"The Martian" movie

Last night Keith and I got invited to preview the movie "The Martian" thanks to Yelp.  They had a few tickets for Elite available and I jumped on it because we were really wanting to see it.

The best part - it was a free movie in 3D!

I don't want to give too much away as its not in theaters just yet but it was very good!  It shows what could happen if we do put people on Mars (with the exception of one major thing, saving them, as we've been told if people go up there, they won't be returning) and it fully declares my decision that I could never be an astronaut.

If you get a chance, go see it - you'll enjoy it!

Blues vs. Dallas - preseason hockey game

Hockey is baaack!

Because we are die hard hockey fans, we have season tickets to the Blues.  However we opt out of the preseason option every year just because we don't want to get losing vibes to start the season off.  This year, Keith was dying to go for some odd reason and Dad offered us his company tickets and we jumped - and had a great time!

We didn't pick Dallas this year in our regular tickets because one of our mini getaways is to go to Dallas to see the Blues play this season in March (our 6th city visit for hockey).

Blues won 6-0 and it was great!  Let's hope they can do this in the regular season!  It starts next Thursday!!

Go Blues!

Not much of a weekend update!

To be completely honest I didn't get much of a weekend :(

Friday I taught all day then had to go to the hotel.  Yes I'm usually off on Fridays but the FDM decided he's going to do what he wants to do.  He did decide to come up and in front of guests tell me that my requests off probably aren't happening because he's short people.  Uh no, sorry that people are leaving the hotel but we have lives outside of the building.  That was just the icing on the cake of everything that's been happening there lately.  What a great Friday it was :/

Saturday Keith & I met up with my parents and cousin Shannon to go to the Wildwood BBQ Bash:

My parents live in Wildwood and this is one of our favorite festivals to go to and we've been going for years now.  We have 2 friends who compete so its fun each year to see newbies and try their stuff.  Old Dominion was playing there on Sunday but because of schedules we could only make it on Saturday.  After that we went to the mall for a few things, then had a Starbucks date:

On Sunday we did groceries, the gym then I had to work again :(

Hopefully your weekends were a lot more fun!

Friday Five

It's Friday!!

1) I'm usually super excited about Fridays but the hotel scheduled me. So I'm also missing our monthly girls night. So its not that happy of a Friday.

2) Saturday we are headed to the Wildwood BBQ bash with the family. It's one of our favorite fall activities.  Look for a post next week.

3) We went to our first Blues game of the season last night. Sure it was preseason but we beat Dallas 6-0. Hopefully they can do it in the regular season too!

4) I really want to go apple picking. Soon I hope!

5) This is my first entry from my phone. Hopefully it doesn't look like a mess, ha!

Yelp's Summer Stunner

Who doesn't love a great Yelp event?!?

Yelp hosted their end of summer event at Central Table & Bar Paradigm in the Central West End, where we were entertained with an evening of live music, tons of food sampling and cocktails were flowing.

Becky and Keith accompanied me to the event and because I'm Elite, we got to get in an hour earlier than regular Yelpers, which was awesome, because we knew some of the food wasn't going to last all night:

We were stuffed by the time more people showed up - and I made a friends day by saving one of the desserts for them that I just was too full to eat and that the place had ran out of before they got there.  There were tons of eats from various restaurants - a good mixture of desserts and regular food items.  There was a photo booth and mustache booths as well as lots of time to be social.

It was yet again another great Yelp event!

I've gotten word that the next one is in December - can't wait!

Have you joined Yelp in your city yet?

A sentimental weekend wrap-up!

We had a pretty good weekend even though we had to move things around and whatnot.

On Friday, we had 2 sets of plans depending on our moods.  Plan #1 was it was Meagan's birthday and she wanted people to get together at Helen's for dinner, drinks and the live music.  Well Kim, Nate and Jeff weren't going and she was going to have everyone meet late and we didn't want to go with no one else there so we opted out.  Instead we went to dinner at the Beerhouse then attempted the Balloon Glow at Forest Park.  Traffic was horrible just attempting to get near it and the wind was bad so I heard they didn't inflate them in the end so we opted for a end of summer stop at Ted Drewes then headed home for movies.

