Exceedingly Mundane

Kim tagged me for this fun “where do you like to eat” restaurant meme that is going around. Goodness knows, we eat out enough and have tons of places we like to go!

A lot of the places we go are chains (Chili’s, Applebee’s, Red Lobster, Olive Garden), so I debated about whether to include those on this list. I could have easily listed 5 chain places and a host of foods we like to eat there. The Oriental Salad at Applebee’s is a favorite of mine, as well as the molten lava cakes for dessert at Chili’s. Then, there’s pizza, but we won’t go that route. Instead, we’ll go totally local.

1. Fratesi’s – a local Italian place that I love. It’s sort of small and a bit run down, but the food is so good. I’ve never had a single thing there that wasn’t totally delicious. You start out with their hot homemade bread and garlic butter, then move to their delicious salad (the house salad dressing is the best of any place we eat at), and then your entree. When we go to an Italian place, I always order tiramisu for dessert. Theirs is very good 🙂

2. Cazadores – another local place, this one Mexican. We have 5 or 6 Mexican restaurants within a 3 or 4 mile radius of our house and we have been going to Cazadore’s almost exclusively lately. The food is good and the service is great. A guy is usually at our table with chips and salsa about 5 seconds after we sit down. Our food is usually delivered to our table within 5-6 minutes of ordering. And it’s always hot and delicious. They also have really good guacamole. I love guacamole, but I’m really particular about it. I don’t like tomato, so I don’t like it with chunks of tomato in it. And I have this weird aversion to cilantro, so I don’t like cilantro in mine. Cazadore’s guacamole is perfect for me – very creamy, no tomatoes, no cilantro. Good stuff.

3. Golden Dragon – yet another local place. This is where we like to go for Chinese food. They have a buffet on Friday and Saturday nights, which we go to sometimes. Tim likes it because they have steaks on the buffet, plus boiled shrimp, so he can eat that and not have to eat as much Chinese food! I love their pineapple chicken and their shrimp and cabbage dish they have on the buffet. If we order, we sometimes splurge and get their Shrimp and Kew dinner – which is a slew of appetizers and samplings of food, followed by a tableside cooking of shrimp, strips of filet mignon and Chinese style vegetables at our table. Wonderful stuff. We don’t splurge on it that often, but if we order from the menu, I usually order the shrimp and cabbage. I could eat that stuff 7 days a week, I think.

4. Cock of the Walk – this is a chain, but we have a great one here and have for over 25 years. I can remember going here in college, because the food is so good and the atmosphere is great. It’s so laid back and casual, we can go in wearing a tshirt and shorts and be totally comfortable. They basically do one thing – fried catfish with all of the trimmings. We order fish for two, and very soon, a large platter with fried catfish, french fries, hushpuppies, coleslaw, pickled onions and cornbread come out to the table. The cornbread, of course, is flipped in its cast iron skillet, tableside, by your waiter. You can also order fried dill pickles, which are to die for, promise. So much food, but not good for us, since everything is fried. We don’t go often but we love it when we splurge and go!

5. Pigskin – Another local place, a family owned restaurant that specializes in BBQ and recently added a lunch buffet (country type cooking, blue plate, meat and veggie type of stuff). We’ve been for lunch, but we mostly go for the barbecue. They have great ribs! Good sides (coleslaw, baked beans, fries, potato salad) and really big chunks of texas toast with the ribs. They have the best caramel cake for dessert, but we rarely get that, as we fill up on ribs and sides.

Honorable Mention: I asked Tim about his 5 and he said he would include Lenny’s Subs (sandwich place). They have a great chicken phillysteak sandwich that we always get. If he is picking a sandwich place, then I would probably pick Newk’s instead. Newk’s is a little pricier than Lenny’s, but the food is really good. Newk’s also has some awesome salads. 🙂

I know the origins of this meme had you list your name, location, your 5 choices, then you were to tag 5 people from different areas of the country or the world. I’m not going to do that, but if you’d like to play along, that would be great! Leave me a comment and let me know so that I can come visit and see your favorite places to eat 🙂

This week’s question is very timely, considering I blogged a little about this yesterday! From their new website, here:

It happens even to the best readers from time to time… you close the cover on the book you’re reading and discover, to your horror, that there’s nothing else to read. Either there’s nothing in the house, or nothing you’re in the mood for. Just, nothing that “clicks.� What do you do?? How do you get the reading wheels turning again?

