Monday, October 31, 2005

Halloween Hideout

When my wife informed me that she intended to come home on Tuesday instead of tonight my number one goal became avoiding trick or treaters at all costs.

First of all we finally got rain on the last day of the month and I thought maybe Halloween would get rained out. No such luck, only recess was rained out. Then I developed my plan. I brought a friend's car home from school and detailed it knowing that I needed to finish by 5:30 or else I could get caught by the early bird Halloweeners. 5:35 and I was out of here. I then decided to go the outlet mall to purchase shoes at the Reebok store. There were actually kids in costumes begging for candy at the mall. Who trick or treats at a mall????

Having finished my shopping by 6:15 I went and purchased dinner. 1/2 price night at Golden Chick. The drive home down side streets was probably the toughest part of the evening. I had to make sure no kids darted out into the street and had to avoid cars on both sides of the road with their flashers on as they followed kids. We're obese America, GET OUT AND WALK!

Seeing a few kids close to my house I turned my headlights off as I pulled into the driveway. Tennis shoes and chicken waiting to be taken inside. After one group walked past my house I opened my car door knowing the domelight was out which meant a better chance of not being had. I made it in and peeked outside making sure nobody followed me up the sidewalk.

Once inside it was LIGHTS OFF! It was tough navigating my house with the lights out. No way was I turning a light on allowing someone to find out I was home. I did turn the overhead stove light on along with a nightlight in back of the house. A few times I peeked out the window knowing someone would find out I was home. Imagine how tough it was finding a black remote control in a dark house.

Well, it is nearing 9pm and nobody has approached our house. I've won, unless some teenagers come around like a few years ago ringing door bells well after decent trick or treating hours. If someone does ring the bell they are going to get an individual serving of cereal that I've stockpiled from school for months. Halloween hasn't cost me a dime. For the first time in my life I didn't even purchase a pumpkin.

The MAN is getting old! If my kids were home tonight I would definitely have enjoyed taking them around the neighborhood trying to find which houses contained people and candy.

Sunday, October 30, 2005

Dinner for One: $2.68

Late Saturday we finally put together a card game so I rushed out the door around 6:30 to break a $100 and buy a few snacks and my dinner. Being a food/deal specialists I wavered on what I was thinking about eating. Eat too heavy and that would blow snacking during cards. Spend too much $$$ and approach playing cards would be too tight. At first I thought chinese sesame chicken with an order of crab rangoon, cost @ $8. Then I thought an order of white meat chicken from Golden Chick but figured that would be greasy and cost almost $8 to get what I wanted. I ended up at Jack N the Box and ordered 2 tacos for 99 cents and an order of onion rings. Total cost $2.68 and it was filling, fried yet not heavy on the grease. I feel better spending this little compared to the near $12 I spent the other night.

Drive thru DON'TS
5. If you have to turn your car off to order.....GO INSIDE!
4. If your order is over $20......GO INSIDE!
3. If you have to open your door to place a drive thru order....GO INSIDE!
2. If everyone in the car has to shout their own order.....GO INSIDE!
1. If you have to ask questions about the menu.....GO INSIDE!

At the expense of everyone else waiting these circumstances were created by ONE vehicle at the drive thru. Luckily I was not in a hurry!

Saturday, October 29, 2005

Mr. Tetris

I went and helped a friend load up his Budget rental truck today in preparation of his family's moving back to Missouri after living in Texas for 15 years. I arrived around 10am and the truck was maybe 1/3 full. My friend BillyV realized that the truck wasn't going to be big enough so he and his father in law went to rent a tow behind trailer. While they were away I helped pack the truck with a few guys I have met before. As we were loading one guy says, "this is kind of like Tetris." Anyone who lived in the 80s and 90s would know that Tetris is the video game where you manipulate different size geometrical block shapes and you keep the game going by packing them in perfectly, thus avoiding uncompatible pieces from piling up.

