Friday Funnies

 EXACTLY!!!

Finally!

Okay, I'm never doing that again! I'm never going to NOT do my journaling right away. It's been six months since I did these layouts, but didn't have a printer, so didn't do the journaling. The funny thing is that when I was teaching my organization classes, I told people that if they didn't do their journaling right away, they'd never get around to it. I'm living proof of that. Especially as many were putting their pages in to the page protectors in their scrapbooks. I'll bet you any amount of money they never went back and did it. To me, that's so sad. It's all about the story. That's the most important part!!

Finally...these were the last three...I did the others about a month ago. Still, too long!

I did a fold-out on this page as seen below. I only do one double page spread for each trip. We travel too much to do a separate scrapbook for each trip. Besides, no one would be interested in that except us.

 This is my AYM page for this month. The story starter is: "This is a good one"

 I did this page for Nancy for our round robin. As soon as I saw the subject matter, I knew I had to do it. The ideas came swiftly. I couldn't wait to work on it.

She provided the journaling, but then I added to it. She won't mind. Actually, I've been journaling for my friends now and then. I get a kick out of it and so do they!

 The journaling is under the photo in the middle.

"We get a "kick" out of kickball" That's how Mindy met Justin.

So how's your scrapbooking coming along? Are you doing your storytelling right away? Don't put it off!

Bath Mishap

So far, this hasn't gotten old.

I still enjoy walking it to my new bathroom every time! I love the heated tile floors. I'm going to like them more in the winter! I know how to work the thermostat---it's very easy. The new tub---not so much! Notice the control pad on the left side vanity. You'll need to know where that is a little later.

Sunday night, I decided to take a bath. This time, I wasn't going to use the air jets. I wanted to use one of these Lush bath bombs that Stephanie had given me for my birthday. In the meantime, I thought they made a nice decoration. I put one in the bottom of the tub and started the water.

I got out the owners manual. The back of the tub is heated. I wanted to turn that on. As I was figuring it out, I pushed something and the air jets started up. I was trying to figure out how to turn them off. I had my back to the tub--I was actually sitting on the side messing with the control pad with my back to the tub.

I about jumped out of my skin when I felt those bubbles! Now I was in a panic. It happened so fast and the bubbles were going crazy, nearly ready to overflow the tub. I managed to turn the jets off. I didn't know what to do about the bubbles. I decided to let the water out. Once the water drained, the whole tub was still full of bubbles and still over the top. I re-started the water and kept pushing the bubbles under the faucet. Once they were down to a manageable amount, I climbed in. I had a notion to call Butch to come in and take my picture, but decided against it. I didn't really want him to see the mess I'd made.

I want you to notice how thick the darn instruction book is! Half of it is in a foreign language. I hate that. I want something simple. Just a simple card with a couple step by step illustrations. I'm sure it's pretty simple. I just need to use it more. I love a bath, but have gotten out of the habit---22 years ago when we moved in. The tub we had before was too darn big. Anyway, I love the tub and am so glad we have it. It's newer technology---not a jacuzzi, but forced air. I'm just showing my age regarding technology (heck, I have to get the book out every time I want to clean my oven)! There is actually a memory setting like your car seat so you can just get in the tub and push your button. I don't know how to set that. I'll need to work on it!

One thing is for sure. I'll definitely leave the book for whoever follows us!

The Dollar Store

Let me begin by saying that I am by no means a dollar store expert. On the other hand, I'd say that Butch is. I have to admit, when you are looking for some cheap decorations, games, wraps, etc. you can't beat the dollar store.

In preparation for Camp Aunt Barb during the Zimmermann family vacation mid July, I've been making plans. I needed some things from the dollar store. I put Butch on it. Instead, today we decided to run errands together. Our final stop was the dollar store.

As soon as we approached, I saw this poster on the front window:

I literally said "wow!" I told Butch, "we need to try those." He said, "Barb, even I have limits!" I said, "Come on, they're rib-eyes!" (By the way---I realize that when I do conversations I don't follow the rules of grammar correctly---I know how they are supposed to be done, but just choose not to---too many extra lines in my opinion).

Anyway, we did not get the steaks. I sort of felt like "what do we have to lose". But then I got to thinking, maybe it's not even real meat! 3.5 oz. isn't very big, but that's enough for me.

We did our shopping and found most of what we were looking for. While standing in the check-out line, I saw this.

Okay, so I wonder who relies on a pregnancy test from the dollar store. I get that it's "VeriQuick" but I decided to pass. It's not like I need it anyway!

