Wordless Wednesday

Could not stop laughing when I saw this post in the Iowa State Ticket Trader online.  What do Boyd's Bears have to do with ISU tickets??? 🤣

Feel Good Friday

I had not been in Family Tree Nursery for years until I took my parents there a few weeks ago.

What a tropical plant heaven right here in Kansas City!

If you need to feel good this Friday. Go stand in their enclosed outdoor tropical plant area.

Wordless Wednesday

Um, living the dream shopping in Des Moines, IA. Two of my favorite stores, no laughing, and if you are, you obviously need me to show you how to be a successful shopper at both!

🤣

The Elms

My parents had milestone birthdays this year so I wanted to do something special for each. My mom and I headed up to the Elms in Excelsior Springs, Missouri in August. I snagged a groupon for the deal, 2 nights and a restaurant credit. And no, I'm not ashamed to share that I used a coupon for my mom's birthday! 🤣 The Elms is pet friendly so we decided to bring Ries along.......

Whoever said three's a crowd.....

We headed North after I had a treatment

How many pieces of luggage for 2 humans and 1 canine?

Embarrassing

Somebody made themself right at home.

Was even jumping from bed to bed.
BUT, remember that part about three's a crowd?

We soon learned Ries is not a hotel dog. Dinner reservations calling, we put her in the kennel and closed the hotel room door. A large, long and loud howl and cry ensued and carried on. So off to dinner we went, the three of us.....

88 at the Elms is the restaurant there and had a very good steak. They were out of nearly every white wine. Good thing for bringing a bottle in one of our many bags!

The next day we walked around Excelsior Springs, the three of us! Mom and I would take turns going in and out of stores. It was a bit disappointing that on a Tuesday morning so many stores were closed. Adorable old small town but not a lot of life.

Because I knew we were going to be a party of three for the rest of the trip, I had done a search on Fido.com for pet friendly restaurants. The place we chose for lunch, Ventana Gourmet Grill, was amazing but had no idea they were on the Fido listing.  They happened to have a little bistro table outside which was prefect. Mom and I enjoyed some vino and Ries kept watch under the table!

One of the primary reasons for checking out the Elms was the pool! We took turns being poolside Tuesday afternoon while the other person was on dog duty upstairs. 

After some pool time, we walked to Wabash BBQ which is just down the street from the Elms. I'd rate it just as ok. We sat outside, um, remember, party of 3, and it was so hot and the flies were everywhere!

I'd rate the Elms as ok. I'd go back for the pool, without my fur child.  We did have a bad experience in our first room we were assigned. It smelled awful like mildew.  We asked to be moved and they responded quickly to move us to a much better room. We were appalled you could still smoke on the grounds of the Elms. There are so many adorable places to sit outside but who wants to sit outside next to people chain smoking? It was a really good deal because it was done through Groupon and I'm glad to know I can't take fur child on anymore hotel vacations! 

Birthday Freebies 2019

This post is seriously overdue! I'm about 2 months into my new "decade!"  Low on energy, a hectic work schedule and getting treatments every other week kind of put in a kink in my birthday coupon usage this year. However, I thought I'd still share my list if you are a coupon lover.

Last year, I did a big unsubscribe to clean up my email and so many coupons I did not get this year. I also noticed that some of my favorites had changed including Houlihans which no longer offers the free entree. You have to buy an entree to get that. Also, I didn't get one this year from Cafe Trio. Boo. I crossed out the others that I did not receive.

Kona Grill- $15 for your birthday month if you enroll in their reward program.

Lenny's Subs- Free sub for your birthday if you join their reward program.

Drunken Fish- Buy 1 get 1 free coupon for your birthday.

The Rafael Hotel- buy 1 get one 1 free entreeNothing Bundt Cakes- Free bundtlet (that might just be my favorite coupon this year!)
Baskin Robbins- Free scoop on your birthday.
CycleBar Leawood- Free cycle class on your birthday.
Lands End- $50 off $100 purchase.
Sarpino's Pizza- $10 off your order.
Sonic- Free shake on your birthday.
Clothes Mentor- 15% off your purchase.
First Watch- Free Meal for signing up for their e-club.

Jason's Deli- sign up for their eclub and get $5 for your birthday..

Omaha Steaks- free chocolate cake and 10% off for signing up for their e-club.

Firebirds Wood Fire Grill- $10 off for your birthday for signing up for their email club.

Hamburger Mary's- free bottle of champagne if you bring in 6 or more people to celebrate your birthday!
Louie's Wine Dive- tell them it's your birthday and they bring you a bottle of vino to take home
Planet Sub- free sub when you sign up for their email club.

