O-H-I-O

I spent Thursday and Friday of last week in Columbus, OH for work.

I managed to touch down in Columbus while the first winter storm of '09 was passing through! I really wish that the circumstances had been different because my opinion of Ohio (this was my first trip to the Buckeye state) was not very high.

I went from airport, to ice covered freeway, to hotel, to work, to hotel, to work, to airport.

Considering it was -11 degrees outside....the farthest I was willing to go to retrieve food was the gas station or the drive thru window!

Maybe I'll have better luck next time!

My apologies to all you Ohio lovers out there...you know who you are..ha ha!

One Midtown Kitchen

Last night big group of us went to One Midtown Kitchen in (obviously) Midtown Atlanta!

Very cool restaurant that I would highly recommend! A little on the pricey side but worth it.

Now on a side note, I've been told by several people (including my husband) that I am very unbiased when it comes to blogging about restaurants. I am told that I use the phrase "The best meal EVER" a little too often. To all those people I have one thing to say...bite me!

I can't help it that I'm a jovial person with a partiality to...well...all food!

But I will say this. Midtown Kitchen has the BEST calamari in the WORLD! And even Ben will attest to this. It was soooo good. I could have had a plate of it as my entree!

The duck was also fabulous too!

The dessert and wine were just on my (gasp) "okay" list but still the calamari was worth the trip downtown alone!

Thanks to Kim and Will for organizing and for everyone else who was there! A fabulous time was had by all!

Baby it's cold outside!!!

A cold front came through Atlanta this weekend and the Sullivans tried to stay indoors as much as possible!

Friday after work, I was on top of my game and went to the gym. While I was burning up the elliptical machine, Ben headed to happy hour and met Pat for some beers.

He promised to be home in time for our date night at the Melting Pot. I was very excited to use the gift card that my coworkers gave me for my bday! However, as soon as Ben was dropped off at the house I realized he had just a few too many at the local Hooters. We headed to Melting Pot where Ben proceeded to have our waiter in hysterics because over his drunken antics. I have to admit watching my husband in rare form (trying to dip the cauliflower in the cheese fondue) when you are sober is quite hilarious!

After dinner, we headed to our kball bar Charlie Mopps to help celebrate Amanda's brother's bday. We stayed til around midnight and then I took Benny Boo home to get some Z's!

Saturday we did some shopping (that's right...Ben went shopping! Shocker I know!) and then we had Pat and Steph over for dinner. I made Beer Can chicken in the oven and it turned out to be a hit!!! The chicken literally fell off the bone! Good times were had all around!

Sunday our book club met for lunch at Taco Mac and then went to see Marley & Me at the theater. It was a very good movie but make sure to bring a box of Kleenex! While I was at the movies Ben played in his first ALTA Tennis Match of the season. He was partnered with our good friend Grace, but sadly they did not end up winning! Sunday night I caught up with some reading (almost done with New Moon) and watched the Golden Globes.

We dvr'ed 24 and will get to watch 4 solid hours of Jack Bauer tonight...YES!!!!

December bday shout outs

Totally forgot to do the December bday shout outs!

Happy bday to Andy, Christina, and Leah! Love you lots!

Jury Duty!

Yesterday was my first experience at Jury Duty!! And Man oh Man what an experience it was!

I arrived downtown at 8:20ish in the AM and was sent into this huge room with about 200 people in it. Then they started calling people into various courtrooms around 9:30. I was juror #5 of 50 and sent to a courtroom on the 4th floor. There I met the defendant and the attorneys who proceeded to interview us individually to pick the 12 that would sit on the jury. I'm not really allowed to discuss the case but let's just say that the guy wasn't "dealing" office furniture if you know what I mean! Anyways, we had a two hour break from lunch where I got to hang with some of the other jurors. We went to Underground Atlanta for lunch. You know it's a small world when the lady I ended up sitting next to during the selection process lived in Spartanburg for 8 years and went to the same church I did...crazy!!!!

Anyways, I ended up not being selected...PHEW...so my civil duty was done at 4:30pm! Now let's hope my name isn't drawn at random again for quite some time!

...with Liberty and Justice for All!!!

Vampires, Darts, and Tennis...oh my!

Ben and I had a fun first weekend of 2009! I spent the entire New Year's Day "recooperating" from our party with a lot of won ton soup!!! But I love vegging by the fireplace on cold winter days!!! At least I caught up on all my dvr!

Friday night Amanda and I went to see Twilight!!! I have quickly become obsessed with the Twilight series...I know it's teeny bopper but I can't help it. Bella and Edward's love transcends all!!! :)

Saturday was spent undecorating the house from Christmas and then going to the gym. That night, Ben and I had date night at an Indian place near our house and then went over to Steph and Pat's. We ended up at North River Tavern playing darts til 2am but it was such a great time!

Sunday morning Ben and I went to watch our team's first tennis match of the season. Neither of us was scheduled to play yet but we thought it would be fun to stop by and cheer the team on. I do have to say that I am a bit intimidated after watching a match. I don't think Tennis and I are meant to be....good thing it was only $20 to join the league. I might just have to be a cheerleader for the season!

After tennis, Ben wanted to give half marathon training a try. I'm very close to convincing him to do it! I ran 6 miles in the park and Ben ran 5!

All in all a very fun and relaxing weekend!

Happy NEW YEAR!!!

Ben and Yosh

Kim, Amanda, and Kristen

Will, Ben, Melissa, Chris, Amanda, and Aaron

Kristen and Steph

The Sullivans!!!

Happy New year to everyone!!! I hope 2009 is a great year for us all! Ben and I are both so grateful that we have so much love in our lives!

We celebrated New Years this year with a shin dig at our pad. We were both a little tired of the same old song and dance that involves long lines and outrageous cover charges at the bar. So we had about 15 of our good friends over for dinner and good times!

It was so much fun!!!

Should auld acquaintance be forgot.....