Will You Be My Valentine?

Happy Valentine's Day everyone! I hope you all get a chance to share the day with the ones you love. Adam and I celebrated by going out to dinner. We didn't really know where to go or what we wanted and after driving by a few busy places we ended up at Regina's Pizzeria. Upon walking in the hostess handed me a red carnation - deja vu. Then it dawned on us... we went to Regina for Valentine's Day last year too! Maybe this will have to be our V-Day tradition?! We do LOVE the bread and dipping oil!

It was a good night out... we got to take a break from work and school and all those other responsibilities... and just relax, the two of us. So, Hallmark holiday or not... you should take a little time out of your day to say "I LOVE YOU" to that special someone.

Oh, the weather outside is frightful...

The weather outside certainly has been frightful, but at least the snow is making it quite delightful. (You just have to take advantage of it!)

Once you're a grown up, sadly, everyone kind of hates snow. It means attacking the barricade of ice and snow the plow left behind, frowning at all the folding chairs and garbage cans in the streets, maneuvering around glaciers and traffic jams on your way to work, and tiptoeing down the street getting your socks and shoes wet as you curse the people that didn’t get their sidewalk shoveled. Oh look, and the city just declared another snow emergency. Terrific. About the most you can say is, “Well at least that was a good workout” as you add rum to your post-shoveling mug of hot cider.

But these last few weekends, we finally had the chance to get out and enjoy all this fluffy white stuff. One weekend, we put down our snow shovels for a while and decided to try some snowshoes on for size. It was our first time ever snowshoeing and I didn’t really know what to expect. We went to Brooksby Farm in Peabody, MA and rented snowshoes for $6 to test it out. It was surprisingly more of a workout than I thought it would be!! But we loved it. We probably trekked about 3-miles as we covered a majority of the 275-acre farm. It was a great day for snowshoeing too. The sun was out and there was lots of fresh snow for us to blaze our own trails. The temperatures were supposed to be in the single digits that day (so we had to find something to do away from the slopes), but we definitely worked up a sweat! We already want to buy our own pairs now so we can explore more places and take Kenzie along. If you’ve never snowshoed before, I recommend trying it. It’s a good winter activity to get you out of the house for an afternoon… avoid that cabin fever!

Another weekend, we went up to Gunstock for our first snowboarding session in the mountains this season. The conditions were great. There was plenty of fresh snow all around. I was not used to the long trails though… that first run down was a real leg burner. The riding was awesome all day and, as always at Gunstock, the views were gorgeous. We sat on the deck of Panorama Pub for a while and took in the view overlooking Lake Winnipesaukee. That will never get old. As far as snowboarding goes, I am definitely learning to ride with a little more speed and Adam is attempting to teach me how to carve. The day went fast and we were exhausted by the end of it, but I can’t wait until we can get out and do it again.

It is currently snowing here. AGAIN. We are supposed to get 8-inches today and another 12 to 15-inches tomorrow. The driving and parking are going to be an absolute nightmare around here, but I am trying to focus on all the good things. Like class being cancelled. Working from home. And more snow for boarding. =) Here is a picture someone posted about the snowfall report in New England this week… so funny and so true!

Let it snow. Let it snow. Let it snow.

Let the Parking Wars begin!

So, we walked outside today to find that someone had thrown their pasta leftovers on Adam's windshield. He was beyond thrilled! Haha

Mmmmmm... Broccoli and Chicken Fettucini Alfredo!

Hey, at least we have lunch all set for tomorrow! =) Just kidding.

Worst part is: we still have no idea what we did provoke this leftover launching!? The cold weather must bring out the insanity in these people here. I guess it could have been worse... at least it wasn't a shovel! Speaking of, Crazy Shovel Lady has already been crossed off the list of suspects.

This could only happen to us, I swear...

Winter Guide to Parking in Boston

As we are still digging out from the nor'easter that hit on Wednesday, another battle begins on the streets... parking wars. If you’ve lived through past winters in the city, you know what I'm talking about. The most valuable real estate sits where nobody lives… on the street, next to the curbs. That’s right. People will use any household object to defend their precious parking spots.

Contentious? Competitive? Controversial? Sure. It’s certainly a debated topic for anyone who lives – or drives – in Boston. Check out all these objects people use to stake claims on their parking space.

The Chair

Chairs are one of the most popular parking spot savers around. They can be seen in all sorts of shapes and sizes. It appears everyone on this block could have a place to sit.



The Garbage Can

No, it’s not trash day. Garbage cans are the parking space saver of choice in Boston. Full of garbage or not, this trash can’s main use is to dissuade other cars from poaching its space.

