Charlie's Adventures

I'm in the Game!

2010-12-19T15:28:00.003-06:00

Over the past couple of months, Mad Money with Jim Cramer has been added to our nightly TV rotation --- God bless the DVR. Clearly, I thought this was initially a mistaken recording, but soon learned that it was strategically planned by Ray.

If you've never tuned in, Jim has quite the shtick. I'm shocked to say this, but he actually makes learning about stocks and the market very fun and interesting. During the show's intro he welcomes you to "Cramerica" and encourages viewers to "Get in the Game!" My favorite part of the show is the Lightning Round where he answers many questions from viewers in quick order. I love when he walks us through if a viewer's portfolio is diversified and helps break everything down.

Well folks, this weekend I took the steps necessary to officially GET IN THE GAME. I was questioning what my strategy should be once my first stock doubles and so I tweeted at Jim Cramer (@JimCramer) and asked him. He responded within 15 minutes!!! Funny enough, this was the highlight of my weekend. His advice, "Bulls make money, bears make money, Pigs get slaughtered!" Sage advice.

31 and Still Learning Lessons in Life

2010-07-14T17:50:00.010-05:00

In celebration of my 31st birthday yesterday, Ray wanted to take me out for dinner. We got all gussied up and headed out to one of my favorite spots in town so I could get some seafood. Unfortunately, we learned upon arrival that they are closed on Monday & Tuesday. Ugh, it's so tough when my stomach is set on something in particular to switch gears. We decided to try out another steakhouse that we had never eaten at before.

Prior to entering the restaurant, I checked out the menu and said that the only thing that really jumped off the page were the Alaskan King Crab Legs, served by the pound with drawn butter and lemons at market price. Ray also said that he could find something on the menu. When we sat down at the table, I looked more closely at the menu, and again nothing else sounded quite as good - except maybe the Surf & Turf which was a 7oz filet & 1lb of the crab legs for $60, but knew I wouldn't be able to eat that much (not to mention spend that much on a meal).

I placed my order for the Alaskan King Crab Legs, Ray ordered a wedge salad and soup, we both had water to drink and didn't feel like an appetizer. I could not believe my eyes when they brought out my platter of crab legs; there had to be three pounds on there! And of course it was accompanied by a vat of melted butter that I could have happily drowned myself in. They were very tasty and had plenty to share with my man.

Before the bill arrived, we played the 'what do you think market price is currently' game. We figured somewhere around $45, especially since the Surf & Turf was $60. Well, we were completely off the pace. Can you believe that my meal alone (no sides, JUST the crab) was $80.00?!?!?! WTF?????????????????? You know, I've had A LOT of crab legs in my life and have never spent close to $80! I mean they were good, but not $80 good.

Another lesson in life learned, I will now always ask "what is the current market price" on the food that I order and will also be sure to ask "how many pounds of crab are included in an order?"

A year older and now a tiny bit wiser.

Nice Shot

2010-04-18T20:05:00.009-05:00

This past week I had the honor & pleasure of escorting five journalists around north Louisiana, showcasing a number of the beautiful State Parks and partaking in various outdoor activities. The 3-day itinerary included fishing, golfing, hiking, birding, mountain biking, canoeing, an air boat ride, a hay ride, and my personal favorite - skeet shooting! It was my first experience shooting a real gun, and you know what, I was a pretty good shot. To be honest, I was nervous to even pick up the gun. But after I shot it the first time, I really had a blast and felt like a natural. The guys kept calling me Annie Oakley, which I'm told is a compliment. Shockingly enough, I have to admit that I'd love to go again. By the way, the caption to the photo above is me saying, "Ohhhhh YEAH!"

Rebel Red

2010-03-06T21:26:00.006-06:00

When this bottle of wine was spotted at the local wine store, I couldn't help but stop and take notice. Although I'm a middle sister, at time fancy myself as a bit of a rebel , and yes I do have red hair, by no means did I think there was a wine named after me! Obviously, the bottle had to be purchased and promptly tasted. You know what, it was very smooth and quite tasty. I've since learned that it has won "Best in Class" and a Gold Medal at the San Franciso Chronicle's International Wine Competition. If you're looking for a nice, inexpensive table wine, you won't go wrong by picking up a bottle of this.

Unbeknownst to me, there is a whole line of Middle Sister Wines including Wicked White, Drama Queen, Forever Cool, Mischief Maker, and Smarty Pants. I quite enjoyed reading Middle Sister Wines website description of Rebel Red: "Did you know that birth order is commonly believed to have a profound and lasting effect on psychological development? And that the middle sister has a greater chance of having a special wine named just for her? A sassy blend of our three favorite red varieties perfect for sipping before, during and after our favorite family meals. Some people are just born lucky. Now give me back my blouse."

I Can See Clearly Now!!!

2009-12-13T16:31:00.002-06:00

After more than 17 years of wearing contact lenses and glasses, I gave myself the gift of sight this year for Christmas! I had LASIK corrective eye surgery this past Friday afternoon and the result has me absolutely dazzled. My favorite game this weekend has been testing my vision. The follow-up doctor appointment yesterday morning confirmed that indeed it worked...I'm already seeing better than 20/20 in each eye! Modern medicine and technology is truly amazing.

The photo above was taken moments after the procedure was completed when I was pumped full of Valium. I had kind of a strange reaction to the medication. It is supposed to really calm you down and mellow you out to create a state of relaxation prior to the procedure - it had quite the opposite effect on me. It really got me jacked up and anxious. I also don't think the local numbing pain drops that they used on my eyes worked very well on me either because I basically felt the entire procedure. I'm told that this is not a normal reaction as most people feel no pain or discomfort whatsoever. Regardless, looking back now it was 100 percent worth the discomfort to be able to see. I would do it again in a heartbeat and strongly encourage LASIK to anyone who is dependent on glasses or contacts.

"Take The Pedi Back"

2009-11-15T19:19:00.003-06:00

Following a late night after a big win and workout at the gym this morning, we stopped by the new nail salon that opened right down the street. Ray wanted to make sure that his "man card" would not be revoked, so he watched his Direct TV football package via live feed on his iPhone. I love that he does not have a problem with getting pampered, please don't get me wrong - he's 100% MAN! He later said, "I don't know how the female gender has kept the pedi from men for this long. Men should unite and take the pedi back." I can't argue with that!

Momma D.'s World Famous Banana Bread

2009-11-09T18:33:00.007-06:00

Ray's mom taught me how to make her World Famous Banana Bread when she was here for a visit last year. There were a few ripe bananas laying around the kitchen and decided to make a loaf this evening. A telephone call was made to obtained permission to write this post get clearance to publish Momma D.'s super secret recipe. It is the best & easiest banana bread that I've made and turns out delicious every time.

Ingredients:
3 or 4 ripe mashed bananas
1/3 cup melted butter
1 1/2 cup flour
3/4 cup sugar
1 egg beaten
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp baking soda
pinch salt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease a bread pan. Stir all ingredients in a medium bowl with a wooden spoon, do not over stir. Pour batter into bread pan and bake for 1 hour or until center is done.

It's Been Way Too Long

2009-11-01T18:44:00.006-06:00

I'M BACK! I just got a new battery for my laptop. It's been dead for quite some time, which required me to be near a power source. I haven't been on my computer much when I'm at home...there's always so many other things that need to be done.

We had some tornadoes blow though town on Thursday. Man those things are powerful. I was in my office which is on the 10th floor when the F2 came through downtown. It was pretty crazy to feel the building shake & sway a bit. We quickly made our way down through the stairwell to
safer ground, but by the time we made it to the ground floor it had all blown over. I snap the picture below of an apparent industrial size air conditioner cover that blew off the roof & landed in the street.
It took me more than 1.5 hours to make it home, usually a 25 minute drive. There were trees down everywhere, roofs ripped off houses, power lines in the middle of the road, fires, and power outages. I had the radio on during the drive and heard that the steeple of the church downtown was blown off from the tornado and landed on a car. I later learned that the person in the car (who is miraculously alive and recovering well) is a good friend of ours.

On Friday our office was closed. Lucky for me because our street was flooded (see photo below taken Friday afternoon). Had I tried to drive through it in my low-riding car, I surely would've ended up with water in my car.

Mother Nature is an amazing chick! This October was the wettest in recorded history in northwest Louisiana! I'm glad it's November and haven't seen a drop yet.

Getting The Run-Around

2009-10-04T18:19:00.003-05:00

My sister Suzanne and I registered for the P.F. Chang's Rock 'n' Roll 1/2 Marathon taking place in Phoenix, AZ on January 17, 2010 and training is well underway! Long-distance running somewhat "runs" in my family. Two of my sisters and I ran cross-country in high school. I remember my Dad running marathons growing up and going for 2-3 hour runs on Sundays even in the dead of Illinois winters. Dad trained people to run marathons and helped coach my cross-country and track teams.

January will be my third time running this particular race and I don't remember the training being this hard on my body the last time around. Ray keeps saying that this is what happens when you get older and to get used to it, but I don't want to buy into any of that. I talked to my Dad about all of my aches and pains last weekend and he recommended the first thing I do is buy a new pair of running shoes.

After a tough 5-mile run yesterday, I headed to Sportspectrum in Shreveport to check out their selection. They had a HUGE wall of shoes to choose from and the picture above only shows a fraction. It was really cool; they had me stand on a pad that measured how I distribute my weight on my feet, watched me walk, and recommended the type of shoes that would be best for me. I tried on several pairs, but none of them felt quite right. They were out of my size of the pair that I was certain would have been "The One." Apparently, this is the time of year that manufacturers release the new models of shoes. Due to this, the store will not be receiving another shipment of this particular model.

I'm torn! Do I locate the pair online that I think will work and hope for the best, or wait for the new models to arrive in a few weeks and try them on before buying?

Where A Kid Can Be A Kid!

2009-09-20T19:04:00.004-05:00

I was brought back in time on Friday night to a wonderful part of my childhood. My inaugural trip to the Robinson Film Center in downtown Shreveport was to see "The Rock-afire Explosion," a documentary about the animatronic robots that played in Showbiz Pizza Place from 1980-1991. If you recall, The Rock-afire Explosion were different characters, from a dog to a gorilla, who performed music and even told jokes during shows on three stages.

The official press release says: “The Rock-afire Explosion” is the story of a small-town car salesman, a struggling inventor, and an animatronic rock band, that quickly becomes an eccentric portrait of childhood memories, broken dreams, and the resilience of the human spirit.

The documentary featured Chris Thrash, a die-hard fan and "preservationist" of The Rock-afire Explosion. He saved his money for years, working multiple jobs to purchase an original Rock-afire Explosion show to have at his home! Yes, this guy is very kooky but fun loving. It also featured Aaron Fechter, creator of The Rock-afire Explosion, as well as some of the remaining Rock-afire Explosion fan base. Two of the people featured in the documentary drove into town to attend the special two-night screening! Billy Bob, the Showbiz mascot bear who interacted with kids, was even there to great people who came to the screening. The DVD is set to be released on September 29, 2009. If you have fond memories of going to Showbiz Pizza Place, I recommened addidng this gem to your Netflix queue.

Do you remember Showbiz Pizza Place? I grew up going to Showbiz as a kid and it was A MILLION times better than what Chuck E. Cheese is now (the two companies merged in 1991-92). Thinking back now, I can give some credit to Showbiz for getting good grades -- they gave kids free tokens for each "A" earned on a report card. My mom would take me & my sisters there the weekend we received our report cards so that we could celebrate and play. My mom reminded me today that my dad would celebrate his birthday at Showbiz because he knew it would make his kids happy! Great memories and I am thankful that they were brought back to life through this documentary.

Seriously! I Mean, Seriously?!?!

2009-09-13T20:25:00.005-05:00

My number one, biggest pet peeve is when someone does not follow through on a promise or service. Period. Today I was very disappointed and found myself quite upset when I drove nearly 40 minutes to attend my Sunday afternoon yoga class, waited in my car approximately 25 minutes, just to find out that the instructor would not be showing up. The problem was not that class was canceled, but that she failed to let myself and the other 7 people who showed up know that she would not be coming!

You see, I really enjoy this particular class and have been scheduling my entire Sunday around it. Between the drive there, the 75 minute class, and the drive home, it is almost a three hour commitment. Ray has been gracious enough to go grocery shopping while I attend class so that we can spend as much time together on our day off.

