VRRROOOOMMMMM

It's kind of been a theme this summer, time is flying an I can't keep up with is. Since last post a lot of things have happened and I will recap them below, some will be featured on later post when I feel like I have a second to catch up!

• My name is officially on the Gigglemoor totem pole, meaning I am officially in the family
• Celebrated the 4th in Gigglemoor with Annie, Amy, Jim, MB, Billy and family friend Roz
• Went to Sanible with my family for a week! We had the best time ever. Lots of fishing, eating, partying, swimming and all around good times!
• Celebrated my brother's 30th in Key West for the weekend.
• Big one, accepted a new job at Brandimage and start in about 2 weeks.
• Will be departing SparkPeople and really miss people.
• Went to Lexington and crashed a wedding, decided we didn't like the band for our wedding. Ate a piece of really bad wedding cake.

Ballpark Concessions

So I'm dreaming of the Reds Opening Day and warm afternoons with cold beer, bad food and a great game of baseball in front of me - can you blame me, it's the dead of winter here in Cincinnati. One of my favorite things about going to ball games is the food, nothing taste better than a ball park weenie smothered in mustard and ketchup and so delicately wrapped in the aluminum foil. Of course there are also things like soft serve ice cream, cotton candy, corndogs, popcorn and any other type of concession type food to tempt you.

Well, thanks to my friend Rob I learned last year a stadium in Michigan introduced a heart attack on a plate, the Fifth Third Burger , to their menu. This year they are allowing fans to vote on the next unhealthy item to be added to the menu. All of them sound absolutely disgusting, but the sad part is I could see myself at a game and ordering one of these ridiculous items just because I have to - and then I would end up loving it and having night sweats thinking about the next time I get to indulge in it. I've pulled the items from the West Michigan White Caps website below so you can get a feeling what I'm talking about.

1. Chicken and Waffles - Why did the chicken cross the road? To lie down on a bed of waffles, get smothered in gravy and get eaten by you, of course!
   
2. Chili Mac Tacos - Think comfort food that took a trip to Mexico. Creamy mac and cheese is smothered in chili then loaded into a hard taco shell to create a taste experience that won't soon be forgotten.
   
3. Chocolate Covered Bacon - This little piggy went to market, this little piggy stayed home and this little piggy dunked itself in chocolate to become a delicious treat for Whitecaps fans!


4. Corn Dog o' Plenty - If the Idaho Christmas Tree isn't enough corndog for you then try the Corn Dog o' Plenty. A full half-pound, footlong frank that is battered and deep fried to make one gigantic corn dog.


5. Cudighi Yooper Sandwich - If you don't know what this one is then you haven't been to the Upper Peninsula. Cudighi is a spicy sausage found throughout the U.P. and we might bring it down to West Michigan. A sausage patty, smothered in cheese, pizza sauce, peppers and onions could grace the concession stands of Fifth Third Ballpark.


6. Declaration of Indigestion - When in the course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to disband from the tyranny of healthy eating, they should consume the Declaration of Indigestion. You see, all sandwiches are not created equal as this half-pound, footlong hot dog is covered in a philly cheese steak (steak, cheese, peppers and onions) and served on a gigantic sub roll. It is certainly your unalienable right to consume one of these in the pursuit of happiness.
   
7. Idaho Christmas Tree - Why waste your time eating all of your favorite items separately? This is a batter-dipped hot dog rolled in french fries and deep fried to create the perfect limbed link on stick.
   
8. Poutin - A real treat from North of the border. The French Canadians have done it again, and this time with gravy. Fries, fried cheese curds and gravy make up this delectable side dish. Tres bien!
   
9. The Pink Panther - Not sure if this guy is named after the famous detective or the insulation, but either way it's delicious. Take a hot dog bun, slather it in icing and fill it with pink cotton candy. Maybe drizzle some root beer syrup over the top for good measure. It's the dessert dog you'll have to try this summer!


10. Twinkie Cheese Dog - This dog can survive any disaster and it might cause a few of its own. Simple - a hot dog laid in a Twinkie covered in cheese. Yum.

Ok, did those just make your heart stop reading them? All of them sound just disgusting to me, especially anything that is covered in gravy - NO THANK YOU! The Pink Panther is just disturbing and made my teeth feel like they might fall out from all the sugar. I mean straight Root Beer Syrup, there is a reason it's mixed with carbonated water people!

Now, if I had to choose one item to add to the menu I would pick the Corn Dog O Plenty! I love corndogs, even the cute mini ones that bars now serve. Nothing is gross about this concoction except, it's basically a footlong corndog instead of a footlong cheese coney. However, according to the poll the Declaration of Independence is winning with my Corn Dog receiving a mere 1% of votes.

You can vote here and also be glad that you don't live near West Michigan and will continue to only see normal items on your concession menu that don't require a jump start to your heart after eating them.

Oh To Be 21 Again

I spent Labor Day Weekend in Gigglemoor with Jim’s sister Mary Jesse and 9 of her friends! I knew we were in for a lot of partying and fun and the weekend didn’t let us down. In addition to going down to spend time with Jesse and her friends, it was also going to be Chili’s first plane ride, time at the lake, boat ride and swimming lesson at the lake- so we had a big weekend ahead of us.

The weekend was a lot of fun even though the weather didn’t really cooperate with us. MJ’s friends were great, it just reminds me how crazy living a college lifestyle is and how quickly it all changes in just a few years. You go from carefree and up late drinking and eating whatever you want to early mornings, bad hangovers and not even considering buying the glazed donuts for breakfast.

