Happy Memorial Day Weekend!

It's finally the weekend! I almost can't believe it!

This weekend we are planning on catching up on housekeeping. Also, as I've told some of you, we are working on our 5-year plan. We've been researching areas of the U.S. for a possible move, and we've narrowed it down considerably. We are down to two cities - but we can't reveal them yet! I blame it all on House Hunters!

Our plans for this evening: We are going on a date - at home! We're making homemade pizzas (mine with be a margherita with fresh basil, and Michaels will undoubtedly be a sausage and mozzarella masterpiece), while watching childhood favorite movies like Robin Hood and Sandlot. Sound good?

Break!

Is it the weekend yet?
I need a BREAK!

Las Vegas in exactly 1 month tomorrow!

Whistle Stop

Last night I finished reading Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe by Fannie Flagg, and I have to say, I am frustrated.

I grew up watching that movie, and I am disappointed to say that many of the details of the movie weren't in the book - which always makes me a little upset. Readers, you know that struggle! Anyway, the main detail that wasn't carried over to the movie was that Ruth and Idgie were in love with each other! That's a BIG detail! I got nothing of the sort from the relationship depicted on screen.

Also, the whole Peavey family was completely left out! They were about 1/3 of the book, and no mention was made of even their last name! Who could leave out a girl named Naughty Bird Peavey?!

A few other things that are frustrating:

• Buddy wasn't in love with Ruth in the book.
• Ninny dies in the book, and you're made to think she's Idgie in the movie! Bee Charmer!
• Idgie and Eva Bates "comfort each other," and Eva "comforts" pretty much everyone else in the town - and you never hear about her in the movie!
• The barbershop threat scene was a piece of evidence in the book, but wasn't featured in the movie.
• Idgie and Julian are at a roadside stand selling honey and other natural items in the epilogue, but not in the movie because you're meant to think Ninny is Idgie.

I guess it just goes to show that in the time the movie was released in 1987, it wasn't appropriate to talk about same-sex relationships or to go deep into the notion of feminism. I just never knew! In my mind though, both stories were great, and I will always love that movie.

This Weekend - May 8-10th

This weekend was great! I got to do a lot of fun things and meet/see people!


Friday
Michelle, Corban, Michael and I went to see Ted Allen at Taste Addison on Friday night. We weren't able to hear most of his Robert Mondavi presentation because of the gobs of people drinking wine and yacking away, but what I did hear was good. He made a shrimp scampi with a zucchini salad. He then talked about Chopped and Top Chef for the next thirty minutes. Apparently, he left Top Chef because Food Network offered him several shows.
Michelle and I "rushed the stage" to see him after his presentation, and above is my crappy resolution Blackberry photo that she was kind enough to take for me. He was sociable, and had plenty to talk about. He talked a lot about himself, but why wouldn't he - he's Ted Allen!


Saturday
We travelled to Sherman for Mother's Day, Prom, Dinner and Cellarman's. We went to see my Grandma, Granny, Mom and Martie. We stayed at Michael's parent's home to prep Amanda for Prom. She asked if I would do her hair and makeup, and below is a picture of the back of her hair.

Then, she asked Michael to put on her shoes:
BAD idea. Like he knows how to put a strappy shoe on a girl's foot - and carefully! haha!


Then, later, we went to City Limits with my parents for dinner. Great food. Greasy, but great. My mom and I both got burgers, and Dad and Michael got the chicken fried steak. YUM.


After that, we met up with a bunch of people to have drinks at Cellarman's Pub. I am a HUGE fan of the Spinach Artichoke dip there, so I have to get it every time. I think I need to post a review on TripAdvisor about it, actually!



Sunday
We spent the night in Sherman (of course...) and my mom made us breakfast before we left. Since then, we've made cheesecake! and will have pictures soon. I have no idea why we decided to make cheesecake, but we did! It's a Tyler's Ultimate recipe, so we'll see if it's an Oates Ultimate!

UPDATE: Had the cheesecake, and it was good. I'm not sure it was the "ultimate" cheesecake, but good nonetheless. Definately worth trying! http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/tyler-florence/the-ultimate-cheesecake-recipe/index.html (minus the lemon-blueberry topping)

Rain!

Ugh! It's supposed to rain all weekend! Weren't the showers supposed to be in April? Where are the flowers?!

"Garden"

Finally, here are pictures of our spring arrangement that Becca and Abby got for us for a wedding gift.(Don't pay attention to the water - we had just watered them....with Giada trying to get the Gnome)

These two are our creations. Then, in a tree outside next to our balcony -

A bird and her nest! Awww! And as you can imagine, it has been driving the cats CRAZY! They have ruined the bottom half of the blinds on our three long windows trying to catch a look at it. I think it's all the chicken-flavored The Good Life we've been feeding them.

Summer is Upon Us

I walked into work this morning, late because of Ina being sickly, and found that ALL of my coworkers have begun to tan. Like, go to a salon, tan. So, me and my mystic-tanning self went to my usual salon and bought a tanning package.

Now, I know what you're thinking. TANNING IS BAD FOR YOU! or JUST GO LAY IN THE SUN!

I know it's bad for your skin. But I don't want to glow in the dark anymore. And it's summer. Lame enough for you? There's more. I've tried tanning in the sun, and all that happens is I burn (even with sun screen on). Also, my tan/burn is splotchy, which couldn't be from the application of sunscreen - I apply evenly! Anyway, I've jumped into the world of tanning, so we will see how this goes.

In other news, it's all over the place about how one Miss America contestant is against gay rights. It was on NPR for crying out loud! My thoughts: At least she stood up for what she believed in, yet it was rude of her to do it on National television before so many people who are dealing with that issue (personally) all over the country. And you KNOW the gays were watching that pagent. My policy is you can speak your mind, but delicately. Then everyone go get a cupcake and a wine. (there are places that do that sort of pairing!)

Well, it's 7pm and the husband will be home soon. I will post pictures of my wedding present from my Becca (my boss) and Abby (Dev Director) soon. It's great!

Antique Chairs

I finally am posting pictures of our new chairs my grandparents gave us.

Barrel Back Side Chair

Club Chair (with Ina on top of it)

The club chair just needs a good cleaning, since it matches our decor (Navy blue and creme), while the side chair needs to be totally redone. It needs new springs, cushions and fabric. We're thinking a nice grey or green-based pattern. We're currently researching upholsters, and have found a few. I don't think we're going to have it done until after we go to Las Vegas!

At the family reunion (April 4th), my parents asked if we wanted to go to Las Vegas with them sometime soon. We talked, and we're going to go June 21-27th. It will be Michael's first time to go, so I'm sure we'll be doing a lot of sight-seeing along with losing our money! I hope we get to stay somewhere nice! Tomorrow we're going to Sherman for my uncle's birthday, so hopefully get some details then.

Yay! It's Friday!

This week was really long, it seemed. I had several projects at work, and even more at home. I am going to spend the weekend catching up on home projects - laundry, baking, upholstery project, hanging a mirror, etc. I'm planning to not leave the apartment. :) Well, except for Sunday evening when we go to Sherman for my uncle's birthday dinner.

Have a good one!

Dayquil

Did you know that Dayquil coats their medicine, in pill form, with some sort of pleasant-tasing liquid? So, therefore, lame people like me can take their medication. Good job!

I think I'm becoming non-responsive to Dayquil. I've been taking it everyday since last Thursday, and I don't think it's working anymore. Too quick! I'm not feeling terrible anymore, but I'm still snotty. ;)

Hopefully I will get over this mess soon - even if it's going to rain all weekend!

Stew or stoup for the weekend? I think so!