Charlestown Pizza Company and Weekend Project

I had been wanting to try the Charlestown Pizza Company for a few months now, but Hubs always said if he was having pizza, he was having it delivered (I know, interesting philosophy).  So, while he was away hiking one day, I took the girls to try it out...

The interior is pretty simple, but I watched seat after seat fill up.

I ordered the Thin Ten with ham...it was all right, but I really wasn't that impressed.  I also ordered garlic cheesy bread to share with the girls-- the crust was thick and cheesy, just as I like it, but I can't say it was remarkably better than other bread that I've had.  The girls shared a small pizza and the decision was split:  Lovely liked, Snugglebug didn't.

Prices were average, I believe the bill came out to be less than $20 for the three of us, but I'm used to spending much less than that on pizza for the gals and me.  So, average rating:  C (for Charlestown, of course!)

 

The above is our weekend accomplishment.  We have wanted a gazebo for years now, especially for our hum-drum yard.  Rural King (don't ask me to pronounce that--I sound like a preschooler: "roooraal") had one at a super low price, so we finally broke down and bought it.  The one that looks just like it at Sears is about $160 more.  It included the top & mosquito netting, so we were finally able to set our lawn furniture around to create a nice outdoor living space.  Still to do:

1.  Get an outdoor coffee table

2.  Place pots/planters around the gazebo on the outside

3.  Buy a nice candle for the inside

4.  String some outdoor lights on the ceiling

5.  Possibly paint small murals on the inside corners of the gazebo frame (Hubs said, "You aren't going to paint some funky mural on this, are you?" Which I, of course, took as, "Why don't you paint a cool mural on this.")

Hubs still plans on tilling the garden and planting a simple garden, with my herbs, tomatoes, a few peppers, and some zucchini.  I hate for my garden to go to waste, so I'm all for it.

Also this weekend, I stopped at a neighborhood yard sale, where I finally found some books.  Of course, I'm a sucker for books, but I've only been finding actual books worth reading at teacher's houses--which is really sad to think about.  I also bought a sheer white curtain panel to try a sewing a skirt Snugglebug fell in love with.

What projects have you been working on?

Crochet Monkey Hat

I was invited to a baby shower and so I thought I'd put one of my major accomplishments of the semester to use:  crocheting!  I noticed on the gift registry that there were a lot of "monkey" items, so I thought this pattern from Tara's blog would work well.  I was amazed that I remembered any of the stitches I learned this past winter from Allison, but it wasn't long before it was all coming back to me!  It's not as perfect as I would like, but I think it's pretty cute: 

Below, it looks a little like a sheep.  That's all right...the baby can by a transanimal ;-) 

And here is where Hubs designed the perfect monkey hat model:

I did alter the pattern slightly by using acrylic yarn for the edging (it felt softer) and I somehow turned the pattern halfway through, so there is more of a pattern to the basic hat than just the same stitch again and again.  Stitches learned:  hdc2tog.  Stitches relearned:  hdc, dc, sl, sc (pitiful, eh?).  I also varied the pattern by using the CC for the edging on the ears (the pics on the pattern reflected this idea, but it wasn't actually in the pattern).  Oh, did I mention it took me one day to complete this hat? Lightening Fingers!! 

Mother's Day Tea

Mother's Day Tea

Kindergarten 2011

Lovely dressed as a bear

They also sang a song they. I must say, it was too adorable!  There were cookies, scones, fruit with dip, tea, and punch.  The girls were required to wear dresses and the boys were required to wear nice shirts and ties if possible. 

Kaboom!

Today was Field Trip Day.  I had reserved seats to see Doctor Kaboom! back when I still had plans of homeschooling, but since Snugglebug is only in Pre-K two days a week, I still had an excuse to go...

I say an excuse because I became enamored with Doctor Kaboom! during a Renaissance Festival a couple years ago.  Then, I found out he was coming to IUS....FREE! So, I of course reserved seats for myself and my nephews (who were at the time homeschooling).  Sure enough, he came back again this year, so I booked seats for myself, Snugglebug, and my best buddy & her kids...Thus, I have proved his theory that videos of him would discourage people from actually coming to his show--I've seen him three times, and I'm still willing to go back!

Here is Doctor Kaboom! testing his theory that catapults were not originally weapons of war...they were built to feed the masses of people cheaply :)

Here he is demonstrating the air cannon...pretty cool for a garbage can and a shower curtain!

Knocking a cup off of the little girl's head...with the air cannon.

This next picture seems kind of random, but I'm trying to play catch-up since my computer arrived this morning...

