tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34017136122853131642011-11-27T15:20:04.578-08:00Southern blog with thoughts on living, loving, and raising cain in the South. Enjoy some Red Dirt Stew and find out what Southerners are really thinking when they smile and say "hi ya'll" and "thank you ma'am."Grill Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02902450883159711629noreply@blogger.comBlogger381100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3401713612285313164.post-23804055221792174672009-11-17T10:47:00.000-08:002009-11-17T11:05:34.014-08:00

GOP Nominee Palin Loves the Limelight and Oprah Tickles Her FancyTalk about a publicity stunt. Sarah Palin hits Oprah up with an interview to pump her new book "Going Rogue: An American Life."Sarah Who?Remember Sarah Palin? Oh yes. She was John McCain’s running mate for VP in 2008 against now President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden.The Republicans Named Who???? For Vice President 2008

Grill Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02902450883159711629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3401713612285313164.post-47464091246014026192009-05-02T19:03:00.000-07:002009-05-02T19:41:54.986-07:00

I finally broke down and got a FaceBook account. Actually, I had a lurker account to snag photos with permission for an offline project. So, I had been watching FaceBook from the time it kicked off for all colleges through the change to the open door for everyone. Mostly I like Facebook. I'm finding out information much faster than waiting for a phone call or GASP a letter in the mail. Some

Grill Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02902450883159711629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3401713612285313164.post-38520235339171199142009-03-22T19:34:00.000-07:002009-03-22T19:55:47.807-07:00

We want to see a solution in the United States, and that's why we elected Barack Obama. He stood for change (or ran on that idea), and it was clear that we needed change.When I heard that Obama was going to be on 60 Minutes, I made sure to block out time to watch that. After all, 60 Minutes is an institution in the U.S.This interview did not get off to a great start. Kroft, as part of the

Grill Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02902450883159711629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3401713612285313164.post-9162873587360251192009-03-08T09:53:00.000-07:002009-03-08T10:28:49.191-07:00

I opted to use the very basic Google page as my home page - for a reason. When I'm looking for information, I do not like clutter and distractions. I go (or went) to Google and put in my search term. At times, I'd use some of the tabs on the top. For example, I might check images or blogs. Now Google has decided that I need a cluttered iGoogle home page rather than a clean and basic page for

Grill Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02902450883159711629noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3401713612285313164.post-61179565048777861012009-03-07T19:38:00.001-08:002009-03-07T20:01:14.987-08:00

My friend calls. Terrific. I haven't heard from her in a while."Hi there!" I say."Hold a sec . . . "TWO TACOS. HOLD THE LETTUCE. UHM. YEAH. LARGE DRINK."So, how've you been doing?" I ask.YEAH. HOT SAUCE."OK. Yeah. Things have been going great. How about you?"By this time, I'm thinking about hanging up. I do, however, stick it out as the conversation continues down the road with my friend driving,

Grill Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02902450883159711629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3401713612285313164.post-66063557764226623322008-11-29T20:42:00.000-08:002008-11-29T21:02:42.065-08:00

I really don't know what to say about shoppers busting in the door at Wal-Mart and killing a man. I thought it might be one of those "urban legends," but I checked. The New York Times reported on the Wal-Mart Black Friday death.I like a good deal as much as the next person, but I don't like to save a buck or two enough to shop on Black Friday. This year I slept in as I do typically on Black

Grill Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02902450883159711629noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3401713612285313164.post-20040317260476243822008-11-19T15:22:00.000-08:002008-11-19T15:51:32.377-08:00

People are nuts, but you probably knew that. Some guy has sued Steve Shelhorn, because he left neutral feedback on Ebay.If you've never shopped Ebay, then they have a system where you can rate the shopping experience. Feedback can be positive, neutral or negative. Simple enough - in theory. Until recently, both buyers and sellers could leave feedback. In other words, you could buy an item off

