An Update on...

...updates!

For those of you who are as addicted to the simplicity and speed of RSS feeds as I am, my only complaint is that some don't pick up updated posts! What a shame.

So if that's your situation, here's your fix!

Todays updates to past posts include:

All I Want is a Good Moisturizer...

If Koka Booth in Cary Isn't Your Thing...Enjoy!

The Back Home Box Foundation

Those who know me know that support for our troops is something I always keep close to my heart and mind and I was VERY glad to meet these folks and find out a little about their organization during the Wolfpack's spring Red & White game a while back.

The Back Home Box Foundation's goal "is to give our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan the pleasure of opening a big 'ol box full of things they miss." They encourage those interested to "read the e-mails on our web-site and we think you will want to help".

Check them out online at http://www.backhomebox.com/ or at 13200 Strickland Road, Suite 114/286, Raleigh, NC 27613.

Crawfish Day at the State Farmers Market

Who's up for a Louisiana Crawfish boil?

Picked up a flyer at the Farmers Market Restaurant while there for breakfast on Sunday:
State Farmers Market Crawfish Day

Saturday, June 7, 2008
From 10:00am until sellout!

$5.00/lb. live
$6.00/lb. cooked
*% lb. min. for live
*1 lb. min. for cooked
*40 lb. limit per person

No pre-orders!

For more info, call 919-733-7417 or 252-331-4773

Hosted by: NC Crawfish Grower's Association & NC Dept. of Agriculture & Consumer Services, Steve Troxler, CommissionerAnd here's a nice little site with cooking directions, recipes, etc.: Crawfish Boil New Orleans, Louisiana Style Crawfish.

(Clearly, the image above is not related to this event, but I thought it was party-inspiring nonetheless!)

I Would Really Appreciate Your Support!

This year, I'm racing for everyone I know and love whose lives have been touched by cancer - especially my Aunt Pat who is currently kicking breast cancer's butt!

It will break your heart to try and count the number of amazing people we've lost due to cancer but, the worst part is - while treatment is getting better every day - there is still no cure.

Join me in the fight against breast cancer until we've found a cure!

Thank you for your support!

All I Want is a Good Moisturizer...

... that isn't tested on puppies. Is that too much for a girl to ask?

I went to Target tonight in search one one thing: a new facial moisturizer. (I'm not saying the Mary Kay tinted moisturizer I've been using this week is the cause of this horrible texture on my right cheek and forehead that only I can tell a difference in, but I figured I'd try a new moisturizer in a sort trial-and-error and thanks to Dr. Mom's advice.)

Here are my requirements:

• oil-free (non-comedogenic)
• light, not too heavy
• sunscreen included is a plus, but not a deal-breaker if it's missing
• not tested on animals
• not too expensive (nothing over the $15 range)

Utter. Shopping. Failure. (Tear.)

So I'm googling... but while I'm at it... does anyone use one they'd suggest that meets my simple requirements?

(For the record, I did find some "choices" that were clearly marked as organic -another plus- and very much so not tested on animals, but upon inspecting the ingredients... were full of oils. Natural and good for you, I'm sure, but my skin will blemish up with any added oils. No thank you.)

May 22, 2008 Update: After doing some research and talking shop with some of the girls... here is an update on some of my skin-care findings. (Click to the comments to read the updates!)

June 12, 2008 Update: I have a "thing" about graphic layout on webpages... so since I'm getting lots of great feedback about this article, I'm going to include any new info in the comments so this post doesn't get too long!

State Fair Adding An Extra Day!!!

Yay!! Looks like we're getting an extra evening of deliciously-not-good-for-you food, rides, and fireworks, according to today's TBJ article, State Fair to Open a Day Early:

The State Fair will open a day earlier than scheduled this year for a Thursday "preview," organizers say.

The fair, originally scheduled to open Oct. 17, will instead open its doors to the public at 3 p.m. Oct. 16.

"Last year, the State Fair set records for daily and total attendance, with more than 858,000 people coming out to have fun," Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler said in a statement. "Adding a day gives visitors even more time to have a great time learning about agriculture and experiencing the exhibits, rides, games and food."

The Agriculture Department says it's the first time in 22 years that state officials have added days to the fair.

Admission to the fair Oct. 16 will be $5 for adults and $1 for children ages 6 to 12, with seniors and kids under 6 getting in for free. That compares to a regular $7 admission charge, though it's expected that only 85 percent of the fair's midway rides will be operational in time for the early start.

Organizers say concession stands, exhibit halls and grounds entertainment will be ready by Oct. 16.

The fair will run until Oct. 26 at the State Fairgrounds in Raleigh.

Act Now to Protect Boating

This came across my desk this morning from the National Marine Manufacturers Association, NC Marine Tradewinds, and BoatBlue.org.

I don't know a single person who grew up around here without enjoying recreational boating at some point in their life. It is one of my favorite memories, and something I look forward to doing as much as possible even now as an adult. I mean hey - it's the family business.

Please take 5 minutes to write a quick letter in support of this legislation which will impact all recreational boaters!

