Chef's Widow...

Let me just warn you first - this is a post to just 'air' my frustrations with my chef. So, I'm sure it will seem like I am bitching and maybe I am but since this is my place, I can do that!

For the past several weeks he has been complaining about not seeing me/being with me/just hanging out with me/etc. You all get the idea. As many of you know and are aware of that being married to a chef means that I am a 'widow' on holidays, every freaking Friday & Saturday nights, evenings during the week... the restaurant owns him basically. Some of you may be wondering, didn't she know this before marrying him and the answer is a resounding YES! I knew all of this because we were together for 2 1/2 years prior to us getting married this past July. I knew what I was getting into but lately it's different... let me explain.

1. We have decided that now is the time for Yummy to venture out on his own and take the huge leap of faith and open a place of his own. It's exciting and I am SO proud of him and I KNOW he can do it and make it work. We had people come to us this past fall and inquire about him opening his own place and told us they would back it if this was something we both wanted. Hell yeah!!!

This has meant that after the hectic, chaotic holiday season that starts right after turkey day and goes through NYE Yummy has been putting together a business plan (of course, with my help - I'm the phone person, research person, read this, proof this, all around business plan bitch I suppose would be my title). This nasty deed is long and tedious and consumes most of his waking time that he is not serving the public. I've done as much as I can to help but I'm not in the restaurant industry per se so I don't know all the number stuff. It started as a venture that he insisted that it would take both of us to run the restaurant and I would need to be in it when the princes weren't with us - meaning rubbing elbows with the guests, making sure the servers are doing their jobs, etc. Basically a night time manager/owner. THEN all of a sudden he's talking about having a friend who has NO experience in the industry be the GM! WTF!!! Then, it goes to no we don't need one because you'll be there and eventually you can quit teaching and work at the restaurant. Uugghh... it changes daily - some days he wants me involved and others it seems that he would be fine if I was never there. So, IDK.

2. The next 'problem' is that he has been constantly complaining about us not spending time together and not seeing me and missing me. Blah, blah, blah. I totally get this because like I said each waking minute is spent working on this plan, doing research, etc. I have the same feelings as Yummy does and try to make time/find time/etc. so we can be together. But the problem lies in that he doesn't do the same. When I try, he's only interested in working on that damn plan.

He had 2 days off this week in a row (not typically) and was excited about it because he was going to get to spend some time with his family. Wednesday night I had to be at school because of the talent show but came home early from that so I could see him. As soon as I hit the door, I got the princes to bed/checked homework so I could see Yummy. What does Yummy do? Opens the plan and starts working on it. So much for that! Thursday night the princes are picked up from after school care by the ex who drops them off at 4:30 which I then take them to the skating party (Yummy doesn't typically have Thursdays off so this was not told to me until Wednesday.) for school which I asked Yummy to go with us. He chose to meet his friend to go over the plan (This is the friend that has not industry experience.). Yummy asked what time I would be home and I told him by 8:30 but probably closer to 8. Got home and no Yummy. Sent him a text letting him know I was home and he informed me that he stopped at the new wine bar because our friend wanted to go. Okay, so much for spending time together this week I thought. At 9:30 I went to bed with no Yummy who didn't come to bed until midnight. Not sure what time he got home.

Now he's wondering why I'm in a mood and just doesn't get it. He chose to be out with friends which is starting to happen more and more (and no, I'm not one of those wives that thinks her husband can't have friends but when he complains about not spending time with me...). He doesn't get why I've got a cold shoulder towards him and tells me he'll make it up to me. Ahem, yeah... not gonna hold my breath.

His answer to me is 'we just need a weekend get-a-way'. Yeah... that's the answer! Why would I even want to spend the money to go away for the weekend and hopefully have him pay attention to me because it's going to be a weekend of research for the restaurant since he wants to go to Cleveland and check out several different restaurants there when he doesn't give me the time of day here at home. A change of scenery isn't going to make a difference!

