Bye all

   Well, its early morning.  We are finishing up the packing.  Sipping some coffee.  Watching Zoey pout because she does know we are leaving I swear.  She just lays there with her face down and follows us with her eyes.   OK dog.  Make us feel guilty, LOL.  In fact right now she just crawled under the bed and only her back feet are poking out.



    Chester however acts like he has no clue.  Busy begging he has one thing and one thing only on his mind.  Breakfast.  To have it so simple.

   True to tradition Rick is busy this morning packing his clothes.  True to tradition I was packed last night.  I slept like a lamb until 6,  Rick got up at 4 am.  I feel fresh and ready to go.  Rick....well Rick looks tired.  giggle.

   The weather is going to be a combo.  Cool in the evening, even cold some evenings, but in the 70s to 80 during the day.  So we have to bring both sets of clothes.  I will have Rick bring the saddle bags for the bikes so we can store the extra coats etc if it gets warmer when we ride.  We probably won't hit the trail until Sunday.

   Tonight we are eating at the Firehouse Brewery in Rapid City.  We are spending the night there and then on the cabin in the morning.

   Well, its time to start loading the van.  Can we say excited.  YES we can.

   Last I was looking up some witty travelers prayer to leave as a ending.  Some were pretty bleak,  Please dear lord don't let us crash and burn up in a horrible way I beseech thee blah blah.  Oh my goodness, that sets the mood doesn't it.  Instead I leave this travelers prayer from my heart..

    Dear Lord.  Thanks.  For all that I will see, for all that I will do.  For the means to do it..
 
                            Amen

Its here

  

          It's a miracle.   Got a call.  The hitch is here.  Can you come right out to put it on.  Yes.  Leap out of bed.  Run outside.  Rick!   Rick!    No Rick!  Oh no.  Run back inside.  Call them back to see if we can get it on in a hour.  No go.  Oh No.   Run to the bedroom and start throwing clothes on.  All this after being woken from a sound sleep less then 3 minutes before and I have had No Coffee!
            
    Come running out of the bedroom pulling on my pants and collide with Rick.  Oh good....you have to leave NOW.  Pushing him out the door with a hurried explanation.

   So the hitch gets on after-all.   Life is good.  Now I am sitting here sipping my coffee.  Waiting for my pulse to get back to normal.  Thinking about sleeping for another hour since he will be gone a hour.  Then thinking about all I need to do to pack and get ready.

    Yup, the day is almost upon us....finally.  We will get the van packed up tonight and leave bright and early in the morning.   For the first vacation since 1998.  I am so excited I could spit, except that wouldn't be lady like would it.

   Gosh, maybe I should check the mail.  Maybe my camera filters will be here.  Maybe Ricks shoes.  Maybe the winning numbers to the Readers Digest Million give a way.  Or is it more these days?

   In the morning I will be switching off my alerts.  Don't want the daunting task of seeing 900 alerts when I return.  I am not sure if and where I will be able to use my laptop.  Not at the cabin it sound like.  Maybe at some of the motels.

    We have decided to go to Wyoming.  Drive around and maybe slowly get to the Grand Tetons national park.   or Yellowstone. I have always wanted to go there.  My camera and I will go nuts.  Rick might have a good time also, LOL.  I don't really care where we end up.  It will be nice to be traveling and just relaxing.

    Rick stresses sometimes about where we will sleep at night, but I remind him if all the motels are full we have a very comfortable luxury van with soft leather seats that fold completely down to make a nice resting place.  We'll be fine.

 

    Well.  Time to stop putting off the packing.  I have one cup of coffee in me.  Take care all and hopefully I will be checking in from time to time with a photo or 2000.

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What a nice surprise

     I woke up and  checked my journal and saw all the nice comments left congratulating me.  I won't tell you how many of those contests I have entered but obviously I did hope to win one some day.  It was on my bucket list for those who saw that movie, LOL.   So thanks you all.  I am thrilled.

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Last night of work

       Last night was a good night.  I was charge so the night just flew by.  One more to go.  I am excited.

