Thursday Thoughts!

The week here in FWB has been fun! We were sad to learn that our friends grandmother passed away so she had to head out of town as we arrived...yeah bummer! and she won't be back before we leave! But I am still enjoying the area and just having a slow pace without any commitments, it's pretty nice, actually... it's really nice :)

I have been "cooking" for us in the room...yeah, I am just that good with just a microwave! Baked potatoes one night, then different chips and dips another night and not just boughten jar dips, homemade ones! We love that, I prefer using veggies over chips to dip but either way it's yummers! I am trying to do every other night in the room, so on the two nights we ate out we did Mexican and Italian. The two places we tried were touted as "local favorites."

The Italian place came highly recommended by friends who used to live here. We were NOT disappointed!!! It was very good. Give Tradewinds a try if you are ever in this area, and ohbytheway, you WILL need to make reservations, they were packed from the time we arrived until we left. I was able to make same day reservations, but I wouldn't count on that so plan ahead. I ordered a margherita pizza, MiB had all veggie calzone (not on the menu but more then happy to make it). We also had an appetizer of brushchetta. The brushchetta while not presented in any way like we had in Italy was totally awesome! The tomatoes were diced and had been combined with basil, garlic, sea salt and cracked pepper then placed on top of toasted ciabatta bread. On top of that was diced mozzarella, (and while not buffalo mozzarella still very good!) then on top of that a smattering of more basil, cracked pepper, tasty indeed, the bowl was also rimmed in olive oil, more garlic, sea salt and cracked pepper!

The Mexican place was nice. MiB got fajitas always a favorite for him and he thought they were above average. He prefers the meat more seasoned but still said they were very good and an extremely generous portion. They had hotter then I like salsa but since I was trying not to eat the chips/salsa I did not even check to see if they offered a milder one. Our favorite place, Francisco's, in Melbourne offers a milder version if you ask. Anyway I had a tamal and it was average, the corn mesa surrounding the pork was a little too "formed" and gelatinized if that makes any sense, but the pork was nice, it was well seasoned and nicely shredded though I little skimpy on the amount. The enchilada was really good, it was beef and while I normally get chicken, I was happy with the beef. Usually in an enchilada it is shredded beef this was ground, nicely seasoned and not dry, I enjoyed it and the sauce on top was quite good as well. I enjoyed the rice too, I like a drier rice and this was, so if you are ever in this area and want something more local and not chain related these two places are definitely worth checking out!

We will also be dining at our all time favorite, Fat Clemenza's, before leaving town; this place is totally authentic in our opinion! Again, I would call for a reservation just to be on the safe side as they are very busy but oh so worth the wait if you do go without a resy! Most likely I will again have the pizza :)

Enough about the food already, geez, I am never going to get rid of these 7#'s at this rate!

Thursday Thoughts!

• I love pizza!!
• I don't like king size beds.
• Days are passing too quickly...
• I am thankful for such dear friends!
  
• Death is such a part of life but still not always easy.
  

Happy Mother's Day!!!

Hillary called today...this is the first time we have not been together on Mother's Day since she was born, I wasn't really sure what to expect - especially since we are on the road again. But she called and it made my day (insert HAPPY DANCE here)!!!

Ironically, it was 7 years ago on this very day that my own mother passed away... the relationship I had with my own mother was somewhat odd and not at all what I would consider a traditional mother/daughter relationship so Mother's Day has been/still is a little different for me. That she died on Mother's Day weekend 2003 has always made me feel, I don't know, strange.

I really didn't/don't know what to think about the correlation of her dying the same weekend as Mother's Day, maybe there is none, it's not like I think she had any control over her death and the day she died. I mean she was quite ill. It does still cause me to ponder from time to time but I do not dwell on it. My father was mostly responsible for raising me and that is just the way it is, she wasn't really there much. However, I am very thankful for those who treated me as their own and those who took the time to mother me. I know there are others out there who are thankful to my mom for doing the same for them, she was a person who liked to help others. There are memories, good ones, some not as good, but she was still my mother, I tried to keep her in my life when I got older, it was not so easy, I think I could have tried harder, I think she could have as well. We will leave it at that.

