Things Frema Has Done Today
1. Splashed around in the pool
2. Enjoyed a refreshing walk at the nearby park
3. Caught up on three episodes of AMC
4. Indulged in a complimentary lunch from Don Pablo's that actually started out as a complimentary dinner
Yeah, you read that right. Yesterday Luke and I decided to have a gloriously greasy "last-hurrah" meal out on the town in order to celebrate having the necessary funds to pop for a joint membership at the local YMCA, which we haven't done yet but will on Monday, but yesterday was when we had our tour and saw the plethora of fitness classes and machines available and there was much excitement about getting back into shape so I could stop crying about how much fuller my face looks in the picture I took for my EOM bio. I mean, we. Whatever.
Anyway, Don Pablo's. Because Luke loves Mexican food and I knew some chains offer spinach dip as cup or bowl options, and it wouldn't really count as an appetizer because cups only cost $3.79.
We arrived at the restaurant around seven and knew to expect a wait. So we sat on one of the benches near the entrance and watched hungry people harass the poor hostess, one of whom would approach her every six minutes to peer over her shoulder, showering her with man breath and spittle, to ask "How's Cal lookin'?" in such a gruff tone of voice you knew he had to be a smoker. The third time that happened took place directly before she announced our table was ready, and we took great pleasure in tossing back possible answers on behalf of the poor hostess, answers like, "Cal's lookin' to get a foot up his @$$ if he doesn't step out of my happy place!" It took all my restraint not to high-five Luke as we were seated in a booth on the outskirts of the dining area.
Two eventful things happened during the course of the evening. The first was that we got a free dinner as a result of the waitress's perception that we waited too long for our food, which, it wasn't that long, seeing as it was Friday and all, but we're not the type of people to squash an opportunity for a fellow human being to pay it forward. (Or turn down a free thirty-dollar meal.)The second was when, in all the excitement and possibly Luke's irritation that he didn't order that margarita after all, he stepped on the heel of my flip-flop and broke the strap. That's three dollars my mother will never see again. We were able to temporarily repair them with medical tape obtained from my car's first aid kit. (I knew it was good for something!)
He said he was sorry, but he didn't help his case any by admitting to his hatred for the damn things, so the jury's still out. I told him a trip to Payless may be the only way to make things right.
Apparently our good karma is sticking around for the entire weekend, as we have plans for tonight and tomorrow with friends of ours (OK, Luke's friends, but I'm working it!) to do things. In the same city we live in. That don't involve the highway or toll fees. This is the life.
In other words, I'm feeling much better.
Hooray for you!!! I love our local Y-enjoy!
Posted by: butterflygirl | July 10, 2006 at 03:30 AM
"Cal's lookin' to get a foot up his @$$ if he doesn't step out of my happy place!"
Baa-haa-haaaaa! How priceless would it have been if she really HAD said that?
YAY for the YMCA!!! Good luck and have fun with it!
Posted by: Silly Hily | July 10, 2006 at 12:38 PM
Free is almost always good. We got free tickets to see "Pirates of the Caribbean" last night. One of Daddy D's ex-students is the manager. When we went to buy the tickets, the ex-student/manager came over and punched something in the cash register that resulted in 2 free passes to see the movie. Yea!!!
By the way , the movie was great fun, but it ended with a teaser for the third movie in the series.
Posted by: mjd | July 10, 2006 at 03:49 PM
The YMCA is a very good idea. I did that years ago and it was great.
Good plan.
Posted by: daddy d | July 10, 2006 at 03:57 PM
Gotta love the free food! Even better when the waitress *herself* decides you deserve it. I'm so jealous! I must go wallow in self-pity now.
Posted by: Britt | July 10, 2006 at 07:54 PM
And amazingly there was a replacement pair of flip-flops in black, just waiting to replace their silvery twins.
Posted by: Luke | July 10, 2006 at 11:08 PM
How very fun to join the YMCA! Look how cool you guys are! That's awesome. I can't wait to do that when our kiddo's get a tad older. And the free meal? Very nice.
I owe you a phone call.
:0)
Posted by: Lost a Sock | July 11, 2006 at 12:51 AM
Personal fulfillment restored with free mexican food. LOVE IT! Thanks for the call last week, honey. I needed it!
WAIT! LOS, I owe YOU a phone call :-)
Posted by: Number Twelve | July 12, 2006 at 12:22 PM
I am such a bad blogger and My Space friend because I am so far behind on reading, commenting and saying hello. But I did read your lastest entry today, when I finally decided to pay attention to the internet again.
It's great to hear that you are busy with friends and fun this weekend, and are joing the Y on Monday. GO GIRL! I love you and am happy for you and your free dinner! Ahywho, can't wait to see you next weekend-I love you. ;)
Posted by: Sambo V. | July 12, 2006 at 10:31 PM
I recently broke a strap on my flip-flops as well...that's the last time I overpay for "quality" footwear.
Posted by: Phil | July 14, 2006 at 07:56 PM