The Dance

What an unexpected weekend. I didn’t just go home and cook in the kitchen and watch TV. It wasn’t uninteresting. It was unfamiliar in a good way. After a mundane week it was just what I needed.

We went dancing Friday. Two-stepping to end Alzheimer’s thrown by Bekah’s work. We were amongst the elderly. Maybe the sole group under 60. I was waiting for someone to break a hip. The music wasn’t my cup of tea. Lots of fiddle. But you know what? I had a lot of fun!!! The amount of happiness inside the dance hall was palpable. All the love in the air. Old couples staring into each other’s eyes moving to the music like young lovers. It was a cute sight to see. My fear that I’d go insane by the nights end was baseless. Bekah was somehow shocked when I first asked her to dance. Like we were going to go to a dance but not dance? Maybe she figured she would have to coax me into two-stepping and the shock came from me asking her only 5-10 min into the band playing. Speaking of the band, Jody Nix & the Texas Cowboys. Again, not my music, but I was entertained by his showmanship. SO much fiddle! He was treated like a dadgum celebrity! All these grandmothers were blushing in his presence. I also found it rather humorous that so many of these old men completely blew off the “do not bring alcohol into the premises” ordinance. Bottles of whiskey galore. I stuck with beers. Not many, they were 4 bucks a pop. Just enough to loosen up my dance moves. I put my cowboy boots to good use. Great time dancing the night away. Also, it was for a good cause. All proceeds went to the American Alzheimer’s Association, and it brought in just over 10 thousand.

So much dancing!

After the dance it was decided that pizza was in store. Couldn’t pick one topping so we ordered two. Pepperoni, pineapple, and jalapeño. Chicken, alfredo, and jalapeño. Gave way too much money for the tip because I was feeling high from the night’s excitement. Pizza guy: “Are you serious?” Me: “Yes sir! I’ve had a good night.” Made the pizza dude really happy. Unfortunately, they forgot the jalapeños on one of the pizzas. Fortunately, I have a lot of jalapeños in the house to save the day. Overall a great night.

Love the alfredo, no jalapeno
Fixed!

Saturday I got up to check out the lily park and get my oil changed. Saw a familiar face at the park. A face I use to see in the paper all the time. One whose words were always a joy to read. Although it was nice to see that face, it was also bittersweet. From the lily park I went to my usual place to have my oil changed. After waiting 30 min I was told that they do not have the means to change my oil at the time. Perturbed but hell bent on finally changing my oil, this being the 2^nd failed attempt which I don’t care to get into, I went somewhere else and waited 40 min. At least I had a burrito, terrible as it was. Oh, and the news to keep me company. I forgot how terrible network news is and remembered why I have nothing to do with it. Such doom & gloom. I’d rather not. Ignorance is bliss.

Next it was off to the art museum. My sister-in-law went with us. It was her first visit. They had a new exhibit that really didn’t wow me like I was hoping. Nevertheless, we had a good time looking at some of the sculptures and pictures. Someone proposed on the roof in the summer sun! Bekah had tears. After the art we needed a late lunch. Went to a location that is a coin toss. You either have a good or bad experience. There is no in-between. We took the chance and were all pleasantly surprised. When we finished lunch it was decided that another slumber party was to be had. It was a good thing that I had some steaks in the fridge already marinating. The girls wanted to play Skip-Bo. I’m usually pretty good at this game, but my sister-in-law beat me every time. I’m going to blame it on the bad music playing. How many times in a row can you listen to George Michaels sing Careless Whisper? 4-5 times isn’t excessive? Nah… I about wanted to shoot myself. And don’t even get me started on the Eagles. Unpopular opinion but… garbage!!! So while they continued to play games and listen to bad music, I heated up the grill and began working on dinner. Everything turned out really good and with food in the belly’s we got together to watch IT: Chapter One. It wasn’t long before the couch claimed them both and I was the last man standing.

Dog
Don’t smoke
View
Skip-Bo
Steaks
Lunch

It was a nice fun weekend. Sunday came and went so fast and now I am sitting at work stuck in my office listening to one man’s heavy breathing and another man cussing. C’est la vie!!! At least it rained!

Jalapeño!

Chinese spare ribs. These turned out really great. Making them was interesting. The marinade asked for red food coloring. I vacuum sealed the ribs and they looked like something straight out of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Looked like a bag of blood and guts in my fridge for 2 days. Unnecessary step, but I wanted them to look like the real deal. I guess I never really paid much attention of authentic Chinese spare ribs being red.

Wagyu Helper. Yes, you read that right. I used Wagyu beef for Hamburger Helper. Sacrilege you say? I might not disagree. I had to do it. Bekah said it was the best helper that she had ever had. The beef was tenderer than the noodles. Fancying dining!