Thursday, April 28, 2011

Complimenting myself...how strange!?!

One of the things on my list is listing 50 things that I like about myself.  I saw this on someone else's list and at the time thought, "Oh...how fun would that be!"  Now I am thinking, "Oh...that feels a little selfish."  I supposed everyone should have a list like this; a list showcasing what we think is great about ourselves...but if I think about the people that have embraced this idea whole-heartedly...well, those people kind of make me crazy sometimes.

To hopefully find a middle ground I am just going to stick with the top ten things I like about myself tonight.  I will deal with the other 40 on another day.  :)

So......

50. I have a great laugh.
49. I can be a good storyteller.
48. I have told my daughter that I love her every day of her life so far.
47. I am a pretty good baker, especially when it comes to a certain cookie that is named after me.
46. I am not afraid to admit I don't know something.
45. I am a fierce defender of those I love.
44. I don't always make the easy choice.
43. I can find happiness in an iced venti unsweetened green tea from Starbucks.
42. I am a good teacher.
41. No one can "fancy dance" quite like me.

Okay...that was kind of hard.  I am a little surprised to be honest.  I would consider myself a confident person with a fairly good self-esteem.  How hard should it really be list the things that make us someone we like to be?  Others could probably list a lot of things that they like about me (you all could, couldn't you???)  but for some reason we can't do it for yourselves.  But really, how can we expect others to appreciate the great things about us when we won't even see it in ourselves?  Maybe it is the admitting it out loud to others that is the problem for some people. Well, whatever it is, I better get over it.  Because there are still 40 more things that I need to come up with and list.  Hmmm.....

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

The difficulties of life are intended to make us better, not bitter. ~Author Unknown

It seems that there are quite a few difficulties in life lately.  Whether it has been the seemingly unending rain this year in Oregon or the unending bad news about my school district's budget problems, all of it seems to be taking a toll.  There have been breaks in the rain and everyone I know has taken full advantage of those breaks when they occur.  There haven't, however, been many breaks in the budget woes my district is facing and it is really starting to show.

I was visiting with a friend last night after the budget meeting and at some point is was obvious neither of us had anything more to say about the problem.  Every time we get more information it just leads to more questions.    So, we shifted gears and I found myself talking about some of the other difficulties I have had in my recent life.  John's death and the grief that has accompanied his death is definitely one of the more difficult things in recent history.  Our desperate struggle to get pregnant was certainly a difficulty that has influenced me to my core, as has the wonderful, unexpected blessing of Taelin at the end of that journey (which brings a whole new set of challenges).  Some of the relationships in my life that should be anchoring, have proven to bring their own set of difficulties.  My list isn't a unique one. I don't think my difficulties are anything new or special in the world.  Most people could make a list of their own, varying in seriousness.  There are few people that would claim otherwise, and those that would...well, that might be a difficulty of theirs in and of itself.

I think it would be easy for anyone to become bitter and angry about the difficulties in our lives.  I have seen it...and it is really sad.  Those that become bitter often would like others to join them in their bitterness.  I have felt that...and it feels horrible.

It is hard, when things are hard, to see the opportunities we have to better ourselves.  I know for myself, if the Jodie of today went back and told the "trying to get pregnant" Jodie any kind of advice of all that I would learn, it wouldn't go very well.  It was too hard at the time and I wasn't listening to anybody.  But having gone through that and learning what I did, I now know that there are opportunities for me to rise above the angry and worry (not that I always take them...).  I know that I will get through the difficult times with the things I hold dear intact.  It has shown me the things that I need to hold dear and the things that I should just let go of.

Maybe I am not quite as a "half-empty" person as I think I am.  Maybe, just maybe, I am coming around.

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Remember there's no such thing as a small act of kindness. Every act creates a ripple with no logical end. ~Scott Adams

I think most people are kind most of the time.  There are those people that certainly could improve on how they treat people, but for the most part the people in my life and the strangers I encounter on a day to day basis are kind.  But, when I read through some of the things that I have put on my list, it seems like I must think I need some work in that area.  

Maybe there is a difference in just being kind throughout your day and then going out of your way to do something kind for someone.  Holding the door for someone is a kind thing to do, but I wouldn't necessarily call that a random act of kindness, but then again...maybe it is. Maybe it is a matter of perspective.  Maybe it doesn't really matter at all and what really matters is that I am finding ways to be kind, big or little.  After all, Scott Adams (the Dilbert guy) that every act, and I am assuming that mean any kind or unkind act, creates a ripple.

