Emily's Facebook status last night:
Dear Hurricane Earl,
Don't even THINK about it....
Regards,
Bride to Be.
Yes, the blessed event is almost here. Emily and Matt are getting married on Saturday.
We are all praying that Earl goes out to sea. But even if he decides to pay us a visit, he will not dampen our joy.
We are going to celebrate!
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Monday, August 30, 2010
School Days
For many years of my adult life, I was very aware of the start of school in the Fall. I worked several years in college administration in some capacity, and I spent two years earning my MBA.
I no longer work at a school, nor am I taking any classes.
A lot of the Facebook chatter tonight is about the start of another school year. I miss the "excitement" in a way, but I sure am glad that I don't have to do homework or study.
There is a somewhat rude awakening with the start of school -- the reduced speed limit in the school zone on our road! If I time it right, I miss it on my way to work. But if I'm running a few minutes late, then 15 miles per hour it is. Safety first.
Best wishes for a great school year!
I no longer work at a school, nor am I taking any classes.
A lot of the Facebook chatter tonight is about the start of another school year. I miss the "excitement" in a way, but I sure am glad that I don't have to do homework or study.
There is a somewhat rude awakening with the start of school -- the reduced speed limit in the school zone on our road! If I time it right, I miss it on my way to work. But if I'm running a few minutes late, then 15 miles per hour it is. Safety first.
Best wishes for a great school year!
Sunday, August 29, 2010
"A" Final Ride
My father wants to purchase an RV so that he and my mother can travel to Illinois in style. Actually, "style" may be too strong a word.
In order to accomplish this, he decided to sell his 1931 Model "A" Ford. He hasn't used it much over the past few years, as he takes his Bantam out instead. (Perhaps I can persuade him to write about the Bantam in a guest blogger post.)
Well, after several weeks of sitting out in our front yard with a "For Sale" sign on it, the Model "A" now has a buyer.
The purchaser is coming to get it on Thursday, so Dad gave us one final ride tonight. Dad and Mom sat in the front (Dad driving), and Lew and I climbed into the rumble seat. We had a really nice ride down through Old Orchard and back.
Dad managed to run two "STOP" signs. He kind of knew about the first one, but elected to go through it anyway. The second one, he did not even see. He claims it was because he was distracted by a dog on the other side of the road. (Yes, there was a dog.) However, upon polling all of the passengers in the car, it came out that three of us saw the "STOP" sign. One didn't. You already know who that is.
The car doesn't have blinkers, so the driver has to use hand signals for turning. There are also no seat belts. Maine does have a seat belt law, but apparently antique automobiles are "grandfathered" in this regard.
Lew and Dad decided that the "grandfather" argument can also apply to "STOP" signs. If the sign didn't exist when the car was made, then it doesn't have to stop. "Yes, Mr. Police Officer, I really thought that was the case...."
Fortunately, there were no police officers.
We will miss the Model "A" as it has been in the family for many years. It was originally purchased by my grandfather (he of porcupine fame).
But it is going to a good home. A nice couple is buying it. The husband has always wanted one, and his wife was very supportive of the purchase. They will use the car, which will bring enjoyment to all of the people that see it....
And that's a really good thing.
In order to accomplish this, he decided to sell his 1931 Model "A" Ford. He hasn't used it much over the past few years, as he takes his Bantam out instead. (Perhaps I can persuade him to write about the Bantam in a guest blogger post.)
Well, after several weeks of sitting out in our front yard with a "For Sale" sign on it, the Model "A" now has a buyer.
The purchaser is coming to get it on Thursday, so Dad gave us one final ride tonight. Dad and Mom sat in the front (Dad driving), and Lew and I climbed into the rumble seat. We had a really nice ride down through Old Orchard and back.
Dad managed to run two "STOP" signs. He kind of knew about the first one, but elected to go through it anyway. The second one, he did not even see. He claims it was because he was distracted by a dog on the other side of the road. (Yes, there was a dog.) However, upon polling all of the passengers in the car, it came out that three of us saw the "STOP" sign. One didn't. You already know who that is.