      Yesterday I spent cleaning house and doing laundry.  I have everything pretty organized so I can throw it all together when we do pack.  Still no hitch.  We are now looking at the unpleasant prospect of putting the bikes in the back of the van.  I have light beige carpet and will have to put a blanket down.  I don't want grease on it.  We still have today and tomorrow for it to get here.  They said it will only take a hour to get it on so keep your fingers crossed.

     I am trying not to stress about Zoey.  I know Dan will take good care of her along with Luke.  I almost wish we had boarded her though.  Hopefully it will work out fine.

     I read in the Rapid City news that bikers should be careful about the rattlesnake on the trails.  Great.  First maybe mountain lions, now rattle snakes.  What next, black widow spiders!  Yikes.

    Tomorrow we have to get our energy jells and Rick is borrowing some bike shorts from our son.  He has resisted getting bike shorts but it really helps on a long trip.

     The weather is suppose to perfect for riding.  Mid 70's.  Not too hot.  I can't wait to be on the trail.  I am bringing my laptop but don't think I will be able to get wireless so you probably won't hear from me until I get back.  We might go to the Grand Tetons after we leave the Black Hills for a week so I am not sure when we will get back.  We just might bum for awhile.
 
     Well, I am getting tired.  Time for sleep.  Take care all.

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A day off

        

        I am off work today and glad of it.  It wasn't a bad week at work but I have much to do and am running out of time to do it.

    I will sleep until around 2:30 and then get some shopping done.   Hopefully they will call to say they got the hitch and can install it.  They we have to get a adapter for our bike rack.   I need to get food on hand for Zoey and Chester.  Need to get some energy gel for riding.  Wash and iron some clothes, clean the house, give detailed instructions to both kids plus emergency numbers where they can reach us.

      Clean out the van, clean out the fridge.  Plan a menu.  Etc..... etc....  I want to get some pepper spray as they have had some mountain lions around.   Don't want them chasing me on my bike but that should would motivating me to get up that hill, LOL.

      Sounds like a awful amount of work for a vacation.  It also doesn't look like my camera parts will be by then, sigh.  I want to go to the library and get a good book to read and some good wine to sit out and stare at the stars with the man I love.

     The last time I was at the Black Hills was with my in-laws.  It was our last trip.  My father in law was already sick and didn't live much longer.  I wish they were going with us again as we had so much fun and I miss them.

     Well, I am drifting here.   Time to get to bed.  2 more nights of work to go.  I just might make it.

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Saturday

       I find myself getting antsy and distracted. Waiting for the day to get here.  Thinking about all the little things we still need to do.  It is bad having to work every day until the trip.  I will have one day to get everything packed and ready.  We have to have a good plan on what to do  if they can't get the hitch on the van.  I have a great bike rack.  Just no way to put in on the van and I am not taking the old van up there.  We will probably have to store the bikes in the van which takes up so much room.

       Work is going well.  Very very busy.  It is making the time fly.  During break I was looking at the TV in the break room.  One of those infomercial.  Reminded me again why I don't have TV.  Tell me.  Why should we have to pay for them to advertise to me.  And if your paying for TV why should there be commercials anyway?  I maybe could understand it when TV was free and easy, but now that you pay a fortune..... why commercial?  They should be paying me, and plenty at that, to watch all the crap they advertise.  That is why I don't wear name brand clothes with their logo all over it.  If they want me to advertise there product, pay me.

     I see these cars with advertising wraps on them.  They ARE paid to do that.  Now that I might do.  If I liked the product.  But this insanity of paying them to let me watch their stupid infomercial.....no way.

    Ok, off the soap.  Guess I am not ready to get a TV yet.  Every time I think about it briefly I remember the things that make me mad.

    Rick is grilling supper and we are having a pot luck at work tonight.  BLT's with fresh tomatoes and homemade bread.  Yummy.  I will probably get pulled to an different floor tonight.  Our census is low.  So hopefully won't be so busy I can't get to it.



    Well, supper is ready.   I love it when someone else cooks for me.  Its good to be the Goddess, LOL.

      6 days to go.

Counting down the days.

         One day of work gone, 5 more 12 hour shifts to go.  Can you say counting down the days.  I am getting excited. 

