Memorial Day 2012

WOW!!!!  I find it hard to believe that by gum it is Memorial  Day Weekend already again!... it has been such a busy winter and spring that it feels we just gathered to celebrate the Christmas holidays!  But here we are.... sun shining, temperatures in the 90's, pools open, BBQ grills firing up, the first of the Summer season fireworks being shot off, the smell of hotdogs, hamburgers fill the air!

I am beyond estactic in my happiness that the "Summer Season" has arrived! I prefer seeing folks about town in shorts and summer dresses rather than all bogged down in heavy coats and boots.  Everyone is everywhere these days!  People have emerged from their homes to spend as much outdoor time as possible... mowing their grass, planting flowers, cleaning up their yards in general and opening their pools, as well as walking, running, and just playing out of doors all day long.  School here in Kansas has officially ended for this year, graduations have taken place, and now the graduation parties and celebrations have begun.

Joe and I went to the pool yesterday with some of our friends... and I couldn't help but smile as I noticed all the new, bright and colorful swimsuits that were roaming around the pool deck.  Little girls, adolescent girls, and then teenage/young adult ladies all wearing their "new" swimsuits!  I also notice that some of the fellas were also sporting new swim trunks too.... but... it was the female population who were 'strutting' in their new suits!!  LOL  I was especially tickled to see one young lady who was wearing a bikini that looked like the American Flag... I might add... that she wore it quite well and was just too cute for words!  I love seeing the American pride and spirit on these holiday weekends!

But above all... more than the happiness of the "Summer Season" beginning, more than the glorious sunny hot days, more than the delicious charred meats that will be consumed this weekend, more than the gleeful sounds of splashing and playing poolside... it is the men and women in the service... past, present, and future that we honor this weekend!!!  THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!! to each and every serviceman/servicewoman and their families!!!!!  I think of each and everyone of you every time I see my American flag waving proudly and freely from my flag pole!!!  We honor you, we celebrate you, and we cherish you for your service in keeping America free!

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY to all!  Thank a serviceman/servicewoman in person, display your flags, and celebrate this wonderful FREE country we live in!

Lululemon = Lulu Lemon

Dear blog friends.... I have stumbled upon a new addiction.... and I just have to share it with all of you.
"lululemon" (pronounced Lulu Lemon) is an athletic apparel store... and the best word I can say to describe their merchandise is LUSCIOUS!!!!!!

"lululemon" makes the most incredible feeling clothing for all sorts of sports... running/jogging, pilates, yoga, gym workouts, swimming, hiking... etc.   Their clothing is made of the softest yummiest materials I have ever had on my body... I never want to take this clothing off!  I want to workout in it, wear it, and sleep it in!  "lululemon" apparel absorbs sweat from your body and has the wicking effect to keep you cool, it has silver threads in it to keep you free from sweaty odors as well.  It is just absolutely GENIUS what this company does with materials, style, and ease of movement and comfort when making their clothing line.

And then... the style and details in their clothing.... AMAZING!!  Not only do you feel good wearing this clothing, but you look good too.  There are secret pockets for storing keys, license/credit cards, tees, tennis balls, golf balls, etc... there are secret places to put an ipod with a flap that has a tiny hole to insert your earplugs through, so that when you are running/working out all is contained expect for the ear plugs.  There is special rubberized bands on the bottom of hems in their work out shorts to keep the shorts in place as you move about your activities.  There are attractively placed reflective strips for running at dusk/night/dawn.  All of their tops have flat seams to resist against chaffing.  Small style details as well as technology details make this clothing superb for any kind of sports/work out activity.  But above all the hot/cute looks, and details involved in each piece of clothing... it is the fit and the comfort that is the most addictive.

"lululemon" makes clothing to keep you warm while enjoying outdoor activities in cooler weather... they make clothing to keep you cool while enjoying outdoor activities in the hotter weather... they make clothing to wear casually any time of year just to be comfortable in... they make clothing for water sports, such as swimming, diving, etc... that the material holds up over time.  They make under clothing as well... such as bra's, tanks, and underwear that are also quite lucious to wear!

In the last 5 years I have had 4 different pilates/yoga instructors in 2 different states (my husband gets transferred with his job).... all of these women swear by the brand "lululemon".  I have browsed through catalogs and the internet for years looking at this brand of clothing... and because I never had the privilege of actually touching any of the merchandise, I had no idea why it seemed so expensive, but I have always admired the "lululemon" clothing my instructors always wore.  I would always find several items I liked and wanted to order... but... the price always made me say.... nah... I don't really need that.  And then I would see these instructors in the next class and think again.... dang that is sooo cute and looks sooo comfy.... but I never could make myself just order anything from this company.

However... in the past couple of months I  finally made it to an actual "lululemon" store and was able to try on several items.  The addiction was instant!!!!!!  I no longer cared about it being pricier sports wear than I am used to buying.  The feel and fit of this material is worth the extra money... and it is material that will wear well without wearing out... it is made to last and feel good for years.  The less expensive sportswear that I usually purchase from Target, is nice enough for sure... but it doesn't compare to "lululemon".  So.... slowly but surely I am now re-stocking my athletic apparel with all "lululemon".  I am a housewife, therefore, I'm usually in comfy clothes most of the day as I begin my day with a workout, and then either begin my housework chores, or go out about town doing my errands.  It is much nicer being able to workout and go out in town on errand runs without having to change clothing first.  "lululemon" wear goes from gym to grocery store all the while being comfortable and fashionable.

