Showing posts with label North Carolina. Show all posts
Showing posts with label North Carolina. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Cheesin over my Cheesecake Factory Memories!!!!
While on my recent trip I had the opportunity to visit 3 Cheesecake Factory Restaurants!! WOW! 5 days 3 restaurants, I LOVE those odds! lol!
I can't say THANK YOU enough to the Cheesecake Factory for the gift of gift certificates!! What a blessing! I am appreciative that you support my endeavor. I'm one of your biggest fans!
Birmingham - the best dining experience. Our waiter was very nice and the staff was friendly. The food, SUPERB! They win the store of the trip award which sorry to say will get you nothing more than a mention here, sorry, I don't have a budget for trophies!
Raleigh, NC - WHEW! I didn't think about it being Valentine's weekend. We arrived at this restaurant at mall closing time, wait time 1 hour 40 minutes, WHAT? I had to just get cheesecake to go. On a positive note I bought the Reece's Peanut Butter Cheesecake - Oh, my word! DELISH! My DH is alleregic to peanuts so I'm not able to eat it if he is around.. Finally I could eat it, Reece's Peanut Butter did not disappoint. Totally worth the wait!
Durham, NC - Very pretty building at a shopping center. Loved the atmosphere and they had the most friendly hostess, seating and wait staff of the trip. I had the opportunity to speak to the manager Robert, who had just been to California for a visit to Cheesecake Corporate - JEALOUS! One of the employees, sorry I didn't get your name - but I did get your picture - told me after I mentioned that it was nice to notice how happy he was, he said, "how can you not be happy with all this cheesecake around?" AMEN friend!!!!
On our ride home, we attempted to make it to the Nashville restaurant, but due to the snow over the Smokies, we missed it by 1 hour... That's okay Nashville, I will see you!
Why Cheesecake Factory?
Growing up in South Arkansas as the oldest of three kids, we didn't have a lot of money to eat out. I remember eating out at a 'nice restaurant' only a handful of times growing up - Jr. Prom, we went to the Olive Garden. And for our Sr. Dinner we went to a local steakhouse Colonial Steakhouse. During the holidays we would get to experience all kinds of fun desserts. One of my favs was always cheesecake b/c I didn't get it very often. When on my first work trip to Denver, CO, my manager suggested we eat at the Cheesecake Factory. WHAT?!??! A restaurant with over 100 cheesecakes available for dessert? Wo-hoo! If ever I felt like Ellie Mae, it was then. LOVE at first bite! And the look of the restaurant is so decadent. The other food is good too, which just escalates the cheesecake to cherry on top of the whole experience. That was in 2003 or 4. Since then, I have been on a mission, any travel adventure, work or personal I look to find a Cheesecake Factory nearby. It is my happy place.
I have been blessed as an adult to afford eating out on a pretty regular basis and share the joy with my son (and whoever else is with me at the time). My DS is such a foodie! And will try anything once. And if he isn't with me I bring Cheesecake home. Probably the most memorable was a whole anniversary cheesecake that I had to pick up in Chicago and fly it back with me. 1 layover and 7 hours later we arrived home, cake still cool. He got home from school and had a whole cheesecake, I was the BEST MOM EVER! One of our favorite (Cheesecake Factory) memories of us together was in Kansas City. They had an appetizer sampler for like $27. I ordered it as my meal. He tried EVERYTHING and enjoyed it all, he was a happy fellow. we still talk about all the food that was on our table that day. Bucket List Living LIFE!
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
More than 38 years later, making a memory...
From my trip to North Carolina.
My cousin,Donnie, had the reel-to-reel that belonged to my Grandpa Gil.
He also had a hidden gem in a tape that my Grandpa Gil made for his wife,
my Grandma (Gammy Margaret).
This was the first time my Sisser,
my Mom and I had ever heard his voice. It was nice to hear that although
he was one tough Marine, he was also a romantic... Like my Dad!
Hope you enjoy the listen...
Yea, the video is sideways... UGH, technology! 10 hours hands
on, 24 hours uploading, after 3 tries- it is what it is...
In the words of my Grandpa Gil - "That's the way the mop flops baby!" lol! Yes, we are related!
Saturday, February 25, 2012
S.S. Saturday, my Cousin, Donnie
Today's Someone Special is dedicated
to my new-found cousin, Donnie.
When looking for info on my Grandpa Gil, my aunt gave me the e-mail address for our cousin Donnie. Poor Donnie! I am sure he was overwhelmed after my first e-mail... then we tried to connect, but that was during the time that my Granpa Billy died and life was so busy.
The first time we talked on the phone I was at my parents with my Mom and it was 2 weeks before our planned trip... He was so excited to hear about the visit and even offered to let us stay with him and his wife..
Let me just say, it was a weekend that was just meant to be from the beginning!! Donnie and his wife Linda were the most awesome hosts! Their home was beautiful and their hearts were warm. We laughed, we cried and while sharing old memories, we made lots of new ones.
When looking for info on my Grandpa Gil, my aunt gave me the e-mail address for our cousin Donnie. Poor Donnie! I am sure he was overwhelmed after my first e-mail... then we tried to connect, but that was during the time that my Granpa Billy died and life was so busy.
The first time we talked on the phone I was at my parents with my Mom and it was 2 weeks before our planned trip... He was so excited to hear about the visit and even offered to let us stay with him and his wife..
