Today, Karen, my seventeen month old daughter (Briana) and I went to Lynn, Lynn, the city of sin. On the agenda for today: a cookout. Now, I suck at cookouts. My friends (Renee and Jeff) have an annual cookout every September. Interestingly enough, I just found out the reason for the annual cookout today. Renee and Jeff have a cookout in September every year to celebrate their dog's birthday.
I don't remember the last time I visited Renee and Jeff in Lynn. Karen thinks it may have been over two years ago. I know I missed last year's cookout because the cookout was scheduled on my son's (Braden) birthday. So two years may be correct.
In addition to seeing Renee and Jeff, the cookout was also our first meeting of my friend's (Christine) new significant other. And naturally, Christine wanted her friends there for their opinion of the guy. Personally, I have always found the act of soliciting opinions about the new significant other ridiculous. For starters, it doesn't matter what I personally think because I am not the one dating the person. And secondly, even if I did not like the person, the person soliciting my opinion does not want to hear anything negative even if they say they do. So it's a rather pointless act in my opinion to ask.
Needless to say, the cookout was good. Christine's date was interesting. Briana, for the most part, was good during the cookout. So all in all, it was a good way to end the day. And for anyone curious, Lowe's did end up delivering our new washing machine in the morning. So I can wash clothes again. Yay!
Sunday, September 11, 2011
I Suck At Celebrating My Friend's Birthday
Yesterday, Karen and I celebrated my friend's (Marc) birthday. Unfortunately, I suck at celebrating my friend's birthday. Marc's birthday was actually earlier in the week, but we decided to celebrate it on Saturday. The theme for the celebration was Southern comfort food.
Partaking in the festivities for the night were my friends (Kelley, Andrea, Cass, Ellen, their baby daughter Elyse, Garv, Leeann, and Steve) and my BFF (Kerry). It was definitely good to see everyone again. Kelley, as usual, did a great job of cooking most of the comfort foods for the party. In my opinion, Kelley makes a lot of great tasting food. To this day, I still think she makes the best chocolate chip cookies of everyone I know. Bar none.
Anyway, there were a lot of laughs yesterday. Probably one of the most comical parts of the night was our conversation about grey hair. As my friends and I are getting older, it should come as no surprise that we are getting grey hairs. Apparently, however, some of us are getting them in places where the sun doesn't shine. Karen's reaction to the discussion was priceless.
Among other comical topics of conversation were body odor and the use of deodorant. It only seemed like a natural segueway since we were already talking about the human body anyway.
All in all, it was a great enjoyable night. The only blemish of the night was that Lowe's did not call us like they had told us they would. Prior to arriving at Marc and Kelley's, Karen and I purchased a new washer at Lowe's. As a result, Lowe's was supposed to call us to confirm delivery instructions.
Our previous washer just stopped working on Friday. Amazingly, that old washer lasted over nine years for us. Karen and I inherited that old washer from Karen's cousin (Karlene) and Karlene's husband (Tommy). I guess that is proof that there is a lot to like about Lowell. I actually have no idea how old the washer was before we inherited it, but it was solid. They definitely don't make them like they used to. That's for sure.
Washer aside, the night was great.
Partaking in the festivities for the night were my friends (Kelley, Andrea, Cass, Ellen, their baby daughter Elyse, Garv, Leeann, and Steve) and my BFF (Kerry). It was definitely good to see everyone again. Kelley, as usual, did a great job of cooking most of the comfort foods for the party. In my opinion, Kelley makes a lot of great tasting food. To this day, I still think she makes the best chocolate chip cookies of everyone I know. Bar none.
Anyway, there were a lot of laughs yesterday. Probably one of the most comical parts of the night was our conversation about grey hair. As my friends and I are getting older, it should come as no surprise that we are getting grey hairs. Apparently, however, some of us are getting them in places where the sun doesn't shine. Karen's reaction to the discussion was priceless.
Among other comical topics of conversation were body odor and the use of deodorant. It only seemed like a natural segueway since we were already talking about the human body anyway.
All in all, it was a great enjoyable night. The only blemish of the night was that Lowe's did not call us like they had told us they would. Prior to arriving at Marc and Kelley's, Karen and I purchased a new washer at Lowe's. As a result, Lowe's was supposed to call us to confirm delivery instructions.
