We went out to dinner last night. We had 2 gift cards to Ruth Chris, a steak restaurant. It is on the higher end as far as price goes. We had made reservations for 5:45. We arrived and was taken to our table. Our waitress took very good care of us. She would leave us alone if we needed to be or was there to answer any questions we may have had. We each had an appetizer (mine was onion soup, his scallops). We each ordered a glass of wine. We both ordered a petite filet (mine was 6 oz, his was 8 oz with a blue cheese crust), a lobster tail, sautéed spinach. and mashed sweet potato with pecan topping (this was very yummy. It was almost like a dessert). We also had bread. The two side items were large enough to share.
So have I made you hungry? It was a great meal. We weren't rushed and had all the time we needed. We didn't order dessert as we were both very full. Now we asked for the check. Can you guess how much the dinner cost? I can tell you that the dinner for two people in California, at a high end restaurant, cost more than when we took everyone out to eat. Thank goodness for a gift card or in this case gift cards. This fabulous dinner cost us $200. Yes, you saw it right. Just for two people! We don't usually go to this restaurant unless we have a gift card. The food is good, the place is nice, but we can't afford it all the time. As Dad said to me, "it's not Middletown, Maryland".
The second box is ready to go out. We tried the post office today but it was so packed with people. Why? We don't know. I will take it during the week when it is less crowded. It will take a week anyway to get across and there is not urgent need.
We are having the Santa Ana Winds this weekend. It is bringing in the warm air and high winds. Winds in some areas can go as high as 80 mph. Not around us but around the mountains and canyons. We think the winds are about the 50 mph range at times around us. We just have to watch that we don't loose anything outside.
Our last bit of news is this: We are officially finished with the remodeling! We purchased the mirrors for our bathroom today and hung them up. They look good. We put up a tension rod and a sheer curtain over the kitchen window. Everything looks good and we are quite pleased. We will send you a picture, when we can, to show you how it looks. It is nice to be able to enjoy it finally.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Thursday, January 8, 2009
One box has left the building
One box has been mailed. It is a large one as that was all we had available. When I took it to the post office, I was asked if I had a box smaller as they charge for the size, weight, and destination. I told him no, that this was it. The post office also has a limit on size but I made it. It seemed like he was doing everything possible not to send this box. The questions he asked me when he was getting around to the postage - "you don't want to send it 2 or 3 day delivery!?" You want to send it the longest so it is cheaper.
I think he was trying to help me out with the cost but I can make up my own mind about how much I want to spend. Just tell me the possibilities and let me tell you what I want to do. The box was sent today. Michelle and Jon, you should get it. in about a week. I didn't think there was a big hurry. It will give you something to look forward too.
Now the second box... I have not finished it yet. I am getting the pictures together. I have only found ones of the cub scouts, flag football, and a play when we was Abe Lincoln. I can't find a single picture of Tony doing wrestling. I have his award for it but no picture. I am going to continue to look as you will be gone for a little while. Of course, I have others of Tony but that will be later. He was so cute as a baby - I will also get a picture of your grandfather (Dad's dad) to send to you. If anyone else is interested in having a picture, let us know.
GO GATORS!!
I think he was trying to help me out with the cost but I can make up my own mind about how much I want to spend. Just tell me the possibilities and let me tell you what I want to do. The box was sent today. Michelle and Jon, you should get it. in about a week. I didn't think there was a big hurry. It will give you something to look forward too.
Now the second box... I have not finished it yet. I am getting the pictures together. I have only found ones of the cub scouts, flag football, and a play when we was Abe Lincoln. I can't find a single picture of Tony doing wrestling. I have his award for it but no picture. I am going to continue to look as you will be gone for a little while. Of course, I have others of Tony but that will be later. He was so cute as a baby - I will also get a picture of your grandfather (Dad's dad) to send to you. If anyone else is interested in having a picture, let us know.
GO GATORS!!
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Closer to the mail
I have wrapped everything finally. I even have found boxes - yeah! The next step will be to address them and then take them to the post office. Michelle and Jon, your box is large but only because that is what I had and a couple of the gifts required some room. Hmmm, I wonder what it could be....
Tony and Abby, your box is not large. I just have to find some paper to wrap it and out it goes.
I am trying to remember everything that needs to go in it as well as anything I might want to send while I have the chance. I am sure I will remember I forgot something when that last bit of tape has been applied.
Oh, I just remembered! I was going to send pictures of Tony's cub scouts pinewood derby! I have to find those... good thing I haven't sealed the box.
Tony and Abby, your box is not large. I just have to find some paper to wrap it and out it goes.
I am trying to remember everything that needs to go in it as well as anything I might want to send while I have the chance. I am sure I will remember I forgot something when that last bit of tape has been applied.
Oh, I just remembered! I was going to send pictures of Tony's cub scouts pinewood derby! I have to find those... good thing I haven't sealed the box.
Monday, January 5, 2009
Changes Around the House
We have had some luck in locating a gift card that we had thought was taken. It was worth $500 so it was one that was very much wanted. It was located under some papers on our dresser. I just happened to sort through things and there it was - the gift card that caused such upset. It was a relief. It is still a shame that we could not find the other gift cards or the gifts. It is on that person's conscience. They must have really needed the gifts for their Christmas.
We cancelled the cleaning service, as I told you before, but we decided to change the house locks. I am waiting for the locksmith to arrive today to do just that for us. It is not a big deal to do it but it does take time away from your day because you have to wait for someone to show up.
We have been successful in replacing Jennifer's missing gifts. They aren't exactly like the ones she choose but we have taken pictures and sent them to her for her approval. They will be on their way to everyone as soon as we wrap and box them up.
