Dinner with the Family

Well, it's that time again. The WubQueen needs a day off (relaxing her brain from all that Wordle?) and I am filling in with filler. Today is the blog for Wed March 30th, so do the usual and leave comments below. Also, I am doing a very informal poll. You "might" have to be of a certain age to participate. So, here it goes...

When you were younger, did you:

Now, I am going to try my best to do this without looking up on the internet. We grew up with a Sizzler and a Ground Round in the neighborhood. Although, I have been to a Ponderosa. It seemed like NJ had Sizzlers and PA had Ponderosas. Family would go out on a Saturday night about once a month. I remember Sizzler having one of the first salad bars I ever saw in a restaurant and wanted none of it. I believe there was a big light-up board with photos of the menu and you just picked what picture you wanted and they gave you a cafeteria tray with a plastic table tent with a number corresponding with your meal and it was color coded based on how well-done you wanted your steak. Then they brought your meal to your table. 

I was too young to understand or appreciate a salad bar.
What I wouldn't give to be around one now!

I preferred the Ground Round. Karen remembers there was free peanuts and throwing shells on the floor. Mine had popcorn. Really over-salted popcorn. For those of you too young to remember, there was a time when they didnt have free refills on drinks. (We lived in tragic times). So you went out and had to ration your soda. But the popcorn was super salty to get people to buy more drinks. My mom used to tell me to watch my soda or else get a water, which a 10 yr old in the 70s didn't want.

I always got the Ground Rounder Platter. I cant remember what was on it, but I remember the name. I think it was a hamburger without the bun or something like that and fries. Something basic. 

These restaurants are still around. Few and far between. Was this a family go-to place when you were younger? Do any still exist in your neighborhood?

(Sizzler has 107 locations in 10 states)

(Ponderosa has 75 locations)

(Ground Round has 15 locations)

Karen CHIMING IN!! Yes, I loved Ground Round. My Dad and Mom would take us to Buffalo (100 miles, nearest city to our tiny town) and we'd catch a movie then eat there. LOVED the peanuts. FREE!! I do remember the salad bar at the Ponderosa and the thrill of getting a steak "out".  Almost every place had a giant salad bar if it was 'upscale' -- even local joints. That's where my love of Blue Cheese dressing developed.  PS I have never been to a Sizzler!! Now I must find one. 

I'll mention one more: Howard Johnson's. This was our "vacation" eatery. Seemed wherever you traveled to, there was a HoJo's just off the turnpike or interstate.  Fried Clam Strips. OMG. SO GOOD!! 

1/2 Show Today!

Well, GH was interrupted by the SCOTUS VOTE.. which is allowed.  Historical Day Today! 

So she MADE IT! 

Show started about 2:30 

Smalls the Reporter is talking to Alexis about hiring him as a reporter. She says she'll look at his next story but that's it. 
Michael and Willow have the reporter sit down. They want him to drop the charges against Michael for punching him. Michael will give him an exclusive about Nina Reeves and her time in Nixon Falls and her KIDNAPPING AVERY!! 

Sonny is talking to Nina about WILEY and her chances of seeing him. They end up kissing. Nina filed with the court to see her grandson btw. 

Marshall is talking to Trina about Spencer and her troubles while Stella is being evaluated at GH. She tells him all the things Spencer did..he says he's not worthy of her. 

Stella at GH... there's NO NEED TO FUSS...she just had rapid heart beat from stress.  

Harmony applies for a job with Carly (missed what the job was for) ... she says she'll think about it. Alexis comes in and tells Carly she was asked to be on a TV panel about Joss and Cam. Wanted to know if it was ok. Carly says to ask Josslyn. Then Alexis wonders why Harmony was looking for a job. 

Valentin is in Jennifer Smith's room trying to get into her safe. She's in the shower LOL. Then she's out and catches Valentin when he's just getting in the safe. 

Brenden (Neil's brother) wants to see Harmony

Bali Hai

 

Home warming party at Portia and Curtis' house. Aunt Stella, TJ, Trina and then Drew comes in. OH I think Curtis is realizing he can ask WU to get him those records he wants if he lets her use The Savoy for gambling! YES!! I hope so!!

Aunt Stella remembers a bit about the divorce papers not being sent. 

Trina talks to TJ about being wrongly accused. Marshall comes too, TJ invited him. Curtis tells him that he and Porita might vacation in Buenos Aires...Marshall is like "Um I have to get some air." Goes out, takes a pill and then Stella comes out too. 

