WHAT COULDN'T YOU DO AS A KID, THAT YOU CAN DO NOW?

As a kid I was a serious tomboy playing football, baseball and basketball.  I could climb trees and fences with ease, and frequently beat guys in bike races.  There were a lot of other things I wasn't particularly good at, but sticks out in my mind is not being able to rollerskate. (lol)

A zillion people tried to teach me, but nothing they did could get me to stand up on those skates.  It was a disaster every time I got on a pair, and I have the knee scrapes to prove it.(lol)

But before you start laughing and scratching your head, this was what I had to work with back then. For all the young people who read this blog, these pretty much look ancient, right?(lol)

These were worn with shoes, and they could be stretched to fit as needed.  Aren't they cool?*heh*

Now everyone is using these, and I still don't know how they don't all fall down.  I'll hang out with anyone, but just don't ask me to put on a pair of roller skates, please. (lol) What about you, can you skate?

HAVE YOU EVER MET A BLOGGER YOU FOLLOW?

Since starting this blog, I've met a ton of people from all over the world, which is so cool, but there are lots of them right here in NC too.  Pretty amazing.

I met Anna from Herding Cats and Burning Soup back in 2014, and found out that we live only 25 minutes away from each other, and meet up several times a year.  I connect with people for many different reasons, and you'd be surprised to know that sometimes we have everything, or nothing in common.  What I loved about Anna is that she's x-rated, opinionated and outrageously funny. She also likes to read a lot.  But she's also incredibly kind and giving.

Perfect spot for movies

Florida Villa

Florida Villa

I just wish I had millions of dollars so I could fly all the bloggers I've met online to one location for a serious Blogfest for 2 days at a luxury villa.  Chef Jim Smith from Top Chef,  lots of books and movies, wi-fi, snacks, and a sunroom for everyone to choose his or her own pajamas and slippers.  Can you imagine book, lifestyle, cooking, political, entertainment, relationship and fashion bloggers from all over the world in one place? How's that for an amazing bucket list?

VENDING MACHINE CARS

I'm fascinated with unusual things, so even though it's been around since 2016, yes, you can purchase an actual vehicle from a vending machine.  These machines are located in Jacksonville FL, Raleigh NC, Nashville TN, Houston Texas, Dallas Texas, and San Antonio Texas. 

All the cars in Carvana's inventory are thoroughly checked and inspected, but once you actually pick it up from the machine, buyers have 7 days to drive it to make sure the car is everything expected.  If not, you'll get a full refund.

For those who want only high end cars, check out the tallest vending machine for cars located in Singapore.  Once you choose your luxury car, it will be available to you in just 2 minutes!

Fudgy Lemon Brownies(Hayley Parker-The Domestic Rebel - https://thedomesticrebel.com/)

Ingredients

• ⅔ cup butter, softened to room temperature
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 4 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
• Zest of two lemons
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 & ¼ cups all-purpose flour
• FOR GLAZE:
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2-3 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
• Zest of one lemon

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line an 8x8 or 9x9" baking pan with foil, extending the sides of the foil over the edges of the pan. Spray the foil liberally with cooking spray and set aside.
2. In a large bowl, stir together the butter and sugar until combined. Gradually add in the eggs and stir until just barely combined - do not over mix, as this will lead to tougher brownies. Lastly, stir in the lemon juice, lemon zest, salt and flour until a soft batter forms.
3. Spread the batter into the prepared pan and smooth out the top. Bake for approx. 22-25 minutes, no more than that, or until the top is set and lightly golden brown. Cool completely.
4. Once cool, make your glaze. In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and lemon juice until a spreadable, pourable glaze is achieved. Pour over the bars and smooth out. Top with lemon zest. Let the glaze set, then cut into squares and serve. 

LEMONS FOR LEUKEMIA

I've always been a fan of lemons because of their tartness and they are great in many recipes. They also have other benefits which include cleaning and weight loss.  I almost love them as much as chocolate.  (lol) 

Even Danny Devito joined in

But the reason I chose this particular recipe from the very funny and talented Domestic Rebel(Thanks Hayley!) is because today is the Lemons for Leukemia Challenge where the focus is on helping 20 year old Chris Betancourt reach  a world record of bone marrow donations in a 24 hour period.  Sadly, this young man has only one year left to live, and he's determined to get through a 125 item bucket list.

ABC News getting their lemon on

Leukemia is a cancer that actually starts in the bone marrow,  making it hard to fight infections in the body.  Depending on the type of leukemia, many will live for years, but other types are deadly and aggressive.  This is a cause that's very close to my heart, and while I can't donate bone marrow for medical reasons, I sure hope they reach this goal which may help others in the future.  I ate two lemons this morning, and still feel the pucker.(lol)  Tag, you're it!

VERBAL ABUSE

Yes, I do bring up the discussion about abuse on occasion, and there have been times where friends and family get pissed off when the subject comes up yet again.  Sorry, not sorry. (lol) 

Sometimes it seems as if we've met the best person in the world for a perfect relationship, and yes,it can happen because I've seen and heard about it.  But occasionally we'll get subtle warning signs that we're with someone who is not right for us.  Initially, you can talk about any and everything, and there's a mutual conversation.  Eventually, you start getting cut off, or your thoughts are discounted, and if you complain, you're told "it's no big deal".  Soon, there may be suggestions to get a boob job, or to get your nose redone.  You're too fat, or too skinny.  

Out in public, you're frequently embarrassed, degraded and laughed at, then told you're too sensitive.  You notice that you are rarely taken out on dates anymore and when it's mentioned, you're called a stalker. Your cooking sucks, you don't work enough, and you notice that he or she is paying way too much attention to your neighbor.  

Eventually, your new name is "bitch" or "bastard" and you're just plain ugly. You begin to believe it when you're told that no one else will ever want you, and your character has been assassinated because of all the lies being spread.  He or she ignores you and is constantly on the phone when you try to carry on a conversation. Everything in life is suddenly all your fault.  If you haven't noticed already, a red beacon should be flashing.  

Now is the time to get in your car, call an Uber, catch the next bus, or get on roller skates for a fast getaway.  If you continue to stay thinking that things will get better, you'll soon be on a vicious rollercoaster that will never, ever stop.