**Teaser Alert**

OK - I've gotten quite a few complaints that I have been neglecting the Blog for the past week or so. You're right, and I'm sorry. I posted the pictures and comments below today, hoping to appease you temporarily. Since we've been back from Kentucky, I just haven't had the time or energy to put my thoughts and adventures into words. I do have some stuff to write about though. But now, we're leaving for Nashville tomorrow morning, and won't be back until next Friday night. I don't think I'll have access to the Web, so this will probably be my last posting for a week.
Just to show you that I plan to finish my Kentucky adventures, I've put the pictures above. I've got at least 3 stories to share: how I laughed so hard I almost wet my pants at the NASBO State Dinner; fulfilling my childhood fantasy of stopping at Stuckey's; and a comment about the upcoming release of yet another 'Rocky' movie. Plus, I'll have new things to tell about from Tennessee. And - as if that's not enough - as I sit here, the pool is being plastered, so it ought to be ready for action when we get back.
So, enjoy the pictures and short comments below, and I'll be back.... 

Awesome Burgers at Lynagh's

My good friend Geoff of the Kentucky Budget Office staff (who was alone with me in my hotel room at one point...) recommended that we eat at Lynagh's Pub near the University of Kentucky campus. We did, and were glad. Great burgers and fun atmosphere. Kentucky is a no smoking place, even in bars. So for me, it was great.
Barbara, Etta, Ternisa, Ray and I went for dinner one night, and had a great time - talking trash, of course! 

Woodford Distillery

Part of the day outing for the NASBO trip was a visit to the Woodford Distillery, where they make top of the line Boubon. It was a small distillery, and the tour guide was very proud of what they do there. It was HOT, but very interesting. Top left shows the bourbon aging in ash casks. Top right is Ray standing next to some examples of the finished product. Both bottom shots show us next to the huge vat where the process begins. It was hot and yeasty smelling. I kept wondering what would happen if I fell in? Could I get out, or would it be like an adult version of 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,' with me coming out drunk as Cooter Brown on the other end? Also, would they have to clean out the vats and start over, or just figure that at some point, the alcohol would kill any contamination I may have caused?
After the tour, we got to sample some bourbon and bourbon balls. It was STRONG! Just a taste on the tip of my tongue sent a hot flash down my throat and to my stomach. Ray was gracious enough to drink his, most of mine, and I think some of Ternisa's sample. Then he proceeded to revisit the Bourbon Ball tray so many times that they finally covered it up. That Ray - he loves a freebie!
Just to save face, I bought a box of the BBs. I also bought a bottle of bourbon, packaged in the limited edition 2006 Kentucky Derby bottle. On the RARE chance that any of you are ever invited over to my house, don't even think about asking if you can have a sip of it! 

OPB Goes to Church?!?!

Monique, Barbara, Etta, Ternisa, me and Ray at Joe Bologna's in Lexington, Kentucky. This is an Italian place that is in an old church. It was originally a Christian church that was later sold and used as a Jewish temple. It dates back to the late 19th century. Pretty cool, although sitting amongst the stain glass was freaking me out a little. The food was good and inexpensive. We had lots of fun - talking trash, of course! 

Ray and His Two Wives

Ray, Ternisa (his Office Wife) and me (the inheriting wife) at Da Sha's Pub in Lexington, Kentucky. Doesn't Ternisa look like she's been sold to Ray on the black market? We had a few drinks here, and Ternisa tried to pick up the bartender.

Kentucky Horse Park Reception

Sunday evening, the NASBO opening reception was held at the Kentucky Horse Park. This is a 1,200 acre working horse farm owned by the Commonwealth of Kentucky, and open to the public. The farm is surrounded by 30 miles of white plank fencing - very impressive. While there, we got to go on a hayride around the grounds,

we ate a great dinner, which included oven fried chicken (tasted just like the Colonel's Original Recipe - yum), got to hear a Bluegrass Band, and were treated to the "Parade of Breeds".

In this demonstration, we got to see 6 or 7 different, and some very rare, breeds of horses. The biggest one they showed was a Trakehner, which is generally 16 - 17 hands (I'm such a horse person now). Ok, for those of you who aren't as knowledgeable as me, that's a little under 6 feet at the withers (tallest point of the back). This particular horse was 18 hands, which is exactly 6 feet at the withers. Man, that thing was huge! After the parade, they brought the horses to the fence of the corral, and we got to get a close-up look. As Ternisa and I stood next to the Trakehner to have our picture taken, I said, "I sure hope this thing doesn't kick me!" The next thing I knew, I was slapped in the face by it's tail - and it stung! Etta was taking our picture, and she snapped it just as the tail started coming around. Needless to say, I didn't go visit any of the other breeds up close and personal.

