Women of Substance are back! Our February dinner was delayed a couple of weeks but we managed to meet tonight for dinner and as always, had a fabulous time. We had intended to have dinner at d’Arpino’s but they had a lounge singer this evening and we would have been seated directly in front of him which wasn’t conducive to conversation – so we went around the corner to Macaroni Grill which was practically deserted. Here are our nuggets of wisdom for this month:
- Robin was just interviewed by the Spfd Business Journal for their Dynamic Dozen since her company is a finalist – again.
- The position of Car Czar for Obama won’t be filled after all and Vickie thinks it’s because I’m not available.
- Vickie is actually ignoring her cousin on Facebook – she wants to be Vickie’s friend but so far Vickie has not responded and in fact, has no intention of accepting.
- We know one person on Facebook who is so “in your face” keeping everyone informed of his/her happenings – we expect someday to read “So-and-so is now heading to the restroom to…..” TMI, TMI!
- How come Wonders of Wildlife keeps getting their share of the motel/hotel taxes plus the extra 1% tax from Bass Pro while the site sits empty and no reconstruction is going on? And will it ever be renovated and re-opened?
- Vickie and Robin have decided that my personal mission is to restore consumer confidence – as if I have anything to do with it! Robin says she often wonders when/if the bottom is going to drop out. With the market at 1997 levels, we can only hope we’ve already reached bottom.
- Vickie went to St. Louis over the weekend and helped her mom get her oil changed, get new glasses and buy a new washing machine. Each visit she’s able to help her adjust more to being on her own.
- Robin and I are part of an exclusive group called FOV – Friends of Vickie! You have to be one to know why this group exists.
- Macaroni Grill serves a yummy chocolate cake with chocolate frosting with sprinkled nuts for its birthday dessert – a huge piece with 3 forks and no annoying waiters singing to the birthday girl who was Vickie tonight!
- According to an economist for the Wall Street Journal, the best thing employees can do with the extra $8 they should receive in their weekly paychecks starting in June is to get an $8 haircut. The reasoning behind this idea is that haircuts are a labor intensive job and will boost employment. Personally none of us can even imagine an $8 haircut – we’d have to save several weeks for what we pay but it’s worth it.
- We all predict that companies will continue to ratchet down their benefits in the next few years – either by having employees pay a greater share of health insurance or by decreasing the match for 401K plans.
- We all agreed that Hugh Jackman deserved his Sexiest Man Alive designation after seeing him last night at the Oscars. We had no idea he was so talented in the singing and dancing area. Favorite gowns were on Kate Winslett, Penelope Cruz, Jennifer Anniston and Anne Hathaway. We can do without the political statements like Sean Penn gave us.
- Was the Letterman interview with Joaquim Phoenix for real or was it rigged?
- Robin would love to get all dolled up (hair, makeup, gown, etc.) and go to the Oscars – her choices (in order) for an escort would be Hugh Jackman, George Clooney, and finally, her hubby Jim! I said I’d rather stay home and read a good book.
- When you calculate a tip, do you do it on the total bill or only the food and drink (not including the tax)? Robin and Vickie go for the total, Anne goes for the taxable amount only.
- The Goodwill Store in Ozark rocks.
That’s all for February. We may have to skip March since Robin and I will each be gone for at least a week. If we do miss, we’ll be sure to gather in early April and get back on track.
