Restaurant Review time

So, y’all may know that I like to go out. I like to eat, drink, attend charity functions, watch all of the arts, and occasionally play games. Based on my frequency of going places, I have some standards in regards to service. Lately, these have not been met very well, and it makes me sad.

My first problem visit was on my anniversary. It was one of my favorite restaurant/bars, and I go often (The Social, which is connected to the Public House). This is my go-to out-of-town-guest treat slash if I owe someone a birthday drink spot. We arrived at around 6:30 on a Tuesday. There were people there, but it was by no means crowded. After ordering drinks directly from the bartender (who was covering for our waitress), we had to wait 30 minutes before she acknowledged us. I commented on the wait and did not even get an apology. I had another couple of drinks and got over it, but the service didn’t get any better.

Most recently, I went to a burger chain that is supposed to be “gourmet.” Now, as a vegetarian, I know which burger places have good meat substitution choices and which ones have frozen Boca burgers (no offense, Boca…). I’ve only been to this chain once (Red Robin, by the way), and remembered it as being decent. However, our served apparently was confused easily. I tried to tell her we had a 3rd person joining us, but she asked for our order twice before he showed up. As soon as we got our food she brought the check-this is better than having to wait for the check, but waiting 5 minutes for us to eat would have been acceptable. And I know some people are just awkward, but this poor girl did not smile once, nor did she know how to have a conversation. Side note-food was okay, but not worth it. I won’t be back. In fact, I had a similar experience with ANOTHER national chain (Chili’s) earlier this week….looks like local is the way to go!

Positive note- new pizza place (Community Pie) is not only delicious, but the servers know stuff and are nice and helpful. Even if you don’t fully read the menu and accidentally order something that is SSOOOO not vegetarian friendly (oops!).

Spring…is that you???

Well- I have been in some kind of mood here lately. Generally cranky and have absolutely zero motivation. I have abandoned the vegan challenge and the every day run challenge. It just wasn’t working for me. Too much self-inflicted guilt. Instead, I finally went hiking/climbing (how do you know which is which? I think I did both) and heavily drinking with my brother. That helped!

Also saw Oz this weekend. Not impressed, but not terrible. I think that is one franchise I will not buy into. On the other hand…super into Vampire Diaries right now…it’s bad. Like, losing sleep to watch one more episode bad. 

I’m in major tattoo mode. Can’t decide what I want. Something with a dandelion and a quote from either “The Little Prince” or “Alice in Wonderland.” Or both.

Also, hunting for a second job. To correspond with my hunt for a house to buy. Both of these are very lackadaisical hunts….more like a gaze, really.

2 year anniversary tomorrow- excited to go out to dinner and hiking w/ the husband. Work is generally crazy. Weekend ahead looks pretty dull (yes it’s only Monday and I’m already thinking about the weekend), but this one didn’t have horseback riding planned, and look what happened!

Off to appreciate the spring showers (aka monsoon…but whatever)

mashed potatoes..yumm!

Back on the vegan train!! Not all the way; I’m still cleaning out my refrigerator…that’s my excuse, anyway! Eggs are out, cheese is borderline at the moment, and I’m not reading ingredient lists yet. It’s a process, y’all!

Think we found a house we want to buy…I feel like I have learned SO much about personal finances in the past year or two, and our bank account is starting to show it. I’ve been reading blogs and watching videos and piecing together everyone’s “methods.” News flash: there is no magic pill (for anything: money management, weight loss, happiness) that will work for everyone! But, I’m finding the tips and tricks that make sense and work for us.

So far (and yes, I know it’s only the 5th) I’ve run every day this month! Yay, me! hope I can keep it up. My reward will be the Color Me Rad 5k on the 30th.

I’m getting SUPER excited about the Hangout. Beach and good music, hooray! Not too sold on the people I’m going with, but the more music I listen to the more I think it’ll be good. Now if only this veganism and running challenge could make me skinny, toned, and tanned just in time for the festival!

Movie review

I can’t see movies very often because there are no accessibly theaters in my area. However, sometimes I leave the husband at home and go eat my body weight in delicious, butter covered, movie theater popcorn (with a diet coke, of course…makes all the difference). I’m not terribly picky about movies, although I definitely have some opinions. That said, I have seen 3 movies this week.

#1-Django: This was a good movie. (Duh, Quentin Tarantino). I’m not sure if I liked it, per se, and I will not watch it again. However, it led my friend and I to a philosophical discussion on humanity, evil, and kindness. It also led us to drink whiskey, so overall, not a bad night!

#2- Gangster Squad: Predictable gun slinging. Not terrible, not impressive. 

