Hard to believe we'll be in 2012 soon. I like having winter be so much over but it sometimes scares me, how quickly time passes. So far the winter has been OK but (and I can't believe I'm saying this) we need snow. There are only a couple of inches on the ground right now, which won't be good when spring comes and there's no snow to melt. Although the ground hasn't frozen down very far--my sump pump is still pumping, so the water table is high. This is good news for someone with a shallow well.
I had Christmas in Rhode Island, and it was very nice. Drove there last Thursday, had good Christmas with Mark & Liza. We always have a good time, and Christmas is special for us. Quiet, and we know each other very well so always have good presents. Mark gave me 2 roof racks for my car, so now I'll have no excuse and will have to be kayak-mobile in the summer. That should be good. The other roof rack is a basket, so I can pack it up to take more stuff to the dump. He knows me well.
I visited my friend Linda, who lives in Jamestown, half an hour from my mother's. Linda & I have known each other for more than 35 years. Wow. She used to live in the other side of the duplex I rented for 9 years. And I thought THAT was a long time to live in one place. I've lived in my current house for 20 years, have been in the Adks for 27 years. Amazing. Never lived anywhere else that long. Anyway, Linda and I had a nice visit, lunch at her house.
Christmas Eve dinner was lobsters, which I now cook instead of having Liza wrestle with them. Wish I could say I mind dropping living things into boiling water, but it doesn't seem to bother me. No, they NEVER make any noise.
My trip home was fine, some blowing sleet in the Berkshires, which always happens. Not a big deal, didn't last long. House was relatively warm except for the bedroom and laundry room. Apparently it got pretty cold here because 2 pipes in the laundry room burst. I always turn the pump off but didn't realize the pipes were split and turned the pump on when I got home. Took a little while to figure out why there was not much water pressure. Duh. Big fountains spraying into the laundry room and bedroom. Yuck. Now I have no washing machine, which means I either impose on friends or go to the laundromat. It's across the street from work so that's really no big deal, and the machines are huge. Why is it always winter when I have to do this? The laundry soap freezes in the car during the day.
Back to work today. Busy day, lots of catching up, plus doing Kim's work so she could take the day off. Put up my new 2012 Chocolate Labs calendar, which my friend Doug sends me every year for my birthday. This year he couldn't decide between Choc. Lab Puppies and just Choc. Labs, so I got both.
What will I do for New Years Eve? Probably not much. I went to a neighborhood party the other night, mingled and visited with people and had a good time. I have great neighbors, both the seasonal ones and the year-rounders. I've been invited to another neighborhood party Sat. night but don't know if I'll go. I'll definitely stop to see my friends Pat & Jim around 5 to toast the new year.
Friday, December 30, 2011
Jamestown vista
Not a fascinating shot, but that's what a lot of the landscape in southern RI looks like. It's very pretty.
Newport Bridge from Jamestown
That's the bridge that goes from Jamestown (one island) to Newport (another island). Lots of jumpers off of that bridge over the years. I think if I climbed to the top of this, I'd have to jump just because I'd be too scared to climb down.
Mark and his electronic coin sorter--a big hit
Liza gave Mark an electric digital coin sorter, which offered hours of constructive entertainment. Once we figured out how to turn it on. He has to divvy up the tips at work so this is a really grand present for him.
Tess likes her new squeaky ball
A new toy from Jenica. We now have: Squeaky Ball, Woodland Creature and Big Dog. Tess played with them all.
No one on the beach
Pretty beach, nice day. The beach to ourselves. Except for some town workers in the parking lot, who made Tess think it was LUNCH time and they must have something to eat. They did not.
Tess behind the fence. Can you find her?
There's a dog on the other side of that fence, running along and trying to figure out how to get to this side of the fence. Reminds me of a chicken crossing the road--like, why did Tess go behind the fence in the first place?
