Day 273 Take 5 and Ebola

There is a new resturant downtown. It has a unique menu. They have 5 appetizers, 5 entrees, 5 white wines, 5 red wines, 5 cocktails, 5 craft beers and 5 domestic beers. It was expensive but the food was good and when they bring your check, they bring you a cookie. How  can you not love a place that gives you a cookie. The place is called Take 5

No, I (Taylor) do not have Ebola. If I did I probably wouldn't be typing this. For the first time, I genuinely don't understand why the US has deployed troops to Africa to fight a deadly/infectious disease. I've never really formed my own opinion about deployed military personnel (excluding when josh was gone but that was only for selfish reasons) until today. Yes, I'm going to get political. And if you know me at all you know I can't stand politics. But please, explain to me how it's a wise decision to send our military men and women into a country with such an awful disease for them to "fight" it. How do humans effectively fight this? I truly don't understand.  

Day 272 Ledgers and Kale

Part of my job responsibilities requires me to reconcile our income account ledgers. This process has always taken me two to three days. Today I did them all in one day. Go me!

I've bought kale many times to try kale chips with. Unfortunately I never got up the nerves to make them. Tonight we were out of lettuce for a salad for dinner so we are kale instead. I'm not sure I loved it. It make me want to gag a bit and it has a very strong flavor. I have a big bag to figure out what to do with it so it doesn't go to waste. 

Day 271 Xfinity App and shopping trip

As a subscriber to Comcast, it seems I have access to an app. This app allows me to watch TV shows on demand and download movies. So I got the app. I actually used it to watch the first episode of The Blacklist. Good way to keep up with shows I have to miss. All my shows occur on the same day at the same time.

Tonight I went shopping for some groceries. I bought some fresh herbs that I've never bought before. I bought cilantro, thyme, dill, and a few others. We'll see how they go in my recipes this week! 

Day 270 New Coffee and Townsend Fall festival

This morning after a meeting with my drive thru team at work I went to grab coffee with one of my coworkers/friends at a local coffee shop. I'm a huge fan of pumpkin spiced lattes. This shop had their own fall coffee that had pumpkin cinnamon and white chocolate. It was absolutely delicious! 

My friend, Carol asked if we would like to accompany her to the nearby city of Townsend's Fall festival. I had other plans for the day but changed them so I could hang with my friend. It was a great day. Lots of crafts, good food, wonderful music and time with a friend. The best part of the day was being with Carol and my sister, Marian but I also loved the music. They had several tents set up and musicians were jamming. Awesome!

Day 269 Real Water and new author

At my health coach meeting last weekend the coach made a comment about alkaline water. One name he mentioned was real water. When I was picking up a smoothly at smoothly king this morning I saw a bottle of the water. I I picked it up for later. It didn't taste much different but I will say this. It gave me a less full belly feeling. Like he mentioned and like I often feel, regular tap or bottled water can leave you filling like you have a fish bowl full of water in your belly. This water doesn't feel like that. It was a bit expensive though. 

I tried out a new writer today - Laurie Breton. The title of the book was "Welcome Home". It was a great book. I couldn't put it down. It told the story of a young woman and her journey through life. She is a songwriter along with her best friend. He is also a guitar player who is a member of her soon to be husband's band. I believe I will be reading more of her stories.

Day 268 Retirement seminar and post it note app

I attended a retirement seminar today. It was very informative. The best part - I learned I could retire today. It was very exciting.

Tonight I discovered the post it note app. If you know me you know I love 2 things. Office supplies and kitchenware. Bring post its to my phone? Heck yes! I can't wait to start using it! 

Day 267 Meeting and Starbucks app

I had a really important meeting at work today. (Lynn) I came up with a really valid idea and actually had the guts to say it out loud.

So I've had my Starbucks app for a while now, but today (after receiving 3 bonus stars) I finally reached the gold level. What comes with that?? Free drinks every 12 stars!!! Yes, I'm a dork because I'm so excited about it. 

Day 266 Warehouse 13 and training

I have discovered (Lynn) that I like SyFy Network shows. I guess I am a geek. My latest discovery is Warehouse 13. I like that you learn a bit of history while watching all that adventure. 