There is a LOT of information on the homepage of BoatBlue.org that will allow you to educate yourself and give you the information you need to make up your mind about this bi-partisan issue.

Here is a excerpt from a press release available on BoatBlue.org:

The issue of new federal permits stems from a September 2006 U.S. District Court ruling that ordered the EPA to regulate ballast water discharges, and mandated a deadline of September 2008 to put it in place. Although the litigation was aimed at ocean-going vessels, the court’s ruling struck down an exemption instituted in 1973 that applied to the incidental discharges from all vessels, including recreational boats. Large ocean-going ships use ballast water for stability and routinely discharge that water, introducing pollutants and invasive species in U.S. waters in the process.

“Unfortunately, the court’s decision to overturn the entire exemption unintentionally tossed recreational boats into the same category as commercial ships,” said Thom Dammrich, president of the NMMA. “While minimizing the exchange of ballast water from one international port to another is very important in reducing the spread of aquatic invasive species, it is equally important not to sweep small recreational boats into the same regulatory scheme. It was clearly never the intention of the law, or the EPA, to treat your everyday boater the same as these large ocean-going ships, and doing so would have a devastating effect on recreational boating in America.”

“Without legislative relief soon, everyday boaters would be required by federal law to apply for the same expensive permits as ocean-going commercial vessels and land-based industrial facilities,” Gudes said. “We are pleased that Senators Boxer and Nelson recognize the economic, social and cultural significance of the recreational marine industry and recreational boating and are moving to enact this crucial piece of legislation.”

“NMMA has been working with a broad coalition of stakeholders, including BoatU.S., to resolve this problem in advance of the permitting deadline,” Gudes added. “And it’s important to note that we are heavily indebted to the strong bipartisan efforts over the last year to provide relief for recreational boaters and anglers, including the leadership of Sen. Mel Martinez (R-Fla.), Representatives Gene Taylor (D-Miss.) and Candice Miller (R-Mich.), who have also introduced legislation to address this matter. Congress must now enact this legislation before the clock runs out on America’s recreational boaters."

I'm Fairly Impressed!

I don't even want to go into all of the issues that I (along with thousands of other ticket holders) have experienced in the past when dealing with Walnut Creek and Ticketmaster, but an email I received this morning (actually got past my spam filters, too!) makes me regard Live Nation much higher than the former Ticketmaster:

Dear Live Nation Tickets Customer,

Time Warner Cable Music Pavilion at Walnut Creek - Raleigh, NC has just informed us that the show time for Tim McGraw on May 17, 2008 has changed to 7:30pm.

If you have any questions, please contact Customer Support at 1-800-431-3462 Monday-Saturday 10am-5pm EDT, or email us at ticketsupport@livenation.com.

Regards,
Live Nation Tickets Customer SupportVery well done guys. I like it.

If Koka Booth in Cary Isn't Your Thing...

...(or - if you're like Ashton - and haven't moved your car from your downtown condo's parking deck in ages) then outdoor movies at Moore Square might just suit your fancy!

Here's the Downtown Raleigh alternative to my post on Movies by Moonlight at Koka Booth this summer in Cary. And hey - it works out perfectly that they're on different nights! If you're a movie fan like me, you can do both! Thanks for the scoop (as always) Ashton!

Location: Moore Square

Date: Saturday May 24th, 2008
Time: Dusk (around 8:30 pm) every other Saturday

Movies in the Park will kick off Saturday at dusk with "Harry Potter: Order of the Phoenix". Bring your lawn chairs, picnic baskets, popcorn, and blankets (no alcohol please).

This event is FREE.

Movie Schedule
Saturday, May 24: "Harry Potter: Order of the Phoenix"
Saturday, June 7: "Alvin and the Chipmunks"
Saturday, June 21: "Shrek the Third"Saturday, July 5: "Close Encounters"
Saturday, July 19: "Charlie Wilson's War"Saturday, August 2: "The Bourne Identity"
Saturday, August 16: "Bucket List"
Saturday, August 30: "Nims Island"Saturday, September 6: "Transformers"May 22, 2008 Update: Thanks to my daily update from Ashton for keeping us in the loop - apparently the movie series will not start as slated this weekend and will kick-off its series with Alvin & the Chipmunks on Saturday, June 7th instead. A little bumming, but I can wait for a good thing.

Talk Southern to Me: Antebellum Houses

As noted in my introduction to my new Talk Southern to Me series, the inspiration came from country music... notably, the up and coming group Lady Antebellum.

Check out the google image search for "antebellum" and see lots of beautiful pictures of actual antebellum homes and some inspired by such! Here are a few of my favorites (that link to their original home on the web):

And how about a little description? I sure do love wikipedia: "'Antebellum' is an expression derived from Latin that means 'before war' (ante, 'before,' and bellum, 'war'). In United States history and historiography, 'antebellum' is commonly used, in lieu of 'pre-Civil War,' in reference to the period of increasing sectionalism that led up to the American Civil War. In that sense, the Antebellum Period is often considered to have begun with the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854, though it is sometimes stipulated to extend back as early as 1812. The period after the Civil War is called the 'Postbellum,' or Reconstruction, era."... "The term antebellum is also used to describe the architecture of the pre-war South. Many Southern plantation houses use this style"There you have it!

