Dear Friends,
We had another pleasant day in Fort Leavenworth as the temperatures soared into the 70’s. I used the word soar because there always seems to be a wind in Kansas when the sun comes up. The wind is great for Kite flying which is what I did when we went of to a local public playground. Once I get the kite airborne, for some reason, Isabelle doesn’t like to hold the kite. I haven’t figured out why!
The playground would be deemed unsafe in the eyes of law suit happy people, but it did bring back memories for me of what a playground should be like. If you climb up on something and fall off, it is part of what happens at a playground. A bunch of us would play King of the Hill on the monkey bars, and try to beat each other to the top of the bars. We would even throw each other off of the bars while trying to get to the top!
I forgot to mention food since we have been in Kansas. On Tuesday we had a crock pot dinner. Danielle prepared a pork loin in the crock pot that was so moist and tender that I couldn’t believe it. Linda and I have the recipe, and we are going to invite some friends over when we get home, and serve it to our friends. Pork loin is such a dense meat that there is a tendency to over cook it. A baked potato and some farm fresh corn from her parent’s garden in Minnesota made for a wonderful meal.
I am the only one up right now, but that is nothing new. I have been taking nap each day of the two hour variety. The fresh air seems to make me sleepy.
We will be at the Kansas City Zoo today as we have another day reaching near 80 degrees. Mike will be teaching at the military college while we are having fun at the zoo.
Linda and I have been at a lot of zoos through out the country like the San Diego Zoo, Cinncinatti Zoo, the North Carolina Zoo, The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, New Orleans Zoo, and Kansas ranks right up near the top of the best zoos.
Politics – How about the President wanting to lift the ban on oil drilling in some environmentally sensitive areas? He really wants the United States to become energy self sufficient. The save the planet people won’t be happy. Do you think that the oil producing people and companies might have gotten to the President?
The follow up of the home grown militia that got busted have some interesting participants. I wonder how many more of these wacko groups exist throughout the country? The Bible and violence seem to go together!
The people in the Northeast are getting tired of the rain. Even Kevin was pumping out water in the basement. I think that it was at his place of business, and I am hoping that it wasn’t in their new home!
Yesterday, Kyla went to work from a park and ride the train place for the first time from their home in North Tewksbury. She said that it went well as she rode the train to Boston with her fellow commuters.
At work, they wanted her to go to Seattle for a work project, but since Linda and I (special occasion baby sitters) were in Kansas, she was able to decline the offer.
Today might be the first day that Max goes off to day care in North Tewksbury at the Baptist Church Day Care Center less than a quarter mile from their home. Kevin will go off to his restaurant, and Kyla will go off to her workplace which is located on Sate Street in downtown Boston. It will take them a few days to get into the routine.
Kevin and Kyla pretty much finished the unpacking. We will be able to have our own bed in our own room at their home now, and no more sleeping on an air mattress! We baby boomers are too old to be close to the ground.
We asked Mike what is the next phase after one more year in Kansas. Once he becomes a Lt. Colonel, he will get his own command at one of several places. The military will put him where he is needed the most. He was throwing out names like Korea, Georgia, Tuscon Arizona, etc. He won’t have a choice, but we are rooting for Tuscon, or Georgia. Both Danielle, and Michael were stationed in Korea at one point in their career, and I am not sure that it would be their top selection for his next assignment. For us grandparents, the flights to Korea would present a challenge with respect to cost.
I did get to watch a little sport’s last evening. I watched the U-Conn women beat up another basketball team by over 30 points. Good thing that I was reading a book while watching the game. I was all set to watch the next Women’s Game, but two programs being recorded at the same time kicked me off of the basketball game. They don’t have a television in our bedroom.
Well, I hear Michael stirring right now as he prepares to go off to work.
Isabelle usually gets up a little after 7 AM. I have strict orders from the Queen to wake her up at 7:30 AM. I am going to let Isabelle go and wake up Grandma. Isabelle likes crawling on the bed, and waking her up.
Have a great Wednesday.
We are on schedule to have a great one too.
Talk to you soon. The Curley Lad
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Hello on Tuesday
Dear Friends,
Our Monday went okay. We both needed naps to make it through the day. It is just the three females and me at the current time.
Mike went off to work in his normal flight suit gear even though he is teaching at the military college and not flying at the current time.
I asked about their close friends who both chose to stay in the military, and who are currently fly their A-10’s out of Davis Monthan Air Force Base (uscon Arizona) which is where Michael was taught how to fly the A-10. Her female pilot friend is heading off to Afghanistan for six months and leaving her one year old with her husband. This is exactly why Danielle chose to leave the military when she did. She would have been doing the same thing of leaving her family for 6 months.
Danielle has a class this evening. Another class she does online.
Our grandchild Isabelle is doing well. We are going off to the Kansas City Zoo which is one of the top rated Zoo’s in the nation on Wednesday. Now that she is a little older, it will be a little different when we walk around the many paths and trails at the Zoo. We won’t be seeing the Polar Bears which will arrive after we leave Kansas.
Today is a shorts and short leave day as we hit the low 70’s. Tomorrow will hit the upper 70’s.
