Cool Things For You! You Know You Love 'Em!

I'm in a benevolent mood. What can I say? I'm the most benevolent person I know. *smile*

Got a birthday comin' up? Get a load of it:
~~~Birthday Freebies~~~
ALFY'S PIZZA - free mini pizza
ALL-AMERICAN CAFE - free dessert
APPLEBEES - free dessert
AUSTIN GRILL - Register First - free meal
AUTO ZONE - Free Oil Change
BAKERS SQUARE - free pie
BANDIDO'S - free entry
BANJARA INDIAN CUISINE - free meal
BASKIN ROBBINS - free ice cream treat
BEACHES RESTAURANT - free meal
BENIHANA'S JAPANESE RESTAURANT - free dinner WITH 3 other paying guests
BENNIGANS - free dessert + song
BERN'S - free meal
BILL KNAPP'S - gives adults a % discount equal to age; plus a free bday cake (w/purchase of a meal) during the week of your B-day
BLACK BRISKEE - free meal
BOB'S BIG BOY - free hot fudge ice cream
BUFFALO WILD WINGS (BW3) - free dozen hot wings
BURGER KING - free kids meal to all kids club members
CALIFORNIA PIZZA KITCHEN - Register First - free kids meal during the month of their birthday
CAPTAIN DIZZY'S CAR WASH - free car wash
CARROWS - free cake
CATTLEMEN'S - free dessert and cowboy hat
CHARLIE BROWNS RESTAURANTS - free meal for "Handshake Club" members
CHARLIE'S SEAFOOD - free meal
CHEVY'S - free dessert and sombrero
CHILI'S - free song
CHIPS N GIGGLES - free meal
CLAIM JUMPER - Free Dessert
CROWN THEATRES - Buy One Movie Ticket, Get One Free
CRAZY BUFFET - free meal
DAIRY QUEEN - buy one Blizzard, get one free
DAVE AND BUSTERS - $5 game card credit
DENNY'S - free meal (said to be only kids under 10 now)
DESPARADOS MEXICAN RESTAURANT - free meal
DOCKSIDE RESTAURANT - free meal
DUKE'S CHOWDER HOUSE - b1g1 coupons (register first). FREE dinner for your birthday!
EINSTEIN'S - free meal
EL CHICOS - free dessert
ERNIE'S STEAKHOUSE - free meal
FAMOUS DAVE'S BARBEQUE - free meal (w/advance signup)
FUDDRUCKERS - free burger
FUNNY BONE COMEDY CLUB - free cake (party of 5 min.; 2 drink min.)
GOLDEN CORRAL - free meal to birthday Club members (not just kids!) during month of birthday
GRILLFISH - free meal
HANA JAPAN - free meal
HARD ROCK CAFE - free dessert
HOMETOWN BUFFET - free birthday cake
HOULIHAN'S RESTAURANT - free entree
HOLLYWOOD VIDEO - one free video rental
HOOTERS - free song + tshirt
HOSS'S STEAK HOUSE AND RESTAURANT - free cake + song
IHOP- free meal
JOE'S CRAB SHACK - free cake
JT WHEATFIELDS - free coupon in phone book
KING BUFFET - free meal
KIRBY'S GRILL - Free entree (dinner) on your birthday
LADONNA - free meal
LOMBARDI'S IN BALLARD - Register First - free meal w/another during month of birthday
LOTUS - free meal
LUTHERS BBQ - free stuff (varies) for "Great Rewards" members
MACARONI GRILL - free dessert + OPERA-style "Happy birthday" song
MAGGIANOS - $10 Off purchase of $20 (sign up in advance)
MARIE CALENDERS - free dessert
MAX AND ERMA - free $5 dessert
MEXICAN VILLAGE - free meal
MOONIES DINER - free meal
MUCKLESHOOT CASINO - free sushi dinner + player's club points
NEWICK'S SEAFOOD RESTAURANTS - free entry
NITTY GRITTY - free drink + souvenir glass
OKAYAMA RESTAURANT - free meal
OLD SPAGHETTI WAREHOUSE - free meal
OLIVE GARDEN - cake (some say free, most say $$)
ONAMI - free dinner WITH 3 other people paying
OUTBACK Steakhouse - free dessert + song
PANCAKE HOUSE - free entry
PAPPA'S RESTAURANTS - free dessert
PARADISO'S - free meal
PERKIN'S - free stack of pancakes
PF CHANGS - free cake or cheesecake
PIZZA EXPRESS - free meal
PONCHO'S - free meal, dessert & picture
PROVINO'S ITALIAN RESTAURANT - free $10.99 meal and ice cream dessert
Radisson - free entree in their 12th floor restaurant
REAL SEAFOOD COMPANY - free meal and dessert
RED LOBSTER - free slice of cake + song
RED ROBINS - Register First - free burger coupon / discount coupon
RICE & COMPANY - free meal for Robinson Rewards Club members
ROCK BOTTOM - free appetizer for Mug Club members
ROUND TABLE - free personal pizza