Treasure--who is Tess's half-sister
My new dog. I picked her up yesterday at my breeder's. She's one & a half years old and is very, very nice. Why would ANYONE want 3 dogs? And why would ANYONE get a 1.5 year old to go with her 12 and 8 year olds? So far so good, but Tess is too submissive around Treasure. They did play run around the car yesterday, and do well together but Tess is jealous (no surprise--maybe once the novelty of Treasure wears off I'll be better). I try to pay attention to Tess every time I pet Treasure, but there are only so many hours in a day.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
BIG catching up
Wow it's been a long time since I wrote anything. December is going fast. First it was hard to believe it was December, now it's even harder to believe that I go to Rhode Island next week for my Christmas visit. I'll be there from Thursday to Weds. Have to come back Wednesday because on Thursday the 29th I PICK UP MY NEW DOG. Yes, I'm crazy. I still have Chances, who is doing pretty well. She stands up much more now, and can walk more steps. Still tips over easily, but she's trying. So why am I getting another dog? Oh such a good question. Because my breeder has a 1 1/2 year old female black Lab that's perfect. Dog is named Treasure, which is what Tess' name (Tesoro) means in Italian. So how could I not? I don't know how this will work out as far as Chances goes, and I know I've said vehemently many times that I'll never have 3 dogs again, but oops, here goes. This is a nice and special dog.
I turned 59 yesterday, which is startling to me. Even more startling is that I'll be 60 next year. How did this happen? I celebrated the day with lunch with my good friend Barb, lots of phone calls and emails and cards, then a visit with Jim & Pat on the way home. Sister's present is coming in the mail, Barb's presents were great and very tasty. Mother sent new slippers, which she always does for my birthday. P & J gave me cash, which was a nice surprise, even though I don't think they should give me anything.
It's been pretty cold, mostly at night. Days aren't too bad, climbing into the 40's at times. Nights have been in the teens so I've been keeping my fire going. Wow is it hard to get into that routine. I'm getting up earlier so I can get a hot fire going before leaving for the day. Which means I sit around waiting for the fire to get hot, watching stupid people on television. But it's the right thing to do. I got my electric bill for November and it was HUGE. I have electric back-up heat. Because we couldn't afford to buy a furnace when we built the house. Something I pretty much regret every winter. Even with the wood stove (and $$$ firewood) the house doesn't get very warm when it's really cold, and the heat is on all winter, chalking up huge bills. When my ex husband moved out I ended the winter with a $1000 electric bill, but it was in his name. When I called the electric company to change the account to my name the woman told me I wasn't liable for the $1000 in his name. Shockerooni. I felt bad (briefly) but ended up sticking him with the bill. "We'll get the money from him eventually," she said. Which was more than I could do. I don't know what happened but I suspect there was a lien against him, which he never knew about. Maybe still doesn't. who knows. More, though, who cares?
I'm looking forward to my trip to RI. Nice to be there for such a long time. I'll see my friend Linda--we always have lunch together (as opposed to separately) during Christmas week. I have most of my Christmas chores finished, except for making a few things and finishing up my Christmas cards. Not bad for the 13th. I have to find something for the director, as I'm her Secret Santa this year. Swell. I have to buy vodka, candy and dog biscuits for my plow man. I have to mail the Italy presents, but that will happen this afternoon. I have to wrap & mail presents to my niece and do the same for my cousin and his family. Plus ... I have to put up my tree. Traditionally I had it up by my birthday, but I'm 59 now so things are different.
I cut a tree on Sunday, maybe 20' tall, then took the top off. Not a great looking tree so I tromped through the woods in search of another one. I cut 2 more small trees, and if I put all 3 together it would make a barely respectable tree. So I have to decide whether to have a tree that's too small for all of my ornaments, or buy a tree that will be big and harder to deal with. Better hurry up and decide, no?
Tomorrow I get snow tires. I'm proud of myself for planning this before my trip. I insist on buying the most expensive snow tires ($900 for 4). Why? Because that's how I am. These tires are good in snow and keep me from sliding around the road, which makes me feel more secure. Would I have been able to get out before Thanksgiving if I'd had my snow tires? Who knows. Mute point. I know, it's moot, but I like mute better.
I just finished reading Jeffrey Eugenides' The marriage plot, which was a nice read. He won a Pulitzer for his last book, so I knew the book would be well written and it was. Story of young college graduates. From Brown, so there was lots of Providence stuff in the beginning. Vaguely entertaining. Now I'm reading a Julian Barnes book that is very, very funny. Terribly British, but the humor is good. Like, "mantra sounds like the name of an automobile. The Oldsmobile Mantra." I thought that was cute. And true.