Observation – I have been reading in the local newspaper, The Kansas City Star. They have been having reading articles of a locally grown militia which got busted in Detroit. These are the people who strictly interpret the Bible. They claim that they want to be prepared to fight the people who don’t follow the Bible to the letter of the law. They are also white people who don’t like our government, and who will attack the Anti Christ. Our President, being a person color, is one of those people whom they don’t like. Of course, they have an arsenal of weapons to do this defending.
What gets me is that we are trying to fight terrorists in foreign countries, but we have our homegrown terrorists which we have to devote scarce resources too.
This is another example of religion being at the root of the wackiness which has been going on in the world. The Catholic Church has been in the mix lately accused of hiding pedophile priests in Ireland and Germany. Do you wonder why the church goers of pretty much every religion have an elderly population trying to keep their churches going? After us baby boomers, I don’t see the following generations supporting religions as we did in the past. The fire and brimstone priests and ministers who taught us baby boomers when we grew up won’t have the younger generation in their churches.
We are going off to the park in a little while. I have to prepare my body for this activity.
The Red Sox are playing a preseason game this afternoon against Tampa. I will read a book while watching the game if Isabelle takes an afternoon nap.
I whipped up some French Toast for breakfast. Isabelle likes to dip skinny slices into her syrup. Linda taught her this dipping stuff the last time that we were together.
Have to go and take a shower!
Talk to you soon.
Have a great Tuesday! Ours is off to a great start. The Curley Lad
Our Monday went okay. We both needed naps to make it through the day. It is just the three females and me at the current time.
Mike went off to work in his normal flight suit gear even though he is teaching at the military college and not flying at the current time.
I asked about their close friends who both chose to stay in the military, and who are currently fly their A-10’s out of Davis Monthan Air Force Base (uscon Arizona) which is where Michael was taught how to fly the A-10. Her female pilot friend is heading off to Afghanistan for six months and leaving her one year old with her husband. This is exactly why Danielle chose to leave the military when she did. She would have been doing the same thing of leaving her family for 6 months.
Danielle has a class this evening. Another class she does online.
Our grandchild Isabelle is doing well. We are going off to the Kansas City Zoo which is one of the top rated Zoo’s in the nation on Wednesday. Now that she is a little older, it will be a little different when we walk around the many paths and trails at the Zoo. We won’t be seeing the Polar Bears which will arrive after we leave Kansas.
Today is a shorts and short leave day as we hit the low 70’s. Tomorrow will hit the upper 70’s.
Observation – I have been reading in the local newspaper, The Kansas City Star. They have been having reading articles of a locally grown militia which got busted in Detroit. These are the people who strictly interpret the Bible. They claim that they want to be prepared to fight the people who don’t follow the Bible to the letter of the law. They are also white people who don’t like our government, and who will attack the Anti Christ. Our President, being a person color, is one of those people whom they don’t like. Of course, they have an arsenal of weapons to do this defending.
What gets me is that we are trying to fight terrorists in foreign countries, but we have our homegrown terrorists which we have to devote scarce resources too.
This is another example of religion being at the root of the wackiness which has been going on in the world. The Catholic Church has been in the mix lately accused of hiding pedophile priests in Ireland and Germany. Do you wonder why the church goers of pretty much every religion have an elderly population trying to keep their churches going? After us baby boomers, I don’t see the following generations supporting religions as we did in the past. The fire and brimstone priests and ministers who taught us baby boomers when we grew up won’t have the younger generation in their churches.
We are going off to the park in a little while. I have to prepare my body for this activity.
The Red Sox are playing a preseason game this afternoon against Tampa. I will read a book while watching the game if Isabelle takes an afternoon nap.
I whipped up some French Toast for breakfast. Isabelle likes to dip skinny slices into her syrup. Linda taught her this dipping stuff the last time that we were together.
Have to go and take a shower!
Talk to you soon.
Have a great Tuesday! Ours is off to a great start. The Curley Lad
Monday, March 29, 2010
Hello from Kansas
Dear Friends,
I just woke up from a 3 hour nap, and I have 5 o’clock shadow, but it is only a little after 2 PM central time as I begin this e-mail. Linda and I woke up at 3:30 AM in preparation for our 4:15 AM pick up (by way of a limo service) from the Brodeur home in North Tewksbury. Our 6 AM flight out of Logan was right on time, and we touched down at exactly 8:30 AM (CST) at KCI international airport.
Danielle and Isabelle picked us up at 9 AM, and we were at our son’s place at 9:30 AM. After an hour of playing with our grandchild, my body shut down, and I settled down for a nap. Right now the only people awake are Danielle and I. Even Linda, who is not good at nap taking, crashed like me. Maybe I should rethink making travel plans for retired people when the airplane leaves at 6 AM in the morning. I thought having a full day with the grandchild would be great, but I already lost three hours because of my nap.
Our Sunday went okay in North Tewksbury. After reading the Boston Globe when we woke up at the Brodeur’s, Linda and I went off to Kevin and Kyla’s new home to help out with the unpacking. Linda watched Max as Kyla emptied box and bags of stuff from their Saturday moving adventure. Kevin and I went to East Boston to do a through cleaning of their East Boston apartment so that it was clean for the renters who wanted to drop off some of their stuff today even though the rental agreement doesn’t start until April 1, 2010.
