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September 29, 2003
Getting Better...
Granted we haven't done anything to write home about this weekend, but I'm here anyway.
Saturday we took a little ride around the Maryland countryside...we were sort of looking for a different way to get to the coffee place...2 hours later we got there. I don't think it's exactly a short cut even if we didn't take the wrong turns first but at least we know we can get there. At least we have become memorable folks at the coffee place...well geez, you'd think they'd remember the people who come in and buy $40 worth of mints every other week or so.
We watched movies most of the weekend too...mostly on TNT...culminating with The American President with Michael Douglas and Annette Benning. Love that movie....funny how many of the supporting cast members have roles on The West Wing....ok...only 2 others besides Martin Sheen but still.
Ahem....I sucessfully taped The Lyon's Den last night...now I hope it's worth it. the car is parked straight too...I'm on a roll. I wish I could justify getting Tivo or Replay for home but I guess we'd sort of have to be there a lot in order for it to be worthwhile. Maybe someday.
Today's agenda is to take Greg to work...return movies ( not worth mentioning), go to Curves and otherwise keep myself amused...work work work.
Posted by frani at 07:22 AM | Comments (0)
September 26, 2003
Sigh....
Seems I can no longer operate the VCR...this along with the inability to park the car straight ( yes it's reared it's ugly head again) smacks of old people syndrome....oh the horrors. (Greg called me out onto the landing over to parking lot last night to witness some poor guest trying to maneuver his car into the last remaining space next to our horribly angled Galant.) Anyway...we have been unable to see the Brotherhood of Poland NH as I had hoped to have taped Wednesday evening.
Fifty million people have sent a message to telemarketers...leave me alone! Unconstitutional or not...don't call me, I'll call you. I hope this little issue is resolved before next Wed when the Do Not Call Registry is supposed to go into effect..BUT it also seems some telemarketing firms have received the message Thank you, good for you..good for me!
Sigh....Seems the Segway is being recalled because it may have a tendency to fall over when it is low on battery....Duh..when will governing bodies stop trying to protect us from our own stupidity.
Hmmm...we used to be able to pick up a conversation left midstream, with hours...days even, between statements and questions. I just lost the thread within five minutes....who is stealing my brain cells...this is not funny! I'm feeling like my wireless mouse right now...it has some power..it works..it just doesn't grab what I want when I want and won't let go when it does. At least I can go change it's batteries right now.
Ahhh yes...segway...low batteries...nice segue...snort.
In other news...George Plimpton died...he knows of what he speaks...if anyone can tell us what's on the other side, I expect George will at least try.
I'd tell you that Robert Palmer died too but as I've said before...I missed the 70s...but also upsetting is this man is my age!
Whitey died too...come on now...cut it out he's younger than I am!! Has anyone informed Beaver?
I'm done with the news...I only went there to get a link for the Segway comment to begin with.
Posted by frani at 06:54 PM | Comments (1)
September 25, 2003
Time....is not on my side...
2:56 am: this is usually the time I wake up every morning..it's uncanny..and irritating.
4:45am...it is usually after this time that I am able to fall back to sleep..toss turn curl sprawl.....repeat.
6:09am: this is the time the alarm goes off.
4:56am: this is the time I woke up this morning...I was so excited to have slept through the night and attributted it to the fact I took my BP meds at bedtime.
6:09am: This is the time the alarm went off this morning after I luxuriated in bed for an hour or so waking up fully...the volumne was a little low on the radio alarm though; good thing I was awake already.
6:20 am: this is the time I hopped in the shower after getting the coffee cups ready, pouring the juice and brushing my teeth.
6:28am: this is the time I got out of the shower and saw Greg's scowling face as he is taking off his shirt and crawling back in bed.
4:30am...this is the time it really was as I was resetting the alarm clock by the side of the bed. I can thank the housekeeping crew for dusting the alarm clock. (we won't mention how many sources Greg used to verify the correct time)
5:45am: this is the time I was still awake.. toss turn curl sprawl...repeated.
