Sicilian Meat Feast...not so much


Last night my buddy Janet came over to hang out, walk the dogs and eat pizza with me. In case you haven't already tried them, the new California Pizza Kitchen frozen pizzas are pretty tasty, but last night I learned that they don't always turn out like the picture on the box. After returning from a good walk that was threatened by thunder for the full 2.5 miles, we decided to try the Sicilian Recipe pizza, which CPK describes as "a taste of the old world, with a zesty blend of marinara sauce, Italian sausage, spicy ham, salami, and basil with mozzarella, fontina and parmesan cheeses." Sounds pretty good right?

Well, I had to do a double take when I removed our meat lover's treat from the box, because all I found was a few slices of ham and one, yes 1, sad little bit of sausage on the entire thing. Of course since Janet was my guest, I graciously gave her the slice with the tiny bit of sausage. Hopefully this pizza was a fluke accident as I have several more in the freezer (Jay loaded up on them in a sale). Guess we'll find out soon!

So thanks California Pizza Kitchen, but contrary to your ad pictured above, Sicily did not "conquer hungry" last night.

To put a positive spin on the evening...it was great to see Janet, and at least we never got rained on right?

Janet, I promise to do better next time you come over for dinner!

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I've Been Tagged!

After being challenged by Melanie, Ashely, & Tonya already today, I decided I have to respond (Also, it's Friday, and I am tired of working):

1. My uncle once: ate my breakfast sausage for me when my Dad wasn't looking so I could go outside and play. I hate breakfast sausage and was told I couldn't leave the table until it was gone. God Bless Uncle Denny!

2. Never in my life: will I own a mini-van. I mean that.

3. When I was five: I hid all of my cube steak under my seat cushion so I could finally be excused from the table after dinner, and my Mom did not find it until a week later. Man I was a stubborn eater as a child. They never left me alone at the table again after that one!

4. High school was: pretty fun actually. I loved growing up in a small town. Rednecks are funny.

5. I will never forget: the moment I realized I wanted to marry Jay. (I know, gag me, but it's true!)

6. Once I met: James Worthy . I kicked him out of my college apartment one time.

7. There’s this girl I know: who finds out on Monday if she's having a boy or a girl in January. I can't wait for that phone call!

8. Once, at a bar: I danced on stage and sang along to "Keep Your Hands to Yourself" by the Georgia Satellites. Yeah, I'm pretty classy!

9. By noon, I’m usually: trying to prevent my stomach from eating itself.

10. Last night: My husband took me out dinner! Can you believe it?

11. If only I had: a maid, personal chef, a million dollars, I could go all day on this one.

12. Next time I go to church: I will pray for my heathen self.

13. What worries me most: losing those closest to me.

14. When I turn my head left I see: the Cimzia program flow. Yeah, you're jealous!

15. When I turn my head right I see: a whiteboard with some of Ashely's graffiti on it. Can you tell I am typing this at work?

16. You know I’m lying when: I suck at lying. You will know.

17. What I miss most about the Eighties is: summers, like real ones where you can lay by the pool and have no responsibility other than to be home before dark.

18. If I were a character in Shakespeare I’d be: someone kickass. I don't read Shakespeare but I would kick ass.

19. By this time next year: maybe I'll finally have a wedding album?

20. A better name for me would be: Mary. Because then I could be Mary Blueberry. And that's a great name.

21. I have a hard time understanding: basically anything that involves math.

22. If I ever go back to school, I’ll: go somewhere like fashion design school. So I can get some and be rich and famous and stuff.

23. You know I like you if: I answer your calls.

24. If I ever won an award, the first person I would thank would be: my husband.

25. Take my advice, never: drop your cell phone in the toilet.

26. My ideal breakfast is: Lucky Charms. I know, I'm 5.

27. A song I love but do not have is: "No Air" - The reason I don't have it is b/c it irritated the crap out of me when it first came out, but thanks to Mel, it has grown on me.