For my own purpose of "counting" something for my list, I have decided that the act of kindness needs to be more than just holding a door for someone.  With that said, however, looking for those chances to exhibit kindness in a "big" way has made me more aware of the the little opportunities to exercise some kindness.  How lucky am I?  I get to feel all that of kindness come back at me with a smile or a "thank you".  And, maybe, just maybe that kindness will ripple through them and onto someone else.  That is not something that can be quantified on any kind of list..and nor should it be.

But, this post is not only about the little moments of kindness but the bigger ones too. Just today, I hand wrote two cards to people.  In those cards, I wrote a specific story about how something they did, an act of their own kindness, impacted me; a ripple started by them that had reached it's way back.  I also gave a simple gift, a framed photo, that I feel lucky enough to be able to give.  

So, as my eyelids get heavy and I finish off this day, I am reminded to keep looking for those opportunities. They present themselves often, we just have to be looking for them.  

Monday, April 18, 2011

50 days down...951 to go...

Today marks the first 50 days of my 1001 days to complete my list.  I have made progress on my list and while I like checking things off of lists, this particular list has done some unexpected things.  As time goes on, I would expect that the excitement for completing this list will come and go, but there isn't a day in the past 50 days that I haven't thought about it.  So...here are some things I have noticed in the last 50 days.

First of all, I realized how much I miss writing and how much I look forward to writing on this blog.  I will be the first to admit the kind of writing I enjoy doing isn't going to bring me to the point that I will need any kind of publisher, but I do enjoy storytelling and this blog has given me the opportunity to do that.  In addition to storytelling, it has given all those jumbled up thoughts in my head a place to go.  There have been a few times that my posts have served as a way for me to process what I am thinking and I walk away from the computer with more clarity than when I sat down.

The second thing that I noticed is how much more I am looking for opportunities to be kind.  I wouldn't consider myself an unkind person, but I think I am not abnormal in that it can be easy to get wrapped up in ones own trials and troubles.  It is easy to forget there are situations around me that warrant some attention, and at times, empathy and understanding.  I am not claiming to be any kind of Mother Teresa (in fact I am trying hard to steer away from any kind of religious conversation) but I will say I have considered what it would be like to walk in other people's shoes more since starting my work on the list.

Another unexpected result of me starting this list and this blog is how it has inspired others.  Obviously I didn't come up with this idea on my own and found my own inspiration from others.  And even though one of the things on my list was to inspire someone else to make a list, for some reason I didn't really expect people to give me credit.  It is a little humbling, for me anyway, for someone to say that they were inspired by something I did.  There are a couple of people that have started there own list (making #83 officially checked off), but there are even others that have modified the idea to fit what is going on in their life.  One new recipe a week, starting their own blog.....  Who knows what their own reasons are for wanting to add this into their life?  I don't even think I really know why this whole list thing struck such a cord in me....but it did.  And no matter their reason, it excites me that I have may have had a part in it.

Finally, I think the thing that was most unexpected was that I didn't expect this whole thing to be such a learning experience for me.  What I have been able to think about and put into words in the last 50 days is kind of like writing my own self-help book...and I wonder what I am going to learn next?  Kind of exciting and terrifying all at the same time.

So, if you are still reading this or any other of my blog posts...thank you.  The comments that you make here on the blog or when I see you in person, remind me that I am writing not only for myself, but for you as well (and knowing you are here makes me feel slightly less crazy) so keep them coming!

50 days down...951 to go

Sunday, April 17, 2011

Gratitude is the fairest blossom which springs from the soul. ~Henry Ward Beecher

I am not sure how I manage, but I did.  I convinced Joe that it was a good idea to wake up and go look at a bunch of tulips.  Oh...and we were going to have to go and give them money in order to look at the flowers.  In the end, the trip to the Tulip Festival today was fun for everyone and as soon as I am done with this post, I need to convince Joe to wade through the 350 pictures we took while we were there. 