6:09 am: this is the time the alarm went off again after my 15-20 minute first nap of the day.
2:56am: I guess this is the time I woke again this morning...weird how that is.
Posted by frani at 07:52 AM | Comments (1)
September 24, 2003
Byways and Highways
Some places here are still without power...some people are beginning to get testy. I don't think it's quite fair to take it out on the guys who have come in from out of state to help restore their power by complaining on National TV. These guys are working around the clock to restore power...if their comings and goings at this hotel are any judge of that. Some people cope better than other. Hey lady...get a room...take a bath...share with your neighbors....remove the brush so they CAN get to your power lines. Ahem....my cable went out for how long??? snort.
Guess my homelessness and portability is showing..........
Went to Curves again this morning...I'm on a roll. Also was guided toward a different/better route back to the hotel. The main road parallels the interstate which was backed up due to an accident detouring allllll those folks onto the side of the road I'd want to take back to the hotel. Nope...I asked if there was a better way and of course I just might take this "new to me" route all the time. By the time I know my way around here really well, it will be off to someplace new. s'ok.
Posted by frani at 10:29 AM | Comments (1)
September 23, 2003
After Effects...
The last thing this Isabel torn county needs is more rain but it was pouring this morning when we got up. Seems to have abated for now and the sun is out. There is standing water all over the place though...reports of streets having water on them still. The "dog" run area of this property looks more like a swim park.
For the most part, things look ok around here...until you notice some fresh tree stumps where trees once stood...every 3rd car has brush and debris sticking out it's truck or in some cases the undercarriage. This hotel is full...all 6 buildings...3 floors...32 suites per building. The 40 tell tale white cherry picker equipped trucks congregating in the parking lot across the way or the convoys of other service vehicles all over the area might be another clue that something major has gone on here. ...and this place is basically intact. Can't imagine what's going on on the coast. Actually it's probably harder to realize there are issues when things "look" basically normal.
In the meantime, we seem to have our very own water issue...the dishwasher in the room didn't drain and there is dampness to the carpet...I hate water where it doesn't belong...have I mentioned that before?
Time to see what's going on out there in the world....I wanted to go see the newly reopened National Archives this visit but I suspect maybe it's not a good time to go into DC. Besides...it was scheduled to reopen last Thursday...maybe not.
Posted by frani at 10:01 AM | Comments (0)
September 20, 2003
Of Mice and ....
I generally don't understand why cats feel the need to bring in their prey. I certainly didn't praise Knoel for the snake incident of 2001; quite frankly I think screamed the hunting instinct right out of him. Be that as it may, ~Elmo proudly sauntered into the living room last evening with a big old mouse in his mouth and promptly laid it as my feet. First, I have to acknowledge the fact that ~Elmo is no mouser...he's good at flies and ants but rarely have I seen him the least bit interested in anything larger. Of course I also thought that he might have snagged the mouse from Knoel or found it laying on the side of the road ; you know, taking credit for the kill without actually having to do the work himself. However, it was still alive! Good Kitty......Greg scooped it up in a bowl ( which I now feel the need to bash against the nearest rock) and took it outside while poor ~Elmo was whining and searching for his mouse. Maybe this is a turning point for ~Elmo...so what if the mouse was slightly obese, making it easier prey for ~Elmo but still, ~Elmo did have to exert some effort to catch him! Maybe ~Elmo's weight loss diet is working afterall....I have noticed some defined hips on him lately. Go ~Elmo!
Speaking of which.....I checked again and there apparently now IS a Curves facility near where we go in Maryland......time to get back on that circuit ( so to speak) this is a good thing since it's easier to get motivated to go when I know I can go every week regardless of whether I am home or not. Better get over there today and get a guest pass....snort..I suppose I could stay and exercise too. Nahhhhh. I'll start on Monday.
