Gluttony at the Fondue Restaurant

My gig a low and I went to one of those fondue restaurants to celebrate our birthdays tonight. My gig a low's birthday is tomorrow. I now know what the bible means when it talks about being a glutton. So if gluttony = sin, I did some major sinning tonight. Really I ate until I was sick. That's how bad (good) it was.

It was a cold and beautiful day today, the sky was blue by the time we went over the Bridge. It was so clear you could see all the bridges. The bay was choppy and the water looked very chilly. The hills are all green already this year. I still think the bay area is one of the most lovely places to live. Sorry I got side track.

Anyways, this fondue restaurant was made out of bricks, it was dark with dim lighting, kind of like eating in a cave. They had a birthday card waiting for us resting on the fondue pot when we arrived at our table. All the staff had signed it in different color ink pens. That was a nice touch.

We order the 4 course meal.

The first course :

White wine, garlic, whole grain mustard nutmeg, Gruyère and Fontina in the fondue pot. We had them put extra garlic and mustard in the pot so I did not taste any nutmeg. To bad because I like nutmeg. They also brought a bread basket with 3 different kinds of bread chunks, green apples chunks, salami chunks and cauliflower.

Second corse

Salad: it had oven roasted tomatoes, Gruyère, Raclette and

Fontina cheeses, It had hard-boiled eggs and sunflower seeds, topped with a sweet and sour red wine vinaigrette.

Third Corse

1 Lobster Tail, Filet Mignon pieces,

NY Strip pieces, Smoked Bratwurst chunks, 4 marinated Shrimp, 4 chunks of Roasted Garlic Crusted Chicken, 4 Sun Dried Tomato Raviolis and a plate full of broccoli, potatoes and white button mushrooms.

They had a host of dipping sauces and batter to dip and fry our meal in.

We saved calories by having the oil in the fondue pot “Bourguigonne” style - cholesterol free, 0 trans fat.

Did we eat all our vegetables? no.

Fourth Course

Ok are you ready for this - DARK CHOCOLATE and PEANUT BUTTER fondue. Although the dark chocolate was not that dark tasting. It tasted like milk chocolate. I asked the waitress about it. She said their dark chocolate was mild. I didn't make a fuss because after all it was chocolate. It came with a happy birthday plate that had our names written in chocolate. Our little birthday plates came with tiny brownies, cheesecake and bananas. The big plate had more tiny brownies, more cheesecake, 2 little chunks of pound cake, strawberries, 2 marshmallows each, One was coated with oreo’s and the other with gram crackers. All to dip in our "dark" chocolate and peanut butter fondue.

Do you think I would let any of this go to waste? I do not like marshmallows. So I did not eat them.

I topped it off with a cup of coffee and a glass of water.

OH MAN. I had to ask God to forgive me. I really did over do it on this one. I felt sick all the way home. I tried to look at the lights twinkling on the bridges and in the City to keep my mind off my ever so bloated stomach. It did not work. I started praying, Lord please ! I don’t want to get sick that food was so good. It would be a waste to spend that money and then I get sick, right Lord?

God was gracious, and I am ok now. He did remind me of how lucky I am to live here in the USA where we can eat and drink as we please. He also reminded me to not forget about the people who cannot eat like pigs and call it a night.

All that to say I am already planning my next trip to the fondue restaurant.

The Smart Shopper

They keep taking the photo of the smartshopper off my blog, so you cannot see it. you would think it would be a good advertisement. Oh well, I love it all the same! You can add items that are not programed in. For example the smartshopper had swiss, sliced, shredded and cheddar cheese. I wanted sharp cheddar. So I typed in sharp cheddar cheese and spoke into the machine and said "sharp cheddar cheese." It asked me what category, I scrolled down to dairy. I hit finished. Now I am good to go. Me and my dad are going shopping early Monday morning, so I get to use my little print out. Here is why I like the smartshopper:

• Easy-to-use
• Hands-free (no writing) voice operation
• Prints out your list
• Categorizes your lists
• Flag items that you have coupons for
• I can designate quantities
• I can add items that are not programed in

You can buy a smartshopper at

Amazon.com

bestbuy.com,

www.neimanmarcus.com/?ecid=NMSGTMNeiman_Marcus_SFA,

smartshopper.com

FYI: The Name Phoebe

In the bible the name Phoebe means "Bright". Phoebe you are a bright spot in my life and my dads! Thank you.

All about my Birthday

Yesterday I had a fabulous birthday. The first thing that happened at 7 a.m my Dad called to wish me a happy birthday. I am so lucky to have a dad still. I got a birthday card from MamaJane! She reminded me of my skinny dipping days. I guess now days I would not skinny dip, it would be more like chunky dunky. I love Dad and MamaJane very much.

