Bingo!

So this past weekend I was looking for something different to do. I didn’t just want to sit at home on a Friday night, like I had done for the i don’t even know how many Fridays. Thank goodness for Jenny Kessler, for throwing out Bingo at St Anthony of Padua in Walnut Hills.

It starts at 7 and is done every Friday, in the building behind the church. There will be a line just fyi, get there early. We opted for the cheap simple 9 face cards, and kind of glad we did. We spent $9 each as we bought the dobbers for a $1 each. The computers confuse me… I’m not gonna lie. Maybe I’ll try them. I guess you get more cards on them, that play themselves? I’m not really sure.

We also got 2 tickets, one for a free drink, and one for a bag of cheezits. We also got a raffle ticket for a door prize. They don’t tell you at the door, but if you take your receipt and a dollar to the lady up front by the caller, she’ll stamp your reciept. They call out a number before everything starts and if you bingo on that number, you win the jackpot as well. Seriously, this is some hard core bingo playing going on! I was beyond confused. Thank goodness for the friendly ladies sitting next to us who didn’t mind helping us out. There are also people walking around selling $1 pull tab cards that you can play to win extra money. We managed to make $50 off of that before we even won a bingo! (Sorry I’m a pull tab addict. My family has a hisory of winning big with them 9 times out of 10 )

They play all sorts of different ways you can win. The Hubby won $125 on the middle card with 3 postage stamps! The lowest prize I think was $75? Maybe $50 at the lowest And you normally play 2-3 games on one sheet of paper. For example, normal straight line bingo, wins $75, then after that whoever gets 2 bingo lines on the same card wins $100, then they might play whoever gets all the outside rows filled, making a “large picture frame”. All on the same giant sheet of paper as seen above. It’s pretty interesting. And this location has a whole mix of age groups. No one under 18 is allowed, fyi.

If you’re interested, I’m looking at maybe getting together a Bingo Crawl. We had a ton of fun, got some extra cash, and did something different already this year! And I had a lot of people say they wanted to join. I’ll be posting get togethers on Yelp and you can follow #BingoCrawl on twitter. If you want to see all the tons of Bingo places I’ve scouted, I’ve got a board up on Pinterest

New Jesus

So the new Jesus is erected in Monroe. Although nowhere near as big, cool or funny as Touchdown Jesus… (RIP) let the naming commence :p

Hug me Jesus? Molester Jesus? Creed Jesus?

But my favorite? $5 FOOT LONG JESUS!!!  Lol im going to hell…

Le Diner en Blanc Cincinnati

I’m having a really hard time trying to find the words to describe this event. It was absolutely gorgeous! Breathtaking, stunning, beautiful, fun, amazing… seriously, not just being cliche here.

It’s been described as a pop up fancy dinner. Part flash mob. Part picnic. Part fancy revelry. And when it all comes together, absolutely breathtaking!  It’s a semi exclusive event. Word of mouth and friends of friends basically. You and your friends meet up with a smaller group of about 50 people.

Then these groups meet up with 5 more groups and you’re transported to the secret location for that year. That’s when 1100 people this year spilled out of buses or from various downtown points and set up tables in long rows. Then proceeded to their picnic spread. There is an option to purchase baskets made by places like Orchids and Eat Well Celebrations. From what i saw they were huge! Had plenty to feed 2 and then pass some around. These will cost you though, anywhere from $60-$100.

You will be lucky to get into the event itself. It’s premise is friends coming together, Therefore it’s a friends of friends type gathering. Those that went this year, will be given a spot next year, and they can invite one other couple. Then if there is room, it will go to a wait list. The thing that seems to stop people is the fact that you do have to pay $24 a person, plus a one time $5 membership fee, to allow you to attend the events in the future. The fee goes towards venue rental, security, entertainment, and most importantly, the liquor license that allows us to consume wine and Champagne in a public area.

