Well, this is the last day in Concord. The U-haul is packed, all my bags are packed and I even have only 3 oz. bottles, neatly stuffed in a plastic bag for inspection at the airport. We've had such a great visit, and I hate to leave. Time flies so fast when we're on vacation.
Saturday we left by 9 am in order to get parking and good seats at the graduation. It started at 11, and of course had all the pomp and ceremony that a proper graduation ceremony requires. The current Secretary of the Navy spoke, and was actually pretty interesting. The whole thing was long, but there were a lot of graduates, so it's to be expected. Afterward we went to eat at Barley's, a great restaurant in Concord.
Sunday we went to Portsmith, NH and Ogunquit, Maine. The weather was beautiful, with a nice little breeze. We got off the main street in Portsmith, and found an old section of town named Strawberry Banke. Many of the houses were built in the late 1700's, including the home of Daniel Webster, which is still a private home. Many of the homes are open to the public, but not all. It was awesome! We wanted to get to Maine before dark, so we didn't stay long, but Heather and I went back on Monday and spent hours there.
Ogunquit and Perkins Cove have a gorgeous walkway along the Atlantic ocean, which travels several miles. We didn't go that far, but we did go far enough to take some great pictures. The ocean was so blue! I'm so glad David could go this time, it was almost perfect. If Nic, Gina and Dakota were there the picture would be complete.
Tomorrow there is a 100% chance of rain, tears from heaven I'm sure. Jared is adjusting to the idea of moving back to AZ, but the weather reflects the mood as we all separate. I can't wait for the family to be all together again.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Friday, May 14, 2010
Concord New Hampshire
Well, we made it across country yesterday! The flight was good, Southwest has a nonstop from Phx now, about 4 1/2 hours all the way across the country. It's a 3 hour time difference, and I'm fried.
David and Jared were up early, down to the U-Haul place to set up a trailer. They're putting a hitch on Jared's car tomorrow- we drop it off before going to Heather's graduation. She has to be there before 10:00 am to line up, and we're all going together. It's in Henniker, NH which is about 20 miles from Concord. I'm so proud of her, she has a 3.9 GPA, in a Master's program! That's the Farr in her for sure, my GPA was never that good.
Today I slept in, then they picked me up about 11 NH time, which was 8 our time. Jet lag is kicking my rear, but hopefully I'll adjust quickly. We went into Concord today, stopped by Heather's office and wandered around the downtown a little. We had to get groceries and a chair pad for me to sit on tomorrow- as we'll be on bleachers for the ceremony. There is a beautiful square around the State Capitol here, with big statues of Daniel Webster and President Pierce. Evidently they are both native sons of New Hampshire, who knew? probably my nieces and nephews still in school :).
David and Jared were up early, down to the U-Haul place to set up a trailer. They're putting a hitch on Jared's car tomorrow- we drop it off before going to Heather's graduation. She has to be there before 10:00 am to line up, and we're all going together. It's in Henniker, NH which is about 20 miles from Concord. I'm so proud of her, she has a 3.9 GPA, in a Master's program! That's the Farr in her for sure, my GPA was never that good.
Today I slept in, then they picked me up about 11 NH time, which was 8 our time. Jet lag is kicking my rear, but hopefully I'll adjust quickly. We went into Concord today, stopped by Heather's office and wandered around the downtown a little. We had to get groceries and a chair pad for me to sit on tomorrow- as we'll be on bleachers for the ceremony. There is a beautiful square around the State Capitol here, with big statues of Daniel Webster and President Pierce. Evidently they are both native sons of New Hampshire, who knew? probably my nieces and nephews still in school :).
Friday, May 7, 2010
Attitude of Gratitude
So this week is Mother's day. It's also Gina's birthday, a couple days ago, and Jared's birthday tomorrow. That brings me to reflect on what a wonderful family I have. Mom is still here, and I love to spend time with her. Many of my friends have lost their Mom's, so I realize how fortunate we are to still have her here and active. The kids have grown into amazing adults, and we have gained a beautiful daughter. Heather's pretty happy to not be the only girl!
Thank you to my family, the immediate, the extended, the adopted, I love you all and feel so grateful to have each of you in my life. Thank you to my friends, for all your love and support, laughter and joy. Every person has been brought into my life for a reason, and it has been so much fun!
Thank you to my family, the immediate, the extended, the adopted, I love you all and feel so grateful to have each of you in my life. Thank you to my friends, for all your love and support, laughter and joy. Every person has been brought into my life for a reason, and it has been so much fun!
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Springtime Weddings
What a fun week! My cousin Kathleen has been in town all week- one of her sons got married May 1 in AZ. She now has 2 kids living in AZ, and I keep trying to convince her and Kurt to move back. We grew up really close, her mom and my dad were the only children in their family, and we spent much of the summers at one another's homes. We also spent most holidays together at our Balmes Grandparents. In 1978 the whole Goodman clan packed up and moved to Missouri, and we haven't seen them very often since then.
They stayed at the Sedona Pines Resort, where the groom works. Kurt and Kathleen had a lovely little cabin there for the whole week, while their kids, spouses and grandkids all stayed with their son Jared, who lives nearby. The cabin had a refrigerator, microwave and full kitchen, so they felt right at home.
I was able to visit them at Jared's for several hours one evening, and they came over for a couple hours on Thursday after Mom got here. Saturday was really busy for us- David was setting up coolers all morning, while Mom and I worked really hard- we got a mani and pedicure!