These were my purchases at Zappo's outlet store--my new favorite shoe store.  Actually, I put the blue ones, the black flats, and the brown heels back...reluctantly...very, very reluctantly.  I then purchased two prs for each of the girls and my receipts said I saved over $393!  --That makes what I did spend a LITTLE more reasonable! 

Here's what I'm reading this week.  I found out my culminating project prospectus is due June 3, so I'm hoping to get this finished quickly...even though it is wonderful to read slowly!  I loved the enchanting movie and the play, but this is the first time I've read the book.  Just look at that cover!  So warm and inviting--even with a toad in hand!

So what are you reading this week? 

My Dog Ate My Computer

Ok, so my dog didn't really eat my computer.  Actually, I don't even have a dog, truth be told.  But, I do have two little troublemakers around the house... All right, it wasn't their faults, either.  I don't know what happened, other than my laptop is now over 5.5 yrs old.  It went pop! and now it no longer turns on.  My nephew mentioned something about something liquifying...you get the picture.

So...I went online and purchased another laptop.  Not the Apple I originally wanted, but another Toshiba because that's what my old one was and let's face it:  people avoid change if it can be helped.  On the upside, I customized it & got a terrific Mother's Day discount of $265 (plus another discount of $150), so I hope I like what I get!  Actually, I couldn't get a Mac b/c they don't work with Quickbooks Payroll yet, according to the Apple Store Techies, and I need that function for Hub's business. 

Long story short, it might be another week or two before I really get started blogging again.  I had all these great catch-up blog post plans, that simply must be postponed. 

In the mean time, maybe I'll get around to--you know--cleaning my house? 

Funny Road Signs

I've been meaning to post these photos for weeks...almost months now.  They have cracked me up repeatedly on my drive to school/work every day.  Oh...and while taking these photos, I've realized just how important a law against "driver photography" is...

Southern Indiana...Home of the LOUISVILLE Cardinals

Yes, I'm a Cardinal because I attend the university.  However, U of L appears to be laying claim on all of S. Indiana now.  So, can we all claim random areas of the country to be our "second," "third," or "forth" home?

Maybe the lack of sleep was catching up with me, but I couldn't stop laughing at this.  No, not becaue the front side is so funny...

Scroll a little further...

 

It's because the back side looks like she is losing her brains :)  Was this planned by competing hospitals? 

I know, not the most exciting, but that's how I roll.  Really. 

Oh, and I made it over to the Knit Nook today.  I spent $28, but I got a lot of supplies.  I don't know if I need/will need what I got, but I figured it was all 80%, so why not get it, just in case?  ;-) 

Oh, and now that I've broken out the wallet at the knitting store, I have the sudden urge to do other shopping.  I want to go shoe shopping, so I'd like to head to Zappo's soon.  I've never been there, but I've been wanting to go for years and years now.  Did I mention I'm an "all or nothing" kinda gal?  Once I start spending $, it becomes increasingly difficult to stop.  It's about time that phone rings with a job offer and a good paycheck :D

So are you "all or nothing" or "anything/everything in between"?

And I Have Returned

Hello, hello!  I know--it's been a while!  I am ecstatic to report that I have finished all of the classes for my Master's of English, and I only have my culminating project to complete this summer.  (Is it wrong to admit I had this sudden urge to say, "Forget the project!" and just give up?--Weird, I know!) 

Anyway, I spent yesterday cleaning.  And cleaning.  Lesson learned for this week:  don't let an entire semester go by without cleaning your daughters' room.  I never actually got around to dusting; I just spent three hours digging out toys, trash, and dirty laundry.  I now know my children are the actual Sock Monsters. 

To start the first blog of freedom, I'm going to post my meal plans for the week (well, probably next week, but I'm going to the grocery store today):

Chicken Rollatini w/ Spinach all Parmigiana

Thai Coconut Curry Shrimp

(look how daring I am--never had Thai food before!)

Turkey Chili Taco Soup 

Of course, this is only if the store has the right ingredients.  I don't have time to make it over to Whole Foods today, but I plan on going next week.  I think it's been 4-5 months since I was able to walk leasurely through the store and sample delectible bites...mmmm

Other plans for this Derby week/end: 

• Clean my house while Lovely has a friend over to play today
• Finish a "fact-checking" side job (on a manuscript for publication)
• Attend a Mother's Day tea at Lovely's school, where we are to dress "fancy" and be introduced to the rest of the class.
• Hit up the Knit Nook for their inventory blowout sale
• Possibly go to an end-of-the semester party at a co-worker's (although I usually leave really early, so we're only talking 1-2 hours)
• Visit the mothers for Mother's Day.  Hope my girls remember I'm a mother, too.

What are your plans?

If I don't write again soon, Happy Mother's Day!