Jack-O-Lantern Time

Tonight my dear husband and I carved pumpkins. We had an exciting day of shopping, looking at Christmas items at Home Depot and Lowes, looking at paint for our bedroom and bathroom, and walking through the aisles of BJ's. This is my first year of celebrating Halloween with carved pumpkins and handing out candy, so I am pretty excited.

We took the 2 pumpkins out to the back deck and started carving away. He sawed the top off and skimmed the inside, I helped take out the stringy stuff and seeds. The dogs were fairly well behaved until we started scooping the pumpkins. Harry was so excited that his teeth were chattering and he was grunting. Although I have seen this on little dogs, it is hilarious to see it on a large dog, he is just so dog-gone CUTE!

The transfer of the patterns to the pumpkins took a while and then we started carving. I wanted to scrape the dog paw design so my carving took a little longer than his, even though his (a Golden Retriever) was more intricate. It was so much fun just carving the pumpkins, watching the dogs race around the back yard, listening to the Rat Pack (we don't have a Halloween CD yet). We finished around 8:30ish, took the pumkins to the front, put candles in them, and left for dinner at Chili's.

After a great meal we headed back home. The pumpkins look great but my dog paws will need to be cut out instead of having a window pane effect. When we first put them out front it could not be readily seen from the road and when we got back the candle was not lit. It was a good idea but not for the paw print pattern.

Irish Pub Hopping

Tonight my boyfriend picked me up in his chick-magnet, then he and I went with a friend to another Atlanta Irish Pub, O'Terrill's. It was a beautiful night for eating out on the screened patio, and it was very calm and quiet outside. We were close to the Atlanta Civic Center and evidently there was an event occurring there, tons of foot traffic and minimum parking was available. The food was good. O'Terrill's claims that they have Atlanta's best fish and chips, may be inside Atlanta city limits but it was not the best local fish and chips I have had. But it was good and the portion was **huge** almost too much to eat! Company was great, food was good, and the restaurant atmosphere (at 8:30 pm) was quiet and peaceful, very good for conversation. Would we go back? May be, but there are better Irish pubs closer to home. And finding our way out of the labyrinth of Atlanta streets to a major expressway, now that is another story. . . . . .

After I got home my parents were razzing me and giving me a difficult time. I got the classic "You think more of your friends than you do your family" line. I also got another classic "You need to come down to the real world. If you were in an accident you would expect me to drop all I was doing so that I could take care of you and make life-changing decisions for you." That was a final straw right there. I told mom that she would want the same and that I would do it without even thinking about it or sizing up whether she owed me any favors before hand.

Chili's anyone?

Sunday was a great day, we went to church, listened to Andy Stanley talk about our direction in life and the difference between what we want and the path we are travelling. After the service we went out with our friends to Sweet Tomatoes, talked about dogs, cults, religion, and soon-to-be-born puppies.

I went home to work on my essay for History 1111, and submit it before Monday's deadline.

Sunday night my boyfriend, his co-worker / friend, and I went out for dinner at Chili's. They had been working on switching a motorcycle chain all afternoon and were ready for a break. I believe we all were famished because we had a double portion of chips, salsa and cheese dip. And we finished our burgers as well!

After Chili's we watched Bringing Up Baby and called it a night. A calm, simple, but delightful day with a great guy and friends.

The Wonderful Fox Theater

Sunday my handsome date and I went to church together. After church we went to Bahama Breeze with mutual friends and celebrated his birthday. Ok, it was a month ago but it has been a month since we saw them. It was a wonderful day for eating outside on the patio and enjoying good company. I even was brave enough to eat a shrimp, something I normally do not eat.

Later that day he came by in the chick-magnet to take me on a special treat. We saw The Sound of Music at the Fox Theater. It was great! It somewhat made me think of years gone by and how people reacted to movies. The Baroness would come on the screen and the audience hissed. The Captain tor the Nazi flag and people cheered. The Captain and Maria kissed and people cheered. The bad part was when Maria broke out in song people laughed a long time and started talking. A chuckle for the antiquary nature, but for goodness sake, don't ruin the movie!! Oh, and I saw my favorite part "Forgive us Mother for we have sinned"

After the movie we went to the Marietta Diner for a late late dinner and a slice of cake. Yum!!

