What's on your Wednesday Menu?

You are right to be zen about the party. It is something that will be a memory for the rest of your life. Money is just a means of exchange. You are exchanging money for your mother's dream. When my parents had their 25th anniversary, I was 24, married, paying for a house and was the mother of a new baby.

I did not have much money but planned a surprise anniversary party at my cousin's house. The anniversary was on a Thursday and we kept the secret. My mother thought she was just going to a barbeque at the cousin's house on Saturday. When they arrived we had a big Happy Anniversary sign and they realized the party was for them. It turned out very nice.

My dad really appreciated it and really enjoyed the party.

But my mother said that she was hurt that nobody acknowledged the anniversary on the actual date. It is not always possible to meet parent's expectations. Your mother is extremely fortunate to have you able to spend that kind of money on her party. I still would not be comfortable doing something like that. I hope she appreciates what you are doing for her. I think you are an amazing daughter.

My family had a surprise wedding reception for me. I was told it was a surprise birthday for a friend. I parked right next to my own car and never noticed till I got in the building. It was a big surprise. We got married in Vegas and my dad couldn't make it due to health issues and he decided he wanted to do something. I didn't want it, but it was a great way for my dad to say his goodbyes to all of our family. He passed exactly 1 year to the day of the surprise.

If I ever got married again, it would be in Vegas. I think it is great that your dad had that reception and enjoyed his family there. I am planning my next adventure and it will be staying in Vegas and a helicopter ride over the grand canyon. Something I always wanted to do but was always traveling with others who wanted to stay in the casinos. Now I can plan to do what I want. So far have not found anyone else who wants to do that but have no problem going on my own. The other things I plan to do on that trip is go to see David Copperfield and ride on the High Roller.

Keep in touch I may meet you out there to do that with you. I been to Vegas over 40 time easy and never have seen the Hoover Damn or took the tour. I want to do that someday as well.

I have done the Hoover dam tour! You think it would be boring but it is fascinating!

Good morning all and Happy Wednesday,

I returned from vacation last night. The Canadian fire smoke greeted me upon my return. It's eerie.

QOTD- My best friend is an odd duck and I will no longer spend extended periods of time with him for my own sanity. Silver lining: I was able to really with on my patience and compassion. Bless him, change me.

Accountability- Too much to list but the St Louis Filipino bakery and the Donut Palace were the bain of my trip. I did eat a lot of protein though in the form of BBQ & brought plenty home.

B: tangerine.

L: smoked brisket

D: BBQ ribs, baked beans, & Biko (sticky rice w ube)

Welcome back! I took advantage of being in the south last week and ate as much BBQ brisket as I could handle. Deeelish :)

Glad you survived!

Good morning!

Such a productive day for me too yesterday. A gazillion loads of laundry done. Rig completely put to straights and returned to storage. Groceries procured. Excellent dinner made. We have a young friend who won a grant to lease a garden near the border here by Mexico. She has turned it into a totally organic farm and we bought a "share" and got a delivery on Sunday evening. I broke it all down yesterday. It's too much! I sent baskets over to three neighbors and still have tons of things to try. Last night our dinner ended up being garlic and lemon cod with braised greens and baby potatoes. My menu all week will be focused on consuming all these just out of the dirt veggies.

My calves are killing me this morning as is my low back. Too much rig work and the stairs I am sure are the culprits behind the calves. Today I have a 2.5 mile walk followed by chair yoga. I'm hoping those all work to stretch me out and help reduce the achiness.

QoTD: I was stressed because I am out of one of my supplements and it's not arriving until Friday. And then this morning I realized I could simply pop in my car and go to my surgeon's office and get a bottle if I'm that worried about it. Seriously, is 5 days of no iron going to actually kill me? Also, I need to replace my tennies. All of them. I need new work out ones, and new fun ones in blue and black as well as new pair of white leather tennis shoes. I literally wore them out on the trip. I can't decide to head to Macy's and DSW or just order a bunch on line and see what I like. Clearly, my life is not so bad if these are the things I'm worried about. Great attitude adjuster!

Bites today:

B: left over tri tip and cottage cheese

L: turkey, fontina, EBTB cheese whisps

D: Eggs with tomato from Stanley Tucci's book, again. It was so good and the leftovers worked so well for breakfast! Plus a fresh arugula salad with fingerling radishes and Japanese cucumbers and heirloom tomatoes. That will put a dent in my farmers basket.

Peace Everybody!