Last night for our anniversary dinner Steven and I went to Mark's on Westheimer.

It is a converted church and absolutely beautiful. Steven and I rarely go to upscale restaurants so I was a little intimidated when we first got there, but let me tell you, we had one of our finest dates ever.

We had a nice time being out dressed up (which we just don't do much of anymore since I became queen of stay home on the weekends) and the food was to die for. Mark's Caesar Salad was so good with the yummiest little bacon bits. I had the grilled prime sirloin steak and I have never had a steak that was so good in my entire life. Steven had the five pepper crusted Scottish salmon and while he loved it, he loved my steak even more and graciously helped me eat it. :-)

After the entrees we ordered the warm chocolate cake served with a German coconut pecan icing, vanilla ice cream, and crackle fudge sauce. Yummy. Next time I want to try the peanut butter sundae with cocoa malt ice cream, chocolate crackle, and studded with handmade chocolate peanut butter cream cookies.

The prices were a bit high, but not not bad considering we had drinks and dessert as well. We have definitely found a restaurant to celebrate special occasions in. Wonder if he'd want to go there for his birthday in January? :-)

.: 240 words at 09:47 PM in Fish Tales, ";print substr($entry_cats, 0, -2); ?> :: Link :: Pings (0) :: All the Voices Say... (2) :.

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Nothing that I wanted in my Amazon.com Gold Box Offers, but I do share the story of how The Usual Suspects was ruined for me.

.: Leatherman 65070303 Tool Adapter for The Wave: I don't even know what "The Wave" is much less need a tool adaptor for it.

.: 341 words at 07:07 PM in The Gold Box, ";print substr($entry_cats, 0, -2); ?> :: Link :: Pings (0) :: All the Voices Say... (1) :.

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Steven and I just exchanged gifts for our anniversary/Christmas (I got him a TiVo for his large gift and so far he opened the cruet from Williams-Sonoma and a CD; his other stuff, like the ice cream maker is waiting for Christmas) and I am so excited by what he got me - 3/8 carat diamond stud earrings. I have never owned a "real" piece of jewelry before and this things are just gorgeous! Perfect size, brilliant fire from a wonderful cut - I am so happy! Forgive me if I glow. :-) We're off pretty soon to Mark's, a restaurant down near Westheimer that neither of us have been to. I am happy and buzzing. What a wonderful anniversary!

Oh, yeah. We both almost bought the same Hallmark card (I put it back at the last second for a different one). How funny is that?

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Today is mine and Steven's fifth anniversary.

I still remember our first date like it was yesterday. How he called and told me he was going to be late (he's always late to everything). How handsome he looked. How I couldn't believe he asked me out. How he held my hand. How he complemented my dimple (I have one high on my left cheek). How I couldn't wait for a kiss at the end of the night.

Happy anniversay, honey. I love you.

.: 83 words at 04:28 PM in Fish Tales, ";print substr($entry_cats, 0, -2); ?> :: Link :: Pings (0) :: All the Voices Say... (11) :.

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At this time of year especially, good customer service can seem hard to come by. That's why I was particularly pleased with my latest transaction with Amazon.

I had ordered Young Frankenstein on DVD and Andrea Bocelli's CD Cieli di Toscana. I went to check when they would be shipped and despite both having the "Usually ships in 24 hours" blurb, delivery wasn't expected to happen for eleven more days. I was thinking of giving the CD to Steven for Christmas, so needless to say, I wanted my stuff here quicker. I called their customer service line and spoke to a nice young man who upgraded me to two day shipping for free to ensure that I would get my gift.

Here's to Amazon! Way to make the customer happy!

.: 133 words at 01:15 AM in Daily Ramblings, ";print substr($entry_cats, 0, -2); ?> :: Link :: Pings (0) :: All the Voices Say... (4) :.

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Today is Elaine's birthday. Why don't you go give her some love and give her a birthday wish or two?

.: 20 words at 12:09 AM in Linky Love, ";print substr($entry_cats, 0, -2); ?> :: Link :: Pings (0) :: All the Voices Say... (1) :.

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While I Wish, You Wish tracks birthdays, there's a whole other blog out there dedicated to only that - The Birthday Blog! Stop by and add your own birthday to the mix!

(Link courtesy of Elanie, who's birthday is tomorrow)

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The ever delectable Tart has just finished incorporating skins into her site. They are wonderful, so go take a look and play with her skin. ;-)

.: 26 words at 07:26 PM in Linky Love, ";print substr($entry_cats, 0, -2); ?> :: Link :: Pings (0) :: All the Voices Say... (1) :.

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I hadn't posted my Amazon.com Gold Box Offers in a while, so here were today's.

.: Barbie Sparkling Ice Show: once again, no kids, don't need this.

