12 Things I Learned in 2012

12. Not everybody wants equality/civil rights for all. Ahem.....Mittens. Thankfully the majority of this country said otherwise.

11. I really want a dog.

10. Paint water is really gross. (Refer to BYOB Paint class entry....)

9. Everybody needs a good vacation.

8. There is good in this world.

7. Don't believe everything you hear.

6. Buy local. Support local.

5. Give more.

4. Sometimes a night at home on your couch feels just as good as a night out with all your friends.

3. Give more compliments.

2. It's ok to say no!

1. There is nothing quite like your family and true friends.

Happy New Year!!!! Cheers to 2013!

Santa Claus Was Good to Me

Over my 33 years, Santa has always been good to me. Looking back however the most memorable gift Santa has ever left me was a Barbie Doll House. My Dad constructed it and then my Grandma McCreedy handpainted it.  My Dad took carpet swatches and wall paper from some neighbors down the street. My parents were certain I had not stepped foot in the Crackers house however apparently I had because I quickly commented how cool it was that my Barbie Doll House had the SAME WALL PAPER as the Crackers did! Baffled my parents for sure!

I guess back at that time the Fairfield Ledger staff had very little to write about, actually not sure that has changed, anyhow, that year, I believe, 1985 they came and took a picture of the Foss children and their santa gifts of which we posed through the windows of my doll house.  My mom told the most hilarious story over the weekend that after that picture was published somebody in town came up to her and asked when they adopted an "Asian child" because one of the children in the picture had slanted eyes. Well that would have been me and it was shortly after my Myasthenia Gravis surfaced and I started having crossed eyes. Gotta love small towns!

In all seriousness, this is a gift I will treasure forever and ever.

What is JOY?

JOY. It's a word used often this time of the year. As I was packing up my JOY sign yesterday I was thinking about what JOY means.

Websters defines this as the emotion evoked by well-being, success or good fortune or by the process of posessing what one desires.  The expression or exhibition of such emotion. A state of happiness or felicity. A source or cause of delight. 

To me JOY is a lot of things. It's seeing your siblings when you only get to see them 2-3 times a year. It's walking into your parents house (HOME) after not being there for awhile. It's a home cooked meal. It's a text or phone call from a friend you haven't talked to in awhile. It's happy hour on a patio on a warm sunny day. It's the start of a long awaited vacation. Hearing good news or getting a long awaited answer.  It's pay day or being able to chat with my little friends or munchkins! JOY means so many things to me.  Here's to hoping your 2013 is filled with JOY everyday!

3rd Annual Greater Kansas City MGA Walk, Run and Roll Updates

I have not done an update on the plans for the 3rd Annual Greater Kansas City MGA Walk, Run and Roll for some time. We are making great progress and moving forward which is very exciting! 

We have several sponsors already including Adams Land and Cattle, Casey's Auto Repair, Vince O'Halloran American Family Insurance, Foss Kuiken Cochran, PC, Tom and Clarisa McMahon, Lori and Tim Patterson and Julie Foss.  If you are interested in becoming a sponsor which is a donation of $250 or more you can contact me at fossallison@yahoo.com.  This is also a great time to make year end contributions and you can do so online here.

Also our registration has gone live and you can click here to register for the run!

We hope you'll join us on April 6, 2013! We have a great team and are so excited to raise more awareness to such a widely unknown diease.  As always, thanks for your neverending support!

Wordless Wednesday

One of the best guilty pleasures in town... Loaded Tator Tots from Bar Louie! To die for. Banana peppers, queso and tator tots. What more could you ask for?

Can we start this week over?

This has been a bad day. Let me just start with yesterday I accidentally put rice in the garbage disposal. The garbage disposal is about as sensitive as they come and anything that it doesn't like to digest usually ends up coming back up in the mudroom drain or flooding the mudroom with water. So the later happened today and my mudroom was full of water. On the downside at least rice wasn't floating. I haven't eaten cole slaw since 2007 when it was floating in the mudroom. Anyhoo.....

Fast forward from the plumbing issues on Riggs street to a fun part of my job, delivering donated Christmas gifts to the individuals on my caseload. I was happily doing this this afternoon, running around without a coat on in this semi balmy December weather when I noticed that everytime I started the Jeep it was making a terrible sound and then finally it would stall and have to be re-started.  Enter several thoughts, why the hell do I always have car trouble and secondly this would be a really good time to have a husband to deal with crap like this and lastly, I DO NOT have time for this right now. 

