Marianne's Blog

Bradford Street

2009-02-27T16:16:00.002-05:00

This photo was in my mailbox today from the boy (guess I have to stop calling him that soon....) I love it when he has time to hand write a letter. There's magic in paper and pen. He's doing well, and were making summer plans to see him!

Girl's Weekend in CT

2009-02-27T15:44:00.014-05:00

Nat, Shell, Zach and myself....

When I was raising my kids I thought that shirts (and bibs) with stuff written all over them were so tacky....would have never purchased them. Look who's talking now.....

Nat and Shell giving Zach his first boogie board lesson.

Rustic Peasant Bread (like Macaroni Grill). Shell brought the recipe -- when we mixed it up and put it on the baking sheet it looked like it was going to be a disaster....not so much!

Nat and Shell having a "Hootenanny" Sunday breakfast.

Mr. Bubbles! Oh man, does he love his bath. If you lay him on his back, his legs and arms go a mile a minute kicking and splashing. Then he stops for a moment, goes perfectly still, completely straight legs and flexed feet, then quickly back to splashing again. Nat and I were busting our seams watching him.

Here we are looking our finest. Straight out of our beds and on to the couch for knitting. Shell was the knitting star by far, but Nat and I slowly got the hang of it. I kept telling Nat, "The mistakes give the scarf character, like they were made by an indigenous artisan from a third world country". She replied, "Or, like they were made by a East Coast mom who doesn't know how to knit".

Oh, could you just gobble him up? Notice the two teeth....and the drool.

A homemade message for Bradford....we miss him!

We made plans for Shell and Zach to come for a visit during winter break, to spend some down time with them and make sure Zach remembers his Nonna! Then, much to my surprise and delight, Chip suggested that we fly Nat out as well, as a Valentine gift. A perfect, loving gift. So the two girls, Zachary, and I (and Chip as well...good sport that he is) spent a weekend of cuddling, ogling, kissing, hugging, swimming, knitting, gaming (as in Mario Kart Wii! Boy, did I fail miserably), movie watching, laughing, sharing, eating, cooking, and simply being together. I love it when my children are here. The time passed much too quickly, everyone went back to their lives, but fond memories were created. Now....when to gather next?

Bradford's Home Stretch

2009-02-16T19:54:00.003-05:00

The Swiss Ping Pong Team

Bradford's bike after the ice storm.

Elder Nickel, Bradford, Elder J. (not sure how to spell his last name!)

Yesterday Bradford hit his "6 months to go" mark. Yea for me! He's doing well...back in Oklahoma, Owassa to be specific, where Garth Brooks lives. He's growing and working like crazy...and continues to tell funny stories, like his baptism the other day....baptised Billy, an older gentleman, who happened to be a little inebriated at his baptism. :)

Look who's 6 months old!

2009-02-16T19:49:00.007-05:00

Zachary turned 6 months today. We can't believe it! His personality is coming out all over...he's becoming a real charmer. We get to snuggle with him in two days! Here are his new six-month photos....get ready to be charmed.

My Invitation...

2009-01-08T16:49:00.002-05:00

Came home today to a surprise in the mailbox.......my invitation to the Inauguration! I can hardly wait....let's see, get a ball gown, call a limo service, get a room at the Washington Plaza, and party with my new friends Barack and Michelle! With about a zillion other people. (This doesn't set me apart from any of the other zillion....it just looks cool!) Actually, the one who is REALLY cool is my nephew, Nicholas. He really IS going.....will have a reserved seat and everything! Lucky!

Essential Us

2009-01-04T10:24:00.002-05:00

Was cleaning up Christmas (isn't that one of the lesser loved jobs?) and glanced up at this photo on the shelf -- it made me smile. It truly is essential us. We're on the green boat at one, if not THE, most favorite spot of ours.....Lake Powell. Carefree, (when the boat wasn't broken...yet even when it it was -- remember the Burr Trail?), warm, laughter, memories. I love my kids.

Bradford's Christmas Card!