Fuddruckers- free burger coupon with the purchase of another burger

Marble Slab Cremery- $5 off a cake for your birthday.

Gap Factory- extra 15% off for your birthday.
Garnet Hill- $25 off birthday coupon.
Zoe's Kitchen- Free sweet treat.
Gaslight Grill- Free dessert.
Zaxby's- Free Nibbler sandwich coupon for your birthday.

J. Crew Factory- 20% and free shipping for your birthday.

Papa John's- 10 Papa Points for your birthday- (not entirely sure how that works!)

Ace Rewards- $5 coupon for your birthday.
Potbelly- free cookie when you sign up for their e-club on your birthday.
Half Price Books- coupon for 15% off for your birthday.
Anthropologie- 15% off coupon emailed for your birthday
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.
Houlihans- a free entree coupon if another one is purchased.
Mongolian BBQ- for signing up for their e-club you get a free entree for your birthday.
Fox Restaurant Concepts (North)- e club holders get a coupon for a free dessert

KC Hopps Concepts (Blue Moose, Barley's) KC Hopps Reward Card Holders can earn a free entree! (This was new to me but when they ran my card that was discovered!) You must sign up for a rewards card at one of the restaurants.
Cafe Trio- $15 off an entree on your birthday if you are a member of their e-club
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.
Old Navy- 10% purchase for your birthday by signing up to receive their emails

Bristol- $25 coupon for your birthday if you sign up for their club.
Jersey Mikes- free sandwich and drink on your birthday when you sign up for their e-club.
Banana Republic Cardholders- $15 on your birthday.

Container Store- Join their POP club and you get a birthday coupon
LaBodega- buy 1 tapa get 1 free for your birthday.

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!

Long time ago....

I got so behind on this blog, I have pondered discontinuing and taking it down.  But truth be told, I do like to write and document my journey. I'm just in a season in life when it's hard to keep up with doing so.  Unfortunately, I have had to do treatments every other week for the past two months so between those and real life, I scramble for any downtime.  I have trips to write about, wordless Wednesday musings and recipes to share.  In cleaning up my pictures on my phone (I'm supposed to be writing a grant!), I discovered I have hardly taken any food pics of things I have made but for the sake of getting this going again, I'm going to share some of these amazing recipes!

Slow Cooker Mississippi Roast is AH-MAZING. I put it in the crockpot a few Sundays ago and ate off it for days. This is a major feat for me, somebody who hates leftovers!

Antipasto Squares were SO delish! I made these when I had friends over for the 2nd Annual Bitch and Swap and they were a hit.

Texas Toast Garlic Bread Pizza- nothing like eating like a 5 year old! And I did snap a few pics. Super easy and made great leftovers.

Until next time....

Strawberry Muffins

I realize summer is winding down and strawberries are on the way out.  However, I was craving something sweet and had the ingredients to try these muffins over the weekend. They are so tasty! And easy! All you need is 1 box of Strawberry Cake Mix, 1 cup of water and 1 container of Strawberry Yogurt. 

Whisk together the water and yogurt. Slowly add in the cake mix. Do not use the ingredients listed on the cake mix.  These muffins are just the 3 ingredients listed above!  Bake for 15-20 mins at 350. 

Could be eaten for dessert or breakfast! Who doesn't love something like that?!

Wordless Wednesday

When you are making fun of "old" people and this pops up on your social media feed. Damn you, social media, I hate you!

Wordless Wednesday

I'm not shoe designer but I'm pretty sure Crocs should not be in the business of making high heels.

Old Settlers Beans

Many years ago when my grandparents passed away, a friend of my parents dropped off this delicious comfort meal of, "Old Settlers Beans." Ever heard of that? I don't make it often but the other day it sounded so good.

Wordless Wednesday

When you've had an entirely awful week and you arrive in Iowa only to discover Door Dash delivers Taco Johns. I don't mind if I do..... 🤣

Down by the river

Is there a song for Arkansas like there is for OKLAHOMA? If not, there should be? Doesn't it sound like a hokey song kind of state?  A hokey song kind of state, but after spending a few down days there with one of my dearest friends this summer, hi Liz, I have much appreciation for it's beauty. Not necessarily it's principles because yes, there was a sign that tooted the "White Persons Radio Network" and no I'm not joking. I was driving so I couldn't take a picture.

