AM~Erica Dress & Talks the Part for Loot

So anyway...

Life has been a bit crazy the past several days, so I'm a little behind in showing you how our Talk Like a Pirate Day went this year. (because I know you've been waiting impatiently for the breakdown)

After a disappointing outing last year (reminder HERE), I was sure hoping this time around would be much better!

First up for the day had to be the morning grog, so got the coffee brewing. It was a perfect fall-like morning, so the back door was opened & coffee was enjoyed by the deck.

In a lot of rushing around, plans for the day, and with some family stuff that came up, it's amazing the adventures that got worked in!

I got myself together, got into my best pirate attire, perched my sidekick for the day, Pipsquawk, on my shoulder, and readied the Sea-Sick Crocodile for sailing the course of this wonderfully weird holiday.

Out of needed 3 items from each list, I covered 8/12 items for Krispy Kreme
and 6/10 for Long John Silvers. I'm an overachiever in this department.

On my shoulder is Pipsquawk. A "parrot on the shoulder" made both, Krispy Kreme & Long John Silver's,
lists of items needed to get free loot - so Pipsquawk is my pet parrot brooch.

I set sail for Krispy Kreme, first.
Now then, I was really thinking about this:
Krispy Kreme has no business getting themselves into the TLAP Day holiday. It makes no sense!! However, they were smart enough to run such a great promo to get in on the fun, they are now nearly synonymous with the holiday!

A few days before that, I came across a t-shirt of Lil Guy's that I did up for him to wear on TLAP Day last year...

          Me: Hey! Wonder if you can still wear this shirt for Saturday.

          LG: Why? What's Saturday?

          Me: Ummm...Talk Like a Pirate Day!

          LG: *GASP* Doughnuts?!?!?

So there you have it. Krispy Kreme has successfully put their mark on the treasure map of TLAP Day.

Anyhoo...
I headed there, first. When I pulled the Sea-Sick Crocodile into their port, there was an adult male pirate leaving the port. I don't know what the front of him looked like, but the outfit from the back was amazing!! The long coat, the cut off pants the boots, the hat...it was fantastic.

So when I went in, things were hopping! A few people were in there to get their free dozen of glazed doughnuts with the minimum amount of work - 3 of the 12 things from the list. Which is fine...good for them. Glad they got in the fun. Plus, it was time for the "HOT NOW" to be happening...so everyone was getting a warm, glazed doughnut when they came in...mmmmm....

I walked out of there with my 1 dozen FREE doughnuts. Which is great. But I was wanting to actually BUY a couple other things. However, they handed me my cardboard Talk Like a Pirate Day chest of golden-glazed rings along with a receipt for $0.00 (because...uh...FREE). They seemed to send me on my way, down the plank, without asking if there was anything else they could do for me, or if I would like anything else. Because I DID!! I was hoping to swing back by later, if there was time. So I'll get to that in a moment.

I brought home round 1 of treasure! The boys were very happy...until I told them we were saving it for dessert after dinner. Bwah-hahahaha!!!

Then my hubby had to run a few errands before some other adventures we had planned, so I got cleaned up (What? Pirates can get clean from time-to-time.) and threw my pirate garb back on. I planned on getting a free lunch on the way to a get-together...
The lunch thing didn't work out. By the time my hubby got back home, we were running a bit later than kind of hoped. Plus, he looked at me oddly. (Yeah! NOW he looks at me oddly.) He was waiting for ME to get ready and was filling time. When he, finally asked if I was going to get showered and ready, I looked at my attire, looked at him, and said, "But...I am ready."

He was confused. He thought I was only dressed like that to get doughnuts & not for our other endeavors of the day. D'oh! He was wrong.

Part of it was to get more free food. And I was told I could wear it to the 50th birthday party we were supposed to be attending...that was not pirate-themed...

*ahem*

During some of the downtime, I did enjoy one of our household staples: Pirate's Booty!!

So then we got ready to go, me still in my full-on-pirate gear, and headed to our good friend's 50th birthday party!