2008-12-31T12:08:00.003-05:00

Is this just the greatest? Yes, this is where Bradford lives right now -- yes, it's pretty much a mansion -- complete with murals on the walls. Not your typical missionary pad. He's doing well - was so nice to speak with him on Christmas! He's probably leaving Arkansas mid January for Springfield, MO. He's pretty psyched -- he thinks it's where Bart Simpson lives.

Christmas in Connecticut

2008-12-31T11:55:00.010-05:00

Chip & Wick

The Fam at Bet & Gene's -- and Hadley

Bet gets Barefoot Contessa! I wanna be friends with Ina!

Chip enjoying the evening

George

Annie

Barb and Gene

We did Christmas all over again in CT. Bet and Gene invited us to their home on Christmas Eve along with George and Annie and Wick and Barb. Delicious dinner, fun gifts and lots of talking and laughing. Christmas morning brought yet more gifts for all -- Chip surprised me with a sewing machine! I can hardly wait to get started on a quilt! After George and Annie went back to their mom's, Chip and looked at each other and thought, "Hey, we don't want to cook...." So, sushi it was on Christmas night. Not the most traditional Christmas, but a good one no less.

Christmas in Utah & Zach's Blessing

2008-12-31T11:29:00.013-05:00

Who loves his Nonna?

Grandpa T.

Grandma T.

Chip gets a gift!

Tony and me

Petra and Chip

A proud momma and Zach

Baby Zach!

Me and my girls....Nat and Shell and beautiful Zach!

We flew to Utah (by way of an overnight delay in Atlanta!) to share Christmas with our family and share in Zachary's blessing. Nat and James hosted both the Christmas party and our stay (Presidential towels, chocolates on the bed and pressed sheets!). Playing Risk with Nat and James on Sunday afternoon resulted in James' world domination....anyone surprised? Everyone (except Bradford...sigh!) came to the party - Shell and Chris, Nat and James, my parents and Cindy and Stef even drove up! Pinto's invited us for brunch on Sunday morning with yummy food and drink and warm friendship. Later, we blessed Zach at Mark's house with a houseful of relatives. The stay was much too quick, I had a hard time coming back home --- everyone was still in Utah! But, grateful for the time we had and look forward to gathering again.

Charter for Compassion

2008-11-28T11:25:00.001-05:00

Our Bear

2008-11-25T17:24:00.002-05:00

A toast to the best darn dog in the whole darn world. You were more human than some humans. You smiled, comforted, played like crazy, and brought a smile to all with your highfalutin, feather-in-the-cap tail. We truly do love you and you are deeply missed.

Every now and then miracles...

2008-11-21T20:57:00.009-05:00

I work at a school. Brown School. It's a middle school filled with awkward, lanky and charming fifth and sixth graders. A beautiful boy from Trinidad is my charge - an 11-year old who loves Shamu, Batman, and Scooby Doo. He's also autistic. He's smart, funny, clever, endearing, and completely inept socially. In science class today the students played microbe board games they had created. Fortunately my student was placed with two very, very nice boys. They quickly understood that he didn't quite understand how to play the game, nor did he know any of the answers. Rather than complain that the game had become a burden, they found that they could conjure a smile from my student by offering rather obvious clues to the answers -- so much so that the game ended with my student winning by a landslide. I guess some sixth graders get it. Maybe the future holds some promise. Jake and Kevin are my heroes today.

Zachary Visits Grandma!

2008-11-17T20:03:00.009-05:00

Three Generations!

Just Admiring

Grandpa J. (Grappa) and Zach celebrating 3 months old!

Mr. Smiley Face

Mr. DeMille... I'm ready for my.... walk!

Bu-bu-bu-bubbly Bubbles

I love my momma!

Delightful. Charming. Exquisite. My grandson, Zachary. We spent the last four days oohing and ahhing in wonder as we chatted in baby-speak, scrubbed in baby bubbles, and cuddled in baby land. This grandparenting is something else indeed. Thanks Shell, for spending time with us and sharing your precious bundle of joy.

Getting to Know You....

