Michele and I are looking to update our 1980’s bathroom with a new vanity. We went to…for sake of a better word and to stay out of trouble…a “big box” store to purchase the vanity. By the time Michele picked out the vanity, the counter-top, mirror and new faucet, we were in the ballpark of $800.00. The associate who was with us was great and very helpful. I explained to him that I’m not a real man and I have a professional coming in to install this in my bathroom in about a week. He said, no problem and when I get up to the front of the store let them know and they’ll hold it for a week until I can pick it up. When I went up to pay and told the manager my story I was told the best he can do is 24 hours and that’s it. This is the same “big box” store that I have spent at least$10,000 since moving to Drums for home improvement. Even if I paid in full they would not hold it for me so off we went. As we’re leaving blown away that in this economy, a store would pass on $800.00, I remembered a smaller store in Hazleton that I visited a few years back called Builder’s Direct. We stopped there when we were doing over our kitchen but couldn’t find what we were looking for. This time, we hit a home run. Michele found exactly what she wanted, the price was better and they will hold it as long as I need them to with no questions asked. I’ll let you know when the project is done!

Happy Halloween everyone! I have to share this video with you because it’s one of the few I remember as a toddler watching and absolutely loving the dancing skeletons. Did you know this was made in 1929?? And it’s still an awesome cartoon!

And this was another favorite of mine...

Years ago I had a roommate who had absolutely no abilities with meeting women. To be truthful, he usually would date any girl who would show any interest in him at all, which usually got him into very bad relationships! Frustrated, he eventually asked me to help him fill out an on-line dating profile (the one that matches you through 23 levels of compatibility). Why he needed me I’m not sure, but I agreed to help, and boy what a lesson I learned.
Instantly he received profiles of about six bachelorettes that were described as eager to meet him, and all of them completely different that his taste would dictate. In the weeks that followed he received several more “matches”, some a bit closer to his liking but not one exacting match. I encouraged him to at least go through the motions and date two or three of these women, and just see if pulling back the veil would expose a silver lining… no dice!
As the 60 days of his enrollment passed, and after going on 8-10 dates that could only be described politely as :”awkward”, we both concluded that he should throw in the towel. The lesson that he learned (and I learned by watching) is that he could easily have found that same outcomes he’d gotten by introducing himself to any “mis-aligned matches”, any where, and thus save the subscription fee.
To be blunt: I know what I like, and I have no qualms about my capabilities to find it (I mean her). I, unlike most men, have a job that allows me to meet dozens of women, many of which already know a bit about my personality, and as a result I have no use for dating help of any kind, especially on-line dating sites. After watching my friend struggle, and sacrifice his tastes for a zero gain, I’ll tell you that if I had ever even considered the idea of using an on-lie dating site, that thought’s been extinguished. They all guarantee results… personally I’ll take my chances.

You sacrifice little things here and there when you get married.  Mine is light.

I try not to wake my husband, Ethan, in the wee hours as I’m rummaging through the closet in the dark.  It turns into almost a game; let’s see if I can GUESS BY TOUCH which clothes will match!  And, ever try putting on pants –in a hurry–in the dark?!  That’s a fun game; let’s see if I can stick the landing THIS time while tripping over a pantleg for the umpteenth time!!   

This morning, however, was a first for me in my game of blind-dressing…I didn’t realize my pants were inside-out until I was walking out the door.  That explained the phantom tail following me…it was the inside-out back pocket waving in the wind. 

But what really sealed the deal of embarrassment this morning was when I put the pants back on correctly, I looked like a POWDERED CHOCOLATE DONUT.  yeah.  Black pants are a bad choice to put on inside-out over powdered skin. 

 I tried to look fresh and clean this morning, and all I attempted was being a tasty, powdery mess.

Even if my closet was this neat, I'd still be a morning mess

I’ll take it!

I almost applied for a new job last night. Don’t worry, I’m not leaving the Frog but let’s face it, even though things have improved a bit, we’re all still hurting just a tad. I admire parents making it work because I’m at the “selfish stage” of my life and I have a hard time nickel and dime-ing everything. I’ve decided it may be time to pick up a part time job for some discounts and extra Christmas present money. My job of choice – a “specialist” at Victoria’s Secret. (Yes, I’m obsessed! Ha.)

