WWTBAM Bored

Tonight, TLAF used some of her birthday swag to go to the Barnes and Noble.

Actually, part of the swag was two gift certificates for Barnes and Noble and one for a choice of restaurants (Chili's, Romano's Macaroni Grill, and some others).

We ate a Chili's -- a first for her. She enjoyed the baby back ribs.

Then to B&N, which is in the same shopping center.

TLAF was overwhelmed. Very Dorothy-in-Oz as she went in.

She's an avid reader but the vast majority of her books are gifts or from the Our Lady of Calvary Seniors book exchange (the seniors read the books, note their initials in pencil on the front inside page, and pass the books along to the pile. To buy it's a dime or a quarter a book.)

She used one gift certificate and gave me a list of books to pick up with the second one. All of the actual shopping wore her out. She sat a read for a bit before making her selections for the books I'll buy.

She said she's glad she doesn't drive anymore because she'd be up there every day.

I love this story. I know she will enjoy her books.

mellytu74 wrote:Tonight, TLAF used some of her birthday swag to go to the Barnes and Noble.

Actually, part of the swag was two gift certificates for Barnes and Noble and one for a choice of restaurants (Chili's, Romano's Macaroni Grill, and some others).

We ate a Chili's -- a first for her. She enjoyed the baby back ribs.

Our family first ate at a Chili's while we were on vacation years ago; it wasn't until recently that the franchise came to our fair city. I'm quite fond of the Macaroni Grill.

mellytu74 wrote:Then to B&N, which is in the same shopping center.

TLAF was overwhelmed. Very Dorothy-in-Oz as she went in.

What an evocative image! And a great story to boot. I hope she enjoys her books.

earendel wrote:

mellytu74 wrote:Tonight, TLAF used some of her birthday swag to go to the Barnes and Noble.

Actually, part of the swag was two gift certificates for Barnes and Noble and one for a choice of restaurants (Chili's, Romano's Macaroni Grill, and some others).

We ate a Chili's -- a first for her. She enjoyed the baby back ribs.

Our family first ate at a Chili's while we were on vacation years ago; it wasn't until recently that the franchise came to our fair city. I'm quite fond of the Macaroni Grill.

My younger granddaughter and her husband and the older granddaughter's boyfriend all work for Chili's in Castle Rock, CO.

There's a Chili's and Macaroni Grill across the street from me here in Westbury, but I won't eat at the Macaroni Grill after getting terrible service several times. There are too many good real Italian places around here anyway.

mellytu74 wrote:Then to B&N, which is in the same shopping center.

TLAF was overwhelmed. Very Dorothy-in-Oz as she went in.

TLAF is an avid reader who was never in a B&N before? I can imagine her reaction!

And how handy that she can sit in those comfy chairs they provide while her daughter works on her shopping list!

I wanted to love Macaroni Grill but then I found out they don't actually grill macaroni, which I think would be yummy.

Ritterskoop wrote:I wanted to love Macaroni Grill but then I found out they don't actually grill macaroni, which I think would be yummy.

They make great Bellinis, but I think that their menu has suffered in the past few years.

Ritterskoop wrote:I wanted to love Macaroni Grill but then I found out they don't actually grill macaroni, which I think would be yummy.

Wouldn't that be a bit hard on your teeth?

Frank A and TLAF have something very much in common. He saves all his money and then requests a trip to B&N. He just spent all his birthday money there--a tidy sum. I was getting ready to lecture him about the importance of saving, and he said, "How can you yell at a kid who spends all his money on books?" He wants the restaurant he plans to open to be "like a Barnes and Noble."

Ritterskoop wrote:I wanted to love Macaroni Grill but then I found out they don't actually grill macaroni, which I think would be yummy.

Especially if it turned out like the edges of lasagna.

Catfish wrote:I was getting ready to lecture him about the importance of saving, and he said, "How can you yell at a kid who spends all his money on books?"

An excellent question!

mellytu74 wrote:Tonight, TLAF used some of her birthday swag to go to the Barnes and Noble.

Actually, part of the swag was two gift certificates for Barnes and Noble and one for a choice of restaurants (Chili's, Romano's Macaroni Grill, and some others).

We ate a Chili's -- a first for her. She enjoyed the baby back ribs.

Then to B&N, which is in the same shopping center.

TLAF was overwhelmed. Very Dorothy-in-Oz as she went in.

She's an avid reader but the vast majority of her books are gifts or from the Our Lady of Calvary Seniors book exchange (the seniors read the books, note their initials in pencil on the front inside page, and pass the books along to the pile. To buy it's a dime or a quarter a book.)

She used one gift certificate and gave me a list of books to pick up with the second one. All of the actual shopping wore her out. She sat a read for a bit before making her selections for the books I'll buy.

She said she's glad she doesn't drive anymore because she'd be up there every day.

TLAF stories make me very happy.

PlacentiaSoccerMom wrote:

Ritterskoop wrote:I wanted to love Macaroni Grill but then I found out they don't actually grill macaroni, which I think would be yummy.

They make great Bellinis, but I think that their menu has suffered in the past few years.

I love Macaroni Grill. What amazes me is the number of people who rave about Olive Garden. Okay, so the breadsticks are really good, and the soup is good, but their actual entrees are crap.

TheCalvinator24 wrote:

PlacentiaSoccerMom wrote:

Ritterskoop wrote:I wanted to love Macaroni Grill but then I found out they don't actually grill macaroni, which I think would be yummy.

They make great Bellinis, but I think that their menu has suffered in the past few years.

I love Macaroni Grill. What amazes me is the number of people who rave about Olive Garden. Okay, so the breadsticks are really good, and the soup is good, but their actual entrees are crap.

The ability to draw on the table at Macaroni Grill is a plus for me. LOL Also, I've always liked the concept of the honor system with their house wine.

I liked this new entree from Olive Garden that my husband ordered when we went there recently. It was tenderloin strips w/ gorgonzola, and I think there was some sort of pasta too. Prior to that visit, it had been many years since I last visited their restaurant.

TheCalvinator24 wrote:I love Macaroni Grill. What amazes me is the number of people who rave about Olive Garden. Okay, so the breadsticks are really good, and the soup is good, but their actual entrees are crap.

Hear, hear!! Aside from their breadsticks, I find very little that I like at Olive Garden. For the price I'll go to Macaroni Grill every time. Yes, there are "better" Italian places (such as Carrabbas) but they are pricier.

Brinker also owns Maggiano's Little Italy which my grandkids love. They never got around to taking me there before I had to leave.