Mr. Tetris, they guy in the truck, is responsible for packing in different size boxes into the moving truck. He needs to do this as the few box carriers deposit various shaped boxes and other items on the back of the truck. If he works too slow then the boxes pile up. If he works too fast he may do a poor job packing, thus wasting space and possibly creating the need for another truck.

Our Mr. Tetris was pretty good. Not only did he manage and place the boxes that we brought to the truck, he would often follow us into the house and locate the perfect sized, ALREADY TAPED, boxes to fit the unique hole that needed plugged.

Tetris piece comparisons:
Long straight: these were the long boxes such as Christmas tree boxes
L shaped: the couch, sofa, chairs
C shaped: coffee and end tables
Multi-edged: odd items including benches, a bike with training wheels
Square block small: small boxes of various sizes
Square block large: the refridge, dressers, night stands.

I think our Mr. Tetris did a great job filling the moving truck to it's near capacity limit.

Friday, October 28, 2005

Platinum Club

I'm not talking about some club outside the city so hold your horses. Last night a friend asked me to go and watch the Maverick's last preseason game at American Airlines Center. I declined since I'm not much of an NUBA(NBA) fan. Well, today he asked me to go and watch an NHL Dallas Stars game. I said yes. Although they aren't playing my hometown St. Louis Blues I agreed.

This is my first experience ever sitting in the luxury boxes, the Platinum Club. Special parking on the first level. Entrance into a side gate. Elevator to the 3rd floor and there we were. A short walk later and we enter the SUITE. Yes, it is sweet. About 25 seats in our own area. Plasma Tv, internet service(posting from the game) and we can order without going out of our box. Bad thing is the bathroom is a little far away. It hasn't cost me a thing yet. I've just ordered drinks and I just filled out a credit application so we'll see how much it really costs.

Hockey is secondary tonight. The experience is primary. It is nice receiving special treatment! My friend who gave us the tickets says, "PEACE OUT."

It is amazing how many seats in these luxury boxes are unoccupied. White collar game for sure.

Thursday, October 27, 2005

Home Alone

My family left for St. Louis this morning before 7am. They will be gone until at least Monday so I'll have extra time to myself. How will I use it? Earlier this month I took the kids to St. Louis and my wife had alone time. Now it's my turn.

Today I took a personal day and spent most of it outside building something. Another beautiful October day her in Texas. I had tentative plans with a friend to see a movie, but he did not return my call. Got invited to go out to a bar n grill, but opted to still go to the movies. Since I arrived too early I decided to watch a little bit of Two for the Money. I just know if I lost about 20 lbs. I'd have a cut body like Matthew McConaughey. I bought a ticket for Stay starring Ewen McGregor. Odd movie and very disturbing. My mind was spinning enough that it felt like I was in the movie as long as 10 minutes after leaving the theatre. Very odd. Maybe I should have stayed in the Matthew movie.

Friday: I'm not sure. May play cards.

Saturday: Mowing at the church and loading a Uhaul for my best friend BillyV who is leaving me behind in Texas. Not sure about Saturday night.

Sunday: I'm sure church is involved, but I may actually go out and watch the first set of football games at a decent sports bar. Maybe see a movie Sunday night.

My dad turned 64 today. Happy Birthday dad! I do sometimes wish I weren't 600 miles away.

Wednesday, October 26, 2005

$11.55 dinner for ONE

I broke all the rules at dinner time tonight. After being at school for 13 hours I went and picked up the kids at church. From there I deposited a $50 check to boost my checking account to $51.35. I proceeded on to Home Depot to purchase a swingset kit for a friend. The time was nearing 9pm. I actually had plenty of cash in my wallet from collecting on my morning bagel order and I was hungry. My food intake for the day was one bagel with spread and a blueberry muffin for lunch.

My mind raced on what I wanted and I was thinking Popeyes for their delicious catfish and possibly a wing or 2. My daughter has decided that her dinner at 5pm wasn't enough so I kind of ordered for 2. Catfish combo with drink $6 plus anouther $3 for catfish only and then at about $2.50 for 2 orders of wing/biscuit. WOW, my dinner total for as much as what it costs me to take my family to dinner at a few places in town.

