What I'm Loving Wednesday Tired Style

I'm loving that harvest has started in my neck of the woods! It's still early in the season, but I did catch Dad unloading the last of the corn in his first field last week.

Unfortunately, the crop has been affected by the drought that many of us experienced this summer so harvest will probably be much quicker this year. However, we are thankful that there IS a crop out there. Many farmers can't say the same this year.

I'm loving that I have the next four days off of work! I have a silly habit of hoarding my vacation time until the end of the year (our year end is 9/30) and then having to take several days off so as not to lose them. Luckily, I work for corn & soybean farmers and they are a bit busy right now (see above) so our office slows down a bit this time of year.

I'm loving that I spent my first day of vacation with my two nieces and one nephew as a stand-in babysitter. We built a cool sheet tent behind my big red couch. Why? Because my nephew asked me to.

We had a good time, even with my youngest niece deciding to "paint" herself with her own poo (sorry for the oversharing but I had to) during her afternoon nap.

I'm loving that my baby sister asked me what I got done today. I told her that I watched a 19-month-old, 23-month-old and a 4-year-old. That's what I got done today! That and some browsing on Pinterest...

I'm loving that Starbucks has decided to load their free drink rewards coupon (that will come after 12 drinks, not 15) right to my card instead of sending me a postcard. I swear that I don't always get them!

However, I'm quite sad that they are taking away the free syrups. I may have to start re-considering my signature drink OR try to re-create it at home like I did this morning...

I'm loving that I spent last Friday night with a handful of ladies - both farm gals and not - touring some wonderful farms in Johnson County, Indiana - including Keegan Poe's farm in Franklin. He talked to us about how he raises his cattle, how he sells freezer beef, pork & lamb direct to consumers, and we visited the pasture to meet his herd, including this gal (or fellow, I'm not sure).

We finished the farm tours at Mallow Run Winery in Bargersville and learned that unlike the corn and soybeans, Indiana wine grapes endured and even flourished in this summer's drought. After the tour of the vineyards and the wine-making barn (not sure what to call it), we even got to taste! Yum.

I may or may not have taken 4 bottles (the box fits 4 bottles!) home with me and wishing I bought a couple others.

I'm loving linking up to What I'm Loving Wednesday over at this kind of love.

Wednesday Loves September Style

I'm loving that my Sweet Autumn Clematis is blooming like CRAZY this week. So pretty.

I'm loving that it is already Wednesday and the weekend is just around the corner. Oh the possibilities.

I'm loving that I got a $10 Starbucks card for $5 with this Living Social deal. It's like getting a free drink! And yes, I spend $5 on a drink and I'm OK with that. (I think it's good until midnight tonight!)

I'm loving the Purdue has its own Pinterest account and that I found this on it.

Source: keepcalm-o-matic.co.uk via Megan on Pinterest

I'm loving this title - Because writing is easier than quitting - from DesignHER Momma. I read it. I nodded my head at some of her words. I blinked back tears at others. I understood where she was coming from. This post is why I love being part of this online community.

I'm loving that I had some time to spend with my nieces at my parents' farm. We actually stopped and smelled the flowers.

Linking up to What I'm Loving Wednesday over at this kind of love.

Random Friday Confessions

I confess that I left my purse at home this morning and my ONLY thought was "How am I going to get my Starbucks?"

Thank goodness for my Starbucks App on my iPhone.

I confess that I turned around and went back to Starbucks this morning because I swear they gave me black coffee topped with whipped cream. What is up with that? When I pay THAT much for a cup of fancy coffee (if you can call it coffee with all the extra stuff in it), I want what I ordered. 

I confess that I judged a few people at my church festival tonight...so NOT the place to be judgmental, huh? But, I am sorry...it was just too easy.

I confess that for some reason it takes me DAYS to put away the Jenga game after my nephews come to my house. I swear every other toy is back in the toy closet (yes, I have a toy closet but no children) right after they leave but I leave Jenga in the middle of the floor for days.

Is it a game OR an art piece? 

I confess that I am very excited each Friday when I reach into my mailbox and pull out US Weekly! Gotta love 30 minutes of mindless entertainment. I don't think I have ever read an actual article from start to finish in the magazine but I do love the photos!

Linking up to Friday Confessional over at A Blonde Ambition this week.

Rediscovering Richie

It's Friday!

It's Quattro de Mayo. We celebrated the Cinco a day early! Thinking about celebrating again tomorrow.

It's time for another Confessional Friday! It's been a while since I've participated. So let's get started.

1. Have you listened to Lionel Richie's new album - Tuskegee - featuring duets with country musicians? I really liked it and was super-excited that he included Dancing on the Ceiling and Say You, Say Me. Brought back some memories.

2.  I'm two weeks into trying not to repeat outfits at work. I have SO many clothes in my closet but I tend to rotate the same 6-7 outfits or variations of the same outfits over and over again. I'm kind of enjoying digging through my closet and choosing items I haven't worn in a while. Best thing is, if I don't like how something looks or fits, it goes right into the donate pile.


3.  Found another use for my handy dandy tube squeezer (like this one) other than on the toothpaste tube. It works great to get the last of the moisturizer out of the tube. In the past, I've cut it open at the top but it's messy and annoying.

4.  I've always wanted to go to the Kentucky Derby - not for the race but for the hats and the mint jelups! I am not a hat wearer but I totally would break one out if I got the chance to go to the race and show it off.  Have you ever been to the Derby?

5.  I am super-excited for Frappuccino Happy Hour and was a little disappointed that I missed it today. However, I was drinking a margarita at the time, so my disappointment didn't last long. Totally going to try one of the new Mocha Cookie Crumble variety. Yummy.

