Must Read Books

There are so many books out that I want to read! I'm a big fan of Biographies. Here's a list of books that I'm dying to read...

I grew up with Molly Ringwald. We're the same age and I wanted to be her in just about every movie she was in during the 80s. She was on Regis & Kelly the other day and was talking about this book and now I'm dying to read it!

One of my favorite first ladies. I would very much like to read her book. It's been in the news the last few days and it intrigues me.

I used to watch the Carol Burnett show every day after school. She was my favorite comedian and I imagine this would be a fantastic book.

I love Michael J. Fox.

Sarah Silverman cracks me up. I bet this book is hysterical.

Not a "famous" person as the rest of them listed here are, but I read her blog and I imagine this would be an amazing book.

Who wouldn't love a good behind the scenes of "Little House on the Prairie" book??

Just caught his interview with Oprah yesterday. I was a big fan of "Diff'rent Strokes" and think this would be a great book to read. Todd has been "clean" for 17 years, but he still gets a bad rap for his years of drug abuse.

I also saw her interview with Oprah. I can't believe she's 70 years old. Inspiring. Oh and my husband was in love with her when he was a teenager... he might like to read this too. Or at least look at the pictures.

Anyone else think of any other good Biographies out there??

Midweek Report

Look what I had on my desk when I got back from vacation!! 2 new-to-me flat screen monitors! Yep, I guess someone heard me complaining for the last year about the horrible monitors I was using. Or maybe someone noticed all the colors on my graphics were a little off. However it happened, I'm very pleased to have some nice new monitors to work on. They weren't brand-new, they were actually Beebs' old monitors from his old office before they moved him to the other side of the building. They'd been sitting and collecting dust for the last year. Sadly, I could have had them over a year ago... but I guess I should be happy I got them at all!

Oh and do you see that Edward R Murrow Award graphic on one of the monitors? I was working on a plaque to go in our front lobby. Once again, our station won for Best Overall Station and for Best Website in our category... I think it's the 4th (?) time they've won.

So tomorrow is the BIG day! Alex's first track meet. If anyone is up near Oswego High School around 5:30 pm, be sure to stop by and watch him run! I wish I could get up there in time, but I wouldn't, so I won't even try. I'll have to wait til next week when his meet will be closer. Seriously though, if anyone would like to go to any meets, let me know. I'll forward a schedule to you! I'm sure he'd love a cheering section. Maybe.

Garage Sales & Auctions

We had a very successful garage sale this weekend. Our grand total profits were over $500! (The kids got a cut as well...) And we managed to get rid of a lot of excess junk in the process. I even dropped off all the leftover clothes and books at the Rescue Mission. So we helped a good cause too.

Last night, I volunteered to help out at WCNY's TelAuc with Eric. He always has to work the Auctions, and since I wasn't doing anything, I thought it would be interesting to go see what it was all about behind the scenes. Big Bird watched over the warehouse... with a VooDoo doll in his mouth.

Eric and his co-worker Dave operated the studio cameras in the warehouse. They shot the merchandise as it was being described by the hosts.

Big Bird was right there making sure things went smoothly.

Ernie, Cookie Monster and Bert watched from above... Well, I'm not exactly sure what Bert was doing. He might have dipped into the booze and passed out...

Half-Way Point

I'm at the half-way point of my week long vacation. We returned from our Boston Adventures last evening. We had a really great time while we were there.

This is Joseph, he is Greg & Diane's bunny. He's just the sweetest little thing. He lives in the living room, likes to lay in the sun and enjoys an occasional treat.

On our way back to to NY yesterday, we made a quick stop in Newburyport. It's a beautiful small town with lots of shops, restaurants and charm.

I believe the last time I was in Newburyport, I spent the evening here. With my roommate from college and lots of other friends. The date was December 31st, 1990.

Beautiful window box.

It was a gorgeous day...

In a gorgeous town... on the water...

So peaceful and quiet.

Can you believe it cost $15.30 to take the Thru-Way from Albany to Buffalo?? It only cost $2.10 to go across the entire state of Massachusetts. I realize NY is about twice the size of MA, but does it justify a $13 difference in price?? Just more proof that NY sticks it to its residents (and visitors) whenever they can...

Spring Break Continued

After a fabulous breakfast with my roommate from college at the Agawam Diner in Rowley (sorry, I totally forgot to get a photo with her!), I stopped by Winfrey's for some chocolate goodness!