I did my first official training tonight at work. Every front counter team member working tonight I was in charge of training/retraining on lemonades (which I had never made before), tea, and all ice dream items. I was a bit nervous but very excited once I realized I had taught every single person there at least 1 new thing! 

Day 265 Wash car and bid day

Tonight I washed my new car for the first time. It had gotten some sap on it. We have this tree that is really sappy during the Fall. I am determined to keep my new car sap free.

Today I went to my first Kappa Delta bid day as an alum. I've been out as a collegiate member for 5 years (holy crap!). This is the chapters first bid day in their new chapter house as well. It was so cool seeing the new house and I must admit I'm totally jealous of it! 

Day 264 My Mom turns 80 and new phone

Today is my Mom's birthday. She turned 80. She called me a few weeks ago and said she was feeling down about turning 80 and all she wanted was a birthday card from all her children and grandchildren. I decided to take that idea and make it bigger. I had my sister steal her address book. We copied it and sent letters to everyone in it asking them to send her a birthday card. She ended up receiving 100 birthday cards. When she got the first few, she was mad at me, but after I reassured her I did not force anyone to send a card, that everyone wanted to do it, she got excited. I cannot believe my Mom is 80. You would not know it if you met her. She looks and acts much younger.

So everyone is hyped up about the new iPhone. Well I got a new iPhone but I only upgraded to the 5s. But I'll say, I'm still super pleased with it even tho I didn't get the brand new one! 

Day 263 New Foods

Today I (Lynn) was at a friends house showing them how to make Lemoyne stars. Everyone brought snacks to keep us fortified while we sewed. Someone brought pepper jelly which they pored over cream cheese. I had never heard of it, so I tried that with a cracker. It was a little sweet for me. I liked the hot kick at the end though. Then I tried salsa verde over cream cheese. That I liked much better. Nice and hot.

After buying my asparagus last night i got josh to grill it up tonight. It was bacon wrapped so definitely took out most of the nutritional value but I didn't hate it! They say you get new taste ifs every 10 days so maybe I can get mine to like asparagus. 

Day 262 Quilt show and new pick up at the store

I know you are asking yourself, how can a quilt show be a first for Me (Lynn). Easy, I went by myself. A local quilt was having their show this weekend. I had to go today because I am busy tomorrow. Marian would not go with me but I wanted to support these ladies. I talked myself out of it a dozen times but I made myself go. It was a nice show. Small but there were some beautiful quilts.

Tonight I (Taylor) went to the grocery store to pick up some stuff for dinner. I had been watching food network most of the day so I was very inspired. And with food I don't normally like. So I picked up some asparagus. I've never bought let alone eaten it so this could be interesting. 

Day 261 New food choice and really pissed customer

This whole project is about stepping outside the box and trying new things. Tonight we had dinner at our usual place - Shoneys. Taylor will confirm, I eat there often. It is close to the house so convenient. I always get the same thing - a burger or half pound dinner. Tonight I got something different - baked spaghetti. It was good. Doing something new each day does not have to involved some huge deal. Small changes are good too.

Today was my first real experience dealing with a highly upset customer. I'll spare you the details and confusing story.. But we'll just say I, along with 2 others, were called a liar. It got me a little heated but I eventually calmed down and realized it wasn't my fault she got so upset. 

Day 260 The Lost Highway and New Way to Hang Up Clothes

Tonight I went to see "The Lost Highway" a play about the life of Hank Williams. I have always loved his music and I drove by his house all the time when I grew up in Nashville. Plus he died after spending the night here in Knoxville. The performance was great. I did not realize he was only 29 when he died. How tragic. Funny thing happened. There was a much older woman sitting behind us. She spent the entire night talking to Hank. And she did not use her indoor voice. The funniest was when she told him how hot he was.

Tonight I (Taylor) found a video on a new and quick way to hang up shirts, tanks, and dresses! Brilliant I tell ya! Check it out:

http://askannamoseley.com/2013/09/how-to-hang-clothes-like-a-genius/

Day 259 Below Deck and Nielsen survey

Tonight while home I (Taylor) decided to watch a new show I've never seen. Below Deck.. It's awful. Seriously stupid and I feel like I wasted an hour of my life I'll never get back. Please, don't ever watch it. 

