pArTy

Saturday we attended a "kick off to summer" party at Kristen's parent's home. Finally, a somewhat decent picture of the four of us together.

"Friendly" games of Beer Pong started up towards evening. Mick got involved and according to Eric had beginners luck.

Dan, Eric's classmate from High School & College and is now going to school to become at PA, is setting up. Mick will be his partner against Eric & Amie, they won their first match.

Dan complaining Eric's reach is to long & he has an unfair advantage.

Very serious business.

Mick trying very hard but acting like it really doesn't matter.

Dan & Mick ended up winning. Eric had to walk away in disgrace being beat by his father. From what I'm told Mick had some awesome shots.

Eric does not take losing very well & it's even worse when it's to your own father.
It was a wonderful day with great people & delicious food.

NYC Suburb

Friday evening we went to Kristen's parent's home and what a home it is! I told Marie I need to contact some magazine because this home needs to be previewed someplace. They built and designed the home themselves eight years ago. Mick was finally able to meet everyone for the very first time.

Eric was in no mood for pictures. Only time he's interested is when there is a dead animal involved.

Again, we have blackberry's present. I am not sure who they are corresponding with since both sets of parents and siblings were with them. I didn't even bring my cell phone!
After drinks and appetizers we went out to dinner at an old train station.
DELICIOUS.

NYC Fashion District

I LOVED the Fashion District. This store was nothing but ceiling to floor buttons.
There were several stores with nothing but ribbon and trims.
I want to go back when I have lots of time and with someone, if there is anyone, who wants to shop in stores that sell nothing but buttons & ribbon. We also went into three shops that sold paper goods, stationary, envelopes, cards, etc. I need to go back to those stores.

Two sites that I wish I had on my hometown street.

I got to shop with two of the cutest girls in the city. : ) Plus, they always are willing to let me take their picture. Maybe that goes with being good looking.

Two blackberry's in use. One to look up the telephone number and the other to make the call. These blackberry's came in so handy. They were able to get exact addresses for stores and then the directions off here.
The only thing I bought was a plate from Antropologie, a store that whenever I go to a city I look to see if they have a store, here is the plate. So cute, I put it in our glass door kitchen cupboard.

SOHO

The first day of our family weekend was spent in NYC. Marie, Kristen, Amie & I went to SOHO first. Mick had lunch with his classmate from Columbia, Mike Nielsen, and then he meet up with us. Eric had to work on Thursday so he couldn't join us.

According to Amie, the California flag was there because the store sells clothing made in California.
The girls each choose a bracelet off the street to buy.

We just happen to come upon the best restaurant for lunch, SOHO O Park. If you go to SOHO you must try it. I did break down and ate some french fries. Mick attempting to meet up with us at Crate & Barrel.

Mau wanted to know who Kat was. She is now doing advertising for Sephora.

We did see one celebrity, Angelica Houston.

After lunch we went on to the Fashion District. Hopefully tomorrow I can tell & show you all about that.

Memorial Day Observed

I stand before you all today

But not one eye can see my way

My time arrived, to leave this earth

A fact so planned, to every birth

It happened where I had to go

My torch for life was so aglow

I transferred while in uniform

Protecting freedom, through a storm

Should I resent I died for you

Not on my life, red white and blue

Please help my family through each day

Tell all my friends, try not to stray

And of the country I did love

Do think of me, through God above

Your memories, brought forth this day

Send love to us, who could not stay.

............

© Roger J. Robicheau Former SP5 US Army

:::::::::::

I took the photograph at our local cemetery and then edited it in Photoshop.

Fortunately, I have no family members or friends that died in the line of service and I am very thankful for that. On this Memorial Day, especially with our war going on, I can’t help but think of all the men & women that died in the line of service. Hopefully today, their families can find some comfort in the fact that our nation is honoring their loved one. A special thought to the parents of Eric’s friend and teammate Derek Hines. He was killed in Afghanistan and was a tremendous support to Eric during his time at West Point. When Derek was killed in 2005 Eric got permission from his college to put a number 7, Derek’s hockey number, on the back of his helmet in his memory.

Rest in Peace Derek!

Here comes the bride and there goes an eligible bachelor.

Congratulations Leigh Anna & Steven!
May you have a long and happy life together.

I would love to do an engagement photo shoot.
You need a photograph for your save the date card.
Ask the father of the bride if purchasing an airline ticket to fly in a photographer would count as a wedding expense???

Bathroom Reno

The walk-in shower, door, faucet & shower head were all purchased with a great discount thanks to LUD. Mick & I thought we could fit everything into our van NO way. We had to drive thru the city during rush hour, thankfully we only had one crazy driver that LUD had to avoid. We got off the interstate after that .

Mick wanted to purchse a shower to fit the length of the opening and assumed the width was standard, NO way. He had to remove the wall into the bedroom in order to fit in the shower. He worked 3am to 3pm on Saturday. A lot of time was spent reading and planning. Of course the wood under the tub was rotten.