Memorial Day Weekend

This weekend started out great and ended great! And the middle was not bad either!!

Friday night we went to Cartersville to an Irish pub and listened to an Irish band. We had a great Irish dinner and wonderful music by Mickle a Do (they play at the Renaissance Fair in Atlanta). I had fish and chips, of course, and my boyfriend had bangers and mash. Yum! Unfortunately Irish Soda Bread was recently taken off the menu. It was a great night with a good band and an even better boyfriend.

Saturday we went to a car show then off to dinner and a movie. It was a camaro car show, and we saw the chick-magnet's competition. T-tops, convertibles and even a police car! It was a gmmb body (I think I got that right) and the bumper was a taunt "Here speeder, speeder, speeder." Dinner was at Johnny's Pizza, ok, again, but the pizza there is good! We seem to have the same conversation every time. What was the cheese sticks we ordered? Well, definately not the garlic bread. The movie theater was packed, we saw Pirates of the Caribbean III. It was good, there was even a little child dressed up like Jack Sparrow. CUTE!!

Sunday my boyfriend had been working hard on his surburban so we took it easy. We went to Buffalo's for dinner, had hamburgers and a hot brownie a la mode and went for a short ride. It was great, the t-tops were out, we went for a drive in the cool night air, just enjoying the scenery and the breeze.

Monday we went to Lowe's, Home Depot Expo, and had dinner with my parents at Cracker Barrel. That was somewhat of a suprise to both of us, but it was a nice dinner. Dad chimed in a lot, Mom every now and then. Both Dad and I got the look on a topic Mom started, but if she didn't want the topic, it shouldn't have been started. We parted on good terms, headed our separate ways, then we finished the night with Brandsmart, Sears, and a nice drive home. Both of us agreed that Brandsmart is not a good shopping environment, it is messy, noisy, and, well, messy and disorganized.

Influences of The Bachelor on tv

My mom and I were watching The Bachelor on ABC Monday night. It was the final night, the bachelor proposed to the lucky girl and everything was good. He even picked the one we both thought he should. After they were officially engaged I asked mom what she would think if my boyfriend proposed to me. I was not prepared for the answer. She thought that I would say no. That, as a couple, we were too ordianry and that there was not enough excitement. That I enjoy going out but that is the extent to which things would go. I also get the same vibes from my father. Just the little statements, not enough to make a fuss over but just sly enough to get his point across. Their statements just rub me the wrong way. I am not going to do anything out of spite to them but I will not stop doing something just because they don't like it. After all, they continue doing the little annoying things that I ask them not to do and this is one matter in my life that I will make my own choice and abide by it.

Vroom Vroom

Sunday we both were as excited as kids the day before Christmas. My boyfriend had planned on a drive over Fort Mountain on his motorcycle. Brad, Chuck, Chuck Sr., Susan, and Eric went with us. Only Chuck and my boyfriend had a piggyback rider, the others rode solo. It was a great day for a ride, clear skies, slight breeze, beautiful scenery, and great company. First stop was Waleska, then on to Goshen for our first 'group stop'. Everyone was ok with the pace we were setting, so off we went again. Next stop was Dahlonega for lunch at the Dahlonega Brewery. I thought that it would be different than what it was. It was decorated in Italian frescos. Somehow that was the furthest from my mind. I don't really know what I was expecting, but it wasn't Italian Fresco. After a friendly lunch with good conversation and comments on chick flicks and the music over the speakers (they were from different chick flicks, hence the conversation), we were off again. But not before everyone stopped to look an a nicely restored red vintage car. Ok, so I don't know what it was, but it looked very nice. Then we stopped in Ellijay so the guys could try each other's bikes out. Ok, so girls assist with makeup and clothes, guys swap bikes and cars. Go figure. I do believe it is a guy thing. But they had fun - all grins when we saw them next. Susan and I went into 3 antique shops. Funny thing, we didn't purchase any antiques, only giftware items. But they were small enough to fit into the bikes. Next stop was Fort Mountain at a lookout spot. We took our group photo here. The scenery was beautiful, we got some swooshing in, a couple of low turns (the bike was leaning kinda low), and curves in the road that added fun to the ride. Next stop was Waleska. By this time I was having a difficult time getting off the bike. I just am not accustom to an 8-hour ride. Thankfully we stopped for about 30 minutes to cool down, rest, and stretch our legs. Then home again, 9 hours later. **Whew** I was tired . . . and sore . . . and thirsty . . . and tired. . .