Ternisa and I each took home a nice souvenir from the dinner, and then Ternisa won an identical souvenir the next day. A matching set!

That Smarts!

Yesterday, we had the opportunity to go to a working Kentucky Horse Farm. The one we toured was called “Three Chimneys Farm”. It was a relatively short visit – they took us to the stallion division only. This farm breeds and raises thoroughbreds, and the breeding fee to bring a mare in for one of their champion stallions is $100,000! The most well known stud in residence is the undisputed 2004 Kentucky Derby winner, Smarty Jones. They say that in Smarty’s first year there, he sired 90 foals, and that, on average, each stud is bred with the mares about 150 times in a season (which runs from mid-February through mid-July). When we got off the bus, it was just sweltering! They took us past a memorial to Seattle Slew (who used to be in residence there), and into the Breeding Room. This is a large round room with padding on all of the walls, and 14” of shredded rubber tires on the floor. It felt like walking on a trampoline. The tour guide explained to us that the Breeding Room is a very controlled environment into which the mares are brought to be mated with the stallions. There are cameras at all angles and a control room, because everything must be fully documented. When the foal is born, hair is taken from the forehead and it is DNA tested to prove the parentage. Once the foal is able to walk and nurse, the breeding fee is transferred from escrow to the Three Chimneys Farm. After the Breeding Room, they took us to the room that has the stalls for the stallions. There were 7 or 8 horses in there, each in his own stall with his name on the door. It is really strange to think that you’re standing in a room with animals who will earn more in one breeding season than you will ever earn in your lifetime. As you can imagine, most of the horses were getting a little excited as we entered the area. Breeding season has just ended, and so they are used to having to “perform” when humans come in to the stable to get them. For a city girl, it was quite a sight! Then the moment we had all been waiting for. The handler went into Smarty Jones’ stall, brushed him to make him all pretty, and then put a lead on him and brought him out into the center of the room. He (and all the rest) was truly a beautiful creature. Just perfect looking. But, remember, I told you that when they are brought out, they are conditioned to go into the Breeding Room next door…..Whoa, Nellie. I thought we were going to have to surgically reset Ternisa’s eyes back into her head! The next few pictures document our visit.

Visiting the Three Chimneys Farm's Stallion Division

Barbara with War Chant

Ternisa and Yes Its True

Ray measures up next to Point Given

The business end of Smarty Jones

Introducing Smarty Jones!!!

Smarty was excited to see us!

He was very excited to see us!

Very, very excited to see us!!!

The One that Got Away

Ternisa and I were impressed. Ternisa is still a little stunned here.

Postings will have to wait

My plan to have access to the net and, therefore, keep the Blog updated, is not going as well as I had hoped. The laptop I brought with me can't get connected to the T-Mobile hotspot (no doubt my fault as that is a bit too high tech for me). So, I'm here in the Hyatt's "Business Center" right now. This is literally no more than an old supply closet that has been cleared out. There is a table with a PC and small printer (oh, and an electronic pencil sharpener - can't have a Business Center without one of those!). Anyway, the connection seems REALLY slow, so I'm hoping this will even post. I tried to upload a "teaser" photo of Ray after the Graceland visit, but it wouldn't even do that.
So I guess I'll just write my Blogs on the laptop, and upload them when I get home.


(Ooops! I just went back to the other Window, and was able to bring in Ray on the bus after touring Graceland - see how excited he was!!!)

My New Blog Photo

Don't I look twisted? Actually, I was just trying to hide all of my extra chins! 

Deck Shots

Here are some shots of the concrete that they poured yesterday for the "deck" of the pool. Top Left is a view from the house; Top Right is a view from the back part of the pool/yard; Bottom Left is my nifty sidewalk idea that came to me in an inspired moment; Bottom Right is the back of the pool. The concrete on the back and sides is really just for walking and not having to get in the grass. There are two areas in the front that can accomodate lounge chairs or the table and chairs. The sidewalk leads from the edge of the pool to the equipment pad, and after hearing my neighbor say how muddy she got having to go back there, I decided to have it poured. (My other neighbor is jealous. He's commented on how he wishes he had one everytime we've been out there since they formed and poured it. Hee Hee.) According to the builder, they'll come out next week and spray the "spray-krete" on the concrete. This is what gives it the color and also the texture so that people don't slip. We're having the existing aggregate patio sprayed, too, so that it all matches. Given good weather (ha! ha!), they'll be able to do that and put the equipment in and plaster and fill it up by the end of this week. That still amazes me - especially since during all of this we had an entire week of just doing nothing but watching the rain.

