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Saturday, February 2, 2008

Peace and Quiet at The Olive Garden

Thanks to Sales Manager Bob, Ang and I had a gift certificate burning a hole in my pocket, and since Ciera had been invited to a birthday party for our next door neighbor Alexia, we called my Mom to see if Thing One and Thing Two could stay with her for a few hours.

Here you see Albino Boy and The Human Air Raid Siren cheering on the little kid who lives next door to my folks as he shoots baskets. Seriously, Trot is so fair skinned that if you breathe on him he looks like he just finished an expedition to the North Pole, while Rakes just gets louder and louder the older he gets. At this point, he could be living in WW2 era London, warning the citizenry there about the next bombing run from Germany. I'm actually thinking of investing in an ear plug company, just to offset the cost of visiting the Ear, Nose, and Throat Doc over the next 15 years.

So off to The Olive Garden we went; when I tell you this is my idea of fine eating, I'm not exaggerating in the least. I'm used to the local Mexican place, or if I want to get REALLY fancy, Cracker Barrell. Ang even got out a laugh when I ordered the pizza; what can I say? It was $10.50, a bargain in anybody's book.

I've got to admit it was really nice to sit down and eat a meal without uttering the phrase "Get back in your seat or I'm taking Star Wars away" or "Finish your dinner or you can forget about getting an Ice Pop for dessert". We actually got to talk about adult themed things and we didn't have to sweep the floor when we were done. Even though I wanted to.

Having the hooligans around all the time causes you to forget about the simple things in life. Like sitting down to eat dinner and actually being able to talk. Or being able to sit in a comfortable silence while you look at the woman you fell in love with 17 years ago. Or, God help me, laughing at the poor slob whose spending over $50 on a dinner he's spent the majority of the time trying to keep his kids from setting the table cloth on fire.

Take out, my man; take out.

Super Bowl tomorrow, and I say Patriots 42, Giants 17. Then it's just a week until pitchers and catchers report, 3 weeks until Spring Training games, and 6 weeks or so until Opening Day.

I think I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

45 comments:

Tex said...

please do NOT tell me you order Pizza??? you DID NOT did you?


and what's wrong with Ice Pops for dessert?

Ted D said...

Yep: Pizza.

It was really good.

Tex, I'm just not a fancy sort of guy. Shock of all shocks, I had my Sox cap on too. ;)

Tex said...

I guess Angie would think someone traded brains with you if you showed up in a suit and tie and ate with a fork

Ted D said...

Now wait a minute; I ate with a fork.

AND I have to wear a dress shirt and tie 5 days a week for work.

I'm going as myself the rest of the time, although I won't wear my flip flops to church tomorrow.

Tex said...

Oh K. you eat pizza with a FORK? What do they TEACH you people in North Carolina?

Sonya@Beyond the Screen Door said...

That's a sweet touching story. Maybe now you won't be so touchy around here. All I can say is its a good thing I'm the one with 4 kids. I'm afraid we would be feeding you through a tube by now.

Now that I think of it, none of yours are driving or dating. So save your freak outs for when they count.

Sonya@Beyond the Screen Door said...

Speaking of the fair haired one, When does he get a Daddy's GI Joe cut?

Sonya@Beyond the Screen Door said...

Tex what do you except from people who like their barbecue sauce with vinegar in it.

Ted D said...

I've been watching Gordon Ramsay again, Tex. They eat EVERYTHING with a fork.

You start a blog, Bub, and I won't be so touchy. Turnabout is fair play.

And there will be NO dating aroung here; I've got a shotgun.

Finally, no GI cut for Trot; at least not for another year or so.

Tex said...

VinaGAR? Ted. are we gonna be able to take you out in public to eat in Boston?

Ted D said...

Talk to Matt, Tex. I don't eat BBQ.

Never got the taste for it.

And take ME out in public? I'll be the role model for everybody else. ;)

Sonya@Beyond the Screen Door said...

I don't have time, too busy commenting on yours!

Ted D said...

That is lame, Bub.

You work 5 months out of a year; nobody is buying the no time excuse.

You're just skeered, to quote my good friend from Texas.

Tex said...

Ted, you never told me you had a good friend in Texas. :)

Ted D said...

Didn't think I had to verbalize it, Tex.

You are my sister from another mother, after all. ;)

Tex said...

ok im tired. heading to bed. after this week of socializing with that conference...i need the weekend to rest. I think the superbowl party is cancelled. my friends mom had to have surgery....too much stuff going on. so I guess Ill be here watching the game with everyone else.

nite

Ted D said...

Night, Texas.

See you on the other side.