I was the window (14 of them) cleaning guy and the vacuum cleaner, and in charge of cleaning the kitchen cabinets, stove, and refrigerator. I don’t want to see a bottle of Windex for a while. Vacuuming wasn’t exactly a pleasure also. Do you know how many dog and hat hairs which two cats and two dogs can generate?
Kevin was in charge of doing patch jobs of carpeting that the creatures tore up, and he also had to fix a wall that they damaged too with a little spackling. The renters will be moving into a pristine apartment. The 5 hour effort on Sunday was worth it because Kevin and Kyla (and Max) treated us to dinner at the Longhorn Steak House a couple miles from their home.
Isabelle has really grown up a lot since we last saw her and her family at Christmas. She is talking more, and is starting the potty training process.
She still prefers Nana Linda over me, but at least she doesn’t run and hide from scary looking grandpa. I am called papa with the mustache, but Danielle’s dad has a mustache too.
Her little brother will be born during the middle of May. Mike and Danielle are still deciding on what to name their child.
The weather is starting to warm up as we arrived in Kansas. Danielle says that one of the days will hit the 80 degree mark. Yes, I packed the appropriate clothes. I have several short sleeve shirts, and pairs of shorts. Bring on the sunshine!
A military friend left the area, and let Isabelle have their swing set, family size trampoline, kid slides, and toys.
Papa is going to purchase them a bird feeder and bird seed so that Isabelle can watch the birds out of their sliding glass windows to their deck like at the Curley home. There are no creatures like bears, bobcats, coyote’s, etc. Danielle says that they don’t even have squirrels where they live. Each house has a fenced in (wooden) back yard.
I haven’t looked at television since we left Pittsfield on Friday morning. For the past few days the focus has been on the grandchild in Boston, and now the focus is on the grandchild in Kansas. Family and friends is what it is all about.
I will have some words of wisdom and / or political views on Tuesday morning.
Update – Jerry dialysis, which began last week had a few complications. When we first saw him after one of his sessions on Friday, he was tired, but I though much better than we have seen him in the past. He has lost weight, and the leg swelling has decreased tremendously. Other numbers like blood pressure and sugar number have decreased also. He is sleeping better too.
On Sunday, he did start to feel not so great. A scheduled session for today should perk him up. He is currently on a M-W-F schedule.
Well, I can hear Isabelle stirring. We will be going outside and playing with some of her outdoor toys.
Have a great day.
Ours is off to a pretty good start! The Curley Lad
I just woke up from a 3 hour nap, and I have 5 o’clock shadow, but it is only a little after 2 PM central time as I begin this e-mail. Linda and I woke up at 3:30 AM in preparation for our 4:15 AM pick up (by way of a limo service) from the Brodeur home in North Tewksbury. Our 6 AM flight out of Logan was right on time, and we touched down at exactly 8:30 AM (CST) at KCI international airport.
Danielle and Isabelle picked us up at 9 AM, and we were at our son’s place at 9:30 AM. After an hour of playing with our grandchild, my body shut down, and I settled down for a nap. Right now the only people awake are Danielle and I. Even Linda, who is not good at nap taking, crashed like me. Maybe I should rethink making travel plans for retired people when the airplane leaves at 6 AM in the morning. I thought having a full day with the grandchild would be great, but I already lost three hours because of my nap.
Our Sunday went okay in North Tewksbury. After reading the Boston Globe when we woke up at the Brodeur’s, Linda and I went off to Kevin and Kyla’s new home to help out with the unpacking. Linda watched Max as Kyla emptied box and bags of stuff from their Saturday moving adventure. Kevin and I went to East Boston to do a through cleaning of their East Boston apartment so that it was clean for the renters who wanted to drop off some of their stuff today even though the rental agreement doesn’t start until April 1, 2010.
I was the window (14 of them) cleaning guy and the vacuum cleaner, and in charge of cleaning the kitchen cabinets, stove, and refrigerator. I don’t want to see a bottle of Windex for a while. Vacuuming wasn’t exactly a pleasure also. Do you know how many dog and hat hairs which two cats and two dogs can generate?
Kevin was in charge of doing patch jobs of carpeting that the creatures tore up, and he also had to fix a wall that they damaged too with a little spackling. The renters will be moving into a pristine apartment. The 5 hour effort on Sunday was worth it because Kevin and Kyla (and Max) treated us to dinner at the Longhorn Steak House a couple miles from their home.
Isabelle has really grown up a lot since we last saw her and her family at Christmas. She is talking more, and is starting the potty training process.
She still prefers Nana Linda over me, but at least she doesn’t run and hide from scary looking grandpa. I am called papa with the mustache, but Danielle’s dad has a mustache too.
Her little brother will be born during the middle of May. Mike and Danielle are still deciding on what to name their child.
The weather is starting to warm up as we arrived in Kansas. Danielle says that one of the days will hit the 80 degree mark. Yes, I packed the appropriate clothes. I have several short sleeve shirts, and pairs of shorts. Bring on the sunshine!
A military friend left the area, and let Isabelle have their swing set, family size trampoline, kid slides, and toys.
