The Corner Piece

New Years 2011

This year is shaping up to be packed full-at least at the start. We have a 3 night cruise on the new Disney Dream next weekend with AR&B. That should be a really fun time. There will be other folks I know on board as well. I don't mind being a guinea pig I mean, how bad could it be? I'm sure most of the ship amenities are up and running, after all there have been families on the ship as it has crossed the Atlantic on it's way to Port Canaveral. I plan on taking lots of pics and really touring the ship. It'll  probably be a long while before I have a chance to be back on board.

Later on in March, Wifey and I are booked on The Crown Princess for the second time. I'll have to say our first cruise with Princess was just awesome and I can't wait to get back on board. It goes to Honduras which is a new stop for us but really I'm there for The Sanctuary, the sun, the food, and relaxation. I could care less to get off the ship most of the time.

It'll be interesting to compare the two experiences where they are relatively close together. Wifey and I have been on a few Disney cruises now so I'm interested in seeing the ways they have raised the bar. I'm also interested to see if Princess can capture lightning for a second time. Either way, I'm looking forward to some R&R.

Work is shaping up to be a real bear for the Jan. and Feb. A couple of big jobs with tight deadlines should make for interesting times. I'm also working on lining up other projects which will occupy a great deal of my free time. No complaints here, better than the alternative.

A big time cliche but, The New Year has me focused on my overall health as well. Better eating and exercise is a must. I'll find the time........

 

Christmas 2010

Where did the year go? Last year was just horrible at Christmas and it has been a struggle for me at times this year as well. I've been trying hard to get into the season and there have been some good moments with more to come I'm sure. Just not the same anymore.

We are hosting D&W for dinner today which is always fun. Wifey and I are taking a couple of cruises (WooHoo) over the next few months so that plus a previous I-Pad purchase before my trip to Germany, I think she's waiting for the next one to come out, is gonna pretty much cover Christmas this year.

We've both been working hard so it's nice to get a little time off between all the chaos. I was off yesterday and only have to work two days out of the next nine. I've got a ton to do at work and brought some home, just feeling like I'm constantly behind. It's a good thing that isn't exclusive to me. Wifey is working insane hours with zero recognition for what she does. I feel bad for her.

I'm taking a run down to see my folks in south FLA for a couple of days next week. My sister will be there so it will be a good time to catch up.

I'm off to get coffee, is Dunkin Donuts open on Christmas?

Merry Christmas

 

 

 

Thanksgiving Weekend 2010

Another Turkey Day came and went. For the past several years it's been just another day off for me. This year, like most while we've been in Florida, Wifey had to work and after we went to D&W's for an abbreviated celebration. Everything was great but tough to really fully enjoy with such a rushed schedule for everybody. All the retail slaves had to be up early the next day for Black Friday hell also. We all do what we have to do, I guess. We'll take our turn for Christmas dinner, I think everyone is off that day-Yeah!

This weekend marks the date for putting up the Christmas decorations a well. I handle the outside display and she takes care of inside. As always half of the outside lights don't work anymore and needed replacing. I wonder if storing that stuff in the attic is what does it? Could be just cheap crap to begin with. Everything looks great as usual, I just wish the landscaping around here was in better shape. I gotta figure out what to plant in Florida that isn't such a hassle and doesn't cost a fortune. The last place I want to be spending money is on a freaking lawn! I'd much rather spend it on a vacation. I think we need a lot more planting beds and a lot less lawn........Didn't I put Sod down last Thanksgiving? I think the house needs paint too, something else for the never ending to-do list!

I have a few projects in the works and 10 days off at Christmas. I haven't been in my own shop in a while with my crazy schedule, Germany trip, and new job to boot. It's about time to get settled back in. Over the next few weeks I'll spend some time getting everything organized and get started with what should be a busy round of activity. Mostly cabinets to build, I hope to get in some stuff for around here as well.......(scrapbook shelves?)

 

 

 

Quick Visit

Never know who's gonna show up for a visit to Disney.......

Carl and family were at The Parks this week for a few days en route to a family wedding. I managed to get to the Magic Kingdom after work to say hello. They seemed to be having a great time despite the heat!

I got to the park as the afternoon parade was in full swing-what a zoo! Carl had forgot his phone back at their hotel. By sheer luck I ran into them along the parade route almost immediately! What are the chances of that happening? Too funny......

Great to see them! The visit was way too short, maybe next time.

Window Trim Complete, Heart

Finally got the window trim job installed. It looks great. I have a very happy client. My buddy Max and I made a good install team.

There were a couple of challenges but no real surprises getting it in. I could have eased the back, leading edges of the jamb. Maybe put a bevel there to get it to clear the inconsistent plaster a little easier. I had to hammer it in the last couple of inches. That can be a little nerve racking for two reasons. One, I don't like hammering away that close to a window and two, once we were in a certain amount there was no way we were getting it back out. Lessons learned.

BIL and I went to Mardi Gras at Universal last night to see Heart. They were great! A friend of my brother's, Dale, has been on the road with the band doing sound and lights for the past several years. When I saw him over Christmas he promised to give me a ring when he was in town. It was great to see him. Maybe next time We'll get a chance for a longer visit. Pretty cool watching him work though!

