Friday, October 5 - Massachusetts

Good afternoon intrepid followers. That long wailing sound you hear would be mine. Why? Because my Brother and I were unable to travel to Martha's Vineyard this weekend. Why? Work - mostly his.

Neither of us are happy about this; not at all. We have had this trip planned for months, as you know. Hotel rooms booked, ferry booked. It is not an easy trip to coordinate between the hotel and ferry availability, non-refundable fees, etc.

Being Columbus Day weekend - after which they roll up the sidewalks on the Vineyard - all inbound & outbound ferries were completely booked for 2 days. I looked for a later time in the day; not to be had. Called the Steamship Authority (they oversee the reservations), and there was not even a chance at Standby.

So we had to scramble in order not to lose the $900 for the hotel and ferry that has already been paid for. I was able to put off the ferry reservation - the new one is good until September of 2019, but carries a small fee of $10 for the change. My most awesome Brother called the hotel and was able to shift our reservations until Spring.

This can only happen this once, however, in both reservation instances.

I am more than disappointed and totally disgusted about the whole thing. Not at my Brother - it is not his fault. His (and my) boss demanded we be here today, especially Brother. I have no good words on that subject so I will leave it.

I have worked for some difficult people over the years. To be expected as an Exec Admin to Presidents, CEOs, and COBs of major companies. Handled it, dealt with it. Nothing like this, however, especially at a lower level. Do not keep changing the rules on me. Tell me one thing, decide it is not to your liking or not remember. Then switch gears mid-stream.

So once again - I reiterate. Nope - had my fill of this one. More than. I have other words I could use, but I will not.

I will finish out the season (about a month) because I committed to it. I fulfill my obligations.

After that I SO look forward to getting back to my happy little life on my own schedule with my own things to do.

I do apologize that this post has been mostly a "whine" and took the tone of a bit angry. But there you have it. I really am an upbeat person most of the time! It is definitely not a good thing when I get angry (please do not ask). I learned to tamp it down years ago.

Exceptt this time it affected both my Brother and me in a big way.

Stay tuned for more adventures! I promise they will be more light-hearted next time!!

Friday, September 28 - Massachusetts

Good evening! I have decided to make it a point to post more regularly, even if it is at times about mundane stuff. Tonight, however, I wanted to share the wonderful day I had two Sundays ago at my Niece's bridal shower :) Lots of pictures today.

My Niece has exquisite taste, and although she is keeping the wedding low-key, the details are definitely quite upscale! For her bridal shower, she chose the Tuscan Kitchen in Salem, NH, as a venue.

My wonderrful Sister (her Mom) planned the entire brunch. Quite an undertaking on my Sister's part: ordering invitations that matched the wedding invitations, coordinating the food and private room with the restaurant, the floral arrangements on each table, and countless other details that went into the day. This - on top of her full-time Accounting position.

Table Floral Arrangements

It was wonderful! Well done, Sis!! She probably left around 7:00 AM to head up to NH for the late-morning affair. I drove up but did not have to leave until much later. It was a beautiful day, on top of it all :)

The room she reserved was called the "Wine Cellar", for obvious reasons.

The Wine Cellar

The Wine Cellar

My Sister had arranged for pitchers of mimosas and sangria for each table, in addition to a table with a large tray of fruit and cheese appetizers to greet everyone.

Appetizer Table

Hot food followed on the buffet shortly. Mushroom and sausage fritata, Tuscan style brunch potatoes, ricotta filled pancakes, and something else. I cannot remember as I zeroed in on the pancakes! I ate three - they were that good!!

Food Buffet Table

My Niece opened a LOT of really great gifts that day. (I know, as I sat next to her and duly logged the giver and gift.)

Gift Table

Too soon it was over and people left in groups, taking their bridal shower favors on their way out. I feel good about that as I was able to contribute a little something to her day. The hand-painted glasses, each with a hand-written tag (my Niece & her fiancee's names on the front, washing instructions inside, & a short "hand painted by" on the back). Took a week for my hand to uncramp. My Sister bought gift bags and small bottles of Prosecco to go with.

Favor Bags

It was truly a wonderful and joyful day!


My Sister looked absolutely beautiful in her periwinkle-colored dress, and totally glowed with pride at her daughter. My Niece was stunning in a simple white flowing dress, but I think she would look great in anything.

So very, very well done, and hands down the most upscale bridal shower I ever attended. Once again, well done, Sis!! You outdid yourself on that :) You were absolutely amazing!

Stay tuned, my friends. A week from now I will be having dinner on Martha's Vineyard. Not lugging the laptop, so the adventures will have to wait until after. Getting away for a few days should help ease my somewhat frazzled state of mind. Work has gotten in the way of everything recently - not in a good way - and I intend to rectify that. Need to.

Wednesday, September 26 - Massachusetts

Tribute ~ Roger

Good evening friends and followers. It is late, but alas once again with sad news I post tonight. A good friend passed away yesterday. Finished brooding, I wanted to put a small post in his memory. Roger was a really good person who always meant well.

Truth - because it matters to me now - he and I were married for about two years eons ago. Divorced (amicably). I sped on with my life, career; left it all behind. Forgot most of it. For some - whatever - reason he never did. He stayed in touch with my family, who wisely (mostly) kept that info from me. I have no clue why he was so stuck on me, and never asked.

Got back in touch with him about 4-1/2 years ago, and we struck up a friendly relationship. I thought it was time to make amends. We went out for dinner every 5 or 6 weeks; sit and chat.

I do not know why he never let go of the time we were together. Not in a stalker way, but he just - never got over it. I guess that is the best way to put it.

Roger was diagnosed early Spring; he had chemo and radiation and all of that. It did not help. The universe and Nature are cruel.

And he passed away yesterday. I did see him before he went; a bare shadow of himself.

Roger was a very good friend, and a good person. I am glad we reconnected.