Cheese Whiz!

Tonight I was invited over to a friend's house for dinner. She is also a co-worker and my neighbor. Another friend/co-worker/neighbor and her daughter joined us.

It was the first, official, Spring barbeque! Well, mini-barbeque, actually, hot dogs on the grill... However! It was a momentous occasion here in Flagstaff, as we had 1-2 inches of snowfall over the Easter Weekend!

There are about 6 of us that live up here on the hill. We are all friends, all work together, and are neighbors. Although there is not, what I would define as, a lot of neighborly interaction, we do see each other around... walking the dogs, at the park, the occasional dinner, house-sitting, etc.

Tonight brought back some memories... I knew my hot dogs were done. Growing up, I can remember my family grilling hot dogs. I once commented on the blackened state once, and I remember being told, "At least you know they are done." Ever since then, I like my dogs "Cajun style!" Not burnt, not well-done, but slightly charred! Blackened!

The reason for this feast? Tomorrow I will begin house/dog sitting for this friend till Friday. It was a way to get the latest scoop on what needed to be done, reacquaint myself with the dog, etc. It was also an early thank you gesture on her part.

I'm actually a pretty cheap house/dog sitter! All I need is a couch, access to laundry, and free reign in the kitchen/pantry/fridge!

So where is my rambling going...

I am honored that a friend has asked me to help them, to be responsible for their pet, and has trusted me to be in their house. Now, I am sure that they are thankful that they have found someone to house/dog sit; but I truly consider it an honor to help them and, more importantly, that they even asked me.

Some will say, "That's what friends are for." I say not! Friends aren't obliged to do anything except be a friend: someone to talk to, hang out with, support, stand-up/defend, etc. To ask someone to be responsible for your house, to care for a pet... that is something more important than friendship, a deeper trust.

So, I have had cheese dogs, hot dogs with cheese, dogs on cheezy buns... but I have never had hot dogs with Cheeze Whiz! Tonight was a first for me! Standard hot dogs, grilled (that is blackened). Standard buns.

The difference...

Cheese Whiz! From a jar, spread on the bun prior to the placement of the dog!

Surprisingly tasty! So much so that at my next get together barbeque where I grill hot dogs, not only will there be ketchup, mustard, and relish... there will be Cheese Whiz!!!