October 25, 2012 Hike

Beautiful day in the Waterbury area.  Brother Jim took a couple of days off from work and decided to join Vicki, Steve and me on a hike.  We stopped at a place near Stowe that recommends particular hikes for various levels.  They recommended the Sterling Lake hike which is at Smugglers Notch, advising that it was an easy hike.  NOT!!!  After about 100 yards of a very steep path, Vicki and I gave up and Jim and Steve continued onward and upward.  When they got back about two hours later, they both admitted it was not easy.  Lots of slippery leaves, steep incline and mud.  But at the summit, Steve proved the view was spectacular with many photos he took.  Vicki and I crossed the street to Smugglers Cave and did our own little hike in and around caves.  These are some of the shots I took.  If you look very closely you might be able to pick out three rock climbers on the wall.

We stopped to have lunch at Crop in Stowe.  I had a pulled pork sandwich that tasted a lot like pumpkin pie.  VERY strange flavor - not a fan.

By the time we got back to the hotel, Matt, Carol and Laura and Josh had checked in so we took the kiddos to dinner while Matt and Carol had a Date Night.

We have more fun planned for Friday.

October 24, 2012 - Hackensack to Waterbury

Well, we left Hackensack at the appointed time - 8:45 am.  The weather was a bit gloomy and misty and not at all fallish:

 Not a particularly lovely day but we didn't care - we're on our way to Family Festivities.

Last year, we were unable to travel a particular route because of the flooding caused by Hurricaine Irene in August of 2011.  Bridges were washed out as were roads.  This year we took that route and thankfully theVermonters met the challenge and the road workers did their jobs.  We had a delay of about 10 minutes on a particular path but it was nothing to write home about.

The above was just shot from the car while waiting for the "go-ahead."  As I said, it took only about 10 minutes of waiting to get through so all was good.

Once we got close to our destination, the weather was BEAUTIFUL as predicted by Sue - wonderful blue sky and lovely cool temps.

Vick and I checked into the Waterbury Best Western and rested for an hour or so.  Then, off to Burlington International Airport to pick up Steve who was flying in from Dallas.  Then, off to Burlington for a bite to eat and a beer or two at Das Bierhaus in Burlington.

Now, Vicki and I are back in our room and in our snuggles, preparing for a hike Jim, brother, and Steve are taking us on tomorrow.  Hopefully, I'll be able to walk afterward.  

Great trip - Vick is the BEST driver - great meal - great family.  Just love being up here.

XO

McKinlay Family Visit 2012

What a beautiful day!  We went up to Carmel, New York to visit the McKinlay Clan.  Aunt Irene and Mom were sisters and they were close and so are we!  The drive typically takes a little more than an hour and with a wonderful day like today, it was pure pleasure.  Vicki even said she was so relaxed she felt as if she was sitting in her living room.

After about an hour or more of chatting and playing catch up, we feasted on a wonderful chicken dish Laurie created.  Of course, this was after yummy Italian cheeses and meats John and Lizz provided.

John is the epitome of immaturity - and I say that with nothing but love!

Thankfully, he will NEVER grow up.

Here is Lizz, Laurie [cousin] and Vicki!

 And that's Lizz, Laurie and Moi!

Only one of Laurie's daughters was in attendance, but Melissa is and always will be a most welcome attendee.  Just wish Kristina and her beautiful little girl, Emalyn had been there.  Here's Melissa . . .

playing with her cell phone.

YEARS ago - and I DO mean YEARS ago [probably when Melissa was three] - Aunt Irene [her grandmother and my favorite aunt] started taking photos of Melissa and me together.  I've been challenged by Mama Laurie to put a collage together and I'm going to do my very best, but it's going to take more than the challenged week!

John and Lizz have two adorable girls, Olivia and Jaclyn:

Both of the girls are in LOVE with horses.  Olivia, the older, rides quite nicely and just as soon as Jaclyn gets a tad bit older, she's going to climb on.

Desserts were provided:  fruit, apple pie and donuts.  Vicki and Laurie were delighted in partaking of both.

As always, it's sad to say goodbye.  But we're all so fortunate to have each other in our lives, even though it's once a year.  Maybe next year, the McKinlay Clan will join us in Vermont.  Boy, would Mom and Aunt Irene approve of that!