There it's off my chest so to speak... I'm sure you all will have thoughts and yes, tell me if I'm being bitchy, inconsiderate, whatever... maybe I am but the funny thing is I'm not mad or angry - I'm hurt I guess is the best way to put it.

Food, Guns, Bourbon

What a whirlwind of a weekend. After a very short work week because the middle prince was home ill, I spent the weekend dabbling in catering service. Now, don't laugh... I used to wait tables eons ago but Yummy was putting on a private catering event and needed help. I was actually invited to it but chose to go and help out.

It was a fun time... after set-up was done, we went out to the shooting range and did a little shooting. Yummy brought my Springfield 45 xd and I FINALLY was able to try it out. I didn't realize how much I missed shooting until Saturday! The guys we were shooting with even let me try out their .357 pistol! I have to say I did a fine job holding my own up against the big boys. lol

We went back in after the little shooting range expedition and fixed a 7 course meal for our friends with a plethora of wine tasting and bourbon. I forgot how tiring serving is but it was a great time working beside my fabulous husband and by helping, I did more than just serve some food - I was able to talk to one of the gals there that we know about opening a restaurant. She pulled Yummy aside before we left and told him that when we got all our ducks in a row to let her know and she'll help us get the backing that we need. YAY!!! I'm so excited - my sweetie's going to be able to fulfill his dream of owning his own restaurant!

What a fabulous weekend! Now, I'm off to a few more days off this week with the littlest prince being sick with the high fever.

Here's to Long Weekends...

I forgot what it's like to curl up with a book. I'm fortunate that I teach at a school that still has a fall break. I had 3 days off last week plus the weekend - a mini vacation! I swear this is unheard of around here anymore.

I spent the time in Ludington, Michigan with Yummy at his family's lake cottage on Lake Michigan. I know, I know... you're thinking Michigan? What!?! But, it was not too terribly bad for weather. We had one day of rain but it was in the mid-50's to low 60's for most of the week. We spent a little each day in the quaint little town that I swear is a ghost town when the 'season' is over with at Labor Day. Pretty much all the little shops close for the winter. The candy store was having an end of season sale - they were still making fresh chocolates and carmel apples but they were prepping to close. I was able to get the yummiest carmel apple - a HUGE Granny Smith covered in buttery carmel and chopped peanuts. YUM!!

So most of the impromptu vacation was spent curled up with a blanket and a book at the cottage since there wasn't a damn thing to really do in town. I was able to get an entire book read - a co-worker turned me onto The Sookie Stackhouse Series (True Blood). Don't laugh - it's actually not bad and I'm starting the second in the series and looking forward to finishing it.

Besides the book, Yummy and I were able to get some 'adult' time in too. ~wink, wink~
I swear, I never get to spend that many days with him all to myself. I forgot what it's like sleeping late, staying in bed all day if you want and not hearing "Momma... I want..." :-)

Here's to hoping all of you had a GREAT weekend!

Looking for a little sunshine...

It's been a crazy week... with all the rain and lack of sun, it's taken a toll on all of us! It's been a week of doctor appointments and making more follow up appointments. I tell ya if I never see the inside of a doctor's office again, it will be too soon! lol

The oldest prince had his first therapy appointment and the freakin' dr. came out of it after only seeing him for an hour that he is depressed and needs zoloft. WTF??? Zoloft, seriously? Isn't that like the shit that makes kids want to kill themselves? Oldest prince will not be going on zoloft any time soon! He'll be seeing the therapist in a few weeks and starting his therapy sessions so he can learn to deal with an idiot of a sperm donor. The kid is not depressed... just because a kid doesn't answer questions, sits and cries during a session does not mean he's depressed! At least the dr. did say that oldest prince's issues are caused from his idiot of a sperm donor. (We do not refer to him as a father because it takes SO much more to be a father than helping create new life!) Hopefully, therapy will help him deal with all the anger/frustration that he has with his idiot of a sperm donor.