Anyway, Happy Mother's Day! To me a mother is way more then a woman who gives birth, she is a woman who nurtures, loves and teaches a child, she is a whole host of other things as well, I could make a pretty much endless list and would still leave something off so that is enough of that. Signing off now!

Surprise!

The surprise appearance was priceless! Talk about a shocker...his wife was able to keep it from him that we were coming, ziiiing, gotcha :)


The graduation was good, the speaker shared from her heart, the pinning was long but oh so worth it...these folks have worked long and hard to make it to this point so to take a few moments to let them relish in it is only fitting.

The cake was hilarious, and yummers. It was a spice cake, which is truly one of my all time favorites so I was in for having a piece, I might have had two but then remembered I am trying to rid myself of 7#s so I did not, but it was good enough to make you want two that is for sure!!!

What a hoot this cake was! Loved it! Tasted delicious as well :)

Congratulations to Troy State University's newest nurses and especially our friend!

Thursday Thoughts!

I have had such a good time in AL this week, it's been great to see everyone...what a tremendous blessing!

Plans for tonight include a very special surprise for a good friend who is getting pinned for completing their nursing degree. They have nooooo idea we are showing up, isn't that neat? I can't wait to see his face! He was one of Larry best buds while we were stationed here.

O.K. this has got to be short and sweet since it has been a full day and this evening is booked as well. I am doing a load of laundry and grabbing a bite to eat then heading out to the pinning. But it is all good cause there will be cake following the pinning like I need cake, but I would like some! But only if it is good cake cause I don't want to waste calories on yukky stuff!

Thursday Thoughts:

• It's sooo hot in the south already!
• I am sooooo blessed with so much.
• Friendships are sooooo very priceless...
• So, notice how much I am using so? LOL
  
• Sadly, food seems to be involved in nearly everything we do!

Seeya!

Random Dozen

I "borrowed" this from her...and yes, I really do know her in REAL life, so I feel completely sure she is totally cool with me "borrowing" it and she will probably comment that exact sentiment! That is just how cool she is!!!!

RANDOM DOZEN:

1. What was the last thing about which you procrastinated?
Returning a phone call...do you know how much I dislike talking on the phone? I did get the call returned though so it's all good!

2. How long does it take you to fall asleep, and do you sleep through the night?
It really depends on how tired I am, but most nights not that long, 20-30 minutes maybe, if I read quicker. I sleep through the night for the most part, but I do usually need to get up and take care of a nature call and sometimes I have a hard time getting back to sleep, you really didn't need to know that did ya?

3. Which decade would you choose to exemplify your favorite fashion styles?
Oh who knows, I am not what one would call a fashion conscious person, I do try to look presentable at all times but being fashionable is not one of my strong traits, I try to dress solid rather then trendy, I am rather out of fashion most of the time I do believe, oh well, I am presentable that is what I am!

4. What is your personal best dish to feed a crowd?
Poppyseed chicken :)

5. Are you an impulse shopper? What was the last thing you bought on impulse?
No I am not a shopper, period, I do not like shopping, like I really dislike shopping, so I am NOT a shopper. Maybe this has something to do with me not being fashionable, we are onto something here! My last impulse purchase was key lime yogurt when I was only buying salad, and I usualy buy blueberry yogurt, ha!

6. What is one wish you have for your own funeral?
Umm, yeah, about that, ya see, I have a sheet in the BIG red book stating my wishes for just this occasion, I know I am way weird but hey, I figure it is better to have it down and take the guess work out of it for those handling such things...one desire for this day would be to have a celebration of the life I was able to live. I have lived a life that has been full and to not celebrate this would be a shame so while some may grieve I pray they do not mourn, I will be with Jesus. I also have a list of songs I would like sang/played and certain scripture verses read, I call it advance planning, and it sort of falls in line with my very organized self!

7. If it's true that joy is found in the simple things in life, what does your joy look like today?
In a word: contentment...being content no matter the circumstances...Philippians 4:11 says it something like this I have learned to be content no matter my circumstances, that is how I keep my joy.