2008-11-16T15:03:00.002-05:00

E*Trade Baby

2008-11-10T21:14:00.005-05:00

This just give me the giggles....have fun. That's what it's all about, right?

Why I (Don't) Vote

2008-11-01T16:47:00.000-04:00

Bradford's New Band

2008-11-01T09:03:00.001-04:00

Here's the album cover for Bradford's new band....

Best House Ever!

2008-11-01T08:44:00.005-04:00

It seems we are geographically challenged when it comes to Halloween and trick-or-treaters. Not only are the houses spread out, but our driveway is so long you can't even see our house from the street....a real Halloween challenge. Last year perhaps 10 spooks and goblins rang our bell; we had to do better this year. So, we lined the driveway and sidewalk with Halloween luminarias and got really good treats -- glow-in-the-dark necklaces, paratroopers and tattoos! I think our numbers doubled this year, perhaps over 20 rang our bell. I knew we'd bumped it up a notch when I overhead one little StormTrooper as he walked away, "This was the best house!" Ahhh, success.

Johnny the Bagger

2008-10-31T17:28:00.000-04:00

Litchfield County

2008-10-20T17:44:00.009-04:00

Bradford's friend, Jenessa, paid us a visit last weekend - such a treat! A loop through Litchfield County in NW Connecticut proved to be stunning. Didn't have the GPS, relied on Google Maps, and only made one wrong turn. Figured that out when we saw the green sign, "Welcome to New York, The Empire State". Oops. Maybe we just got sidetracked by the surroundings....

Baby Zachary

2008-10-14T22:26:00.003-04:00

Zachary's growing like crazy!! He's two months old and tipping the scale at 14 pounds! He LOVES his mama -- almost as much as his mama (and grandma) love him. Counting the days until he comes to Connecticut!

Young Frankenstein

2008-10-12T14:18:00.002-04:00

Chip and I were in the city yesterday where we escaped the gloom and doom of Wall Street and headed north to Times Square. We delighted in Mel Brook's "Young Frankenstein", the musical. Sometimes laughter is the best medicine.

Beautiful Food!

2008-09-28T15:56:00.002-04:00

We had a political rally of sorts at our house yesterday and a charming woman brought this beautiful hors d'oeuvre tray......stunning! And edible! She grows all the herbs and flowers in her yard, organically. Couldn't resist a picture!

Happy Birthday Grandpa!

2008-09-28T15:53:00.004-04:00

Jen, Brad, Mark, Ranell

Doug, Cindy, Grandma, Grandpa

I traveled to Utah to celebrate my father's 80th birthday! May we all age so gracefully. I loved seeing my family and old friends from the neighborhood. And, we celebrated my mom's birthday as well....double party!

Cute Bradford!

2008-09-28T15:50:00.003-04:00

So Bradford's been out one year!! Yea!! He's halfway done! Here are some fun pictures he recently sent...isn't he just the greatest? And so incredibly handsome?

Chip makes dinner...

2008-09-04T21:23:00.003-04:00

It was so beautiful...and tasted even better! Chip made us Risotto with Parsley and Roasted Mushrooms....I just had to take a picture!

A Week with Nat & James

2008-09-04T20:55:00.012-04:00

Block Island

Thimble Islands

On Captain Bob's Boat in the Thimble Islands

Kayaking on Long Island Sound and the Hammonasset River!!

Dinner at the Blue Oar on the Connecticut River

At the Blue Oar

Natalie came home with me from Ann Arbor and James joined us a couple of days later. These were the last days of summer for Natalie...she started at Primary Children's this week...so we savored it. We swam and scootered and boated around the Thimble Islands and took a day trip out to Block Island. It is always such a treat to have the two of them around...positive energy just abounds.

Presenting Zachary Christopher....

2008-09-04T20:41:00.015-04:00

Proud Shell and Beautiful Zach

Nat, Shell, Zach and Me!

Gorgeous

Angel Baby

Big Yawn!

I love his hands.

Don't you love the hand by his head?

Baby feet!

Nat massaging Shell's ever-so-swollen feet.