Every one at work was so kind. Malinda had the kids make construction paper balloons and color them with felt tip markers. She hung them on my desk. It was so CUTE! The staff in our classroom bought me a gift card for my favorite gift store!!! I am so excited. I can't wait to go buy something. My teacher, Ms. Sunshine, Malinda and Mr. Medic were very generous. Mr. Medic also bought me a bobble head Hillary Clinton. She has a gray pant suit on. (I collect political pairade items from all political parties.) Stella made me a homemade scarf. Her knitting has really improved over the years. This scarf has texture. I really like it. She always buys me honey buns cause she knows I like them. I also got a cup of coffee and a sweet roll from you2 in the classroom next door. One of my students brought me in a very cute birthday card.

After the Hatchets left at the end of the day, my principal called me into the office. I got my annual review. It was good.

When I got home my gig a low had cleaned the entire kitchen. I could tell he worked very hard. Sitting on the island in my kitchen was a very uniquely wrapped gift. The gift was in a purple and white tote bag with blue and yellow tissue paper. The handles of the tote bag where tied together with a purple and white plastic lei. My gig a low is so creative. GG-GP made me and my gig a low dinner. I had tri tip, mash potato's, green salad, gravy from a packet, banana and oranges. It WAS SO GOOD! I was so blessed to have the guys cook and clean and buy me a gift.

My gig a low and GG-GP bought me this really cool gadget. I love gadgets. It is called a "smartshopper." It is this little computer that holds your shopping list. You talk into it. You say your list for example: Dog food, pomegranate ice cream, paper towels. Then you hit the print out button, a print out of your list by category comes out . Pet supplies - dog food, Dairy - pomegranate ice cream. Then your ready to go grocery shopping. . It is so cool. You might be thinking why not just write a list. For someone with extreme dyslexia writing with a pen and paper is a very difficult task. This little gadget is a true gift.

My gig a low was extra nice to me. We are going out to dinner over the weekend.

I got phones calls from my dear friend, A1 and Jd. Shorty and my sweet friend called, but I missed the calls.

I got a birthday a card from the in-laws, and my old friend Rockett,

On facebook my friends told me happy birthday.

I am so very blessed by each one of you. Thank you.

The Hatchet's Stopped By

Yes indeedie, the Hatchet's stopped by today. I think they were in our classroom for a total of ummm... maybe 2 minute -literally.

Update 11/15

My Birthday is next week, I can't believe I am getting this old. GG-GP says he is going to cook dinner for me.

The people who are coming to "trim the fat" at work will be at my jobsite next week.

Last week I took my dad to Ikea. We each ate a plate of Swedish meatballs with mash potatoes and gravy. When we got down stairs he wanted to have a hot dog. So we ate hot dogs.

Yesterday I took my dad to see my brother in the foot hills. On the way home he wanted to eat at In and Out. So I told him about "animal style" cheese burger. He loved it. I had made soup in the crockpot for the guys for dinner. When we got home my dad wanted to come in and eat a bowl of soup. I am happy my dad is eating more.

I went to apple hill and bought 3 pies. 1 is gone already. I had it less then 24 hours.

Today I went to church, went to my dad's and unloaded some firewood he got at my brothers, then I went to see my dear friend who just had surgery on her foot, came home and planted two iris bulbs.

Cha Cha

Happy Birthday to my sister CHACHA,

I remember the first time you came to our church with Doug (not his real name) and his mother. I thought who is that BIG Haired girl with beautiful long RED fingernails? I knew right away you two where going to get married.

You are the proverbs 31 wife. You work hard at all the things you do.

Do you remember telling me you will never be a soccer mom and drive a mini van? hehehe. What happened?

You are a very kind and giving person. You are beautiful inside and out.

Oh I did not want to forget, do you remember our conversation a long time ago about the pencil? How's it going for you? ;)

You are not a mother, you are a MOM. Your children will stand up and call you blessed.

You are fun and adventurous. You are brave like Nancy Drew.

You can dance. You can really shake your booty, shake shake shake, shake your booty. Guess what? I can do the "stanky leg" heheh.

Girl, can you cook. Remember that time you had that open house and it snowed? It was the first time Mrs. F had seen snow.

Did I forget to mention anything about "the power group"? I couldn't let it go by. I am all for it , Girl Power !

You have a great sense of humor and a beautiful smile.

Anyways, thank you for blessing me many times. Thank you for your friendship.

I hope you have a great Birthday.

Censor

It is a good thing I have all of you as my Censor.

All I can say is I am damed if I do, and damed if I don't.

I am looking forward to bed.

I can see why God says his path is narrow. The wide path is so much easier.

I can't tell if I am taking the high road or the low road.

Am I the victim or the martyr ? I hope not. I don't want either of those roles.

