Great Wolf Lodge

My sister and I took her kids to Great Wolf Lodge once again this year.  They love this place -- although it can get a bit overwhelming.  This year they only spent one day in the actual water areas.  The other two days were spent playing the MagiQuest games and the spa (for Sydni) and arcade games.  Caleb hurt his toe in the lazy river -- got an ugly cut -- and he wasn't in the mood to swim any more after that and neither were the other two so we ended up cutting our trip short and heading home.  We'll do it again next year.  Or maybe later this year.

NASCAR in Charlotte

We had the opportunity to put our nonprofit name and logo on a NASCAR for the Nationwide race in Charlotte in May and since I set it up, I was able to go to the race to represent the organization and record it.  This was quite an experience.  I've been to races before and even in the pits but never in the garage area and not sitting on a frickin pit box for the race!  It was a once in a lifetime experience and one I cherish. 

The week started with my going to the Hendrick tweet-up.  I didn't even realize how serious everyone took Speed Weeks leading up to the Charlotte race and was pleasantly surprised by all the activities taking place in the area. 

On Thursday I went to watch them practice and was able to take lots of pictures in the garage area.  I saw so many drivers and tried to get as many of their pictures as possible.  Of course, the one person I wanted to take a picture of, Dale Jr., was the only driver whose picture turned out blurry.

Friday I was able to drive to Mooresville and go to Dale Earnhardt Sr.'s shop as well as Jr.'s and Kasey Kahne's shops.  The small town of Mooresville was so darn cute!

Saturday was the race and we got to stand on pit row and stand with Kenny Wallace and his family for the singing of the national anthem.  That was surreal -- you see it on tv all the time but I never in my wildest dreams thought I would ever be able to stand there and act like I was part of the team. 

We then went to the pit area and got to sit on the pit box with his wife Kim and listen in on the radio.  SO. MUCH. FUN!!!

Sunday I didn't go to the race because I just could not handle the crowd -- and my boss/friend bailed on me so I also didn't want to go alone.  But, I was able to go to the NASCAR Hall of Fame and was absolutely thrilled with everything they had there.  I can't wait to take my dad and the kids to see it next year.  Amazing.

All in all it was a great trip.

Boston and NYC

I was supposed to go to Washington DC, Boston and them NYC the week of May 17. I ended up getting a severe stomach bug which sidelined me for a few days. I met up with my co-workers in Boston and then on to NYC for a board meeting. Nothing too exciting this trip.



I did get a purse for mom. I didn't find anything that I loved so no new one for me.



Getting to the airport was an adventure. It took two hours -- the cabbie GOT LOST!! How does a NYC cabbie get lost going to the airport? And he hit another car on the way. They both rolled down their windows and said "you ok" "yea" and took off. Unbelievable.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Tx Motor Speedway

I had to go to the Texas Motor Speedway to tape a PSA with a driver for my work. We got to watch them tape Speed TV's NASCAR Race Day and I always get a kick out of stuff like that.

The weather was bad so the race was cancelled but we got our taping in so everything worked out. We ended up driving home because the weather was so bad. And I don't do well flying in bad weather.



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Blackhawks in Dallas

Before heading to Atlanta I went to the Blackhawks v. Stars hockey game. We had seats close to the ice and a great parking pass. There were a couple of guys in front of us and one of them kept teasing me because I was vocal in my regard for Patrick Sharp. He kept it all fun so it was all good -- not like the hoedoggie I had to sit next to the last time I went to the game. And my boys won!!!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Atlanta

I had to go to Atlanta for a social media conference. You know me -- I worked in some play time too. First fun thing to do was go to an Atlanta Braves v. Chicago Cubs game. They have a nice stadium. And Chick-Fil-A in the place!! I had a great seat behind home plate and sat next to Braves fans who relentlessly teased me for liking Chicago.

The next three days were spent at the conference. Very long days but productive. I signed up for pretty much every contest they had for a free ipad. Caleb has been asking for one for a while so I was on the hunt. I did win tickets to a Braves game but I was so exhausted I gave them away - especially since I had already been to a game. But, when I got home I got word that I won an ipad!!!

I kept up with the hashtag for the conference and one guy kept talking about eating chicken and waffles. It peaked my interest so my co-worker and I went to Gladys Knight's Chicken and Waffles restaurant. Oh. My. Goodness! Pure heaven. I would never have thought chicken and waffles together would be good but it was divine. I also had black eyed peas and yams with it. Yummy!!

The last night of the conference I went to the Atlanta Thrashers v. Pittsburgh Penguins hockey game. Those fans are brutal but I always enjoy a hockey game.

