How my car got a 3 inch screw in the sidewall of my front tire I have no idea! I thought it looked a little low when I parked in the lot this morning. When Aimee came in the office she came and told me that she thought I had a flat because she walked right past my car on her way in the door.

Sure enough, I went down and saw the screw and the tire was almost flat. But, there was enough air left in the tire to limp down the street to the Firestone dealer and I left it with them. There goes a fast $100.

I’ve used Firestone for years and can trust them with any car any time. One of the mechanics gave me a ride back to the office so I didn’t have to sit there and wait on them. Wasn’t that sweet? Oh, and so was HE! Another Jeff. Wonder what it is about me that attracts guys named Jeff?

The kids in the neighborhood are at the age where skateboarding is the big “thing.” We have a lot of hills everywhere in Nashville, so skateboarding can be quite thrilling. The problem is that there are very few sidewalks – that is one of the things I noticed right off when I first moved here. I had mentioned this observation to my realtor and he laughed and said, “Why would we need sidewalks? Nobody in Nashville WALKS anywhere – we have CARS!”

Anyway, my neighbors across the street keep their grandson most weekends so their daughter can work at Summitt hospital. He is 10, and when my son is here visiting they play together since they are only a year apart. The neighbors let him skateboard, so I’m sure when my son comes for the summer he will be wanting a skateboard, too.

There is evidently quite a culture around this sport and I need to get up to speed. There are certain brands that are must-haves, and a specific way to dress – everything from special shorts to special shoes and even gear like backpacks, all designed for freedom of movement, visibility, safety, and of course STYLE.

The neighbors have been buying the DC brand of shoes and shirts. That brand seems to use a lot of black and white in their designs, and nothing too radical or gross. I went online to check out DC skate shoes and was surprised to see the prices so reasonable. There were several styles that caught my eye, and for those prices I can add a teeshirt and a hoodie to my order and still have room on my credit card for some nice things for my daughter!

Feel like a total GOOBER for just now realizing that tomorrow is February 29. Well, DUH – this is the leap year! If you were born on February 29, Happy Birthday to You!

Can you imagine having a birthday that you can only celebrate on the actual date every four years? I wonder how that affects people with all the computer things that monitor and control our lives in today’s world. I bet some online forms do not allow you to input February 29 as a valid date. Wouldn’t that just freak you out? A computer telling you that you don’t exist because you were born on a date that it doesn’t recognize?!?!

Chat in the breakroom was all about lots of birthdays this month and next, with all of us getting older. Some of us are thinking about a twist to the line, “I’m not getting older, I’m getting better!” by going for cosmetic surgery for the “better” part.

Haven’t watched the TV show, “Nip and Tuck,” but it is things like that, putting cosmetic surgery into the minds of the general population that is fueling acceptance of the very idea. It is not longer something for just celebrities. There was a recent article at MYA that says almost than half of Brits would consider having cosmetic surgery at some point in their lives. That is an amazing number! I think it is great that so many people were honest about wanting to improve their looks. But I think it is also sad that our modern society has placed such a premium on good looks and caring what other people think based solely on appearances. We are truly a shallow population now, aren’t we?

I’m all for doing what you can to improve your looks within reason and you should resort to cosmetic surgery only for the right reasons. Enhanced self esteem is a good reason, but should not be the only reason. Talk among us girls included wish lists for laser hair removal to Liposuctionto Botox injections. Good thing there weren’t any guys in the breakroom today – I don’t think they could have handled the frankness and open honesty about their appearance in the conversation of this group today, and to be honest, my head is still spinning from some of the things I heard from the most unlikely people!

Watched the game last night against Buffalo. Not sure if Buffalo is that skilled and great a team, or if the Preds just stunk it up again?

We lost 8 to 4. It was sad – we can’t score, even on powerplays and penalty shots.

But worse, we have two well paid goal tenders who let 8 pucks in the net last night and let 6 pucks in the net at the last game when Dallas kicked out butts. Fourteen goals allowed in just 2 games? That is PATHETIC!