Sam is with Dante and Anna comes over. Sam thinks they have proof Luke was murdered.  Spinelli has looked at the Dark Web. Um.. Okay, whatever--GET ON TRINA'S STUFF!! They found the Ice Princess up for auction on line. Anna says they need to bid on it. She has a bunch of cryptocurrency she bought with money Duke left her. She gets an invitation to the auction and leaves for French Polynesia. She calls Valentin and says she's worried about him. 

Victor tells Johan he has to leave town (I think CS got his hip operation IRL at this point). He has "business" out of town. Johan thinks everyone will be suspicious if he leaves now. 

Ava comes back to Wyndemere "This is MY damn house too" she tells Nikolas, Esme and Laura leave and Es tells Ava she's not pregnant. Ava and Nikolas go back and forth about Esme. She's going to move back in but to a guest room or a cottage. 

Spencer comes in the house. Esme can't believe he went to the gym just to get away from her. Laura invites them to lunch. Spencer says no. Laura leaves. Then Spencer and Esme talk about things. She cries and says she'll just LEAVE port charles! Get her estate manager to give her money. He says don't go, they can see if they can work it out. Gross. 

Laura goes to the Metro to wait for Kevin. Victor comes over to her. She tells him Esme isn't pregnant. VIctor says they can have a common goal and make things better for the next generation. 

Selena comes to the gym to see Sonny. She talks about wanting to expand gaming in PC-- "There's been a hole in that action since Luke Spencer left".  Sonny agrees. They talk about the West Coast family getting together. Not sure who they are but they'll work together to thwart them when they come to PC. 

SO, in some tropical setting, Jennifer Smith is on the phone with someone talking about bidding on the Ice Princess. She's part of a West Coast Family going to move into Port Charles. 

END: 

Ava won't sleep with Nikolas until Esme is gone

Stella faints in the living room

Valentin is in French Polynesia disguised as a French sea captain!! He wants to sit with Jennifer Smith. 

Party Day

 Jake sees the message "don't forget me" on the drawing board. It's still fresh paint. Jake calls Finn to come over. Finn arrives and they decide to figure out what's happening. Dante comes too. Liz disarmed the alarm because the boys kept forgetting. Dante says that the police outside saw nothing. Dante says that her house is a risk since even WITH security and locks changing, someone is getting in. Finn says she can stay with him. She says NO! My boys! Then thinks maybe they could stay with Laura and she can go far away to 'protect' everyone. 

Finn and Laura are at Kelly's talking about Liz. Laura overhears Ava that Esme might be pregnant. She freaks outi. Leaves. Scotty and Ava talk about what she's entitled to if she leaves the marriage. 

Esme isn't pregnant. She's afraid Spencer will throw her out of the house. Nikolas is like no way, you can stay here. Spencer ends up leaving. Es is alone with Nikolas and Laura comes in just as Nikolas has his arm around Esme. "AM I INTERRUPTING"?? lol ..she tells Nik that Ava is with HER LAWYER at Charlie's. Also talks about why he's letting ES stay there. He says it's Sonny's fault. Laura says everyone thinks Esme did the tape. 

Sonny and Dante congratulate Brando at the gym. He's on his way to The Savoy. They talk about his eloping..and Sasha, yada yada. Brando leaves. Then Dante gets called to the PCPD. Oh Spencer comes in to confront him about taking Esme. GOOD SCENES!! 

DECEPTION Party at The Savoy. THAT was quick. Felicia and Anna are there for Maxie. Nina is there...and Ms. WU because she's a SURPRISE INVESTOR!! OMG! YESSSSS!! Awesome. The stock is going up (they are watching on the computer). Austin comes in---kisses Maxie. Brook looks surprised. Then she's mad that Maxie didn't tell her she was seeing him. Lucy asks Sasha to do a speech. Sasha downs a pill. 

Austin and Brook have a truce. 

END: 

AVA GOES HOME!

Liz is going to stay at her house alone...send the kids to Laura's

Sasha makes an ok speech at the Deception stock party; the stocks go WAY UP and everyone is happy

TESTING

 

Finn and Liz are at her house talking about The kids and the video tape. They kiss ..Finn leaves for a dinner with his Dad. Laura comes in to talk To Elizabeth about Cam. Liz needs a hug first. They talk about Trina then about Jake not being the one to break into the house and leave the painting. Also about Jeff! "I've known your Dad a long time and can't understand why he and your mom don't want more to do with you". They hug. Laura thinks maybe Liz should let them back in now for her sake and the kids. 

Nikolas and Spencer talk. Nik tells him how wonderful it was to hold him for the first time and if Esme is pregnant it will be ok. 