Here's the loot we scored. The girls were after Butch to get things for the 4th of July. He always does.  Half of it is for Camp Aunt Barb. My plan is to take Evie and Travis (both 5),  Nathan (3) and Josie (2) for the day. And I do mean a full day! 8-4. I'm going to be worn out! I have a lot planned. I'm working on sending them invitations this week so they can look forward to it. I guarantee they'll have fun!

Who knows, as I continue to plan, I might need to make another trip back to the dollar store!

Oak Steak House

Move over Jimmy Kelly, there's a new steak house in town!

On Friday night, Stephanie and Nicky treated us to dinner for all the help we gave them during their recent move. Mindy and Justin joined us. Nicky had found out about this new place downtown (near The Gulch). It's only been open for a week. They have valet parking at the adjacent Westin Hotel. Valet parking is a necessity these days---especially downtown.

The Oak Steak House originated in Charleston, SC. There are now 4 locations: Charleston, Atlanta, Charlotte and now, Nashville. They brought in experienced managers and servers to help get the restaurant off the ground, smoothly. And boy, did they!

The FOOD!!! It's one of those places (like most are now) that has unusual things on the menu based on what's available locally (that whole farm to table thing).  I'm going to list the things we got so you can see what I mean.

Butch got 3 (you ordered however many you want) Oysters Rockefeller smoked bacon, parmesan reggiano, hollandaise, spinach, breadcrumbs

He also got the Carved CAB® Tenderloin & Frites béarnaise, pecorino-truffle frites.

We shared the salad (the server told us that salads were recommended to share). I love that they divide it before it comes to the table. Green Door Bibb Lettuce chive, confit tomatoes, gifford’s bacon, sourdough croutons, blue cheese, shaved egg, buttermilk ranch 

I got the filet with a horseradish cream. We shared sides.

Stephanie, Nicky, Mindy and Justin all got a huge assortment of appetizers:

CAB® Steak Tartare
quail egg, togarashi, toasted sesame, cucumber, soy-ginger, rice noodle, pea tendrils

Hudson Valley Foie Gras
toasted corn bread, blackberry jam, lavender-honey, mascarpone foam

Crispy Sweet Breads (yikes!! The pancreas!)
onion soubise, o-med cider gastrique, radish, fresno pepper relish, pork belly

Seared Sea Scallops
cauliflower risotto, english pea puree, prosciutto, watermelon radishes

Artisanal Cheese & Meat Board
chicken liver, pickled vegetable crudités, house-made accompaniments, marcona almonds, grilled local bread, williams honey

In addition, Mindy got the same salad as me. Stephanie got the Beet Salad
roasted local beets, sorrel, goat cheese croquette, pistachio, greens, black garlic & honey dressing.

Nicky ordered and assortment of raw oysters and clams too.

Although I didn't taste everything, it was all delicious! Then, if all of that wasn't enough, our server asked if we were celebrating anything. Steph explained the purpose of the dinner. To that, we were treated to an assortment of desserts.

 My favorite was the blondie with ice cream, caramel sauce and chocolate covered pretzels.

 The chocolate cake is served with milk. Nicky didn't really like it. He thought it was goat milk.

Steph said it was malted milk and that it was delicious! It could have been colder.

 The restaurant is all glass. It had a very nice atmosphere and was not at all too loud---like some.

 The tile floor even has the name inlaid.

I know you are wondering if it was expensive. The answer is YES! But then I have to qualify that. 

#1 All restaurants downtown are expensive. With so many tourists, it's no surprise. We think we're New York now!

#2 And this is probably closer to the truth. Since we are older, we've lost the concept of what things cost. It's all relative. Young people don't blink at spending $$$ for dinner. We still remember the days when our big splurge was Red Lobster---at Christmas time! 20 bucks back then was a lot of money!!

Anyway, Oak Steak House was fabulous! We'll definitely be going back!

Friday Funnies

Sleeping Habits

Our sleeping habits have certainly changed over the years. In our early years, we always went to bed at the same time--usually around 10 p.m. Butch has always---from the very beginning---gone to bed with the tv on. I NEVER watch tv in bed unless I'm sick. You can almost count on one hand how many times I've done that. In those early years, before remote controls and the tv was still black and white, I would get up sometime in the middle of the night and turn it off. It got to the point that I did it so routinely, that I never even remembered doing it. Once remote controls were invented, it became much easier. The remote was on the bed between us, so I didn't have to search for it. Very convenient.

Everything went along smoothly like that for the first 28 years. Then came prednisone---yes, nearly 18 years ago. That changed my sleep pattern. I stayed up later than Butch and got up earlier than him.   I slept about 5-6 hours a night. That was fine by me---I got so much more done in my days. He went to bed before me. When I went in around 11 p.m. he was already sleeping soundly. I would just turn off the tv and read for a half hour or so. I've been reading in/before bed since I was a little girl (I learned to read very early). Butch has never complained about my reading or my little book light---ahem---like some people I know! 

