Can you even believe we are in the second half of the year?!

We have been enjoying our visit with Granny who made the trip out from Alabama. Poor Pop wasn’t feeling well enough to travel, so he had to stay home. The boys are enjoying their Granny time.

On Friday night, Troy and I had an impromptu date night that took us out to Cheesecake factory. It was a first for us and we really enjoyed ourselves. I thought of our friends Julie and Brad because I remembered how excited she was when it first opened. It was our first time there, and I was not prepared for the menu! OH my goodness. It was a little book *with ads in it* and so many things to choose from. I told the server that I was not prepared, and had I known better, I would have printed up the pdf of the menu and studied in the car on the way down! hee hee! I ended up going with a turkey pastrami Reuben with coleslaw and french fries, mmmmmMMMMM it was good. Troy had a chicken Caesar, and he enjoyed it. We decided to share a Tres Leches Cheesecake for dessert, and take home a snickers cheesecake for Granny. It was a great meal and a great time to talk uninterrupted. It has been a looong time since we’ve had that opportunity! I didn’t get any pictures because I did not want to carry my camera down to Waikiki and look like a target, if you know what I mean. We got validated parking for $2, does it get any better?!

Okay. so tell me if you think I’m crazy? We went out to dinner, had sodas, entree, shared a dessert, took one to go, I had a coffee + tip + parking ($62). We filled up the van with gas. $72! It costs more to fill up the van with gas than to go out for dinner?! I mean really? it was like $4.24 a gallon. I looked at the sign feeling numb. I asked Troy, is that real? I mean, really? did we just pay $4.24 a gallon?!

On Saturday, we took a trip out to the Zoo for the military family appreciation event (free admission + entertainment + lunch) but it was soooo crowded and the parking was insane, so we made a detour and opted instead for the Waikiki Aquarium. very very pretty fish and corals there… The boys thoroughly enjoyed the trip there, and I met a nice photographer there who let me try out his 10-22 lens. sniffle, it was beautiful. too bad we were not in a more open setting where I really could have used it to my advantage.







I also tried out my flip video camera. super cute, super cool. I love that little toy!

On Sunday after Church, we did the standard Chili’s Lunch and then went home. While Jordan napped, Troy and I ran off to Waikiki Beach to meet up with some new Twitter/Flickr Hawaii tweeps. :) It was the first time I was going to an event and I was excited to connect people to their avatars. Normally I am a planner. I process all available information and prepare for every event. I normally would have printed off the listing with Ryan’s cell phone number and a listing (with avatars) of all expected to show. I haven’t really been chatting with every one for a long time, so I am still trying to learn who everyone is. As we found our parking spot and made our way to the designated beach area, I scanned the park looking for Ryan. We were admittedly early and I was getting nervous.
hmmm, we’re meeting up with people I don’t really know, and I don’t see a sign or anything. still scanning. hmmm, anyone with cameras? hmmm, I think Lynn said she’d bring a tent. that looks like it could be lynn. … Excuse me, are you lynn?
Yes!
I say, I’m Joscie!
She says, I love your blog!
I say, Thanks! and think, hmmm I like this one! hee hee :)
we had a great time meeting new people and I am looking forward to meeting up with them again.
you can see some pictures here.

I am going to post my POTDs later. I need a little more time to get them edited…. and posted. a few last items, please don’t forget to post your links on your blogs telling people to check out My blog and MM Blog on Thursday. You’ll be eligible for a RAK for linking on your blog, and/or comments here and there on Thursday. also a side note I took pictures of my wall collage pictures and posted them at Concroption.com and I’ll be posting those here in a few days or so. also Flat Joscie is getting ready to leave PA soon and head to TN to visit the amazing Karla Dudley and head off to CHA with her! I am so excited! :) I am sure there are more things I am forgetting, but if I add another thing… this will be a novel. THanks so much for coming by!

Love love, blog you later,
Joscie *rhymes with bossy and sometimes coffee. :)