Needless to say, I was fuming on the 40 minute drive back home...not very Zen. I sent the instructor a very nice email (since I knew that I'd be seeing her next week) as soon as I got home expressing my disappointment and let her know how committed I am to her class. The e-mail explained my personal situation clearly and recommended that perhaps she prepare a communications strategy so that this wouldn't happen again.

The other issue is that this is a second time occurrence for me. The first was about 6 months ago and the result is that I stopped going to class - I just missed it so much that decided to give another go at it. I'm not sure what is so difficult about sending an e-mail to her approximately 20 students saying if class is canceled? I'm still not sure why that would be so difficult.

I had to find the good in this situation, otherwise it would've ruined my day. I guess the upside was that I ended up getting in a run this afternoon, albeit in the rain, but it felt great nonetheless!

How Young is Too Young?

2009-09-07T19:48:00.005-05:00

It is amazing how many kids have their own cell phone these days. What shocks me are the young kids with smart phones. I was at a boutique yesterday and there was a girl, probably 15 years old, who was texting friends on her iPhone the entire time she and her mom were shopping. The store owner said, "my high school son would be so jealous if he saw you have an iPhone." Mom spoke up quickly and said that her daughter paid for the phone herself and is responsible to pay for the monthly insurance plan. At least this is learning responsibility and has to work for things.

What really got me was today during lunch at the Olive Garden. There was a kid, no older than 9 years of age, who was texting on his iPhone! This was clearly his own personal phone, which prompted a conversation about how much things have changed since when I was growing up (yes, this talk made me feel old!). As this was being discussed, I looked a couple tables down and there was a two-year-old child talking on a cell phone!!! No joke. I about fell out of my chair laughing. I mean seriously, isn't that a bit young? Stephanie, do either of your kids have a cell phone?

Why Women Stay Single

2009-09-02T19:01:00.002-05:00

Thanks for sending me this video, Lesley. Classic!!!

Monday Night Sushi Club

2009-08-31T20:00:00.006-05:00

A wonderful new sushi joint just opened a couple of weeks ago in North Bossier, just a few miles from my house. The sushi and rolls are out of this world. Check out the name - Avocado California Roll & Sushi - it's a mouthful. The first couple of times we dined there the service was really - I MEAN REALLY - slow, taking about two hours to finish dinner. But the food is so incredible that we had to go back for more. I have had sushi all over the globe and I'm putting my stamp of approval on this gem as the best I've found!

This restaurant was founded in Wylie, Texas, and there are currently ten locations. Alexander, the founder, greeted us last week and even showed us that he has a roll named in his honor. How cool is that? The menu is like no other Japanese restaurant I've been to either. There are pictures accompanying each of the dishes...genius. So often I won't try something new because I don't know what I'm getting myself into. This takes all of the guess work out of it. However, it looks like someone needs to go through and spell check the menu - check out item #19 below.

Last Monday, four of us (Ray, Steve - pictured below, and "Sugar") met up for a sushi dinner. Yes, the service was slow yet again - but the food is beyond...I mean it's BEYOND! We decided to make it a Monday night event. It was great having something to look forward to throughout the first day of the work week. I am very happy to report that the service has picked up quite a bit and only took an hour - in and out. We all really hope this place will make it here.

Next Monday = same time, same place.

New Guilty Pleasure

2009-08-23T13:14:00.003-05:00

A few weeks ago, some ladies at work turned me on to "Whatever, Martha!" I find the show to be quite hysterical. In case you are in the dark, as I have been for the last year, these half-hour episodes feature co-hosts Alexis Stewart (Martha Stewart's daughter) and friend Jennifer Koppelman Hutt (who happens to be the daughter of the chairman of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia) . The premise is that the co-hosts watch old, archive episodes of Martha Stewart's show and critique, mock and provide commentary of what they watch. They make fun of Martha's clothes, rip into her guests, and mix in sexual innuendos whenever the opportunity presets itself. It seems that nothing is off limits to what they joke about. They also attempt to make some of the crafts or meals during real-time while watching the show. I've read that Martha created the show after watching reruns of “Mystery Science Theater 3000." Genius if you ask me! If you are intrigued and have a DVR or TiVo - record a few episodes and check it out for yourself. Apparently they also have a radio show on Sirus Satellite Radio. Here's a sample of the show below, what do you think?

Getting My Om On

2009-08-16T20:19:00.004-05:00

Yoga has been a part of my life since September, 2002. There have been times that I've been extremely dedicated - taking multiple classes a week and practicing on my own. There have also been 6-9 month hiatuses. I'm happy to report that I'm back on track and have found a great class that I really enjoy on Sunday afternoons. Typically, I like Sundays to be relaxing and restful - a time to get in the right mindset for another week of work. That is exactly what yoga does for me, it is such a stress reliever. It allows me to decompress and refocus my energy on what is important. Not only is the class fantastic, I can't beat the price. The 9 week package I purchased averages out to $5.00 a class! I'll gladly pay that to get my Om on.

Ya Never Know...

2009-08-10T19:14:00.006-05:00

With the power of the Internet and technology in general, you can never be too careful about what you put in writing. Whether it's texting, e-mail, blogging, Twitter, Facebook or whatever means of communication you choose to use, you just never know whose eyes will one day see what you've written. Unfortunately, this girl didn't get the memo...and this is what was posted on her Facebook page:

I luckily learned this hard lesson when I was FRESH out of college. It was my first job after graduation and I was working for a travel agency. Long story short, I was sending personal e-mail via my work e-mail account, saying how much I hated my job and my boss. Well at my 90-day evaluation, my boss asked how I was liking the job. When I said that it was going well, he threw a stack of my e-mail on the table and said, "Well these tell me otherwise." I gave my 2-weeks notice on the spot (which believe it or not, I actually toughed it out for those 2 weeks!) and have NEVER put anything in writing that I wouldn't show to my boss, or anyone for that matter. Lesson learned. I'm thinking the same can be said about the person above.

Mr. Hottie...Not So Fast

2009-08-01T15:55:00.005-05:00

Every gym has its own cast of characters. Well, mine here in Bossier City is no different. Today I'd like to tell you about the guy who has been dubbed by all of the women at the gym, Mr. Hottie. You may have heard about the movie, "The Hottie & The Nottie." This guys is clearly the Nottie. I really wish I could've snapped a photo or video of this d-bag in action - I don't know if my description will do him justice, but I'll give it a shot.

This grown man, in his late 40's or early 50's, is trying to cling on to something...I just don't know what that something is, and I don't know why. Mr. Hottie has only one outfit that I have ever seen him in. He wears an old-school, LSU Tigers t-shirt that would fit a seven-year-old. He has made it his own by cutting off the sleeves, cutting a not-so-stylish "V" on the collar and cutting off the midriff --- YES, THE MAN WEARS A BELLY SHIRT! I understand why he has the cut-off the sleeves, it' so we can all get a great shot of his Playboy bunny tattoo, done in Indian ink, on his arm...very classy. What's most disturbing about the get-up is his cut-off sweatpants. You know how sweatpants are on a guy, they leave nothing to the imagination and you can always get a clear outlined shot of everything, not one of my favorite looks on a any man. Unfortunately, I don't think that underwear are part of Mr. Hottie's ensemble because there is WAY too much movement going on down there.

Mr. Hottie LOVES any exercise where he lifts his arms up over his head, so that his shirt raises up and you get a really clear view of everything he's got working. While running on the track today, I threw-up in my mouth a little when he I saw him doing alternating overhead shoulder-presses with the dumbbells.

I'm not judgin', I'm just sayin'!

30, Flirty, and FABULOUS!

2009-07-13T20:54:00.004-05:00

Yes, that's correct. Today is my 30th birthday and have to say it has been one of the best to date. I've been celebrating since July 1st when the office threw me a surprise party, today there were lots of presents, phone calls & cards, and the celebration will continue on through the weekend when I'll be in Dallas with my college best friend (who happens to turn 31st next Monday)...it has been much more than I ever expected.

I've always thought in my mind that thirty would be such a great age. Enough years of being young and stupid are behind you and it is the time to really come into your own. By the way, I love that movie 13 going on 30 - if you're a chick and haven't seen it, I say rent it.

Well my batteries are officially fully charged after coming off of a very relaxing vacation in paradise and I'm ready for more! Bring it on world, I'm ready. Thanks to everyone who wished me a happy birthday today, especially to Ray for making it extra special.

Recharging Them Batteries

2009-07-06T08:56:00.002-05:00

This is my favorite time of the year. Ever since I can remember, it has always been such a celebration. This year is no exception. Ray's 39th birthday was on July 3rd and my 30th is on the 13th. It is the perfect time of the year to take a vacation and recharge.

Destin, Florida is our vacation spot of choice this year. Yes, we were just here in May but had such a great time that we wanted to come right back. We got into town on the 4th of July and it has been nothing short of wonderful. We have enjoyed some delicious meals at local restaurants, including Camille's and Bud & Alley's. There has been some great shopping at Ann Taylor Loft, Nike, Viking, Naturalizer, and Artful Eye - Creative Eyewear in Seaside (I've been looking for sunglasses for months and finally landed the perfect pair). A quick piece of useless knowledge - Seaside, Florida is a master-planned community where The Truman Show was taped. Several hours have also already been spent beach side. There are some nasty clouds out right now and just discovered via weather.com that it is supposed to be wet here this week. The same thing was said last time we were here, so I'm just keeping my fingers crossed that it won't be too bad. I'm sure there will be more sunshine in the very near future.

Wimbledon also make this time of year extra special for me. I don't think a year has gone by that I haven't said, "I want to be a tennis player!" I pretty sure that I'd need to get tennis balls and a racquet first to make this happen, but a girl can dream. This year Wimbledon did not dissapoint! How exciting was the match between Serena and Venus Williams? The answer, VERY. However, it did not compare to the battle between Federer the Great and the American hottie, Andy Roddick. It was a tense 4+ hours watching that match. In case you live under a rock, it was the longest 5th set in Grand Slam history and Federer come out on top, per usual. It was so great seeing Roddick back on top of his personal game and hope that we continue to see him in Grand Slam finals.

Very Peachy

2009-06-28T18:16:00.006-05:00

The 59th annual Ruston Peach Festival took place this weekend in Ruston, LA, which is about 45 minutes from home. Peaches are right up there with strawberries, bananas, and blueberries as favorites of mine in the fruit food group. The Ross' (Steve & Angela) made the trip to Ruston yesterday as well to experience the festival - a first for all four of us. Steve and I are pictured above enjoying snow cones...they really hit the spot in the 100 degree pounding afternoon heat. At one point I was almost positive I was melting into the cement. Overall the afternoon was a lot of fun, but would not be honest if I didn't say that I left a bit disappointed. The motivating factor for my enthusiasm to attend was because I was under the impression there would be everything peach imaginable. You know, peach pie, peach cobbler, peach smoothies, peach daiquiris and/or margaritas; however none of these existed anywhere that I looked. The nerve! It was mostly arts & crafts and festival type food - which was fun to check out. The best highlights you ask? Obviously spending quality time with the Ross'; but also discovering the peach ice cream (divine) that you'll see Ray enjoying below, and picking up a bushel of Ruston peaches that are arguably the best peaches I've tasted.

That Time of Year

2009-06-21T18:38:00.005-05:00

It has been great enjoying the summer weather these past couple of weeks. My favorite time of year is when you go outside in shorts and a t-shirt and feel like you're in a nice warm oven - that time is now. Although around here it's a very moist oven, but hey, I'm not complaining. One thing that comes with summer months is the farmers market. The inaugural trip to the Shreveport Market took place yesterday. I got the best tasting blueberries I've ever had, no joke. They were completely sweet and did not have any tart bite to them. Also purchased were some white potatoes, strawberries, honey BBQ sauce and banana nut muffins. Nothing disappointed and a return trip will be warranted next weekend. I'm just going to have to drag my butt out of bed earlier because by the time I rolled into the market, you could tell that everything had been picked over...and there was no corn left. Lesson learned, the early bird gets the corn.

Growing up in Illinois, we always went to the apple orchard in the fall to pick fresh apples and it was such a blast. Well, I learned earlier this week about a blueberry farm where you get to pick your own blueberries! Who knew such a place existed?!? I can't wait to see what picking blueberries entails. I don't know if they grow on the ground and I'll have to crouch down to pick them or if they grow on a vine and at shoulder level...if you know, please enlighten me...