Questonnaire

I SAW THIS LITTLE QUESTIONNAIRE THE OTHER DAY …

Thanks Cha-Cha

1. What is your favorite thing to snack on while your blogging?

~I’m usually drinking coffee, I don't like to eat at the computer.

2. What is one thing you wouldn't want to live without?
~God

3. Beach, Mountains, or Farm? Where would you live if you had a choice?
~A farm in the mountains

4. What's your least favorite chore/household duty?
~ ALL OF IT!

5. Who do people say you remind them of?
~I look familiar to them somehow. I tell them it must of been my evil twin. Or maybe they have seen me on TV.

6. Prefer parties and socializing or staying home with the family?
~I like to socialize, and I love going to parties.

7. What's your all time favorite movie?
~Today, A Christmas Carol

8. Do you sleep in your make-up or remove it like a good little girl every night?
~What makeup

9. Do you have a hidden talent or a deep desire to learn something that you've never had a chance to learn? What is it?
~My hidden talents are going to stay hidden. I would like to learn Spanish, Arabic, Mandarin Chinese, Japanese and Greek, but I have to master English first.

10. What's one strange thing you're really good at?
~Can I say that on my blog?

11. What first attracted you to your spouse?
~ His playful side

12. What is something you love to smell?
~Gardenia, Coffee, Jasmine,Vanilla and Chlorine

13. Tell something about you that you know irritates people.

~I don't match my points

14. When you have extra money, what's the first thing you think to do with it?
~Put some away, then go buy myself a present

15. Are you a silent laugher or a loud laugher? What makes you laugh the hardest?
~A loud laughter. I love to laugh out loud. A good old fashion belly laugh. Usually something my students will do, my family or one of my friends

16. Where is your favorite place to shop?
~Best Buy (cause I am kind of geeky) craft fairs and gift stores.

17. What's one thing you'd do more often if you had more time?
~ Garden

18. Are you a big spender or frugal?
~A Frugal Spender

19. Who is your favorite character of all time?

~John the Baptist

20. Would you want to be famous?
~I am famous.

WHAT ARE SOME OR ALL OF YOUR ANSWERS?

~*~

Student #1 Big Adventure

Last week a group of our students went downtown to view a jury trial. After they viewed the real trial the students had a mock trial of their own. Lucky me, I was voted to stay back and hold down the fort and do some work with Ms. Sunshine. I told them no way. I wanted to go. My co-workers said that I had already been on 4 juries and I did not "need" to go. My co-workers had to bribe me to stay back with a taco bell gift card. It worked.

All and all I had a good day with Ms. Sunshine. We got the work done we where suppose to. We may fight like sisters, but when it comes down to the nuts and bolts of it, we get it done, what ever the task is. We do it in an efficient manner. I usually give in to what ever Ms. Sunshine wants after all she is my elder.

Anyways before the other staff and students got back I was getting phone calls that when they walked into the room where the trial was being held and sat down student #1 started acting strange, like sinking down in the chair. He had to sit next to the Joker. But that is not why student #1 was acting funny. Come to find out he said that it was his first cousin on trial for murder. At least that is what student #1 said to the staff who called me.

We all know that student #1 is a compulsive lier. Was it true this time? What a strange twist, a coincidence.

So when student #1 came back in the classroom he had this big smile on his face. I said what are you so happy about? Student #1 said he saw his step brother on trial for murder. I said did he see you? Student #1 said no, he could only see the back of the defendants head. He only realized it was his step brother when the court said his step brothers wife's address. I said you did not know your step brother was on trial for murder? Student #1 said he had heard something about it but did not know the details until that day. He had a twinkle in his eye and launched into the story of his step brother (not first cousin) murdering his lady and running from the cops. The story goes student #1's "step brother" hid underneath a big rig truck and fell asleep after he stabbed the lady. The cops found his "step brother" and slapped him to wake him up. Then the cops arrested the step brother.

Student #1's eyes smile and he becomes very animated when he is telling you something. I asked why he did not fuss about sitting next to the Joker. He said he was afraid that if he made a fuss he might get in trouble from the cops. I think he believes the stories he tells himself. If I didn't know him I might of fell for it, the step brother story. As far fetched as it sounds student #1 tells a very good story. He sucks you in.

Christmas Exchange at Work

I am excited for our Christmas exchange at work this year. Mr. Medic's first idea was to draw names and buy 1 item at the dollar store for that person. I was not interested in that. I am not sure who came up with the next idea, I think it was Mr. Medic and my teacher. We have five staff in the classroom. So each one of us will buy 5 $1.00 scratcher lottery tickets. Each one of us will have 5 chances to win. My gig- a- low says we should make a deal if we win anything over $25.00 we split it 5 ways. I think that is a good idea.

I hope I win, I hope I win, I hope I win.