A cold, dreary January Friday night lead us to Airbnb researching dog friendly cabins between KC and Dallas.  What else would pop up but Nappers Paradise in St. Joe, Arkansas, just off the Buffalo River. We may have never actually seen the river but we sure did enjoy the cabin with all the amenities of 2019 and it's pool!  All the amenities + pool + dog friendly = great deal!

This was Ries' 1st vacation to some place other than her Grammy and Gramps house.  And it may have started off rough when I decided to give her CBD dog treats and she refused to sit in the front seat because her dog bed had unfamiliar treats in them. We were reunited with Liz and her dogs and enjoyed days of porch sitting, wine, pool lounging, inflatable cornhole, adventures to find alcohol, sunrises and sunsets, and the sounds of a rescued baby calf being moved to the property. The cabin owners live on the property in a tiny house and rescued a calf while we were there. 

This trip was a reminder that it's not a matter of where you go but who you are with! Ries and I loved reconnecting with Liz and her pups in the middle of nowhere USA!

2 Ingredient Pumpkin Brownies

Is it too early to start talking about all things pumpkin? Check out this recipe I came across. 2 Ingredient Pumpkin brownies. All you need is a box of chewy fudge brownies and a can of pumpkin. Mix together and bake for 15-20 minutes at 350. They come out a little bit like a fudge consistency.

So good!

Wordless Wednesday

Is it just me or is your phone becoming even more creepier? I was sitting at a hair appointment recently, getting my hair colored and this popped up on my Facebook feed.....

Wordless Wednesday

The Iowan in me & the 25 year old me was a tad excited when I discovered that the Other Place is now on Door Dash and you can get taco pizza delivered....

Monday Musings

Have you tried a can of wine yet? You know it's all the rage.  I have to admit. I'm torn. I love the packaging and the convenience but I don't love that the wine gets warm. AND it's 2 1/4 glasses of wine to drink an entire can. So basically there's no drinking a can of wine and not telling the world what you think. HA

Are you on the wine can train?

Wordless Wednesday

When was the last time you ordered a bra from the mail order form in the coupon inserts you received in the mail?

Oh, never? 

Yah, that's what I thought...... 🤣

Poke Me

I had never had Poke until traveling to Hawaii for my brother's wedding a few years back. I fell in love with the fresh, light taste.  A new place called NiHao Fresh opened recently in Mission and it's about the next best thing compared to a fountain diet coke! If you know me, you know that means LOVE. Oh my gosh. The nicest people, the quickest service and the greatest meal.  

I'm embarrassed to say in the four times I have been there I have ordered the exact same thing!  The best part, the guy working the counter immediately recognized me and remembered my order. Amazing!  Sushi rice on the bottom, ahi tuna, crab meat, edamame, carrots, cucumbers, cilantro, green onions, spicy ponzi with spicy mayo and crispy onions. So good!  On the wall they have samples of bowls you can order or you can make your own up! It's quick like Chipotle or Pie Five. 

Another great thing about NiHao Fresh, I asked them if they would donate an gift card to our upcoming Trivia Night and of course they did! If you know me, you know that dining at places that give to the community, especially mine, is so important.

Also, how adorable is this plant hanging hanging in NiHao Fresh? Love it! Anyway, go check it out. BTW, it's not a chain! 

Wordless Wednesday

When you attend a Chamber event and they are handing these out. No thanks.... Not everybody wants to get on the bandwagon! 🤣

11 Years.....

A pair of shoes on my bedroom floor stopped me in my tracks last week.

My mom bought me these pair of sandals 11 May's ago in Paris at Zara when I was too sick to join in for a day of shopping. I spent the day in bed in a Paris hotel room. I think I walked down to the Internet cafe once that day to check my email. Remember those?

It was sometime during that trip that I realized I could not breathe at night. Every position I would try to assume in bed, my airway felt trapped or like I was suffocating myself.  It was scary. I'd wake up and gasp for air.  I waited another six weeks at least, before I told anybody about this problem I was having. A July day, at Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, I shared with Dr. Andrew Engel, a prized neurologist of MG, that I couldn't breathe at night. I was there alone at that appointment. I like my independence. I thrive on my independence. Since then, I know and realize I need help and to ask for it even if it pans me so. Very few appointments do I go to alone.