I was originally just going to take Taelin to the Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm, just outside of Woodburn, but as I thought of the picture opportunities the more I became convinced that it would be easier if we were both there. They also have a lot more activities on the weekend than they do during the week, including pony rides for kids, which in reality was how I convinced Joe to go.  Taelin has been on a bit of an animal kick lately...particularly farm animals, especially horses, so the possibility of Taelin getting ride an actual pony was pretty exciting!

I was quite grateful for the beautiful weather, the hundreds and hundreds of flowers, and a chance to do something out of the ordinary.  The rows and rows of tulips were quite incredible and I was so happy to spend the couple of hours we were there together. Taelin did indeed get her pony ride (which she loved) and we all left with more mud on our shoes and pants than when we got there. 

This last week was quite stressful with the upsetting news of potential cuts that are haunting each work day.  I honestly don't expect the next few weeks to be much better, so I am going to have to be diligent in staying positive.  So, in addition to having a wonderful time with my family I took the opportunity to check some things some things off of my list. I have a beautiful bouquet of red tulips that I bought for myself (number #30) and another bouquet sitting on the counter ready for a just-because gift.

Chicken Sausage Tortellini Soup

So, by reading the title of the soup, you pretty much have the recipe.  There isn't anything earth-shattering about this particular soup, other than I just kind of made it up.  It has kind of become a tradition that on the rare occasion I get together and scrapbook with my friends, Peggy and Betty, that we have some kind of soup for lunch.  It was my turn to bring the soup and I had grand plans to try and make Pasta E Fagioli.  But Thursday night seems to run away from me so off to the store I went Friday morning to pick something up.

I looked at all the "just add water" soups and it just wasn't doing it for me.  I picked something up and then put it back.  Looked at another one and changed my mind again.  Clearly, I needed  Plan C.

Enter, Chicken Sausage Tortellini Soup.  I remember one time that I had a soup with tortellini in it that it was really good, so I decided on that first.  Next, I decided on a chicken broth base just because it sounded better to me.  Since I decided tortellini floating in chicken broth wasn't going to cut it, I found some garlic chicken sausage and frozen carrots and headed to the check out.  I wasn't sure what the result would be, but I had a plan...kind of.

It actually turned out pretty good and Betty and Peggy thought so too...at least that it what they said.  So, here is my last minute recipe!

Ingredients:

6 cups of chicken broth
1 package of tortellini
2 link of Al fresco roasted garlic chicken sausage (6 oz. total)
2 cups of frozen carrots
1 tablespoon of olive oil

Directions

1. The chicken sausage was already cooked but I wanted to give it some color so I sliced them at an angle and then in half.  They looked like little half moons when I was done slicing.  I heated the olive oil in a pot and brown the sausage pieces.
2.  Once the sausage pieces were brown, I added the chicken broth.  An added flavor bonus came when I needed to scrap up all the bits of sausage that stuck to the bottom of the pan.
3.  Once the chicken broth was boiling, I add the package of tortellini and the carrots.  I kept stirring until I the tortellini and carrots were warmed through.

That's it...5 ingredients and 3 directions.  Seriously the easiest thing I have made in a long time...

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larrson

I got this book for my birthday from a good friend and it has been sitting on the shelf just waiting to be read.  I know a lot of people have read it and enjoyed it, but  I was waiting for a couple of reasons.  First of all, I knew that it was first in a series of three.  This is important because I don't have the next two in the series and if it was can't-put-it-down good, then it would be necessary to have the next in the series on standby.

The second reason, at the other end of the spectrum, was that I don't really read that many series any more.  Other than the Harry Potter series and Twilight (I know...I know...but I loved them all and will proudly say that on the internet), I have steered away from crime fighter kind of series (except the Sookie Stackhouse series and that is more because there are hot non-sparkley vampires) after my James Patterson love affair right after college.  I tend to get hooked, and because I wasn't a book abandoner then, I felt even more compelled to finish a series even though I had kind of gotten sick of the predictable plots.

So, when trying to decide what to read I decided that this would be a good change from the kinds of books that I had been reading.  What I didn't expect is that this book would land in the middle of the before mentioned categories.  It wasn't "Oh-my-gosh!" good but it wasn't "Are there really more like this?" bad either. 

It was kind of a slow start but not enough to make me abandon it.  One character in particular was especially intriguing which kept me reading.  I was able to figure out who the bad guy was pretty quickly, although I didn't know how much of a bad guy he was.  I will at some point read the next two books that follow this one, but I am not in any rush.

Since finishing The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, I have started When You Are Engulfed in Flames by David Sedaris. So far, I am only two essays in, but already I want to read more of what he has written.

Sunday, April 10, 2011

E is for Eat, Pray, Love

I have avoided both this book and movie for awhile.  While is had some good reviews in some places, I had also heard that main character was kind of a whiny, spoiled brat.  I didn't really have much interest in reading or watching anything like that and with all there was out there, I just didn't bother.

Then Saturday night, I was upstairs organizing pictures and matching them to patterned paper, when I decided I needed something to watch in the background.  So, onto Netflix I went and new to Netflix instant watch it now was Eat, Pray, Love.  I decided to look no farther and if nothing else, if I hated it, it would give me something to blog about.

Let me first off say, that I completely understand why some people get the whiny, spoiled brat vibe.  Not many of us could imagine taking a month off from our life "to figure things out", much less an entire year.  But, I decided that if I was going to go that direction that what I was truly feeling was a tinge of jealously for someone that had the position to do that kind of thing.  There wasn't any harm in doing what she did; she had the money, wasn't abandoning children or a 9-5 job.  So...more power to her.

I have to say, for the most part I enjoyed it.  I can't think of a movie that I have seen with Julia Roberts that I haven't liked so I am sure that had something to do with me liking it.  It was fairly predictable in plot, but I kind of expected that so it didn't bother me.

After watching the movie, the thing that I thought about was the people that she met along her journey and how they impacted her.  She learned to be quite grateful for the people in her life and what she had learned from them.  I know for myself, I can get caught up in the craziness of my life and forget about the people that bring so much happiness and love into it.  I really am lucky.

Saturday, April 9, 2011

Ah, how good it feels! The hand of an old friend. ~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

In the summer of 2005, I had an experience that not only transformed my teaching world but my personal world.  I went kicking and screaming, but the four weeks I spent as a participant of Oregon Writer's Project (OWP from here on out) changed my life.  I had never had considered myself a writer and would have never considered writing as something I would choose to do in my free time.  But now, both of those things are true.

After my first experience of writing and sharing and then more writing, I was hooked.  I threw myself into becoming a part of OWP at the local level and they encouraged me.  I went to Nashville, Washington D.C., and New York City.  I became a part of the advisory board, providing in-service co-taught the summer institute, and organized writing marathons. I had found a teaching home, a place where if I could think of it, it was possible.  A place that testing did not reign supreme.  A place I found my voice and helped me teach my students to find theirs.  It was nothing short of magical.

Then through a series of events, some of the them fortunate (Taelin) and others less fortunate, I took a break from OWP.  I hoped that as Taelin got older and I became a little wiser that I would find my way back.  I wasn't sure what my role would be, but I hoped that I would find a way to become a part of something that had given me so much.

Today, I found my way back.  I attended the visioning retreat (which might sound like I was expected to smoke some illegal substance..which I wasn't) to celebrate the work that has been done and discuss what was next for the site.  It didn't take long to feel like I was with old friends even though much of the group where people I didn't know.  There is a special bond that people share, something that can't really be explained to someone that hasn't been a part of it.  Whatever it is, the feeling is recreated instantly when you put a group of writing project people together.  It took maybe 5 minutes of being part of the group today and I realized how much I missed it.

I have a couple of ideas swirling in my head about what is next.  I am not sure I am ready to share them yet because I have a tendency to bite off more than I can chew, but I know one thing for sure....OWP, old friend, I am back.

Friday, April 8, 2011

Marinated Pork Chops

When Joe and I first met he didn't eat any pork...at all.  Then, somewhere along the way, he decided that he like bacon as long as it was crispy.  Then, he ventured into pulled pork sandwiches, as long as they were made by me because he knew I was picky about getting all the fat off the meat.  Then, I tried pork chops in the crock pot.  Again, melting most of the fat away (are you seeing a pattern here) and making the meat fairly tender.  When brings us to tonight.  

During the same trip to New York City where I had the to-die-for Chicken Marsala, I also had an amazing grilled pork tenderloin that was so juicy that I could hardly believe that it was the same kind of meat that I had eaten as a child baked with corn flakes.  So, when I thought about recipes I wanted to try, a grilled pork chop went on the list.  The challenge..make it flavorful, make it tender, make it with a lean cut of meat.  So, I did some searching and decided on this savor marinade and grilled them up. It was really good...even Joe liked it!

Ingredients:

  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon prepared mustard
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
  • 1 teaspoon garlic clove, minced
  • 2 (1 inch thick) pork chops (I used boneless)

Directions:

1. Combine the first 10 ingredients in whatever you use to marinate meat in.  I use a large ziploc bag and then set it inside a bowl.  Once they are blended, add the chops.
2.  Marinate for up to 24 hours in the refrigerator. (I only had 8 hours and you could taste the marinade through the meat.)  Turn over several times as they are marinating.
3. Grill to your liking

Gratitude should not be just a reaction to getting what you want, but an all-the-time gratitude, the kind where you notice the little things and where you constantly look for the good, even in unpleasant situations. Start bringing gratitude to your experiences, instead of waiting for a positive experience in order to feel grateful. ~Marelisa Fábrega

I can tend to be a worrier.  And as a worrier, I tend to be a bit of a pessimist.  In any given situation, I am more likely to think of the half-empty scenario than the half-full one.  I can trick myself into thinking that it works for me, that I am being a realist. By the time something is resolved, I have thought and worried about all the possibilities that the resolution is never as bad as I thought it was going to be.  One of the biggest problems with this however, is the energy and time that I spent worrying..many times about things I have absolutely no control over.

And so, it is with this quote that I turn my attention to finding the "all-the-time" gratitude in my life. It won't be easy...I have had many years at being a worrier and old habits die hard.  But, if I turn my attention to the things in situations that I can be thankful for, then perhaps I will start to see things more half-full and see less to worry about.

So, right now I am incredibly grateful that Taelin is sleeping in so I can sit on my couch in the sunshine (YES!!! SUNSHINE) that is streaming in my windows and type this post.  I am grateful that I was looking at Charlie's blog and stumbled onto his list, inspiring me to make my own and providing me with this opportunity better myself.  And finally, because things can change so quickly, I am grateful that Taelin is awake and that I am off today.  Banana bread, picnic, and weed pulling...here we come!

Monday, April 4, 2011

Resentment is one burden that is incompatible with your success. ~Dan Zadra

Resentment and forgiveness.  I am too good at one and not nearly good enough at the other one. I am probably not the only one.  The question that has been rolling around in my head a lot in the past couple of days is how to get to a place of forgiveness so I can let go of some resentment that, at times, is a burden that takes too much of a toll?

The details of my particular story don't really matter.  I mean they do matter, but I have beat that horse to death and end up in the same spot so I obviously need to try something different.  Everyone has a story.  But for me, right now, the story doesn't matter.  I could probably write it all out and you all could change a few names and settings and we would essentially end up in the same place-holding onto the resentment of something not being what we wanted it to be.

I think my problem lies within the idea of forgiveness.  Growing up, forgiveness was something I was taught to give when someone says they are sorry.  So, what happens an apology isn't given?  What happens when someone doesn't even really see that an apology is needed?  It is like waiting in limbo for something that you know will never happen.  Forgiveness comes after the recognition that something was hurtful and needs to rectified but what if that recognition never comes?  

I need to own some of this problem.  I haven't asked for an apology.  I am not really interested in having any kind of conversation, mostly because I don't think it would do any good.  Some of the resentment I am holding onto is from things that have happened years ago and are not remembered the same as they are by me.  As things along the same vein happen, it is easy for me to just add it to the list of transgressions instead of defending myself now that I am supposedly stronger than before.  Can you really teach people to treat you differently than they have in the past?  More importantly, I can change the way I treat myself?  I guess time will tell.

Sunday, April 3, 2011

Don't worry...I haven't given up!

I have had a couple people ask me where my posts have been this week.  They were concerned that the "shininess" of my list had worn off and I was starting to wane.  I promise this isn't this case. They are a couple of good reasons...and I know you want to know them. 

First of all, I started two different posts this week that I never finished because as I went back to them they were just a bunch of me ranting and complaining and not even I wanted to read it...and I was the one writing it.  Look at me, I abandon one book and give up on the Rubik cube and all of the sudden I am throwing out things left and right.  Really, it was just me realizing that the last thing this world needs, especially the blogging world, is another person complaining so as soon as I am done with this post, I will delete those so they will never see the light of day.

One of my other reasons is a much less noble one.  Over spring break I was staying up late and scrapbooking in an effort to catch up.  (HA!  Yeah, right..catch up.  Notice that isn't on my list).  While I scrapbook, I like to have something on in the background and I decided instead of watching Oceans 12 again, I would take a look at Netflix and see if there was something I wanted to watch.  Enter...the t.v. series Bones.  Seasons 1-5 are all on Netflix. And I have watched them all...all. five. seasons....just in the last 3 weeks.  I watched them when I was scrapbooking, I watched them when I was working out, I watched them while I was making dinner, I watched them when I should have been sleeping...you get the picture.  All that time had to come from somewhere and part of it came from blogging. 

Now, in defense of myself, I haven't completely forgotten about my list this week.  Joe and I spent 2 hours on Saturday and 3 hours on Sunday working out the in yard, because it wasn't raining and the sun was even shining.  This is all in preparation for the beginnings of our garden (which is #51).  I wrote several cards out this week and started a new book.  I have looked into available cooking classes and while I did find some there was nothing that screamed at me that I needed to take it.  I did start a new book, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, which is pretty good so far.

This week, I will be better, I promise.

Stuffed Peppers

I have made stuffed peppers one other time in the past, but they were not a hit.  Joe is a little picky when it comes to his food mixing so I am blaming the lack of excitement about my past stuffed peppers on him.  He especially doesn't like meat mixed with things so when I set out to try again, I decided that I was going to make them vegetarian.  I again looked a bunch of different recipes and this is what I came up with... 

Ingredients:

2 peppers (I had orange peppers so that is what I used)
1 small onions, chopped
1 clove of minced garlic
2 stalks of celery, chopped
1 grated carrot
1/2 cup of frozen peas
1 cup of cooked rice
1 can of diced tomatoes
1/2 teaspoon of basil
1/2 teaspoon of oregano
2 teaspoons of olive oil + my olive oil Misto

Directions:

1.  Cut peppers in half, and scoop out seeds, membrane, and stem.  Spray them with olive oil Misto, place them in a baking side face down in a 350 degree oven.  I would say it was probably 15 minutes or so...I didn't time it.  They just stayed in the oven for however long it took me to get the rest ready.

2.  Heat 2 teaspoons of olive oil and saute the onions, garlic, and celery...for awhile.  Again, I didn't time it..I just cooked it until it was ready.  (I know Rachel...I am sorry...I promise I will time it next time)

3.  Add peas and carrot and continue cooking for a few minutes. Then add the cooked rice and spices and mix.

4. Open the can of diced tomatoes and reserve about a 1/2 cup.  Pour the rest of the can into the vegetable and rice mixture and stir.

5.  Take the peppers out of the oven and out of the dish (for a moment) and put the 1/2 cup of diced tomatoes you reserved in the baking dish and place the peppers back in the dish and scoop the vegi/rice mixture into the peppers. 

6.  Bake for another 20 minutes or so...

A lot of the recipes I saw called for a slice of cheese on the top of the pepper as it got closer to being done, but I didn't add that.  When I told Joe this, he got out the Parmesan cheese and added some to the top of his.  I didn't because as it stood it was a pretty low-point side dish to go along with the grilled chicken.  We only each ate a half of a pepper so we will eat it later this week (hopefully).

Definitely a keeper!

Friday, April 1, 2011

Ruth's Chris Steakhouse

Joe's mom gave us a gift card as a Christmas present to Ruth's Chris Steakhouse and along with it came a "bonus" card that expired on March 31st and because we are such planners, we decided to go on March 31st.  So, some good friends agreed to watch Taelin and off we went.  I can't even start to imagine the pounds of butter that this restaurant goes through in one night.  Here is what I do know-that pretty much everything I had at Ruth's Chris was covered in butter...and it was quite tasty.

It certainly isn't a place that someone would go on a regular basis unless they were made of money and had an iron gut, but it was a great place to have a delicious dinner.  Joe and I both had filets and shared several side dishes that were amazing.  The steak was melt in your mouth and the service was as amazing as you would predict in a place that was as nice as Ruth's Chris.

The unfortunate part is that it is 3:00 the next day and I haven't eaten a thing yet.  I feel kind of gross...really.   I think instead of enchiladas tonight, we are going to have some grilled chicken and a really big salad.