I was going to walk in like there was nothing out of the ordinary. I mean, c'mon: for me, this is not far out of the ordinary in my world. We were greeted at the door by a guy who just burst out laughing gleefully! No, I did not know this guy, but he obviously had to be there for my friend's day. He told us to come in, another lady joined him, plus a photographer that looked so much like our friend's mom, it was crazy!
The guy, thru this gleeful laughter, said he hoped I'd show up like that.
Wait...what?? And who are you, again??
But apparently our friend showed my earlier pics (above), and said he hoped I would still have it on for the party. Well, I guess I didn't disappoint then.
Then the photographer jumped right in to say she had to get a photo! Then she introduced herself as our friend's aunt. I totally believed it, too. She looks SO much like her sister!

Anyway...she took our pic as we came in:

See, my friend approached me to let me know the kiddos could come if we wanted them to. I informed him that I might be dressed like a pirate since it was being held on TLAP Day. He said he hoped I really would & that pictures may just happen. This is not a problem for me.

We went and looked at some amazing food laid out on the table. Then we went to track down our friend. He was in the backyard with a slew of other folks celebrating our awesome friend. And for some reason, no one else was dressed like a pirate. Hmmm....

It was a beautiful day to celebrate his 50th, and so glad I could be a moment of party entertainment.

See, honey? I told you I could go to the party dressed like a pirate!!

(Don't worry, people. We already had this conversation.)

We, sadly, couldn't stay very long - my hubby had another thing on his plate he had to get to. So, off we went...with some cake in hand.

*Wave to Presten, everyone! Wish him Happy Birthday (which is actually TODAY)*

(Presten's Aunt Cheryl [sp?] took these great pics)

When we got back home, we had a small bit of downtime, then my hubby was off for a couple of hours. I had some plans, myself...

I prepared the Sea-Sick Crocodile to set sail for some more piratey fun.

Still in my garb, I headed off to the port of Long John Silver's! I was so excited they were taking part again, finally! I went in a pre-dinner timeframe, so not many people were in there. No signage was up to say they were participating...but I thought I'd give it a shot anyway. I know one patron was overly-amused by my entrance. I was so glad he was so entertained. I stepped up, and the girl just looked at me, like any other day, and said, "Is this for here or to go?" So I semi-piratey, almost-defeatedly asked, "Arrrre ya doing the whole pirate promo thing?" She just looked at me & told me yes. I was SO relieved! I, then, joyfully got my free meal, to go, with 2 pieces of fish, 2 hushpuppies & some fries! A couple people were intrigued by my look, I was complimented on my outfit choice, and that one dude was still overly-tickled that he was seeing a pirate IN Long John Silver's!

I got my food & headed out to board the Sea-Sick Crocodile for another port: back to the Krispy Kreme!

Some of you may be disappointed to find out that I was a well-behaved pirate. I went in & told them I had already gotten my dozen doughnuts. I didn't want to tempt my kiddos with more! But I did tell the employees that I just wanted a drink (in the TLAP souvenir cup) & 2 of their fantastic pirate coffee mugs.

All of this seemed to be an issue with the afternoon employees. All I wanted was an iced PSL in the souvenir cup & 2 of their mugs. They could not seem to get a grasp of what was going on...

FINALLY, a manager came to help with the ICED pumpkin spice latte to put in the adorable cup, and then one of the employees was confused as whether or not he should "mess with the display" of cups so I could get a couple of mugs. *face palm*

Back at the Krispy Kreme hoping they get my stuff right

While I waited, a (non-pirate) couple were just staring at my outfit. I told them that if you're gonna do it, you gotta go all out. They just said, "Well, you went all out."

Awww! Thank you, nice non-pirate couple!

So I finally got my mugs when the guy figured out you can sell the mugs on the case...

Then I finally got my cup with the iced PSL...

After setting sail from this time at the port of Krispy Kreme, I needed to make one more stop - the port of Wally World.

See, a pirate really can't get thru the day properly without having at least a splash of rum. Well, we'd already finished the stash we had at the home port, so I did as any other pirate would do: Go to Walmart & get some more!

I may end up on People of Walmart, but I don't care! It got me free food & awesome stuff! So I just removed my tricorn & eyepatch (that I used as a loose choker) to semi-tone down my look. I still got a lot of looks, but I pretended this is nothing out of the ordinary...

