My To Do List for SPRING BREAK

Things I wanna do during this week off...
ride the horses - I hope we can squeeze in a trail ride.

exercise - in some manner every day

spring cleaning inside (outside coming soon…)

start our garden (inside) - This year we are going to for sure do the apple bin gardening.

read two books - actually I want to finish reading the two books that I am in the middle of right now!

write two chapters of my novel - (I had this list started on Friday, and I did write a chapter Sunday night!!!!)

watch some movies on our list to watch!

maybe watch a tv series - I love the Tudors, and I would like to see season two, but I dont' think it's out yet. Another series I am interested in is Dexter.

organize stuff for Relay for Life - I need to get all my team members registered (I have four teams this year!)

BEST DINNER EVER!!! My new favorite restaurant in town!

     Rick and I decided on the spur of the moment to go out and eat tonight, and so we aimlessly headed down to town.
     It's not like we have a ton of choices, and the ones that we do have, we often don't agree or both aren't in the mood to eat at this place or that place.
     In the end, we decided to try the new Canvas Cowboys Grill, and let me tell you, we were MORE THAN pleasantly surprised.
     First off, we pulled up to witness some bullwhip demonstrations, so that was a nice touch! LOL
     I truly believe that Bink Picard has something SUPER special going here!
     Honestly, this is one of THE best dinners I have ever had in my entire life. NO LIE.
     Rick affirms that his steak was, "Without a doubt the best steak I have ever had in my life." That's coming from Mr. Picky!!!
     Many of you know that I am from Texas, and that my beloved grandfather, Pa (as I call him), is a person who I consider the best BBQer on the planet. Although he is no longer with us, he was a true Texan cowboy through and through, and one of the best cooks. Why? Because he believed in taking his time and making things "just right" as he would say.
     Well, I guarantee if my Pa was still alive, I would take him to Canvas Cowboys to eat, and he would be satisfied and pleased, and let me tell you that's the truest compliment I could ever give.
     I can't wait to take my dad (another BBQer extraordinaire)there on his next visit!!
     Let's talk about the ambience first. Well, the decor is some of the most incredible artwork, which you can check out online. My favorites were the Sam Elliot and Tom Selleck pieces. AMAZING.
     What's really cool is that we were able to hear the story behind some of the artwork. I always love knowing the details, and what an honor to hear them from the artist himself!
     I also LOVED that the seats were old bleachers from the Stampede! Talk about a clever way to keep it real and connected!
     OK, now for the meal...We both had to bring over half of our dinners home! I had a 10 ounce steak (Rick's was 16 ounces). Normally the portion for mine should be 8 ounces. And, the beef is bought locally!
     Along with our steaks we also got salad (all fresh veggies and greens), beans and rice (with a sweet taste), a roll, a baked potato, red potato salad (fresh and perfect), and a piece of apple pie (that we also brought home).
     Talk about a plate FULL of food! Holy cow! And, I can't believe how reasonable the prices are!!! My meal was $19.95, and Rick's was $29.99, which included Rick's Mountain Dew. I just drank water.
     Here's the funny moment of the night. Before we got our food, I told Rick I thought it was funny that they didn't give you a steak knife, when it was supposed to be steak for dinner. And, I figured it would come on our dinner plate.
     When our dinners arrived, no steak knife. Then I used my bread knife to cut it, and HELLO! Can someone say TENDER????!! Definitely NO steak knife needed!
     And, let me tell you...the food was exceptionally tasteful. I, without a doubt, will be back! Next time, I will order and try the ribs!
     To end our delightful dinner, right about the time that we both felt like we might pop, Bink serenaded us with a little Johnny Cash. I had no idea that was coming, and let me tell you...it made my night!
     Yup, Bink's the cook, artist, and entertainment! He does have a nice support team of two other people, a waitress and prep cook.
     So, they are open on Friday and Saturdays starting at 5 p.m. for dinner, and then on Mondays for lunch and dinner.
     I can't wait to have a girls night there, and the only thing, I would like is a cold beer or nice glass of red wine.
     Hey, when you go visit, tell Bink that you Trisha sent ya, OK?!
     Oh, and if you go on Saturday night, you might get to see Bink's horse! How's that for authentic?

Care Packages and all!

