An evening in St. Augustine....

Well, the weather has been perfect today. It hit somewhere around 79, the sun was shining and a gentle breeze was blowing. Since both girls had things to do, JB and I took off for an evening in St. Augustine. We should have known better than to try going downtown at 5:00 on the first really nice weekend of the year....but, we did it anyway.

It took us 25 minutes to get there, only to be slowed down by a driver who apparently hadn't read the manual to his new car, an accident that had the main drag backed up to the highway, and about 1,000 other people who had the same idea that we did; enjoying a nice evening out. JB was crafty enough to sneak down a side street, and once again we were off, flying down the highway to the lesser known entrance to the city. Seems, however, that other's had gotten the idea as well, and we were stuck in the turning lane for three freaking lights. I was getting po'ed by this time, especially since JB had sped past a turn that would have bypassed the light. I was tapping my fingers on the door, sighing heavily, and saying that we would "use an entire tank of gas" sitting there. He ignored me....which of course made me even madder....and we finally got through the light, only to be stuck in another line of traffic. He asked what I thought we should do and I said, rather rudely, "Just turn here and we will come up the other street....I don't care!" Now, this is where God decided to teach me a little lesson in patience. The second we turned, a car pulled out and we got PRIME parking. John flicked on his signals and whipped that truck right into the space. I know what he was thinking. I know what he wanted to say to me. "Darling, had I turned when you wanted me to, or stayed in the line where the accident was, we never would have gotten this space." However, he did not say that....he just walked around all evening with a silly smirk on his face, commenting on how it was soooo crowded and man did we get a good parking spot. Yeah, yeah....I get it. I was wrong to be impatient. Sheesh! LOL. I suppose I need to work on that issue....

Anyway....as you can see from the above pics, we had dinner in the cutest little pub! I was so excited to find it. I wasn't sure exactly where it was, but wee one and my aunt had eaten there a few weeks ago and said it was really good. They were right! Of course, I had to embarrass JB by taking pictures of dinner, menu's, condiments and the like. But hey, isn't that what life is about? Having fun with the ones you love....and we did have fun. After dinner we walked at least 4 or 5 miles, all around the town, along the water, around the fort, then back to St. George Street and on to Killwins for some fudge (to take home) and ice cream cones. They have the best waffle cones! He had some sort of pecan praline, and I had my usual, chocolate peanutbutter. We only have their ice cream probably twice a year, but it is very good. After getting our cones, we strolled along and enjoyed the lights. It really was gorgeous....the pics don't do it justice.

We headed back to the car and JB started whining....I asked him what his problem was and he said, "It's just that it's such a good spot....I hate to leave it!" Are all men like this when they find a good parking spot? We made our way to the car and got situated....and I'm waiting and waiting....and he isn't turning the car on. I look at him and he says, "But it's a GOOD SPOT!!!!" Lord, help me!

Eventually we made it home....before 8! I tell ya, we are such wild people. I called my mom and she was like, "It's not even 8 and you are home????" LOL....

So now, here I sit, writing this....and he is in the living room, relaxing in front of the tv. Betsy got home from work and is eating her Chinese food, and London is laying next to me, chewing up a piece of paper....wee one is at her slumber party and the JBCoupe household is calling it a night....

Lawn care, vet visits and other unimportant stuff....

Today was London's last "puppy shot" visit to the vet. She did really well....she weighs 25 lbs. now....up 5 lbs. from her last visit. (Of course, mommy probably is too, but I'll talk about that later....). She is such a good girl at the vet's office, and everyone loves her. Today she sat on my lap with her front paws around my neck. It reminded me of when I took the girls to the doctor when they were toddlers! Both the doctor and the vet said to her, "You do realize that pretty soon you will be too big to sit on mommy's lap, don't you?" LOL. While I was paying the vet brought out her blind kitten and she and London ran up and down the halls, chasing each other and playing. It was so sweet! I reall think London needs a playmate. I've been perusing the Golden Retriever rescue organization in our town....