Move along, people. Nothing to see here. Just another pirate stopping by the Wally World to get their rum. Like any other day.

Yet I was still getting the stares & stuff. I could feel them. But I just went about my business. I did wave at a couple of kids, though. You know...give THEM that experience of getting noticed by a pirate at Walmart. Amm-i-rite?

I took my stuff up to a speedy check out. I placed my items on the conveyor belt. There was an older gentleman who was that lane's cashier at this point. He never even flinched. He just ran my items over the scanner like any other customer was standing there. He's probably seen a lot at Walmart in his time, so I was probably not a shock for him. He scanned my coconut rum, glanced at me, decided to not ID me (pshhh - whatever) and bagged it without a question. However, when he came to my bottle of Captain, he mentioned, "Well, this is fitting." I laughed a bit, and said, "Well, that's by design."

He asked if I worked in a costume shop or something, so I explained TLAP Day & how I'd already gotten free food. He seemed impressed. And I went about my way.

So, back into the Sea-Sick Crocodile I went, with Pipsquawk still perched upon my shoulder, and it was off to the home port to prepare the evening grub. But not before I saw the overly-amused guy from Long John Silver's going into Wally World as I left...and he was, once again, overly amused. I waved at him.

As per the past couple of years, Cedar Planked Lemon Pepper TiLAPia was on the menu (with Chicken Planks for the kiddos), Golden Lemon Butter Potato Medallions, Pirate's Booty brand shells (aged white cheddar) & cheese with anchors & (aged white cheddar) cheese, plus some greens (for seaweed salad) with some citrus dressing.

Then, we had to have the rum. For pirate day. Amm-i-rite?

So I made a Captain Arnold Palmer! Mmmmmm.....

Then we finally finished off the night with some delicious Krispy Kremes. Mmmm.....

All in all - it was a great & successful day of loot, booty & treasure! SO worth being dressed all over-achiever-like for it.

Even Teen Girl got into the act - we had matching shirts & near-matching boots. The Sea-Sick Crocodile wench is pretty much my mini-me.

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Leading up to this, I knew that Long John Silver's was up to great things this year when I flagged people down on twitter to get ready for TLAP Day. Then, this went down:

That's right - they were fighting to give me a pirate name! How awesome is this??

Of course, I was sharing my adventures on social media...and I forgot that LJS actually had a social media contest going. Well imagine my shock when they flagged me down on Instagram with this photo...

...to tell me that I could get a voucher for more free food since they picked me as one of their winners!!! (If you follow me on Instagram, you can go see it!)

** By the way, since dinner was covered, I enjoyed the free fish & hushpuppies the next day, while my boys enjoyed the fries - the kiddos aren't seafood fans & my hubby hadn't been feeling too well.

This year definitely made up for a disappointing TLAP Day last year. And I was SO happy to see LJS back on board, along with the fun liquid holders from Krispy Kreme!

I certainly hope more businesses & brands really hop on the promotion board next year. People get the free food...they post it all over social media AND while they are out & about, so it's free advertising for the day.

And you know I have ideas....

So...tell me - how was your TLAP Day?

Stay tuned...

God Bless, AM~Erica

AM~Erica is Working Toward Staying Well

So anyway...

If you are unaware, maybe because you live under a rock or in an actual cave, you will probably know that there is major-crazy buzz around the flu season this time around. However, if you do live under that rock...I guess you are well, anyway...

But, for everyone else, schools have closed due to the outbreak being near epidimic levels, hospitals are overflowing...and there are even M*A*S*H-like tent cities set up outside of the ER's specifically for those who have the flu or flu-like symptoms. There was news that a restaurant in Springfield, MO closed down due to the virus.

Flu tent outside of an ER in Philadelphia to help keep the virus out of the hospital

A set up of famous fictional M*A*S*H unit 4077

I'm gonna make something clear: IT'S A VIRUS! Or at least one of a few. So, sadly...when you go to the doctor or the hospital because it's so bad, they are probably going to give you IV fluids. If Tamiflu is working for you (for any of you who have needed to try to take it), then that's good. However, I am wondering how many of you out there got the flu vaccine, and still got sick!

