GETTING READY FOR IRENE

Image Credit: NASA/NOAA GOES Project

Today Hurricane Irene is working it's way up the East Coast and is expected to arrive in the Boston area sometime tomorrow.

With that in mind I've been doing what I can to get ready "just in case."

This afternoon I decided to go to the supermarket and the liquor store to stock up "just in case" there is a power failure.

I usually shop at a market that is about a fifteen minute ride for me, where the prices are reasonable. When I left my house it already looked threatening so I decided to go to a market and liquor store that is just around the corner.

Well, everyone and his brother had the same idea!

As I approached the liquor store I saw a very crowded parking lot and even before I parked the car I saw what was happening.

The place was so busy that people where lined up outside the liquor store waiting for their turn to get in!

Well, I didn't need to get involved with that. After all I still have a bottle of gin that I use to make my gin and raisin arthritis remedy mixture to alleviate my aches and pains!

So off to the market I went. There too the lot was crowded. I only go to this market for fill-ins since their prices are high. On an ordinary day you can breeze through the store but today was different. Loads of people buying loads of items.

The deli department was extremely busy. I don't usually buy cold cuts anymore but "just in case" we have a power failure I can make myself a sub and have a gin and tonic with it. It will have to be without ice cubes but what the heck!!

That reminds me, before I left the house I perked a pot of coffee which is now in my refrigerator.

"Just in case" the power goes out I can still have a cup of coffee even if it isn't hot. Have to have that coffee.

Hope all of you and your loved ones who are in Irene's path stay safe.

posted by Unknown @ 7:20 PM | Permalink | I LOVE COMMENTS >> 13 comments

 
AFTER THE CELEBRATION
First things first

Thanks to all my special visitors, you are all special, who left me those wonderful birthday wishes on the occasion of my "86th" year!

What a party!!



No cake, no drinks, no balloons but who needs all those superficial things when you have people who show they care by their words!!

Ever since I started blogging I have had the biggest and best birthday celebrations that I can remember.

Today the parents make huge parties for their kids. It all started by taking the kids to a place like McDonalds, latter it was Chuckie Cheese, and today I hear they hire a hall, an entertainer and even a band! I can't imagine what they will be doing next.

In my day I was lucky to be taken out for an ice cream cone!

The wonderful thing about this celebration is there was no clean up, it didn't cost a dime and we all shared a good time.

Blogging gets me out of bed in the morning, I could turn over and have another snooze but I have to get up and see if I have any messages and check up on what my friends have to say.

Thanks again for making my birthday such a special day!!

posted by Unknown @ 6:30 PM | Permalink | I LOVE COMMENTS >> 11 comments

 
THE CELEBRATION BEGINS
August for me is like a Greek wedding. My birthday is smack in the middle of the month. I get together with old friends and family before and after my official birthday with a few surprises thrown in.

Every year Steve and Carol take me on a mystery ride, I try guessing as we are on our way, sometimes I figure out where we are going, usually I don't but one thing for sure, it's always fun!

On Saturday I arranged to meet some friends in Boston at Legal Harborside which just opened this spring.


Photo: Legal Harborside. Courtesy Legal Sea Foods

Legal Sea Foods restaurant started out in Cambridge, MA in the 50's. It was a casual place where you sat at long tables and shared space with other guests.
The seafood was outstanding, the price was right and the rest is history.
I can't begin to tell you how many restaurants they have today, not only in Massachusetts but in a number of other states. Read more about Legal Sea Foods.

The new Legal's is unique.

First: The location - it's right on the waterfront.

Second: It has three floors - it's like having three restaurants in one building.

First Floor - Casual dining - Open Kitchen - view of the harbor (that's where we ate)

Second Floor - High End Dining room with fabulous decor. Can just imagine what that would look like when the sun is setting over the water!

Third Floor - Delightful area to enjoy a drink and a light snack from the oyster bar. Oh, and it has a retractable roof. Again with a view that could knock your socks off!

The minute I walked into the restaurant there was a staff member who greeted me and called my attention to the tricky revolving door.

My friends arrived just about the same time I did. I had made a reservation and we were seated promptly on the deck with a great water view. The way the place is set up I think anyplace would have a good view!

The waitress was anxious to take our orders. That was the only thing that I felt was out of line with the restaurant.

I knew before I got there I was going to have a lobster roll!



The decor is fantastic, the view is fantastic and food was good.

What impressed me the most was the staff (except for the waitress).

When we finished lunch I inquired where the elevator was so we could see what the other floors were like. Well, what do you know, immediately there was a young lady who took us on a tour of the other floors and told us some interesting tidbits!

They couldn't have been nicer!!

I had taken "The Ride" into town and while I was waiting to be picked up I had a chance to people watch.

What I saw were a lot of young slim ladies wearing their very short colorful dresses and high heels. The fellows were wearing long pants or shorts.

I didn't see one young lady wearing slacks. We were the only ones wearing slacks - no short dresses for us but we were with "the in crowd."

Not a bad way to start my birthday celebration!!

posted by Unknown @ 6:20 PM | Permalink | I LOVE COMMENTS >> 41 comments

 
YOU WIN SOME - YOU LOSE SOME
Here's a story that took place many years ago, but I remember it like it was yesterday!

It was a July 4th week-end and my husband and I were invited to join some friends who were going to an event held by the couples club they belonged to.

The event was being held at the home of a couple who had an indoor pool. Drinks, appetizers, lunch and dessert were all included at a minimum charge.

What did not appeal to me was the fact that it was summer time and it was not an outdoor pool. Our friends told us the event was called for 11:00 am and would be over by 3:00 pm.

I didn't like that either.

I was not happy about having to be there that early and having to leave by 3:00.

What do you do when the party is over smack in the middle of the day?


Photo: Tasty Punch by velvettangerine CC BY

Well, my friends were nice enough to issue the invitation, we had no plans for that day so we decided to check out this group.

My husband and I talked it over and decided that there was no reason to show at 11:00. We decided that 11:30 would be early enough.

We got there about that time and what do you know -- The snacks were all gone and so was all the food that they had put out for the lunch! (even the desserts were gone)


Photo: All Gone by Chiot's Run CC BY-NC

The hostess was very apologetic and guided us into her kitchen where she opened up her freezer and put something together for us.

She went on to explain that the guests came early and couldn't wait to be served!!

The pool area was not conducive to relaxing or for mingling.

As I remember it now, the party broke up before 3:00. That day was a total bust.

Needless to say, we did not join that couples club!!

You can't win them all!

posted by Unknown @ 11:35 PM | Permalink | I LOVE COMMENTS >> 5 comments