By the 3rd stop when I was in the ghetto of Johnson County, yes there is one, and it did this I figured best call Casey's Auto. Sweet Mr. Casey, said to come in and he'd check it out. In the meantime I called my college friend who works for Enterprise for a car rental.  I specifically told him 2 things- don't put me in a Kia or a PT Cruiser and we laughed and laughed.  Well guess who's laughing now in a fire engine red 4 door hatchback clown car. Yes, me. Horrified. I want to pull that thing in the garage for the next several days and not go anywhere and I can't hide behind tinted windows because there is no tint on this thing. And the seat mover up and backer doesn't exactly work so I'm sitting pressed against the damn steeling wheel. It's quite the sight I'm sure. Oh yes, and I can barely see over the steering wheel. Get the picture?! Now all while I wait to see what the heck is wrong with my Jeep and try not to worry and pray my warranty will cover whatever is wrong, I have to be reminded of all the things right in my life.  I can laugh at the clown car and rejoice in the fact I wasn't stalled in the ghetto, the fact that I have a license to drive, even if it is a clown car, legs to be a lead foot (right Dad?) and eyes to see so I don't take the side mirrors off going in and out of my garage. With the events of Friday in CT what right do I have to complain really? About anything? Seriously, I have no right to complain. I need to suck it up and put on my big girl pants.  And with that I remind myself Don't Quit.....

 

3.5 days and counting.....

This sums up how I am feeling about my freedom after about 3.5 maybe 4 days of work left this week which leads into a 2 week long vacation........

Sunday Sound Off

There are no words for what happened in CT on Friday. I shut off the news. I can't even stand to see coverage about it.  It's a sorry world we live in where in Overland Park, KS where it's legal to carry a concealed weapon but if you start your car and leave it running while not in it that's illegal. A lot of lives forever changed.

Montreal Steak Seasoning has got to be one of the greatest seasonings in the world. I hate cooking with chicken because I always think it tastes so blah. Well this week I coated chicken in the Montreal Steak Seasoning before I cooked it- SO GOOD!

Love the people God gave you because one day he will need them back.

In the past two weeks I have gotten 2 phone books on my front porch. Who uses a phone book anyway. Seriously?

You know now that I'm back into cubicle hell at work, we have a whistler. Talk about annoying when you are trapped in an area with 60+ people!

Collect moments, not things.

It's the time of the holiday season where I can start to distribute some of the gifts I have purchased for those I love. I love giving gifts more than anything AND I'm proud to say that this year I have not told anybody what I got them before giving it, YET!

I had a meeting in Lawrence this week and it made me miss Iowa State. The carefree days of drinking mugs of Amaretto Sours with my friends...

A friend of mine is starting a home inspection business. She offered to inspect my home for free as a practice.  I'm a little scared of what she will find.

What will you do today that will make you proud in a year?

It's gonna be a great week and a short one before the holiday and 2 weeks off! And I'm really excited to see Freddy, oh I mean the Cyclones when they play UMKC this week in KC! Cheers!

Dilemma

When running into Kansas Sampler for a last minute Christmas gift and faced with this dilemma what do you do?  Only 2 parking spots left, one for Jayhawk fans and one for Nebraska fans, which one do you park in? Why yes, the Nebraska fans spot.  Sorry friends who actually went to KU, post not intended to offend you. I'm talking about the super fans......

Friday Delivery

My sweet friend Becca made a Friday door step delivery of my new most favorite bottle of wine, Gnarly Head Authentic White! It just came out in stores but due to Becca's work we were able to sample it in large quantities in October! Get yourself some. You won't be disappointed.....

Wordless Wednesday

On a recent trip home I was up at the Elks Lodge. I  had to snap a picture of their happy hour menu. TOTINO's pizza- you know the .99 cent pizzas that you ate in college! Seriously couldn't stop laughing....

Monday Musings

I don't like cold weather and because of that it's the time of year that I start to become a hermit.
 
If your dreams don't scare you, they aren't big enough.

The Vince and Associates office building on Metcalf has got to have the most obnoxious Christmas lights display.

Seems like when I was little the Advent Calendar was really popular in getting to count the days til Christmas. Now it seems to be the Elf on the Shelf....

And one other Christmas thought- inflatable decorations are not cute, in fact they are not classy. I am quite disturbed that approximately every 3 house on my street has them.

New favorite lunch I saw on Pinterest, cottage cheese, topped with sliced avocado and cherry tomatoes. YUM.

I also saw this on Pinterest and thought it was hilarious, "Don't keep calm, raise hell and change the world!"

There are approximately 9 working days until a 2 week vacation. I have NEVER taken 2 weeks off from work. I might be slightly excited.....

So my Christmas cards this year are postcards. It is impossible to get a postcard stamp I discovered without waiting in line at the post office. Christmas card fail.

