Last weekend found my BWB partner and me attending the Mystery Writers of America Convention at the Intercontinental Hotel in Rosemont. It was an impulsive and rather bold move on our part. As budding authors (currently collaborating on a murder mystery with a unique angle), we aspire to hobnob with established authors. My husband was actually the one who saw the newspaper article about the convention, and before we knew it, we were sitting in on some pretty cool lectures. I won’t go into the details of our admission into the convention because it may get us into a bit of trouble with the MWA honchos. But, we got in and that’s really all that matters. Subject closed, so let it go already. Continue reading
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I Know What You Did Last Sunday
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The Partial Daisy
How hard is too hard to push your kids? Where is the line between letting them just be kids and insisting they be involved in activities? When our oldest son, Mike, was young, we thought it was very important for him to participate in sports. It seemed only natural to sign him up for baseball and soccer every summer, spring and fall. As he grew older, he added basketball to his list. At the same time, my husband and I wanted him to learn piano and drums and play in the school band, so that was just more to add to the calendar. Of course, he also took swimming lessons every summer and attended tennis camps, as well as scouting. He was going to be a well-rounded kid if it killed us.
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One Of Us…One Of Us…
ATT U-Verse is going to be the end of me. I’m getting the word out now that if I’m found, unresponsive anywhere near the vicinity of my computer, check my pulse, because it’s very possible that U-Verse has killed me. Or caused me to kill myself. Either way, someone contact a lawyer to begin proceedings against the internet component of this bundle. In all fairness, I have no complaint with the cable or home phone service they provide. In fact, I’ll come right out and say that those parts of the package are doing an absolutely fine job. It’s the elusive internet connection that is bringing me to the brink. In fact, as I write this, my computer is telling me that there is no connectivity. I’ve been dumb enough to believe it, but then, on a lark, I ignored the warning and dared to type in a web address, and….what do you know? I’m online! EVEN THOUGH IS STILL SAYS THAT THERE IS NO INTERNET CONNECTION. Scary, right?
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Truth Now: Is A Sparkly Tiara Too Much?
Help! I need some guidance in Mother-of-the Groom protocol and etiquette! My son and his fiance have set a September wedding date and have been working tirelessly to successfully plan and secure many of the necessary arrangements thus far. I know, even when I planned my wedding twenty-six plus years ago, there were certain things that needed to be tended to immediately. Most notably, the church and the hall. Of course, there really wasn’t much more than that. My dad, who was a Chicago Police Sergeant, knew another copper who dabbled in the bakery business, so the cake was a no-brainer. He also knew another colleague who was an amateur videographer on the side, so that was wrapped up neatly. My brother-in-law’s father managed a country club, and, voila, we had a hall! And, I bought my dress off-the-rack for one hundred twenty-five dollars Everything was so simple then.
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Coffee, Tea, or Salmonella?
Okay, so I was just going through my pantry in search of some inspiration for dinner in a desperate attempt to find a can of something – anything – that would scream “Make this – it will be DELICIOUS and your family will love you for a few more hours until their next feeding”. I know that probably seems like a lot to ask from a can of green beans or chicken broth, but those of you who are the go-to guys for meals know what I’m talking about. Anyway, as I reached deep, deep into the abyss of the cabinet, I grabbed something I was sure would be a treasure. Something that far back just had to hold promise, I hoped. It turned out to be a can of refried beans which had expired long ago. After an “Eeewww”, I thought, “Hmmm….I wonder if that was the only thing back there past its prime.” Reaching again, I pulled out a can of olives and searched for the elusive date. Interesting…another expired can. Beginning to feel like the people featured on “Hoarders”, who always insist that food well past the stamped deadline is good and DON’T even think about throwing it out because I, I mean they, might want to eat it someday, (not that “Hoarders” is in my auto DVR list or anything), I was suddenly on a mission to rid my pantry from the evils of salmonella, e-coli, trichinosis, tapeworm, Ebola, and every other possible scourge. And, guess what? My pantry is now a whole lot cleaner. In an earlier blog, I spoke of my New Years Resolution to clear clutter from every cabinet, drawer and closet this year. I can scratch this one off the list. And that really feels good. Now, what to make for dinner…
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A New Year, A Fresh Start
For those of you who are regulars to this site, you know that my friend, Marge, is my workout buddy. You would also know that our unquestionable commitment to exercise would surely be viewed as very questionable by fitness purists. Our workout regimen is something that is too convieniently resecheduled when unexpected things pop up in our week, such as working late, doctor’s appointments, hair appointments, no gas in the car, or inclement weather – too cold, hot, wet, or windy, to name just a few. Over the holidays, we found it necessary to cancel, I think, every planned get-together. That’s how we refer to working out – getting together, or meeting. It just sounds so much more inviting than, “Hey, wanna work our muscles til they scream and become embarrassingly sweaty in front of a bunch of fit, smug people?”
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In Heaven There Is No Beer
So, was it really asking too much for the Hawkeyes to at least look respectable at the Insight Bowl played in Tempe, AZ? I mean, going in, we all knew it was going to be a tough game for Iowa. Their regular season was pretty dismal and then to be matched up with Oklahoma in a bowl game was guaranteed to end in a blowout, but, gee whiz, it really stinks to be on the losing side.
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Desperately Seeking Don: My Skunk Stripe Is Back!!
I have not had “good hair” since high school and I am not going say how long ago that was! Throughout my adult life, I have been a professional salon hopper…..I don’t consider myself that picky especially when it comes to my hair, but I just could never find the right mix….a mix of someone who could work wonders with my frizz mop and not expect too much conversation while I sat there for two or more hours through the whole cut and color ordeal….also, when I am paying mega bucks at a salon it is because I am assuming my stylist is the professional and can tell me what would look good and what is a “miss”….I have found that most are too noncommittal and default back to “what do you have in mind?”. It doesn’t matter what I have in mind or if I like Jennifer Aniston’s new do…what matters is what is going to look good on me….well, did I ever meet my match!!!
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It’s Beginning To Smell A Lot Like Christmas
With Christmas approaching, Box Wine Budget would like to offer a gift that will be sure to bring a smile and sigh of relief to all of you who are planning on hosting family and friends. It is a product we accidentally stumbled upon and immediately recognized an unmet need.
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Mother, Please Don’t Quote With A Martini In Your Hand
As I was watching one of my absolute, all-time favorite television shows the other night, I started thinking about something we, here at Box Wine, have said for years: that we pretty much use our favorite TV shows and movies as a gauge to determine with whom we can and cannot be friends.
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Life on a Box Wine Budget 