The Bucket

In nobler days, this container held 5 gallons of paint, or nails perhaps. Now? It sits empty, alone, between snow banks.




A Children's Chair

Maybe the kid grew up, maybe they bought a car. Or maybe it was just the first thing available to the person who saved the space.

The Orange Cone

Of all the parking space savers, these are probably the only items that are serving their intended purpose: to keep (most) automobiles at bay. They also have the benefit of looking the most legit. The owner of this blaze orange obstacle could be a cop or work for the city?!



A Computer Chair

Many different types of chairs are used as parking spot savers. This computer chair has probably seen better days. It may be ergonomically correct, but undoubtedly wasn’t produced for duty along this curb.

On the upside: It has wheels.

The Plastic Slide

Once, this plastic slide brought joy to kids. But, hey, boys and girls, is that a puddle I see?




The Hamper

One of two things happened here:
1) A very confused person assumed curb-side laundry service was provided on their street,
or
2) Having a clean hamper wasn’t as important as a prime parking spot.

The Milk Crate

Crates are also very popular parking spot holders. They’re light, they’re sturdy, and besides, not many milkmen show up around the neighborhood these days.



A Wooden Stand

Who knows the original purpose of this wooden piece of furniture – a bedside table, TV stand, or storage unit? But we know its purpose now!

A Bottle of Laundry Detergent

It gets stains out, makes your clothes smell mountain fresh, and saves your parking spot while you go to the store to get more… detergent. Yep, it’s a vicious cycle.



The Plastic Storage Unit

Well, it’s tall, so it’s not hard to miss if you’re thinking of parking where it stands. Bonus: the bottom drawer opens up – for extra stability.

A Snow Shovel and a Pot for Plants

The shovel says, “I worked hard for this spot.”
The pot says, “I like plants.”
Together, they say, “Don’t park here.”



A Wooden Bench

This wooden bench probably prefers to dream of its younger days, those happy summer backyard picnics. Now? It’s tumbled.

A Nativity Scene

Not making this up. Someone actually did use this scene depicting the birth of baby Jesus to save their parking spot. Seriously, would you take this spot?



The Beach Chair

One of two things is going on here:
1. Cast members of The Jersey Shore decided to spend the winter in Southie.
2. A resident figured out that this chair is a great protector of curbside real estate when completely unfolded.

A Chair with a Note

Attaching a note like this one, “Saving Spot for Handicap Mom” or other possibilities like “Elderly Parking Space” and “Grandma’s Spot” is a nice touch. It really goes after those few spot stealers with a conscious. Another approach I’ve seen is, “Move This Chair At Your Own Risk,” as spot stealers have been know to return to their car with slashed tires, broken mirrors and windows, keyed paint jobs, etc.


A Metal Clothes Rack

It dries clothes no more. Now this metal monstrosity does outdoor duty to reserve this obviously choice parking spot.

The Stool

Another sitting device that’s moonlighting as a parked car. But whose car? A pub owner? A stand up comic? A lion tamer?



The Shopping Cart

A real gamble of a space saver, sometimes the stores send people out to retrieve their carts… I’m sure the cart boys love that job!

An Elvis Statue

The King of all parking space savers. Elvis Presley may be gone, but a piece of the King lives on – as a parking space saver. This is by far the most creative (and trashy) space saver I have seen yet!



A Chair with a Brick

Some residents get ahead of the game staking out their spots even before flakes start flying. These bricks were seen resting comfortably on some plastic patio chairs… not sure if the brick is to hold the chairs in place or a message of what will go through your windshield if you steal these prime places.

A Sawhorse

This sawhorse is probably used to holding up doors or shutters as they are being sanded and stained. Now it holds something else entirely different.



A Propane Tank

Only months earlier, this tank was probably helping to cook some porterhouse steaks or beer can chicken for a fun summer barbecue.
Looks like the party's over.

A Wooden Box

Maybe someone was building a box car, and a snowstorm hit before the wheels could be attached. Or… maybe not.



The Oscillating Fan

Because, you know, it's not cold enough outside.

A Push Cart with a Cinder Block

This one also meets the four-wheel criteria. But why the cinder block? Was a bricklayer taking a rest from a leisurely winter stroll?
Or did the person saving this spot think the cinder block would make the cart too heavy to roll a few feet out of the way? Sadly, we'll never know.



A Shovel in a Box

In case you don't see the box while you're attempting to park here, the shovel is there to both catch your attention with its vertical reach, and remind you that someone recently performed physical labor here.

Dead Plants

No, this is not for beautification... these dead plants are holding their owners cherished parking spot until they return.




The BEST Parking Space Saver

A CAR!! Imagine that.