SCALINI'S ITALIAN RESTAURANT - up to 10.95 off pasta specialties
SHEPARD'S BUFFET - free dinner buffet w/3 other paid customers
STEAK AND ALE - free mini choco cake
STEAK-N-SHAKE - free dinner for "birthday club" kids
TACO BELL - free combo meal of your choice
TGI FRIDAYS - Free birthday Dessert
THE 99 - free meal
THE BARNSIDER'S/DEPOT RESTAURANTS - 1/2 off meal + cake & song
THE LOFT - free meal
THE PALM - 3lb lobster (must be a member/register first)
THE PARADISO - free entry + sombrero & song
THE VINE TAVERN - free meal
TODAI SEAFOOD BUFFET - Free Meal or voucher for Meal Next Visit
TONY ROMA'S - free dessert, free meal
UP THE CREEK - free meal and dessert
VACCARO'S ITALIAN PASTRY SHOP - free dessert and drink
WENDY'S - free kids meal to all kids club members
Z' TEJAS - Register First - $15 coupon for the month of your birthday
ZIO'S - free dessert mini pizza
Additionally, often you can go to restaurant websites and find special deals and coupons. Sigh. I miss Tony Roma's. Heck, I miss everything about living in a real city.

Admittedly, I am a Target addict -- but I'm a careful Target addict. I shop sales but more often clearance. What's my secret? The wonderful:
~~~Target Markdown Schedule~~~
Monday--kids clothing, infants dept. and electronics (maybe food also)
Tuesday--women's clothing (maybe food also)
Wednesday--men's clothing,garden, health and beauty
Thursday--lingerie, shoes, house wares, sporting goods, luggage, toys
Friday--cosmetics, hardware, auto, domestics, home improvement and jewelry
Plus, anyone who knows me will tell you I have an amazing knack for "bumping into" clearance items. For example ... Let's say my mom makes a comment that she'd love to have a new set of sheets, Egyptian cotton, 600 thread count (which is really hysterical because Mom doesn't really care about something of that nature, but we're pretending, okay? So she makes a comment like that, something sort of specific like that and the next time I'm out, or the time after that I run into the exact thing she was looking for, and it'll be a really crazy price like $20 for an entire queen sheet set. And I'm not even looking for it, I just happen across it like that. Everyone knows it, and lots of people ask me to keep an eye out for certain items from time to time. Honest, it's a true blessing! I can point out various things in my nest that probably I wouldn't have gotten, or at least gotten when I did had I not run across it at the price I did. Say, my Kitchen Aid toaster -- I do have a very nice toaster but I'm renovating, and adding red accents to my kitchen: red/black coffeemaker, red/black microwave -- you get the idea. So I happen to run across the toaster and well, it was a steal I tell you so I got it.

~~~Premium Outlets~~~
Premium Outlets:
When you enter the site go to sales & events, when you scroll down the page there will be links to all of there outlet mall and what specials they are having! Also, All premium outlets have a 50 plus club offering 10% off for shoppers 50 and over on Tuesdays! every week!
PREMIUM OUTLETS

Don't forget monthly coupons for:
SALLY BEAUTY
and
RADIO SHACK

I was going to add more but of course I got sidetracked and it's not 3.20 AM and I really do have to go to bed eventually. And the reason I'm not in bed yet is because I have a bad tummy and I've been battling a U.T.I. and I'm in more pain than I've ever had w/ one previously. Which brings me to my next problem: Tomorrow I was to head out for a few days to a casino/hotel I've never been to before, and I was really excited about it. I have a Jacuzzi suite reserved, my meals are paid for -- the entire trip is comped plus I have vouchers for gambling $. But I won't be going. I'm either getting in to my doctor's office tomorrow or I'm going to the E.R. I can't believe this is happening ... I mean, the timing is crap! This is like, sooooooo not fair!

