The New BBQ Barn

Thursday was a fun day. Hubby stayed home and relaxed to celebrate his birthday while I was mad busy doing stuff around the house and the Peanut was at MDO. It was very nice because we were able to go out for lunch by ourselves. We decided to try the new bbq restaurant just minutes down the road from our house, the BBQ Barn. This new restaurant actually is a shoot-off from the same named restaurant in North Augusta. That is good news, because obviously they must know what they are doing and be successful to open a second store. Hubby ordered the combo bbq/ribs plate with baked beans and potato salad. I ordered the fried pork loin with potato salad. We both got sliced white bread and hush puppies. I would have to say that the pork loin, while it did not look fried, was tasty and the potato salad was home made. I have a little bit of a pet peeve about eating out and obviously getting industrial-made potato salad. The hush puppies were also yummy. Hubby let me taste the ribs and they were good as well. The sauces were mostly not what I prefer, and Hubby said that they were below average and that the bbq pulled pork was horrific except if you ate it on a piece of bread. The baked beans were just normal for a bbq place. If I had to guess whether we would eat there again, I imagine that we will. The ribs will be the main reason. On a plus, they have a small bakery to the side that sells desserts. I did not get anything this time but everything looked fantastic.

A Trip to the Library

So I had been meaning to take the Peanut to story time at the library but it is awfully hard to get there on time. If you are even a minute late you shouldn't go in because it only lasts 15 minutes. But this week I was able to get it together and go. Of course she loved it. The girl in charge of the class started out with a few songs that encourages movement, to get the wiggles out. Then she read a short book and did a couple more songs. Then she pulled out the oldie but goodie - the felt storyboard. I used to love that as a kid. Then a few more songs and it was over too soon. Unfortunately this season ends next week and won't start again until January. But the good news is that they also have a toddler class about half an hour after this class. If we can make it through that half an hour then the Peanut could go to two story times and it would make the effort even more worth it. I am undecided about whether we will go this next time, but I definitely want to start in January and go regularly. It is free and it encourages a love of books and reading. What could be better?

When I met a veteran of only 22 years

Tuesday night my Young Farmer's club had our annual meeting to make Christmas wreaths. For the last year or so, a few times each year, we all got together as a club and sent packages to a young man undergoing serious surgeries. He had been a former student of the FFA teacher that heads up our group. About two years ago the humvee that he, and 4 other young soldiers, was riding in was blown up by a road bomb. Three people walked away. He was one of them. He suffered the most injuries in his legs and he was, at one point, not sure he would ever walk again.
Last night he walked into our group meeting and I knew who he was as soon as I saw him. I had never met the man before but he had a cage attached to his one leg and he was limping. I have to say that I was quite awestruck. I wish I could have been a little more witty and said something that may have conveyed better my complete elation that he was walking on his own. Or the fact that he, and others like him, had sacrificed some or all for his country. Instead I kept more to myself than I normally do. The others there last night knew him personally and I sure did not want to be in the way. He still has a way to go, several more surgeries, several more care packages. But if you had seen the pictures that I saw, you would know that he has come a remarkably long way.
So on this Veteran's Day 2009, let me say that it is my complete and total honor to know many people who have and still serve in the armed forces. I appreciate the time, effort and sacrifice that they give for you and me and this country. And if you can't stand with them and support them - I will borrow this popular phrase - please feel free to stand in front of them.

Amazing Race Monday on Tuesday and a side note

Oops. Last night I really thought I had updated my blog, but I remembered this morning that in fact I had not. So here is a great recap by a professional. Hopefully we will get our home computer back tomorrow and all will be right with the world again. Right.

http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20318433,00.html

SIDE NOTE: Something new that the Peanut is doing that is ridonkulously cute is...
...every time she sees something new or cool her cute little bow mouth makes a perfect "O" and she croons, "Oooooooooooooh!" That is a long O sound not the typical ewww sound. It should make Christmas very fun.

Country Adventures Birthday Party

We have been invited to a birthday party in Blythewood (up near Columbia) tomorrow. Normally we wouldn't go so far for a birthday party but this one is being held at a farm called Country Adventures. So we decided it would be a lot of fun for the Peanut. There is supposed to be a petting area, pony rides, a hayride, roasted hot dogs, all kinds of fun like that. I am excited about going. The Peanut is so much fun, I know she will just love it. Plus I will get some really cute pictures with my fantastic new camera that my wonderful Hubby got for my birthday. It will be quite a drive but it will be an adventure. Check out their web site to see what they are all about - www.countryadventures.us

Apple Festival this weekend

I love festivals. And the Apple Festival at Saint Johns United Methodist Church is a very nice one to visit. They have lots of things to buy, fun activities, and food galore! I plan to head to it early tomorrow morning to check out the Second Hand Rose sale, which is their used item section. The festival is Friday and Saturday, so you can still enjoy it even if you have to work. If you are short on something to do this weekend, take a trip downtown and check out this family festival.

Commence with the rending of garments

We are currently experiencing technical difficulties with our home computer. Somehow we contracted some viruses that our Norton would not remove. In the process of trying to remove said viruses, our computer went kaput. And that is a technical term, I promise. So thankfully the Hubby has a laptop for work that I can use at night. It has opened my eyes to how much I rely on the computer and how much I use it during the day. I have to say it hasn't been all bad, not being able to use it during the day. It has been a little refreshing to not even think about it during the day. Kind of old school.
Sadly I might be losing some of my files because I haven't been as diligent in backing up my stuff. I had just downloaded and deleted from my camera some pictures from the fair and now they may be lost. I am going to look into some professional help to see about cleaning off our hard drive before we wipe the computer and start from scratch. I am really hoping that we can get that done.
So if I seem like I am missing days here and there, you will know why. I am hoping to have this resolved one way or another in the next few days. Good luck to us!