Linus and Lucy...

Yes, it's a classic.  Yes, we all know about it and it's nothing new.  We may even have our favorite dancer.  But I can tell you a story that only few know of and some lucky ones have even witnessed.  It is truly a legend-in our minds at least.

Years ago, in the 80's, at a local bar up north, girlfriends and I were enjoying the weekly bar version of the Gong Show.  You know, like a regular talent show but with a rude 'gonging' if the judge deemed you with little or no talent.

The action that night was sort of slow and the emcee was begging the crowd to come to the floor and share their talent.  My squad put our fried, dyed and layed to the side hairdo heads together and realized that indeed, we did have a talent.  Cousinfriend Joyce, bumped the band member off her keyboard and the rest of us hit the dance floor.  As you can imagine, Joyce hunched over, knit her eyebrows and began banging out the song.  Yes, THEE Song.  The rest hit the dance floor and broke out in our finest imitation of the dancers.  We shrugged, we ponied, we running manned.  We flipped our big hair from side to side and generally brought down the house.  That is until the judge gonged us, amidst strong protests from the audience.  Like the stars that we were, and with great dignity, we bowed and waved to our adoring fans.  Someone even sent us over a round-a small consolation prize for our humiliating treatment.

So yeah.. this song and this video will forever be the night when us chickies fearlessly performed a spontaneous and creative talent show performance.  We were the people's choice that night and were even asked to do an encore.  But we knew we could never repeat our 'classic.'  Once was enough, the legend remains and the rest is history.  Merry Christmas, my friends. xo

The Grand Illusion...

Are we turning into wimps that talk more than we do?  Has anyone else noticed what Drama Queens and Kings we've become?  Everyday conversations are full of superlatives and exaggerations that make everything so much more important and well, dramatic.  I need to say at this time, I do not mean to offend anyone who truly DOES have these issues and I don't aim to trivialize.

Here's what I mean....

After the party on Friday night, I was a hot mess on Saturday morning.  Really?  There was nothing 'hot' about it-trust me.  When my condition was pointed out to me, I was not hurt.  No, I was 'butt hurt.'  Charming, huh?  Because I was having trouble finding focus, I must have been a bit A.D.D. And when I finally organized my closet, I was accused of being O.C.D.  And I wasn't just 'busy',  I was crazy busy.

Now, I love good slang just as much as the next person, Dane used to check me on that habit as needed.  If I check out the cute E.M.T. at the gym, I am not a 'cougar.'  A smitten kitten perhaps, but NOT a cougar.  And how do I get my eyebrows 'on fleek?'  Unless a fleek is an eyebrow pencil, I'm pretty sure I don't want it 'on' my brows.  What about the laziness involved by using word mash up to save ourselves having to say two words?  We cleverly say we are 'hangry' to encapsulate our hunger and anger.  Why relax when we can do double duty and 'chillax?'  Is it too much effort to say chill and relax? 

And don't get me started on the use of the word, literal.  I had someone tell me that they 'literally died.'  And yet they were standing right in front of me, warm and in the flesh!  It drives me crazy that the word is so totally misused.

I am trying to make an effort not to overdo the adjectives and superlatives in my speech-starting tomorrow.

But right now, I'm getting a snack and hitting the couch, because I am obsessed with and 'addicted' to the Property Brothers and literally 'starving to death.'

Y'all have an amaze-balls week covered in awesome sauce!!!   xo

P.S.  Hit up Bobcat Betty's for brunch and ignore the false advertising!

Step into Christmas...

On a blustery Sunday, dollfriends Kristin and Susan and I bundled up (note the warm lid) and made our way down to Eastern Market to take in the Holiday Market event.

  We got inside as quickly as possible and spent the next couple of hours browsing the vendors.  Always a sucker for soap, I scored some locally made, organic bars that will make my shower experience transporting.  I shrieked with glee when I saw a t-shirt locally printed that featured Diana Ross and the Supremes.  Anyone who knows me, knows my affinity for concert tees of shows that I've been to.  I saw Diana in 1983 at Cobo hall and she was, and is, a legend.  There was a young teen selling redone cigar boxes and I purchased two for jewelry or what ever.  I just couldn't resist them or his earnest sales pitch.  Locally crafted clothing, jewelry, baked goods, purses, and art were all ours to admire.  It also happened to be a Santa meet and greet, so there were very sweet babies and toddlers dressed in holiday attire to get their wishes heard and pics taken.  Christmas consumerism at it's finest! 

When thirst and hunger got the best of us, we made our way up Woodward to one of my favorite spots.  If you haven't had the pleasure of Union Street Café, I totally recommend it.  A bellini with grilled lobster and cheese sandwich was the perfect warm up.

Filled with Christmas spirit, I resolved to decorate my mantle and get the tree up.  Yessiree, right after a little couch time, I'll get right on it.  Or not... 

Warm hugs, my friends.

Fast Car...

Do you remember your first new car?  That pristine, glossy thing with that intoxicating 'new car smell?  Getting to drive in a car of your actual choice?  The responsibility and the anticipation is a heady combination. There's truly nothing like it until maybe when you purchase a house or birth a child. 

 Niece Nicole had been car shopping for awhile and on Friday night, my brother, Ford salesman extraordinaire, surprised her with her dream car.  As Nicole stepped out in our garage to grab a Bud Light, Steve had her car at the ready with bows, ribbons and a giant name tag.  Nicole was shocked to say the least that her loaded Ford Fusion was right in front of her.  We had snowballed her into thinking that the car would not be available at her price for weeks but Steve did his magic and made it happen sooner. 

The rest of the weekend was spent with Steve giving her tutorials on all the bells and whistles-an easy task with Nicole being a self proclaimed techie nerd.  And celebrating.  You only get your FIRST new car once and we made it the big deal that it is.

Congrats Nicole, you have worked very hard and deserve this.  We are all proud and happy for you.
Drive safe and go easy on that turbo, Cookie!  xo