Today I took the Nielsen survey. Hopefully I will be picked to be picked to be asked what I watched. This was the first step. 

Day 258 New quilting joint project and new music

Wednesday is my next meeting of my Fiber Art Chicks. We have begun a new project. We each made a twelve inch block. At least we were supposed to. Anyway since our last meeting we were to take the block we had and add something to make it measure 15-20 inches. I had my friends Christine's. I added four butterflies and a couple of borders.

Today during lunch at work I was educated on tons of music and artists I've never heard of from a coworker. He would randomly burst out in song between customers. I'll be honest, I couldn't even begin to tell you what the artists names were because they were so bizarre but it was a fun lunch shift! 

Day 257 Cards Against Humanity and Long Island Medium

Tonight we went to have a pot luck at Mandy and Andy's house. After dinner and dessert we played Cards Against Humanity which is a crude, grown up version of apples to apples. We definitely had a lot of laughs. I would definitely recommend it for adults who like apples to apples 

It was a recovery day for me after a hard week of working the quilt show. I needed an easy first so I watched a few episodes of Long Island Medium. I want to believe there are people who can talk to those who have passed but I have a hard time believing things I have not experienced myself. 

Day 256 Loading out the show and Xfinity app

Today we helped take down Wendy's booth. The way it works at the show, you are not allowed to get in line to load your vehicle until your booth is completely packed. We hurried and packed up the booth and then called over the AQS rep who gave Wendy her place in line. She went out to the truck and waited for her turn to pull up to the loading dock. We waited inside with the stuff. We were lucky, we only had to wait 30 minutes. Wendy has waited as long as four hours before.

Tonight while at the MTSU football game I downloaded the xfinity to go app to try to record the UT vs Oklahoma game for josh. It unfortunately was an epic fail and got deleted before the night was over. 

Day 255 Room Service and store opening

Today was day three of working the quilt show. We were pretty tired so opted for room service for dinner. First time I have gotten room service in many years. It is a nice treat.

I've never experienced what it's like to open the restaurant in the morning. I didn't know what went on and how it all worked. This morning I got to experience that since I had an early morning delivery. 

Day 254 Fabric Opinion and fitness challenge

Today while working the booth at the quilt show, a woman came in asking for an opinion. She was looking for some fabric. A purple and violet. She asked me which ones I would consider match those colors. I picked two pieces of fabric and she bought them. Nice to be trusted.

Today I signed up for a fitness challenge at work that will last 2 months.We'll get to sit down with a fitness/life coach and then we'll get reevaluated again in 2 months.  

Day 253 Sticky Fingers and grand openings

Today was the first day of working the Chattanooga Quilt show. It was fun working the booth and helping Wendy out. I saw lots of friends from Knoxville and met lots of new people. After we finished working we met a friend, Karen, Wendy and two of Karen's friends for dinner at a place called Sticky Fingers. It is a BBQ place in downtown Chattanooga. The food was okay but the company was fantastic. We laughed and had the best time.

After an application process and background check, I got my confirmation email that I can now officially apply for grand openin teams! 

Day 252 AQS set up and Yes, schedule again

Today I (Lynn) arrived in Chattanooga for the AQS Quilt show. This is its first year here and I am helping my friend Wendy with her booth, Stipples. She hand dyes fabrics. This afternoon we helped her set up the booth. We got most of it done and we will finish tomorrow morning before the show opens. Should be a fun week.

Well, my first day alone on the schedule was this afternoon. As I told a couple of people, it's like the biggest and most difficult puzzle I've ever had to put together. I spent about 1.5 hours and only got through the front of house for lunch. This is going to be interesting and very challenging. 

Day 251 LGBT meeting and Truett Cathy

I (Lynn) had my first LGBT meeting today. I must confess I felt out of my element. Most of the people there knew each other and I knew no one. I am glad I agreed to be the Exempt Council rep. I know I will learn a lot.

