Mel's Diner - Serving Up The Good Stuff

I want to bring attention to this post.  Thanks for reading.

We have a tradition in the Botting household- Every year we train for the Texas Round Up hosted in Austin, TX.  This year the race will be held on April 25^th.  Families from across the state come to compete in a 5k and 10k race.  The program started in 2004 to promote wellness and healthier living for Texans.  We are one of the largest states in the US but statistically one of the most under insured.  It just makes good sense to make an effort to promote fitness.

Awards are given for the fittest Texan, fittest kid, and fittest family.  Handicapped and wheel chair participants are also welcome to join in the event.  The race takes you through the downtown area of Austin and the weather usually cooperates.  The race ends at the state Capitol.

This is how WE do it- register on line for the race and book a room in Austin near downtown.  We start training at least 60 days in advance by walking the track every night until we can reach a 10k momentum.  (We also use swim training to help build strength and endurance).  We show up at the booths early on race day because we stayed close by.  We have four walkie talkies- one for me, one Tony, one for Amanda and one for Loren.  There is usually a massive crowd and it is easy to lose track of your loved ones.  (Cell phones get too sweaty).  Amanda will outrun us all!  The rest of us walk at a steady pace.  As a family we are not concerned with coming in first or any particular placement in the race.  Participating in the event and finishing the trek is what we shoot for.

If you live in Texas I would love to see you there.  For those who do not live in Texas I would encourage you to enter a similar program with your family or by yourself.  You will not regret it, I promise!

PS.  Come on now!  Don't make me go Denzel on you!

Yesterday I wrote a post regarding SNOW DAY.  It had been raining in my area for a couple of days and the temperature was threatening to drop below freezing.  The kids had a day off from school but it was a joke.  There wasn't much ice and we all got a little bored.

Today is a different story.  It started to sleet around 8pm last night and didn't stop until about 3am this morning.  How do I know?  My electricity went in and out.  It is 21.9 so the precipitation is now a glaze on all the roads.  Now this is what I call a snow day, without the snow.  There is no chance we will leave the house today.

Yesterday was full of baking, playing Wii, watching movies, cooking a nice dinner, etc...  If I had known we would be stuck again I would have stretched out some of that fun.  Now what do we do?

This is a picture of my children and their friends enjoying a much warmer day!

In the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex we have enjoyed a mild winter thus far.  Most days we can get away with a light jacket or sweater to keep us warm.  BUT NOT TODAY!  It has been raining since yesterday and the temperature is continuing to drop.  My children excitedly announced there would be no school today.  (I double checked, just in case).

So what do we do when there is a school closing?  Typically we bake and watch TV all day.  The kids shrugged when I suggested this.  I would love to get new suggestions on how to spend an 'ice day'.  (Cleaning out the closets didn't go over well either).

How long do you think it would take to clean out these closets?

This picture has nothing to do with this post.  I took it and I like it!

I love volunteering and giving time to charitable organizations.  There is nothing like the feeling you get knowing you have made a difference in someones life.  In my busy world I cannot always find time and in this market the donation dollars are becoming more sparse than ever.  However, Blue Mesa made it easy.  Everyone has to eat, eh?

The Blue Mesa Grill is a well known restaurant in the D/FW Metroplex.  They have excellent food and atmosphere.  Another thing they have is a desire to help the community.  For every taco sold they donate one dollar to charity.  The money goes to shelters for children and even Operation Kindness, a no-kill shelter for animals.  You have to love a restaurant who's motto is, "Food is art.  Tequila is life."

This little guy was adopted from Operation Kindness in 1997. 

I will be making my donation having lunch there later today!

For my first Thankful Thursday post I would like to introduce Abigail.  I call her Abby, Abbysmell, and anything cute that pops into my brain at the time.

I wanted a small dog.  I have been a dog parent for many years but they have always been large.  You see, my dogs are rescued.  Shelters usually have large dogs and I just cannot resist their big brown eyes.  The sadder the story, the more likely I will welcome them into my home.

My husband is an even bigger sap than I when it comes to these hairy creatures.  He refuses to adopt from a breeder because he says there are too many good dogs put down every day.  By adopting from a shelter you are not only saving a life you may put an irresponsible breeder out of business.

It is no big surprise he was against me adopting a Chihuahua.  His argument was that I shouldn't waist good money on the purchase.  He said they are yappy and always under your feet.  He was concerned it would be hard to train and my other dogs wouldn't get along with one.  We came to a compromise, I could adopt if I found one at a shelter.

For two years I called shelters.  I put my name on a list at each local shelter and would check back frequently.  It was pain staking to say the least.  One day I was in a store and someone had the cutest little Chihuahua puppy I have ever seen.  I asked her where she got it and she gladly gave me the business card of the breeder.  I was a little disappointed but didn't give her my reasons.  When I went to the register the clerk said, "Hey, why don't you go to www.petfinder.com?"  I explained why I couldn't just adopt any dog and she told me they have shelters as well as breeders on the site.  She happened to have a laptop there and we did a search for the breed in my zip code.  Low and behold, there was one just a few miles away!!!  I called to make sure the dog hadn't been adopted yet and was told, "No, but she has been here a few weeks.  She doesn't like kids and is not in good health.  We will have to put her to sleep if she is not adopted over the weekend."