     So, as most of you know, my son is a Marine. I send him and also the son of my best friend a care package every two weeks. I always send stuff that makes their lives easier, and usually it’s a lot of random things! Lots of snacks, movies, our local paper, drinks, magazines, and whatever else I find and think they might like.
     Well, anyhow, our little one decided that she was going to send a special package to her big brother. She’s so proud of him!!
I was a little worried about what was in the box, but I didn’t want to break it open because she had even taped it all up! I do have to fill out a declaration form in order to send a package to Cody, since it’s international and all. I ended up writing toys and pictures, although I really wasn't sure.
     Cody did just get the package, and he said it made his day! He said it was pretty funny to see all the big and tough guys standing around him checking out his special package, and that they all sounded like they were a bunch of women at a baby shower with their ooooooos and aaaaaaaas.
     On the outside of the box she wrote, “I love my big bro Cody! Hez in the US Marinz! Dont forget to send me prezens!”
Inside the box were lots of pictures she drew of the two of them together, and a couple of toys, two lollipops, a small American Flag, a dollar bill (this was HUGE because she loves money!), and an envelope with a card. The card was blank, and on the envelope it said, “Fil out and send bac to me.” LOL!!!! Too cute!
      Cody said he is going to never spend the dollar bill and always keep it with him, and he plans on sending her that card back, too. She absolutely loves it when she gets mail from him!
     I am so proud of her for being so thoughtful and kind. And, how cool is it that she made a whole bunch of marines smile!

My Monday!

Monday is the key day of the week. Gaelic Proverb

     I tend to agree. Doesn’t your Monday just set the tone for the rest of the week? Today was a SUPER Monday for me!!!
     It started out with just feeling happy and healthy and THANKFULLY not too sore after my 4-hour trail ride yesterday. I have to admit I was worried because last night I started feeling quite sore, but today I feel GREAT!!!
     Then Cody called! YEAH! We talked for a LONG time, and it’s just so good to hear his voice, especially after the big SNAFU on Friday that had me a little anxious. I feel so happy when I talk to him!! Hey, hug your loved ones today and feel lucky for it!! I can’t wait to hug him again…sometime this summer.
     Today I also had a massage…What a nice way to relax and end the day. By the way, I always schedule my massages for Monday appointments? I figure if I have a tough Monday, it will just change that energy around, right?!
     Happy Monday! You only get 52 a year, so make the best of them. And, today is the 12th Monday of 2009! I also realized that I only have 11 Mondays left until I am out for summer vacation. It’s not that I am counting, just that we have a TON of fun things to do this summer !!
     Whether your Monday was STELLAR or not so, just remember you get another one in 6 more days!

Rainbow lover!

     We had to stop on Friday to take a picture of the rainbow!!! Of course, our little one wanted to go and search out the pot of gold. She's still a little obsessed with leprechauns this week!! LOL

We all know what SNAFU means...

Pic from CNN website

     As many of you may have heard, a nuclear submarine crashed into the ship Cody is on!! What the heck? How does that seriously happen with today’s technology?
     You can read all about it HERE.
     Cody emailed right away in the morning to let me know he was OK because he knew I would hear about it on the news.
     He told us that he thought it was an explosion of some sort and then they immediately could smell gasoline when it happened. He was in his berthing (living quarters), and they were watching a movie at around 1 a.m. his time when his ship was hit.
     When I first heard about this and researched it, I immediately found it stupid and somewhat funny, not in a knee-slapper sort of way, mind you. But, I guess more like ridiculous!
     Now that I have had a few days to really digest all of this. I am MAD. It could’ve been REALLY bad.
     What if the entire boat exploded? They did after all hit near the gas storage, at least 25,000 gallons of the diesel is now in the ocean.
     What if the boat had sunk? You know, like HEY you sank my battleship! Hello, they have over 1000 sailors and marines on that ship!
     Thankfully nobody was critically injured, just sounds like some bumps and bruises for some of the 200 sailors aboard the sub.
     And, I thought I had to be worried about terrorists!!?! SIGH

Happy first day of SPRING!!!!!

     The sun was even shining just a bit ago!
     I am soooo glad for Spring to be here, now if the weather would just figure that out, too!!!
     I just love getting back outside and being able to do more later since we have more light.
     Just last night we were talking about how the temperature felt mild without any wind!!
     If you get a chance check out google today!



     It's a Google Doodle celebrating Eric Carle's 40th anniversary for The Hungry Caterpillar! Can you believe that book has been out for 40 years?! Mr. Carle has a super cool life story RIGHT HERE! And, he is 80 now!!!