Parade Recap

The St. Patrick's Day Parade in Chesapeake City was a HUGE success. I was so happy. We not only had lots of participants, but many people on the side of the street watching. The weather was perfect, we raised over $1,000 for the Epilepsy Foundation of Delaware and everyone had FUN! Thanks to everyone who helped and participated in the parade. Here's some of the photos from the day...ohh and the wedding went really well!

Chesapeake City St. Patrick's Day Parade

Tomorrow is the Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade. I have been the chair for the parade for 4 years. It is always a lot of fun. I am NOT Irish by any means...but I wear my green, get people involved, ask groups to participate and show a lot of enthusiasm. VOILA...the perfect planner!
The parade started about 15 years ago. My neighbors started dressing up and decorating their cars and driving them through town on St. Patrick's Day. It caught on and now it is bigger. Don't let me mislead you...it's not Chicago or NYC. It will maybe last a half hour. We give our prizes to best dressed, most creative, best float, etc. Then we have green beer, fish and chips, and corned beef & cabbage at the restaurant. It is always fun! I expect quite a big crowd. I did a lot of advertising and we decided this year to add something new. We are collecting donations for participants and asking people if they want to walk in the parade for the Epilepsy Foundation of Delaware. Those who donate or raise $50 or more will receive a t-shirt and have access to the Shamrock tent for hot dogs, soda and beer.

SLAINTE
"As you slide down the banisters of life may the splinters never point the wrong way."


I'll post pictures later...it's a big day. We also kick off our wedding season tomorrow at the restaurant. Steve and Stephanie will wed tomorrow at the Historic Wedding Chapel in Elkton, Maryland with the reception at The Bayard House.

HELLO MARCH!!!!

It's finally here...MARCH!
March to me screams spring, although I can remember March 1993 when we had a blizzard. I was in college and a group of us went to Puerto Rico for spring break. We ended up stranded at JFK until the next morning...the trip is an entirely different story. Despite my wishes for snow this winter...I am happy that spring is on it's way. I have a few small daffodils and crocuses blooming. March also hosts a few other interesting events...ohh and my birthday too!
Did you know...
***March is American Red Cross Month
***Women's History Month
***Last year, Ginger introduced me to Pi Day (March 14th)
***St. Patrick's Day, March 17th
***Easter is also this month, March 23rd

Lots to do in one month!!!

HOT, HOT, HOT

The only thing hot in Chesapeake City today was the roof at The Bayard House. Around noon the manager on duty called me and said the restaurant's roof was on FIRE!!! I jumped up and out the door I went. I only live a few streets away. Sure enough I pull up out front and small flames were shooting through the cedar shake shingles. I couldn't believe it.

The oldest building in our town (c. 1780) was on fire!!! On the roof were our "heros" and carpenter, Amos and his worker, Alan. They spotted the shingles on fire and asked for water. Luckily, they had their ladders there. They climbed on the roof as my wonder waiter, Billy handed them the fire extinguishers. They did the best they could with those and then the Chesapeake City Volunteer Fire Department showed up along with two other local fire companies. They had the fire out in a few minutes.


The damage wasn't as bad as it could have been. We will need a new roof, new drywall inside where there was water damage and a few other places. We were so lucky that Amos and his workers spotted it. The wind was blowing hard and it could have spread so fast. We are right next to 3 other homes...which are all wooden homes circa 1790's.

They believe the fire started with a backdraft in the fireplace inside and sent flames onto the roof. Thankfully no one was injured. All guests and employees made it out safely and all fireman were fine.

The cleanup is underway and everything should be ready to open back up by tomorrow night...I hope. Dick Legates a neighbor in town took these photos for me. Once I download mine, I'll post more.
HUGE THANKS go out to the Chesapeake City Fire Department, Hacks Point Fire Department and Singerly Fire Department...YOU WERE GREAT!!!

Germs, Germs Go Away!!!!

I am really fed up with being SICK! The germs must be hiding in our home. Jeffrey still has the rash (much better than it was) and I have a sinus infection or something that makes me just feel miserable. I am trying to disinfect as best as possible, but it is really hard to clean and disinfect when you feel like just sitting on the sofa or going to bed. SPRING...where are YOU??????? The crocus' are popping up in our yard and the daffodils and tulips are really showing some height! I just want everyone to be healthy!

Wedding Planning Bliss

My friend, Sierra got engaged to her beau,Tom. The wedding is in September at the restaurant. All of our friends are so happy for them. Sierra truly deserves the best! She decided to start a blog to document their wedding plans. Check it out! She has used a really neat site for her invations and has pretty bridesmaid and flowers dresses.

