A Book Tag

I've been book tagged by my sister-in-law, Britanny.

The rules:
1. Pick up the nearest book (at least 123 pages)
2. Turn to page 123
3. Find the 5th sentence
4. Post the 5th sentence on your blog
5. Tag 5 people

Britanny has been reading Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens:
I am slowly making it through--not much time to read these days.
Here's the line: "We'll cure you of that, my young master."

Mine is from the latest Mary Engelbreit Home Companion magazine:
"There are movies that are very well done and some that are execrably done."

I tag: Jenny, CJane, Dalene, Brenda, Lauriann

P.S. If you're anything like me, you looked at the word "execrably" and tried figuring out what it meant...
ex·e·cra·ble /ˈɛksɪkrəbəl/ [ek-si-kruh-buhl]
–adjective
1. utterly detestable; abominable; abhorrent.
2. very bad: an execrable stage performance.

I've Been Tagged - 8 Things

Hi.

I've been tagged.

I've been tagged by more than one other blogger out there but I'm going to only do this once. I'm pretty much an open book and y'all know everything there is to know anyway. So this might be boring to some of you but hopefully at least ONE person might learn a little sumthin' sumthin' about me.

1. I just went over 6 wks without shaving my body hair. Not by choice, well kinda by choice, but because I haven't unpacked the box that has my 15 razors in them. "You could buy one at the store," you say. Yes, I could. But, and that's a BIG but, that's against my nature. I know I already have 15 brand-new-never-been-used razors on the premise and it'd be a waste of money to buy another before using the ones I already have. Lisa finally brought me a razor and I succumbed to shaving my legs (which feel oooh sooo soft and cuddly now)... but I didn't shave my underarms. Let's be honest here, it's chilly in the NW so I won't be wearing shirts that unveil that part of myself anyway so what's the point?

2. Tonight I announced in front of seven others that I "just about" flipped my father-in-law off. Here's the sitch... we're all sitting around talking about going on a cruise (I don't think I'd be a fan and everyone else was trying to convince me otherwise) when the subject turned to me (as it often does because I'm the more controversial of the bunch). They were making fun of my parenting style. My energy level is about a 1 out of 10 today. I'm still getting over the cold and feel really run down (plus I'm a single parent, sort of, still unpacking and plenty other duties). So everytime my kids would act up or run by when they're supposed to walk, I would lackidazily say (picture Droopy Dog), "Stop it, slow down, cut it out." Yelling doesn't do it, whispering doesn't either so I've been demoted to broken record. Then I explained that I was telling them all day to chill out (they just rough house until someone gets hurt) until I crashed into a nap in the middle of the day from exhaustion. My FIL says something like, "Why would YOU be TIRED?" Sometimes I just feel like no words can express how I feel and a lonely finger flailing in the air might do the trick. But, alas, I restrain and instead TELL him, and everyone, that I just about did. I shouldn't do that... somewhere I've lost the DNA that keeps me tactful because I'm pretty sure I don't have that one. I'm glad I didn't do it, of course (I'm not THAT bad), because there is no excuse for bad behavior like that (pretty immature, really).

3. I'm a smeller. Memories are triggered by smells. I remember in college I was hanging in the pool hall when I distinctly remember stopping in my tracks by an arcade game and thinking of my girlfriend Annette's house when we were in the 6th grade. There was a smell to that house no other could simulate. If I walked one step forward or back it would go away. I couldn't figure out the origin and it wasn't there again, but for that moment I was little again. I like the smell of men... not just a cologne or body spray (big fan of the manly scents) but also just the fresh way a man smells (not the rotten kind, I'm not gross). Scent of a Man... that should be a movie with Mr. McConaughey.

4. I have HUGE feet. Have always had big un's but after having kids they grew to a whopping 11! Do you know how HARD it is to find a good looking shoe above a 9? Way! Sometimes I can cram into a 10.5 but really it's not practicle and an 11 is the only way to go comfortably.

5. After walking into two different cars in one week that looked EXACTLY like mine, I finally succumbed to the art of bumper stickering my car SOLEY for the ease of locating my car in a sea of other black Tahoe-looking rigs (it's a Denali, but they all look similar). Instead of slapping them on the bumper, I stuck them to the back windshield.

My first is a Happy Bunny one (from Natalie) that says, Hey you made me throw up a little.

