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Movies in the Park

Friday, February 12th, 2010

I recently found myself amid local movie lovers attending the announcement reception for the 2010 Movies in the Park. The program is truly a public service, offering a free movie on Wednesday nights during the summer. The crowd gathered with anticipation and jovial spirits (while sipping on spirits) to raise a little money and celebrate. So now, without further adu, I give you the blockbusters coming to a theater, er, park, near you.  The 2010 Movies in the Park:

June 9 – Back to the Future
June 16 – Twilight
June 23 – Kung Fu Panda
June 30 – The Dark Knight
July 7 – Sixteen Candles
July 14 – Over the Hedge
July 21 – Wedding Crashers
July 28 – Grease
August 4 – People’s Choice

You can see their facebook page here.

Heather Allmendinger greets the movie lovers.

Blake Rutherford says it's "Back to the Future" June 9.

I’ve attended and it never ceases to entertain. Couples. Families. Some young. Some old. Well-known and everyday Joes. Popcorn and pizza. Picnics of peanut butter-jelly sandwiches and gourmet Greek fare. Quilts and lawn chairs, puppies and cartwheels. Folks, this is free, fun and fantastic.

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Broken Window. Mended Spirit.

Saturday, February 6th, 2010

Walking to my vehicle last night after work, I saw what I thought was a puddle of someone’s drink with ice cubes they’d dumped near my car. When I came closer I realized what it was and my tummy flipped. The back window of my SUV was busted out. Knowing exactly where to look next, my tummy flipped again as I saw my purse (and other belongings) were gone. (To get it over with: yes, I confess I left my purse while I went inside to snap party pics. Lesson learned.) I was parked in a lot in the Rivermarket with many other cars, not a random creepy, dark, dangerous place. (Well, now that I say that…) After the shock, then a prayer, then realization it’s not getting any better just looking at it, I called the police then my mom. After 20 minutes and police still not there, I called again….Finally two officers who “happened to be passing through” saw my vehicle and stopped. They weren’t the ones who were sent to save me yet I waited 30 minutes before they did; I wonder how long before the others who’d gotten the call would have taken to find me! But these officers were very comforting, intrepid, and helpful.

Police report, calls to my bank and the credit card company, blah blah blah…you don’t care about reading all that… It’s after 10:00, dark and cold. My feelings are hurt and I’m ready to go home and know everything is safe. Another prayer. My commute home was cold and uneasy. Big brother was urgent yet soothing during our 12 phone calls back and forth regarding my stolen goods…and tips on how to cover up my window.

I got home to eat an 11:00 p.m. dinner. After a few minutes of more prayer and a little Jimmy Fallon (I think that’s what I was watching–I wasn’t even concentrating on it!)  I went to bed, tired from the week but wired from the events…

This morn I woke up before my alarm clock and made a follow up call to my bank. I’m still leery.

Fast forward: I got my window replaced at Glass Pro this morning. Friendly and efficient. I have packed another wallet and purse with a new checkbook. I’ll take care of Social Security and a new driver’s license after the weekend. Another prayer.

It could have been worse. I could’ve walked up on the thief and they could have pulled a gun. Or attacked me. They could have broken out all the windows. They chose a good one to hit–gift cards, stamps, makeup, perfume…even shoes. You betcha.) But I can go shopping for all new makeup in the comfort of my own home. Literally. I have other purses to carry. I can restock business cards. It just STINKS and is an inconvenience (an expensive one!) to put back in order. But I will be fine and keep my chin up.

Window replacement = $167

Purse and other property taken = $500+

Family to give guidance, advice and a bit of comical relief = Priceless

All my blessings and the opportunity to share some of those blessings with that thief = Double priceless.

But I hope he/she steps in dog poop.

Be careful and smart out there, kids.

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But What’s Her Name?

Thursday, January 28th, 2010

She’s here!

