www.ruthiesoriginals.com

At the Sautee Market in the mountains, I bought some Glogg.  It's REALLY good for a winter/Christmas/nightly drink. :) Nightly.

Ok, pour about 1/2 c. water in a pot, pour in about 1/2 cup Glogg, bring to a boil, turn to low... then I use Redwood Creek Pinot Noir, pour in about 1 c. or more....more, DON'T boil, just let it get warm real quick and pour in a wine glass. IT'S Good! The way I make it you don't have to use sugar, etc. But, if you like it sweeter go for it. Order yours here: http://www.saturnus.se/eng/produkter/glogg.html

Or try to find it at any backwoods market.

Isn't she somethin else. We love her.

Thank you, Simpatico, for cooking for us even though you weren't technically 'open'. Celebrating her 33rd bday in style (ruffle-y yellow number) was Shelby Dollar Hagemann.  Seen on the Marietta Square Monday night: Brittany Bottoms (in town if but for a brief moment between her skating trips) fresh in from France: Susan Haverly Matthews, the new mother of 2 and always on the go: Brittany Lowery, Viva-Las-Vegas: Liz Kelly (of Brookhaven), new stylish hairdo alert: Alli McPherson Penuel, and of course, the ageless beauty: Shelby.  We dined on horseradish encrusted tilapia over saffron risotto, that was so generously prepared even though there was an event upstairs and they weren't even open! Thank you Ben.  Cheers to Shelby for giving us a reason to celebrate, here's to a good 33rd year of your life! (I'm not quite there yet) :) 

http://www.wikihow.com/Quit-Facebook 

Well, this is how. I didn't look this up because I was addicted to facebook, I'm just worried about everyone else. So, believe it or not, there are 2 million + sites willing to help those of you out there that maybe feel you're ADDICTED TO FACEBOOK!?  Are you on there to merely stay connected 'they' ask on 'wikihow'? OR are you there to peruse through old flames? For whatever reason, let's ask ourselves on this day, why and how much time are we spending on this black hole of a website? Myspace sure did fizzle out.  Then came Facebook, what's next I often wonder.  My cousin's little boy Christopher John Poston Jr. was born today, and it did cross my mind, what in the worldwidweb will be out there when he gets to be our age? (our age is about 27 by the way :)) So, when you're spending endless hours out there this evening on FB I'll be forcing myself to listen to my ipod, jog even after having glasses of wine, reading the book I'm teaching tomorrow, and wondering why in the hell Ugly Betty looks like I did in 9th grade.  So, here's to quitting facebook for now, if even for an evening :) What an accomplishment. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_0Ta_DIWuU

Did you click on that? Well, you should. THIS is how I felt at Anytime Fitness this a.m.  Thanks for my Saturday ego boost gym boy!  So, when is it OK to $ell your Services as the trainer tried to do today?  How about when I'm walking out the door, he asks me how my workouts are going and then proceeds to tell me (with a 'so-so' hand motion) that my technique needs some work?  Well, needless to say, I felt like Phoebe running in the park, from FRIENDS!  I've always liked to think of myself as more of the Rachel-type-runner, but now, thanks to the guy trying to sell his 'techniques' I feel like Phoebes in the park.  I think I know how to do a squat, lunge, and even, try to believe this...a push-up! However, I guess I'll be dipping into my wallet in the fabulou$ economy to try to brush up on my skills of how to do a jumping jack properly.  I used my old trainer (not OLD) sorry, but past trainer Rik's good ideas--(HI Rik if you're out there somewhere)-but maybe I've lost my touch.  So, as I once again pick up the pieces of my shattered ego (haha) I'll be heading out to H&M and hopefully people won't mistake me for Phoebe on the way there. 

(PS, to those of you who've sent your words of encouragement to get back to the blogging, thanks-your kindness is like a rainbow for my soul-hehe!) Guess I've picked up dad's sense of humor, need to work on that.  Only kidding, Bruce!  Anyway, after the car wreck, I had to take a little break from working out, (obviously), blogging, and  making a positive change in the world, ;} but I'm back on track and will be making a difference in the world of fitness pretty soon too.  Britney's coming out with a work out tape, right? I just might, too. Don't try to tell me I can't do a lunge....

About how I'm enjoying reading Eat Pray Love, and A New Earth which is a touch harder to get into- (thank you, yes, I've become quite the reader, self-help especially, sucker for Oprah's book club lately) And I DID just finish Nights in Rodanthe, because you just can't pass up a good sentimental Nicholas Sparks book upon the tear jerker release Sept 26th. (I still don't think it should be pronounced RodanthE, by the way)  And I am still reading Jules Asner Whacked. (much edgier)  I think I have serious adult add issues by the looks of the # of books I'm reading at once, just depends on my mood.  For those of you who thought I couldn't read...turns out, I can!

 Anyway, my point was, what was my point? Chuck Bass, the creepy CW Gossip Girl character whom I've grown to like a little better.  Blair, the queen B, almost became his love interest in Italy until he fell for the decorator on this last episode.  Such is the life of the NY elite.  Chuck's voice kind of makes me cringe, but, the more I get to know him the better I like him.  He has his good moments.  Never thought I could like B either as much, but she's about my favorite now.  Maybe I'll run into them while I'm in NYC!  Well, from trashy TV to trashy parties, I must go coordinate the 'White T' outfit for tonight's White Trash gala in Atlanta at Taylor's.  Considering I'll have white pumps and a Spencer's Staff shirt with an acid washed denim skirt, the pics are sure to be amazing.