Other favorites:
You'd be cooler if you were me
Tact is for people who aren't witty enough to be sarcastic
It's better to be hated for who you are than loved for who you are not
I met "The Man" at Dixie's BBQ, Yeah Baby!
When life gives you lemons, squirt your enemies in the eye
Bikers Against Child Abuse
The last thing i want to do is hurt you, but it's still on the list
Those who think they know everything annoy those of us who do
I'm not passing judgment, I just think you're stupid

6. People will often look at me weird when I approach complete strangers in public to compliment something about them. Who DOESN'T like a compliment? Well, really, me. It's hard for me to TAKE a compliment but I've been working on it. So instead I tell people I like their bag, hair or the way they treat their children. A guy was walking into Costco the other day with his baby daughter wiping her cheek and cooing at her when I told him that's the CUTEST thing seeing a daddy be sweet on his little girl!

7. I like to win. Particularly board games. Video games I can succumb to (unless I'm playing with Ben) but board games get me going if I'm not on a winning streak. Like the time Kim's hubby fake-beat me in Mexican Trains (dominoes that I LOVELOVELOVE to play anytime, anywhere). I had the best score but someone said the last round was winner take all and he happened to win that round and gloated the next couple days that he beat me. Whatever [tongue sticking out], hairy.

8. I'm a horrible gift receiver. HORRIBLE! I want what I want when I want it. I know that's not fair to the gift giver, and I'm working on that (notice the number of things I'm working on?), but I figure if everyone knows AHEAD of time then they're duly warned and know better. Those who don't though, I have sympathy for because I just can't fake it. My face doesn't know how to go Poker-style when I'm given a gift that isn't useful or absolutely perfect.

So here are the general rules for me... I do NOT like getting: baked goods (unless it's from Azucar or CJane), bath items (smells are important to me... re-read #3 if you forgot already), candies (I don't have a huge sweet tooth, except for PayDays, traditional brownies (no frosting) and the corner is my favorite, Macadamia Toffee from VChocolates.com and peanut butter m&m's (or double ya double ya's as my daddy calls them and now Piper does too), tee shirts (because I look like an idiot in them unless they're baby doll style that comes in at the waist with a v-neckline and long in the torso so my muffin top doesn't hang out) or art work (art is relative and I believe that a piece must SPEAK to you if you'll be displaying it in your home).

A little "muffin top" for ya...

The ABC's of Lucky

A - Attached or Single: attached to my Nordic prince who’s 5 years younger than me but WAY smarter, taller and musically inclined.

B - Best Friend: blanket answer, My Lisa. We’ve been friends for over 10 years. However, I have many “besties” who know more about me than anyone should and I trust them with that LOL (Cathy, Tiffany, Christine, Ann, etc.).

C - Cake or Pie: cheesecake, the Chocolate Dream from Carrabba’s (but it MUST be shared unless you’re a freak) or made-from-scratch (shout out to Azucar who’s made the most amazing from-scratch cakes I’ve ever tasted).

D - Drink of Choice: 1.5% milk (my dad used to say I drank so much I should be IV’d to a cow), pink lemonade, Clementine Izze straight from the bottle (sorry about my residual licking of the rim, just bugs me to leave a little behind).

E - Essential Items: cell phone, camera/computer, A/C and my new watch from Denmark with 2 faces (one set to Mountain and the other to Pacific).

F - Favorite Color: red and pink to look at (not together, separately), chocolate to wear and orange as an accessory (as in my faux leather handbag and Harley).

G - Gummi Bears or Worms: bears, but not all colors (green & yellow taste dumb).

H - Hometown: 10-17yrs old Clovis, NM… 17-early 20’s Spokane, WA… mid-20’s-31 Seattle, WA.

I – Indulgence(s): jewelry, original artwork, gourmet food, reality TV (Miami Ink and Simmons Family Jewels) and girls night out.

J - January or July: January… love the cozy feel of a sweater or sweatshirt and hot drinks (Wassail, flavored herbal teas and hot cocoa with real cream) with friends and family (not a fan of heat because you can only get SO naked).

K - Kids: just 2… Jack (named after my grandpa who didn’t have biological kids of his own) and Piper (who’s middle name is a shout-out to My Lisa).

L - Life is incomplete without: ethics, good food with good friends, laughter and faith (in many things, not just religious).

M - Marriage Date: in March of 98 because it’s in the middle of any holidays so we wouldn’t have to share (plus it wasn’t the height of wedding/vacation season and rates are lower; I’m pretty practical that way).