I just melt when I see him just staring at his mamma.

The first time I held him...sorta. He was still in in isolette...waiting to go to his mamma.

Our newest addition....Zachary Christopher.

Here he is...the most amazing, charming, intelligent, handsome baby! After a little rough start (36 hours of labor and emergency C-section) baby Zachary was born on 08.16.08, 9 pounds even, 21 1/4 inches. He was a little sick at first -- spent his first night in the ICU. But he bounced back quickly and (finally) we all got to enjoy him. It's amazing to see my beautiful daughter become a mother herself. There's nothing quite like it...nothing comes close to the love. We are so happy and blessed that everyone is here safe and sound. Thank you all for your love and prayers and support. Isn't he just the cutest thing you've ever seen?

Barack Roll

2008-08-09T18:05:00.005-04:00

Bradford Turns 20!

2008-08-03T12:04:00.006-04:00

Didn't think a cake would survive the U.S. postal service...
but thought Scotcharoos might!

I know that Bradford doesn't like me to refer to him as such, but the baby of the family just turned 20! I can hardly believe it. He said he had an incredible day -- with much outpouring of thoughts and gifts. His certainly is loved. And, he has been transferred to Fayetteville, Arkansas! It's a larger town, I guess one could call it a city -- home of the Arkansas Razorbacks, University of Arkansas. He's also been made a Zone Leader....we are so proud of him! Go Bud! We love you.

Christian, the Lion

2008-08-01T21:34:00.002-04:00

A most amazing video...have your tissues ready

Pinto's!!.....in Connecticut!

2008-08-01T21:27:00.005-04:00

Yes, we do have friends in CT! At least we did last weekend! Tony and Petra and Adam came to visit. We had such fun..much too short. We did crosswords in the morning, swam, ate, played games and even got a chance to see Van Gogh's "Starry Night" at the Yale Art Museum. It felt so good to have them here...don't wait too long to come back!

Maine

2008-08-01T21:19:00.008-04:00

Sunrise on Cadillac Mountain....literally awesome

Somesville, Maine

Boat show, Southwest Harbor

On a pier in "sweet light", Northeast Harbor

We (Chip, George, Annie and myself) traveled to Maine for a long weekend to visit Chip's father and his wife (Tim and Jane). They live on Mt. Desert Island...as in Bar Harbor. Lucky! It's absolutely stunning. We swam and boated and kayaked and paddled and even watched the sunrise. Thank you Tim and Jane for a spectacular weekend.

My Birthday!

2008-08-01T21:15:00.007-04:00

I had a wonderful birthday....thanks to thoughtful friends and family. Gifts from my darling husband in the morning (including my trip to Utah in June..thanks baby!), lunch and a museum visit with Bet in the afternoon and then a picnic dinner on the beach. Thank you EVERYONE.

4th of July in Michigan

2008-08-01T21:08:00.008-04:00

Michelle's baby shower....look at all her friends!

Neighborhood/ward Holiday Parade

Chris and Shell -- Lake Michigan beach

Sunset on Lake Michigan

Mom and Shell!

"Touchdown Jesus" Notre Dame

I enjoyed the 4th of July with Michelle and Chris in Michigan! I arrived on the 3rd and attended a shower for Michelle, given by her friends...and does she have a bunch of them! Then we traveled to a town called St. Joseph, right on Lake Michigan where we stayed with some friends of Shell's and watched the fireworks right on the lake! Once in a lifetime experience! Visited Notre Dame on the way home and later Shell and I made a new quilt for baby Zach! Thanks Chris and Shell for sharing your holiday with me!

The Power of One

2008-08-01T09:16:00.001-04:00

The Keys..better late than never!

2008-07-13T12:52:00.011-04:00

Chip and I sporting the finest in K-mart fashion...after not getting our bags!

Boys and their toys.

Cap'n Tim

Just noticed that I missed some events! In May Tim and Jane treated us to a week in the Keys to celebrate monumental birthdays for Tim and Wick. So, Chip and I and Wick and Barb headed south for some sunshine. We gave the birthday boys remote control sailboats....which they seemed to competitively enjoy!

