Update

This is an update from a post I wrote the other day. You can read it here. So I got a phone call from the McDonald's local franchise owner last night. She wanted to know details. She told me that she was very concerned with this location. Then she told me that I could stop by this location to get a free meal. I just have to mention her name. She apologized profusely, and also kept thanking me for letting her know. Now, that's customer service!

Can You Imagine?

Today's required reading is short, I promise. Here are my comments:

• "I think and think and think, but I can't understand it" - thinking too much, probably!
• "She said the technician who apparently forgot about her and went home did call to apologize the next day." - I would expect a bit more than an apology...flowers, chocolates and champagne, maybe?

Seriously, this must have been a horrible experience for her. The poor woman went in for a test to tell her if the bone cancer has spread, and she's left in the machine for hours while everyone else goes home! I just can't imagine it.

Motorcycles Are Everywhere

For today's required reading, please visit my friend Shannon's blog. First, I want to thank Shannon for thinking of me & Big D when she posted this. We do ride frequently, and we see people in cages (cars) doing all kinds of dumb things when they should be driving. This is a big part of why I don't agree with texting-while-driving. In Arizona the weather is getting nicer, and a lot more bikes will be on the road in the coming months. I just want everyone to be aware, and please look out for motorcycles. Those riders are people with families and friends, just like all of you. We come from all walks of life. My husband, Big D looks kind of scary to a lot of people, especially when he's wearing his vest. And he has long hair, and lots of facial hair. But he's a really good guy, and wouldn't hurt anybody. It's a damn shame that some people will stereotype bikers because of a few bad apples. We're not all like that. I know that most of you who read my blog do not stereotype bikers, but I'm just hoping to get the word out. Thanks!

Buggy

This HUGE bug flew into our garage tonight. I hate bugs, but this one was so cool, I had to take pictures for the blog!

I hope my efforts are appreciated!

The Worst!

I'd like to preface this post with the following note: I have a 9-year-old daughter and on the nights you don't feel like cooking, and you're broke, you eat at McDonald's. This is not my dine-out place of choice.

Now that that's out of the way, let me say this: we usually go to the same McDonald's location near our house. The service has never been great, but it has NEVER been this bad.

We had to wait 20 minutes for our food...there's only 3 of us! (plus Kramer)

They only had one person working the counter, and she was swamped. I heard the manager tell her to take 3 orders, and get 3 orders, then take 3 more orders. People around me were not happy with this arrangement.



We finally got our food, sat down and had to go back to the counter to get napkins, because, as shown in the 1st photo...there were no napkins.


Then, as I'm eating, I notice the trash is full to overflowing! There were dirty trays and trash everywhere, as shown in the 2nd photo. It really was disgusting. I told the counter person that all the trash bins were full and she just said, "OK."




Needless to say, I complained on their website this morning. And sent the pics, too.

I've Been Busy

I really haven't had time to blog lately. I'm going to try to get back on track, though. We're going through some interesting times at home, so it's a bit difficult right now. Here's what I have for today: This list of real-life bumper stickers is an excerpt from Uncle John's Slightly Irregular Bathroom Reader. If you're into trivia, these books are great.

• Where am I going, and why am I in this handbasket?
• I'm multitalented: I can talk and annoy you at the same time
• Do they ever shut up on your planet?
• Therapy is expensive; popping bubble wrap is cheap! You choose.
• I brake for no apparent reason
• Try not to let your mind wander, it's too small to be out by itself
• Politicians and diapers need to be changed - often for the same reason
• Caution: I drive like you do
• Boycott shampoo! Demand real poo!
• It's time to pull over and change the air in your head
• Everyone has a right to be stupid. Some just abuse the privilege.
• Bad cop, no donut
• On the other hand, you have different fingers
• Question reality
• Preserve nature: pickel a squirrel
• If I throw a stick, will you leave?
• Why are you staring at my bumper, you pervert!

I Got The Green Light!!!

OK, about a month ago, I wanted to blog about my big news, but promised that I wouldn't. For reference, you can read that blog here. Well, tonight I got the green light to blog about this wonderful news! We are going to be grandparents!!!!!! Our beautiful daughter, Sammy is expecting and we couldn't be happier! She's due on April 2nd, but to be honest with you, I think she's going to have it on March 24th. That is my sister Christine's birthday, and also Vicki's birthday! I will keep you posted with baby updates as they come to me! Thank you, Sammy for letting me FINALLY blog about this!!! Whew! I feel a lot better!!!!!!!!! Congratulations to Samantha and Rodrigo!