After my boyfriend let the dogs out to exercise and put them back up, we both went to Chili's for dinner. It was somewhat funny because when our waiter brought our chips and salsa, the chips left a trail from about 2 tables away all the way to our table. A few minutes later the menus made it to the floor. Then more chips made it to the table. Luckily the fajitas stayed on the table. We both agreed that it was the table's fault and not our own. Was it possessed? Quite possibly. After our Molten Lava Cake we decided it would be best to head on home and call it a day. I dropped off my boyfriend and headed on to my house. What a day. What larks! What fun!

La Hacienda

Sunday we went to La Hacienda for dinner. Ok, so it was Mother's Day. I spent lunch and the afternoon with my mother, his mother is no longer with us, so it was more of a day of reflection for him. We went to La Hacienda and had a delicious dinner on the patio. It is a pink stucco building with twin wrought-iron balconies and a calm Mexican atmosphere. I honestly have not eaten out as much as I have with my boyfriend. It has made me think about becoming a food critic. :) Ok, so I am a bit wicked. The meal was good, could have had a little better service from the wait staff, but overall we had a good dinner. I had 4 enchiladas that were smothered (or were they swimming?) in white cheese. The margarita was good, first time for trying that drink out. I am sure that it could be trouble if not consumed with self-control. Especially if I were to be in a hyper mood-swing. I would definately be dancing on the table then! After a short drive in the chick-magnet, I was taken home again, hopefully a little level-headed so no one there would notice that I was partaking of alcoholic beverages. ;)

Meet the Parents part 2

May 6 - Today, after church, my boyfriend and I had lunch with my Dad, Mom, and one of my brothers. The other one was unable to make it on time due to traffic constraints. It was fun, we went to Fudruckers for lunch, talked about Elvis, unique interior decorations of restaurants, Tennessee, had a delicious hamburger. I honestly thought the lunch went very well, we had a quiet lunch but good conversation with everyone.

After lunch my boyfriend and I went to Marietta to the local art show.

Dinner with the boss

May 5 - Today my boss took my boyfriend and I out to dinner. This was one of the restaurants that was high on the list of 'possible birthday restaurants' but it just didn't make it.

The atmosphere was great, company exceptional, my date was a perfect gentleman, and the evening was wonderful. Who could ask for anything more?

Dinner was delicious, I had the salmon and a blue cheese salad. I know, blue cheese again. My boss ordered a bottle of wine (don't know which one other than a red wine) and we all had a glass. I should say that everyone had 2 glasses except me, I didn't even finish my 1 glass, but still managed to get a bit tipsy. Ok, so I can't drink that much and I only drink in controlled situations.

Dessert was delicious, a pecan and apple beignet with ice cream. Yummmmm!! Almost like going to the French Quarter in New Orleans but not quite there. I still like the original 'plain' beignet.

Happy Birthday

Today I celebrated my boyfriend's birthday. Unfortunately I had my camera and took no photos. I need to get better at taking photos.

I treated him to dinner at Chicago's in Marietta, they had a live pianist playing that evening and I thought it would just make the night more special. And it did.

We had a delicious dinner, I had a blue cheese and Chicken salad, he had a steak and potato. Dessert was a chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream. Seems like we always go for the chocolate.

As for the birthday loot, my boyfriend is now an Admiral in the Nebraska Navy, has a Beswick Golden Retriever (it was bigger than I thought it would be), an Amy Winehouse cd, a Tom Petty Wildflowers cd, and has probably already finished the Dove candy bar and the Hershey's Kisses (the new truffles - they are sooooooo good!!)

:)

Look What I found!!