The most difficult yet kind of fun part, is finding everything you’ll need. You’re to bring a small square table (under 32×32 inches) 2 white chairs, a table cloth, nice place settings, glasses, a table setting/decorations, and a picnic basket with your dinner in it, as well as your drinks for the evening. You also are to dress all in white. They do have really nice contests though. They have a best table one, and a most elegant/creatively dresses group (of 2-4 couples); both offer a dinner for 6 cooked by chefs, such as Jean Robert of JR’s Table. And then there is the most elegantly/creatively dressed couple; this prize is a trip with airfare to Antigua!

Hubby ready for the first course

This year being in Lytle park was gorgeous! Queen City tower, and the Taft museum flanking us, lights in the trees, darn near everyone with candles. You arrive in a huge group and get set up quickly.  at about 7:15 napkins are waved and you start on your 3 courses. Or whatever else you’ve prepared. I used this as an excuse to have a little fun and indulge myself. I saw meat and cheese and fruit trays, dips and spreads and salads. Then you move on to your main course and lastly dessert. Everyone was friendly, and I saw most tables sharing with their neighbors, who most hadn’t met before this evening. It was a great time, and you could take your time and just enjoy it.

Napkin wave to signify the start of dinner!

Molly Wellman looking absolutely adorable.

Dinner

Dessert!

Then at around 9 Sparklers were lit by everyone  and balloons were released. For whatever reason, this was one of the highlights of the evening. I cant put into words how beautiful it was at that moment.

Hubby with his sparkler
Photo Credit: Jens G Rosenkrantz Jr

Balloons!!!

Then it was time to party. Champagne flowed freely, the dj was playing awesome music on the make shift dance floor and Framester was taking awesome photo booth shots! It was just so much fun, half the people didn’t want to leave at 11. But sadly it was time to go as magically and quickly as we arrived. I already can’t wait til next year!

I spy a Jenny K

If you missed it this year, I’m sorry you missed a truly magical event. There was no pretension, no fighting, just fun. Everyone from 25-80 was enjoying themselves at both dinner and the party. It was a spectacular time! hopefully, you know someone who’s willing to sign you up with them next year, so you can experience it for yourself. It’s really one of those kinds of events. But one that mere words still can not put into place.

<3

View my full gallery:

Edit: I’ve found a few more pics to share, and also I’ll post other places that are blogging about the evening!

The view of the park from the 11th floor of The Residence Inn.
Photo Credit: Shelley Groh

One of my favorite photobooth pics of the night!

Best Table Leaders ever!

Even the Hubby had a great time!

BFF’s!

See all Framester Photos Here

Check out more views and pictures here!:

Small Girl Adventures

Eggplant to Go

513Eats

Jenny K

Jens G Rosenkrantz

Back to the Future

Where should we set our destination today?

If you went to the St. Patty’s Day parade downtown yesterday, you shoulda seen this baby

Flux Capacitor

Dear Alcohol…

** I randomly logged into my Myspace account (i know i know, don’t judge. I didn’t remember the password if that brings a little bit of dignity back) and went through some old blog posts there and decided to bring a few gems to this site as well. Enjoy **

Dear Alcohol….

First and foremost, let me tell you that I’m a huge fan of yours.

As my friend, you always seem to be there when needed. The perfect post-work cocktail, a beer at the game, and you’re even around at the holidays (hidden inside chocolates as you warm us when we’re stuck in the midst of endless family gatherings).

However, lately I’ve been wondering about your intentions. While I want to believe that you have my best interests at heart, I feel that your influence has led to some unwise consequences:

1. Phone Calls and text messages: While I agree with you that communication is important, I question the suggestion that any conversation after 2 a.m. can have much substance or necessity. Why would you make me call my ex’s? Especially when I know, for a fact, they DO NOT want to hear from me during the day, let alone all hours of the night.

2. Eating: Now, you know I love a good meal. But, why do you suggest that I eat a taco with chili sauce along with a big Italian meatball and some stale chips (washed down with wine & topped off with a Kit Kat AFTER a few cheese curls & chili cheese fries)? I’m an eclectic eater but, I think you went too far this time.

3. Clumsiness: Unless you’re subtly trying to tell me that I need to do more yoga to improve my balance, I see NO need to hammer this issue home by causing me to fall down. It’s completely unnecessary, and the black & blue marks that appear on my body mysteriously the next day are beyond me. Similarly, it should never take me more than 45 seconds to get the front door key into the lock.