I started Saturday off by going to spinning class (love it) then Keith and I met my Dad at a reunion for his sports group he used to run.  The SRC was started back in the 80s at the church we had gone to then and is still alive and kicking to this day.  It was great seeing my Dad's friends who we hadn't see in ages, got to see a slideshow of pictures that I wish didn't exist (I look way better now, ha) and spend time outside in the gorgeous weather.  Keith even kicked the ball around with Lainey:

Our goal afterwards was attending the Kirkwood Greentree Festival but little did we know that it ended at 7 each night.  So we grabbed a table at Dewey's Pizza instead and planned our upcoming little getaways (3 at the moment).

Sunday was a sentimental day.  Kristine threw a BBQ at her house in honor of Dad's birthday.  Great weather, great people, such a great time:

This was also the day I met my cousin, Shannon, for the first time.  She is my mom's niece from the brother we knew had existed but that was it.  My mom's family is a navy family and my mom's real mom got around when my grandpa was away - honestly, that's the nicest way to put it.  Because of things back then, my mom was raised by her grandparents until my grandpa married Betty and that's who I know today as my grandma.  When Mom got sick and needed a bone marrow transplant, my Dad - through all his connections - had someone find my mom's family.  That is when he found out that her real mom had passed, that the real brother we knew about, Steven, had passed but there was a half sister and a half brother out there somewhere.  It took a few years but that half sister is actually her blood real sister and is actually my grandpa's real kid, and it was hidden from the family because of all the real mother's extramarital affairs.  I met her 4 years ago and she came to my wedding and Aunt Dona is a wonderful reminder of my mom.

Wanna know the uniqueness of all this - Shannon had contacted my Dad via LinkedIn.  Social media can be good in many ways.  She pretty much told him that she believe my Dad was married to her Aunt Sharon and wanted to get in contact.  She didn't know that my Mom had passed and whatnot but she and Dad had met last week and they were able to fill blanks in where blanks needed to be filled and I met her on Sunday.  We do look similar in our features, we are a mere 2 months apart in age (she older) and we both are looking forward to getting to know each other and spending more time together.  She's recently moved to STL and both of her parents have died and she has no siblings and we're her only family.

It makes my heart happy to have another link to my Mom - and I hope she's happy that we've all found each other!

How was your weekend?

Friday Five

Friday is finally here!

1)  Got to break out the little black dress for Yelp's Summer Stunner last night at Central Table.  Keith, Becky and I went together and had a good time.  I'm glad that we were able to utilize the extra hour before as I'm elite because once the regular time started, a lot of places were out of their food items already.  I will post more about this event soon.

2)  I get to start my Friday off, while driving to teach, on the phone with the hotel HR director.  The way the scheduling and other things are happening is not right and I'm plumb tired of having to deal with the wrath of it and how my direct manager forgets that I'm a teacher and I will not work 7 days a week when I teach during the school year.  Its VERY hard being up at 530 to leave at 630 to be in the classroom by 730, teach until 4 then my only break is driving to the hotel and then working that from 530-10 then hopefully in bed by 11 to just do it all again.  I've had a pretty set schedule for the past 3 years that has worked - there is no need to mess with it.  I'm sorry but I will not work both Saturdays and Sundays - I need a break sometimes!  Yes, I need to just quit but its more complicated than that.

3)  I think we're finally going to the famous Forest Park Balloon Glow tonight.  I have never been and have been wanting to go forever.  We also have Meagan's birthday tonight at an establishment by us (she picked it because she wants that Steve guy to come and he won't drive out of our area).  Jeff isn't going until later, if he goes and Kim & Nate aren't going.  We don't want to go and be the only ones we know there so I think we're bowing out.  She never gave specifics anyway and I never fully said we would be there and I haven't heard back from her when I told her we weren't sure yet.  The whole situation is weird and I just don't feel like being in the middle and hanging out with her until Jeff gets over his hump of breaking it off with her.

4)  Its kinda of a long story by my family met a cousin of mine last night that we didn't know existed until this past week.  She's my mom's brother's child and she contacted my Dad via LinkedIn and after a few talks, and a background check from my cop brother, she seems to be on target.  My sister said it was a great meeting and she looks like the family and that I'll meet her on Sunday at a family BBQ.  She's my age and is looking for friends and family to hang out with.  Its funny how social media works.

