Happy Birthday...Mr. President...

Be sure to sing the post title, or else it loses all meaning.

Anywho, Friday was James' 38th birthday. So, we both took the day off work, & got to go out to breakfast AND dinner...childless.

Breakfast was held at a local favorite, plus I had a coupon (HELLO Polock). I tried Claire's Harvest Benedict, & it was very good. The fire roasted garlic tomatoes were a nice addition to tranditional hollandaise sauce.

But, dinner, it was at my favorite place. On your birthday, your meal is free, so we only go here twice a year.

James tried to filet with lobster tail. Pretty much he orders this every time. He said is was good as usual.I tried the filet with the swordfish steak, blackened. I was impressed with how tender the filet was. I don't usually order steak out. The swordfish was done excellently as well. But, the rice pilaf, that was super boring.

Oh, plus, on your birthday, you get a free dessert. James took home the key lime pie & said it was AWESOME...

Eight Years Ago Today...

I went into labor @ 2am & gave birth to this blonde bombshell. She is my only child to be considerate enough to be born @ a decent hour (5pm...just in time for dinner!). The other 2 had other plans.

It's been a rough rode @ times: illness, writing on cars with rocks, constantly forgetting a lunchbox, coat, herself (she fell asleep on the bus once & didn't get picked up by the daycare.

Anyway, it's been worth it too. She is so much fun now & coming into her own personality. She may fight with her big sister, but she's awesome with her little brother. AND, if you need a toilet scrubbed, she's your girl!

Happy Birthday Rachel. You've earned it...

Bad Parenting?

It's 8pm & James has a sweet tooth. With the toddler in bed, the teenager in her room & the soon to be 8 year old in the basement playing computer games, we sneak out to McD's for a McFlurry & ice cream cone. For the record, I inquired if we should tell the girls we were leaving the house. His reply, NO; then they'll want something.

Well, the teenager calls James on his cell as we're paying @ the drive-thru window. He giggles @ me while talking to Natalie as I'm shushing the girl @ the window telling us our McFlurry will be right up.

Is that wrong?...

Reasons it's Great to Have a Jr. High Student #342...

They read your old books...

Long live the '80's!!!

True Love...

On our recent trip to Holland, MI, we drove through Indiana on the turnpike. We've traveled this route before & my husband has NEVER stopped in South Bend. He is an avid U of M fan, & can't be bothered with such sentimental drivel. Well, the Gods must have been looking the other direction that day. Not only did I get to see the Notre Dame Campus (YEA Rudy!), but we even ate lunch @ the Legends of Notre Dame restaurant right on campus.

I had the Tilapia Po Boy sandwich. It was nothing to write home about, but I did get to see pictures of Joe Montana, Brady Quinn, & Jerome "the Bus" Bettis, so it was worth it.

And, just so you know, James left his U of M baseball cap on the entire time...

I Do Not Bake...

But, on a whim, I tried this recipe. OMG! I'm Suzy Fucking Homemaker! Who knew? They came out awesome. I can screw up premade school fundraiser cookie dough cookies. But, God was looking down on me, & these came out great. I'm looking for other fruits to use this recipe with from now on...