Grill Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02902450883159711629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3401713612285313164.post-6917424382585890412008-11-02T15:51:00.000-08:002008-11-02T16:04:56.791-08:00

Happy BirthdayAnd Home with the Little OneWhen I talk about "the boys," that's two of mine and their two best buddies. The guys have been tight since back in kindergarten. That's one good thing about small towns. You can make and keep friends for life.I was surprised when I found out my friend (the mother of the other two guys in the foursome) was expecting. Whew! We've got these almost raised,

Grill Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02902450883159711629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3401713612285313164.post-18443943321177282542008-10-31T20:13:00.000-07:002008-10-31T20:28:03.745-07:00

I was pretty shocked when Elizabeth Dole ran an ad that ended with a Kay Hagan's picture and a voice (not Kay's as I've discovered) saying, "There is no God." Hagan must have been taken aback too. She has filed suit against Dole for defamation and libel. Damage control by Dole is another nasty ad. She asks, "If the godless Americans threw a party in your honor, would you go?" Come on. Who are "

Grill Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02902450883159711629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3401713612285313164.post-379230729785119282008-10-30T13:38:00.000-07:002008-10-30T13:52:26.248-07:00

It didn't take Kay Hagan long to repsond to the "godless" commercial I mentioned in my last blog post. Shortly after I saw the Dole ad, the online posts started cranking up. If you've missed the commercial, Dole had a thirty second spot that said that Kagan took money from atheists - or godless Americans. The really troubling part, in my opinion, was the end. That showed Hagan's photo and a voice

Grill Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02902450883159711629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3401713612285313164.post-63811243206460576502008-10-29T15:14:00.000-07:002008-10-29T15:33:31.743-07:00

A friend sent me a political video today that said that I tipped the 2008 presidential election. I clicked on the link and saw myself as the star of a newscast saying that I didn't bother to get out of bed and that McCain won, because I did not cast my vote. Now, I'm not saying which way I'm voting. That's personal.I will, however, say that the video is clever and funny as heck. The way this

Grill Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02902450883159711629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3401713612285313164.post-5447148292772362232008-10-28T18:25:00.001-07:002008-10-30T13:54:00.710-07:00

Politics do get dirty, but I was really shocked at the TV commercial this evening that basically called Kay Hagan the daughter of Satan. The commercial said that Hagan takes money from a group called Godless Americans PAC and suggested that she supports a number of changes that would not fly well in a conservative state like North Carolina. This was done indirectly by simply linking her to the

Grill Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02902450883159711629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3401713612285313164.post-71993852197848797642008-10-18T15:42:00.000-07:002008-10-18T16:15:52.974-07:00

Happy Birthday to Me - but No Thanks to BelksI was pleased to get a card from Belks department stores for my birthday. They really didn't have to do that, and they really shouldn't have.This Belks card says, "Celebrate Your Birthday with a Gift from Belks" on the front. When I open up the flap, it says, "Our Gift to You." It's $10 off on my single regular or sale purchase of $50 or more.I go to

Grill Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02902450883159711629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3401713612285313164.post-59411183328813248182008-10-14T15:56:00.000-07:002008-10-14T18:14:33.254-07:00

Baby Boomers - Enjoying the Good LifeI’m not surprised our economic system is imploding. I’ve always been a “pay as I go” kind of person. When I get calls or flyers saying I don’t have to make any payments until way off in the future, I just scratch my head. If I don’t have the money today, what makes me (or them) think I’ll have it in a couple of years. Whatever I bought on this strange payment

Grill Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02902450883159711629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3401713612285313164.post-90749494791715965222008-10-09T14:58:00.000-07:002008-10-30T14:02:21.355-07:00

“Vampires, mummies and the holy ghost. These are the things that scare me the most,” says Jimmy Buffet in an old CD called Fruitcakes. He also says in the title song that we’ve all got a little fruitcake in us. Fruitcakes came to mind when I was watching Dancing with the Stars on TV this week. I’m not a regular viewer of the program, but I’ve always thought it was a good show and have enjoyed

