Not a happy post

Dear blog readers, I'm asking that each of you prays for a girl who is in my small group and her family: Melanie's sister-in-law was killed in a car accident earlier today. Her [8- or 9-year-old] niece Katie was taken to UAB but she passed away as well. I think Melanie's brother has two other children who were not in the car. I really can't imagine anything more tragic, so please keep this family on your minds and in your prayers.

Life is so very short. Go hug your families.

Oops!

I forgot to announce the Memory Road winner! (Shocker.) Congrats to…


KATIE B.

Thanks to all who e-mailed me with entries!

Katie—e-mail your prize preference and I'll forward on to Summer.

Free chicken from The Oprah

So you've all no doubt heard about the free KFC grilled chicken that The Oprah sponsored, no? I'm not going to lie. I tried to print out the coupon. What was to lose? Two pieces of grilled chicken, two sides, and a biscuit. Free. Translation: If it's nasty, toss it out guilt-free. Plus? Free mashed potatoes and macaroni and cheese. And a biscuit. That's dinner enough for me any day.

But alas. I had to install some kind of wonky coupon-printing software for Macs, and I was at work so I couldn't add extra stuff to my computer without a password. I figured it was a sign.

Oh right. My point.

I was reading on the AJC (which I read every day) that some folks had had problems with the offer. I'm sure because it involves something as complicated as asking KFC employees to scan a bar code. But no matter. That wasn't the most disturbing part of the article.

Y'all, I'm sad to report that KFC's busiest day of the year—a day on which you may not use the free chicken coupon—is Mother's Day. Mother's Day. I'm so sad for these moms, really. My mom would file for a legal separation if I tried to pass off KFC as fancy fare for mom's special day. Psshh.

Hello, it's me…

With brown hair. Ta-da! Yes, I did it on purpose. And yes. It actually is a little darker in person.

The Look

This is hilarious to me, mainly because everyone I know has gotten this look from her mother. Heck, I still do. Watch for it about 16 seconds in. It's SO perfect.

The Universe? So mad at me.

I don't even remember what all had happened to me back when I started this post (April 21), I just remember it had been a crappy couple of weeks. And I had had it. I don't know what I ever did to the Universe, but he was not happy with me. And then? Then one day I went to work, I was having another crappy day, and I was hungry. I got a mid-morning e-mail inviting me to tasting. I'm lucky because as a food copy editor, my partner and I have secured a spot on the list. She couldn't go that day, so I went down alone.

Now, for those of you who don't work with me, tasting can be hit or miss. It's always delicious, but sometimes it might be light. Or all desserts. Or all cheese-based dishes (no problem with that, btw). But that day. April 21. The spread before me was nothing short of amazing. And for 30 glorious minutes (and 5 more at my desk when I had more steak and green beans for dessert) the Universe smiled upon me again. Everything was fantastic. And I just wanted to share the list with you. I feasted on…

Two kinds of pasta—cheese and olive
Two kinds of oven fries—Italian and Jerk seasoning
Steak
Balsamic green beans
Dijon green beans
Lamb
Chicken Cacciatore
Two kinds of cheese grits
Asiago cheese rolls
Potato salad
Apple tart with ice cream
Blackberry jam thumbprint cookies

Coming tomorrow

I know, I know. I promised to update the zip line adventure. And it's coming. My home Internet is FINALLY up and running swell again. I have a big day tomorrow, but tomorrow night! Tomorrow night I promise to give the full rundown on our adventure…and it didn't end after the course either. Oh no. There was more to come! Tease, tease.

Talk to y'all taters later.

Check it out: Memory Road

My friend Summer works for a publishing company that's launched a new—and really cool—venture: Memory Road. It's backed by Don Logan who many readers equate with the good ole days. (I heart Don Logan.) Anyway, I digress. You can read more here.

Check out the site, become a fan on Facebook, and order some really cool stuff from Memory Road! Summer actually gave me a 1978 Yearbook a few months ago, and it's super fun to read through and compare facts to 2009! Wow.

And now—drum roll, please—we're going to have a little trivia and a giveaway. You're going to have to dig around on the site a bit. Leave your answers in the comments section, and I'll draw a winner on Sunday evening, to be announced Monday, May 11! You can choose between a Remember When Magnet or KardLet, your choice of year.

1. How much was a gallon of Vitamin D milk in 1943?
2. "Sip a smile, relax a while" was the tag for which bottled drink campaign?
3. In 1924, a former president died in his sleep. Name him.
4. How much was a gallon of gas in 1959?

Good luck!

*They do discounts for people planning reunions or parties. These would be such awesome party favors!

image courtesy of www.memoryroad.com

I got a new job

I'm sure you saw this coming. I am now an official Stella & Dot Jewelry Stylist. Direct sales skeptics may be rolling their eyes right now. And that's okay. I've always been one of those too. But I really, really love this line and I'm going to give it a shot!

I have my very own Web site here, and of course—here comes the plug—I'm currently booking parties. You know where to find me!