Paul Francis

Making plans for Memorial Day Weekend 2012

2011-11-05T20:39:00.000-04:00

As everyone that knows me, knows I'm like a dog on a bone when it comes to planning a trip. I've been checking the price of a two bedroom suite in NYC on line and found The Kimberly Hotel had a great price. Val, Michael and I stayed there this past Memorial Day weekend , the suite was amazing, two bedrooms, two baths, balcony, it was a corner suite in Midtown. Last year we paid well over $659.00 per night, tonight I just booked us into the same place for $529.00, I requested the same suite as last time. Now have to get a great price on the train tickets, then bookk a couple of plays, a night of great music and so much more.

What a day

2011-10-26T13:57:00.000-04:00

Been working in the yard all day, thought I needed a break good time to update this blog of mine.
Haven't been here since April.
So far nothing else has been going on, same ole, same ole.

Katy Perry - Firework

2011-04-04T10:34:00.001-04:00

Love this video

Website of the Eagles everyone is watching.

2011-04-04T10:32:00.000-04:00

http://www.ustream.tv/decoraheagles

Baby Laughing Hysterically at Ripping Paper

2011-03-03T15:46:00.000-05:00

What a geat baby video

PS22 Chorus "DON'T STOP BELIEVIN'" Journey

2011-02-28T19:08:00.001-05:00

the kids are great

Cee Lo Green - FUCK YOU (Official Video)

2011-02-27T18:31:00.000-05:00

Love this song and video.

Powerful scenes of people stepping up against racial profiling in Arizona

2011-02-24T08:07:00.001-05:00

Thought this video was powerful

WWF - We Are All Connected

2011-02-21T18:28:00.000-05:00

Thought this was a great Ad

It's coming to that time of the year again

2011-02-16T10:55:00.000-05:00

New York City for Memorial Day Weekend, I've already started to plan and make reservations.

This year there are a few changes, first off Robin from CT will not be with us. Our Rabid Republican has gone off the deep end and hates anyone who isn't straight, white, Christian and Republican, or has a brain between their ears. Of course Michael and I only fall into one of those categories, we're white but not narrow. Thus the bitch has dump us from her Facebook list of friends, some one please get me a tissue, will not talk to us and seems like she is losing a lot of her friends because her rants.

Second, Valerie is still coming, instead of renting two suites; I've rented one, two bedroom suite.

This year we're staying at the Kimberly Hotel on 50th Street, and Third Ave, next to the Affina 50 where we've stayed the last few years.

Also this year Michael and I will be taking the train from Providence, RI instead of from the rail road station on Route 128 in Westwood. It's the same distance but were hoping less traffic in the morning when we leave.

Cully is back

2011-02-09T19:25:00.001-05:00

A blog that I really enjoy reading "Child of Atom" is back. I had it listed on my favorites and would check every couple of day, and then it got to the point only once a week or more. I just kept checking with my fingers crossed that Cully would come back. The other day I opened up his blog and saw he's been blogging for a few days now. Okay I you've guessed, I was excited to see he's writing again. If you have a few minutes give it a look http://www.childofatom.com/ he has great photos and drawings.

I guess like myself and everyone else we all take breaks for whatever reason. Of course I'm either get lazy, bored or both.

Mary Poppins play in March

2011-02-07T09:36:00.001-05:00

My two younger sisters, Dottie and Beth, have tickets for us to see the play Mary Poppins in March at one of the theaters in Boston.

In 1964, our parents brought us to the Gary Cinema in Boston to see the movie, Mary Poppins, the Disney musical extravaganza. We lived over 20 miles from Boston in Billerica, it seemed like it took forever to get to the theater district where the Gary Cinema was located. At the time Route 93 stopped at Medford and we had to take the Monsignor O'Brien Highway through, Medford, Somerville, Cambridge and finally Boston. Thinking back we all had to get dressed like we were going to the theater for a play; the theater district was alive with plays and movies, all the people, the excitement. Yes the movie was GREAT, I can still remember it even though I haven't seen it since that day we saw it in 1964. So seeing the play with my sisters should be fun and will bring back a lot of great memories for all of us.

Dinner at Cuisine of Mark Connelly, Plymouth Center

2011-01-30T20:33:00.000-05:00

I made reservations Saturday evening at Cuisine of Mark Connelly, in Plymouth center. The place is small; we were greeted at the door and sat sort of in the middle of the restaurant, at a small table for two. Order a bottle of red wine, large lobster cake, Michael, the prime rib and I, the lamb chops. Wine was very good; the lobster cake was outstanding. Now at this point we weren't sure if the rest of the meal was going to be good or a total miss. The entrees came out and Michael’s end cut prime rib was huge, I'd say it was three inches thick and all meat very little fat, it was over potatoes and carrots. Mine was four lamb chops over potatoes au gratin little grilled zucchinis. The meal was outstanding. I never enjoyed a meal as much as I did last night. For dessert we split a chocolate lava cake. All I can say is we hit the jackpot. YES we would go back again and this time has all appetizers. This place is a must for anyone to go to. Was also told by the server that if we wanted something cook differently of to change things to our liking, please let them know.

Friday evening at the Aqua Grill

2011-01-29T13:08:00.000-05:00

Last night, Michael got home late from work, he cooks I clean up, it works for us.

Anyhow, Michael said he's take me out to eat someplace local. We went to the Aqua Grill on the Cape Cod Canal. The place is local, nothing outstanding, good food at a good price, they serve food up to 9:00 PM, it's a good thing we got there at 8:50 PM. It's the winter on the Cape so most restaurants close their kitchens by 8:00 PM. When we got into the Aqua Grill the bar was full and most people were watching a show on the TV’s, there was a woman singing, not bad either. The room behind the bar had about 30 people, looked like a party of some sort. We were seated in a booth just the right of the bar.

We had burgers with cheese and fries. They were very good, we should of had one of their other dishes that just screams your on the Cape but the burgers were screaming to us. We also had their root beer floats, no not made with tonic and ice cream but with coke and vanilla vodka and something else, they taste just like a root beer float. Amazing!!!

The Aqua Grill is owned by the Paddock Restaurant in Hyannis. I just googled it and there is one entry with the place looking very lively at the bar and restaurant but I had to laugh at the woman singing and the piano player.

Another Saturday Evening in Plymouth Center

2011-01-26T09:28:00.000-05:00

Okay, Okay I know I said Michael and I would go to local restaurant in Plymouth. Well, we didn't have a plan on Saturday evening, not research was done on my part, so we would just wing the whole restaurant thing, almost throwing caution to the wind.
We drove up the Main Street, looking for a place, also a place to park. We didn't know there was a parking lot just off the main street behind the stores and restaurants. Not really knowing what we were really looking for, I saw a Mexican restaurant, at the moment; we had a parking space and thought we'd give it a try. Of course we didn't look at the name of the place, just walk in the front door, and place is huge and got seated right away. As were looking around we noticed this place looks similar to Sam Diego's in Hyannis. Well of course it did, we were seated in Sam Diego. Food was just so so, nothing to even write about. We would not be going back that's for sure. I know after eating at the Taqueria La Mexicana located in Union Sq. Somerville, MA it would be hard to find another place as good. One has to keep trying to find a Mexican place, sort of local as well, and so far not so good.

