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July 30, 2005
Catchup..want fries with that?
Ahhh, we're home again. There were no traffic mishaps this time unless you want to count the 50 minute crawl/merge over a one lane bridge on I-91.
Last week in New Haven was the pits. The high speed internet access remained non-functioning all week AND there is no guarantee of a date of return. Speaking of which, that is exactly what I told them about our future plans to stay with them...if they have no high speed, then we won't be checking in. I also mentioned the housekeeping wasn't up to snuff either. Besides missing us completely on Monday, Wednesday's visit from the staff was laughable because I was actually in the room to witness their work. It took 2 people 5 minutes to make the bed and then they didn't even manage to make it neatly. This was not changing sheets mind you, just making the bed. The quilt was on crooked and the sheets were handing out underneath...oh well, I guess it felt like home. They replaced a towel and took out the trash on my request. That was it. maybe it will take more than HSIA to get us back there again.
In the meantime, yesterday's entertainment, while waiting to go home, was to drive up the interstate about 15 minutes and check out a brand new Homewood Suites. We've stayed at other Homewoods before so that part was a known and since it's only been open so 3 weeks, it hasn't been trashed yet. AND they have functioning high speed. It also didn't hurt to be sitting in the parking lot gazing at a corn field rather than more asphalt parking lots and office buildings...oh yeah the mother white tailed dear and her baby bounding through the corn field basically cinched the deal. I made a reservation for next week.
However, this is where it gets weird... while checking out the particulars of the hotel and chatting up the desk clerk, I mention we are from Vermont.
Desk Clerk: Oh really? Where in Vermont?
Me: We live in South Burlington.
DC: Oh! I only know one couple in Vermont and THEY live there! We even went up to visit them last year!
Me: Oh my, funny. Who are they?
DC: Well, she works part time in the eye dept of Costco and he is an..
Me: ..Optical salesmen?
DC: Yes!
Me: Would you be speaking of Pam and Russ Smith? ( their son was a friend of our son and we've known them for years and years)
DC: Auntie Pam and Uncle Russ! Well they aren't really our Aunt and Uncle but they stayed at the hotel I used to work at so much they felt like relatives!
DC: Hey Christine..she knows Auntie Pam and Uncle Russ!
Snort...small world...I love Vermont. Generally we don't have to go the full six degrees of separation before finding someone in common, but 1 degree is a little unusual.
So now we are home....oooo...the lawn was mowed and it looks like Eldon has a good start on reshingling the back of the house too. Life is good. Have a good weekend all...
Posted by frani at 08:17 AM | Comments (0)
July 26, 2005
Are we having fun yet?
Apparently not....
The trip down to Connecticut was ok until we got to Enfield CT. I was driving...3 lanes of moderately heaving traffic heading South. Suddenly I saw a white car careen from the left lane straight across all three lanes of traffic and hit the retaining wall on the right side. This really wasn't too far in front of me, I was in the middle lane. I'm not sure what caused him to hit the wall but he was out of the car in a flash grabbing his son out of the backseat of the car. All seemed to be ok and a number of people stopped with Cell phones at the ready. Amazing..they must have been wearing seat belts and their car seemed to not too badly smushed but it was still very scarey to see.
The rest of the trip was uneventful. However since we got here, we were booked into a smoking room...I think not so we got switched out of that one. Then the internet access was down...then I found out it's likely to be down for more than a day. Ahem..this is Tuesday and it's still down. I know we keep AT&T Worldnet around for a reason. Eeeewww...dial-up...BUT it's better than nothing or driving to Starbucks or Kinkos. Now I just have to make sure we won't be charged for Phone calls. ...and it might be nice if our room was serviced today. I can load the dishwasher and even make our bed but I really would like to have a towel or two. I'll casually mention we were overlooked yesterday when I check on the wireless service and phone charges.
What else is new...yes I was hyperventilating without internet access. I felt so out of touch and disconnected...snort...little play on words there. I'm ok now...breathe breathe.