John and Lizz - lovebirds always:

and

John, Lizz and The Girls:  Jaclyn in pink and Olivia in blue.  GREAT family!

On the way home, Vicki was kind enough to pull over so I could take a few shots at a little lake:

I SO love the Northeast in the Fall!

Ciao for now - more soon!

Week of October 15, 2012

This week, I really don't have too much to report.  It rained here and there but not a lot and not for long - until Friday.

On Wednesday, Vicki, Lorraine and I went to see Argo.  Intense!  Afterward, we stopped at The Shannon Rose for dinner.  Here, Lorraine enjoys her very first Cosmo!

Thursday, I had lunch at The Ivy Inn with Doreen, my Best Airplane Friend Ever, and it was a long, and chatty lunch not to mention delicious.  We've got to do it again before I leave.

On Friday, the rains came and while it wasn't cold, or even coolish, it was miserable!  But Determined Shoppers that we are, we headed to Garden State Plaza to do a little shopping.  Our endeavors were successful [however, I'm taking two things back tomorrow] and we moved on to the former Bergen Mall which is now an outlet mall.  Our only destination there was Chico's and again, success!

Off to The Promanade of Clifton to hit a couple more shops!  All the while it's raining like a Big Dog.

At the end of our spree, the rains began to diminish but we're beat so off to home, where Vicki prepared our annual Polish Dinner!  YUM - not very paleo but very YUM!

On Saturday, we went to Sanducci's in River Edge for dinner.  Oh my but the short ribs were wonderful - with grilled asparagus and polenta.  Yes, I should have taken the photo before I devoured it, but here's what I took home.

Off to Oradell to the Bergen County Playhouse where we're going to see FOOLS, a fun Neil Simon play with quite a history.

We were early, of course, so went down to the lounge with our reading devices.  Who knew this is where the actors enter!!  Our first encounter was with  Michele Blum who plays Lenya.  What a great lady!  She chatted with us for at least 15 minutes and we shared our similarities.  She's a retired probation officer who has such a love for life!  She invited us to go backstage after the performance, and left to prepare for her performance.  Oh, and she told us this was Opening Night!!!

The photograph between us is Michele when she had red hair! Gosh, but she was fun.

Then, in walked Matthew Rofofsky who was playing Leon, the School Master, and basically the lead. Another very nice young man who also invited us backstage.  His parents sat a few rows in front of us.

Our seats were great, in and among the family and friends of the cast.  The performance was just wonderful.  The mother of "Sofia" sat next to Vicki and boy was she proud of her daughter's performance.  Michele as Lenya, and her 'husband' stole the show!

Since all the family and friends of the cast were going backstage, we decided not to go.  After all, it was after 10:00 o'clock and time for a late snack and a bit of relaxing.

So, that's it so far.  I did find Michele on Facebook and left her a message.  I wanted to let her know how very much we enjoyed the performance!

The leaves have finally changed so hopefully I'll get some foliage photos today on our way to and from Carmel, New York - IF the Friday rain didn't strip them!

Seekonk 2012

We were scheduled to go to Seekonk on Thursday but Vicki was sick with an upper respiratory infection so we put it off for a day and left on Friday Morning, the 12th.

Car loaded and ready to head northeast!

We normally go over the Tappan Zee Bridge but decided to try a new route which took us over the George Washington Bridge and then on to I-95.

As you can see, the day was cloudy and overcast but thankfully, dry.  It was an interesting change but might not stay on the itinerary as we got messed up on the day back.

Vicki brought crafts from Lakeshore Learning Store and she and The Little People got busy working on Autumn Projects.

Josh decided it was more fun being a lion in the jungle!

Carol was Chef on Friday and prepared a terrific spread which was certainly enjoyed by all.

On Saturday, Carol ran errands, Matt did his "walk" and yard work, and Vicki and I stayed/played with the kiddos.  An apple a day . . .

Matt was the Saturday Chef and prepared some terrific steaks.

Vicki and the kiddos always have such a great time together!

And here is Vicki with her son and grandson!  Great folks!

We left fairly early on Sunday morning and stopped in Wickford, Rhode Island for breakfast and a little shopping. Wickford is such a terrific little seaport but we didn't stay very long as Vicki was still not feeling 100% and I was noticing that she'd "shared" her malady with me so I wasn't either.  As you can see from the flag, it was VERY windy!