EH finally got an attorney so the shit can start moving forward. That came late last week but we're setting mediation dates. I'm not too optimistic about resolving the issues during mediation. Remember, EH told me he's a vindictive person as he called me a whore a few weeks ago in front of the youngest prince so this means that he'll drag it out and fight me on every.fucking.thing. Now it's just a wait and see...

The youngest prince has an ear tube plugged and an infection in the same ear. This means another trip to the ENT and a possible 4th surgery for replacement of the tube! Uugghh...

But on the upside of things... 28 days and counting to New Orleans baby!!! We have 17 people coming to the wedding there! It's all paid for and the stress level is low. (That's a very good thing.) Yummy is making his spice mixtures up for wedding favors - Voodoo Love and Kamasutra Curry. We're planning the picnic back here for when we get back for all who couldn't make it to NOLA with us. My hair and makeup appointment is made for a very chic little salon right next door to the hotel. Everything is coming together! Woot!!

Hope everyone has a kick ass weekend with some sunshine in it! We're heading to the pool today for a little sun time. ;-)

Think, Think, Think...

As Pooh would say... "Think, Think, Think..." I'm thinking of giving my notice to the school. No, I won't end my stay immediately but at the end of school which for me would be June 1. I love my classroom and this is hard for me to decided. I have to carefully consider all the fall outs from such a decision...

Yummy tells me to give notice and stay home with the princes. We can do it... it would be tight but we can make it. I could sub as the princes schedule allows to bring in extra money and then in January I get my settlement check from the ex...

I'm worried about if I don't give notice then whoever sent the letter to the bishop will do it again and not stop until they succeed.

Yummy and I are planning to get married in July. I don't have my annulment so technically I can't teach in a Catholic school because I'm a sinner...

I'm having trouble getting my classes I need for the summer so I can renew my emergency permit to teach in middle school. Without it, I would not have a job anyway.

If I stop teaching within the system then I would have to pay for the princes to attend the school they attend. I receive free tuition as a benefit. This saves us about $3000 each year.

If I do give notice and stay home, I could attend more functions at school for the princes. Which they would LOVE.

I'm scared I will go stir crazy.

My mother tells me to stay home if we can do it... get married and live my life and not worry about it. It will all work out.

She's probably right... everything has a way of working out.

I've Been Branded...

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Are You There? It's Me... Honey.

I haven't completely fallen off the face of the Earth... just slightly. :) I've just been insanely busy with work, taking care of Yummy after his Achilles tendon surgery, wedding planning, the Princes, new puppies... You name it, it's on my plate right now.

Yummy had surgery on Feb. 16th on his Achilles and spent 3 weeks at home with not being able to do ANY.FREAKIN'.THING. I swear what is it about men and when they're down? I'll admit he's not like when EH would get sick and you'd thought the world was coming to an end but it was still bad... he'd get up in the morning and make his way downstairs to sit on the couch all day and watch movies or play his PS 2. But, could the guy put a dirty glass in the dishwasher at least once? Come on... it's his foot that can't do anything, not his hands! Thank goddess that he went back to work before I blew a gasket because it was getting close. But, alas... things are better and he hopefully will be released completely from the surgeon in a few weeks.

At the same time of dealing with Yummy, the new puppies decided to eat our couch in the extra room. Yup, the entire arm of it. Luckily, most of it came right back out of them but poor Maggie had gotten a piece stuck in her stomach and spent the night at the ER vet's. They were going to do surgery but when they went to prep her, she got sick and the piece that was stuck was no longer stuck but she was borderline anemic which kept her overnight. Come to find out she was full of whip & hook worms so was put on a dewormer to take care of that problem. She's now gaining weight and things are looking up with her and her sister! (I'll try to get some pics posted this weekend of them.)