Oh yeah..it's going to be HOT today. Record setting HOT. Maybe I just need to hang out by the pool..have a good day all.
Posted by frani at 09:43 AM | Comments (2)
July 22, 2005
Ah Ha! So that's how they do it!
I sort of wondered on occasion how it is that people spend outrageous amounts of money on things..especially clothes. Now granted, one woman's outrageous can be another's ho hum but still there are all those designers out there and someone can afford to buy their clothes. Well now...I wonder who bought this little number at full price and who got a deal at overstock.com Hey, it's a savings of over $9000.00 and you know a dress like that calls for new shoes.
Ok, so I only wondered about that a day or so ago and now I'm over it. We'll be packng up and heading back to Connecticut later this morning. Mind you I only typed out the full word Connecticut just to show you that I can spell it. Show off. this may surprise you but I've actually spoken with people on our travels who honestly think Vermont is part of Canada; if they have any idea where it is at all, that is.
Eldon is coming back! Yes, Fans, Leo, (aka Eldon) will be returning to our humble abode. This is going to be a multistage process so we may have to adopt him or at the very least be able to claim him on our taxes. First up is reshingling the back side of the house. the old deck had been attached right to the house so there is a whole line of rotted out/off shingles; now there will be some brandy-new ones on that whole face. Then he has to shore up the existing porch, funny how one of the supports is not really attached and doing anything useful. Then maybe a new deck off the porch. The big issue however is the sunroom off the livingroom that needs replacing..we are still working out a plan for that one but I think he has enough to keep him busy for a while. Silly Eldon, he was telling us along with his estimate how it's a big job to do the shingling and how it was going to take some time. *I* told him if we had a time frame or had wanted it done yesterday, we would have hired someone else. Gee, I don't think he was offended. I just meant we obviously would work with him in "Eldon time." We like the reults. He's actually supposed to start the side of the house this coming week....ok. ( ..and to think I could have a Valentino dress instead...)
So, in the meantime, I'm off to pack. Don't have to much fun without me and I'll see you in Connecticut....
Posted by frani at 09:13 AM | Comments (2)
July 21, 2005
some things.....
I can't remember from where I stole this .gif......but I liked it.
CBS news made a big deal (cute humorous kind of big deal) about the Supreme Court nominee John Roberts' children's behavior during President Bush's announcement. Mostly, it concerned 4 year old Jack's antsiness which caused his mother to hustle them off. Excuse me...the kid is 4 years old..it's after nine o' clock at night, he should have been in bed! They are lucky he wasn't melting down ..loudly! And another excuse me...wow...50 years old with a 4 year old :::::willies::::::
Speaking of which..I'm holding off judgement on Roberts' nomination...all I can think though, is it could have been a lot worse..I mean more conservative.
I'm waiting for it to get a little later in the morning before I rev up the lawnmower. I really don't think I'd impress the neighbors mowing at 7am even though it would make my yard look nicer. I got up way to early; however, it really wasn't ~Elmo's food dish emergency, I was just done sleeping at 5am. tap tap tap...
Apparently I have old eyes. It takes them a little while to get up and stretch for those long distances after reading for long periods of time. Not that I haven't been sitting on my ..um...er... love seat for the last month just reading. Hey, don't want to overexert my old self in the heat, ya know. Yup, yesterday was my eye appointment...no change from (cough) 3 years ago. I do try to keep up with technology and advances in some areas...I asked about laser eye surgery and new contacts but I felt like I was at the Soup Nazi's. No Contacts for you...no laser surgery for you. For you, glasses. oh ok.
BTW...we're getting a break in the heat/humidity for the day. It's very pleasant out there AND quiet. Until I start the lawnmower that is. Actually I was referring to that extra noise...air conditioner and fans, all that extra noise drives me nuts.