Papa is going to purchase them a bird feeder and bird seed so that Isabelle can watch the birds out of their sliding glass windows to their deck like at the Curley home. There are no creatures like bears, bobcats, coyote’s, etc. Danielle says that they don’t even have squirrels where they live. Each house has a fenced in (wooden) back yard.
I haven’t looked at television since we left Pittsfield on Friday morning. For the past few days the focus has been on the grandchild in Boston, and now the focus is on the grandchild in Kansas. Family and friends is what it is all about.
I will have some words of wisdom and / or political views on Tuesday morning.
Update – Jerry dialysis, which began last week had a few complications. When we first saw him after one of his sessions on Friday, he was tired, but I though much better than we have seen him in the past. He has lost weight, and the leg swelling has decreased tremendously. Other numbers like blood pressure and sugar number have decreased also. He is sleeping better too.
On Sunday, he did start to feel not so great. A scheduled session for today should perk him up. He is currently on a M-W-F schedule.
Well, I can hear Isabelle stirring. We will be going outside and playing with some of her outdoor toys.
Have a great day.
Ours is off to a pretty good start! The Curley Lad
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Hello on Sunday
Dear Friends,
It was a long and hectic day for the Curley's including Kevin and Kyla, and
our grandchild Max.
The move has been completed, and Kevin and Kyla, and Max slept in their new
home for the first time
Linda and I are at the Brodeur's because the bed for the spare bedroom has not
been assembled yet.
The creatures are trying to adjust to their new surroundings including a back
yard which they haven't been allowed to go out in yet. Frankie Beans, and Billy
have met another dao , and his owner while the movers were unloading the truck
yesterday.
It is amazing how much stuff which Kyla and Kevin have accumulated during the
few years which they have lived in East Boston. It got me thinking about all the
stuff which Linda and I have accumulated.
I say "Bring on the dumpster" if we ever decide to move. People don't know
what stuff is until they have seen the 50 + buckets which have throughout the
house, garage, and storage shed.
The plan for today is for Kevin and I to head off to the apartment in East
Boston for some touch up work, and rug cleaning. The Brodeurs and Linda will be
going over to Kevin and Kyla's new home to check it out once again, and for
Linda to take care of Max while Kevin and me do our thing while Kyla unpacks
kitchen boxes.
Last night we had a wonderful Turkey Breast Dinner at the Brodeur's with our
son and his family since Kevin and Kyla have a refrigerator with only beer in
it. Kyla will have to go off and get some basic supplies before this day is
over. The nearest Supermarket is about 6 miles away from their home.
Kevin and Kyla are so lucky to have the Brodeur's just one street away. If
they need any assistance of any kind, they are a one minute drive from on
another. If Kevin ever needs a tool of some kind, Jerry has more tools than the
average small hardware store.
If Kevin needs a carpenter, the Brodeur's son is a certified contractor. If
Todd resided in the Berkshires, I could have all of our friends contact him for
any kind of work both inside and out side of their homes. When Linda and I
decide it is time for a new kitchen. Todd will be the go to guy. He has already
given us an estimate on a new roof which I can see will will need in a couple of
years. We would have to provide food and lodging for him and crew of guys to do
a large project, but that will be a cheap price to pay for the quality of work
which I have seen him do.
There is a crack in the windshield of my Subaru. April is my inspection month,
but my car could never pass inspection with this crack which seems to grow
whenever I go over a bump in the road.I think a Berkshire rock hit my
windshield, but the crack didn't appear until Saturday morning at the
Brodeur's. The cold start to the morning got the crack to begin.
I am waiting for Kevin to give me a call so that we can head off to East
Boston. The renters will be moving into the East Boston apartment on Monday
morning. Some spackling, and some touch up paint, and some vacuuming needs to be
done before the renters move in. I am hoping that we can get stuff done in 3 or
4 hours. Simple projects always end up being longer than planned.
Have a great Sunday!
Talk to you soon. The Curley Lad
It was a long and hectic day for the Curley's including Kevin and Kyla, and
our grandchild Max.
The move has been completed, and Kevin and Kyla, and Max slept in their new
home for the first time
Linda and I are at the Brodeur's because the bed for the spare bedroom has not
been assembled yet.
The creatures are trying to adjust to their new surroundings including a back
yard which they haven't been allowed to go out in yet. Frankie Beans, and Billy
have met another dao , and his owner while the movers were unloading the truck
yesterday.
It is amazing how much stuff which Kyla and Kevin have accumulated during the
few years which they have lived in East Boston. It got me thinking about all the
stuff which Linda and I have accumulated.
I say "Bring on the dumpster" if we ever decide to move. People don't know
what stuff is until they have seen the 50 + buckets which have throughout the
house, garage, and storage shed.
The plan for today is for Kevin and I to head off to the apartment in East
Boston for some touch up work, and rug cleaning. The Brodeurs and Linda will be
going over to Kevin and Kyla's new home to check it out once again, and for
Linda to take care of Max while Kevin and me do our thing while Kyla unpacks
kitchen boxes.
