We painted our deck this weekend, and all of a sudden I realized that it was the same color as my (hideous) first car! That brownish, greenish green/brown of the early 70's..... Oh My Gosh, it's BACK! It actually looks really amazing. Very regal and rich. Next, we will paint the doors an equally rich dark red color. Unfortunately, like every single other homeowner in the world: as soon as you do one thing to improve your house, then everything else around it looks shabby and needs to be re-done as well.
Other fun developments from the weekend:
Susie and Dan got to be here for an extra day, which is always awesome and welcomed!
We initiated our Six Flags season passes Saturday night. That was a BLAST. What a great idea for a present! The drive to the park was a bit "wild", but beautiful, winding around all the hills and back roads of Northern CT. It took just under an hour to get there, probably by the end of the Summer we can get it down to 45 minutes seeing that we had to stop a few times and turn around for overshot turns. It is remarkable that this huge amusement park is literally in the middle of NO WHERE. We are driving along on these country roads.... nothing in sight.... and BOOM: HUGE AMUSEMENT PARK.
The weather was perfect, and it wasn't horribly crowded for being a Saturday night. (I am sure that onward into the season it will be better to go during the week and early). It is a very clean park, which is a relief. Very well attended by friendly and helpful people. The only draw-back was Dan was too short for the most exciting rides, and feeling too old for the kiddie ones. We picked up a park guide so we can better plan for next time--I am sure there are many things for him to do, especially when the main water park is open.
Our favorite ride was the family water raft ride--we didn't really get wet from the ride (a giant innertube raft spinning freely down a giant twisting water slide) but at the bottom there is a place where spectators can pay money to run a machine that shoots water at the ride participants. There was a very well armed and enthusiastic group to greet us and we were SOAKED by the time we got off the ride. I am sure the kids will be talking about that one for a long time!
We really only got to enjoy one section of the park before it was time to go. We ended up just getting a little snack in the park and stopped for dinner in Granby on the way home. Some people I work with reccomended the Mexican resturant there, and it was pretty good--even approaching authentic. Much better than any Mexican food we have found in CT so far. Not as good as dad's.... not as good as the Mexican street food in Pittsburgh...but.... not bad at all, and the service was fantastic. Alannah had fun testing out her Spainish with the (very authentic) staff.
Mom and Andrea made it to TX with the girls and cats. Mom says the house is gorgeous, and the neighborhood full of exciting things to explore. Of course, that means that Stephanie wants to EXPLORE--not UNPACK. Always fun when your kids have different (and probably better) agendas than we do!
I am off to teach a drawing class. I am much happier in the art room than the math room, that is for sure. Or Phys Ed. (yuck!) After school I have to run and get something for dinner (chili dogs?!) and then rush home and get painting a second coat on the deck before the rain comes in two days.
Warm Sun.... almost time to PLANT THE GARDEN!!!!
Monday, May 17, 2010
Friday, May 14, 2010
Enjoy our new family picture!
We had a very nice weekend with all the kids at Kennedi's first communion celebration. Her mom threw a gorgeous party for her, and the weather was perfect. Angela won her softball game--but it was very windy and dusty, so we didn't linger and visit for too long as this huge storm blew threw right towards the end. Some of Scott's nieces and nephew were there as well--the kids had a blast playing together on the playground during the game.
It was great to get to visit with Scott's sister, dad and step-mom over dinner later that night. Not only that, but our hotel had an indoor pool and hot tub. You can imagine how quickly everyone conked out that night. Mother's Day we drove up to Albany and had one last hoop-la with my family before the moving van came Monday morning. My sister, my mom, my nieces and three cats are all en-route to Austin, TX via car. Christian flew out yesterday to get things settled for them, and to prepare to begin work next week. It is very exciting! They were able to find a very nice house in a great, family oriented development. I hope that it is everything they hope for and that they will be able to stay for a few years.
I am working today, but it is a light day. I am covering a bunch of different people throughout the day. Alannah was recognized at a special freshman breakfast this morning. Boy, the food service department here makes some amazing food--Belgium waffles with strawberries and whipped cream, fresh fruit salad, bacon, sausage, home fries..... I am stuffed! (I got to go too, seeing that I was a freshman teacher for three months) I am looking forward to getting home and have a nice long weekend with Susie and Dan.
The weather is dreary today, but should clear up for tomorrow's big Pet Parade downtown. I think we are going to try and get to Six Flags as well, and initiate our Season passes for a couple of hours.