Stay tuned, xoxo, Gossip Girl (of Kennesizzle)

I always thought the VARSITY was called the UniVarsity when I would visity family in Atlanta from St. Louis! Ha, dork!  Anyway, this weekend, the girls and I (Caroline and Sarah Beth) had a quick lunch there Sunday, while I babysat for a tiny bit, then went to Limited Too to spend their $10 a piece.  They got some pretty fabulous items, (clip on earrings, diaries, etc...) and were trying to figure out how to spend the extra 16 cents properly.  (That may need to be saved for another trip to Claire's, girls)~ I came home and got the sticky sour spray candy out of my hair (Sarah Beth :)) but it was actually pretty tasty.  Not my hair, the sour spray candy stuff.  I didn't mind being the taste-tester guinea pig.  The day wouldn't have been the same without seeing William, (and his extensive racecar lineup at aunt Vicki's) !   I do love them so. 



 

William at grandmommy's.  Cute!

Well, yes, in a matter of 2 days, I have received (addressed to Becky Dunning) 2 Maxims! So, I am excited b/c I am thinking they probably want me to model for them and just check out and be familiar with  the layout in the magazine.  I cannot wait! I'll be thumbing through them tonight to get some ideas on what I should wear and how exactly I'm supposed to pose. 

In addition, what in the world did WE (our age group) do about PEANUT ALLERGIES when we grew up?  It baffles me daily, (in the 'allergy free zones in the school computer labs, cafeterias, snacktimes during the day) especially tonight when I am typing up letters to parents to donate snacks for Standardized ITBS testing in 2 weeks,  & I have to list NO PEANUT PRODUCTS everytime! I just don't know what it was like when we were growing up and people were allergic? Do tell.

THIRDLY, (I always thought that was kind of a dippy transition word), THIRDLY, THIS SATURDAY NIGHT, if you can hang, you're welcome--girls, to come to HOOTERS, where the modeling sessions will take place for MAXIM (ha!) and my best NAYBA, Melissa and I will be out on the town, namely COWBOYS and DIAMOND DAVES!  (the classiest place in Kennesizzle) Even YOU are welcome, we'll definitely be anticipating some rowdy bar fights, buffalo shrimp, and beer.  And a ride home?

Don'T FORgET! Tomorrow night, Melting Pot, Class of '94 Girls @ 7! See you there, B

So, I thought I was in need of a facial, for fun and to see what they had to offer at FACELOGIC (newly built by Keegans and Dunkin Donuts, of course) Well. Lovely little guy behind the desk, a bit odd, tries to explain what his experience was like at his high school reunion and how he thought nobody would have anything in common with him but he was glad he went.  Well, thank you sir, for sharing your stories.  I tend to hear the deepest, and sometimes most absurd stories from people I briefly meet. Whether it's in an airport, first day of work, in line at the movies, wherever really!  But, I do enjoy it, and have heard some doozies. Can't write em here!  I will continue to wonder what it is about me that attracts such stories. I am appreciative people feel comfortable yet sometimes wonder why people gravitate towards telling details you and I may think you wouldn't tell when first introducing yourself to someone~but it makes life interesting for sure~ Oh the stories I could retell you.  BACK TO THE FACIAL~  Met the nice red head with gorgeous skin, that would soon give me a slight panick attack.  So I imagined I would have that same glowing skin when I left my lonely new friend behind the counter.  Ha!  Was I wrong.  Having overcome my brief bout of claustrophobia for a period of time let's say '01-03? I was brought back to a supremely claustrophobic hell during the facial.  Allow me.. they sit you in a zero gravity chair, nice.  They put something (like a cucumber, but not) on your eyes, then a nice little wash here and there.  A shoulder massage, and then....a HOT towel wrapped around your face. I was thinking, ok, I can handle it, if I need to get out I can. (I know that sounds dumb to those of you that have never felt claustrophobic, believe me, you've gotta have an escape plan at times) THEN, since I can't see, I'm imagining what the contraption must look like that she's wheeled over to put DIRECTLY infront of my nose and mouth and it was clearly a humidifier!  So, HOT towel, HOT humidifier, ONLY air I can breathe, no cool fresh air to breathe in, so stressful facial for sure.  I would lean my head to one side, then to the other, just to get a quick breath, again, feeling like the female version of Larry David...yet another day to add to my sitcom of life.  Finally, I was unwrapped, and won't talk about what they do to your NOSE! Who knew!?  She lightly massaged my scalp, then I leave.  Thank God I dind't do the chemical peel I'd probably be recovering at Kennestone Hospital from the stress & pain now.  Live and learn and do your OWN facials from now on, Becky.  Thanks pretty red head girl and friend-less reunion boy behind the counter, I'm outta here.  (Not without spending $45 on my home kit for facials though. Sucker!

 

Feel a little sorry for them:) My kids are GREAT, paperwork is a killer. So is planning

25 homeroom kids x's 9 sheets they need to return 2nd day=not much of a life, today! *note the glass in the background:)  PS~Congrats dad on 30+ years of work, today being your last day~forever!? Hope you are planning a fun retirement.  Know it's got to be rewarding.