That's Italian

"Jenny, remember it's just a job."
"How can you be so nonchalant? I know you care about what happens around here."
"Of course I care, but nearly dieing puts a lot of things into perspective. You need to come here and do your best, but then you need to go home and let it go. It will still be here tomorrow."

This conversation occurred before first hour Tuesday morning with a friend of mine who was in a terrible car accident over the summer. He was in intensive care for awhile and a regular hospital room for some weeks after that. Even now he is showing residual effects in the form of walking with a cane. After thinking about his words, I decided being grumpy isn't really an option, and in an effort to adjust my attitude I took a mental health day (aka ERP - emergency rest period) today. Much to my delight, Jeff decided to join me. Not long after the arrangements were made, we decided our son needed a day off as well. So, this morning when we rose, dressed, and left for school on time, instead of turning left at the end of our street, we turned right. Immediately the boy said, "Why are we going this way?" When Jeff replied that we were going to the Sonoran Desert Museum in Tucson, a whoop of joy issued from the backseat and hands came forward to hug me around the chair before quickly texting his friends that he was being "kidnapped" for a much needed family respite. The ensuring drive was filled with loud choruses of Weird Al songs and funny comments about everything we passed on the road.

After several hours of walking in the late September sun (which has been unseasonably warm this year). We were all ready for something tasty and opted for the Macaroni Grill where Jeff ordered chicken parmigiana (a perennial favorite), the boy opted for honey balsamic grilled chicken, and I had pasta milano.  Both of the guys' chicken dishes were excellent, but I thought my choice the best. It was bowtie pasta tossed with thinly sliced roasted chicken, sun dried tomatoes, crimini mushrooms, and a creamy garlic sauce with fresh Parmesan cheese on top. The flavors melded beautifully in this rich pasta bowl. I am planning to try it at home, though I think I will add some chunks of broccoli for both color and texture. Everything was smooth, so a little crunchy vegetable might be a nice contrast. Peas and carrots would also add some lovely color without affecting the texture, if you don't like crispy with your pasta. Being sated with our meals (not to mention the crusty bread we were served at the beginning) we opted out of dessert.

When our luncheon was over, no one was ready for the outing to end, so we headed off to the mall - ostensibly to walk off the food, but (of course) shopping was in order. Shoes, jeans, and a wallet later he decided it was time to head home, but not until we hit McDonald's for milkshakes to sooth our worn out bodies. These, coupled with our favorite tunes on the stereo, made the drive go faster. Now that the day is over, we're all tired but happy to have spent the time together building our happy memories for future tough days.