Tyler has a fairly new really cool place to hang out with the whole family pretty inexpensively. Skyvue Drive-In Theater on Hwy 69 North towards Tyler Pipe.
Late in the summer we got a group together and went to see Shrek 3 and Ironman 2. We all parked near each other and left an open space for us to sit out in our lawn chairs. Parents had blankets and pillows in their SUVs for the kiddos to play or lie down in the back. Everyone was comfy.
This being our first time we didn't bring anything in we frequented the concession stand. They have it all from popcorn and soda to brisket sandwiches and gummy worms. It only costs $6 for each adult to get in to a DOUBLE FEATURE and the concession prices are not too bad. Kids 12-5 are $4 and under 5 are FREE. So if you need an inexpensive outing for the family this is the place.
We went again this last weekend and the weather had cooled down quite a bit (which I prefer) and we went in the convertible. We put the top down and broke out our own beverages and sat back and enjoyed UNSTOPPABLE for the 1st feature which was AWESOME! Well you are at the movies so popcorn was purchased before the 2nd feature of MORNING GLORY which was a very cute movie.
Not too hot, no mosquitos, not too crowded and you can bring your own food and beverages in-I LOVE THIS PLACE. (you can even smoke if you are so inclined as our neighbor vehicle was, we just moved up a row) The restrooms are clean, the owners are as friendly as they get and there are no rules other than to enjoy yourself.
Makes for a Great Date Night too (little wine, some finger foods and a blanket)
Go check out SkyVue Drive-In and catch the Double Feature of Fun!!
Monday, December 13, 2010
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
It REALLY Did Call Out To Me
I was in dire need of some new winter clothing as the Holiday Parties had officially started. So I run to Cato's in Jacksonville as that is still my favorite one and was going to get a blouse or two or maybe a whole outfit, wasn't going to meander long as I was due at my first HP that very evening. As I walked into the front doors I heard a call out to my Right, "Hey Miss, You SO Need To Try Me On" So I slowly turned to my right thinking to myself well that is just plain weird, when I caught a glimpse of this lone jacket hanging there all pretty and zebra striped and smiling right at me. I walk towards it mesmerized by the sheer awesomeness of it as if I was under it's spell. In the back of my mind I am thinking, it will never be my size, what the heck do I need with a jacket in East Texas, I have a new coat I hardly wear. That's it as it only took that long to make it over to the jacket and take it off the hanger and try it on, never looking at the size. OMG!! It fit perfectly and I just knew it was MINE! Never in the history of my shopping experiences have I ever had this happen EVER!
Needless to say I hung onto the jacket with a grip like no other until I found a couple more blouses and then I could not pay and sneak out of there fast enough before the world let me in on a cruel joke or there were cameras there to PUNK me. We made it home safely and have made one appearance together so far with many more planned! Kind of wishing I had it right now...
12/28/11 I have lost over 55 pounds and the perfect coat is a LOT too big but I am still wearing it. So today I dropped it off to be altered to fit the new me! I can not give it up-I really do LOVE my coat! Loads of compliments on it too. Sorry Sam, gonna keep it a while longer...
01/11/2012 My coat it ready for me to try on...
01/26/2012 I wore it to the Graveside services of Sammy Paul Chance and it did me well! Pulled the collar up to protect me from the wind.
I LOVE MY COAT-have gotten so many stop and stares and compliments on it.
Needless to say I hung onto the jacket with a grip like no other until I found a couple more blouses and then I could not pay and sneak out of there fast enough before the world let me in on a cruel joke or there were cameras there to PUNK me. We made it home safely and have made one appearance together so far with many more planned! Kind of wishing I had it right now...
12/28/11 I have lost over 55 pounds and the perfect coat is a LOT too big but I am still wearing it. So today I dropped it off to be altered to fit the new me! I can not give it up-I really do LOVE my coat! Loads of compliments on it too. Sorry Sam, gonna keep it a while longer...
01/11/2012 My coat it ready for me to try on...
01/26/2012 I wore it to the Graveside services of Sammy Paul Chance and it did me well! Pulled the collar up to protect me from the wind.
I LOVE MY COAT-have gotten so many stop and stares and compliments on it.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Tex-Mex Coney from Sonic
So I am a self-proclaimed Hot Dog Afficiando (more like a fan).
One glorious day on Facebook I see that Sonic (love it more than my luggage) had come up with a new coney. The Tex-Mex Coney to be exact. There was a cute video of football players with names like "cheese", "chili" and "chipotle' all piling up on each other to advertise the pile up on the coney.
I sent out a Facebook post (PLEA) for someone to bring me one immediately-didn't happen (I need a better group of FB friends apparently).
24 or so hours later, I get my hands on one-it is very heavy! I get back to the office and break out the metal fork as no plastic fork will handle all this. First thing I notice is the Fritos are not real crunchy and did not have a strong "Frito" smell. Sonic needs to make sure those are fresh and crunchy. While there is not a layer on this Coney I don't adore individually, it seems they just didn't mix as I had anticipated. Don't get me wrong, it was still good, but I think I will stick to the original Long Chili Cheese Coney (my first love).
I will however keep trying new things as I am adventurous with my food choices.
For those of you who want to try it, it is $3.99 and comes with Tator Tots. It is quite a bit of food by itself the tots are included in the price might as well take them.
Happy Dawg Hunting!
One glorious day on Facebook I see that Sonic (love it more than my luggage) had come up with a new coney. The Tex-Mex Coney to be exact. There was a cute video of football players with names like "cheese", "chili" and "chipotle' all piling up on each other to advertise the pile up on the coney.
I sent out a Facebook post (PLEA) for someone to bring me one immediately-didn't happen (I need a better group of FB friends apparently).
24 or so hours later, I get my hands on one-it is very heavy! I get back to the office and break out the metal fork as no plastic fork will handle all this. First thing I notice is the Fritos are not real crunchy and did not have a strong "Frito" smell. Sonic needs to make sure those are fresh and crunchy. While there is not a layer on this Coney I don't adore individually, it seems they just didn't mix as I had anticipated. Don't get me wrong, it was still good, but I think I will stick to the original Long Chili Cheese Coney (my first love).
I will however keep trying new things as I am adventurous with my food choices.
For those of you who want to try it, it is $3.99 and comes with Tator Tots. It is quite a bit of food by itself the tots are included in the price might as well take them.
Happy Dawg Hunting!
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Oct. 14, 2010
Life is good! I love my full time job, enjoying my part time job and finally catching up financially from over a year ago when my renter stopped paying rent or utilities and left me with $1,300 in damages.
I have cut back on travel, purchased a less expensive car with WAY better gas mileage, the bonus is that it is a convertible. I got a new phone with a new billing program that is WAY cheaper then what I was paying and the bonus there is I got a HTC Droid Eris back in Dec 09 for $9.99 on Amazon. I will be renewing and purchasing my phones thru them from now on instead of directly thru Verizon.
I have great friends who helped me repair what I called "The Crime Scene" and get a new renter in there after 6 months of sitting empty. My new renter pays on time and has done some "fixing up" of the place at no charge to me. I now do quarterly walk-thrus were I go inspect the property. Live and Learn.
I have a generous Aunt and Uncle who share thier lake house when I start missing mine, I do love the water.
I have a boy friend who spoils me rotten and seems to like me ok, lol. And 2 Dalmatians-unconditionally!
I have renewed friendships and found new ones recently.
I miss my mom, but as I look around I realize how very fortunate I was to have such a kind, supportive, loving, would-do-anything for me mom. The relationships I see a lot make me sad that a person did not have what I had. Of course I shared my mom a lot, so some did have a taste of what I had and I feel they are better fot that.
I miss my Papa, the Rock in Rock Star! He gave me faith in men, there weren't a lot of good examples around. Again, I was very fortunate to have the kind of man he was in my life. He was my champion.
So I see the I HAVE's out number the I MISS's.
Life is good and I am so very Thankful to everyone one who has helped me be the person I am. I am extremely grateful to the The Big Man Upstairs for all the blessings in my life.
I want peacefulness for each and everyone of my family and friends. I want each of you to live the life you want on the terms you need. I want you to wake up every morning with a grin on your face because you know you are "All THAT and a Bag of Spicy Doritos"!! Open your mind, heart and soul to the Potentials of a Life Well Lived.
It's up to you and only you!
I have cut back on travel, purchased a less expensive car with WAY better gas mileage, the bonus is that it is a convertible. I got a new phone with a new billing program that is WAY cheaper then what I was paying and the bonus there is I got a HTC Droid Eris back in Dec 09 for $9.99 on Amazon. I will be renewing and purchasing my phones thru them from now on instead of directly thru Verizon.
