On the Melting Pot in Maui

The second night on Maui, after I acquired a sunburn and nearly drowned on the sailboat adventure, my BFF and I decided to enjoy a leisurely dinner at the Melting Pot.

She and I were still stuck on PST, and dinner was running late. We'd slipped from wanting to pass out at the table, to laughing uncontrollably. It didn't help that the first slice of apple I dipped in the cheese sauce flew off my fork and slid across the table directly at her.

"Fondu-me fighting apples" was born.

 We laughed more together than I can remember laughing in years. We entertained our server with jokes and stories of our adventures and life in general, and strolled out of there full and happy. Plus I had a trunk full of books from the Barnes and Noble next door. ;)

It was an amazing night all around.

Do you have any stories of a dinner out with friends? I'd love to hear about it.

R.S.



   

On An Interview with an Inanimate Object

Could you imagine the conversations if inanimate objects could talk? What would the mirror in a public restroom say? Or the bed in a no-tell-motel? How about the cami bottoms of the Marine's uniform?

RS: So, thank you for agreeing to talk to me today, Mr. Pants.

MP: Please, call me Camis.

RS: Okay, Camis. How long have you been hugging the rear of the Marine?

MP: As you know, he likes to switch us out every once in a while, so I'd have to say probably for a year. He didn't get me until after his last deployment.

RS: Really, that seems like a long time. Do you enjoy your work?

MP: It's got some downsides, but over all I'm pretty content.

RS: What sort of downsides?

MP: Well, I put in long hours, and the expectations are killer. I'm expected to be durable and flexible. My pockets are constantly being crammed with books, pencils, pens, phones, and anything else my boss might need.

RS: What's the worst thing you've been expected to carry in your pockets?

MP: Keys. They're nasty suckers, always poking and digging.

RS: That does sound uncomfortable. What is your average work day like?

MP: I go to work when it's still dark outside, and sometimes it's dark when I get off too. Then when I'm at work it's  go, go, go. I'm either being weighted down, sat on, or rolled around in. Do you have any idea how hard it is to breathe when your boss has you face down in the dirt while he's got his knee in some poor schmuck's back?

RS: I can't even begin to imagine, but please go on.

MP: Then there is the amount of crap he puts ON me. My friend the belt has it pretty bad too, but at least he's only got things hanging on him. He doesn't have to worry about dealing with sweat or gas or anything else. He also doesn't have to worry about getting something on him when I'm forced to sit on some questionable surface.

MP: There are times I feel like I'm choking. Especially when he straps on a side arm or wraps boot bands around me.

RS: That does sound like a lot to go through during the day.

MP: Heck, that's not the worst of it. The absolute worst is when his wife starts groping me. I mean, come on lady, I'm not that kind of guy. She's hot and all, but I don't swing that way, you know what I mean?

RS: Oh, look at the time. I'm afraid that's all the time we have.

MP: But--

RS: No, really. Thanks for agreeing to talk to me.

MP: I've got more to--

RS: Have a great day, Mr. Pants.

MP: Wait, where are you going? Why are you running away? Stop! Come back! I haven't even told you about the growling yet!


What inanimate object would you most like to interview? What would you ask them, and what would they say? I'd love to hear.

R.S.

On Weekend Fun with Family

This weekend was spent hanging out with my family.

The Marine was home, the Niece worked shorter hours, and the Munchkin was surrounded by love.

Friday night, after a quickly prepared meal, we got the Munchkin ready for bed, did the story thing, and sent the menfolk out to get fixings for smores.

Since we live in an area with an almost continual burn ban, and we don't own a fire pit on legs (though I've thought on more than one occasion to acquire one) we made our melty, marshmallow and chocolaty goodness in the microwave.

It's a rarely known science.

An art, if you will.

We sat around the kitchen table, chatted, laughed, and relaxed while inhaling our weight in sugar.

It was the most fun I've had in a long time, and I'm so glad I got to share it with people who are important to not only myself, but to my daughter.

Here is to many more nights of sugary bonding, and to family--not only of blood, but of the heart as well.


How has your weekend been? Did you do anything fun and exciting--like sky diving, or did you sit home and relax with loved ones?

R.S.