Mother's Day Brunches and More in Birmingham

Good Thursday morning!

The Gallery Pic is of Roxie this morning in her new dress. She's being tapped into the Honor Society, and as everyone knows, a new dress is a "must." Especially when it is going to be used for four other special occasions in the next few weeks (Mother's Day, Graduation, etc., etc.).

RANDOMNESS #1 - A new doctor (in our already large crew of physicians) recently told me I had a "powerful" personality. He said it in a very pleasant tone, but I have a feeling it wasn't a compliment. I wasn't even particularly trying to be "powerful." I don't even think I know HOW to be "powerful." I think I'm going to give him the benefit of the doubt before I start looking for a new doctor... or maybe not.

RANDOMNESS #2 - Monday, while Roxie was home sick, I was sitting on the couch in my den talking to my cousin, Amy. She was telling me about her recent trip to Washington, D.C. with her daughter, Monica. (If you've known me two minutes, you know I love to hear about other people's trips. Not because I'm well-traveled, but because I'm not. However, Washington, D.C. is one of the places I have visited in my lifetime, but I still enjoyed hearing about their adventures.)

There. The stage is set. Roxie is sleeping in the back bedroom... I am quietly sitting on the couch... and something the size of a Bic pen plops down from the sky two feet from me. I didn't scream or show emotion with Amy on the phone, although it was a little disconcerting.

I couldn't really identify it. It wasn't moving. I looked up and deduced whatever it was had fallen "off" the ceiling fan. I then thought the boys must have knocked something loose when they walked by and brushed it with their heads or long, flapping arms. At that point, I was still calm.

Then it began moving. I think the correct term is "slithering." Thankfully, it slithered away from me and not toward me. At this point, Amy still didn't know anything was happening.

Then Roxie made an appearance. "Roxie. Be careful. There's a lizard under that chair." Yes, I actually used the words "be careful." Because you know how many people die from deadly lizard bites in Alabama each year. Do you? I'm asking a real question!

She was fine until it ran toward her, and then the squealing began. Again, I still haven't screamed into the phone yet, but I have told Amy what was going on. "Do you need to go?" she asked.

"No. It's just a little lizard." But at that point, the lizard shot out from it's hiding place and ran toward me AND Roxie... and let's just say neither one of us handled it well. Amy has significant hearing loss in her left ear now. I told her I would call her back.

I ran to the kitchen and picked out a small glass bowl to set over the lizard until Mikie came home... eight hours later. It was time for me to get into the shower, and Roxie was huddled on the couch, weak from sickness AND the absolute shock of seeing lizard in the house. (I need to clarify something. This was a pretty significant lizard. Almost the size of a newborn Komodo Dragon. I didn't want you to think we were complete wimps.)

I handed Roxie the bowl, and calmly told her to set it on top of the lizard when it came out again. "Yeah. Right." (Wimp!)

I walked back toward my bathroom, and the screaming began again. I ran through the door, and she tossed the glass bowl to me. (Yes. I have taught them not to throw glass bowls, but, thankfully, I did make a nice catch.)

The crazed newborn Komodo Dragon made it's way toward me (probably to attack), and I gently placed the bowl on top. Actually, I kind of missed the first time, and the edge of the glass bowl kind of "bumped" the end of the tail... and the tail fell off.

Fun fact for ya! When the tail of a newborn Komodo Dragon comes off, it moves like crazy. The rest of the lizard... not so much. This being the case, I was able to safely contain the very excited tail AND the pretty stunned lizard under the same bowl without much trouble.

I know what you're thinking. "The Enchanting Belinda is SOOO brave." Yes. Yes, I am.

Roxie and I checked on the lizard and tail several times, and before Mikie came home, both were calm and still... and I assumed both were dead. Not so much. The lizard was alive and well when Mikie released it OUTSIDE on the deck. (We had to bury the tail.)

It really is amazing, isn't it? I mean if I had lost my tail and been put under a glass bowl all day, I don't think I would have survived. In fact, I know I wouldn't have.

But then, I'm not a newborn Komodo Dragon.

Q & A! Q & A! Q & A! - Today's Q & A has been bumped until tomorrow because of STRICT time constraints. I have to get ready and GO! (And I'm not sure when I'll be back this afternoon. The last question will definitely be on tomorrow's post. It's been a crazy week!)

