Not according to plan

Things don't always go as planned.  After my last post I was eager to begin a stretch of 5 days off.  Boy, did I have big plans however I was foiled at every corner.     The snow storm finally ended Thursday night however my snow plow guy had mechanical issues and didn't arrive on Friday until supper time.  Which meant that I couldn't get my car out of the yard all day.    Oh well, I thought I'd have time to finish quilting and even had the lofty goal of adding the binding.  Then I could take it to the local quilt store for a viewing and pick out a new project.

Instead I have fought with this stupid machine for days.    Three days of attempts and I still have 2 lines of quilting to do before I can bind.  The needle has broken, the walking foot fallen off, thread breakage, needle jamming and sticking requiring me to take it apart multiple times........UGHHHHHHHHHHH.  I guess attempting a project like this on a cheapy Walmart sewing machine might be too much.   I have the binding all ready to go but for now it will wait until I figure out a new plan

Then on Saturday night auntie and I were invited to a special birthday dinner.  It was out of town at a very expensive restaurant.   Neither of us wanted to go but it was for a family friend who is rapidly succumbing to Alzheimer's.  Her daughter wanted to do something special as it will likely be the last birthday her Mom remembers most of us.   I could relate to how she felt so we went.   It was the absolute worst experience ever.  I would say the service was bad, but it was virtually non existent. 

We arrived and were seated at 6:15pm.   There were 3 other tables seated.   We ordered our entrees  and drinks.  Drinks arrived 5 minutes later and that was the last we saw of any staff for the next 2 hours.   No food, no drink refills, no explanation, nothing.    At the 2 hour and 20 minute mark we were all pretty angry.  A waitress  appeared out of nowhere to clear another table.  We had to yell to get her attention and asked her what was happening with our food.  "Oh it will be out in 5 minutes".    Another 20 minutes passed and finally a plate came out.   Our food was delivered to our table in roughly 4 minute intervals, one at a time.  There was 7 of us.........do the math.  By the time the last one was served, the first guy was finished.    By this time time, no one was really hungry anymore.  Our drinks and water galsses were never refilled once! She knew we were mad and a few minutes later the owner arrived with our bill and a weak, insincere apology.    Was there a discount on the cheque??? NO.    This was the first time in my life I have never left a tip.  None of us did.    .That's just highlights