Another day at the races

We were at the horse track again today! It was the last day for the horse racing season here in Lexington. The track is only open in May and October for live horse racing; they simulcast the racing the rest of the year. None of us did well enough to brag, so we won't. :)

I made blueberry muffins for breakfast...mmm, they were like eating birthday cake. Lunch: was McD's, and dinner we finally got into Old Chicago Pizzeria here in town. It opened about 3 months ago, but they always have a 45 min. to 1 hour wait time. The experience was okay, but none of us thought it was worthy of the long wait. I personally didn't really like the crust. However the warm artichoke dip appetizer was really tasty. They served it with a really nice garlic toast, and fresh vegetables.

After hours (JMS in bed and hubby watching football), I was able to do a little shopping. I got a cool spider web table runner with matching place mats on clearance, and the napkin rings that are skeleton bones. It looks really cool in my formal dining room. Did I mention that I got four pumpkins (decent size) and 2 large mums for 13 dollars on Thursday? I was telling my mom about this deal today and the more I talked the more I realized that it was a super good deal. I don't think the guy charging me knew how to do math.

If you haven't read my friend Kim's blog lately....she has links to Dunkin Donuts coupons and Starbucks coupons. You rock!

Jailhouse Rock

Trying to snarl...love the sideburns attached to the glasses.
New age Elvis...on his cell phone.

So he got props for his outfit, but not his dancing. :)

Horse Breeding

JMS and I went to Three Chimney's Farm today with a group from my work. We got to see some of the greatest race horses and where they breed. Big Brown will be retiring to this farm in the very near future. We also learned all of the details of how to breed a thorough bred horse. They are not artificially inseminated folks! They have to do the deed or they are disqualified as a thorough bred. Each of the stallions mounts at least 110 mares a year, and the breeding season is only 6 months long (Feb - Sep). Don't worry...std's...each mare is carefully screened so that no one is contracting anything but a baby foal out of the deal.

Then, we went to Keeneland and watched 3 of the 9 races. Mommy made a little money, and then we came home.

At work...on Tuesday, I was on the look out for: humidifiers, wall light switch plates, pet steps, hannah montana costumes, pet costumes in size XL, iDogs, and camera battery chargers.

Update on the hubby, he wore an elvis costume to work today for the disco danceathon. Pictures coming soon!

The answers please...

1) Condoleeza Rice

2) Gordon Brown

3) Democrats



Are you smarter than 82% of Americans?

It's official!

I actually have three people who have admit to reading my blog! Thank you Emily for being the most recent person to recognize their guilty pleasure. This is the first step to recovery!

On with the good commentary for the day: So, I haven't posted recently what customers are shopping for. Yesterday it was an air horn and face paints that we were in search of; today, it was hearing aid batteries, hand soap, and coffee flavored candies, but they couldn't be hard candy like Werther's...that would have been too easy. Oh, and why do people always assume the bathrooms are in the rear of the store. When they get back there and don't find them, then they ask, "where are your restrooms?" "Duh, everywhere you haven't checked...like in the front of the store." (so I wish I could say)

Also, here are updated photos of the family:

Dad looking like he just spent the day with JMS...b/c he did! Thank you.
JMS giving out good-bye kisses.
Melmo slippers...
JMS got to play in the rain a few days ago...he loved that the water kept coming out of the gutter spout.
Who me? Yes you!

And the last photo..."when you have a problem...think think think." (According to Darby on the Disney show Tigger and Friends.) Please disregard my Saturday morning look. :)

Oh, had a few more things to share. 1) Who is the secretary of state in the US? 2) Who is the Prime Minister of GB? 3) Which party currently controls the House? Don't look these up...answer them quietly to yourself. I will post the answer tomorrow. These were asked on National Radio shows this week and only 18% of American's got all three correct.

Last thought from me at 1:44am (I closed the store tonight), I PASSED MY FOOD SAFETY CERTIFICATION COURSE with a 98%!!!! Go me.

Response I got from Marshall's Customer Service

Thank you for contacting Marshalls regarding your recent experience in our Lexington, KY store.Customer courtesy and convenience is very important to us, and we apologize for your unfortunate experience and delay. Providing customers with quality service in a clean and organized atmosphere is very important to us also, and we apologize if the store was not up to our standards of cleanliness. Please be assured that we have discussed your comments and concerns with Store Management for their review and attention.Again, thank you for taking the time to e-mail us about this situation. If we can be of any further assistance, simply e-mail us back or contact our Customer Service Department at 1-888-627-7425. You are a valued Marshalls customer, and we look forward to better serving you in the future.

Sincerely,Rhonda
Marshalls Customer Service
Customer Service Hours of operation are Monday through Friday 9 AM to 6 PM, EST.

Stress and Prayers

Thank you everyone who prayed for me through the past week. Interviews were awful; I got feedback that I was nervous to their distraction (ok, so rigid military style isn't going to work). I wasn't exactly nervous, I was just sitting straight, slightly forward with my hands in my lap. I wasn't sweaty, red faced, jittery, stuttering....what I would consider nervous. I answered the questions in the format they wanted, but I guess I "didn't show any personality." So...my husband says, "don't they know that stressed out, cannot relax, no emotions, all business...is your personality." Geez.

Please leave suggestions on my blog for how I can "show more personality" in an interview. I'll give it a shot. Oh, and smiling...is not a good suggestion b/c I'm already doing that.

Overall, I was recommended to go forward through the next round. So, your suggestions will be taken seriously.