A visit from Diane

We've had a lovely visit from Diane Randall, Elizabeth's Ex-Mother (as she called her when she was six).

We've known each other since 1979 (!) and, for the historical record, we were both married to Elizabeth's father Thom, though not at the same time!

We've shared fun and assorted holidays over the years with each other and with the other kids who came along - Matt, Anthony, Grace and William.  Now we have grandkids Anthony and Lucy to share, as well.

It's school vacation week and we've spent a lot of time with Liz and the kiddos.  They were so excited we were going to their house and got all fancied up - note the sparkly headband and tie.  We had a lovely tea party in Lucy's room, played games, danced around.  It got pretty wild as you can see.

Later Diane and I had dinner with my homeys (the Peeps) at our regular Thursday night laugh-fest - great food and, yes, lots of laughing.  This morning we mushed through the snowstorm to a water aerobics class at The Edge, then soaked in the hot tub.  That's what vacations are for, right?  This afternoon?  Popcorn and a movie or two.

I need a new photo

I need a new photo!

I was digging around today, looking for a Facebook photo update and I don't have anything REALLY current that I like.  I know, I know, I get photographed all the time, but I'm not always ready.  Do you know the feeling?

Luckily, I will be attending NEIPP (New England Institute of Professional Photography) in April and plan to enlist anyone and everyone to take my picture!

I will reciprocate, of course.  My friend Melvin especially needs a fun, new head shot - I'm coming for you, Melvin!

NEIPP is such a great experience and gets everybody's creative juices flowing.  You never know about Cap Cod in April, but it has to be closer to Spring there than here, right?

Besides, Ed will be coming back from his California adventures and plans to join me in Hyannis.  YAY!

No snow fatigue here!

I don't have much to report, except S-N-O-W!

The dogs are just as happy as they can be, reveling in the snow, burying themselves, rolling around in it, etc.

I'm not sure what we'll do if we get much more, since the driveway is surrounded by 5 - 6  foot barricades of the stuff.

The shoveling hasn't been bad until the last snow which was wet and heavy, but I am NOT complaining!

Soon enough it will be hot and sticky with mosquitoes, right?

Getting along

Baby, it's cold out there!

Road trip!  Well, it was -20° on Monday morning so Donna and I set out to visit our lab and look at new products, etc.  Brad graciously chauffered us to Canton, MA where we had a great tour, lunch with Ken who owns Lustrecolor and fun with pups Lola and Lexie in the car.  We had a great time and learned a lot!

There sure was a lot of whimpering from weather-people, radios hosts, the newspaper, etc., about the expected temperatures.  C'mon, people!  We live in Vermont - Hello!

This is why we live here!

Thank you, Robin, for hosting a wonderful New Years party on Sunday.  The weather forecast was bad and, yes, cars and SUVs were sliding off the Interstate, but it turned out to be such a glorious day for a walk in the snow with friends and a champagne toast on the hill behind Robin's farmhouse.

Robin and Patricia and I have known each other for many years - in fact, Patricia (she was Patty Jo then) and Ed and I went to high school together.  We all turned out to be photographers of one sort or another, so we had a blast joining the Vermont Professional Photographers Association for the annual holiday party.

A few other intrepid souls braved the weather - Diane, Kelly, Ian and Amalia - so it was a small but cozy and fun-filled afternoon.  Robin's 200 year old house has a big fireplace in the kitchen where we gathered after the champagne for great food and laughter.

Arlo and Rufus got to wear themselves out playing with new friends Maple and Jack.  For some of Kelly and Ian's great images from the day (including Diane's amazing jumping bean dog Riley) check out page 2 of Kelly's site.

Post-holiday catch-up

Wow, it was a busy ten days!  My sister Barbara was here and we tried to fit a lot of stuff in during her visit.  We found a really nice little place on Center Street in Burlington (thanks to the heads up from Anthony S. who was playing Uilleann bagpipes there with his friend Ben and other local musicians) -  Patra Cafe is a cozy little place with lovely food and teas, etc.  It reminded me and Barbara of a coffee house on Church Street we used to frequent - The Loft - and drink tea and coffee, listen to music, hang out with friends.  Boy, we're OLD!  That was in the 60's!

Anthony and Lucy spent the night on the weekend and we had a great time.  They both fit with Grandpa in the big LaZboy chair Aunt Claire gave Ed before her move to California.  We also christened the hide-a-bed and, no, I do not make them sleep on newspaper!  It was a game they hatched to cover the bed with parts of the Sunday paper.

A few days earlier Barbara and I and our brother Peter trekked down to Millbrook, NY to see our mother who lives there at the moment.  We got to play LOTS of Liverpool, the family game, eat too many Christmas cookies and stroll around town.  My mother is a world-class baker but that has not rubbed off on me, alas.  Grammie's cat "Feisty" kept us entertained with his antics.  You can see by his expression what kind of cat he is - in charge of everything!