Road Rants

Chivalry is not dead, but I don't appreciate it at 4 way stops. I seem to have the endless road rage when it comes to these stops. I'm so tired of guys(some guys, don't worry I'm not clumping you all together) "some" guys like to shoo me through the 4 way stop, when it's not my turn. What the heck dude, I understand your trying be nice but I'm not the first person to my right and it's your turn. He even got to the stop sign before me. UGHHHHHH !
My next road rage issue are people that pull out in front of me to make a left and NO ONE is behind me. I call that slick move "Nashville". Only because when we lived over that way, it was a everyday occurrence no matter what road , where you were at, and it still happens when I venture that way. So when somebody does that to you then just say " Oh, you are so Nashville" Sorry any Nashvillians out there.
Ok 1 more thing and I will be done bitchin about road rage, when your trying to make a left turn from a parking lot, why do people just pull up along side you(mostly in a large SUV's) and HELLO, they are staring right in your eyes, trying to see through your head. It's not going to work, our heads are not made to see through. So come on people lets have some patience and let the left turners see the on coming traffic, that's all I'm asking.
Well I feel much better, I hope my road rage can be controlled with blogging and talking to myself in the car. I can't imagine how I'm going to be when I'm 70.

No Cry Baby's Allowed

Working out has been my passion for the last 9 months. I've been running for the last 5 years (at least 4-5 times a week) but I got to a point were it felt like I was just running in place. I didn't push myself and it was mainly a maintenance thing and I was WAY over eating. So in January I decided (with my mom/workout partner) that we were going to step it up a notch and take some classes at the Hayes Green Beach Wellness Center. We started off with a weight training class (Buns and Guns) and a fun cardio/dance class. I soon was able to talk my mom into taking Bootcamp class, it was right before the other 2 classes. I thought that I was going to puke and pass out the first night and my mom was going to drop over from a heart attack but we made it. Our faces were so beat red and we were panting like dogs but we were not going to give up and whine like little girls. We sucked it up and returned the next week(very sore and wounded) but I have to say I was more proud of my mom than myself. I knew she was feeling alot of anxiety the whole week prior but she kept on pushin and now you should see her... Brick House (a very small one)!
We now run to Bootcamp(1.4 miles) and take a great circuit training class afterwards. Thursday nights is another circuit training class but that will be replaced next week with a Spin class. I'm really excited about it, I've only ever taken 1 before but it's great to have changes about every 8 weeks or so. I think that that's the key to everything. Changing up workouts and becoming stronger has completely changed my life....
I will soon be training to become a group fitness instructor. I've been thinking about this for awhile and now the gym has taken me on and this should start soon....... so when your down in the dumps with your workouts or you just want to start working out, NO EXCUSES, SUCK IT UP, and JUST DO IT!!!!! It's not going to be easy and sometimes you'll want to cry or throw up but it's the only way to improve yourself and get stronger. Even if it's taking 1 class a week at a gym or walking and adding a jog in between telephone poles or city blocks, even if it's lifting dumbbells once a week with some jump roping, the possibilities are endless...(if you need ideas I can help.) Don't worry about the scale, muscle is key. Push yourself to the max, no whining, and no cry baby's allowed in my class:)

Mystery Notes

Today I was reminded by my daughters to go check out the note that I had left at Meijers last week...yes, another grocery story:)
I like to give stores my input in a funny kind of way. I started leaving "Post it's" in areas that are not STOCKED! Of course they are items that I'm wanting to buy but they seem to be out. SO I leave a kind little note that says "Please stock more of the Meijer brand 100% Columbian Whole bean coffee, thank you!" or " Please stock more of the Tresseme Extra hold hairspray, it seems to be never here!" I know that i could probably go to the customer service and give them my 2 cents but I find this way more fun and possibly more effective? Anyways I have seen some improvement, the coffee is now there when I buy it every week but I do have to say the hairspray note is not working. Today I left a second note "Please, Please, Please, stock more of this, why isn't it here? what the heck is going on?" and my girls seem to find this puzzling too. They did ask today if we are supposed to do this whole note leaving and I said "Sure, it's just a different way of telling them things we would like more of." So who knows what I'm instilling in my girls but I'm at the point now that I'm no longer buying "the hairspray" at Meijers but I like leaving the notes for the other people that might be wanting it too.
I'm thinking of all my fellow shoppers out there and maybe when your frustrated with some item that is not available then you could leave a "Post it" too!

Shortest line isn't always the quickest....

