A Rambling Post About Panini and Sex Toys

Is anyone out there?  The Internet is awfully quiet this week.

Oh, there you are!  I see you now.  So how are you?  Enjoying life?  Getting some good family time?  Or maybe you've had a little too much family time?  Things are slow around here ... quiet.  The Money Town folks are off vacationing this week.  Me?  I'm just hanging out.

Well, of course, I'm not just hanging out.  I'm keeping an eye out in case the mouse returns. It's keeping me very busy.  (So far, no mouse!)  Also, at least twenty times a day I say, "It's soooooo beautiful outside, I can't even believe it!"  And it is.  On my way to PT I drove past the lake I showed you about a week ago.  I stopped to take some photos so you can see what it looks like now

You can see the snow is long gone.  It was in the mid-seventies (F) when I took these photos.

Here's one more:

While I was at the lake ... which was not for very long at all, I saw this:

I also saw a lot of these:

I've been busy lately, but doing mundane things.  The mouse forced a reorganization of my pantry.  Next, Briefcase emptied every single thing (including Shrek, Flipper and Rabbit) out of our bedroom closet.  I can't lift anything because of my arm and, as a result, (**cringe**) our closet hadn't been cleaned out in three years.  It was one big disaster area.  

After he dumped everything onto our bedroom floor, I spent two days sorting piles (one-handed) for Goodwill, and trash.  (Needless to say, Shrek, Flipper and Rabbit did not go into either of those two piles!)  Even with Briefcase's help, I used my bum arm way more than I should and spent my evenings draped in a heating pad (and giggling on pain meds).

Next time that happens, I'll write a ridiculous, drug-induced, post for you to laugh at again.

Speaking of Shrek, Flipper, and Rabbit ... I've recently been contacted by a company that would like me to offer their sex toys for a giveaway here on Twenty Four At Heart.  Is that something you'd be interested in?  It seems like a lot of my readers thought it would be fun when we were discussing the merits of Flipper.   

Ho hum.  We took TR to the airport and saw her off the day after Christmas.  She's visiting friends back east this week.  We watched Dark Knight on DVD one evening.  I finally braved the mall a couple days ago to make a few gift exchanges.  I was surprised how quiet it was there too. Is everyone off skiing?  Or vacationing in warm, tropical places?

There were a couple items I really needed and thought I might get for Christmas.  When I didn't, I looked into after-Christmas sales to see what I could find.  Ladies, Victoria Secret bras are on sale right now if you need them.  For my male readers, Nordstrom is having their men's sale.

I also had a $30 coupon to Williams Sonoma.  For several years I've wanted a panini press.  I've dropped hints, but to no avail.  A few days ago, I marched in with my $30 coupon and bought one for myself my family.  On my way home I went by a deli and bought some fresh basil, provolone, and an assortment of freshly cut sandwich meats.  I came home and made panini sandwiches for my family.  (Here's a panini tip I learned:  If you like garlic, mince a clove and mix it with some mayo.  Use it as a thin spread inside your panini for added flavor.  One clove makes enough, easily, for a few sandwiches.)  

There's something irresistable about the crunchy toasted bread of a panini.

Well, there you have it.  I managed to get panini presses and sex toys into the same blog post.  What are you doing this week?  Hanging out?  Shopping?  Vacationing?  Have you bought yourself any gifts?    

Comments

[Alan]

LOL! Wow! What a post! So the mouse still has you freaking out huh? Well...I'm sure your husband tearing through the house should scare him away. If you want a guarantee that he won't return...how about a cat? Never had a single mouse in the 15 years that I've had one!

The weather here in the middle of the country hasn't been bad either. Still colder than 70, but no snow. Lots of wind though! Nice pics. (I hate you. LOL)

Plunger Girl recently had a sex toy giveaway. Dunno how that went. You should ask her...but we're all good here at my house...thanks!

Thanks for the Nordstrom's tip! But I shop at Kohl's...usually...

And lastly, I've never made a panini sandwich. However I do enjy them at sandwich shops! Maybe I should look into buying my own? :-)

Celebrating my wife's birthday today. She's a little older than 24...but not by much! I've noticed a little drop off this week also. Think people are kinda busy. But I keep writing! Maybe someday everyone will come back!
:-)

Have a good one! Try to stay cool in your California sunshine!

[Hallie]

We just got an old fashioned use in your fireplace cast iron panini maker last night. That sucker weighs about 100 lbs but will hopefully make a kick ass sandwich!

Hallie

[Donna in VA]

I'm working this week. But judging by the fact that I got to work in less than 10 minutes, I think I might be the only one. There was NOBODY on the road.
I really need to be at home rearranging MY pantry. I got several small appliances for Christmas, including a panini press, and I need to find room in my postage stamp size kitchen to put them. It's going to take a total remodel. So basically, that's what I'm thinking about while I'm here. Just don't tell my boss.

[Linda]

I’m finding the internet quiet too but then again I’m not contributing much either. The photos are beautiful! You sure do live in a pretty area.
Sometimes Sophia over at I Hope you have a Good Day Charlie seems to have a pretty consistent Mouse Trapping technique. Check out this post for some poetry, tips and how to’s http://sometimessophia.blogspot.com/2008/12/mouse-song.html

[sometimessophia]

Sex toy giveaway? That should boost your counter stats. Maybe you could get Williams Sonoma to throw in a panini press... and bundle the prize as a "Sandwich Some Fun into Your Busy Day Giveaway."

You are amazing! Love your blog...

