On Wednesday December 23, we said goodbye to the old Kennedy Middle School. Sad, but true, we were moving into the new school....a legacy of 65 amazing years in the old building was coming to an end. Generations of students who once called the school home are planning to move into the new building.
There were a lot of sad memories from 2020....but we have some memorable ones, too. These include:
1. We got a new car.
2. We got new steps.
3. Kif graduated elementary school.
4. We did birthday parades.
5. We put up an acrobat set in the backyard.
6. We reimagined our garden.
7. We got Zoey cat.
Here is a copy of our New Year's Menu
• Cheddar Bites
• Nacho dip
• Clam dip and chips
• Sandwiches
• Brownies
• Shrimp
• Crackers and Cheese
• Veggies
YUM!
Today, we tried out a new tradition. We went on a New Year's Ever hike to the Ipswich River Audubon sanctuary. We went down Bradstreet Lane to Drumlin Trail and visited the amazing Observation Tower.
It was amazing!!!
Today is New Year's Eve. Like most people throughout the world have found, 2020 has brought us unique challenges that have changed our lives, make work and life quite different, and altered our way of thinking. We definitely had quite a year. It was a year of memories and fun. It was a year of firsts and changes. And, it was a year where we said goodbye to some of our beloved family, friends, and famous people.
Here is wishing everyone a happy new year. May 2021 bring great hope, lots of happiness, a better way of life, and excellent health.
Today is a special day in history...December 21, 2020. On this day, 400 years ago, the Pilgrims stepped foot in Plymouth (according to legend, on Plymouth Rock).
Normally, there would have been a huge celebration this year. However, because of Covid, the celebration is now tempered. It is hard to believe that it has been 400 years since our relatives first came to the shores.
On a side note, Winter Solstice arrived at 5:02 AM.
We celebrated Yule today with some amazing activities....
1. We saw the sunrise in Beverly.
2. We did shopping for each other at the Dollar Tree store.
3. We did a photo shoot at Endicott Park.
4. We made Yule logs with Ho-Hos.
5. We turned out all the lights.
6. We went sledding.
What a great day. Happy Yule!!!
This weekend, we began out Christmas Driving extravaganza...the time period when we take a ride to look at Christmas lights. In this year of quarantining and Covid, they have been sure to not disappoint.
We took a ride last night (Friday) to Wakefield, where we saw some nice lights, particularly in Lynnfield, where there was one mesmerizing light. Back home, in town, we saw one road where all but 1 house had lights up.
Tonight, we visited Cavalry Church where they put on a great show called "Christmas Through the Ages." It was a fabulous look at the history of Christmas past and present! What a show. Then, we went down the popular road in our town with some awesome lights.
It was definitely some great lights.
It is snowing today...a little....but a nice reminder that winter is nearby!
Today, Kiff and I joined the Boy Scout troop on a fantastic four mile hike of Bradley Palmer State Park. What a fantastic day for a hike.
The hike itself was awesome. We hiked in the from the north side, by the footbridge. We went up Moon hill and then down. We circled by the entrance and then hiked along the river and back out to the footbridge.
We had a blast. We saw plenty of horses along the way - a lot of horse back riders come through. We saw some fantastic scenery. We even saw where beavers had been digging away at trees. Amazing!
What a hike.
It is hard to believe, but this past Sunday (November 8), it was announced that game show icon Alex Trebek passed away at the age of 80.
Earlier today (November 10) it was announced that Celtics icon Tommy Heinsohn passed away at the age of 86.
So hard to believe two amazing legends in their fields are gone...and with them, two truly remarkable voices.
Rest In Peace
Happy Birthday Kiff!!! It is hard to believe that you have been with us for 12 years. That is amazing !!!
This week was so busy. Thank goodness it is the weekend!!!
Zoinks. Bri did have her first field hockey game. It was against the freshman team at Masco (cousin Pete's school). Bri's middle school team got destroyed, which led to a fun email to Pete.
School was super busy.
Kiff had a follow up appointment on his calcium deposit removal.
And it was flu shot week.
This was a sad week. The type of week no one really wants to think about.
Sadly, Mom Number 2 passed away on October 8. This past week, we held her service and burial. It was a tough couple of days, but with friends and family at our side, we were all able to get through it.
Yesterday, we said our "see you laters" at Walnut Grove cemetery (one of my favorite names for a cemetary) in town. She and Dad 2 bought the plot several years ago and it was my first time seeing it. It is gorgeous!
Although it is a temporary see you later, we know that someday we will see her again...and we know she has been around us the past few days.
Early this morning, one of those things you dread as a child happened. Emmie's mother passed away.
Mom Number 2 as I affectionately called her was quite a lady. She truly was the most amazing second mom a person could ask for. Funny, witty, full of insight, and a true memory maker, she was one part tough cookie, one part powerhouse, and one part stiff cup of coffee. She had amazing one liners we will always remember such as "wear your seatbelts at all times; love ya!" She loved her Dunkin's coffee, her rocks in our back yard and Canada, the lighthouse, and when in Nova Scotia, her Timmy Hortons!
