Post-St. Patrick's Day

Since I now have a few readers (I think 3!), I've been reminded that I haven't posted in a few days (thanks Emily!)

St. Patrick's Day went off without a hitch. Dave and I took Emily and her friend Megan out for the day with us. I was the designated driver! We headed down to ORIGINAL Quaker Steak and Lube in Sharon which was celebrating it's 35th anniversary (not to be confused with all of the shiny, new franchises that have popped up everywhere! Emily and Megan wanted to go for green eggs and ham, but we weren't ready to go in time, so I made them at home and saved $10.

We got to the Lube at 10:30 am and it was already PACKED. We headed next door to Tully's (the 2nd of the original "3 by the River") and there were quite a few tables there. We muched on some healthy magna fries loaded with cheese and bacon (to absorb the alcohol) and some green beer.

By 11:30, we had 2 tables out on the enclosed patio off the back of the Lube. Dave's stepdad, Doc and his friend Bigga Jim arrived to pomp and circumstance since they are always the life of the party and have enjoyed quite a few friends and followers at the Lube for the past 35 years. (Plus, it was Doc's birthday). The owners had their chairs all waiting for them and this year a special portajohn was in place so they didn't have to go far (Doc is an amputee, so it is hard for him to manuever the tight crowds.

Dave's sister Laura, and her daughter Tess met us, as did Dave's nephew Jason and Laura's son Patrick (who sadly had to leave us to go to work!) The sun came out and the sides of the enclosed porch were raised, leaving us in the sun to enjoy the 65 degree day - it was gorgeous.

By 3:00, the entire parking lot between the buildings were filled with green-clad revelers. My favorites: the man wearing the "I (shamrock) Leprechaun Porn" tshirt, and the stocky young man in the lime green unitard, boxer shorts, red beard and green top hat. It is a lot of fun being sober in the midst of a mob of drunkards ;)

We headed over to Tully's to see the Irish Stepdancers at 4:00. Since as of last month, Hannah was still performing with them, they asked her to join them for a song. They also asked if anyone else knew how to dance, of course everyone shoved Emily up. She was a good sport, although ill prepared to dance in a tube top and green sweater - took some maneuvering to avoid a wardrobe malfunction. There was a great band called the Barflies on after the dancers - I'd like to see them again, but they were too loud for that venue and there is something weird about rocking out to a band at 5:30 in the afternoon - or maybe it's because I'm just too old.

We headed home around 7:00 pm - it was a really fun day!

St. Patrick's Day preview...

For the first time in 12 years, St. Patrick's Day will be celebrated as it was meant to be, in a bar, without our children :)

Because I am not a bit Irish, I never knew what the big hullabaloo was about St. Patrick's Day. This changed on March 17, 1985 when my boyfriend - now my husband - said "we are meeting my dad for a beer at Irish Bob's - at 10:00 AM!" My first thought was "who goes to a bar in the morning?"

Prior to that, I didn't know they made green beer and those who know me, know: a). I don't drink much and b). when I do drink, I'm a lightweight. But you know, I'm game. We met Karl at Irish Bob's at 10:00 am and Dave's brothers and sisters met us later. We were there until 9:00 pm that night. Since none of us had eaten much throughout the day and no one was in any condition to drive, we wandered across South Avenue to the China Gate - because nothing says St. Patrick's Day quite like 8 completely trashed celebrators dressed in green barging into a Chinese restaurant where apparently the patrons had never heard of St. Patrick's day.

Anyway, for the last 12 years, my daughters have been Irish Step Dancers. (see video) I've seen the "tsk tsk" looks appropriately given to bad parents who take their kids out of school to dance in bars all day (LOL). Homework is pushed aside from March 1-18th as mandatory practices, and bookings all take precedent. When the pub patrons ask why we have to leave the bar so early (10:00 pm on a school night) we say "well, her teacher expects her to be in 4th grade bright and early tomorrow!" I wouldn't have traded it for anything - neither would have they. They have had such great experiences performing and have made such terrific friends from their hobby.

Emily "retired" a few years ago, but last month, Hannah hung up her ghillies to pursue other interests - we will still go and watch our friends perform, but this year Dave and I will be where we belong - along side his family at 10:00 am drinking green beer - yep, I'm still the lightweight, so I am the designated driver. Sadly, we'll be done by noon and back home for the day - aww...getting old sucks!

Happy St. Patrick's Day - drink responsibly!