Talk Southern to Me

After listening to an interview with Lady Antebellum (MySpace) on XM Radio (which I am SO addicted to... thank goodness my dad was able to fix my car receiver!), I realized there are some words that wander around southern speaking that may be a little out of the norm.

Lady A was talking about where the name for their band came from (I'm a BIG fan by the way) and they said they were traveling around and it in fact, came from traditional southern antebellum houses. I had an idea of what a "traditional antebellum" house looked like, but I decided to do a little digging nonetheless. The BF also wanted to know anyways.

So that right there is the inspiration to a new addition to my blog here: Talk Southern to Me!

If you have any suggestions on words that you think should be added to the vocabulary of my blog readers, let me know, and I'll include them!

If You Don't Have a Little Betty Crocker in You...

I have the most random "Betty Crocker" moments (as Adrianne lovingly refers to them) and they usually happen after 10pm. Go figure!

For those of you who don't, or who may too busy to channel your inner Betty, I'd like to introduce you to A Sweet Reminder. They deliver fresh baked cookies (which Adrianne - a former cookie industry professional - gave rave reviews to) around the local area with a super personal and friendly touch. Bonus points go to them for having a specific line of cookies where HALF of the profits from that product go to the Susan G. Komen fight against breast cancer.

As a subscriber to their email list, I thought I'd share a list from Chip (their mascot!) of why mom deserves "A Sweet Reminder":

Here are the ten reasons why our mascot Chip Cookie says you need to send A Sweet Reminder cookies to your Mother:

1) You ran with scissors that one time when you were told not to.

2) Because your Father will never send her cookies.

3) You blew it last year with the overpriced buffet at the Holiday Inn where your Mom almost chocked on a chicken bone.

4) You want to upstage your older sister who is knitting your mom ANOTHER piece of clothing.

5) You can’t make Sunday lunch because you are out of state and gas prices are too high.

6) Your Mom made you all those cookies growing up, now it’s time to return the favor.

7) You watched “Mommy Dearest” last night and you realized your Mom did not do such a bad job.

8) You have forgiven her the time she came to your high school to say “Hey!”

9) Keep her occupied so she won’t harass you with “Am I going to be a Grandma soon?”

10) She gave birth to you….’nuff said!I can personally vouch for how outstanding this business is, as I've sent a little surprise to Nick before, and it was totally a great experience!

SPCA Meet & Greet at Seaboard ACE Hardware

Yay! How cute! Here's the skinny from DowntownRaleigh.com:

Dog Meet'n'Greet at Seaboard ACE Hardware

Come out to meet some friendly, adoptable dogs from the SPCA. Check out our pet section of organic and innovative products for our animal friends. Any adoptions that day from the SPCA as a result of the event will get you a free bag of food and a special deal coupon good for pet products at Seaboard Ace Hardware.

Saturday, May 10th, 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM

I Am Not Even Kidding...

...This TOTALLY Just Happened.

This blows my mind: I got a call on my cell from a number not in my phone, random area code, so naturally... it went to voicemail.

Checked my voicemail and had a message from "Hi, I'm a volunteer for Senator Barack Obama and I am calling to see who you are voting for..." (this is where I deleted it).

So I call the number back to ask politely to be removed from their calling list (I mean dang! It IS my cell phone and I have NO idea how they got my number) and it turns out, it's the girl's personal cell phone!!

NOT EVEN KIDDING.

Anyone else had some crazy politics stuff happen like this today? Should I call her back and tell her to get a new hobby? Maybe volunteer to cure cancer instead? Save some puppies? Sheesh.

I mean, I'm all for encouraging folks to register and vote and whatnot, but all these Obama campaigners are really starting to annoy me with their "Register to Vote FOR OBAMA" crap.

Adrianne and I have discussed this - it's totally noble to encourage people to use their voice and cast their votes, but don't push your agenda on me!

*Insert angry growl here.*

(PS - While I do subscribe to some of the democratic party ideals, I still primarily consider myself a conservative republican anyways. Talk about not reaching the right people.)

Do This!

Don't lie, you SO have a mailbox (NOT your email inbox... give it a break) and even if you check it only once a week... make this coming Saturday the day you do so!

Postal Workers Take Food Drive Door to Door (thanks Ashton!)

Martha Quillen, Staff Writer

Postal workers will make it easier to support your local food bank next weekend by collecting donations as they make their appointed rounds.

Letter carriers will collect non-perishable food from mailboxes on Saturday, May 10, as part of the U.S. Postal Service's annual Stamp Out Hunger food drive. All food collected in the region will go to the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina, which makes it available to local organizations.

Representatives of the food bank, the postal service and the letter carriers associations announced the food drive this morning.

They said the items needed most include canned meats and vegetables, canned soup, peanut butter, rice, pasta, dried beans and cereal. They ask that people not donate items in glass jars or bottles.