As I drove away I realized they hadn't given me my drink so with kids in tow I had to go back through the drive thru and wait an extra 5 minutes for my drink. Dinner was good.

I left home this morning at 6:35 am and arrived back home about 9:30pm. And a few of you think educators get paid too much and work part time.

Tuesday, October 25, 2005

Fun and Fellowship

It was a pretty good weekend.

Friday night: I spent time with my 2 kids while my wife hosted a bible study. We shopped for groceries and tried to eat at Wingstop. That place was PACKED. Nowhere to sit and about 4 deep in line. Not good for kids. I was stuck on getting wings and drove to a place about 10 miles away called Wingcredible. Great food. A little over my frugal budget though.(I had a coupon for Wingstop) ):

Saturday night: I actually stayed home ALL DAY. I am not sure when the last time I stayed home without leaving the house. I had many of my friends over for cards and we played from 5-11. I hit a rough spell the first 3 hours winning only one hand. I tread water the rest of the night.

Sunday night: It was nice to have cooler, damp weather come into town. We were invited to dinner with former neighbors of ours from 97-00. Back then they had one son and we were empty nesters. We had a 2 bedroom home and they had a small 3 bedroom home. We've moved on since then and when we moved back to Texas we ended up at the same church as them. They've got 3 boys and we've got 2 kids. We've had some times the last 3 years together, but had never gotten together for dinner so they invited us over for an excellent meal: grilled marinated pork, homemade scallop potatoes and grilled corn. We even managed to play a little cards and I had as much fun playing for FUN as I did playing for small stakes.

I do indeed feel that these are special times. Probably because they are flying by!

Monday, October 24, 2005

Out of Food

4 days left until payday and once again we are out of $$$ and out of food, so it seems. I checked the pantry closely and noticed we actually have a lot of food still left to choose from.

Items in the pantry: infinite # of cereal containers, oatmeal, Lasagna Hamburger Helper(no hamburger), Chicken and Stuffing Helper(no chicken), Chicken and Au Gratin Potato Helper(no chicken), 5 jars of freshly canned green beans, 2 small cans of peas and corn, pork n beans, Campbells cheddar cheese soup, Ramen noodles, spaghetti and elbow noodles, 3 different brands of rice, instant potatoes, Idaho potatoes, bread crumbs, 1/2 load of bread, Scooby Doo mac n cheese, canned tomatoes, 1 graham cracker pie crust, pancake mix, 2 cans of tuna and popcorn kernels.

Items in the fridge: 3 Coronas and 3 Bud Lights left over from cards, 2 packs of cheese, a head of lettuce, 1 cream cheese, 2 packs of brown and serve sausages, 6 eggs, water, hot dogs, pudding packs, jello packs and one cannister of cinnamon rolls.

Items in the freezer: Single serve salsbury steak, frozen vegetable packet, broccoli and cauliflower winter medly, green bean casserole, fish sticks, chicken fried steak patties, popsicles, and 2 flavors of Cool Whip.

Any ideas on meals for the next 3 nights. You've got plenty to pick from!

Sunday, October 23, 2005

Shut the Windows, Again

Last week we gave in and shut the windows and turned on the AC for 2 more days. This morning it was tough to get out of bed because I was buried deep underneath the comforter. Colloer weather indeed.

After arriving at church this morning a cold front came through and the winds kicked up and a light drizzle covered the area. Something we haven't seen since probably April. When we came home after lunch the house was really cool. Almost too cool. I ended up closing most of the windows. I flopped on the couch to watch a little football and looked over my lesson plans. Before I knew it I managed to cover up and doze off. I napped for about 2 hours. Ah, great napping weather.

It is also nice to be able to wear some of those long sleeve shirts that have been hanging since last Spring. A few people might think I went shopping.