Coffee of the week: We've been drinking Australian Mountain Top most of the week..smoooooth. Our ebay purchases have diminsihed considerably, as well...I don't think it's just becasue we have a large assortment of vac pots, noooooo I just haven't seen very much listed to get that excited about whether we already have one or not. Rats.
Have a good day all...
Posted by frani at 07:09 AM | Comments (1)
July 18, 2005
Bleary-eyed
Greg finished Harry Potter yesterday morning...I started in the afternoon and have a little less than half to go. Hmmm..could have done without dreaming about all the possible scenarios all night though.
THEN I started dreaming about cheerleading and a reunion of all the HS (not humane society) cheerleaders; remembering the cheers and actually being able to do them were entirely different. Ouch.
I haven't seen any widespread collapse of Amazon/UPS/'s delivery of Harry potter but I find it hard to believe only our order to my MIL and Beth's are the only two that didn't make it as promised. Somehow or another a full refund of the price of the book just doesn't make up for not receiving the book on the release date..especially at "the home". Where are the bragging rights? She's only been waiting since Christmas when we gave her the preorder as a present. hrumph.
I have nothing else to offer here...it's still hot and humid..I have to keep reminding myself it's Monday..and I have to finish Harry. Have a good week all.
Posted by frani at 08:12 AM | Comments (1)
July 16, 2005
Now I remember...
...why I didn't pre-order Harry Potter for us; I could still be waiting for my $17.99 plus shipping ($21.98 total) copy from amazon and I'm already back from my "normal" Costco run with a copy for $15.99 (plus tax) Works for me but I still have a book to finish before I can start Harry.
We had quite an eventful ride home last night from CT. We missed the majority of bottle-neck traffic but there did seem to be an abundance of left lane cruisers. Now, I have mentioned before how irritating I find these drivers but it's only when they refuse to move over for faster cars and worse yet keep pace with cars in the right lane so a whole pile of people are piling up behind. Sooooo right around the MA/VT border we come up behind a pick-up truck who is behind a VW Jetta. The Jetta doesn't seem to be aware enough of the truck so when the truck finally gets an opportunity to pull right of the VW, he goes for it AND THEN flies into Road Rage! I've never seen anything like it...the truck guy pulled along side the Jetta and with crude finger gestures and apparent shouting with his head out the window he keeps pace with the Jetta. 
Meanwhile, I'm behind the Jetta (still in the left lane)wondering what to do next. THEN the truck guy pulled left right in front of the Jetta and slowed way down forcing the Jetta and me and all the vehicles around us to slow way down because besides their speed, we didn't want to be anywhere near them. The truck guy was still gesturing and it appeared as though he really wanted the jetta guy to pull over for "a little chat". Yeah right, like anyone in their right mind would do THAT! Finally the truck guy picked up speed and pulled ahead..the Jetta stayed in the left lane so I picked up the pace for all and went right around him but NOT catching up with the truck right away. A few others and I finally did pass the truck but then a little while later he went flying by me and when I went to pass the car in front of me and was behind the truck he slowed way down in fron tof me. Nope, I wasn't going to play his game. We decided it was dinner time so we got off in Putney and got ourselves some Curtis's BBQ Now I've heard about Curtis for about 30 years, but I had never had an opportunity to have a taste before. It was very good but I also have to say it didn't agree with my stomache at all and I managed to lose it all after we got home. ( Barf...Aren't you pleased I shared that with you?) I think my system with lower than normal fat intake of late just couldn't handle the onslaught of great fat! Sigh....
Moving right along...off to finish a book and have a snack. have a great weekend all.
Posted by frani at 02:23 PM | Comments (2)
July 13, 2005
How many children went to the zoo?