I have great friends who helped me repair what I called "The Crime Scene" and get a new renter in there after 6 months of sitting empty. My new renter pays on time and has done some "fixing up" of the place at no charge to me. I now do quarterly walk-thrus were I go inspect the property. Live and Learn.
I have a generous Aunt and Uncle who share thier lake house when I start missing mine, I do love the water.
I have a boy friend who spoils me rotten and seems to like me ok, lol. And 2 Dalmatians-unconditionally!
I have renewed friendships and found new ones recently.
I miss my mom, but as I look around I realize how very fortunate I was to have such a kind, supportive, loving, would-do-anything for me mom. The relationships I see a lot make me sad that a person did not have what I had. Of course I shared my mom a lot, so some did have a taste of what I had and I feel they are better fot that.
I miss my Papa, the Rock in Rock Star! He gave me faith in men, there weren't a lot of good examples around. Again, I was very fortunate to have the kind of man he was in my life. He was my champion.
So I see the I HAVE's out number the I MISS's.
Life is good and I am so very Thankful to everyone one who has helped me be the person I am. I am extremely grateful to the The Big Man Upstairs for all the blessings in my life.
I want peacefulness for each and everyone of my family and friends. I want each of you to live the life you want on the terms you need. I want you to wake up every morning with a grin on your face because you know you are "All THAT and a Bag of Spicy Doritos"!! Open your mind, heart and soul to the Potentials of a Life Well Lived.
It's up to you and only you!
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Warning this is a RANT! Target and Buffalo Wild Wings
I try to keep these positive and entertaining as no one wants to read negativity and complaining.
However this HAS to be said:
I had the WORST experience ever in Target yesterday and I go in there a LOT. First of all there were children crying and whining and you could hear it all over the store and throwing fits and parents just ignored it. REALLY? My mom would have jerked my arm out of socket to get me to the bathroom to bust my butt if the stern look didn't work, which normally it did just fine. I got caught ONCE playing in a clothes rack in K-mart when I was little, that did not end well, but it certainly ended.
People were taking up entire isles with thier buggies to look at one item on a shelf, no the world does not center on you, move it over so people can pass by.
Now none of this is Target's fault so far. So here is where Target went wrong all on their own:
6:30-7pm on a Wednesday night and there are 2 Cashiers working and lines backed up to the jewelry department. No one working the photo lab and 1 person working the Customer Service desk, who was tied up with a wedding couple at the Registry machines.
3rd Cashier finally shows up (I have had to stand in line behind a kid throwing a fit in a buggy and next to one crying in momma's arms) asks us to move over to her cash register which we had to beat the people BEHIND us in the original line to do. Guess what, if you are behind me in 1 line, you should be behind me in the next like, it's called COURTESY. So we pull all our stuff out of the buggy and she starts pushing buttons on register and nothing happens so she calls someone else over there and the thing is UNPLUGGED!! So we load our stuff back up, thank goodness we don't have much, but a big bag of dog food is not ideal in loading and unloading over and over. Now we move up and get checked out, in the mean time there are still just 3 cashiers and the lines are getting longer-AM I IN WAL-MART?.
I had an item I wanted to ask customer service about so I took it over there and waited and waited and never go even a "I'll be right with you" from the 1 gal who was working.
At this point I just want to run out of there and go hide-I use to like that store.
So we go to Buffalo Wild Wings just down the road and sit in the bar. We have found a decent waitress in there since our Favorite Alicia has gone to greener pastures. I have no complaints about her service, she remembers our drink order and can almost tell us what we are going to eat. Always friendly. We still miss Alicia!!
So this is where BWW goes bad:
I quit ordering draft beer from BWW well over a year ago because I was always getting sick after eating and drinking there and it was the common denominator. I am a bottle baby now and have not really had any problems. John always gets a draft Ale, well last night he drank some of his ale down and noticed the glass was crusty white at the top. We HOPE is was SOAP. So we show the waitress and she gets him a new one. You would think they would check the next glass before they sent it out and we assumed they did. So John drank down some of this one and the same problem-REALLY? One of my friends who hangs out in there all the time brought it up to the manager and they had a discussion and then brought him out a new glass, like brand new out of the box. Which I told him wasn't clean as it had been sitting in a cardboard box in a wharehouse and had not been washed.
So we eat our food and go home-John was ill most of the night.
SO BUFFALO WILD WINGS, we stuck with you through the shitty service and running out of things from the Kitchen and Bar when you first opened, we stuck with you when I was getting sick after eating there until I figured out it was the draft. We even stuck with you through some pretty lame ass managers, which I think you have one now.
BUT ENOUGH IS ENOUGH-you have been open in Tyler, TX long enough to have your act together and you are just getting WORSE!
We won't be back for a very long time-take the time to get it together, we really like the concept, trivia and the pulled pork, but we will get our fix elsewhere.
We have spent enough money in that place since they opened that I do believe they will feel the hit of us not going.
Now for Kudos! Thank you to the Tyler Fire Departments and Police Departments for your continued service. We are so very thankful that no one was seriously injured last night at the Hudson Apartment fires.
However this HAS to be said:
I had the WORST experience ever in Target yesterday and I go in there a LOT. First of all there were children crying and whining and you could hear it all over the store and throwing fits and parents just ignored it. REALLY? My mom would have jerked my arm out of socket to get me to the bathroom to bust my butt if the stern look didn't work, which normally it did just fine. I got caught ONCE playing in a clothes rack in K-mart when I was little, that did not end well, but it certainly ended.
People were taking up entire isles with thier buggies to look at one item on a shelf, no the world does not center on you, move it over so people can pass by.
Now none of this is Target's fault so far. So here is where Target went wrong all on their own:
6:30-7pm on a Wednesday night and there are 2 Cashiers working and lines backed up to the jewelry department. No one working the photo lab and 1 person working the Customer Service desk, who was tied up with a wedding couple at the Registry machines.
3rd Cashier finally shows up (I have had to stand in line behind a kid throwing a fit in a buggy and next to one crying in momma's arms) asks us to move over to her cash register which we had to beat the people BEHIND us in the original line to do. Guess what, if you are behind me in 1 line, you should be behind me in the next like, it's called COURTESY. So we pull all our stuff out of the buggy and she starts pushing buttons on register and nothing happens so she calls someone else over there and the thing is UNPLUGGED!! So we load our stuff back up, thank goodness we don't have much, but a big bag of dog food is not ideal in loading and unloading over and over. Now we move up and get checked out, in the mean time there are still just 3 cashiers and the lines are getting longer-AM I IN WAL-MART?.
I had an item I wanted to ask customer service about so I took it over there and waited and waited and never go even a "I'll be right with you" from the 1 gal who was working.
At this point I just want to run out of there and go hide-I use to like that store.
So we go to Buffalo Wild Wings just down the road and sit in the bar. We have found a decent waitress in there since our Favorite Alicia has gone to greener pastures. I have no complaints about her service, she remembers our drink order and can almost tell us what we are going to eat. Always friendly. We still miss Alicia!!
So this is where BWW goes bad:
I quit ordering draft beer from BWW well over a year ago because I was always getting sick after eating and drinking there and it was the common denominator. I am a bottle baby now and have not really had any problems. John always gets a draft Ale, well last night he drank some of his ale down and noticed the glass was crusty white at the top. We HOPE is was SOAP. So we show the waitress and she gets him a new one. You would think they would check the next glass before they sent it out and we assumed they did. So John drank down some of this one and the same problem-REALLY? One of my friends who hangs out in there all the time brought it up to the manager and they had a discussion and then brought him out a new glass, like brand new out of the box. Which I told him wasn't clean as it had been sitting in a cardboard box in a wharehouse and had not been washed.
So we eat our food and go home-John was ill most of the night.
SO BUFFALO WILD WINGS, we stuck with you through the shitty service and running out of things from the Kitchen and Bar when you first opened, we stuck with you when I was getting sick after eating there until I figured out it was the draft. We even stuck with you through some pretty lame ass managers, which I think you have one now.
BUT ENOUGH IS ENOUGH-you have been open in Tyler, TX long enough to have your act together and you are just getting WORSE!
We won't be back for a very long time-take the time to get it together, we really like the concept, trivia and the pulled pork, but we will get our fix elsewhere.
We have spent enough money in that place since they opened that I do believe they will feel the hit of us not going.
Now for Kudos! Thank you to the Tyler Fire Departments and Police Departments for your continued service. We are so very thankful that no one was seriously injured last night at the Hudson Apartment fires.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Birthday Beach Trip Day 3 ALL ABOUT ME!
I grab a Scooby snack for breakfast and some Cranergy and get all sunscreened and suited up again and off I go to the beach with my towels, book, sunscreen, camera and room key.
