The Pittmeister's Parade Around America

I had some more (humorous) thoughts yesterday regarding my impending 40th birthday party (in 12 weeks):  1. In my 20's, my most used kitchen tool was either a bottle opener (highly prized) or a pizza slicer. Today, my garlic crusher and my vegetable peeler get the most use. 2. My most used kitchen small appliances were my George Foreman grill or my blender (margaritas anyone?). Today it's my Mr. Coffee Drip Coffee maker (with auto timer) and my 7qt Crock Pot, and, depending on weight loss goals, my Breville Juicer. 3. Bed time used to be closer to sunrise. Now it's closer to sunset. 4. Washing dishes used to only be done when all the plates, cups, and glasses were dirty (even that was negotiable) and taking up every little bit of space in the sink. Now it's a regular, nightly chore done with either Netflix playing on my tablet or my wife chirping her directions in my ear... 5. Watching sports, eating dinner, and drinking beer used to be done in a bar. No...

John Mellencamp once sang, "Oh yeah, life goes on, Long after the thrill,  Of living is gone." Well, as I write this for you today, I am 12 weeks away (just counted this morning) from my 40th birthday and that's how I feel about life right now. I have made a list of the things I can no longer do without feeling any amount of guilt and they are as follows: 1. Eat fast food more often than 1x every 3 months. 2. Eat donuts, cake, or chocolate. 3. Have a bowl of ice cream (with chocolate sauce and nuts) for dessert each night.  4. Drink more than 3 beers in a night.  5. Eat ribs, brats, or prime rib on any other day except Independence Day.  6. Have a DQ Blizzard any size larger than Mini 7. Visit a pizza buffet restaurant for lunch.  8. Drink regular Coke or Dr. Pepper 9. Go out for a traditional American breakfast with pancakes/waffles, bacon, eggs, sausage, biscuits and gravy. You have probably noticed that pretty much all of these have to do with eating or...