Then with Eric and the kids, we went North to go shopping at the outlets in Kittery. Kelsey got a big bear hug in front of the Kittery Trading Post.

And Alex tried to squeeze in with Lowly Worm on a kiddie ride...

After hours of shopping, we went up to York Beach. It was actually very pleasant out. It was in the low 60s and sunny.

The kids were jumping for joy!

Alex posed in front of his favorite vacation spot, The Union Bluff Hotel. (His grandparents have taken him there in the past, they always have a great time!)

Eric got artsy with his photography when we went to see Nubble Light.

Nubble Light

And what's a vacation without a self-portrait?!

Spring Break 2010

I can't believe it's been an entire year since our last Spring Break! We are having a grand time here in Boxford at Greg & Diane's house. They are the best hosts in the world!

Eric & I took the kids into the city today for a little fun and adventure.

We did some shopping... And we met up with Eric's friend Vic and his wife, AnneMarie. We had a fabulous lunch at Joe's American Bar & Grill right on the Harbor. I had an amazing Clam Chowder bread bowl. Yum!

All day we kept seeing people wearing these jackets. And Alex wanted one. So he blew his entire vacation allotment on this jacket. It's an "official" 2010 Boston Marathon jacket. All the Marathoners were wearing them. I guess he can pretend he ran the 2010 Marathon now! Maybe next year.... right? You never know!

We also walked part of the Freedom Trail today and toured the Paul Revere House. Did you know his "Midnight Ride" was on April 18th? And did you know today was April 18th?! Kind of interesting.....

Shot of the South Market next to Quincy Market.

Boston hats at a Kiosk in Faneuil Hall. It was a great day in the city, the weather was on and off rain showers, but it sure didn't slow us down! If you'd like to see more photos from our fun day in the city, click here!

Beantown Bound

It was about this time last year that we took a fun little trip to Boston... and we're going again! Once again, we'll be staying with our gracious hosts, Greg & Diane.

We'll be doing some sight-seeing and having a grand time while we're there. I'm looking forward to posting some interesting blog posts for a change!

Stripping, Cleaning & Cooking

We had a very productive weekend. Everybody seems to be in a cleaning and organizing mode around here! Maybe it's the nice Spring weather...

On Saturday I went up to Paula's house and helped her strip wallpaper in her kitchen. She also blogged about it, if you'd like to hear more about it! It was a fun afternoon. And I can't wait to see the finished room. Someday. (Hurry up and pick a paint color, Paula!)

Today I got the urge to clean my closet. Must have been the fact that my sons closet was cleaner than mine... I was a little embarrassed! But now it's clean. And more organized.

I've also been spending a lot of time in the basement. This is a "before" photo. Or actually more of a "during" photo... it's a big mess. It'll be a couple of weeks before this project is finished. We're slowly getting things into the garage to set up for the yard sale. Anything that doesn't sell is NOT coming back into the house! I'll be making trips to the Rescue Mission with anything that is leftover. No more hoarding for us!

Our weekly menu is pretty normal this week. We are having one new dish on Wednesday. Spinach and Beef Enchiladas. A tasty recipe I found on the Betty Crocker website. I can't wait to try it, it sounds delicious!

Robins & Flat Ryans

Some Robins made a nest on top of the light next to our front door.

Unfortunately, it's a long drop to the cement floor if the eggs fall out. I'm thinking something terrible might have happened during the night...

Because there was also this broken egg in the front yard by the walk way. Maybe a squirrel or another bird found the nest and tried to steal the eggs. Whatever happened, it wasn't pretty and there were casualties. I haven't tried to look in the nest to see if there are other eggs. We're trying to ignore it in case the Robin Mom is close by. I'd hate for the other eggs to become abandoned eggs...

And speaking of Robins, my friend Robin has started a gardening blog. Called Reservoir Gardens. Be sure to check it out and add it to your regular blog reads. It's going to be about her attempt at a massive garden this summer. I can't wait to see and hear how the garden grows... she is very ambitious!

And this is Flat Ryan. Flat Ryan made a trip to Syracuse from Ludlow, MA. Pictured with Flat Ryan is Beebs. Flat Ryan belongs to Beebs' nephew and is traveling the country having photos taken of himself. And since Flat Ryan was a Red Sox fan, I couldn't resist to post him on the blog!