My weekly routine is groceries on Wednesdays. I almost always go the Grand Ledge Meijer and I always look forward to my cashier "John".
It took me a while to find my favorite cashier, but now, where ever I am I have certain characteristics and expectations that I look for.
I never go through the self check out unless I have 1-5 items, whats the point when you have a cart full of grocerys, 3 kids, coupons,a list, recycled bags and a cart that looks like a caboose. And I don't save any money, maybe I would if it took a couple of dollars off my bill.
When John is working it doesn't matter how long his line is because it always moves fast but if I have to pick a line I first look for my cashier and then look for large bulky items, not small crap that's strategically piled up.
I've broke down my cashier characteristics (things you should look for, for the most efficient and fastest way to get you in and out)

Lets start with Guys.

Young guys, I don't go for any guy that's good looking(which is rare). Usually they are too busy trying to make conversation and I'm too distracted and I don't pay attention to the bill and they pack things really stupid. Cilantro and Lettuce should never have cans stacked on top of it. If I do decide on a youngin then I like the ones that look quiet, maybe they play video games:) , kinda geeky, ...like i can beat them up:)

Middle age guys(30-50), this is usually what I'm looking for. They are usually talkative but not too much and they are always great packers, no awkwardness, they get "it". That's my John!
(Don't worry I'm not getting all hot and bothered with John, he has a boyfriend)

Young girls, I like to go with girls that are pretty but not too pretty and smile. I've noticed when they are too pretty they don't talk and pack way too light. Yah, total discrimination with the looks but I think alot of people are pretty:)

Middle age women(30-50), watch out for the "talky pants", if you are having any inkling of this, get out of the line fast. I'm fine with some talk but I don't want to tell this person every dish that I'm making and how I make it and explain what all my vegetables are(they always ask about beets and snow peas?????, I don't get it) and blah, blah, blah. They usually take forever and pack too light. Also look for a "kind" face, no scowling and says Hello.

Senior Cashiers(seems to be very rare, they usually stick them at the door) but when you find them, I look for ones that look mean and feisty...fast and efficient!

So hopefully this will help with your cashier roulette...

Save big bucks, no whammies!

Drive by Blanket

For the last year I've had my eye on this green blanket or maybe it's a rug....I don't know but it hangs over the porch railing of this house that I pass at least 4-5 times a week. It's been there for about 9 months, give or take. I want to stop and ask them why is it just hanging there and what the heck's wrong with it? Does it smell like cat pee? Does it have a giant hole in the middle?(maybe it's a tree skirt) Do they not have room for this amazing grass green blanket/rug??? Why does it just hang out side and never move. It doesn't even get unfolded. I can't stand it, I want this thing and writing about it is just making me obsess even more. I need to time this whole confrontation just right, and think about my intro line.... "hey, i like this green thing out here, would you mind selling it?"
I do have to confess, I've thought about stopping in the middle of the night and grabbing it. There's too many things wrong with that scenario! I think I might stop this week and ask, what's it going to hurt.... either yes or no or it really does smell like cat pee.

Harv's Ramen Noodle Salad

My Ramen Noodle Salad seems to be the only salad that I know how to make and take anywhere.
It's a pretty good salad, lots of veggies, lots of flavor but it does take a while to chop all of it.
So if you want to try pretty much a guarantee crowd pleaser, then give this salad a whirl.

1 bag of dole coleslaw mix
1 bag of broccoli slaw or 2 cups of shredded red cabbage
1 red pepper (chop)
1/2 bunch green onion (chop)
1 pkg of small cucumbers(they come in 4)(slice) or 1/2 english cucumber(quarter and slice)
8 radishes(slice)
20 snow peas (destring and slice in 1 inch pieces)
2 cups of broccoli florets.

CRUNCHIES

4 tbs. butter
2 pkges of oriental flavor ramen noodles
1/2 cup or rice noodles(in the asian section)
3tbs. sesame seeds
1/2c sliced almonds

Melt the butter and crush noodles with rolling pin before opening. Sprinkle the
ramen noodle season packets over the crunchies. Stir until toasted (med/high) heat. Spread over paper towel to cool.


DRESSING

2/3c olive oil/ canola
1/4c rice vinegar
4tbs. soy sauce
1/2c sugar or splenda
1tsp. garlic powder
1/4tsp. cayenne pepper


Mix everything right before serving.

Enjoy!

Cawww Cawww!

We have no air conditioning and that's fine but when I think of that damn crow, I want AIR!!!!

6:45 am is the time that this crow outside our window likes to wake me up. I'm seriously wanting to shoot the stupid thing but
1. I don't know how to shoot a gun
2. Where the crap is that bird?
3. I couldn't kill an animal, no matter what they do.

So I need a name for this crow. I think he's preparing me for the upcoming school year. We are all sleeping in and I'm loving it but I guess good things do have to come to an end.

Any suggestions for a name?