Well, since I got back on my reading kick a couple of years ago, I can honestly say that I have never reached the point where I don’t have something lined up next to read. I have a pretty good TBR pile here, and I have a huge list on my PDA of books to check out of the library. So the literal “don’t have a thing to read” dilemma has not happened to me. However, the “nothing you’re in the mood for” thing does apply to me! I actually have that a lot. Including yesterday. I had finished the last library book, and knew I wanted to work on some books from my bookshelves that are languishing there, feeling lonely and gathering dust. I just didn’t know which ones and what I felt like reading.

I am actually quite a “moody” reader, I admit. I tend to get in moods where I do or do not want to read certain kinds of books. This is really apparent for me when it comes to series books. I love to read series books, and I must read them in order, but I have this odd little quirk about not reading them back to back most of the time. I seem to get sort of burned out if I read a series of 3, 5 or even more books in consecutive order, with nothing else interspersed in there to change the mood or flow. (I think I must have a short attention span and need to switch things up. This also applies to any book over about 350 or 400 pages. I balk. I can’t do it, just too long!) I just don’t enjoy series books as much like that, if I read them back to back to back. So, I slide other books in there and work along on my series, without getting burned out on them. Does that make sense?

So, judging by last week’s answers, apparently the question I should have been asking was:

Where DON’T you read??

Well, that’s a really good question! Last week’s question was “do you read in public and where” and apparently most of us bookworms do read most places where we have time. I read whenever I have time to wait – at the doctor’s office, hair salon, etc. I will even sit in a vehicle and read while I’m waiting on Tim. I can read in a car or plane, as motion sickness doesn’t bother me. I read on someones comments last week that they read in line at the grocery store. That’s something I have actually never done. I don’t take my book when I go to the grocery, Target, Walmart, etc.

Anyway!

Where I can’t read is anywhere that is crowded or loud. I can’t read at home if the room is full of people or the TV or music is blaring. I need peace and quiet to read. Same with out in public. If I’m in a crowded waiting room and there’s noise, I can take my book, but I won’t get much read. Same with an airport waiting area. I always try, but I usually end up distracted, watching people or else I just can’t concentrate. I can put on my iPod and turn on some quiet music (classical or relaxing elevator type music), but that’s about the only way I can read if it’s noisy or crowded. I just enjoy my peace and quiet too much, I think!

Cool, the bookworms over at Booking Through Thursday have a new site, go check it out here.

This week’s topic: R.I.P.

No, not THAT kind of R.I.P.

Do you do it? Why or why not?

My Answer: I will read in public, if I’m waiting. Like, I take my book to the salon and read while I’m waiting, or the doctor’s office, or while I’m waiting on something or someone. I love going to the coffee-shop near our house and reading, but rarely do that anymore. I’ve even been known to sit in the truck and wait on Tim for something and read in the car, while he goes in a store to take care of something. So, yes, I do RIP 😀

I was tagged by Kim, over at Kim’s Candor, to participate in this “Show Me Your Handbag” tag that’s going around. So many of you guys have cute purses! I like purses ok, but I absolutely hate shopping for them! I will see a purse I like on someone else, but I can never seem to find one that I like and that fits me. I don’t want one that’s too big and I don’t want one that’s too small.

Here’s the purse (or handbag) that I’ve been carrying since I bought it for myself, for my birthday, last October:

Here’s another picture, with my PDA and phone in the front pockets… this is why I like this purse, and I’ve decided that this is a feature I want in any new purse I get in the future. I like having my phone in a front pocket where I can just know where it is and grab it. Before, I had my phone down in my purse and I would have to go digging for it, and it would drive me nuts. Now, I know it’s tucked up front in a pocket.

I won’t tag anyone specifically, but I’d love to see your purse, so feel free to play along if you’d like! Just leave me a comment so I can come see yours 🙂

Seasonal reading

Does what you read vary by the season? For instance, Do you read different kinds of books in the summer than the winter?
If so, do you break it down by genre, length of book, holiday, or…?