Ava's really upset to see Esme. She tells her to get out. Esme smiles. Ava grabs her book and throws it. Esme says Nikolas invited her and Spencer. Ava said he'd never do that without asking her. Es tells her she may be a step-granny soon. HAHAHA. Nikolas comes in to talk to Ava. Ava rips into him. Tells him SHE sent Sonny after Esme!! Nik is angry. Tells her Esme might be pregant. She says THAT'S THE OLDEST TRICK IN THE BOOK!! She says no matter, she has to leave. Nikolas says no, he's made up his mind. Ut OHhhhhhhhh. 

Spencer tells Esme it's time to take the pregnancy test. She hesitates. Stalls Says she's scared. :eyeroll: THEN she does take it. They both wait outside the bathroom. Time is UP! But they don't tell us yet!! 

Maxie, Brook and Amy are at The Metro talking about the song for Deception party. Chase walks in with  Violet. She asks Brook how her baby is. WHOOPS..Maxie says "Oh, Bailey is great, come see photos". Amy suggests that Chase sing with her. Brook says NO! Greg comes in for dinner. He blames Brook for Chase getting suspended. He goes to the table with Violet and Finn comes in too. 
Chase and Greg argue about Brook Lynn and Greg goes over to apologize to her. 

Britt tells Terry thank you for hiring Brad after his track record. Terry says she owes her one. Then Brad and Britt go in the hall to talk about it and Mr. Lee (works for Selina) Is there to pick up Britt to go to dinner. Britt is going ALONE TO MEET MS WU!! Brad goes DON"T DO IT! Britt laughs and leaves.  

Brad talks to Terry. She's thinking maybe she'll hire him to be an orderly. NOT a patient advocate. He finally says ok. She  has to ask Lucas..UM> HE does still work there!!? WHAT? Anyway, he leaves and then Amy sees him and calls security LOL 

Selina rented out the entire PC Grille for Britt ..ahahhaa. She tells Britt she WILL help her with Brad because she knew her father. Britt is like SO WHAT? Selena says she knows what Britt was doing with Fiason when they were traveling together in 2016!!! 

END: 

Fake out of a man in Liz' house..she's really napping BUT!! when she is really awake, someone wrote "Don't forget me" on the drawing table in paint. 

Ava tells Nikolas either Ez goes or I do! He says nothing. She leaves

GOOD SHOW TODAY! 

Sunday Surgery: 59

 

Oh it's been 59 years now that GH has graced our screens!! I was but a wee one when it first aired but I do remember watching with my mama!! I'm hoping we get a great 60th anniversary much like the 50th. This week didn't see "celebratory" but stories did move along and for the most part, I was entertained. 

Let's go!  I have 59 TIM BITS for us! 

Bubble Bath

 Esme moving into Wyndemere. Spencer wonders when Nik is going to tell Ava (who's at Trina's trial). He says they'll need a bomb shelter to hide in LOL. 

Trina's Trial: She pleads...NOT GUILTY! She's actually released without bond! Everyone hugs. Proud of her. Joss says they'll find the truth no matter what. ADA lady says she's going to prosecute to the fullest extent. CYBERCRIMES ARE BAD! lol. Trina, Scott, Ava and Portia and Curtis leave. Cam and Joss stay in the courtroom a minute and that poptart reporter comes in to question them. He says he can help them find out who did the tape to help Trina if he talks to him. Then, Ava comes in and tells him to get OUT!  He says he'll get Trina in his own way (I think he's going to write a hit-piece). 

Alexis and Neil's brother: she says "I remember you, you blame me for your brother's death"! He says he's changed and he's sorry. He THEN says she was a drunk that killed his brother (um, in about 2 seconds) and wants money. He threatens Alexis..then Harmony walks in. Seems like they know each other. He leaves. 

Harmony tells Nina that the kids won't let her see Wiley. Nina says to ask Willow alone. Harmony says no. Nina goes on and on about Wiley and Nelle and.. Harmony looks guilty. Nina says Willow is such a coward. Harmony stomps out. Then Scotty comes in and takes Nina's case but says she might have to throw Sonny under the bus.  She says it will be fine. What makes you think you can have it all? asks Scotty. 

Brick flies in from LA and Sonny says he's 'trying to fill a void in his life since Jason is gone".  Brick says he'll step into the role to help him run the business. Sonny wants to find out who did the tape. Brick is on it. He thinks Sonny needs love in his live too. They talk about Nina. Sonny says what happened in Nixon Falls was real. 

END: 

Scotty takes Nina's case. 

Ava comes home and sees Esme reading "What to Expect When You're Expecting"... heh. 

Neils' brother (Brenden) has a folder that Neil kept on Harmony.