He looked me square in the face and he told me I had two choices, let him admit me to the hospital there that day or allow him to get on the phone and call Dr. Barohn, another prized neurologist of MG at the University of Kansas, and have him admit me as soon as I got back to KC. I was trapped and I knew it.  But ultimately, I knew it wasn't reasonable for me to hospitalized at Mayo, so I hung my head and agreed to allow him to contact Dr. Barohn.  My records were overnighted directly to Dr. Barohn.  I made a pit stop in Fairfield, at my parents home, enroute to KC, where they were with Clint, as they were in the midst of moving my brother across country. The 3 of us had a pow wow about my next course of action.

It was the next week that I began my 10 day stay at KU Jail. (How I lovingly refer to my 10 day stint of starting Plasmapheresis)  It's not fun to be holed up at any hospital for 10 straight days in the middle of the summer. But there I lay.  And there I started the treatment that saved me in my journey thus far. Without plamsapheresis, I know I'd be dead today.

But every four weeks I collect myself and I put a smile on my face, or I try anyway, and walk myself into KU Medical Center.  And let's just be honest after, 132 straight months of going through admitting at KU, I'm pretty sure I could run that whole Admissions Department.  Each month, I let the machine take control and rid my body of the antibodies that are attacking my immune system so I can have a fresh take on life.  It's a process that we repeat, because I want to live and I want to thrive and I want to continue to connect with others.

After all, in 3 short months, I reach onset of midlife or so that's what they say.  I have a lot of life left to live. I've got a lot more Cyclone victories to take in, trips to take, wine to taste, sushi to devour, tricks to play on Ries, random silverware to collect with my dad, pre treatment meals with my mom, whirlwind trips with family,  time with friends on my deck, dock sitting at the Lake, MGA Triple Crown Showdowns to get people to sign up for, happy hours, the list goes on.....

As I looked at those shoes on my bedroom floor, I couldn't help but think of all the miles they have walked. All the trials they have been through, all the victories and losses, doors opening, doors closing, cries and laughter, jokes and sadness. They may spend part of the year in my closet but they have a story and we've come a long way in that story.

So here's to 11 years of getting my $10,000 monthly oil change with a very fine Benedryl nap, to the pokes, the stings, the ups and downs, the I've been hooked up to this g*d damn machine for so long I'm gonna pee my pants, the never going away sticky tape on my body from wearing a heart monitor each time to the bedhead after that very fine Benedryl nap.  It's changed me, it changed my outlook on life. It's changed my beliefs. It's changed my political stance because healthcare shouldn't be denied to ANYBODY regardless of  race, age, sex, country of origin.  It's guided me through this next chapter of my life. I don't know what tomorrow brings, but I'm thankful to be here today and grateful for all those who have supported me along this journey. Thank you! Also, thank you to the friends who have stepped in when my mom cannot be here to take me and have endured the fun with me, you know who you are, and to those who bring me a post treatment meal each month.

Carpe diem!

Frozen Cookie Dough

Somewhere along the lines I read about making cookie dough and freezing it, then using it to make cookies later. I tried this for a 4th of July BBQ and it works and it is amazing! The satisfaction of having homemade cookies and you didn't even have to get the mixing bowl dirty. Well, you did another day but you get my gist. I will definitely do this again. These were white chocolate chip cookies where I cooked half a batch a month ago and froze the other part of the dough.

I wrapped the dough in plastic wrap and froze it this way. 

To defrost I set it out overnight then put in the fridge until I was ready to cook.

Unwrap and then slice your cookies with a knife.

Preheat oven to 350 and cook 10-12 minutes.

Turned out great!

June's a bust

Just like that June is over.  To be honest, I couldn't be more glad to close the books on that June. If I'm being honest, June was one of the hardest, most painful months I've weathered. 

Nearly 18 months ago, I left a job that I loved to pursue a job that was a dream.  I have learned so much in 18 months. I can't even write all the lessons on paper but just know that it has changed me.  But then something happens and you are attacked and it causes you to doubt every decision you've made and you just crumble.  Self doubt, in itself, can be one big ugly monster responsible for sleepless nights and uneasy days.

In the last month, I was involved in two incidences that I'll just call "cyber bullying" because I don't know what else to call them and that's basically what they were.  If I've learned anything from experiencing cyber bullying it is this. Thank God I'm not a teenager.  I don't know how teenagers survive with all the access to social media and pressures.  Secondly, you can fine tune your communication as much as possible however there are people in the world who are only going to hear what they want to hear.  I know, you're thinking, she didn't know that before now.  But this was a good reminder of that.  Some people are never going to accept what you have to say so it's best to put your energy elsewhere.  Not everybody is going to like you and sometimes it's best just to keep right on moving.  Or as a wise young soul stated last week, "stay in your lane."

