A Southern Accent

Monday evening was a perfect night for a trip to the North Carolina State Fair. We didn't get a chance to go over the weekend, as we'd promised Walker, because Mike was recovering from a bout with pneumonia. You know when kids get something in their heads, you can't change their minds (I'm talking about Walker of course, NOT ME...hee hee hee). I hit up the cash machine before we left and we rolled into the parking lot with $120 in our pockets. Only 30 minutes later, we had five goldfish, three stickers, one sequin teddy bear and were $80 poorer. We hadn't eaten yet or bought ride tickets, so we hit up the cash machine, AGAIN. My dad learned a game trick last year that we finally were able to try. When you play the goldfish game and try to throw the ping pong balls in the fishbowls, the secret is to throw the ball up high and let it bounce around instead of trying to aim straight for the bowls. That's why we are now the proud owners of five goldfish....

Where else would you find both chocolate-dipped bacon and chickens but the good old state fair? Yes, some people turn their nose up at this annual event, but I've gone to the fair just about every year since I was born, and I intend to pass the fall ritual on to my little man as well. Hubs has the same opinions about the fair - yes it's dirty, expensive and crowded - but each year, when it gets a bit chilly outside and the leaves begin to fall, we look at each other, with a grin on our face and say, "the fair's coming soon!" Sunday was our big day and it was a bit chilly and there were some sprinkles forecasted, but that just made the crowds a bit lighter. After paying $10 to park, we flashed our tickets I'd purchased online (yes, this fair is hip with the times) and let the smells of fried twinkies and buttered corn lead us through the maze of rides and games. About 150 bucks later, we had lunch, several stuffed toys, a blow-up sword and no goldfish. My littl...