5)  My head is all swirls right now and I'm all over the place.  Thankfully its Friday and I can hopefully let it relax later.

Have a great day & weekend!

What's etiquette to you?

Have you ever attended an event, or something of the like, and things happen (or don't happen) that make you research in your head what really should have taken place?  In life there are a few simple rules to being respectful and whatnot.  Here's a few of mine that I like to think I follow:

When you go to the bathroom...wash your hands!

When you blow your nose/cough/sneeze...wash your hands or use hand sanitizer.

If someone compliments you...say thank you!

If someone has a specific title (Dr, Coach, etc)...address them by that title.

If you make a promise...do your best not to break it.

When eating out...put your napkin on your lap

When utilizing a service (eating out, photographer, etc)...be sure to tip them!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Hosting a party
If you're the host, you ultimately get to decide your theme, who to invite, etc.  Sure you can ask people to bring their own alcohol (but have some on hand just in case) and a snack but do not rely solely on your guests to bring everything.  You should always have snacks and drinks for your guests, even if you ask people to provide stuff because you just never know.  The last party I went to, the host said they would provide dessert, water and soda - in reality he only had water from the faucet, alcohol for himself and ate all the dip/crackers I brought to share.  I was given the evil eye when I suggested to him to put out chips because I knew that the crackers I brought would go fast (and they did).

Attending a party
If you're invited to a party, keep in mind that its not your venue.  Remember to act politely.  Don't bring people with you unless the host specifically says you can because sometimes people don't want randoms in their house.  This is one of my pet peeves - while I'm open to meeting new people, if you didn't tell me someone else was coming, how can I prepare for that amount of people?  Also don't get mad if you don't like what you see when there - the next time you host, you can do what you want since its your turn.

RSVP'ing
More than likely if you're invited to something, the host is asking you to let them know if you're coming.  Always RSVP even if you're a maybe so it gives the host an idea of how much to have on hand just in case.  A friend of mine will cancel events because people haven't RSVP'd in the time he thinks is appropriate (usually the time he posts the invite, he expects all invited to view and respond) then create it again to see if people will do something the next time.  This is especially important when it comes to weddings.  Usually you'll have the extra table just in case others show up or that person says no but decides last minute to come.  Sure while its a pain, it happens!

Giving/receiving gifts
This is one that bothers me a lot.  If I give a gift, I hope to receive a thank you.  That tells me that they acknowledge that I took time out to pick something out for whatever it might be and it tells me that they cared that I did so.  I can tell you so many people do not follow this simple rule of etiquette.  Time line doesn't matter so much to me - I know that with weddings, you have up to 6 months I believe, to thank someone for their item.  Its just a simple act of kindness.

Are there any etiquette rules that you can think of that are big to you?

Weekend wrap-up...on Tuesday!

Hey hey hey all my lovelies!

I had every intention of posting this on Monday but I actually paid attention to the Fear of the Walking Dead on Sunday night and didn't write anything! (I don't usually watch that show)

On Friday, our friend Jeff (yes, THAT Jeff) wanted to have a bonfire at his house because St. Louis' temperatures dropped significantly and it was just the right time to do so.  He had created an invite about a week prior then decided to delete the event because no one was RSVP'ing in the timely manner he expects.  Then he recreated the invite after Keith reminded him its quality over quantity when it comes to friends.  Jeff doesn't know how to throw parties, as on his invite it said he would provide s'mores and water, and for everyone to bring their own alcohol and a snack to share.  During the day I got a random text from him asking me how to make s'mores and what he needed to buy.  I almost lost it with laughter when I read but sent him a link on the American way of making s'mores.  I made Erin's crack dip and settled in around the fire:

Saturday I slept in as I could tell I wasn't feeling too hot.  My friend Jamie had her baby so Kim and I went shopping then to visit the baby.  At the time of the visit, it was unnamed and they were having a hard time deciding between Hayden Watson and Enzo Watson.  They chose Enzo in the end - per requests of Jamie, no pictures were taken with him yet as all the family has not met him.  That night Keith and I were treated like royalty at 3 Margaritas restaurant.  I'm a Yelper and when we visited last, the food was great but the service was horrible.  So bad that I didn't want to return again.  However they are under new management and the manager wanted to make amends and offered us a night on the town there on him in exchange for an updated honest review.  So we went out on the town there and it was a great time:

and yes I gave an honest, updated review.  It was very good!