Ok, sorry, one other Christmas thought, this December has been so hectic and busy I'm not finding a day to bake all my Christmas goodies and that makes me kind of sad. Perhaps it makes my jeans very happy though.

When was the last time you did something for the first time?

So it's Monday And I have a meeting at 7:30 across town. Nothing says welcome to paradise like that, huh? Just kidding. Cheers to another week and the countdown to spending several days with those I love.

BYOB Art Class

Last week I took my 2nd BYOB Art Class at the Hook Gallery. I'm pretty sure that we can add drinking and painting as one combination that I don't succeed at.  Especially after one glass of vino when I mistook my paint water for my wine and took a big chug. Ended up with hands of blue paint and I wasn't even using blue paint! But what fun it was! A second painting for the garage.....

The stockings were all hung

Looking forward to spending extended time with my family in a few weeks for the holiday season! As you can see we've added a few new stockings this year. Even one for a very special dog!

It's official........

With these sparkly shoes, I am my Grandma Foss' granddaughter!

Elvis for NYE?

 

I think so! Memphis here we come!

My other new buddy.....

Meet Kaspar! Finally got to meet him at Thanksgiving! (and give him his woofie cushion!)

Life's Instructions (as seen on Pinterest)

I saw this on Pinterest over the weekend. I love stuff like this and it brought a smile to my face! What are your life instructions?

Sunday Soundoff

My Dad made the Wall Street Journal last week- pretty cool!. Click here to view.

Why are so many people worried about Twinkies? I haven't had one since like 1988.  Isn't America already obsese enough?

Pray hardest when it is hardest to pray.

As I was flying last week I was thinking, we might as well all go to the airport in a swim suit and then start dressing after you go through security. Wouldn't that be a beautiful sight?

Don't talk politics with your friends after you've been drinking. Right Kara? :)

Believe it or not you can already register for the 3rd Annual Greater Kansas City MGA Walk, Run and Roll! Click here if you wanna be ahead of the game and register!

Waiting for somebody else to make you  happy is the best way to make you sad.

I love the church I go to.  This morning as a prelude to the sermon they showed a clip from the National Lampoons Christmas Vacation. Pretty much my favorite movie ever.

I love coupon shopping. 

I also love when the Christmas cards start rolling in.  It's so fun to see how friends and families change and grow over the year.

The 3 C's in life, choices, chances and changes.....You must make a Choice to take a Chance or your life will never Change.

A dear college friend had a birthday this week (hi Linds) and when we texted back and forth mentioned a memory from our 21st's and Amaretto Sours. I haven't thought about that drink in YEARS. How much fun it is when a taste can put a smile on your face.

Cheers to the 1st week of December and the lovely warm weather!

Adventures in Dog Sitting.....

I agreed to dog sit for 2 puppies.  Yes, call me crazy and possibly brain dead. It's been an ovely entertaining weekend.  I've only cleaned up poo from my floor 20 times. My mom did the other 2 and the large dump on my curtains! Thanks Mom!  It's actually been very fun and these puppies are so little they have trouble getting up and down my deck stairs and stairs to my mud room. Very cute!

Wordless Wednesday

One of the PINK things I spotted in October for breast cancer awareness. A PINK trash can. I tried to convenience the girls I was with we should drag this sucker to my Jeep and load it up so I could take it home. We couldn't really think of a way to do it without drawing attention SO until then it will just be a memory! Come on KC, Des Moines and Ames sport the PINK trash cans in October. Why can't you?

Thankful

This post may be filled with a little bit of cheese. So I love the song, "Thankful," by Josh Groban and now is the time of year when you start hearing it be played. Hey, I warned you, this post would be full of cheese.  You may recall I recently wrote how I wanted to partake in the 30 days of Thankful posts on Facebook and just didn't have myself in gear at the beginning of the month. Well here it goes.

1. I'm thankful for my family. Mom, Dad, Jill and Clint, they are my backbones. They stand up for me whether they think I am right or wrong and they encourage me every step of the way.  I'm also thankful for our growing family. It's pretty exciting!

2. I'm thankful for my health. I'm laughing, sounds funny to say to be thankful for the egg size bump in my arm. But I am because I can speak, I can walk, I can care for myself. Medical challenges I may have but they aren't too challenging. God never gives you something you can't handle.

3. I'm thankful for my faith, for my church home, for knowing that the power of a higher being exists. I can't imagine a life without a higher power. Whatever your power may be, find it. You'll feel better about life.

