It’s Summer Time!

It's officially summer and there is nothing like Memorial Day weekend to kick it off.  Kelly made her first trip to St. Louis and it was a busy one.  On Friday night we went to Zia's on the Hill for real Italian food and Milo's to watch some Bocce and drinks. 

Later we met up with Tom and some of his friends at Venice Cafe.  Venice Cafe is a trip, there was every Happy Meal toy nailed to the pillars and bottle caps everywhere.  I'm pretty sure that they people who own it are hippies trying to keep the 60s alive.  Definitely going back ASAP!

Saturday felt like we were in the car most of the day.  We did start out at the Tower Grove Farmers Market, based on a suggestion by Kristin.  I will be going back to try out free yoga in the park.  But we had some sweet crepes under the trees and did a little shopping before heading to Forest Park.  The Zoo parking lots were full, and the walk was going to be a long one so we drove around the park and took in the sites of Forest Park by car.  Then headed down to the Arch. 

The line to go up to the top was too long so we walked the museum and the Arch grounds.  Saturday night we went back downtown to Lumiere Casino so Kelly could try her luck at the craps table.  I just sat back and watched.  Way too much going to to even try to figure out that game.  We missed seeing Pat Green but that's ok, we went to Rib America 2009 and saw Bret Michaels for $5!!!!   The concert was great!

Sunday, we finally made it to the zoo!  It was packed but we walked the whole thing!  After the zoo we headed back to the Arch and rode to the top and checked out the view.  After the Arch we stopped by Ted Drews for some much needed Frozen Custard.  After a little relaxing we headed to the Central West End for sushi dinner at Drunken Fish, so far the best sushi I've ever eaten!  Then we bar hopped in the CWE, Sub Zero, where we met the owner and got a couple free drinks, Llywelyn's Pub and Bar Louie.



On Monday we drove around Kirkwood, Webster Groves, and the Central West End trying to find fun little shops that would be open but since it was Memorial Day they were all closed.  We then headed to Crown Candy, it was closed...at least I now have more spots to go for Kelly's next visit.  We settled on Union Station to kill time between storms and time to head to the airport. 

After dropping Kelly off I headed home to prep for the interview I had bright and early Tuesday morning.  However, a nap and recovery was needed first.

The Stout’s

I made another trip back to San Antonio, this time for Niki and Chris' wedding.  I had 4 days to relax at my parent's house.  I arrived in SA and went to Korean BBQ with my dad and brother, my mom showed up later and full.  The food was great...I need to find a place in St. Louis that has good Korean BBQ, although I'm sure it won't be hard to find.  After lunch I finally got to meet Andrew's new puppy, Miss Winnie Cooper Manzotti.  She's a pretty cute pup with a licking problem.  My mom and I did a little shopping and I was able to come to the conclusion that I'm too busy in St. Louis to go shopping compared to when I lived in San Antonio.  This is a good thing!

Friday night I met up with Jason and Kendra, the next couple to be getting married.  We met at the Lion and the Rose and enjoyed a few beers and the best grilled cheese sandwich ever!  I'm hoping they are able to make it up to St. Louis once the craziness of the wedding is over.

Saturday my mom and I met Kelly, Katie and Allie for lunch and the Tamale Factory, I don't think that is the real name of the place, but it was good.  I was able to catch up with the girls and play on the swingsets that are set up all around the restaurant.  After a couple hours of playing we decided it was time for a nap and time to start getting ready for the wedding.  I met up with April and we headed to Randolph Air Force Base for Niki & Chris' wedding.  I had been to the Officier's Club before but never upstairs and was impressed with how nice everything was.  I'm so happy for Niki and Chris!

On Sunday we decided to celebrate my dad's birthday and mother's day early with brunch at the Westin La Canterra.  We thought the food and view would be better but what do you expect it's San Antonio and it's not a world class city like they'd like to believe they are...god I'm happy I moved out of there...That afternoon I went to Comfort, Texas with my mom to an antique show and didn't see anything too unusual minus an older lady who had to be taken away by ambulance due to heat exhaustion.  That night Andrew, Jon and Aarty went to see State of Play, awesome movie.  Then drinks at Oasis and I finally went to Coco Beach...I will not go there again.

On Monday I didn't do much of anything except hang out at the house and relax.  It's nice when you don't really have to do anything but lay around sometimes.  I caught a late afternoon flight out and waited for Ben & Ellen to pick me up so we could celebrate Catherine's 7th birthday with some chinese food when I picked up Reily.  All in all it was a good trip and just enough time in San Antonio.