Great Day for a Ride

2009-06-07T15:46:00.003-05:00

Today has been a picture perfect June day in Bossier City. It's in the mid-80's, the sun is shining and there are nice puffy clouds in the blue, blue sky. We decided to take advantage of the gorgeous day by taking a leisurely 9-mile bike ride along the Red River. Although for me it was more of a workout than a nice easy ride. There was a headwind that wouldn't allow me to just coast along...but this meant I could justify not going into the gym today. Thinking about that, it was really refreshing to take the workout outside for a change. Fresh air sure does the body good. Below is a picture of Ray, who has just been named Executive of the Year in the CHL!!! Congrats to Ray, quite the accomplishment.

Fun in the Sun and Rain

2009-05-24T20:35:00.004-05:00

I can say with great confidence that I am very good at being on vacation. It has been absolutely wonderful these last few days to be able to relax and spend quality time with Ray. The weather has been pretty spotty here on the Emerald Coast of Florida. It has poured rain each day since arriving, but have been fortunate enough to have patches of sun in the mix everyday thus far as well. This has really worked to our advantage - we go shopping, eat or chill in the condo when it is raining and then hit the beach at first sign of the sun. Here are a couple pictures taken from the beachfront condo we are staying in...talk about a view!

The One

2009-05-17T19:49:00.000-05:00

Four more days until VAY-KAY in Destin, Florida! The countdown began months ago and the time is finally drawing near. It will be my first trip to Destin and hopefully it won't be my last. I love that this vacation does not require any flights or rental cars. It's great not having to monitor how much to pack and I can do plenty of shopping and not have to worry about how to get anything back home. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE beach vacations and am more than looking forward to the 9 days and 8 nights of beach-side bliss.

In preparation for the upcoming trip, I have been on the hunt for the past week and a half for a new swimsuit. Yes, nightmare is a great way to describe finding one that fits. You see, I have the body of a woman - full of curves - and the majority of 2-piece suits are not made for my shapely body. The tops are always too small and the bottoms tend to dig into my skin and make me look larger than I really am. I started at Target then went on to Dillard’s, Sears, JC Penny, Academy Sports and event Ross. Several people, including Ray, told me that I needed to check out Couleur, a higher-end boutique/lingerie store that has a room of swimwear. Shopping there WAS LIKE A DREAM COME TRUE! The room was packed full of options and would have been overwhelming - BUT - this wonderful woman, Alice, was with me every step of the way. She was able to size up my body and recommend several pieces to try on for size. It was like having my own personal shopper! As I was trying things on she brought me this bright, teal blue number. I didn't think much of it when it was on the hanger...but then I tried it on. Seriously, It was like this suit was tailored special for me. I didn't even look at the price because as soon as I slipped it on I immediately knew it was "THE ONE!" I can't wait to wear it on the beach...watch out Destin!

Always Something

2009-05-10T17:59:00.002-05:00

Wouldn't you know it, Ray went out on the hunt today for a new grill. He has been talking about this for weeks and knew exactly what he was looking for in his purchase. I really don't understand what it is with guys and grilling - but hey, if it means I don't have to cook...PERFECT...I won't ask questions. It was funny because I was thinking to myself, "geez Charlie, I really need to figure out what to post on my blog, what should I write about this time." At that same moment, I poked my head through the blinds to check on how the grill was doing and there were flames flying everywhere! I stood there for a moment before I was commanded to get some water. You see, the grill was pre-assembled by Home Depot where it was purchased. They failed to remove the styrofoam and cardboard from the area underneath the grill pan and this caught fire! How dangerous! This could have easily resulted in an explosion because of the open flames right next to the propane tank. After getting the water, I quickly grabed my camera to get a shot of the clean-up.

Update....now Ray can't get the grill to turn on. He's not happy...

Update...#2 - We're up and working! With just a push of a button. He's happy again!!!

Where Have You Been Miss Charlie?

2009-05-03T12:09:00.004-05:00

The past two weeks have been filled with travel, travel and more travel. I have been in the following cities over the past 14 days -Shreveport/Bossier City, Memphis, Chicago, Rosemont, Burr Ridge, Darien, Evanston, Lafayette, Baton Rouge, New Orleans and many small towns in between. I attended a wedding, three music festivals, had 3 rental cars, stayed in 6 different hotels and met some amazing people along the way. The adventures included being stuck on the side of I-49 South for 3 hours in 80+ degree whether and also had experience with a flat tire. I did have so much fun while globe-trotting but words cannot describe how wonderful it has felt being home for the past few days!

I'd like to give quick shout-out to Champy...it's his 7th birthday today! I've know the guy for just over two years now and am shocked he has made it this far in life. Happy Birthday Champ!!!

Quick-Hitter

2009-04-16T22:03:00.002-05:00

I thought I'd make a short update before heading away for a few days. I'm on my way to Chicago in the morning for a good college friend/sorority sister's wedding. Ray will be making the trip as well, very exciting! He has never met any of my friends (besides my sisters)...it will get so fun to introduce him to my friends attending the wedding. Also on the itinerary is to meet up with my best friend from high school & college friends in the City. I'll be returning by myself on Monday because Ray will be heading to see his mom for a few days - such a good son! Got to finish packing - yes, I do have warm clothes packed.

Mmmmmm...Vino

2009-04-11T17:18:00.006-05:00

I had such a great time going to the Cork Wine Tasting Festival last weekend. It was a beautiful Saturday in Northwest Louisiana and Festival Plaza in downtown Shreveport made for the ideal venue for an afternoon of tasting wine. I'm not a big festival girl and tend to get a bit overwhelmed being around a lot of people, but the crowd was a lot of fun, the wine and food was delicious and there was even had live music. This is a festival that will be on my radar for next year. I sure love the way they do things up right down here in Louisiana.

Tonight, Ray is taking me on a date to 1800 Prime Steakhouse at Boomtown Casino. It's so fun to try new restaurants. Although I'd love to hit the blackjack table for a few hands after dessert, I know that isn't Ray's scene so I'll have to hold out until my sister, Suzanne, comes for a visit.

My First Time

2009-03-31T20:40:00.005-05:00

Well, in my quest to learn about all things Louisiana, I enjoyed - well not so much enjoyed but ate - my first ever crawfish, or mudbug if you will. Yes, I have had crawfish in pasta dishes and gumbo but have never peeled and eaten a boiled one before today. Man those guys are DIRTY. It just oozed with this bright yellow nastiness that got all over my hands and smelled equally gross - I'm told that is the fat and contains all of the flavor. I found the process to be quite a lot of work for such a little piece of meat. Plus, having those dead carcasses stare me in the eye was a bit disturbing and didn't leave me aching to pull the heads off more than just one. I do have to admit that it tasted better than I anticipate but commented that it will not become a staple in my diet.

Another first for me today was sighting an alligator in its natural habitat! It was a little guy and my trigger finger was too slow to catch him on film, but it was exciting for me nonetheless. Today was also the first time I have stepped onto a beach on the Gulf of Mexico - had to capture that moment. I sure love that my job allows me the opportunity to experience all of this.

Local Louisiana Charm

2009-03-26T15:05:00.004-05:00

This past week I was on a media tour with 6 journalists touring north and central Louisiana. The name of this trip was "Off the Beaten Path." Pat, a wonderful co-worker, planned the itinerary and included plenty of funky places in our region that aren't very well know. I had to share video of one of our favorite women we met, Miss Milly Rose. She owns an antique store in Minden, LA and is truly larger than life. I hope you enjoy these two short video's that Victoria, one of the journalists, captured. She is one class act, that Milly Rose!

Milly Rose Sings from Louisiana Travel on Vimeo.

Hollywood Comes To Milly Rose from Louisiana Travel on Vimeo.

Oompa-Loompas! Creepy of Fun?

2009-03-15T19:52:00.004-05:00

With an unfortunate Mudbugs loss of 5-3, the highlight of the game today had to be the Oompa-Loompas who were in attendance throughout the evening. When I was a kid and watched Willy Wonka, those Oompa-Loompas creeped the bee-geez-us out of me! But really, how could I pass up the photo opp...Ray had the same feeling by the looks of it.

It's Already March 15th?!?!?! Where Does The Time Go?

2009-03-15T10:17:00.005-05:00

I can't believe that over a month and a half has slipped by since my last post. No worries, everything is going well. I just haven't found myself sitting at my computer after working all day on one. But alas, it's Sunday morning and I'm enjoying a slow cup of coffee in my pj's.

There is a bit of a dilemma when this much time has gone by, do I mention what's gone on or just move forward....well, quick rewind. I made a surprise trip to NC for my mom's 60th birthday at the beginning of February - such a fun time with the family - even got to see my nephew for the first time. Work has been keeping me nice and occupied. I'm still loving my job which is a great sign. Ray's hockey season is quickly coming to an end and has clinched a spot in the playoffs. And I decided 4 weeks ago, when the scale tipped at a buck and a hey, that I needed to get off my butt and do something about it. So I hired a personal trainer & have been watching what I stuff in my mouth. Surprisingly enough I'm already seeing results and am feeling great! It's amazing what moving does for the body. I'll be fitting into my cute, skinny jeans in no time.

I went for lunch with a new girlfriend yesterday. We went to Cush's Grocery & Market, made famous for their cupcakes by Katie Holmes when she was in Shreveport shooting a movie. I had the chicken salad on avacado halves and had an amazing party in my mouth. Yes, I did enjoy a cupcake and brought one back for Ray...but honestly didn't see what all the hype was about...it tasted like a cupcake.

Tonight I'm taking in the Mudbugs hockey game with a couple of the girls from the office. Face-off is at 4:05 which will make for a nice evening at home afterwards before another busy week starts.

Hopefully there are people who will read this...I won't allow so much time before I update again.

Date Night

2009-01-24T21:20:00.006-06:00

It was fun last night to get out of the house for and evening out on the town with Ray. After we rushed home from work, let the dogs out, made a quick clothes change, we met our friends Angela and Steve for dinner at Joe's Crab Shack. The food was nothing to comment about, but we always have a great time when the four of us hang out.

We made a quick pit-stop for candy at Bass Pro Shop (they had quite the selection, who knew?!?!?), then headed to the CenturtyTel Center for the Darius Rucker, Dierks Bentley, and Brad Paisley concert. These are country musicians for those of you not in the know. We were running a bit late so missed Darius Rucker perform, but we mainly went to see Dierks Bentley...and he did not disappoint. If you ever get the chance to see him, GO! He is so much fun live and can't wait to see him again next time he comes through town.

I told Ray before the show that we could leave whenever he was ready (we both had long weeks and neither of us are huge Brad Paisley fans). Well, Paisley hadn't made it through his first song before Ray asked if I was ready to bounce! I'm surprised to say that I was enjoying myself and wanted to stay a bit longer. Although his lyrics are EXTREMELY corny, and feel his music is totally studio produced country, Brad Paisley was quite the entertainer! He is amazing on the guitar and his band was fantastic. At one point during the song, "Waiting on a Woman" Ray turned to me and said, "This is a great song to hang myself to." I knew at that point it was time to head home...too funny!

Highlights from Trip

2009-01-12T07:42:00.002-06:00

Herding Cats

2009-01-07T00:11:00.007-06:00

Today got off to a late start which gave me a bit of time to hit the much needed hotel gym. A walk through the French Quarter and Jackson Square brought the tour to brunch at Muriel’s to experience a feast for the senses. These meals have truly been spectacular and I would recommend each place I’ve eaten up to this point.

We then toured the Louisiana State Museum’s Presbytere where we learned more about Mardi Gras and Zulu (the originally all black Krewe). This year marks the 100th Anniversary of this krewe and the Presbytere was was putting the finishing touches on this new exhibit. Also at the museum was two woman who make Mardi Gras masks and presented us each with one! There were absolutely gorgeous and can’t wait to hang mine in my office.

We returned to the hotel to pick out costumes and change. I have to admit that mine was more revealing than I would have preferred, but it fit me perfect. It was a blast getting dressed up in costume and mask; it made me feel like a kid again at Halloween. We were all dressed in costumes and joined up with the Phunny Phorty Pehellow – they have a Twelfth Night (tonight, aka the epiphany) streetcar ride that heralds the arrival of the Carnival season. Our tour had the great fortune of joining this group on their streetcar! It was such and amazing experience and one that I will treasure for many years to come.