Our previous washer just stopped working on Friday. Amazingly, that old washer lasted over nine years for us. Karen and I inherited that old washer from Karen's cousin (Karlene) and Karlene's husband (Tommy). I guess that is proof that there is a lot to like about Lowell. I actually have no idea how old the washer was before we inherited it, but it was solid. They definitely don't make them like they used to. That's for sure.
Washer aside, the night was great.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
I Suck At Breaking Glasses
I suck at breaking glasses. Luckily, my seventeen month daughter (Briana) is not so bad at it. After all, she broke my glasses today.
Like I am apt to do, I was holding Briana in my arms. Like a ninja, she snatched the glasses right off of my face. From there, she started bending the frame. The next thing I know... SNAP! It all happened in mere seconds.
The temple splintered off. For anyone curious, the temple is the part of the eyeglass that is attached to the hinge. It runs along the side of your head and connects to the temple tips which wraps around your ears.
I now have a pair of broken glasses. I considered taping the temple to the hinge with rolls upon rolls of tape, but I don't think it would hold. So I guess I'll be visiting an eyeglass store in the very near future. Laser corrective eye surgery is looking better and better now.
Like I am apt to do, I was holding Briana in my arms. Like a ninja, she snatched the glasses right off of my face. From there, she started bending the frame. The next thing I know... SNAP! It all happened in mere seconds.
The temple splintered off. For anyone curious, the temple is the part of the eyeglass that is attached to the hinge. It runs along the side of your head and connects to the temple tips which wraps around your ears.
I now have a pair of broken glasses. I considered taping the temple to the hinge with rolls upon rolls of tape, but I don't think it would hold. So I guess I'll be visiting an eyeglass store in the very near future. Laser corrective eye surgery is looking better and better now.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
I Suck At Celebrating My Son's Birthday
Monday was Labor day. In addition to honoring our workers, Monday also happened to be my son's (Braden) birthday. Too bad I suck at celebrating my son's birthday. Had Braden survived, he would have turned three on Monday. Happy birthday Braden!
I still miss Braden. In some ways, I suppose I should consider myself lucky. Although Braden only lived for a week, that time is more than some people get. So I'm thankful to have known my son for that one week.
My seventeen month old daughter (Briana) never got to meet Braden. Unfortunately, she will only know her brother through pictures and videos. It's too bad because I think Braden would have adored Briana (and vice versa). Or perhaps that may be a good thing. If Braden is anything like his sister, he'd be just as curious and then I'd have two mischievous little children running around the house and wreaking havoc everywhere instead of one.
Needless to say, I'll never know what life would be like raising Braden. I can only imagine the great things that he would have done had he survived.
Anyway for the past two years, Karen and I have been getting an ice cream cake to celebrate Braden's birthday. This year was no different. I think Briana may have thought the cake was for her because she seemed quite exited about the ice cream cake with three candles on it.
The ice cream cake was good. It was a nice way to end the low key day which consisted of a family outing to the cemetery and then to Norwell's 4th Annual Picnic on the Common. For anyone curious, the Picnic on the Common was actually fun. There was a magician who was great with the kids. There was a band. There were animals. There was free lemonade (Yum!). It was nice.
All things considered, it was a good day for celebrating Braden's birthday. Again, happy birthday Braden! Daddy still and will forever love you. I'll never forget you, Little B.
I still miss Braden. In some ways, I suppose I should consider myself lucky. Although Braden only lived for a week, that time is more than some people get. So I'm thankful to have known my son for that one week.
My seventeen month old daughter (Briana) never got to meet Braden. Unfortunately, she will only know her brother through pictures and videos. It's too bad because I think Braden would have adored Briana (and vice versa). Or perhaps that may be a good thing. If Braden is anything like his sister, he'd be just as curious and then I'd have two mischievous little children running around the house and wreaking havoc everywhere instead of one.
Needless to say, I'll never know what life would be like raising Braden. I can only imagine the great things that he would have done had he survived.
Anyway for the past two years, Karen and I have been getting an ice cream cake to celebrate Braden's birthday. This year was no different. I think Briana may have thought the cake was for her because she seemed quite exited about the ice cream cake with three candles on it.
The ice cream cake was good. It was a nice way to end the low key day which consisted of a family outing to the cemetery and then to Norwell's 4th Annual Picnic on the Common. For anyone curious, the Picnic on the Common was actually fun. There was a magician who was great with the kids. There was a band. There were animals. There was free lemonade (Yum!). It was nice.
All things considered, it was a good day for celebrating Braden's birthday. Again, happy birthday Braden! Daddy still and will forever love you. I'll never forget you, Little B.
