Brush with Fame in Chi Town

I just got home from Chicago earlier this week for a work trip manning the Gibbs Smith booth at the International Home and Housewares trade show. This show was HUGE! The Today Show was even broadcasting live featuring all the latest in home and kitchen gadgets. It was fun to see all the latest in peelers, pans, cutlery and even water bottles.

The Grand Dame of Southern Cooking, Ms. Paula Deen (make sure to say that with a sweet southern drawl), was one of several Celebrity chef guest speakers. Paula was scheduled to speak at 7:30 a.m. Sunday and for a brief moment I thought it would be fun to go see her, but ... that's awfully early to wake up for a lecture, even if it is the Queen of Butter! 

Once we had set up the booth Sunday morning, I got word that Paula was actually signing autographs at her booth, just down from ours! So I ran down, completely unprepared for this celeb siting. Just as I turned the corner and saw her stunning, perfectly coifed silver mane, I turned on my heel and ran back to grab my camera! But what was I going to have her sign? I asked if they were selling copies of her cookbook at the booth, but was out of luck! So I had to setting for a signature on expo badge. Pretty good memento of the event, right? 

So with a signature on my badge, a fun conversation about her beautiful hair and a couple of snapshots, I still wasn't quite ready to completely say goodbye to Paula. Her publicist, however, shuffled us all along our way, so my visit was cut short. BUT... my boss later informed me that there was a booth selling her books! Not wanting to miss her, I RAN to the booth, quickly paid for the book and jumped in the Meet-and-Greet line once again. 

While Paula was signing my books, her other publicist, GiGi, commented on how beautiful my smile was. "Don't you think she as a beautiful smile, Paula?" she said. "Well, yes she does!" Paula enthused in her sweet drawl. "Well, Paula brings it out in me," I said with a grin. (Doesn't hurt to schmooze any way you can, right?) 

So, even though my visit to Chicago was fun, the food amazing and the trade show was pretty enjoyable, nothing could quite hold a candle to meeting Paula Deen!

My personal Hell

Doing a bit of online research at work today, I was looking through the program listing for satellite radio stations -- '80s, '70s, Top 40 and more ... But then I saw it ... my personal radio hell...

24/7 Bruce Springsteen

I know, I know, I know ...  he's THE BOSS. He's Mr. New Jersey. He's the greatest ... blah blah blah! 

I have NEVER been able to tolerate Bruce's music and I don't understand why he manages to get so much press when he goes on tour, cuts a new album, etc... 

So the idea of a 24/7 Springsteen radio station would be the worst form of torture for me. Forget Chinese water torture, thumbscrews, "The Rack." I will divulge the deepest of secrets hearing the first few notes of "Born in the USA." 

There are a few other groups and individual musicians who rank pretty high up there (Don't get me started on the lack of originality in ALL of Nickelback's songs or the elementary school lyrics of Sheryl Crow's tunes), but Bruce tops my Radio Hell list!

Who is your least favorite band/musical artist?

The Other Woman!

Apparently that's who I am now ... the other woman! 

Let me explain: About 6 weeks ago I went out with a guy from Bountiful. Twice divorced with 3 kids, I knew it wasn't going to go very far. We did have fun though and so I hung out with him 2 more times over the next 3 weeks.

It had been a while since I'd seen him, but we exchanged text messages and he called on several occasions. 

Reality comically smacked me upside the head the other night when I got a phone call from "Rachel" ... this guy's GIRLFRIEND!  She asked if "Paolo" was with me. Nope! Apparently, these two have been dating for a year, broke up but had re-committed to the relationship 6 weeks ago. 

 

Long story short ... Rachel was told I was the "WE WERE ON A BREAK" girl ... when in fact he was two-timing her! 

I really hope, for this gal's sake, that she gets a clue and dumps this idiot of a guy! 

As for me, I'm still shaking my head, laughing in disbelief. 

The Relationship aisle?

While killing some time before meeting up with a blind date the other night, I decided to wander the aisles of the local Barnes & Noble. The store was pretty crowded, but I noticed, as I wandered down the "Relationship" aisle that it was quite a popular hot spot in the store.

I got a good giggle out of the middle-aged married couple perusing the books, apparently in search of a recommended title. And while I was checking out "Why Men Love Bitches," "The Proper Care and Feeding of Husbands" and the "Cuddle-sutra," I noticed a few attractive men pouring over a few tomes.

Hmmmm... Maybe I need to start hanging out at B&N more often. Could there be a possible relationship waiting for me in the Relationship aisle? Is Mr. Right all caught up on his "Relationships 101" reading and ready to advance on to "Mars and Venus in the Bedroom" and ready to speak the "Five Love Languages" to me?

Probably not, but in the meantime I can get a refresher on "Dating for Dummies."

May Cousin Party!

The annual tradition continues! This time, however, the usually Christmas-time party was held Feb. 23. A little President's Day celebration this year. Great fun to see everyone! (apologies if I misspell names!)

Roger and Marsha hosted the group of about 40. We all enjoyed a potato and salad bar and cheesecake for dessert. A little entertainment from Robert Callen, with a featured duet with Andy Martin and an array of Japanese goodies from Linda wrapped up the party.

The McCartys: Becky, her new husband Ryan, Katie and Chelsea

Karalee, Jason, Andy and wife Naomi and Marsha (host of the party) in the background

Karalee, Allen and Georgie's granddaughter.

Georgie and Karalee

Naomi and a crazy wooden "cockroach" from Aunt Linda

Sarah Callen, BYU freshman

A pregnant Jenny, her 2-year-old Adam and husband Brian

Callie and Jacob playing with Japanese fans from Aunt Linda

Callie playing coy with her Japanese fan