#3- Hansel and Gretel: As a huge fan of fairy tales and re-imaginations of such, I was SUPER excited about this. And, it turned out to be my favorite of the 3. It was creative, it was funny, and there were witches. 

And after all of this adult film watching, I took the little to the Creative Discovery Museum to draw pictures and look at dinosaur stuff. Followed by (without the little) watching the Super Bowl. Overall, I’d say I’m fairly balanced!

Now it will probably be a while before I get to the theater again. I’m sure I’ll find something to do in the meantime, however

Coconut coffee creamer!!

SOOOO it’s been a while. I’ve been quite busy mulling over my life in general. I have decided that I absolutely have to move. And get back on the vegan train.
As a side note, schools in my area are closed today (this is the third or fourth time, counting delays) for COLD RAIN!!! That is not hazardous! Get over it.
So here I sit at work….HOORAY!

Happy Friday, world

Disco

Finally went to yoga after a quite long break. Life is a tad better now! Now that my body is happy, I’m playing with my christmas present. Read: watching clubby movies on netflix. In retrospect, I wish I had written a memoir. Mostly because I hardly remember anything, but I know I’ve had some fabulous times. So maybe I’ll start now! One memory at a time
Happy Christmas to all!

Whine!

This has been SUCH a crappy week! Since last Friday (count em, 6 days) I have been super emotional. Abnormal for me. Like, tearing up. All the time. Gross. Then there was a tragedy I still can’t really think about. Then, more mild stuff.
Some girl kept telling me how “sweet” it was that I married my husband. If she wasn’t so shallow, she would know the marriage was SO not a charitable act! Then I had a day-long bitch fest-sob story meeting. Then I got stood up by most of my clients. Then I blew out a tire and had to handle it like a grown-up.
Solution? Wine night with the parentals! Grown ups make me feel so much cooler
And now-tv, more wine, and bedtime!

Xmas v. Christmas

WELL, here come the holidays. And there goes my diet/workout. On the bright side, everyone wants to be social around now, so that’s fun. Through BBBS, I now have a little sister to hang out with also. Hubs and I are on track to do some budgeting work in the new year. We will also be playing around with the Real Food Challenges, unbeknownst to my other half

Work is going well, Spanish class is going well, and I’m staying fairly busy. Planning to go to Nashville for New Year’s; hopefully silly job schedules will cooperate! It will be good to be back with the group for the holiday. 

It doesn’t feel a bit like holiday season. I flat missed Hannukah, and I haven’t listened to the first Christmas song (on purpose). Even my church kids aren’t talking about the holidays they way they usually do. I guess there’s still time for that to change. We shall see. 

Side note- I try to be a nice person and do good where I can. I don’t talk about it much. It’s my business. However, it bothers me quite a bit when people do stuff that is “giving back” as a way to get attention and show how Christian they are. I will donate and volunteer and attend events until I can’t do anymore, but only for causes I believe in and only because it makes me happy. I will NOT contribute to a cross country bike ride to raise money. That is an activity you want to do. Donations are to pay for your vacation, not to support a charity. Unless you are famous, you will raise very little money/awareness outside of your friends and family. Social media does not make you a saint. So there.

Ka-ching!

Pretty sure I have my Christmas shopping done! Not that impressive, considering I’m only buying for my immediate family, but still!
I also got a call from Big Brothers Big Sisters today-found me a little. Good-bye, free time that I’ve been using to watch crappy tv! Super excited about having an excuse to do fun kid stuff.
I think the hubs and I are gonna do a scuba class. In a heated indoor pool. It could be fun, or he could get on my nerves…we shall see…
Got a busy schedule for the next 2 weeks (who doesn’t, right?), so my fantastic eating and exercising may be challenged. Of course, cooking, cleaning, and dancing count as exercise, so that works in my favor.
Reading Dave Ramsey’s “Total Money Makeover” makes me feel guilty about every purchase. Husband does not have said guilt. Hopefully the DVDs can brainwash him. Let us test that theory!  (Cue evil laugh…)
Side note- Carolina Chocolate Drops put on a damn good show!

Mmm, coffee!

Now that I have explored a variety of diets, workouts, and other self-help paraphenalia, it’s time to actually implement some change. So far my “kinda vegan/kinda real” food regimen has been spotty at best. Why? Because I buy crappy frozen food and then have an excuse not to cook something real. Or I overschedule and hubs and I can’t coordinate for dinner. Well, now it’s the holidays and we’re about to be trying to buy a house. Time to buckle down!
More info forthcoming. At this time, I’m off to plan food for this week, clip coupons, and run to the store. And then go run