Valerie and I had a smooth, speedy trip to Texarkana (see previous post) With a few stops along the way…oil change, makeup, gas, state trooper…the usual.

I’ve got to brag. We get to the hospital at 3:15 and find our parents in the waiting room. Mama shows us to Carmen’s room. Going to pop in to say “hi and good luck.” I walk up and hear…the baby crying! “She’s here! She’s here! Go call them! (meaning the family, since Mama had phone in hand) I hear her crying!”

*Please excuse the eyeliner samples on my wrist :)

Unfortunately the volume of my voice was enough to alert the nurse who promptly poked her head out the door to let us know we “need to leave. It will be a few minutes”. But hey, those bragging rights can’t be taken away from me!

So we’re in the waiting room a few minutes later and more family shows up and Trey comes in to announce. Baby is 7 lb. 12 oz. and  22″ long with very long feet. What’s her name? No answer. Everyone is excited and we begin to

Tweet, text, Facebook this news!

Tweet, text, Facebook, etc. What’s her name? No answer.

Quick and easy (easy for us to say–WE aren’t the ones having the baby!) It’s a big fun party with kids running around with balloons and chocolate covered pretzels. Well, not for everyone. Carmen was snacking on a club sandwich when we go in and see her. I think the nurses were mixed up  because 10 minutes after she ate her sandwich they brought another entree! Please find the one carrot stick a significant part of a healthy meal :)

"You had a baby! Now have some gravy!"

The cousins are sooo eager to see her.

Lined up to meet the little one.

‘Twas a wonderful reunion with the family, a fun road trip on a sunny day with one of my best friends who shares nieces with me. I gave Trey some Samoas (his favorite Girl Scout Cookie) Maybe he’ll share with Carmen after she finishes her carrot stick and mystery meat. But he’d better save some for these little girls because they’re going to need something to make it through the next few days. They just don’t know it yet.

Ava and Isabel admire their new sister Sophia

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Bad Hair Day. No, Really.

Wednesday, December 30th, 2009

On a visit to my apartment fitness center a few days ago, I was greeted by a small surprise. As I walked into the empty, bright room to get my jog on, I noticed some foreign items in the floor. Not one. Not two. Three. Three pieces of artificial hair pieces a.k.a. “weave”. I wonder what when on the night before during her workout??

Piece #1

Piece #1

One was a few steps away from the door, near a treadmill.

Piece #2

Piece #2 Too bad it's not my color; the salon is getting pricey.

 

Another was across the room between two machines.

Piece #2 Closeup

Piece #2 Closeup

Gross and hilarious. At least now I know we all have days when we’d rather pull out our hair than exercise.

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“Santa Baby”

Saturday, December 19th, 2009

This was a little festive fun I had this month in my hometown. The Nashville Chamber of Commerce asked me to perform at their Southwest Arkansas’s Talent Showcase.

Thanks to my mom for helping me prepare, my brother Trey for his hard work, sister-in-law Carmen for her video, and Santa for listening to and fulfilling my wish list.

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Bowling with Turkeys

Saturday, November 28th, 2009

‘Twas an honor to participate in the annual Turkey Bowl sponsored by 103.7 The Buzz this week. This was the 7th year of the event, my 3rd year to attend. As my bowling skills are as lovely as Lady GaGa’s fashions, I was already feeling sympathy for the team who got stuck with me as their “local celeb” teammate.  I was down the lanes chatting with colleagues who are also members of Harvesters (Arkansas Foodbank Network’s young professionals group) when I heard my name over the speaker. So I went to meet my team. I couldn’t have asked for a better one.  A group of frat guys. No joke. The four guys are Kappa Sig members/alumni and they were ready for a fun night. And I got nothing but support and cheering the entire time no matter how bad I stunk. I’m just glad I found a bowling ball to match my earrings.

Team Photo!

Team Photo!