Have a good weekend all.......
Posted by frani at 09:27 AM | Comments (0)
September 19, 2003
The Duck
Tweeeeeeeeeeet....everyone into the Duck! I really should gather up as many photos as I can with all the different babies photographed in The Duck. My grandfather, Fred Whitten, gave my oldest brother ,Lon, this rocking duck when he was a baby...some 63 years ago now. This duck as seen many a baby bottom in it's 63 years....This newest handsome rocker is Aidan Charles Robitaille (who is not quite 9 months old)...and Grandson of my Partner-in-Crime, Liz. We can see Aidan and Kieran becoming Partners-in-Crime someday too.
Posted by frani at 10:03 AM | Comments (2)
September 18, 2003
It's the House, not me!
So this is the view we get as we walk from the hallway into the kitchen through the removed door. The refrigerator tilt has been driving us crazy...looks stupid, in fact. It's not the fridge.....the wall to the right of the fridge is nearly 2 inches off from floor to ceiling. Yes I know WE put most of that wall there BUT we were only going by what was already there! I swear Ernie never owned a level much less used one. Never mind...it's all what gives this place "character". This character being a crazed loon notwithstanding.
Update: Ok..some of it is the photographer but it's mostly the walls
Posted by frani at 09:59 AM | Comments (1)
Stuff for stuff...
I think I realize I'm in trouble now that I've gone out and bought more debris to contain the debris I already have....why dont' I throw the debris OUT instead of putting it in nice stackable containers??? Do I really need all those hotel soaps and shampoos? Well, I can see keeping the ones from the nice hotels or pretty shapes or decent brands...( guest bathroom baskets) but really...do I need a whole box from the Country Inn and Suites in PHX when we haven't even stayed there in 4 years? I suppose there is always a chance I'll take up whittling and those soaps will come in right handy now...y'heah?;-D
BB&B had some blue plastic 4 drawer caster footed containers on sale for $10 besides...can't go wrong with those if all I'm going to do is keep them in a closet.
Summer is over...down in the 40s again this morning...got out the chenille robe and some slippers. Wore jeans yesterday although it was getting a bit warm in the high 70s in the afternoon. Gotta love those 30 degree swings in temps on these September days.
Off to sort more debris.......maybe have breakfast first.
Posted by frani at 09:38 AM | Comments (0)
September 17, 2003
The Six Hour Rule...
Everything is subject to change within the six hour parameter.....unless of course the 3 hour rule is invoked. What started out as plans for packing Someone up for a twelve hour 3 legged trip to GA yesterday, turned into root canal and a week off. When querried...he said he preferred the root canal. I think I agree...especially when it wasn't me having the root canal.
The USPS and AirBorne Express people gave rave reviews on the porch yesterday. I never knew so many people felt their lives were in peril...I SAID to use the den entrance before, didn't I?
So I decided I wanted to remove the door from the kitchen into the front door hallway. Doing so, provides a direct route from the car up the front steps through the front door and right on into the kitchen again. We used to do this 20 years ago when we bought the house. Simple, right? Wrong. First I needed to get at the door which was blocked on the kitchen side by a dining chair and a highchair, neither of which I wanted too far away. Two things were displaced from the dark room to make way for these two chairs which means two more things went to the already overcrowded cellar. The door on the hall side was being blocked by an antique pine icebox. ( sidenote: we actually used it for refrigeration for a week 31 years ago when we moved back to VT) You see for 15 years, we pretended the door was a wall. Needless to say the icebox innards had been filled with 15 years of debris which had to be cleared out and examined for ...um...er...usefulness. Yeah that's right! If I had just thrown out everything in there without looking I would have not found the golf ball that Calibear swallowed and had to have surgically removed from his stomach! Hey now, that golf ball is worth $300 in 1985 dollars! So now that empty icebox is in the living room where I really don't think it "goes" but I don't know where else to put it just yet. ( It remained empty for all of 10 minutes since I hid the Nintendo in it) I also relocated a painting from the living room to the hallway so the entry wasn't quite so naked. That painting never looked good in the living room anyway. While putting the chairs in the dark room I had to clear out some clean laundry consisting of table linens. There just wasn't enough room on the kitchen shelf for them so I decided all the linens needed the cabinet space where I keep the cookbooks ....which then needed to go on the shelves where the linens were BUT that is really higher than I wanted. So, I moved the margarita set and vases up where the linens were and then moved the cookbooks onto the lower shelf. There were too many to fit, of course so I then had to move some the craftier type books into the dark room where I also keep crafting supplies. The boxes of fireworks had to move off the counter space to make way for the crafty type books/magazines under the shelving still affording work space for crafting on the counter....of course. I'm going to have to find a better place for the fireworks eventually......in the meantime smoking in the brass bed is not a good idea.