Happy first anniversary to my sister Eva and her husband Josh--I can't believe it has already been a year since their wedding!
God bless, I am off to teach tennis! (Math and gym class in one week..... scary, eh?)
It was great to get to visit with Scott's sister, dad and step-mom over dinner later that night. Not only that, but our hotel had an indoor pool and hot tub. You can imagine how quickly everyone conked out that night. Mother's Day we drove up to Albany and had one last hoop-la with my family before the moving van came Monday morning. My sister, my mom, my nieces and three cats are all en-route to Austin, TX via car. Christian flew out yesterday to get things settled for them, and to prepare to begin work next week. It is very exciting! They were able to find a very nice house in a great, family oriented development. I hope that it is everything they hope for and that they will be able to stay for a few years.
I am working today, but it is a light day. I am covering a bunch of different people throughout the day. Alannah was recognized at a special freshman breakfast this morning. Boy, the food service department here makes some amazing food--Belgium waffles with strawberries and whipped cream, fresh fruit salad, bacon, sausage, home fries..... I am stuffed! (I got to go too, seeing that I was a freshman teacher for three months) I am looking forward to getting home and have a nice long weekend with Susie and Dan.
The weather is dreary today, but should clear up for tomorrow's big Pet Parade downtown. I think we are going to try and get to Six Flags as well, and initiate our Season passes for a couple of hours.
Happy first anniversary to my sister Eva and her husband Josh--I can't believe it has already been a year since their wedding!
God bless, I am off to teach tennis! (Math and gym class in one week..... scary, eh?)
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Spring, glorious Spring!
Wow--what a gorgeous week of weather we are having. Even the thundershowers throughout the day yesterday were pristine. Suddenly, everything is GREEN! This past weekend we were looking at the mountain across the lake from us commenting that it still looked an awful (and awful) lot like Fall. All the leaves popped out in the past two days, and it looks magnificent.
Our yard is looking pretty magnificent as well. The new section of driveway looks so much better. There is much more light in the house with the extraneous trees removed. We invited the neighbors to firewood and mulch, so that helped to clean up the after-mess. We have a whole new section of beautiful top-soil for more gardening at the top of the driveway, as they Bob-catted the scrubby woods section at the back of the garage. Aidan is starting pumpkin and melon seeds to put up there next to/as part of the compost pile.
In the garden now are onions, peas, cabbage and green/wax beans. Ready to go into the garden are sweet peppers (all colors), banana peppers, some basic tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, corn, beets and squash. I did mention our garden was 4 times bigger this year? I need to remember to stop out at the organic place and get some more specialty tomatoes too. Hopefully we won't have that horrible blight problem again. Other green things, planted in bins for the season: carrots, mescalin, spinach, 3 kinds of lettuce, kale, radishes and many herbs. It was so cute! The guy who did our driveway was amazed that we could grow our own vegetables. He couldn't get over it. He and his girlfriend just bought a condo, so I think I will make them a planter pot with some stuff in it so he can too.
It is tempting with this weather, as usual, to want to get out there and plant the whole space, but I should know better that we will have a couple more frosty periods before it stays warm for good. Dad is tempted too, but impressed upon me to wait until May 20th! :) (Thanks Dad!)
Now that we have friends who own chickens, and are willing to share, I am starting to tease/nag Scott to build me a chicken coop. That new space behind the garage would be very nice for that! :) (I love to say the word "chickens!" because it gets Dad excited and mom freaking out....)
hahahahahahaha
My big teaching job is done now, and I am back to call-in subbing. No break for me yet, I am booked all this week already and most of next. This is teacher appreciation week, so there are all kinds of treats to enjoy.
In the meantime, I am trying to get my sewing room organized for "Operation Hoodie". I was out there this weekend sewing, but it was mostly just fun stuff for me and the girls. I am making us all Summer dresses for our various events. This weekend Scott's daughter Kennedi has her first communion, and it is Mother's Day. In a few weeks Susie has a piano competition and right after that we are attending Scott's nephew Andrew's high school graduation in Baltimore. I made four dresses this weekend, but couldn't get one done for Susie because we grabbed the wrong sized pattern.
Dan talked to me for the longest time on the phone last night. It was AWESOME. He doesn't always talk--that is hard for a six year old to grasp--so I cherished it. I got to hear about all kinds of things he is doing. He is really into some kind of new toy--and I can't remember what it was. Some kind of construction set that you can add-on to. Susie is getting ready to go to Piano Guild, and is going through state testing this week. Susie continues to advance in gymnastics, and seems to still enjoy going. Alannah and I landed lucky tickets to see The Blue Man Group in Boston this past weekend with the music department. It was a fun day. Scott and Aidan went fishing and out to dinner.
