SATURDAY EVENING @ GROCERY STORE

Me: I don’t know what to get for a snack. NOTHING looks good. [Poor, poor me]

Barry: Just get the Idaho Spud. [As if it were the most logical choice]

Me: Yeah, I think the Spud is the way to go. Look, this is the candy bar that made Idaho famous.  [Is Idaho really famous?]

WEDNESDAY MORNING

Barry: When are you going to eat your Spud?

Me: Hands off the Spud! I’ll eat it when I’m ready.  [I proceed to worry about my Spud all day at work while Barry works from home. Spud survives the work day.]

WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON

Me: Spud is a dud. So gross. [Such a let down]

Barry: Oh, you are right, that is not good.

Moral of the story: Stay away from the Spud that made Idaho famous.

1. This is a picture of our Australian home. Seriously, we lived in a car for a few months.

2. As you can see, I’m busy working in the “kitchen” getting dinner ready.

3. Please note the bottles of wine on top of the car. We bought a case of wine and kept a list of where we were each time we had a bottle. These bottles went down on the list as “The Town of 1770,” the name of the nearest town.

4. We walked into The Town of 1770  and passed at least 200 dead frogs on the road.  Barry made me stop counting.

5. Looking at this photo reminds me that happiness can be found anywhere – even in the back of a car with dead frogs stuck to the tires.

The alarm went off far too early this morning, but we found ourselves bundled and out the door by 5:45. We’re usually silent the first few hundred yards of the walk, letting the rain wash the sleep from our eyes.

Eventually the silence turns into sporadic conversation about our day, the Tubby Torpedo, the weather, our dreams, or whatever else seems suitable during the dark, wet morning stroll. It is very rare that we see another person out walking their dog, every so often we see an old lady and her ancient pup, but for the most part the streets and trails are our own.

We say we do it for Sydney – that she needs the movement – and this is true; however, I secretly enjoy spending the time with Barry while the world is still slumbering.

Our house is toasty, the hot chocolate poured and we’re counting down the hours until we’re back to work. 2009 was fantastic in every sense of the word, we’re beyond excited for 2010. Lots of changes coming…..anticipation!

This morning before Barry left he made sure to tell me to drive slowly and be really safe. Of course I told him that I would and went happily along my merry way. It wasn’t until I was getting my keys out of my purse that I also found this little note stashed on top of my belongings.

He was totally serious about me being careful in the icy conditions and seeing his second reminder was enough to make me really slow down and listen to his words.

I’m glad of that because many cars were slipping and sliding on my trek to work this morning.

We went on a one night vacation.

It was so worth it.

Sydney was so excited because she got the V.I.D. treatment.

Next time I think a one night vacation isn’t worth it, I’m going to remind myself.

It is.

I’m having a bit or writer’s block because burgers are consuming my mind as of late. A girl should only do a number of burger posts before she moves on, right? I’m not ready to move on….burger thoughts have taken over my brain. It is so strange. A few months ago it would have been torture to eat a burger with out sticking my upper lip up. Pure torture.

Now, I’d eat a burger for every meal if I could and I’ve found myself in philosophical conversations with friends about the art of the burger. I’ve also become a defender of Dick’s fries. I love them and are shocked to find there are so many haters out there! How can you turn your nose up to something so salty and greasy?

Eating burgers around HBHQ is no walk in the park. I recenlty jumped on this band wagon, but Barry has been eating burgers for decades. His dad is like Papa Burger, loving all burgers made from little Mom – N – Pop stands. Barry’s childhood memories are filled with going on some adventure with his dad, only to stop along the way for a tasty burger.

“You just don’t understand burger culture yet,” is what Barry told me as we walked Sydney yesterday morning. I wasn’t aware that there was a ‘burger culture’ to understand, but apparently I was wrong. Part of Burger Culture is not making special orders or trying to manipulate what is offered. You either order what is offered and are happy, or you don’t order at all. I had no idea. I love special ordering. I’m really good at it.

Now that I’ve been informed I feel like I might need to do a bit more research to see if I’ve become more accustomed to Barry’s burger ways.

I’ve been really, really wanting burgers lately. Tasty, delicious burgers.

Since Dick’s Drive In isn’t located right outside our front door, Barry has been kind enough to cook me some equally delicious burgers.

Sadly, his most recent experience ended (or had to be moved indoors) after he ran out of propane. I’m lucky because My Man understand the importance of getting the pregnant lady (that’s me!) her meat!!!

This wasn’t really an email “exchange” I suppose. It’s probably more like an email update, but I’ve already entered the blog title and feel committed at this point. Anyway, here’s a message I received from Hannah several weeks ago as she is starting to realize that she is not, in fact, immune to morning sickness.

Hey.

Captain awesome here.

Feeling super awesome.

Not.

On my second bottle of 7 Up.

Should have seriously bought the 6 pack.

Only bought two.

Teriyaki chicken might rock my world tonight.

Just sayin’.

You know?

Captain Awesome.

Awesomely out.

I enjoy her entertaining funniness even though she had been feeling progressively worse as the earliest days of her pregnancy went by.  Regardless, I feel like I can describe her message then and now as ….  awesome.  Especially since the nausea seems to have passed, and is being replaced by tiredness.