Sippi Lovin'

Back in Hattiesburg, we settled into a comfortable routine of waking, eating, shopping, napping, running, swimming, eating, relaxing, and sleeping. Attempting to furnish an apartment approximately four-times the size of your previous residence is taxing work; requiring sufficient electrolyte levels and 9+ hours of sleep. Thus far, we've acquired one dresser, two bar stools, a CD rack, several picture frames, one floor lamp, a coffee table, a plant stand, a blender, a drying rack (for sweaty running clothes), and a plush pillowtop queen-size bed! It's the first time I can remember sleeping on a bed that didn't pitch my feet over the edge. We kept Lia entertained in the evenings by opening each of the "presents" from that day's haul and assembling them in the living room. All of our purchases required some degree of assembly, which forced us to use our Leatherman in new and unconventional ways.

This paragraph is mostly for Benjamin's entertainment...
Michelle found coupons in the Tuesday paper for Coca-Cola 12-packs at the unbelievable price of $1.59, in addition to rotisserie chickens for $3.88, Jiffy Peanut butter for $0.69, and fresh strawberries for $0.99. Needless to say, we purchased and ate two of each (with the help of a few friends.) We were supposed to be limited to one item per family/per household, but we pulled the sheep's wool over Winn-Dixie's eyes and procured separate discount cards for the two of us! Which leads us to a future goal: Michelle and I aim to dine at each and every restaurant in Hattiesburg before departing, three years from now. This, mind you, is no small feat as Hattiesburg has twice as many restaurants as churches...believe that! Thus far, we (and in some instances, just I) have eaten at the following:

Cici's Pizza - 2 X Pizza buffet @ $3.99
Chesterfield's - Burger, fries, & Coke $8.99
Garfield's Restaurant & Pub- Burger, fries, & several beers $15.00
Subway - on more than one occasion...pricing is the same as everywhere else
McDonald's - on more than one occasion...pricing is the same as everywhere else
Peking Garden Chinese Buffet- 2 X buffet @ $6.99
Lenny's Sub Shop - 1 footlong Ham & Cheese, potato chips, & Coke $7.50
Mohagany Bar - brunch ?
Buffalo Wild Wings - 2 X Burger, fries, & Coke $5.99

All this talk of food and now I'm hungry. Fortunately, now that Michelle is around, I don't have to return home and prepare spaghetti for the 4th consecutive afternoon. Instead, we'll have turkey, lettuce, cheese, & cucumber sandwiches on homemade wheat bread with chocolate chip cookies and milk on the side. Listen, we've got to go. More on Wednesday...we promise.