Gotta go pack! 

Some Days are Just Plain Good!

Today was one of those days. Yes, I still had to deal with the same about of BS at work as usual. And, yes, I am developing an unsightly blemish just in time for social hour at Ray's NASBO conference. But, I'm over the dumb asses at work, and the zit will go away (given copious amounts of Sea Breeze).
Three good things happened today. First, I rode T.S. to work today for the first time! Man was it scary! I mean I still cannot get over how frightening this whole wind velocity thing is. It was all I could do to steel my nerve to keep the bike going 55 mph! It's strange - I go down Nicholson (Hwy 30) at up to 80 mph all the time (okay, I don't do it that often, so don't go reporting me or anything). But, when I got to the "Speed Zone Ahead" sign, I was thinking, "Thank you, God!" Anyway, I made it with no problems. Yes, Ray was escorting me, of course. And everyone at work said how beautiful T.S. is. I did have a little trepidation when it came time to go home this afternoon, because there was this HUGE black cloud covering the sky, and the wind was gusting a bit. I made it home with just a few drops hitting me, and I even managed to get the bike up to 60 mph for a brief moment.
The second good thing today was that they poured the concrete for the swimming pool deck. And I have to say, it looks pretty good. You know (due to my OCD) my thing for symmetry. And the way the deck came out pretty well feeds this need. Supposedly, it will set enough in a few days that they can come back and set up the equipment and finish the plaster. At that point, it's time to start filling it up. Wow - this has happened so fast. We just started on June 21st.
The third good thing was that I was able to leave work today with the knowledge that I don't have to go back for over a week-yipee!! And the cool thing is, that this is one of the first times that I actually feel good about leaving. I mean, I know that there will be a ton of junk piling up while I'm gone. And I know that when I get back, I'll only have a week to get my office packed up and ready to move to our new building. And I know that when I get back, I'll only have a week to catch up before I have to turn around and leave again for another week (my conference in Nashville this time). But, I'm just letting that stuff roll right off me.
So, I have a lot of stuff to do tomorrow to get us ready for our road trip to Kentucky (with that very important pit stop in Memphis). Plus, I have to go back to the freakazoid Podiatrist in the morning. That may put a frown on my day. But, it's my money, so if he ticks me off, I think I'll just not go back anymore. So there.
Pics of the pool and possible Podiatrist posting tomorrow.

If it's good enough for Junichiro Koizumi, it's good enough for the Stockstills!

"I'm going to Graceland, Graceland - Memphis, Tennessee!" That's right, Ray and I are going to Graceland! He has his annual conference in Lexington, Kentucky, next week, and we decided to drive instead of fly. Not that I had an ulterior motive, but it didn't take me long to see that I could easily route us through Memphis. Ray's never had the honor of visiting The King's home, and I've only been once (can you believe it?), about 15 years ago. What, you didn't know I was an Elvis fan? Come on!
This would be a good question for the "Nature vs. Nurture" debate, but whichever the case, my siblings and I never stood a chance! Ever since I can remember, my dad has loved Elvis, and I can remember being a little girl and dancing around to 'Jailhouse Rock' with him and my sister.
In fact, Margaret and I were such faithful worshippers, that we each got suddenly ill once or twice a year when Channel 11-KTVT in Dallas had "Elvis Week". Depending on the forum, Channel 11 would either show an Elvis movie each afternoon or each late night, or both. So you can imagine the excitement at 1412 Ridgecrest Drive when the TV Guide showed up those weeks. We'd scrutinize the listings to determine which day(s) the illness was going to strike. The best bouts with the virus for me would be when 'Viva Las Vegas' or 'Kissin' Cousins' was playing. If I recall correctly, Margaret liked 'Roustabout' (great scene where he sings 'Little Egypt') and 'Double Trouble.' But her all time favorite - for which she would pour on the drama (this included heating the thermometer with a Bic lighter and pretending to have just thrown up) - was the 1969 classic, 'Change of Habit.' This was Elvis playing opposite Mary Tyler Moore. He's a doctor working in an inner-city clinic who falls for a social worker (Moore). The twist is that she's actually a nun! So there's all the makings for a great flic: Elvis, a hot Mary Tyler Moore, helping poor neglected kids, the taboo of the forbidden love, and of course, great songs like 'Rubberneckin'.' Man, you can't beat that!
But, of course, Elvis didn't just make great movies, he made GREAT music. If I had to pick my favorite song, it would be...nope, can't pick just one. So, my top 5 favorites (in no particular order) are: 'Burnin' Love,' 'In the Ghetto' (Taylor Hicks can stick his version where the sun don't shine!), 'Can't Help Falling in Love,' 'That's All Right (Mama),' 'Viva Las Vegas,' and 'Suspicious Minds.' Okay, I know that was six songs, but I couldn't narrow it down to just five - sue me.
Anyway, the last time I went to Graceland, I was going through a "sullen" phase in my life, so I really didn't make the most of it. But don't worry - I'm gonna make up for it this time. I made my reservations today, and I'm planning to leave Baton Rouge at 3:00 AM Saturday morning to make sure I get there in plenty of time for the first tour of the day.
I hope Ray appreciates it as much as I will. He probably won't, but it'll be okay, because I already told him that I am buying him a pair of Elvis sunglasses that he will be required to wear for the entire trip.
Gotta go get me a Peanut Butter and 'Nana sandwich. Thank you. Thank you very much.