I bought some One a Day Weight Smart vitamins. I figured since I wanted to start taking a multi vitamin, I might as well take one that could possible jump start my metabolism. JB and I have been walking 2 miles each night, so maybe with this little boost I'll feel and look better. Anyone ever tried them? Success? Fail? Good? Bad? Reviews are welcome....

I am so mad at our lawn service. Last year we signed up for one year's service. I got a print out of all the applications, and how much they would be. We finished with them and I received a notice that said we had until March if we wanted a special price. Soooo, yesterday the guy comes and sprays the lawn. I didn't know why, and when I saw the statement in my door, it said we owed money....huh? I called and this is what they tell me....we are on a revolving account and that they continue service until we tell them to stop. Ummmm, WTF? I told her we were NEVER told that, we NEVER agreed to that, and why weren't we called and asked if we wanted to continue? I asked her where in the contract does it state this, and she said that it is a "verbal" contract. I told her we were not "verbally" told this. I called the national number and they said the same thing. I asked where it was exactly in the contract and he said he couldn't tell me, but he would transfer me to my local dealer. I told him nevermind, I had already experienced their run-around and I wasn't interested. So....do I owe or not? I have NOTHING in writing that says we had to call and cancel. I have a printed out schedule that says exactly what they were going to do and that these specific things were paid for. I am beyond pissed. So I said that I wanted to cancel my service and she asks me "Why?" in an annoying voice. I wish I could have said what I wanted to....but I'm trying to be more Christian....

I can't believe it's Friday again. It seems as though time is just flying. I have shorts on today. SHORTS! In January. So weird. But I was hot. It is nice outside....like that first day of spring when everything smells fresh and clean....

Okay, I'm off to mop the kitchen floor before the crew starts coming in. Later....

I forgot to put in a subject....

THU    FRI   SAT

66°F   75°F  78°F   What is happening to me? It's cold outside....yet my thermometer reads 48 degrees. That was a heatwave in Indiana this time of year! I wouldn't walk outside with the dogthis morning because I was cold....and of course she wouldn't go out without me....so I ended up taking her out, then getting into a hot shower for 15 minutes. I'm losing it folks....I might as well admit that my blood has thinned, I'm getting used to the heat, and according to the forecast, Saturday will be a great day to go to the beach to soak up some sun. Sigh....I feel so defeated. My northern ancestors are shaking their heads in shame....

In other news....I finished my ironing last night. I spent two hours on it but I was working on it in front of the tv so I wasn't bored. I watched All My Children, which I had missed during the day whilst at the pizza party. Which, by the way, went well. The kids were happy with their pizza and chicken wings and my cupcakes were a hit. The other mom and I walked in just as they were grading a test....on which wee one scored 100%! It was a 13 colonies test where they were given a map of the east coast and they were to fill in the blanks with the correct states. We had made up a....oh man, what do you call that when you use the first letter of each word to help you remember something????....anyway, we did that and she remembered it perfectly.  She looked over at meand wrote an "A+" in the air, to let me know....lol.

Not much else going on here. I am out of my "annoyed funk" today. Well, as of 10:45 am I'm still out of it....we will just have to see how the rest of the day goes. I noticed that a lot of people here in j-land seem to be in the same state of mind. Must be the time of year.

I have to go re-windex all of my mirrored and glass surfaces. I don't know what happened, but last night I started noticing streaks on everything I cleaned yesterday. I hate when that happens. Perhaps some Pledge got on my paper towels and caused the problem. In any case, I could see the streaks on my sliding glass door, bathroom mirror and computer monitor. Oh, and the tv in my room. I'm almost out of paper towel too. Betsy told me that there is one brand that I buy that tends to streak....of course I dont' remember if it is Bounty or Brawny. I can't imagine my studly Brawny guy would streak on me....hmmmm, that came out wrong....but what a mental picture! LOL....

What-the-freak-ever....

Have you ever had one of those mornings where you wake up annoyed? Welcome to my day....

