Monday, March 14, 2011

Nashville Journal Day 3

Solo day in Nashville, day 3... Went to explore Grand Ole Opry and the Opryland Convention Center. It had beautiful grounds and had it not been an overcast rainy day, I'm sure would have been even more spectacular! Photos to follow.

Noontime met Carla, an RMU roomate of mine for what was supposed to be an adventurous lunch. Well it was an adventure to say the least. GPS got us lost not once, but twice, so out of sheer frustration we stopped at a Ryan's Steak House. Which had no steak, no house, it was a 5.00 lunch buffet that was AWFUL! I resorted to eating rolls, macaroni & cheese and cottage cheese... still hungry later so I had to get some take out!

After catching up, I drove to Mt Juliet to see Brent & Nikki and new addition, 13 day old baby Klair. We met them while on vacation in Cozumel in May 2009 during the swine flu epidemic. All are well and cute as buttons.

Home to a nice home cooked dinner by Mr. Danylko, rattlesnake pasta? A creamy alfredo-ish spicy pasta with chicken, so nom nom!

Slated for tomorrow: Cupcakes and airport

Sunday, March 13, 2011

Nashville Journal Day 2

Well... cinnamon rolls for breakfast, lounging till 3pm, lunch at 3:30 at a mexican restaurant, followed by a trip to a Lowe's... home for more relaxation then a grilled T-bone dinner with baked potato and veggies! Uneventful, tomorrow will be better I promise.

Slated for tomorrow, Grand Ol Opry, lunch with Carla, post lunch with Brent, Nikki & baby Klair.... rush hour drive thru the city of Nashville afterwards!

Saturday, March 12, 2011

Nashville Journal Day 1

Had some cereal and toast when I woke up at a mere 10am, which is 11am Pgh time. Pushed the cat out of my cereal then out of the peanut butter, showered up, got ready.

Amanda decided to the Jillian Michael's workout before we go grocery shopping, While she sweats, I decided to sit in the chair eating a bag of Combos drinking a Nestea and watch.

Grocery shopped at the White House Walmart, then off to BBQ time. Went down to Neely's BBQ in Nashville, as in the Neely's from Food Network.. the place is kinda dumpy, you order at the counter, pay and sit down. They bring the food to you, it was awesome. Better than any imitation BBQ in the Burgh. 2 words, BBQ Spaghetti.... yes as a dinner or as a side dish. Mixture of BBQ and spaghetti servied atop nooodles and pulled pork... once a must try, probably not a get again. But the chopped pork and mac & cheese and french fries were delicious.

After that we went to downtown Nashville to Broadway where all the country bars are. Performers on the street and people EVERYWHERE even at 6pm. Strolled along the neon lights, stopped into Coyote Ugly to take a gander, not worth it at 6:30pm. Ended up going to Tootsie's Orchid Lounge for a drink and to listen to live music.

Home for bonfire!

Nashville Journals Day .5

It is .5 because technically this day I was only in Nashville for 45 minutes.

I ramped up to my 4 day vacation by accomplishing next to nothing at work. I went to check in online, as I did not have any checked baggage and did not intend on waiting in line at the counter. Well online wouldn't allow me to check in, it said see an agent at check in. Oh No! So I called United Customer Service not expecting to get anywhere, but some nice young gentleman waived that requirement for me and I printed my glorious boarding passes!

Worried about arriving and boarding my flight by 7:30, I left work at 4:30 and left for the airport around 5:20. I don't know how, but there was not an OUNCE of traffic on the outbound parkway at 5:30 on a Friday? Made it in plenty of time, am an expert at security, no shoes, jackets, or belts. The man in front of me had a difficult time thinking his giant swatch watch would set off the metal detector, so not only did that aggravate me, but the TSA agent as well. No one was getting put through the full body scanners.

A middle aged woman lost her son on the people mover somehow, she was hysterical. I told her to calm down, he will remember it, but he will laugh about it when he's older. Like the time I lost my mom at South Hills Village and thought the world had ended. I had a torepedo sub from Quiznos and chugged a water with an Airborne tablet and a Dramamine.

Enter airplane, it's cold, it's wet, we board, my seat mate is a lovely young lady names Jocelyn from West Virgina, she was with a group of 17 teaching students and faculty going to Italy to study elementary ed practices. We chatted the whole time through the turbulance and the de-icing on the runway, even read the SkyMall magazine together.

Arrived in Washington DC 40 minutes later, yes, I flew east to end up west. 90min layover, uneventful. Got on puddle jumper-esque plane. I kept turning around to try and see if the seat behind me was empty prior to departure, it was the emergency exit so it had tons of legroom. Well, everytime I turned around I inadvertantly caught the glance of the fine gentleman sitting in the opposing emergency exit. Finally he calls me out on it, he says, "yes that seat is open, unless you keep turning around to check me out." So I switched seats... and I checked him out again.

It was beautiful flying into Nashville at night. Arrival 11:15 Tennessee time, 12:15 Pittsburgh time. My private chauffer Amanda picked me up, drove home and ZZZZZzzzz.

Thursday, March 3, 2011

aiming for mandy

this is what we are aiming for as far as color goes, let's cross our fingers!!!
from this..................................to this?
SUCCESS!

Monday, February 28, 2011

Hair A.D.D.

