Food was Good, But Service Stank

After an enjoyable afternoon of putting around town, I met hubby and a good friend at a relatively new restaurant/pub in Griffin, GA - The Eagle and the Lion.  The atmosphere was a little different for our neck of the woods, but the menu was varied with choices from heavy to light and something off our usual fare.  I was looking forward to a taste of something new.  With their on site brewery the bar was well attended and the offerings of brew was much greater and varied than their food choices.

Hubby chose the Fish and Chips while my friend and I chose the Bangers and Mash.  The three of us have dinner once a week and enjoy visiting and catching up.  After 45 minutes we were starting to wonder about our food and questioned our server as to our order.  She advised us the order had gone in and ours (?) was fine and should be out any minute.  Another 30 minutes passed before we were advised that our order had never been submitted to the kitchen and much to management's sorrow they were out of "Mash". 

Another server and management were very consoling and advised us that our order would be out shortly.  There was never an apology from our server and she went about her business without a care in the world.  We learned only a short time later she had forgotten to place an order of a lady with a large group of which the owner's mother was a party.  I hope the owner realizes that serving and wait staff can end his business quickly. I hate to see anyone lose a job when there are so few available, but nonchalance in the restaurant business is a big no-no.

The Bangers were nothing to write home about, but that could have been due to the disappointment in having to wait over an hour for the food.  Hubby's fish and chips were delicious.  I will go back to test the waters and give this young man another chance.  If the cute little red head tries to wait our table, I am afraid I will have to leave.

Try this new little pub and tell me what you think.  The Eagle and The Lion next to the old Coca-Cola Bottling Plant in Griffin, Georgia.

Happy Reading!
Belle

Skating Party

Six years old - the first memorable milestone of any little girl.  Boys, they could care less, but to little girls it is the leaving of babyhood - finally.  A party at the perfect venue - the skating rink!  Friends and family gathered to celebrate.  Everyone having a great time with much laughter, visiting, skating and just plain fun.  Two hours into the party, the group is told they have to leave.  A miscommunication or greediness on the part of the owner?  A party from 3:00 to 7:00 was booked and now at 5:00 everyone was being hurried out.  No one was advised of the change until we were told to leave.  Did they double book?  Did they book a private party after the other parties were booked?  If so, a phone call would have saved a lot of grief!

A hurt little girl, an angry Mom and confused guests - a birthday party ruined and an important birthday at that! 

This was my first trip to the Griffin Skate Inn and will probably be my last.  A lot of anger and upset could have easily been avoided if we had been advised on arrival that the party would be cut short.  Waiting until "clear out" time to let all the parties know of the time change was rude and uncalled for.  Yes, there were at least four parties being held that afternoon.  I can understand needing the $200 gained by adding a private party in the middle of the afternoon, but only if the time was not previously allotted.  This move was bad business practice and also bad for business.

Spencer's Skating Rink, now closed, was the place for our parties and many nights out for skating.  Hopefully someone will re-open the old rink to give some healthy competition to the Griffin Skate Inn.  I sure hope so as I cannot see any of our party returning to do business with the Griffin Skate Inn.

GHS '69 Reunion

Graduation brings to an end the wonderful growing up years of our lives.  By the time we graduate from high school, we should be prepared to go to work, maintain a vehicle, and establish a home - not a house, a home.  The friends and acquaintances that we have spent the last 12 years of our life with are all going in different directions.  We cry, hug and promise to keep in touch, but as the summer wears on, those contacts are gone - sometime for good.  We never know what God has in store for these fellow graduates and when or if we will see them again. 

These fellow graduates have big dreams and big plans for their future no matter what their field of interest.  Some will get married and start a family, while others will go on to college or tech school and receive more training.  It doesn't matter where they go or what they do, they will still be part of your past - your history. 

The men that graduated in the late '60s were facing the draft unless that were deferred and many waited with baited breathe to see if they would be called to fight in Viet Nam.  Others planned on joining their choice of the armed services when they graduated.  Jobs for women in the 1960s were limited compared to the options available today.  Secretaries, bookkeepers, teachers, clerks, bank tellers, doctors, lawyers, or work at one of our many mills were the extent of the choices. 

Now we are in 2010.  We have been out of high school for over 40 years and here are a few things we have learned.

• money doesn't bring happiness
• you can't buy health
• work is what you do not you who you are
• friends are not always going to be there
• you will change more in the two years after graduation than in all the 12 years leading up to graduation
• nothing is forever
• think before you do something stupid - some mistakes just don't go away
• keep in touch with God - the more communication you have the better
• expand - your friends, your interests, your knowledge
• parenting doesn't come with a manual - your parents made mistakes, you'll make mistakes, and your children will make mistakes - get over it
• those people who thought they ruled the world, only ruled their world not yours
• if you don't die, you will get old
• be nice - it is harder than being mean, but more people like you
• stand up for what you believe in
• if you are not proud of who you are then something is wrong
• nobody is perfect, be happy with yourself
• nobody else can live your life - it is yours and yours alone - just be ready to talk to God about it one day
• don't waste precious time
• laugh and cry and then get on with it
• it is the small stuff that completes the big picture
• don't let someone else tell you what a good time you had
• protect your memories, they put a smile in a rainy day
• watch the hummingbirds and listen to the crickets

I am so looking forward to our class reunion.  I don't know one thing about these people I graduated with, but we were a family in the midst of change.  It will bring joy to my heart to lay eyes on them once again and know the memories will come rushing back.  We will laugh and cry and dance and sing because that is what we did and who we are.  There are so many of us that have not survived and I will miss those smiles. 

We've come a long way, baby!
Happy reading!
Belle

Southside Grill

We just enjoyed a lovely dinner at the Southside Grill in Griffin, Ga. located on Highway 19. The food was delicious with a variety filled menu. Those that ordered steaks were very happy with the way they were cooked (and believe me, we had some "hard to please" when it comes to a good steak), those ordering chicken advised that it was delicious, the grilled Shrimp Alfredo was very tasty as was the Chicken Alfredo.

The service was impeccable. Everyone loved the fried dill pickles.

The prices were very reasonable and the atmosphere was relaxing and welcoming. If you haven't tried this place, make time for a visit.