The car doesn't have blinkers, so the driver has to use hand signals for turning. There are also no seat belts. Maine does have a seat belt law, but apparently antique automobiles are "grandfathered" in this regard.
Lew and Dad decided that the "grandfather" argument can also apply to "STOP" signs. If the sign didn't exist when the car was made, then it doesn't have to stop. "Yes, Mr. Police Officer, I really thought that was the case...."
Fortunately, there were no police officers.
We will miss the Model "A" as it has been in the family for many years. It was originally purchased by my grandfather (he of porcupine fame).
But it is going to a good home. A nice couple is buying it. The husband has always wanted one, and his wife was very supportive of the purchase. They will use the car, which will bring enjoyment to all of the people that see it....
And that's a really good thing.
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Oooooh...That Smell....
We had our bedroom windows open last night because it was so nice.
At one point, I woke up and smelled something funny. At first I thought it smelled like the toaster oven might be burning. (Please keep in mind that I was still in a sleepy haze....)
I got up out of bed and started sniffing around. Lew woke up and asked me what I was doing. I asked him about the smell. He said, "Skunk."
Of course!
I got back into bed and started to wonder about skunks and where they live, and why I have to smell one in the middle of an otherwise lovely night.
I went to work for a few hours this morning, and I saw the skunk.
In the road.
Totally squished.
I would say "Poor Skunk" if I really felt that way.
At one point, I woke up and smelled something funny. At first I thought it smelled like the toaster oven might be burning. (Please keep in mind that I was still in a sleepy haze....)
I got up out of bed and started sniffing around. Lew woke up and asked me what I was doing. I asked him about the smell. He said, "Skunk."
Of course!
I got back into bed and started to wonder about skunks and where they live, and why I have to smell one in the middle of an otherwise lovely night.
I went to work for a few hours this morning, and I saw the skunk.
In the road.
Totally squished.
I would say "Poor Skunk" if I really felt that way.
Friday, August 27, 2010
A Very Productive Day
Tomorrow is our fiscal month-end at work, so I spent today trying to resolve some outstanding issues. I got quite a few out of the way.
I did an errand at lunch. It was really, really nice outside today, so it was really, really hard to go back to the office. But I did.
I was quite busy in the evenings during the first part of the week, so my inbox at home was getting a little out of control. Tonight, I finally had a chance to go through the mail and pay some bills.
Lew watched most of the Red Sox game, and I was able to watch the last couple innings with him. I was doing some Sudoku-type puzzles while watching. My puzzle solving became more intense as the game situation became more intense. I was flying through those puzzles by the end! The Red Sox managed to hold on and win.
Work + Errand + Mail + Bills + Puzzles + a Red Sox Win = A Very Productive Day.
And I should add in what Lew accomplished today: He's feeling much better! And he's on vacation!
I'm happy that he's on the mend.
I'm not happy that he has yet another vacation week without me. Stinky!
I did an errand at lunch. It was really, really nice outside today, so it was really, really hard to go back to the office. But I did.
I was quite busy in the evenings during the first part of the week, so my inbox at home was getting a little out of control. Tonight, I finally had a chance to go through the mail and pay some bills.
Lew watched most of the Red Sox game, and I was able to watch the last couple innings with him. I was doing some Sudoku-type puzzles while watching. My puzzle solving became more intense as the game situation became more intense. I was flying through those puzzles by the end! The Red Sox managed to hold on and win.
Work + Errand + Mail + Bills + Puzzles + a Red Sox Win = A Very Productive Day.
And I should add in what Lew accomplished today: He's feeling much better! And he's on vacation!
I'm happy that he's on the mend.
I'm not happy that he has yet another vacation week without me. Stinky!
Thursday, August 26, 2010
No End to His Talent
Baseball Seer
When our friends were visiting Tuesday night, Lew made a prediction about one of the players in the Little League World Series. This particular player was playing shortstop for the Washington team. He was making plays like a major leaguer. Lew said something like, "He probably can hit home runs, and he's probably their closer." He did hit a home run. And he was brought in as the closer (although his coach took him out after 20 pitches so that he would be eligible to pitch the next night). The question we were all asking is whether this kid will play professional baseball someday. His name is Isaiah Hatch. (Write that down!)