Close Call

Friday, my sister Margaret (on the right in the picture above - sorry, Marg, this is the only picture I could find on short notice) went to the hospital to have a bit of outpatient surgery. The surgeon decided to use general anesthesia, because he wasn't exactly sure how complicated the procedure would be. So the good news was that the procedure wasn't as complicated as he thought it might be, and he came out to the waiting room to tell my mom and aunt that everything had gone well, and that they would be sending her to recovery soon. Mom calls me to let me know, and yada, yada, yada.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch...they're having a bit of trouble bringing Margaret back around. You know how they always say that even a minor surgery is dangerous because of the anesthesia? Well, case in point. After the normal 5 minute period to come back to consciousness is up and Margaret is still not waking up, they start to worry. They're shaking her, calling her name, etc. When the Anesthesiologist comes back in and sees what's going on, he says, "I think she's paralyzed." WHAT?!?! Okay, at this point you're probably asking yourself how I know what he said, right? Well, I know what he said because Margaret could hear EVERY WORD! So she's laying there (what else could she do, right?), and hears that she's paralyzed. And she thinks, "Great, just what I needed." They mess around with her for a few more minutes - shocking her temples with electrodes, twisting her head around, etc. - and she's feeling and hearing everything. She just cannot open her eyes or, literally, move a muscle. Then she says that the thought occurs to her that she can't breath very well - uh oh. I guess the docs must have come to the same conclusion at that point, because they quickly drugged her back up and stuck a ventilator tube down her throat (this she does not remember, thankfully).
Apparently, a component of what was used in the anesthesia requires a certain amount of an impossible to pronounce enzyme
(http://www.emedicine.com/med/topic1935.htm) to flush it quickly out of the system. Where "normal" people have a reading of anywhere between 1900 and 3800, Margaret's blood test results showed that she had 63. Not a typo - I really mean 63. The result of this is that it took her body about 7 hours to process this chemical. All the while, she's in ICU, breathing with the help of a ventilator, restrained, and totally out of it. My dad and I, who are 500 miles away and helpless, are pretty much freaking out. I mean even though the docs said they'd seen this before (although it's pretty rare), when somebody uses the words "paralyzed" and "ventilator", it kind of gets to you.
Luckily, everything worked out alright, and Margaret was released from the hospital the next morning. A little hoarse, quite a bit bruised from the restraints, and definitely disappointed that she didn't have any paranormal experiences during her period of unconsciousness. Since this enzyme deficiency is hereditary, I get to go have blood drawn a week from Monday to be tested, too. I always do so well on tests - I hope I can score better than a 63!
I know she doesn't hear this much from me (for whatever reason, I'm rather stunted when it comes to expressing affection), but (deep breath)...I love you, Marg, and I don't think I could stand to lose you yet. Glad you're back!

Swimming Pool Construction Blues

Due to my inability to stand up to peer pressure - both neighbors have just built swimming pools - Ray and I have "taken the plunge," and decided to put in a swimming pool. Those of you who know me well are probably surprised that, with my backyard totally demolished, I have not yet been committed to one of our fine Louisiana state mental facilities (expertly run by the good folks at the Department of Health and Hospitals). Acutally, since both neighbors put in pools, I was able to see how destructive the process is, but also able to see the benefits at the end.
This is usually a 4 to 6 week process, but since we are lucky enough to be able to go behind one of my neighbor's yards (before he puts up his fence), the builder is putting a rush on it. They came out on June 21st and dug the hole. Within 10 days, they had progressed to the point of the pictures above. (Top left corner is my "to scale" layout of the pool after meeting with the builder for the first time. After seeing me drag the patio furniture and reflective sticks all over the backyard, the neighbors kind of quit talking to me. Oh well - they were bound to find out about me sooner or later.)
And then the wonderful Louisiana summer rain storms began. For the past 10 days or so, nothing has been done due to the mud and slush in the backyard. I'm trying to be calm, and realize that there's nothing I can do about it - but it's starting to wear on me. Next step is to layout the deck and pour the concrete. This needs to be done before we go out of town next weekend, or we'll have to wait that entire week. I'll keep you posted. 