I met Lori, Maura and Kieran at the Beardsley zoo this morning. Ok, the first time we saw this sign, we giggled...after that, no so much. The 3 three month old tiger cubs were adorable but then again their mom is a very beautiful Tiger. Those photos aren't all that great but I did get a couple. It helps to have a memory card in the camera when the built in memory is full...duh. At least I had it with me...geek that I am, I had all my toys and gadgets in my purse. We probably should have sent a memo out announcing our shirt color for the day considering all the camp/school/recreation dept groups of kids that were there. Yellow shirts, red shirts, maroon shirts, light blue shirts, green shirts, blue shirts & 2 sets of purple shirts. None of them could beat Kieran's shirt though, he had on his animal shirts with Lions and giraffes..too cute. I have to say most of the kids were well behaved in these groups. Can't say I was impressed by the woman who leaped in front of me to take a picture of the tiger cubs WHILE I was photographing them though but she was much taller than me. Anyway, the turkeys and peacocks roaming around were entertaining...one peacock was particularly proud of himself and his plumage. Actually most of the animals were on their best behavior..the bear walked around close up then sat in his pool playing...the piggies were HUUUUUUGE. Fortunately, We got to the carousel right before the maroon, light blue and green groups so Kieran scored his Zebra and Maura rode a beautiful horse with a tourquoise saddle. .
BTW, my new windshield wiper held up well..oh yeah of course it rained and thundered and lighteninged on the way to the zoo but it was done by the time we met up there. Kieran found all the leftover puddles and Maura helped disperse the water from them though...snort...and I must thank Kieran also for wiping the wet off the benches for me with his backside.
I'm not sure just who likes the zoo the most but I had a good time.
Tomorrow it's The Thimble Islands with my old roomie. Nighty night.
Posted by frani at 08:30 PM | Comments (2)
July 12, 2005
Things from the Road...
First, I need to thank the former occupant of this room for the 4am wake up call...leaving the alarm set for 4am is not an act easily done "accidentally"..oopps, I accidentally slid the little lever over one notch to the on position.
I forgot to report the incident we witnessed on Sunday in Norwalk. Scene, US Route 1...fire truck pulling in front of us into a driveway. On the side of the road there is a woman kneeling down looking into a storm drain...they were all busily working still when we went by again with a few more emergency vehicles and police cars in evidence...wonder what was down there and how it got there to begin with. hhhmmm willies...
I'm happy to report the windshield wiper caper went reasonably well. I even have a back up wiper in the trunk for when the next one goes. How come sometimes I have had to actually wrestle with replacing wipers and other times, it's embarrassingly simple? At least I didn't have to get a stool to stand on as I have had to do other times. ...AND I'm sure glad I didn't pay someone to replace these.
To the Orange CT Policeman who refused to let anyone merge in front of him............>;-o~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I met a lady at the hotel pool yesterday. She's staying here at the hotel while her house is being fixed after water damage. She's a former teacher, realtor, has two daughters, collects flow blue plates, sold a deer jug to one of the Keno Bothers from Antique Roadshow and bought her living room furniture and paid off some debt with the proceeds, is divorced ( No, really?), went to a really fancy wedding where there was diamonds all over the place and she would have felt underdressed if it were not for her diamond circle pin...and just can't imagine why none of her friends want to take her up on doing anything, or going anywhere on their own (with her). "They aren't very independent women, you know." Then she launched into telling me about the group here from Mississippi who are doing something at the University of New Haven...how she took a couple of "sad sacks" to the Peabody Museum..."you know the type, sitting around the table smoking and drinking with missing teeth and all...ooh here she comes now...yoo whooo hello Cindy, how are you darling?" I took this opportunity to leave her with poor Cindy; I'm afraid I might not get any more quiet pool time this trip. At least the kids in the pool were'n't playing that wretched Marco Polo game. Nope, these kids were playing Spaghetti/Meatball. snort.
Stay tuned for more scintillating observations from the Road...
Posted by frani at 07:25 AM | Comments (1)
July 11, 2005
Alive and Well...all of them!