This is how fall of 1999 at RMU began, long blonde hair.

how can I make my mom mad... let's see....
I can get a 2nd tattoo?
Nope, that just made grandma mad. She said if she can see it, she's not coming to my wedding. Cut off all my hair? Bleach it blonde and add some kool aid red streaks?
Nope, didnt make anyone mad. Maybe if we dye it red?
Nope, not that either. Well I enjoyed my year of hair experiences, too bad no one tells you about the awkward mullet stage that you have to experience in order to grow it out :( Lots of hats, bobby pins, and headbands!
eventually it did grow back and this was the result. not too shabby!

I have a confession. I have Hair A.D.D. my hair has never been the same color, cut or style for more than 6 months in the last 11 years. This week will be no different. it's taken me a long time to get this blonde... but now I'm ready to be a brunette again. Friday 5pm, I have a date with my hairdresser.
bye bye blondie!

Sunday, February 27, 2011

I have my mojo back!


If there's anything I picked up on vacation out west this summer, it's the definition of Mojo. Cuban food was something I never had, we don't have any in Pittsburgh. Each ethnicity has its own version of Mojo, Cuban Mojo is made from garlic, olive oil, spices and citrus juices (usually sour orange). It is primarily used to marinate roasted pork or chicken, can also be used as a dipping sauce.

Versailles Cuban Restaurant in Los Angeles used to sell the sauce I use by mail order, sadly, no longer does so. After I run out, I have to try and find a replacement or make my own.

Tonight I made a pulled pork roast in a slow cooker in a mix of water, fresh lemon and oranges, and a splash of mojo. After I shredded it, I put it back in the slow cooker and finished it off with some fresh mojo sauce. Just before serving, I throw it in a searing hot skillet to get a little crust on some of the pieces to add texture. Serve with black beans & rice, as with all Cuban cuisine.

the "Elvis"

I'm not one generally influenced by the powers of television.

Until now. Enter sandwich show chronicling pastrami, primanti's, french dips, cheesesteaks, and the elvis. Yes, the elvis. A grilled peanut butter sandwich with bananas, bacon and honey

Well I didnt have any bananas and it's 2pm, I'm still in my pajamas and I'm not going to GET a banana. So I improvised. I substituted Nutella for the banana. :)

A grilled peanut butter, bacon, Nutella, honey sandwich at 2:30pm was the best snack idea ever.

I was so hungry it didn't occur to me to take a picture of it's drippy melty goodness, so I have enclosed a photo of last nights dinner. Hot dogs and stuffed pepper soup! lol

Monday, February 7, 2011

Superbowl Blues

I think Ernie had more fun than we did at the party.
He barks when we clap or yell at the tv.
He "nose" best!



Saturday, February 5, 2011

BBB Steelers tailgate party

Eat this Wisconsin Cheesehead BBB! Pgh rules!

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Reconnecting through Facebook

As many cons as there are with Facebook, it does serve it's purpose... a social networking site. Reconnecting with friends of days past has happened a handful of times recently. I do cycle through friends I will admit, to no fault of anyone's, we grow apart, get jobs, find love, move away, etc. So I am always open for friends from past or new friends. I like to hear other people's stories on life and work.. I'm thankful for them opening themselves up to it as well. So thank you Shannon, Lindsey and Patti... good to see you again!!! Thanks for being friendly with someone who acts like this...

Monday, January 31, 2011

Deployment Day 1-31-2011

This is my brother Michael Deglau. He deployed this morning as part of our US Army 8th Ordnance based out of Fort Bragg, NC. His unit is currently in Balad, Iraq where he will be joining them within the days ahead. He leaves behind his baby girl Desiree and wife Monica, please keep them all in your thoughts.
The happy family!
Desiree cutie patootie
how neat is this?
yep. this guy is allowed to handle firearms... :)

Hurry Home Safely!

Saturday, January 29, 2011

Public Transportation

Scared of public transportation, that is why I can never work downtown.
But every now and then it is a neccessity, ie: Penguins game on a Tuesday night...
Such characters I saw...
Im in! Here we go!
It's wobbling all over the place i dont enjoy this....
WHAT the HECK is all over the seat in front of me?!?!?!?

I'm glad I have a car.

Friday, January 28, 2011

nothing screams weekend...


Nothing screams weekend
like rocking out with underwear on your head... Happy Friday!

Thursday, January 27, 2011

I Want What You Have


I want what you have. Period. Doesn't matter what it is.

Monday, January 24, 2011

Chompers

Whether a puppy or a growing teenager, Ernie chews.
Mostly for attention, mostly when he is being watched.
Mostly cause I think he likes getting yelled at.
He chews hats.
He chews open Xmas presents BEFORE Xmas...
He chews toys
He chews sheets when his grammy stays the night while we are away...
He chews more toys...
and just this ONE time, he chewed when we weren't home and completely annihilated his puppy bed.
I love this lil chewy chompers!


Friday, January 21, 2011

Dog Breath Mornings

In the event Ernie manages to schmooz his way into the bedroom, he ends up laying against one of our bums all night, making for a lousy nights sleep for a human. But in the mornings it all pays off when you wake up to this face in yours!
This happens when he hears a noise outside and stands guard facing the window... And then there is the weekend stance in the event we choose to sleep in. Ernie does NOT like sleeping in. WAKE UP!

Thursday, January 20, 2011

2011

2011 will be a year of:

LAWNCARE


FITNESS


COMEDY


ADVENTURES

FRIENDSHIP

CHALLENGES

FASHION

LEARNING NEW THINGS


DREAMS
PARTIES
HUMILIATION


CURIOSITY


DENTAL HYGIENE


REFLECTION

PEACE


T-SHIRT TIME


and "SITUATIONS"

ITS GOOD TO BE A DOG IN THIS FAMILY


Happy New Year... Cheers to 2011!