Pampered Chef

As a way to increase my funds I have recently become a Pampered Chef consultant.  So far, it's been helping me save money by cooking at home way more than I had been.

After about a month of talking with and meeting with my Director, Ruth, I decided I could totally handle what Pampered Chef had to offer.  I placed an order for my starter kit and 2 days later it was here!  I spent about an hour opening each box and checking out the recipe cards that came with each individual product.  I finally realized that I was excited to cook, although I still hate going to the grocery store.

My roommate decided to help me out with my first practice party.  About 5 of her friends came over and we made a pizza.  I had gone in with the idea that no one was going to buy anything but at the end of the night I sold over $200.  The only issue I had with the party was the minor dog fight under the table over a piece of cheese.

Last night was my first monthly meeting at Ruth's house in Belleville.  I was nervous and excited to meet other consultants and hear how everyone got started.  I was able to meet Susan, my Director's Director, and Dan, a fellow consultant.

Dan was an interesting guy, he started Pampered Chef 3 years ago in memory of his daughter who lost her battle with breast cancer.  He choose Pampered Chef since their number one charity is breast cancer awareness (all May you can buy Pink products).  At one of Dan's parties he only makes desserts and tries to make them healthy.

Now that I've met other Pampered Chef people I'm back to being pumped and ready to sell more.  I currently have 2 standing orders for a catalog party and would like a couple more before I submit.

Hopefully, this will be the start of a fun new career or at least a great new hobby.

The boys of summer are back

It's offically baseball season!  The sport I live for and one big reason I moved back to St. Louis is in full swing.  The Cardinals have had 2 series with the cubs and are tied 1-1 for the season.  Even better news was that the Cards swept the dis-Astros.  After moving back I have realized what the people of Houston don't understand, THERE IS NO RIVIALRY BETWEEN THE CARDS AND 'STROS.  The real rivalry in the Central Division is the Cards and Cubs, it goes back to the 1800s. 

Since the season has started I've been able to see 2 Pujols' grand slams!  One against the dis-astros and, the better one, against the cubbies.  New prospect Colby Rasmus looks to be coming around and will be a great outfielder for the Cards.  Even Khalil Greene is looking good with a couple homers. 

I now just need to get some tickets to support my Redbirds!

I get those St. Louis Blues…

Well the Blues season came to an end in a 4 game sweep courtesy of the Vancouver Canucks.  Overall the season was a complete surprise for Blues fans and NHL fans for that matter.  No one thought the Blues would finish 6th in the Western Conference. 

After the overtime loss in Game 4 in St. Louis the Blues shook the hands of their stronger opponents and then raised their sticks in tribute to the fans.  It was great to see them stay on the ice an extra minute or two to acknowledge the fans.  Now it's on to next season to see how far we can go, especially since our "kid line" now has playoff experience.

Cornhole Finals and updates

[caption id="attachment_128" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Andrew's Trip to tha Lou"][/caption]

Cornhole season 2 has officially come to an end.  Overall our team drastically improved between the seasons.  We went undefeated in Season 2 on to be knocked out in the first round of the playoffs.  We went out of rotation and in turn lost 2-1.  It was not one of our finer moments as a team but I was happy with how the team did. 

Since cornhole is over, I now have another free night during the week.  Since the time change I'm going to start taking advantage of Fracis Park and taking Reily for walks at night. 

Andrew made it up to tha Lou last weekend and it was a busy weekend.  We did a mini pub crawl on Friday night around the Tower Grove area.  Went out in Soulard on Saturday night, caught a couple basketball games, a trip to Crown Candy, Ted Drews, Union Station and a South County dive bar.  It was a lot in a little time, I'm still recovering. 

I had happy hour with a friend that I went to grade school and high school together.  We had a lot to catch up on and cannot wait to go out again.  I was introduced to another South City bar, the Mack.  Great food, and by far a bar I prefer to go to more often. 

I went hiking in Castlewood Park, I hadn't even heard of this park before but it was huge.  There were tons of trails to hike and bike.  Definitely a place that I will be going back to and maybe taking Reily.

Medium Nasty Hoosiers Update

I have slacked on my cornhole updates so here it goes.  Our team is undefeated!  We have played four games in Season 2 and we are looking strong.  We only have 2 games left to play and I don't really see how we won't make it to the finals.  Prizes up for grabs is close to $500 in cash and prizes.  It's all very exciting. 

If you use the link in "cornhole" above you will be able to check out the standings.  They are usually updated on Monday's or Tuesday's.