What's for Dinner?

One of my favorite things about having lived in Louisiana is being introduced to the proper chicken finger, strip, or whatever you prefer to call it. I'm not talking about the dry, overcooked things many restaurants try to pass off as "chicken". I'm talking about uuuummmm, oh so good, chicken fingers.

Welcome to Raising Cane's. Their restaurant model is very similar to In-N-Out. If you are not familiar with In-N-Out, I offer my sincerest condolences. The success of the business lies in two things: 1. Superior Product 2. Don't do anything else!

So, at Cane's, you can order Chicken, Cane's sauce, fries, the most delicious texas toast EVER, cole slaw, a drink and....absolutely nothing else. After all, if you have reached perfection, why bother with anything else?

So, tonight for dinner we are all headed to Raising Cane's. Yum!!!

The Flaws in Our Characters

Okay, so we all have them. Character flaws. Maybe it's jealousy or envy, covetousness or greed. Maybe it's pride or a total disregard for the feelings and well being of others. Maybe it's too much ambition, or maybe a complete lack thereof. At any rate, everyone has their own imperfections. And I'm about to ANNOUNCE one of mine:

***drum roll,please***

(are you ready?...)

(it's almost here)

(Is lack of patience your imperfection?) :)

Ok, here goes...I am terrible at finishing things! Whew! I said it. I admitted it. I OWN it in the words of Dr. Phil. I'm like the Hare in the Tortoise and the Hare. New idea--I'm gung ho and ready to jump on board. Then, partway through the journey I get tired, or find myself becoming distracted; then, things just kind of fizzle out.

So, I have decided that I don't want to be this way and I am taking a page from Benjamin Franklin. At the age of 20, Benjamin Franklin decided that he wasn't too happy with his character. He came up with 4 over-reaching resolutions. He resolved to:

1. Be more frugal so that he could pay his debts and obligations


2. Be honest and sincere in every "word and action"


3. Be industrious in any labor or business he was a part of, and


4. He vowed "to speak ill of no man whatever, not even in a manner of truth" and "to speak all the good I know of everybody"

Pretty nice Resolution list, right? But, Mr. Franklin didn't stop there. He came up with 13 virtues that fell under the umbrella of his resolutions. These were temperance (lost some of you, there! ha! ), silence (okay, now you're all gone. Just kidding!), order, resolution, frugality, industry, sincerity, justice, moderation, cleanliness, tranquility, chastity, and humility. He made a chart and practiced each virtue steadfastly for a week at a time. At the end of a week, he evaluated how he had progressed in mastering that virtue. After thirteen weeks had passed, he started all over again. This was a practice that he performed throughout his life.

What an inspiration! So, my goal is to finish things that I start. I'm sure I have an inner tortoise just bursting to be set free...

Thoughts on Turning 34

I've always had a thing for numbers. I remember a lot of birthdays--not exactly good at getting cards sent out on time--but I remember when many of them will occur. Growing up a few numbers really seemed special. I remember the number 5--probably because that was when I started school. The first year that I can recall knowing is 1982 (once again probably due to school). I remember when I first moved and attended Brookwood Elementary. My brother, sister, and I rode bus 34. This wasn't difficult to remember because it happened to be my mother's age at the time. Now the years have flown by and I stand at the doorway to 34.

My favorite numbers are odd numbers--although I really like the even number 2, as well. I have a theory that seems to prove true most of the time. Take a moment and think about your favorite number. Is it odd or even? Is your birthdate odd or even? I think most of the time those born on odd days like odd numbers and vice versa.

I always looked forward to the traditional "big" birthdays. 5 to start school; 8 to be baptized; 12 to finally get to wear make-up; 16 to date; 18 to graduate. To this list of special numbers I always added 29 and 33. Don't know why, exactly; they just seemed elegant in some way. Well, those ages are all about to be accomplished. It is bittersweet--growing up. Time passes and the inevitable happens. I think it is natural to look back and try to see what one has really accomplished in the time given on this world.

I am blessed to have my 6 beautiful, bright children. I am able to feel old and young at once. Old--because some days I am just TIRED! Young--because I have the amazing privilege of seeing everything for the first time, again, through their eyes. Having children, nurturing children, teaching children, being the nurse/chauffeur/teacher/referee/counselor/maid/cook/laundress/etc. can seem like an overwhelming task at times. The days sometimes seem so long. The years, though, fly by. I find myself holding my one year old and thinking back not too long ago when my eldest was his age. I look into their eyes--open, and innocent, and full of love--and I see their potential. I think this is God's way of helping us to know how he feels about each of us. We aren't perfect, we make mistakes, we try to improve--and we grow wiser with our experiences.

So, as I grow another year older, I look back at my life and I smile at my accomplishments thusfar. And, most of the time, they smile right back at me.