Happy Happy Birthday

This sort of thing happened to Mommy tonight at Texas Roadhouse.  She didn't necessarily ask for it, but Nana and Ba-Ba pressed the waiter.  Why not, they asked?  You get a free dessert, right?  Indeed, she did get a free ice cream.  And all she had to do was endure the standard public restaurant singing where the entire crew comes over and does a quick chant that usually ends with "Hey!"  This used to be a lot more common about twenty years ago now, until a point, I suppose that we all became hardened like Yzma is in the photo above.  In fact, I know that many people - not saying any names here - are responsible for telling employees that it was someone's birthday when in fact that was far from the truth.  So suddenly people who don't have a birthday anywhere nearby are ambushed by happy employees who are quite delighted to spring their well-practiced little birthday chant.  It got to a point where certain restaurants were places to avoid because of all the noise.  Squads of birthday chanters were lurking in every corner, ready to scream their happy wishes, all in rhyme.

Since then, sadly, things have toned down a bit.  Only a few places have this practice still taking place, Texas Roadhouse among them.  Even their wishes are shortened.  No longer is there a stuffed armadillo thrust into someone's arms, and no longer do they hoist a ten gallon hat upon the birthday victim's head.  These things are actually pretty mild compared to the other restaurants.

Anyway, tomorrow is in fact Mommy's birthday, but we chose to celebrate tonight because we thought it would be less crowded, and the other reason being that we were hungry.  So we did go, although right after Daddy and Madison got back from speech therapy down in Alpharetta.  That was a long and arduous journey back.  One does not simply get on 400 and go home right around rush hour.  But we did make it, and the sodapalooza helped.  Madison and Daddy got ginormous servings of sweet tea, and ventured off towards our home, praying our bladders would hold the expanse of liquid.  Yes, it was indeed a close call in that regard.

Today we went and got more mulch.  We are personally helping the mulch community survive, so if you work in the mulch business, I expect at least a small note of thanks from you.  We'll be picking up more mulch soon, as we're apparently addicted to the stuff.  It's just the gardening aspect that seems to be enjoyable for the family lately, as everyone has been attacking the front yard with lots of enthusiasm.  Although the grass needs to be mowed.  Blame that on our delinquent mowing service.  We're looking into that right now, so if you cut grass, write us here.  And tell us about discounts on mulch, and we're really listening.

Ba-Ba has a wonderful ceiling fan installed in our house.  It's a new one, in a room we hardly use - and outdoor room that is screened in on the back porch.  Suddenly, this room will become a summer destination.  One reason, we'll be able to see in this room.  Another reason:  it will be cooler, despite any heat outside.  A ceiling fan spins directly overhead.  We got the fan a few months ago, but hadn't gotten to putting it up yet.  Leave that to Ba-Ba's skilled talents.

And so, there goes May 7.  It was a great day though!  We'll leave you with some element jokes we posted in our monthly booklet.  Do not blame us for any groans with any of these.

Element Jokes – no charge!

Why is copper so smart?

Because it makes perfect cents!

Why did the noble gas cry?

Because all of his friends argon.

What is a scientist’s favorite type of dog?

A lab.

What does a chemist’s dog do with the old chew bones he gets?

Barium.

What do scientists sit at to eat their dinner?

A Periodic Table

Afterwards, where do they put the dirty dishes?

In the zinc.

Why can you never trust atoms?

Because they make up everything.

What is a chemist’s favorite tree?

A chemis-tree.

Do you know any great jokes about sodium?

Na.

What’s the most important rule in chemistry?

Never lick the spoon.

Did you hear about the guy reading a book about helium?

He couldn’t put it down.

Why did the two scientists get married?

Because they had chemistry together!

What are a doctor’s favorite elements?

Helium and curium.

How often should you tell jokes about the elements?

Periodically