4. I'm thankful for my friends. Friends that are like family to me. Friends who let me play, "Auntie Allison," to their sweet munchkins, Friends who lift me up when I'm down or laugh at me when I've done something completely ridiculous.  The older you get the more you cherish your friends and recognize the value of a "true friend." Fairfield, Kansas City, Iowa State, Gamma Phi, Dallas, all links with some pretty fantastic people in my life. You know who you are. Thank you.

5. I'm thankful for my home. It's a place where it is solice, something I've made my own. It's something that provides me with many challenges but is a sign of my hard work. Ok, or my friends who help change light bulbs too high to reach or dipose of mice. :)

6. I'm thankful for Zach the lawn boy. How could I not be? How blessed am I to have a lawn boy who is OCD and a little bit too much of a neat freak?  Love it!

7. I'm thankful for the changing seasons. Well all but winter. What a sign of renewal of life!

8. I'm thankful for technology.  These days its how you keep up with friends, make appointments and connect with others.

9. I'm thankful for diet coke. Face it, you are all too thankful for diet coke. You don't want to cross me without one!

10. I'm thankful for a glass of chilled white wine. There is nothing I love than putting my feet up with family with a glass or sitting on a sunny patio chatting with a friend over a glass. Cheers!

11. I'm thankful for vacations. I was lucky enough this year to take a pretty lovely vacation with my mama. Hopefully there are more of those in the future.

12. I'm thankful for the MGA Run Committee, those that started it with us, the newbies, the retirees, because they have all shared my vision in creating a world that spreads more awareness to MG. Thank you for believing in a cause so dear to my heart.  

13.  I'm thankful for the Cyclones! The Cyclones aren't just a sports team, they are reason to bring together friends and family from years beyond, a way to spend a Saturday, and a reason to wear red!

14. I'm thankful for sushi. It's a semi healthy food addiction, right?

15.  I'm thankful for vacation spots.  I was blessed this year by joining different friends and family at their lake homes.  Truly a piece of life that I love.

16.  I'm thankful for pedicures.  They are the perfect way to shred off some skin, literally and feel refreshed. On yah, and have pretty feet too.

17.  Hold on to your seats, I'm thankful for KU...MED. Yes, I said it, I'm thankful for that place. After all, right now it is probably saving my life.  My visits there each month have grown to not be so horrible. There are nurses who "get" me and understand that I am going to rip your head off if you ask me 20 times where to stick the needle and who turn off the lights and just let me sleep.

18.  I'm thankful for trash TV. Yep, some days you just gotta turn on a little trashy TV and your life is going to feel like a million bucks! At least your not prancing around half dressed stealing stuffed animals on the boardwalk.....(Jersey Shore last week...classic)

19.  I'm thankful for hardships.  Hardships may not be fun when you're going through them but they teach you the value of a life well lived and make you appreciate so much more.  I'm thankful for the challenges I have faced.  Not sure who I'd be without them.

20. I'm thankful for my job. Each day is a new day.

21. I'm thankful for my medical insurance. Dear Lord, without it I'd be standing on the corner. Just kidding, MOM!

22.  I'm thankful for pictures. Pictures stay the same when people change or when they are gone.

23. I'm thankful for naps. I've been taking more of them recently, probably my old age and they are an open invitation to change the outlook of your day.

24. I'm thankful for food on my table. Have you seen me lately? I'm not starving.

25. I'm thankful for money. I don't often have much of it but I have enough. Ok, well most of the time!

26. I'm thankful for humor. Life would be horrible without it.  "The most wasted of days is one without laughter."

27. I'm thankful for my wheels. As much as a pain this month has been with car issues, I have to have wheels and am thankful for that.

28. I'm thankful for Today. Today will never happen again. Live it, love it, cherish it.

29. I'm thankful for the sunshine. Whether it be shining down on my deck while I'm laying on a raft in my baby pool or beating down over Jack Trice.  I can't get enough of it.  I'm thankful for sunny skies.

30. I'm thankful for birthdays. Your birthday, my birthday. Cheers to another year of life, another year older, another year wise, after all the best is yet to come!

What are you thankful for this year? Happiest of Thanksgivings dear friends and family.

Black Friday

Let it be known, I am NOT a fan of Black Friday. I think it totally takes away from the Thanksgiving holiday and replaces gratitude with spoiled materialistic craziness.  Consider this as Black Friday Thanksgiving approaches.

Until next year B4

Can't believe another B4 Tailgating season has come and gone! It's my favorite time of the year, Fall Weather, Pumpkins, Windows open, College football. Until next year B4 friends and cheer hard Friday against WV! Maybe we'll see you at a bowl game......