I get really close to the water coming in thinking it is going out soon-oops got me! So I move back a bit. There were two ladies most likely in thier late 60's sitting in the short lawn chairs and drinking Miller lite at 9:30AM-I love it!! They were having a time. At this time of the morning there were just a few of us out there lolling about and the occasional runner/walker that came by. Everyone was friendly. I am always amazed at the people lolling about the POOL in front of the beach-REALLY? You have a whole freaking ocean people. I read a little, took a dip, took some photos, read some more, people watched. The later it got the more people started showing up. Still was never crowded at all-LOVE OFF SEASON!
I decided to sit the hottest part of the day out and went in search for Lunch! John had invited me to Heidi's for lunch but I wanted to stay near the beach and have an adventure. One of the Jaycees told me about a place called the Cracked Egg and so I looked it up and it was walking distance from the hotel. Off I went around 12:30ish to the Cracked Egg for Brunch. I looked so like a tourist.
This place is like a 50's style dinner owned by 2 brothers and occasionally thier parents help out. They are only open for Breakfast and Lunch. I was so excited to see fried bologna sandwich on the menu-my MoMo use to make those for me! It had a pepper jack cheese and grilled jalapenos added to it and it was devine! Throw some fried pickles in there and I am in Southern Fried Heaven! The waitstaff was very attentative, the food was great and the atmosphere was family fun. There is a big BLUE chick painted on the door! I saw the twin to the Professor that played in the Frankie and Annette movies eating in there too. So very Beach Blanket Bingo! I was waiting for Von Zipper to crash his motorcycle in!
I walk across to the beach and made my way down to the hotel on the beach side taking photos on the way of course.
I went back to the room until it cools off a bit with the intentions of napping. Bewitched was on and then Legally Blonde, so I just lolled about and watched TV.
Went back out around 3:30ish and set up closer to the hotel wall as they have opened the lanes of vehicle traffic now and I didn't want to be squished. I swear I could sit and stare into the ocean for hours and just listen to the waves and the birds. Very mesmerizing. Someone had a radio playing, a family with kids were building sandcastles and giggling, a couple were frolicking in the water and I observed.
John asked me if I wanted to come to Heidi's and play in the pool and eat dinner-Nah, I am just fine right here in the sand. Just me and Mother Nature. I read some more, sunned, splashed and repeated.
Just before sunset I went across the street to Subway to get a meatball sandwich, it sounded good, and it was close. I wanted to be back before the sun set. Well there was a kid working alone at Subway and one man in front of me in line, I MISSED THE SUNSET! Seriously?! That kid no more wanted to be there than anything and he shouldn't have been. Got my sub went back to the room and ate out on the balcony, all of a sudden there was a firework show!! BONUS! John asked me again if I wanted to join them, I am like I am eating and drinking on the balcony watching a firework show-what you got to offer? LOL!
I took my beverage and camera and went to take pictures of the moon on the water and just chill. My camera has settings i have never used before so I played with a few taking photos of the moon and ocean.
Birthday Beach Trip Day 2
We sleep in, been a long few days gearing up for the trip and to be off work. Get up get all sunscreened and suited up after unpacking open the balcony door and it is pouring down rain;( Not a happy camper...
We call Candace to see if she wants to go to lunch and she and Heidi and Scott are running errands and will meet us at Our Deck Down Under just down the road from the hotel for Lunch. Of course it was sun shiney the whole time we were at lunch. Got to see the dolphins swim by, Pelican landed on the rail near us and a friendly fishing boat waved as they went by. Fried everything seafood!
We head back to the hotel and I am just mesmerized that at one red light you could go straight and end up in the ocean-I am easily amused...
We get all geared up to go back to the beach as it is sunny and I am just on pins and needles to get to the sand. John is even going to join me which is a pleasant surprise. He's not a lie around and loll about kind of guy. We get a spot and get all situated and each one of us takes a dip and then it's chillaxin and sunning. A WHOLE 30 MINUTES OF IT! It started to rain again;(
Naptime and chillin around the room until Supper. I do love to eat! We meet the rest of the Dixie crew at a Steakhouse. The Dixie crew has definitely multiplied since lunch! We have 3 long tables packed. Our waiter did not know how to take a drink order for the bar-that's a bad sign for me. The food was decent and the service was ok, the company was great. We are a fun bunch.
Off to Heidi's we go for some ice breakers to get tomorrow started with a bang. There was some pool time and the mosquitos left full and happy. After a drink or two we headed back to the hotel with Scott.
I went directly to the balcony and met a few of my neighbors, some Jaycees, some not.
The ocean breeze, a cocktail and some XM/Sirius-Life is good to me.
Off to get a good nights sleep as I plan on spending the ENTIRE day on the beach tomorrow rain or shine!
Monday, October 4, 2010
Poem that Touched my Heart
"I'm a part of the fellowship of the unashamed. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I'm a disciple of His and I won't look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still.
My past is redeemed. My present makes sense. My future is secure. I'm done and finished with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, mundane talking, cheap living, and dwarfed goals.
I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don't have to be right, or first, or tops, or recognized, or praised, or rewarded. I live by faith, lean on His presence, walk by patience, lift by prayer, and labor by Holy Spirit power.
My face is set. My gait is fast. My goal is heaven. My road may be narrow, my way rough, my companions few, but my guide is reliable and my mission is clear.
I will not be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice or hesitate in the presence of the adversary. I will not negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.
I won't give up, shut up, or let up until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, and preached up for the cause of Christ.
I am a disciple of Jesus. I must give until I drop, preach until all know, and work until He comes. And when He does come for His own, He'll have no problems recognizing me. My colors will be clear!"
Amen
My past is redeemed. My present makes sense. My future is secure. I'm done and finished with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, mundane talking, cheap living, and dwarfed goals.
I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don't have to be right, or first, or tops, or recognized, or praised, or rewarded. I live by faith, lean on His presence, walk by patience, lift by prayer, and labor by Holy Spirit power.
My face is set. My gait is fast. My goal is heaven. My road may be narrow, my way rough, my companions few, but my guide is reliable and my mission is clear.
I will not be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice or hesitate in the presence of the adversary. I will not negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.
I won't give up, shut up, or let up until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, and preached up for the cause of Christ.
I am a disciple of Jesus. I must give until I drop, preach until all know, and work until He comes. And when He does come for His own, He'll have no problems recognizing me. My colors will be clear!"
Amen
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Birthday Beach Trip 2010-Day 1
Have been planning and anticipating this trip since June! Well actually since I got back from Birthday Beach Trip 2009, lol.
Flights Booked, Hotels Booked, Rental Car Booked-Check, Check and Check.
Destination Daytona Beach, Florida!
We decide to stay near DFW Wednesday night since our flight out is at 7am Thursday morning, I found a Best Western with Free weekly parking and airport shuttle for $59. We were very late getting in and very early leaving. The front desk was awesome and the shuttle drivers were the friendliest. The room was clean and the bed was comfortable for the brief time I spent in it. We definitely will use them again.
We are flying AirTran for the first time so we get to the airport earlier then usual. Well there were no sky caps, very few employees at airport period. We had already checked in and printed boarding but needed to check 1 bag. I was impressed to see a lady at the end of the line asking questions and telling people which line they belong in. Such organization I thought. Well that is where it started and ended! The baggage only line was moving at the speed of molassas, thank goodness we arrived early. We get done with them and off to security, also a molassas line with children and wheel chairs and strollers and old folks. Well being the pro I am at flying I had everything ready and organized to speed my process up-uh huh-I FORGOT MY CELL IN MY POCKET!!! Amateur hour! Thank goodness a man was nice enough to let me pop in front of him so my cell would go with the rest of my stuff.
Security done we mosey on to our gate and walk up and walk straight onto the plane. The seats were so cramped I had to store my backpack in the over head bin and we were hip to hip 3 wide. John shared his earphones with me and his ipod thingy. Earphones, we discovered work like earplanes, that will save us some money next trip. We get to Orlando and go shopping at a few stores in the airport when we get to the luggage claim an employee was pulling John's bag off the carousel. Good timing, no crowd. John heads to the Rental cars and I stay with the luggage-his has a Warning on it because it is so heavy! HEY HE GOT IT ALL IN ONE!! I was impressed he only had to take 5 lbs out at check-in, lol. He said their scales were off he weighed it at home.
We are in the rental car and off to find something to eat, I have been using google maps for navigation on my phone and it has a places option on it. I find a "Chicago Hot Dog Heaven" and the reviews say it is a dive but great dogs. MY KIND OF PLACE! It is about 5 miles from airport. We order 3 different kinds of dogs and the chili, cheese fries-The Firehouse Dog and the Spicy Kraut Dog both got 2 thumbs up, the Chili Cheese dog was just another Chili Cheese dog. Fries weren't bad. Some redneck shouted out a passenger window as they sped by "Hot Dog Trash!" Gee, how did he know I was there? LOL
We had some time to kill until Candace got in so we shopped for needed supplies, we only checked one bag remember. John of course finds a Big Lots and a Liquor store.