   The bad news is our hitch still isn't in.  How to get our bikes up there if we don't get the hitch.  I guess if we have to I can bad the top of the roof and they can ride up there because I haven't been planning this trip to the Black Hills to ride the bike trail for over a year only to have it all go up in smoke.  Of course you can rent bikes there but I want to ride on my bike.  My bike that my camera bag snuggly fits on.  My bike that I have trained on.  MY bike.

    Did we train enough for the trail?  Probably not.  Oh well.  If I can't ride up all the hills I can walk.  I am determined to go on the trail and get pictures of the tunnels.  Greg, what setting should I use to shoot in a tunnel, LOL. 

     Friday we are spending the night at Rapid City and going to the brew pup.  Firehouse Brewery.  Then Saturday we go to the cabin.  They don't give you the directions on how to get there until the week before.  Very private and seclude.   I can't wait.

     I had to be charge last night the first 4 hours.  Total chaos.  I must have heard my name called 500 times so it was a relief at 11 to just take on my own patients and do my own thing.   I no longer care to be charge.  Spend to many years doing it and just want to concentrate on my own group of patients these days.  And a lovely group I had.

    I have actually been reading my manual for the new camera.  On line there is a great site with step by step instructions on using the camera with pictures on what buttons to use.  Should have done this class first.

    Well, time to get ready for work and visit some of your journals.  I am way behind as usual on my week to work.  Have a great weekend all.

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I owe, I owe, its off to work I go.

    I have one more week to work.  Next week, friday morning hopefully, we are on are way to vacation time.  Unfortunately I work every day until we go so next Thursday will be spent packing.  I can't wait. 

   Both my son's were here to eat and I told them Zoey's routine.  I think my youngest is planning on just staying here.  That will be great.

   I didn't get all my pictures finished.  Problem with taking so many is going through them all.  Yikes.  I didn't realize I had shot quite that many.  Have to control myself on the trip.

   Well time to go.  Hope everyone has a great weekend.



   The windows at the butterfly garden seem to be where all the butterfly's hang out.  Nice and cool.  See whats outside the window!

Some pictures

  We went to the Zoo.  I have a ton of pictures to sort but have some posted to my photo journal.  The good and the bad.  Check them out.  Expect many more.  Some are even good.

   Please stop by Indigo's and leave of word for her daughter.  She needs our prayers and good vibes.

   I am waiting for my BBQ steak to get done, yummy.  Then I will work on photos again.  I have some good ones.

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Grandma's secret pie tip

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A really good day.

   Just a lovely day in fact.  I think everything went just perfect.   Today we got my snap on pack to fit perfect on my rack.  Both camera's fit nice and snug.  So barring a wipeout  I have it made in the shade..  It was cloudy and overcast today but cool for riding and I felt good and strong.  We went 13.5 miles.  I could have even gone farther today,  My muscles feel good and we are doing hills.  I still hate them but am doing them.  What fun.

   There weren't many people on the trails so it was nice.  We could ride side by side which you don't get to do often.  Rick is doing better lately.  We finally laid his mother's ashes to rest.  He was having a problem getting it done but is relieved its over.  We haven't talked to BIL since a week and he still hasn't paid us so we are going to sell his half of the coins for the money.
 
  We saw some pretty flowers I got shots of.






          Then I saw this pretty little spellway.



        If you zoomed in.  Pan out and the worst of people comes to light.


          Doesn't that just make you sick.  Its right by the dock.  I suppose everyone just cleans out their boats and toss it in the water.  Things like this really anger.  Forget about global warming and being green.  Clean up your mess, don't litter.   That is far more important.

Class went well

   The class went well and I learned alot.  Now I wish I had the type of memory that could retain it but practice makes perfect.  I want to just keep taking shots to get the hang of it.  You all will be sick of my pictures.Check out the Photo Journal.  Here is the one I am happy with.

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My first shot

  There is much to learn.  Button not where I expect them to be.  Downloading pictures completely different the I am used too.  The battery only took 2 hours the first time.  I have found cheaper on line.  So ta da.  Rick hates the picture but look how clear it is.