.: 212 words at 06:29 PM in The Gold Box, ";print substr($entry_cats, 0, -2); ?> :: Link :: Pings (0) :: All the Voices Say... (1) :.

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Why is it that when I saw this I thought of her and her?

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I've mentioned Heifer International, my favorite charity, on this blog many times. They created a nifty flash movie that explains what and why you should go donate. Go take a look, would you?

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Today is the wonderful, the talented, the amazing kd's birthday. She's a damn fine human being, so go over there and give her some birthday love.

Btw, wondering if today is the birthday of anyone in the blogger world? You can always find out over at I Wish, You Wish!

.: 51 words at 12:37 PM in Linky Love, ";print substr($entry_cats, 0, -2); ?> :: Link :: Pings (0) :: All the Voices Say... (2) :.

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With the holidays approaching people usually like to give something to charity. While my favorite charity is Heifer International (Steven and I just donated a flock of chickens, a flock of ducks, and a share of a sheep), I wanted to bring to everyone's attention Operation Santa Claus: A Call to Action that Kim from Thymewise is heading up.

She needs your help in buying school supplies, food, and small gifts for a class of first graders that live in poverty in New York. Every little penny helps, so if you can spare a few dollars, that would really make a difference.

.: 102 words at 11:51 PM in Participation, ";print substr($entry_cats, 0, -2); ?> :: Link :: Pings (1) :: All the Voices Say... (1) :.

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Every Wednesday those who are involved in a relationship with somebody share a few (simple but significant) reasons for their love. Please keep in mind that this does not have to be a romantic relationship. It can be about a parent, a sibling, a friend, a co-worker, your kid, your dog, whatever.

Stop in here to join the notify list, see who else has left their reasons, and to be added to the blogroll. Also, feel free to save the button below to your server and link it to http://www.neuroticfishbowl.com/reasons.html

I love Steven because...

• When I mentioned my soup was a bit weak last night he evaporated part of it so it would taste better and made me another can so I wouldn't be hungry
• He's got a surprise planned for our anniversary this Friday
• I hurt my knee this week and he brought me ibuprofen and found a knee brace for me
• He cuts the crust off my bread

• When he came home I had Harry Connick, Jr.'s Come by Me on and he grabbed me for a dance
• He paused the Rockets game and so I could cuddle on the big chair in the back with him
• He cleans the three litterboxes that Bella has to have
• When Bella was messing around downstairs at 4:00 am he went and got her and put her up
• He called and asked me to lunch out of the blue
• He's been very supportive of all of my projects

.: 321 words at 06:43 PM in Reasons For Love, ";print substr($entry_cats, 0, -2); ?> :: Link :: Pings (1) :: All the Voices Say... (4) :.

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In honor of The Big Lebowski, one of my all-time favorite movies today's "It's a Group Thing" term is:

A Nullity of Nihilists

.: 24 words at 06:28 PM in It's a Group Thing, ";print substr($entry_cats, 0, -2); ?> :: Link :: Pings (0) :: All the Voices Say... (0) :.

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Got a lot of stuff to do with the holidays approaching and the launch of the new I Wish, You Wish project, so here's a list to keep me on track!

.: 186 words at 02:58 PM in To Do Lists, ";print substr($entry_cats, 0, -2); ?> :: Link :: Pings (0) :: All the Voices Say... (0) :.

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Time for Christine's This-or-That Tuesday:

• Real or artificial tree?
Steven and I don't have a tree but my parents always had a fake one when I was growing up.
• Real or artificial wreath?
Neither.
• Open gifts on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day (or do you do another holiday such as Hannukkah)?
Christmas Day. Have to wait until the actual day, even if that means opening them at 12:01 am.
• "It's A Wonderful Life" or "Miracle on 34th Street"?
Definitely "It's A Wonderful Life". That has got to be one of the best movies of all time bar none. I cry every time I watch it.
• Outdoor decorations, or just indoors?
My parents always did both.
• "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" or "Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer"?
Tough choice! I'm going to say Rudolph, though.
• Miniature lights or the larger ones?
The smaller ones. They seem so much prettier to me.
• Store-bought or hand-made ornaments?
Store-bought. I have like $500 worth of ornaments (but no tree. Sad, huh?).
• TV Specials: The Grinch or Charlie Brown?
The Grinch!
• Will you be staying at home for the holiday, or going visiting?
We'll go to my parents' and Steven's parents' houses but since they are like maybe twenty minutes away, I don't think that counts as traveling.

.: 216 words at 07:40 PM in This-or-That Tuesday, ";print substr($entry_cats, 0, -2); ?> :: Link :: Pings (0) :: All the Voices Say... (1) :.

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OMG. This is the most appalling idea. I think Representative Franklin is a damn nut and I hope there is no way in hell this even comes close to passing.