Still had plenty of time to kill so we find a watering hole and settle in. We passed a place called Miller's Alehouse which had good reviews on google maps and so we decide to go there and pass the time. It is a steakhouse/sportsbar. The bartender was awesome and funny and very personable. We almost called a cab for Candace to bring her to us and we were quite settled in to the great place. We tried a sip or two of the new Captain Morgan's Tattoo-tasted like rum and licorice to me. John finished our visit with a Southern Red Velvet Cake-cake and beer? ick! We had not goofed off a whole day like that in some time, it was nice. We head to wally world and a grocery chain to get more supplies and stop by Chili's as we realized we still had time to kill and it was basically at the entrance of airport.
We pick up Candace and head to Daytona Beach-last two trips to Florida i never saw a beach. Anticipation is building!
We time it just right to meet Heidi, Joe, Joanie and Scott for dinner at Sloppy Joes which is on the beach! Food was good, Beer was cold and the beach was just inches away.
Time to go check in to THE ISLANDER. I had seen the reviews and was a little leary. But for $44 a night I can deal with some things. Check in was smooth. Open the door turn on the lights and nothing scuries across the floor-yep life is good. Kitchenette is clean, bathroom clean, beds clean, carpet not so much, but not horrible. We pass out w/o even un-packing a thing. Closest I got to the beach was the view from the balcony...
Flights Booked, Hotels Booked, Rental Car Booked-Check, Check and Check.
Destination Daytona Beach, Florida!
We decide to stay near DFW Wednesday night since our flight out is at 7am Thursday morning, I found a Best Western with Free weekly parking and airport shuttle for $59. We were very late getting in and very early leaving. The front desk was awesome and the shuttle drivers were the friendliest. The room was clean and the bed was comfortable for the brief time I spent in it. We definitely will use them again.
We are flying AirTran for the first time so we get to the airport earlier then usual. Well there were no sky caps, very few employees at airport period. We had already checked in and printed boarding but needed to check 1 bag. I was impressed to see a lady at the end of the line asking questions and telling people which line they belong in. Such organization I thought. Well that is where it started and ended! The baggage only line was moving at the speed of molassas, thank goodness we arrived early. We get done with them and off to security, also a molassas line with children and wheel chairs and strollers and old folks. Well being the pro I am at flying I had everything ready and organized to speed my process up-uh huh-I FORGOT MY CELL IN MY POCKET!!! Amateur hour! Thank goodness a man was nice enough to let me pop in front of him so my cell would go with the rest of my stuff.
Security done we mosey on to our gate and walk up and walk straight onto the plane. The seats were so cramped I had to store my backpack in the over head bin and we were hip to hip 3 wide. John shared his earphones with me and his ipod thingy. Earphones, we discovered work like earplanes, that will save us some money next trip. We get to Orlando and go shopping at a few stores in the airport when we get to the luggage claim an employee was pulling John's bag off the carousel. Good timing, no crowd. John heads to the Rental cars and I stay with the luggage-his has a Warning on it because it is so heavy! HEY HE GOT IT ALL IN ONE!! I was impressed he only had to take 5 lbs out at check-in, lol. He said their scales were off he weighed it at home.
We are in the rental car and off to find something to eat, I have been using google maps for navigation on my phone and it has a places option on it. I find a "Chicago Hot Dog Heaven" and the reviews say it is a dive but great dogs. MY KIND OF PLACE! It is about 5 miles from airport. We order 3 different kinds of dogs and the chili, cheese fries-The Firehouse Dog and the Spicy Kraut Dog both got 2 thumbs up, the Chili Cheese dog was just another Chili Cheese dog. Fries weren't bad. Some redneck shouted out a passenger window as they sped by "Hot Dog Trash!" Gee, how did he know I was there? LOL
We had some time to kill until Candace got in so we shopped for needed supplies, we only checked one bag remember. John of course finds a Big Lots and a Liquor store.
Still had plenty of time to kill so we find a watering hole and settle in. We passed a place called Miller's Alehouse which had good reviews on google maps and so we decide to go there and pass the time. It is a steakhouse/sportsbar. The bartender was awesome and funny and very personable. We almost called a cab for Candace to bring her to us and we were quite settled in to the great place. We tried a sip or two of the new Captain Morgan's Tattoo-tasted like rum and licorice to me. John finished our visit with a Southern Red Velvet Cake-cake and beer? ick! We had not goofed off a whole day like that in some time, it was nice. We head to wally world and a grocery chain to get more supplies and stop by Chili's as we realized we still had time to kill and it was basically at the entrance of airport.
We pick up Candace and head to Daytona Beach-last two trips to Florida i never saw a beach. Anticipation is building!
We time it just right to meet Heidi, Joe, Joanie and Scott for dinner at Sloppy Joes which is on the beach! Food was good, Beer was cold and the beach was just inches away.
Time to go check in to THE ISLANDER. I had seen the reviews and was a little leary. But for $44 a night I can deal with some things. Check in was smooth. Open the door turn on the lights and nothing scuries across the floor-yep life is good. Kitchenette is clean, bathroom clean, beds clean, carpet not so much, but not horrible. We pass out w/o even un-packing a thing. Closest I got to the beach was the view from the balcony...
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Jen and the Black Cat
I am so NOT superstitious!
Monday on my way to visit some girlfriends a black cat ran across the road in front of me and stopped to look at me and seem to chuckle. Well I chuckled right back because I am not superstitious!
So onward I went to my friends house and had a lovely evening once she came and unlocked the gate for me. We stopped and toasted our friendships on the way back to the house, it is quite a drive.
The evening was so lovely we sat outside and caught up with Pam, who is in from California and just had a very good visit.
I got in my car to leave and when I cranked it my "SERVICE NOW" light came on, well I am thinking maybe all the dust, dirt, bumps and such had disturbed it a bit. Left Blu's house and on to Tyler I headed. Well I was driving 67-69 in a 65 and there is a truck on my tail so I scoot over and let it and another car that was on their tail by, all of a sudden red and blues are on my tail when I pull back on highway-DANG IT!!
So I signal and pull over again-he PASSES me up for the other two!! Yeah ME!!
Go by store to see John as he is working late and pass several more law enforcement, most with people already pulled over-again, yeah me! Crank my car again and still getting the "SERVICE NOW" alert, it goes off in a few seconds but comes on each time I crank it.
I had tried to call John to let him know I was headed his way and my phone for the 2nd time since Friday locked up and wouldn't do anything but say "phone memory full". UHG!! So I delete stuff and get it working again. HAVE i MENTION i AM LEAVING FOR THE BEACH THURSDAY MORNING?
Ok so now I have a dysfunctional vehicle and phone and I have to work until I need to leave. GRRRRR
I call Crown this morning to schedule and check-up on the Vertible and ask about a loaner car-no ma'am we don't have one and Courtesy Transportation won't take me to J'ville. SO now I have to take my car in and figure out how to get to work on time as Wednesaday is my last day before Beach. So I whine to my car salesman and he calls the shop and has me put on Priority and it should not take long, but if it does he has offered personally to take me to work. Good Answer!
So I am figuring out how to be at 2 places at one time, Verizon and Work. Had two offers to take my phone for me. I finally broke down and called into Tech support which I hate to do. The final recommendation is for me to do a Re-Boot and go back to factory on my phone, of course that is not exactly what I wanted to hear, but I need a phone that works and I need it like yesterday, so re-boot I do! Thank goodness the lady reminded me to take the card out BEFORE I rebooted or I would have lost my photos. (which is the only thing saved on my 8gb card) So I went back to almost scratch on my phone. My contacts are saved in my google account so they are in tact.
So now all we have to do is wait and see what's wrong with the Vertible!
SO TAKE THAT BLACK CAT-JEN COOK AIN'T HAVIN' NONE OF THAT!!
Monday on my way to visit some girlfriends a black cat ran across the road in front of me and stopped to look at me and seem to chuckle. Well I chuckled right back because I am not superstitious!
So onward I went to my friends house and had a lovely evening once she came and unlocked the gate for me. We stopped and toasted our friendships on the way back to the house, it is quite a drive.
The evening was so lovely we sat outside and caught up with Pam, who is in from California and just had a very good visit.
I got in my car to leave and when I cranked it my "SERVICE NOW" light came on, well I am thinking maybe all the dust, dirt, bumps and such had disturbed it a bit. Left Blu's house and on to Tyler I headed. Well I was driving 67-69 in a 65 and there is a truck on my tail so I scoot over and let it and another car that was on their tail by, all of a sudden red and blues are on my tail when I pull back on highway-DANG IT!!