Saturday, October 22, 2005

Priceless

30 single serve boxes of cereal left over from the before school program: FREE

Bag of purified ice from the school cafeteria: FREE

Every 8th order of bagels on Wednesday: FREE

Long sleeve school spirit long sleeve t-shirt from PTO: FREE

Getting to play cards with BillyV and friends on Saturday: PRICELESS

Everyday I get the left over cereals from our AM school program. I get to help myself to the school ice machine for free and often bring home big bags of ice. Every 8th bagel pack I order on Wednesdays ends up being free. My PTO must feel pity on me because I've gotten a lot of free things from them including a school spirit long sleeve t-shirt.

I also specialize in knowing when and where kids eat free or who has the best kids prices. I'm good at knowing which places have meals large enough for 2 people to split. I'm always uncovering places that my family of 4 can dine at for about $12.
I recently grifted a 99 cent 44 ounce Sonic sticker to put on my windshield for cheap Sonic drinks anytime.

If there is a deal to be had. I'll find it. Am I cheap? Not sure. Am I a tight wad? No, I'll spend every little thing that I have. Am I frugal? Probably.

I only spent $16 in preparation for tonight's card night. I already had many of the ingredients and went to a local grocer and bought most of the remaining items for $1 or less including shredded cheese, sour cream, peppers, lettuce, plates. The only thing I didn't get a deal on was the Velveeta cheese, $4.79. BUT, I knew where I could buy it cheaper!

Playing cards tonight with friends: PRICELESS!

Friday, October 21, 2005

Cards Weekend

I wish it were St. Louis Cardinals weekend, but it's not. Still, Saturday is card night. I'm really looking forward to this because it will mark the first time all the regulars have been together at one table in at least a year. Should have 7 guys IF nobody bails. Plus, it will mark the last time best friend BillyV will play before he runs off to Missouri to live.

Food for the night will be fajitas. I'll grill chicken and fry up some ground beef. Stew up some onions and peppers and add a little cheese queso and a bunch of sides and it will make for some good eating. Difficult part will be shopping for the goods tonight and having to wait until tomorrow to enjoy it. (I'll not look at the shoes this time at Walmart)

We'll still have the ballgame on in the background, but the cards on the table will be the only cards happening thanks to the Houston Astros.

Thursday, October 20, 2005

Buddy Gone Bad

I posted on one of my blogs a while back about being excited about my under $20 Walmart tennis shoe purchase and referred to discount shoes as "BUDDY." In St. Louis we would make fun of the guy who bought his shoes at KMart. Traxx were the bottom of the line entry level shoes. I've had my shoes for about 2 months and they are actually comfortable and decent looking. Well, today my buddy purchase has gone bad. At first I noticed an air swish sound everytime I took a step with my left foot. Not loud, but annoying once I noticed it. I finally sat down at work and looked closer at the shoe and then noticed a seam coming undone leaving a hole big enough for me to poke my finger through. I assume nobody but me noticed as I walked around the Arboretum most of the afternoon.

Guess I'll have to upgrade my next purchase to Outlet Mall status. Jump from the self imposed $20 level to the under $40 level. Reebok here I come.

I have reached a theory on shoe purchases. They will last one month for each $10 you spend. I think this applies only to tennis shoes or sneakers.

Wednesday, October 19, 2005

Let's Try November

Long story short. It's mid-October and we're still using the AC. We got away with a few days of no AC and some decent nighttime sleeping weather, but we're giving in tonight. Maybe I'll crank it down to 65 and get a good night's sleep for a change.

What will November bring? The problem with Texas is there are truly only 2 seasons. Winter and Summer. We get teased with a few mild days, but nothing that is lasting. I do miss living in Missouri where there are true Springs and Falls. And, the leaves change colors and take their time making their ways to the ground. Here in Texas they are green one week, then on the ground the next.

What's the weather in your zip code?