28. If you visit my hometown, I suggest you: not plan to swim in the lake.

29. Why won’t people: get off their cell phones and just drive? or learn how to merge for goodness sake?

30. If you spend a night at my house: bring wine. Just kidding! No, seriously, bring wine.

31. I’d stop my wedding for: nothing (it was pretty awesome).

32. The world could do without: I was going to say stupid people. But then thinking about survival of the fittest and also the sheer entertainment value, I will stick with the majority: mean people.

33. I’d rather lick the belly of a cockroach than: I'd rather not even touch a cockroach, thanks.

34. My favourite blonde(s) is/are: Brett Michaels. He has the diabetes you know...

35. Paper clips are more useful than: no paper clips.

36. If I do anything well it’s: grilled cheese. I am the master of grilled cheese.

37. And by the way: My boss just told me to go home early b/c it's Friday and we can. So I am out of here!

All right, Courtney, Kathleen, whoever is reading this...you're up!

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Yummy Good Deeds

On Monday night, I was invited by some of my coworkers to help serve dinner at the Ronald McDonald House in Chapel Hill. What an honor! The Ronald McDonald House mission is to provide a home away from home for families of children receiving treatment at nearby hospitals, such as UNC. Ronald McDonald House Charities was founded in 1984, a decade after Dr. Audrey Evans and Philadelphia Eagles’ tight end Fred Hill, whose daughter had leukemia, opened the first Ronald McDonald House in Philadelphia. In memory of McDonald’s founder and children’s advocate, Ray Kroc, RMHC was established to help seriously ill children and their families and to continue the success of the first Ronald McDonald House.

We served fresh salad, traditional lasagna, white chicken lasagna (so yummy, I have got to get Kelly's recipe for this!) and spinach lasagna with garlic bread, lemonade and sweet tea. Dinner was followed by brownies and ice cream for dessert. All in all, we served about 20 or so residents of the house. It felt so nice to get out and do something kind, especially as the guests brought their empty plates back to the kitchen and thanked us for the meal. I am sure we will be back to serve again in the future!



Jess, Anna and Emily:

Anna and Jess:

Sally and Me:

Me checking the garlic bread:

The behaviorists (Jess, Rebecca, Kelly, Sally and Dana):

The rest of us (Anna, Me, Emily & Karen):

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Hangin' in Hotlanta


On Monday I had a client meeting down in the ATL so I flew in Sunday morning to spend the day with Courtney. She's now almost 4 months along, so I was excited to see the start of her baby bump!

I landed in Atlanta around noon and went to pick up my rental car and head into the city to meet Court for a late brunch at Horseradish Grill. Upon arriving I handed off my keys to the valet who promptly called me back to my vehicle and told me it wouldn't start. He was having problems getting the key to turn in the ignition, so I tried it and also had no luck. Then Courtney pulled up behind my rental and she gave it a go and couldn't start it either. Since there was no manual in the car, I decided to call the rental car roadside assistance for help. The rep who answered the call proceeded to talk both me and the valet through turning the key but neither of us could get it to budge. After a bit of heated discussion with the call center rep, the rental agency called to let me know they'd be sending me a replacement vehicle.

So my advice to you is not to rent a Chevy HHR. Ever. The best part of the story is that after waiting at the restaurant for 2.5 hours, the replacement vehicle finally showed up and we realized they had sent me the exact same car, down to the hideous champagne gold paint! We just had to laugh at that point!

We hopped in my sweet ride and headed to Atlantic Station for a little shopping at H&M and AT Loft and then decided to head back to Courtney's house for dinner. Greg made us some awesome jerk chicken on the grill. Being that it was a school night we didn't stay up too late, but it was a nice visit and great to be able to mix a little fun with business.

I had a little more fun with my rental car on Monday morning on my way to the meeting. The car in front of me on the highway hit a large bird that went flying over his car and bounced off the hood of mine. Fortunately it caused no damage, but after all the rental car drama I am just happy I made it home in one piece last night!

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