I Suck At Visiting My Friend
I think I have become quite "South Shore" with my old age. I never used to be that way. Quincy just seems far these days for me, which is sad because Quincy is really not that far from where I live. For anyone curious, I live in Norwell. If Quincy seems far now, you can only imagine how far the city of Boston may seem to me.
In keeping up with the Boston-themed weekend (as I visited Karen's Nana at a nursing home in Boston on Saturday), my friend (Hot Amy) invited us over to her new place on Sunday. Hot Amy and her husband (Mark) live on Beacon Hill in Boston. Since getting married, they have been working on getting their apartment "ready" for visitors. So for the second straight day, Karen, my seventeen month old daughter (Briana), and I headed into Boston. Luckily, I suck at visiting my friend. And just so you know, carrying a seventeen month old while walking up a hill... not as easy as you think.
It was a good visit. I really haven't talked with Hot Amy in probably well over a year. Granted, I went to her wedding and the annual cookout that her parents have on the fourth of July, but those times were more of a salutatory conversation of "congratulations" or "hi" or something like that. I don't really remember the last time I hung around and just joked around with her.
And truthfully, I didn't get a chance to do much of that at her apartment. As is common these days, either Karen or I have to make sure Briana is not getting into things when she shouldn't. So one of us always has to keep an eye out for her. I've gotten pretty used to it from my weekly get together with my friends (Marc, Kelley, and Andrea). Needless to say, I spent much of the time cooped up with Briana and Hot Amy's sister's (Terri) daughter in one of the rooms watching them as they screamed out to the pedestrians below.
When I did make it out of the room, though, it was nice to laugh it up with my friends (Jen and Andrea) who were also there. And I know some of you may be curious, Andrea has just completed the third season of Friday Night Lights. But all in all, it was a good time. I even got to see my "mom" (Shirley) again. There is a story to that, of course, but I'll divulge it at some other time.
In keeping up with the Boston-themed weekend (as I visited Karen's Nana at a nursing home in Boston on Saturday), my friend (Hot Amy) invited us over to her new place on Sunday. Hot Amy and her husband (Mark) live on Beacon Hill in Boston. Since getting married, they have been working on getting their apartment "ready" for visitors. So for the second straight day, Karen, my seventeen month old daughter (Briana), and I headed into Boston. Luckily, I suck at visiting my friend. And just so you know, carrying a seventeen month old while walking up a hill... not as easy as you think.
It was a good visit. I really haven't talked with Hot Amy in probably well over a year. Granted, I went to her wedding and the annual cookout that her parents have on the fourth of July, but those times were more of a salutatory conversation of "congratulations" or "hi" or something like that. I don't really remember the last time I hung around and just joked around with her.
And truthfully, I didn't get a chance to do much of that at her apartment. As is common these days, either Karen or I have to make sure Briana is not getting into things when she shouldn't. So one of us always has to keep an eye out for her. I've gotten pretty used to it from my weekly get together with my friends (Marc, Kelley, and Andrea). Needless to say, I spent much of the time cooped up with Briana and Hot Amy's sister's (Terri) daughter in one of the rooms watching them as they screamed out to the pedestrians below.
When I did make it out of the room, though, it was nice to laugh it up with my friends (Jen and Andrea) who were also there. And I know some of you may be curious, Andrea has just completed the third season of Friday Night Lights. But all in all, it was a good time. I even got to see my "mom" (Shirley) again. There is a story to that, of course, but I'll divulge it at some other time.
I Suck At Celebrating Nana's Birthday
Due to the tropical storm known as Irene last weekend, the celebration for Nana's birthday was pushed back to Saturday. I guess you could say I suck at celebrating Nana's birthday.
Nana seemed pleasantly surprised to see everyone on Saturday. After all, I'm sure she doesn't get too many visitors on a given Saturday at the nursing home. Nana was probably more excited to see her great grandchildren than the rest of us. Besides my seventeen month old daughter (Briana), my niece (Kaleigh) and nephew (PJ) were there to put a smile on her face.
And luckily, Briana was good during her outing to the nursing home. She definitely enjoys seeing her cousins and her favorite auntie (Janine) and uncle (PJ). I think she may have actually tried her first juice box too on Saturday complements of her auntie. I found that particularly interesting only because lately whenever Briana drinks anything whether it is from a cup or a straw... the liquid goes into her mouth... and shortly dribbles all out of her mouth. But nope, not the juice box. She sucked that juice down with no problem.