Happy New House Farley's!

2008-07-13T12:35:00.008-04:00

Natalie and James just purchased their first home in Salt Lake. They are so excited! It's darling and I had the opportunity to fly to Utah and help them settle in. The most amusing part was the challenge of the stairs. There were (operative word being "were") some shelves above the stairs to the basement that hindered moving anything of size down the stairs. So, one by one, they were destroyed. But, alas, the queen box springs would still not fit. So James, being the innovator, figured out a way to "fold" the box springs. Voila! A bed for guests! Congratulations Nat and James!

Chip Jammin' in Park City

2008-07-13T12:29:00.005-04:00

I just ran across this photo of Chip trying out Julia's pink guitar. He's singing "You are my sunshine". Kinda blurry.....but you get the general idea! :)

And now presenting...

2008-06-02T19:20:00.003-04:00

The most beautiful, brilliant, charming baby ever.....my grandson!

Springtime in CT

2008-06-01T14:28:00.001-04:00

Some things never change....

2008-05-31T13:18:00.002-04:00

This is what Bradford does when his companion goes to bed early...he transforms into the UniBaller!

Chris' Dental School Graduation

2008-05-31T13:14:00.004-04:00

A huge congratulations to Michelle and Chris upon his graduation from dental school. What a giant accomplishment! It was so nice to see them both (well, both of them and some of my new grandson!).

Natalie's Graduation

2008-05-31T13:11:00.004-04:00

We were lucky to spend some time in Utah at the end of April to celebrate the graduation of Natalie, James and even James' sister, Laura. It was so fun to see family and friends again. Thanks everyone for making our time there so special!

Bradford's Big Catch

2008-05-07T18:46:00.002-04:00

Here's Bradford and his dinner...well maybe appetizer. He's doing great, in Bartlesville now and has just been made a trainer. We are so proud of him!

Just For Stef

2008-04-28T00:03:00.002-04:00

This is for my favorite niece, Stef. Because she is graduating and she received a scholarship for college. Woohoo!!

A quick trip to Utah

2008-03-26T16:59:00.002-04:00

I spent about 48 hours in Utah in mid March to attend Lindsay Kimball's wedding. It was so fun to see everyone and be "home" for just a bit. Shell and Chris also flew in so we were only missing Bradford and Chip (who had to word...darn!) Lindsay made a beautiful bride and it was nice to share the day with her and her family.

Bradford in the news!

2008-03-26T16:51:00.002-04:00

Bradford thought the church could use a little exposure in Sallisaw so he contacted the local paper and they received an entire section devoted to them! He just received his first transfer and will now be serving in Bartlesville, OK. It is a small city north of Tulsa, touted as the most livable city in Oklahoma and the 21st most livable city in the U.S.! It will be a nice change for Bud.

It's a boy!

2008-03-20T09:32:00.003-04:00

Here's a photo of my wonderful new grandson's foot...yes, grandSON. We are so excited!

Transcending

2008-03-19T08:57:00.002-04:00

A walk down memory lane...

2008-02-28T22:02:00.003-05:00

I was sorting old photos and came across this one...just where did the time go? I love my kids!

Chip Singing? Oh yeah, baby

2008-02-28T20:49:00.001-05:00

Chip's SuperBowl Commercial...

2008-02-17T16:45:00.002-05:00

And here's Bradford....

2008-02-17T15:39:00.004-05:00

Bradford continues to do well in Oklahoma. He thought he'd see a transfer this past week, but the President saw fit to keep him in Sallisaw. So, he got a new companion and he is now the SENIOR companion...whataguy! These are pictures of him and his old companion, Elder Nickle -- at home and butchering chickens....only in OK! We love him SO much and miss him like crazy.

What I've been up to....