The wedding is planned! Yippee! Hooray! The hotel is booked in New Orleans, the reception planned at K Paul's, the minister at the French Quarter Wedding Chapel booked, carriages ordered, dress is in first alterations, cute little flip flops bought, rings ordered, invitations here... friends are starting to book their flights/hotel. I'm planning on spending the weekend addressing invites to get those out this next week. How exciting!

The Princes are all doing good especially after the melt-down that the oldest Prince had at his dad's a few weeks ago that I got blamed for because I got 2 more dogs. But EH made things right with the Princes... he went and bought them each a pet... a chameleon, tortoise, frog and newts! That's just what they needed... instead of a dad who actually parents them, they got more STUFF. But this time, STUFF that needs fed, cages cleaned... Oh, did I mention one newt escaped in the youngest princes room and is MIA for over a week now? Yup, my son will have a decaying, rotting newt corpse in his room in a few weeks. Yeah!

Other than that EH just keeps becoming more of an idiot... my middle Prince was sick and at his dad's and stayed home from school. EH told me at 7:30 that morning that he was going to call the dr. and take the Prince in to be checked because the severity of his sore throat. At 9:30, I get a text from EH asking if he can drop the Princes off at my house at 1:30 to Yummy. WTF!?! What happened to the dr.? When I got EH on the phone (he wouldn't answer his phones - my oldest prince had to), he said he wasn't taking the middle Prince to the dr. because he'd given him cough medicine and he wasn't coughing any more. What? This is the kid who has had strep Dec. and Jan. and stayed home the week prior because he didn't feel well! So, not to inconvenience EH, I took the Prince to the dr. to find out that he had strep along with a sinus infection! What an idiot! When I called to tell EH, he didn't answer his phone (of course!) but I got no apology, "that's too bad", NOTHING!!! Well, his nothing is going to be landing his butt right in mediation/court with it being very likely that FULL custody will be granted to me. That would be the only positive thing that comes from this!

And I'm on the hunt for a new teaching job... I have 2 classes that I HAVE to take before August to receive a renewal on my emergency permit to teach middle school and the college doesn't offer one of the classes at a time that I can take it (10 a.m. while I'm teaching just doesn't work) and the other class is not offered at all. When I talked to the licensing advisor, he told too bad and he was not going to support a request for an extension/waiver so I could have another year to take the classes. So, now I'll be out of a job unless I can find these 2 classes at another college and the advisor has to okay them before I'm allowed to register for them because they have to transfer to HIS college. What a jerk!

Well, I hope everyone is having a rockin' weekend... I spent the day with the Princes at an art festival that 2 of the 3 have art pieces displayed! How fantastic! Now, I'm off to finish some laundry, fix dinner and crash...

Red, Red Wine HNT

It's an encore of my Mystery Guest photos from Os's site last week. I hope you all don't mind that I did a repeat. Do you?

What I had planned for this week was just too difficult for me to take the photos by myself. Yummy was out of town (again) on business trip learning to roll sushi. So, we'll just have to save it for next week. I know you'll be waiting with trepidation... But for now...

Make sure you click...

Make sure you check all the half-nekkidness out for the week.

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Weekly recap (late)

Yummy came home from a week in Florida last Friday. I swear we haven't had a moment alone! I missed him so much. I forgot what it's like to have a SO that travels but this time around... I didn't want him to go. Always before with the ex, I was mostly wishing for his next trip so my life would be much easier. I'm looking forward to the next few days - the Princes are at their father's and won't come home until Sunday night. So, that means some *hot* sex! YEAH!!!

Plant and Flower show was today at the Princes' school. The older Princes had 3 entries total. An umbrella plant that was I swear looked like it came out of the rain forest. It was that BIG! A 17 1/2" diameter giant sunflower head and a small dusty miller plant. And the best part of this whole thing is I got to carry these huge fucking plants into the school! I hope the Princes appreciate it (kidding... it's what a momma does for her babies). If they get blue ribbons today, then they will get to exhibit the plants at the city wide contest on Saturday. The first year the oldest Prince participated he won 4th place in the city wide competition for first year umbrella plants. So, keep you're fingers crossed that they did well in it at the school level today. We'll find out tomorrow how they did.