Since I have known her, she has battled COPD, while also going through a variety of lung ailments. She put up a brave and valiant fight for the last 18 years going toe to toe with those ailments.
Alas, last night, we said our final "Peace Out" - one of my favorite phrases to her which she had recently begun to reply "Peace In" to - far earlier than I ever imagined. She led an amazing life and touched the lives of so many people.
She will be missed but never forgotten.
Peace Out Mom 2...and see what you can do about the Red Sox next year!!! Love you
Today is one of those sad days that sticks with you.
A legendary musician from my favorite band passed away today - Eddie Van Halen!
I find this so sad. He inspired me to be a guitarist.
Rest in peace!
It has been quite a year for Mom Number 2. She has been in the hospital at least three times. The latest followed a bout that has lasted five weeks.
She has had a rough go with her COPD. Each time she has a flare up - or episode - it takes a lot out of her and she seems a bit weaker. Although a fighter to the core, she definitely is tired. But, recently, a return home has helped inspire her.
She returned home yesterday, after a long time. In order to get her there, many hands made light work, from Tommy, Eric, Josh, Emmie, and I doing a late night reorganization of the house this past Friday, to Eric, Nancy, and Emmie sitting with Mom 2 many times the past days.
Here's sending out hopes and prayers to Mom 2.
We love ya!
Emmie and I had out first week of school this week in the hybrid environment. It was nice to be back...but exhausting!
Ever since fall of 2001 - following a hit by the NY Jet's Mo Lewis - I, like other Patriots fans, have watch Tom Brady lead the Patriots at the helm.
Today was the first day in 19 years that we wouldn't know that Tom Brady should (or eventually would) return as the starter for the Patriots. It was so surreal. Seeing Cam Newton for the first time was, well, interesting.
But, it made for an eventful day. The Patriots won 21-11 and Newton set a record for most runs by a Patriots QB ever. He certainly brings a different dynamic.
I knew the post-Brady era would come...and it started well. I still miss the old days, but am interested to see what the new ones hold!
It has been a whirlwind last three weeks. As a result of Covid, school has started up slowly this fall. We had an extra ten days of trainings, which have been helpful, but exhausting. It will be weird to see what this fall has in store for us.
This weekend, we spent some time down Cape Cod. We took a ride to Hyannis - it was crowded although most people had masks....some, to our surprise, did not.
After we got to a particularly crowded section of town, we turned down Sea Street to take a ride by the ocean. As we were going down several roads, I realized we were down in celebrity row, where the houses of the rich and famous of Hyannisport were.
Needless to say, Kiff, a huge Taylor Swift fan was excited. We tried out best to see if we could see her house, but we could not get too far. We did get a glimpse of part of the Kennedy compound. Emmie kept her eye out from Chris Pratt....but I don't think we saw him either.
However, it was a fun ride nonetheless...and one we hope to take again!!!
Although this entry was posted later than usual, two nights ago (August 14) we went to the Yarmouth Drive In
The Drive In was located on the site of the original Drive In when I was a kid. Although I don’t remember seeing any movies at the Drive In, it was a local landmark for years.
Last night, we went to see a double feature consisting of JAWS and JAWS II. What a treat. The screens were fantastic with a brilliant LED appeal that puts Jaws in a whole new light, literally. It was a ton of fun…and there really wasn’t a bad seat in the house. We did realize that we should bring a small radio next time.
We ordered some snacks there to see what they were like….they were good.
It was a fun night. It was awesome to see Jaws down the Cape (like I had done years ago as a kid for the first time on its ten year anniversary). We did not stay too long for the second feature because the audio was off and the movie was lagging.
Yesterday, we did something we have never done before - I always loved those days.
We visited a place called Goats to Go to have a "class with goats." Now, Emmie, Bri, and Kiff were super excited. It was interested as well, but I wasn't too sure what to expect...after all, they were goats and I have had some strange encounters with goats in the past (including one chasing me).
However it took all of about twenty seconds with the goats to make me realize just how amazing they are. The class was AWESOME. We learned about goats (did you know they have four stomachs) while we were able to pet, brush, and feed the goats. They were all kids - born earlier this year (as identified by tags on their ear, which all started with "20") - and had a lot of energy.
They also enjoyed eating food. The literally trekked in herds from one family to another (we were all properly social distanced) looking for food (at least one was enjoying being brushed). One named Hugh Jackman was my first arrival. I learned that he did not have horns. I thought that all males had horns, but it turns out that is a misnomer. Most goats can have horns (they are called polled goats), but they can be males or females.
We had a fabulous hour class with them - I think I'd loved to get one to eat the poison ivy in our yard (they have to be trained to do that). We wrapped up by getting a voucher for ice creams at a nearby ice cream shoppe (Jeff and Maria's which was great).
I would definitely recommend going. I hope to visit for a hike with goats or for the Halloween masquerade party at some time when things calm down.