The Adventures of Susan and T.S.

It may be a mid-life crisis (at age 37, no less), but I bought a motorcycle!!! As a kid, I was constantly terrorizing the neighborhood. It started with my first sweet Big Wheel (I say 'first' because I left several outside and they were stolen - nice neighborhood, huh?). Then I moved up to a beauty - my Huffy Sweet Thunder. You have to remember that this was the 1970s, and that I was the ultimate Tomboy. This was the E.R.A.'s answer to a dirt bike for girls. It had knobby tires, a BXM type plastic sign that said '16' on the front, and, boy, could it take those Plano, Tx curbs. There was no way I was going to ride a Marcia Brady banana seat job. Its only two drawbacks, in my mind, were 1) it was pink (ugh!); and 2) my parents made me put a big tall reflective orange bike flag on it. Over the years, I pimped out my Sweet Thunder. I remeber the Christmas that I got the 'throttle' for it. This was a cool little gadget that replaced the right handle bar grip. It rolled back like a throttle, and it had this box attached to it (about the size of 2 packs of cigarettes) that produced a rumble that was the BOMB! I was all that riding the streets of Ridgewood subdivision - popping wheelies, jumping curbs and revving the engine the whole way. (I found a picture of a 1969 boys' Huffy - so imagine it in pink.) Anyway, I signed up for a Harley Davidson Rider's Edge safety course back in March, but had to wait until the last weekend of June to actually take the course. So, by the time it came around, I was questioning whether I really wanted to do it or not. Since I'd already paid my tuition, I decided to commit the time (3 weeknights and 1 weekend). Can I tell you - IT WAS AWESOME! I felt like all of my childhood idols:

Evel Knievel, The Fonz, and Elvis - rolled into one. So then I had to pester Ray for the next week to convince him to let me get a bike. He took me to the Harley place on our 1 year anniversary, and we made a deposit. One week later, T.S. arrived, and I brought it home (boy was THAT scary!). Of course it's raining everyday here now, so I haven't been able to get back out on it, other than riding around the neighborhood yesterday for about 15 minutes. I've worked up the nerve to ride it to the library and then down River Road to St. Gabriel today, but this huge thunderhead is hovering over the house.

If anyone is even slightly interested in riding, I highly recommend the Harley 'Rider's Edge' course. It's $275, but well worth it. Oh, what does T.S. mean? Trusty Steed, of course!

What's with that title?

If you've somehow stumbled upon my Blog, and you're thinking to yourself, "I've never really wanted to know anything about Susan (whoever she is), so why would she choose that for a title?" Well, when I was trying to think of a name for my Blog, I was having a rough time of it. I had a flashback to a time when I was in the 4th grade (at the wonderful Forman Elementary in Plano, Texas - go Falcons!), and we had to write an autobiography. At that time, I was having an equally difficult time deciding what to title my paper. So, without knowing any better, I went to my mom for advice. She thought for a second, took a drag of her True Blue, and said, "How about 'Everything You've Always Wanted to Know About Susan, But Were Afraid to Ask'?" I said, "OK, I guess. Are you sure? (cough, cough)." "Yes, it's very clever." So I used it. The next day, I took my paper to Mrs. Williams, and she gave me the look that she usually did (which I took as 'adoring', because I'm so smart and charming), and I get an A+ --- as usual.

Flash forward about 15 years and several "Citizen of the Week" awards, and I'm channel surfing at about 2:00 AM one night. And what should I run across but a very funny, and quite racy Woody Allen movie from the 1970s entitled, 'Everything You've Always Wanted to Know About Sex* but were afraid to ask'. And suddenly I realize two important things: 1) my mother (whom I love dearly (just in case she's reading this)), had absolutely no idea that it's not appropriate to send her 10 year old child to school with a paper that's title uses a play on words from a Rated R movie (Did I mention that we lived in a green house with a big white door, and that her alternative title was, "Susan Vaught - Behind the White Door"? Just kidding, Mom,); and 2) the look of adoration that I always got from Mrs. Williams, and all of my previous teachers, was actually a look of pity. My sister is an elementary school teacher, and she has confirmed this theory for me, based on her own experience of teaching naive, pitiful little children.

So, that's the story of my Blog title, and to some extent, a little bit of the story of me. Thanks for reading.

My first photo posting attempt - and you'd better like it!