Tag Archives: traveling

getting all inside the beauty of my trip. and even better, inside the beauty of #equalrights

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FYI, the reference of “inside the beauty” comes from a creeper message on Facebook. We have taken this on as a new turn-of-phrase. And we modify it on occasion. If we get up inside your beauty, you know we mean business.

New message from the Other Inbox: Please to be my friend, pretty lady? You have very much beauty and I want to get inside your beauty.

Check out my pictures on Instagram from our trip to Iowa and Illinois.

The trip was breathtakingly beautiful. Every damn time I looked out the window, it was like looking at a postcard.

El Jefe’s family was amazing. So welcoming and fun.

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After Iowa, we spent a lovely day with David and Kyle in Chicago enjoying the hell out of PrideFest.

1010181_10152014715537907_969093930_nYes. That’s Gaymart. The happiest store on earth.

Speaking of PrideFest…YAY SCOTUS! You made the right decision striking down DOMA. All Americans should have equal rights. Marriage is a human right. Period. And frankly, “separate but equal” has never worked…and it is not really equal. So. Let’s all get Gay Married! Okay, I know everything isn’t done yet, but striking down DOMA is a huge step in the right direction.

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super stoked about Saturday’s #super moon!

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Supermoon-430x430 moon-why-you-so-sexy-

We will be at a lovely estate on the Mississippi river enjoying Saturday’s Super Moon. We are definitely going to be looking out for E.T.SS_top_movies_ET

I will be basking in the glorious super moonlight. Looking like this:

devorssand this:

476512-bigthumbnailand y’all are going to be jealous Mo-Fos because you’re not with us. But don’t worry, we’ll be sure to have a grand time anyway. And you know I’ll take lots of pictures because I have a problem. I have an iPhone and I’m not afraid to point and click!

Today, it’s lunch and haircut with Rader. Then an appointment, then I’m off to finish laundry and pack so we can hit the road tonight when Jefe gets home from work. Aw. Yeah.

I don’t know if I’ll be updating the blog as we travel, but you never know! You can always check out my picture-trails from my instagram or facebook. Like I said, I have a problem. But I’m okay with it. I don’t need your approval to make me feel good about myself. (and if you find yourself in need of someone else’s approval to feel good, then you need to repeat after Stuart Smalley:)

“I’m good enough, I’m smart enough, and, doggonit, people like me!”

v6Y6Tjw

take me for a ride on your big green tractor…

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You think my tractor's sexy.

You think my tractor’s sexy.

Oh John Deere! I can’t wait to see your museum this weekend!

I was thinking I should wear something awesome to commemorate the visit. Is this “dress” too much?

If I put a pink camo John Deere trucker hat on with it, will that dress it down just right?

Of course, if I were to wear this “dress” I’d have to make a few adjustments. Like add about 3 feet of material at the bottom. The neckline is pretty much perfect for my girls…but I would probably want to wear a tank top so as not to overwhelm all the old farmers who are hanging around.

Okay, I’m kidding. Well, not about the pink camo trucker hat..but the dress? Only for Halloween. You know. When it’s appropriate to be a Slutty Tractor.

Even Ruby loves to John Deere Dream

Even Ruby loves to John Deere Dream

When you spend as much time on a John Deere Tractor as I do, you tend to develop a bit of a crush. So, it’s only natural that I would be overly-excited about my time at the museum. I can’t wait to sit on a combine. I hope I don’t get kicked out…

El Jefe has a family reunion in Iowa, so we are going to enjoy our time on the Mississippi River while I get to meet his family. I really hope his grandfather comes. The stories about him are always fantastic.

Once the reunion is over, we’re headed to Chicago for 1 night. I’ve never been before, and I know 1 night isn’t enough time, but…it’s PrideFest on Sunday! So it’s like the stars have aligned to make sure Chicago will be full of extra sparkle and fabulousness for my arrival. Thank you, STARS!