Last night we had a wonderful Turkey Breast Dinner at the Brodeur's with our
son and his family since Kevin and Kyla have a refrigerator with only beer in
it. Kyla will have to go off and get some basic supplies before this day is
over. The nearest Supermarket is about 6 miles away from their home.
Kevin and Kyla are so lucky to have the Brodeur's just one street away. If
they need any assistance of any kind, they are a one minute drive from on
another. If Kevin ever needs a tool of some kind, Jerry has more tools than the
average small hardware store.
If Kevin needs a carpenter, the Brodeur's son is a certified contractor. If
Todd resided in the Berkshires, I could have all of our friends contact him for
any kind of work both inside and out side of their homes. When Linda and I
decide it is time for a new kitchen. Todd will be the go to guy. He has already
given us an estimate on a new roof which I can see will will need in a couple of
years. We would have to provide food and lodging for him and crew of guys to do
a large project, but that will be a cheap price to pay for the quality of work
which I have seen him do.
There is a crack in the windshield of my Subaru. April is my inspection month,
but my car could never pass inspection with this crack which seems to grow
whenever I go over a bump in the road.I think a Berkshire rock hit my
windshield, but the crack didn't appear until Saturday morning at the
Brodeur's. The cold start to the morning got the crack to begin.
I am waiting for Kevin to give me a call so that we can head off to East
Boston. The renters will be moving into the East Boston apartment on Monday
morning. Some spackling, and some touch up paint, and some vacuuming needs to be
done before the renters move in. I am hoping that we can get stuff done in 3 or
4 hours. Simple projects always end up being longer than planned.
Have a great Sunday!
Talk to you soon. The Curley Lad
Friday, March 26, 2010
Hello on Friday Morning
Dear Friends,
Another day went pretty much as planned!
Linda made it through her two body maintenance procedures, and I went to Retro Fitness (not today), attended two wakes, and visited Mom in the nursing home before we hooked up at the Olde Heritage House in Lenox a little after 6 PM. Of course, there was a good deal of stress in between which affected Linda more than me. What is really good is that I didn’t cause much of the stress.
The first stressor involved the DVR formatting changes brought by the Warner Cable as she was trying to DVR her favorite programs. She had the Cable guy on the telephone trying to help her get through the maze of new ways of recording programs. Of course she had to tell the cable guy what important changes needed to be made since the new system doesn’t do everything that she wants to make happen. It got to the point where the technician said to return the cable box and replace it with a new one. Luckily, the cable company is less than a mile from our home. This was all taking place just before she had to go to her second body maintenance procedure.
A second stressor was that she was in the middle of packing for a trip. For her it is like our grandparents packing what ever they could fit in those trunks as they made their voyages from Italy and Ireland to the United States at the turn of the century.
A third stressor was the multiple telephones calls with our daughter-in-law with Linda offering advice (from her days selling real estate) on helping to make the house signing deal work instead of being delayed.
A fourth stressor was the telephone call from our friends the Brodeur’s saying that Jerry was having some problems, and he ended up back in Bringham & Women’s hospital for a good portion of the day and evening on Thursday. They were back home as of 11:15 PM last evening.
A fifth stressor was the conversation which Linda had with the claims department of Liberty Mutual for our water damage of a few months ago. Since the person we were dealing with at Liberty Mutual went on maternity leave a week ago, the person she talked with yesterday had only a semi clue of what was going on.
The sixth stressor was me (but that is normal)!
By the time Linda arrived at the Heritage Tavern, she was ready for a beverage or two. Happiness arrived quickly when she won $25 on her first Keno game that she played. She won a second $25 game later on in the evening.
During that first game which she won, she decided not to play the bonus multiplier. The payout for that game would have been four times the winning amount. She could have started off the evening winning $100 instead of $25. Oh Darn!
A UNICO friend and I did our bartending shift at the assigned time for the Celebrity Bartending Fundraiser. We were leading the competition after our shift with respect to how much tips we collected from the patrons. Since we didn’t stay for the whole evening, I am not sure if the temporary lead turned into the winning one.
As we left for the evening, another friend at our table won a $25 game at Keno, and a door prize of two pizzas at The East Side Café, and a bottle of wine. Sitting at the Curley table continues to be good luck for our friends and sometimes us too.
I should be sleeping, but I am wired once again. I am like the little kid who gets excited when he is going on a trip. We are leaving the house at 7:30 AM which will be a real chore for Linda. You know me! I am ready for action at any time. I can rise for any occasion.
It does appear that there will be some kind of signing agreement for Kevin and Kyla taking place today with a contingency plan related to the conservation committee meeting which doesn’t occur until April 7, 2010 (which is when the committee has their next meeting). It appears that Kevin, and Kyla, and Max will not be homeless if the agreement is signed late morning today. We will be taking care of Max, and doing so at the Brodeur’s. Linda and I will be sleeping at the Brodeur’s too for at least the weekend.
If all goes well with the signing, the movers will be taking all their stuff from East Boston to North Tewksbury on Saturday morning. We will have Max and the Dogs to deal with. Oh, I forgot about their two cats! I am not sure who will be in charge of them or how they will be transported!
Since I am up so early today, I will be taking naps when Max is ready to do so. The last time Max was with us, my naps were longer than his.