So I signal and pull over again-he PASSES me up for the other two!! Yeah ME!!
Go by store to see John as he is working late and pass several more law enforcement, most with people already pulled over-again, yeah me! Crank my car again and still getting the "SERVICE NOW" alert, it goes off in a few seconds but comes on each time I crank it.
I had tried to call John to let him know I was headed his way and my phone for the 2nd time since Friday locked up and wouldn't do anything but say "phone memory full". UHG!! So I delete stuff and get it working again. HAVE i MENTION i AM LEAVING FOR THE BEACH THURSDAY MORNING?
Ok so now I have a dysfunctional vehicle and phone and I have to work until I need to leave. GRRRRR
I call Crown this morning to schedule and check-up on the Vertible and ask about a loaner car-no ma'am we don't have one and Courtesy Transportation won't take me to J'ville. SO now I have to take my car in and figure out how to get to work on time as Wednesaday is my last day before Beach. So I whine to my car salesman and he calls the shop and has me put on Priority and it should not take long, but if it does he has offered personally to take me to work. Good Answer!
So I am figuring out how to be at 2 places at one time, Verizon and Work. Had two offers to take my phone for me. I finally broke down and called into Tech support which I hate to do. The final recommendation is for me to do a Re-Boot and go back to factory on my phone, of course that is not exactly what I wanted to hear, but I need a phone that works and I need it like yesterday, so re-boot I do! Thank goodness the lady reminded me to take the card out BEFORE I rebooted or I would have lost my photos. (which is the only thing saved on my 8gb card) So I went back to almost scratch on my phone. My contacts are saved in my google account so they are in tact.
So now all we have to do is wait and see what's wrong with the Vertible!
SO TAKE THAT BLACK CAT-JEN COOK AIN'T HAVIN' NONE OF THAT!!
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Special
WOW! My drive down to Baytown was nice had a short late night visit with J.R. and Wendy and then off to bed so we could be chipper for the kids Saturday. I could not sleep...
Arrived at East Side Honda where the event takes place thanks to the generosity of the owner and there were Volunteers bustling everywhere. The volunteers arrive an hour earlier then the kids.
There were over 180 kids registered and nearly 400 volunteers-WOW!
I found my niche greeting the families as they arrived and pointing them in the right direction. I loved saying good morning and getting a reaction from the kids, most smiled from ear to ear and some waved. Too cute.
Brech and Debra showed up and so excited to see them, Monra came by with the kids, which are so grown now. It had been 3 years since I had been-SHAME ON ME! That won't be happening again.
I started smelling bacon and I knew that was not what was on the lunch menu, so I started sniffing around and it was following me, IT WAS MY EARS getting sunburned, despite the 3 layers of sunscreen I had put on. Daniel relieved me and my ears so I could step under the tent for some shade. I took the Horadam's to eat. All that bacon smell made me hungry, lol.
I met 3 of the Parrot Heads from the Houston area that showed up to Volunteer-THANK YOU SO MUCH, they say they will be back! I asked one of them to go around with bottled water and make sure people were hydrated-IT WAS HOT but beautiful day.
The Houston Fire Academy had some of the best Volunteers out there, those guys never stopped, from jump houses, doing the YMCA for our entertainment to packing up-THANX!
Businesses had booths and games and volunteers, food was provided for everyone, other organizations set up booths and provided volunteers. It was a packed event.
So much to do for each and every level and age of Special Child-God Bless everyone involved.
I didn't get to interact with the kids much this go around other than the greetings, but there was one child who didn't even get to the registration table and stopped and wasn't budging, so we brought the fun to him thinking we could entice him farther-well he out smarted us, why move when they are bringing it all to me...
So we decided to ignore him and everyone walked away and did their thing-sure enough, he was in motion and headed to the horse riding. I looked around for him at the end and he was sitting in the middle of the barn all worn out and happy-My Day has Been a Success!!
There is always loads to pick-up and take to the storage and misc other work to tear it all down until next year so we get to work. I follow everyone to the storage unit and get up on the trailer to get things down so that people can carry it into the storage. One of my last totes I FALL THRU THE TRAILER BED!!!! I was laughing so hard-picture it-one leg thru the trailer the other still up on the trailer-Go ahead laugh you know you want to. I have one teeny tiny scrape on my knee.
5 of us went to Shady's for old times sake and visited over a few adult beverages and talked about what a great experience we all just had and can't wait for next year!
Back at Miller Inn we had Bourbon Birthday Cake!!! OMG is was awesome! Thank You Rachel from Addie's Pantry.
Sunday I had to decide if I wanted to get up early and head to Galveston for a the morning or visit with the Miller's a little longer and make it home for John's soccer game. I got to the house just in time to leave for Soccer!
Can't believe it is already Wednesay...
Arrived at East Side Honda where the event takes place thanks to the generosity of the owner and there were Volunteers bustling everywhere. The volunteers arrive an hour earlier then the kids.
There were over 180 kids registered and nearly 400 volunteers-WOW!
I found my niche greeting the families as they arrived and pointing them in the right direction. I loved saying good morning and getting a reaction from the kids, most smiled from ear to ear and some waved. Too cute.
Brech and Debra showed up and so excited to see them, Monra came by with the kids, which are so grown now. It had been 3 years since I had been-SHAME ON ME! That won't be happening again.
I started smelling bacon and I knew that was not what was on the lunch menu, so I started sniffing around and it was following me, IT WAS MY EARS getting sunburned, despite the 3 layers of sunscreen I had put on. Daniel relieved me and my ears so I could step under the tent for some shade. I took the Horadam's to eat. All that bacon smell made me hungry, lol.
I met 3 of the Parrot Heads from the Houston area that showed up to Volunteer-THANK YOU SO MUCH, they say they will be back! I asked one of them to go around with bottled water and make sure people were hydrated-IT WAS HOT but beautiful day.
The Houston Fire Academy had some of the best Volunteers out there, those guys never stopped, from jump houses, doing the YMCA for our entertainment to packing up-THANX!
Businesses had booths and games and volunteers, food was provided for everyone, other organizations set up booths and provided volunteers. It was a packed event.
So much to do for each and every level and age of Special Child-God Bless everyone involved.
I didn't get to interact with the kids much this go around other than the greetings, but there was one child who didn't even get to the registration table and stopped and wasn't budging, so we brought the fun to him thinking we could entice him farther-well he out smarted us, why move when they are bringing it all to me...
So we decided to ignore him and everyone walked away and did their thing-sure enough, he was in motion and headed to the horse riding. I looked around for him at the end and he was sitting in the middle of the barn all worn out and happy-My Day has Been a Success!!
There is always loads to pick-up and take to the storage and misc other work to tear it all down until next year so we get to work. I follow everyone to the storage unit and get up on the trailer to get things down so that people can carry it into the storage. One of my last totes I FALL THRU THE TRAILER BED!!!! I was laughing so hard-picture it-one leg thru the trailer the other still up on the trailer-Go ahead laugh you know you want to. I have one teeny tiny scrape on my knee.
5 of us went to Shady's for old times sake and visited over a few adult beverages and talked about what a great experience we all just had and can't wait for next year!
Back at Miller Inn we had Bourbon Birthday Cake!!! OMG is was awesome! Thank You Rachel from Addie's Pantry.
Sunday I had to decide if I wanted to get up early and head to Galveston for a the morning or visit with the Miller's a little longer and make it home for John's soccer game. I got to the house just in time to leave for Soccer!
Can't believe it is already Wednesay...
Friday, September 10, 2010
First 10 of 30 Days Hath September
WOW! Birthday month is so much fun!
I over heard a lady say "I only get a week for my Birthday" That's because that is all you TAKE! Life doesn't GIVE you anything-if you want something you are going to have to TAKE it!
9/1 Great Dinner Party with Friends at my Favorite Restaurant to kick it off
9/2 Rose City Chili Pod meeting then dinner at Texas Roadhouse with friends
9/3 Met up with Penelope at the Potjie in Rusk and got to briefly see a gal I graduated with
9/4 Slept in then drove to Grapevine to meet the South Region Parrot Heads
9/5 Pool Party with Parrot Heads
9/6 Headed home to my 3 favorite boys and 1 lost kitty-Kim Rescued lost Kitty
9/7 The Parking Lot and that is all I am saying...
9/8 John grilled the Hatch Chili sausages
9/9 Visited with Granny
9/10 that's today!! I head off to Baytown to see my September Buds, J.R., Wendy and Ron! Tomorrow is the Baytown Special Needs Rodeo and I can not wait to see those kids grin from ear to ear, they are so very appreciative of all that is done for them. I might even sneak a trip to Galveston
I love my life and I appreciate everyone in it-My friends and family are all ROCK STARS!!
