United Way

Today could have been any of the crazy things that I spend my paycheck on - that I don't think about.  That's because they are "automatically" deducted.

Instead of choosing the obvious taxes, though - or even perhaps the somewhat less obvious 401k - I am choosing United Way.

Since I grew up in Girl Scouts, I'm a firm believer in financially supporting United Way. Not only is it a way to give back to my community (wherever I happen to be living), it's also a way I can give back to my hometown.  Half of my (really, our) united way contributions go to the Kansas area.

I've been fortunate in my life, but I know of others (family included) who have not been so fortunate.  I'm proud to support United Way - and therefore, indirectly, help the community.

I'm not the type of person who - in good faith - could give money to a specific person (even though I often joke about having a "fund" set aside for that reason).

So... Hopefully, if you need it, you'll use a United Way service.  Or perhaps, if you don't, you'll volunteer and/or give to the United Way to help those in the community that do need it!

Dillons

I'm "reaching" as the month comes to a close. Today's post relates to my grocery store... from when I was a kid! Dillons is the go-to Kansas grocery store. Recently (or maybe not so recently, I'm not sure) they've started looking a bit more like the run-of-the-mill Kroger stores. I do think it seems a little odd that grocery stores don't seem to have the same type of "dominant" chains that, for example, fast food restaurants have. Although we do have a Kroger here (and I even have a card for them), I tend to go to Dillons mostly around the holidays- either buying holiday food, or something to have while we're in town for the holiday.

Cornerstone Pediatrics

Both the kids go to this particular doctor's office. I like it, too. They have "emergency" visits that you can get on Saturday and Sunday. One of my favorite things, however, is the "walk in" sick clinic during the week. If you get there around 7:30am, and are the first in line, you can have your kid to the doctor - and back to school/work/routine by 9am! For something that happens overnight (like a kid up with a bad fever, a rash, etc) - it's awesome to be able to just go! The other nice thing about this particular office? It's very close to our home. Walkable, if necessary - - which typically, in my world, is anything less than two miles away. My favorite pediatrician - and the doctor I schedule most of my visits with, when possible - is Dr. Todd. We've seen most of the doctors in the office, though!

The Flying Biscuit

Although this is another place we've only been to twice, in total, it's a place I like. Why? They serve this apple butter for their biscuits (which is more like a spicy rasberry sauce) that is very yummy! And on a recent visit, as I was nursing at the table, a mom walked by and, while doing a major fist-pump in the air, shouted, "Nursing Mom's Unite!" Maybe a little embarassing, but she was likely only one of a handful of people that saw me nursing. It seems that no matter whether I'm covered or not, there is something that seems unnatural about nursing in public. Now, I know I shouldn't feel this way - and clearly, I'm not one of those nursing moms who brings a bottle with me in public even though I'm nursing- but I still feel just a little odd about it.

Ice Cream!

In a switch-up from what I've been posting most of this month, I thought today's post would be about ICE CREAM!

What makes it a switch-up? I'm posting about a whole topic - and many places - rather than one specific place. It seems that every community has some kind of "special" place that is local. Here's a few that come to mind:

Amy's - in Austin

Ted Drewe's - in St Louis

Goodberry's - in Raleigh/Cary

Braums - this is my go-to place in Wichita; it helps that my SIL works there so our icecream is (almost) always free (actually, complements of my brother and his wife.. since she gets a discount there!) This was also a great place to visit on the drive between kansas and texas! DH is much more of an ice-cream guy than I am. His favorite? Blue Bell. Before we moved from Austin, we visited/toured the Blue Bell Creamery. Recently, on our way home from a trip to the beach, we passed by a sign that said it was coming to this area. Within 3 hours of seeing the sign, we were enjoying blue bell at home! And by Ice Cream, I mean anything frozen. So for anyone who wants to point out that some of these are custard places, or frozen yogurt, and not ice cream.. it's all the same to me. Again, I'm not as much of a frozen treat/ice-cream person as the hubs!

Arby's

I like thin-sliced roast beef.

But my favorite thing to get at Arby's? A Jamocha shake. Yum-O!

I must admit, however, while dieting - it is sometimes hard to justify all those calories.

But while I was pregnant? I definitely indulged. OVERindulged.

Harris Teeter

Here's a hint: When "scheduling" posts, don't Publish or complete one that is empty. Yep, this was nearly an "empty" post... but I saved it at the last minute! Harris Teeter is one of our local grocery stops. We tend to rotate between here and Lowe's, the subject a previous post. What's notable about "Teeter", as I refer to it? They have cookies (regular and low-fat!) for everyone to take just in front of the bakery. Otherwise? I'm not sure it's much different than any other grocery store.