Sugar Daddy Upgrade

I grew up in the perfect neighborhood as a kid. The entrance was down a long road you only traveled if you lived in the development, so the idea of being told as a kid, "Go outside and just be home by dark" was the norm. Flashlight tag, sharks n' minnows at the neighborhood pool, riding bikes everywhere, kickball using mailboxes for bases - it was what we did. The circular neighborhood with cul de sac streets was a dream come true for Halloween. Leave the buckets and bags at home, we were rolling with pillow cases. I don't think for one second we were the only group of kids doing big things, but man did we think we were cool.

As you can see pictured to the left, the Hennessey and Eikenberg kids were probably anything but. However, every year my best friend Whitney and I would join forces and hit up street after street looking for the best candy and the "best deals". There would be certain hot shots giving out King Size candy bars, and the couple next door always let you choose between an ice cream cone or 6 Oreo cookies. And you have to love the lone bowl with a sign, "Please only take 1 piece of candy; we are watching". Yea right. What do you think, we were born yesterday? Jackpot. If we had a "miss" we would save that candy, knowing we would put it to good use. Our siblings, their friends, and the two of us would reconvene and host a large poker tournament, playing purely with candy. All in hopes to make the best trades. My mother could never believe we would actually throw a Heath bar into "the pot". My hot trades - Sugar Daddy's for Twix. Sugar Daddy's must have been on sale year after year in my hometown because they'd always be everywhere. Drove me nuts!

My dad would always "check in" for the 3 Musketeers, "Lace, let me make sure it's not poisoned". Very clever, but I wasn't buying it - I'd throw him a bar or two.

Every Halloween I think about the glory days and just hope that wherever I am, the young trick-or-treaters are using their candy to their advantage. If nothing else, gearing up for an exciting trip to Vegas one day. Practice makes perfect.

Hopefully next week Jimmy Kimmel will ask parents to join in yet again, and continue to make their kids feel terrible....makes me laugh every year. (Bros at 2:49 are my favorite)

The October Smorgasbord

 I've been all over the place this October, and with that I have been stuffing my face. Between my birthday, a wedding, and Fall for Greenville - I can't seem to get enough. Other than hitting the gym, what better way to celebrate my caloric intake then to offer you a smorgasbord of meaningless memories and perhaps a look at my menu lately. So grab a brownie, cupcake, entire pizza, and/or diet coke (yes, diet) and hop in line for the Hennessey Hits buffet.

On the morning of my birthday, I arrived at work and to my surprise, sitting on my desk, was a tower of cookies, a pumpkin spice latte from Starbucks, a breakfast bagel from Sully's Steamers, and a large ice-cold coke in a Styrofoam cup - these people I call co-workers really know me. It's either awesome or embarrassing. Then taken to lunch, I enjoyed a crab cake and a helping of triple layer chocolate mouse cake. As if there was room, for dinner I topped the day off with macaroni, green bean casserole, Texas toast, a side salad with ranch and a few Bud Lights. Oh yea - then friends brought out an Oreo cake. Of course I ate a slice. 

27 - the year for eat, drink, and be....married? Not me, but the big "I Do" for many friends. 2 of which were Becca and Wes. The wedding was anything but boring and again, amazing food! To Charleston, SC I went and enjoyed literally one of, if not, the best rehearsal dinners I've been a part of. The speeches were absolutely hilarious and I wasn't shying away from the impressive open bar and choice Italian cuisine. Well done Martino clan. Well done.

Back in 2011 I wrote about Annie. That's her pictured with the gentleman to the right. Her...not me. Freakishly she looks just like me! Click here to read the quick background story on Annie and how I found my doppelganger. I received a phone call to meet Annie this past weekend. Of course I obliged. I was so curious. It was hysterical. She was hysterical. If I look anything like Annie when I am older, I'll take it. We met at Red Bowl. Yummm. I left there and went to Fall for Greenville. I have shared my thoughts about #FFG for several years. This year will be no different. 

So excited I even neglected to head to Clemson for the BC game. Instead I went with eating crab cakes on crab cakes on crab cakes, a slice of pizza (or 2 or 3), birthday cake gelato (a few times....hey, it's birthday month), enjoyed a few beers and of course bites of other unbelievably mouth watering favorites from downtown Greenville. Before departing for the final time Will and I stopped by the Gravitron - a carnival ride that spins continuously, sending its passengers round and round so the force actually holds you to the walls keeping you still. Science. It'll blow your mind. Anyway, we were watching on Sunday afternoon....the 'church crowd' had just hit the streets. One daring lady in her late 30's/early 40's decided the Gravitron was the perfect place to spend 7 tickets. In her kitten heals, bright red dress, and what looked to be a wig secured tightly, she showed a face nothing short of terror with each loop around. With yelps of "stop"...."stop"...."stop", laughter ensued. I couldn't help myself. As the ride came to a stop the other passengers let her off first. Like a wiggly, baby deer, and with an "Awww Lawd" she grasped the railings tightly and then went straight to the arms of a gentleman waiting. Sure she was going to puke, we waited a few moments before leaving. Why do we do that? Why do people laugh at the demise of others? So funny. "Stop" "Stop" "Aww lawwd" - hysterical. You should have seen her.