So we left Vermont Friday, drove down boring I-89 and I-91 to CT. We pitched in to watch the Grandbabies on Sat so Demian and Lori could go into "the City" to see a show and meet up with old friends after. Remmants of Hurricane Cindy made driving fun ( not) just about the time I took over in MA and became stronger on occasion the rest of the way South. Oh yeah..I was most impressed when I noticed the wiper blade was sneaking up the arm while we were on the Merritt Parkway (with all the crazies) at 4:30 pm and 20 minutes of traveling to go. We stopped and Greg got it to stay in place for the duration...today's job is to replace it.
I'm happy to report that in spite of a 7 hour power outage and two aging grandparents, we had a great time, Kieran and Maura couldn't have been easier to deal with. I still have no idea what caused the power outage but thanks to Pop Pop Greg, I had a hard time convincing Maura that Grandma Fran didn't "break" it. She still was telling her parents Grandma broke the elctricity on Sunday morning. Thanks Pop Pop. Someday Maura will eat..I suspect when she gets hungry. Kieran continues to make the best faces especially when he is thinking "hard"..he cracks me up. They survived reasonably well...only a few scapes and bumps but nothing overtly caused by us or our inattention. whew...we didn't break them...we can do this again!
Snort...Lori had the line of the weekend while trying to decide where to have dinner " Can we just go somewhere where they don't have ketchup on the table?" Bahahahaha...love it! Good Job Lori!
Kieran cried buckets when we left...that makes me feel awful; I hope he gets over that soon since we try to be so upbeat about our leaving.
So now we get to spend the week in lovely downtown New Haven. I have a couple of errands to run today..whooppee; wipers and a headlight is out also. I'm hoping to connect with a few friends over the course of the week as well..maybe even meet the kids at the zoo in Bridgeport we went to before.
In the meantime have a good week all...I may be here more beacause 1) I might have something to report or 2) I'll just have more alone time to write.
Posted by frani at 08:22 AM | Comments (1)
July 06, 2005
A stitch in time ..
...No it wasn't humiliating; not publicly anyway. (it will be after this entry)
I decided to finally replace the missing button on a pair of capris I like and wanted to wear today. It's a little cooler after the torrential downpour of last night, doncha know.
So, I found a button, I found some thread, I found a needle (hey! I don't sew much)and yes I kept the pants on while deciding to sew. Not much a chance of a sewing mishap when I couldn't even manage to thread the needle. Worse yet, I finally figured out I was trying to thread the wrong end of the needle...no wonder I had trouble seeing the eye. I know I bought a package of Threader Helpers last time I was at the old folks store but unless they were handy, I was about to go buttonless again and hope I didn't have to make a trip to the ER.
Whew...I found the package with 2 out of 3 left. Ahem..it took more than acceptable time to thread THAT device but I was finally successful. I think it's time...
Hello Dr Eyedoctor? I think I need an appointment before I lose any more buttons.
update..what do you mean you finally found me in your patient archives? It hasn't been more than a year or two or ok maybe 2.5 since I've visited! The Archives..that sounds ...so ...well, archaic!!
Posted by frani at 10:16 AM | Comments (2)
July 05, 2005
What did we get?
Take one weekend.....Fill it with:
*David and Lisa from Maine
*Morgan and Nora from New York
*the best weather possible (sunny, dry, 70s, breezy)
*Grilled shrimp, salad, fresh peas, strawberry shortcake (twice), Al's french fries, turkey sandwiches, orange pound cake, devil eggs, assorted macaroni salads, baked beans, fruit salad, assorted water/soda/coffee, hot dogs, hamburgers, other stuff I can't remember
*a trip to Montpelier
*a trip to Greensboro (Caspian Lake)
*assorted First cousins, second cousins, in laws, dogs and babies
*successful run amok at Barnes & Noble (especially successful in the used and bargain book section)
*personal fireworks and sparkler exhibition
*Phone calls from family
*lots of fun and laughter
...we had one heck of a good Fourth of July celebration
Posted by frani at 10:02 AM | Comments (2)