While poking through my computer I found the very first 'together' photo of my boyfriend and I. I still remember that day. I was nervous, trying to make a good impression. Do you hold hands? Not? How far away do you stand? Or how close? Am I making the best impression on his co-workers? Will this work out? Does he really work here with all the neat planes? How can he work in a security cage all the time? Does he get claustrophobic? Does he like me? Am I making a good impression? Gee, this is fun . . . . .

Yes, that was going through my mind all the time. One scared little puppy, eh? Anyway, I survived, I am here, still, with the same great guy. I don't know how I could be any happier than I am now.

:)

Meet and Greet the friends

Saturday we both went over to my friend's house to introduce her to my boyfriend. She and her husband, three children, my boyfriend and I had a delightful time of talking, laughing, and a snack of tea and cookies. Thomas was all grins in his electric car, as it went round and round in circles. His hands were by his side as he gleefully watched us from the moving 'jeep' that was complete with rocks in the back. (he evidently loves rocks). Isabel was all smiles and the life of a party that 5 year olds normally are. Evelyn was, well, as cute as a baby can be. The adult conversation ranged from how we met, remodeling projects, parents with cancer, children, dogs, all the way down to landscaping. It was a wonderful afternoon break, we had to head out so my boyfriend could head off to work.

Sunday we went to church together and had lunch at Sweet Tomatoes with another friend, from his side but now a mutual friend. It was a good lunch, talking about companies, resumes, and internal hiring. Dog shows and whether or not dogs can watch tv were also discussed.

Somehow dogs always make it into the conversation. :) It is kinda cute how that happens.

Taco Mac anyone?

After my boyfriend took a long ride on his bike up to the GA mountains, I knew he would be pretty tired, and hungry, when he got back. I left him a voicemail asking if he wanted to go to dinner, my treat. After he rested for a while and exercised the dogs, he drove up in his chick-magnet to take me out. Mom was outside watering her newly planted flowers and since they haven't had much time to interact I played the decoy and kept her out front so she would have to talk with him. We talked about flowers, gave him some of the oxalis that was dug up because it was growing in the wrong place, and off we went.

Since Johnny's was closing soon, we decided to go to Taco Mac. It had been a while since we had been there, both of us forgot why the chips and salsa wasn't our favorite (it is the chips). We had agreat time, leisurely dinner, and oh, the stories of his ride! Yes, I was a bit envious, but I know he needs time to enjoy his own hobbies. May be soon we can retrace his drive. I am glad that he has friends he can hang out with and do things with, it shows he is the wonderful person I think he is.

Play Date

My boyfriend and I had a play date yesterday. He was working late with Total Detection Systems, a security company, and went to his regular night shift job late. So I went over to his house, let the dogs out for a few minutes and he came home. We played with the dogs, got a soft drink, split a munchie and parted ways. I have great photos of the dogs at play. I really don't know who had more fun, the dogs or us. Belle is a ball hound, but Sam, her puppy, has her beat - he can fit 2 tennis balls in his mouth at the same time. Harry loves to play with the Kong, and Sizzle just loves to play.

St. Patty's Day at Johnny's

Saturday we went out to Johnny's Pizza, one of our favorite haunts. We got there and the place was pleasantly full. After trying to figure out whether we wanted garlic bread with cheese or cheese bread (cheese bread is our normal appetizer) we ordered our pizza and sat back to enjoy the evening. We talked about work, English literature (how did that one get in there?) and speculated on how long the guy at the table near us would wear the oversized green glasses and the green sparkly headband with shamrock antennas. We had our regular order of pepperoni pizza with half sausage and half black olives. After a leisurely meal, we watched as the little league baseball teams poured in, 20 minutes before closing. We then went for a short ride in the chick-magnet, decided we wanted dessert but realized that there was not a place nearby for dessert.

Farewell to Bogey

My boyfriend's dog drowned this past Saturday. He was a happy-go-lucky Golden Retriever puppy under 2 years old. He was born 12-12-05 and passed away 3-18-07. His owner took him out for a jaunt at the park and let him go swimming on a mild afternoon. She threw a stick into the water and he retrieved it, threw it again, when he got it and swam back he went under. She dove in after him and grabbed his collar. When she started to drown she let go and never got hold of Bogey again.