[Mama Dawg]

I'm in for the contest.

I got some cash for the holidays but haven't spent it yet. I will though....in time.

Going to New Orleans for the New Year. Can't wait!

[Jan]

Things are quiet here, too. We took Oldest Son to the airport yesterday and will be up at the butt-crack of dawn on Friday to take Miss Jacki as well. That's also our first anniversary (or as Beloved put it "The Day Men Never Remember So They Don't Get Laid"), but we're not sure what we're going to do. Probably just go out to dinner, but that's fine. I'm at work today for a couple of hours (like I've done any actual work - I've mostly been reading blogs) and will be for a couple of hours tomorrow, but mostly I'm just enjoying some rare and well-deserved time off.

You left a comment on my blog saying you feel fat. If it's any consolation, we went clothes shopping the day after Christmas to take advantage of the sales and in the process of buying myself clothes, I became *officially* fat.

Guess what my New Year's Resolution is going to be?

[Karin]

I really like Sophia's idea!

Hope you had a wonderful Christmas holiday and are all set to partake in the spirits tomorrow evening!

.....quietly wondering just how many readers would actually put in print their desire for the toy give-away! HA!

[Middle-Aged-Woman]

Used two gift certificates to buy a new book and a DVD. Does that count?

[Kate]

After a whirl wind Christmas spent with family. My car decided to take a dump and is in the shop and at work yesterday our whole phone system went down. (did I mention I work at a suicide hotline?! yeah that was a crisis!)But other then those two things I am just recovering and trying to figure out what to do with the toys that are everywhere in my house. I have a bunch of gift cards to shop with but I don't want to bring anything else into the house until the toys have an official place to live.
Have a Happy New Year!

[phhhst]

I've been wanting a mixer for baking. I'll settle for a sex toy in a contest though...

[Sarah]

The stores were almost desered this weekend, but yesterday was crowded! Everyone must have been away for the holiday weekend then came home to shop! Hope you have a wonderful New Year's!

[Wunderwoman]

I'm just here waiting for some warm weather LOL

Heard our mall is dead too. I think the economy has everyone scared, or they're unemployed.

[Helena]

When you started this blog did you ever think you would become THE pr-lady for sex toys in the blogging world?! :-)

Hope you had a lovely Christmas with or without the mouse (very funny story, by the way).

[MLS]

That same sex toy company must be contacting everyone to do the contest giveaway. Maybe it's just our group? Maybe they think we need them? LOL

It's 75 degrees here today (TX) and beautiful. I'm looking at the pool and thinking I might jump in. NOT! The water is cold!!!! My grandkids will be here later in the week and they will no doubt jump right in and never blink an eye because they are......well, kids.

[Kristan]

Hmm, I suppose I'd enter the contest... Just for the fun of it.

And omg panini press!? Way cool! Now you've got me wanting one... (But what if it went the way of our waffle maker and ice cream maker?? Beloved for a few months and now sitting alone, idle and forgotten. *tear*)

[Sandra]

We get panini's at work in our cafeteria. They're the bomb.

Sorry your arm got so sore. But the drugs sound fun!

I'm just hangin' with my 5 & 7 year old girls. Today we're heading to the movies to see Desperaux. I've never taken them into the theater before. Others have but I haven't. Should be fun. I hope there aren't too many potty breaks!!!

[emmysuh]

I'd be interested in the sex toys give away if you can guarantee I'll win 'em.

Hope your arm feels better soon!

[Irish Gumbo]

Did this company happen to mention if they have a sex toy/panini press combo unit? That's one of those things that if I had one, I'd probably never leave the house. Except to get sandwich stuff, and (ahem) personal lubricants. What a post!

I also wanted to thank you for dropping by Irish Gumbo. When you say you saw my name everywhere, I hope that didn't include the 'Wanted' posters, been trying to get rid of those for a while...

Thank you so much, I look forward to hearing more from you!

[BedsideTalesMan]

Great post. Dull week here. We have no kids and are both kind of ...not knowing what to do. Maybe we should just havea panini and break out the sex toys....never a bad thing.

[mama llama]

Hmmm...boy, that snow sure comes and goes quick out yonder! :)

This Christmas season, I have placed great emphasis on the gift of spending time with others. Gifts were not overflowing, although there were, in my opinion, plenty under the tree. It was modest and comfortable. As far as gifts purchased...well, I'm waiting for LL Bean's heavy, heavy winter socks to go on sale so I can use my $10 gift cards to go and stock up until next Christmas. My socks just don't last a year, and I just don't darn...

Imagine that. Someone actually asking for socks. I bought myself a robe, the kids made some goodies in school. And my gluten-free/soy-free Christmas cookies turned out GREAT!! What more could a Llama want?

Thinking of you this week...you know why. I leave you with most sincere desire for a HEALTHY, happy New Year in which your dreams may come true.

Be well, 24.

[EricaB]

SO done with the "family" time. Everyone in the home is on vacation except me (for which I am thankful). I love my family but I cannot wait to have my house back, to have my routine back, to have my peace and quiet back...

Totally up for the sex toy giveaway! That would be great!

And THANK YOU for posting about the VS sale! I have recently fallen IN LOVE with Vicky - she is the only one that can hold my girls in place...

[Jason]

I LOVE paninis, and I want a panini press. Maybe you should give one away!

And yes, I would like to win a sex toy from you, too. It would just have to be the right one, of course. Because I don't think Flipper would really do the trick for me, you know, since my body isn't like yours and all.