Nothing has particularly set me off, however, as the day goes on I find myself more and more irritated. Things that top my list are as follows:

1. Everything.

I'm sorry, I just can't narrow it down right now.

Anyway....

I'm trying to eat "healthier". I know, I know....I try every year around this time and end up a huge (no pun intended) failure. I think that is part of my general disenchantment with the world today. I'm mad at myself for letting things get too far, and I'm mad that I now have to do something about it. It's pure and utter laziness on my part....and I readily admit that. I need to be walking every day, and now I have a great excuse to go....London. She loves going for walks. But it seems that every time I decide I will go, I find something that "has" to be done before I can do it. What did I do this morning to push back the walk? I cleaned out my junk drawer. Now, that did not need to be done immediately, no one even sees what's in there. But for some reason I had to do it. See? Laziness, pure and simple. Sigh.

I have had a productive morning thus far. I've cleaned the house, vacuumed, mopped, made a fruity smoothie, and am in the process of doing laundry. Now I need to get ready to go to school for the "A-B honor roll party". When report cards come out, those who make the A-B honor roll get a pizza party. I made cupcakes with sprinkles last night, and wee one helped. I have 2 hours until I have to go, which leaves plenty of time for me to get fixed up and do some of the sewing I put off yesterday.

Why did I put off the sewing yesterday? Because when I checked my journal in the morning, I noticed that my counter had been reset to 0000001. Gee, thanks AOL. You would think with the ads at the top, they would have enough money to pay competent techies to keep things like that from happening. I noticed that a lot of people out there lost their journal count....so, I followed the explicit instructions on how to fix it....five freaking times....and it wouldn't work. So I reinstalled my site meter counter....which of course I had to reset a hundred times before it worked properly. Is there some kind of web troll running around, messing with things lately? Sheesh.

When I was cleaning out the junk drawer, I found a baggie in which I had saved an almost full cartridge for those electric air fresheners. However, it had spilled out of the baggie and I didn't notice until my hands were covered with apple cinnamon scented oil. While I was upset that it spilled....the lingering scent on my hands smells really nice. So, I suppose that is one good thing that has happened today.

Okay, enough complaining and whining. I'm going to go take the clothes out of the dryer and fold them. That should cheer me up....

 

 

Delightful dinners and other things....

Last night I was going to make my famous beef sandwiches. They are very simple....put your roast in a crock pot, add a jar of sliced pepperonicci, and let it simmer all day. Serve on a bun with mozzarella cheese. I love the way your lips burn a bit after a few bites....however....since hubby dear called and said that he was having "stomach issues", I decided the flaming sandwiches would not be a good idea and instead, decided to make a milder, yet comforting meal of hot turkey sandwiches....complete with homemade mashed potatoes, seasoned green beans and cranberry sauce. I bought sliced roasted turkey from the deli (none of that fake, who-knows-what-parts-are-in-here packaged meat for my family, no siree) and fresh potato bread, which everyone here loves.

Within no time I had whipped up my "yukon gold" potatoes into mouth watering mounds of culinary ecstasy (okay, maybe that was a bit over the top....they were really good, how's that?), and toasted the bread just so....I plated my masterpiece and presented them to my children who, only moments before, had whined about how hungry they were and just when was dinner to be ready?

As I was turning from the oven I looked over and saw Betsy with a strange look on her face, holding her gravy soaked sandwich, obviously trying to figure out what to do with it. I said, "Betsy, what are you doing?" to which she replied in an annoyed tone, "I'm trying to eat this thing but you covered it with gravy and mashed potatoes....what a mess!" I took one look at John and we both started cracking up. I couldn't help it! There sat my 17 year old, academically gifted child with a blue plate special sandwich in her hand and no idea how to eat it! Through my laughter and consequent tears I said, "Betsy, you eat it with a knife and fork....it's not a sandwich you pick up". She looks at me like I'm nuts which of course sends her father over the top, as he is now choking on said sandwich. It was priceless. I then explained the concept of the "hot turkey sandwich", and she then got it. She said, "Mom, you KNOW I hate when my food touches. Why would you think I would eat this?"  Finally she started laughing along with us, and conceded to being the subject of our teasing all evening.

