Follow up Friday - Restaurant Reviews

Why is it when you have a bad experience at a particular restaurant, people usually do a review on what ever media then can express their disappoint.  Well, today I am one of those people.  In fact I will be doing my vents on a couple of restaurants in the area that we have just been the past couple of days.  The first one is LeBoulanger on Santa Teresa.  I took my MIL there today because we've always had great lunch but today was different.  We both ordered the special half sandwich half salad but a little different with our choices.  She requested a Caesar salad with no cheese and dressing on the side.  When she got her place, there were cheese on it and of course dressing.  Our receipt shows exactly what she ordered but I guess the people making it does not understand their own code.  It said, Caesar salad,

No cheese on the first line and then On the side on the second line.  Pretty simple, right.  So she asked if they can make it right.  She waited for a bit and then her plate came with the salad drenched in dressing.  By this time she did not want to wait and sat at our table and just ate her sandwich. I thought I would inform their supervisor of the problem.  She apologized but did not offer to make it right but instead gave me a cookie.  Yeah!  As if my MIL will be happy because she got a cookie.  Just as side note - my MIL makes great cookies.  What I don't understand is when the person taking the order asks you all these choices and makes note of it but the end result is not what you expected.  I can understand making an error the first time, but the second time.  I am sure they don't care if they lose a couple of customers because they seem to get a good lunch crowd, but we are not coming back.  Well, I took all the space I can only talk about the second one briefly. 

 

The Firehouse on Murphy Street, Sunnyvale was our choice of venue for a little get together with Jeff's best friends and their better halves.  We got seated on the second floor where the sound was blaring from the speaker and the game wasn't even on.  Jeff asked the woman who seems to be the Supervisor, and she manage to turn it down a bit but still loud.  She also told Jeff that when the game starts that she will most likely turn the volume up.  By the time the rest of the group arrive, the game was on and it was very difficult to hear what people are saying.  The food is nothing to rave about, the pizza was soggy and the wings were had too much vinegar or Tabasco.  The service was not bad and our waitress was cute and very attentive.  One of Jeff's friend mentioned that it's either we are getting older as we can't stand very noisy places, or we will just have to pick a different place next time we meet so we call really talk and hear the stories that each one wants to share.  Sometimes I prefer to just invite them at our home because I know we can give better services and we actually can hear everyone without screaming.  

 

Truthful Thursday - Relationship 101

What does it take to have a great marriage?  Is there truly a secret to a perfect relationship?

Will you ever find that special someone to grow old with?  Why is it difficult for some and easy for others to meet a partner?  Can anyone answer these questions based on experience? Let's begin.

The answer to all the questions above is not a secret and everyone who is in a relationship will agree that every couple have their own system but the one key is that both are on the same page.  Simple enough but you will be surprised that when they actually sit down and talk about what's the problem, they are totally on a different page.  Both men and women are guilty of hearing but not listening or misinterpretation of what each one is saying.  Try not to play mind games.  Communication is the key.  Don't keep collecting issues that you wish to discuss with your partner.  Try and schedule a day where you can talk as adults without arguements.  Give each other a chance to speak without interuption.  Never do this discussion in bed.  Make sure that you don't go to bed mad or angry.  

Here's my top important positive attributes to bring into a relationship:

• Trust 
• Honesty
• Easy going
• Even temper
• Patience
• Humor
• Caring
• Love
• Helpful
• Supportive

I seem to recall some of my friends telling me after I got divorced that maybe my expectation was a bit high.  Actually it wasnt, I was just not preparead to settle for someone who I hope would change for me.  Maybe it's luck or maybe it's a coincidence but Jeff and I found each other at the time of our life when we both have been there and done that stage.

 

A very good friend of mine once said "no one should grow old alone".  But another friend also said, "I'd rather have bad times with you than good times with someone else".  Wait a minute that was from the lyrics of Luther Van Dross ' I'd rather.  Anyway, it's something like I'd be happier alone that with the wrong person and be miserable.  OK that was from Jeff.

 

 

 

What's new Wednesday - Life in general

For my loyal readers who checks on my blog as their way of finding out what's new with me, this is my update on life in general.  But first, I would like to share a photo of our fourth harvest.  This morning I went out on the backyard just to check on the weather as well as our little garden.  To my surprise there were some veggies that are ready to pick.  At first I thought I would let Jeff get it when he gets home from work because it's the fruits of his labor.  Of course his reply was go ahead pick them but make sure wear your gloves, etc.

The biggest zucchini was a bit difficult to cut because it was sort of hidden.

Last weekend we were invited for dinner at one of our neighbors around the corner.  She made an authentic cottage pie aka Sheppard's pie.  For dessert she made this awesome pie that was very smooth and creamy and just melts in your mouth.

I ate a very small piece but I wish I had taken a second piece as it was truly yummy.

