Shifting Gears   Baby Boomer…Member Life 2.0…Wife, Mother, Grammie…Bicyclist…GoldWinger…Mensan…Girl Scout…Reader…Knitter…Rotarian

Here’s a recap of our monthly gab session held tonight at J. Parrino’s!

• I recently had my photo in “Signature” magazine and when I complained about all the wrinkles, Tammy said they were laugh lines.
• A local banker is in an ad in the same magazine with hair that gives her the “just f’d look” or “ho hair”.
• Vickie is going to a conference in Austin next month without her family – much as she loves them she’s looking forward to hanging out with some of her female friends.
• There’s a boy in Hannah’s class who has a big crush on her and she’s clearly not interested – we figure he’s the one who will come to their 20-year reunion and be a well-known heart surgeon who’s also the perfect family man.
• Who was the bride at the altar in the final scene of “Desperate Housewives” on Sunday night.  Robin thinks it was Katherine because if it had been Susan, the other women would have been standing up with her.  I’m holding out that it was Susan because I think Mike is still in love with her and wants them to be together as a family again.
• Vickie and I both love The Buzz for lunch – I ate there today!
• Vickie and Chaz had their first date at J. Parrino’s.
• We all agree that the new Springfield-Branson National Airport was a waste of $117 million – it’s not that pretty, there’s no place to eat and we should have saved $ and added on to the old one.  Can you tell we’re conservative taxpayers?  I realize they “only used $20 million” in federal funds but still….
• Robin attended Girl Scout camp in Italy when she was a kid – they were living in Germany at the time.
• Tent Theatre is having 3 great plays this summer – Vickie has already bought her tickets.
• Vickie has neighbors who have been gone for several days but their 2 dogs are staying outside and bark 24/7.  She called and left a message on their answering machine about it as did another neighbor.  I suggested she call back and record the barking for them to hear when they return – plus leave a message on the fence for the friend who comes to feed them daily.
• Robin just got a new mattress – a Temper-Pedic for $3700 that can be returned within 90 days if they aren’t satisfied.  Her hubby loves it but it’s not helping her back and it’s hard to turn over on it.
• Taking Benadryl is a harmless way to fall asleep.
• When Hannah complained that none of the boys are asking her out, Vickie told her it’s because they respect her.  Great answer!
• If you’re going to recycle a gift bag, make sure it’s appropriate for the season.  Hint to the person at the restaurant tonight who was sporting a huge Christmas bag.
• Robin said her company has gotten some good results in hiring by posting on Craigslist.
• Vickie would love to get her Ph.D. and teach – but right now, raising a teen-ager is more important.
• Robin pays $120/year in homeowner’s association dues that covers trash pickup and common-area mowing.  What a bargain.  Vickie’s trash service offers full-size covered bins for recycling for $2/month.  I’m still taking mine to the recycling center every week.
• Robin’s dog still digs a lot and now likes to roll in poop – any kind he can find.  Makes for frequent baths.  His latest talent is blowing bubbles under water.
• The airlines no longer offer bereavement fares.
• Vickie and Chas used to always eat at Lambert’s on their shared birthday – their meals were free and they just had to get a child’s meal for Hannah.
• Robin made The List for 417 in May.
• Vickie is now tweeting on Twitter.
• We know when we’re meeting next month – just don’t know where.  I’m blegging for suggestions for Italian food in Springfield – we’ve eaten at Nearly Famous, Gilardi’s, Avanzare, Macaroni Grill and J. Parrino’s so far.

That’s all the news that’s fit to print – without having to change names to protect the innocent – or guilty parties!