We are enjoying our remodeling now that we are staying put for a while. We still have things to put away in the kitchen but it is looking pretty good. We have been trying to figure out what to do with our bedroom and the second bedroom. Our bedroom has been feeling crowded so we may get rid of or move the unit that has our TV on it at the present time. Dad has been wanting to get a flat screen TV for our room and this will give him a reason to do so. He will also be building one of his bookcases in the second bedroom. We will take the whole wall that the chest of drawers and bookcase are on now.
Tony and Abby have been talking about visiting us sometime in the summer if they are able. We have a queen size air mattress right now and thought we could get bunk beds for Gabe and Sophia. This will work for the space we think. We will work it out if the trip should occur.
It is chilly for California. We were in the 40's this morning with a high of about 60. It will be that way for most of the week until about Sunday when it should be about 75. That is more like it!
We are getting back into routine. I have started back with the physical therapy for the achilles tendon. I am starting on strengthening the tendon. Did I tell you that I fell in the hotel when we were checking out? Dad was putting the bags in the car and told me to wait and stay warm inside. I went to sit down and I stumbled and fell. I hit the coffee table with my stomach and landed on my knees, so I didn't hurt anything. I was afraid that I might have hurt the tendon but everything is OK. My stomach muscles hurt for a few days but I was glad that I did not damage the foot. This whole process has been going on since April 2008. I hope it will be over soon.
As far as the fall, it was a toe drag. The foot did not pick up completely. I just joked with Dad and said there was a bump in the carpet that made me stumble. It also was the cold. My legs don't do well with it. They get a heavy feeling and I start walking slower. It is one of those things I have to deal with from time to time. The heat can do the same thing to me. There isn't a perfect condition for me.
Well, I guess it is back to the house and finding new homes for our stuff.
We cancelled the cleaning service, as I told you before, but we decided to change the house locks. I am waiting for the locksmith to arrive today to do just that for us. It is not a big deal to do it but it does take time away from your day because you have to wait for someone to show up.
We have been successful in replacing Jennifer's missing gifts. They aren't exactly like the ones she choose but we have taken pictures and sent them to her for her approval. They will be on their way to everyone as soon as we wrap and box them up.
We are enjoying our remodeling now that we are staying put for a while. We still have things to put away in the kitchen but it is looking pretty good. We have been trying to figure out what to do with our bedroom and the second bedroom. Our bedroom has been feeling crowded so we may get rid of or move the unit that has our TV on it at the present time. Dad has been wanting to get a flat screen TV for our room and this will give him a reason to do so. He will also be building one of his bookcases in the second bedroom. We will take the whole wall that the chest of drawers and bookcase are on now.
Tony and Abby have been talking about visiting us sometime in the summer if they are able. We have a queen size air mattress right now and thought we could get bunk beds for Gabe and Sophia. This will work for the space we think. We will work it out if the trip should occur.
It is chilly for California. We were in the 40's this morning with a high of about 60. It will be that way for most of the week until about Sunday when it should be about 75. That is more like it!
We are getting back into routine. I have started back with the physical therapy for the achilles tendon. I am starting on strengthening the tendon. Did I tell you that I fell in the hotel when we were checking out? Dad was putting the bags in the car and told me to wait and stay warm inside. I went to sit down and I stumbled and fell. I hit the coffee table with my stomach and landed on my knees, so I didn't hurt anything. I was afraid that I might have hurt the tendon but everything is OK. My stomach muscles hurt for a few days but I was glad that I did not damage the foot. This whole process has been going on since April 2008. I hope it will be over soon.
As far as the fall, it was a toe drag. The foot did not pick up completely. I just joked with Dad and said there was a bump in the carpet that made me stumble. It also was the cold. My legs don't do well with it. They get a heavy feeling and I start walking slower. It is one of those things I have to deal with from time to time. The heat can do the same thing to me. There isn't a perfect condition for me.
Well, I guess it is back to the house and finding new homes for our stuff.
Friday, January 2, 2009
Happy New Year!
It is January 2, 2009 and we have already a problem. Do you remember how we had forgotten the gifts from Jennifer and the Christmas cards? Do you also remember how we said we would send them as soon as we got back? Well, it is going to take a little longer to mail as the gifts are not here.
We had a cleaning service come in while we were gone to do a construction cleaning on the house as well as have the carpets cleaned. Whether it was the crew that cleaned or the person that did the carpets, things left the house. The bag of gifts and the ornaments, along with the cards, disappeared. We are also missing a couple of gift cards that Dad had received from subcontractors for Christmas. All in total a few hundred dollars.
We called the cleaning service and of course they said their crew did not do anything. The problem with that statement is that they were the only ones in the house while we were gone. We did have the cat sitter but we have used this person a lot longer than this service. We didn't even think she did anything. We will have the locks changed on Monday. We have cancelled the service. We are so disappointed that someone would do this.
We have already told Jennifer about the problem and promised her that her gifts will be replaced by us. So bear with us while we find what she had picked out, wrap it, and get it into the mail. You will just have Christmas Part II at a some date to come.
We had a cleaning service come in while we were gone to do a construction cleaning on the house as well as have the carpets cleaned. Whether it was the crew that cleaned or the person that did the carpets, things left the house. The bag of gifts and the ornaments, along with the cards, disappeared. We are also missing a couple of gift cards that Dad had received from subcontractors for Christmas. All in total a few hundred dollars.
We called the cleaning service and of course they said their crew did not do anything. The problem with that statement is that they were the only ones in the house while we were gone. We did have the cat sitter but we have used this person a lot longer than this service. We didn't even think she did anything. We will have the locks changed on Monday. We have cancelled the service. We are so disappointed that someone would do this.
We have already told Jennifer about the problem and promised her that her gifts will be replaced by us. So bear with us while we find what she had picked out, wrap it, and get it into the mail. You will just have Christmas Part II at a some date to come.
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