Fish out of water

My adorable and fantastic grandpa is in town from Tennessee and of course insists on hitting up all of his favorite local spots. He has already checked out a few antique stores as well as making his daily (often thrice daily) trip to Lowe's. Today, we made the long haul down to South Omaha to delight in the neighborhood fare. In these parts, fried carp is the favorite. Yep, that's what I said, fried carp! Joe Tess is a landmark spot in Omaha known for its seafood and especially the fried carp. Just last year, the place was featured on the Food Network's "Diners, Drive-ins and Dives"! So any place that Guy Fieri thinks the world of, you know I want to try! Now, I am no dainty lady, but I do fancy light cuisine and let me tell ya, fried carp from Joe Tess Place is not light cuisine. Because of my skeptical nature, I decided to go with a cup of Fisherman's Chowder (safe route) and only a one-piece meal of the "famous fish" ie the carp. Grandpa was so dang excited that I was trying it, I just couldn't let on that a nice piece of grilled salmon would have whet my palate slightly more. After adding a healthy dose of hot sauce and carefully choosing the meat portions of the interesting looking meal in front of me it wasn't half bad! I enjoyed the chowder immensely and would have downed a couple more glasses of their fresh brewed iced tea!

No, I will most likely not be becoming a regular of Joe Tess Place, I do feel a little sassier for growing some fins and trying the famous fish.

Miss Madeline

This past weekend I ventured to Lincoln on a quest to meet up with one of my most fun and sassiest of sassy friends, Michaela, who was visiting from Phoenix. In preparation, we informed the bars she was in town so that they were fully stocked with their finest Jack Daniels Whiskey, her personal favorite. We had an exciting night romping all around O Street and enjoyed a fantastic bowl of chili for lunch the next day at Bread & Cup before witnessing a horrendous effort (if you can call it that) by our dear Huskers.

After a perfect Saturday night filled with "Say Yes to the Dress" and girl time with Maria I headed home to Columbus for some down time with the rents. I had some relaxing time with them but once Monday morning rolled around I had a busy day ahead. I was spending the morning with Miss Madeline herself. Madeline lives right down the street from me and is a fashionista extraordinaire. She has the best fashion sense and fabulous accessories to boot! While lounging together we made our Christmas lists, played tic tac toe with some sassy pumpkin and spider confetti and braided our hair in matching side braids. We were both very sought after that day, of course, so we went to Madeline's school, Lost Creek elementary(where I also went) to visit my mom in the library. The ladies were quite enthralled with Madeline's necklace and top with sparklies on it. B-E-A-utiful! With her killer plaid ballet flats, dark wash jean capris, pink 3/4 length top with sparklies, necklace and side braid she sure was the cat's meow. I am just waiting to see what she comes up with in 10 years.....watch out world!

Ripped

I have joined a gym. It is the best decision I have made for my mental and physical well being in a long time. It is like a glorious palace where I can sit in a mint eucalyptus steam room after a run on the treadmill or a fitness class hell bent on making my entire body feel like jelly. I have always enjoyed being physically active whether it was dance, soccer, biking or hiking; but in the coming winter months when it gets dark at 6 pm and I find myself wanting to sit on my couch and watch a movie I have a new haven to seek out. My gym.

I am planning on turning into a super buff lady with a horseshoe on her bicep (Mel and Liz always talked about this, I never could see it) and calves that you could cut glass on. Ok, ok, so don't worry I'm not going to start drinking protein shakes and steroid supplements, but I do see a rock solid tummy in my future.

Take for example this sassy lady: so I worked out this morning; some treadmill time before hitting the weights and stretching. I head to the locker room to sit in the intoxicating steam room and catch a quick shower. As I am drying my hair two women walk into my locker section. Both in their 30s to 40s and cordial. I don't take too much notice until one of them removes the towel from her vein-popping arms. W.O.W. This is a woman you would definitely not want to meet in a dark alley. It looked like she was hiding cantaloups in her biceps and metal plates in her stomach. After eavesdropping slightly, I found out that she is a triathlete of sorts and trains like a maniac. Oh yeah, and she's the mother of 3. After she rinses off and stands buck naked for a while applying lotion, she throws on some jeans belonging on a teenager and a colorful ringer tee I think I saw in the juniors department at Dillards; she threw her bag over her shoulder and sauntered out without a second glance. What a Sassafrass.