, but it still made me grouchy. I guess it doesn't matter what wakes you up, alarm clock, mom (back in the day), or coffee pot, it still gets on your bad side for a little bit. It's ok though, we make up as I stumble into the kitchen and get my first sip.

It's not the same as Starbucks or DD, but it will just have to do for awhile while I try and get by until I come up with a brilliant money making idea. Until then, I'll just continue being one of the cool kids in the recession club.

Not Your Typical Friday Night

I think it’s safe to say that I’m a pretty well rounded girl. I wouldn’t classify myself as a “princess” never have been, never will be. Not saying I’m not girly, because I definitely am, but I think it’s to a healthy level. On the other hand, I’ve never considered myself a tomboy, but am not afraid of dirt either.

I think my Friday night pretty much sums up my balance of interests. I decided to make it a low-key night so I prepped for my babysitting adventure (I’ll post more on that later) by baking cupcakes. As I was in the kitchen baking up some sweets, I was watching football. And then after cleaning up, I watched a little of Say Yes to the Dress. Football, cupcakes and dresses? Yeah, I think I’m well balanced. And speaking of football, shouldn’t I not be single since when given the chance to watch anything I want when alone, I choose ESPN? Just sayin…

Take Me Out To the Ball Game

Shout out to my friend Chris and the FB crew for the ticket (and great seat) at the Dbacks game/Montgomergy Gentry/Fireworks show. Fun was had by all.

Veronica (my favorite ball game partner - we have the food sharing down pat) and me.

Birthday Present from a Kidnapper

I came home from work on an average Wednesday and noticed this in the corner where my guitar had been sitting.


I have been wanting to learn to play the guitar badly but my finances have gotten in the way. I remembered Uncle Mike had an old guitar and was lucky enough to borrow it. However, the guitar needed new strings, and yet again money gets in the way of fun. Luckily, I have an amazing friend, one who decided I should celebrate my birthday in September.

I received an email the next day telling me we had plans after work. When Jordan picked me up (wearing an Ohio State shirt none the less!) there was a birthday card on the seat. (Really? I already get to celebrate my birthday 3 whole months early? Hmmm I can handle this.) She refused to say where we were going and suspense was killing me. Surprises are the best thing ever, just my opinion.

Jordan treated me to Starbucks (mmmmm) and then pulled in to Guitar Center. Woo hoo! She pulled my guitar and a bag of goodies (aka strings, picks, and a tuner) from her trunk.


Since it was Tune-Up Tuesdays, Trevor (the guitar guy) so kindly strung my guitar while we walked around admiring all the cool and expensive instruments. (I spotted an awesome pink glitter guitar that maybe I can buy once I become a pro). Until then, I get to learn on my newly strung guitar and one of the best birthday presents ever.


Thank you, Jordan, for knowing what I needed and knowing that I needed a pickup before my birthday.

Now if only I knew how to play this thing...

It's the President's Fault

I was late for work today. I was stuck in traffic and realized no one was moving, so I maneuvered my way across a few lanes, did a U-turn (hey it's legal out here) and headed in the opposite direction. I looped around to the road parallel to my previous route smirking to myself. (haha those suckers were waiting for that wreck or whatever to clear up and I was smooth sailing on my way to work....errrr uh oh). There was stopped traffic again...wait a minute, at the same road. And then I realized the helicopters flying above were not from some little fender bender, it was a bigger issue, perhaps that the President's motorcade was about to come through? So I figured I could handle sitting in traffic for a little bit. I mean, I couldn't get in trouble at work because of the President, right? I did use the unexpected time to call my father back. So thank you, Mr. President, for giving me a few extra minutes away from work and for allowing me to return daddy-o's phone call.