Friday Morning Snow Storm

2011-01-21T11:41:00.000-05:00

The much anticipated snow storm for us here on the cape wasn't as bad as the weather people said it would be. After Michael left this morning thought I'd take a few pictures of the house with snow on it, for his cousin Janice in IL. Before finishing taking the pictures the snow turns over to rain. Glad I got the shots I did. All shots were posted on my Facebook but posted some here.

Nina Simone: Why (The King of Love Is Dead)

2011-01-17T11:56:00.000-05:00

Remembering my Mother's passing two years ago

2011-01-17T11:50:00.000-05:00

"What moves through us is a silence, a quiet sadness, a longing for one more day, one more word, one more touch, we may not understand why you left this earth so soon, or why you left before we were ready to say good-bye, but little by little, we begin to remember not just that you died, but that you lived. And that your life gave us memories too beautiful to forget."

A touching story of an old father, son and a sparrow

2011-01-16T13:37:00.000-05:00

Sabor Restaurant

2011-01-16T12:59:00.001-05:00

Last night Michael and I went to Sabor, 23 Court Street, Plymouth, MA, Tel 508.746.0707
The meal we had was outstanding.

Michael had roasted yellow beet salad with a fried goat cheese ball and a pork chop that was pan seared then baked in the oven, with sautéed vegetables.
I had a caesar salad with anchovies and butternut squash ravioli with sautéed portabella mushrooms in a sauce. We had a coconut cake for dessert that we split and a bottle of red wine.

Sabor is a small restaurant with on street parking, nine tables and seating at the bar. It's only a wine bar but they have a great selection of wine by the glass to complement whatever dish you’re having or a full bottle to share with others at your table.

We would go back again but want to try a few more restaurants in the downtown area of Plymouth.
I have my list and will post our likes and dislikes of each one.

The bar

Dining room

Outside

Saturday evening in Plymouth Center for dinner

2011-01-15T18:57:00.000-05:00

Going to Plymouth Center, this evening to try one of the restaurants there.
Most of the restaurants in Sandwich are closed for the season and the one's that are opened, close at 8 pm. Now I ask you, who eats early? I know when I was a kid we ate at 5 pm on the dot but as an adult, dinner can be anywhere from 7 to 11 pm, depending on where I am.
Will write about the place we end up going too, I hope the food and drinks are good.

Nirvana

2011-01-10T11:10:00.000-05:00

Nirvana

Baranstable Courthouse

Nirvana Coffee Shop, is located on Route 6A in Barnstable Village, across from Barnstable Courthouse. TThey have the best coffee and Michael and I go there for lattes every weekend. Sometimes during the week I'll stop there for a latte and one of their great sandwich.

2011-01-09T17:45:00.000-05:00

We were working over at the guest house today. Michael was placing insulation in the walls where the bathroom wall shares a common wall with the living room and bedroom.

I just swept the floor to clean up a bit before the drywall goes and get plastered starting tomorrow, Monday.
It's been taking forever to get to this point. The two car garage with the guest house shell over it, was built four years ago. All the builder had to do was put up a few walls upstairs and downstairs but it took him months. The rough for the electrician took just a few days and the plumbers took two full days. The drywall and plaster will take three day, five months for the builder, never again and will never recommend him again. We're not having him installing the deck to the guest house or around the pool.

Here's the view from the guest house deck.

Happy New Year - 2011

2011-01-07T09:37:00.003-05:00

The last half of 2010 was a difficult year for me job wise. I was laid off from the May Institute as of 1 June. Loosing a job in this economy and at my age was/is rough. So for the last six month I have been collecting, looking for work that could use my job skills. After many resumes and job interviews, think it hit me that I'm old, yes it's true I am old but still have a lot of skills that I could bring to a new job and a fun personally to make the job interesting. Thought I would have worked till I was in my 70's. This this past Holiday season I have been working part time at the Pottery Barn in Mashpee Commons in Mashpee, Massachusetts. It's been fun and some people there think I'm too nice to everyone. I only work a few hours each week, not making much money, just a bit over minimum, now who really does make money in retail I ask you, but the discount is amazing 40%. I just wish I could stop spending. I'm sure my Mom is watching me, telling me to go for it, making her proud that I'm spending, I just know it.
Okay now your asking with all this time on my hands why wasn't I writing every day. I really can't say. Looking for a full time job seems like a full time job. If you haven't tried looking for a job try it sometime, it take a lot of your time.
There was a wedding at my house in August it was a very nice affair. Karyn and Robert were the bride and groom. The day couldn't have been better. If yo want to see picture I'd be more than happy to post them for you to see.
They use Casual Gourmet, cupcakes from Cup Cake Charlie's instead of a wedding cake, a sundae bar for dessert and a DJ for music and the Flower by East Sandwich Florist (their work is on par with Winston's of Boston) amazing job. by everyone.

Plans for our trip to NYC

2010-04-27T20:46:00.003-04:00

Made the reservation for a round trip from Rt 128 Westwood to Penn Station NYC. We going on the Acela - love that train.
Reservation at the Hotel Affina 50 for three nights
Friday we'll go shopping at Century 21, in the financial district, Macy's, and Lord & Taylor's.
Play that evening, Next Fall and dinner at the Bryant Park Grill.
Next day we meet the girls at Grand Central Terminal,
Drinks at Ciripani the get them check in at the hotel. We'll have go to Chelsea Market, The Hy Line, the we're seeing the play Enron, the musical then dinner at Becco on Restaurant Row.
Next Day is a busy one breakfast at Amy's Bread, then Top of the Rock, then lunch uptown, then off to the Metropolitan Museum, drink on the terrace the dinner at Circle Rouge and off to Jazz Standard to see Paula West
Monday morning breakfast on Second Street and we'll get lunch to go for the ride back home.

Another rainy Day here on the Cape

2010-03-14T16:19:00.002-04:00

It's been raining here on the Cape since yesterday, Saturday. Last night the wind was howling and blowing like a hurricane oh ya, it poured like crazy too. The lower part of the back yard is flood as well as the street. The flooding on the street looks like three large ponds. We probably won't dry up till next week.

Seems like things have changed on here

2010-02-11T20:39:00.001-05:00

Guess it has been a while since I've been on here, seems the format has changed

Buoy Wash Ashore in Sandwich

2010-01-06T12:54:00.003-05:00

Here the US Coast Guard doing a great job getting this buoy that wash ashore over the New Years Day weekend storm from the Cape Cod Canal.