In a Walgreens update, I was contacted by the company yesterday after they read my blog. They’ve opened a ticket to investigate the complaint, which I do appreciate. The more I hear from people in my town, the more I realize that this Walgreens in particular seems to refuse to fill narcotic prescriptions on a regular basis. They are “out” a lot and “don’t know when they’ll have more in.” Well, that pretty much makes them the shittiest pharmacy ever if their purpose is to fill prescriptions and they rarely do. IT’S NOT YOUR JOB TO MONITOR OUR MEDS. That is called “Practicing out of the scope of your position.”

Walgreens. You’re fired.

whew! what a weekend.

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photo(122) See how tired Ruby is? Poor girl, she just can’t keep her head up.

(You should have heard her heavy sighs and puggly growly noises…)

So Friday I got to take Rader Tater to Oxford! Which means I got to see some dear friends and have a low-key dinner at a new-to-me place: The Bar on North Lamar…which is officially The Lamar Lounge.

The food was great and the atmosphere was chill and a good time was had by all.

Saturday morning, Drea and I walked to another of my favorite places, The Honeybee Bakery. Excellent brunch…but one of the weirdest experiences ever. For some reason, they thought it was appropriate to ask us to remove our hats! Um, no. This is not some ‘chi-chi’ swank place in New York. This is a bakery.  So we told them, yes we minded (OMG, we had just walked over a mile to get there, it was hot! And our hair was a mess under our hats) and we asked if we could sit outside to eat our brunch. They approved our request and we enjoyed our quiche and our hats.

The boys had decided to get their dad another frog item or a goat item for Father’s Day. (He has a thing about frogs and goats) We talked about a wind chime or something to hang up in the yard. I was given permission to do the frog hunting for them, since they weren’t able to get together and go themselves like they did for me. There is a new garden store on the west side of Oxford called The Barn and I found a really cool wrought iron and stone frog and the boys approved.

While we were out shopping, I finally got to try on a pair of MONKEY SHOES! I’ve wanted a pair since forever, and finally spoke to someone who was able to help me find the right oneW3333s to suit my needs. I really want to use them for my run/walks…I’ve always been a barefoot girl at heart, so I figure these shoes will be perfect for me.  (btw, the ‘real’ name of these shoes is Five Fingers, but whatever. They’re MONKEY SHOES!)  I can’t wait to order me a pair.  Probably next month! YAY ME!

I drove back to LR on Saturday, and watched The Dark Knight Rises with El Jefe and Ian. Then Sunday we had a cookout at the Compound with Lynne and Stacey Jay and her fam. Burgers, dogs, watermelon, guacamole, wine! It was an awesome day.

The weekend ended with the return of TRAINWRECK TV…also known as True Blood.

Oh, and Jefe is so damn sweet. He bought me some plant food for my maters and black out curtains for the boys’ rooms because he is so full of awesome.

Stay tuned for a letter to Walgreens…because after last Friday…we are NEVER, EVER, EVER getting back together.

Ruby Tuesday!

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Welcome to Tuesday! Where I will, from now on, feature a new pitiful picture of my pug RUBY.

WHY SO SAD RUBY? Oh never mind, you just caught up on the Red Wedding, didn't you?

WHY SO SAD RUBY? Oh never mind, you just caught up on the Red Wedding, didn’t you?

Oh, Ruby. It’s so hard being you.

Sunday morning, I finally tried to pull myself out of bed and was all “It’s time to get out of bed, Ruby.” And this was her response:

pitifully shuffle on her belly to my leg, and “flump” her head down with a giant sigh, in the crook of my knee while staring at me with such a wretched stare, that I had to lie back to overcome the sadness.

the sadness--it overtakes you.

the sadness–it overtakes you.

I read this article today about a large-breasted teen who was denied entry to her prom because her boobs were too big. She was told to wear a wrap around her shoulders or she wouldn’t be allowed entrance.

I feel your pain, sister. Your back pain, that is...

I feel your pain, sister. Your back pain, that is…

Her parents are asking for a public apology because they don’t feel the “no cleavage” rule was actually being fairly enforced. As her mother said “All women are not created equal, and you can not compare a golf ball to a grapefruit. It ain’t gonna happen.”

