What’s one thing in the world that you’ve always wanted to do?

I want to go scuba diving in tropical waters and take pictures of the marine life. I know that it’s not very extreme, but it’s something that I’ve always wanted to do. Being that I don’t know how to swim and I’m deathly afraid of water that comes past chest level, that’s a big feat for me. This is one of many on my list of things to do. And I will do it…one day.

What about you? What are some things that you have always wanted to do in your lifetime? Remember, no adventure is too small; if the opportunity is there, cease it! Or you’ll end up regretting that decision forever.

Fogelman Management Group 2010 NCAA Bracket Challenge Leader Board: Are you on it?

The first weekend of the 2010 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament is in the books and the leader board for the Fogelman Mangaement Group 2010 NCAA Bracket Challenge is set. With 50+ bracket submissions, this is sure to be a tight race.

 

A few interesting statistics developed among the Fogelman residents that participated. Among them…

• 31% of the participants picked Kansas to win it all.
• 14% picked Kentucky
• 12% picked Duke
• 7% picked Syracuse

Here is the leader board after the first two rounds of the tournament along with their pick to win the whole thing…

1. Kim Martin (Kansas), 46 pts.
2. Garrett James (Kansas), 44 pts.
3. Kate Asselin (Kansas), 44 pts.
4. Amanda Hill (Michigan State), 43 pts.
5. Heather Towe (Kansas), 43 pts.
6. Zach Hightower (N/A), 42 pts.
7. Chris Gholston (Syracuse), 42 pts.
8. Janelle Crandall (Kansas), 42 pts.
9. Dani Soto (Kansas), 42 pts.
10. Melissa Rosenthal (Kansas), 40 pts.

The tournament itself is proving to be one of the best in years, with major upsets and Cinderella stories playing out as the field battled to join the ranks of the “Sweet 16”. Northern Iowa’s upset over Kansas in the second round will definitely shake up the Fogelman Bracket Challenge leader board in the coming weeks.

If one of your neighbors has made it on the leader board, be sure to drop them a note of congratulations on your community’s Facebook page and cheer them on. And make sure you stay tuned to all of the drama in both the NCAA tournament and the Fogelman Management Group Bracket Challenge. I’ll post a new update next week.

The Regional Semifinals play out today and tomorrow (Thursday and Friday, March 26-27), with the Regional Finals being played on Saturday and Sunday, March 27-28. Check your local CBS affiliate for game times.

Smuckers is Closing It’s Memphis Plant in 2013

If there’s one thing that I can say, it’s that I commend Tim Smucker for announcing the closing 3 years in advance in order to give the employees a chance to regroup and move or find a new job if possible. Granted, many aren’t too thrilled to be losing the quick preserve pick up from the plant when the stores are out of your favorites. I happen to absolutely love their apple butter!

The plant will be moving to their corporate office in Orrville, OH.
How do you feel about this new development?

Photo credit: James Cridland

What’s Your Favorite Dog Breed?

Dogs are truly man’s best friend. And I can easily see why. Dogs are some of the most loyal, faithful, and trustworthy creatures out there. Just a nuzzle to your hand, or them sitting at your feet can brighten your day.

They can even help you get through the trials of life. Partner left you? Get a dog. Can’t decide if you want kids or not? Get a puppy. Had a long day at work? Cuddle up with Patches and let him take your cares away.

The type of dog that you get is up to you. Smaller dogs are popular now, because they make little mess and are portable. Bigger dogs are a little more active, and are better for hugs. I happen to love my Jack Russell Terrier. He’s not too big, not too small, and a bundle of energy. I couldn’t ask for a better friend.

What about you? What’s your favorite breed of dog?

Cookies!!!!!

Favorite Sesame Street character: Cookie Monster, hands down. Why? Because we share the same love of chewy, portable, on-the-go treats: cookies. I have a couple of favorites. Chocolate Chip holds the highest honor (as long as they are chewy, and not crunchy. Who wants to eat a chocolate chip potato chip?), while sugar (Great American Cookie), white chocolate macadamia nut, and oatmeal fall in rank behind. And no, I don’t mean Oatmeal Raisin. Just oatmeal. I can’t stand raisins. Though they do belt out a mean ‘Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer’.

Well, there’s one particular cookie that I’m raving about today. It’s Makeda’s butter cookie from the shop in Midtown (it’s new!). I don’t know anyone who hasn’t had one of Makeda’s cookies at one point in time. The butter cookie is what Makeda’s is most known for, though I happen to enjoy her iced oatmeal and macadamia nut cookies as well.