Very interesting question. I had never really thought about this before. I sort of do this, at least a little. I like to read a Christmas type story at the holiday season, but that’s about it. I don’t change what I read the rest of the year, based on season or weather or holiday or whatever. I like to read new/bestseller type books, series books, new books by favorite authors, trying new authors, etc. I have a huge list of books I want to read, based on recommendations from friends, family, bloggers and fellow bookworms. I literally have over 100 books on my list to read, and I don’t let the time of year dictate what I want to read when.

OK, this seems to be the day for book-related memes. Maybe I can post another “Question of the Day” later today, since more people seem to like those than my book and movie reviews. Hehehe!

As seen on Debi’s blog here:

1. What are you currently reading? My first “real” James Patterson book, “Beach Road”. I’m a little ways into it and it is good, but the style of this book is a little different from what I normally read. I’m not sure if this is typical for Patterson, or it is just this book. Very short chapters. Each chapter told from a different character’s point of view. Makes for quick reading, but it is a little different.

2. What did you just finish reading? I just finished “Everyone Worth Knowing” by Lauren Weisberger. (Review here.) This was my first book by Weisberger. I also have a copy of the paperback version of “Devil Wears Prada” that I will read one day. Several people commented that Prada was better, so I’m looking forward to that.

3. What will you be reading next? Well, I’m trying to work on my TBR pile. I have tentatively lined up “Ten Big Ones” by Janet Evanovich and then “White Chocolate Moments” by Lori Wick as the next ones. Of course, I reserve the right to change that at any time. I have not read a lot of good things about Lori Wick’s book, so I am not sure about that one. Also, I had blogged a while ago that my library FINALLY got an online reservation system in place. I’m testing it out and I have been put on the list for two newly released books, so if one of them becomes available, I will stop and go get it to read.

Let me know if you decide to play along, so I can stop by and see what you are reading, and going to read next 🙂

‘Fess Up!

Okay, there must be something you read that’s a guilty pleasure . . . a Harlequin romance stashed under the mattress. A cheesy sci-fi book tucked in the back of the freezer. A celebrity biography, a phoned-in Western . . . something that you’d really rather not be spotted reading. Even just a novel if you’re a die-hard non-fiction fan. Come on, confess. We won’t hold it against you!

Another really timely book-related question for me. Considering I just blogged about a book I just finished a couple of days ago, “Everyone Worth Knowing”, which I described as a “guilty pleasure”. I don’t normally read books like this, but I do from time to time. Books like this one, like the Stephanie Plum books by Janet Evanovich, etc – these are the kinds of books that I read for a change, for a diversion, and as a guilty pleasure. I try not to delve into the Harlequin realm, this is as close as I’ll go. I don’t read the other types mentioned, or really anything else that I would classify in this category. I mostly read “women’s fiction” and Christian fiction, so these are a true diversion for me.

Good question!

Where Does the Time Go?

Have you ever missed an important appointment because you have become so engrossed in a book you forgot the time or were up so late reading that you didn’t wake up in time? Been late to work because you couldn’t resist the temptation and left the house too late?

Well, this sort of ties in to the Randomness meme I did the other day. It was all about being late. Which I try never to be. Not even for reading or for one of my beloved books. I don’t like to be late. I don’t think I’ve ever lost track of time when I was engrossed in a book. I have no problem glancing at a clock or my watch and stopping when I need to stop to go do something, get ready or go leave to be somewhere. I actually don’t sit up late reading and waking up in time is not a problem for me. We have this cool new built-in alarm clock. His name is Beau and he doesn’t let us oversleep in the mornings. Even on Saturday 🙁

randomness…feed your mind and your blog
Week of April 8: Better Late than Never

This week I posted the meme late Sunday evening.
So that inspired this weeks topic, ‘Better Late Than Never’.
Are you usually late arriving? Late for work, school, parties…etc..?
Or are you usually on time or even prefer to be a few minutes early?
Are you late returning things as well? Library books, movie rentals…etc…?

