ReDiscovering the Neighborhood

Let's face it - with the rising cost of fuel, we are all having to make more discriminating choices about where we go. This is a bit disconcerting for those of us who live in *ahem* the middle of nowhere. I don't exactly - there is a small town about 12 miles up the road with what amounts to a third world Walmart. There aren't exactly chickens running the aisles, but let's just say that it wouldn't surprise me.
But right in our midst is a little treasure. We have a little hole in the wall joint called the BBQ Pitt. The kids and I had to run an errand at the post office, so we walked to the end of our street and then went for a late lunch at this little red shack with the walk-up window and particle board walls that are covered from top to bottom with posters of Marilyn Monroe, James Dean, Shirley Temple and the likes. There is also a jukebox and a Nascar wall.
We had a nice meal - you can't beat a good BBQ sandwich, fries with gravy, fried catfish sandwich, chicken fried steak and corn dogs. (Artery cleanse please!) 50s music played, and we laughed while we had our lunch. I'll take the BBQ Pitt over stinky old McDonalds any day!

Decadent Dinner Date with Daughter

How is that for the most times anyone has used the letter D in a title? It was a most fabulous evening, and I don't regret one second that I have no clue what happened on LOST. My date with my daughter at the new restaurant where she works was fantabulous - and did I mention FREE? For such a small town this restaurant is really going to make an impression. All the teenagers want to work there, so they had their pick of the cream of the crop. Tonight they had a "mock opening" where the day-shift served the night-shift and then vice-versa. Each person could bring one guest and so my lovely daughter asked me. The best part was that it was all totally free. Nada dinero! We had appetizers, drinks, dinner (thank GOD I got a salad) and dessert - this sinfully delicious thing above is called a Texas Brownie - yep - much bigger than your average brownie, and beautiful too. The restaurant is brand-spanking new and it had the Texas atmosphere going on. I think about that line from the Titanic movie about eating off of dishes that have never been eaten on. You could still smell a slight hint of freshly cut wood. The atmosphere was all Texas too - using wood, stone, and galvanized metal even as the table top. A very fun night. I ate too much - but it was worth it. Here is my date to the left in her uniform. Ain't she cute? If you happen to have her as a waitress, make sure to tip her good - she's saving for college!

You MADE the Party

Geesh - we have been so dang busy that my poor little blog has been so neglected. We have had co-ops and labs and helping kids who are studying the cellular kingdoms of bacteria and such in biology, and reading books about the Aztecs, reading and critiquing essays (on request), keeping neighbors blood-thirsty dogs away from my cats and doctor's appointments with my hubby who acts like a big two year old and likes to open drawers and get into things while we're confined in the itty-bitty exam room. To think that just a few short weeks ago - we had virtually nothing on our plates, and now we're spinning like a top.
Last night, the girls were invited to a surprise birthday party that took place at this really hip little eatery called Jason's Deli. I tried to talk them out of it, but there was no way. They had a great time, and I sat with my friend Melody and had adult conversation, and ate something called a Muffelatta which has ham, hard salami, provolone and some sort of an olive dressing, on grilled bread. Yummy. After the party the kids went bowling until late-thirty. When we were about to leave, the birthday girl's mom thanked us for coming and when we thanked her for inviting us, she said in the sweetest southern accent, "Well, you MADE the party." Imagine that! Somebody likes us. Wonders never cease. I am going to stop telling myself it's just because they don't know us yet. We are a bit of an acquired taste.