IT'S SUPPOSE TO BE ALL ABOUT ME, BUT....

Just a little useful info first (it goes with the pic) [I've never made one before, but have drank a few]:

Lemon Drop Martini

2 ounces vodka

1 ounce Triple Sec

2 ounces Jose Cuervo Margarita Mix

1 teaspoon superfine sugar

2 Tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice

Ice cubes

Superfine sugar for dipping

Twisted peel of lemon

Place the sugar and lemon juice in a cocktail shaker. Swirl the shaker around so that both ingredients are mixed thoroughly. Add ice cubes. Add the vodka, triple sec and margarita mix, and shake well. Strain into a cocktail glass. Pour strained liquor into sugar-rimmed martini glass and garnish with a twisted peel of lemon.

NOTE: To create a sugar-rimmed glass, take a lemon wedge and rub the drinking surface of the glass so it is barely moist. Dip the edge of the glass into sugar. (This is the best part, make sure and do it)
Makes 1 serving.

HEY, I WANT TO MAKE SURE MY BLOG IS INFORMATIVE, AS WELL AS ENTERTAINING!

OK, I've just about had it. JR is beginning to steal my thunder, and I don't like it one little bit. Yes, he has turned into the big winner in the family! It seems that lately, everytime we go gambling, he wins, and I don't. Now most of you who know me, know that I have always been pretty darn lucky and win most of the time. Well, it seems the tides have shifted, and something appears to be screwed up in this cosmic universe......John's winning and I'm not! You know, I was actually happy for him the first couple of times, but now it is really starting to get on my nerves, and the more he wins, the more he wants to keep gambling. Hello..................did you notice I'm not winning............you are starting to cost me money............worse yet, he doesn't seem to care. Well, I shall keep contemplating this lastest delimma, and try to figure out what "fun" thing I can do while he continues to gamble. My wife-in-law suggested drinking more lemon drop martinis, and it's starting to sound like a pretty good idea! So, this about covers my Friday night, except that we did have a very nice time meeting our friends for drinks at the Gourmet Room. I decided to start celebrating my birthday a little early, thus the reason for even drinking the lemon drops, as well as the cranberry martini, and the sea breeze. Hey, when you're sitting right in front of the bartender watching him make the drinks, you figure you might as well try a few. And the appetizer of mussels..........out of this world...........all in a wonderful garlic butter sauce. Boy, all of a sudden it just hit me.......how many pounds do you think this put on?

Oh, here's an interesting fact..........you can't get a battery for a Passat in this entire area. Yes, my battery went out and I purchased one at Sam's Club which was listed to fit a Passat. Well, the Passat manual says to make sure the dimensions are exactly the same as the original battery. When we got home, they weren't. We called several places, no one carries batteries for a Passat. So we called the dealer in Henderson and they said "$121!" I said, "John, it is time for your Mexican ingenuity to kick in (he's good at that). He said he could get it to fit, but he hated to start jacking up my car that way. I told him as along as there is no permanent damage, go for it. Well, he has the battery in, it works just fine, and eveyone is happy (at least, until the smaller battery comes flying out of the car!)

Now, most of you who know me, know that I roller skate (quads) and had an unfortunate accident when I first got my new skates about 1-1/2 years ago. Flew up in the air and come down hard on concrete. The wheels move when you are tyring to stand still......what's up with that? Well, I have been trying to figure out a way to slow them down ever since then, and have gotten really serious since my back and hip have been hurting. I decided the reason my hip hurts so bad is because I'm scared to death I'm going to fall again! Well after emailing a couple of skating places, about changing out the bearings, etc., one of them suggested I tighten the wheels. Who in the heck knew you could do that, for crying out loud!!! Well, guess what? Problem solved, it was an absolutely genuis idea!!! They are much slower now, which works for me, hey, what's the use of using them to exercise if you barely have to push with your legs......this will be better all the way around.

Did you all know that Traci (daughter-in-law) had her ultrasound and the baby is definitely a girl, which it well should be for the price!!! They want to take the baby on the day after Thanksgiving, but so far Traci is having none of that. I'm not sure why, but we shall see. Our older son said to remind his brother that there are a lot of football games on that day, but I surely don't think that would be Traci's reason. I have now probably given her incentive to let them go ahead and take the baby the day after Thanksgiving!!

Tomorrow we go out to lunch with Trav, Traci, and Zach. Then, guess what, JR wants to gamble! NOOOOOOOOOOO!!! Zach is starting school on Monday, so he is excited about that!! I'm anxious to see how he likes it, as he will be going five days a week, 9 to 2. Long day for a little kid.

We leave on Saturday for the condo at Lawrence Welk. I am so looking forward to it. I just have to make it through 32 hours more of work, and then I am out of here for some rest and relaxation!!! I can hardly wait. The only bummer this year is that Trav, Traci, Zach, Bobby, Rachel, and Caleb will not be joining us. We will miss them......we may be a bit dysfunctional, but we all love each other. Oh well, we will have Megan, Tim, and Ryan, so there is still enough people to get on each other's nerves. We will be touring some of the wineries in Temecula and hitting the Del Mar Races. Other than that, no plans, just whatever the heck we want to to. Taylor will be coming up to spend a few days, so we are excited about that.

Wow, I better go start packing!

Until later,

Ciao Baby!