Today I dealt with the teenager gossip/meanness issues but it wasn't the girls for once! I've got a group of boys that likes to pull on one girl's pig tails. Today it was the boys declaring this girl a slut. I'd like to say boys will be boys but when boys do this it tends to be because they like the girl and she is not paying them any attention. And, that is EXACTLY the fuck what is going on with these kids. This girl moved into the school last year and dated one boy in the class (I use the word dated loosely), broke up with him and moved onto the next boy and broke up with him. She is now dating a boy from last year's class from HELL. Wow, it's a love triangle or hexagon.

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Can't wait to see what tomorrow holds or next week when grade progress reports come out. I'll then have parents to deal with and we all know how that ends up!

Wednesday Weirdness and Other Rambles

It's Wednesday and I took a mental health day from school. No, seriously... I think a headache waking you up at 2 in the fucking morning qualifies as being sick! Don't you? I already had sub plans made because I had gotten called for jury duty today but got dismissed last night from it. Plus it's a half day of school because of some teacher convocation or other. I think, the little darlings will be okay without me for one half day! Anyway, this gives me the chance to get caught up on my blogging, veg out and have a day all about me!

Yummy's in Florida until Friday, Princes are with their father all week, I'm home alone (okay, not quite alone - 3 fur babies are here) but I doubt I'll be getting into much trouble with all the laundry, cleaning and other stuff that needs to be done.

But I did find time to play Wednesday Weirdness... Go check it out.

1.) Someone dares you to eat two cooked bulls testicles for 1,500 dollars. They're fried, topped with nacho cheese, belly button lint, lima beans, sweat rung out from a dirty sock and maple syrup and you have to eat it all. Are you going to eat it for the cash or pass?

Okay, you almost had me on this one you mentioned nacho cheese. EVERYTHING tastes good with cheese but I'm not so sure about this! I guess, it depends... no wait, I take that back. Have you seen the size of bull testicles? There's NO.FUCKING.WAY I would eat this!! And living with a chef, I've been nudged to try a few things but I don't even think HE was eat this.

2.) If you were not getting enough sex in your relationship, how would you handle it? Would you cheat on your significant other?

COMMUNICATION... verbal, non-verbal... whatever it takes. But there does come a point when talking and being the one who constantly starts things up gets old. Regarding the cheating, since I've been involved in that before but for WAY many different reasons, I don't know. I mean, I don't think I would but I can't say for sure.

3.) Would you cheat if you knew you would never be caught? Why or why not?

I think you ALWAYS get caught. I mean, the other person will begin to suspect something, your guilt takes over... I've cheated and it wasn't about doing it because I wouldn't get caught. So, I guess, my answer would be no because NOW I'm with a person that I truly want to be with, they want to be with me and it's for ALL the right reasons. :)

4.) If you could get rid of any of the late night talk show hosts and replace them with anyone you want, what late night persona would you get rid of and who would you replace them with?

This is bad... I have NO clue because I'm not up that late to watch talk shows. I've got an early call at 5:15 or so AND if I am up at that time of night, I'm usually doing something that doesn't involve the need for talk. ~wink~

5.) If you could get rid of one day time talk show, which one would you pick and why?

Again, I don't watch these so I wouldn't have a clue.

6.) Where is your favorite places on the body to be kissed?

The curve of my neck as it meets my shoulder and the small of my back.

Favorite places to kiss?

Yummy's fingers, shoulders, neck, ears, lips... practically EVERY place on him! lol


7.) Do you watch porn? How does your significant other feel about that?