Then we were off to dinner, YES, all dressed in costume to GW Fins (pretty upscale joint, but nobody batted an eye when we walked in…only in New Orleans…or Vegas I guess). Executive Chef Tenny Flynn came out and chatted with our table several times and even gave a demonstration on how to make Banana’s Foster…No, I will not be attempting this dessert at home; I would probably set the place on fire.

We had plans to go to a couple parties, but majority ruled to take a quick drive to see the lower 9^th ward where the majority of the hurricane devastation took place; that was a sight to see. You know, New Orleans is nothing like I thought it would be…I love it here and think it is a spectacular city. I can’t wait to make my way back here to see more if its sights.

Oh and Yes, I am having the time of my life on this trip. What I haven’t described are some of my not so glamorous job responsibilities. My counterpart, Jennifer, and I are in charge of getting all 9 other tour participants to each destination on time so we can fit in everything . You know how people are; they all want to be on their own agenda…so getting all 11 of us in two cars and to the next destination on time has been described as herding cats; which really is the perfect analogy.

You Are My Sunshine

2009-01-05T23:46:00.008-06:00

Well today has been packed full of more great food, education and making new friends. The day started out foggy and damp in Baton Rouge where we took a very quick trip to the new State Capital Building (we saw where the Louisiana House of Representatives and Senate meet) and then to the Louisiana State Museum for a great exhibit on Mardi Gras.

Lunch was hosted at the White Oak Plantation where world renowned Chef John Folse spoke on Louisiana and gave a cooking demonstration on King Cake (pictured to the right is the Pastry Chef, not John Folse and I must add that the cake tasted much different from the kind we had yesterday…much better in my opinion) and Queen’s Soup. The main course was a delicious crab cake. From there we went to tour Laura Plantation, which was a Creole sugar cane plantation, something I knew nothing about before today.

We arrived in New Orleans around 5pm for a quick break and then on to dinner at Palace Café (owned by the Brennan’s), yet another tremendous meal....I'm telling you, if I ate like this everyday I'd be 500 lbs by the end of 2009! Well my main entrée was Shrimp Tchefuncte – Creole seasoned Gulf shrimp sautéed with mushrooms and scallions, with a Creole meuniére sauce, served with Louisiana popcorn rice...mmmmmmmmmmm.

Once dinner ended, everyone was interested in taking a quick trip down Bourbon Street. The best way that I could describe the scene is a dirty version of downtown Vegas without the casinos. Not a place I would want to be walking around by myself at night, that’s for sure! But everyone enjoyed taking in the sights.

I have to mention that I am really enjoying getting to know each of the travel journalists. They have all traveled the world; they’re all so interesting and have so much to talk about.

Oh, and one of the many things I have learned today is that the song, “You Are My Sunshine” is the state song on Louisiana…how fun is that?!?!

Hungry???? Not Me!

2009-01-04T21:56:00.002-06:00

Yes, I have been eating my way across South Louisiana! Before this trip I clearly remember turning to Ray and saying, "I think I'll actually loose weight while I'm on this trip, I don't think I really even like Cajun food." Well I'm "eating" those words now. All the food I've eaten has been AAAAAAMAZING! I figure that I might as well enjoy it all while I'm here. I enjoyed my first piece of King Cake this morning, quite tasty. Francesca, I also had my first taste of bread pudding this afternoon...not bad, not bad at all. For dinner I had a very rich creole shrimp and crawfish pasta. I hope I'll be able to button my pants on Thursday when I return home.

I wanted to share some of the highlights from today. They include:

Breakfast at T-Coon's in Lafayette
Jean Lafitte Center where we watched a video on the history of the Acadians/Cajuns and one on a group of people that used to live in the swamp lands
Vermilionville - a replica village that is located on the banks of the Bayou Vermilion. It recreates the life of the Acadiana area between 1765 and 1890. There was a wonderful food demonstration on how to make King Cake and the history behind them. We enjoyed lunch at their restaurant and stayed for a bit of Zydeco music and dancing!
Headed to Baton Rouge where we checked into the hotel and got about an hour and a half of much needed rest time
A cocktail reception was held in the hotel lounge followed by dinner at The Chimes Restaurant. An executive coach drove us tonight to dinner and it was one of the nicest I've been in - complete with leather seating, plasma screen televisions and a bar...talk about riding in style!

I can't wait to see what tomorrow brings...I don't think I need to worry about going hungry...

Mardi Gras Tour of South Louisiana

2009-01-04T17:12:00.003-06:00

It is amazing how much you can do and learn in 24 hours! I love that I am learning so much about Louisiana; the history, its people, food, music, scenery, mardi gras...I'm just taking it all in. Saying that yesterday was wonderful would be an understatement and I don't think that this short post will do it justice...but I'll try but giving a time-line of events.

8am – Breakfast at Southern Spice…didn’t eat anything out of the ordinary

9am – Driving tour of the Charpentier Historic District in Lake Charles, LA

11am – Drove to Eunice, LA

Noon – Lunch at the Krazy Cajun where I enjoyed my first ever bowl of gumbo!!! AND I LOVED IT!!!!

1pm – Stopped by the Eunice Depot Museum where we learned all about the town's Mardi Gras traditions. It sounds like so much fun and not at all the traditional form of the celebration that I envision in my head. Their Mardi Gras day is spent in the countryside, many on horseback, in home-made costumes and screen masks. I would love to celebrate with them and think I need to start a petition for the state to declare Mardi Gras an official state holiday so that I can go join in on the fun & festivities.

2:30pm – A quick stop at the Cajun Music Hall of Fame and Museum

3pm – Went to the Prairie Acadian Cultural Center for a Cajun jam session with a band and a cooking demonstration. I tried boudin for the first time even (I’d never even heard of it before) – it was alright, but I’m not going to be craving that anytime soon.

4:30pm – Tour of KBON 101.FM music station

5:15pm – Coffee break at Café Mosaic

6pm – Attended Lovesick Blues: An Evening with Hank Williams Sr. at the Liberty Theater. It was all about Hank Williams life with impersonator Hugh Harris singing 26 of his hits…very enjoyable…see below for a quick clip of the show. Oh, and our seats were in the front row!

8:30pm – Hit the road for Lafayette

9:15pm – Checked into the hotel

9:30 – Dinner at the Hilton

I got to my room around 10:45 and was excited to update my blog…unfortunately I wasn’t able to connect to the internet and gave up after 20 minutes.

Today has been just as full and fun in Lafayette…I’ll be posting about today after I get back to my room this evening. We’re already in Baton Rouge and aren't wasting any time.

Lake Charles, LA

2009-01-02T23:40:00.005-06:00

As promised, I would blog while on my trip...however I didn't anticipate that my day would be so full...I'm just now got to my room at 11pm. Things got off to a bit of a rocky start - Enterprise Rental Car took much longer than planned and then the stop for lunch was a disaster. Who knew that a lunch at the Cracker Barrel would take nearly an hour and a half...for eggs & bacon no less! A couple of the writers had some delays (and lost luggage, for a few hours at least), but it has been smooth sailing now that everyone has arrived.

We kicked things off with a tour of the Lake Charles Mardi Gras Museum. This museum boasts to have the largest Mardi Gras costume display in the world, and I must admit that it was quite spectacular. Check me out wearing one of the queen head-pieces. Anne, the woman hosting the museum tour, insisted that everyone put it on!!! Maybe someone should be checking my head for lice…ewwww.

It was time for dinner which leads us to the Snake River Grill at the L’Auberge du Lac Resort/Casino. Talk about an amazing dining experience! They truly gave us the royal treatment with each course. This was complete with bacon wrapped dates, crepe duck rolls, lamb-popsicles, onion rings, filet mignon, roasted garlic, lobster mashed potatoes and yes, crème brule for dessert. We were all so full and sleepy that no one was interested in staying at the casino for some gaming…probably for the best.

Below you can check out the video of Gumbeaux Gator, the official ambassador of the SWLA Convention & Visitor's Bureau.

Bring It On 2009

2009-01-01T15:42:00.003-06:00

I don't know about you, but I absolutely love New Years. It's such a great time to reflect back on what the year has brought and an even better time to look into the future and set some goals for the year to come. I also think about all that I have learned and how I have grown in the past 12 months. 2008 really was great to me and I am so excited to see what 2009 brings, always an adventure.

I can't help but think about where I was and what I was doing the year before at the same time. If you asked me January 1, 2008 where I'd be today, there is no way that I would tell you I'd be loving living in Louisiana getting ready to go on a 7 day, 6 night tour of South Louisiana for work! That's right, I'm headed down south tomorrow morning and will be traveling throughout the state with 8 writers to learn all about Mardi Gras and how different parts of Louisiana celebrate. I'll be blogging from the road...so stay tuned!

Happy New Year!!!

Friday Night Fights

2008-12-27T19:04:00.005-06:00

What started out as a run of the mill Friday night Mudbugs game turned into quite the YouTube moment. It all started when a Mudbugs tough guy gave former RoadRunner Matt Smyth a very large hand-sandwich to the grill. After this you could cut the tension with a knife and just KNEW the other team would look for a way to "even the score." So, Corpus Christi gets a power play late in the second period (which means there are 4 Mudbugs and 5 Ice Rays on the ice); it's at this point that all H-E-Double-Hockey Sticks broke loose - with several player leaving the bench, goalies going at it center ice and coaches trading post-holiday pleasantries as well. This brew-haha left 4 Mudbugs players and coach suspended. Click here to check out the footage that aired on the 10pm news...it turned out to be quite the Boxing Day to say the least, eh!

"Yard Sale"

Our First House Guest

2008-11-23T10:24:00.002-06:00

We have our first visitor to Louisiana! Ray's mom got into town on Thursday and will be staying with us for a couple of weeks. It is going to be a relaxing vacation as we don't have any major plans while she is here. Yesterday we all went out shopping (both grocery and to some outlet stores) and then to Copeland's Cheesecake Bistro for dinner. It's pretty funny how much alike the two of us are. To name a few, we both enjoy watching many of the same TV shows including General Hospital & Gossip Girl, like the Olive Garden, drink Dr. Pepper, wear the same kind of make-up and love Ray. I'm so happy that she is going to be here for Thanksgiving too because she is quite the chef! I know that Ray is hoping some of her cooking skills will rub off ~ I'll let you know if I pick up anything.

An update on Champ, he absolutely LOVES Ray's mom. She stayed with Ray for a few months in Arizona and they became great pals. When Mrs. Delia arrived at the house Champ didn't remember who she was for the first few hours...but now he is her shadow! It's quite miraculous to see him - he is acting like a real dog! He's very engaged and will even come when he is called. It is truly a great sight.

Great New Gig

2008-11-15T18:16:00.006-06:00

Well folks...the search is over! As you know, I have been on the job hunt and I am so excited about my new position as an Assistant Account Executive with Williams Creative Group. It is a PR firm located right downtown in Shreveport. It is truly amazing how things find a way of working out. I interviewed for several jobs and was narrowing things down. I told a few potential employers that I would give a yes or no answer to offers on Friday...well first thing Friday morning I received a call from Williams Creative to come in for an interview at the beginning of the following week. They do not post job openings but lucky for me came across my resume. The interview went well and they were able to streamline the process due to my time restraints. I had to take a personality test that afternoon and worked on a project at home that evening. I feel so blessed and excited to have been offered this job and work at the best PR firm in town. It truly is a dream job for me and will get some solid PR and marketing experience. My first day on the job was Friday and can already tell I'm really going to enjoy myself. The people in the office are all fantastic and I know I'm going to learn a ton. I hope this is a job that I will be with for at least the next 5 years...just putting that out there.

Impromptu Trip to Dallas!

2008-11-09T20:45:00.003-06:00

I spoke to Lesley (BFF) this past Thursday evening and we decided to meet in Dallas on Friday for the weekend. We really had such a great time. The drive for me was only 3 hours and her flight was 50 minutes so it was a very easy weekend getaway. We shopped ALL DAY on Saturday and I have the blisters to prove it on two of my toes. It was so much fun to hang-out with such a great friend, eat some amazing food, have a couple cocktails, and find some great shopping deals. I can't wait to do it again!!!