Needless to say, I think Nana had a good time. Happy birthday Nana!
Nana seemed pleasantly surprised to see everyone on Saturday. After all, I'm sure she doesn't get too many visitors on a given Saturday at the nursing home. Nana was probably more excited to see her great grandchildren than the rest of us. Besides my seventeen month old daughter (Briana), my niece (Kaleigh) and nephew (PJ) were there to put a smile on her face.
And luckily, Briana was good during her outing to the nursing home. She definitely enjoys seeing her cousins and her favorite auntie (Janine) and uncle (PJ). I think she may have actually tried her first juice box too on Saturday complements of her auntie. I found that particularly interesting only because lately whenever Briana drinks anything whether it is from a cup or a straw... the liquid goes into her mouth... and shortly dribbles all out of her mouth. But nope, not the juice box. She sucked that juice down with no problem.
Needless to say, I think Nana had a good time. Happy birthday Nana!
Friday, September 2, 2011
I Suck At Richardson's Ice Cream
Last night, my coworkers and I went to Richardson's Ice Cream, located in Middleboro. It was a non-sanctioned after work activity that my boss thought would be fun. I guess it was sort of a team building exercise. Too bad I suck at Richardson's Ice Cream.
For anyone curious, I had the apple crisp ice cream. It was good. I would have preferred a little more crisp, but all in all it was good. I would stay say, however, that my favorite ice cream is Kimball Farm in Westford.
Speaking of Kimball Farm, Richardson's also has other activities beside devouring delicious ice cream. Among the other activities at Richardson's was a mini golf course, a driving range, and batting cages. Oh, and cows! Live pungent cows.
One of my coworkers (Jeff) had the grand idea of having a home run derby at the batting cages. Thus, several of us (me included) headed off to the batting cages. I figured, why not? It's definitely been some time since I swung a bat. The last time was in college, which was well over fifteen years ago.
Needless to say, I'm old. For starters, I stopped wearing the batting helmet for fear of contagious diseases. I originally considered it until one of my other coworkers (Jonathan) jokingly mentioned lice. So no helmet it was.
My first time in the batting cage was not so memorable. I must have missed every single pitch that came flying over the plate. Granted, I was using a little league bat because the one adult bat that was there was being used by Jonathan. For anyone curious, swinging a little league bat is harder than one would think. The bat is a lot lighter and a lot shorter. It felt like swinging a fly swatter at the balls.
The first time in the cage was very humbling. I even ended up getting bruises on my hand from gripping the tiny little league bat. Things, however, did get a lot better when I switched bats with Jonathan for my last go around. In my opinion, Jonathan won bragging rights for the home run derby. I think it's the bat.
All in all, it was a great time. It was fun to hang out with my coworkers, which is something I don't normally do since I work from home a lot of the time.
For anyone curious, I had the apple crisp ice cream. It was good. I would have preferred a little more crisp, but all in all it was good. I would stay say, however, that my favorite ice cream is Kimball Farm in Westford.
Speaking of Kimball Farm, Richardson's also has other activities beside devouring delicious ice cream. Among the other activities at Richardson's was a mini golf course, a driving range, and batting cages. Oh, and cows! Live pungent cows.
One of my coworkers (Jeff) had the grand idea of having a home run derby at the batting cages. Thus, several of us (me included) headed off to the batting cages. I figured, why not? It's definitely been some time since I swung a bat. The last time was in college, which was well over fifteen years ago.
Needless to say, I'm old. For starters, I stopped wearing the batting helmet for fear of contagious diseases. I originally considered it until one of my other coworkers (Jonathan) jokingly mentioned lice. So no helmet it was.
My first time in the batting cage was not so memorable. I must have missed every single pitch that came flying over the plate. Granted, I was using a little league bat because the one adult bat that was there was being used by Jonathan. For anyone curious, swinging a little league bat is harder than one would think. The bat is a lot lighter and a lot shorter. It felt like swinging a fly swatter at the balls.
The first time in the cage was very humbling. I even ended up getting bruises on my hand from gripping the tiny little league bat. Things, however, did get a lot better when I switched bats with Jonathan for my last go around. In my opinion, Jonathan won bragging rights for the home run derby. I think it's the bat.
All in all, it was a great time. It was fun to hang out with my coworkers, which is something I don't normally do since I work from home a lot of the time.
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