Let me just say, it was a weekend that was just meant to be from the beginning!! Donnie and his wife Linda were the most awesome hosts! Their home was beautiful and their hearts were warm. We laughed, we cried and while sharing old memories, we made lots of new ones.
I could sing the praises of all that Donnie shared with us and I can say you
will learn more as time goes on, but the most important thing is that he introduced
us to our Grandpa Gil. Grandpa Gil is no longer a stern military picture
my parent's room. He is a fun-loving, practical jokester too. He
knew how to work hard and seemed to play harder. Donnie was there over
the years and looked up to Grandpa Gil. They had common interests and the
opportunity to share space and time.
I can't Thank Donnie enough... He took us around, showed us pictures and set up the reel-to-reel (more on that Monday)... I think I may have taken a year or 2 off his life by leaving my purse at McDonald's, but I hope the laughs and tears make up for that.
Before we left their home on Saturday evening, Dad skyped in. Notice the minute I realize my iPad is ringing...
I can't Thank Donnie enough... He took us around, showed us pictures and set up the reel-to-reel (more on that Monday)... I think I may have taken a year or 2 off his life by leaving my purse at McDonald's, but I hope the laughs and tears make up for that.
Before we left their home on Saturday evening, Dad skyped in. Notice the minute I realize my iPad is ringing...
While we were on Skype Donnie presented Dad with Grandpa Gil's dog tags. It was a teary sweet moment... Bridged between North Carolina and Italy by Skype...
On the way back home we Skyped with Dad sharing all that happened on the trip. Dad said to me, "I sure do wish ya'll could have met him (Grandpa Gil) he was a really neat man." I replied back, "We met him this weekend, Dad."
Dad said wiping his tears, "Boo, I'm just thankful your bucket is big enough for all of us." -- That right there was the cherry on top of a perfect weekend. I am too Daddy, I am too!
Friday, February 17, 2012
Progress in Progress!
In October, the day before my Granpa Billy died; I found out some family information and located a cousin, Donnie that has information on my Grandpa Gil, memories to share. Today, we will meet Donnie and hopefully visit the McDonald’s locations in Wilmington. Oh, I am sure my hand will get tired of writing all of the information I find and clicking the bazillion pictures… I’m giddy with excitement! Can’t wait to share!
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Great North Carolina or Bust Road Trip!
Today just after lunch myself and 2 other Pye girls will be making the journey to North Carolina. We are headed to complete a Bucket List item of 52. Finding my Grandfather’s headstone – but in the process we will be doing so much more!!! Grandpa Gil - I'm COMING!!!!
Other Bucket List Items that will make progress this weekend as well – I’ve never been to North Carolina – take that state off the list!
I hope to visit a few Cheesecake Factories 99. Visit every Cheesecake Factory!
J Although we won’t be in England, I FULLY expect to- 46. Do the scene from European Vacation – Look kid’s Big Ben, Parliament!
Maybe along the way I will- 120. Start something that goes viral. I would like to get a picture from Mississippi to document the progress on
11. Visit every state in the United States…
**Reminder – Visit Every Cheesecake Factory and visit all 50 states list itmes have their own page listed above to track the progress.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Let's get ready to.... ROAD TRIP!
Final preparations for the North Carolina or Bust road trip are under way. I am making a map so that I can update ya’ll on the progress as we go. We will be driving the Hyundai Santa Fe, my WannaBEE! I have some magnetic signs for the website that I will use to decorate it up… WE are jumping in Bucket List Living NOW!!!! Maybe I can increase my blog readership along the way! J
Just so you know - Cheesecake Factory, I was serious! Here is my Cheesecake Factory trip map! lol! (a HUGE THANK YOU TO MAPQUEST!)
No one has recommended any tunes yet, so I’ll just go with my CD collection. My new Adele… Also another album of the year – Lady Antebellum – We Own the Night… Of course I’ll have my Rascal Flatts and Kenny Chesney.. My WannaBEE doesn’t have any new MP3 or iPod connectivity, but we will make do.
Progress 86. Buy a Bumble Bee Car– DH’s truck will be paid off this spring. Once we have a few more bills taken care of, maybe later this year I can take the car payment plunge again! Lol!
Monday, February 13, 2012
Don't tell the Grammy's I forgot them! I NEED MUSIC!!!
After watching the Grammy’s last night, I’m musically inspired… I do have a few musical items on my list…
17. Be on a music video shoot
35. Be in a recording studio while a song is being recorded
60. Attend the CMA’s
90. Hang out with Kenny Chesney on a boat in the Caribbean
92. Tell Rascal Flatts in person that they have recorded the soundtrack of my life
100. Play the Big piano at FAO Schwartz
Ohhhh MY! I thought the Grammy’s were on my list!
Now they are!
132. Attend the Grammy Awards
I remembered some other things that didn’t make my list, but should have… Guess I should have written them down b/c for the life of me I can’t remember… UGH!
Okay, here’s a shout out to Music Monday – I have a road trip this weekend and need some tunes for the ride… Nothing makes a road trip more fun than the sing sings! Lol! If you have a suggestion, PLEASE share! In the spirit of the Grammy's I have already got the Adele CD ready and LOADED!!!!
Friday, February 10, 2012
Let them eat.... CHEESECAKE!!!
On
Thursday, I posted on the Cheesecake Factory facebook page about my quest… Today they replied!! This is sooo awesome!
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