I've/We've learned a lot from both of these incidences and will take many lessons moving forward to be better and do better because of them.  As eye opening as it was, it's a reminder that not everybody sitting behind the screen shares the same intentions or philosophy or even motivation. 

June physically exhausted me. June emotionally exhausted me and June caused me to doubt everything I have spent the last 18 months doing.  As I take a breather this holiday weekend, I refocus and shift taking back control of the difference and the great things I know we are doing.  Only you can control your behavior and your responses.  No matter how much a person pushes you, you have control of how you react and respond.  And if I can just sneak this in here, as your Mama probably once told you, just like mine told me, "if you don't have something nice to say, don't say it at all!" We all need that reminder.

In the words of the beloved Michelle Obama......

    

Friday Funny

There is this new poke bowl restaurant, NiHao Fresh not to far from home. It's a Chiptole style restaurant so you are in and out after you order your food from the counter. Well, I discovered it's delish and you should definitely try it for a quick meal if you haven't. The other day while I waited for my poke bowl I decided I'd grab two fortune cookies from the bowl instead of just one. Because I'm sure they just want you to take one. Well jokes on me. I got home and I had one fortune cookie and one inflated wrapper.  The moral of the story is don't take more than you are supposed to......

Wordless Wednesday

I about stopped in my tracks when I walked by this in Boston.

They did say it was a city full of history.

And these are ancient. 

Haven't seen one in years.....

Wordless Wednesday

There are so many candies in this picture that take me right back to the candy counter @ FG&CC in the 1980s. Be still my 💓.

Boston, be nice

Recently I went to the East Coast for the first time as an adult.  I was super excited to explore and check things out in between attending a conference.  Boston has the rap of being not one of the most polite places.  I concur with that rap.

Very cool city. Loved being close to the water and all the great seafood. But seriously, Boston be nice.  From the uber driver who mumbled and I had no idea what she was saying to me to the doorman at the Marriott Long Wharf who pulled my luggage out of the car and pointed to the door.  (Earlier this month, I was at the Marriott in St. Louis and the doorman walked my luggage up to the counter. And let me be clear I can totally handle my own luggage but this was just an observation!)  To the host at Cheers who glared at me when I told her I was just there for a drink.  She pointed to a table in the corner on the patio where I could go sit after I ordered at the bar. While I sat there not one waitress or waiter said a peep to me.  I then walked to Crudo for sushi. The sushi was amazing, by the way, but the waitress brought out all my food at once and never checked on me again to see if I might want another glass of wine or anything.

At the conclusion of the conference on Friday and before I flew out I walked to Union Oyster House for a drink, supposedly the oldest restaurant in the city.  I walked up to the host and said I was just there for a drink and her glare was enough to send me promptly out the door. At that point, I didn't give a 💩 if I had a drink there. I walked to the bar next door, the Bell in Hand Tavern, which I learned was actually the oldest bar in the city. Better suited for me anyway!

I promise you, I am not high maintenance and I can take care of myself, but after growing up Iowa Nice, I was just surprised at how cold and brisk everyone seemed.  The best part of the trip was the water taxi which took me from the hotel to the airport!  Boston, be nice. 

Wordless Wednesday

Why is it that no Marshalls/TJ Maxx in the Midwest or practically none, carry ISU clothing but popping into one in Boston and see this hanging on the rack? Also, behind it were a bunch of Hawkeye ones?!

Strawberry Brownies

Strawberries are probably one of my top fruits. I love anything with strawberries. From eating them plain to fruit pizza to alcoholic strawberry drinks to pie!  I came across this Strawberry Brownie recipe recently and checked it out.

Once again, I'm not food photo pro so please ignore. And the photo looks nothing like the one I pinned on Pinterest! #pinterestfail

Ingredients

1 box Strawberry cake mix

1/3 cup vegetable oil or melted butter

1 egg

4 oz cream cheese

1/2 cup thinly sliced fresh strawberries

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350. Line pan with parchment paper and spray with cooking spray.

2. In a bowl mix on medium speed the strawberry cake mix, vegetable oil, egg and cream cheese until well combined. (Do not over mix).

3. Pour batter into the prepared baking dish and spread evenly.  Batter will be thick.

4. Arrange strawberries on top of the batter.

5. Bake for about 15-20 minutes or until edges start to brown and center looks somewhat set.  Strawberries will be somewhat dried out.

6. Cool before serving.

One other tip- I put mine in the fridge and they became hydrated again and kind of sticky. So I'm not sure if best to just keep in a container with lid or put back int he fridge.