We got word this morning that the founder of Chick-fil-A passed at the age of 93. I unfortunately never had the chance to meet Mr. Cathy but his hard work and dedication has built a business that truly cares about the employees and the community surrounding each store. I honestly wouldn't be the person I am without Chick-fil-A and that's all thanks to Mr. Cathy and the business he has built. I've never truly been impacted by someone I've never met before. 

Day 250 Publix and Panera

A new Publix near my house opened. I have never been inside one so my first today was grocery shopping at Publix. It was a great experience. I love their deli and bakery. I believe I will be shopping there from now on. Plus since you enter and ride an escalator up to enter, when you leave they have this cute little escalator for your cart.

So I (Taylor) love panera. I went there to eat before I had to be at work. I decided to try something new and got a southwestern chicken flatbread sandwich. It definitely wasn't my favorite. I would assume if you could get it on a salad it would be better but I didn't enjoy the mixture of ingredients very much unfortunately. 

Day 249 Brussels sprouts and chocolate pedicure

Tonight josh and I went to our friends, the Merino's, house for a cookout. We were in charge of the chicken and they did the sides. One of the sides Christina made was Brussels sprouts (and just an added bonus I didn't know Brussels sprouts had a a at the end of both words!). I've never tried them before so I figured why not. They actually weren't that bad. Christina said she has another way that's even better to cook them and I can't wait to try them that way! 

Today I made appointments for my sister and me to have chocolate pedicures. It was part of her birthday present. When I got in the room I was informed they had run out of supplies for chocolate pedicure but they were sure I would be okay. They would make it nice. I needed a pedicure bad or I would have have walked. My sister said she was ok with it but I was so angry. They never offered any of their other special pedicures. It was such a disappointing first. 

Day 248 Air Supply and Extra Hot coffee

I actually had two new things today. I went to lunch with friends at a place called The Coop. They specialized in different types of chicken salad. I had a grilled chicken, pesto and provolone panini. It was yummy. After work I took one of my sister (it was her birthday) to the fair for a dinner of fair food and a concert by Air Supply. They have been in the business for nearly forty years and they still sound great. We had so much fun. 

Yesterday while talking with beau, we got on the subject of coffee and how we order it from Starbucks. He said ordering it extra hot would change my life. So that's how I ordered my coffee this morning. Extra hot definitely is they way to go. My coffee stayed hot so much longer than it normally does! 

Day 247 Nice to everyone and Fantasy Draft

Today was a crazy day at work. I had not had time for a first. On the way home I had to stop at Krogers. The people at this Krogers are always impolite. I made it my mission to be extra nice to everyone. It worked. Everyone was nice back. It was the best experience I have ever had at that store.

Josh and I have done a few drafts together the last few years. I must add I've beat him every year we've played. And I probably just jinxed myself for this year. Every year I have him help me draft but this year I did it all on my own :) we'll see how it goes this season 

Day 246 When the Game Stands Tall and Schedule

Tonight I joined a friend in watching "When the Game Stands Tall". I love movies based on true sports stories. This one was exceptional. So inspiring. It makes you want to be a better person. I highly recommend this movie.

I've mentioned the schedule as my first a couple of times. This go around I actually officially witnessed the hard work it takes to make a schedule. I sat side by side and helped make next weeks schedule for work. Definitely a lot of work! 

Day 245 Show and Tell at guild and Drive Thru Director

Tonight was our quilt guild meeting. We always have show and tell. This year of first I did a show and tell but I showed something I had crocheted. Tonight I showed something I quilted. It was easier to show my crocheted item. I am more confident about my skill at crochet. I got good feedback about my quilt though. It was the one I talked about in yesterday's post.

Today I (Taylor) officially took over as interim drive thru director at work. I'm excited about this new adventure in addition to my marketing and scheduling responsibilities. 

Day 244 Small Quilt and Saved by the Bell

Friends of mine (Lynn) want to learn how the Rapid Fire Lemoyne Star ruler works. The ruler was designed by Deb Tucker and is easy to use. I designed a small wall hanging that my friends can make. I will be teaching them later this month. I cannot wait to share this with them.

Tonight they showed a tv film on lifetime about Screech's perspective of the life on a saved by the bell actor. It was definitely weird and I'm not sure I enjoyed it. I like my 90s shows kept in the 90s.