N - Number of Siblings: 1 brother, Jason (was going to be Matthew), who’s 7yrs younger, single, treats women with respect and is a talented welder by trade.

O - Oranges or Apples: oranges, but don’t like the seeds and prefer the taste of tangerines, and the smell of them over lemons.

P - Phobias/Fears: have nightmares about snakes and my children being badly hurt (especially being hit by a car as I was when I was 4).

Q - Favorite Quote: You are unique; just like everyone else.

R – Restaurants (I changed this one): Carrabba’s in Orem, JaK’s Grill in Issaquah, Dixie’s BBQ in Bellevue, Thai Village in American Fork and Red Robin for their fries.

S - Season: anything but summer because it’s so hot and I don’t do well in hot. I remember one year Lisa and I went to Utah in the summer and it was so hot she swore it was a good thing she wasn’t a crayon.

T- Tag Three: whoever hasn’t done one of these ever or lately.

U - Unknown Fact About Me: lived with cats all my life until I moved to Vancouver, WA as an adult and became allergic (even to my family cats whom I grew up with sleeping on my neck and rubbing my face as I got ready in the morning).

V - Vegetarian or Oppressor of Animals: I believe in the ethical treatment of animals (don’t like the idea of wearing fur as an accessory) but eat meat and desire dairy products throughout the day (cheddar cheese, cottage cheese, milk).

W - Worst Habit: forgetting to call people back after I’ve listened to then deleted their voice mails intending to call back… saving even the tiniest amount of leftovers just to end up tossing them in the garbage.

X - X-rays or Ultrasounds: x-rays because ultrasounds kinda creep me out.

Y - Your Favorite Foods: well-made, thin-crust pizza with fresh ingredients, Cinnabon with cooold milk (once or twice a year and usually with My Lisa), white sauce, Big Salad, a nice med-rare filet, bleu cheese burger at Mon Amie Gabi in Vegas, anything that Cathy makes, CW’s blueberry homemade ice cream, PayDay candy bar, anything with cream cheese and Sticky Chicken (Hawaiian recipe that’s called by many names).

Z- Zodiac: Gemini.

ABC Meme

A – Available or Single: Neither, I’m happily married (9yr anniversary this year) to Ben.

B – Best Friend: My Lisa, 10 yrs this year; but I have numerous “besties” (you know who you are).

C – Cake or Pie: Pumpkin pie (anytime of year) or cheesecake (our wedding cake my mom fabulously made; 5 tiers and all handmade). Brownies.

D – Drink of Choice: Lemonade, preferably pink. Raspberry Italian Soda with Cream. Hot chocolate with Postum (lots) or Pero (teaspoon) and hazelnut flavoring.

E – Essential Item You Use Everyday: Computer. On it throughout the day, usually. I should be using my camera everyday (getting my new one on MONDAY - I'm so excited).

F – Favorite Color: To wear, pink and/or brown. To look at, red and/or black.

G – Gummy Bears or Worms: Pronounced “goo-me” (Gumi) in Germany and soft, squishy bears all the way (although I could do without the green ones).

H – Hometown: Don’t have one but some I say are Clovis (6), Spokane (6) and Seattle/Redmond (5); I say I’m from Redmond, WA (born in San Diego).

I – Indulgence: Éclairs; I prefer them naked (without the chocolate on top unless it's REALLY good chocolate but the grocery stores usually just pile icing on top - barf).

J – January or February: February because it’s closer to getting winter over with. Ben and I celebrate VD either before or after the actual day (14th) but not on Friday or Saturday.

K – Kids and Names: Jack is 7 tomorrow and he’s named after my grandpa who didn’t sire children of his own and Piper who’s a kick in my pants. I hope that there are 2 more out there (but I’m not physically birthing them); a boy that was born in ’01 and his sister who was born in ’02 and they are mentally, emotionally and physically sound (within reason, of course); orphans?

L – Life is Incomplete Without: Faith in Jesus Christ and our Father in Heaven. Or Pringles. Or forgiveness. Or Chapstick.

M – Marriage Date: March 28, 1998 (I picked March because it begins with M and the 28th because that’s my birth date in May (write that down because I like gifts if they're EXACTLY what I ask for or VERY sentimental or thoughtful) – so all Ben needs to do is remember the 28th in any Month that starts with M).

N – Number of Siblings: One younger brother (by 7 yrs), Jason, who was almost Matthew. We’re not uber close but I love him and glad he’s a good guy. Then there are Ben’s siblings: Bridgette & Mark, Britanny & Jake, Brett, Bryant and Brad.