After the conference it was off to Savannah for a few days. It was about a four hour drive - and an hour wait to pick up the rental car. Caleb had been texting me and calling me asking me to come home so I felt very guilty about taking a couple of days for myself but then said I deserve it so I went. I appeased Caleb by going to the Atlanta Aquarium and getting him a stuffed animal shark. It was one of the nicest aquariums I have been to as well and a nice way to start my mini vacation.

My main reason for going to Savannah was to eat at Paula Deen's The Lady and Son's. I took the guided Paula Deen tour so I would be assured a spot to eat at her restaurant. It was worth the money for the tour. We had a great tour guide and went to eat lunch at Paula's brother's restaurant, Bubba's Oyster House (or something like that). I had a low country boil for the first time ever and it was delicious.

After the tour I headed to Tybee Island and laid out at the beach for a couple of hours. Nothing fancy but I always enjoy spending time at the beach. Before heading back to Savannah I ate at a local place and had -- wait for it -- low country boil again. This place had alligators in the entrance. The kids would have loved it.

So the next day my only item on the agenda was to eat at Paula's place. It was so good. I had the buffet and had a bit of everything. It was all good and I was pleased. They start out your meal with hoe cakes and garlic and butter biscuits. Oh yummy.

I liked Savannah and would definitely visit again. The historic district was especially nice and quaint.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Martina in Columbus

So I went to Columbus for work. We honored one of our donors at a press conference backstage at the Martina McBride concert. We then got to see the concert with Martina, Trace Adkins and Sarah Buxton. They were all amazing. Martina can really belt out some tunes. Simply amazing!!!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Memphis...

I had to take a business trip to Memphis and of course I tried to cram in some personal things too while I was there. No trip to Memphis would be complete without a visit to Graceland.  I got there too late on Monday to take a tour and they were closed on Tuesday --my only free day -- so I just went and walked around the area and took pictures. 

The other thing I made sure to do was eat at a bunch of the great places that have been mentioned on the Food Network.  My first stop was Neely's BBQ.  This is the restaurant of Pat and Gina Neely from the show "Down Home with the Neely's".  The food was great but the actual restaurant was not what I expected. It was dark and they had no souvenirs for sale.  There was a tiny display case that said there were souvenirs for sale but they didn't have anything.  Not even BBQ sauce????? I think they are missing a huge opportunity here.  I was prepared to buy a book, sauce and even a pig or two. 

The next two places I tried were both on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives -- Alcenia's and Leonard's BBQ.  Both were great.  At Alcenia's I got baked tilapia, yams and green beans.  Oh my goodness but it was delicious.  It was the best of all three I have ever had.  Definitely a must for anyone visiting. 

Then I tried Leonard's BBQ and they had a HUGE buffet. So, of course, I had to try everything they were offering.  The BBQ in Memphis is different from Texas.  They have mostly pork in Memphis and the sauce is more vinegary.  The best thing at Leonard's was the fried catfish.  The best ever. 

And of course I had to get my souvenirs.  This keychain is my absolute favorite.  It not only is fuzzy but it also has a small diamond ring on it.  Precious!

Chicago Blackhawks in Dallas - December 29, 2009

I made the trek to Dallas on December 29 to see the Chicago Blackhawks take on the Dallas Stars. Even though I am born and bred in Texas, I am a diehard Blackhawks fan. Read this post and this post if you don't believe me. Anyway, so I went to Big D with a friend and this was her first hockey game ever. Our seats were in row 7 (I like to get close to the action) and we had another Blackhawks fan beside us and behind us. Then this, I can't refer to her as anything but this, BITCH showed up and sat next to me. She was a diehard Stars fan and any time the Stars scored she screamed so loud and clapped so hard practically in my ear. So I returned the favor when the Blackhawks scored and proceeded to give me the evil eye the rest of the night even after she made her boyfriend change seats with her.


As you can tell from the pics, my favorite hockey player ever is Patrick Sharp. He is not only good but he is HOT! I pray he doesn't get traded but if he does, I'll root for him wherever he goes. Still be a Hawks fan but will always remain a Sharpie fan.

I'd much rather see a game in Chicago just because of the excitement from the fans, but I will continue to go see them whenever they go to Dallas.

Christmas 09

We had our annual family get-together on Christmas Eve.  A lot of the cousins, aunts and uncles were there.  This is really the only time I get to see a lot of them so it is a nice thing to do every year.  The food was good as usual.  My dad made the menudo and my Aunt Lola made the tamales.  Everyone brought dessert to share. We also all prayed the rosary which is another tradition.  During the rosary, Jacob (9 years old) told me "This isn't much of a party!"

my 15 seconds of fame

In my previous Chicago (Dec 09) post I mentioned that one of the staff from the Chicago Blackhawks organization interviewed me.  Well, it made it on to the Blackhawks website.  I look like such a DORK.  Let me repeat that for you.  I LOOK LIKE SUCH A DORK!  Whenever I get excited I get overly animated and this was no exception.  I cringe whenever I see it but am so glad I had that experience and such a great time on the trip.