I'm not so sure I like it though...I just might put the door back on...just not keep it shut, ya know?
Posted by frani at 10:12 AM | Comments (3)
September 15, 2003
What Brown did for me today...
We got compliments on our new porch from the UPS and FedEx delivery guys today. Do you think they know us too well?
Posted by frani at 03:02 PM | Comments (0)
Monday Morning...
Ahhhhhhh...home....sunny breezy warm September morning....leaves starting to turn...coffee on the new porch with my Partner in Crime....it's good day.
We did get home Friday night although an hour late...such is life on those late friday night flights. Our "new" bed felt great...the cats snuggled in close in case we tried to escape again....driving my own car was a joy and I even remembered to use the clutch. That can sometimes be a problem after driving a rental car for too long.
We did nothing Saturday...oh yeah one of those trips to Verizon wireless...fortunately we didn't have to wait long this time to find out they weren't going to do anything reasonable for us. We hate our phones. Motorola T720 ( old version with software updates) POS.
Rented/watched "Confessions of a Dangerous Mind"...Chuck Barris story.... hmmm no need to run right out and rent it.
Yesterday we went to Montpelier.....always good food at my MIL's especially her apple cobbler.
I've been finding/ordering Christmas presents already..yes me and it's only September! On top of that I've been getting some good deals...sales! This works for me!
Isabel is still a Category 4 hurricane and expected to hit the East coast later this week....and Greg is flying to Georgia tomorrow? Should be an interesting trip especially trying to get home Friday.
And in ....local news, this just cracked me up. In case you don't have time to read the article...a couple's apartment in Winooski was invaded by 2 armed men this weekend. The victims knew the invaders; seems they recognized them on their home security camera and didn't let them in. ( home security camera in Winooski?) Ahem...anyway, the thieves broke in, demanded money and Jewelry, fired their gun and the victims were able to call 911 and the police arrived within minutes thwarting a sucessfull robbery. Now then...here's the clincher....the thieves, frightened away by the arrival of the police dropped masks, gloves, the money and jewelry at the scene...as well as 11 baggies of cocaine. Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight. They BROUGHT 11 baggies of coke with them to the robbery?? Sure...and I've got some nice beachfront property to show you. Snort.
I'ts good to be home.....have a good day all.
Posted by frani at 09:54 AM | Comments (4)
September 12, 2003
If it's Friday Again...
......packing up and going home today. I can handle that.
Johnny Cash and John Ritter died.............goodness they are dropping like flies. As Morgan pointed out...I was surprised the Pope was still hanging in there after seeing him on the news last night.
Speaking of last night....we watched Jeopardy as is often our after news thing to do at the hotels. I did know that a classmate of Morgan's had been chosen to be on the show and was hoping I'd catch her when she was on. Last night was the night...not only was she a contestant, but she won $17400 last night and is the returning champ tonight....go Aimee! Good Luck!
Posted by frani at 12:31 PM | Comments (1)
September 10, 2003
Mid week Stuff...