More later, if I live~

I Dented Lovey *sob!*

I may as well get it out in the open: I did it, I dented my baby! I'm the only one who got upset, and I'm still upset but at least now I can sleep at night since I've decided what to do about it. She has 2700-something miles since her last service so very shortly I'll take her back in and get her repaired at that time. I won't be able to stand it unless I do, and $ is not an issue at this point. I don't care about the cost. This is how she did look:



But not now. A couple of days ago I came flying in -- I have a sweeping, circular driveway -- to park her in the shop where she sits right in front of Daddy's new Ranger. Well, I tapped the tip of the boat trailer, you know, where the ball fits on the hitch on the pickup and now Lovey has a dime-size dent in her front bumper -- not the black, but the red. Man, you talk about someone getting upset! Crap, I'm still very upset but I won't be long -- 200 miles more! At least her little butt still looks good!



I have opinions, lots of opinions and you don't have to agree w/ me! I don't mind in the least. I don't press my opinions but if asked, I'll voice them mildly and if someone becomes hostile about it I simply drop the subject, usually walking away. For example: John Mark Karr, who has confessed to "being with JonBenet the night she died." What the hell is up w/ that? Do you think he did it? I'm gonna just say he's a sicko (I'm being kind) especially if his ex who loathes him proves he wasn't even in Colorado when JonBenet was murdered. He's a pervert anyway! Sigh. I can't get into it, it makes my blood pressure skyrocket. I'd like to say he's not worth the cost of a 7mm Magnum shell but ... I'd pay a whole lot more than that to see him put our of everyone's misery!

Dang! I just got an invitation to see Sinbad -- and I really love Sinbad -- on 29 October at the Beau Rivage Casino in Biloxi but the timing bites. Daddy and I will be away at a Palomino Show during that time, and needless to say, I'd rather be w/ my daddy and comparing my gorgeous Palomino to those nags! Well ... I mean in comparison to my Snickerdoodle they're all nags.

It's hard to believe but on Tuesday it will be one year since Katrina did her destruction which, understandably, those affected are still highly upset about:


Can you blame them? So Tuesday it'll be the one year anniversary of Katrina and on Thursday Ernesto is expected to arrive. This is Ernesto's predicted storm track:



I don't know what those poor people down there are going to do if yet more damage occurs! You know the Beau Rivage Casino Hotel just reopened last week. Harrah's decided to pull out altogether. It was about half built when Katrina made her appearance but after that, Harrah's said "See ya!" It frightens me, and I don't even live near there although we always have tons of rain after there's bad weather like this in the Gulf. I suppose only time will tell what happens w/ Ernesto ... and those to follow.

If you aren't watching these two programs, you are completely out of the loop and you're missing it, kids! Trust me -- jump in and don't miss another episode! You'll thank me later.



It's getting time for my fruit -- I mean, since I've been eating healthier I consume fruit 2 or 3 times per day along w/ lots and lots of water, and it's made me feel so much better it's unbelievable! Tonight I'm indulging in my current addiction, a white flesh nectarine:



I love the white peaches too, and I'm going to be unhappy when they're gone ...

Finally, I found this photo for my great friend Sharmy. Isn't it precious?



He was actually in the news! He loves gloves and snatches every one he can so his mommy hung them and put up a sign.

Later~

Melting Away in Tennessee

Is it steaming hot where you are? Of course it is, unless you're at the North Pole. It doesn't matter where you are, the temp is in the upper 90s and you're miserable. And you know ... because I realize everyone else is miserable, it makes me feel better. In the pasture, it looks like all my Palominos turned into Sorrels! It's too hot for them to do much so about all they do is stand around ... and sweat! And my mare looks like a bay but she's not, she's a Bright Sorrel. Every day I see the local forecast and it's nothing but 94°, 92°, 93° for the next seven days. Oh my stars, I spoke too soon: 98° tomorrow. *gasp!* This is sooo not fair! I have to go down to the barn and get Beer For My Horses soon ... If I don't make it back, well, I hope someone publishes this.