I'll post another picture of Michael hanging from the buoy plus some great pictures of the flooded areas from high tide from the storm this evening.

A day of shpping with great friends

2010-01-02T18:07:00.002-05:00

Michael, Robin, Val and myself went out shopping today, we hit Pier 1 in Hyannis, instead of going to Homegoods in the same plaza as Pier 1 we drove over to Falmouth. We find there is a difference between the Homegooods in each town. On the way we stopped at Mashpee Commons in Mashpee, the Pottery Barn there was having a sale. How could we go by without stopping in to see what they had.

Here are a few pictures of Mashpee Commons. There use to be a mall here but the dead mall was torned down maybe 10 - 15 and Mashpee Commons was built. It a nice place to go shopping and dinning at. It's like going to a small village, with sidewalks, on street parking, small shops plus a few stores like Gap and Pottery Barn, plus different restaurants.

It was kind of a rainy snowy day.

Barnstable Harbor New Year's Day Swim

2010-01-01T15:39:00.003-05:00

Michael, Valerie and myself went to Barnstable Harbor for the New Year day swim. At least this year the water was in the low forties and the air temperature was at 35. Nice day for a swim don't you think.

Here's the crowd of swimmers and watchers on the beach waiting for the start of the swim

The swimmers running in

Here they are running out.

It was a fun time, there was a DJ playing great music, a vendor selling food and beverages, also the organizers of the swim were selling chances and all proceeds would be going to a charity on the Cape.

2009-12-30T10:58:00.000-05:00

Merry Chirstmas

2009-12-25T12:24:00.003-05:00

Hope everyone that celebrate Christmas has a Merry one and everyone else has a great day!!

I copied this photo of a card from Kenneth in the 212.

Merry Christmas Everyone

2009-12-23T10:25:00.004-05:00

This picture was in Bostonist and loved it, so thought I'd post it as my Holiday picture.

The title is " lights on the Commonwealth Avenue Mall, Back Bay, Boston, Massachusetts."
This Christmas will be a hard one for me and my family, my Mother made Christmas for family and everyone she knew. Not one person left her house with out a small gift of some sort, she always had things wrapped and set to go just in case.
Michael and I are going to stop by my Dad's tonight to drop off the last of his gifts and take him out for dinner.
Jimmy, Dottie and Beth and their families will stop by on Christmas day and have dinner with him.
Hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Where does the time go.

2009-10-30T15:40:00.003-04:00

It seems like it has been forever since I wrote in here.
Went to NYC over Columbus Weekend and had a great time. Love that city and what it has to offer. Will add that information later, with what we saw, the places we ate and things we did.

This is a picture of my parents house I did for them last year.

Tomorrow is Halloween, I didn't decorate my Dad's house for the holiday. Dad didn't want anything done this year, still to soon after my Mom's death This was one of my Mom's favorite holidays since it was inclusive of everyone and was fun.

If your going out tomorrow night be good and be safe.

Who the hell designed this ride

2009-09-13T20:49:00.005-04:00

I read, See My Briefs http://cscfon.blogspot.com/, where I saw this post and thought I'd post it here.
Now I know why he never wore pants.

Labor Day Weekend up in Maine

2009-09-07T10:42:00.003-04:00

Michael's brother Lee was flying in to Bangor, Maine, for this Labor Day Weekend, to visit his brother Paul and sister Janis and we drove up there to see him, plus a friend of Michael's family died, wake would be on Friday. We left work and drove four hours to Bangor, Maine. At times traffic was heavy, mainly at the Hampton, NH toll booths. Glad it was a sunny day, the whole weekend was sunny, Michael drove the 1996 Camaro Red Convertible, the day using the convertible will be getting fewer as Autumn come rolling in with a huge burst of color. The it's time to leave the car in the garage for the next six or seven months until it gets warm up here. Glad we have the other car and truck to get around in. My face is sun burnt from riding everyday with the top down, NICE!!!!!

Here's a picture of the four of them, Lee, Paul, Janis and Michael, in front of Janis's house.

Janis and her boyfriend, Dennis, laid a new walk way to the front stairs using flag stones and increasing the size of her front garden. I think the walkway came out great, very nice garden this year due to a lot of compost from Dennis's yard.

Here a picture of the main drag in Ellsworth, it's a small city but fun to walk through with different kinds of shops and one great kitchen store, the Rooster Brothers, the store for cooks. One of the best I've been to.

Michael and I stayed at the new Hilton Garden Inn in Bangor, the place was nice and only has been opened for a week. Michael was ill Friday night and most of Saturday, So I'm glad a booked a hotel with a pool, that's where I spent most of my time, going between the pool and hot tub.
Besides getting to Ellsworth, great little City with fun shops, walk through downtown Bangor, they keep adding non chain restaurants and walk through the U of Maine art museum right there in downtown. Michael and I had dinner at Fiddlehead restaurant in Bangor, a must if your in Bangor. Food was outstanding, waitstaff as nice and helpful as can be, full bar and everything was reasonably priced, compared to prices on the Cape or in Boston and never mind NYC. It was nice to get away but always nice to come home.

NYC in October

2009-09-02T12:17:00.005-04:00

I've been busy planning our trip to NYC in October.
Friday night at 10:00 booked "My First Time" at the New World Stage on West 50th Street. I like this theater, it where we saw "Naked Boys Singing" & "Alter Boys" both worth a take.

Saturday Evening at 8:00, "The Neil Simon Play, Brighton Beach Memoirs" at the Nederland Theater, and the last night in the city on

Sunday at 10:30 "Diane Schuur" at the Blue Note on West 3rd Street.

Cape Cod Melody Tent

2009-08-17T14:29:00.003-04:00

This year I booked 4 shows at the Melody Tent in Hyannis, all of them on a Saturday night this summer.
So far we've seen;
Joy Behar, 25 July, who was very funny and would see her again, I know she preforms in NYC
The B-52's, 1 August, they put on a great show.
Chris Botti, 8 August, was amazing, love his music and would really like to see him again real soon. I know he's playing at the Blue Note in NYC over the holidays, but I'll be in NYC over Columbus Weekend. Don't think I'll be able to swing another weekend before the end of the year. I'm sure Michael would rather go some place else and warm at that for the holiday.
Just one more show to go and that will be it for the summer for music on the Cape.

It's been a full month since I posted anything

2009-08-13T14:53:00.003-04:00

Where has the time gone, pulling up weeds like crazy in the gardens and installing low voltage lighting.
It's been a very wet summer here on the Cape, also it hasn't even hit 90 degrees here this summer, also it hasn't even hit 90 degrees here this summer.

Low voltage lighting.

The summer car that we've only use a couple of times

New side garden

More low voltage lighting down the other side of the house.