3rd Annual Greater KC MGA Walk, Run and Roll

You can now donate online to the 3rd Annual Greater KC MGA Walk, Run and Roll by clicking here.  We are beginning our hunt for sponsors and getting running with details! Over the past 2 years we have raised over $45,000 for the MGA of KC! So exciting! We hope you'll consider joining us for our Holiday Shopping Party on December 1st and the actual run on April 6, 2013.  Thanks for your continued support!

Eggs in a Bag

On a recent visit home we had an Eggs in a Bag breakfast! This is a fun meal for a large group of people with various food preferences. You basically chop up a bunch of ingredients to put in an omelet and then put everything in a zip lock Baggie to cook in boiling water for 12 minutes.

Toys for Tots

It's the season of giving and this year I've been keeping my eyes and ears open to opportunities to give! The Green Express which is also the adult day center that comes and picks up my pop cans for recycling is doing a Toys for Tots drive.  Here is some info!

Friday Food for Thought

We're back! For this week anyway.....

It's been a very BUSY and STRESSFUL week! So glad it's Friday! So thankful for friends who die your gray hair (thanks Andrea) and let you have a glass of wine while they do it! :)  And thankful for vacation days and the Veterans whose honor it was in!

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation and constant in prayer.

I saw this on Pinterest last night and I seriously can't stop laughing when I think about it. "Sometimes I wish I was a bird so I could fly over certain people and shit on them."

I can't describe the elation I felt when President Obama won his second term, elation for civil rights in this county, rights for women in this country, the rights for my healthcare and the rights for so many of the clients I work with day in and day out who were born the way they were and face a lifetime of challenges.  Let's hope Congress can work together and allow progress to be made this term. 

There is a Ross open in Independence, it's all I can do to not make the trip over there to push around a shopping card in that fun little shopping mecca.....

Priorities come down to choice.

My mama and I tried to eat at Cafe Trio recently and there was absolutely NO parking.  A time when valet parking would have been so helpful. What happened to their valet anyway?

I spent last Sunday making meals to put in my freezer to eat for later. I haven't felt that organized in a long time! Felt so good!

I wanted to so badly to do the 30 days of being grateful on Facebook and I just didn't make time to do it. I am brainstorming on how I could do that on my blog as a little catch up.

I can't even believe Thanksgiving is next week. Where oh where has 2012 gone?

"The best part about a picture is it never changes when people do." Andy Warhol

It's Girl Scout cookie time and once again I've eaten too many.  Blah blah blah.

Back to work! It's a busy TGIF! Excited to see some old friends this evening and get prepared for next weeks short week! Happy Weekend!

Holiday Shopping to Benefit the 3rd Annual Greater KC MGA Walk, Run and Roll

We hope you'll join us for this fun holiday shopping event to benefit the 3rd Annual Greater KC MGA Walk, Run and Roll. Vendors will be donating a percentage of the their sales to the run! We'll have vino and food so please join us!

Pumpkin Muffins

I love anything pumpkin but I think you all knew that. I found this recipe on Pinterest recently and it was so easy! Mix a can of pumpkin with a yellow cake mix. Pour into muffin liners and bake at 350 for 20 minutes and there you have it, the easiest Pumpkin Muffins ever! I topped with a little powdered sugar and they were so delish!

Recycle your Electronics

Lakemary Center where I used to work has started a new program in the Kansas City metro where you can recycle your electronics and give individuals with disabilities a job! A win-win for everybody! Here is some additional information.

Lakemary

COMMUNITY TECHNOLOGY

RECYCLING

E

‐Waste Fees & Information

ITEM COST

CPU’S, LAPTOPS

COMPUTER ACCESSORIES

(Mice, Speakers, Keyboards, Etc.)

Ink & Toner Cartridges

Cell Phones

LCD/LED/Plasma Computer

or TV Monitors (Any Size)

FREE

PRINTERS (Small Desktop)

FAX MACHINES

SCANNERS

VCR’S/DVD PLAYERS

$5

PRINTERS (Large Desktop)

COMPUTER MONITORS

CRT/Tube Types)

$12

TV’s

(Tube Type and/or Console)

$25 & UP

HARD DRIVE DRILLING

$5

ALL OTHER

ELECTRONIC ITEMS

CALL US

DROP OFF LOCATIONS:

LAKEMARY CENTER

15145 S. Keeler, Suite G

Olathe, KS 66062

100 Lakemary Dr.

Paola, KS 66071

HOURS OF OPERATION:

WEEKDAYS

7:30 a.m.—3:30 p.m.

or by Appointment

Closed Weekends & Holidays

MORE INFORMATION:

913

‐768‐6831, Ext. 123

Email: jdevers@lakemaryctr.org

Je

ff Devers, E‐Recycling Manager

Discounts & pick

‐up available for large

quan

􀆟􀆟es.

