As some of you may have noticed, I have been blogging less than normal lately. I tossed in a restaurant review I had been saving for this very reason and I think I tossed up a cat story, but that's been it.
There has been so much going on that it feels like it's all stuck in a tube and I haven't figured out a way to clear the word clog yet. I suppose I'll start with the biggest and possibly most surprising thing.
I got married. (SURPRISE!)
On March 12th, James and I got married in a small and slightly hysterical ceremony for two. We eloped, kind of. I told my family because they hate surprises and they get their feelings hurt sometimes. James didn't really tell people until a few days ago. I was surprised because I have a huge family and things like this don't really stay quiet for long, but I don't know his family yet so maybe that's just how they are.
The person who performed the ceremony was Spanish speaking and he had one of the most hysterical accents I have ever heard. I don't know why, but I think it was because he was trying to be so earnest and sincere. The look on his face was just so hopeful and then he said "repeat after me." I was trying so hard not to giggle. It doesn't help that my left ear has 60% hearing loss, so repeating after him was really hard. I possibly should have studied prior to showing up, but I wasn't sure what vows he would use.
We only had one true mishap during the ceremony. Apparently, I was nervous and my hands swelled. When he attempted to put on the wedding band it didn't really want to go on. I helped him out and we finished the ceremony without any further trouble.
We had lunch at Subway afterward, which was awesome because I was starving and they had Sun Chips. I love that they have tons of veggies to put on their sandwiches, so it's like having a salad with some bread. We followed that up by going with Sadia, Jeff, and my brother Cameron to the Hard Rock in Orlando for dinner and to see Gabriel Iglesias. Gabriel Iglesias was hysterical. I think what I like about him the most is that he's really funny, but he's not mean. Some comedians seem to get off on being cruel, but Gabriel isn't like that. He tells these really funny stories and loves chocolate cake. How can you not like this guy?
I still have my apartment and we basically take turns at each others house, but my lease ends in about a month. I'll be moving out of Tampa and into James' house. I'll admit, I'm a little freaked out. We'll have to take this one step at a time.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Jazzy's BBQ
A few weeks ago, a friend of mine suggested that we go to Jazzy's BBQ for lunch. I decided to try it since I've heard so much about it. I love food, so any opportunity to expand my horizons is welcomed.
I'll start at the top and go item by item:
Corn Bread - Amazing. I loved it. It wasn't too sweet or dry. It was moist and blissful cornbread perfection.
BBQ Sauce - Good Stuff.
Sweet Potato Pie - It's the most amazing thing I think I have ever eaten. Seriously. This size pictured is the small and I sincerely wished I had sprung for the large. The pie crust is sweet and the filling and smooth and perfect.
Collard Greens - Good enough for my kitchen and good enough for my grandma.
Macaroni and Cheese - The dark spot in this otherwise delicious meal. It seems that they use chunks of bread in it. It's absolutely awful and flavorless. I'm not sure how this passes their test, because everything else is so full of flavor. It wasn't a lack of salt. It was a lack of flavor altogether.
The Ribs - The Ribs were very good. Even if you didn't douse them in BBQ sauce, they were delicious and not at all dry.
The Bottom Line: Try Jazzy's but skip the Mac N' Cheese.
Jazzy's is located at 5703 W Waters Avenue, Tampa, FL 33634. You can call for pick up at (813) 243-8872.
What you see here, from left to right, is Corn Bread, BBQ sauce, Sweet Potato Pie, Collard Greens, Macaroni and Cheese, and BBQ Ribs.
Corn Bread - Amazing. I loved it. It wasn't too sweet or dry. It was moist and blissful cornbread perfection.
BBQ Sauce - Good Stuff.
Sweet Potato Pie - It's the most amazing thing I think I have ever eaten. Seriously. This size pictured is the small and I sincerely wished I had sprung for the large. The pie crust is sweet and the filling and smooth and perfect.
Collard Greens - Good enough for my kitchen and good enough for my grandma.
Macaroni and Cheese - The dark spot in this otherwise delicious meal. It seems that they use chunks of bread in it. It's absolutely awful and flavorless. I'm not sure how this passes their test, because everything else is so full of flavor. It wasn't a lack of salt. It was a lack of flavor altogether.
The Ribs - The Ribs were very good. Even if you didn't douse them in BBQ sauce, they were delicious and not at all dry.