To be fair and honest in this blog about what I mean when I say it is 'pricier' than I usually purchase.... their workout tanks/tops run between $42-$68... pullovers/hoodies  run between $78 - $115... pants run about $100.... this will give you an idea of how pricey "lululemon" merchandise is... but... I must again say that it is truly worth the money... these are pieces of workout/casual clothing that will last for a long time, while being your favorite must wear pieces for comfort.  Also...  I must note that "lululemon" runs a size small.  I am a very consistent size in every store I shop in... and I need a size up when buying "lululemon" clothing.

My suggestion is to start with one piece and add on a piece at a time to your wardrobe.  But be warned that this material is addictive!  Once worn on the body... the body wants it more!  :  )  There aren't any "lululemon" stores near me... the nearest store is 3.5 hours drive away... but you can shop and order on-line at lululemon.com.  I also must warn that... when you see something in a store or online that you like... order it NOW!!! because it may not be there tomorrow, and once it's out of stock either in the stores or on line it's gone... they only make a certain amount.  You can find all sorts of "lululemon" on ebay... but be prepared to pay up to twice the amount you would have paid in the stores or on line because the demand for these items is so high and the quantity made is so few... it's madness on ebay... but it can be found on ebay!

Once again... I must say... if possible... do give this brand a try!  It is worth the extra $$ and I promise you will love it on your body!

Nine and Wine

Nine and Wine is the name of the Ladies golf group that play 9 holes of golf on Tuesday nights while they drink wine... or other 'happy' beverages... because... if there were no 'happy' beverages... it would then be called Nine and Whine!!!

I have been wanting to improve my golf game and skills... and to do so... one must practice and/or play!  So... this Spring I joined the Ladies Nine and Wine, and have now played three times with this group.  Fortunately this is the "hit and giggle" group...  which is just my style!  We do try and intend to play to the best of our abilities... it's just that our abilities are so lacking!  :  )  But we don't care, we just wanna play and have fun!

The first time I played Nine and Wine... I crashed and burned and didn't get to complete the round.  On the 7th fairway I had an immediate onset of "crummy tummy... aka IBS" and literally had to run to the Ladies locker room... where I stayed huddled in a potty stall for 30 minutes... giving a 'courtesy flush' every 30 seconds... it was a particularly BAD bout of 'crummy tummy'.  After I managed to get to a grip on my situation and emerge from the potty stall.... I found my team mates, thanked them for a good time, then went home to bed to recover.  But.... I was back out on the golf course the next Tuesday, did fine and had a great time!  It is really an easy going, no stress Ladies gathering on the golf course... and I look forward to attending as many of these Ladies Nights as possible through this summer season.  

I tend to be what you call a 'worm burner'.... as in... I can hit the ball straight down the fairway... but... I have no loft to my ball... so I just sizzle all the worms in the ground as my ball goes streaking down the fairway.  AND.... IF.... my ball should ever find it's way to the muck... or better known as the snake pit golf ball grave yard... my ball will stay there and die in peace, because I am NOT going ball hunting anywhere there are snakes!!!!!  Harmless or not!!!!  I just pout and say... bye bye ball and I'll take the extra strokes for dropping a ball outside the snake pit!  Heck.... it isn't like one more stroke added to my score is going to make a difference... I'm usually taking a 10 per hole anyway!!!  and I'm only taking a 10 because that is the most you can take!!!  LOL LOL  Still... it is a fun game and a fun time with these ladies... who like me... hit the ball and giggle afterwards!

I also must admit that slowly but surely I am making progress on my skills.  As bad as my skills are... I am starting to occasionally see one of my balls actually go airborne now and my putts find the hole.  I am a much better player with my putting.  It will be interesting to see how far my skills have improved by the end of the summer... but for now, I do my best and just enjoy being out in the wonderful weather with some new friends and having a good time.  

The one thing with me playing in the Nine and Wine group... there is an expectation of "happy beverage" consumption... I however have an allergy to alcohol, and therefore all I drink is sweet tea and lemonade.  The funniest thing is.... that most of the time everyone I am with think I have been enjoying a 'happy beverage' with them all along because I am in the same state of mind as they are... basically I'm saying.... they think I am tipsy when I am just being my normal natural self!  LOL  In fact... I was sitting with my team mates the 2nd night we played... they had been enjoying happy beverages and we were recounting funny stories of our pasts and laughing to the point of hysteria... the next day... one of the younger ladies who works with a very dear friend of mine, was telling my friend what a fun night it was and how 'tipsy' most of the ladies were at dinner.  She then told my friend she had seen me at the golf gathering and how tipsy I was at dinner because we were laughing so hard through the story sharing.... my dear friend then told this young lady that I didn't drink a drop and was absolutely sober... it was impossible for me to drink a drop and still be breathing.... and that is just the way I am all the time!!!!  The only people who actually know I am not drinking and that I am not tipsy is anyone else who is also sober... if anyone has had a drink... they think I have too!  I find this quite amusing, because before anyone has a drink, they think I'm normal... once they have a drink, they think I'm drunk!  Should I be concerned about this??!!  LOL  Nah... I don't think so... I just let everyone enjoy themselves, and then I always know that if anyone needs assistance to get home, I'm always available to help them out... and while they are having fun, they aren't thinking I'm judging them or not having a good time myself sober.

Nine and Wine, or Nine and Whine..... either way.... it is a fun fun fun time out socializing with ladies of all ages and skill levels and is a wallop of a good time!!!!  Did I mention we get a yummy dinner after golf??!!  If you have never golfed but want to learn, or if you want to improve on your skills... these kind of golf groups are perfect to work on your skills and yet enjoy a relaxing unstressed time while doing so. Who knows... maybe next year I might even move on up to the Ladies League and play 18 holes on Tuesday mornings... but then.... these ladies are very serious about their golf... so I'm guessing I'll stick to my "Hit and Giggle" girls and just keep having fun!