Next up, the biggest and best game of the year so far. Clemson vs. Florida State. Home game this Saturday under the lights in Death Valley. We stopped by the Alumni tent where my friend Bubba was gearing up for the weekend. He asked we pose with the Tiger - content knowing ESPN GameDay is coming back twice in one season or maybe just happy and full with crab cakes, we agreed. Go Tigers!

With a party bus leaving Greenville in the morning, 9 hours of tailgating, and a ticket into the game, Friday can't come fast enough. 

Only half way through October and so much good stuff. Next stop - Halloween.

Oh John

I got a call from my sister Lindsay this morning. 

"I know how much you love John Harbaugh so I had to call you". My immediate reaction, "Oh no, what happened?!", "No, he's fine....". Our discussion continued and led me here.

The important part of a chest bump, John, is to make sure the other person knows you're coming. Lindsay said the video is making its rounds up in Baltimore - Charm City as they call it, and the place she calls home. In the hunk-of-a-man's defense, John Harbaugh is known to do some legit workouts of his own. And oh, p.s. I love him.

At age 50 John was running 8, 300 yard sprints, after 3 hour long practices. 1 year later he still partakes. Members of the security team don't even run with him anymore, because he is just too fast. One bad chest bump, Lindsay, does not distract from the athleticism my dear John shows. Harbaugh even takes on the Ravens own conditioning test....and passes. Read the full article from The Caw, by Ryan Mink, here - a true highlight of his skills from the winning Super Bowl season.

With his good looks comes a sense of humor. Harbaugh cued the video during a film session after the win over the Dolphins. The Baltimore Sun quoted wide receiver Torrey Smith saying "I think it's one of the funniest things I have ever seen in my entire life". What a stud.

With the 1pm game against the Packers this Sunday, let's hope everyone is a little more prepared for sideline celebrations.

60 is the new 27.

Happy Birthday Hot Mama!

I enjoy ice cold cokes in a tall glass. I’d prefer not to share a sip, but I will.  I love a good list. I love to cross things off that list even more. I like to dance…and sing. Even if I don’t know all of the words. I am creative. I can paint with the best of them. I should have made it a career, but instead I chose something different. Something I knew would support my family and get the job done. Or at least hope it would. I have 3 siblings. My 2 sisters and brother make me laugh. They sometimes make me frustrated, but that’s what makes us family. Though we’re all spread out along the East Coast I sure do enjoy our summer vacation in the Outer Banks. I love a good beach day, a yellow and/or black lab, and the sound of Billy Hennessey cackling at the television.  I’d drive a Volvo till the day I die, even if it only has one working speaker. Throw a Clemson sticker on the back and I’m as happy as a clam. Clemson football. Get me to a game…and fast. One of my favorite spots on earth is Death Valley. I wish I could visit more. I laugh at my own jokes. I think I am so funny sometimes. I am very sentimental. I keep everything, though I am getting better at letting go. Relationships are important to me. People are important to me.  Saying “goodbye” is not one of my favorite things. I will talk to a stranger…find out I know one of their best friends…exchange contact information with them…and then become their new best friend. It’s what I like to do. I was born for sales. I don’t want to do sales. I do like to travel. I love to snuggle in with a bowl of chocolate ice cream. I use, what most people would call, an excessive amount of bedding for any normal night. Sheet, comforter, down comforter folded down over top, and multiple pillows. I put on the TV to fall asleep every night. Don’t worry, I set the timer. 90 minutes. Just in case. When I wake up, I make my bed immediately. Everyday. I am a creature of habit. I leave singing voicemails for people on their birthdays. I am a terrible singer. I occasionally snore. I pretend I don’t. I take way too many pictures. You can’t wait to look at all of them. I tell myself I am a great storyteller. I love giving every little detail. I am animated. I use my hands to talk. I wish I was a writer. Maybe I’ll become a professional blogger…or just start my own store….filled with all of my own creations and I’ll sew, too. I make a killer Shepherds Pie. Me and my family could and will eat it for days. I can French braid hair like nobody’s business. I eat my corn on the cob typewriter style and I enjoy a good bowl of cereal. I’m as independent as they come, but love to be surrounded by a group of good people.

