Valentine's Day......

OK, it's always difficult to go out ON Valentine's Day because of the crowds. Many restaurants nowadays don't even take reservations, so you take your chances by going to one and having to wait an hour or more. When we finally decided at the last minute to go to a local place for which I had received a gift card for Christmas, I called them to inquire about whether they take reservations or not. Of course they do, but they only reserve half the dining room and keep the other half for walk-ins. I have to insert here that I called the day before Valentine's Day. Naturally they had no remaining reservations. So we decided in that case we would wait and go out sometime on the weekend to eat a nice dinner. Meanwhile, when Valentine's Day rolled around, we both arrived home shortly after 4:30 pm from work. We had a quick discussion about maybe heading out right away to someplace less fancy and seeing if we could get served right away. So off we went to our favorite local Mexican place. We were seated right away, as the place was only about half full. But by the time we left the place was full! And of course by being there early, we missed the live serenade they were advertising between 6:30 and 8:30 pm....but that's okay. As usual, the food there was excellent and we left quite satisfied. Meanwhile, AJ decided that that wasn't really our real Valentine's dinner, so out we went last night, heading to one of our favorite places, the Vine*yard. On weekends, you ALWAYS have to wait to be seated, but we tried anyway, arriving there before 6pm. Of course the wait was over an hour, so we decided we wouldn't wait, and headed out to find someplace else. Of course that restaurant is 20 or so miles from here so it meant a drive home, or  someplace else. In discussing where else we could go, we remembered a place about halfway between there and our house that we had never gone before, so we decided to try it. I think we have found a new really nice place to go for dinner. We did have to wait to be seated, about 30 minutes, but we did find out they also take reservations, for future reference. Our meal was wonderful! A little more than we usually spend, but once in awhile you have to splurge, right? And when I mentioned getting a glass of wine to go with my meal, AJ suggested we order a bottle so he could have some too. AJ??? Wine??? He is becoming so.....much like his boss  and so.......cultured and refined?? He would never drink wine, ever.....

Health...

I haven't had much of that the last week or so. I have this stuff that has settled in my throat, leaving me coughing and hoarse and generally miserable much of the time. Yesterday, I generally sat around all day and read a book, until I had to take a shower to get ready for our dinner. Luckily, this hasn't really affected my appetite....or is that, unluckily? Losing a few pounds is always a decent side effect of being sick....

And the book I read.....

Everlasting, by Kathleen Woodiwiss. I haven't actually finished it yet, but I got more than half way through it yesterday. I had read quite a few of her books in my distant past, definitely romance stories.....But I hadn't thought much of her for years until last year when she died, and I found out she had been living not really too far from here at all. So anyway, a review in the local paper convinced me I should read her final book, so I went on Amazon and ordered it. I got a used one, just like new. It's as I remembered her previous books to be, a pleasant diversion. If any of you (my relatives) are interested in reading this book, just let me know and I will pass it on to you!

Company....

AJ's sister is coming on Thursday to see Craig Fer*guson in the city on Friday night. AJ will go pick her up from the train early Thursday morning, and I will have to take her back late Sunday night. Since I did nothing yesterday, I have a few things to take care of around here to prepare for a visitor. Right now I am doing my laundry, always a fun project  .  I'm not sure what is all on the agenda while she is here but you can bet shopping will be a part of anything we do.

and finally, President's Day.....

is tomorrow. I am off, though not just because it's a holiday; when my schedule permits, I generally take Monday off anyway.  Aaron is off as well. So tomorrow we (I'm making Aaron go with me) drive to the dealership and get my oil changed. Since the shop is almost in the city, we are going to drive the rest of the way and meet AJ for lunch. Aaron has never been to his dad's office or met his co-workers, so it will be nice. Aaron wants to stop in Maple Grove on the way home and get some new drumsticks. It will probably be pretty much a full day, so that makes the need for me to be productive today even more important.....so.....I have some wonderful leftovers from last night's dinner waiting for me, then it's on to dirty bathrooms and kitchen floors

And did I mention how it's pretty much been a deep freeze around here lately???? getting really tired of the cold temps....

peace