One of the men who works at the high school with me, come to find out, is a good friend of our friends Donovon and Wendy. He and his wife Michelle live just up the road from us and have two boys Susie and Dan's ages--just like Donovon. He invited us up during the Summer to swim and ride on their Go Kart track through the woods. Dan will think he died and went to heaven with all these BOYS around!!!! That is the other Scott news--he sent the motor out to be re-built for the new go-kart.... its all over now! :)
We definitely are going to Ocean City for a few days in June. We have our beach condo. I am so excited! I haven't been to the (ocean) beach for a long time. I wish we could go for longer than 5 days, but this way we maybe can hit Disney later in the year again.
OK--time to get back to class. (And grab a cookie before hand from the teacher's room!)
Enjoy!
Our yard is looking pretty magnificent as well. The new section of driveway looks so much better. There is much more light in the house with the extraneous trees removed. We invited the neighbors to firewood and mulch, so that helped to clean up the after-mess. We have a whole new section of beautiful top-soil for more gardening at the top of the driveway, as they Bob-catted the scrubby woods section at the back of the garage. Aidan is starting pumpkin and melon seeds to put up there next to/as part of the compost pile.
In the garden now are onions, peas, cabbage and green/wax beans. Ready to go into the garden are sweet peppers (all colors), banana peppers, some basic tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, corn, beets and squash. I did mention our garden was 4 times bigger this year? I need to remember to stop out at the organic place and get some more specialty tomatoes too. Hopefully we won't have that horrible blight problem again. Other green things, planted in bins for the season: carrots, mescalin, spinach, 3 kinds of lettuce, kale, radishes and many herbs. It was so cute! The guy who did our driveway was amazed that we could grow our own vegetables. He couldn't get over it. He and his girlfriend just bought a condo, so I think I will make them a planter pot with some stuff in it so he can too.
It is tempting with this weather, as usual, to want to get out there and plant the whole space, but I should know better that we will have a couple more frosty periods before it stays warm for good. Dad is tempted too, but impressed upon me to wait until May 20th! :) (Thanks Dad!)
Now that we have friends who own chickens, and are willing to share, I am starting to tease/nag Scott to build me a chicken coop. That new space behind the garage would be very nice for that! :) (I love to say the word "chickens!" because it gets Dad excited and mom freaking out....)
hahahahahahaha
My big teaching job is done now, and I am back to call-in subbing. No break for me yet, I am booked all this week already and most of next. This is teacher appreciation week, so there are all kinds of treats to enjoy.
In the meantime, I am trying to get my sewing room organized for "Operation Hoodie". I was out there this weekend sewing, but it was mostly just fun stuff for me and the girls. I am making us all Summer dresses for our various events. This weekend Scott's daughter Kennedi has her first communion, and it is Mother's Day. In a few weeks Susie has a piano competition and right after that we are attending Scott's nephew Andrew's high school graduation in Baltimore. I made four dresses this weekend, but couldn't get one done for Susie because we grabbed the wrong sized pattern.
Dan talked to me for the longest time on the phone last night. It was AWESOME. He doesn't always talk--that is hard for a six year old to grasp--so I cherished it. I got to hear about all kinds of things he is doing. He is really into some kind of new toy--and I can't remember what it was. Some kind of construction set that you can add-on to. Susie is getting ready to go to Piano Guild, and is going through state testing this week. Susie continues to advance in gymnastics, and seems to still enjoy going. Alannah and I landed lucky tickets to see The Blue Man Group in Boston this past weekend with the music department. It was a fun day. Scott and Aidan went fishing and out to dinner.
One of the men who works at the high school with me, come to find out, is a good friend of our friends Donovon and Wendy. He and his wife Michelle live just up the road from us and have two boys Susie and Dan's ages--just like Donovon. He invited us up during the Summer to swim and ride on their Go Kart track through the woods. Dan will think he died and went to heaven with all these BOYS around!!!! That is the other Scott news--he sent the motor out to be re-built for the new go-kart.... its all over now! :)
We definitely are going to Ocean City for a few days in June. We have our beach condo. I am so excited! I haven't been to the (ocean) beach for a long time. I wish we could go for longer than 5 days, but this way we maybe can hit Disney later in the year again.
OK--time to get back to class. (And grab a cookie before hand from the teacher's room!)
Enjoy!
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