Head over to A Blonde Ambition for more Confessional Friday posts!

NOTE: The links to products are affiliate links, like usual. The links to A Blonde Ambition are simply because I love her blog!

Drinking in the Office

I usually limit my coffee consumption to one cup from Starbucks on my way into the office.

However, I found this mug at Hallmark over the weekend and it was meant to be mine at the office...

My coworkers will immediately understand why it's mine...I've been known to start spinning in my chair when meetings get a little long.

Have a great Tuesday!

My Ode to Coke Zero

I don't think I've kept my love of Coke Zero a secret on this blog OR in real life.

I just heart my Coke Zero.

Source: images.google.com via Margi on Pinterest

A long time ago, I told myself - and anyone else who would listen that I'd rather give up soda than switch to Diet.

Then Coke Zero came along and changed my mind. It tastes just enough like Coke to fool me into thinking that I'm still drinking the regular stuff!

I know which restaurants and gas stations have fountain Coke Zero...there's nothing like a fountain soda, huh?

Did you know that Chick-fil-A and Chili's and Ruby Tuesday's all have Coke Zero? There's even a local restaurant near Cincinnati, Ohio that carries it but no one but me orders it (it was a bit flat)!

I even know when the McDonald's along I-65 in northern Indiana start offering Coke Zero...I know, it's an addiction.

Now the Steak 'n Shake right down the road from my work is my favorite haunt for a Coke Zero at lunch or on the way home (especially if it's Half Price Happy Hour). Nothing better than a cold Coke Zero on the long drive home.

Imagine my surprise earlier this week when I rolled up to the drive-thru and was told that they do NOT carry Coke Zero. I informed him that it was on the menu and I ordered one just last week but he was adamant.  Well, not so much adamant as blatantly unconcerned with my panicked voice.

This may just curb my stops at Steak 'n Shake, just sayin.

Starbucks better NEVER stop carrying peppermint syrup...not sure I could do without my Peppermint Mochas in the morning!

Random Friday Thoughts

It's Friday.

Did you hear me?

It's FRIDAY!!

That's better. Even though I was only in the office two days this week because of a meeting at my Alma Mater (Go Boilers!) and the Great Icestorm of 2011, it's been a long week! Top it all off with a work event tomorrow, and I'm ready to wave the white flag.

So I'm going to be a little lazy on here today. Please forgive me.

Here are just a few thoughts I have had over the last week...

1.  I can no longer kid myself that I can pass for a college co-ed. While on campus on Monday, the signs were clear. As more than a decade (gosh, that sounds like forever) has passed since I got my college diploma, I am woefully out of touch with the college set from fashion to vocabulary. A co-worker did an unscientific study and declared 7 out of 11 co-eds were wearing Uggs (in their defense it was FREEZING). I also saw WAY too many sock hats in the shape of monkeys, bears and even raccoons!

2.  I love living in a community where they take care of snow/ice removal! I know I pay for it monthly, but after hearing about how many people fell this past week while trying to remove the inches of ice from their driveways, cars and sidewalks I'll gladly hand over my HOA fees!

3.  Along that line, I am grateful for my garage! Here's one of my favorite Tweets from the Great Icestorm of 2011...

SpaldoBusiness: Looks like the #Indy AM commute was icy but back to full swing. You also can tell the haves (garages) from the have nots.

4.  Sticking with the winter weather theme, isn't she adorable?

My baby sister posted the photo on her blog Frugalista Farm Life.

5.  While iced in at home this week, I realized that I need a couple of overnight work trips soon because I'm almost out of coffee! What? You don't take the coffee packs from the hotel room to use at home? I don't believe you! They are perfect for a single gal wanting to brew up a cup or two!

6. You never realize how nice it is for the gals at the Starbucks drive-thru to recognize you until those said gals are not there and you get the wrong drink! Boy, I hope Pam is back on Monday.

Off to get some work done! Happy Friday all.

Note to Self: No More Coffee After 4 p.m.

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Random Thoughts from Gal in the Middle

I saw a couple of things yesterday that made me smile. Well, the first made me shake my head in disbelief (and mild disgust, if I am being completely honest) and the other one made me chuckle.

First, I had a meeting in Broad Ripple - which is a part of Indy that is a bit artsy, with lots of restaurants and bars. Basically it's a hang out place for those people MUCH cooler than I am. After the meeting, my coworker and I headed to Starbucks to debrief and grab my afternoon frou-frou coffee drink (I LOVE the treat receipt).

I happened to glance out the window and what did I see (sorry for the quality, all I had was the camera on my phone)...

Did you just do a double take? I did too. Here's a closer look...

Yes, that's a dog wearing sunglasses. Not only is it wearing sunglasses, the sunglasses are securely placed on its head with what looks to be specially designed headgear.

It blows my mind that we are at a place and time in this country where people are spending who knows what on sunglasses for their DOGS. Yikes.

The second sight I want to tell you about made me chuckle - out loud, by myself, in middle of a store.

I stopped by my local Walgreens for my weekly bargain shopping trip and these caught my eye. After my pirate post yesterday, I seem to have pirates on the brain.

Who knew a pirate's booty is really potato chips? Can you imagine the surprise of a rival pirate when he opens up the treasure chest and instead of jewels and doubloons he finds potato chips?

"ARRRRRGH, ARRRRRRRRRRRE ye serious?" At least, that's what I think he'd say!

I think I may need to get out more. Maybe I'll head to Broad Ripple. I bet someone there would enjoy my pirate jokes.