SoCal Fires

Last week, my very best girl friend called me up to inform me she had been evacuated from San Diego because of the fires, and that she was on her way to my place. About an hour later, she called back and told me the roads were closed and she wouldn't be coming after all. I am happy to report that her house as well as the houses of the rest of her family are all fine.

However, when I got the call I immediately took stock of my emergency supplies (I also wanted to make sure I had enough stuff for her if she came). I ran to the fridge and realized that my fridge pack was a little low - especially if we had two diet drinkers in the house. So, I ran to the store and bought a fridge pack of Diet Coke w/Splenda and Diet Dr. Pepper Cherry Vanilla. I am proud to say that I also filled up the minivan with gas. The important lesson learned here is that no 72-hour kit is complete without some sort of diet drink. And remember, diet drinks only have a shelf-life of a few months, so rotation is key!

Oprah, SchmOprah

So, I was drinking my Diet Coke w/ Splenda while watching the Oprah Show and today's show was all about menopause or peri-menopause (to be honest, I am not really sure). It might have even been about hormones in general - where is Suzanne Sommers when you need her? Either way, what struck me was not the topic, or Oprah's appearance, but the set. She wasn't at her usual, cavernous stage. Noooo, this set was very, hmmmmm, very , what's the word I am looking for.... FEMININE.

The set was basically all creams and pale blues with white lacquered and mirrored accessories. Oh, and lots of pillows thrown in for good measure. I was a little surprised she didn't do the show in her Nick and Nora pj's. I don't know about anyone else's hormone levels, but my estrogen levels went up just watching the show.

Diet Drink World On A Diet

Diet Drink World needs to lose a few pounds. I obviously gained weight when I had the DDW baby, and I still have just a few lbs to get rid of. The weird thing is that I fit into all of my clothes - even some I didn't fit into before I was pregnant, but I still have some extra pounds. What gives - besides my waist line???

So drastic measures are needed. I am trying to do a low-carb, high-protein diet. One of the diet books out there (I won't say which one and it doesn't matter) says you should not have any drinks sweetened with NutraSweet, but you can have splenda. Well guess who just happens to have a diet drink sweetened with Splenda - DIET COKE! It sells under the ubiquitous title, "Diet Coke with Splenda."

DCw/Splenda tastes a bit more like full-sugar coke than the average diet coke. The after taste is a tad heavier in your mouth, but I still like it. Hopefully, DCw/Splenda will be an integral part of my weight-loss plan. Wish me luck!

Vote

Diet Drink World is officially registered to Vote!!!! In case you didn't know, DDW has been trying to get registered to vote for about 3 years. I think my application got lost in the some weird Bermuda Triangle involving Los Angeles County, the place where all the socks go and the spot between the couch cushions.

Feeling lucky, I decided to try one more time. I actually wrote on the form that I had been trying to register for several years to no avail and could they please call me! In all fairness, I was previously registered in LA under my maiden name; I think trying to get registered when we moved back to LA under my married name was just too much for the system. But if a lady can register her dog to vote, I think I should be able to register as well. I am at least the same species as the candidates running!

Anywhoo, now that I am actually registered to vote a huge burden has been lifted. I figured I would celebrate with a Diet Dr. Pepper Cherry Vanilla. I would send one to the person who finally processed my application, if I knew who they were. Oh well, I guess I will just have to drink it myself.

Diet Drinks In Austin, Texas

DDW has several associates dispatched across the United States, and they send reports of various restaurants and other places to get the best diet drinks. You can become an associate by leaving me a comment or emailing me at dietdrinkworld@gmail.com.

My first report comes from Library of Adventure in Austin, Tx. La Madeline offers the following diet drinks:

Diet Coke
Diet Caffeine Free Coke
Minute Maid light
Sprite Zero

That is a pretty impressive list for a restaurant. Thanks Library of Adventure!

Adventures in Shopping

DDW baby and I just got back from grocery shopping at Albertson's. I had to make an emergency trip to the store as store of Diet Dr. Pepper Cherry Vanilla had just run out. Lucky me - the diet drinks were 2 for $6! It seems around SoCal the cheapest you can get a fridge pack for is three dollars (and that is on sale). I have noticed the stores are starting to sell the cans in giant 24 packs, but they don't have DDPCV in that package yet.

As usual, DDW baby had a great time trying to reach for everything and eating my shopping list.