My New Business!!!

2008-11-03T12:27:00.008-06:00

It is with great enthusiasm and excitement that I am writing this post to announce the launch of my new business as a Southern Living at HOME independent consultant. I figure what better time to start than now while I'm searching for a full-time job. My sister Suzanne, in North Carolina, has been a consultant now for about 6 months and absolutely loves it. Personally, I'm so thrilled to have a new creative outlet, not to mention how excited I am about the line of products Southern Living at HOME has to offer. Plus, I like that I can take this into my own hands and just run with it. Check out my official website to get a preview of the quality products - www. southernlivingathome.com/heatherlogsdon

Last week I had my very first "launch" party at my home and invited all of my neighbors...It was such a great way for me to meet the ladies in the neighborhood. It went so well that I earned enough in hostess dollars to get one of the $100 products I had on my wish list...in addition to the $150+ I made in commission! Plus I booked two future parties...It was easier than I ever thought possible.

Southern Living Magazine has always represented such good taste with a spirit of generosity and Southern Living at HOME is no exception I'm just thrilled to be a part of this growing company and eager to share how awesome it is. If you like what you see on my website, I would like for you to consider hosting a catalog party or hostess a party at your home to bring the pages of Southern Living magazine to life for your family and friends. Or, if you REALLY like what you see, consider becoming part of my team as a consultant...

Dad Makes Prom Dress out of Condoms

2008-10-31T19:54:00.004-05:00

I received this via e-mail from Ray's mom earlier this week and thought it was worth sharing with the rest of you. Just when you thought you've seen it all! Original to say the least.

A Positive Moment - From Jon Gordon’s Blog

2008-10-27T17:53:00.003-05:00

Jon Gordon’s Blog » A Positive Moment
I posted about the book "The Energy Bus" a few weeks back - excellent read if you have the time. The author, Jon Gordon, send out a weekly e-newsletter each Monday. I found the message this week very inspiring; check out the link above and have a listen. He talks about how at times likes these it is imperative to stay positive. The difference between success and failure many times is belief. That you can't create your future by looking into the past and to remember to focus on the fundamentals and solutions. He goes on to explain that we need to "Fill the Void," where there a void negativity will fill it. I'm in the processes of filling the void right now...more to come on that in the next post!!! Stay tuned.

True???

2008-10-23T15:33:00.003-05:00

Ray and I went for a walk in our neighborhood this past weekend. Many of the houses are decked out with Halloween decor. We came across the character above on a neighbors mail box. I was promptly nudged and Ray said, "Hey look, it's Charlie in the morning" and made a hissing sound. I nearly peed my pants as we continued to laugh all the way home. I've thought about it many time since the incident and it still makes me giggle. I had to get a picture and share it with you.

How About Around You?

2008-10-17T16:31:00.003-05:00

I was excited this morning because I paid $2.85 a gallon for gas! I snapped a picture of the sign with my camera phone for proof. I didn't think I would see the day that it would drop this low again. For those of you in Canada - there are approximately 4 liters in a gallon. My question is how much are you paying for gas where you live? Post a comment by clicking on the pink word "comments" below - be sure to include the price of gas along with your location...

Gossip Girls

2008-10-16T18:19:00.005-05:00

One of my favorite show on TV lately is Gossip Girl on the CW (CTV in Canada). It is about teenage kids who are socialites, attend an elite high school and are growing up on New York's Upper East Side. It's mostly about the characters dealing with sex, drugs, jealousy and other issues - but NONE of them look or act like they're in high school and I can't get enough. I was just surfing the net a bit and typed in gossipgirls.com Please notice the "S" that was put on the end of that site...it brought me to a celebrity gossip site that I had never seen. Although this isn't for all my readers, the site looked pretty decent so I thought I would share it with those who like this kind of trash too.

Countdown to Opening Night!

2008-10-14T19:48:00.001-05:00

Sushi Party

2008-10-11T16:52:00.003-05:00

So what do you do on a Friday night in Louisiana? Crawfish boil? No. Two-steppin' at the honkeytonk? Nope. High School football? That was last Friday... You guess it; Sushi Party!!! Learning how to make our own Sushi rolls and meeting new friends was such a fun way to spend last evening. Ray is pictured above in the process of making his first ever roll with the help of Shelley. The two of them used to work together the first time Ray lived here in Louisiana. She and her husband Kelly invited us to partake in the festivities. I'm still impressed with how good everything turned out...restaurant quality taste.

Great Find Ray!

2008-10-06T17:29:00.003-05:00

For those of you who know me really well, you already know that I get on my kicks with things. Whether it be food, drinks, exercise, computer apps, gadgets, crafts or things to do for fun; I will indulge myself in whatever that kick may be until it becomes old news and then I usually forget all about it. Well, Ray brought how this Mango & Peach salsa from the store and it is mouth watering delicious! It is made by Santa Barbara Salsa (shout out to Steph in the Suburbs!) in California. I have been enjoying the salsa nearly daily with baked scoops tortilla chips. If you see it in your local grocery store, it is worth checking out...

Squeaky Wheel

2008-09-30T23:52:00.006-05:00

Prior to moving into the house, Ray and I made a trip to Sears to purchase a washer and dryer (exact model is not pictured above). Now, I'm not one to get excited about doing laundry and don't need or require anything fancy. As long as my clothes come our clean, I'm happy. We did do a bit of shopping around but came across a GE front load washer and dryer set that was on sale for about a hundred dollars off each appliance. Sitting on top of the display was a sign that stated you would receive a $100 mail-in rebate with the purchase of a GE washer and dryer. This was the clincher and the reason we went with this model instead of doing more comparison shopping. The sales guys said that he didn't have any rebate forms and that there computer was down so he couldn't give us the form. He instructed to go to GE's website and print the form from home. Long story short is that I filled out the form, mailed it in and received an e-mail today stating that the model numbers were not valid. I made a trip to Sears this afternoon and spoke with the sales guy who made the sale...it was infuriating. He said that the rebate must not have worked for our model and reminded me that I received a great sales price!!! Hello!!! Those would not have been purchased without the extra $100 incentive! I spent over 45 minutes in the store and ended up speaking to the manager. She took down all of my info and said she would call me this evening with a resolution. I have to say that I was quite surprised when my phone rang at 6pm. The manager said we would receive a $100 Sears gift card in the mail by the end of the week. No, it's not what we were originally expecting, but I'm happy that the situation has been rectified.

Where in the World is Heather & Mark Grace?

2008-09-25T18:27:00.004-05:00

That's right; Mark Grace took me on a very unexpected trip to Paris! Oh Mark, you are such a romantic to suprise me like this!!! It was my first time to France and was such a world-wind trip that looking back it feels like I was never even there at all. Here we are by the Eiffel Tower...for a moment I thought I was going to know how Katie Holmes felt when Tom proposed to her on the top...but that moment was not meant to be for us.

An Inspiration to Bloggers Everywhere

2008-09-21T20:56:00.004-05:00

Perez Hilton has been a huge inspiration in my blogging endeavor. Check out this clip of him appearing on the Martha Steward Show. He's got to be pretty smart to be making a living being a professional celebrity gossip blogger! I was excited because I've had almost 3,000 hits on my blog to date...but Ray was there to remind me that it was the same 8 people that check my blog every so often! Thanks for being there to bring me back down to earth.

Book Review - The Energy Bus

2008-09-17T22:22:00.008-05:00

My sister Suzanne recommended The Energy Bus: 10 Rules to Fuel Your Life, Work and Team with Positive Energy to me a couple weeks ago. She has not read the book herself...yet, but has said it has been creating quite the buzz. I'm always looking for a good read so I ordered it online from Amazon along with the other book from the author (The No Complaining Rule). I really enjoyed reading this book and ended up reading it in a couple sittings. It's a cute and inspirational story about a guy named George who is having trouble in his work and personal life. Long story short is that he ends up with a flat tire and has to take the bus to work for 2 weeks. The bus driver, Hope, gives her positive two cents each day on the ride to work and goes over the 10 Rules. If you are looking for a good, inspirational, uplifting story about getting positive - this is the book I would recommend to you. The author also sends out a great weekly e-newsletter on staying positive. I've read quite a few books on the topic and this is my favorite by far.

Goodbye Old Friend...Hello New!!!

2008-09-13T22:42:00.004-05:00

It was with great sadness that I had to put my faithful blow dryer to rest today. It has been with me through good hair-days and bad. It's been such a great run...I've had it since High School - well over ten years. However, like everything in life - all things must come to an end. The diffuser on old boy hasn't been able to stay on without assistance for years due to being dropped repeatedly and going with me on all of my worldly travels. I have bought 5 blow dryers over the past couple of years and ended up returning each for various reasons - blows too hard resulting in frizzy hair, air too hot or not hot enough, & bad diffusers which is important with my curls...but today I met my match! We were at Bed Bath and Beyond and I knew at first sight that it would be a match made it heaven - 3 heat settings, 2 speeds, ceramic with ionic technology and 3 different diffusers...and it's pink. The picture is not the exact model; mine doesn't have the cord keeper feature...they didn't have that model. I tested it out tonight and it truly "blew" me away...sorry old friend, but my hair has a new love!

Success!!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-09-12T13:44:00.002-05:00

I'm so excited to be wired in once again. After a month and a half of having no internet access at home and only 2 channels to choose from on TV, we have DSL and satellite TV set-up!!! Now I'll be able to get caught up on my shows and just in time for the new television season. The house is coming along and last night was the first night we and the dogs slept here at home. Since there has been so much activity at the house, it was best for the dogs to be out of the way. You never really realize how much stuff (and crap) you have until you pack & unpack everything. It's been quite the process because Ray had his stuff and I had my stuff in storage in Arizona and then we had our stuff coming from Canada. We have more stuff than we have room for in this house - and mutiples of nearly everything (beds, dishes, appliances, etc) and who can really use 3 ironing boards??? I still need to check into whether or not we can have a yard sale here in our development - otherwise what do you do with all this extra stuff?

Home Sweet Home!

2008-08-31T11:39:00.005-05:00

As of Thursday morning at approximately 9:22 am, the house pictured above officially became our new home! Since that time we have been playing the waiting game for all of our belongings to arrive from Canada and storage in Arizona. The moving company gave a window of time between 8/29-9/2 for the trucks to get here and unload...knowing that the 1st is Labor Day I anticipated that it wouldn't happen until the 2nd at the earliest. I'm a bit nervous that Tuesday will not work out because of Hurricane Gustav that is currently headed towards the coast of Louisiana. Although we are far from where the actual hurricane will hit, the weather people are predicting lots of rain and high winds here starting on Tuesday thru Thursday. I'm pretty sure that the moving company won't be doing much moving in a tropical storm...just a hunch. My fingers are crossed that the storm will just dissipate, but have a feeling that is just wishful thinking.

New iPhone = 2 Cool 4 Words

2008-08-24T17:44:00.002-05:00

I can't quite finds the appropriate words to describe how amazing I find my new iPhone! In fact I'm writing this post on it...it's so cool to have all of these features at my fingertips. It really is so much more than a phone and I would highly recommend it to anyone wanting to stay connected.

Making New Friends!

2008-08-20T11:48:00.008-05:00

Last week I did some shopping at the local mall. I'm in the need of more professional looking work clothes for when I land my dream job next month (yes, I'm putting that out there). Well Dillard's happens to be my department store of choice and I found a cute skirt and dress shorts for a great deal (under $40 for both). I was still looking around a bit and one of the store associates, Christine, approached me to see if I needed any assistance. Well, we ended up chatting for a while and found out that she just moved here to town about a month ago. It was crazy how much we had in common and she ended up giving me her number. I called her and we hung-out yesterday afternoon and had an absolute BLAST together. The original plan was to layout at her pool but the weather was not cooperating. She had heard that they have drive-thru liquor stores and a drive-thru daiquiri store and suggested we give it a try since neither of us had been and we had nothing better to do. It seemed to both of us that having such establishments only promotes drinking and driving...but who are we to judge. We got there during Happy Hour so drinks were 2-for-1 price. She asked the woman at the window what the drinks of the day were and what she recommended...the woman's first questions was, "How strong of a drink do you want?" and proceeded to name of the drinks that were the strongest. I ended up with a 32oz margarita and Christine got a 32oz Frozen Long Island Iced Tea. What to do after picking up these cocktails you may ask??? Get manicures and pedicures of course! So we took our drinks inside and got a little pamper treatment. One of the guys doing our nails asked if we were best friends and was shocked when we said we just met a few days ago. It's nice to have a girlfriend to hangout with around here.