Having a corporate or community event?

We are equipped to do large drop

‐offevents with our mobile recycling center!

It's Not Easy Being an Adult......

The fact of the matter is it's not easy or always fun being an adult.  My Friday needed a do over. Up early and into Casey's Auto for a routine oil change where I learn I get to replace my car battery too.  Running from there to Midwest Auto Tinting to get the tint removed from my front two windows to be compliance with Kansas law.  I bought the damn car with tinted windows. I have no idea what tint is legal or illegal. Quick tint removal and home to pack for a weekend trip to Iowa.  Hit the road and am headed north on    I-35 in North Kansas City when the tire tread from a semi in front of me smokes the front grill of my Jeep bounces off the hood and flies on to damage the next car.  I quickly got the license plate number and company name off the semi and pulled over to see the damage. My pretty slate blue jeep has scratches in the paint and pieces of the grill cracked in an ugly mess. UGH. What more?!  I kind of have a pity party but then get back in, buckle up my seat belt and head North.

Now it's Monday and time to sort out the mess. A call to the semi truck company and then to schedule an estimate for the repair and never mind I get to go to court tomorrow to fight the fine for having tinted windows.  Where is a BEACH when I need one? When it rains it pours.  I thought being an adult was supposed to be fun!

But in the scheme of things at least I am not a Jersey shore resident trying to plead with a power company to get my power back on and clean up the mess from Hurricane Sandy or living in a country where you can't get medical care to treat a chronic illness. You always have to put things in perspective.  Thank you God for my awesome family and friends, the support system that keeps me standing, the roof over my head, the oodles of food and treats I ate while tailgating this year (hello disgusting salad for lunch), the gas to burn up I-35 for football season, the dear friends who hosted me weekend after weekend, the airplane that bought my brother and sweet Grace home for the weekend, the airplane that will get me to Chicago in a few weeks, and a girlfriends lunch for Hot Ham and Cheese tomorrow.

Oh yes and a side note, I took myself off facebook for the week.  I was feeling overwhelmed with negative feelings towards those who support the presidential ticket who I don't! I did not want hatred over the choices of their political beliefs to muddle friendships.   I'm passionate about the Affordable Healthcare Act because I AM somebody who is affected by healthcare and I AM somebody who Obamacare can benefit.  You never know when your health is going to change or when your world could be turned upside down.  I do know one thing, we all have our passions and beliefs. I work in the world of social work because I want the entire world to be treated the same regardless of race, sexuality, economics and religion.

Life isn't about waiting for the storms to pass, it's about learning how to dance in the rain.  Have a great day!

Friday Food for Thought

Do more of what makes you happy!

I've seen people on the web write about freezing avocado's before they get too ripe. I tried it and it works! Doesn't taste as fresh but hey it saved an avocado from going bad.

Is it just me or are allergies this year purely the devil? As I sit here with bulging ears and a draining nose.

I've also seen on Pinterest, etc about cooking bacon in the oven instead of in a pan. Such a lifesaver, not nearly the mess or the smell! Even though that was only about the third time I've made bacon! Love little ideas and tidbits from Pinterest. 

I sustain myself with the love of family and friends. -Maya Angelou

Why are Quick Trips always so busy? Does anybody else notice that?

Once again the squirrels have found the lone pumpkin I have. Guess there is no use carving it as they have eaten holes in it.

This week has been far less eventful than last week but you know sometimes that is nice to be able to catch up on shows on the DVR, magazines that are piling up and yes have time to iron your dress pants. God, I'm old.

The things you take for granted someone else is praying for.

I'm happy to report that my doctor told me I DIDN'T have to get a flu shot this year. Remember the horrible episode last year.  He told me he doesn't even get a flu shot.  

Oh my goodness almost forgot the BEST news of the week. Ross is coming to Johnson County!! I about drove off the road when I saw a Ross Dress for Less sign at 119th and Strang Line! I did hear they have opened two stores in Jackson County. I just haven't ventured to the stateline yet for it.

You're off to great places. Today is your day. Your mountain is waiting, so get on your way!- Dr. Seuss

Have a GREAT weekend!

The Station

I found this in my boxes when unpacking to move back into my cubicle.  It was given to me in college and is a great reminder to put things in perspective! Have a great day!