I jumped in my car and drove there immediately.  When they took me to the kennels I saw many large barking dogs.  In the mix was a tiny Chihuahua.  She was shaking and looked intimated.  I picked her up and could see how skinny she was and it broke my heart.  I knew she was the one for me.  The cost to adopt her was $10.  I had a $20 so I told them to keep the change for donation.

I held that dog in my arms for hours.  I did my best to let her know I was now going to take care of her.  She seemed to understand.  When my husband came home from work he said, "What a cute little dog.  Is she lost?  Are you looking for her home?"  I said, "She is home."  He didn't put up much of a fight once I told him how I came about adopting her.  The price impressed him, to say the least.

I took her to the vet the following Monday.  He told me she had been used as a breeder dog and had been taken advantage of.  She had too many litters and her health was in danger.  She had a heart murmur and four abscessed teeth.  Her hind legs were stressed from all the extra weight of pregnancy, etc... 

I had a long cry after leaving the vet's office that day.  It saddened me to think how she may have been used then dumped at a shelter once she wasn't of any value.  Getting her teeth fixed and getting her well was expensive.  The vet said she may not survive all the work that needed to be done.

I am happy to say she is doing well!  Once her teeth were fixed she started to gain weight and play just like a regular dog.  All the fears my husband had of small dogs where thrown out.  She is not yappy and doesn't get under your feet.  She rules the house over the larger dogs.

I am her ‘main' person.  She sits with me, sleeps with me, greets me at the door with excitement, hangs on my every word and is the only one in my house who really seems to enjoy my singing!  It has been three years now and I cannot imagine life without her.  I learned a good lesson in patience and received a beautiful gift.  My friends say I should have named her Lucky.

If you are interested in adopting a pet I would encourage you to check out your local shelter first.  There are many animals there looking for a good home.  If you are like me you just may find unconditonal love.

In this economy it may be hard to take on an extra expense.  There have been many animals left in foreclosed homes.  If you are afraid of the cost of adopting a new pet but have a big heart I would encourage you to become a foster parent.  The animals are not well enough to be adopted but the medical cost will be paid for you.  Please google it to find out what you can do to help.  It may not cost you anything but a little time.  Is that too much to ask?

I received an interesting call from my mother two days ago.  She had been contacted by someone regarding her mortgage.  He told her she could get a loan modification and here is how, "Don't pay your mortgage.  When you receive a letter from the lender regarding the late payments I will contact them on your behalf.  They will make arrangements to modify your loan.  My fee is $299, but you will save at least two months of regular payments."

My heart sank.  I asked, "Are you late?  Why did this person call you?"  She explaned she hadn't been late but has an ARM (adjustable rate mortgage) and he mentioned he knew.  My question is how did he know?  He also told her the rate was about to go up.

I am glad she called to let me know about the latest scam.  She was smart enough to ask him to send an email regarding the conversation.  He was dumb enough to do it.  She sent a forward to me and I am going to report him at the highest level of authority I can find.

If you are late on your mortgage payments, ARM or not, there are professionals that can help you.  Seek the advice of your local Realtor.  Don't believe you can scam your lender with the help of someone who sounds like they know how.

Saturday December 6th there was a Christmas Parade in The Colony, TX.  I personally could not attend but I heard it was the best one yet.  A lot effort goes into these events and the community involvement is treasured.

I am happy to announce the 'Friends of The Colony Dog Park' float won first place in the 'most creative' category.  We were not able to procure a trailer so we used what we had.  (We are a non-profit organization).  The message came across loud and clear, however.  Four large dogs were in the back and 'How much is that doggie in the window' blared out of the speakers.

Picture taken by Ryan Scally with permission for my post here.

A special thanks goes out to Lisa Pierce.  We couldn't have done it without you!

LaShawn Norden made a very good point in her post.  My hope would be a new agent would read it and spare themselves some grief.

If there is one thing I can appreciate it is good Cajun and Creole food.  At Dodie's Seafood Cafe located in Carrollton, TX.  they really know their business.  The first time I walked in the door (probably four years ago) I was transported to many vacations spent in New Orleans on Bourbon Street.  The wait staff is courteous and the food is authentic.  So if you are wanting good food at a reasonable price but don't have time to visit The Big N.O. drop by Dodie's on Josey just north of Frankford.  You will enjoy it.

"I GUAR..AN..TEE!"

Owned and operated by Jeff and Michelle Neri.

BTW- 'Oysters Dodie' is my favorite dish on the menu.  The oyster is shucked, seasoned with butter, oil, herbs then placed on the grill and served piping hot.  It doesn't get any better than that!