Dogs In Charge

2008-08-18T13:31:00.003-05:00

When I got up this morning Miss Sally was up on the chair...not bad for an 11 year old (the furniture that's in this apartment isn't very high). The dogs aren't typically allowed up on the furniture but are allowed while we're living in such a state of disarray...plus the furniture is hideous and uncomfortable. Thanks for the suggestions on Champ. We all agree that there have been other pets that have lived in the same apartment and probably had accidents all over the place. I'm more than ready to get moved into the new house and see all of our belongings that have been in storage for the past year...it's going to feel like Christmas!

White Dog Anyone???

2008-08-16T15:10:00.004-05:00

Champ has been a VERY bad dog since getting here to Louisiana (Jenn, you asked). We take him out to go potty on a very regular basis, yet he still has peed 3 times inside the apartment we're staying in AND #2 twice! I'm not sure if it's hormones or just being unsettled from the move, but the second time I walked in after a workout and there was pooh on the carpet I got really upset. I could have almost just put him outside so he could fend for himself. It also upsets me because Ray always gives the guy a hard time and I'm always there to defend Champ...but he has only proved me wrong and Ray right. Yes, he's very cute, lovable and cuddly...but how many guys can you say that about that are complete idiots...I think we all would agree that we would each need more fingers and toes to count on.

Goal Accomplished!

2008-08-13T17:39:00.003-05:00

When I set the goal 4 weeks ago to burn 2,000 by running/jogging/walking in 4 weeks by using the Nike Plus gadget I have, it seemed like it would be a piece of cake (mmmmmmmm, did someone say cake?). It was a bit more of a challenge than anticipated due to the move and a lack of energy. I typically burn about 100 calories every 10 minutes jogging...so unfortunately it was not a one and done kind of goal. I tend to be one of those people that if I set a goal (especially if I make that goal public) I feel the obligation to come through...Jenn, I have a feeling you're the same in that regard...you too Stephanie since you post your New Year's resolutions on your blog to stay accountable. So I guess the blog helped give me the motivation to come through on my word, which is exactly what I need at times. Oh, part of Ray's deal with his job is a gym membership for the two of us which is always a nice perk.

And Jennifer, you and your family are more than welcome to come for a visit anytime you'd like! After looking at over 35 houses we decided on one and will be closing on the 28th. It's in a gated community, 4 bedroom, 3 full bath, 2,100 square feet and has a community pool...counting down the days to get settled.

So Far, So Good!!!

2008-08-11T11:35:00.003-05:00

It's official...I absolutely love it here in this part of Louisiana. I can't tell you how wonderful it is to be living in a warm climate once again!!! Plus there is a ton of stuff to do around here. I truly can't believe that we have not been here a week. The people here are really friendly and we have yet to have bad service in any of the restaurants we've been to. Only one bad meal so far and that was last night. You see, I'm a bit of a gambler and since we've gotten to town have told Ray that I wanted to check out the Horseshoe Casino (the one in Downtown Vegas is my favorite casino), so we went last night...I should mentioned that Ray does not like to gamble or be around the type of people that frequent casinos, which is why the totally stay there was less than an hour. Anyway, I took a page out of Suzanne's book and insisted to stop and get a "players card." By getting this card you can gain points by playing to get comps. Well part of signing up gave us two free passes to the buffet in the hotel...thank goodness we didn't have to pay because the food was terrible. The only thing that was edible was the desert. It was still nice to check it out and the hotel has a CMT bar with a lot of live country music which is pretty cool. You may be wondering what else is so great about the area...well there is plenty of great shopping, a boardwalk by the river, bike paths, good restaurants, an arena (can't wait to see Taylor Swift in concert), and little to no snow in the winter. Every time I tell Ray how much I like it here he says that I haven't even scratched the surface, so it's nice that there's so much stuff to check out.

M.I.A. No More

2008-08-07T10:51:00.004-05:00

I've been meaning to sit down and blog for the past week but for various reasons this is the first opportunity I've had. Well big news for those that I spoken to in the past 2 weeks...Ray & I are no longer living in the great white north of Canada (Stephanie...I hope that you will continue to read my blog even though I'm no longer living in Canada...I LOVE getting comments from you!). We are now living in Bossier City/Shreveport Louisiana! We got into town on Tuesday night (less than 48 hours ago) after 38 long hours on the road with the dogs. It's a very drastic change of scenery and at first sight I think I'm really going to enjoy living here. Suzanne, they even have 5 casinos here that we can hit when you and JD come for a visit. I'm at Starbucks right now because we don't currently have internet access at our temporary housing. I was out all day yesterday with our real estate lady and am trying to get my bearings. It's always a bit strange the first few weeks of moving to a new city, especially one I've never seen before, to figure out where things are. I'll blog a bit more when I have some time and am a bit more settled.

A Tribute to Moncton

2008-07-31T10:18:00.002-05:00

Where in the World is Heather & Mark Grace?

2008-07-24T10:22:00.003-05:00

A HUGE thank you to my friend Jennifer for getting together yesterday for the afternoon to go through some Photoshop basics with me. I've had the program for about a year and even purchased the book for Dummies - but it was so helpful to sit down with Jenn and go over how to put everything into practice.

Nike Plus = Mega Cool

2008-07-22T13:46:00.005-05:00

What is Nike Plus? I think it is the coolest workout technology out there. Basically, you have to get a pair of Nike shoes that are Nike+ compatible. There are currently two kits available - one that plugs into your iPod Nano and the other is a wrist band. I have the iPod one and Ray has the wrist band. Both require a sensor to be put inside your shoe. It's great because mine is connected through my headphones and while I'm running/jogging/walking I can press the center button and a voice tells me my current time, distance, average speed and calories burned! How cool is that? The wristband shows the same information on the display face and you just toggle through it. After a workout you just plug it into the computer and all of your workout information is uploaded to the Nike Plus website. It's awesome that I look back at my runs and chart my progress. One of my favorite features is that you can set goals for yourself (you may have noticed my goal on the side of the blog - it gets updated automatically when I upload a workout!) and invite friends to participate in a challenge based on most miles, distance goals, or fastest times; these challenges can be set for individuals or teams. For me, it is a great motivational tool to get me back on track and make me accountable. The only downside to this is that it currently only works for running/jogging/walking - so it does not calculate any other exercise...however I did read that this technology is being brought into gyms to track the same type of information. What will they think of next???

Yes, It's been a while...

2008-07-18T13:44:00.003-05:00

What's funny is that you would think that after 2 weeks without a post, having gone on vacation for 10 days and celebrating a birthday, this would be very easy to write...well you would think wrong. Too much has happened to really capture the essence of it all...so here is a list of the highlights!

Hung out with my family in NC for 4 days! We stayed with my sister Suzanne & brother-in-law JD. They live right up with street from JD's parents where we cooked out and sat around a camp fire one evening.
Played mini-golf at the $1.50 course in Hendersonville, NC with Suzanne, Emily (who is now 4 months pregnant), Mom & family friend. I came in 2nd behind Suzanne.
Ray did some scouting work while we were there. We went to Greenville, SC to see JD play goalie in one of his hockey leagues...no contract has been signed yet.
Downtown Asheville was not a highlight but probably a lowlight of the trip. Ray & I did not fit in with all the hippies & homeless people...not our scene - but now we know!
Played BINGO with mom at the Elk's Lodge while Ray got some quality bonding time with dad...they both refused to go play with us. In case you're wondering, neither of us got to yell BINGO even though we both were sure we would win!
Drove to Myrtle Beach and stayed in the same condo we stayed at in March right on the beach. It was so great just being able to drop our bags, know where to go and be able to relax.
The shopping in Myrtle is AAAAMAZING!!!! I'm pretty sure we went shopping everyday we were there. There are 2 outlet malls, 2 regular malls, 3 outdoor shopping centers and we hit them all (some multiple times). We were both able to find some great deals and were able to fit everything in our suitcases which I'm still amazed about.
I would say that eating, shopping & laughing our faces off was the theme of the trip.
MIYABI Japanese Steak House was where I had the best fillet mignon of my entire life. No joke...it you're ever there you MUST check that place out. Num, num, num. Just thinking about it makes my mouth water. Fyi, there are more locations than just Myrtle Beach if you check out their website.
I was in the mood for ice cream and we found a place that had frozen custard. I stood in line for about 15 minutes, ordered my cone, had a few licks only to discover that they only took cash...long story short I had to give the cone back...so sad.
Had my 29th birthday while in Myrtle. Ray gave me a beautiful silver heart necklace from Tiffany & Co...LOVE IT! He is a great gift giver - very thoughtful and comes up with the best things.
Played a round of mini-golf (see a theme) at the Hawaiian Rumble Golf, Home of the Masters, Sanctioned by U.S. ProMiniGolf. This course has been featured on the travel channel and has been voted one of the Top 10 mini-golf courses in the world. It was a great course and see why people rave about it. Yes, I did win by 5 strokes. Ray attributes that to the practice I had in Hendersonville.
I was sad to come back home from such a wonderful & relaxing vacation, but happy to see the dogs...and boy were they happy to see us. Champy was so excited that he rammed his head into my leg, tooth first, and I have a bruise to show from it.

Birthday Present

2008-07-03T16:00:00.003-05:00

Ok, I have to tell you that I am quite impressed (if I may say so) in the present that I gave to Ray today for the big 3-8. I'm not the arts & crafts kind of gal...or at least I never thought so until now. The man already has everything he needs and the things he may want tend to be out of my price range; so I needed to get creative. It must've been around fathers day when this idea came to me and I'm really pleased with the way it turned out. If it's hard to make out, it is both of the dogs paw prints on the sides, a picture of the two of them in the middle, and a little plaque on the bottom with their names & todays date. I need to give a shout out and thank you to Jennifer Marr, for taking on the challenge of photographing the dogs! I couldn't get them to sit still enough to take a picture of them sitting next to one another. That's the beauty of photoshop. Ray was surprised and I think it's nice that he'll have this forever. Now we're off to dinner at the Keg....num, num, num!

Happy Birthday Ray!!!

2008-07-03T13:13:00.003-05:00

Today Tom Cruise, Montel Williams, Quebec City, and the great Ray Delia celebrate birthdays. I'm excited to be spending Ray's 38th birthday with him this year. Last year at this time he was traveling to Moncton to interview for the job with the Wildcats. It has been a pretty low key day. Had some fresh cinnamon rolls this morning, watched some tennis, opened up a couple of presents, and just got done doing some last minutes errands before flying out tomorrow morning...the nice 6am flight out of town. I'm sure we'll figure out somewhere nice to go for dinner tonight to celebrate. Happy Birthday!

Oh Canada

2008-07-01T10:14:00.005-05:00

Happy Canada Day!!! I can't believe that July 1st is already here! I guess that's largely due to the fact that it's been rainy and in the mid 50's & 60's this past week...but today finally feels like summer. I am still trying to figure out what people do here for this day of celebration. I look down the street and nobody has flags out and I haven't heard anything about fireworks tonight. All I do know is that here in Moncton, the city is pretty much shut down, like any other holiday.

My big plans for today is to stay in my pj's as long as possible (it's already after noon), watch Wimbeldon and relax. I LOVE this time of year! One day I'll make it to England to catch this tournament live. Watching always makes me want to get my tennis racket out and play.

Extended Vacation

2008-06-28T11:28:00.004-05:00

An unexpected turn of events has extended my 15 day vacation to a permanent one. You see, my job with the cancer society was a contract position that was to last until January. I found out this week on Thursday that due to restructuring of the office, my position has been eliminated. My last day in the office was yesterday. It is not terrible news and I'm actually a bit excited that it has opened up some much needed free time. The upside is that I will remain on payroll and will continue my benefits until September 5th...nothing like getting paid for sleeping in and going to the gym! Like they say, all good things must come to an end.

Sooooo, Uncle Ray & Charlie Palooza officially began yesterday around 1pm. We kicked it off last night with dinner & drinks with Bill & Lyne and then headed over to the Bowlarama for a couple of games of Canada's very own, small ball bowling, bubble hockey (see video below; Ray dominated all three games!) and the crane game.