4. Furthermore: The hangovers have GOT to stop! This is getting ridiculous. I know a little penance for our previous evening’s debauchery may be in order. But, the 3 p.m. hangover immobility is completely unacceptable. My entire day is shot. I ask that if the proper precautions are taken (water, vitamin B, bread products, aspirin) prior to going to sleep/passing out (face down on the kitchen floor with a bag of popcorn or wherever). The hangover should be minimal and in no way interfere with my daily activities.

Alcohol, I have enjoyed our friendship for some years now and would like to ensure that we remain on good terms. You’ve been the invoker of great stories, the provocation for much laughter, and the needed companion when I just don’t know what to do with the extra money in my pockets.

In order to continue this friendship, I ask that you carefully review my grievances above and address them immediately. I will look for an answer no later than Friday 3 p.m. (pre happy hour) on your possible solutions. And hopefully we can continue this fruitful partnership.

Thank you,

Your Biggest Fan

P.S. Please take a moment or two and note the following items below that I think may be of some interest to you.

THINGS THAT ARE DIFFICULT TO SAY WHEN DRUNK:

1. Innovative
2. Preliminary
3. Proliferation
4. Cinnamon

THINGS THAT ARE VERY DIFFICULT TO SAY WHEN DRUNK:

1. Specificity
2. British Constitution
3. Passive-..Aggressive Disorder

THINGS THAT ARE DOWNRIGHT IMPOSSIBLE TO SAY WHEN DRUNK:

1. Thanks, but I don’t want to have sex.
2. Nope, no more beer for me.
3. Sorry, but you’re not really my type.
4. Good evening, officer. Isn’t it lovely out tonight?
5. Oh, I couldn’t. No one wants to hear me sing.

Black Friday

Yes. We ordered a Thanksgiving pizza and had it delivered to us in line at Best Buy it actually was pretty good after gorging myself on turkey and mashed potatoes earlier.

Halloween

Ok, so if you don’t know me by now… I’m kind of a Halloween freak I live for this holiday! But this year I’ve been a little off… I don’t know if it’s because I haven’t really had the money to go shopping, or maybe because my fiance has done all the grocery shopping before he goes to work. I haven’t bought a single Halloween decoration this season! Tonight that will change… just wait.

But I didn’t even decorate as much as I normally do though either. The stuff was out in like 15 minutes tops. My fall leaves are still tucked away, my big light up spiderweb isn’t in the window, cauldrons still in the box. Maybe it’s because I’ve been sick as hell all last week, with my allergies acting up the worst they’ve been since I was in jr. high! Or maybe I’ve just been so preoccupied with my house hunt that I haven’t really gotten into it. Or the wedding planning. Or maybe I didn’t have any big/new/far away haunted houses to go to and look forward to. Or maybe because I didn’t have a bunch of people to go with all the time to Kings Island for their Haunt. Who knows. But its kinda depressing.

But I did make the most of it, even in the funk I seemed to be in. Friday night was my last night doing makeup at the Springboro Haunted Hayride and Black Bog. Sad. I did have a blast making everyone all scary looking, and a few of those guys loved the blood… and I love covering people in it

And after that it was off to a girls night at Kings Island! The boy tagged along long enough to go through the 2 houses he hadn’t done yet (Urgent Scare and Carnevil) I’m willing to put money on the fact that Carnevil is no longer there next year. It’s one of those trippy neon clown mazes that you’re supposed to wear 3-D glasses in… except the greedy Cedar Fair people were charging you a dollar for them! when they used to give them out and recycle them, and reuse them. 1. Not worth it for one trip through. 2. the house sucks without them. 3. going downhill like this is one of the reason I couldn’t work there anymore. All the fun was sucked out of working But we all made the most out of it, and I got to see my old co-workers, and even got a ride on Racer in and a glorious fogged filled ride on Diamondback and Beast. Where you literally could not see the track in front of you from the 2nd seat, until you were at the tops of the hills. I loved it!