I turned 59 yesterday, which is startling to me. Even more startling is that I'll be 60 next year. How did this happen? I celebrated the day with lunch with my good friend Barb, lots of phone calls and emails and cards, then a visit with Jim & Pat on the way home. Sister's present is coming in the mail, Barb's presents were great and very tasty. Mother sent new slippers, which she always does for my birthday. P & J gave me cash, which was a nice surprise, even though I don't think they should give me anything.
It's been pretty cold, mostly at night. Days aren't too bad, climbing into the 40's at times. Nights have been in the teens so I've been keeping my fire going. Wow is it hard to get into that routine. I'm getting up earlier so I can get a hot fire going before leaving for the day. Which means I sit around waiting for the fire to get hot, watching stupid people on television. But it's the right thing to do. I got my electric bill for November and it was HUGE. I have electric back-up heat. Because we couldn't afford to buy a furnace when we built the house. Something I pretty much regret every winter. Even with the wood stove (and $$$ firewood) the house doesn't get very warm when it's really cold, and the heat is on all winter, chalking up huge bills. When my ex husband moved out I ended the winter with a $1000 electric bill, but it was in his name. When I called the electric company to change the account to my name the woman told me I wasn't liable for the $1000 in his name. Shockerooni. I felt bad (briefly) but ended up sticking him with the bill. "We'll get the money from him eventually," she said. Which was more than I could do. I don't know what happened but I suspect there was a lien against him, which he never knew about. Maybe still doesn't. who knows. More, though, who cares?
I'm looking forward to my trip to RI. Nice to be there for such a long time. I'll see my friend Linda--we always have lunch together (as opposed to separately) during Christmas week. I have most of my Christmas chores finished, except for making a few things and finishing up my Christmas cards. Not bad for the 13th. I have to find something for the director, as I'm her Secret Santa this year. Swell. I have to buy vodka, candy and dog biscuits for my plow man. I have to mail the Italy presents, but that will happen this afternoon. I have to wrap & mail presents to my niece and do the same for my cousin and his family. Plus ... I have to put up my tree. Traditionally I had it up by my birthday, but I'm 59 now so things are different.
I cut a tree on Sunday, maybe 20' tall, then took the top off. Not a great looking tree so I tromped through the woods in search of another one. I cut 2 more small trees, and if I put all 3 together it would make a barely respectable tree. So I have to decide whether to have a tree that's too small for all of my ornaments, or buy a tree that will be big and harder to deal with. Better hurry up and decide, no?
Tomorrow I get snow tires. I'm proud of myself for planning this before my trip. I insist on buying the most expensive snow tires ($900 for 4). Why? Because that's how I am. These tires are good in snow and keep me from sliding around the road, which makes me feel more secure. Would I have been able to get out before Thanksgiving if I'd had my snow tires? Who knows. Mute point. I know, it's moot, but I like mute better.
I just finished reading Jeffrey Eugenides' The marriage plot, which was a nice read. He won a Pulitzer for his last book, so I knew the book would be well written and it was. Story of young college graduates. From Brown, so there was lots of Providence stuff in the beginning. Vaguely entertaining. Now I'm reading a Julian Barnes book that is very, very funny. Terribly British, but the humor is good. Like, "mantra sounds like the name of an automobile. The Oldsmobile Mantra." I thought that was cute. And true.
The Westport library
I went traveling last week, down to Westport, which is on Lake Champlain south of Plattsburgh. Here's their library. They have to wind the clock in the tower every day, and they have a fire in the fireplace during cold weather. There's a new director there so I went for a consultant visit. I like those visits. I'm going to Elizabethtown next week. I went for a scenic drive on my way back to Pbg from Westport, enjoyed the day.
Geese on Lake Champlain in Westport
This is down the street from the Westport library. Nice view when it's clearer.
Mountain views
These are mountains you see from the back roads of Wadhams/Lewis. Very pretty. Not much snow.
The Wadhams library
This is the tiny Wadhams library, which is actually very nice inside. They finally got heat so she no longer has to stoke the wood stove. They almost doubled the size of the library a few years ago with the addition.
The Boquet River falls in Wadhams
This is the river next to the library in Wadhams. The director of the library runs a hydroelectric plant here. Our directors are talented people.
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