Monday, October 17, 2005

Barter and Trade

Saturday morning I was asked to detail a few vehicles for a friend from church. His family was having a yardsale so I went and detailed in his driveway. First vehicle was a soft-top Jeep that I really enjoy doing so I only charged $30. I also did his full sized 4 door Lexus for only $40. I ended up detailing a Mustang Convertible so for about 5 hours of work I made $100, cash. A typical full detail can run anywhere between $100 and $200 for what I do. So I give great deals. I will do his Suburban for a trade out. This friend sells Christmas trees so I'll get to pick out a tree worth as much as $75. Nice deal for both of us. Costs him very little and it only costs me time and about $5 worth of materials.

Top 5 things I've traded details for:
5. Cash or check
4. Child Care-I detailed a car Sunday for a friend who will watch my kids
3. Tickets to a Cardinal/Rangers game
2. Christmas trees
1. Friendship( I have done a few for free for those special friends )

Now that the weather is A LITTLE cooler I will try to drum up some detail business. It makes for good spending $$$$$$. I am trying to line up a few details for a guy I know that owns a restaraunt. Details for fajitas!

Saturday, October 15, 2005

Just 3 Minutes

What did it take me 3 minutes to do this morning?
A. Run 1/2 a mile.
B. Take a shower.
C. The Intimacy Thing
D. Stand in Line to pay for a soda.

On my way to detail 3 cars I stopped for a 59 cent soft drink. My choice of places was a grocery store gas station. As usual there was only one person working and there was a line. Why does 3 minutes feel like 10 when you are just standing and watching poor customer service at it's best? In reality the 3 minutes was a small part of the day, but it causes my anxiety level to increase. (If you've seen Quick Change with Bill Murray, think about him trying to get change at an Asian convenience mart.)

I worked for Lowes Sony Theatres from 1997 to 1999 and one of their policies was if someone stood in line for longer than 3 minutes we gave them a coupon for a free drink. Good in theory. We had a concession stand in the shape of a long hexagonal island with 13 stations. Great design IF it was used properly. We rarely went more than 10 stations and that was when Titanic was at it's peak. We even had concessions in the hallway and rarely opened them.

So my question is: Why have 2 registers at this gas station if only one is being used DURING PEAK TIMES? Same question for the movie theatre. Why put in remote concessions if they won't be used properly?

The free drink coupon: It was given IF a customer complained. The problem is maybe 1 out of 10 will actually complain therefore you don't really know the real depth unhappiness.

Today I held my comments to myself, thought happy thoughts, got my 59 cent drink and went on my way. It was truly just a small portion of my day.

Wednesday, October 12, 2005

Cardinal Time

Tonight should be a fun, memorable night. My best friend BillyV from St. Louis is coming up and we are going out to watch the Cardinals/Astros game. I think the last time we got together to watch the Cardinals during last year's post season we saw one of 4 losses to the Boston Red Sox. Tonight will be special also because BillyV and I only have a few more days to hang out before he heads back to live in Missouri. It might still feel odd for him because tonight being a Wednesday night he may be in a Bar and Grill watching the game instead of teaching or preaching in a Baptist Church. This former Missourian, 15 year Texan, now PhD, is moving back to a town near The Lake of the Ozarks.

I know we'll get together at least one more time to play cards and I hope our families will get together because my daughter really enjoys the company of his daughter. Not as much as I do my friend BillyV though.

Go Cards! May this be a memorable year for the V family for moving reasons and Cardinal success.

Monday, October 10, 2005

Bonus time

I am currently receiving bonus time. To me bonus time is that extra little bit of time you normally don't get whether it is a surprise or not and you get to pick something to do uninterrupted.

Top 5 bonus times:
5. Sundays from 12-3 when I don't have a church obligation or meeting. I love to relax, read the paper, snack and watch football. This hasn't happened YET this year.
4. Every Friday at school I don't have duty so I get a full hour for lunch: 12-1. Ahhhh!
3. Days off: whether I take a personal day, or it is a scheduled day off for school. Usually when everyone else has to work.
2. Saturdays when I don't have to prepare a Sunday School lesson. This can free up to 4 hours of my time.
1. Today: after school when I get home and the wife tells me the kids started their naps at 3pm. Meaning, I get 4pm until at least 5pm if not 6pm before I have to interract. It is just nice to come home to a quiet house after working with 40 kids each day.