More Later...
I over heard a lady say "I only get a week for my Birthday" That's because that is all you TAKE! Life doesn't GIVE you anything-if you want something you are going to have to TAKE it!
9/1 Great Dinner Party with Friends at my Favorite Restaurant to kick it off
9/2 Rose City Chili Pod meeting then dinner at Texas Roadhouse with friends
9/3 Met up with Penelope at the Potjie in Rusk and got to briefly see a gal I graduated with
9/4 Slept in then drove to Grapevine to meet the South Region Parrot Heads
9/5 Pool Party with Parrot Heads
9/6 Headed home to my 3 favorite boys and 1 lost kitty-Kim Rescued lost Kitty
9/7 The Parking Lot and that is all I am saying...
9/8 John grilled the Hatch Chili sausages
9/9 Visited with Granny
9/10 that's today!! I head off to Baytown to see my September Buds, J.R., Wendy and Ron! Tomorrow is the Baytown Special Needs Rodeo and I can not wait to see those kids grin from ear to ear, they are so very appreciative of all that is done for them. I might even sneak a trip to Galveston
I love my life and I appreciate everyone in it-My friends and family are all ROCK STARS!!
More Later...
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Birthday Kick-off Dinner and Friends
Sept 1, 2010
Romantically challenging funny story: My friend Kelly calls me and asks if I want to hear her story-well of course I want to hear it.
Kelly's husband Cory had been out of town for work for a few days and she wanted to suprise him at the Tyler airport when he flew in. Kelly had her dad drop her off at the airport so she could do just that and come to my Birthday dinner and ride home with Cory. Once she was dropped off she had some time to kill so she decided to pull her phone out and call her son Alec to check on him. She realized it had been on vibrate and she had 2 text messages. One from her mother saying come back home, shortly after they had left and the other from Cory saying there were no flights out of Dallas to Tyler due to weather.
This is when Kelly calls me, I call John to see if he can go get her from the airport and we will figure out who from Jacksonville is coming to the dinner to get her back home. Bless her heart she was so excited about suprising Cory and now it might be tomorrow before he gets home. She called me back to let me know John was coming to get her and Cory had rented a car to get home, so she had a ride back to Jacksonville.
(All together now a collective "awe")
The Birthday Dinner, well as usual some showed that didn't RSVP, some that RSVP'd didn't show but over all we had a great time and it was a good group. Kelly rode to Villa Montez with John and I and we started in the bar waiting on more people to show before being seated. I wanted something with Riazul Tequila but not a margarita so I asked Stephen aka Estaban to make me something and Kelly said when he figured it out she wanted to try it before ordering. Well Estaban came up with a very yummy concoction of Riazul Tequila and Passion Fruit and some other ingredients. We named it Jenn's Birthday Drink (I know too many N's but what's a gal to do) So my Birthday Kick-off Dinner started with my own designer drink!! Kelly and Misty now have to have one and John gets the Ultimate Margarita (yummy too). An hour of fun in the bar we decide we probably need to order food and Cory and Ronnie join us at the table.
There were several chef specials (I want to think in honor of my birthday and I am sure no one would argue, lol) and I think 4 of us got Chef Specials and 2 ordered of the menu (can't go wrong either way).
Chef Carlos has just returned from Africa and I order the Lamb Chops he learned how to make while there and let me tell you melt in your mouth awesomeness! Even Misty who was glaring at me for ordering Mary's little Lamb had a bite and enjoyed it. John had the Seabass with the St Charles sauce and said it was very divine. More Jenn's Birthday drinks were ordered and Estaban had to go find some more Passion Fruit!
Now I normally do not like it when I get a new wait staff, I have my favorites. (but I guess they were new at one time too) Well I now have another favorite wait staff at Villa Montez, Kevin, you were a Rock Star last night!! Kevin is honest and funny and was there before anything was needed! My list of favorites if you need suggestions (Catherine, Gloria, Kevin, Matt, Stephen and there is another young man I can never remember his name but he is good too-I miss Owen)
On to the Cake-you knew there would be cake! A huge piece of chocolate cake came out with a smiley face complete with strawberry ears and it was D-Lish!! I will have photos on Facebook soon!
Ok now we all have to get up and go home-ugh! Full and Full!
Dogs woke me up at 1am and I was like holy smokes batman, did your realize there was TEQUILA in those drinks!! I recommend no more then 2!
8am was not wanting to get up, 10am I am good to go! Of course that is 30 minutes into work...
ThanX a Million to John, Kelly, Cory, Misty and Ronnie-Cheers!! (Mundo, Carlos, Estaban, Kevin and Catherine @ Villa-Thanx for making my Birthday Rock!)
Links to things I have mentioned:
http://www.villamontez.com/
http://www.riazul.com/
http://www.facebook.com/
Romantically challenging funny story: My friend Kelly calls me and asks if I want to hear her story-well of course I want to hear it.
Kelly's husband Cory had been out of town for work for a few days and she wanted to suprise him at the Tyler airport when he flew in. Kelly had her dad drop her off at the airport so she could do just that and come to my Birthday dinner and ride home with Cory. Once she was dropped off she had some time to kill so she decided to pull her phone out and call her son Alec to check on him. She realized it had been on vibrate and she had 2 text messages. One from her mother saying come back home, shortly after they had left and the other from Cory saying there were no flights out of Dallas to Tyler due to weather.
This is when Kelly calls me, I call John to see if he can go get her from the airport and we will figure out who from Jacksonville is coming to the dinner to get her back home. Bless her heart she was so excited about suprising Cory and now it might be tomorrow before he gets home. She called me back to let me know John was coming to get her and Cory had rented a car to get home, so she had a ride back to Jacksonville.
(All together now a collective "awe")
The Birthday Dinner, well as usual some showed that didn't RSVP, some that RSVP'd didn't show but over all we had a great time and it was a good group. Kelly rode to Villa Montez with John and I and we started in the bar waiting on more people to show before being seated. I wanted something with Riazul Tequila but not a margarita so I asked Stephen aka Estaban to make me something and Kelly said when he figured it out she wanted to try it before ordering. Well Estaban came up with a very yummy concoction of Riazul Tequila and Passion Fruit and some other ingredients. We named it Jenn's Birthday Drink (I know too many N's but what's a gal to do) So my Birthday Kick-off Dinner started with my own designer drink!! Kelly and Misty now have to have one and John gets the Ultimate Margarita (yummy too). An hour of fun in the bar we decide we probably need to order food and Cory and Ronnie join us at the table.
There were several chef specials (I want to think in honor of my birthday and I am sure no one would argue, lol) and I think 4 of us got Chef Specials and 2 ordered of the menu (can't go wrong either way).
Chef Carlos has just returned from Africa and I order the Lamb Chops he learned how to make while there and let me tell you melt in your mouth awesomeness! Even Misty who was glaring at me for ordering Mary's little Lamb had a bite and enjoyed it. John had the Seabass with the St Charles sauce and said it was very divine. More Jenn's Birthday drinks were ordered and Estaban had to go find some more Passion Fruit!
Now I normally do not like it when I get a new wait staff, I have my favorites. (but I guess they were new at one time too) Well I now have another favorite wait staff at Villa Montez, Kevin, you were a Rock Star last night!! Kevin is honest and funny and was there before anything was needed! My list of favorites if you need suggestions (Catherine, Gloria, Kevin, Matt, Stephen and there is another young man I can never remember his name but he is good too-I miss Owen)
On to the Cake-you knew there would be cake! A huge piece of chocolate cake came out with a smiley face complete with strawberry ears and it was D-Lish!! I will have photos on Facebook soon!
Ok now we all have to get up and go home-ugh! Full and Full!
Dogs woke me up at 1am and I was like holy smokes batman, did your realize there was TEQUILA in those drinks!! I recommend no more then 2!
8am was not wanting to get up, 10am I am good to go! Of course that is 30 minutes into work...
ThanX a Million to John, Kelly, Cory, Misty and Ronnie-Cheers!! (Mundo, Carlos, Estaban, Kevin and Catherine @ Villa-Thanx for making my Birthday Rock!)
Links to things I have mentioned:
http://www.villamontez.com/
http://www.riazul.com/
http://www.facebook.com/
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
IN Magazine
I picked up IN Magazine last night thinking I would just thumb thru it and see who or what was in it. After all it was about Food and Wine-my two favorite subjects.
Well I saw that my blog was mentioned on page 8(I think) and then I saw my Favorite Chef, Carlos Villapudua from Villa Montez was featured in an article on local chefs and then I noticed that we have an East Texas Wine Trail and the next thing you know I had read the entire magazine in one setting.