The Station
by Robert J. Hastings

Tucked away in our subonscious is an idyllic vision.  We see ourselves on a long trip that spans the continent. We are traveling by train.  Out the windows we drink in the passing scene of cars on nearby highways, of children waving at a crossing, of cattle grazing on a distant hillside, of smoke pouring from a pour plant, of row upon row of corn and wheat, of flatlands and valleys, of moutains and rolling hillsides, of city skylines and village halls.

But uppermost in our minds is the final destination. Bands will be playing and flags waving. Once we get there our dreams will come true and the pieces of our lives will fit together like a jigsaw puzzle. How restlessly we pace the aisles, damning the minutes for loitering- waiting, waiting, waiting for the station.

"When we reach the station that will be it!" we cry.
"When  I'm 18."
"When I buy a new 450L Mercedes-Benz"
"When I put the last kid through college."
"When I have paid off the mortgage!"
"When I get a promotion."
"When I reach the age of retirement I shall live happily ever after."

Sooner or later we must realize that there is no station, no one place to arrive at once and for all. The true joy of life is the trip.  The station is only a dream.  It constatnly outdistances us.

"Relish the moment" is a good motto, especially when coupled with Psalm 1 18:24:  "This is the day which the Lord hath made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."  It isn't the burdens of today that drive people mad.  It is the regrets over yesterday and the fear of tomorrow. Regret and fear are twin theives who rob us daily.

So stop pacing the aisles and counting the miles. Instead, climb more moutains, eat more ice cream, go barefoot more often, swim more rivers, watch more sunsets, laugh more, cry less.  Life must be lived as we go along. The station will come soon enough.

Wordless Wednesday

Recapping the Pedal Hopper Adventure from last week. So fun! Everybody needs to go on a Pedal Hopper Bar Crawl.

Bitch & Swap

This is a must try with your girlfriends! Especially if you like wine (or cocktails or beer) and bitching    (Gabbing!) and getting new clothes (or household items)! My friend Becca read about Bitch and Swaps a couple years ago in Cosmo so she started holding them in KC with her girlfriends. Basically you collect all the items you'd be putting in a rummage sale and bring them to the Bitch and Swap. Everybody lays out all their items and its a free for all, take what you want! I scored some cute new J Crew shirts, tank tops and a mirror. After everybody is done sifting thru the items everything is donated to Goodwill. Great times and a great idea girls! Don't you want to try it with your girlfriends?

Friday Food for Thought

I've had such a fun week that I'm afraid I even lost some brain cells as evidenced when I went to CVS this morning and stood in there unable to remember what I needed to purchase so I walked the wine and beer aisle until I could remember!

There are many advantages to not be married but one of them is not when you can't seem to get a jar open by yourself. This happened to me this week so I ran some hot water on the lid of the jar and tried again. Well I tried so hard that the lid of the pickle jar flung off and dosed me in pickle juice. Gross!

My parents had a resident mouse in their kitchen this week. They better have this problem rectified by Christmas or I'll be looking for another family to take me in!

No one has ever become poor by giving. - Anne Frank

I rode the pedal hopper with friends this week. Hilarious! I'll have to write a post about it.

Poor big bird. Mittens goes after the chopping block on him. And oh yes, Facebook could you please quit suggesting that I like Mittens and Paul Ryan. Not going to happen. Ever.

I attended my second Bitch and Swap this week. Great way to score some new clothes and get rid of ones I don't want! Will have to write a post about that as well.

Don't cry because its over, smile because it happened. -dr suess

As I look at the sunflowers on my dining room table leftover from my birthday party last weekend it's a reminder of how blessed and lucky I am to be surrounded by some of the greatest people I know who give me encouragement, strength, love and support and make me a better person!

Roast Beef Sliders

A few months ago somebody brought roast beef sliders to a team meeting at work. I loved the taste of them and just had to try them! Mine had a bit too much mayo but otherwise were pretty tasty and not too leftover either!

Roast Beef Sliders
makes 12 sandwiches
12 Slider Rolls
1 pound roast beef from the deli
6 slices Provolone cheese
2 tablespoons horseradish (or to taste)
3/4 cup light mayonnaise

For the Sauce:
2 tablespoons dijon mustard (can use yellow mustard if preferred)
6 tablespoons butter, melted
1 Tablespoon finely minced onion
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
Kosher Salt
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Split buns and lay out on a baking sheet. Mix together horseradish and mayonnaise and spread on one side of each bun. Add roast beef. Cut each slice of cheese in half and place one piece on each sandwich. Place top of bun on each.
Whisk together all ingredients for the sauce except for salt. Spoon over each sandwich. Sprinkle salt over each. Cover with foil and bake for 10 minutes. Remove foil and bake uncovered 5 more minutes. Serve warm.