They invented this game they called CICATA that might have been the worst idea ever. Basically, you put a bottle of liquor in front of everyone and you try to spell CICATA and then you take a shot and everyone yells CICATA. It keeps going and going until the bottle runs out or someone loses their dinner. It is the worst game ever and I don’t ever suggest playing it unless you want someone to end up in the hospital eventually- but college is about figuring these things out right?

While the weekend consisted of lots of partying and good times I was really excited to spend some time with Jim and Chili at the lake. This was a big weekend for Chili – she had her first plane ride with Jim, boat ride, first lake experience, weekend sleeping out of her crate, first jet ski ride, first time outside not leashed and her first experience with the shore. I think just hearing all these things she had in store wore her out.

However, she couldn’t have been any better! She was so so on the plane ride, I think the levels might have given her some gas…and believe me folks, being trapped in a small space with a dog fart is no fun! But she absolutely loved the freedom. She ran around the yard, snuggled with Lucy and didn’t get too far out of our sights. This was a big win for Chili because we honestly didn’t know what to expect…for all we knew she might run off and never come back. But she stayed close to our side most of the time and came instantly when called.

Next big step, boat ride! She was a little hesitant of the boat at first. It took a lot of persuasion to get her on it. But once she was on it, smooth sailing. Check out the video clip of her below soaking up the wind. She loved running around the boat and just taking it all in. Her little nose up and Queen of the Sail. She was a little confused by the booze cruise we took at night, I think the loud music and dancing wasn’t her scene, and she also wondered why Mom was booty popping like they do on the Animal Planet when she’s home alone.

She still hadn’t jumped in the lake, so we were a little worried she isn’t a water dog. But Jim and I decided to take her on a jet ski and let her walk in on a sandy shore. So off we rode, she loved the jet ski even more than the boat! We ran it on shore and the next thing you knew, after a little bit of persuasion, she was jumping through the water and swimming after sticks like her mentor Lucy. She loved it….we played chase, fetch, swim back and forth between Jim and me and then hung out for a little. It was a cold jet ski ride back since she was wet, but that didn’t bother her much at all.

All this playing made her really tired. So night time and sleepy time was the best for her. She sacked up in her favorite blue chair and was out. She would even go in without me in there, which never happens at home. Then the next day we took her out on the boat, and she jumped off the back in the middle of the lake! At first Jim thought he’d have to save her, but she swam right back to the boat. I think she was just cooling off. So we took a plane ride home and she snoozed the night away.

It was a great weekend! Mj’s friends were great, it was a great end to the summer and Chili time was amazing. I really love my little puppy and as much work as she is I can’t imagine life without her. We did give her one bad habit though, we let her on the bed in Gigglemoor and now she thinks she can do it at home!

Where Did Summer Go

Holy Cow, it's September 1? Where on earth did this summer go? I feel like just yesterday I was excited that the trees were blooming, the grass was green and a summer of swimming, boat drinks, concerts and fun was ahead of me. Now it's school zones, yellow buses, cool nights and the dreadful fear that highs in the 40s are approaching.

I mean, it was less than a month ago I was at the Jimmy Buffet concert here in Cincinnati. I think that's what it is, the concert was way too late in the summer this year and I feel like it just jump started my summer.

Usually Jimmy Buffet plays in June or even early July, but this year it wasn't until August. I mean, a Buffet concert at any time of the year is great, but here in Cincinnati it's a movement. Millions of parrot heads flock down to Riverbend to wear hula skirts, bikinis, drink margaritas and forget that their is life outside of Margaritaville.

If you're not a fan of Buffet you just don't get. You are confused why middle aged men wear grass skirts, woman wear coconut bras and peeing in the lawn is acceptable. But if you are a fan, you know that drinking at 7A, taking shots with your fellow lot mates, wearing nothing more than a parrot head speedo and much more is nothing out of the ordinary.

As a 28 year old, I'm not necessarily in the main Buffet target. The majority of his fans are middle aged party goers who in their prime, were pretty much as awesome as me!! JK. But there are a lot of Buffet fans. A lot of people ask why I'm a Buffet Fan, so few reasons below:

1. I grew up listening to Buffet and it reminds me of beach days and dancing as a child.
2. Buffet LOVES Cincinnati. Not only is "Fins" about Cincinnati but the whole Parrotheads actually started here in Cincinnati when he performed at Kings Island.
3. His music makes me crave an ice cold beer and boat drink and automatically brings me to warm weather, even if it's the middle of February.
4. He's a pilot and leads a lifestyle I would want to live.
5. He's done so well not only as a musician, but a business man creating Margaritaville, LandShark and much more!

I can definitely say it's the highlight of my summer going to Buffet and each year I look forward to it. Someday I will make a show of his in a tropical island and be in heaven!

Anyway, to my original point I"m not ready for Fall or Winter. I feel like I woke up and when "Dude, where's my summer gone?"

Summer = Golf

It's been a gorgeous two days here in Cincinnati. Thanks to the warm weather people got completely hammered last night on St.Patty's Day and did a lot of this!

The warm weather means that Spring and Summer are quickly approaching. The past couple summers I really enjoyed getting out and playing golf. I am an outdoor person and hate sitting around doing nothing when the weather is nice. Last summer, I purchased my first set of my own golf clubs and spent a lot of time practicing.

This summer, I am really going to put my skills to practice. I am going to get out and play more, even if I have to do it on my own. Possibly pick up lessons. I enjoy the smell of cut grass, the beauty of the courses, drinking a beer or two and getting quality time with the person you are playing with. Jim is really good, so maybe he will give me a lesson or two (hint hint if you are reading).

I saw this clip on the Internet and it made me laugh a little. A totally absurd product when a man can just do it in the woods. I drink a lot of water so a product like this, if possible, for a girl would have been much more amusing. But enjoy!

Looking forward to many summer golf days!