Anne Jansen and me

Anne Jansen and me

One lane was open to bowl frozen turkeys. Strike? You win a turkey to take home! I tried my hand at it…thankful my family wasn’t counting on my performance to deliver the main course. My turkey didn’t make it but a few feet down the lane.

My hands are getting slimy.

My hands are getting slimy.

The crowd was loud and happy and talking smack, giving high fives and strutting their stuff. Yep, you can imagine Tommy Smith, Anthony Lucas, Clint Stoerner and many more strutting like…turkeys :) I never got a strike and you can see my disapproval in the picture below by Dewaine Duncan.

Ehhh, what's a strike?

Ehhh, what's a strike?

Here are more of his shots from the evening. All in all a great event for a great cause. One of the best parts of it? Getting to hang out with these turkeys, errr, I mean guys who so graciously invite me into their studio every week…to talk Sync, sports, local events and celeb birthday trivia. Though I have yet to prove I’m good at bowling or birthday trivia, they keep letting me come out to play. And that’s something to be thankful for.

fgh

Justin, me, Joe and Pat. The boys in The Zone!

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At the End of the Day 11.20

Friday, November 20th, 2009

Today we were treated to a staff/office party at Playtime Pizza in West Little Rock. Chuck-E-Cheese for grownups it’s often called. A cool way to hang out with coworkers we normally just see at the office, pass a paper to, overhear on the phone or share sinks with in the restroom. Seeing a pregnant woman do the Dance Dance Revolution (no joke) was quite entertaining.

A trip to Dazzle Daze in Conway was also in store. I had the pleasure of my friend Heather riding along with me! Which is more special than you may know; driving to events by myself all the time gets lonely. We milled through the crowd. I tried some hot green tea. Didn’t like it. Found 2 little bling-bling rings for nieces’ Christmas gifts. Shhhh, Leah, don’t let them know. And learned my name must be a good eye-catching one for displays, as within just a few feet of each other I found these:

What could I put in this?

What could I put in this?

Zzzzzz

Zzzzzz

On our way home I saw a sign reading “Oranges $3.00″.  I remember stopping at this little roadside stand last year. Delicious, giant Texas oranges for a great price. I told Heather there’s just something about stopping for produce at a roadside stand. Love it. I’d rather have a bag of those over a personalized pillowcase any day. Unless one of my nieces had made it for me. In that case, maybe I should buy them more than just a sparkly ring. I’ve got a few more weeks to shop.

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Getting the “Spirit” of the Season…at the Supermarket

Thursday, November 19th, 2009

The other night in Kroger I was passing the milk and juice section. Just in front of me were 3 females, one a teenage Latino wearing those chunky, funky, fake Ugg boots everybody and their mamacitas are wearing. And she wore a toboggan. As I am passing behind, she begins doing a funky jig. When I saw what she was dancing about my heart smiled: the young bonita was happy about eggnog. One of the little joys of the season.

Which reminds me, the Historic Arkansas Museum has its Nog Off every year.  A competition and tasting make up this evening of celebrating home made eggnog. This year’s event will be on Friday, December 11. I don’t like eggnog but it still brings fond memories of always seeing a pint of it in my fridge this time of year (which my dad insisted on!) As a matter of fact, I think he usually did a little jig when he opened our fridge door for his eggnog, too.

Season’s Greetings, friends!

Posted in On the Scene, Sync Tastes | 1 Comment »

Traffic, Gingerbread and Smiles. It’s the Holidays.

Wednesday, November 18th, 2009

Anybody passing through downtown Little Rock near the Rivermarket anytime last week between Wednesday afternoon and Saturday evening around 7:00 was no doubt having to test their patience searching for a parking spot, paying for a regularly free parking spot, or just waiting for pedestrians to get out of their way so they could carry on their route. This extra traffic (auto and foot) was not for naught. The annual Holiday House sponsored by the Junior League of Little Rock had come to town!  I attended the Thursday night Ladies Night Out with special shopping and Mexican fare from Moe’s Southwest Grill.