Ahhh summer on the Cape

2009-07-13T16:20:00.003-04:00

I thought it would never stop raining, but it did. I've been making up for lost time, working out side in the yard when I can. I put in 7 Joe Pye Weed great for attracting butterflies, they're getting very tall. Hope they make it to their full height of 5 feet this year. If front them I planted Pink Turtle Head, light pink yarrow, and ten hills. Everything is looking great
This fall I'll be thinning out my day lily bed, I have over 75 pots to fill up and give away.
My hydrangeas are looking great and the heads of the flowers are huge. Think I'll take some pictures and post them here.

Another day of rain

2009-06-24T12:42:00.002-04:00

It's been raining out for almost a week now, think I have mold growing on me already.
The nor'easter has been stalled off the coast, all my plants have been beat down by the rain.
the waves on the bay have been big for the bay, hope to make it to the beach to see how much sand there is on the beach. It could be another summer with a rocky beach.

Last of my Peonies

2009-06-19T15:11:00.005-04:00

It's been rainy here in the Northeast and it seems even wetter here on the Cape. A lot of my flowering plants have been getting beaten down by the rain. Yesterday when I got home my last blooming peony plant for the season, the flowers were bent over from the weight of the blooms on the stems and the rain. So I cut a few of the stems and put them in a vase.

For everyone that thinks I don't cut my flower here's proof I do. They were cut to get them off the ground but I almost never cut any of my flowers.

More Poppies

2009-06-18T13:41:00.001-04:00

June 2009 in NYC

2009-06-16T15:54:00.003-04:00

We were in New York City this past weekend.

We stayed at the Affina 50, our room was on the corner of 50th and Third Ave, large terrace, with a large table and chairs, the living was large with a dinning table for 4, the kitchen was small, but we didn't cook, nice bedroom. The girls were in the suite next to us and had a very large kitchen but didn't have a dining area but did have two terraces,one off the living room and the other off the bedroom.

The views below are from the terrace

Had a great time, saw three plays, Reason to be Pretty - great play, Hair slightly different when I first saw it in 1971, man I hate to say that, ouch, still a good play. The last plat was recommended by Kenneth in the (212), I don't know what he was thinking. Thank you for being a Friend was the name of the play and it sucked. Thought it was just me but other people walking out were saying the same thing. Do not go and waste your time or money. I've seen high school plays that were so much better.

Three great restaurants, Bill's, Cafe Au Du Tua and Becco- all three were great, outstanding.

The First of the Season

2009-06-05T14:48:00.002-04:00

The first pink poppy of the season in one of the front gardens

The new garden on the side of the hosue

2009-06-05T14:14:00.003-04:00

The picture below, is in the back corner of the yard, it's how the area I've been working on looked before I ripped it all up and put in the garden.

This is my new shade garden, the bleeding hear has passed, lupins, columbines, spider wart and a hosta are in bloom.

Here are the dark and light Siberian iris, in one of the front gardens.

The first of many day lilies in bloom. This one is the first to bloom.

Rainbow on Route 3 South

2009-05-27T14:24:00.002-04:00

The other day after it stopped raining there was a great rainbow over Route 3 south, heading towards the Cape. I took a few pictures of the rainbow from the car, we didn't pull over like other were doing to get a better picture. The two pictures I've posted are the best I got of the rainbow.

The Graduate

2009-05-12T15:12:00.004-04:00

The Graduate from the University of Maine, Kayla Lisa Manning

Traveling up to Maine on Friday 05.08.09

2009-05-12T14:47:00.003-04:00

Michael and I traveled up to Maine last weekend, we went to his niece, Kayla Lisa Manning graduation from the University of Maine in Orano. We took the convertible up and had the roof down for the ride up. Here are a few pictures I took while on the highway in Maine, we were on Rt.95, the highway that runs from Maine to Florida.

Playing the same CD all day at work

2009-05-04T15:48:00.002-04:00

I'm sure my coworkers must be thinking of ways to get rid of my new CD purchase, Diana Krall "Quiet Nights" that been playing all day. I love it!!! Nice listening music, I'm thinking of playing it this summer while everyone in the dinning room for dinner.
Diana Krall will also be appearing this summer at the Melody Tent in Hyannis, Michael and I will be going to see her. If any one's is on the Cape this summer, the Melody Tent has a good line up of performers. It's a nice venue to see music, under the tent, it's a small place, 20 rows back from the stage (I think it is), the stage rotates, so no matter where you sit you get a great view of the performer.

New kitty in the house

2009-04-25T18:37:00.003-04:00

We have a new kitty, his name is Sam, Sammy, but that might change, I call him Big Boy sometimes. I originally got the cat for my Dad who wanted a cat for company in the house since my Mother died. Sam lasted a week at My Dad's and the bottom line for him not wanting the cat comes to the maintenance of taking care of an animal. Growing up we always had animals in the house but it was also my Mom tending to the needs of the animals as well as us.
Pumpkin Pie has been slowly warming up to him. After two weeks of hissing at him, making him stay in the lower levels of the house, to now tolerating him even coming up to the fourth level, her domain.
He's Sammy, he's a hard one to take his picture.

Someone hit our offices

2009-04-21T20:54:00.003-04:00

Monday morning when entering our offices Alan and I noticed, how could we not, someone played a prank on us.

Alan's computer screen was covered with small blue stickies , very creatively I must add.

My phone was wrapped in rubber bands and I had a call the first thing in the morning and couldn't answer the phone before it went to voice mail. The rubber band sure but up a good fight, I almost used my scissors to cut them off. Took my time and put them back in the closet were they belonged.

After spending the better part of the first hour of the work day trying to figure out who would do this, Deb Ellis, the payroll manager walked by and said is anything snapping??? We couldn't believe it was Deb, we had a couple of people we thought that would have done it but never Deb. She's good.

Passing through Boston

2009-04-16T21:37:00.003-04:00

I drove from work in Randolph up to my periodontist in Revere, going through Boston. On my way back to work I thought I'd take a few pictures.

Just just passed though the tolls on the Tobin Bridge, on the Charlestown side with Boston on the left. I'm sure the people that were behind me didn't like the idea of me taking pictures while I was driving.

Coming off of the loop from the Tobin Bridge, I'm on Route 93 heading towards the tunnel. Here's a view of the Zakim Bridge with the Custom House in the distance.

The Garden is on the right, the Bruins are playing tonight, in the mirror I can see part of the Zakim Bridge. The tunnel is just in front of me, let the games begin.

This building use to have a mural of whales on it but now is use for advertisement for the Ipod,

cool colours. towards the right of the Ipod sign is the Hancock Tower and to the right of that, the Hancock building.

Here's the gas tank with the mural on it in Dorchester (part of Boston), I believe it was one of the first industrial art installation years ago. Still one of my favorites.