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I bought the Canon

  I wanted  to hold both camera's and get a feel for them both but alas, they didn't have the Soni.  I was pretty decided though and just took the plunge and bought this one.  I didn't buy another lens though as they are so expensive.  I am pretty sure I can pick them up on line for less.  I also bought a new circular polarizer filter and a neutral density filter.  I forgot to pick up a extra battery and will do that tomorrow when I show up at the unheard of hour of 8 AM for my first class.  They are around 77 dollars to that really is awful.  Liked the Soni's much better.

    The class is taught by someone they call the professor.  I hope he is not one of those pro snobs, you know the type.  Since the class is $80.00 I want to really learn my camera and feel comfortable asking questions.  Not knowing how long it will take to charge my battery I may not get to use it until the class so I will be having to learn a new camera on top of what else he teaches.  He seemed nice but I have a feeling I would be much happier with you Greg. 

     There will be 5 in the class including me.  2 couples.  I never could get Rick interested in learning my camera's.  I wanted him to learn how to use my brothers and then teach me.  When he gets into something he really gets into it and I know would master it.  He is one of those people who can read to learn.  So he would read and re-read and read again the manual until he had it down pat.  Just not interested though.  He couldn't even use the camcorder which was a bummer.

    I wish the battery was charged as there are 2 baby deer, the mother deer and about 20 turkeys and assorted bunnies, squirrels and birds eating around the pear tree.  I would love to get a shot.

     Now I have to go through all the old lenses I have from my brother and try and sell them and the camera body.  It will help pay for the next lense I want.  They have some really nice macro lens with my name on it

    Well, I should get back to reading the manual and learning all the controls.  The bad thing is without the battery in it it won't even turn on.  But at least I will know what the buttons are for before class.

 

Beautiful ride

   We finally got off yesterday and had a beautiful ride.   I didn't bring my camera and am kicking my butt now.  I could have gotten some great shots.  We went to Adams trail and rode around that.  The short trail is only about 6.7 miles.  When we got back to the parking lot we had decided to keep going and hit the rural highway.  There is very little traffic and it just looked like a nice ride...and on pavement which was nice.

    Up the road there was a crop duster.  I swear this small yellow plane went right over my head a couple of times.  I felt I could almost have reached up and touched him.   They go so low.  I could feel the breeze from him flying overhead so close.  Scary but cool.  They look like they are going to crash any second.  So I wish I had my camera.  We rode to the overpass and then got on another long lonely highway.  That one we rode down to the next overpass.  The closest thing I could think of for getting my hill legs going.  The next overpass was more traveled but that loop brought up back to Adams where we finished our ride.  12 miles. 

    Of course by the time we got started it was hot.  My brain felt fried.  We went home and cleaned up and went out to eat at the river and listen to live jazz.  Got a lovely bottle of chardonnay wine and I had blackened Walleye.  Yummy.  It was  a perfect day.

    This morning I am NPO.  Nothing by mouth as I am going to get my cholesterol checked along with my fasting sugar.  That is for my wellness thing for work.    I am hoping I have lowered my cholesterol as it was higher then it should be.  I am craving a cup a coffee but sigh.  Soon enough. 

   Well since I didn't get any pictures on the ride, the baby deer were in the yard last night.  Aren't they cute.











          Momma was no where to be seen but I bet she would have shown up real fast if I had tried to pet one.

   Well, time to get ready to go.  Have a great day all.  I am getting my test, riding my bike and buying my camera.  The Cannon I have decided....or...

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Just a thought

  Yes.... I am still waiting for Rick to get ready.... Sigh. 

   Anyway.  Listening to the radio.  They were talking about how America might not be ready for a black president.  I suggest, humbly, turn off the TV and just listen.  Don't let color, race, sex, etc.... be the issue when choosing the next President of the United States.  That doesn't matter at all.  Listen to the words.  Listen to the person behind the words, keeping in mind also that these speeches are written for the people running.  But that should be what makes you vote.  Really the rest doesn't matter.  Vote for who is best to run the country.  Period.  My opinion.

      Personally if President Palmer from 24 was running and as good as making decisions in a tight spot, as moral as he was in the program, I would vote for him. Not the actor who is way out there in his views, but the character. Sigh, it is after all though just a show and maybe someone like that only exsists in some writers imagination.  But we can dream.....Right?

