The Grillroom

The Grillroom, originally uploaded by captainjay.

We stopped at the Grillroom at Mahogany Run Golf Course the other night after looking at a condo. Wow! Great meal. You don't have to be a golfer to enjoy this place! Our tab for meals, one drink each, one dessert and tip was $64, which is about average for the nicer restaurants.
Deb

Island Frappuccino

Well we came up with a variation of a frappuccino and a bushwacker. We never finish a pot of coffee so I thought I would use the leftover to make a drink. It turned out pretty good....a bushwacker with a caffeine buzz!

3 parts coffee

2 parts Baileys

1 part Cruzan Rum

1 part vodka

1 part coconut cream

1 pack of Splenda

Mix with ice in blender!

Bills, Budget and Bushwackers

Nothing like spending a beautiful Sunday doing chores, paying bills and going over the budget to see what we want to do about living accomodations. At least we can enjoy a few bushwackers to make it less painful! :-)

Hopefully this afternoon we can sit and enjoy the sun a little. Have a great weekend everyone!

Deb

BTW - that is Jay up on the roof cleaning gutters and doing some prep work in order to paint a coating on the roof.

Friday Beach Pic

Here is a few shots from the Baths on Virgin Gorda. We took these last week when we were over there.

Green Bags

A friend from home sent us some Debbie Meyer Green Bags and Bread Bags. She says they really work. We have such a hard time getting and keeping fresh fruits and vegetables. So its worth a try.

Thanks Carole!!

Condo Shopping and Banks

Well we have been looking around at Real Estate. We are trying to figure out long term what we want to do. We love the house that we are in, but we can't afford to buy it, and continuing to pay rent long term has never set well with us. We have considered buying a live aboard boat, and now are considering a Condo. The boat sounds cool but the realities of living on a mooring aren't all that easy when you have to hold down real jobs. Living in a marina costs as much as an apartment or condo, by the time you factor in the dock rent, utilities and boat payment. So we are looking at Condos. Right now the front runners have been in Mahogany Run. Most of the Condo development on the island has been done on the East End and the South Side. But the logistics of driving through Havensight (cruise ship dock), road construction and the school zones both ways in rush hour traffic twice a day just doesn't sound like all that much fun.

As for the Banks, well the mortgage crisis in the US has sure changed the landscape for home buyers. We can get a mortgage but there is no competition. The fees that the banks are charging, points, PMI etc are ridiculous. I know part of it is because we are here but part is simply because the lenders that have money to lend can charge what ever they want.

So we will keep everyone posted on what we decide to do.

Another Weather Update

According to the National Hurrican Center:

THE BROAD LOW PRESSURE AREA PRODUCING HEAVY RAINS OVER PUERTO RICOAND ADJACENT WATERS CONTINUES TO LACK A WELL-DEFINED SURFACECIRCULATION CENTER. HOWEVER...UPPER-LEVEL WINDS ARE FORECAST TOBECOME A LITTLE MORE FAVORABLE FOR DEVELOPMENT...AND THE SYSTEMSTILL HAS THE POTENTIAL TO BECOME A TROPICAL DEPRESSION DURING THENEXT DAY OR SO AS IT MOVES SLOWLY TO THE NORTH OR NORTH-NORTHWEST.HEAVY RAINFALL IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE OVER PUERTO RICO AND THEU.S. AND BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS INTO TUESDAY...AND THESE RAINS HAVEALREADY PRODUCED LIFE-THREATENING FLASH FLOODS. INTERESTS INPUERTO RICO...THE VIRGIN ISLANDS...HISPANIOLA...THE TURKS ANDCAICOS ISLANDS...AND THE SOUTHEASTERN BAHAMAS SHOULD CONTINUE TOMONITOR THE PROGRESS OF THIS SYSTEM AND PRODUCTS ISSUED BY THEIRLOCAL WEATHER FORECAST OFFICES.

But it's not really that bad right now. Like I said, it rained most of all day yesterday and this morning. It's not raining right now, so it's taking a little break. But it's supposed to continue through tomorrow.

Weather Update

There has been a low pressure system over us for a couple days and may be here for another couple. It has dropped some major rain and a little wind but nothing major. The cistern and pool are full, plants are green, and everything has gotten a good washing. Sounds like this low pressure system could be upgraded to a tropical depression by today, so we will be keeping our eye on it.

