Thank you everyone for reading my blog and participating in the giveaway!  Random.org gave us 1, 7, and 12 for the winners… If you have won, I have contacted you via email…

(Don’t forget to enter my 1 year Blogoversary giveaway HERE)

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What ever happened to music videos? (Reuben Studdard has a cameo, lol!!)

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Pet Peeve of the Day: How nice weather brings out every shit’s piece driver in the world

Quote of the Day: “I think I thought I saw you try.  But that was just a dream.” –R.E.M.

I got my census form in the mail the other day– this is my first census ever and I am verrrrrry excited!  I also contemplated being a census taker because they pay good money, you can work part-time, and pretty much any American can qualify… but alas I never got around to it, and turns out I wouldn’t have time anyway.  My hope was to stumble upon a household such as this:

“Don’t push your politics on me pal!”  Love it!

Things I Live For: Ludacris on the Martha Stewart show (honestly I think he is one of the most common guests); Having had my windows open for three days straight

Quote of the Day: “Oh baby don’t it feel like heaven right now, don’t it feel like something from a dream — Yeah I’ve never known nothing quite like this don’t it feel like tonight might never be again.” –Tom Petty

*Don’t forget to enter my giveaway HERE*

It’s my one year BLOGOVERSARY!!!  That’s right!  One year ago today the world was blessed with the inception of this awesome blog!  Even crazier is, this is my 198th post so we’re also technically calling this my 200th post celebration!

You really don’t have to get me anything, but I’m flattered at the thought.

In fact, I would like to thank YOU the readers for continuing to help make my blog a success!  I will be giving away THREE (so more people have chances!) gift cards valued at $10 from my favorite awesome places: Starbucks, Target, and Amazon.  There are many ways to win, so please read the details below:

• 1) Comment on this blog post for one entry
• 2) Become a follower of my blog here for an additional entry (note in your comment that you did this)
• 3) Tweet/Facebook/or MySpace (does that still exist?) about this giveaway/blog for an additional entry (note in your comment that you did this)
• 4) Blog about this giveaway/blog on your website for an additional entry (note in your comment that you did this)

(Drawing will be via a random number generator at random.org)

So, that is an opportunity for FOUR entries!  The giveaway will go through the end of the week and end on Saturday night at 11PM.  Winners will be announced and contacted by Monday.

Thank you so much for reading my blog and for celebrating this momentous occasion with me!

Cheers,

Esley

Did you know that there are still places in America where smoking is allowed indoors??  It’s like taking a step back into 1962.  And you feel like a criminal being surrounded by so much brazen smoking.

My mom and I went antiquing in Indiana on Sunday and stopped at a small (albeit awesome) diner for lunch.  And there was a smoking section.  Right next to the non-smoking section.  We were amazed, as if we were aliens dropped on this planet for a moment in time.  Is this really what flew in restaurants just a few years ago?  Because cigarettes are dis-gust-ing!

The entire place was thick with smoke.  People were taking bites of food between drags.  Babies sat at tables where all the adults smoked.  It was insanity.  It seems like all of this legal smoking inside business was in another lifetime. 

And, as an ex-smoker, I have always been very accommodating to smoker’s rights.  Until this diner experience, I was all about letting people smoke in places that were just bars (i.e. they don’t sell food just sweet sweet alcohol).  But holy shit, not anymore!  I want to live.  I want to smell my laundry detergent.  I want to smell my shampoo and hairspray.  I want to get my money’s worth out of my perfume.  I do not want to smell like a walking ashtray upon leaving any establishment. 

In Europe I don’t mind this because A) I’m in Europe, what is there really to complain about B) it feels authentic.  When smoking was banned in Paris my Parisian compatriots went crazy because to them, it was impeding a lifestyle, not just a habit.  And I wholeheartedly agree on that!

It wasn’t too long ago when it was thought okay to smoke while pregnant.  And we certainly were okay with smoking inside until quite recently.  I wonder what will be banned in 30 years that we’re doing now.  Hopefully it won’t be being awesome. 

Pet Peeve of the Day: St. Patty’s Day aka amateur hour

Quote of the Day: “Son, when you participate in sporting events– it’s not whether you win or lose, it’s how drunk you get.” –Homer Simpson