Max is healing quite well from his injury the other day.
Kyla said that Max is starting to wake up earlier and earlier each day. I think that he picked up a bit too much of Grandpa Curley’s waking up early gene!
Well, I made a list of all the things which need to be done before we leave the house today. Some of these things are not of the quiet variety.
I am guessing that Linda will be getting a little shut eye on the way east on the Mass Pike this morning. To bad she wasn’t like me who can take a nap at any time during the day (not while I am driving).
Linda will be missing her once a month retiree breakfast! Oh Darn!
Have to go!
Have a great weekend!
Talk to you soon. The Curley Lad
Another day went pretty much as planned!
Linda made it through her two body maintenance procedures, and I went to Retro Fitness (not today), attended two wakes, and visited Mom in the nursing home before we hooked up at the Olde Heritage House in Lenox a little after 6 PM. Of course, there was a good deal of stress in between which affected Linda more than me. What is really good is that I didn’t cause much of the stress.
The first stressor involved the DVR formatting changes brought by the Warner Cable as she was trying to DVR her favorite programs. She had the Cable guy on the telephone trying to help her get through the maze of new ways of recording programs. Of course she had to tell the cable guy what important changes needed to be made since the new system doesn’t do everything that she wants to make happen. It got to the point where the technician said to return the cable box and replace it with a new one. Luckily, the cable company is less than a mile from our home. This was all taking place just before she had to go to her second body maintenance procedure.
A second stressor was that she was in the middle of packing for a trip. For her it is like our grandparents packing what ever they could fit in those trunks as they made their voyages from Italy and Ireland to the United States at the turn of the century.
A third stressor was the multiple telephones calls with our daughter-in-law with Linda offering advice (from her days selling real estate) on helping to make the house signing deal work instead of being delayed.
A fourth stressor was the telephone call from our friends the Brodeur’s saying that Jerry was having some problems, and he ended up back in Bringham & Women’s hospital for a good portion of the day and evening on Thursday. They were back home as of 11:15 PM last evening.
A fifth stressor was the conversation which Linda had with the claims department of Liberty Mutual for our water damage of a few months ago. Since the person we were dealing with at Liberty Mutual went on maternity leave a week ago, the person she talked with yesterday had only a semi clue of what was going on.
The sixth stressor was me (but that is normal)!
By the time Linda arrived at the Heritage Tavern, she was ready for a beverage or two. Happiness arrived quickly when she won $25 on her first Keno game that she played. She won a second $25 game later on in the evening.
During that first game which she won, she decided not to play the bonus multiplier. The payout for that game would have been four times the winning amount. She could have started off the evening winning $100 instead of $25. Oh Darn!
A UNICO friend and I did our bartending shift at the assigned time for the Celebrity Bartending Fundraiser. We were leading the competition after our shift with respect to how much tips we collected from the patrons. Since we didn’t stay for the whole evening, I am not sure if the temporary lead turned into the winning one.
As we left for the evening, another friend at our table won a $25 game at Keno, and a door prize of two pizzas at The East Side Café, and a bottle of wine. Sitting at the Curley table continues to be good luck for our friends and sometimes us too.
I should be sleeping, but I am wired once again. I am like the little kid who gets excited when he is going on a trip. We are leaving the house at 7:30 AM which will be a real chore for Linda. You know me! I am ready for action at any time. I can rise for any occasion.
It does appear that there will be some kind of signing agreement for Kevin and Kyla taking place today with a contingency plan related to the conservation committee meeting which doesn’t occur until April 7, 2010 (which is when the committee has their next meeting). It appears that Kevin, and Kyla, and Max will not be homeless if the agreement is signed late morning today. We will be taking care of Max, and doing so at the Brodeur’s. Linda and I will be sleeping at the Brodeur’s too for at least the weekend.
If all goes well with the signing, the movers will be taking all their stuff from East Boston to North Tewksbury on Saturday morning. We will have Max and the Dogs to deal with. Oh, I forgot about their two cats! I am not sure who will be in charge of them or how they will be transported!
Since I am up so early today, I will be taking naps when Max is ready to do so. The last time Max was with us, my naps were longer than his.
Max is healing quite well from his injury the other day.
Kyla said that Max is starting to wake up earlier and earlier each day. I think that he picked up a bit too much of Grandpa Curley’s waking up early gene!
Well, I made a list of all the things which need to be done before we leave the house today. Some of these things are not of the quiet variety.
I am guessing that Linda will be getting a little shut eye on the way east on the Mass Pike this morning. To bad she wasn’t like me who can take a nap at any time during the day (not while I am driving).
Linda will be missing her once a month retiree breakfast! Oh Darn!
Have to go!
Have a great weekend!
Talk to you soon. The Curley Lad
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Hello on Thursday
Dear Friends,
Our day on Wednesday went exactly as planned.