We got to test the generator yesterday. The power kept going on and off so we gave up and turned it on so we could finish watching our movie! The gen is so loud we had to close the storm shutters on the back of the house so we could hear the movie. I'm sure our neighbors love hearing it. There are several houses in the area that have automatic transfer switches so as soon as the power goes off you can hear their gens kicking on. But they are not very loud, you can barely hear them at all.

Woke up this morning to a pretty sunrise, so hopefully the heavy rain is coming to an end. But you know how the saying goes.......red skies at night, sailors delight, red skies at morn, sailors be warned. So maybe there is more to come.

Fun at Virgin Gordon

Fun at Virgin Gordon, originally uploaded by captainjay.

We went to Virgin Gorda today to the Baths with Limnos. We had a great time. (Even though Jay went kicking and screaming at first! :-) Cali was a great bartender and first mate. After the Baths, we went snorkling at the caves at Norman Island. They take really good care of you, food, open bar, good music........Lots of fun had by all!!

Friday Beach Pic

Friday Beach Pic, originally uploaded by captainjay.

Happy Friday! What a week. It has been crazy. We'll post more about it this weekend. I'm just glad its Friday! Here's a pic of Bolongo Bay beach right outside of Iggies Beach Bar & Grill.
Enjoy!

Hook, Line & Sinker back open

Hook, Line & Sinker back open, originally uploaded by captainjay.

Well after a two week closure, Hook Line & Sinker is back open with a
nice newly repainted ceiling and refinished bar top. We had an
excellent dinner and it was good to see the regular crowd again. Good
times!

Cool car feature

Cool car feature, originally uploaded by captainjay.

One of the cool features in the new car is a cooled glove box! You can put four "beverages" or your left over lunch in the box and the a/c vent keeps your stuff cooled!

Iggies Bar & Grill

Iggies Bar & Grill, originally uploaded by captainjay.

Stopped at Iggies Beach Bar & Grill for lunch while we were out looking at condos. I love it. We will definitely be back. Jay had a great burger and I had an excellent pulled pork made with their homemade sauce (made with Cruzan rum!) Yum!

Hurricane Kit

Hurricane Kit, originally uploaded by captainjay.

Checked my hurricane kit just to make sure we have everything. While I was taking this pic the power went off so Jay showed me how to start the generator and use the transfer switch to switch the power over. Pretty ironic that the power went off when it did. I needed to learn how to run the generator so I'm glad I can mark that off my list.

Heres the kit:
Candles
Lighter
Flashlights
Batteries
Radio
Lantern
First aid kit
Bug spray
Bug zapper
Zip locks
Canned food
Manual can opener
Water
Ice chests
Paper plates, paper towels, plastic ware
Cash

If you can think of anything else I need please let me know.

Forum Friends

Well, we went over to St. John yesterday after work to meet some forum friends at the Beach Bar. We had a great time, I love meeting new people. Good food, good drinks, good atmosphere and good friends, doesn't get any better than that.

BTW - I posted this last night while we were there but somehow it disappeared. I'm sure what I said was much funier......I guess the blog gremlins ate it.

Deb

Friday Beach Picture

This is one of ours from a recent boat trip to the BVI's. Sandy Spit off of Jost.
Jay

Restaurant List

I thought I would do a list of restaurants on St. Thomas and if they will be closed during the off season. I put the list together but haven't updated the closings yet, so I will be updating as I find out more information. If you know of any other restaurants that need to be added just let me know.

last updated: 1/30/09

Agave Terrace
Point Pleasant
340-775-4142
http://www.agaveterrace.com/

Banana Tree Grille
Bluebeards Castle
340-776-4050
http://www.bananatreegrille.com/

Bella Blu
Frenchtown
340-774-4349

Betsy’s Bar
Frenchtown
340-774-9347

Caribbean Steakhouse & Saloon
Red Hook
340-775-7060
http://www.caribbeansaloon.com/enter.html

Craig & Sally’s
Frenchtown
340-777-9949
http://www.craigandsallys.com/

Cuzzin’s Caribbean Restaurant
Charlotte Amalie
340-777-4711

Duffy’s Love Shack
Red Hook
340-779-2080
http://www.duffysloveshack.com/

East End Cafe
Red Hook
340-715-1442
http://www.eastendcafestthomas.com/home.html

Fajita Mexican Restaurant
Airport Best Western
340-774-2525
http://www.caribbeachresort.com/index-4.htm

Fat Turtle
Yacht Haven
340-775-8328
http://www.yachthavengrande.com/index.php?sv_path=4510,842155