Grill Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02902450883159711629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3401713612285313164.post-66302827817264232772008-10-06T19:26:00.001-07:002008-10-06T19:46:42.417-07:00

Enough AlreadyI just bought $100 in candy. No. I am not a pig. Well, I can be. But, I do not buy candy in bulk. I did this time though, because the pizza and cheese cakes my kid just sold for a school group have not even arrived. I pick him up at school, and he has two big bags of candy. One hundred candy bars. Count 'em. I didn't. I just wrote out the check. My kid just sold over $400 in pizza/

Grill Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02902450883159711629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3401713612285313164.post-25105316830424836052008-10-03T13:35:00.000-07:002008-10-03T13:45:45.153-07:00

There are so many neat things to do in North Carolina as I'm sure there are in any state. It's hard to get the word out though as I'm sure many folks know who work with local tourism or who plan events and hope for a nice turn out. My friend Greta Lint (a tourism promoter and consultant) works with communities in helping promote areas and events, and she's doing a session on blogging to increase

Grill Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02902450883159711629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3401713612285313164.post-57142992180846888632008-10-02T14:01:00.000-07:002008-10-05T06:04:00.040-07:00

REMEMBER - There is a Real Person Behind that BlogHow NOT to tick off BloggersI had some questions from a media person about dealing with big, bad bloggers. Long story. We got off on rather the wrong foot I think. She’s print. I’m net. Big world difference there. In reality, I’m a crossover and go back and forth between magazines, tech writing, and then online work. So, I do understand that the

Grill Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02902450883159711629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3401713612285313164.post-8866292667456279712008-09-29T15:34:00.000-07:002008-09-29T15:49:01.073-07:00

I wrote out my check for $167 to Time Warner Cable yesterday. That is the bundle with TV, Internet and phone. No premium channels. I'm too cheap, and Time Warner charges too much anyway.I was just rolling with the flow and paying Time Warner Cable. There really aren't options around here. There's Dish, but I've seen that and what a mess. As far as phone and internet, it's nice to have it bundled

Grill Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02902450883159711629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3401713612285313164.post-83527432250285364662008-09-26T18:37:00.000-07:002008-09-26T18:53:15.959-07:00

I like to stick my head in the sand (not that we have any sand in the Piedmont of North Carolina), so I've been closing my eyes and pressing "no" on the receipt for gas. Of course, I pay the credit card bill for gas and everything else, but I'd just as soon not examine the damage every few days.It's hard to play clueless when there's just flat not any gas. The last time I gassed up, I skipped my

Grill Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02902450883159711629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3401713612285313164.post-83948980066546379412008-09-25T15:03:00.000-07:002008-09-25T15:16:49.923-07:00

I really don't get the extra credit at schools these days. You can buy Kleenex or dry erase markers and send in, and your kid gets extra grade points. You can also go to Open House. Same deal. Your kid gets extra credit on his or her grade.Is it just me, or does this not make any sense at all?Maybe the kid can do some extra work and learn something and get some points, but how does Kleenex or

Grill Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02902450883159711629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3401713612285313164.post-39229229498280981782008-09-21T16:58:00.000-07:002008-09-24T16:28:13.331-07:00

I hate psychobabble and the latest commercial catch phrases that don't mean a hill of beans. My all time most hated customer brush off comment is, "I'm sorry you feel the way." I believe that phrase was first used by psychologists to placate clients and now used by every person working on the planet who doesn't have enough sense to say something meaningful.This week I called Time Warner Cable

Grill Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02902450883159711629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3401713612285313164.post-19231737041520586032008-09-07T14:05:00.000-07:002008-09-07T16:20:38.761-07:00

