texas roadhouse

I kinda hate that I love a chain restaurant so much.   One thing I liked to take pride in was that Joe and I would search out little hole in the wall restaurants and out of the way places to find gems that were independently owned and spend our hard-earned monies on someone else who was earning it the hard way as well.

We have found a few really good independent restaurants here in smaller town TX, but I have to admit that I really really love texas roadhouse.

This is the story of my shame:

In my 1st year of nursing school, one of my very close friends got nominated/was self-nominated (I forget details) to chair our SNA fundraiser for March-of-Dimes.  This is a VERY dear cause for her and she did an AWESOME job getting it organized.  Being her friend and the secretary for the SNA, I was at the walk, with Bub,who was freaking out that there were so many people around him.
(sometimes autism rears it's ugly and fearful head no matter how you try to prepare for it)  Well, there was a small group of vendors moving thru the crowd, I think the roadhouse folks found me and Bub hiding near a tree while Bub was having an episode of inappropriate giggles with punching of the tree going on while I was trying to apply pressure to calm him.

I remember they asked if I needed help, No...I do this everyday (stress brings out my bad sarcasm...), then they tried to get Bub to give them a high five, which he did. then they offered me a free kids meal medallion, at first I refused it explaining that Bub was on a very special and limited diet and we really weren't able to take him to most restaurants because of his issues with Gluten and Casein.  they said they were able to make some thing from scratch if asked, and gave me a 2nd medallion.  I smiled my polite smile while thinking "dream on dude".  I threw the medallions in my silverware drawer.  they stayed there for over 2 years.

last October 31st Joe and I were trying to figure out what we could do cuz we don't do halloween.  (FYI- I do celebrate holidays...I just don't like halloween at all)  we were kinda broke (as always) and I remembered the free meal medallions.  By this time Bub is more able to handle gluten although his milk allergy is worse, I called the manager and talked about options for Bub and found out there were quite a lot as most people don't really want a lot of milk on their steaks.  (lol)  so we went, they let us reuse our medallions over and over, it's like there is no limit on them!!!  I love that we can eat there for under $30, and that $30 includes a VERY generous tip to the server that has to deal with Zbug's famous "tossing of the fries" and Bub's occasional screams when he messes up his Ipad.  Joe loves meat so he is happy.  the only catch for me is that we don't go on weekends.  Bub has a hard time when it is crowded, so we're typically there when they open at 4:30, usually on Mondays.  :)

requiem

my dear, dear friend,

I know you spent your life raging against the dying of the night.
but I hope you go quietly into the night,

and I hope I'm with you.

remember I love you, and that you are loved by many.

sing along with the nerd mom!

one of my nerd habits I've acquired from my mom is making up silly songs for my kid's with their name.

I am truly a super-nerd to admit this to anyone but Joe, but sadly it is true.

Here's Zbear's...sorry I'm not actually using her name...those that know her will figure out where to put it *winks*

(To the tune of Davy Crockett)

Z---, Z-------, I love my little Z,
Z---, Z-------, I love my little Z!
I love my Z--- yes it's true,
I love my Bubber and my Joe-joe too!
I love my Z--- and it's plain to see,
I love Z-------, and my Zbear loves me!
Z---, Z-------, I love my little Z!

I know it's blurry...sue me.

(To the tune of We love you Conrade)

I love you -----, oh yes I do!
I love you -----, it's true
When you're not with me, I'm blue!
Oh Bubber I love you!!!!

I like the "bad" shots...

No Joe doesn't have a "song".  if he did, he would be pretty upset w/ me for publishing it.  lol

We did "argue" about the name of the actual song for Z's song...I maintain it's Davy Crockett...Joe seems to think it's the theme song for Bonanza.  (I've never actually watched Bonanza...is that the one w/ the original "Major Adama" and "Pa Ingles" aka Michael Landon?)
after this "tiff" Joe started laughing about the time I told him of how I first met Lisa, but I don't know if she remembers meeting me that night...I was kinda faded in the background (as usual....by choice).  I think THAT was the theme of "Rawhide"  lol!  So we laughed about that and then started remembering vague and obscure things from our personal history since '98.    I feel old now.

I love/envy how my friends Lisa, Shane, Angela, and Kim seem to never go anywhere without making a new friend. (I was one of them...obviously)  (lol)  I'm just too shy.


NUBS!

yes, I am not joking

I love April 1st.  I am not an April fool's day kinda person tho, bc I do not excel at ANY kind of practical jokes, they usually got me beat up by my brother when I was a kid, or I ended up making my Mom/sister cry...and just for you that do not know my mom, brother or sister....making my Mom and/or sister cry is just BAD BAD BAD (just trust me on this)...and my brother is a giant (6'7"ish) and even when I WAS bigger than him (I'm 18 months older) he's always had a mean left hook which my lower lip found out numerous times...(I have always been a weenie)  But I don't blame him at all, before he knew any better I used to dress him up in a Cinderella dress and call him "Rosie" and make him play Barbies w/ me all the time.

So I love April 1st b/c of other reasons.  usually it was pretty much spring by then in the upper mid-west and I love spring.  I love seeing the trees bud, and the crocuses and tulips peek out of the snow (something I don't get here in TX)  I especially loved the apple blossoms and lilac blooming...TX pear trees and wisteria are close southern approximates, but don't quite cut it.  (Ok, I'm starting to get homesick, boo)

But April 1st is my favorite and my best bc I married my Joe on April 1st.  and it was completely an appropriate day for it.  I did get several responses to my RSVP asking me if I was for real.  yes, I know me and Joe are not "typical" and we tend to be a little out there at times...but I wouldn't go thru the time and expense of printing, addressing and mailing 200+ invitations...I am not so devious or elaborate.  It was a wonderful wedding, and a beautiful day, and although I have been told it was reminiscent of "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" (still haven't watched it), the reception was fun even if my DJ started to make fun of the Ukrainian wedding music my uncle brought for us to play for a bit.  We got to share a wonderful day w/ so many people we love.

Now 11 years & 2 kids later...our energy level is kaput today.  Grandma graciously offered to babysit the kiddo's overnite so we have the house to ourselves.  We had dinner at our fav Asian Restaurant here in town (Lotus Inn) and stopped to get some wine.  Ran into a friend from Nursing School, and after many hugs got home.  guess what we are doing now?!?  Typical activities you would expect on an anniversary when the kiddos are absent???  NO...we suck!  Joe's playing WOW and I'm sitting here blogging about how pathetic we are!!!  HAHAHAHAHAHA 
This is why I love my hubby- cuz even when we are serious or just being ourselves, I end up laughing my head off at us.  That's why April 1st is such a perfect day!

Nubs!!!