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Love it.  The big billboard that greets you as you come around the 75 curve.  You know, the one that truly gives you a sense of home, boy.  We just recently came back to the "A" (no, it's not the ATL anymore, I tried that the other day with my students and got shot looks of disappointment, disgust~and it's definately not HOTLANTA, that is so-so-NOT-def either~more '96 Olympics, rather). 

 I digress, we just returned from a quick trip to St. Simons Isl. and "stayed" at the Village Inn & Pub, which I now highly recommend.  It's ambiance of the quaint pub, cute rooms, and right in the Village were definately DEF.  The trip was great, and upon return, I was truly reminded that we are in the 'dirty south' the hip-hop capitol, y'all..."what whaaaaaat?" If you would like a more immediate reminder, you can purchase the  afroman figurine here.  He really is kinda cute. 

YOUR THOUGHTS?

You just wait...if you haven't seen yourself in the TOWN TOPIC section, you will be in no time.  This has been such a fun thing to do so far, and I have thoroughly enjoyed the response and generous emails and calls about the 'blog'.  Please, don't feel pressured--(or walk the other way when you see me coming) to order salad bowls,wine glasses & cheesestraws (I know you're thinking, THAT'S why she started this) but it's really more about re-connecting with people I don't get to see/talk to as often.  BUT, if you DID think you may need to order a gift for someone, I'm just an email away~and love making things! I'm so subliminal, huh?

So, back on track, this past weekend was the big BROTHER WHITLOCK performance at 3 BEARS, which we've just figured out is a heavy metal venue.  News to me. The performance went swimmingly, not only because of the fish on the screen behind them, but they sounded great~no mosh pit this time around .  Included, a picture of some of the best 'groupies' around: Megan, Bev, Elaine, Peggy, & Dawn.  They're legit.  And an extremely cool graphic, (see sidebar) by super stylish Bev Norton, design by Craig Ford.  Seen in the crowd, the always well dressed Ben & Brittany Lowery & Brittney & David Bottoms. A new looked was donned by our dear Jason Ford, shown above with his sister-in-law, Megan, a Hustler button down with a lovely lady on it, for all to view while listening to BW.  Looking forward to the next band party, wherever that may be!
Notice Ron Jeremy in the mix, working the sound??
 

As I attempted a jog in this beautiful GA weather, I was made fully aware of my hips.  They ache.  I realized today, that the ol' joints are getting older.  Speaking of hips, my rear (hips) are celebrating Black History Month, (what is she talking about?) Well, allow me to explain. I thought it would be prudent to attend Solar Dimensions Tanning 'Spa' before a party last weekend, because my arms needed a little color, for night's sleeveless attire. Not such a great 8 minute idea.  Now, 1 week later, after applying cold tea washcloths (found that home remedy here) my 'hips' have become a new shade, unfamiliar to my regular skin tone.  So, take the TIP, and don't tan, even if for 8 minutes in the B grade bed at Solar Dimensions~or your 'hips' won't be lyin' either.

***Stay Tuned: See and Be Seen~Look for the newest TOWN TOPIC (s) tomorrow! We'll be heading out to 3Bears tonite, sure to see many vying for this blog's Best Dressed Superlative! See you there! (I've just been notified of a VIP jetsetter, back from Vegas, with some new jeans*) ...

 

Yeah, so, who (the eff)  I censored myself--eats ranch WITH fries?  This picture displays my dismay (yes, that's me-pre-Britney Spears-esque school girl outfit-I knew what was up) and this is pretty much how I felt after our dinner at Ted's for V day.  I know, I know, ranch? You wonder, why has our society become so obsessed? I could have politely declined to manager's kindness when he brought around a plate of hot fries to the people who'd been waiting for an hour~(of which I vowed to not taste tonight) but then I had just one, which made me think it was ok to have 10 more off of Derek's plate, dipped in ranch.  Why do we do this to ourselves?  "Yes, I'll go ahead and have the lunch portion of salmon, green beans, no butter please, squash, lettuce, no dressing..." "Oh, and I guess I'll just have one more wine."  Then, it comes to the table, and the pecking begins, with the ranch.  Why must everything be dipped in that "side vat" they bring to the table.  We must stop the madness.  No more ranch. Next time you order it, think of how hard you've worked not to have it, and think of this poor, pitiful face, the poster child for: NO MORE RANCH DRESSING. Guess it's back on the ranch-less track tomorrow. I'll have a side of Health Place, no ranch, thank you very much. Guess it's time to rock that 4 wheel TRI-cycle? and work the ranch off, Ruthie Spears....

As I was showered with gifts and candy (some individually wrapped, some questionably loose in baggies) I was reminded of the old days when we used to get so excited to decorate a box for our special delieveries.  The still like to do this.  Some take pride in the detail of their decor, and others just scribble their name out of sheer embarrassment from the whole concept.  (These are 5th graders, some of which would rather crawl in a whole --thanks to ALLI PENUEL, I STAND CORRECTED: HOLE-- than deliver a Valentine to their crush).  What an interesting mix we receive as teachers: stuffed animals, broken suckers, baked "things" from the student you were pretty sure hated you yesterday, and some Ghiradelli--way to go mom's--it does make you stop and think for a minute about what Valentine's Day really means though.  Oh come on, you may think it's about waiting in line for an upscale restaurant like Olive Garden, (when you should've made reservations LAST week somewhere else) or going last minute to the grocery, no less, to buy a mylar balloon and bouquet, BUT it's about being thankful even if you don't have a V day 'someone' be thankful for those around you, most of those around you...and be reminded of the Old School days when you'd decorate your card box and wait.  Be thankful for the shady things you may receive if you're a teacher, because you know, someone cared:) OK, I tried out the positive spin on V day, it's freakin crazy here with parties and picture day, but I'm makin it...What are YOU doing?

I am hoping to go through files to look for different, unique table settings, and post them here.  There are so many great ideas and I love looking through magazines to find interesting table settings for entertaining...My last set up wasn't so good, learned a lesson about serving steaks, which are hard to cut, on bamboo placemats, which slide on an unsturdy dining room table.  Nobody got hurt, thankfully, it just made it extra challenging to eat, and pretend nothing was wrong. I felt like Bree on Desperate Housewives. Tonight~ another fun Birthday Club awaits us at Britney's house, the ice skater extrordinaire!  She is such a fabulous cook, my favorite being the lemon cake, that includes the ultra fattening lemon curd.  The word curd just sounds like: I can't fit in my jeans if I eat that.  We'll see what she makes tonight!

1st Town Topic (for lack of better name) Trend Setters! You'll notice we have the lovely Shelby Dollar Hagemann & Susan Haverly Matthews as seen in Brittney's Kitchen Feb. 12th in some delightful get-ups!  Shelby is sporting pants from Ann Taylor, and Susan's Hermes scarf is to die for~and we mustn't forget Jaillene's stylish shoes!

This is a trial run, ladies, did I get the brands correct? I'll keep trying.  XOXO~gossip girl.  Just Jokes, anyway, this should be entertaining at/in the least...because, we all know, I didn't get a writing scholarship to West Georgia College.  BELOW: BARACK'S GRANDMOTHER & PET CHICKEN, CLICK LINK

You'll want to note the video, with pics attached, of Barack Obama's song, by Stevie Wonder, and pictures of Barack's Grandmother, (and relatives) that joined us *LIVE* at Birthday Club in February, with her pet chicken! What a memorable moment! Hopefully at our mountain getaway, we'll receive a visit from Huckabee or McCain? Possibly, someone will come up with a better song for the Republicans. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vWL1G8iu32g Please enjoy:)