I am Lacey – the daughter of Carol. If you know Carol you could read the above statement again, read it as her, and not a thing would change. We are one in the same. I am a product of my mother and I am both proud and grateful of that. Today is her 60th birthday. She keeps Hennessey Hits "in business" and she is one hot mama! With my 27th birthday right around the corner, I thought I'd reminder her that age is just a number.

Mom - from the cinnamon muffins you would bring me on my birthday at Montessori School to the up-do you would give me every prom night, you have always played the role of Mother of the Year. I can't wait to send your picture into the Today Show in 40 years and put you on the Smucker's jar for the big 100! You are one "Spring Chicken"! xoxo

The Bathroom Wolfpack

This post is mainly for the ladies. Gentlemen, you've witnessed the madness, but living the experience is something entirely different and truly... special. I am talking about the case of the bathroom wolfpack. 

Let's start a few hours earlier (before the wolfpack starts to assemble). Ladies you're in the bathroom of your home getting ready. Checking your phone as the group texts are flying. 

"Where are we going?" - - "What are y'all wearing?" - - "Ugh I have nothing to wear!" - - "OMG he better be there" - - "Girl you look great in that, def wear that" - - "Have you talked to anyone? - - "I'm gonna kill it tonight" - - "I just wanna dance" - - "OMG I'm so hungover, I sooo need to rally" - - "What time are we going?" - - "I've already had a few glasses of wine, I am feeling goood"

It's all really captivating and important stuff. Once you figure out where your guy friends are going, and inevitably where you will end up because lets face it - you have no say anyway, you head downtown and decide what lot is best for leaving your car over night. Or maybe just the best place for the least chance of getting towed; whatever suits your fancy. You order a few drinks, girl chat, check out the inventory, then suddenly somebody says it... "I have to go to the bathroom does anyone have to go?". The first round, its early. The wolfpack has only just arrived and they are getting settled at the bar. The chance of having to go alone is high to very high. Time passes, and then....it happens again, only this time..... "Ugh I TOTALLY broke the seal, do you want to go the bathroom?". YES. Now - -I personally can go alone. Call me an independent woman, or someone who just wants to go and get back to the party, but I am one of the few. Walk into any bar after 11pm, head towards the women's restroom, and there you will find several bathroom wolfpacks waiting. There are multiple "breeds", if you will.

#1 - The Lone Wolf

This is me the majority of the time. Like I said. Get in, get out, and try to understand the situation. When you got to go, you got to go. And remember there are, almost always, others waiting behind you. She's visually patient waiting in line, but tapping her foot in her head. Wait too long...and she could turn into "The Wolf".

#2 - The Wolf

Straight up, this girl is pissed. She feels entitled to be at the front of the line and can't believe that the girl(s) that just walked into the bathroom haven't come out yet. 1 minute of waiting, is 10 in her mind. She's in your ear like an annoying mosquito on a summer night, "Did you knock?" -- "How many girls are in there?" - - "God, what is taking them so long" - - "HELLLOOOO we are waiting!!". 

#3 - The Twin Wolves

BFF's for life. This pair isn't going anywhere without one another. That includes the bathroom. This is a hit or miss. Sometimes the wait outside the door is short. My guess, only one had to go and the other was there for moral support. The miss - homegirl had a meltdown and can't believe Johnny Tightpants up by the DJ won't dance with her. Move it along ladies, that's what tables are for at bars.

#4 - The Wolfpack

The 'we travel in packs, get over it' group of females. Going in 6 at a time, they are thankful for the handicap standard size, one stall room. They can all fit, fix each others hair, give a few high fives on how awesome the night is, take a few instagram pics/snapchats, possibly use the restroom, and forget there's a party on the other side of the door. Lets face it. The party is in the bathroom at this point. The Wolfpack loves its. Leaving you commonly here a "hahahhahaha whatever, did you hear her bang on the door like 5 times, what a b****", or there's the "we were really quick y'all". 

#5 - The Possibly Dead Wolf

You think....Is someone even in there? Is the door jammed? What the hell is taking her so long? This is the girl that possibly passed out while using the commode. Or, wait for it, nope - just needed a quiet place to make a phone call. Thanks. The 20 of us in line appreciate it. 



Glad she's alive, you're next. I've seen it all. Last night this girl, a wolf if you will, came up to me after I had been waiting a few minutes and instantly started complaining. After being second in line for 30 seconds she resorted to the male restroom. A fine choice for her, I assume. To my fellow wolfpacks - Be patient. Be quick. Get in. Get out.