I had to work, of course, early on Sunday morning. When I got home, we ate lunch while we watched the Rams play their opener against the Seahawks.  Boy was it a good game, it had you hanging on to the end and the RAMS WON!

Then we ran a few errands before going to my Dad's for dinner and the Fear of the Walking Dead.

It was a pretty good weekend - hope yours was too!

Friday Five

1)  Fall like weather is supposed to finally come to the area this weekend, yay!  A friend is having a bonfire tonight so hopefully the rain disappears and sitting around it happens.  I plan on making Erin's crackdip to take with us so it should be a fun time.

2)  The hotel has messed with my schedule for this week and I am terribly exhausted today after back to back the past few days.  They had wanted me to work tomorrow morning and the way I'm feeling today, heck no - I need sleep!  I'm seriously at the point where calling in is going to happen...a lot!

3)  I keep seeing commercials for the new ABC show, Blood and Oil.  I'm super excited for it - I love Don Johnson and the guy who is playing his son is from Chasing Life and I love him too!

4)  I love spinning and I miss it now that school has started and I'm excited for Saturday mornings because I can sleep in a bit and still make it to the class.

5)  Today marks an anniversary of 9/11.  Don't ever forget!  I hope today stays relatively safe for the United States.

Have a great day!

"Where Hope Grows" movie

For the past few months, there's been a movie in all the previews about a friendship between a normal functioning person and person with down syndrome called "Where Hope Grows":

I was super excited when it arrived via netflix the other day.  Keith wasn't so sure about it but he watched it with me and enjoyed it himself.

I highly recommend that each and every person see this movie.  It will pull at your heart strings and the ending will shock you.  It shows how people from all walks of life can be friends in the most unusual way and how your faith plays a role in your everyday life.

I can't wait to hear what you think of it!

What movies have you seen lately?

M-I-Z-Z-O-U football

I went to the 'ZOU on Saturday and had a blast!

For the past few years its been tradition to go to Columbia for a Missouri Tigers game.  It started out the 2 of us, then last year grew to 6 then this year we were at 4.

It was Jeff's turn to drive this year (hallelujah as he never drives) so I settled in with a good book and a driver who freaked out about missing his exit that was over 100 miles away.  Anywho we found a great parking place so we could walk around the city/campus and first met up with my friend Mike at Shakespeare's Pizza.  This pizza is to die for...if you're ever passing through Missouri, I will tell you to stop here, you won't be disappointed.  We killed an hour or so there just catching up, getting hydrated and eating delicious pizza for lunch.  We then headed towards Faurot Field, first stopping at Tropical Liqueurs so I could grab my favorite beverage as a slushie - Sex on the Beach!  With it being a hot day, the drink as a slushy was amazing!

Because 3 of the people who accompanied us last year were party poopers because of the heat, Jeff and Keith haven't seen much of the Mizzou campus so Mike and I took them around.  They both loved it as we love their football team:

It was then game time!  Because we plan this in advance, we usually get behind the endzone tickets for a cheap price.  Game day the cheapest ticket was $50+ while we got ours for extremely cheaper than that - score!  Mizzou was playing my alma mater, Southeast Missouri State University, so it was fun seeing the people there to cheer them on.

It was a great game and like every game, there is a winner and a lose.  Since I was cheering for both teams, the outcome was perfectly fine for me.  SEMO played a great game, and Mizzou beat them only because they are use to the big boys but some of the plays they are going to have to fix if they want to go far in the SEC this year:

It was a good day, great time to catch up with Mike and yes it was hot but it could have been hotter - and I swear last year's game was even more hot!  Until next year Mizzou:

Happy Labor Day!

I cannot believe Labor Day is here ~ this always marks the downhill fall into the holidays and the end of the year.

Take a moment to think about what today is for while you spend it with family, friends, doing whatever you are doing on the day off.

Have a great day!