That is unusual for me, I normally just hit the highlights and see who was snapped and where.
I love the fact there was a great cross section of old and new chef's who cooked for many different reasons and many different recipes. It was great to get a little background on them.
And Who Knew We Had Our Very Own Wine Trail Right Here In East Texas? I certainly had not realized how many wineries had popped up in our area.
If you have not yet seen this publication-find one today. Great articles, Great recipes, Great flow to reading it cover to cover.
Well I saw that my blog was mentioned on page 8(I think) and then I saw my Favorite Chef, Carlos Villapudua from Villa Montez was featured in an article on local chefs and then I noticed that we have an East Texas Wine Trail and the next thing you know I had read the entire magazine in one setting.
That is unusual for me, I normally just hit the highlights and see who was snapped and where.
I love the fact there was a great cross section of old and new chef's who cooked for many different reasons and many different recipes. It was great to get a little background on them.
And Who Knew We Had Our Very Own Wine Trail Right Here In East Texas? I certainly had not realized how many wineries had popped up in our area.
If you have not yet seen this publication-find one today. Great articles, Great recipes, Great flow to reading it cover to cover.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Birthday Wishes 2010
I wish for ALL to find their Inner Peace for if we do then we will find World Peace.
I wish for you to do something for yourself for my birthday.
I wish that if you want to give me something and you have earmarked your funds for life, then give of your time. Volunteer or spend a moment making someone smile, then share with me that experience.
I wish that if you want to give me something tangible, give me the gift of travel, monetary donations accepted, lol. (gas cards, airline credits, etc...)
I wish for a Purple Sock Monkey (Target) to ride along with me in the Vertible.
I wish that you get to spend at least one day of my Birthday month with me in person or vicariously.
I wish all the September Birthdays the Best Birthday YET! With even Better ones to come.
I love my Birthday month! And I love all of You!
Jen Cook
9/6/69 Virgo
I wish for you to do something for yourself for my birthday.
I wish that if you want to give me something and you have earmarked your funds for life, then give of your time. Volunteer or spend a moment making someone smile, then share with me that experience.
I wish that if you want to give me something tangible, give me the gift of travel, monetary donations accepted, lol. (gas cards, airline credits, etc...)
I wish for a Purple Sock Monkey (Target) to ride along with me in the Vertible.
I wish that you get to spend at least one day of my Birthday month with me in person or vicariously.
I wish all the September Birthdays the Best Birthday YET! With even Better ones to come.
I love my Birthday month! And I love all of You!
Jen Cook
9/6/69 Virgo
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Happy Birthday Mom
President's Day 2007 my mother passed on to a much better life. July 23, 2010 would have been her 60th earthly birthday.
Maybe that is why I had a dream about her coming back from a vague place after a seemingly long amount of time a few nights ago. Every so often I have these dreams where she comes back to me and I never pin point from where, it's like she has been on a trip and now she is back.
I do miss my best friend and biggest fan in the whole world, but on the other hand I am so glad she is finally whole after suffering for over 20 years with a multitude of maladies. I rejoice in the fact she is able to physically do all that she wanted to do mentally.
So thankful am I that I had her the 37 years that I did, we weren't sure she was going to see me graduate high school at one point. The good Lord gave me 20 more years and I thank him daily for that gift.
She is up there with my Papa, Uncle Randy, Kaye, Teresa, Paul Harvey and Patrick Swayze so I know she is having a ball. I am sure she has checked on Esther and Tony and Charlie. She was such a loving, giving soul.
So please don't be sad on July 23rd, do something that you think she would enjoy or enjoy knowing you enjoyed doing, as she always wanted everyone around here to have a good time. As for me, I will celebrate her life on earth and her wholeness in heaven.
If you have your mother still here on earth with you, call her and tell her how much you love her for me and if you don't still have her here on earth, tell her anyway, she can still hear you!
Maybe that is why I had a dream about her coming back from a vague place after a seemingly long amount of time a few nights ago. Every so often I have these dreams where she comes back to me and I never pin point from where, it's like she has been on a trip and now she is back.
I do miss my best friend and biggest fan in the whole world, but on the other hand I am so glad she is finally whole after suffering for over 20 years with a multitude of maladies. I rejoice in the fact she is able to physically do all that she wanted to do mentally.
So thankful am I that I had her the 37 years that I did, we weren't sure she was going to see me graduate high school at one point. The good Lord gave me 20 more years and I thank him daily for that gift.
She is up there with my Papa, Uncle Randy, Kaye, Teresa, Paul Harvey and Patrick Swayze so I know she is having a ball. I am sure she has checked on Esther and Tony and Charlie. She was such a loving, giving soul.
So please don't be sad on July 23rd, do something that you think she would enjoy or enjoy knowing you enjoyed doing, as she always wanted everyone around here to have a good time. As for me, I will celebrate her life on earth and her wholeness in heaven.
If you have your mother still here on earth with you, call her and tell her how much you love her for me and if you don't still have her here on earth, tell her anyway, she can still hear you!
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
The Waiter with Tude
John and I decided to go to Genghis Grill last night and we had a fun experience. This is the 4th or 5th time we have been since it opened in Tyler. Well this time we had Jerry as our server and right from the start he was the perfect fit for us. Jerry had a great attitude, humorous, knew his products and gave me a hard time(in a good way).
The grill was behind as they had some large parties that had come in before us. We really didn't notice that much as Jerry kept us entertained and still had time to keep one of the large parties next to us happy too.
They have drink specials that if you buy the 1st one in the souv. cup all the other ones after that are 1/2 price! Well you had me at Drinks! Jerry told us about the drinks with knowledge and enthusiasm and told us which ones were customer favorites. We tried the Khan's Lemonade (Good), Something like Long Island Teas (just ok), Hurricane (loved it-John can't have it(pineapples)) and the Kamikaze (Not too bad). We took home the souv glasses and each time we bring them back HALF PRICED DRINKS!!!
We noticed the Ranger game was not showing and asked Jerry if we could get that changed-almost immediately. Jerry then came back to table and told me all the bar patrons were mad at me for changing it. I told them they were in Texas and in Texas we watch the Rangers. He started laughing, I told you he gave me a hard time.
Finally our food arrives and it was delicious. After my first initial visit I never use one of the recipe cards and I just make my stuff up as I go along and so far I have not been disappointed. The Shrimp really soaks up the flavors! I tried egg for the 1st time in mine too, added a nice touch.
John ordered some kind of rasberry torte thingy with white chocolate on top-it was good but didn't mix well with the Kamikaze.
Jerry made out night out more entertaining and for that he was tipped well!
Ask for Jerry next time you are in Genghis Grill-Tyler.
The grill was behind as they had some large parties that had come in before us. We really didn't notice that much as Jerry kept us entertained and still had time to keep one of the large parties next to us happy too.
They have drink specials that if you buy the 1st one in the souv. cup all the other ones after that are 1/2 price! Well you had me at Drinks! Jerry told us about the drinks with knowledge and enthusiasm and told us which ones were customer favorites. We tried the Khan's Lemonade (Good), Something like Long Island Teas (just ok), Hurricane (loved it-John can't have it(pineapples)) and the Kamikaze (Not too bad). We took home the souv glasses and each time we bring them back HALF PRICED DRINKS!!!
We noticed the Ranger game was not showing and asked Jerry if we could get that changed-almost immediately. Jerry then came back to table and told me all the bar patrons were mad at me for changing it. I told them they were in Texas and in Texas we watch the Rangers. He started laughing, I told you he gave me a hard time.
Finally our food arrives and it was delicious. After my first initial visit I never use one of the recipe cards and I just make my stuff up as I go along and so far I have not been disappointed. The Shrimp really soaks up the flavors! I tried egg for the 1st time in mine too, added a nice touch.
John ordered some kind of rasberry torte thingy with white chocolate on top-it was good but didn't mix well with the Kamikaze.
Jerry made out night out more entertaining and for that he was tipped well!
Ask for Jerry next time you are in Genghis Grill-Tyler.
Friday, July 16, 2010
Sadler's Kitchen
Sadler's Kitchen has moved to the old Stamps location aka old Post Office and has opened for Dinner 3 nights a week.
As I normally LOVE Sadler's home style food I could not wait to go and try it out.
As I walked in I noticed some improvements made from Stamps and some of the same. I like they kept the bar intact. It's nice and cozy.
I met a friend there and asked what the drink specials were as I beleive there was a mention of there being specials on facebook by the owner. I got a blank stare from the bartender. So I asked him what were his specialties, what do you make really well? Mojitos and Pomagranite Martinis. He had me at Mojito!