The Bottom Line: Try Jazzy's but skip the Mac N' Cheese.
Jazzy's is located at 5703 W Waters Avenue, Tampa, FL 33634. You can call for pick up at (813) 243-8872.
MacGyver Vs. Chuck Norris
When I was a young girl in the 80's I was only in love with one man. That man was MacGyver. He was so cool and smart. He could do anything with nothing. In my family, we know about that in a significantly less bad ass sort of way, so it appealed to be. He had that solid mullety goodness that my best friend Jenny B. and I swooned over. She had a poster of him in her bedroom and I was so jealous.
Recently, my coworkers and I had a discussion. In a battle between MacGyver and Chuck Norris who would be victorious? I doubt this is an original line of thought, but we discussed it anyway.
Certain people thought that Chuck Norris would be victorious since he is so strong and an awesome fighter. I say MacGyver because he is very smart, can escape from anything, can build the most complex things with the least complex tools, and the fact that he is hella hot. (Yes, I said "Hella." This is MacGyver we're talking about.)
Recently, my coworkers and I had a discussion. In a battle between MacGyver and Chuck Norris who would be victorious? I doubt this is an original line of thought, but we discussed it anyway.
Certain people thought that Chuck Norris would be victorious since he is so strong and an awesome fighter. I say MacGyver because he is very smart, can escape from anything, can build the most complex things with the least complex tools, and the fact that he is hella hot. (Yes, I said "Hella." This is MacGyver we're talking about.)
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Children are funny.
As you know, I don't spend an awful lot of time talking about my children. I'm not a mommy-blogger and I don't really think I would ever want to be. This blog post will be a little different because it is about Annie.
Annika just turned 7 on Valentine's Day. She's absolutely adorable, but beyond that she's very much an individual. She likes to be different. She likes to dress like a girl, but she wants to hang out with the boys. She worries about bullies, but she swears she won't let them push around her friends. She's decided that she is a werewolf and she's not kidding.
Annie recently had a "boyfriend." My mother completely freaked out. I didn't. I really don't think that it's a big deal. I don't see any point in decreeing that she not have a boyfriend. At this point, they just play together on the playground anyway. I think it's normal and healthy for children to express curiosity in the opposite sex and I think it gives us an opportunity to help her develop a pattern of positive behavior and choices.
Children see adults and they are aware that some of us date. They are curious about it and they want to be like us, so they imagine what it's like to have a boyfriend or girlfriend. They pretend to be boyfriend and girlfriend or moms and dads, but they also pretend to be doctors, cashiers, and cowboys. It's a natural part of growing up.
Do I want Annie to start planning her wedding? No, not at all. Annika isn't planning anything either. She looked at me sadly at told me they broke up. It seems he didn't like Michael Jackson, so it never could have worked out.
Annika just turned 7 on Valentine's Day. She's absolutely adorable, but beyond that she's very much an individual. She likes to be different. She likes to dress like a girl, but she wants to hang out with the boys. She worries about bullies, but she swears she won't let them push around her friends. She's decided that she is a werewolf and she's not kidding.
Annie recently had a "boyfriend." My mother completely freaked out. I didn't. I really don't think that it's a big deal. I don't see any point in decreeing that she not have a boyfriend. At this point, they just play together on the playground anyway. I think it's normal and healthy for children to express curiosity in the opposite sex and I think it gives us an opportunity to help her develop a pattern of positive behavior and choices.
Children see adults and they are aware that some of us date. They are curious about it and they want to be like us, so they imagine what it's like to have a boyfriend or girlfriend. They pretend to be boyfriend and girlfriend or moms and dads, but they also pretend to be doctors, cashiers, and cowboys. It's a natural part of growing up.
Do I want Annie to start planning her wedding? No, not at all. Annika isn't planning anything either. She looked at me sadly at told me they broke up. It seems he didn't like Michael Jackson, so it never could have worked out.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Quinn
Quinn is our resident lady's man. He's the only male cat in my house, for one. For two, my brother really isn't interested in dating, so the title defaults to Quinn.
Quinn thinks that Obi Wan is too young for him and treats her like a sister. They groom each other and snuggle, but he never attempts to engage her "romantically." Bella, on the other hand, seems to be just the right age for him. He's constantly stalking her and trying to get her attention. Bella could not be less interested. She was happy when it was just her and Obi Wan. She thinks that Quinn should let himself out once and for all.
