Back to School at Hanes

This is one of the best back to school bargains yet ... Hanes has their StayClean Cotton kids polos, y'know the ones that work with most school dress codes - on sale for $3.99. I purchased 14 for $55 including S&H. Great deal!

Pistache --- Dee-Lish!

With our regular baby sitter out of commission, it has been a rare occasion that my husband and I can steal some time together. However, this past Saturday we were able to find a fairly competent sitter and headed out to finally celebrate our anniversary ... only about 2 weeks late. We wanted to do something different so we ventured over to the famous Clematis Street in downtown West Palm Beach to a lovely French Bistro called Pistache (www.pistachewpb.com).
The French flag flew high as we approach the valet stand right near the restaurant’s Riviera-like entrance that over looks overlooks Centennial Park, the Fountains and the Intracoastal Waterway. The entrance was bright and the atmosphere cozy. Several tables were available to dine al fresco but the humid night was better served in air conditioning. Most of the tables indoors were filled with boisterous 50 something’s enjoying a wide array of vino and the early evening on Clematis. The back room was host to a rather large birthday bash which was hidden from us behind the red velvet curtains that separated the front room from the back room. We were seated at small but romantic corner booth. I ordered a Pinot Grigio and my husband a Mojito. Pinot an somtimes fall a bit flat on texture and flavor, but this make and vintage was devine.
Our drinks were joined by the Soup D'Jour, Carrot Ginger Soup and Steak Tartare. The soup was flavorful but not overly sweet as often the case with carrot soup. The tartare was prepared strait up raw with the typical condiments surrounding the meal pile on the plate. We picked and tasted each condiment and the meat alone but found that the best flavor was found when we smooshed all the elements together.
For our main dish we both went for daily specials: The 16oz bone in veal chop ($45) for him and the lobster risotto ($24) for me. Both dishes arrived piping hot. The dewy texture of the Arborio rice was just setting me up for that mild lobster flavor rounded off with a touch of sherry. It was fabulous. My husband enjoyed the veal which was served topped with a peppery forestiere sauce. This was also quite good. Overall it was an impeccable meal for approximately $125 pre-tip.
We skipped coffee and desert in house and instead followed the meal with a walk past the bars of Clematis, which includes the original Dr. Feelgood’s, and stopped at Starbucks for a decaf latte before picking up the car and returning to real life ... parenthood. Wonderful meal ... wonderful evening. Will definitely be back to Pistache!

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California Overturns the Ban on Gay Marriage

I am 30 something, well educated; in fact I am an attorney. I am heterosexual, married and a mother of two delightfully difficult children. I was blessed to find love and my best friend in the same package. I guess I was also lucky that he happens to be a man so that society does not shun our union. But what if my, or for arguments sake, your soulmate, your closest confident and personal cheering section turns out to be of the same gender? Do you not deserve to be loved? Take the sexual act out of the picture; take out kissing and other affectionate scenarios. Now you have one person caring for another, sharing unconditional love. Now should their gender matter?

Try it this way … most people associate homosexuality with gratuitous sex. Wow, homosexuals tend to be homosexual all the time … that is a lot of sex. Maybe those who can’t tolerate homosexuality are just jealous that they aren’t getting’ any!

Now if they can marry then they will have all the benefits of being married, of course it is only fair that they get the all burdens and responsibilities well. That doesn’t work for you? Have you been through a nasty divorce? Know anyone who has? Well if gays can’t marry they don’t need to divorce … for all those who have been dragged through the mud in a divorce you’re probably thinking, “lucky bastards.” One post I read said, “now homosexuals can be stuck in miserable marriages just like heterosexuals.” I found that statement quite amusing.

Adoption … having kids and building families. Family values are about family. Family values are not about genitalia! In fact children of gay and lesbian couples are often well cared for, well educated and super loved! There are so may kids that need to be adopted and need to be loved, and these are the folks to give them that love. Maybe if some of the products of the foster care system would have had a stable home with parental love less of them would move into the penal system?

Whilst I am not preaching to embrace homosexuality … I am just saying get a tough skin – grow some balls and tolerate it. Oddly enough homosexuals teach their kids tolerance to all social issues – even those of the ignorant religious right. Despite what the ignorant posse thinks they are not creating little homo soldiers. I bet if someone did a study on the adoptive children of gay couples they would find there is no correlation. I know of one child of a lesbian couple who also was a lesbian but she was the natural child of one of the mothers. If anything that give strength to the argument that there is a genetic link.

The homosexual communities in this country tend to be well educated, successful and wealthy. Look at the most lucrative industries … fashion, television, radio, motion pictures, music, marketing, new media and restaurants – almost all spearheaded by Gays (and/or Jews – who face some of the same prejudices due to their incredible success). Again, I have to believe that jealously motivates most of this hatred.

Oh and if your reading this and thinking what a liberal #(*& … I am a card carrying registered Republican! Homosexual marriage is not about politics, not about religion, not about science … it is about love. There is no shame in being in love. So I say to all those who chose to love persons of the same gender … go forth, love and be loved … legally!

What Do You Consider Romantic?

So far today has been a miserable day at the office. I am hours away from missing several deadlines despite working my ass off all week. I don't even have time to use the loo. The heel just broke off of my shoe, I cringe when the phone rings and every call from Scott I have responded to in a short-tempered snap. I am just crazed. When I finally come up for air I check my email. I scroll through the free offers and annoucment of my internation lotto winnings for name I recognize. Aha! Scott ... what now? I open the email to reveal the most romantic thing ... a copy of our first few flirtatious emails that are nearing 8 years old. He kept them. I am touched and a tear forms in my eye and all the work crap doesnt seem so important anymore. At least for 30 seconds, that is. Back to work ... but a heartfelt thank you to the man of my dreams. I love you Scotty.