I appreciate my wife for doing this for me!

31 things I just answered

1. Name someone with the same birthday as you.
Michael Jordan and sometimes George Washington Feb. 18.
2. Where was your first kiss?
8th grade dance. I'm sure I was one of 20 for K.H.
3. Have you ever seriously vandalized someone else's property?
No. I'm not a violent type. I helped tee pee another church's bus.
4. Have you ever hit someone of the opposite sex?
Spank, maybe.
5. Have you ever sung in front of a large number of people?
Did Karaoke once 15 minutes after last call and most everyone was gone. Suspicious Minds...Elvis/Dwight Yoakam.
6. What’s the first thing you notice about the preferred sex?
Proportion. The whole picture counts. I'm not sure that the sum of the parts is greater than the whole.
7. What really turns you on?
Affection and touch. Or a night at the movies.
8. What do you order at Starbucks?
NADA. I regift my Starbucks gift cards if I get them.
9. What was your biggest mistake?
Lack of discipline: weight and financially(this is ongoing)
10. Have you ever hurt yourself on purpose?
Not sure if I have.
11. Say something totally random about yourself.
Friendly to many. Friends with many.
12. Has anyone ever said you looked like a celebrity?
Emellio Estevez
13. Do you still watch kiddy movies or tv shows?
Monsters INC was on tonight. I'll take my 4 year old to select movies.
14. Did you have braces?
No. Could have, but the dentist said I had a good bite and it would all be cosmetic. I do have a David Letterman gap still.
15. Are you comfortable with your height?
5'8" used to be average. I just don't hang around taller people. My weight says I should be over 6 feet tall too.
16. What is the most romantic thing someone of the opposite sex has done for you?
About a one hour full body massage.
17. When do you know it’s love?
When I started thinking I could spend the rest of my life with this person and started interrogating her about it.
18. Do you speak any other languages?
Yes – took 4 years of French and speak very little. Picking up a little Spanish here in Texas.
19. Ever tan in a tanning bed?
Years ago. About 17 years ago.
20. What magazines do you read?
None. The "selling magazines for points" people came by Friday. They looked as if they walked from New Orleans.
21. Have you ever ridden in a limo?
A few times. I've been in at least 8 weddings. Twice for the same person a few times.
22. Has anyone you were really close to passed away?
Not tragically. Normal grandparent stuff.
23. Do you watch MTV?
No. But VH1's Hogan Knows Best is worth watching.
24. What’s something that really annoys you?
Drivers on cell phones. People with horrible intra personal skills.
25. What’s something you really like?
Poker and St. Louis Cardinal's baseball.
26. What celebrity do you admire?
Mel Gibson.
27. Can you dance?
I would do "lawn chores" dancing: pushing the lawn mower, weed eating, starting a mower, raking leaves.....
28. What's the latest you have ever stayed up?
Maybe until about 8am the next day at a Lock In.
29. Ever lied to your parents as an adult?
When I fell asleep and wrecked my car after a night of drinking I told my mom it happened before I went out........how stupid does that sound?
30. Have you ever been rushed by an ambulance into the emergency room?
No, but my parents took me when I was 8 because my brother's friend shot putted me with his feet and instead of landing on the bed I over shot it and hit the floor head first= unconscious.
31. Do you actually read these when other people fill them out?
I did today. Rarely though, but Wiccachicky has been a faithful commenter who has followed me over to blogspot, PLUS I am not in a creative mood right now.

Saturday, October 08, 2005

St. Louis Party

Tonight we are going to a St. Louis party. Not a party in St. Louis, but a party for people from St. Louis. We are to bring our favorite St. Louis style food and wear St. Louis gear. I will wear my Cardinals long sleeve t-shirt along with my newly purchased $7 St. Louis Cardinals hat. My wife made Gooey Butter Cake, a long time St. Louis favorite. Our host is to provide pasta com broccoli and Imo's style pizza. I understand that an Anheuser product may be available also.