(Link via Nancy)

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I am now a proud member of Skittish Sims's new Bloggerville. I get to live with Mikey, Robyn, Jessica P., Suzie, and Jennypoo. Appropriately enough, our house is called Hot Tubs O Fun. Stop by and pay us a visit!

.: 46 words at 12:43 AM in Participation, ";print substr($entry_cats, 0, -2); ?> :: Link :: Pings (0) :: All the Voices Say... (2) :.

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It's Monday, so time to start the week out right with Jess's Participation Positives!

• Mine and Steven's fifth anniversary (of our first date) is Friday
• The new project that Shelli and I are working on, I Wish, You Wish, is really coming along well and I think it's going to take off
• I figured out the damn redirect question that was bothering me
• Ibocea, my EverQuest character, is almost to level 39
• I love having a warm, purry kitty that likes to snuggle
• I got Bruce Campbell's autobiograpy If Chins Could Kill: Confessions of a B Movie Actor and it looks simply hysterical
• Despite being really busy, I had a pretty good day
• I am all done with my Christmas shopping!
• I love and am loved

.: 128 words at 10:51 PM in Participation Positives, ";print substr($entry_cats, 0, -2); ?> :: Link :: Pings (0) :: All the Voices Say... (2) :.

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I need someone with a July birthday to send me their information (Name, URL, wishlist URL, and birthdate) so that all the archives at I Wish, You Wish will work. Currently we have every month represented but July so that link is coming up dead. Anyone want to help me out and send me their info?

Update: I went and snagged Kelly's information. Hope she doesn't mind!

.: 67 words at 11:41 PM in Participation, ";print substr($entry_cats, 0, -2); ?> :: Link :: Pings (2) :: All the Voices Say... (5) :.

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1. Buy a cardboard box big enough to hold the tree. Paint it red and yellow. Paste pictures of cats playing with toys on the box. Write phrases on the box like: "Giant very expensive cat toy." "Your cat will LOVE it!" "No cat can resist!" "Hours and hours of fun!" "Only $99,999,999.99!"

2. Bring the tree home inside the box, and round up your cats. Say, "look what mommy got you! A giant, really really expensive cat toy! You will go NUTS! I can't wait to see you play with this!"

3. Force the cats to watch you put up the tree and decorate it. If they drift off towards the cardboard box, bring them back to the tree and point at it while saying things like "you had better play with this thing, mommy spent a month's salary on it."

4. When the tree is decorated, wave some branches in their face and shout, "come on and play! Lookee here, the branches move, see? Kitty is supposed to swat at the branches and have lots and lots of fun! Hey, come back here! You come back here right now and play with this tree. See how much fun it is? HEY. I'M TALKING TO YOU. Get out of that box right now, mister. The box is NOT a toy. THIS is the toy."

If you do this with enough sincerity, your cats will avoid the tree like it was a Rottweiler. Of course, you'll be stuck with a giant ugly cardboard box in your living room all through the holidays, but it can always double as a buffet table.

(Seen at Kelly's)

.: 275 words at 09:07 PM in Entertainment Value, ";print substr($entry_cats, 0, -2); ?> :: Link :: Pings (0) :: All the Voices Say... (3) :.

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I played EverQuest until 6:00 this morning, so needless to say, I slept pretty darn late this afternoon.

I woke up, hit the sites I hit every day, read some e-mail, and hopped on the StairMaster. The rest of the day has been filled with Hammerhead Pool at Pogo, reading e-mail, adding people to I Wish, You Wish (everyone who sent me an e-mail has been added, so if you want to get listed, send me your info), tweaking its look, and watching the cat sleep on the floor in the cutest curled-up ball.

I am having an internal debate about what to go get for dinner (Buger and fries? Mexican food? Chicken? I just can't decide), but despite it raining out there, I am going to go soon because I'm starving. I've still got tons of things to do (expect another To Do List post soon), but it's time for some food and to watch a little TiVo.

.: 161 words at 09:05 PM in Daily Ramblings, ";print substr($entry_cats, 0, -2); ?> :: Link :: Pings (0) :: All the Voices Say... (1) :.

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Mostly toys today in my Amazon.com Gold Box Offers. In other words, a lot of passing happened.

.: The Others: I already own this (remember, you can see my

Read more »

.: 234 words at 08:54 PM in The Gold Box, ";print substr($entry_cats, 0, -2); ?> :: Link :: Pings (0) :: All the Voices Say... (0) :.

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I saw a site recently that had, I assume in CSS, set it so that when you hovered over a link, the link was in a box with dashed borders. I have looked through a ton of CSS references and through my blogroll but I can't find how to do it anywhere. Anyone want to fill me in?

.: 58 words at 07:44 PM in I'm Looking For...., ";print substr($entry_cats, 0, -2); ?> :: Link :: Pings (0) :: All the Voices Say... (3) :.

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