I don't know why we found this so funny. I guess it was because she looked so innocent when she was trying to figure out what she was supposed to do with her dinner. She reminded me of when she was little....I don't get many moments like that with her any more. She is such a smart girl that when something like this happens, it tickles me. Wee one on the other hand knew just what to do, and didn't miss a beat with her knife and fork as she watched her sister. She said that the dinner was "awesome"....and I have to say it was. The cranberry sauce was really good too. Even though it wasn't homemade, I mixed a can of the whole berry stuff with a container of cranberry-raspberry sauce. Delicious! I'm a cranberry fanatic. I need to get some cherry pie filling to make a cran/cherry pie with the leftovers....good stuff!

Yesterday I was washing London's bedding and guess what I found? The missing tooth! I don't actually think that it was the one that John dropped (lol), but one that came out while she was chewing a bone in her crate. I saved it, along side the tooth wee one had pulled on Wednesday. I remember saving one of Percy's baby teeth, however, it was lost a long time ago.

I did my grocery shopping yesterday and actually went to three stores to get the best deals. I haven't done that in ages. I started at WalMart for the snacks and cereal, went on to Publix for tea and dairy, then moved on to Winn Dixie for the rest. I did get a lot for the money, and I planned it so that I didn't have to drive all around. It was a straight shot down the road. Gas prices are creeping their way back up so I'm back to watching how far I go+9-*. 88888888888 <----London's contribution to my entry....she just stood up here to check out my breakfast. She was disappointed however when she saw it was cheddar cheese rice cakes and orange juice....

Okay, I've sat here long enough and it's time to get going. I have lots of sitting, I mean sewing to do today!

****The picture at the top is not of our dinner....just one I found on the web. I'm thinking Betsy would not have tried to pick that up! LOL

 

Sunday ramblings....

I thought I'd put in a few pics that my mom had brought over the other day. She has been going through things and thought I would like these. I can remember being in my mom and dad's bed....there is nothing like your parents bed. For some reason, it's always so much more comfortable and cozy than your own. The pic of Betsy when she was five, shows just how much wee one looked like her at that age. I had to think for a moment to remember which one of the girls it was! They had the same hair, same smile, same big, blue eyes....how I miss those days. Seeing my dad so happy in those pics makes me wish I could just pick up the phone and call, and hear his voice one more time. We wouldn't talk for long, he would always ask how I was and then say, "Would you like to talk to your mother?" LOL....and of course I had to throw one in of me, in all my cooking glory. I remember that Christmas specifically because I woke up in the middle of the night and saw that Santa had left a Winnie the Pooh slipper holder on my bed. I went running out of my room and my dad caught me before I hit the living room. I remember hearing my grandfather's voice and asked why he was there. I don't remember the answer, but somehow dad got me back to bed and when I woke up that morning, I had my very own plastic/cardboard kitchen set....complete with sink, fridge, pots, and plastic food! I was so excited. I also got that Winnie the Pooh red plastic tent in the background. My sisters and I spent hours in that thing....I still remember the smell....vinyl, mmmmmm....

Anyway....

Friday night was very nice. However, about an hour before we left I got dizzy, nauseous, just plain yuck. My head was stuffy and I had pressure in my eyes. I was getting Betsy's virus. When we got to the restaurant, I actually considered calling my friend and cancelling, but decided against it. We went in and I had some ginger ale which helped greatly. The guys hit it off well, and even talked a bit on their own whilst Kim and I jabbered away about the kids. It really was nice to be out with adults! LOL....we are planning on going out again, and perhaps this time we will take the kids.

