In an average month, I eat out about two or three times. Normally, I wouldn't do it more than that due to a mix of health and money concerns. However, for October, I had to eat out five times, and it was almost six times. You can add in an additional time at the end of September if you like to up that total. Still, that was too much for me, but it had to be done.
The reason goes back many years. When I started weightlifting in the mid-90s, I began to eat more to fuel my workouts. I made sure to eat every two to four hours. This meant that I started eating breakfast every day. Until then, I only ate breakfast a few times a week, mostly on weekends. Ever since I was a kid, I had problems eating very early in the day. I just didn't feel like eating that early, say before nine. I really couldn't. When I opened my store, I could barely start eating breakfast around eight. Even now, my breakfast on the days I go to work are a little lighter than they used to be. On those days when I have to be somewhere even earlier, say for appointments or all day shopping trips, I usually just end up having a small protein shake or a small pastry. My stomach just can't tolerate anything heavier than that early in the day.
This past October, I had multiple such events. In September, at my regular dental cleaning, a cavity was discovered. Only my second in the last twenty-five years, but the second in under five. I had to schedule a second appointment for early October. I also had to take my mother to the dentist to have multiple fillings over two visits. Oh, she also had an annual doctor's visit. Then there were a few trips to find out what's been making an unusual sound in my car. Some of those got combined with the preceding ones. (At least they finally think they figured out what's wrong. Just waiting for a piece to arrive to see if it can be fixed.) There was also the delayed shopping trip to make up.
Anyway, this meant I ate out five times. Four were takeout, one eat in. Four were fast food restaurants, although I had a takeout order from the one not fast food place. Not too much variety in what I ate, but here they are in order. Dairy Queen, Coal Run: Surprisingly great chicken tenders. Very crispy. The ranch was a tad sour, but still workable. Hoebert's Pizzeria, P-burg: Regular Stromboli order. Nothing great, but not horrible. It just needs one little change to take it over the top. Burger King, Huntington Mall, dine in: Standard Whopper and rings. Tried a jalapeño popper. Not too spicy, but not my thing. Got the Halloween crown, but couldn't recognize one of the characters. Long John Silver's, Pikeville: Regular chicken plank meal ruined when I found blood in the last plank. First time I can remember this happening in a long while. At least I got a wide range of condiments. Wendy's, Pikeville: Burger too small. Way too many fries. They finally fixed the fountain, so I was able to get my cherry-vanilla Dr Pepper again. Best part of the meal. It was also the most expensive of the fast food places.
It has already been suggested that I won't be eating out on the day of the next appointment. However, since that might be on my mother's birthday, she has bee thinking about changing her mind. This is in preparation for the big pre-holiday shopping trip to Lexington, where we usually eat out from three different places in one day, not counting any stops for coffee and a restroom break. This year, I might not have take out for dinner, even if it will be easier and faster, but plans just keep changing.
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