Another friend joined us and we perused the Appetizer Menu and since all of it looked devine we each got a different thing and shared. Ahi Tacos, Tomato Stack and Stuffed Avocado. The Ahi was very good, Tomato Stack was ok and definitely different and the Stuffed Avocado was good and interesting.
Two more friends join us and the place is starting to hop in the bar. Bartender gets a bit busy and the Mojitos and Martini's take a bit to make. So it was slow service for a bit, but we did eat in the bar and that really isn't the purpose of a bar, now is it? LOL.
We ordered more drinks and asked for a dinner menu, I decided on the Chicken Enchiladas and Misty got the Jalapeno/Cream Cheese stuffed Filet at the recommendation of some friends based on the wine she was drinking. It took a while to get the attention of the bartender as there were now more drinkers in the bar.
We ordered and kept right on socializing, we had a great time catching up. We were the loudest at the bar no doubt.
My Chicken Enchiladas did not look promising. They were over cooked and under seasoned. My peas and Augratin Tomato was good. Misty gave me a bite of her Filet and it was HEAVENLY! Cooked to perfection.
I skipped dessert and had another Mojito instead-they were delish!
As I spoke to another friend who is going tonight about my enchiladas she said she had them before and thought they were good, so maybe just an off night for the enchiladas. I am thinking if you can make steak that good, I can save my enchilada craving for a Mexican Restaurant!
So, I will give Sadlers another chance and maybe drink in the bar and eat in the restaruant next time and order Steak! That's how the experience is designed to be I suppose.
Overall I had a great time with great friends and the food was decent to excellent depending on what it was.
I use Rob and Sadler's for catering atleast once a year and I am always a Satisfied customer!
His Lunch Run is great too.
As I normally LOVE Sadler's home style food I could not wait to go and try it out.
As I walked in I noticed some improvements made from Stamps and some of the same. I like they kept the bar intact. It's nice and cozy.
I met a friend there and asked what the drink specials were as I beleive there was a mention of there being specials on facebook by the owner. I got a blank stare from the bartender. So I asked him what were his specialties, what do you make really well? Mojitos and Pomagranite Martinis. He had me at Mojito!
Another friend joined us and we perused the Appetizer Menu and since all of it looked devine we each got a different thing and shared. Ahi Tacos, Tomato Stack and Stuffed Avocado. The Ahi was very good, Tomato Stack was ok and definitely different and the Stuffed Avocado was good and interesting.
Two more friends join us and the place is starting to hop in the bar. Bartender gets a bit busy and the Mojitos and Martini's take a bit to make. So it was slow service for a bit, but we did eat in the bar and that really isn't the purpose of a bar, now is it? LOL.
We ordered more drinks and asked for a dinner menu, I decided on the Chicken Enchiladas and Misty got the Jalapeno/Cream Cheese stuffed Filet at the recommendation of some friends based on the wine she was drinking. It took a while to get the attention of the bartender as there were now more drinkers in the bar.
We ordered and kept right on socializing, we had a great time catching up. We were the loudest at the bar no doubt.
My Chicken Enchiladas did not look promising. They were over cooked and under seasoned. My peas and Augratin Tomato was good. Misty gave me a bite of her Filet and it was HEAVENLY! Cooked to perfection.
I skipped dessert and had another Mojito instead-they were delish!
As I spoke to another friend who is going tonight about my enchiladas she said she had them before and thought they were good, so maybe just an off night for the enchiladas. I am thinking if you can make steak that good, I can save my enchilada craving for a Mexican Restaurant!
So, I will give Sadlers another chance and maybe drink in the bar and eat in the restaruant next time and order Steak! That's how the experience is designed to be I suppose.
Overall I had a great time with great friends and the food was decent to excellent depending on what it was.
I use Rob and Sadler's for catering atleast once a year and I am always a Satisfied customer!
His Lunch Run is great too.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Never Go Out To Eat If John cooked every night...
From October 2008 Myspace Blog
Cause John Chance is a genius at preparing food. Take Sunday for instance, I had been watching thru closed eyelids too much TV and the Dairy Queen commercials really got me to thinking I wanted a Country Basket with extra gravy(for my fries-of course). John was going to grill but the meat had not defrosted and so he asked me what I wanted. Well thinking of Dairy Queen some more I decided greasy meat nachos from there sounded good too-I was very hungry at this point. John did not look thrilled that I had chosen DQ as a meal choice so I told him whatever was fine. He came home and made non-greasy nachos that were amazing. He doesn't just throw some chips on a paper plate and hamburger meat and cheese then nuke it(my way) he chops fresh ingredients and uses things in the kitchen only he would think of and then bakes them-sorry if the drool enables your keyboard but they are DELISH!! Well along with the nachos(all I was expecting) he had whipped up the best damn quacemole dip I have ever put on a chip-it was creamy and dreamy and all that on a bag of chips! He also had sour cream and salsa to put on the nachos. Way better than what I wanted from DQ!!
Monday he finally grills. When he grills he grills enough to feed us for two weeks I swear. I have never had steak melt in my mouth until I met John and I am not exaggerating. Chicken breast-never tastier! Sausage of any form or fashion-just makes me want to turn cartwheels. He has this cooker thing that belonged to his grandparents he cooks potatoes in-they are so much better then any other way of being cooked-he even still cooks one for his grandmother and takes it to her. He grills veggies with the meat-LOVE the veggies. He even grills buttered bread so it has that grilled flavor:) The special Touches.
He can not just go in the kitchen and make chili dogs-he has to doctor all of it up and kick it up a notch! And he makes it all look like a perfectly choreographed dance. His chicken and spaghetti will make your nose run and your taste buds sing at the top of thier buds!
He loves to cook and I love to eat! Yin and Yang.
There is not a restaurant I have visited yet that has anything on Chef Chance!!
Read more: http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.ListAll#ixzz0tbJesRoU
Cause John Chance is a genius at preparing food. Take Sunday for instance, I had been watching thru closed eyelids too much TV and the Dairy Queen commercials really got me to thinking I wanted a Country Basket with extra gravy(for my fries-of course). John was going to grill but the meat had not defrosted and so he asked me what I wanted. Well thinking of Dairy Queen some more I decided greasy meat nachos from there sounded good too-I was very hungry at this point. John did not look thrilled that I had chosen DQ as a meal choice so I told him whatever was fine. He came home and made non-greasy nachos that were amazing. He doesn't just throw some chips on a paper plate and hamburger meat and cheese then nuke it(my way) he chops fresh ingredients and uses things in the kitchen only he would think of and then bakes them-sorry if the drool enables your keyboard but they are DELISH!! Well along with the nachos(all I was expecting) he had whipped up the best damn quacemole dip I have ever put on a chip-it was creamy and dreamy and all that on a bag of chips! He also had sour cream and salsa to put on the nachos. Way better than what I wanted from DQ!!
Monday he finally grills. When he grills he grills enough to feed us for two weeks I swear. I have never had steak melt in my mouth until I met John and I am not exaggerating. Chicken breast-never tastier! Sausage of any form or fashion-just makes me want to turn cartwheels. He has this cooker thing that belonged to his grandparents he cooks potatoes in-they are so much better then any other way of being cooked-he even still cooks one for his grandmother and takes it to her. He grills veggies with the meat-LOVE the veggies. He even grills buttered bread so it has that grilled flavor:) The special Touches.
He can not just go in the kitchen and make chili dogs-he has to doctor all of it up and kick it up a notch! And he makes it all look like a perfectly choreographed dance. His chicken and spaghetti will make your nose run and your taste buds sing at the top of thier buds!
He loves to cook and I love to eat! Yin and Yang.
There is not a restaurant I have visited yet that has anything on Chef Chance!!
Read more: http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.ListAll#ixzz0tbJesRoU
Introduction Blog
I tweet and facebook about a lot of stuff from food, friends, movies, products or just life in general.
I have blogged on myspace and made notes on facebook.
So now I have an official blog space for all those opinions I have that you may or may not care about. If you do, great, read on. If you don't please move on.
Live in East Texas, travel quite a bit and love/live life to it's fullest.
In my Fabulous Forties and celebrate a Birthday month because one day just isn't enough.
I have wonderful significant other and two spoiled rotten dalmatians and think life is GRAND.
Now that you know a little about me, tune in for more or tune out bore.
I have blogged on myspace and made notes on facebook.
So now I have an official blog space for all those opinions I have that you may or may not care about. If you do, great, read on. If you don't please move on.
Live in East Texas, travel quite a bit and love/live life to it's fullest.
In my Fabulous Forties and celebrate a Birthday month because one day just isn't enough.
I have wonderful significant other and two spoiled rotten dalmatians and think life is GRAND.
Now that you know a little about me, tune in for more or tune out bore.
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