The girls all trying to stay warm

Saturday night was my parents annual OSU Chilifest! Its a Saturday in which the Buckeyes are out of town, in October (we had it late this year) and our backyard is full of tents and tv screens, and lawn chairs, and even a bar! Everyone brings a bowl of chili to feed the family and we combine it into one big roaster. My huge extended family comes over, all the neighbors, and even some of the old neighbors who have moved away! It’s a great crazy time full of games, a poker tournament, and normally someone in one crazy get up.

Forgive the crappy dark phone camera. But you get the idea with the huge projection screen, and another small tv, and the lights and seats and heaters, etc. And this is only half the tent...

The garage with 3 different food tables, and 2 fridges, and you can see one roaster full of chili on the right, and the fridge with tv #7 or so, has all the different games that go on during thee game.

Too many beers or jello shot, or pudding shots, or whatever the neighbors were throwing at us, made for a late morning… ok… ok, early afternoon. But then I got to help pass out candy to the trick or treaters! Yay! My youngest brother is a senior this year, so he brought up all the costumes that were in a huge basket from the basement from over the years to try to make one. I know, you’re going “But he’s a senior! He’s too old to go trick-or-treating!” Not true. Every year, since my senior year, the senior civics class has gone trick-or-treating…. for canned goods… for the food pantry It’s a great philanthropy project, and those that want to dress up can, and about half of them do. And normally when you stop at the little old ladies houses they ask if you’re there for cans or candy… the correct response is both! I don’t know how he did, but I know I made bank in the candy dept back then!

Boo as Super-Chicken-Cow!!! and our neighbor as Super Woman. Funny thing? It was totally unplanned. Too bad they weren't in the same class to go around together.

Then it was off for home, but a stop for dinner at Applebee’s (only cause we had a gift card) and then we met some friends at Dent Schoolhouse. Dent is my 3rd favorite haunted house, after Lewisburg cave, and Haunted Hoochie in Columbus. I love that its actually haunted And I love that they seemed to make some major changes to it, and almost made it longer? It was definitely a good time. Even if I did have a younger one trying to take my arm off

"Carrie" before

And then yesterday was Halloween! It’s depressing that I can’t even dress up a little bit for work It’s not like anyone else sees me! And I think it would help some people loosen up. but I instead opted to don my old prom dress and my old college homecoming tiara, nix the blood and just go with the prom queen/princess/beuty queen/whatever the kids decided I was that night. It was originally Carrie from the “Carrie” movies, but I decided to be nice to the kids. Last year I only got maybe 5 kids that made it up the hill to me. This year I totally ran out of candy in an hour. But that made me happy

Yesterday was also a great day in Ohio for another reason…

Yuengling debutes in Ohio!!

It’s such a good beer… and the four of us so should have not gotten 2 pitchers… it is interesting to see who carried it and who doesn’t last night. I figured the Molly Malone’s chain would, but nope. The tiny dive bar Gas Light Cafe in Pleasant Ridge did! (Neon’s won’t get it until tonight… booo…) and the stores won’t have it until the 14th. I believe Arnold’s has it already as well. So go, drink up, enjoy and hope everyone had a great Halloween!

I’m going to enjoy the sunshine in Disney this weekend So a few posts might bombard you.

Coasting for Kids

From my awesome page:

I am participating in the “Coasting For Kids” event, benefitting Give Kids The World. I will be riding The Racer roller coaster at Kings Island! Your pledge will help provide these special families with a cost-free magical vacation to Give Kids The World, where the families enjoy their own fun times at Central Florida’s attractions. Each year over 6,500 children from all 50 states and around the world experience the Village. With your support, we can make a difference in the lives of children and their families.

About Give Kids The World Village

The most magical sound in the world is that of a child’s laughter. That is what fills the air at Give Kids The World Village (GKTW), a fanciful, carefree retreat for children with life-threatening illnesses and their deserving families.

