Female in Motion

The Hubster and I had a date night last Friday. We had some appointments in Wichita, so we decided to stay in town and kick up our heels a little bit. In our case, kicking up our heels is mostly a figurative term, we don't do much literal heel-kicking any more! First, we dined at Cheddar's, a popular family-dining spot on the east side. If you haven't been there, you might want to try it. The portion size is large and the prices are great (under $30 for two). The Hubster said the ribs are really good, and he's a rib connoisseur. We caught "The Invention of Lying" at the Warren East Theater after dinner. Although it was a sweet love story, and Ricky Gervais was great (as usual), we wouldn't recommend it. The movie took a decidedly anti-Christian tone about 3/4 of the way through. Very disappointing. Two stars out of five. Have you ever struggled over dinner conversation with your spouse? I usually chatter on like a magpie...shocking, I know! The Hubster is ...

I visited Topeka last weekend. A friend who knows me well asked if I was going to "storm the Capitol." Sounded like a good idea, but I had other plans. The Capitol Plaza Hotel was the site for the Kansas Authors Club annual convention. As a new member, I was excited to attend this large and historic event. Did you know that the KAC was founded in 1904 and counts several Kansas governors and William Allen White as members? I can't believe a fancy club like that would accept ME as a member! This was a very large event, with several hundred creative maniacs taking over the unsuspecting hotel. We held meetings, attended workshops, handed out awards, ate like pigs and did "readarounds." For the uninitiated, a readaround is when a bunch of writers get together in one room and read our stuff to each other, closely followed by supportive and sometimes amusing commentary. I met some really cool writers and heard some excellent, helpful speeches. Now, if I can only put so...

I got a phone call on Tuesday night from my Aunt Nancy. To preface, my Aunt Nancy is not like anyone else on earth. She is simply the coolest, funniest, most audacious woman I know. I want to be just like her when I grow up...if I ever decide to. Aunt Nancy is my mom's little sister. She lives in northern Missouri with her former Marine husband, Uncle Barry. Nancy is the only person in the world that I allow to call me "Carol Baby." She attracts attention everywhere she goes, like Paris Hilton at a Miami nightclub opening. You never know what she's going to say or do next. *** My mom and I did some major power-shopping last week. I wanted to find a really great outfit to wear for a special occasion. Mom raised three daughters (and a son). She taught us all to be great shoppers with sharp eyes for quality and a good deal. I've tried to teach my daughters that, too. We spent most of Thursday afternoon in a drenching rainstorm, moving quickly from shop to shop. We fo...

Most people would call me complex...even a little bit "high maintenance." Actually, I'm a very simple girl. There are only two things on my mind. I'm hungry and I've got to pee! Embarrassing, but true. When I get up in the morning the first thing on my mind is getting to the bathroom. Right after that, I'm ready to eat. I spend most of the day planning what I'll eat for lunch and dinner, making menus and defrosting meat. Every morning, The Hubster and I discuss what we'll be noshing on that evening. Plans are made early in the week for weekend meals. Holiday and birthday dinner menus are scheduled at least a month ahead. I drink a lot of water every day. My doctor recommended that I do, and my mom always set a good example. She kept a water glass by the sink in the kitchen. I keep a liter bottle of refrigerated water on my desk all day. It seems to help with my migraines. The side effect of all this water consumption is...I have to go all the time! It...