Ranting and raving

Okay, so the last post was long, I know. I actually didn't mean to do that, you know, go on and on. Actually, the whole post came about as a result of my biggest pet-peave as far as restaurant goers go. And I'm gonna go ahead and re-iterate it because it happened again today (as it always does). So here's the thing:

Why in the heck would you order a diet coke and a water if you aren't going to even touch the water?!?!?! I'm not kidding you, EVERY time someone orders a beverage + a water, they don't even take a freakin' sip of the H2O. And generally, they are the people who need a dozen refills on their beverage. ANNOYING!!!!

You may wonder why I am so annoyed at this. Here's the thing: at Sammy's, we don't have bussers. Meaning I have to bus my own tables. No biggy. But, when I have multiple tables to clear and I'm in a hurry (as I am 99% of the time, seeing as how most people prefer quick service to slow service) it makes a difference. When there are a million glasses to clear, a full glass is heavier than an empty one. Plus, by that point all the ice in the glass has melted which for some reason makes the water move around more and therefore spill more easily. I can also stack empty glasses, giving my tray more room for all the other crap people leave behind. Oh, and let's not forget that we're in a drought right now people!

Honestly, these people make me not want to get them refills just so they will have to drink the water (although I don't do that, seeing as how I prefer good tips to bad ones).

If you are guilty of this crime, will you please do me this one favor? Before you leave the table, if your glass of water happens to be full just take a sip or two, or heck, down the whole thing. Just don't leave the glass untouched. Thanks much:)

Restaurant Etiquette

I think everyone should be required to work in a restaurant before they are allowed to eat out at one. Cuz seriously, I am baffled at how some people think they can act at a restaurant and have it be okay. Likewise, I am baffled at how some people tip. So, I've decided to put together some guidelines on restaurant etiquette. If you are guilty of any of these crimes, it's okay, just don't do it anymore:)

1. Remember, servers are living, breathing, human beings with feelings. Not droids or robots. Treat them accordingly.

2. If you are in need of multiple items at your table (i.e. ketchup, utensils, napkins, anything) let your server know all of them at one time. Do not have them fetch you one item and then ask for another and once that item has been fetched ask for another. Remember, you are not the only patrons in the restaurant. Your server might need to actually pay attention to other tables at some point during your meal.

3. Only tell the server you are ready to order when you are actually ready to order. Do not say that you are ready and then commence to discuss with the rest of your table what you should get for 2 minutes whilst your server stands there waiting. Again, you are not the only table in the restaurant and your server has many other responsibilities to fulfill. Do not waste their time.

4. Don't order a beverage and a water if you are not really going to drink the water. You will not magically be healthier just because there is a water sitting in front of you. Cuz seriously, 95% of the people who do this never touch their water.

5. When you are ready to pay, place the check at the edge of the table with your form of payment sticking out slightly. Do not lie the check down on the edge of the table until there is some form of payment inside or place payment in the book and then keep the book on the inside of the table.

6. READ THE MENU. And all the fine print. Some restaurants only supply bread on request (i.e. Sammy's) and if you would read the menu, you might know that, instead of wondering why the table next you got bread and you didn't.

7. Don't dock the servers tip just because they charged you for ranch dressing. Quite often, they are following store policy to avoid getting fired. It's not their fault if the kitchen staff won't give them ranch without ringing it in first.

8. It's totally fine to bring your kids and leave a mess. Just make sure that you tip extra if you're going to leave a huge mess for the server to pick up. If you don't want to leave a bigger tip, just take some time to clean up a bit after your kids. Throwing away a little trash (i.e. crayons & scattered cheerios) goes a long way

9. When using a coupon, tip on the amount of the check BEFORE the coupon.

11. If you can't afford to leave a good tip when you go out to eat, then you shouldn't go out to eat. But if you are tight on cash and decide you want to go out, cut your costs in other areas of the meal, not the tip. Don't get soda, just get water. Order less expensive food. Share a meal instead of each person getting a separate dish (and let's be honest, most restaurants serve huge portions anyway). Then, tip well. It drives me crazy when a couple comes in and orders appetizers and separate dishes and dessert and drinks and then tips me 10% when I have given good service.

12. If you go out to eat and stay a significant amount of time past the time that you are done eating, you need to tip more. A server survives off their tips and if you take up their table for 2 hours, they can't make the money that they need. Tip an extra $2 for every extra half hour that you stay at their table.

Pretty much the best day EVER

The best energy bar in the world is back on store shelves after a long absence. Clif Bar Chocolate Chip Peanut Crunch. This is my absolute favorite bar, and pretty close to being my favorite food. Before the peanut recall a few months back, I ate at least one a day. Clif Bar stopped manufacturing them for such a long time because they wanted to do a full inspection of the situation and make sure this would not happen again. Anyway, I've been checking every store I go into any time I have an excuse to go into any store for the return of my beloved bars and today they were back! Seriously, the best day EVER!

My Testimony

I'm not always as vocal as I should be about how grateful I am for my Savior, and I think that's because I know words are not enough. His sacrifice was so great and I cannot even begin to comprehend how much he suffered for us, for me. But even though my words are only words and insignificant compared to the greatness of His sacrifice, I want to express gratitude for my Savior today. I know that he was born of the virgin Mary and lived a sinless life. I know that he healed the sick and the afflicted. I know that he has healed me, and continues to do so even through the overwhelming amount of flaws that I have. I know that he died on the cross. I know that HE LIVES. And I am grateful.

I did it!

Yesterday I ran and rode in the Camp Pendleton "Devil Dog" Duathlon. The race consisted of a 5k run, then a 30k bike ride, and then another 5k run. All in all, I ran 6.2 miles and biked 18.6 miles. This is the biggest race I've done and I was a little nervous, but I trained fairly consistently and felt ready for it. I finished in just under 2 hours and 15 minutes, not too shabby for my first bike race!

I thought it was weird that the race bibs said marathon and not Duathlon, but whatever:)


Warming up



This is after the first 5k run and I am switching to the bike. I kindof took my time in the transition area and maybe could have gone quicker, but I was savoring the time to rest:)

A big thanks to my sis-in-law, Robin for letting me borrow her mountain bike which I used for training. I had planned on using it in the race as well, but after a long training ride that took much longer than I had hoped for, I asked James if he could fix up my dad's old road bike. He spent all this past week working on it and did an awesome job (thanks honey!). I think it was actually extremely beneficial to train on a mountain bike and then do the actually race on a road bike.

Switching back to running to finish the last leg of the race.

Sprinting in to the finish! I didn't think that I had enough energy left to really sprint to the finish, but when I rounded the corner and saw the clock at 2:14:35 and realized that I could finish under 2:15:00, I had a burst of motivation. It felt awesome!

Me and my bike

I couldn't resist striking a pose. I was feeling pretty awesome:)

Yo.

Hey there blog-land! It's been a long time, so here's an update.

I've been doing a lot of this:

And this:



So that I can be ready for this:

Which, by the way, is TOMORROW! I'm nervous, I'm scared, but I'm ready:)

Guard Dog

Moose has an unconventional way of guarding the LaLanne house.

Most dogs have bad breath, but that's not a problem with Moose... seeing as how she brushes her own teeth on a daily basis!

Both of the above pics are a result of Moose getting into mischief, but they were both so funny I couldn't resist snapping a pic before telling her no!