Butcher, Baker, Candlestick Maker . . .

doctor, lawyer, indian chief. Isn't that how the nursery rhyme goes? I feel like I could write my own nursery rhyme -- Insurance Admin., Bartender, Bell Ringer, Singer, Cashier and now . . .

BARISTA! TaDa!! The Target I work for has a Starbucks inside it and I am now training to work as a Barista. At first I wasn't sure I could do it -- being 55 now, my memory isn't always as sharp as it should be -- or so it seems sometimes. Anyway, I've been at Starbucks for about a week now and I really, really like it! This sounds pretty silly to those who know me well, I'm sure, because since I have high blood pressure, coffee (well, specifically any caffeine product) is something I have to avoid at all costs. AND, before working there, I had only been a customer at any Starbucks probably a total of 5 times in my whole life. But I really enjoy it!

It's really kind of like bartending only with out booze -- lots of recipes to learn, fancy schmancy toppings to add, etc. But once you figure out the general formula, it's pretty easy and lots of fun.

I still cashier part-time and barista part-time -- it's all a part of Target's way of making me a well-rounded employee. Training in every department makes me more "workable" and able to fill in when people call in sick, vacations come up, college kids go back to school and the holiday season starts. And I really like Target -- it's a great place to work. I've made some great friends and joking, laughing and bitching with them makes every day I work there truly enjoyable.

I pretty much bloom where I'm planted, so I'm always willing to learn something new.

Next stop -- Food Avenue!

Mark Your Calendar . . .

cuz' I'm marking mine for March 5, 2010 . . .

I just watched the trailer and it is FANTASTIC!! I love, love, love the movies!!!!!

Got My Ticket . . .

and I'm ready to go!!! Wednesday morning, at 12:03 a.m., I will be in my seat at the IMAX 16 ready to watch the next installment of THE MOVIE --- the long awaited "Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince"!!!
Everyone who knows me is quite aware that I am a true "Potterhead"! I love the books and the movies. For the past week, I have been furiously rereading THBP to finish it in time for the movie. Today, I don't have to work at Target until 6:30, so I got up early and have been rewatching the movies. I'm just starting "The Goblet of Fire".

I know it probably sounds childish to alot of people to be so hooked on these movies, but I truly enjoy them. It's been fun watching the characters grow and change as well as watching the actual actors grow up and refine their acting craft. Also, the set design, costumes and special effects are truely AMAZING!!!

Anyway, that's where I'll be on Tuesday nite (actually Wednesday morning before the crack of dawn) with a smile on my face and a box of Raisinettes in my hand! THEN, it's only a week until the 3-D version of the movies comes out and I will be back at my local IMAX again. I think I can actually talk Donita into going to that one with me -- as long as it's an earlier showing!

Can't wait!!!

At the Race, Race . . .

in the month of May -- come to the race! As Bob Kevoian sings, Sunday I went to the race! I took my friend Mike and my Mom -- both Indy 500 "virgins"!! (And ya know ya got a love a good virgin - ha!) We had a great time!

A friend of mine from work gave me FREE tickets and an excellent parking pass (we were one block from the track!!) -- thanks again, Pete and Dianna!!! Our seats were in the Southeast Vista which put us at the entrance to the second turn. So we could see the drivers coming into the first turn, taking the second turn, driving down the back straightaway, and going into the third turn. The pic above is of the pace car leading the pack right before the start of the race.

Looking down the back straightaway into the third turn. This photo was taken right before the start of the race -- there really were people sitting in these seats when the race began!

We were directly across from the snakepit. Unfortunately, this was the calm end of the snakepit, so we didn't see anyone getting really out of control. Just a couple of fat guys without shirts on. I didn't take any pictures of them -- no one wants to see that. You can thank me later!

This was my 7th time going to the 500, but only the third time seeing the entire race. In my earlier life, I went to the race three times -- twice it was rained out. One year I bartended at the track. Didn't see the race, but made lots of $$$$. In 2007, Christopher and I went to the race. It was rain delayed twice but that didn't stop our fun. We sat in the rain in our rain ponchos and garbage bags with our umbrellas up and ate chicken, talked and had a terrific time. Dario Franchitti won that year in a race that was eventually called because of the pouring -- and I do mean pouring -- rain!

This year was sunny, the race (although delayed by accidents I think 9 times) was completed and won by Helio! I've already checked out the date for next year and hope to be able to go again! Love it!!!

Oh Yeah . . .

Diet and Exercise . . .

Yuck!! I hate them both. If we can put a man on the moon, we can surely come up with a way to make decent junk food that tastes great and doesn't add to my always expanding hip region, don'cha think ?!?!?

With summer coming up, I've really been trying to watch what I've been eating -- damn you Easter Peeps -- and trying to increase my workout. It's always easier for me to diet once fresh fruits and veggies start appearing in the stores' produce departments. I adore fresh strawberries and bananas for breakfast, salad loaded with lots of fresh carrots, cukes, tomatoes and radishes for lunch, and then my favorite frozen diet meals for dinner.

In addition to providing a wonderful workout facility on-site for all employees to use without charge, my wonderful boss (who doesn't blog by the way or know that I have a blog or probably even know what a blog is -- so I'm not kissing butt here!!) has gifted a personal trainer to anyone at IMG who wants to work out 2 days a week after work FOR FREE!! Did I mention it was FREE?!?!? Anyway, about 30 of my fellow out-of-shape employees have signed up for exercise classes with Rob and Steve (our personal trainers) who come to our work at 5:45 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays and KICK OUR BUTTS!! We've had two classes so far and my muscles are crying out in agony!! These guys pull no punches and make us use muscles that have long ago dissolved into flab. We've been learning butt kicks, mountain climber, cherry picker, cat arch, superman, etc. I have been loving every minute of it!!

I've been on Weight Watchers for several years -- having met my goal weight several times during those years -- if ya know what I mean. I found these delicious treats from Weight Watchers that help keep me on the straight and narrow and actually make dieting not quite so hard.

These little beauties are great for breakfast. Only 4 points per sandwich and they actually taste almost like the ones from Mickey D's. The cheese even melts!!! I eat these a couple days a week with some fresh fruit and I am good to go until lunch.

The WW Key Lime Pies are a great touch of sweetness after a salad lunch. They are really smooth and creamy and have lotsa tang from the lime. I love 'em!

SO --- I have been working out everyday on my lunch hour in our workout facility and now working with a Rob and Steve two nights a week for an hour. I've dusted off my trusty bicycle so I can ride as soon as it decides to stop raining in Indy. Hopefully, I will begin to see some changes in my body SOON!! I will keep you posted.

Keep me in your prayers . . .