SoCal memories: I mustache you

How cute do my friends' kids rock my $3 mustache keychain:

And me, right?

I stand corrected: This was the highlight of my yesterday

My friend Tom has helped me on a number of fix-its around my mom's house these past couple of weeks--things that seemed so daunting when my mind has been on so many things--as well as being a great sounding board as I rambled on stuff going through my mind. Bonus: I now know how to use Plumbing tape!  I offered to treat him to wings and beer at Hooter's as my thanks for all his help.

I had never been to Hooter's and the controversy of its waitresses in shorts and tank tops when it first opened a few decades ago had cemented in my brain that Hooter's was a place of salaciousness where gross horny dudes went to eat fried food.

Tom said I'd probably be let down by this level of expectation.

And he was right.  There were folks with their kids there and here was a guy celebrating his 21st birthday.  The song was no sexier (and just as cheesy) as a birthday song at Chili's or Bennigan's.  Also, after being in a number of sports bars where the waitresses don short skirts and low-cut referee blouses, I was fairly indifferent (or numb) to the waitresses' outfits at Hooter's.  I will say that our waitress was adorable and sweet:

And my friend Tom treated me to a souvenir shirt! If anyone is familiar with Princeton at all, you can understand how much it tickles me that Hooter's claims a Princeton address:

Needless to say, it was really nice to have a night of distraction and a new adventure!

This Will Be the Highlight of my Day

I'm in NJ. I've been here a couple of weeks and I initially was transitioning my mother from rehab to home (which was very, very challenging in itself) but then had to take her to the ER early Sunday morning. To say it's overwhelming to balance medical needs, financial ability, and health outlook sometimes feels like an understatement. The days are pretty rough and I've started treating myself to these large coffees from Dunkin Donuts. I can honestly say that they have become the highlight of my days.

I'm grateful for all the support and encouragement and all the friends who continue to play Words With Friends with me to give me a little escape, distraction, and levity.

So many things I'm behind on--I really want to post pix from SoCal and Nebraska trips and I really need to exercise but I've been feeling somewhat paralyzed by this current situation. So if anyone has spare mojo, please forward!

P.S. A nurse said that because today is 7/11, 7-11's are giving away free small slurpees! Maybe that will be the highlight of my day today.