Made it the week off.

         I was running my behind off at work last night.   So busy.   I hadn't done any charting, but was wasn't worried as I knew I would get to it eventually when at 10:30 they told me I could have Low census.  What! your pulling my leg.  But yup, we had a ton of nurses on at 11.
 
        Now part of me thinks all I will do is go home and sleep, but this is where its important.  I will be awake during the day if I go home tonight.  I can take a early morning bike ride instead of a middle of the day, hot as hot can be bike ride.  And maybe.... just maybe go get my camera.

       So I went into high gear and finished up all the little things, sat my butt down and charted at double speed.   And here I am in the morning.  Sipping my coffee.  Planning where to ride today and looking forward to the next week off.  Blissful.



      I get sentimental about things.  I am looking at my Soni super steady shot.   The camera I yearned for and saved for and used and love.  Here I am ready to toss it aside like a old worn out shoe. Actually looking at it you can tell I have taken a few thousand shots on it.  Feeling guilty.  It has been a very good camera, a great camera.  But..... I have had several times when I see a beautiful shot.  The sky is so perfect, the clouds just right.  I set it up and take the shot and it doesn't capture it.  If you don't get it then you won't get another shot at that perfect shot you just saw.   Plus.  I want to be able to accessorize.   That is what women do.  I want more lens, more filters, more frosting.  I want that great big lens I see the professionals using, LOL.  I am going to the Black Hills.  Beauty will be surrounding me.  I want to capture it in all its splendor.  You know what I mean?



     Of course hauling all that on a bike gets tricky,  Especially climbing mountains in altitudes I am not ready for.  Probably puffing so hard no imaging stabilizer in the world will help.  So I also have to haul my tripod.  Poor Rick.  He is really going to be loaded down isn't he.  2 camera,s tripod, filters, extra lens, extra battery, more water and ice.  Sure glad he is such a big strong man,  Are your reading this Rick?

     There is one more camera I  have been looking at.  Around the same price range, but some things I really like, tilt live view and a soni which my last 2 camera were.  Bad thing is it comes with a lens that I would not rather have, but you can update. Once again I would have to change batteries.  Not sure about the memory card.  Takes great action shots, important for my flightly deer shots.  Has really good reviews except for the battery change over and lens.  Decisions decisions.  More megapixel then the cannon but really that isn't important.  And.... would I still miss those once in a lifetime shots.  



Sony - Alpha 14.2-Megapixel Digital SLR Camera - Black  

 Anyway, enough rambling on.  Time to get ready for my ride.  I haven't ridden for awhile because of my toe.  The toe is down to just a bothersome slight nagging discomfort now.  I have 2 weeks left before the big ride.  I got some training to do.

     Thanks everyone for you wonderful suggestions, Greg...your the best!




     

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What do you think

  I looked at camera's today.  I am thinking about a Canon EOS Rebel XSi.

      I have been reading reviews and now need to do comparison reviews.  There are some things in the camera I don't like.  I will need new batteries, the ones from my Soni won't work and they are expensive.  The camera comes with one, but I like a backup.  the memory cards are expensive and you can't use the one I have now in it.  More expense.  The pictures are good and the camera is nice and light.  The lenses are expensive and none of the lens from my old camera will work on it. 

  Pro are they have camera classes to teach me how to use the camera to its full potential.  I am terrible about reading the manual and always have done better with a hands on learning experience.  But they would do that with any camera so should I get a better one or keep looking.  Anyone use this camera?  What do you think.  Happy or wish you had looked further.  Maybe I should look into the newest Soni as I think I could use some of the same things I already have.  Decisions decisions.

   I am looking to keep the entire package around 2000.  No more but less would be good.  So opinions welcome.

Monday, Monday...so good to me

       There is something about a day off that just lifts my spirits.  Puts a smile right smack on my face.  Kind of like this song from my past and the thought of my vacation that is a short 18 days away.   Counting down the days.


     Weather report.   Wet...hot....humid....wet.....lightening.  That about covers it.

      I want to ride every day I am off but today will be a bust.  However.....the rest of the week is suppose to be wonderful riding weather.   Now if I can get through Tuesday and Wednesday at work.  