Easter

2009-04-16T19:44:00.004-04:00

Don't know if we were bored on Easter afternoon or what but we did ear candling. The candle is used to draw wax out of one's ear.
We all had a good laugh over it, there were only four candles, but everyone that was in the dinning room will be doing it. Got the candles at GNC

My sister Beth, niece, Kaitie Marie, my partner,Michael, niece Lisa Jean and my sister,Dottie doing the candling

My favorite sister in law, Daisy, Beth, and Kaitie Marie.

By the look on Dottie's face you'd think this was hurting her in someway, what an actress she is. If your thinking of doing it there isn't any pain, also do it with someone there

Kaitie Marie, Michael and actress Dottie

There back

2009-04-10T22:39:00.003-04:00

Northern spring peepers, those piccolos of springtime, are finally trilling out the news that warm weather is on its way.

The noise of peepers make me want to open the windows, and have them lull into a deep summer sleep.

New office at 14 Pacella Park

2009-04-09T15:05:00.005-04:00

The new space, what a difference, I think it's the color. It's a much better space for everyone.

The old office at 41 Pacella Park

2009-04-09T14:40:00.002-04:00

I do not miss 41 Pacella Park, the office space, the cafe, the students, or the shark tank.

Mila on moving day, she still had stuff on her wall to pack up.

Alan's was all set and ready to go.

My old office, almost set to call it a day and get out early, only had a half a day of work and the next off for a long weekend. Now that was sweet!!!

The women in Billing, Left to right, Karen, Mary and Lori, their happy since the printer room at the new office will be where their offices are and not on the other side of the building in the electrical room.

One of the open areas packed with boxes.

Okay, Okay already

2009-04-08T19:53:00.002-04:00

I know it's been a month since I've posted anything on here. March wasn't a great month,
weather sucked and my office moved to a new building down the street from we were in Randolph. Finance, Payroll, AP and Billing moved first then the next week, HR and QI moved. The move worked out better this time around than the last time 3 1/2 years ago when we moved from Norwood just a stone throw from Rt 1, that had eventing to Randolph that has nothing, since our office and the school was combined in a industrial park. Good news we're not in the school anymore, we can have lunch in a clean cafe, we don't have to wipe down the tables, swipe the floor and listen to the kids barking like dogs, banging there heads or screaming. No students run up to us to smell us or have them race around the cafe and the staff yelling close the door we have a runner, or the students grabbing at our food.
Yes I do love the new building.

What a great weekend

2009-03-08T21:12:00.002-04:00

The temps today were outstanding, in the 60's on Saturday and 50's today.
The bad thing is Monday it's going to snow, grrrrrr, I know it won't last long.
Mondays ride to work will be fun with all the crazy drivers out there thinking they can drive 80 to 90 mph in the snow. They're the one's that go flying off the road into the tree losing their lives and screwing up traffic and making an hour drive to work into a two hour drive. Let the games begin.

http://karynandrobert.weddingannouncer.com/

Karyn and Rob are getting married next Autumn at Michael and my home here on the Cape.
They're going to get married on our beach at the end of the road, the wedding will be very casual. Above is their website, if you have some time it's worth the read.

I'm going to try to write on here more often, is seems I've been slacking off.

March coming in like a Lion

2009-02-28T09:58:00.002-05:00

Just watched today's weather report, wintry mix, rain sleet and snow, for the next few day. Also Monday into Tuesday 2 to 5 inches of snow here on the Cape and about a foot of snow at work in Randolph about an hour way. When will the winter be over so I can start working out side?

I just want to put the snow shovels way

2009-02-24T20:43:00.005-05:00

It been cold again and seems even colder down here on the Cape due to the bay, water temp was 37 this morning. We missed the snow this past weekend, but the rain was cold. February is almost over and we only have March to make it through, I hope we don't have to use the snow shovels till next snow season.

Who's your Valentine !!!!!!

2009-02-13T12:11:00.002-05:00

The art teachers were at it again today, they made a cupid outfit for Alan the gym teacher to wear as the kids were coming and leaving school today.

A Child of Atom - Cully's post from Monday 02.09.09

2009-02-10T14:39:00.005-05:00

This was too good to not pass around

I never really thought of the amount of people it takes to put a production together. During the past years the National Endowment of the Arts has been cut to the bear bone and has to stop.

Dear Senator McCain
They just don't get it do they? In the debate over the stimulus package today John McCain was quoted as saying "$50 million in funding for the National Endowment for the Arts - all of us are for the arts, but tell me how that creates any significant number of jobs?"The arts community immediately mobilized and began sending him messages via his website. Here is mine:Senator,How does funding the arts create any significant number of jobs? Let me just give you one small example. I am a scenic designer who frequently works for a small children's theatre in Manhattan. The theatre produces 7 shows each year, mostly during the school season. Each show employs 4 Designers, a stage manager, a director, a technical director, two carpenters, a stage manager, 5 office assistants, 8 to 12 actors, a music director, a choreographer, two box office assistants... in other words nearly 30 people per show.This doesn't even begin to account for the people who work for the lighting rental houses, the fabric stores, the paint stores, the costume rental houses, the printers, the lumber suppliers, the hardware store, and dry cleaners who receive funds from each of our shows.We pay royalties for book rights, to the playwrights, and the musicians. We hire accountants and use ticketing firms.We are a SMALL theatre company and in all each of our shows pours 30 or $40,000 back into the local economy, and that is simply what we ourselves generate. That doesn't account for sales at nearby stores or restaurants, sales at book and toy stores because the children want the book our show was based on, taxis, subways, babysitters, strollers... the bottom line is that art IS business. Please stop treating art like a luxury that the country can live without. Art drives the economy just as surely as manufacturing or service, and it is time that that was recognized and "stimulated" along with everything else.
Posted by Cully at Monday, February 09, 2009 2 atoms bonded
Subjects: politics

Randy Price is leaving Channel 7 News, WHDH-TV Boston, MA

2009-02-10T08:50:00.005-05:00

For the last 12 years Randy Price has been the anchor on Channel 7 Evening News in Boston. Yesterday I heard it on the Zito and Karen Blake radio show on the way to work, that Randy Price was retiring, but this morning on their show I heard there was another side to the story. It sounded like it was a mutual departure.

Going to miss him on the evening news.

I was in "Kenneth in the 212", Blog this morning and he had the article by Johnny Diaz of the Boston Globe, from Sunday 8 February. Johnny Diaz gave the full story.

Super hero

2009-02-07T18:06:00.007-05:00

Today I was on Famous Like Me - It's listed under My Blog List, he had The Hero Factory, I made my own Super Hero, this is my guy, it was fun. I couldn't figure out how to up load it so I have posted the site below.

http://www.cpbintegrated.com/theherofactory/

From the Canal

2009-02-05T21:34:00.004-05:00

This afternoon after work Michael and I stopped at Joe's Lobster Mart in Sandwich for fish, after getting fresh fish at Joe's which is on the mouth of the canal and bay, I can never get fish at a super market.