Damn right.

That dress is very age appropriate and lovely. Shame on that school for shaming her for what she comes by naturally.

This stupid head cold of mine is trying to kick my ass. And now, I’ve spread my germs to Jefe. We are THE HOUSE OF THE INFECTED. Enter at your own risk.

My mom called from Down Under yesterday. She’s having a great time! They were just at The Ayers Rock and were heading to Queensland. She’s going to New Zealand soon. All-in-all she will be Down Under for almost a month! I’m so happy that she’s fulfilling her dream! Let’s hope that when I’m 74, I’ll be able to rock life like she does. IF THIS STUPID COLD LET’S ME LIVE THAT LONG.

 

midnight train

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No, I’m not talking about taking the Midnight Train to Georgia. I’m talking about eating the Midnight Train plate at Gladys Knight’s and Ron Winan’s Chicken & Waffles while in Georgia.

Okay Internetz, I can admit to you, and ONLY you, that I might have been slightly hungover on Sunday morning after the baby shower/house party throw down. We pretty much partied like it was our job. So when we woke the next morning we knew we needed some fantastic hangover food.

And nobody wanted Taco Bell. (well, except for me. Burrito Supreme with extra sour cream, nachos with extra cheese and a ginormous Mountain Dew was my college hangover cure)

We had discussed chicken and waffles the day before at brunch so we decided that was the place to be.

And it was. We got there when it opened at 11:00 and had no problems getting a table. 20 minutes later, people were lined up in the cold waiting for their turn.

When they brought me my platter of goodness, I understood why people were waiting…
Oh. Em. Gee. It was delish. And yes, it was the perfect hangover cure. (Though I wish I had ordered some bacon, too. haha)

The only thing I would have changed was the “fresh buttery taste” spread they served with the waffles. It seriously said 48% vegetable oil; 4% sweet butter cream. Hmmmm. Not sure I’m okay with that. Thankfully the waffle was so damn good it didn’t need butter. Just a touch of syrup and I was good to go.

So if you ever get a chance to go to Chicken & Waffles…I highly recommend it.

And now for your chicken and waffle history lesson:

According to Gladys’ and Ron’s website Chicken and Waffles was born in Harlem, New York in the 1930’s. Wells Supper Club served many celebrities as they hung out in the late night hours. Many of them could not decide if they wanted breakfast or dinner-Wells gave them both!

Now you know…(and knowing is half the battle.)

holiday recap with pictures!

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I’m pretty sure my mother’s house is where Christmas went to die, because by the time everyone was finished opening their prezzies, it certainly looked like death and destruction had occurred there.

Here is my mother with her 4 grandkids. Nonnie and the Hellions.

Me and my two hellions.

Me and my brother’s kids: Ryan and Double A

Girl, you got a bow on yo head.

After eating way too much and damn near putting ourselves into a food coma, Fishdog took the boys to his parents’ house for more gluttony and we joined them later for dessert.

Here is a picture of all the kids at the Francis Family Christmas. Only kid missing is my nephew Ryan because he went to see Tron with his daddy.

And here is my fav pic of the day. Me, my kids, and my nieces. There had been much madness and mayhem before this picture was taken. I can’t believe they are all looking at the camera. Especially Ian. Who tries desperately to stay out of every picture possible.

Tomorrow, El Jefe and I are heading east on a road trip. I may be blogging. I may not. We’ll see. If not, I hope y’all have a happy and safe new year and I’ll see you in 2011!

Party on Wayne.

On my way…

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I’m East Bound.

See ya in a few hours Geraci clan!

I’ll be gone a week. I can’t promise to post every day, but I’ll try. If you’re in Orlando, I’ll be signing both BITE ME! and LOVE SUCKS! at the Literacy Signing at the Swan/Dolphin hotel. Come by and see me!

(also…just a friendly reminder that LOVE SUCKS! hit’s the shelves tomorrow. Don’t forget to buy your minimum of two copies copy!!!!)