2008-02-17T15:31:00.004-05:00

So, the new year brought full days. I began my first semester with Western Governor's University, an accredited online university where I can earn my teaching certificate -- and work as quickly as I'd like. So I'm trying to work REALLY fast...so far 10 credit hours since Jan. 1. Also, somehow I backed into a BUNCH of Obama campaign work. I've ended up the CT 2nd Congressional District Co-Organizer. I thought our work was done when we won the primary (yea!) but now our focus turns northward as they want us to lend a hand to Rhode Island. I've tried to squeeze in running by the sound and keeping house and keeping a smiling husband and helping with two teenagers. Needless to say -- life here has taken on a new vibration.

Coming Attraction!

2008-02-17T13:43:00.004-05:00

Yes, it's true....I finally get to be a grandmother! My goodness, like I said to Shell that Saturday in February ...my world tilted, never to be the same. Now I just dream of chubby arms and legs and cooing...ahhh, grandparenting.

Christmas...finally!

2008-02-17T13:38:00.006-05:00

Life got suddenly busy after the first of the year...so finally, here is Christmas! We first celebrated with George and Ann, then Nat and James (after Christmas) then Shell and Chris in January. Family certainly makes Christmas. Thanks everyone -- for forgoing big Christmas presents so we could spend time together. I love my family!

Yes We Can

2008-02-03T22:44:00.001-05:00

Happy Holidays!

2007-12-15T08:38:00.001-05:00

Make a scrapbook - it's easy!

(Move your cursor around on the photos to make it snow!)

Laughing Baby

2007-12-09T08:31:00.000-05:00

Christmas in New England

2007-12-09T07:48:00.000-05:00

It's our first Christmas here and we are learning the ways of New England. We've been to the town green for the lighting of the Christmas tree, selected our tree from The Friends of Hammonasset but have yet to buy the electric candles for our windows :) The houses here are dressed completely traditional -- with candles in the windows, wreaths on all the windows and sometimes a swag of fruit (apples, oranges, lemons, limes, centered with a pineapple) over the front door.

A View into Bradford's World

2007-11-17T09:36:00.000-05:00

Bradford seems to be surviving and even enjoying Sallisaw, OK. He is so darn cute and has such an amazing attitude. He's already been run out of a home by drunken rednecks, driven past a skunk that was severed right in half by the train and had a baptism -- so his world seems to be complete. He may be having his first transfer soon...maybe next week. Two whole months have gone by since he left...he's 1/12 done! We hope he has a wonderful Thanksgiving and send our thoughts and prayers out into the universe for him. We love you Bud!

Fall in Connecticut

2007-11-17T09:23:00.006-05:00

I made this slide show for my kids for Thanksgiving...enjoy! (There is sound if you have speakers.... :)

Mom and Dad in Connecticut

2007-11-13T12:26:00.000-05:00

We finished up the month with my parents joining us here. We had a wonderful time together. We went up to Newport and toured a mansion, into the city where they saw "Mary Poppins" (and loved it), tooled around the small towns here, and just generally enjoyed each other. We are so lucky to have such a loving family. Now what are we going to do with ourselves until someone comes again to visit?

Michelle in Connecticut

2007-11-13T12:07:00.001-05:00

Shell on West Wharf Beach, Madison

Shell and I at the Irish Famine Memorial in Lower Manhattan, looking out on the Hudson.

This is Shell's "Schedule of Fun!" She's the party girl.

Shell and I in Newport, RI

Michelle joined us for a few wonderful days toward the end of October. We had such fun! This was her classic line; she said she wanted to relax while she was here, not go a mile a minute. Above you'll see her agenda for one night while she was here - and this was scheduled to begin around 5:00 PM. On top of all this, we managed to see Boston, NYC, Newport, and she even helped me paint the kitchen! It was a great time. I love my kids!

An experiment with Smilebox

2007-10-14T17:23:00.000-04:00

Click to play | Make your own Smilebox

George's Birthday

2007-10-13T15:44:00.000-04:00

October 3 was George's 16th birthday! It was fun to be here to celebrate with him. Chip gave him one of his guitars -- a guitar that has some personal history. It was fun to pass on a legacy of sorts. Tim and Jane were here, staying for a brief time enroute to Florida, so it was fun to gather everyone together to celebrate.