Below is the Coast Guard Station across from Joe's

Can never leave out the power plant, what and incredible land mark in the town.

This is the mouth of the canal

Monday morning

2009-02-05T21:23:00.004-05:00

Here are a couple of pictures of the yard from Monday morning before going to work - it wasn't quite dawn yet but light enough. It was in the 50's down here on Monday and most of the snow was gone. Tuesday came and with it came a snow storm, we got about 6 inches of snow. Hoping that most of the snow will be gone this coming weekend, temps will be in the 40's low 50's.

I'm back from the dark side

2009-02-01T20:19:00.004-05:00

Work this past week was hard and long, not in a good way at all but glad I'm back !!!
There was so much to get caught up with, I had so many emails and didn't know which one to open first. My mail box (sail mail) was chocked full, most were lock boxes, so it went to Cookie, lucky woman.
I received an email from Zita Cousens, I went to Billerica High School with her, she owns and runs the Cousen Rose Gallery on Martha Vineyard Island during the summer (black artisans) the rest of the time she's a guidance councilor at Boston Latin in Boston, the oldest public school in the USA. Boston Latin only takes the best of the best and is very hard to get into there.
Watching the Super Bowl and saw the most amazing interception the guy ran almost 100 yards, it was just outstanding to see.

Thanks to every one

2009-01-22T11:20:00.002-05:00

I would like to thank everyone for their heart felt expressions of sympathy, from cards, emails, Facebook.
The May Institute for the beautiful flower arrangement, pictured below.

Robin for the gift basket I received today, you know the lost very well since your mother passed in October 2008, love you .
Valerie your constant texting, emails, and phone calls meant so much to me, and did help me though this heart wrenching time. Love you so much and remember I'm always here for you.
Michael, your love and support during this time has been overwhelming, love you from the bottom of my heart.

Hey this kind of sounds like an acceptance speech for the academy awards. Is that the music queuing up I hear?

Really thank you everyone

Mom passed 01.14.09

2009-01-15T16:52:00.008-05:00

I spent Tuesday night at my parents, when my sister Carol, who never went home to Florida after Christmas but stayed to take care of my mother, and I woke up on Wednesday morning, thought today would be our mother's last day. Carol called sisters Dottie and Beth , brother Jimmy and his wife Daisy. I talked to Michael at work and thought it best for him not to come since his mother, Pamela Ruby Arnold Edwards Jones died five years ago almost to the day of liver cancer. My Mom's breathing was labored all day, we all took turns hanging out with her even though she was heavily drugged, the last two days never gained conciseness. I was in the living room on Wednesday, with Beth, Daisy, Dad and of course my Mom in her hospital bed. I noticed the icicles that formed from the roof of the front porch. Thought they would make a great picture. I took only a few pictures and came back into the house, it was cold out there.

When I came into the house I noticed everyone going into the living room, Mom was foaming at the mouth, we called Hospice in North Reading and they told us she was in her last stage of life. We rolled Mom onto her side so the form would drain from her mouth. Her breathing was very labored and her eyes flew open, we were all crying holding onto her and her spirit left her body. It was hard on all of us, it seemed like we cried and hugged each other for hours, time stood still. I called Hospice to let them know she passed, of course I was crying and called the main number, they were great and called the correct number for me. Sandy, the nurse, who was taking care of Mom came over to do the pronouncement. Sweeny's came over after we all said goodbye to Mom. They took her out and we're now getting ready for the funeral next week. She'll be cremated in a day or two and I'm glad there will not be a wake.

Here's to my sister Carol, who stayed up here in Massachusetts with the snow and cold, instead of returning to Florida to play golf, Mah Jong and driving around with her husband Jim in his Miata, to care for Mom.

Carol it was a long four weeks but I know Mom, Dad and all us appreciated you giving your time. Love you!!!!

Michael, thank you for being there and giving me the support during this time, I'm so fortunate to have you in my life, Love you!!!!!

Storming Sunday

2009-01-11T14:28:00.003-05:00

What a week, spent three days up at my parents home helping my older sister Carol care for my mother. She's fading fast, hasn't eaten anything except bits of orange popsicles and ice chips for the last week. My three sisters, my brother and myself all hope she goes soon. My sister-in-law, Daisy has been a God send, she is holding us all together during this time. I want everyone to know that as sad as it is, we are also having a great time with my Mother, even though she is in pain she has a great sense of humor, she has kept us all laughing with what she comes out with. A hospital bed has been set up in the living room which is much better for her, my Dad is upset because my parents have always slept in bed together. My Mom is 82 and my Dad is 86 and have know each other since they were teenagers, my father lived in Winthrop and my mother lived in East Boston on the Winthrop line. Thanks to everyone for your thoughts.
Seems like we've been having storms all winter, it started to snow last night and and this morning it changed over to rain, then about an hour ago back to snow, just looked out the window, it's raining again. I'm not looking forward getting out there to shovel, it's going to feel like I'm shoveling cement. It's time like this I wished lived in a city. My two younger nephews, Patrick and Matthew, did well in college for their first semester. My niece Kaitie, after two years in college decide she wanted to be a hairdresser, just graduated from hairdressing school and is very happy she is following what she wants to do.

Pumpkin Pie on New Years Day

2009-01-02T20:21:00.005-05:00

Pumpkin likes to sleep on our bed, the green pillow in the center, had tassels all the way around but the sweet little cat has been pulling them off and using them for cat toys.

Pumpkin also likes to sleep on the pillows on the beds in the princess room, the bed closest to the windows in the girls room, the couch in the den, the chair in the living room, the couch in the TV room, okay any place in this house is her place to sleep, but she is so cute , well as long as she isn't clawing or biting me.

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2009

2009-01-02T19:03:00.004-05:00

What a night New Year Eve was!!!!!
It took Michael and I, 3 1/2 hours to get home, it generally takes only an hour and it took Robin coming form Connecticut almost 7 hours, a ride that generally takes 3 hours. The weather wasn't working with us and the roads were a mess. Val came to our house the night before and spent the day making candy for all of us, YUM. We had planned a four course dinner starting with homemade squash ravioli, shrimp an lobster scampi, lamb roast, with double bake potatoes, and asparagus then finished with chocolate hazelnut bread pudding with real whipped cream and Russian cream. Three bottles of wine and one bottle of champagne. I think we started to eat at 7:30 and finished around 11:30. Turned on the TV to watch the Dick Clark show. Yesterday we watch HGTV, I think it was a marathon until Robin, Michael and I walked down to the beach, it was bitchin cold out, 16 degrees but with the wind factor it was even colder. Here are a couple of picture of the beach.