Fungi’s on the Beach
Point Pleasant
340-775-4142
http://www.agaveterrace.com/fg1.html

Grande Cru
Yacht Haven
340-775-8278
http://www.grandecru.com/

Grapevine Grill
Sapphire
340-777-4280
340-777-8280

Greenhouse
Charlotte Amalie
340-774-7998
340-776-5544
http://www.thegreenhouserestaurant.com/greenhousestt/

Grill Room
Mahogany Run Golf Course
340-777-6250
http://www.mahoganyrungolf.com/_files/MR_3609_001.pdf

Herve
Government Hill
340-777-9703
http://www.herverestaurant.com/index.html
Closed August 31 - October 13

Hooters
Buccaneer Mall
340-693-9464

Havana Blue
Morning Star
340-715-2583
http://www.havanabluerestaurant.com/

Hook, Line & Sinker
Frenchtown
340-776-9708
http://www.hooklineandsinkervi.com/
Closed Sept 1 – Sept 15

Iggies Beach Bar & Grill
Bolongo Bay
340-775-1800
http://www.iggiesbeachbar.com/

Island Time Pub
Red Hook
340-774-2929


Latitude 18
Vessup Bay
340-777-4552
http://www.stthomasusvirginislands.com/latitudes/

Mafolie
Mafolie hill
340-774-2790
http://www.mafolie.com/mafolie-restaurant.asp

Mim’s Seaside Bistro
Watergate
340-775-2081
http://www.mimsseasidebistro.vi/

Molly Malones
Red Hook
340-775-1270

Northside Bistro
Hull Bay road
340-775-5098

Oceana
Frenchtown
340-774-4262
http://oceana.vi/

Old Stone Farm House
Mahogany Run
340-777-6277
http://www.oldstonefarmhouse.com/

Paradise Point
Sky ride
340-777-4540
http://paradisepointtramway.com/

Petite Pump Room
Charlotte Amalie
340-776-2976
http://www.petitepumproom.com/

Pie Whole
Frenchtown
340-642-5074

Randy’s Bistro
Al Cohen
340-775-5001

Room with a View
Bluebeards Castle
340-774-2377

Sib’s Restaurant
Elizabeth
340-774-8967

Shipwreck Tavern

Tavern on the Waterfront
Charlotte Amalie
340-776-4328
http://www.tavernonthewaterfront.com/

Thirteen
North shore, Crown Mountain
340-774-6800

Tickles Dockside Pub
Crown Bay
340-776-1595
http://www.ticklesdocksidepub.com/

Toad & Tart
Smith Bay
340-775-1153
http://toadandtart.com/

Wikkid
Yacht Haven
340-775-8953
http://www.yachthavengrande.com/index.php?sv_path=4510,842153

XO Bistro
Red Hook
340-779-2069

Pink and Blue Sunrise

Well after the heavy rains last night this was the morning view from the patio. The cistern overflowed most of the night have the heavy rains and the green is definitely back in the landscape.

Jay

More Rain

Well it rained on and off most of the day yesterday, then yesterday evening it set in for several hours. The cistern is full and then some. It has actually overflowed three times this week. Also with all the rain we have had in the last couple of weeks the hillsides are greening up quite nicely.

Jay

Innovative Cable Update

Well after all the high drama last go round about the cable boxes, we finally worked through it all and now have a cable box in the living room as well as one for the tenant. Without a total rehash of the last post. Deb got the "Notarized" letter from our land lord and went over last Wednesday on her lunch hour/and a half, to try to get the boxes. Well the lady that originally started this process was off. So she was assigned to Ms Smith. She promptly took one look at Deb and decided "no box for you", yes there is a Cable Nazi in Tutu. She decided that the "Notarized" letter granting us permission to pay the outrageous deposits, the first months bill and any and all related paperwork and additional misc. fees, signed by the landlord, as well as two Id's a copy of our lease, etc. etc. simply wasn't proof enough.

She now wanted the work order form, which is a carbon copy form in triplicate, you can't make up stuff this funny, signed and notarized by the land lord, who by the way lives in NC and was preparing for a Tropical Storm while this was going on. Now mailing this form to NC getting it signed and notarized and mailed back is twenty bucks worth of priority mail and two weeks minimum turnaround. Well Deb was already over on her lunch hour, didn't have the stomach for causing a scene so she went back to work and called me to let me know that the Cable Box not soon come.