O – Oranges or Apples: Tangerines; sweet & sassy. Love the smell.

P – Phobias or Fears: I don’t do well with heights. My fear is my children getting hurt, maimed or killed (especially in the street).

Q – Fave Quote: You’re unique; just like everyone else. –and- You don’t make time. Time is always there. You just decide what to do with it. – Yours truly

R – Reason to Smile: My children who are the funniest kids I know. Or when my husband makes me laugh (he can really make me bust a gut even though he's not a comedian).

S – Season: Fall for the crisp air, turning leaves, sweaters, bundling up on the couch, cider, Hot Pumpkin Surprise Cake with fresh whipped cream, sunsets and fireplaces.

T – Tag 3 or 4 People: b., cjane, elpasorepresentyo, formerly phread.

U – Unknown Fact About Me: Not much that people don’t know about me because I’m too honest. I had breast reduction surgery in 1994 and hope to again now that I'm done having kids.

V – Vegetable You Don’t Like: Green peppers; abhor them but wish I liked them.

W – Worst Habit: Chewing my finger skin (not my nails). Buying things on sale BECAUSE they're on sale (thinking that I'll have use for them someday).

X – X-rays You’ve Had: As a baby with broken femur, right middle finger (basketball) and back.

Y – Your Fave Food: Anything with a white sauce (preferably Alfredo), medium-rare filet mignon, peanut butter cookies, Tom Kah Gai, Bags of Gold, chocolate & Wendy’s fries (but not all in the same meal).

Z – Zodiac Sign: Gemini but I don’t put much stock in the Zodiac. I do, however, have a fun time with the Chinese New Year. This (2007) is MY year (the Boar) beginning February 18th when it officially begins.