So my two Prune Danish made it back to the ranch safe and sound. Daddy had tons of fun, and my mom did too but I would say she was not quite as entralled as Daddy was. He enjoyed reading the road signs going down the freeways. They really saw the sights though! Daddy saw the famous Babcock Ranch -- one of many, in fact. Today I believe she took twelve rolls of film in to be processed! There just has to be some cool stuff in that! I was so proud of her for taking so many photos -- I honestly was. They had fun, but they were both soo ready to come home. I missed them, both of them. I missed them terribly! They went to dinner w/ the Ducks this evening. Daddy missed The Duck, and Mom probably missed The Susie as well.

Yes, I'm gonna see Trace in about a week! Woo-hoo!


Now that's a tall drink of water, I don't care who you are. Yummy! He's 6'6". Not such a tall one but no less thirst quenching is Chris Cagle (5'11") who I'll see next, I believe. I guess I'm traipsing all over Creation this year. It's sort of like, making up for lost time.


Oops! Time to get Beer For My Horses! I'll be back ... hot, sweaty, sticky and I could even be cross.

I'm back and I'm not the only one who's hot, sticky and sweaty -- so are the horses -- but I am the only one who's cross. They're almost always sweet. I'm sick of this heat and humidity! Well, I'm pretty sure they are too ... Sigh! The heat doesn't bother my daddy. He's simply not human. I mean, how can you not be utterly miserable in this, especially considering there's no end in sight? Still ... I have it a whole lot better than the poor horses. I'm not complaining, I'm merely commenting on the rotten weather.

Another Chris -- Tropical Storm Chris -- is making a buttload of people nervous.


New Orleans, for example. "I'm scared to go through another one," said forklift driver Inos Jones, 50, who stayed through Katrina last August until he was rescued. "If they have another hurricane, you can just shut Louisiana for good." To say that's a scary prospect -- that's putting it mildly. Read the story
HERE

Cast your eyeballs, if you will, to the right. Do you see the Firefox button? Do yourself the biggest favor of all, click on the button, download Firefox and thank me for the rest of your life. Firefox has now surpassed 200 million downloads! Two million and one people (me) surely can't be wrong! "Since its release, Firefox has grabbed about 15% of the market. Mozilla outlines a better way to measure the actual user base." Read all about it
HERE

And today marks the return of those sourpussed cats! Yeah, I missed 'em too!


Having eliminated Babe and Lambchop, Sweetpea now plots Big Bird's untimely, violent demise.


Oh, Simba. Tell me again about the time you killed your father. It makes me laugh!


Tom Cruise as the vampire Lestat? Hisssssssssss!


Ed hates your one-man lightswitch raves.


Maddy guards her trophies while Pooh and friends remain blissfully unaware of exactly what lies buried in the Hundred Acre Wood.


It's made of hamsters and elderberries.


These are NOT the colors of Clan Cleo! Now blow like a beaten bagpipe!


Barnaby hates that you caught him tripping on Easter Sunday.

Finally, have you heard Desperate Housewives is coming to Lifetime aka Vagi-Vision beginning next Sunday night -- I believe it's next Sunday night. I lovelovelove that show but it surprises me that it's gone into syndication when it's only three seasons old. Hmm ... It took Seinfeld longer than that.

I've fooled around here online half the night and now it's time for bed. One last thing and then I'm outta here:

LOOKIE WHAT I GOT!!!!!

Genuine Swarovski (400 plus crystals) encrusted Havaiana flip flops

Do you know about Havaianas? Read:

Havaianas is a Brazilian shoe brand that is exported internationally. Since their creation in 1962, more than two billion pairs have been manufactured. These sandals are made in Brazil, where the sun always shines and the beaches are legendary. Ultra-comfortable (it's the special rubber soles) and super-popular among the locals if they're good enough for Rio, they're good enough for you. In Brazil, Havaianas are beloved and worn by all personalities from the average citizen to dignataries and celebrities. Since being introduced to the United States three years ago, Havaianas have created an unprecedented cult following. Now referred to as the “best rubber sandal in the world,” Havaianas can be seen gracing the pages of the hottest fashion and sport magazines, strutting down the runways at New York Fashion Week and featured at red carpet events. Stylish Americans, including top athletes, rock stars and celebrities demanded the butter-soft comfort of these inexpensive flip flops, making Havaianas available at the most chic retailers and surf boutiques nationwide.

Now, I live in them allll summer long -- it's a long time in the south. But it's nice that now I can be classy at the same time! I have five pair of Havaianas now. You gotta get 'em. You'll thank me later.

Nitey-nite~