So after stewing on this nonsense for about a half hour, I took the better part of my lunch hour, called Innovative and asked to speak to a customer service supervisor. I actually managed to get one on the phone, she wasn't in a "meeting" or anything. I ran down my short version of the events involved, and my previous weeks conversation with the lady in "Cubicle #4" about the "Notarized" letter and asked her why the whole thing changed. She took my number and said she wanted to check into it and would call me back. Well low and behold in about twenty minutes she called me back, she said that Ms. Smith said that Debbie came in and claimed she was Shelba, our land lord and tried to order the service and until she asked for ID Deb never came clean. Well this is when I went A type personality on her, this was an out and out lie to cover up the fact that Ms. Smith is a mean lady playing Cable Nazi. Deb went in and gave her a notarized letter explained the whole story about the lady in "Cubicle #4" wanting it and that is all we should need. So after I told the supervisor about the lie she wanted Deb's number to verify her side of the story. So she called Deb, agreed that we had plenty of documentation and indeed we should have been given the boxes. Deb says fine I get off at 4:00 I will come back and get them. Not so fast we are currently out of boxes, yes we had them this morning when you were here but we are out now. "So I will call you tomorrow if we get any in and I will hold two for you and you can come and get them." Well 3:30 Thursday no call, Deb calls back, yes we had some this morning but we are out now. So she goes all A type on the supervisor, who then assures her we will have them on Friday. Deb calls again Friday afternoon and they do have them and the lady in "Cubicle #4" is holding two for you.

So on Friday we both go over, we arrive around 4:30 Deb signs into the second receptionist, as we already know were to go at this point the first receptionist is a mute point. Low and behold the receptionist is none other than Ms. Smith aka the Cable Nazi, Deb let's her know that we need to see the supervisor and she reluctantly goes in the back and gets her. She promptly takes Deb to Cubicle #4, I stayed in the lobby, I figured with my personality and the stinky sweaty clothes that I had been working in for eight hours, the cubicle wasn't the place for me.
I won't go into the details but the paperwork took an additional forty five minutes. Then Deb had to go across the hall, pay the cashier, because it would make to much sense for the customer service rep to be able to take a check for the deposit. Then she had to take the receipt back to cubicle #4 and prove she actually paid the deposit, then and only then did the rep do the final paperwork, a warranty for ninety days on the remotes that we had to purchase, and give us the boxes. She had explained to Deb during this drawn out process that all of the paperwork and restrictions were due to FCC regulations about cable boxes. Well in the almost famous words of a friend of mine from WV, I have to call Bull Shit on that one. Everything about this company, much like a lot of the government offices and utilities here are designed to maximize employment, period. They have a person for everything, and a dozen forms to go with it, just to justify employment.
I have never written a song before but I am seriously thinking about turning this one into an Alice's Restaurant kind of ditty:)

Clear Skies

Clear Skies, originally uploaded by captainjay.

Well its clear skies and sunny today. No sign of you know who....
Don't want to mention his name. Hope it stays that way.

Friday Beach Pic

Friday Beach Pic, originally uploaded by captainjay.

Well its hard to believe its Friday already. We've spent the week recuperating from our guests ;-) and watching the storm tracks of all the storms coming this way. Thankfully they've all been north of here. We've also spent the week dealing with Innovative and trying to get
our cable box. But that's a post for another day.

This is a pic of Magen's Bay taken while Bill and Carole were here.

Enjoy your weekend and be safe from the storms.

Celica Transmission

Well if anyone has any contacts in the used auto parts world please let us know. I am looking for a used transmission for the Celica, it is a 1994 Toyota Celica GT with the 2.2 Liter motor. I need to get it repaired and sold. Or if there is anyone coming to the island soon that wants a bit of a project a may be willing to make a deal on the car.
Jay

Looks Like We Dodged Them Again

Well there are two more storms out there that have the potential to effect our weather. It looks like both of them are sliding north of us. That's a good thing. Some of the smaller waves have just gone away. So it looks like for a day or two we should be out of the watch boxes. Hopefully my brother will get to go home in New Orleans in a few days.
Jay

Tropical Storm Ike

Well today we are feeling some of the rain from the outer bands of Tropical Storm Hanna, but by the end of the week we will be faced with Tropical Storm Ike. We're going to the store tonight to stock up on some items and get prepared. We should only see some of the outer bands since it's projected to go north of here, but it never hurts to be prepared. I've been watching the National Hurricane Center's web site like crazy trying to keep up with all the storms, tropical waves and whatever else is coming this way. http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/