If you haven’t gotten one of their cookies before, I suggest you head over to 1329 Madison right now. Other locations can be found at 5729 Raleigh LaGrange and 2370 Airways.

What’s your favorite cookie?

Are Desserts in Restaurants Too Expensive?

I have an EXTREME sweet tooth. It’s gotten me many trips to the dentist in the past, but I obviously don’t listen, as I have continued to dine on the delectable delicacies whenever I get the chance. Normally nothing holds me back…that is, unless I’m in a restaurant where the prices are ridiculous.

I am so tired of going to a restaurant and they charge me like $8 for a slice of cheesecake that I can barely get a spoonful of before it’s halfway gone. Sure it’s good cheesecake, but oftentimes I’ve had better. Now, places like Cheesecake Factory can charge these prices, because they know that their cheesecake is high quality. But restaurants like Chili’s and Applebee’s…no.

I remember a time when I was out with my significant other at one of my favorite Restaurants, Red Lobster. I was pleasantly surprised when we paid 6 dollars for a slice of chocolate cake that was HUGE. Between the two of us, we couldn’t finish it. That’s what I like. That’s what I want; if I’m giving up my hard earned money to treat myself by eating out, I want to know that I’m getting what I paid for.

For some reason, it always seems to be, the more expensive the restaurant, the smaller the dessert. Most times, I feel so cheated. It’s caused me to not order desserts from certain places.

Have you ever encountered this problem?

MARCH MADNESS is here! Join the Fogelman Management Group 2010 NCAA Bracket Challenge!!!

Are you ready for March Madness?  Join the Fogelman Management Group 2010 NCAA Bracket Challenge on Facebook and compete against other residents from your community, and other Fogelman properties, to see who the most basketball savvy resident is!  Prizes have yet to be determined.  You must enter and complete a bracket before the games begin this Thursday, March 18, 2010 at Noon EST/11 am CST/.

Resident Poll: What are you doing for St. Patrick’s Day

Hey Madison at Schilling! Since St. Patrick’s Day is in the middle of the week this year, many people are using this oncoming weekend to celebrate and get their green in gear. What about you? Do you have anything planned for the green holiday, or is it just another day to you? Don’t get pinched!

Jim’s Place Grille

I’m not afraid to try new things. But when it comes to new restaurants, I’m kind of picky. Luckily, my friend persuaded me to try Jim’s Place Grille. It actually turned out to be pretty good. The atmosphere is casual, but has the food quality of fine cuisine.

While there, I had the Parmesan Chicken. Now, I absolutely LOVE chicken. Any kind. Chicken is so versatile, and you can almost never go wrong. So of course, I was prepared to be very skeptical about the dish. It turned out to surprise me. It was a pretty good size with two sides (I had the Turnip Greens and rice pilaf), all for under $10. The greens weren’t all that great, but that’s mainly because I’m pretty biased to the way my family makes them.

The sauce on the parmesan chicken was superb. The chicken was moist and juicy like I like it. : I finished it there, but would have loved to take some home. I would definitely go again and recommend this dish to a friend.

Have you ever been?

Celeb For A Day

Hey Madison Schilling Farms! So, on my daily romp around the internet, (which you know I do so well ), I found a story that was pretty cool.

Whenever my girls and I go out, we are always dressed to a ‘T’. You never know who you’re going to meet. We LOVE to be the center of attention and kind of have a ’sixth sense’ whenever a camera is near by. And no, we’re not vain in the slightest; we just like to hang out and have a great time. So when I ran across this article about a Texas based organization called Celeb for a Day, I was intrigued.

Celeb for a Day gives you your own, personal paparazzi for a day. They follow you around, asking you questions, and generally act as if they really are paparazzi and you are the biggest celebrity in the world! I’m sure that this can get pretty annoying after a while, with someone following you around for most of your night. But many people just crave the glitz and glamour and Hollywood lifestyle that celebrities have. And Celeb for a Day will only follow you around until you reach your final destination.

Unfortunately, the only cities offering this service are San Franciso, Manhattan, Austin, and L.A. (of course). The company is expanding and if you are interested in helping them expand to the Memphis, Tenn. area, shoot them an email at territories@celeb4aday.com.

Does this sound like something you would do or even surprise a friend of yours with? While I love the camera, I don’t know how I would feel about being followed around for more than 10 minutes in that manner.

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