SPECIAL GUEST - DONNIE RHODES - PART FOUR

33. Are you a morning person or a night owl?

Night owl.

34. What is your favorite cereal?

Cinnamon Toast Crunch (Austin and Roxie love this, too. I was a Fruit Loop fan back in the day.)

35. Name your three best physical features.

Smile, eyes, and ear lobes. (That's pretty good. I always say "low blood pressure, good cholesterol and most of the hearing in my left ear.")

36. What is your current obsession?

24. (Oh, my goodness! Mine, too! Can you believe what Jack did to Dana Walsh Monday night? Can you believe it?)

37. If money and family and friends were not an issue, where would you most like to live in the world?

Gardendale.

38. What instantly brings a smile to your face?

My son. (I love this answer.)

39. What do you fear the most?

Cobwebs. (I understand this one, too. If there's a cobweb, there's a cobweb "maker" somewhere nearby.)

Sadly, it's time to say good-bye to Donnie. He was a real trooper, especially when you factor in having to work with my "powerful" personality. I appreciate the time, effort and good work he did for A Simple Life very, very much. Thank you, Donnie!

Blog Linkage - I promised something for your heart AND something for your funny bone. It will take some time, but both links are worth it today.

1. Click on Confessions of a Pioneer Woman under My Blog List and scroll down to the post entitled Year Four dated May 2. Read this one first and work your way up. The Pioneer Woman takes you on a little trip down memory lane with some funny links to read along the way. Very, very good.

2. If you haven't already started, read Sherri's Blog under My Blog List (the last two posts). She's in India with eight other ladies from her church on a mission trip. Her description of the conditions there will break your heart... especially when she talks about her day at the Mother Teresa Center for Death and Dying. It is very eye opening.

Mother's Day Brunches and More in Birmingham

I have listed three different Mother's Day Brunches. While I haven't been to two of these restaurants, if you have an adventurous mother, try a new restaurant with Mom. There are several restaurants offering brunches, but I picked these three because they have a "special" associated with Mother's Day.

Sweet Bones Alabama - Sweet Bones will open at 10:30 Mother's day and serve their regular menu along with their New Orlean's style brunch until 2:00. The brunch includes beignets and breakfast potatoes for only $8.05 to $9.95, and includes such dishes as steak and egg benedict, shrimp Sardou Benedict, and blackened salmon benedict. All mothers will receive free beignets with their meal while they last!

Zea Rotisserie Grill - On Mothers Day, May 9, all moms who eat at Zea Rotisserie Grill will receive a $10 gift card for a future meal at Zea Rotisserie Grill.

McCormick & Schmick's - (I have eaten at this restaurant before. It is very, very good.) Their Mother's Day Weekend Celebration begins May 5 and ends May 7 at Brookwood Village. They will have a brunch all three days. If you make your reservations by today, you'll be entered to win the meal for free. You can do it by calling (205) 871-5171.

Brunch entrees are from $6.95 to $17.95. The regular dinner menu will apply as well. Children's meals are $4.95.

For more restaurant info, go to www.birminghamrestaurants.com.

Okay. Here is the "MORE" part...

This is a great gift for Yogurt Mountain fans... Mom gets free yogurt on Mother's Day. The website has not yet posted how large the free yogurt will be, but the author was guessing it would be the 6 ounce size.

And if you want to do something with Mom that doesn't involve FOOD, how about a FREE concert.

Sunday afternoon after church, lunch and gifts, why not take Mom down to the UAB campus for an open-air concert? Pack a picnic, a blanket or some camping chairs and head to UAB's Campus Green to hear the Wind Symphony perform at 7:00 p.m. The UAB Wind Symphony, a 55-member concert band, features wind and percussion players.

You'll hear patriotic tunes, selections from "Wicked" and the "Wizard of Oz," Motown hits and other familiar big band music.

The Campus Green is located off of University Boulevard between 14th and 16th Streets South. For information call (205) 934-7376.

Have a fun Mother's Day Weekend. If you have any other ideas or suggestions, feel free to leave them in the Comment Section, and I will post those tomorrow (and you'll get all the credit).

Have a blessed Thursday. I cannot believe the week is almost over. It has flown by, hasn't it? There is still so much to talk about. Friday I'll share Weekend Happenings and a little Randomness.

Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.

Sincerely,

The Enchanting Belinda