It is with deep sympathy that I am writing this, both for the owner and my boyfriend. Everyone who met this dog fell in love with him. He was a dancer, full of life, and a big goof who could charm a room full of people.

We will miss you Bogie!

Spamalot!!

My boyfriend's birthday is coming up soon, well, in 2 months. He is a big Monty Python fan (I have to admit I do enjoy John Cleese) and Spamalot was here in Atlanta for a short time. Since he is such a big fan I couldn't resist the opportunity of treating him to a play. I went to the play with a little hesitation, having seen The Holy Grail dvd last week. However I was pleasantly suprised and thoroughly enjoyed the play. I don't think there was an act that was too droll or didn't have enough slapstick humor to delight the audience. Nothing was sacred, not even the play itself. If you have the opportunity to go, I thoroughly recommend it! Afterwards we went out to the OK Cafe to eat, it is a retro diner in Atlanta with Southern style cooking. It was a good thing that the servings were large as we both were extremely hungry by the time we arrived! Needless to say, we were stuffed as we left.

Joe's Crab Shack

Sunday we went to Joe's Crab Shack for dinner. He came by at 7 to pick me up, we made it to the restaurant just in time to wait for the final wave of tables to be cleared. It is funny how we either do one thing or the other - arrive right in the middle of the dinner rush or right at the end. It wasn't too bad of a wait, only 30 minutes, and I had good company to wait with. Dinner was nice, crab appetizer, I had fish and chips, he had fish and shrimp. If only I ate coconut we could have gotten the shrimp platter. Three diet cokes later we had dessert. Yummy key lime pie (one of my favorites) was the replacement for the sold-out cheesecake. Luckily neither one of us had a birthday, but 3 people did. One lady walked around waving, one teenage guy pretended to fly like a superhero, all in good fun.

Happy Valentine's Day

My boyfriend and I are definately traditionalists when it comes to Valentine's Day. A small gift, candy, flowers, and a meaningful card is all it takes to make us be all grins. Today he gave me the traditional heart shaped box of candy (yum) and a dozen red roses with baby's breath and fern leaves. I gave him Hershey's kisses, Lindt truffles, and a Big Dogs long sleeve pullover.

I got to work just in the nick of time. Within 5 minutes of opening the office a van pulled up to our door. Two minutes later a delivery lady came in with the roses. They are on my desk and are very pretty. It is nice to be at work, typing away, and have the scent of roses drift toward me, causing me to realize that someone does care, that he thought of me, and he wanted to me to remember him throughout the day. The question is should I take them home and enjoy them just at night or should I keep them at work so that I can daydream whenever I look at them? The candy definately goes home. :)

St. Patrick's Day Songs

My boyfriend wants me to learn a couple of drinking songs on the harp for St. Patrick's Day. I asked several musicians and this is the list that we came up with.

"The Wild Rover"
"Rosin The Bow"
"Black Velvet Band"
"Gilgarra Mountain"
"Star of the County Down"
"The Rakes of Mallow"
"Bridget O'Malley" -- she's a heartbreaker
"O Danny Boy"
"Finnegan's Wake"
"Carrickfergus"
"Mary Mack"
"When The Old Dun Cow Caught Fire"
"The Parting Glass"

Sunday January 21, 2007

I do believe I just went through a very stressful period in my life. I told my parents about my boyfriend. I thought I would not survive the ordeal but amazingly I did. It was a cold, wet, miserable day but it was absolutely wonderful!

We went out to see 'A Night at the Museum' and to eat at Bugaboo Creek. The movie was cute, funny, just what I needed to get my mind off the stress of having told my parents about my date.

Bugaboo Creek was out of business, so we ate at the restaurant we first met at, Macaroni Grill. I had Chicken Cannonnilli and he had the Pasta Penne with chicken and shrimp. It was so delicious and we were stuffed from our entrees and large popcorn, so no desert. After a thrilling ride in his 'chick-magnet' as my mom loves to call his car, we said our good-byes and he took me home.

When I got home I did get questioned about my handsome date and what he is like and, of course, he is wonderful.