There are travel plans in the mix as well. Our flight leaves on Friday the 4th of July to Charlotte, NC. We will be spending a few days at my sister's house and "Pigeon Holler" (actually Pisgah Forest, but Ray can never remember that so this is what it has become) before heading back to beautiful Myrtle Beach. I am really excited that we are going back there. The condo that we stayed is perfectly situated right on the ocean and I can't wait to do some more shopping (Nike outlet here we come!!), enjoy the great restaurants (mmmMyabi!) and hang out on the beach. We weighed all of our options and with the cost of flights and travel these days, this option was by far the most cost effective. Plus, it's kinda nice that we know what to expect by going back.

Great People in New Brunswick!

2008-06-21T19:19:00.005-05:00

The number one and best part about living here in New Brunswick are the people I have met since moving here. I've never lived in a place where people are so friendly and welcoming. The two couples pictured above are Kevin & Linda on the left, and Mary & Derek on the right. I met them this afternoon at a dinner reception that was held as part of the 2nd Annual Dave Horsman Memorial Golf Tournament. The golf tournament was held in memory of Dave Horsman who passed away from cancer. Kevin is Dave's brother and Derek is his nephew. I'm not sure if it was because of the cocktails they enjoyed on the course, or they're just naturally entertaining, but it was an absolute pleasure sitting with them. In fact, they will be receiving an e-mail with a link to the blog to check out the picture - Hi!!! It was really nice meeting you today.

The picture below is of Helen Horsman presenting the Canadian Cancer Society (me) a check, in the amount of $1,450.00, raised from the event. Helen did a wonderful job organizing the tournament, which 42 golfers participated, in memory of her late husband. Truly a fantastic family.

Golf in Prime Time

2008-06-18T17:57:00.003-05:00

Let's start by saying this, Ray & I think golf should only be on our television as a precursor to a good nap. This brings us to last Sunday. Due to the 4 hour time difference between Atlantic Canada and lovely San Diego, we had prime time golf. And thanks to Tiger, the two of us were absolutely riveted to the drama at Torrey Pines! Literally, we came off the couch more than once with Tiger-like fist pumps of our own!! We were so into this golf tournament that Ray recorded the playoff round on Monday...we avoided all media contact so we could be surprised when we watched...this is where it gets dicey.

This was the US OPEN...that's United States for those scoring at home. Well, we recorded on TSN (Canada's ESPN & in Ray's opinion it far exceeds ESPN)...it seems that the US Open was not the #1 viewing item on the world's agenda...you see, at about the 10th hole of the playoff TSN cut in to inform us that they would be taking us to EURO 2008 for today's tournament action in SOCCER!!! WHAT?!?!?! After not viewing any mediums all afternoon so we didn't know the outcome...BOOM...we get shut out from the dramatic sudden death conclusion of the US OPEN!!! We ended up catching the ending on youtube...another indicator that we are not in the good ole USA....

Scenic Hopewell Rocks

2008-06-14T19:22:00.007-05:00

This morning we were sitting on the couch and felt like doing a little day-trippin...so Ray hopped on the ol' computer and found a place called Hopewell Rocks that's about a 45 minute drive from home. Ancient geology and powerful tides created the backdrop of the picture above. Behind the rock formation is the Bay of Fundy, one of the Marine Wonders of the World (or so we were told). The Bay of Fundy sports tides the height of 4-story buildings and a coastline filled with these huge rock formations. We are literally standing on the ocean floor in this picture...pretty cool, eh!?!

This is an uplifting little piece of information prior to walking down to the ocean floor. If you look closely, it says "To avoid being trapped by the riding tide YOU MUST return to the stairs by the time shown here." Luckily we were there at 1:27 and had plenty of time to explore. Certainly worth synchronizing your watches to...I'm thinking the 4-story tides could prove to be quite the treacherous swim.

Relay For Life Moncton Huge Success

2008-06-11T17:54:00.004-05:00

Well I have finally been able to breathe a sigh of relief...most of my time and energy for my first 6 months with the Canadian Cancer Society has been spent on making Relay For Life in Moncton successful...and that it was. There were over 200 cancer survivors (yellow shirts above) in attendance, 59 teams, a total of 660 participants, and 3,583 luminary candles lining the track. I surpassed my goal and have raised a total of $175,577.02 from the event! I would like to note that this is the most ever raised over the past 7 years of this event here...so that feels really good to be a part of. Thank you to all of you that helped support this event. It has taken me awhile to write this post because I have been absolutely exhausted from last week, both physically and mentally. I ended up working last week Mon-Thurs until 9pm at the office and then was on-site from 8am on Friday morning until 10am on Saturday morning. I think I shut my eyes for about 45 minutes around 3am. All-in-all, everything ran very smoothly and received a lot of positive comments from participants that said it was the best one yet here in Moncton!

Now I'm on to the next thing. I'm in charge of a few golf events throughout the summer and then curling in November. Ray and I are both taking June 30-July 15 off to relax and hopefully get out of town. No, we still don't know where we will be going - but I'm sure we'll figure that out.

Home Alone

2008-06-03T19:59:00.004-05:00

Yep, I'm home alone until Sunday. Ray is off at the draft for his hockey league in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. It's a strange being here at home without him...It's so much more fun with him around. Anyway, I'm dropping the dogs off at the 4 Paws Pet Resort on Thursday morning. Since I'll be working a TON over the next 4 days, (Relay For Life is this Friday) it's a much better alternative to having them stay here alone. I'm really excited for the event! It's been months in the planning and I'm ready for it to be here...and to put it behind me and move on to the next one.

Cesar Millan...HELP

2008-06-01T18:37:00.004-05:00

Ray and I have often discussed that Champ needs to go spend some time with Cesar Millan at his dog psychology center. The poor guy doesn't act like a dog and really needs to be rehabilitated. Unless you've spent some time with him, you wouldn't understand. Many times he's completely unresponsive and the poor guy rarely plays. Cesar...if you're reading this, Champ needs your help!

Deja Vu

2008-05-31T15:29:00.002-05:00

Well today marked Champ's 8th trip to the vet in the last 10 months! He broke his dewclaw (his little thumb nail) and had to have it removed...again. Anytime this guy leaves the house it's a traumatic experience for him...so he's been taking it easy and recovering comfortably this afternoon.

I Say The Longer The Better!

2008-05-29T15:49:00.003-05:00

I'm talking about daylight hours people...and I'm LOVING how long the days feel around here right now. Today the sun rose around 5:40 (no, I was not awake to see that...I looked it up online) and it won't set until 9:01 tonight...meaning that it won't be completely dark until about 9:45pm!!! That less than 8 hours of darkness each day. I looked up the times in Arizona and currently the sun sets there around 7:30pm...it's no wonder that the day feels much, much longer. I guess it makes up for our short, short days during those cold, miserable, long winter months...well I wouldn't go that far. I'm still waiting for the day that it feels warm out there - come on 75 degrees...it has to be coming sooner than later!

Every Little Bit Helps!

2008-05-24T20:28:00.004-05:00

Relay For Life here in Moncton is less than 2 weeks away!!! For those of you that have not already contributed to this great cause...this is your chance. Relay For Life is the Canadian Cancer Society's signature fundraising event. It is a 12-hour, overnight, non-competitive event that brings teams of 10 or more together for a night of fun, entertainment & fundraising. The event gathers people from across the city who have been touched by cancer to show their support and raise money for cancer research. All money raised from the event will support the Cancer Society's mission to eradicate cancer and enhance the quality of life of those living with cancer. Money raised specifically goes toward funding research projects covering all types of cancer, providing information service and support programs in the community and advocating for public policies that prevent cancer and help those living with it. My personal goal is to raise $500 through on-line pledge and I'm half way there (Thank you VERY much to those that have already contributed!!!). Every dollar adds up...follow the link below to view my personal fundraising page.

Click here to visit my personal page.

Thank you again for contributing!!!

Are U Laughing 2?

2008-05-23T19:49:00.002-05:00

CRAZY DAWG

2008-05-20T19:24:00.006-05:00

I will preface this story by saying that Champ is the most lovable, docile, harmless animal you will EVER meet...I love him so much...but man is he ever NUTS. He really must have some mental problems and we honestly think he's a paranoid schizophrenic. The poor guy gets scared of the smallest things - if the cleaning lady or anybody for that matter comes by the house he's completely mortified for days and will hide and try to become invisible, he runs and hides if our water cooler goes gloop, gloop, gloop, if he hears loud trucks outside he will freeze in his tracks and you cant get him to move, and most recently there are some new kids in the neighborhood that play in our backyard and this makes Champ unable to pee or pooh. You don't believe me??? Check out the picture above. I was doing some work on my laptop over the long weekend and didn't want to shut my computer down before leaving the house...so I brought a chair from the kitchen table over to the couch to place my laptop on (I didn't want it to overheat by leaving it on the coach). Before leaving Ray wanted to take the dogs out to go pottie, Champ was so scared of that chair being in the living room that he froze and would not leave the living room. Finally after much coaxing and going into the room myself and got behind him for reassurance he tried to run as fast as he could past the chair and totally skidded out on the hardwood & tile flooring - he totally looked like a Flintstone. On the way back inside he was so scared of that chair that he ran and hid in the bathroom!!! I had to get a picture just to prove what a wacko he is.

Thanks Vicki

2008-05-18T15:02:00.003-05:00

I'm still not sure on all the history behind it, but tomorrow is Victoria Day here in Canada. All that I do know for sure is that we get a three day weekend! Doing a quick Wikipedia search on the subject, this is what I've found out about this added holiday.

Victoria Day (French: Fête de la Reine) is a Canadian statutory holiday celebrated on the last Monday before or on May 24 in honour of both Queen Victoria's birthday and the current reigning Canadian sovereign's birthday.

While Victoria Day is often thought of as a purely Canadian event, it is also celebrated in some parts of Scotland, particularly in Edinburgh and Dundee, as well as in the Cayman Islands, where it is also a public holiday.

Thank you Vicki and Hail To The Queen.

What are the Chances???

2008-05-09T18:43:00.004-05:00

How crazy is this?!?!?! For those unaware, my name is Heather Renee. I couldn't believe my eyes when Ray pointed out this intersection in Myrtle Beach. I immediately knew that it was a photo opportunity that could not be passed. Definitely blog worthy, DEFINITELY! Being at the corner of Heather Lane and Renee Dr, I felt like I must be at the nexus of the universe.

Yay 4 VACAY!!!

2008-05-07T16:24:00.006-05:00

You may (or may not for that matter) have been wondering what kind of wild & crazy adventures Miss Charlie has been up to since there hasn't been a new post in over a week. Well, Ray and I were able to get in a mini-vacation this past week down South in Myrtle Beach (most Canadians around these parts tend to think down south means Maine). 6 sun-filled days and 5 glorious nights was just what the doctor ordered after the winter we both endured. The biggest decisions that had to be made was whether to eat at Miyabi Japanese Steak House or the Giant Crab. The picture above was taken on the balcony of the 7th story condo we stayed in...great view, eh! The shopping there as was quite fantastic; we went to the new Grand Coastal Mall, 2 Outlet malls, Broadway at the Beach and even some strip malls. I'm pretty sure that we went shopping everyday and were both able to find some really great deals. The trip was extra special because my parents & older sister were able to meet us in Myrtle Beach as well - so Ray was finally able to meet some of my family.

We took daily hour to two hour walks along the beach and came across all kinds of wildlife as you will see in the next few pictures. There were so many washed up jelly fish as pictured below. You really had to watch out were you were walking, unless you wanted someone to have to pee on you...personally I'm not into that sort of thing.

My Dad was able to get this great shot of the osprey that was flying around looking for some prey. You should have seen how quick his reaction time was from the time we spotted the bird to the time he showed us the picture - it was literally a matter of seconds.

My sister Suzanne and her husband JD came across this little crab on the beach. He was nearly dead and a little boy & his mom picked him up and put him back in the ocean. My money says that he didn't make it...poor guy.

We also came across this family of ducks & ducklings. Super cute. The momma duck was ultra protective of the little ones. When we got close to get the shot, she poofed out her feathers to make herself as big as possible. If I could've picked one of the little ones up and put it in my pocket I would have!!!