JMP said...

Dude,
You got that score wrong!!!

Tree Newt said...

Glad to know you still know how to function in polite society. Although I can't believe you ordered pizza. Dude, we have got to talk.

Text, what Scott didnt explain is that what we call BBQ in NC is far different from what you guys think of. Here, its pork only, and the sauce is a spicy vinegar based sauce. Don't knock it till you try it.

And bro, you got the score reversed.

Ted D said...

How is Patriots 42, Giants 17 wrong? Unless jmp and Matt are picking the Giants...

Good luck with that one fellas. I just don't see it happening. I would like to see a close game, though.

Sonya@Beyond the Screen Door said...

Wow Dawn did you see that, Matt can't spell either. I think he meant Tex but spelled it Text. Man I am laughing my rear end off.

Case in point, I KNEW WHAT HE MENT!!

Tree Newt said...

Case in point: I was typing that on my iPhone at 2 am. Said iPhone has a "text correct" that ironically changed "Tex" to "Text".

You try typing on that teeny keyboard at 2 am and see how your spelling is.

Supercalifragiliciousexpialidoucious!

And it's "meant" not "ment"

Ted D said...

Bub, you can't spell your way out of a paper bag; it's OK, it's part of what makes you Bub.

Newt, what are you doing up at 2 in the morning on your Iphone?

Stacy said...

I love "Thing One and Thing Two". :) However, the air raid siren comparison may be a tiny bit of a stretch.

Pizza at the Olive Garden? Come on, little brother. Try something new. :)

Ted D said...

Ask Angie; boy could raise the dead.

And if Olive Garden didn't want you buying the pizza, WHY is it on the menu?

Snobs, the lot of you. ;)

Anonymous said...

I plan on ordering a pizza at Olive Garden now just to see what it's like :D

Anonymous said...

A night out alone? What's that???? Are you taking up a new language or something? I don't know what that is. I'm kidding, we've been out twice alone since we came to the USA. Not bad, huh for 17 almost 18 years of marriage. What can I say, we're on a roll.

Tex said...

the pizza is on the menu for KIDS Ted.

looks like you all need a class in english 101.

Newt...pork ribs is my favorite bbq. Im not a big beef eater...chicken is good if cooked slow enough.
yeah I know bbq is different all over.

Ted D said...

Redhead, you won't be dissapointed.

Edge when you move back, we'll keep D so you guys can have a night out.

Tex, it was NOT on the kids menu. It was an entree; I know because we had a $4 off coupon if you ordered 2 entrees, and I asked. ;)

Tex said...

ok Ill leave it alone. and granted Ive had Olive Garden's pizza before...course I wasnt on a date and i was in the bar.

im watching "Gone Country" the reality show with stars they're gonna change into C&W singers. Rich from Big and Rich is hosting. its freaking hilarious

Ted D said...

Is it still a date when you're married, or is it just called a mental health break?

Haven't seen that show, Tex. If it doesn't come on Nick or Noggin, I doubt I'll ever see unless it shows late at night.

Tex said...

CMT station ted

Ted D said...

We've got that.

Somewhere....

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the offer Ted except when we move back, dh moves on to the next project. It was sweet of you and Ang to offer though.

Tex: When does that show come on. I have to see it. From your description, how could I not?

Tex said...

edge, the stars are singers already but NOT C&W singers...and not necessarily popular now. Twisted sister, Carney Wilson, bobby brown, some singer from American idol, maureen mccormick, and some others. I watched it twice and thought it was really good.

Course Rich is really cute

Ted D said...

Is he the one who wears a top hat or the one who wears the cowboy hat?

And why am I even asking?

Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy, Tex.

No problem, Edge. If you get a chance, we'll be glad to help.

Tex said...

Ted i read that question and thought SURELY he is joking

Ted D said...

I was Tex. ;)

And I like those guys. Not your typical C&W duo.

Tree Newt said...

Ok, it's halftime, and it looks like your prediction of 42-17 will not come to pass. This has been one ugly game so far.

But I still have hope.

Ted D said...

There is still time, Newt. I'm actually glad the game is close and the second half will mean something. The whole thing so far has been bowling shoe ugly, though.

For the sake of history and some of my Patriot loving friends, I really hope they win.

They've given the Giants hope, though. And if you've seen Shawshank, you know hope is a good thing.

Tree Newt said...

Maybe the best of things.

Tree Newt said...

Maybe the best of things.

Ted D said...

Man, do I love that movie. May have to bust it out again before ST starts up.

Tree Newt said...

Well,you got one part of your score right.

NY 17

Tree Newt said...

Uh-Oh