Natalie and James in Connecticut

2007-10-13T15:24:00.000-04:00

We enjoyed Natalie and James for a few days beginning Oct. 6. We had so much fun! Boston, Harvard, an afternoon on Long Island Sound, Yale, and then New York! Hopefully they enjoyed it so much that soon they'll be moving east! (Wishful thinking...) James honored us with his rendition of Disney's "Fantasmic" in the pool. We'll keep these pictures in a safe place so they can be proudly displayed in the White House. They are such fun and an absolute pleasure to be around.

Bradford's Mission

2007-10-13T15:11:00.001-04:00

Guess it's about time I enter the stuff about Bradford's mission. Maybe subconsciously I was thinking that if I didn't post anything he would still be here. We do miss him, but he's doing well and doing that which he believes. It was great to have everyone together to say good-bye...lots of events that week. He's completely amazing and will do great as a missionary. One unexpected positive of his being away are the letters we share. I think most of us say more in writing than vocally. It's been a treasure and strange as it may seem, I believe we've grown closer since he's been away.

Misty Connecticut Morning

2007-09-13T14:35:00.000-04:00

We awoke to a misty morning the other day....pretty and a little spooky! This is the house across the way.

Painters have left...our house is ours again...

2007-09-07T09:43:00.000-04:00

The painters are done (kinda). The house really looks like us now. Both Chip and I are pleased. We need to finish hanging art and finish the kitchen. (Leak through ceiling -- need a new ceiling in the kitchen...buyer beware). We'd love to get new countertops and backsplash in the kitchen....we'll see how our finances are.... ;)

Bradford in CT

2007-09-06T22:05:00.000-04:00

Bradford was here last week and it was absolutely heaven! We had so much fun together -- just one on one. We rode scooters, went to the beach, went to Yale, the Thimble Islands, Harvard and Boston....plus threw in a cruise on the sound and lunch at the yacht club courtesy of Bet and Gene. We even managed to get some missionary shopping done in between outings. It was nice to spend the time before he.... (sniff, sniff) leaves for Oklahoma. Thanks for coming Bud!

Mowing with Official Hat

2007-08-25T11:33:00.000-04:00

I imagine it must seem like life in the country is fairly simple...if this is my second blog about the mowing the lawn....yet it really is an event. I did it in a fraction of the time this time and we had to document it with my new PINK John Deere hat sent so thoughtfully from the Hetrick's. Thanks!

Connecticut Lawn Mowing

2007-08-17T19:24:00.000-04:00

Well, mowed the lawn for the first time on Wednesday...with the John Deere! My goodness....three hours later and I still wasn't finished! (Did get interrupted once for the repairman...) Tomorrow I'll finish one little hill and mow with the regular mower around some stuff I couldn't get around...and then weed whacking! Then all over again next Wednesday. It's kinda like painting the Golden Gate Bridge. But, I enjoyed it -- it was something new. Need to get a John Deere hat and overalls.... ;)

We're here!