till next time…

I’ve seen this meme posted at a couple of the blogs I like to read. So, I thought I’d play along this week. Click on the link above and play along at your blog too, if you’d like 🙂

My Answer: Better Late Than Never is great, but I prefer not to be late. Tim and I are both actually really punctual people. We think it’s important to be on time when we say we are going to be somewhere. Especially if other people are involved. We are never late for work, or a party or any thing else really. In fact, most of the time we try to be early. Not TOO early, but a few minutes early. We never return things late. That’s the stingy side of me, I refuse to pay late fees on library books, movie rentals or anything else. So, no, we are not late people. 😀 How about you?

Swiped from… hmm, someone else’s blog (can’t remember who). I had it filed away for quite a while now. You know, “saved for a rainy day”. Well, that would be today! 😀

When was the last time you….

1. kissed someone? This morning (Tim the World’s Best Husband)
2. drank coffee? about 10 seconds ago 😀

3. read a book? Last night before going to sleep
4. cursed? Does “danggit” count? If so, last night
5. had a nightmare? Hmm. Not sure, I don’t remember my dreams or nightmares that often

6. checked your email? Sheesh, about 2 minutes ago! Mine is always up, so I check constantly
7. had a crush? I STILL have a crush on Tim 😆

8. drove a car? Yesterday. Haircut, lunch out, errands, grocery shopping
9. rode a rollercoaster? Wow. Long time. Probably the late 90’s when we went to Disneyworld. I do NOT like rollercoasters, but Tim made me ride Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, Tower of Terror (although that’s not really a rollercoaster, but still, it was scary!)

10. took a nap? I luvs me a good nap. Probably in the last week or two.
11. went to the movies? This past Saturday, went with Tim, Don and Gail to see “Amazing Grace”
12. drank alcohol? A very long time. College.
13. went to a party? I went to my niece’s 2 year old birthday party in January, does that count? 🙂
14. said “I love you’? This morning, to Tim and Beau

15. cooked a meal? Last night. I cook a lot, I like to cook!
16. exercised? Yesterday morning, we walked 2 miles in our subdivision

I won’t tag anyone, but it you play along, be sure to leave me a comment so I can come check out your answers!!!

Karen, over at Blog Talkers, sponsors this every week. You have a whole week to answer at your own blog. Click on over and play along sometime 🙂

This week, Karen wrote: Please tell us: What story is on the front page of your local newspaper? Do you think the event is worthy of front page coverage?

OK, we get the newspaper every day (I’ve blogged about it before, here). I don’t read a lot of the stories in depth. I skim the headlines, and I like to read the local news that pertains to my area. You know, store openings, library sales, street closures, local people highlighted, the neighborhood kind of news. I do NOT like to read about local politics. Our nearby mayor and city council are a JOKE. I cannot stand to read about them, and they make the front page almost every day. I refuse to talk about them.

Instead, I’ll talk about something I found a couple of days ago in my paper, way back on page 8 or 9. Also consider this a public service announcement! I didn’t know that postage stamps were going up again.

Postal Service unveils 41-cent “forever” stamp

An image of the Liberty Bell adorns the U.S. Postal Service’s new “forever” stamp. The design was unveiled Monday at the National Postal Forum, an industry gathering. The forever stamp goes on sale April 12 at 41 cents. The rate for first-class postage rises to 41 cents May 14.

The stamp, which will carry the word “Forever” instead of a price, will remain valid for sending a letter no matter how much rates go up in the future. That will eliminate the annoyance of buying one- and two-cent stamps to make up a new rate when prices rise, and folks who want to hedge against inflation could lay in a supply of the stamps for long term use.

I’m late, late, late, but hey, I have been without Internet access for two long days. Sigh. At least I got a little reading done 🙂

Location, Location, Location, Part 2

Where do you do most of your reading? Your favorite spot? (Show a picture, if you want to!) (And yes, I understand that these might not be the same thing–your favorite spot could be the beach, but you do most of your reading at home . . . in which case, tell me about both!)