He spent most of Sunday doing all the plumbing, worked 4:30am to 5:30pm on Sunday. The faucet and the shower head had to be raised and the drain moved.
The start of the new wall. There is an outlet in the bedroom side of the wall.
Dry fitting of the tub.
Another project in the works, removal of the hallway tiles.
There were pieces flying everywhere, LUD was cut in the leg and Mick on the arm. Notice safety glasses are being used.
Thankfully, Dad didn't know what mess was going on in the house. I heard a rumor from Ke's sister that she volunteered to clean the house. Forewarning, there is dust everywhere, tearing down sheet rock & smashing tile is a dusty mess. This is what is left of the old bathroom.
Mick is also installing a new fan. He is looking for a fan that also has a heat lamp with a light. Will also have to take up the tile floor. All the tile along the tub was coming up. The thought is to put down one piece of vinyl.

I was the official photographer, that is one job I like. Although, I did haul the construction debris out for the village to take away. Friday I went to the Rehab center and was not prepared on seeing how frail Dad looked, he did look better when I went back on Sunday. When I arrived on Sunday he was in his wheelchair watching CNN. I brought the camera in both days and he enjoyed looking at the pictures of the project and seeing what the tub looks like. He talked about how much he likes the food, how clean the facility is, he also said his arms are still very weak and he has no stomach strength, PT is easy but he doesn't have the endurance to do anymore than they ask.
It was great seeing so much family over the weekend, the first time since Christmas that so many have been together. The plan is for us to visit again the weekend of May 31st.

Work Weekend

“We” will be working at Fay Lane this weekend. First, “we” will remove a tub and install a walk in shower and secondly rip out old & lose ceramic tile in a hallway and install Pergo. Pergo, now that is something I can help with. Eric and I installed the hardwood in our kitchen/family rooms so I think I can handle that. (Mick denies this but I have the photos to prove it!) Plus, I’ve seen a lot of home improvement shows where it was being installed. Actually, I’m going to be the chef, shopper of supplies & photographer. Today, hopefully, we can purchase all the supplies so that first thing Saturday the demolition can begin. As expected, Mick is very excited about the project.
Be thinking of me this weekend. I hope you will have a relaxing fun filled weekend.

Turkey Hunting

Have you seen Turkey Time on Eric’s Blog?
After several weekends spent hunting turkeys he finally was successful. I am not sure where he gets his hunting & fishing genes from, certainly not Mick or I. Mick isn’t able to sit long enough for either sport and I hate killing and blood. Also, I would not want to get up at 3am for anything. Well, maybe to catch a flight to a Caribbean Island. I took several pictures of him with his turkey. This is my favorite. Warning: An animal was harmed in the production of this entry.

working : walking : watching

Back to work yesterday, after missing seven working days, my desk wasn’t as buried as I thought it would be. They took care of everything they could. After I got home I walked my entire three mile route. It was the first time in months I completed the entire route. I didn’t walk my usual fast pace, my feet felt like lead weights the entire trip but it seemed great to be out again. I was finally able to get a picture of one of the blue jays that live in our yard. I took it using a telephoto lens with the camera on my tripod. I tried all last week to get a picture but the blue jay knew I was on the deck and would not come to the feeders. I had the tripod set up to take the picture of Bone & I and left it out for awhile. I guess the blue jay got used to seeing it. Even with that I had to hide behind the tripod to get the picture. I have to resort to birds when I don’t have any family around to let me that their picture. : )

Mother's Day Then & Now

1958 my very first Mother’s Day. My very first Mother’s Day, when I was a MoM, was 1983. My life has been BLESSED ever since, even more so in 1985 when I spent my day with two children. I am sure that day was spent with lots of diapers, nursing, feeding, chasing, holding and hugging. I remember I got a bicycle for my first Mother’s Day, with a child seat on the back. He loved riding in that seat. For my third, I received a swing set. I loved that swing set, the kids spent countless hours playing.

Today I had one “child” at home and it was great! I hope all my friends, and I have so many friends that are GREAT Moms,

and all my sister-in-laws had a

WONDERFUL MOTHER'S DAY!!

Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers NOT

I was going to wait and not post any “during” photos until the fireplace was completely finished but, I am so excited I can’t wait. I love how the project is turning out. I love the style of the brick, I’ll have to take a close up, the colors and how the bricks are set. Mick spent 14 hours on Saturday, 12 on Sunday plus, about three each day this week. We estimate another nine and the setting will be finished. He could join the local bricklayers union. Except, we are a NON and I repeat a NON union household. Our friend George was over last night, he said Mick would be in the “allied side” of the bricklayers. Who knew? They are the craftsman side of the local.

I go in for my after surgery exam today. I’ll have all the stitches removed, halleluiah. After much conversation with my office, I’ll be home until Monday. They really wanted me to take the entire week and come back feeling 100%.
Bone will be coming home tonight. I try to believe and wish it is because of Mother’s Day being on Sunday but it is about turkey hunting.