Saturday I spent in bed until 1:30....I felt horrible. Of course, after laying there for so long I couldn't stand it anymore, so I steam cleaned the living room and computer room, and organized all of my sewing, craft and desk things. It did make me feel better! Today I have felt 50/50....we went to church this morning, and then to the mall afterward. It was a nice trip until we got there. We started with Betsy being sarcastic and smarmy....but she soon straightened up and just as we began to have a good time, wee one started in. By the time we were ready to go wee one was crying (she said I didn't like anything she picked out at the shoe store....which happened to be turquoise glitter heels!) and that she never wanted to go to the mall again because all we do is fight when we are there. Oh the drama!  She is not a shopper and would rather have me pick out all her clothes. Which would be fine if she would wear them!

She is one of those kids who has to have the "line" in her sock (I think she means seam) perfectly even across her toes or she will take her shoes off to fix them, even though we are 2 minutes from school and she needs to hurry up. Buttons can not pinch, zippers must be pulled to the correct height, and let's not even get into her complaints about bras! ("I don't like bras....why do I have to grow?" LOL) Oh how I long for the days when I could buy the short set in disney characters that she would put on without question and run off to play....

All was well, however, when we came home. Betsy went out for the evening, and wee one played Toon Town until I kicked her off at 10. I know, I know....kinda late to be playing her game....but she was playing with a friend from school, and I needed her occupied whilst I was watching DH and cleaning out the fridge/freezer, getting ready for grocery shopping.

Right now, I'm exhausted and need to get to bed. Thank goodness the girls have tomorrow off. I only wish JB did too. That stinks. Oh yes! London lost her two front teeth, along with one of the bottom ones today. I actually found one on the floor, and handed it to John so he could see it. One of two things then happened. He either a. dropped it or b. I missed his hand while giving it to him. A pretty good argument ensued, as my choice was answer "a" and his was "b". Being the loving wife I am, I conceded and agreed it was "b"....but we all know what the real answer is....

I've got no mail!!!!

Is anyone else not receiving alerts? I have had no mail today....well, except the usual crap from spammers....

John's wedding band was finally ready yesterday, after three weeks of waiting. We had his father's and my father's rings melted down to make a new band for JB. They weren't exactly what color it would turn out to be, as his dad had white gold and mine had yellow gold....but as you can see it turned out beautifully. They actually added a bit more of the white gold, so it has more of a "silver" look to it. I was so excited when I saw it....it was just as I had imagined it would be. His old ring was very thin and very cheap....we were young and broke when we bought the set! He said that his hand felt heavy wearing this new one....lol. I said that it really looks like he's married now.

Wee one had her friend spend the night last night and they have been playing all day. The little girls across the street have been over, ringing the bell every 20 minutes or so to see if they can play. Of course, wee one and her friend are the oldest on the street (4th and 5th grade), and the other girls are in 2nd, so they don't really want to play with them. After about the 50th ring, the girls decided that they would go out and play for 20 minutes. They were so funny....they said, "We told them we could play for 20 minutes and that was it!" Then they rolled their eyes and went outside. LOL. Yeah, it's tough being the "older, more mature" girls on the block.

Betsy ended up working an hour longer than she was supposed to, but it was with the manager. This woman likes Betsy a lot and thinks she is responsible and mature, which is going to mean more hours for Bets. She was very happy about that. She likes working there, and now that there are new owners, things are much better. Bets called me while she was at work, to tell me that some British people came in....lol. She said it was so cool to hear them talk. I know, I'm nuts, and I'm causing my kids to be on "Brit-alert"!

Tonight JB and I are going out with some friends to dinner. I have been friends with this woman since last year, as we were room mothers together. Tonight will be the official "meeting of the husbands". I am a bit nervous about it, as my hub and her's are a lot alike....very reserved and quiet. Of course, she and I talk for two hours at least every time we are on the phone, so that should make up for any silence at the table. I hope that we all mesh well....we don't have any real "couple" friends and it would be nice to have some.

Okay, time to go get the hair done, refresh the makeup and enjoy my "date night"....I'll report back later! (Of course, that report won't mean squat if alerts are down!)