We got home at a reasonable time [after a little glitch getting off the GWB] and had a non-Paleo grilled swiss on rye at the Arena Diner in Hackensack.  Since we were scheduled to go to Lower Gwynedd, PA on Monday, it was an early bedtime.

Aunt Myrtle is the only surviving aunt in our family, being the widow of our Dad's younger brother, Joe.  We went to Kathleen's [cousin] home for a lovely lunch and lots of chatting.  Just as we pulled up, it began raining.

Aunt Myrtle, Kathleen, Vicki and Alicia.

We hated to leave but wanted to get home before the rush hour madness.

On this Tuesday, I'm feeling a tad poorly but refuse to give in to the coughing, sneezing and nose blowing!  It's a REST day for me and Vicki's off to Lakeshore for a few hours.  When she gets home after the noon hour, we'll decide the rest of our day.

Why must we always get sick - one or the other or both - when I'm here!!!!  We've got plans, man!!!

We going to see a Neil Simon play on Saturday and then visit the McKinlay Clan in Carmel, NY on Sunday.  Unless something notable occurs, no posts until next Monday.

Ciao!

October 10, 2012 - Wednesday

Live from Hackensack - it's Wednesday morning!  And things are looking up.

I got here Sunday afternoon and was met by Vicki and Lorraine.  So good to see Lorraine after what she's been through, and it's ALWAYS great to see Vicki.  We stopped at The Crow's Nest for dinner and then headed home to unpack and get in our comfy clothes and chat!

Since I'm a Mac Mama, I had all my devices with me.  My iPad and iPhone were welcomed by Vicki's WiFi but my Air was not.  Oh well.  On Monday morning, after an over two hour phone call with AppleCare, it was recommended that Vicki upgrade her security.  Since it really wasn't a priority to me, we went about our day - well, at least we tried to.  We locked ourselves out of the house at around 11:30 and decided to continue on and worry about getting in later.  I got yarn to do a "movie blanket" for Carol and then we stopped at River Edge Diner for a wonderful diner lunch.

Then on to Main Lock & Key to get someone to let us in the house.  We got to Main Lock at around 2:00 and they told us they'd have someone by between 4 and 6.  With time to kill, we hit a few shops and around 3:45 we returned home and sat on Vicki's porch waiting for our savior.  He got there at 4:04 and in less than 15 minutes we were in the house and raring to do some relaxing.

On Tuesday we picked up Lorraine and went to Glen Rock to take a clock to get repaired, and then to a lampshade shop for a new lampshade for her favorite lamp.  Vicki wasn't feeling very well so after a quick lunch at California Pizza Kitchen, we came home.

On the way home, Lorraine showed us a new development in the process where the Curtis-Wright plant used to be.  Condos, a train station, shops - and a sculpture to honor the women who took over for the men in factories while they went to fight in WWII.  This is Rosie the Riveter and it's stunning.  I just used my iPhone and want to go back with my Canon for a better shot and I do want to see it at night.

While we were at CPK, I tried to connect to WiFi with my Air and was successful and hoped by the time we got home, maybe it would work.  Nope!  Vicki bundled herself up and took some DayQuil then and we watched a movie - I crocheted.  Then, she took herself to bed for a real nap while I put dinner together.

Wednesday morning, Vicki called Verizon and "John" came to the rescue and upgraded her security and all is wonderful with all devices purring along. ;0)  She did all this while feeling poorly so she took herself to the doctor and is now out getting her prescription filled so she can be all ready to go to Seekonk on Thursday.

I'll probably not post again until Sunday so see you then.

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Let The Countdown Begin!

In just eleven days, I'll be heading to the northeast for my annual pilgrimage.  Of course, this is dependent upon the moods of the pilots of American Airlines.  I truly didn't want to book my flight on American, but I [hopefully not] foolishly did it again due to the convenient times.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed that there will be no major delays or cancellations.

Vicki and I have been in major planning mode and if all goes as scheduled, we will have a friends and family-filled three and a half weeks.

So stay tuned for updates with photos.  Alas, there no need for a photo here.  Just imagine an excited, nearly 70 year old.

Ta Ta for now.