Doesn't Michael and Robin look nice and toasty warm

I like our shadows on the beach looking towards the water

Looking from the shore line to the houses right on the sea wall.

Picture of the water in the bay

Great waves

What happen to all the snow?

2008-12-27T10:26:00.002-05:00

Just a week ago we had 10.5 inches of snow, the warm weather rolled in on Christmas Eve. as of today, Saturday there isn't any snow, just a pond where the street is. The birds are loving all the water. I just know we're going to get slammed with snow one of these days.

The Maple Tree

2008-12-26T13:32:00.004-05:00

This picture was taken just before twilight on Christmas Day in Billerica, MA, it's one of my favorite trees at my parents. It a Sugar Malple Tree, the sap runs like a river in the spring. The base of the tree is sticky unil the spring rains wash it away, but what does remain is a sap stain.

Christmas

2008-12-26T12:30:00.003-05:00

Picture of my parents tree in the livingroom right in front of the picture window where it has always been places for the holiday season.

Michael and I stayed at my parents Christmas Eve. I cooked shrimp scampi over rice, hmmmm that was good. My brother Jimmy and his wife, Daisy, cooked prime rib dinner for Christmas. The Prime rib was outstanding. They did a great job, from soup to nuts.

My older sister Carol and her husband, Jim flew in from Florida arrived at 4pm. They made it in time for dinner with us. One of my younger sisters Dottie showed up with her husband Bob, and son Matthew. Michael and I had to get going we had a two hour drive ahead of us. So we left before my youngest sister Beth came with her husband Paul .

A More Festive Christmas Rat 2008

2008-12-24T10:21:00.003-05:00

Here's a better background for the Christmas Rat, a gift bag with Merry Christmas instead of the map of the United States, that hangs on one of the walls in my office..

Merry Christmas 2008

2008-12-24T10:02:00.003-05:00

In my office here at work I turned my Halloween Rat into a Christmas Rat, ribbon around his neck and a snowman hung around his neck. With everything going on with my family this is the best I could do.

I hope everyone has joy, happiness, bright lights, sprigs of fresh greens and much laughter this Holiday Season. May there be Peace this year.

Harvard Square

2008-12-17T20:09:00.003-05:00

Michael and I were in Harvard Square, Cambridge, MA this past weekend - Valerie had a Christmas party at her place in Watertown, next town over from Cambridge. We saw her new place, WOW, main floor, living room, dinning room, kitchen, half bath front porch and back deck with a huge yard and garage, The second floor has 4 bedrooms and full bath and the third floor 3 bedrooms. Great location !!!

Out of Town News is in Harvard Square, I work here to over a year when I was in college. It was a fun place to work and a lot of great people worked there. I always had people to go out with after the place closed at 11pm. Maybe that's why my grades were pretty bad that year. When I left there to work at Wang Labs it wasn't fun anymore and glad I left. Staying out side in all weather, winter was the worst part of the job. The place is for sale and Sheldon Cohen the owner when I worked there in the late 70's is planning on buying the place back.

Here's Valerie in Harvard Square the day after her party, she stopped by for breakfast and was on her way to work, she is an acupuncturist. If you ever want someone to do an outstanding job I'd recommend Valerie.

This is the Charles Hotel in Charles Square in Harvard Square where Michael and I stayed the night of the party. Still a great place to stay and great location.

Our first snow

2008-12-16T19:03:00.003-05:00

Last week we got our first snow of the winter season, it wasn't much and was all gone by the end of the day. It was bitchin cold after it snowed, in the low 20's brrrr, I know it will get colder as the season goes on, it winter here in the northeast.

High water on the marsh

2008-11-28T10:17:00.002-05:00

The water is high on the marsh, but during a full moon cycle the water is even higher and the marsh grass is completely covered. Kind of looks like a pond

The Marsh

2008-11-26T22:29:00.003-05:00

The marsh is just down the street from my road. Today my office closed early at 12 noon so I had some time to get some pictures of the marsh during low tide.

Looking down to the right of the bridge that is part of Route 6A. People kayak though the channel during high tide. some start from the ocean others just start from the parking area near the mouth of the channel. This is the bridge that kids jump off during high tide in the summer.

Another view of the marsh, when the moon is full this whole area gets flooded.

This angle shows one of the channels that run through the marsh.

It was cold at the beach

2008-11-23T19:56:00.003-05:00

I can't believe how cold it has been even before Thanksgiving this year. Saturday was the coldest, I thought it was January, 20's during the day and teens at night, Brrrr only 5 more months of this. I'm so looking forward to a day in the 40's, April can't come fast enough.
The bay had rough water, there were good size waves which is something there normally isn't. Even though it was sunny it was windy and cold.

Husson Girls Soccer Team

2008-11-17T09:31:00.004-05:00

This past weekend, Michael's sister Janis came down from Hampden, Maine to hang out with us. Janis's daughter, Michelle (number 22) plays soccer for Husson College, http://static.husson.edu/cache/, in Bangor,Maine. Michelle and her team were in the national college soccer playoffs, playing the soccer team from William College at Williams College in Williamstown, MA. Williamstown is a town in Berkshire County, in the northwest corner of Massachusetts. It took us three and a half hours to travel from Cape Cod to the end of Massachusetts. We drove out to Williamstown on the Mass Pike. Williams College, http://www.williams.edu/, has a great looking campus.
The day was cloudy, windy, cold and there were snow flakes. I forgot how cold the 30's are, of course I didn't plan well in the clothing department, I found that one has to be dressed warmly and not fashionly, also I was glad the season Soccer Mom that Janis is, packed well and had plenty for us to keep warm.
The game was exciting, Husson (go Green) gave Williams a run for the title. As cold as it was the women were in shorts and t-shirts, Yikes how did they keep warm. The game was exciting and of course very fast pace they don't shut the clock off, except at mid game for a ten minute break. There are two periods , each at forty five minutes each and a ten minute break between periods.
Even though Husson lost 3 - 0, it was a great game and it was worth the cold and snow. It was also great to see Michelle since I haven't seen her for over a year.

Hey Mark

2008-11-12T21:52:00.003-05:00

I would like to give Deep South Mark a shout out.
I really like his blog and his collections he shows on there.
If you get a chance check him out.

This evening

2008-11-12T21:40:00.004-05:00

I know this picture really dosen't show how bright the moon is tonight

Michael and I had a few stops to make on the way home. One thing were looking for are two more pillows for the dinning room chairs. We got two at the Hyannis Homegoods, and have been checking other Homegood stores in Braintree, Plymouth and this evening Falmouth. Damn, none of them have any pillows that match or even coordinate with what we have. Nice fabric and design and also all feather.

Well, we were in Falmouth after work, got there around 5pm, the ride home was long do to heavy traffic. On the way home I noticed the moon was out, the area was very light even though it was really dark out. It gets really dark here on the Cape, not much light pollution. The picture is of the moon from the top deck.

