The Best Lunch EH-VER!!

Doug got home from his TDY* to San Francisco a few days ago. What? You didn't know he was gone? That's because I didn't tell you, CREEPY STALKER!!! (Have I mentioned lately that I live in a gated community protected by armed guards? I do. Plus, I keep a 50 lb. MagLite about my person.)

Anyway, he was gone for over a week. Went to a conference, learned some stuff, saw his wonderful parents, brother Mark & Co., went to eat with some fabulous old friends, and basically had a grand ol' time. (Plus, he did all of the shopping and fetching I required of him.)

AND, he ate out a lot. Jerk. (Doug's family; I use that affectionately.)

--Extensive and over-long digression:--

Now, since I've been pregnant, we (or just I) have been eating out a lot more. In fact, we (okay, I!) over spent our eating-out budget last month by, like, a LOT. Because when you're pregnant, and puking, and all of the sudden something sounds good--not just good--LIFE SAVING, well, you get it and eat it immediately.

For example: One day I went in to Arts and Crafts on a Saturday afternoon. I was hand painting some pots. My co-worker offered to get me lunch at the base Popeyes and I, being nauseated, but hungry, agreed.

Do you know what Popeyes is? It's a southern place like unto KFC. They do a lot of deep frying there. As in, everything on the menu is soaked in oil before being cooked and they don't even pretend any of it has nutritional value. This was my first experience actually eating food from there. She (co-worker) got me a meal. Three chicken strips, french fries, a biscuit, (bleh to biscuits) and large a root beer.

Let me tell you how often I order a fast food meal like this: Never.

But that day, it saved my life. Those french fries (which were greasy enough to have been triple fried) were the best artery-clogging goodness I've ever eaten. I thought about that meal all weekend long and went back Monday morning at 9:30 a.m. for seconds. A pregnant woman's gotta do what she's gotta do.

Since then, there have been more desperate cravings for Taco Bell Nacho's Bell Grande, (another new one for me--I'm usually a '7 layer, no tomato' girl.) Shrimp & Veggie Tempura, more Nacho's Bell Grande, Salmon, Steak, Hamburgers with fry sauce, a Chocolate/Banana shake, fruity carbonated beverages, and peanut butter apples.

All of these things, when I got them in my hot little hands, were the best things I'd ever eaten.

Until Thursday morning when Doug got home.

--Now back to the point:--

And he gave me this:

Fresh Bodine Sour Dough Bread and Clam Chowder!!!

(I devoured it immediately!)

BEST!LUNCH!EVER!!!

(at least until I start craving nachos again.)

Welcome home Sugar Lips!!! And thanks again for LUNCH!!!

*Temporary DutY: (Most of the acronyms around here make no sense.)