I'm glad you enjoyed it, klam_chowder. Allentown is a wonderful neighborhood. And yes, the weather on Sunday was surprisingly wonderful!

I wanted to go, but I was busy Sunday - packing for vacation :-)!

Just posting to wish all the fine Buffalo Fodorites a wonderful holiday season and all the best in 2009!

Wow, that storm last weekend was a doozy. One thing we have continued to experience is the kind and friendly folks here. DH likes snovelling show so we opted to not get a snowblower. The first storm was fine, the second one on Sunday was a bit much since the high winds blew until 7am Monday morning so he couldn't go out on Sunday and try to get a head start. Well, Monday he's been clearing for close to 2 hours and nowhere near leaving for work. Our neighbor's brother (who'd we'd never met before) has a pickup truck with snow clearing attachments and came by to clear his sister's house. Afterwards he stopped by and did a great job of ours, and refused to take the giftcard my DH gave him. What fab people here.

Even this week at the grocery store with the holiday frenzy on, people were so courteous in driving their shopping carts and waving me on to get thru, etc.

Well, we're getting a snowblower now...LOL! Looking fwd to tomorrow's warmer temps to melt the snow piles, and super glad no storm is forecasted for Sunday's Pats-Bills game! Hope everyone's staying warm (=

Enjoy-la!

Hi klam_chowder! I'm glad everyone is being nice to you. You're story made me smile, although it didn't surprise me in the least. That's how it is here.

Your story reminded me of the following joke (diary of a snow shoveler):

http://www.speakupwny.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18531

Happy New Year!

Happy Holidays to you klam chowder! I'm happy that you're experiencing what makes Buffalo a special place to live. Check back in every once in awhile and let us know how you're doing.

Funny joke, Buffalo Girl!

I meant to ask klam chowder, are you going to the Bills/Patriots game on Sunday? You'll pay ALOT less for your tickets this year than you did last year. They'll be practically giving them away at the stadium this Sunday. It's been such a disappointing season for the Bills and their fans. Oh well, maybe next year (we've been saying that for a long time now).

BuffaloGirl - that was FUNNY! I sent it to DH...thx a mint!

KathyK - I cringe at the thought of the prices of tix right now. I paid $340 for them in July as I wanted to be sure I had tix in hand - at least we'll be 15 rows up behind the Pats bench. Given the current prices, I haven't even had the heart yet to tell DH what I paid for them.

That loss to the Jets was heartbreaking...I think even those who were JP supporters now know why Trent is the starter. Next year, I think I'll hold off buying tix until closer to the game - a much better gamble...lol!

The dichotomy in Greater Buffalo is interesting: it cannot escape the effects of a global financial meltdown (40% of DH's workplace was let go in the fall, different divisions/work than what he does) yet there are still street signs everywhere hiring and all summer and fall we couldn't even get out contractors to provide an estimate for adding a ridge vent to our place. So while Buffalo is suffering I think she will be able to weather this storm (or at least I'm hoping!).

Happy New Year all - enjoy-la!

klam chowder, we were actually at the Jets game in New Jersey, and a young woman sitting behind us was there as a "guest" of JP (I believe she is his girlfriend). We had a brief conversation at half time. By the end of the game she was sitting there with her hands covering her face. I felt sorry for her.

Have fun at the game tomorrow. Bring your rain gear.

KathyK, it must be fun to watch a division rival game in another city!

The rain was over by 10am so we were lucky not to have to use raingear, but boy that wind was something else!

The Fieldhouse was closed as the wind had torn off a piece of the roof. And, I heard that 30-40 cars that had arrived early and parked near the bldgs had their front/back windshields shattered by wind that had blow pebbles/stones off the roof onto the cars. Very tough conditions to play in. I had a great time again and will try to get tix for next yr's showdown (=

Enjoy-la!

klam chowder, I was also there. We decided to move our tailgate party to our house and then drove to the game and boy were we glad that we weren't trying to set up a party in the windy conditions. I'm sure you were happy with the result but the Jets didn't help you out so neither of your teams are going to the playoffs.

I'm sure as you spend more time in Buffalo you'll find more people like me who never give up and have great hopes for next year. Only if we have a new coach though.

KathyK, y'all were smart to move your tailgate party - a car around us tried their darndest to set up an awning/tent - that was not going to happen...lol!