Thank You!

The last few days have been particularly difficult, as we have had some personal challenges. I'm not prepared to blog about the events at this time, but wanted to thank all my wonderful friends for your love and support over the last few days. I could not have made it without you! I will be back to blogging next week, if not over the weekend.

My Rant

Brought to you by the Arizona Republic... Biker who fell on freeway dies A motorcyclist who fell 25 feet and suffered serious injuries on the Mini-stack at the junction of Interstate 10, Loop 202 and Arizona 51 has died. Brandon McLaurin, 24, of Phoenix, was riding Saturday before noon with a group headed east on I-10 near Arizona 51 when he lost control of his vehicle and crashed into a retaining wall. He was thrown from the motorcycle, went over the ramp wall and landed below on the Loop 202. Westbound Loop 202 was closed to traffic while the Arizona Department of Public Safety and emergency medical crews responded. McLaurin was wearing a helmet. OK. I love the last line of the story...he was wearing a helmet. Like a helmet would make a difference when you fall 60-75 feet onto a freeway! Gotta love this conservative paper; everytime there's a motorcycle accident they always report whether or not the person was wearing a helmet. This really has no bearing on the story. It is an attempt to outrage people who do not ride motorcycles and know nothing about them. These non-riders then lobby for a helmet law in our state! Here I go on my rant: We ride and choose not to wear helmets. That is our choice in the state of Arizona. I understand that there are riders who choose to wear helmets, and I respect that. I do not respect people who do not ride at all (our government) trying to take away our choice. When people ask me why we don't wear helmets, I tell them we are exercising our right to make that choice. In a lot of states, there is no choice. I don't want Arizona to become one of those states. Aren't you thankful that you get to make choices each day? Don't let the government take those choices away...whatever they may be! Thanks for choosing to read this blog...

DIY Landscaping

BEFORE & AFTER

Yesterday, I decided that our bushes needed trimming. I got out our electric trimmer and started going at them. Once finished, I cleaned up the mess and sat out front drinking some water. Big D comes out and sits with me, and the following conversation takes place:

Me: We need to get a chainsaw to cut down that old dead tree.

Big D: I have a saws-all.

Me: Can you use that on a tree?

Big D: That's why they call it a "saws-all", because it saws all.

Me: OK. Wanna cut down the tree?

Now mind you, it's 11:00 a.m. and I have already been working outside for about an hour. It's about 102, and supposed to be 106 later in the day.

Big D gets out his saws-all, and gets busy. I broke up and stacked the smaller branches while he got the bigger ones. We completed the job at 7:00 last night. We did take a two-hour break, because it just got too hot. The only thing left to do is cut the remaining large branches, and get rid of the stump.

I'm so glad the tree is gone! I have before and after pics, but the before pic is only a partial of the tree. But it will give you a good idea of how big the tree was.

The Party...

As many of you know, Sunday was my birthday. We had a great party, and here are the pictures. I'm only sorry we didn't get a picture of that bottle of Tequila Rose, because it disappeared so quickly!


Big D and Roger, probably laughing at me.


Crazy neighbor Kramer giving someone 'the look'. I hope nobody mentioned the City of Peoria to him!


Roger looking like he's gonna smack that hand!


Vicki and Raney with their lollipops.

Me wearing my birthday tiara after a few 'warm-up' mimosas!

My girls V and V!

Hangin' with BFF Stacy in the pool. We were both relatively sober in this pic. (Not so much later on!)

Ingrid lookin' hot in those shades!

I promised Aaron I would put this pic on my blog. Aren't his socks great? They almost make those white legs look tan!! Aaron is my Knight of the Grill, and he can grill some mean burgers, dogs and chicken! Thanks, Aaron!

This Could Work

So my good friend Deb gave me a great gift today! She bought a 6-pack of Slimmies, and wrapped Cannelini Bean and Cream Style Corn labels around the cans! How freakin' ingenious is that??

The card she gave me reads: "In an effort to assist with the "Slim Thief" situation, disguises have been implemented for two of the six items. Hope this helps!"

Even if it doesn't help, I had a great laugh when I needed it most! Thanks Deb!!