So you might be wondering what this is all about. Well, since I've been off the prednisone, I've been going to bed earlier---many times before Butch. I've been reading more at bedtime than ever before. Since I have fewer hours in the day, it's tv that I've decided to sacrifice. Here's the problem. If Butch goes to bed AFTER me, it wakes me up if he turns the tv on. I told him I was okay with that. Instead, he's staying up later and falling asleep in his recliner. 

I don't like it. I never wanted to be one of those couples who don't sleep together. There's something intimate about sleeping together that I don't want to lose. Although, I will admit, when we were re-doing the bathroom and moved upstairs, we each took a room. Actually, that was pretty nice. I could almost make the case for separate rooms. But I don't want to.

That brings us to what happened last night. Butch and I were talking. It got to be about 8:30. I was getting ready to watch an episode of Bloodline. He decided he wanted to sit on the front porch for awhile. I yelled at him, "No, you need to get to bed!" I don't know when it happened, but since he's staying up later, our sleep patterns are all screwed up! If he would just go to bed at 9 like he used to, everything would be just fine! 

There's one thing I haven't mentioned---snoring. His doesn't bother me. After all, I've heard it for 46 years. Apparently, it's mine that is the problem. I don't really like to think about that---so unladylike. But there's nothing I can do about it. I did buy some of those snore strips and have used them the past two nights. The jury is still out on whether they work or not. 

I don't know how this problem will be resolved. But in the meantime, at least we have a nice place to sleep---when we do.

A Weekend All About Butch!

Actually, the week began with the arrival of Sandy and family on Tuesday. We spent Wednesday relaxing at the pool. We pretty much did it all. We went to Steph's to see their new house, the whole family (14 of us---Mitchell was the only one missing) went to the club for dinner, had another pool day with the Potters (Sandy and Amanda were best friends growing up) and then happy hour. I snapped a few pictures.

Now what you need to know about our happy hours: they are very organized. We go around the room and each person tells one thing about their week.

One of my pet peeves is multiple conversations going on at the same time. That's why this works for us. Every one gets heard! Even the ones that don't really want to be!

Morgan's boyfriend, Carter was there as was Andrew, Jordan's boyfriend. Jordan suggested that since there were so many of us and only one hour before leaving for dinner, that we each do an abbreviated story. We put her in charge of what order we'd go in.

Mindy and Justin told about Mindy washing a down comforter that had a hole that she didn't know about. The feathers were everywhere---even stuck to the walls---all over the condo---not just in the laundry room. They just seemed to blow out everywhere. 

She sent me this video that she took for Justin. It's amazing. Well, it seems I don't know how to add a video.

Watching them describe the mess was pretty funny!

After happy hour, we went to dinner at Sperry's---one of our favorite local steak places. Reservations for 14! Stephanie and Nicky came back to the house after for a couple hours.

Saturday was a pool party and barbecue. I didn't get any pictures---just didn't think about it. But the day was devoted to this guy---first his birthday.

I couldn't resist posting this old picture again! No, he didn't really wear vests! This one was a gift that he put on when he received it.

He still skis---this picture is about a year or two old. 

Fishing is another of his favorite pastimes.

Mindy and Justin gave him this shirt last year. He's the #1 poster in Nashville for Trip Advisor. They actually contact him! Any way, if he doesn't like something, he refers to his post as "I skewered them!"

More fish!

We then celebrated Father's Day. That's one of my most favorite things I love about him. He's always had such a special relationship with his "girls!" That actually extends to this day and the grands. Mostly they call with car related issues, but still, I love that he's always looking out for them.

He was so in love with Sandy from the start! Hers were the start of his car problems! One day on the way to work, the traffic was held up due to a stalled car. He was "mad!" As he creeped forward he discovered it was Sandy!! She was very happy to see him---long before cell phones!

When Steph came along, his heart expanded (he was concerned that it wouldn't)! There's not a thing he wouldn't do for her (remember the recent cat door?) All she has to do is ask! I can't even tell you how many trips hauling things he did with her recent move. He's just like that.

And then there's this one. To say she's been able to walk all over him from the start about sums it up!

When it came to the girls, he was the "player" with them. I was the "reader of books." He got down on the floor and did everything---Barbies, blocks, My Little Ponies, games, beauty parlor where they did his hair and wrestled with them---all while watching sports!

He's the BEST! Happy Father's Day!! We all love you!