Thursday, August 7, 2008

Miscellany and a Few Pet Peeves

I have been severely lacking in mental abilities and motivation of late, which partially explains my recent online absence. The other reasons are being just flat-out tired and having guests in from out of town. A friend's daughter, who for some reason thinks we are too much fun, came and spent several days hanging out with us. She's a sweet girl, and I hope she will come back very soon. Incredibly mature for a high school sophomore, I often forget she's not an adult. Regardless, we had a good time showing her around town and introducing her to our favorite eateries.

My brother is in town from Virginia for a couple more days. He and his two grown sons stayed with us for two nights and are now over "mooching from" another sibling (his words, not mine!) till early Saturday morning, when they will load up and head back to their goat farm. Little Bit and WonderDog are moping around the house now because they are gone! And by the way, if you've never been to that part of the country, it's a trip well worth taking. The scenery is incredibly beautiful, and the weather is amazing. Not to mention the TONS of history that went on in and around there. Their house is five minutes from Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, where John Brown conducted his infamous raid during the Civil War. Great place for history buffs, to say the very least. The house where my brother & family live, and where my sister-in-law grew up, predates the Civil War and has even been designated a historical landmark. Pretty nifty, if you ask me. Alas, no one did, but this is my blog, so I get to say what I want. ;-)

One of the places Big Brother and Sons wanted to go to while here in town is a BBQ restaurant called the Salt Lick. It's an absolute dive but has the best barbecue you'll find for miles. And I do mean miles, as it is a good ways outside the city limits. It's in a dry county, so those that want beer with their beef have to bring it with them. Seriously! On weekends, if you don't arrive before 5pm, you'll easily have a minimum 2-hour wait just to sit down and look at a menu. Thing is, it's worth the wait. We took them there the last time they came to visit eight years ago, and they've been bragging on it to their Virginia cronies ever since. After eating there the other night, one of my nephews commented, "Waited eight years for that, and it was SO worth the wait." Truer words were never spoken.

We are currently preparing for Little Bit's birthday next week, as well as my sister and her husband coming in from Kentucky for several days. School starts the following week, and we found out who our teacher will be for this next year. Little Bit had a couple of teachers she hoped to get and did get one of them, so she is very excited. All through 2nd grade she prayed to get a certain 3rd grade teacher, but God said no, not this time. So I am very happy that she has a teacher she really wanted. Add to that the fact that one of her best BFF's (best friends forever, for those of you who don't have pre-teen daughters) is in her class this year, and fourth grade seems to be shaping up into a great year.

I have just over 4 weeks to go at this point, and I am SOOOOO TIRED! My brain is shot, I can't seem to focus on anything, my house is a wreck, and I can't get comfortable to save my life. Tiny Bit is her busiest at night when I would REEEEEALLY like to get some rest. Fat chance. I try to remember at those times that it will all be worth it once she gets here, but I'm not always so successful. So while I'm in the mood to grouse, I'm going to pass on an article from the good folks at WalletPop.com: their list of what they think are the 20 most annoying things done at grocery stores. It's a great list, and I agree with most of it. I've even found myself doing a few of them...most often for me is aisle blocking. My sincerest apologies to anyone I have blocked!!! Things I would add to the list? People who don't put carts back in the cart stalls provided (there's a good reason they are provided, people!!!), and pedestrians crossing the parking lot that seem to think that they don't need to hurry and get out of the way of impending traffic (SO rude!!). So go see if you agree with their list, and I'll be back next time in a better mood and better rested.

Yeah, right.

4 comments:

Becky said...

Awww,just a month to go before you're holding her in your arms? That's so exciting! (And just so you know, pregnant mothers have every right to block aisles, have brain lapses and just kick back and do nothing if that's what they feel the need to do. Being a baby factory is hard work, especially those last couple of months). Now you're in the homestretch! Woo hoo!

I'm so glad your daughter got the teacher she wanted. It makes such a difference. I'll bet she's SO looking forward to her baby sister, huh?

Jenster said...

I don't know why you're so tired. It's not like you're carrying an extra howevermanypounds around with you. :o)

I'm totally into the history and am somewhat jealous of your brother and SIL for their historic house! As long as the plumbing and electric are good it's my dream home!

I can't believe you only have another four weeks. That's nothing in human years!!

The Daily Bee said...

I was just thinking this morning, I wonder when Katy is going to post again..., here you are!

1 more month to go! Woohoo! Sounds like you've been incredibly busy. So many visitors.

It is a crime for you to post that link... My mouth was watering. Shame, shame, shame! lol We have nothing like that out here... or at least nothing that I've found.

Katybug said...

Oh Becky, thank you for giving me an excuse to be a slacker!!! ;-) Just about a month to go...can't wait. Little Bit is very much looking forward to being a big sister. She will be at the hospital with us (tho' not in the operating room, of course!), so it will be a big day for her too. :-)

Yeah, Jen, I feel so lazy. But the guilt doesn't last long. ;-) Big Brother's house IS so cool! It has been updated over the years to add electric and indoor plumbing, but it still has that historical "feel" to it. They were doing some renovating and found a hidden stairway behind a wall they were tearing down. I'll see if I can't get some pictures posted. He lives about 2 hrs. outside Lancaster County, PA, and he said that people stop in all the time. So pack your bags!!!

Funny, Deb, I was thinking the exact same thing: when am I going to post again? ;-) I feel quite out-of-touch with my online buddies! The Salt Lick is really fabulous. I didn't really like bbq prior to eating there. The brisket is soooooooo tender, meat falls right off rib bones, but the sauce, for me, is the kicker. It's mustard-based & sooooo delish! Their pinto beans are wonderful, too. Just thinking about it makes me drool!!!