Some of you reading this may be shocked & mortified, and others will completely agree with me...but...
our family does not get the flu vaccine. Because...guess what...it's based on the previous flu strands. And? There is ALWAYS the "new strand of flu" that could not be included in it. And? There is another virus going around that is flu-LIKE...it is NOT the flu! So, the vaccine & Tamiflu ain't gonna touch it, people.

I have no idea what my affinity is about going to the doctor, but I just get so bothered to have to pay anything to go & have them shrug & say there's nothing they can do...then wish me luck.

So, there's some things that many of us...OK...well...ALL of us should be doing to help ourselves & others. Some of it just makes sense (I've decided not to call it "common sense" any longer...more on that in a future post), but there are many who are too prideful & over-confident to keep up on some practices...

One of the biggest things to do? WASH YOUR HANDS! A lot...a WHOLE lot. Then carry lotion so viruses to sneak into the cracks of over-dried hands. And try to avoid a lot of handshaking, high-fives, cheek-kissing, etc. Maybe we should just be like Howie Mandel for a while & just fist-bump people. Oh, and we could learn from what children are taught when washing their hands: sing a 20-second song (even if it's just in your head). It's been brought up to use the "Alphabet Song", "Twinkle-Twinkle, Little Star", or "Baa-Baa, Black Sheep". (Actually, all 3 of those are the same tune...so multi-task & simplify by washing hands while humming 3 songs at once. You'll be an amazing party trick.) You can carry hand sanitizer, too...but do not become a slave to it! Only use it when needed only when there is no soap & water combo to get a hold of. A certain amount of germ exposure helps build immunity. Don't forget it!

Oh, and please...PLEASE...cover your face/mouth/nose when coughing or sneezing. The best place? In the crook of your elbow or into a tissue. Please do not do it in your hands or just out in the open! *shivers* I'm getting grossed out just thinking about it. The crook of your arm won't have as much contact with things nearly as often as your hands, and you can throw away the tissue that caught your nasty germs-in-flight. Don't let fly everywhere. No need to have your nasty nose &/or spit particles attach themselves to the 3 people across the room, as well as anyone in between that flight pattern. *shivers*

Lots of water! Keep hydrated, folks. And, if you have already lost serious hydration & that flu-y stuff has already taken you over, get some Gatorade or Pedialite down you. Get those electrolites going again. Yes, there is the salts & sugars in them, but your body will need a little extra sumpin'-sumpin' to get back on track!

Also, continue taking in Vitamin C to boost the immunity stuff in your body. Make all those stuffs (yes, I'm using technical terms...so sorry if you can't keep up) into little fighting ninjas!

Now then...there is an old wives' tale that chicken noodle soup can help you in getting well. What's one of the first things people want you to do when you get sick? Yep! Have some chicken (noodle) soup! As I have come across some different research on this, it turns out this is true! There are natural antibodies that happen when homemade chicken (noodle) soup is made. So, not only is it soothing...but it is building up those little ninjas, too!

When that throat is scratchy, sore &/or tingly...I have a really awesome tea that I make. Here's what it is:

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Throat-Soothing Tea

2 parts lemon juice

1 part water

2-3 T honey

¼ t salt

1 lemon-honey cough drop or throat lozenge (I use Halls)

1 black tea bag

1 green tea bag

1 Throat Coat tea bag

1 t ginger

Fill a microwaveable mug with the lemon juice & water.Add the cough drop or throat lozenge along with the green & black tea bags.Heat up the liquid for about 2 minutes, on high, then let rest for about 1 moreminute. Take out of the microwave, remove the tea bags, then replace them withthe Throat Coat tea bag, and let stand, covered for about 15-20 minutes. Afterthat time, uncover, remove the tea bag, then add the honey, ginger & salt.Stir well & make sure the cough drop/lozenge is dissolving.

Drink it until gone. An occasional gargle with it before you swallow, as itcools to just above luke-warm, is recommended.

Make this upon the onset of a scratchy or sore throat. Repeatseveral times through the 1^st couple of days, then back off to 1-2times for a couple of days after that.

