First Vacation Post

Okay, we made it to Atlanta late last night after driving in the car all day long. Things went fine until we hit Chattanooga, and then there was a wreck and a bridge shut down that had things really messed up. I think I slept through most of Chattanooga, so I missed most of that action and only have that to report second hand. In any case, all of us crashed when we made it to Greg's apartment and slept straight through to this morning. We got up, went to Mass at Greg's parish, ate lunch at Bahama Breeze (which closed while up in St. Louis), and then went with Greg while he purchased a new car. He is now the proud owner of a red, 2007 Kia Optima. It is very pretty and very nice. I was intrigued by several aspects of car buying in Georgia. First of all, the sales tax is figured into the price of the car so you don't have to come up with that. Second, all of the dealerships here are open on Sundays and apparently do quite a bit of business on Sundays. While we were there, I watched them sell four other cars besides the one Greg bought. Third, you apply for insurance while you are at the dealership and the dealership, not the DMV, gives you your temporary tag. Fourth, when you go to get the official tags for your car, you have to wait at least a month for the VIN number to be entered into the DMV system, you then just show up, show them an id, and they give you the tags for the car. Tags here only cost $20 and are always up for renewal during your birthday month. I must say, it seems much more streamlined than it is in MO.

Of course, it wouldn't be one of my vacations if there were not funny sites to take and share with my blog readers. Here is the first funny site I have seen on the trip so far. Greg refers to this street as Paris Hilton Road, which I'm sure you'll understand once you see the name. In any case, enjoy and let the jokes abound. Tomorrow morning, it's off to Savannah and totally blowing my diet! Oh well, what are vacations for. I plan on eating some of Paula Deen's fried chicken and I figure it's fried in butter!

Target has arrived!

Okay, now Washington is a pretty darn good place to live. Our Target store finally opened yesterday. Kenny and I were there right after supper last night and were really pleased at how well stocked the store was. I cannot tell you how happy we are to finally have an option for shopping right here in town besides Wal-Mart. Before yesterday, if we wanted to shop at a Target, we had a 35-45 minute drive to either O'Fallon or Fenton. For quick trips and things you need, that's a little out of the way, so I was subjected to Wal-Mart on a regular basis. It has a huge food department and a lot of Playmobil figures (This is a highlight for Kenny, who even though he's an "adult", loves the Playmobil. When Christmas rolls around and he pulls out the Playmobil nativity set that takes up about four tables, I'll take a picture. I'm not kidding). In any case, it's nice to have options. They also have the walls up on the Steak and Shake, and there are walls going up on what looks to be like another restaurant. I'm hoping and praying that it is a Bread Company. Please, oh, please!!!

Viva Viagra

Does anyone else out there find this commercial plain wrong? It makes me cry out and do a tv coaster toss every time it interrupts one of the few tv shows I watch!

I've been tagged by Bob!

Okay, I have been really out of touch this summer with the blogging, but my friend Bob of The Four of Clubbs tagged me with the challenge to come up with 8 random things about me. Here goes, but be warned, I'm boring!

1. I swear I'm earning frequent flyer miles at Lowes! Kenny asked me what I wanted to do tonight after church. We kind of try to pretend we have a life, and I said "Let's go to Lowes!" One hour later, I made it out with a new Hunter ceiling fan to replace the one in my bedroom that sounded like it was about to self-destruct plus lots of ideas about how I'd like to repaint my room and redo a chest I have had for years. Sebrina and Joe warned me that once we bought a house, we'd be at Lowes or Home Depot all the time, and she's right!

2. Speaking of things for the house, I just got my couch in that I purchased for our basement. We had two chairs down here with our TV, but the couch has officially made it our favorite room in our house! It's a sleeper sofa, so feel free to come up and visit.

3. I feel like I have spent the majority of my summer somewhere besides my house. I've spent quite a bit of time with my parents down in Malden and when I have been home, it seems like I have had company (translation my niece and nephew, along with my mom, an aunt, and a family friend). The more the merrier! However, I really need to repack my bags before my next trip.

4. Speaking of my next trip, I'm headed to Atlanta and Savannah next Saturday! Kenny, his mom, and I are headed down there to visit his brother Greg who got a job and moved to Atlanta this spring. Kenny's brother is an environmental engineer, is crazy smart, and loses me in most conversations after the first two sentences! We're headed to Savannah as a side trip. All I can say is here I come! I plan on eating at "The Lady and Sons" along with "Mrs. Wilkes' Boarding House". If I could just catch a show by The Lady Chablis, my trip would be complete.

5. On Friday, Kenny and I went to see the Napoleon exhibit at the St. Louis Art Museum. If you love history, furniture, china, or textiles, it's definitely worth the trip. Plus if you go on Fridays, it's free! Can't beat free!

6. I'm reading a children's book called "The Kingdom Keepers" about a group of kids who have to save Disneyworld. If you've ever been to Disneyworld, or if you love The Mouse, I highly recommend picking up this book for a quick read!

7. Along with deciding to go back to school, I have completely lost my mind and have agreed to consider teaching a 7th grade PSR (Parish School of Religion) at my church. I say "consider" because I haven't officially said yes yet, but I know I will. Will I never learn!?!

8. Two words: Banana Pops. I absolutely love these frozen treats! There is nothing better on a hot, humid, summer day than chowing down on a banana popsicle! If you get the sugar free variety, they're only 35 calories! YAY!