An Oldie but a Goodie - Cast Iron Grill Box Style - Vintage Family GrillNew York Strip Steaks - Just About Ready to Come Off the GrillMy brother was coming in today to fix the light cover on my Mom's car. Long story. I won't say how that happened to get busted. In any case, my brother had me take photos and get the car VIN number, so he could get the light cover and paint and fix the car back

Grill Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02902450883159711629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3401713612285313164.post-74632494653315301602008-09-05T19:04:00.001-07:002008-09-05T19:31:53.621-07:00

This here sign really is posted at a store I visited. Makes a body wonder if someone had some of the Bud before making the sign. I grew up in the South, but I still find some of the customs confusing. The most recent I considered was male courtship patterns. Seems some of the guys have it figured out - or not. Cross my heart. I did not make these up. I'm creative - but not to this extent.Redneck

Grill Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02902450883159711629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3401713612285313164.post-77684357889490116382008-08-30T18:29:00.000-07:002008-09-25T14:42:05.471-07:00

I had been on the fence as far as the presidential election 2008. I've never been a straight ticket voter. I try to read up and select the best person. And I do mean "person." I don't care about race or gender. I want a good president - period.In considering the two choices (Obama and McCain), I was a bit up in the air. I liked waht Obama was saying, but I did feel that he was a little

Grill Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02902450883159711629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3401713612285313164.post-58138538782430732652008-08-17T06:32:00.000-07:002008-08-17T06:56:49.154-07:00

My Son in His Dorm Room at UNC Chapel HillI've heard parents talk about waiting for the day they get their kid or kids out of the house. Maybe they were just joking around. I know I've never thought about or said I wanted my kids to move out. I knew they would eventually, but I was sure not counting the days.Yesterday I did take my oldest up to college - UNC Chapel Hill. He worked really hard

Grill Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02902450883159711629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3401713612285313164.post-89575956242544895932008-08-13T18:37:00.000-07:002008-08-14T06:08:02.154-07:00

Why Should You Need a Chain Link Fence and Keep Out Signs?Kids will be kids. I know that. I love kids. I have kids. They are my world. They make mistakes. Fine. I address those issues. Problem. Solution. Life goes on.I won't even say that most kids are wild these days. I don't find that to be the case - at all. Most kids are decent little folks. They aren't perfect. Neither are adults. That's

Grill Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02902450883159711629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3401713612285313164.post-80380670372414826972008-08-08T19:38:00.000-07:002008-08-08T20:55:10.366-07:00

John Edwards Affair - I'm So Shocked - NOT!The National Enquirer got it right. John Edwards did sex up an employee that he met in a bar and paid thousands to make internet clips. Where are those Edwards net clips? Hum. Does it matter. Do you really think that's what he paid over a $100,000 for especially when this was a woman with no real experience in much of anything (other than maybe between

Grill Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02902450883159711629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3401713612285313164.post-36573332916637945022008-08-06T13:35:00.000-07:002008-08-06T13:56:05.849-07:00

Putting Up the Princeton Panels Fence on One Side of the HouseI'm sure we could all compare horror stories about neighbors. I prefer not to go into detail. Let's just say that I was granted a one year protection order, and the neighbor got suspended jail time and probation. So, I'm not just spouting off. This was serious. The neighbor moved after she had her day in court. But, now she is back.

Grill Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02902450883159711629noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3401713612285313164.post-79623523860888574872008-08-04T14:30:00.001-07:002008-08-04T15:06:23.752-07:00

Check Out My Keen Newport Water ShoesI have balked at buying REAL water shoes. Mostly I've worn bobo tennis shoes from Wal-Mart and then some reef runners. Those are not brand name reef runners. They are also bobos.Yes. Real water shoes are expensive. That's why I've stuck with my bobos. I did not know what I was missing, or I would have sucked it up and bought some decent water shoes long ago.