I agree with a new coach - that debacle just before the half made me cringe. If the Bills had put up 3 pts and momentum going into the 3rd, it could have been the difference.

There are lots of folks at DH's workplace that "believe". They always have a good time chiding me. Let's hope next yr will be a good year for the Bills! (=

Enjoy-la!

yup! go bills. whenever i watch i feel like they start off so strong, and then they really slow down, get a bit sloppy, def. need some tighter coaching.

Hey Buffalo Fodorites! Just wanted to pop in and say hi - looks like summer's finally here...yah! Hope you're all doing well and enjoying the yardwork season.

My in-laws are visiting us now - for 3 wks :yikes: - and I took them to the Botancial Gardens one morning. I want to rescind my previous lack lustre comments about the Gardens - it is a wonderful display. Perhaps going in late fall wasn't giving it a fair evaluation. The conservatory and gardens are in lovely bloom.

Also checked out the Lockport Cave & Underground Boatride and separate Boat Cruise with the in-laws. Both were great and unique activities. In fact, going thru the locks on the boat cruise inspired DH to see the grand dame locks of them all - the Panama Canal.

As for the Bills...TO is certainly going to bring excitement this season. First game of the season is a great match up ;-)

Enjoy-la!

It is so good to hear from you klam chowder. You certainly have taken advantage of exploring Buffalo and I love hearing about what you are doing. I agree about T.O. He was never my favorite player . . . . but if he can help us win, which we haven't done in forever, then he'll be our favorite son.

Stay in touch!

Hi klam, Hi KathyK.......it's been a while!!!!

I'm glad you enjoyed the botanical gardens, klam. I love to go there. The next time you're in S. Buffalo, check out Our Lady of Victory Basilica. It's right down the street from the gardens, on the Buffalo Lackawanna border. The church is a masterpiece and has an incredible history of how it got built. Father Baker is one step away from saithood (he had the church built). There are many mirracles attributed to him. You don't have to be Catholic or religious to appreciate the basilica or the story behind it.

I haven't done the Lockport tunnel thing yet. It's on my "to do" list for this summer. My son just graduated high school and he's never home, and my hubby does his "own thing" a lot, so my best friend and I are going to go on a lot of day trips on the weekends, and Lockport is one of them!!!

KathyK.....how are you doing? Any travel plans this summer?

klam and KathyK, I think you girls are ignoring me. Sniff, sniff. :-(

BuffaloGirl, I wasn't ignoring you, this is the first I've seen this! As I sit here on yet another rainy Thursday (poor Thursday in the Square this summer) I'm wondering if we're ever going to feel like it's summer. Do you remember the summer of 1992? This is shaping up to be the same.

No, we don't have any travel plans for the summer. I kept thinking that I would plan something but I haven't. The only trip we've had this year was a weekend in NYC with college friends. I am thinking about planning a 4-5 day fall trip to New England. We had one planned 3 years ago but never got to go because of the "October Surprise" storm.

Last weekend I went on a long bike ride along the path from the north Grand Island bridge to Niagara Falls. You are right, the American Falls is worth a visit. I've seen the Falls many times from the American side, but it was fun to explore on a bike.

Hope you're doing well. Klam chowder too!

Hi Kathy......yes, this has been such a dissapointing summer. And I remembe the summer of 1992. My son was born in 1991 and it was one of the hottest summers we ever had....days in the 90's. Then the following summer (1992) was lousy. Sigh.

I'm on Cape Cod right now and the weather is war and sunny. It feels soooooo good to be sitting on the beach and feeling the warmth of the sun. I just popped in to take a break from the sun and get a cold drink.

A trip to New England in the fall sounds wonderful. I hope it works out for you this time. And yes, I love the American side of the falls. I was just there about two weeks ago on a saturday afternoon. I had nothing to do so took a ride and walked around Goat Island.

Enjoy the rest of your summer!

Just in case I can catch any of the fab local Fodorites, I wanted top this thread to wish you all a wonderful 2012 filled with health, joy and travel!

I headed out after T'giving to spend the holidays on the west coast and have returned to the real start of winter. Even tho it's BBBRRRRR here now, we love living here! :)

Enjoy-la!

now that you are an adopted Western New Yorker, warm up your shovel... happy 2012

Klam, you missed a great month of weather in December. No snow! And more sunshine than usual. Happy New Year to you and I'm happy that you're enjoying living in our wonderful community.