Another beautiful day in sunny Maryland...that same sunshine wrecks havoc on the inbound traffic on the beltway though, the drivers just can't see. Not a good thing.
Even *I* think the RIAA is getting a little carried away with their lawsuits. I've never seen any of my babies in Day in Court and I certainly don't want to see that now! Of course I haven't been home to receive any notification of impending lawsuits either.
I want to go see Simon and Garfunkel in concert.....before they break up again.
My new books by Donna Andrews have me laughing outloud again.....
Goodness....one of the local TV news departments is folding up shop. I liked the quote about despite revamping their programing they just couldn't pull in the ratings since Vermonters don't watch much TV and they are slow to change their habits. You've got that right...people teethed on WCAX news and they just aren't about to switch without good reason.
Yea Yippeee.....JetBlue is expanding their flight schedule in and out of Burlington with early morning outbound and late night in bound flights...good for them! Good for me!
Pretty meaty Free Press this morning!
Another laundry day...have a good one all........
Posted by frani at 08:59 AM | Comments (3)
September 09, 2003
hhhhmmm...
Ok, so I was caught working from a draft I started on Sunday instead of starting a new entry today.
I also didn't tell you about being caught in a wedding reception motorcade and peeking out the window at the bridal party..I would have loved to have known what was in the many red cellophane wrapped packages they were carrying up to the rooms. (Nora...it was cellophane!!)
Nor about the strange drivers lately shifting from one lane to four over or better yet, the guy at home who apparently didn't want to wait in a long line at a light so he drove over the median and went up the wrong side of Dorset Street to get to Williston Road. I'd like to think he had a medical emergency and just needed to get up to the hospital quicker.
Now I'm off to Second Hand rose.
Posted by frani at 10:15 AM | Comments (0)
September 07, 2003
Melting Pot & Such
The Greater Washington DC area is quite a melting pot.......I definitely feel in the minority whenever I'm out and about....even without obvious physical differences, I'm met with foreign languages I have no hope of understanding. Sigh....even my spanish and french are inept.
The cashier at the Safeway was wearing a name tag purporting himself to be "King Solomon"...........hhhmmm...he looked too young to be the genuine King but who am I to question besides, it didn't seem important enough.
I don't find fried salami a suitable breakfast food.
Car parking solution....I have raised the seat so I'm sitting higher and can see better. I think this helps...AND I can see through SUV windows too when I want to back out and there is one parked next to me.
I can understand USA TODAY having an article about obese animals but The Wall Street Journal? Poor ~Elmo....I'm supposed to reduce his calorie intake and get him more exercise...and that differs from people how? I think he has done better since he has been on canned food and from the displaced things I find in the house ( when we get there), I think there has been plenty of rough housing (exercise) going on.
I've had too much time to watch decorating/craft shows on TV and look at decorating with flea market finds...fortunately for all the potential recepients...I don't have enough time at home to make any of them! hehehe it's been entertaining though.
I have still put Ridley Pearson on hold and started reading Murder with Peacocks by Donna Andrews...ahem....she has another one out called Revenge of the Wought-Iron Flamingo. I must read I'm sure.
Off to check out a store called Second Hand Rose.....
Posted by frani at 04:39 PM | Comments (0)
September 06, 2003
September Saturday
Must be my body is still on hotel room time...woke up promptly at 5:58am...all done sleeping. Anyway..it has stopped raining and less humid too. I think I like early September though...there is something about the weather and how it cools down quickly just to make the kids feel better about going back to school. There are leaves turning at home too...;-D
August/September reminds me of the state fairs too. I missed the Champlain Valley Exposition this year BUT not the best part...Leo took his grandson and brought me some maple cotton candy. What a guy! He had sugar on snow, Demian. We all have our favorites at the fair. I also remember a few years when my mother would let me play hookey from school and she would take me to the Eastern States Exposition....I think it's referred to as The Big E now...geesh...probably has been for 20 something years too. It's still Eastern States to me. There's something quite appealing about "the fair"...the exhibits, the animals, the giant vegetables and the crocheted doillies...not to mention the enormous varieties of people to watch. Just where ARE these people when they aren't at the fair...Wal-Mart I suspect.