Roasted Brussel Sprouts

I saw this recipe on Pinterest recently and tried it! So good! Roasted Brussel Sprouts, cranberries and gorgonloza cheese.  You can find the recipe here.

Birthday Freebies!

I don't know about you but I am a sucker for coupons! Love them, use them and save with them! As a coupon collector and watcher I noticed that a lot of places send you "gifts" on your birthday. I compiled a little list. Now most of you know I am not a fan of chain restaurants and many of these are but hey, free food, free drinks or a free dessert- I'm sold! Additionally several of these restaurants that are not chains are specific to Kansas City. Here is a list of a some offers to check out!

RA Sushi- sign up for their e-club and they mail you a 1/2 off for your 1/2 birthday.
J.Gilberts- one of my personal favorites- sign up for their e-club and they send you a $25 dinner certificate.
DSW- Are you a Rewards Club member? If so they send you $5 for your birthday.
True Value/Toby Tobin Card Holders- receive a $5 coupon on your birthday
World Market- e-club members receive a 15% off home decor coupon and 10% off non-alcoholic drinks and food
Papa Murphys- e club members can get a free tub of cookie dough with the purchase of a pizza.
Famous Daves- e club members get a free entree with the purchase of one
Dickey's BBQ Pit- e club members get a free sandwich on their birthday.
Starbucks card holders- free drink coupon
Dunkin Donuts- e club members get a free drink coupon
Houlihans- a free entree coupon is emailed to you during the month of your birthday.
Noodles- a free pasta dish coupon is emailed to you for your birthday for signing up for their noodle-gram.
Mongolian BBQ- for signing up for their e-club you get a free entree for your birthday.
Westchase Grill- a free entree with the purchase of an entree for your birthday
Spin Pizza- 20% off a birthday party for being a e-club member
Gordmans- email subscribers get a $5 off coupon
Zio's Italian Kitchen- free entree for your birthday
Mimi's Cafe- free entree for your birthday with the purchase of another entree
Ten Thousand Villages- their e-club entitles you to a 15% off coupon during your birth month
Blanc Burger- e-club holders get a coupon for a free appetizer
Buffalo Wild Wings- e-club holders get a free dessert
Fox Restaurant Concepts (North)- e club holders get a coupon for a free dessert
Two Chic Blvd- e club members can get a 25% off coupon during their birth month- must sign up in store.
KC Hopps Concepts (Blue Moose, 75th Street Brewery) KC Hopps Reward Card Holders can earn a free dessert during their birth month. You must sign up for a rewards card at one of the restaurants.
Sushi House- $10 coupon during  your birth month
Macaroni Grill- offer for a free dessert during your birth month
Brueggers Bagels- free bagel with cream cheese coupon emailed to you for signing up for their e-club.
Cafe Trio- $15 off an entree on your birthday if you are a member of their e-club
Carlo's Copa Room- free dessert as a member of their e-club
Mesitzo- free dessert on your birthday as a member of their e-club
CVS- $3 coupon on your birthday if you have a CVS Card
Seasons 52- free dessert on your birthday as a member of their e-club
Hereford House- $15 off an entree with the purchase of an entree on your birthday as a member of their e-club.
Tastu's- free entree with the purchase of an entree on your birthday as a member of their e-club.
Melting Pot- free chocolate covered strawberries for your birthday as a member of their e-club.
Old Navy- $10 off a $50 purchase for your birthday by signing up to receive their emails
Red Robin- free burger on your birthday as an e-club member
Ruby Tuesday- free burger on your birthday as an e-club member
Culvers- free concrete mixer on your birthday as an e-club member
Sun City Tan- Tan free in any bed for your birthday by signing up to receive their emails.
Smashburger- free meal for your birthday by joining their e-club.
Bravo- free entree for your birthday by joining their e-club.

Most coupons have an expiration date within 2 weeks of your birthday. Some are good for a month!  Know any other great offers for your birthday? Send them my way!

Cheers to 33!

Started the weekend off with a little Gnarly Head @ the American Royal with 6 of my favorite girlfriends!



Am so blessed to have these girls in my life! And they throw a great party! Thank you!



And Sus makes a great cake!

Love this detail @ the party!

I love these little angels! So glad they live in KC!

Brunch @ Mestizo!

Sassy new shoes to turn 33!

Special thanks to my dad who transplanted this lillac bush that was once in my granparents yard to my yard!

AND lastly thank you to my dear parents who made a quick trip down for the weekend!
Cheers to 33! It's gonna be a great year full of great adventures! I'm looking forward to it and spending it with those I love! Thanks dear friends and family for your constant love, support and encouragement!  I'm beyond blessed!