    Tomorrow I am going camera shopping.   Greg gave me some great advice so even if I do get the new camera, the old one is going with me.  And maybe the new one.  We shall see.

        Well, Rick is up from his nap so time to go.

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Pain Free

          

        
 
           I may not be quite up to skipping yet but I can honestly say my toe is feeling pretty darn good.   I haven't bumped it for a week,  just some slight pain in the side if I wiggle it, so I don't, and work hasn't been aggravating it.  The first day it was really bothering me but now, I can stand it for sure.  What a relief.

 

      Then for my previous entry.   I got a email that the plane picture was fake.  Well it isn't a fake but it may be nothing to get upset about.  You read the story and decide on Snopes. My apologies.  I usually check out all my emails to see if they are just urban legend, but didn't on this one.   It seemed so typical for some of the outrageous things he has done I took it at face value.  What is it they say these days.....My Bad.

   This is my final night of work on my 4 day stretch.  It is 100 degrees out so it hasn't been bad sleeping during the day.  I wouldn't want to be out riding my bike anyway in this heat..  Good thing is with my toe I could and will ride now.  We hope, barring some other life altering event, to ride everyday I am off.
 
    Vacation is 19 days away.  I can almost smell the pine and see the faces already.



        We are also going camera hunting.   This week.  Hopefully I will get the one I like but it is pretty pricey and for the way I shoot this one I have is really good enough I suppose.  I want one with more options for lenses though.  I want....I want.  I need I need.  Nope, don't need but do want.

      Well, time to get ready for supper.  Rick is grilling turkey.  Sounds yummy.

I want a patriot

      I want my next President to be proud of his country.  To be a patriot.  To shout it from the rooftops.  Is that too much to ask?

 

WHAT A DISGRACE!!!  AND HE IS ALL AMERICAN????
 

Obama the Patriot - Removes American Flag From His Plane

The Patriot Room Posted on Tuesday, July 22, 2008 8:11:07 AM by Bill Dupray

Barack Obama recently finished a $500,000 total overhaul of his 757. And as part of the new design, he decided to remove the American flag from the tail...

What American running for President of the United States would remove the symbol of his country? And worse, he replaced the flag with it with a symbol of himself...

      He won't cross his heart when they do the Pledge of Allegiance, He removed the flag from label.  He ignored our soldiers during his last visit. Wounded soldiers who are fighting for our freedom!

The American's Creed

“I believe in the United States of America, as a government of the people, by the people, for the people; whose just powers are derived from the consent of the governed; a democracy in a republic; a sovereign nation of many sovereign states; a perfect union, one and inseparable; established upon those principals of freedom, equality, justice, and humanity for which American patriots sacrificed their lives and fortunes.”

“I there fore believe it is my duty to my country to love it, to support its Constitution, to obey its laws, to respect its flag, and to defend it against all enemies.” -William Tyler Page

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What is it going to be next?

                            

          Woke up today and signed on to the computer only to find 2 articles talking about the ugly crocs and how they should be banned.  One in spoof and one dead serious.  Banned?

        Whats it going to be next?   My favorite oversized t-shirt I wear to bed.   That ugly blue shirt my hubbies likes so well?

         I tell you when we start letting THEM dictate our lifes it was just the beginning.  THEM decided to ban trans- fat.   THEM decided to ban not wearing a helmet.  THEM decided the maxi skirt was DEAD!

        You know I love my toe friendly crocs.  I wear the ugly shoe biking,  to work, in and out of the water.  I walk through yicky stuff at work, spray them off with heavy duty anti yicky germ and bug killer and happily trot on home.

        Did I make fun of those shiny white platform shoes some men used to wear?   Well, actually yeah, but look at them......


       Spiked heeled sure tobreak your ankle shoes seen everywhere on date night atthe meat market?
 

            Noooooo.  So back off fashion editors.  Leave me alone.  You with your tops that only go half way down so the belly shows.  You with your low rise pants,  you with mens baggy pants drooping around their knees with dirty boxers showing from mid crack up.

       You don't want to get this middle aged overweight croc wearing woman mad at you.  Be afraid.....be very afraid.