After dessert, we were invited to play Rockband with Byddi and Allan.  I decided to try the guitar first because at least I know I've played something similar - Guitar Hero.  While Allan played the drums, I'm on guitar and Byddi and Jeff were our singers.  We played in our band for at least three hours alternating instruments, microphone and having a blast rockin' it.  What was interesting that I've enjoyed being the drummer more than the guitarist.  After a couple of turns, I was really getting it and reached some awesome scores.  It was another late night but it was ok because we only had a few steps to our home.

As to my scrap booking, I have completed two albums and starting my third one which is about Jeff and his family.  Now that I have some experience, it seems to move a lot faster and each page seems to better.  It's difficult to share them as there are so many pages but maybe I can just pick my favorites and feature them some day.

 

Tense Tuesday - Too much sitting

What happens when you do a lot of sitting as a result of a long distance drive or long hours of scrapbooking or even just watching TV?  For many of you, probably nothing happens but for me it seems like my sciatica on my right leg is back.  Since I am not interested in taking any type of pill for it, the best solution for me is getting an hour of classic massage.  Lucky for me, I have an awesome massage therapist at the Preston Wynn Spa and her name is Natalie.  If I remember it correctly she has been my MT for at least a year and a half.  She is so good at unknotting the knots and relaxing all the tense muscles.  It's never too hard or too weak, just the right amount of pressure. It as been a while since I have gone so I hope to book an appointment this week.  Well, that's all for today because I have been sitting on my not so comfy chair and it's starting to act up.  I better go do some housework or some type of stretching.  I hope all my readers are having a terrific Tuesday instead of a tense day.  Relax.

Mystery Monday - Adopted/Foster Pets

Don't be alarmed, I did not really adopt any pets.  It's some form of adoption because these birds love building their nest in the front of our house.  There's a beam right as you come in the area where the front door is located.  We have tried to put a rock, a ceramic bunny and other items, but they still manage to make a perfect nest.  Usually Jeff finds it too late as the eggs are already laid.  

Jeff was able to take a photo while the mother was away getting food.

This past weekend Jeff started hearing some tiny high pitched bird sounds.  He decided to check it out.  I sort of knew that it's probably been hatched or something because a couple of days ago, each time I leave and each time I come back, the mommy bird would be flying out of the nest and sometimes too low, I feel like I am being attacked.  So as you can see there's five eggs.  Now check out the latest photo Jeff took yesterday.

If you can zoom in, you can see that there's actually five baby birds.

Adopted pets or foster pets are great because they are there but they actually take care of themselves and when they are ready to fly, they all leave and Jeff get's to clean the nest.  This is actually the second family that has shared our front entrance.  There are no tenants in our back yard because our big tree is filled with branches and leaves.  No sign of Ted and Sylvia until maybe the winter months.

 

Finnicky Friday - Scrapbooking Afternoon

Scrapbooking is another craft that I've always wanted to try so my friend Jean and I met one afternoon and tried it for the first time.  We took out all our supplies and laid it out on the table.  Starting was a bit difficult since we both have no experience but once we completed our first page, it became easier after that.  I plan to finish my first album this weekend because I am excited to do another one.  Actually I have already figure out what is needed.  The first one I am making is Family, second is Friends, third will be for Jeff's son as his photos of his childhood are currently in a box.  Maybe there's a fourth but for now I will see how well I do my first couple of book.  There are so many ways to do them as described in the book that my MIL gave me, but Jean and I are just winging it and so far we are very happy with the results.  Unfortunately I have not taken a photo of the first few pages, but once completed, I hope to share some of the pages.  Some might be too finnicky about how and what to complete each page.  For me, I am just taking each page and since I have organized the photos into their categories, it is just a matter of arranging them and giving it a little extra creativity.  Have you done any scrapbook lately?  Did you find it difficult to begin?  Is there any tip you can provide to beginners like us? 

This is fancy.  My book is simple but from the heart.

Truthful Thursday - August Birthdays

The month of August is the only month out of the whole year that is filled with birthdays of family and friends.  So for today I just want to wish everyone on this list a happy happy birthday and may each and everyone have all their birthday wishes come true.

 

• August 6 - Mike of Edmonton, Alberta (x brother in law)
• August 8 - Russ of Mississauga, Ontario (great friend)
• August 14 - Becky of San Jose, CA (first cousin once removed)
• August 16 - Jeff my favorite hubby 
• August 16 - Anjay of Oakville, Ontario (my son's best friend)
• August 16 - Gil of San Jose, CA (Jeff's friend and co-worker)
• August 18 - Lisa of San Jose, CA (Jeff's friends Lany's wife_
• August 25 - Tom of San Jose, CA (Jeff's other best friend)
• August 26 - Gino (I will always remember him on this day)
• August 26 - Carlos of Milpitas, CA (Jeff's best friend)
• August 26 - Marie of Burr, Saskatchewan (my friend, our first child were born the same day (Dec 8) - Alysia my daughter and Lany (Marie's son)  It's weird because there are at least two other members of our family that has the same birthdays.
• August 26 - Allister of Toronto, Ontario (former co-worker and a good friend)
• August 28 - Gord of Brampton, Ontario (golf buddy and former supervisor)
• August 29 - Brock of Caledon, Ontario (aka the most interesting man in the world)