** It is not meant to be delicious!! It's not bad, but it isintense & strong! Brace yourself, but it works.

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One of the things that is an old wives tale is about cutting up onions & putting them around your house to ward off flu and illness. I had seen this around so much lately, I thought I'd look into it. Ummm...please don't do it! First, an onion is not a sponge...it is full of juices that have already been given rights to reside in those oniony pores. And viruses are not going to cling to the onions...they are passed around thru contact. Unless you are breathing ON the onion...it's not gonna work. And? The smell is so strong! You're just gonna make everyone cry...or sicker the next day due to the overwhelming odor. If there's gonna be a smell of onion in my house, they had better be cooking! That smell is amazing! And...if you're gonna cut up onions to help with the flu, put 'em in your homemade soup. If there ends up being a Great Onion Shortage of 2013, it had better be because they were being used to make soup...not to be left out to dry up & just get gross, as well as bringing a different bacteria of mold & such into your home...making people sicker. Maybe?

And? STAY HOME! Fever? Coughing? Nausea? Sniffles? No one else wants. And you're not just giving it to other students or coworkers...they are taking it to their other jobs, families, stores. See how this works?

If you are smart enough to stay home, get rest! Your body needs to just close off the rest of the world to concentrate on getting better & fighting this junk! But, if you can't sleep...or your body is taking a break from sleeping, it has been suggested that you watch comedy, play board games, and/or drink hot chocolate. Why? These things keep your brain active (so a different kind of workout), plus laughing gets your feel-goods going, and the warmth, chocolate & sugar (minimal) of the cocoa gets those feel-goods moving, too. Oh...and steam! Let the steam from a hot bath or shower help loosen things up. Plus...a good bath or shower usually helps make you feel better, anyway.

Now then...if you are well & just want or need to keep up your immunity...here's some stuff for you to try:

Continue to wash hands. See above. This cannot be stressed enough.

Keep taking Vitamin C. See above.

Drink water. Keep hydrated. Actual water...not just the other drinks that have water in them. WATER!

Oh...and you're supposed to exercise. Guess I should try to do this again. I just haven't gotten there. But still, exercise & stuff. Cuz it's good for you anyway.

Take your vitamins! TAKE 'EM!

Oh...and keep feeding yourself healthy stuffs! Fruits, veggies, soups, balanced meals...and some people do the smoothie thing. I have an immunity smoothie that I have from time to time. I would make sure to inhale it before volunteering at Lil Guy's school. Here's how to make it:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sweet & Tart Immunity Smoothie 

(aka to my kiddos - blood punch)

Orange Juice

1 bottle DanActive immunity yogurt smoothie (I like Strawberry Banana or the mixed berries)

1/2 - 1 packet Crystal Light Cherry Pomegranate (this used to be under the "immunity" & "antioxidant" label)

Add a little OJ at the bottom of the glass
Add the Crystal Light powder
Stir very well
Pour the DanActive into a juice glass
Fill the rest of the glass with OJ
Stir well again

** It's really sweet & tart...and looks like blood punch. But I really like it!!!

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I'm also all about lots of color in dishes & meals...like multi-colored pasta, lots of veggies...I love color anyway & sure love it within my food, too. And more than just M&M's & Skittles. I use a 15-bean mix for my ham & beans, and I love using all the bell pepper colors when making dirty rice, and I love using squash & root veggie mixes with my pasta, or a beautiful stir fry with a lot of color...even a really good fruit salad with lots of berries is fantastic. Froot Loops totally count too, right? No? Although, I do see chocolate & coffee as vegetable based...cuz, you know...they come from beans! Duh! Oh...and wine comes from grapes. Hey! Those things do have their own health benefits, too, you know...
Can you totally feel the antioxidants working just by reading all of that?

People...what it comes down to is a matter of taking care of yourselves. Please! It's considered the worst flu season in years! (I know, I know...when isn't it, right?) But there have seriously been places closing. Churches have been handling services differently. Not sure how host/hostesses & door greeters are gonna handle their jobs soon. There is a Wally-World close by that has their cashiers wearing gloves. Seriously. i'm guessing masks might be next?

Aye-yi-yi!

Stay healthy, people. Take the extra measures. It won't hurt your ego or confidence if you're doing this stuff to be healthy.

Stay tuned...

God Bless, AM~Erica