Hey gang!  I've decided to take a break from the blogging world.

I hope everyone has a safe and happy summer!!

Having just completed a weekend garage sale with two friends . . . it got me thinking about garage sales in general and how peculiar they are.  First off . . . why is it we spend weeks going through our "junk" to offer up in the sale - yet we're offended when somewhen says "You take a dollar for this?" when clearly it's marked $2!  One man overheard us politely discussing this and said at his garage sale, a man offended him so much (over a full set of furniture) - he told him he'd watch it burn in the yard before accepting his low ball offer.   Hilarious . . .

And, how about the "drive by's" - you know - the people who slow their car down to scan the offerings - then decide your stuff isn't even worthy of stopping and getting out.  I mean come on - who do these people think they are??  I've got good junk.  I mean, do they even know or appreciate how much I spent on the whole collection of the Baby Einstein series and that they're getting a bargain at only $5 per DVD??  Seriously people!  Actually, one lady did find the value in the all too clever Baby Einstein series and willingly plopped down $10 for 2 more (her daughter is 8 months old and loves the 1 they currently have).  She even came back the 2nd day to see if I had any left and I was happy to work a BOGO deal for her (buy one get one) for the original asking price of $5.  She was my favorite garage sale customer btw . . .

Oh, and don't forget the lady that buys $14 worth of stuff - at 8:30 on Friday morning (we'd been "open" maybe an hour) - and tried to pay with a hundred dollar bill.  Seriously??  Who brings $100 bills to garage sales???  That is NOT proper garage sale etiquette (and yes - it does exist).  I almost turned her down but one of my more generous friends offered to change it - using money from her own wallet. 

And finally  . . .  there's the "problem child".  This is what we named the one lady that just could not believe her total came to $12.25.  Now mind you - she was getting a heck of a lot of stuff for that $12.25 but was convinced we were adding it up wrong.  3 of us against 1 of her.  Only until we used our fingers to count it out for her (can we say grade school math?) did she realize we were correct, rolled her eyes at us and then opened her wallet to pay (which of course was full of wads and wads of money).

All in all, we had a great time.  I love garage sales - everything about them - and the money you make is just icing on the cake.  Until next time - I'll keep collecting the junk and hope that one day - it will be another man's treasure :-)

This was forwarded on to me and the note said to forward to women that could handle it and men that would enjoy reading it.  However, I think it should be the other way around.  So, men - if you can handling reading it . . . please read on.  Women, you will laugh . . .

• Your last name stays put.
• The garage is all yours.
• Wedding plans take care of themselves.
• Chocolate is just another snack.
• You can be President.  OK  -  maybe Hillary will flirt with it this year but seriously . . .
• You can never be pregnant.
• You can wear a white T-shirt to a water park. You can wear NO shirt to a water park.
• Car mechanics tell you the truth.

• The world is your urinal.
• You never have to drive to another gas station restroom because this one is just too "icky".
• You don't have to stop and think of which way to turn a nut on a bolt.
• Same work, more pay.
• Wrinkles add character. Graying hair adds attraction.
• Wedding dress~$5000. Tux rental~$100.
• People never stare at your chest when you're talking to them.
• The occasional well-rendered belch is practically expected.
• New shoes don't cut, blister, or mangle your feet.
• One mood all the time.
• Phone conversations are over in 30 seconds flat.
• You know stuff about tanks but why is this important?

So, is anyone still watching the ABC drama "Lost" these days?  I must admit, I am a VERY late joiner to this group but now that I have - I can't get enough!  For those that do watch - here's my question . . .

Do you really think Juliet is still working with Ben?  Or, is she working the  "double-agent" angle and trying to make Ben think she's still working with him, when all the while - she's falling in love with Matthew Fox's character, aka Jack on the show, and working very hard to get off the island to see her beloved sister and nephew??

Tune in tonight at 9 pm CST and give me your thoughts/ideas . . .

Eating and shopping . . . 2 of my favorite pasttimes :-)  So, I tried out a new restaurant today and thought I would offer a short review .  .  .

BJ's Restaurant and Brewery - located at I-20 and Matlock.  It's in the new outdoor shopping center they are building that I'm VERY excited about.  Anyways, we'll get to that later . . .

Upon walking in, the atmosphere is very pleasant.  It has an upscale sports bar kinda feel - without the smoke (yeah!).  Pretty classic and simple lines, flat screen TV's throughout (some playing "ticker" channels - MSN, Fox News, etc - and others playing sports).  The menu is very extensive and you eventually get to the food choices, after sifting through 3-4 pages of drink offers :-)  Anyways, I had a very hard time deciding b/c everything looked and sounded good.  I could tell by the prices that the portions would be hefty and they definitely were!  I ordered the $9.95 BBQ Chicken Salad that was a HUGE block of chopped lettuce, chopped grilled chicken, black beans, corn, red pepper relish, etc, etc that was drizzled with a very light BBQ sauce.