8. What is your favorite type of bread?
The "Weeds and Seeds" kind, in other words, anything whole grain, I love the healthy hearty stuff!

9. What trait do you fear developing the most? (Laziness, greediness, grumpiness, etc.)
Cynicism

10. What trait would you like most to develop?
Public speaking, I would like to be a little more polished in my ability to communicate in public instead of having my knees knock and voice crack, is that really a trait, I'm not really sure, but it is something I would like to do better at, maybe I should join toastmaster's or something.

11. Which room in your house best reflects your personality? Why?
I have no house...because I am homeless...however, before I was homeless I would say it was our bedroom, it was a sanctuary, it was comfortable, it was quiet, it was our space that we shared with no one, it was us.

12. How do you maintain balance in your life regarding, work, family, church, other organizations and activities, and blogging?
Balance smalance...keep God first, then do what you love, love what you do and don't fret about the rest!

Breaking Bread!

There's just something about getting together and sharing a meal, doesn't really matter the food, it's the company I most enjoy. Good food is a BONUS though :)and really who cares if it is the whole meal, coffee is good, or dessert works too!!! Since arriving in AL we've had the opportunity to break bread with so many of our local friends; it's just been awesome. It makes us miss them all the more, we love to catch up, share stories, old memories and make new memories. That's what we cherish, our times together and somehow there is usually food involved or when it involves R&J blueberries and/or ice cream as well!!

Anyway, I was so thrilled and honored to be able to get together today with some of the women who were "in my circle" so to speak when we lived here. It was a great bunch of varying ages and it was just comfortable like I had never left...that my friend is friendship! I am so thrilled that each one came, that they took time out from their life to spend some time with me! They are such a great group from my neighborhood friend, to my WOM buddies, to my four byw gals, (which one of those happens to be my "precious" friend, which seems a little like favoritism but it isn't, you see she just uses the word "precious" and thereby gets that extra notoriety for it!) There are other defining things and words I could use for the others such as my B&BW friend, my volunteer addict friend, my real southern talking friend, my Auburn crazy friend, my talkative friend, my minister's wife friend, my tender heart friend and they would each know who they are but I won't use those :0)


So anyway, that was my fabulous lunch today, it just doesn't get much better then that! An added bonus was that a real young'un joined us as well and she is soon gonna be a momma herself! She is close to LilBlue's age so if that don't make ya feel old I don't know what does! But it was a treat that she joined us.

Now onto dinner...what's not to like about poppyseed chicken? NOTHING absolutely nothing, I think it is a southern staple and it is GOOD! Miss J makes the bestest and not only was there the poppyseed chicken but we had all these great things to go with it! Like green beans, cranberry salad, oriental salad and brown rice Then there was this wonderfully yummy layered dessert, which of course involved blueberries. See Mr R grows his own and therefore there is an unlimited supply. We were joined at the table by b&b which is always a treat.

We are so thankful for such wonderful friends, we still lift them in prayer, give praise when they are happy, pray harder when we hear of their heartaches, we love them dearly, we are so truly blessed!

Happy MAY!

Can you believe it is MAY already? I cannot, time just seems to be flying...

As for us we are now safely in Montgomery, AL for the week. I am so excited to get to go to our former church in Coosada, AL tomorrow! It will be so fun and great to see those we knew when we were stationed here February 2003-October 2005. We already have lunch plans with some of our great friends and I can hardly wait!!!!!

As for the trip over we met up with some of our friends at a neat mall and broke bread together at this yummo place! Had we had more time I might have done some serious window shopping as they had some of my favorite stores!!! Hard to do "real" shopping when you are "homeless" Still, it was a great stop. We did go venture in the Apple store to play with the new ipad. The line to purchase said ipad in the the just released 3G model was incredible! It was a long line that snaked throughout the store. While we liked the ipad, we just aren't sure it is "the" buy for us right now. It was cool though, really cool!

Long day, fun day, ready for bed, night!!!!