My first wedding reception that day started at 2, here in town. A good friend's son got married; He is currently in the Navy and is home for just a few weeks. Jacob was in my Sunday School class in his teens, but boy has he grown up! He was married in his 'dress blues', and cut quite a dashing figure.
The second reception was for my cousins son Logan. They were married in the Mesa Arizona temple, but the reception was in Flagstaff. We took Mom up with us, and it was a big ole party! Logan's wife Alicia is Navajo, and all her extended family came to support them. There was a wonderful meal, provided by the Radisson Hotel, where her mother has worked for years. All but one of Kathleen's 7 kids were there, and it was fun to see them as adults. I was out in MO in 1993, but they were all just little kids back then. Now they're all grown up, working and most have kids of their own. I will really miss them when they leave tomorrow!
They stayed at the Sedona Pines Resort, where the groom works. Kurt and Kathleen had a lovely little cabin there for the whole week, while their kids, spouses and grandkids all stayed with their son Jared, who lives nearby. The cabin had a refrigerator, microwave and full kitchen, so they felt right at home.
I was able to visit them at Jared's for several hours one evening, and they came over for a couple hours on Thursday after Mom got here. Saturday was really busy for us- David was setting up coolers all morning, while Mom and I worked really hard- we got a mani and pedicure!
My first wedding reception that day started at 2, here in town. A good friend's son got married; He is currently in the Navy and is home for just a few weeks. Jacob was in my Sunday School class in his teens, but boy has he grown up! He was married in his 'dress blues', and cut quite a dashing figure.
The second reception was for my cousins son Logan. They were married in the Mesa Arizona temple, but the reception was in Flagstaff. We took Mom up with us, and it was a big ole party! Logan's wife Alicia is Navajo, and all her extended family came to support them. There was a wonderful meal, provided by the Radisson Hotel, where her mother has worked for years. All but one of Kathleen's 7 kids were there, and it was fun to see them as adults. I was out in MO in 1993, but they were all just little kids back then. Now they're all grown up, working and most have kids of their own. I will really miss them when they leave tomorrow!
Monday, April 26, 2010
Weekend wanderings
We went to Phoenix Saturday, David had a couple things he needed to do. We met Jon, Kathy and her son at Rei, a sporting goods store. Wyatt found the craziest 'shoes'! They are like latex toe socks, really. They have a good sole, but are more of a slipon footie, and fit like a glove instead of a shoe. He got the camo-colored ones, they are pretty wild. Good for running barefoot, but with a sole.
We had lunch there, then went to Costco to pick up a few things. That's where I gave out, and my hip froze up pretty bad, so we left. We went to Trisha's to say hello and drop off a couple things. We had a nice visit, then went to Maricopa and spent the night at my sisters. Sunday morning we went to Mom's, she's doing well. While looking at her garden, she gave us a bunch of fresh vegies and some strawberry plants. We were there to pick up chickens though, and we soon got to that task.
She doesn't plan to be home much this summer, it gets too hot there, and so I talked her into giving me some of her chickens. She had 9, with no-one to eat all those eggs, so I took 6 of them, leaving her 3 hens and a rooster. I plan to give a couple to Jenny, and then I'll have 9 hens and a rooster, which should give me enough to sell eggs every week. I know, I know "Elaine and her chickens!" But I enjoy them and they are sure keeping the bugs down around my house.
We were using the GPS on the way home, trying to find a JoAnn's store before leaving the city. The GPS kept telling us to turn off the freeway at every exit, but didn't tell us why until we hit the heavy traffic! The freeway was being paved or something, and 4 lanes were crammed down to 1. It was a massive parking lot! We were finally able to get off at Pinnacle Peak, and took a side road up to New River. I guess there's no good time to do road work in the Valley, and the weekend makes more sense than during the work week, but next time I think we'll listen to the GPS! If it had said- Traffic ahead, earlier, so we knew why it was taking us off the freeway, that would have helped, but oh well.
We had lunch there, then went to Costco to pick up a few things. That's where I gave out, and my hip froze up pretty bad, so we left. We went to Trisha's to say hello and drop off a couple things. We had a nice visit, then went to Maricopa and spent the night at my sisters. Sunday morning we went to Mom's, she's doing well. While looking at her garden, she gave us a bunch of fresh vegies and some strawberry plants. We were there to pick up chickens though, and we soon got to that task.
She doesn't plan to be home much this summer, it gets too hot there, and so I talked her into giving me some of her chickens. She had 9, with no-one to eat all those eggs, so I took 6 of them, leaving her 3 hens and a rooster. I plan to give a couple to Jenny, and then I'll have 9 hens and a rooster, which should give me enough to sell eggs every week. I know, I know "Elaine and her chickens!" But I enjoy them and they are sure keeping the bugs down around my house.
We were using the GPS on the way home, trying to find a JoAnn's store before leaving the city. The GPS kept telling us to turn off the freeway at every exit, but didn't tell us why until we hit the heavy traffic! The freeway was being paved or something, and 4 lanes were crammed down to 1. It was a massive parking lot! We were finally able to get off at Pinnacle Peak, and took a side road up to New River. I guess there's no good time to do road work in the Valley, and the weekend makes more sense than during the work week, but next time I think we'll listen to the GPS! If it had said- Traffic ahead, earlier, so we knew why it was taking us off the freeway, that would have helped, but oh well.
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