Ummm...

I am not really sure what to say...except this has been a weird day! It snowed, sleeted, rained today and I decided to close the restaurant due to the weather. All reservations cancelled and I have several ill employees. So....SNOW DAY..kind of. I would rather it be 8 inches of snow and cold. What we have now is just slop.
THEN...I have a patient in the house. Jeffrey has been battling a rash, infection, something!!! He went to the Medical Aid Unit yesterday and put him on antibiotics. He is itchy, puffy, oozy and just uncomfortable....poor guy. Seems to be getting a little bit better. He's hanging low and keeping a compress on his face and trying not to itch! He may look a little funky today...but he is still HOT to me!

Happy Birthday George!

My alma mater, Washington College celebrates George Washington's Birthday every year with a Birthday Ball at the college. It is a dance for all students, alumni, parents, etc. For the alumni that can't make it, they have a "Toast" to George at various spots around the country. Washington College was the only college that George Washington gave his name to use and he served on our Board of Governors. The college is also the 10th oldest college in the US. So we like to celebrate George's Birthday!!!

Check out this fun thing that Paula sent me to celebrate!

Happy Valentine's Day

I am really not a big valentine's day girl. It is nice...but I don't get into that much...surprising since I aI send cards and put up some decorations. It is just a nice gesture day in my book. Wear a little red or pink...say happy v-day and that is good enough....a nice day to make everyone feel a little extra special is how I look at it.
However, in the restaurant business I do look forward to it. We will be extra busy and a great night for business. It is a nice bonus this time of year when our business is slow. So I am glad that everyone likes to go out and spend money on good food, wine and roses at the restaurant. It will be busy, but I enjoy the excitement of it all.

To my Valentine: I "heart" you, Jeffrey
XOXO

Happy Fat Tuesday

I was reminded this morning by Posie that it is Pancake Day....too bad I don't feel like a pancake today. Maybe I'll make French Toast later.
Since I won't have photos to post of my pancake and I could use a good laugh...Here's Grandma Making Pancakes

Popcorn and Soda

I used to be a huge movie junkie. In high school, I would go almost every weekend with my friends, Kathy and Miriam to the movies. We watched all the movies that were out...the day they came out, some over and over and even midnight showings and Rocky Horror. Those were the good old days. My only care was to make sure I had enough money for the $5 ticket and some popcorn...we always split the soda. We would drive all over three states to see the most recent films. One of our favorite things were the drive-ins. They had a VW Cabriolet and we would put the top down and watch the movies on summer nights. The tradition continued in college when we were home on holidays, and then fewer times during their visits from the west coast. Some of my favorite times with Miriam and Kathy (sisters) are when we went to the theatre. Recently, I haven't been going to the movies that often...actually, I can't tell you the last movie I saw in a theatre....I just remember that it was with my friend, Tizzie.
So tonight I broke the streak and headed to the movies to see JUNO. As I drove to the theatre I thought of all of the good times I had at the movies with Kathy and Miriam, my first date with Jeffrey to see The Royal Tenenbaums, and when I took my nephew to see Barnyard.

So....JUNO. It was great. Very cute and believable. Ellen Page is smart and funny...I loved her as Juno. I hope they do well at the Oscars. I haven't seen any of the other films nominated for Best Film or with any Best actors or actresses...except for Juno. I want to see Atonement next....maybe next week.
Here's the trailer from JUNO! Go see it!!! Ohh and the music is quirky and fun!

What a life!

Why can't life be this good?
Toby nice and toasty on a cold winter day.

Catfish or Shark?

My sister sent me an article from The Chattanoogan that featured this photo and blurb.

Attached are a couple of photos of a monster blue catfish caught near Greenville, Mississippi by an elderly man who let the fish go after his wife took the pictures. The weight of the catfish is unknown, though some catfish anglers guessed it to be at least 150 pounds. It looks like 200 pounds to me. For sure it would have been a new world record.

I don't know about any of you, but I wouldn't want to brush up against that while swimming in the water.

The King

This Friday is the homecoming dance at my nephew's school in TN. He is a little nervous because he doesn't want to hold the queen's hand. I can't wait to see the photos...I'll be sure to share.

Good Friends

I stumbled upon this photo tonight while doing some work for a meeting tomorrow. It is from last fall when Paula, Elizabeth and I went out to dinner. Just wanted to say...
I miss seeing you both! Happy New Year!