Church Cleaner
Our fellow church-goers take turns cleaning the church. I had signed us up for this week. We decided to go in after work tonight to fulfill our obligation. Lew left work a little early to get a head start on it. I was running a few minutes late, and I got a text message from Lew: "Almost done. You can go home." Shucks.
Package Sender
If you read Dad's post last night, you learned that Kaelen needed some stuff shipped to her. Her Uncle Lew packaged it all up and sent it. I learned today that she received everything successfully. A job well done!
I could write much more about the abilities of my wonderful husband. But I have to save material for future posts!
Poor Lew is suffering from a bad cold right now.
Get well soon, Sweetie!
When our friends were visiting Tuesday night, Lew made a prediction about one of the players in the Little League World Series. This particular player was playing shortstop for the Washington team. He was making plays like a major leaguer. Lew said something like, "He probably can hit home runs, and he's probably their closer." He did hit a home run. And he was brought in as the closer (although his coach took him out after 20 pitches so that he would be eligible to pitch the next night). The question we were all asking is whether this kid will play professional baseball someday. His name is Isaiah Hatch. (Write that down!)
Church Cleaner
Our fellow church-goers take turns cleaning the church. I had signed us up for this week. We decided to go in after work tonight to fulfill our obligation. Lew left work a little early to get a head start on it. I was running a few minutes late, and I got a text message from Lew: "Almost done. You can go home." Shucks.
Package Sender
If you read Dad's post last night, you learned that Kaelen needed some stuff shipped to her. Her Uncle Lew packaged it all up and sent it. I learned today that she received everything successfully. A job well done!
I could write much more about the abilities of my wonderful husband. But I have to save material for future posts!
Poor Lew is suffering from a bad cold right now.
Get well soon, Sweetie!
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Dad: Unedited VII
(After typing in Dad's post about his week, I felt like I had actually been there. Well, I was there for some of it! I helped weigh the suitcase a few times....Phew! Enjoy! -- Tracy)
The week in review -- A Retiree's Week!
Since my last post one week ago, I've decided this week to let you in on my exciting week's events. Please remember it doesn't take much for me to consider it exciting.
I got up at 3:15 a.m. on Thursday, August 19th to take granddaughter Kaelen to the airport for a 6:00 a.m. flight to home in Eureka, IL. Kaelen spent the summer here, staying with Uncle Lew and Aunt Tracy for a second summer while working at a local seafood restaurant.
This airport trip was clouded by a rather unusual-in-family gambling event. The gamble: Uncle Lew and Mary Lou had a bet about the possibility of Mary Lou rising to see Kaelen off. Lew said she would be up -- but Mary Lou insisted there wasn't a chance she would arise at that early hour. Suffice it to say, that not only did she get up, she also rode to the airport for Kaelen's departure.
I dropped them off and went to park the car. Upon returning, Grandma had Kaelen working at a kiosk to gather up her boarding passes and all other necessary materials. Since they knew nothing about the operation, a call was made for help. Help arrived and success followed. Kaelen's suitcase weighed in at 48 pounds, two pounds shy of the maximum weight allowed. Over 50 pounds would cost $90 as opposed to $25 for under 50 pounds. It should be noted that the night before Kaelen had to take 15-20 pounds out of the suitcase to make weight. Her trip went well and we were home before lift-off.
Lew took all excess materials to his place of business and sent them to Eureka in a big brown truck. "What can brown do for you?"
One month earlier we had set up a hair appointment for 8:00 a.m. At the time we did not know we would be up for the airport. We made our hair appointment and returned home for a relaxing day.
Mary Lou got home and did a couple washes before hibernating for two days. It is not good to get old! Of course I spent the day sitting and snoozing on the couch.
The next day I took my model "A" roadster for a drive through Old Orchard and Saco to refuel the machine. It is the first time I have driven it on the road for a few years, even though it is always licensed and insured. Have you noticed how the older one gets the less time you tend to spend on hobbies, etc.?