There are a bunch of other great companies hiring for the holidays, as well… Here’s a list of some of them:

1. AT&T
Industry:  Communications
Number of openings: 1000+
Seasonal positions available: Retail sales associates; store managers; and sales support

2. Blockbuster  
Industry: Entertainment
Number of openings: 1000+
Seasonal positions available: Retail sales associates; store managers

3. Hickory Farms
Industry:  Specialty retail
Number of openings:  4,000
Seasonal positions available: Sales associate

4. Macy’s
Industry:  Retail
Number of openings: 1,000 +
Seasonal positions available: Part-time season retail help in gift wrap, sales associates, etc.

5. RadioShack
Industry:  Electronics sales
Number of openings: 1000
Seasonal positions available: Retail sales associates

6. Toys”R”Us
Industry:  Specialty retail
Number of openings:  35,000
Seasonal positions available:  Management positions; sales associates, including cashiers, shelf stockers and customer service roles; and back-of-house stock opportunities

7. UPS
Industry: Shipping and distribution
Number of openings: 200+
Seasonal positions available: Package delivery drivers; tractor trailer driver

I’ve really got to start shopping for halloween costumes earlier. You know what happens? I go at the start of October and look at all of the costumes. then it’s suddenly a week before Halloween and I’m left without a costume!! I’m like a kid when it comes to this holiday, not because I enjoy getting candy and dressed up (which I do). But mostly because I change my costume every other day. This year I wanted to be a Ghostbuster, Mario from Super Mario Brothers, and now I want to be the count. Unfortunately like a lot of us the economy hasn’t been kind so I’m going to be me this year. But that doesn’t mean I can’t go to the costume shop and try it on does it?

How cool is this??

The date is quickly approaching – my best friend’s bachelorette party. UGH! I’m excited for the party but not excited about fitting into my costume. Ladies, I’m sure you can relate to the extra “love” we have a habit of putting on during the cool/cold months. Well, as we near the end of October, I’ve lost my tan, gained 10 lbs. and my arms are in need of some serious weight training again. Ha. I workout and eat relatively healthy in order to maintain my health, but I’ll never understand those people who take it to the extreme.

Needless to say, after packing on some pre-winter weight, my Halloween costume is a bit tight for the party. In an attempt to feel super confident, I decided to watch what I eat pretty strictly all week. This morning I made myself a “healthy snack” of peanut butter on celery. Whoever came up with the idea of this being a tasty snack has clearly never had a slice of pizza. YUCK! So, instead, I’ve decided to invest in a mean pair of Spanx! Happy Halloween!

I think I’m allergic to dolphin. 

For weeks, I was excited I was even able to get the last available slot for the “Dolphin Encounter” program on our vacation.  Vacation…yeah, yeah, but it was this “once-in-a-lifetime” experience in Nassau that I couldn’t wait to do! 

You touch, you hug, you kiss (a little forward, but, I’m up for it!) the dolphin.  You even get to dance together!  I did all that, and I left with more than pictures, apparently.  Several hours later, I noticed everywhere Andy the Dolphin rubbed up against me (hey, that’s all part of the show!), I broke out in a crazy rash.  My chest broke out from hugging the dolphin, AND MY CHEEK WHERE HE KISSED ME!!!  I think Andy gets around…what dolphin cooties did I catch?!

NOT me & Ethan…but that could be our future kid; being kissed by cootie dolphin

Coming back from an appearance at the Sherman Theatre in Stroudsburg and I feel like I was driving through the wilds of Africa. As if it’s not dark enough on 80 Westbound, all of God’s creatures decide nighttime is the right time for a stroll across the interstate. I haven’t done that trip in a while and now I’ve been spoiled by how great 81 looks and feels while driving. I-80 on the other hand needs some major TLC from Penndot. The road is so torn up and dangerous. I didn’t help the situation by being hungry and stopping at McDonald’s at the Pocono interchange. I think it builds character eating a cheeseburger, dodging  the potholes and watching for suicidal deer. If only they would cross at the Deer Crossing signs, it would make all of our lives much easier. It’s only going to get worse at deer season approaches. As the Sgt. said on Hill Street Blues, “Hey, be careful out there!”

Or the tux, I suppose… Because you’re going to the CMA Awards! All it takes is a little bit of talent! Tonight is the final night of live auditions for “Sing Like Taylor”! Join me at The Honky Tonk on Drinker St. in Dunmore from 8-10 for your shot to audition. We’ll do all the dirty work for you – just bring your singing voice. See you there! Oh, and it’s “Thirsty Thursday”… No excuses!