And...Stuff

This news story was on the other night. I kept rewinding it and laughed hysterically every time. Someone should give this reporter an award for best facial expression.

Welcome Home

Journey's End by Derek Hegsted

I wonder if Heaven has a "Welcome Home" sign? I have a feeling it did yesterday.

I imagine he ran into the arms of our Savior and Heavenly Father. I imagine he's surrounded by loved ones, sharing stories, laughing, having a good time.

He had a mission here on earth and fulfilled it. I know he returned with honor.

And what an honor it was to have the opportunity to have him in my life. He taught me joy, happiness, compassion, charity and love. I am a better person because of him.

I was looking forward to introducing him to The Lime but their party has already begun.

Obviously, death is a sad thing. But the passing of someone gives me something to look forward to...an amazing reunion.

Until we meet again, Zac.

Something To Look Forward To

And why do I look forward to 10:15 a.m. on Sunday, October 25th?

The Primary Program will be over. And hopefully the migraines during singing time will end too.

What Kind Of Athlete Will The Lime Be?

Erik Is Pregnant - Billy Madison

ADD MY NEW MYSPACE.|MySpace Videos

You Know What I Could Go For?

When LaVor and I want to go out for lunch or dinner, we often wish we were back in D.C. so we could go to Ben's Chili Bowl. There wasn't anything fancy about the place or the food but it tasted so good. I could go for a basket of chili cheese fries right about now. But then I'd have to take a walk down to the White House, over to the Vietnam Memorial, up to the Lincoln Memorial, back down to the WWII Memorial and then finish off at the Washington Monument...just to burn off an inkling of the calories.

Ben's Chili Bowl Founder Ben Ali Dies

by Sara Bonisteel (Subscribe to Sara Bonisteel's posts)
Posted Oct 8th 2009 2:30PM
Filed under: Restaurants, Business, Beef, Food News

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Photo: Alicia Griffin/flickr

Ben Ali, the founder of Washington D.C.'s historic Ben's Chili Bowl, has died at the age of 82.

Ali founded the landmark eatery on U Street with his wife, Virginia, during the Eisenhower administration, and it's become a hangout for presidents -- President Obama visited on Jan. 10 -- and entertainers -- Bill Cosby, Duke Ellington and Ella Fitzgerald. Cosby was the only person to get a free meal at Ben's until Obama's election, when Ben's put up this sign in the window: "Who eats free at Ben's: _Bill Cosby _The Obama Family," the Associated Press reports.

The restaurant is renowned for its chili "half smokes" -- beef sausages larger than the average hot dog that are smothered in chili -- as well as its bowls of chili. The James Beard Foundation named Ben's Chili Bowl an "American Classic" in 2004. And the menu, Gourmet.com notes, isn't for the faint of heart. "Our chili will make a dog bark," it begins.

According to the diner's history, the Alis started the restaurant in 1958 in an old theater in D.C.'s black entertainment district with a $5,000 investment. Ben's Chili Bowl went on to weather the neighborhood's near destruction during the riots that followed Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination in 1968 to become one of the city's most successful black enterprises.

"It has witnessed the rise, fall and resurrection of U Street and is probably the only business on this strip that survived both the 1968 riots and the construction phase of the Metro Green Line," the Washington Post wrote in a restaurant review.

Ali died Wednesday of natural causes with his wife by his side, the restaurant said on its Web site. His sons now run the restaurant.

Year Two

Last weekend was the Breast Cancer 3 day walk. It was the second year that my friend participated and the second year we went to cheer her on (we being Amy, Kari, Grace and I...mom had to stay home this year).



My friend was so excited for the walk...especially because they offer Uncrustables as a snack along the route. Even though the sign was for her, everyone told us how great they tasted!

She just so happened to have an Uncrustables with her!

(My head was looking a little funky in this picture...I'm not happy that neither sister mentioned anything about the funkiness.)

Until next time...year three.

October 1st

• The birth date of the boy I loved in middle and high school. My sister thinks she saw him on Facebook and came to the conclusion that he's 99.9% gay. I actually wasn't surprised when she told me that.
• The birth date of my brother's best friend growing up.
• The date that that friend's dad passed away.
• The day that Grace took a bottle from me.
  
• The first day of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
  
• The day that I can officially start decorating for Halloween.