I do most of my reading in bed. Supposedly propped up by pillows to help keep me awake, but that doesn’t always work. I also read in the den. We have two chairs (one recliner, one oversized chair with ottoman) on either side of our fireplace. It’s a totally cozy and comfy place for me and I read in there if it’s quiet. I can’t read with the TV or music on. I have also been reading more outside, since spring has arrived and it’s getting warmer outside. We have a glider on our deck, and I have a patio chair that I take out behind the fence to where Tim and Beau play in the afternoons. I won’t last too much longer outside though, between the heat and humidity and the bugs and mosquitoes 🙂

I haven’t played in a while, so I thought I would play along this week. Click here to go and answer for yourself. This week’s questions are all about our vehicles 😀

1. What kind of automobile do you drive? Ford Explorer. Love my SUV’s, I like being up where I can see
2. What kind of automobile do you WISH you drove? I wish they would come out with a hybrid in a larger SUV. We thought about getting a hybrid Ford Escape, but I liked that the Explorer was bigger. I’d get an Expedition, except it wouldn’t fit in my tiny garage, LOL 😀
3. When is the last time you bought a vehicle (new or used)? We always buy new vehicles. Mine will soon be 2 years old, so 2005
4. What is your color of choice as far as vehicles go? Normally, we buy neutral colored vehicles. Tan, Gray. Tim “made” me go all out this last time and we got a dark red, burgundy color. Love it 🙂
5. Do you regularly have your oil changed? Yes, by my adorable, he-can-do-anything husband. It’s GREAT to be married to a handyman. Tim can build anything, fix anything, do anything. It’s wonderful. When I start reminding him that it’s time to change the oil in our vehicles, he does it all for me.
6. How long do you generally keep a vehicle before thinking about buying a new one? We are old school. We are both of the mindset to get a car and drive it till the wheels fall off. We normally keep our vehicles 8-10 years. We take excellent care of them, and unless we’re having problems with them, we keep them a long time.
7. What kind of automobile will you buy next? Not sure. Either a new truck for Tim or another SUV for me, but it will be a while. Depending on what gas prices are doing when it comes time to buy, we will probably buy a hybrid vehicle next.

Snagged this one from Deb over at Sugarfused. Thanks for letting me swipe it, Deb!

Movie Meme

1. Name a movie you have seen more than 10 times. Star Wars. You’ve Got Mail
2. Name a movie you’ve seen multiple times in the theater. Star Wars
3. Name an actor who would make you more inclined to see a movie. Clive Owen; Christian Bale
4. Name an actor who would make you less likely to see a movie. Will Ferrell. Blech.
5. Name a movie you can and do quote from. Star Wars. Lord of the Rings. You’ve Got Mail. O Brother, Where Art Thou
6. Name a movie musical in which you know all of the lyrics to all of the songs. The Sound of Music
7. Name a movie you have been known to sing along with. The Sound of Music
8. Name a movie you would recommend everyone see. All of the Lord of the Rings movies
9. Name a movie you own. All of the Star Wars movie, all of the LOTR movies (and a hundred more!!!)
10. Name an actor who launched his/her entertainment career in another medium but who has surprised you with his/her acting chops. Mark Wahlberg
11. Have you ever seen a movie in a drive-in? If so, what? Nope.
12. Ever made out in a movie? Not much
13. Name a movie you keep meaning to see but you just haven’t gotten around to yet. See all the ones listed on my sidebar!
14. Ever walked out of a movie? Yes. Yanks years ago and “Forget Paris” in 1995
15. Name a movie that made you cry in the theater. Titanic
16. Popcorn? YES!
17. How often do you go to the movies (as opposed to renting them or watching them at home)? We go sporadically during the year, but a lot in the summer when all of the blockbusters come out
18. What’s the last movie you saw in the theater? Hmmm, not sure? It might have been “Facing the Giants”
19. What’s your favorite/preferred genre of movie? Comedy or Romance
20. What’s the first movie you remember seeing in the theater? not sure, maybe The Sound of Music?
21. What movie do you wish you had never seen? Any Given Sunday
22. What is the weirdest movie you enjoyed? Memento
23. What is the scariest movie you’ve seen? Sixth Sense
24. What is the funniest movie you’ve seen? What Women Want