Gee there is always the chance to jaunt off somewhere when we have a weekend away like this. They had e-savers to Bermuda for this weekend too...hhhmmmm....I guess not, maybe some other time...year...after they rebuild.
I finished reading whatever I had been before I left...started Ridley Pearson's The Art of Deception on the plane down here. However, I went to Costco yesterday and found a book by Laurie Notaro entitled The Idiot Girls Action Adventure Club. I've only read a few chapters but I was laughing so hard outloud I had tears in my eyes and legs crossed. Too funny! Guess it's not reading material for the plane or anywhere else in public.
I found the local crab shack yesterday....only carried out cream of crab soup and spiced shrimp for dinner last night. Will have to go back for platters of crab cakes or crabs today or tomorrow. One of those things you want to do right when you want to eat them. We've seen it several times on our travels but I finally stopped yesterday. Yup, it's the local carry out. The pool is closed and covered....oh yeah..we have Sponge Bob pictured electronic room keys. There is some promotional weekend sleepover deal including kids...I think they have to have their parents with them though ( snort) We rented movies last night. Hhhmmm the scenery in The Lord of the Rings The Two Towers is great and again it was an extravaganza of a movie. Not strong on plot though.
Don't know what the plans are for today....so far I'm made orange stick buns, read/written email. gift shopped for my brother in the hospital ( I'm sure he'll enjoy the fish ballooon) and written this. My My...I just may have time for a nap later.
Posted by frani at 07:16 AM | Comments (4)
September 04, 2003
Catching up...
Sooooooo much has happened but it all feels like a blur now. I enjoyed my visit in CT immensely........the church fair, the cotton candy the rides the sausage and peppers...urp. Everything a a fair should be.
Kieran's Christening went very well...he looked so cute...he also was hanging over the back of the pew laughing at his sister during mass. With 4 digital cameras and Lori' 35mm we have a few photos to peruse. The rest of the visit was just relaxing...watching the kiddies grow before our eyes. " Allllll ddddooooonnneee Sllleeeeeepppping!!!!!!!!!!" was the phrase of the weekend. hehehe
I drove home Tuesday...saw many men/women in blues and greens and unmarked cars, too. I drove slower than usual...even stopped in Brattleboro and found a pair of red shoes for $20...what a deal. Well the outlet was right there near the gas station and gas was so much cheaper in VT!
Eldon was done with the porch by the time I got home...he just had to clear away the construction debris. I like it........ he does good work especially trying to deal with the irregularities of the house. He must have worked on that little pitch roof over the door 3-4 times before settling on that design. The issue was incorporating two roof lines at 2 different pitches and 2 different widths to make a third to draw rain water away from the corner. Now I need to get some topsoil and some plantings for around the base of it. oooooo and just think of Christmas decorations!
At any rate, I'm back in Maryland for the next week or so........The teal Alero is parked crooked out in the parking lot....it's raining. I think I just might have to go shopping or something today. Maybe not. There is an NFL Kickoff Concert on the Mall this evening with a few hundred thousand extra people expected to attend. I think they were all out on the streets in cars this morning. Actually maye the locals were on the streets with me since the beltway was in tangles.
Posted by frani at 09:49 AM | Comments (0)
September 03, 2003
Leo's Porch
How about that Rakish stance....what a goof!
Posted by frani at 01:49 PM | Comments (4)
September 02, 2003
Labor Day Weekend
So this will have to hold you over until I get home and tell you alllllllllllll about our weekend...........Kieran Gregory Johnston with his Godparents Morgan and Nora
Or...
Or...
Posted by frani at 07:03 AM | Comments (5)