Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween! Ali was a graveyard fairy, Taylon was a jail-bird and Zach was a soldier; Winkie Marie was a hot dog--with ketchup!

Taxi!

The American Dietetic Association had their yearly conference this year in Chicago, and I had the opportunity to attend with Dietary Consultants Inc. For my research at the UK I am looking into the resting metabolic rate of frail elderly using indirect calorimetry, and the wonderful ladies I am working with were presenting at the pre-FNCE conference. We had so much fun! We stayed at the Intercontinental Hotel right on Michigan Ave., just across the river of the Magnificent Mile. We were right next to the Spider-Man building--the Chicago Tribune historical building.

One morning at about 6:00, my friend and I took a taxi to attend a "raisin breakfast." The California Raisin Co., was sponsoring a lovely catered breakfast for dietitians at the conference and we decided to go, we didn't get far before trouble found us. We were just passing the Sears Tower when we turned left onto Jackson St. and I looked out my window to see a terrifying sight! There was a car coming right at my door! My friend was looking out the other window and didn't see it coming, I'll tell you what, there are few things as scary as thinkin your life is about to end--I truly did think I wasn't going to walk away from that Taxi. I screamed and the next thing I knew I was thrown across the backseat of the taxi when the other car slammed into our car right where I was sitting. Luckily no one was seriously hurt, I just got a massive bruise up my right arm, a cut on my knee and some whiplash. The worst part was the run in my last pair of nylons (ha! ha! ha!) We did get out of the car okay and made it to our breakfast, but it was a scary experience which required some serious decompressing afterward.

The night before our raisin breakfast escapade we had the marvelous opportunity to hear from Chris Gardner, the author of the Pursuit of Happyness. If you ever get the chance to meet or hear him speak--jump on it! It was likely the finest and most moving presentation I've attended. It's rare to hear from someone who really gets what life is all about!

Just by a lucky co-inky-dink, my dad was in Chicago for business at the same time. I was able to catch up with him and we had a great dinner at Portillos. If any of you know my dad you know what a funny guy he is!

The Moon Bow

In Corbin, KY, there is a beautiful waterfall called Cumberland Falls. About 2 weeks out of the year during a full moon, a moon bow can be seen all the way in outer space--it is the only one of its kind in North America. I had to go down to do a few inspections of some restaurants and so we all went and stayed in a hotel so I could get some work done over a few days time. We hiked to the falls and it truly was beautiful! We also got lost hiking--it was GREAT! There is nothing as fun as hiking through the woods and exploring, I've never been one for staying on the trail. My kids think I'm nuts, but I sure have fun!

Colonel Sanders of KFC is from Corbin, and we went to his original home where he invented the world famous chicken we all love. It was such a cute little house, it's now a KFC, and museum in one. IT has his original kitchen and some other originals that he had while he was in Corbin.

I'm the Weakest Link

I got the most magnificent surprise! Austin got down on one knee and in his hand he had my platinum ring! The one that I thought he took back to the store. He then went on to tell me that he has only one weakness, and it's ME! How sweet! Then he continued to inform me that I'm worth it and he doesn't care how much it cost he just wanted me to have it because I loved it! Oh! I was, and am, breathless! I got to be a princess for the day! So, on my finger is the most beautiful (non) nickel containing ring you've ever seen!

What Does It Mean When You're Allergic to Your Wedding Ring?

Almost a year ago now, I started showing signs of some pretty serious contact dermatitis under my wedding band--hmmmm, okay. So, I took it off for a week or so and put lotion on it until it healed up. Within 24 hours of putting my ring back on, WHAM! my finger broke out again! ARGH! Well, this time I left it off for a longer period of time to really let it heal, to no avail, my darn finger not only broke out this time, it also left some lovely sores where my ring was. As we all understand what a HUGE pain it is to get in to see the doctor, I put it off and put it off until finally my poor hubby started feeling shunned at my naked finger. I finally made an appointment with the dermatologist only to be told that I am allergic to NICKEL--yep! Nickel! Guess what, all gold and white gold bands have nickel in them--so much for ever being able to wear my wedding ring again.

So, my question is this..... Is this an omen??? --Just Kiddin'---I love my sweetie!

The horrible, terrible bad news is this....I have to get an "ooh, la, la" platinum wedding ring. Yes, I know! The prospect is horrible I must admit:) We finally found an victorian style band that was just lovely, I fell instantly in love with it! We bought it and I wore it for about 2 weeks! It was a glorious two weeks, it sparkled and sparkled..I was a princess. This princess took Zachary to the orthodontist only to be told that he would have to have braces, again, on the top and the bottom. This bill would only run at $4,500--and that's after my insurance pays for half of it. So, my ring went back to the store...good bye princess Julie, hello brace-face Zachary:) He's such a handsome brace-face too.

Anywhoooo....to make a long story short....don't judge someone's marital status by their finger, you never know, they could be allergic to nickel, have a son with really expensive teeth, and a desire to not rack up a $10,000 bill just to have a sparkle on their finger. I'm seriously contemplating a yellow Sharpie to the ring finger, what do you think, would it look real?