Here, on the wall of Frank's house, is the MSNBC projection that Senator Barack Obama is the President Elect of the United States.
I voted! Number 43 this morning. There were no lines. I heard one of the precinct workers commenting that of the 2500 voters in my precinct more than 51% had voted early. I waited. It didn't prove to be disasterous. And have you heard about all the free stuff you can get for voting and showing up with your sticker: Starbucks coffee, Krispy Kreme donuts, Ben & Jerry's ice cream, Chick Fil-A sandwiches, mobile phone minutes, champagne in Anaheim CA, and um, other things!
I'll be heading over to Frank's place after work, after dark, and watch the results come in with him and several other co-workers. Should be an interesting evening.
All week I've seen signs, literally and figuratively, of the changes that Chspel Hill is putting in place in order to control crowds tonight. So, on my way out of town I decided to brave the downtown area and see what's what. Amazing!! Some of my favorite restaurants are closed for the evening, port-a-potties are everywhere, at 6:30 police were thick and walking around in force, baricades and blocked parking spots were noticeable, some parking lots are already full, and others have been chained closed. Even the news teams were kept at bay and forced to park away from the downtown area! Amazing!! I thought that since most of the Triangle area will be trying to get to Franklin St. I'd head to Southpoint Mall and do a little shopping, have a little dinner, and go see a movie. Score! It was the best call. The place was deserted. I was amazed. It took no time to find parking, I got my movie ticket early, walked to Belks, got a sweet deal on a dress and some tights, and then had a lovely dinner. Usually on a Friday this restaurant has a 2 plus hour wait. Nope, not tonight! I was whisked to my table and had a nice time. Next off to the movies. I never go to the movies. I saw 'W' and it was great. I recommend it. It's very well done and quite funny too.
On the way home I hoped I'd have no trouble getting back to my place. I did not. I did encounter a large group of policemen making sure people were not parking on side streets, or the side of the street, and in the spirit of the night one of the policemen was wearing a pig mask. Get it?! Funny! I made it home safely, saw lots of trick or treaters, and am now, off to bed. Ta ta!
It's Halloween in Chapel Hill and you know what that means! Thousands descend on the quiet little college town dressed in their scariest. Last year brought 80,000 partiers to Franklin Street. This year the town decided that was about 79,000 too many! Ok, a bit of an exaggeration there. Still, local merchants and the town council wanted to make some significant changes to lessen the crowds and the potential for problems. The answer a Homegrown Halloween. See the town's website for more: http://www.townofchapelhill.org/index.asp?nid=127
You can also hear Chapel Hill's mayor, Kevin Foy, on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EN6cDbW9MK4
I'll be interested in what this does to the revelers and if the crowds are significantly fewer.
Of a White Christmas...
I love snow! With any luck I'll get to see some this winter! I'm going to see White Christmas in Minneapolis! Can't wait! I'm already planning a shopping trip for mittens, scarves, even hats. Yep, I'm dreaming...
When you think of Minneapolis what's the first thing you think of? For me, it's cold. Then snow. Then Mary Tyler Moore. Or, more appropriately it's Mary Richards of WJM-TV. Remember the theme song, written by Paul Williams:
Who can turn the world on with her smile?
Who can take a nothing day, and suddenly make it all seem worthwhile?
Well it's you girl, and you should know it.
With each glance and every little movement you show it.
Love is all around, no need to waste it
You can have a town, why don't you take it
You're gonna make it after all
You're gonna make it after all
How will you make it on your own?
This world is awfully big, girl this time you're all alone.
But it's time you started living.
It's time you let someone else do some giving
Love is all around, no need to waste it.
You can have a town, why don't you take it.
You're gonna make it after all.
You're gonna make it after all
I'm headed to Minneapolis! That's right, going north, heading into truly cold weather. My sister-in-law's sister is working the show White Christmas and I'm going to visit. I can't wait. I'm excited about visiting with her and also to see the show, but mostly, I'm thrilled to think I'll experience some real winter weather. My buddy Walt say's Minn. will probably have a warm snap. Nah! Not gonna happen
Here they are, three of my favorite people in the world. Adrianne, Peter and Grace. We're celebrating A's 26th birthday. Good gravy. 26. That's half-way to 52. She loved that!
Several of us celebrated Frank and Walt's birthdays (one day apart) by going to Top of the Hill and enjoying fine libations and eventually dinner. Top of the Hill, or TOPO as the locals call it, is a beautiful restaurant on the corner of Franklin and Columbia Streets right in the middle of Chapel Hill. They have a brewery onsite and brew a fine selection of beer. And the food is great, always reliable, fresh, delicious. The view speaks for itself. The sunset was superb and the evening was full of great conversation, drink, food, and company.
Sunday dad, Adrianne, Meg, Betsy and I went to Duke university to The Nasher museum to see a Spanish painting exhibit of El Greco and Velasquez's works, which was great.
A very nice weekend!! Happy Birthday Adrianne!!! xxoo mom
Grace is EIGHT YEARS OLD. I can't believe it! I remember vividly the day she was born. What a sweet little girl! We had a great dinner at Meg's house including one of our family standbys, and favorites, hamburger gravy and mashed potatoes. This was followed by a delicious ice cream cake (picture to come). This was at least the third celebration Grace had; her paternal grandparents Grammy and Grandpa Bob were visiting over the weekend of her actual birthday and they had a wonderful celebration. Sunday, Oct. 5, Grace entertained several of her friends at a party at The Original Ornament, a bead store in Carrboro. Grace and her friends spent their time making bracelets, and enjoying pizza and cupcakes. She proclaimed it a wonderful birthday! Then, Monday night, the family party at her house. Granddaddy decided to play a trick on her; he gives each of his grandchildren $50 for their birthday. He'd asked Grace earlier this year if she remembered what he gave her. She said no, she did not, so he decided that this year he'd tease her and give her a card with eight dollars in it. Then, he'd ask her again if she remembered what he gave her last year. Regardless of her answer he'd tease and say that if she could tell him the difference between 50 and 8 he'd hand over the cash. Of course, he had every intention of doing that anyway. Just teasing, remember? Grace opened her card from him, said "Wow! Eight dollars!! Hey, last year you gave me $70!!!" Adrianne and I cracked up!!! That'll teach granddad to tease!! He clarified, didn't even try for the math, and give her the remaining $42. Silly girl!!
Wine and a silver teapot. Hmmm. What can it mean? It means Melissa is in town and we're having a dinner party! Yep, Martha and Martha are cooking it up. We planned a fabulous wine dinner for several of our mutual friends. Melissa came on Friday, we rearranged the house, deck and did some quick sprucing up around the yard and then spent Saturday cooking. We had a lovely dinner Saturday night and despite the surprise thunderstorm everyone arrived happy and hungry.
Marina, Adrianne's best friend from college who lives in Greece by the way, is visiting the US for a long month, attending many weddings, visiting her family and visiting Adrianne! I can't tell you how thrilled these two were to see each other after 2 long years! Marina arrived on a Monday and stayed till Thursday before heading back to the Atlanta social scene. It was great to see her! She's doing well, teaching English in Greece, lives in a suburb of Athens, has a great boyfriend, and some hysterical stories of apartment life in the city! She and Adrianne had a great, great time together. She shared some wonderful Greek recipes with Adrianne too. Below, Adrianne, Marina and I are at 411 for dinner. Yum!