We have a sitter booked from 6:30-11 so it will be a fun night without kids. Adults only!

Do you have a St. Louis favorite?

Thursday, October 06, 2005

New Diet

Everytime I come home from St. Louis there is a need for losing weight. I eat all my favorites when I go back, plus I could stand to lose 20, 40 or more pounds. So I decided to try the 360 diet. Sounds cool huh? It stands for the Club 360 that I work at one hour a day before school starts. The kids are supplied with milk and cereal everyday and I get to dispose of the leftovers. This means unlimited milk and cereal: Cocoa Puffs, Cheerios, Golden Grahams, Cin. Toast Crunch and Lucky Charms. So I am eating 2 bowls of cereal at breakfast and lunch times. On top of this I am allowing myself to eat fruits and vegetables and any other high fiber foods/snacks: Triscuits, Sun Chips, or any bread made of WHOLE GRAINS. After 3 days I feel better. I am also trying to drink all my water before drinking anything else.

That said: Does anyone make WHOLE GRAIN donuts? If so, let me know where.

Tuesday, October 04, 2005

Brokedown Cars in Oklahoma and Missouri

I drove back to Texas from Missouri on Sunday and decided to record all the broken down cars in Missouri and Oklahoma. I gave up after 400 miles. The following list is in order.

Chrysler Sebring
Ford Bronco
Ford Taurus
Pontiac Grand Am
Nissan Pathfinder
Ford Truck
Ford Truck
Chevy Corsica
Dodge Caravan
Dodge Daytona
Buick Skylark
Ford Aerostar
Chevy Lumina
AMC Eagle
Pontiac Grand Am
Ford LTD
Ford Van
Pontiac Grand Prix

What do you conclude from this list? The newest vehicle was probably the Pathfinder which may have been 6-8 years old. This was about 1 car for every 25 miles. Some stretches of highway I could only see the cars on my side too. I'm sure there were more.

I conclude that either:
A) mostly American made cars break down
B) Import car owners take better care of their cars
C) FORD may mean Found On Road Dead
D) It's not good to have a car older than 10 years old
E) Nobody in farm country drives imports

Cheeseballs

Students at my school get to bring a snack to have during the morning since they have a later lunch. Sometimes I just want to help myself to those snacks. Funyuns, Pringles, and last week one person brought cheeseballs in a ziplock bag......3 days in a row. On the 3rd day I finally pilfered one. Since that time I have been looking for cheeseballs with no luck. Mind you I've looked in 3 states. I've looked in 3 grocery stores and multiple gas stations.

I do remember that Walgreens carried the Planters cheeseballs in the cylinder container in the past. I looked in 2 different Walgreens with no luck. In St. Louis the grocery store Schnucks by my mom's house has one full aisle, both sides with chips. Nicely enough Frito Lays only dominates 1/2 the chip aisle so I thought I'd be in luck......NOPE. I did score some great Okee Dokee buttered flavored popcorn that is better than movie theatre popcorn.

So now that I'm obsessed with scoring some cheeseballs should I beg this student to bring me some or tell me where his family shops? And chopping up cheese puffs into 3 peices would make them cheese parts, not cheeseballs.

I feel so cheesed about this!

(tomorrow's post: broke down cars in Missouri and Oklahoma)

Saturday, October 01, 2005

Turning 40

The reason I came to St. Louis this weekend was to participate in a suprise 40th birthday party for 2 friends: one close and one from church. We all went to the same Baptist church growing up. It was held at the church gym that we used to play in all the time. Many church members were there and it was truly a reunion of sorts. Humbling to see that many of my elders have passed on and that the ones left are getting older and fragile. These elders were probably my age(39) when I started coming to church so I was picturing myself in 30 years watching the others.

We had a good time: talking, snacking, playing volleyball, talking some more.

In times like these I am blessed by the friendships that Christ has provided me through the years.

Since I've yet to hit 40, my cards and demeanor were on the kind side. I'm next!