A Tribute To Hockey

2008-04-27T18:33:00.004-05:00

This past week we were invited by a wonderful Moncton couple to their home for an OUTSTANDING home cooked dinner and a tour of a shrine to hockey, which both were nothing short of amazing. Hockey historian, Ron Leger, has been collecting hockey memorabilia since roughly World War II (1941 or so). The picture above is a picture leading down to the basement.

His basement is a mini Hockey Hall of Fame equipped with a guest book dating back to 1974 with many big names (Don Cherry & Ron MacLean from Hockey Night in Canada, Bobby Hull, Boom Boom Geffrion and Ray Delia to name a few) in hockey stopping in for a visit. Mr. Leger's goal is to collect a photo of every player to ever play in the NHL.

Miraculously, he has been able to retain and archive all that he has acquired! My favorite and most fascinating part of the museum (for me) was the display that started the entire collection. When Ron was a boy the comics of the newspaper had an offer to send in box tops from Quaker Oats and you get three gifts. He has the paper from 1945 in pristine condition along with the 3 gifts in mint condition! You might be wondering about the wooden sleigh on the table, well back in 45 that is how the mail got delivered during hockey season in Canada!!! I was totally blown away.

A Little Canadian Humor, Eh!

2008-04-23T17:11:00.003-05:00

Forget Rednecks, here is what Jeff Foxworthy has to say about Canucks! (It's funny but I find them to be soooo true!)

If your local Dairy Queen is closed from September through May,
You may live in Canada.

If someone in a Home Depot store offers you assistance and they don't work there,
You may live in Canada.

If you've worn shorts and a parka at the same time,
You may live in Canada.

If you've had a lengthy telephone conversation with someone who dialed the wrong number,
You may live in Canada.

If 'Vacation' means going anywhere South of Maine for the weekend,
You may live in Canada.

If you can dive 90 km/hr through 2 feet of snow during a raging blizzard without flinching,
You may live in Canada.

If you install security lights on your house & garage, but leave both unlocked,
You may live in Canada.

If you carry jumpers in your car and your wife knows how to use them,
You may live in Canada.

If you design your kid's Halloween costume to fit over a snowsuit,
You may live in Canada.

If the speed limit on the highway is 80 km -- You're going 90 and everybody is passing you,
You may live in Canada.

If driving is better in the winter because the potholes are filled with snow,
You may live in Canada.

If you know all 4 seasons: Almost winter, winter, still winter, and road construction,
You may live in Canada.

If you find 2 degrees (36F) 'a little chilly',
You may live in Canada.

Spring Has Sprung...

2008-04-20T16:37:00.005-05:00

Or so these crazy Canadians think! This is the site of the pond hockey tournament that we attended in February, but oh has the scene changed. Ahh, the sights and sounds of spring. Ducks a quacking, Canadians Eh'ing, everyone has a bounce in their step with the 55 degree weather. People here are crazy, I still can't believe that at the park we saw a number of folks in shorts & t-shirts (I even spotted a woman in a tank top - she should've saved that for a day when she is a bit more pigmented...good thing I was wearing my sun glasses). I love the picture above, quite classic here. Check out the person sitting on the stoop, yes folks, he is holding a cup of Tim Horton's! Now look closer to the water - that's right - he is one of the crazies wearing shorts & a t-shirt. I have to say that it was a breath of fresh air to be able to go outside without my winter gear...but it's a long way off to be busting out my summer wardrobe...I'm just glad & relieved that Spring is here with promises of warmer days to come.

While at the park, we busted out the camera to see if we could get some shots that were worthy of the blog (yes, those are hard to come by). Ray was a big fan of the picture of this little guy - based on pictures that he has of himself as a kid, it could've been him 35 years ago...I'm sure Ray's mom would agree. He looks like he's got some trouble to find.

We got a nice National Geographic worthy picture of our beautiful Canadian wildlife with the mallard shot. Ray is fascinated by all the wild fowl that hangs out in our backyard...we have pheasants, mallards, woodpeckers, ravens, and FINALLY robins! Yesterday I saw the first baby bird of the season. Yay for Spring!

Peacock...Not So Much

2008-04-16T17:01:00.003-05:00

First off, the picture above is not a picture of "my" peacock, but a similar looking bird that I found on a quick search of the internet. Here's the deal. When I first moved here in October, I was on the phone speaking with my friend Wendy (hi!). I was looking out the back door and saw this large, colorful bird standing in our backyard. I freaked out a bit because I had never seen anything quite like it before. I started describing it to Wendy...I was about 2.5 feet tall, had a bright green/blue head, very colorful feathers, and a lot of colorful feathers on the back side. After careful deliberation we determined that it must be a peacock. I asked around to native of the area and they said that yes, peacocks have been sighted here. Yay! I had seen my first wild peacock in my own backyard!!! "Not so fast Charlie." A few weeks back (when the thaw started) Ray started asking me about my peacock "sighting" as he had seen a bird in the backyard that sounded quite similar. Yep, green/blue head, colorful feathers, about 2.5 feet tall - he laughed and said that it definitely was not a peacock, but a male pheasant. How disappointing - a peacock sounds MUCH more exciting & exotic. Apparently he lives in the brush behind our place because you can hear him when we take the dogs out. Who knew??? Peacocks & pheasants must be related - I'm convinced.

Palooza Destination?!?!?

2008-04-12T15:20:00.003-05:00

Ray and I are trying to figure out where to go on vacation this summer and I could use your help!!! We are planning to go away between our birthdays - from July 3-13th - a 10 day UncleRay&Charlie Palooza. A few ideas that have been put out there have been a trip somewhere in the Caribbean to an all inclusive resort, to Europe (Italy, Greece & or Spain) or just travel here in Canada around the Maritimes (people keep saying that July around here is the best time of year - plus who knows how long we'll be living here and I want to soak it all up). Please weigh in as we're having a rough time deciding where to go. All suggestions will be carefully considered...

The Thaw Has Begun

2008-04-08T09:12:00.003-05:00

It is finally warming up here!!! I really didn't think this time of the year was ever going to come. Check out the picture...YOU CAN SEE GRASS!!! It's getting pretty messy out there because of all the melting, but I'll take it. I've even thought about busting out my shorts and tank tops...it's been up to 45 these past few days. At least it's warm enough to melt some of this snow that is piled up.

After two weeks of hell at work, I took the morning off today to lay around & relax. I'm here to report that I absolutely hate daffodils and am quite allergic to them as well - suffice to say I'm more than glad that the campaign is over. Ray has really been more than terrific these past couple of weeks. He was out each night with me picking up daffodils and money from all of the places daffodils were being sold. Plus he had to put up with my craziness which I claim is a side effect of being an event coordinator during crunch time.

Workin' Hard For The Money

2008-03-27T17:33:00.002-05:00

The posts on Charlie's Adventures have not been as frequent as I would like them to be. This is the first time this week that I have had a few moments to sit at my computer and gather my thoughts. By the looks of things, I'll be working harder than I have in quite some time over the next week and a half. Here's the scoop. One of the events that I oversee is the Canadian Cancer Society's annual Daffodil Days here in Moncton. Daffodils are know as the flower of hope (more commonly referred to as the flowers from hell by the CCS staff). As with all the events I oversee there are goals that are to be met - $50,000 for this one. I can utilize anyone who willing to volunteer their time. The office assistant, Julie, has been with the cancer society for the past few years and has worked on the daffodil campaign each year and is extremely familiar how everything is done. I have really looked to her for guidance & assistance. We divided up many of the task and she was planning to take care of many key elements. Long story short, Julie had an emergency appendectomy over the weekend and is out of the office for two weeks! Suffice to say, I'm on my own with this event. It is proving to be quite the learning experience. I am confident that my goals will be met - it's just getting thought April 6th that's going to be the trick. I have a massage scheduled for Monday the 7th to help work out the kinks! If there isn't a new post soon, you now know why.

Spring is Here?

2008-03-21T15:25:00.005-05:00

It's officially Spring, and yes you've probably guessed it, it's snowing here in Moncton. I'm no longer in denial and have come to grips with where I live and the weather associated with it. On the bright side, by being Canadian (ha!) I got the day off today for Good Friday and Monday off for a nice long Easter weekend. My boss failed to tell me about this until last week (he just assumed everyone knew that we got time off for Easter). Had I know earlier, we would've surely made plans to get away this weekend...I guess now I know better for next year. I hoping this will be a nice relaxing LONG weekend and get some reading in. Yes, I've jumped on the wagon and am reading "A New Earth." The book that Oprah is pimping hard right now...although I haven't gone so far as taking her class that is associated with the book that she is offering on-line. Have a great weekend & Happy Easter (that's for you Willie).

Roll up the Rim to Win

2008-03-05T16:26:00.007-06:00

I don't know what it is about Tim Horton's coffee, but it really is a taste of heaven. When that warm coffee hit my lips it gives me a warm feeling all over. I've had the discussion with several people and we're all pretty much in agreement that they put crack (or rock cocaine if you prefer) in the coffee because it's that addicting. What's great is that it isn't super pricey either, so I don't feel at all bad for going there on a semi-regular basis.

Now Tim Horton's is giving us even more of an incentive to enjoy their delicious coffee (like I really need one). It's their annual Roll up the Rim to Win. Under the rim of each coffee sold is the chance to win some amazing prizes: cars, boats, GPS navigation systems, gift cards, free coffee & donuts. There is a one in nine chance of winning a prize. I have been lucky enough to win a donut - although I threw the cup away because that's really the last prize I need to claim (donut to the lips goes straight to the hips, so true). Anyway, I was excited when I saw this article in the paper today about the girl picture about who lives here in Moncton that won a car!!! It's a pretty cool little story if you have time, check it out.

I'm thinking I'll win one of the boats...just putting that out there!

Shocker

2008-03-03T14:17:00.001-06:00

An ice cream cone and a ‘For Sale’ sign peek out from behind a snow bank on an ice cream business on Millenium Boulevard in Moncton on Saturday. Note to self, Don't open an ice cream shop in the snow belt of Canada! Duh.

Charlie's Adventures

I'm in the Game!

31 and Still Learning Lessons in Life

Nice Shot

Rebel Red

I Can See Clearly Now!!!

"Take The Pedi Back"

Momma D.'s World Famous Banana Bread

It's Been Way Too Long

Getting The Run-Around

Where A Kid Can Be A Kid!

Seriously! I Mean, Seriously?!?!

How Young is Too Young?

Why Women Stay Single

Monday Night Sushi Club

New Guilty Pleasure

Getting My Om On

Ya Never Know...

Mr. Hottie...Not So Fast

30, Flirty, and FABULOUS!

Recharging Them Batteries

Very Peachy

That Time of Year

Great Day for a Ride

Fun in the Sun and Rain

The One

Always Something

Where Have You Been Miss Charlie?

Quick-Hitter

Mmmmmm...Vino

My First Time

Local Louisiana Charm

Oompa-Loompas! Creepy of Fun?

It's Already March 15th?!?!?! Where Does The Time Go?

Date Night

Highlights from Trip

Herding Cats

You Are My Sunshine

Hungry???? Not Me!

Mardi Gras Tour of South Louisiana

Lake Charles, LA

Bring It On 2009

Friday Night Fights

Our First House Guest

Great New Gig

Impromptu Trip to Dallas!

My New Business!!!

**Dad Makes Prom Dress out of Condoms**

A Positive Moment - From Jon Gordon’s Blog

True???

How About Around You?

Gossip Girls

Countdown to Opening Night!

Sushi Party

Great Find Ray!

Squeaky Wheel

Where in the World is Heather & Mark Grace?

An Inspiration to Bloggers Everywhere

Book Review - The Energy Bus

Goodbye Old Friend...Hello New!!!

Success!!!!!!!!!!!!

Home Sweet Home!

New iPhone = 2 Cool 4 Words

Making New Friends!

Dogs In Charge

White Dog Anyone???

Goal Accomplished!

So Far, So Good!!!

M.I.A. No More

A Tribute to Moncton

Where in the World is Heather & Mark Grace?

Nike Plus = Mega Cool

Yes, It's been a while...

Birthday Present

Happy Birthday Ray!!!

Oh Canada

Extended Vacation

Great People in New Brunswick!

Golf in Prime Time

Scenic Hopewell Rocks

Dad Makes Prom Dress out of Condoms