Yes, that's me with my hands trying to cover my face and then being interviewed.  My friend Kelly who went on the trip with me is sitting to my right.

Sad to say, but yes I did mention how cute Patrick Sharp was. I can't help it - the man is a dreamboat.

Thank you to the Chicago Blackhawks and to Meijer for sponsoring the Hockey 101 Contest.

Oh, and I updated pics in my original post of my trip here.

New York -- December '09

I can't believe I forgot to write about my recent trip to NYC in early December. I had to go for work but was able to get in some downtime while I was there. I went with a co-worker and a donor.

One thing I haven't done in a while is eat at Tavern on the Green so it was nice to do that. We also took a carriage ride through Central Park.



The food was delicious.



This was the front of the menu.

They lit the Rockefeller tree when we were there but it was raining so I didn't go see it. Lots of beautiful decorations around the city. It is always so crowded at this time of year.










- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Chicago - December '09

I won a Chicago Blackhawks and Meijer contest for a hockey 101 clinic, dinner and tix to the Blackhawks/Tampa Bay Lightening game. Since I love Chicago I decided to make a weekend of it and invited my friend Kelly to go to the clinic and game with me.

I flew in on Saturday morning and met Kelly downtown where we went to eat at Berghoff's. We had burgers and some of their famous rootbeer.





Then we went walking around Millennium Park and were able to see the ice skaters. There was a cute little future hockey player there. Too precious!





We went to the Chicago Pier because I had never been through there just drove by it once. That is probably better done during the summer. Saw some of the lights before my hip gave out and we went back to the hotel. After a short nap we went to have a late dinner at Miller's Pub which was really quaint and cozy.

Sunday was the big day. We went to the ESPN Zone for lunch and were surrounded by both Bear fans and Green Bay fans. Good food there too. Only bad thing was I lost one glove that belonged to a co-worker.

Then we went to see the window displays at Macy's. There was a couple at one of them that had just gotten engaged. The guy had Macy's put his proposal in the form of a letter to Santa in the window. Then he popped the question. Too cute. Everyone was oohing and awhing.

Then it was time to head to the United Center. We got there and they signed us in and then took us upstairs to a conference room. We boogied to the front row where our goodie bags were waiting for us. A cap, mug, bobblehead, puck and much more. SWEET! You know I love me a goodie bag!





Then the instructors came in. Eddie Olczyk who is the tv color analyst was one and then also Annie Camins, the Director of Youth Hockey was the other.

We got to ask questions and when it came my turn he asked me how I got into hockey and how did I hear from them that I won the contest. So I told him that I went to Chicago last October and went to my first hockey game. I fell in love with the sport and the team. Then I entered and won and couldn't believe it because I never win anything. He was impressed that we flew from TX just for this. So we had the clinic and leaned so much about the rules. It was great. Then they had a drawing for a hockey stick signed by all the players. When Eddie read off the numbers and he took his time saying the last one I screamed when he said 9. I was like "No frickin way!" When he had started to announce the numbers I said I can take it on the plane. But they offered to ship it for me.







We then all got pictures and autographs from Eddie. Then they took us in to dinner. Unbelievable. I was thinking hot dogs and chicken strips. Not for this first class organization. They served roast beef, turkey, chicken Marsala, fish, fettucine Alfredo, roasted potatoes, grilled veggies, salads and more. They also had a mean dessert bar -- cheesecake, lemon bars, brownies and so much more.

One of the employees asked if they could interview me since I won and came from TX. I know I looked like a fool and my eyes were probably popping out of my eyes from the excitement. I can't even remember what they asked but I remember telling them I wouldn't pass up a chance to see the Hawks or Patrick Sharp!

Next it was off to our seats. They were pretty good seats and everyone who was around us were contest winners so it was like a little family.





Jim Belushi threw down the first puck and Toews and Vinny Lecavalier (#4 hottie from TB Lightning) were the ones out there with him.

Some of the gals around us got text messages from family members that said we were on tv. Then they texted again and said they had mentioned us an said we had come from TX for the game. How cool is that!!?!
Thank you Eddie!

It was a great game (Hawks won 4-0) and fantastic day of events.

Thank you to the entire Chicago Blackhawks organization and to Meijer's for sponsoring the contest. It was unbelievable!

** Updated with pics from my Flickr account of the trip. **



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone