Tag: Memory lane

lava- la -weekend

The Coach and I had a great dinner at Shula’s Steak House this weekend with some friends. It was a ‘private’ wine dinner with a fixed tasting menu. We’ve purchased a few of these over the years at a University athletic fundraiser we attend annually. The Coach and I agree that we need to stop purchasing these; they’re really expensive and we don’t need a four-course meal.
Of course, I do need the four-course wine.

They served us XL crab cakes, (I opted for grilled shrimp, cause I’m crabby enough) a huge wedge salad, a filet mignon and then a warm chocolate lava cake with vanilla bean ice cream and fresh cream. Stuffed who?
Are you drooling? 

We were reminiscing about meeting Mr. Don Shula there years ago. I believe it was around 1999; he was at the restaurant with his Son and was happy to oblige us and spend a few minutes chatting.

{I completely forgot how much I loved wearing twin-sets back in the day. Cardigans w/matching tops}

As Native Floridians, both of our families were always diehard fans of the Miami Dolphins. Lately though? We’re not big fans of any NFL teams. Well, I never cared about football….but even the Coach is disenchanted with the NFL. Everything is political and a lot of athletes have turned into a bunch of sissies. There, I said it.
I’m sure Don Shula can’t even take it anymore.

Not sure how this turned into a football post. I really just wanted to talk about food and wine.

Anyhoo….I wish I’d saved half of my lava cake that I didn’t eat. I could use it today.

Anything fun in your weekend? 

Suz at 13

A few days ago my Aunt Trisha stumbled upon these never before seen (by me) photos. She took them when I was around 13 and on a camping weekend with my Aunt and Uncle in Cherry Log, GA.

A few things struck me: 
I was smiling. 
I was cuter than I thought I was; I just thought my Mom HAD to say I was cute. 
My hair wasn’t as hideous as I thought it was. (although soon after my Grandma took me to her ‘beautician’ and gave me an ‘easy to take care of look’—Yes, a boys’ haircut!) I wanted so badly to have hair like Blair on The Facts Of Life, but instead, I looked more like Tootie. 
The braces. I was SO thankful that I was finally able to get braces; I was a mouthful of crooked, but getting those was a cluster between my Mom, Dad and me living in a different state than my Dad and his insurance. 
That outfit. I had very few clothes; I recall wearing this particular outfit many times during the school week. 
I wish I knew at 13 that it would all work out for me. I’d get the life that I dreamt of having, but didn’t think it could be a reality; you know, a functional family life.  
A girl scout leader in the making

I wish I could go back and tell my 13-year-old self to NOT be so hard on myself, I will grow taller than 4’9 and weigh more than a toddler at some point., it’s ok to not be a cool kid or even friends with the cool kids.
And that I’ll have a slew of quality people in my life who will get me.
It was gonna be more than all right.