100 Things About Me

1. I have blue eyes but they change from blue to hazel to gray depending on my mood.
2. Forbidden to shave my legs until I was 13, I used my dad’s electric razor to shave my arms.
3. At 6wks old I was in a body cast for 2wks with a broken femur then at 4yrs old I was run over by a taxi while laying on a speedbump.
4. I get motion sick easily; especially watching swirly video games or flying in movies.
5. My shoe size was 9 in HS, 10 during my 20’s then 11 after having kids.
6. Never had to read a book for school because we moved around so much.
7. My first “official” date at 16 was with an older guy (18) named Alfie; we were detained by a flood but was home by curfew at 10pm.
8. Right this very moment it’s 11:11 – my favorite time of day.
9. First boyfriend, Brian Eastman, was black (probably still is).
10. If I don’t know how to do something I figure out how – and do it well.
11. I have a goddaughter even though I’m not Catholic.
12. Am good with remembering people’s names.
13. Have an uncontrollable urge to take charge of planning get togethers.
14. I take over projects and do them myself because it’s difficult for me to give up control.
15. I have been working on, and getting better at, admitting when I’m wrong.
16. My tattoe (it's a tatoo on my toe) is a tiny sun.
17. When pregnant with my first, my OBGYN had to “surgically” remove (she used pliers) the belly button ring I got 2wks before I got pregnant.
18. When living with my grandpa, visitors mistook me for his nurse because he looked like a black man (very dark Hawaiian) and I’m the whitest white girl.
19. I never wanted to have a daughter but wouldn’t have it any other way now.
20. Don’t really need to tweeze my eyebrows (just a few each month).
21. Stopped wearing makeup on a regular basis about 22yrs old.
22. Had wished I were a boy when I was young because I was jealous they could potty standing up.
23. Taunted an albino bull to the point where he charged at me and got stuck by the barbed wire fence (he got stuck, not me).
24. Almost burnt down a barn while playing with a boy in Germany.
25. The only thing I ever stole was 5 francs (maybe marcs but not pfennig) from my parents to buy ice cream but I felt so guilty that I ate it too fast to enjoy and gave myself the worst brain freeze.
26. I’ll almost try anything once (unless it’s potentially dangerous or against my beliefs).
27. When I see someone being kind to a child I tear up and almost cry.
28. Popped about 4 antacids while on a fieldtrip on the Rhine river in Germany thinking they were candy (I didn’t read German very well).
29. Met my biological dad when I was 25yrs old in a non-Sally Jesse Raphael way.
30. Was jealous of my brother as a teenager because he was the biological child of the man I called “daddy” and I wasn't.
31. Been drunk twice, both on accident.
32. Voluntary medically necessary bilateral reduction mammoplasty on 11 Oct 94.
33. Attended non-denominational churches without my family starting in high school.
34. Had a pet rat named Thaddeus Winston Reginald Poindexter.
35. My CB handle (when I had one) was “Sweet Lady” (long & high sweeeeeeet).
36. Feel germ phobic at county fairs but not at rodeos.
37. Have a soft spot in my heart for true cowboys (especially ones my dads age).
38. Am a regular at Carrabba’s in Orem; been there 4 times in 1 week before.
39. Can’t wear high heels long enough to get used to the pain.
40. Am proud of my obnoxious bumper stickers on my car (one says “It’s better to be hated for who you are than loved for who you aren’t”).
41. Won’t ever bungee jump or sky dive for fear I’ll shart myself.
42. Knew more about computers than my hubby our first few years of marriage.
43. Earned Employee of the Month awards at 2 different companies.
44. Prefer to assist than to lead (although I don’t act like it).
45. Talk to strangers and give suggestions when at the store (especially bargains).
46. Lived in Germany at 7-9yrs old and treasure the memories.
47. Have 2 kids; a boy who makes me laugh and a girl who makes me worry ;o)
48. I don’t iron unless it’s fabric for quilting (all our clothes straighten out in the dryer).
49. Know more about celebrities than scripture stories and heros (working to change that).
50. Never wanted to smoke & despise the smell of cigarettes (but I like pipe tobacco).
51. Spent every Thursday for 10yrs on the couch watching Friends (except summer).
52. Used techniques to further my chances of conceiving a boy (it worked).
53. Competitive by nature, I don’t like to lose but I try to do it honorably.
54. Love playing Mexican Trains (dominos) and would like to more often.
55. When I get around to cleaning I usually do a good job.
56. Am uber organized yet still a pack-rat (have 2 piles of where-should-this-go).
57. Used to jump on the roof when babysitting my little brother to scare him.
58. Am a fiend at Sudoku (have it on my PSP and a handheld pocket one too).
59. I rarely read books but when I do I can’t put it down and finish in record speed.
60. Have a habit of starting projects but not finishing them (Christmas stockings).
61. Usually don’t need a coat because my body is always warmer than normal.
62. Had an obsession with The Pirate Movie as a teen (those were the days).
63. A friend looked me up 15yrs after HS to tell me he named his daughter after me.
64. My first apartment used to be a brothel back in the day (I loved that place).
65. Played all types of clarinets for 6yrs and was in flag corp in HS marching band.
66. Was naïve to a sexual prank caller while working at the hotel (he was found out and caught but no charges were pressed because it wasn’t a crime).
67. Envy those who can whistle with their fingers.
68. Don’t care for birds to touch me but I love looking at them in cages.
69. Have perpetual back pain due to a parking lot accident 4 years ago.
70. I like making people smile.
71. Jumped out of a car at a stoplight when the driver cracked open a beer.
72. Was 18yrs old when I asked my daddy to finally adopt me.
73. I prefer to be barefoot and don’t like wearing socks.
74. My daddy’s peanut butter cookies are my favorite dessert (brownies close 2nd).
75. Like watching live births of mammals (including humans). So fascinating.
76. Hats look stupid on me.
77. I weigh more than people think (or so they say LOL).
78. The only food aversion I have is green peppers; favorite is Tom Kah Gai soup.
79. I like who I am when I’m with my Lisa.
80. I get along better with guys than girls (maybe because of my brutal honesty).
81. My feelings get hurt easily and I have a tender heart that few people see.
82. Talking kind about my children brings me to tears.
83. Like my house, view, neighborhood and friends but ache to move to the NW.
84. Even though the dentist encourages it, I don’t floss unless something’s stuck.
85. I love to spend hours sifting through magazines and avoid reading books.
86. I love photography. But I love you more you see. But I still love photography. Always and forever. Always and forever.
87. Would rather go to bed earlier than I do and wake up earlier & get stuff done.
88. Currently, I have a clean driving record and try my best to keep it that way.
89. Passing a soldier in uniform on the street swells my heart with gratitude.
90. Even though my religion is criticized by many, I find peace, comfort and strength in learning more about Christ at church and serving my fellow man.
91. Like watching home improvement and cooking shows.
92. Blogging is a passion for me lately; more reading others than writing my own though.
93. Love animals but became allergic to cats at about 22yrs old.
94. Have a knack with babies that aren’t my own (until about 6mos old).
95. Am harder on my kids than I should be and I’m working on that.
96. Really good at folding laundry… when I get around to it.
97. Passed my motorcycle training course & written test with flying colors.
98. Love to entertain and have new neighbors over for dinner.
99. Can’t understand racism, no matter how hard I try.
100. Have an awesome husband, my Nordic prince, who’s 5yrs younger than me.

