Chunk-a-lunk

Guess who has to lose about 7 pounds? This little chunk-a-lunk!

She went to the vet today for her regular check up and weighed in at 77 pounds... doctor said that for her age and size she really needs to be closer to 70 pounds. 

So her diet started today.

On a good note, Cali and I have started running a couple of times a week, so I'm sure that'll help her in her weight loss program. 

To Fast or Not to Fast

Everybody is all up in arms about the fast food industry folks wanting raises. As with everything, there are the supporters and the non-supporters of the movement. Then there are folks that make comments like "what makes these people think they deserve better?" and "half of those people are worthless trashy people who could care less about their status in 'grown-up world'" and "there are people in other industries that deserve WAY better than fast food people" and "if ANYBODY deserves a raise it is the people that hold respectable jobs" and more that I can't keep typing because the words break my heart.

I haven't been following the news so I don't know why they want a raise and I'm really no-one to determine whether or not they should get one or not. Although the fast food industry is notorious for under-educated folks and teenagers, the fast food industry has served as a first job for many who have learned how to work hard, who have learned how to work among slippery floors and stale greasy air, who have learned what it's like to be under pressure, who know what it's like to carry trash bags bigger than themselves all the way out to the dumpster - at night - and who have taken all of of those experiences to make a better life for themselves.

Norm started out flipping burgers as did Jay Leno, Macy Gray, Jeff Bezos (founder of Amazon.com), Pink, Andrew Dornenburg (James Beard Award winner) and many others. The industry you choose shouldn't define who you are or how you are treated. The industry you choose shouldn't define how you treat others. Just because someone is a nurse in a hospital, they are no better than the guy flipping burgers at the fast food place.

I have lots of respect for the fast food industry folks, I know I couldn't do their jobs for $8 and hour or double at $16 an hour. I know that when I've had a bad day and all I want is a fried chicken sandwich, medium fries and medium Coke, they are there to hand it to me and turn my day right side up - and for that and many other reasons, such as the employment of my nephew, I am grateful.

Typical

You know what's typical? This:

If' it's not traffic, it's bad weather. Sometimes, like this afternoon, it's Both. Awesome.

You know what else is typical? This (not during storms):

And then you say "Mello Pello, what are you doing, little boy???" (in that baby-talk voice) and he looks up and smiles:

He's awesome.

Personal Sirens

Our house is nearby a fire station - and along with hearing the sirens every now and then, we also get serenaded by the dogs - INSIDE the house.

I've been trying to catch Pellet and Cali for a while (because it is quite funny how they howl). I was finally able to get them on video this afternoon! Watch how Cali "deflates" the minute she realizes I am filming her.

Be sure to turn up the volume so you can get the full effect!

Warning: if you have a dog nearby when you play this video, he/she will bark, more than likely.

 

For those of you who can't open the video above, click here to watch!

Well Yes, It Is Kosher

One of the cool things about living in a densely populated Jewish area of the city is that the supermarkets have Kosher Markets. The other day we were strolling through the Kosher Market at Kroger and found this:

So we bought it and tried them. Tastes like sweet cheese puffs filled with hazelnut spread [no, not quite Nutella]. They are interesting. Trying the Bamba Peanut Snacks has expanded our cultural horizons.

By the way, the word "bamba"' in Peru means "knock-off" - I find it quite amusing that these snacks could be perceived as "knock-off snacks". Ha!

It Happened Yet Again

Today I came home from work, let the dogs out, fed them, let them back out, brought them back inside and then I had to go back out to run errands. I came back not even 2 hours later and found this:

I guess it's time to go ahead and spend the money on those hardcore chew resistant dog beds....

Anniversary Surprise

This past June 7th, was Norm and I's 10th year wedding anniversary. Due to the new job and the move and the trip to Alaska [that he didn't get to go to] we did not get to spend our anniversary, let alone a chance to celebrate. That's that.

This week is Downtown Atlanta Restaurant Week. So Norm and I made a reservation a Sway which happens to be in the Hyatt Regency, which happens to be where Norm did his training prior to his hotel opening, so he has become friends with the Chefs there.

When we got to our table, we were greeted by this:

I didn't think too much about it. I figured maybe the Executive Chef had ordered us some champagne to celebrate Norm's restaurant opening... Then Norm gave me a card. The card he had been carrying around which he had said was a thank you card for the Executive Chef. I was so confused. Then he tells me "happy anniversary, Love!" then it all clicked.

Did you order this champagne?
Yes
Did you tell Chef that we were coming for our anniversary?
Yes
How long have you planned this?
None of your business

It takes a lot to surprise me - because I always manage to ruin every single surprise.

Then we proceeded with an amazing dinner and excellent service:

Mini Biscuits and Cornbread
 Butter & Tomato Jam

Creamy Smoked Blue Ridge Mountain Trout

Roasted Lamb Rack
 Grits and Figs

Blackened Tuna
Peach Chutney & Strawberry Salad

Wedge Salad

Flat Iron Steak
Onion Rings and Scalloped Potatoes

Lobster Mac and Cheese

Eating the Lobster Mac and Cheese. I think the boy was in Heaven...

Taking a break before dessert

They made us a mini wedding cake that was layered with strawberries

Cake was paired with a tasting of ALL of the High Road ice cream flavors they offer. These are the flavors click to enlarge picture and read all the flavors!:

And this is what it looked like. My favorite was the Mango Chile Lime Sorbet and Norm's was the Bourbon Burnt Sugar:

An on that note, we add another year (or ten) to this life we chose to lead together and another wonderful meal and memory shared.