Voukoun! PLEASE COME HOME!

Our company has decided to launch a green business program and I was invited to sit in on the planning meeting today. One of the operations coordinators is spearheading the project, and she called the meeting to invite all the different departments to brainstorm ideas for going green at both the corporate and franchisee levels.

It was pretty interesting to hear all the different ideas – some of them would cost a little money to implement and some of them would end up saving us money after implementation.

I committed to doing research on going green related to real estate issues. For instance, can new stores use different building materials in their build out and furnishings that would be more environmentally friendly?

I’m looking for some internet sites that can help with my research. Selena gave me a few links to get started, including:

• Armand Rousso Green Business
• Business for Social Responsibility
• Green Biz

This is a project that I hope the franchisees embrace and support with enthusiasm as Corporate leads the way. As responsible citizens, we owe the world and future generations at least this much consideration.

How fun to wake up to a winter wonderland! It snowed all night and it’s still falling, so of course they cancelled all the schools and everyone has been rooting around their garages looking for the sleds and snow tubes so they can go have some fun.

I took the dogs out this morning and they loved the snow. Usually they don’t like to get wet at all, but the snow really intrigued them and they frolicked until my fingers were numb holding the leashes.

Reading through The Tennessean website looking for Preds info, I came across a cool video about Chris Mason and Dan Ellis talking about the painted designs on their game helmets.

I don’t see any way to embed the video and I’m not really good about this technical stuff, but I’m going to post the link from the browser here and see if that takes you to the video. It was a really interesting peek into the psychie and personal values and strength of character of these two awesome men who defend the net for our team.

http://tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080204/VIDEO/80204071/

The video is called “Protection With a Personal Flair.” Hope the link works and that you like it!

Our team is suffering from so many injuries and also the flu running through the locker room, that I am really worried about taking on the Sabres tomorrow night. We have to protect our spot in the playoffs rankings, and for every game a win is critical. Hope to read more about the injury reports and scratches later today. 

Let’s Go, Predators!

I’ve always felt that if I had a house with only one room, it would have to be a kitchen. That is the most important room in my house and I love to cook.

If I had a house with only two rooms, they would have to be a kitchen and a bathroom. Thank God for indoor plumbing!

I love a nice bathroom and that is high on my list of home improvement projects. This house was built in the 1960’s, and you can sure tell it from the bathroom fixtures. At least the colors are beige and easy to work with. I REALLY feel sorry for people with fixtures in that awful light blue color that was so popular in the 60’s!

Every time I go to Lowe’s or Home Depot I make a point to stroll through the aisles with the bathroom things and look at what’s new and what’s featured, but I’m not sure I will buy my things there – especially when I’m so picky about quality.

There have been so many new styles of sinks and faucets introduced these past few years, and all the water saver toilets and shower heads and things to help the environment as well as lower the water bill . . .

OK – I’m talking myself into putting a hurry-up on this bathroom remodeling project! So of course I’m going to surf the net for ideas and deals as I make a list of what I want to buy for the Bathroom Fixtures. I’m going to have to gut the entire bathroom and start from scratch, so planning this project will be important to make sure everything coordinates well, is in stock and can be delivered together, and of course I want to find the best bargain prices once I choose what I want to buy.

Found a site called “Home & Stone” that I really like. I’m a modern girl and they have all the latest products in all types of designs. I LOVE the “New Items” section so I can see all the very latest gadgets and fixtures.

There are so many unusual vanities and sinks to consider – from pedestals to modern cabinetry to pieces that look like old fashioned dressers to unique pieces that look like whiskey barrels and steel drums!  Home & Stone shows pictures of all the different products and gives detailed specs on each item so you know if it is going to fit in the space you have. Wow!

The faucets are important and I like the way the site groups different kinds, some as sets for the shower and tub, others by the type of faucet and also by brand.

It was fun clicking through all the different products and I got some great ideas for my remodel. Now I have to talk with my brother and twist his arm into coming down here for a long weekend and help me do the work . . .