GKTW is a 70-acre, nonprofit “storybook” resort located near Central Florida’s most beloved attractions. While at the Village children and their families are treated to weeklong cost-free fantasy vacations, complete with accommodations in whimsical villas, transportation, donated attractions tickets, meals and much more. These children learn that dreams really do come true as they and their families and immersed in joy, love and hope for a few unforgettable happy days- a most welcomed escape from the weight of their challenging circumstances.

Since 1986, GKTW has hosted families from all 50 states and more than 68 countries. The extraordinary, life-changing experience that GKTW offers is a gift made possible only thorough the generosity of countless corporations and individuals like you. For more information, visit www.gktw.org.

GKTW’s fiscal responsibility…

GKTW is proud to be ranked among the nation’s top charities and is committed to fiscal responsibility and being a good steward of the support and resources we receive from our generous corporate heroes and dedicated individuals. Of each dollar GKTW spent in the fiscal year 2008, approximately 93 cents went directly to the families for their cost-free, magical vacation.

Charity Navigator has awarded GKTW its four-star rating for the past four years, the organization’s top designation. Charity Navigator also ranks Give Kids The World among the Top 20 charities nationwide.

For more information, visit http://www.gktw.org/aboutUs.asp?a=1&page=financials

I’m choosing to help out this awesome cause, that I’ve first hand seen from many people in my community take part in. I swear the kids come back looking the healthiest they’ve ever been. All I’m asking for a small donation to help me help the kids. I’ve personally thrown in $50 of my own money to help (which doesn’t show up on my page booo…) and I’d love to have others help me in my endeavors as well! Heck I might even take someone to Kings Island with me sometime if they surprise me and are awesome But really, if I could get all of you on Twitter or Facebook that follow me to donate even $1! that amount would be catastrophic!! Please pass this on. I ride on Sunday… all day… and i’m praying this heat wave goes away by then, so I can “enjoy” 8 hours on the Racer. And if you’re going to be there, let me know!! I might even challenge you to a race

IF YOU’D LIKE TO HELP A CHILD IN NEED PLEASE CLICK HERE TO DONATE/VIEW THE FUNDRAISING PAGE! AND THANKS AGAIN!

Beware of Zombies

For those that haven’t heard, another electronic road sign in Kentucky was hacked in Lexington, this time for the Harry Potter Premier.

Personally I think this shit is hilarious!!! As long as no one is getting hurt or you’re taking off an important message. Like a few weeks ago heading into Cincinnati Motorists were greeted by Zombies Ahead!

This sign merely warned motorists of Nightly Lane Closures, which really was no significance at 7am. And from the comments around the article, motorists got a good chuckle and it brightened their dreary Thursday morning just a little bit.

I had actually stumbled upon a blog post about 3 months back that I had saved to reblog, and now is as perfect time as any. It actually spells out how incredibly easy it is to hack these.

*I DID NOT TAKE THESE, NOR ATTEMPT IT AND I IN KNOW WAY CONDONE THIS! Just wanted to put the information out there that is not exactly.. lets say.. idiot proof….*

http://ohmyshit.com/2010/11/20/how-to-hack-an-electronic-road-sign/
Again, if their lighthearted and not posing any real threat, I think their great! I mean how many people really pay attention to these things? I had at least 3 people on my twitter stream that drove by that sign that morning, with the “Zombies Ahead” on it and they didn’t even notice it. I think Kentucky needs to have a laugh with the rest of us and enjoy it for the fun light heartedness it was meant to be taken as.

Day 30 of 30 Days in Photos

Day 30 – A picture of someone you miss

My Rugby Girls

Krazies...

Nice Normal friends....

... and then the little more normal side

<3

I miss the time I lived in England, and need to get back to visit ASAP. I still talk to a lot of the Brits and Amerians alike, altho I feel we really need to get together and have another camping trip A bunch of complete strangers, thrown together, and yet the closest group of people ever.

And now that thats done (and yes I know it took more than 30 “days”) But between work and computer problems, and road trips, and my ADD I just got sidetracked ). I was going to give up on (like all those times theres like a week between posts) but I always give up on things and this shouldn’t have been that hard, and thats why you got all flippin 30… in like 3 months

I now return you to your regularly scheduled blog