For our son and his family in East Boston, the day took a turn for the worse. Everyone is healthy, and their marriage is still picture perfect, but the closing of their house, which is supposed to take place on Friday, might not happen. A piece of paper, which must be signed off by the EPA because there are wetlands in their back yard, wasn’t there (I blame their lawyer). Kyla, being the organized person who she is, took care of all the details, change of address, the movers coming on Saturday, day care for Max in North Tewksbury on Monday, etc. The signing has been postponed until they get this document signed. The people who live in the house can’t move out until they get the money from Kevin and Kyla. The matter is even more complicated because they found a nice couple who are moving in Kevin and Kyla’s apartment in East Boston on Monday. Essentially, Kevin, Kyla, and Max will be homeless on Monday morning. The contents of there apartment have to be put in storage until the EPA signs off on the particular paper.
When she put her plight on Facebook, many friends have offered to house them until the deal can be made. Her college friend from Saratoga, New York even volunteered to house them which would take Kevin and Kyla too far from the restaurant, and where Kyla works in downtown Boston.
They will survive the major bump in the road, and they will go back to their story book life hopefully pretty soon.
Linda and I are still on schedule to head off to East Boston on Friday morning. We will take Max to our friends the Brodeur’s, who live in North Tewksbury, while Kevin and Kyla finish packing for the movers who will be there on Saturday morning.
We first have to make it through a busy Thursday. Linda has two body maintenance appointments. I have two wakes to attend. One is in Lee for the 87 year old father of a high school friend and neighbor of mine and the other is for a baby boomer UNICO brother, who is my age (63) who lost a battle fighting cancer.
This evening we have the UNICO Celebrity bartending contest in Lenox at the Heritage House. I have a table full of people ready to meet a 6 PM for some food, fun, and merriment before my 7:30 PM, 45 minute shift as a bartender.
Politics – When the Republicans stop beating up the Democrats, they will find the positives of Universal Health Care will outweigh the negatives.
Sports – I did get to watch the Celtics win their game in my man cave while Linda was teaching a couple of friends how to knit a particular item.
One her friends seems to be a bit like me. I can’t see her sitting down for hours at a time watching television and knitting. Maybe when she does retire, and when her two girls get married and start a family, then she can relax and become a knitting machine like Linda. Right now, I don’t see it happening.
Have to go off to Retro Fitness!
Talk to you soon. The Curley Lad
Our day on Wednesday went exactly as planned.
For our son and his family in East Boston, the day took a turn for the worse. Everyone is healthy, and their marriage is still picture perfect, but the closing of their house, which is supposed to take place on Friday, might not happen. A piece of paper, which must be signed off by the EPA because there are wetlands in their back yard, wasn’t there (I blame their lawyer). Kyla, being the organized person who she is, took care of all the details, change of address, the movers coming on Saturday, day care for Max in North Tewksbury on Monday, etc. The signing has been postponed until they get this document signed. The people who live in the house can’t move out until they get the money from Kevin and Kyla. The matter is even more complicated because they found a nice couple who are moving in Kevin and Kyla’s apartment in East Boston on Monday. Essentially, Kevin, Kyla, and Max will be homeless on Monday morning. The contents of there apartment have to be put in storage until the EPA signs off on the particular paper.
When she put her plight on Facebook, many friends have offered to house them until the deal can be made. Her college friend from Saratoga, New York even volunteered to house them which would take Kevin and Kyla too far from the restaurant, and where Kyla works in downtown Boston.
They will survive the major bump in the road, and they will go back to their story book life hopefully pretty soon.
Linda and I are still on schedule to head off to East Boston on Friday morning. We will take Max to our friends the Brodeur’s, who live in North Tewksbury, while Kevin and Kyla finish packing for the movers who will be there on Saturday morning.
We first have to make it through a busy Thursday. Linda has two body maintenance appointments. I have two wakes to attend. One is in Lee for the 87 year old father of a high school friend and neighbor of mine and the other is for a baby boomer UNICO brother, who is my age (63) who lost a battle fighting cancer.
This evening we have the UNICO Celebrity bartending contest in Lenox at the Heritage House. I have a table full of people ready to meet a 6 PM for some food, fun, and merriment before my 7:30 PM, 45 minute shift as a bartender.
Politics – When the Republicans stop beating up the Democrats, they will find the positives of Universal Health Care will outweigh the negatives.
Sports – I did get to watch the Celtics win their game in my man cave while Linda was teaching a couple of friends how to knit a particular item.
One her friends seems to be a bit like me. I can’t see her sitting down for hours at a time watching television and knitting. Maybe when she does retire, and when her two girls get married and start a family, then she can relax and become a knitting machine like Linda. Right now, I don’t see it happening.
Have to go off to Retro Fitness!
Talk to you soon. The Curley Lad
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Hello on Wednesday
Dear Friends,
Another day went as planned.
Linda had fun at Mah Jongg especially since it was the first time that the session was held at one of the player’s home. Linda said the home was absolutely gorgeous. It was an old Victorian style home that has be completely restored except for a few small items. Linda said the antiques were priceless. The restored hardwood floors were perfect. All the players agreed that they should have had some games at this host’s house before.
Her girls’ night out at Mazzeo’s was wonderful. The food was great from appetizers to dessert. There were many people whom she recognized as she and her friends left the restaurant.