Heavy traffic payoff

2008-11-12T14:40:00.002-05:00

Yesterdays commute was a breeze and took only 50 minutes or less to make it to work here in Randolph. This morning we were stuck in heavy morning traffic. Doing the car crawl on Route 3, from exit 14 in Hingham, all the way till after exit 17 in Braintree, where the rotary is. As we were getting close to exit 17 I looked over to the land fill just off of Route 3, on the left, there was a huge buck at the top of the ridge and I was just stun to see him there with all the traffic below, most of it going into Boston and about a third going to Route 128 to add more cars to that morning back up. Then just to the right of him was a small herd of does with a few small one.

I've never seen anything like it where I live and to see it in Braintree, a small city just a few miles from Boston.

The camera was in the back compartment in my briefcase. I will have to keep the camera up front with me so I don't miss out on a photo opportunity again.

Halloween night at my parents home

2008-11-02T09:39:00.003-05:00

Friday morning

2008-10-31T11:07:00.003-04:00

Here's Pat from HR in her office this morning as I was going out to take pictures of the Flying Monkey.
Pat hopes to be walking with out the aid of crutches any day.

Halloween

2008-10-31T10:12:00.005-04:00

Here at the May Institute, Allen, who works with the kids at the school was dressed up as a Flying Monkey from the Wizard of OZ. He was greeting the kids today as they were being dropped off.

After the kids were dropped off Jean was able to have her picture taken with Allen the Flying Monkey.

Here's Allen the Flying Monkey going after Tonya one of our accountants, guess he didn't want to provide her with receipts at this time.

Allen is waiting for the buses this morning.

Cupcakes in NYC

2008-10-30T11:54:00.003-04:00

When Michale and I were in NYC couple of weeks ago, we hit three places that were known for selling great cupcakes. Here's a picture of the box from Magnolia Bakery.

I wanted to taste a cupcake from each bakery I had on my list, okay I know that wouldn't be possible since the list consisted of over 20 places. So I select the top three from my list and at each place I always ordered the same kind, yellow cupcake with butter cream frosting. The frosting color may have changed from pink to blue to yellow but the color did not change the flavor. All three had great cupcakes and I couldn't really decide which one was the best. Guess I'll have to try again in May When Michael, Valerie and Robin are in NYC for our yearly, long weekend. Other than Magnolia at 1240 Avenue of the Americas and 49th Street, Billy's Bakery 184 9th Avenue and Buttercup Bake Shop 973 2nd Avenue, between 51st and 52nd Street. Anyone of them is worth the trip.

The Plays we saw

2008-10-22T12:33:00.003-04:00

Michael and I saw The Marvelous Wonderetts on Friday, Legally Blonde on Saturday, and Alter Boyz on Sunday. All three plays were great and I would recommend any one of them.

Hotel Affina 50 on 50th Street

2008-10-22T12:17:00.002-04:00

We checked in at the Affina 50 on 50th Street between Lexington and 3rd Avenues. This was too weird, we got the same suite we had in May of this year, Suite 2004. The configuration was a L Shape with a foyer, good size living room, small kitchen, large bedroom and small bathroom. The balcony ran the back of the living room to back of the bedroom. There was a door from the bedroom and another door across from the kitchen. After getting settled sin the room we headed out to enjoy the city.

Jamaica Station

2008-10-22T11:42:00.004-04:00

Michael and I left home on Friday morning to catch a bus at the park and ride in Plymouth for Logan Airport. We were flying on Jet Blue, leaving at 11:45 and arriving at JFK just 45 minutes later. We took the Air Train from the terminal to Jamaica Station and bought both our tickets for the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR). We walked over to catch the LIRR to Penn Station, but there was some sort of switching problems. After waiting at the station for 30 minutes I ask a woman who works there when the train would really be in, she said take the subway E line downstairs, we did and were at the Affina 50 in less than an hour.

Jamaica train station

Picture from the lido deck (the upper parking lot at work)

2008-10-16T12:45:00.004-04:00

The lower lot was filled when we got in this morning so we had to park on the upper parking lot, we call the lido deck. The only good thing about parking up here is the view, the body of water in the pictures is the Randolph, MA reservoir. It would be nice if the town had a walk way going around the reservoir, it would give everyone a safe place to walk instead of the street here in the industrial park the school is in.

The Little Angel

2008-10-07T15:26:00.002-04:00

My sister in law, Daisy, aks Virgina, sent me a picture of her granddaughter, my grandniece, Alisa, she is 17 and graduating 2009 from High School. Where does the time go??

My Mother's update

2008-10-04T18:23:00.004-04:00

It's been a while since I posted anything. My Mother found out she has cancer in her upper right lung. Before anything is done she is having a full body MRI done as I type this. My sister Dottie drove Mom and Dad to the Lahey Clinic in Burlington, MA. Mom will get the result on Tues day when she meets with her doctor and three other specialist will be doing the surgery on her. At almost 82 years old, Mom's doctor told her she's in great health and doesn't see any reason not to proceed, well that is once he has the full body scan.

My Parents Home

2008-09-25T15:21:00.004-04:00

Garden around the mail box, sedum in the front and a mum behind it, too bad the mum is the same color as the sedum. This is the back yard that as kids we would play in for hours and it seemed so large.
This is my favorite tree, a sugar maple that was planted by my Grandpa Jim, my Dad's dad. In the autumn it turns a brilliant orange. Next few picture are of the front of the house just from different angles

The leaves have started to change color and dropping all ready and the temp's are falling too. It's been going dropping in the 40's at night and in the 60's during the day. Have to enjoy the weather while I can befor the tempature is in the teens or twenties during the days. Yikes winter will be here before I know it.

Pretty in Pink

2008-09-24T12:47:00.006-04:00

The pictures are of the "The Girls" My sister Carol's grand daughters. She sent me the pictures the other day.

K is on the left and L is on the right. If I could only get my hands on the pictures our mother has of Carol's dance recital she was in during out years living in Winthrop, MA. I'd put that picture in between t"the girls" for a fun comparison. Now that would be a great look. I think "the girls" are so cute and they do look different as they age.

Today is the day

2008-09-23T06:47:00.005-04:00

Here's a picture of my Mom at my niece, Lisa wedding. Mom is 81 years old, oops not sure if I should mention a lady's age, hehehehehe

I'm not going into work today, but going to the Leahy Clinic in Burlington, MA to be with my Dad, brother Jimmy, his wife Daisy, and my sister Dottie. My Mom is going in for a biopsy of her upper right lung. The procedure should take about 50 minutes and she'll have to wait about an hour after before she can leave to go home. The Hospital wants to make sure her lung doesn't collapse. Not sure what to expect and it will be a while before we get the results.