2007-08-02T23:57:00.002-04:00

We finally arrived in CT on Monday evening around 7 pm. The last day's drive was stunning. I-80 through PA is incredibly beautiful. Up and down and trees everywhere you look. Long bridges over deep gorges. It didn't seem like there was anyone around for miles. (The blurry picture here is one I took out the window while I was driving...not very safe, but wanted you to see what we were seeing!) We came across a couple of elevation signs that said stuff like, "highest elevation east of the Mississippi --- 1200 ft". I radioed Chip to ask if he had seen the sign -- and I laughed a little. He told me I was an elevation snob. We sailed across the lower tip of New York (I asked Chip if he wanted to top off our 1/2 full tanks in NY and he said we were about there -- I said, but we need to go across ALL of New York! It took all of about an hour...the states are smaller in the east...at least that part of New York). We wound through CT and finally arrived at Chip's mother's home. She was VERY happy to see us. Got up early the next morning for our final walk-through of the house (after all, we'd only seen it for about 20 minutes last May...) then went into New Haven for our closing and rushed back to meet the truck at the house at 10. Glen, our Jamaican driver said, "We have a problem...I cannot back into da driveway -- it's too sharp a turn so we will need to rent a shuttle truck to take your things down. ". (to the tune of $1200 and making us wait a day longer). Now, our driveway is pretty long -- it could be 100 yards, and it is hot and humid here. But really, another truck? I said, guys, work with me. We'll help. I don't think we need a truck. Let's put all the little things in the back of my car and you can walk the big stuff up. They finally agreed and I spent about 8 hours running my car forward and back down the driveway. We finished earlier than they had anticipated and everyone was happy. We've unpacked for two days and it's beginning to look like our house. It needs an entire paint job inside -- I call it the house of many colors. There's gotta be about 10 different paint colors here. Bear went for his first swim today in the pool...accidentally. It was his first time near the pool and he was sniffing -- (the lightweight cover was on) and he put his foot on the cover and SPLASH! If dogs can look surprised, he certainly did. Love you all...thanks for your calls and support.

Our Third Day

2007-07-29T23:02:00.000-04:00

We were lucky today to wait for 45 minutes in the toll road lane to pay our $7.75. We could listen to our books and our iPods and glance around to see everyone else who was on I-80! (I'm trying on the Rose Marie Walls persona from the book I was listening to...she also saw the benefits of popcorn for dinner...) It was a more trying day....but we made it to Cuyahoaga Falls, OH and it really is charming and beautiful. Chip and I are busy discussing "The Fountainhead" (I'm reading it and he is listening to it...lucky!) We had a lovely dinner tonight overlooking the falls and were introduced to a young man who will be running in the 2024 presidential election (he was our waiter, a political science major at Kent State, told him that he has his work cut out for him running against James...) We are safe and sound and on our way to Madison tomorrow. Love you all.

Day Two towards Connecticut

2007-07-28T23:38:00.001-04:00

Today we traveled across the rest of Nebraska and through Iowa. Bear started his day with breakfast in bed.... only in a hotel room! We started our day with a huge crash on 1-80 (not us!) -- about 90 minutes into the drive. Three semi's! All of the trailers were completely trashed. Good thing we had stopped for a bathroom break...who knows where we would have been at the time of the crash! That delayed us about 45 minutes. But we had our audio books so we were just chillin'! Iowa was stunningly beautiful. Rolling green hills with white barns and silver silos. The rows and rows of corn were almost peaceful. We pulled off the freeway around 7:30 to catch some pictures in 'sweet light'. We rounded a bend after we had returned to I-80, came down a hill and thought, "What a beautiful river!". We started across the bridge and there was a nice little green sign on the right: "Mississippi River". There you go. We are safely in East Moline, Illinois and will continue on through Illinois and Ohio tomorrow. Love to all of you!

Our First Day on the Road

2007-07-27T20:38:00.000-04:00

Well, here we are in North Platte, Nebraska. First of all, thank you to EVERYONE who has been so thoughtful and helpful as we are making this transition. I think you know how hard this has been for both Chip and myself, yet we are both convinced it is the right thing to do...so thank you for your love and support.
Started out around 7:30 this morning. Highlights: Said goodbye to Park City and the hot air balloons. Stopped in Elk Meadow, WY for a bathroom break...black magic marker sign scrawled over the sink in the restroom... "don't drink the water". Oh, man. Then a killer downpour about an hour west of Cheyenne -- couldn't see a thing. Had lunch in Cheyenne, and then meandered (well not really -- it's pretty much a straight shot...) on to Nebraska. And, here we are at the luxurious Quality Inn -- along with bikers and other unique specimen of mankind. Enjoy the photos...and we'll see you tomorrow! (PS...Bear is behaving famously!)

What a 3-year-old will do to a monster

2007-04-05T14:43:00.000-04:00

Hurricane Katrina Photo Story

2007-03-15T20:55:00.001-04:00

Turn Around Bright Eyes

2007-02-20T10:18:00.000-05:00