Quinn and Bella engage in epic battles. If I am home, I generally attempt to separate them or talk them out of fighting. This morning, Quinn would not be deterred. Bella warned him and he kept coming.
Bella hid under our futon in the living room and Quinn snuck up on her. This was a mistake. Bella had taken all she planned to take for the day. She reached out and slapped him. She even used her claws and scratched his nose.
Quinn tore out of there and came to me crying. "LOOK WHAT SHE DID TO ME!" he seemed to be saying. I rubbed his back and head and then I disinfected his nose. He looked up at me in horror. I held him and snuggled him more until it didn't hurt anymore and then he fell asleep snuggled in between my pillows.
Quinn thinks that Obi Wan is too young for him and treats her like a sister. They groom each other and snuggle, but he never attempts to engage her "romantically." Bella, on the other hand, seems to be just the right age for him. He's constantly stalking her and trying to get her attention. Bella could not be less interested. She was happy when it was just her and Obi Wan. She thinks that Quinn should let himself out once and for all.
Quinn and Bella engage in epic battles. If I am home, I generally attempt to separate them or talk them out of fighting. This morning, Quinn would not be deterred. Bella warned him and he kept coming.
Bella hid under our futon in the living room and Quinn snuck up on her. This was a mistake. Bella had taken all she planned to take for the day. She reached out and slapped him. She even used her claws and scratched his nose.
Quinn tore out of there and came to me crying. "LOOK WHAT SHE DID TO ME!" he seemed to be saying. I rubbed his back and head and then I disinfected his nose. He looked up at me in horror. I held him and snuggled him more until it didn't hurt anymore and then he fell asleep snuggled in between my pillows.
This Quinn in the aftermath of his naughtiness. You can barely see the scratch from the photo, but this is definitely his sad face.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Weekend Update
This weekend was really just a laid back weekend. Friday, I had dinner with my brother at Sam Seltzer's. We both had the Prime Rib and creamed spinach. Cameron loves the creamed spinach, but I think it's a little too sweet and this batch was not thick at all. It was runny.
Saturday I just laid back and relaxed. I bought a gift for a baby shower I was invited to on Sunday. I watched the marathon of Pit Boss. I took a long nap. I don't have very many days like that, so it was nice.
Sunday morning, I stayed in bed until 9:00am. After breakfast, I watched some Food Network. I watched Ina Garten, Guy, and Bobby Flay's show "Grill It." I don't grill, but after that show there are a few things I'd like to try.
My cousin's baby shower began at one. It was adorable. She had baby clothing hung up all over the house above all the windows. All the doorways had lines of socks. Nearly all the women in my family were there, so we took many, many pictures. I can't remember the last time I laughed that hard with my cousins.
My aunt made amazing food. She made black beans and yellow rice, Spanish style pork, Cuban bread, and salad. My Aunt Rayna made amazing blueberry and cherry muffins. (She gave me the recipe last week, so if you're lucky I'll share it.) They got a cupcake cake from Sam's Club. I'll admit that I was skeptical, but it was the best cupcake I have ever had. That frosting was thick and delicious.
I don't usually enjoy baby showers, but this one was pretty good. There were no crazy shower games, just a lot of relaxing with people you don't see very often.
Saturday I just laid back and relaxed. I bought a gift for a baby shower I was invited to on Sunday. I watched the marathon of Pit Boss. I took a long nap. I don't have very many days like that, so it was nice.
Sunday morning, I stayed in bed until 9:00am. After breakfast, I watched some Food Network. I watched Ina Garten, Guy, and Bobby Flay's show "Grill It." I don't grill, but after that show there are a few things I'd like to try.
My cousin's baby shower began at one. It was adorable. She had baby clothing hung up all over the house above all the windows. All the doorways had lines of socks. Nearly all the women in my family were there, so we took many, many pictures. I can't remember the last time I laughed that hard with my cousins.
My aunt made amazing food. She made black beans and yellow rice, Spanish style pork, Cuban bread, and salad. My Aunt Rayna made amazing blueberry and cherry muffins. (She gave me the recipe last week, so if you're lucky I'll share it.) They got a cupcake cake from Sam's Club. I'll admit that I was skeptical, but it was the best cupcake I have ever had. That frosting was thick and delicious.
I don't usually enjoy baby showers, but this one was pretty good. There were no crazy shower games, just a lot of relaxing with people you don't see very often.
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