I managed to walk to Ken's Place (a seafood restaurant) for fried clams and baked haddock one day. I ate the clams and the haddock was for Mary Lou. I kinda' went off my diet as I needed some real food not related to the leafy junk. I ate every single clam. They were tasty.
A couple days were spent doing a thorough cleaning of our apartment and exchanging a TV box at Time Warner Cable.
Up until today the rest of my time was spent taking trips to the store and watching the fine baseball team from Boston. In fact, I'm sitting here now watching a game in the rain. If all goes well, I'll watch another one tonight (a day-night doubleheader).
Who says that retirement and old age isn't exciting? How much more excitement could one take?
Two unresolved issues: Mary Lou paid her gambling debt of $20. Uncle Lew returned the money insisting it should be more because she not only got up, but went to the airport.
The other unresolved issue is my eating habits: As promised, I'll keep you up-to-date every now and then on my progress. To date I have lost about 13 pounds. I'm not "Greek god" status yet, but in the future I can see it coming!
Bye. Storytime next week! -- Derf
The week in review -- A Retiree's Week!
Since my last post one week ago, I've decided this week to let you in on my exciting week's events. Please remember it doesn't take much for me to consider it exciting.
I got up at 3:15 a.m. on Thursday, August 19th to take granddaughter Kaelen to the airport for a 6:00 a.m. flight to home in Eureka, IL. Kaelen spent the summer here, staying with Uncle Lew and Aunt Tracy for a second summer while working at a local seafood restaurant.
This airport trip was clouded by a rather unusual-in-family gambling event. The gamble: Uncle Lew and Mary Lou had a bet about the possibility of Mary Lou rising to see Kaelen off. Lew said she would be up -- but Mary Lou insisted there wasn't a chance she would arise at that early hour. Suffice it to say, that not only did she get up, she also rode to the airport for Kaelen's departure.
I dropped them off and went to park the car. Upon returning, Grandma had Kaelen working at a kiosk to gather up her boarding passes and all other necessary materials. Since they knew nothing about the operation, a call was made for help. Help arrived and success followed. Kaelen's suitcase weighed in at 48 pounds, two pounds shy of the maximum weight allowed. Over 50 pounds would cost $90 as opposed to $25 for under 50 pounds. It should be noted that the night before Kaelen had to take 15-20 pounds out of the suitcase to make weight. Her trip went well and we were home before lift-off.
Lew took all excess materials to his place of business and sent them to Eureka in a big brown truck. "What can brown do for you?"
One month earlier we had set up a hair appointment for 8:00 a.m. At the time we did not know we would be up for the airport. We made our hair appointment and returned home for a relaxing day.
Mary Lou got home and did a couple washes before hibernating for two days. It is not good to get old! Of course I spent the day sitting and snoozing on the couch.
The next day I took my model "A" roadster for a drive through Old Orchard and Saco to refuel the machine. It is the first time I have driven it on the road for a few years, even though it is always licensed and insured. Have you noticed how the older one gets the less time you tend to spend on hobbies, etc.?
I managed to walk to Ken's Place (a seafood restaurant) for fried clams and baked haddock one day. I ate the clams and the haddock was for Mary Lou. I kinda' went off my diet as I needed some real food not related to the leafy junk. I ate every single clam. They were tasty.
A couple days were spent doing a thorough cleaning of our apartment and exchanging a TV box at Time Warner Cable.
Up until today the rest of my time was spent taking trips to the store and watching the fine baseball team from Boston. In fact, I'm sitting here now watching a game in the rain. If all goes well, I'll watch another one tonight (a day-night doubleheader).
Who says that retirement and old age isn't exciting? How much more excitement could one take?
Two unresolved issues: Mary Lou paid her gambling debt of $20. Uncle Lew returned the money insisting it should be more because she not only got up, but went to the airport.
The other unresolved issue is my eating habits: As promised, I'll keep you up-to-date every now and then on my progress. To date I have lost about 13 pounds. I'm not "Greek god" status yet, but in the future I can see it coming!
Bye. Storytime next week! -- Derf
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