We woke up this morning dead set on heading to Jackson Hewitt and landing a killer return. We were going to invest, do some home improvements, put back for a vacation. We were excited.
We walked out of the Jackson Hewitt office with a $1,600 bill payable to the US Treasury Department. Oh yeah, and two exclusive t-shirts.
My wife reached the glowing age of 30 at 12:35 p.m. this past Wednesday. To celebrate I took her out to dinner. Seeing how it was Ash Wednesday, our dining selections were limited. Elise said she wanted “Sushi, Italian or seafood”. I thought seafood sounded peachy so we went to Truluck’s.
After waiting for 20 minutes for a table, we were seated at a cozy booth adjacent to the on-display kitchen. Our waitress, Issa was prompt and very helpful in selecting wine, appetizers and entrees.
Issa returned after leaving us with a wine list and asked if we had come to a decision. I looked to Elise and said “What would you like, birthday girl?”
Issa quickly responded: “Oh, it’s your birthday?!” To which Elise replied: “Yes, it’s my 30th”.
I don’t know how it is that females know these sorts of things, but the astrology discussion ensued. “So you’re an Aquarius?” Issa pointed out.
“Yes I am!” Elise said.
“I’m a Capricorn!” said Issa.
“Tee hee” giggled Elise.
“Hee hee” chirped Issa.
“Oooooh, then your birth stone must be the Amethyst!” said Issa proudly.
“Yes, it is!” Elise applauded.
“Did you know that some signs actually have two stones?!?!” Issa proclaimed.
Not to be left out of this riveting conversation, I chimed in and said:
“I have two stones. Whaddya think of that?”
We all laughed.
Elise and I shared a nice bottle of woody Cabernet Sauvignon. I don’t recall the name and the website’s wine list isn’t up-to-date.
We forwent appetizers as we had some leftover cheese and crackers at the house earlier that evening.
For dinner Elise ordered the Seared Sesame-Crusted Tuna with Tamari wine sauce. I chose the Jalapeno Salmon Bearnaise with sautéed jumbo lump crab meat and gulf shrimp. Elise’s tuna was fantasic – sashimi grade tuna that melts in your mouth! My salmon was good. Halfway through the meal I remembered that it was supposed to be topped with a jalapeno bearnaise. I didn’t taste nor feel any heat from jalapeno.
After our entrees Issa brought us a complimentary Chocolate Bomb – a giant double chocolate truffle drizzled with white chocolate topped with a birthday sparkler.
After dinner we walked across the street to Ringers, a new upscale sports bar that our friend partly owns. Said friend greeted us at the door where we paid many compliments to the new establishment. Elise and I were treated to a couple drinks and lively banter from the bartenders.
Midnight came quickly and the birthday girl and I headed home. With the party this past saturday and a romantic night alone, I think Elise had a very nice birthday.
This past Saturday I threw a birthday party for Elise and our friend Michelle. Said party made for a lot of planning and preparation but it was all worth while. Jen and Kari drove in from Dallas (Kari flew in from Minneapolis!) late Friday and helped out a lot.
Although Elise was one of the honorees, she did most of the work. I guess that’s par for the course when you’re a caterer. Along with the help of Jen and Kari, Elise ordered most of the food, the margarita machine from Greg over at Party Machines, a keg and all of the decorations. I spent all day Saturday at Garden Ridge picking up tiki torches and at Central Market getting various noshes and stuff for sauces.
The party went well and although we haven’t talked to many of the attendees since, I think it’s safe to assume that everyone had a great time. Here are photos from the party.
| Note to self: Watching The Notebook with your wife’s head resting on your shoulder will render a very wet, tear and snot soaked shirt. |