I came home exhausted from the Pasta Fund raiser. We served close to 250 people. The leftovers were pretty much nonexistent! I am not sure how much the PHS Italian Exchange Club made in profits, but they thanked my UNICO brothers and one sister (we have 8 or 9 female members) profusely. The golf chairperson gave my friend and I permission to continue to help serving the endless crowd at the fundraiser.
Social Calendar – I missed my 4:30 AM Retro Fitness, but I think that I will go when the beautiful people will be there.
Linda has a few ladies coming over the house this evening for knitting session. Yes, you heard that correctly! She made these “too cute” slippers several months ago, and her girl friends want to be taught how to make them. Of course, there are other things like hats and sweaters which she is going to teach them how to make.
I hope that they don’t use my man cave so that I can watch some kind of sporting contest.
I also need to gather some clothes for our weekend adventure in East Boston / North Tewksbury. Friday is the closing on Kevin and Kyla first home with multiple rooms and a yard. I can’t do the packing on Thursday because I have two wakes and the bartender’s fundraiser on Thursday evening.
Politics / Observation – I think the President is going to sign the Health Care Bill today. I think that the positives outweigh the negatives. I am not sure if I like the way they have decided how that were are going to pay for it. Maybe, if we didn’t have to spend so much money fighting wars, we could use those funds to help pay for the new health care bill. I am not saying to give up searching for, and eliminating the bad guys who want to destroy the United States, but there has to be a better way to complete this task.
Our President’s next task is to get people back to work. There are so many public works projects which could be done in every State. Our roads, bridges, and parks would be a great place to start. Every able body young person should not be sitting home waiting to find a job. Seniors, who want to work, and who are physically able to do the job should not be discriminated against.
There would be a lot less crime if people came home tired from at least an 8 hour day at work. My legs are still aching from my volunteering which went from 3:30 PM until about 7:30 PM. It is not a natural thing to sit home all day, and do nothing especially when you are young and able bodied. Even though I am retired, I can’t sit for too long. I can always find something to do whether it is inside or outside of the house. I always talk about watching sports, but I am not sure if I ever have watched a sporting contest completely. I often turn the volume down low, and read a book. If I am not exercising my body, at least my brain is getting a workout!
Well, a cup of coffee, along with reading the newspaper is how I am going to start this day. When Linda wakes up, I will go off with the beautiful people at Retro Fitness.
Have a great Wednesday!
Talk to you soon! The Curley Lad
Another day went as planned.
Linda had fun at Mah Jongg especially since it was the first time that the session was held at one of the player’s home. Linda said the home was absolutely gorgeous. It was an old Victorian style home that has be completely restored except for a few small items. Linda said the antiques were priceless. The restored hardwood floors were perfect. All the players agreed that they should have had some games at this host’s house before.
Her girls’ night out at Mazzeo’s was wonderful. The food was great from appetizers to dessert. There were many people whom she recognized as she and her friends left the restaurant.
I came home exhausted from the Pasta Fund raiser. We served close to 250 people. The leftovers were pretty much nonexistent! I am not sure how much the PHS Italian Exchange Club made in profits, but they thanked my UNICO brothers and one sister (we have 8 or 9 female members) profusely. The golf chairperson gave my friend and I permission to continue to help serving the endless crowd at the fundraiser.
Social Calendar – I missed my 4:30 AM Retro Fitness, but I think that I will go when the beautiful people will be there.
Linda has a few ladies coming over the house this evening for knitting session. Yes, you heard that correctly! She made these “too cute” slippers several months ago, and her girl friends want to be taught how to make them. Of course, there are other things like hats and sweaters which she is going to teach them how to make.
I hope that they don’t use my man cave so that I can watch some kind of sporting contest.
I also need to gather some clothes for our weekend adventure in East Boston / North Tewksbury. Friday is the closing on Kevin and Kyla first home with multiple rooms and a yard. I can’t do the packing on Thursday because I have two wakes and the bartender’s fundraiser on Thursday evening.
Politics / Observation – I think the President is going to sign the Health Care Bill today. I think that the positives outweigh the negatives. I am not sure if I like the way they have decided how that were are going to pay for it. Maybe, if we didn’t have to spend so much money fighting wars, we could use those funds to help pay for the new health care bill. I am not saying to give up searching for, and eliminating the bad guys who want to destroy the United States, but there has to be a better way to complete this task.
Our President’s next task is to get people back to work. There are so many public works projects which could be done in every State. Our roads, bridges, and parks would be a great place to start. Every able body young person should not be sitting home waiting to find a job. Seniors, who want to work, and who are physically able to do the job should not be discriminated against.
There would be a lot less crime if people came home tired from at least an 8 hour day at work. My legs are still aching from my volunteering which went from 3:30 PM until about 7:30 PM. It is not a natural thing to sit home all day, and do nothing especially when you are young and able bodied. Even though I am retired, I can’t sit for too long. I can always find something to do whether it is inside or outside of the house. I always talk about watching sports, but I am not sure if I ever have watched a sporting contest completely. I often turn the volume down low, and read a book. If I am not exercising my body, at least my brain is getting a workout!
Well, a cup of coffee, along with reading the newspaper is how I am going to start this day. When Linda wakes up, I will go off with the beautiful people at Retro Fitness.
Have a great Wednesday!
Talk to you soon! The Curley Lad
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