That would be a YES! And, Yummy joins in with me. I've had many pple tell me that "a couple who plays together, stays together." I really believe that - my Ex-H would have NEVER watched porn with me - it's just not something a guy does with his wife is what I would get told. Like HE knows anything! lol

TMI Tuesday

1. When was the last time someone hit on you? What went down? According to Yummy, it happens ALL the time. I guess, it would have to be Sunday night at our friend's get together. Two of the guys that were there were flirting pretty heavy. I'm kinda oblivious to stuff like this. I just take it as someone being nice - that's what got me in 'trouble' with Yummy. ~wink, wink~

But I'd like to think it was back when I was hanging with Luke Bryan and the flirting the insued that night... ~smiling~

2. If you were single and could be with any one person, who would it be (thinking singer/actor or someone famous here, but whatever)? Hmm... that's a tough one because typically famous pple aren't all that they're cracked up to be. I'd have to say that if I was single, I'd still choose Yummy. He's the one person that truly 'gets' me. But if I have to pic a famous person, then I'd go with my new obsession of Luke Bryan ~ he's just delicious... ;)

3. Have you ever had done anything sexual in your office or your place of employment? Nope... come on I teach at a school. Do you know what kind of scandal that would cause if it was found out?

4. Do you apologize when you make a mistake? How do you react when someone calls you out? That is one thing that I do DO... if I'm in the wrong, I'll admit it and apologize. I'm usually okay with someone calling me out on it as long as it's in a constructive manner.

5. Top or bottom? This could be talking about many things... my first thought was to say top because I like to be in control... just ask Yummy. ~blushing~

Bonus (as in optional): Bonus: How old were you when you first had a willing sexual experience? I was a later bloomer in this compared to many of my girlfriends in school. I was 17 and a junior in high school when I had my first 'real' boyfriend.

Do you kiss and tell? Come play along and let us know in the comments. Make sure you check out what everyone had to share this week over at TMI Tuesday.

HNT ~ Finale of Biker Babe Series...

(shhh... clickety-click)

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The finale in the Biker Babe series... are you all sick of these pics yet?

****Random Thoughts****

Wow! What a week. I've just got a few days before my first day back in the classroom. Yikes! I'm not in the least bit ready. I've been going down a little at a time to get it ready. The room got painted... check. It's no longer this baby green/yellow color. It now resembles a tropical seaside with blues and a touch of flamingo pink! Come on... I AM a girl. ~wink~

My homeroom has ONLY 9 students in it. Can we say why the fuck is this school open? But, at least I have a job!

Here's the 'To D0' list for the remaining days of summer...

~ finish putting together the classroom by Tuesday

~ label the Princes school supplies

~hunt for the 'perfect' wedding dress

~ laundry

~clean the house (dust, sweep, etc.)

~finish writing the good old annulment and get it to the priest

~lesson plans for first week of school

~try to get just one of my assignments done for my correspondence class in physics. Yes, PHYSICS people... need I say more?

~clean out the basement (it's an on-going project over the last year)

~oh, yeah... and spend as much time with Yummy as possible before school starts. with both working opposite shifts, it's hard. We really only see each other one night a week and on Sundays when school's in session.

~party with friends on Sunday afternoon/night and attend the countryfest concerts here locally

I know there is more that should be on the list but at this point... I'll never get done what needs to get done.

Make sure you visit all the others that get half-nekkid over at Os' place!

HNT ~ Biker Babe Series

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I promised that I would be moving my HNT pics from my old site over to this one. Here's the one from this past Thursday. What is a girl to do without her HNT pics? *snort* I'll be adding the others soon...

But for now... enjoy this one. For those of you who didn't see it on the old site, here's a recap...

These are the first in a series featuring the 1977 Shovelhead Chopper that Yummy built in 2006! It's a monster at 700 pounds, suicide shift, no front breaks... And, yes ~ I ride on the back of it with him with a lick 'em, stick 'em seat, no hoochie pegs (I wrap my legs around him!)

Enjoy!