Everyone at our table (except me with the 9 lb salad) made a "happy plate".  So, I would say all enjoyed their meal.  But, here's where the meal turned . . . about midway through, I literally got excited to see the sales associate from my new favorite store, Ann Taylor Loft, walk in and be seated.  You see, she's been working at the store in Lincoln Square (Collins & I-30) and that's a bit of a jaunt for me.  The last time I was there, I asked when the new Arlington store would be opening and she said they were shooting for May 1st and that she'd be transferring there.  So, the fact that she was in BJ's eating MUST mean she's already at the new store - working hard to get it ready for the grand May 1st opening (follow my logic?). 

Okay, this is getting long - so here are some top signs you are a Shop-A-Holic . . .

• You recognize anyone who works at a retail store - outside the retail store setting.
• You think you "know her" or you guys are "friends".
• You have to resist the urge to walk up and say "hi" - as if you are friends.
• You remember her name (my ATL gal is Holly).  
• There's a slim chance she recognizes you (b/c I swear I think she did).
• You recognize the clothes from the store - on other people!

Anyways, there are more but like I said earlier - this entry has gotten long.  To sum it up . . . give BJ's a try (you'll like it) and be sure to check out and support the new shopping center at I-20 and Matlock - especially ATL.  It . . . must . . . stay . . . open!

Happy Eating, Happy Shopping and Blessings on your week!!

Of all things to happen to me today . . . I hit the gas pedal instead of the brake when pulling in to a parking space at work.  Took the curb and hit our building and the brick wall forced me to stop.  Very little damage to my car, HUGE damage to my pride and here's a glimpse of the damage to the building . . .

Now, I'm not sure if you can tell from the picture how much the wall is dented, etc but suffice it to say . . . if a tornado is headed this way - I will NOT take cover in our building.  I will, however, take cover in my trusty 2007 Uplander.  Seriously, just a few scratches to the front bumper yet this brick wall looks like it's about to crumble.  We're just glad the gentleman who inhabits the office on the other side wasn't in today.  Otherwise, we might've had 2 messes to clean up   Sorry Robert!

Oh well, as the title says . . . chalk this up as Charice-ism #1,467.  I'm sure there will be more to follow.

Blessings on your week and be safe out there!  You never know where I'll be driving . . .

Well, she's 10 years younger than SPAM . . . and boy - isn't that something?  hehe

She may not be an American Icon but she's definitely one of mine.  Who is she?  Oma of course!  Mom to me but Oma to the kids (Oma means Grandma in Dutch).  And today, she turned 60 years old! 

Now that my parents live here - this is the first year we've been together on her birthday since probably before I left for college.  And, it's so much more fun having her here . . .  rather than mailing the gifts and calling on the phone. 

Won't gush and gush but she knows how much she means to me and how much it has meant to have her here over the last 10 months!  I couldn't have made it through this last year without her!

So, Happy Birthday Oma!  You're a good looking 60 . . .     

And the winners are . . .

• 1st place   Phil McCrackin's definition   Socially Prominent Around Maui
• 2nd place  MC's definition                     Scrumptious Protein At Mealtime
• 3rd place   Angie's definition                 Scientists Protesting Actual Meat

Being that I personally love SPAM and it helps pay my paycheck  . . .  I chose the more positive definitions as the winners (except for #3 but there were only 2 positive ones really to choose from ).  1st place will receive a SPAM T-shirt.  2nd place will receive SPAM flipflops (they leave the word "SPAM" in the sand when you walk - too cool!).  3rd place will receive a special baby onesie - depicting the great luncheon meat!

Thanks for participating and good luck next year . . .

Working on a SPAM 70th Anniversary project at work today . . .  it got me thinking again (caution - blonde at work & thinking -  danger lies ahead).  But, you did hear me right - SPAM turns 70 this year!!  So, can't have that happen without a little blog fun/humor.

And, since I'm in sales and I love a good contest . . . I thought "Hey - let's run one on the blog".  So . . . put on your thinking caps and gear up.  Contest rules are as follows:

• Come up with your most creative definition of SPAM - using the 4 letters as your description (ie - Spare Parts And Mucus).  BTW - that one is taken and therefore cannot be used.  Also cannot use Stuff Posing As Meat.  Too easy!  Hey, I'm the contest creator and I'm making these rules up as I type
• The 4 letters - SPAM - can only be used.  No extra letters allowed.
• One entry per person - so make it your best!
• Must purchase 1 can of SPAM and provide your receipt as Proof of Purchase.  Ha!  Just kidding - no purchase necessary to win!
• Keep it clean!
• Entries must be received by Sunday, April 1st, 2007.
• 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners will be announced on Monday, April 2nd.
• Judge can and will accept bribes

Okay - there you have it.  And I'm serious - there will be actual prizes for the winners, so let's have some fun and get your SPAM game on!

Signed,

The SPAM Queen