Grill Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02902450883159711629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3401713612285313164.post-38137857285664195552008-08-01T14:55:00.000-07:002008-08-01T15:06:28.834-07:00

It's Fun to Get Together with Other KayakersThe kayak group that my son joined, HRL Paddlers, is hosting Paddlefest next weekend - August 9 and 10, 2008 at High Rock Lake (near Salisbury, NC - not far from Charlotte either).My son is really excited about this event and has been talking about it all week. He's been calling around to his Boy Scout buddies to see if others want to join in the fun.If

Grill Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02902450883159711629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3401713612285313164.post-2118559414550909772008-07-31T12:58:00.000-07:002008-08-01T12:07:28.775-07:00

My Son Getting to Know His Campus - UNCMy kid made it to and back from orientation at UNC Chapel Hill without any problems. He enjoyed the visit to campus and got signed up for his classes. He got everything he wanted except for Spanish (which he may be able to pick up next month).He also picked up his laptop computer. They want all the kids to have the same one and service there on campus, but

Grill Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02902450883159711629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3401713612285313164.post-66086752552462436552008-07-29T11:20:00.000-07:002008-07-29T12:01:16.262-07:00

Yippee! The Judge Set Us Free Before LunchI'd never been called for jury duty before, so I guess it was my time to serve. That's what the letter said anyway. I did get mine put off until the summer. I teach public speaking, so that was going to be a problem if I got a long trial. There's just no way to get a substitute for speeches. All I had to do was go to the court house and fill out a paper

Grill Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02902450883159711629noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3401713612285313164.post-54420840503049086812008-07-28T19:09:00.000-07:002008-07-28T19:19:38.816-07:00

Big Old Tree Behind My Son's Dorm at UNC Chapel HillMy kid got up and out this morning about 5 a.m. and called me about 8 to let me know that he arrived at UNC. I did ask him if he was actually parked. Yes - Mom. And, I asked him if it was a legal space. They don't mess around up there about that parking. Put the car in the wrong spot, and it is tow city.I had to go on to jury duty. I can't tell

Grill Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02902450883159711629noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3401713612285313164.post-41622818121315221412008-07-28T06:48:00.000-07:002008-07-28T06:57:13.897-07:00

Visiting My Son's Dorm at UNC Chapel HillMy older son graduated from high school this year and heads to UNC Chapel Hill in a couple of weeks. That was his top pick college, and he was excited to get in and looks forward to being a Tarheel.Today is my kid's orientation. I was a bit nervous about him driving up by himself, but I have jury duty later today (my first time). He did call when he got

Grill Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02902450883159711629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3401713612285313164.post-85163171693667198452008-07-27T14:51:00.000-07:002008-07-28T05:03:07.479-07:00

My Son Kayaking Near the WaterfallI've always heard that the teen years were really tough ones for parents (and for many teens too). I have not found that to be the case. My boys are great, and I'd rather spend time with them than anything else I can think of to do.Sometimes other parents ask me, "What's your secret?"I wouldn't begin to take credit for my boys being fine young men. They could

Grill Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02902450883159711629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3401713612285313164.post-8925984390575671432008-07-26T16:12:00.000-07:002008-07-26T16:22:56.616-07:00

My Son and His Kayak FriendsMy youngest son is hard to keep up with. He never goes in fast gear, but he is always on the go - slowly and surely. When he was little, I'd be saying, "Hurry up" to him and "Slow down" to the older one at the mall and places like that. We were a family slinky. All trying to stay together - and easier said than done.I play a lot online, but I don't do it the same way

Grill Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02902450883159711629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3401713612285313164.post-85889376535622886272008-07-26T15:17:00.001-07:002008-07-27T07:23:34.273-07:00

Wild Hair Day - A Good One to Start a New BlogI come from a long line of storytellers and writers - and some both. It only seems natural that I begin to capture our moments here online. I already host a website called Yes You Can Grill and the Barbeque Master blog. But I really do more than eat - cross my heart and buy the next size up in jeans.My first thought was to call this "catch all" spot

Grill Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02902450883159711629noreply@blogger.com0