Bowls of Spicy Satisfaction

Bowls of Spicy Satisfaction

But those ladies’ mouths weren’t too full they couldn’t smile for my party pic camera! You can see all my party pics here. I couldn’t resist a pic of the salsa, as it is one of my favorite foods. I will drink a bowl like it’s a glass of water. I ran into my friend Jennifer searching for Christmas wreaths she had made and displayed in a booth. I chatted with Tia and Stevi, 2 gals from the office who always seem to be having a great time (in or out of the office.) My Bunco friend Chelle was volunteering and my great friend Heather zipped past chatting on her iPhone…

Booths catered to any shopping list. Too bad I didn’t have mine mentally ingrained.  But it was definitely fun to browse and get caught up in the holiday excitement with other gals just as festive as myself.

Saturday I went back for the Gingerbread House Competition featuring 7 local pastry chefs/bakers. The video will be up on syncweekly.com. I loved making gingerbread houses when I was a little girl; a tradition. I even chose to make them at my birthday party one year. Of course, we didn’t make our gingerbread from scratch but simply used graham crackers. The house-builders at this competition were a bit more skilled and shared some of their secrets and techniques with me.

Randy, a colleague from KATV Channel 7, came over to say hello. He was at their booth selling the new Anne Pressly Memorial books. I was thankful to meet Patti and Guy Cannady and get my own copy. Patti and Guy had a smile on their faces the entire time.

Patti and Guy Cannady sign books.

Patti and Guy Cannady sign books.

Guy Cannady, KATV's Randy Dixon, Patti Cannady and me

Guy Cannady, KATV's Randy Dixon, Patti Cannady and me

That evening while passing by the frenzied vendors loading their merchandise I was curious if they’d had a profitable time. Was it worth the extra loading/unloading, staffing the booth, extra hours, then reloading what they had not sold. Traffic was stopped as the little elves loaded their sleighs. I like to think it was a happy “official kick-off” to their holiday season.  I know it was for mine!

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Shop Around

Tuesday, November 17th, 2009

Sometimes your day takes you to unfamiliar terrain. Sometimes it’s scary. Sometimes it’s boring. Sometimes it’s got a lot for you to take advantage of. Such was the case this week as I had to drive down Baseline Road in SW Little Rock.

It's been around a little while...

It's been around a little while...

I passed this market on my way to my destination. When passing back by I decided to stop. (I needed groceries anyway.) And I do love to mix it up when it comes to groceries *see chayote blog post below. Sooo…I headed in and was immediately taken back to my childhood days of going to Piggly Wiggly. It smelled just like it. Perusing the cases and shelves I found:

Sweet potatoes for $.39/ lb (they average $.99/lb in most places right now)

Pumpkins for $.99 each (they only had three left after Halloween, but still)

2 varieties of cereal, cactus, bent and bruised (but assumingly still functional) boxes of feminine hygiene products and nobody-wanted-that-color cosmetics.

Larger in life! Just $.99

Larger in life! Just $.99

Your lucky two-fer...2/$1.00

Your lucky two-fer...2/$1.00

Call me Starch Queen

Call me Starch Queen

For a minimal amount I scored apples, onions and more. The pics show some of my favs including the English Muffins which were 2 12-packs for a dollar. The potatoes (might take a while to empty that bag but it was only $.99) And the industrial size bags of broccoli. I had to put one in the freezer for sure. I forgot how much I don’t like mustard greens so, naturally, I bought some. Not til I ate them did I remember.Oh well, they were only $.50. So, I definitely will be going back to this market when it’s convenient. (And when is it NOT convenient to save money and get some healthy produce and new scenery?) Oh, and with all those potatoes? If you invite me for dinner and I bring potato salad or Fantastic Potatoes casserole, you know why. Then again, with all that broccoli, you may not want to invite me for dinner. ;)

Posted in On the Scene, Sync Tastes | No Comments »

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