Gift Wish List

Don't know about you but I like GIVING gifts that are exactly what people want. Maybe that's because I also like GETTING gifts that are exactly what I want.

As requested by ~j, here is my impromptu list in no particular order...

A Photographer's Life: 1990-2005 by Annie Leibovitz
Heated gloves, pants and jacket from Harley Davidson
Electra-glo light pod plus expansion pack in amber for my 2001 Heritage Softail Classic Harley
Wusthof 3.5" paring knife
How to Cook Everything cookbook by Mark Bittman
The Five Love Languages of Children by Gary Chapman
Digital remote release control for my Nikon D200 digital camera
SB800 Nikon digital camera flash
Nikon 105mm f2.8 lens (this one Karen & Heather)
Nikon 16mm f2.8 Fisheye lens
"Sticks" armoire
Carrabba's restaurant gift certificate(s)
Sleep Number 5000 bed (I'm a 25)
Cougar Opaque white paper (apparently it's at Xpedx and fine art supply stores)
Red on white label cartridge for P-touch 1800 Brother label maker
Rosencrantz & Guildenstern are Dead DVD (USA region)
Holiday wreath for my front door (handmade is cool, nothing tacky though)
Pretty stationery with envelopes for handwriting letters
Silver business card holder (not pokey or dorky) or $36 to get one I saw in Park City
Knitted scarf that's 6" wide and really long with fringe at ends
Extend my Mary Engelbreit magazine subscription
Decorative bobby pin(s); not huge embellishment, but small & sneaky adornment
Knee-high socks (Walmart has some for less than $2/pair)
VChocolates Macadamia Toffee
Oil painting art classes
A whistle

Jack's wish list...
Spongebob Squarepants Ants in the Pants (less than $8 at Walmart)
Bionicle Battle of Metru Nui building play set
Animal Planet Remote Control Snake (Toys R Us)
Yu Gi Oh cards (as little as $2/pack)
Yu Gi Oh Carrying Case or Storage Compartment
Blue Man Group Keyboard
He likes transformers, books about anatomy of people/animals/plants, comics that he can read (phonics comics), dollar bills, phonics book sets and toys that DO something.

Piper's wish list...
Spongebob Squarepants Krabby Patty Station
Animal Planet Sea Life Set (Toys R Us)
Black & Decker Power Tool Workshop
Tots Sports Bowling Set
Dora's Magical Castle (there are smaller/separate sets)
Baby doll clothes (Cabbage Patch & smaller babies)
Dress up clothes and accessories

Ben's wish list (made by his wife)...
Wii
Wii games
Wii extra controls

My New License - it's OFFICIAL

I propose that everyone owning a viral shirt wears it for their next driver license picture. Then everyone will know you are an official member of the viral club. Hear, hear.

I wish on the "weight" portion we could put "fluctuates."

After 29, I wish women's licenses could read "old enough to know better."

Under "hair", I wish it could read BLONDE instead of BLD because that looks like blood or bald.

For "height", I wish they could list in inches instead of feet; I'd be 69".

Like our license plates, I wish we had a choice of background picture; I'd have the SLC temple.

I'm not sure what CLASS means but I wish I weren't rated a "D"; how about A or B?

I wish everyone else in blogland would post their driver license picture.

Going Out To Eat

I LOVE going out to eat.

This love developed shortly after I heard one too many, "I don't like this. I don't want to eat it. Waaaah!" Besides, cooking takes preparation, time and talent and I'd rather blog, or sew, or sit on my butt watching TiVo'd Oprah. We don't think about cooking until everyone is starving and by then it's too late to get started. I know I've trained my family to be this way - shame on me.

When I go out to eat I pretty much get the exact same thing everytime at each restaurant. Each place has one or more items on the menu I love and trying something else (like my hubby does EVERY time) just ends in disappointment and wishing I had just gotten what I always get.

Here's my list of restaurants and what I get there, in no particular order... (drum roll please)

1. Carrabba's: filet Marsala, Mezzaluna Carrabba (combination of 2 dishes) or the Salmon
On a number of times (at least 3) the salmon has come to me not completely cooked, so watch out for that. Anything with the word "Bryan" in it is delicious. The taglainini (sp?) is foul - not in the chicken sense but in the gross sense. Proceed with caution. Most entree's come with soup (all are yummy but the spicy chicken is especially) or a salad; the Caesar is the best and I get mine without croutons - if I'm going to eat all that bread in olive oil then I need no croutons. Oh, another thing about the olive oil, you have to ask for the balsamic vinegar; add it.

2. Wendy's: grilled chicken sandwich with fries and a coke
I figure that ordering the GRILLED chicken instead of the breaded/fried gives me permission to have some fries and coke. Sometimes I'll throw away the end of the bread if I run out of chicken in the bites. This is not how I grew up but I'm trying to convert - I don't have to eat everything on my plate MOTHER!

3. Los Hermanos: Halibut Veracruz
Now, the clencher with LH is that I never go if I have to wait longer than 10 minutes. There is no burrito on this planet worth a 2 hour wait. Swing through Taco Hell - it's faster anyway. Their purple smoothie drink is worth the $ but not worth buying a t-shirt and wearing it there so you can get it for free. Seriously, I don't want to look like an idiot to save $3.25. No offence to those who do want to look like idiots... you're saving lots of money and that is to be commended!

4. Thai Village in AF: Pad Thai and/or the coconut soup (can't remember the official name)
This place gets a bad rap because they serve their soda in a can. But, I am happy to know that no bugs have fallen into the fountain container and I'm drinking the real deal. There is one server there that needs an attitude adjustment (WE are the customer, don't be a jerk) but most of them are gracious. Pad thai is what I get at any Thai restaurant.

5. Cafe' Rio: grilled steak salad only if I'm going there with someone who loves it will I wait in line for 30-45 minutes for some friggin' lettuce and chewy sliced steak.
I don't get the big deal about that place. It's just too long to wait for a burrito (see the LH notes). Granted, I do think their tomatillo ranch dressing is to DIE for but my gourmet friend Miss Teenie can make it pretty close to the real deal. The place we prefer is...

6. Bajio: chicken chimichanga with black beans and sweet rice topped with mango salsa
B usually gets the pineapple shrimp salad but I think the shrimp are dumb. They're just little guys, not worth stabbing around the lettuce for (ending in a preposition?). But the guys behind the counter are the SAME ones everytime (seems like they're at the other ones we go to also, but I'm sure they're not). The kids chaw on a cheese quesadilla ("Make yourself a dang quesa-dill-a, Napoleon!") and the sweet rice while gulping down Apple Beer (who's idea was Apple Beer anyway?)

7. California Pizza Kitchen: hummus with pita bread if with a friend and Margherita Pizza
I can eat a whole pizza by myself. The crust is thin and tasty and the ingredients are fresh basil, mozzarella cheese and tomato sauce. The hummus is to die for. They have a spicy grilled chicken soup that, I swear, is the same that you can get in the refridgerator section of Costco. I have one in my freezer at this very moment.

8. Carl's Jr.: I love, love, love the low-carb $6 burger that comes wrapped in lettuce instead of a bun
Sometimes they use a piece of lettuce that is too monsterous to get into your mouth but the patty is so tasty and the fresh ingredients are refreshing. Sometimes I top it off with an Oreo Shake --- I don't eat the burger for any type of diet, I just like the taste.

9. Arby's: jalepeno poppers with the berry dipping sauce
I'll swing through and just snack on those sometimes. Not ALL the time or often but they're fun and I won't go through the trouble of making them at home.

10. Tepanyaki: chicken with veggies
This is a fun place to go if you have a group and are alright with smelling like grill smoke. You must be ready for them to hurl a busted piece of shrimp or chicken (if you're allergic to fish) into your mouth but even my kids have successfully accomplished this feat (one is 6 and the other almost 3). I hear they're opening one in Lehi right off the freeway. The Provo one is out-of-date and kinda trashy. My P loves the broth they bring out at the beginning; shocking.

These are all places in the Utah Valley area. Restaurants up in SLC have much better cuisine than we do down here and I do try what sounds good on the menu (Red Rock Brewery, Lugano's, Pine, The Boulevard, Cucina's). With the exception of Carrabba's, we've found the food choices in the valley to be sub-par.

What makes your tastebuds tap?