It was a pretty cold night for an outdoor show. We were dressed like we were going sledding. I think Wifey made the right decision with her not feeling well.

Did I mention how good Heart was. It is amazing to me how good Ann Wilson sounded. Nancy Wilson was equally great on guitar (she can sing too!) They played just about every hit they had with a couple of Led Zeppelin and Who covers thrown in.

We got to stand in a fenced in spot right behind the guy on the sound board. Dale was in the booth next to us running the lights.

What a great night!

Doing The Best I Can

It's been 3 weeks since I got the news about Michael. I'm still pretty screwed up. There isn't a 5 minute span that I don't think about it. How will I ever get over it? I was back to work this week and I probably shouldn't have been. I had to be there because that's what we're supposed to do, we get back to our lives and try to put all that has happened behind us. I wish it were that easy. I know I wasn't that productive all week and I'm sure I wasn't easy to be around. Whatever. It's funny how priorities change when something like this happens.

I had to get back to side projects as well. There is a growing backlog that I need to attend to. Having missed 10 days of production over the holiday break has really hurt. I touched base with all clients and got things re-scheduled as best I could. I even got some additional work requests! I don't mind saying that motivation is a huge problem for me right now. The freezing weather isn't helping matters.

I haven't had enough time to really reflect on everything over the past few weeks. There is just too much to process at once. I guess it just gets filed away. I do know that I need to make some changes.

My family seem to be coping, some better than others. I hope everyone is OK.

Week From Hell

I'm finally back home from New Hampshire after burying my brother. The worst week, actually more like 10 days, of my life. I still find that I'm a little bit stunned by the whole thing. The biggest problem I'm having is that I just can't make sense of it. He always took care of himself, never smoked, ate pretty good, not on any medication, and always exercised. I look around and see people who do the exact opposite and live forever. Maybe some things just aren't supposed to make sense.

The wake and the funeral were just packed with people, a real testament to how well liked Deke was. I greeted people I hadn't see in 20, 25, or 30 years in some cases. Everyone agreed that that was no place for a reunion. The funeral mass was hard. CarlL, one of my brothers' oldest friends, delivered an incredibly moving eulogy. MarkN, who worked with Deke, also had some kind words not to mention a great imitation of him. The burial at the cemetery which, I'm surprised they were able to do given the frozen ground, was the most cold I've ever felt in my life. It was about 15 degrees out and the wind was howling at around 30mph. Thanks RickL for the stocking hat, you saved me. I don't think the priest ever prayed as quickly.

The Pasta Loft Restaurant, formerly Squire Roper's Tavern, put on a great spread for everyone afterward. Deke and his friends had played many gigs there over the years. An impromptu jam session broke out with his buddies playing tribute, not a dry eye in the place.

I loved seeing my family over the last week though the circumstances couldn't have been worse. Life is way too short and this has taught me a lesson for sure. I'm exhausted.........

Michael DeCarlo - March 26,1960-December 20, 2009

As I sit here in freezing cold New Hampshire, on Christmas morning, I can't help but feel stunned, overwhelmed, and devastated by the loss of my oldest brother. Forty nine years old is far too young for someone as vibrant as my brother was to die. The sense of loss felt by me and my family cannot be accurately put into words.

He was traveling a lot as of late for business trying to get a fledgling company off the ground. This led him to Ohio for the launch of a magazine related to the business. He was driving his way back home and had planned a stop over in New York to visit a girlfriend. They had a great weekend together despite my brother not feeling all that well. He had been experiencing some upper-body pain in recent months which he attributed to workout related strain. He collapsed early Sunday morning at her home due to a massive heart attack and wasn't able to be revived. If only he had listened to what his body was telling him and gone to the doctor.....

The services for him are early next week. The Christmas holiday has just delayed everything which makes this even more excruciating. The cold desolation of the New England winter has brought all the pain into sharp relief. I'm looking forward to having the warm sun on my face again.

The out pouring of support from friends and family has been amazing. His Facebook page is too much for me to handle. A friend put this tribute out there http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5myoY3LKOmk

I will never fully get over this, though I know it will be easier to handle as time goes by. So today, of all days, try and put aside some time to let those closest to you know how you feel. Cherish the little things, and by all means get out and do all the things in your life that matter to you.

Merry Christmas

Thanksgiving 09

Alright. I Know. Thanksgiving was yesterday. I have to say that it hasn't felt much like a holiday week. Wifey is stuck working so until the weekend we've got nothing special going on. I feel bad for her.

I love having the time off though. It gives me a chance to do some project stuff, things I've been putting off. I mentioned the sod project before....

Tuesday I had a pallet of St. Augustine delivered. That night I started doing some digging out there where I promptly turned a nasty blister. Wednesday early morning I got up and started digging some more. The process is to get rid of the weedy spots by digging and raking  them up and then hauling the bad stuff to the empty lot behind us. I don't have a wheelbarrow, other than this project I don't really need one and couldn't store one anyway. So all the debris gets hauled in a small trash barrel. I figured while I was at it I could outline some areas for borders of river rock. Particularly along the driveway where grass doesn't seem to grow all that well. A pallet of sod covers about 500 sq. ft. Doesn't seem like a lot.....well I got a few hours into it that morning and then the rains came. I couldn't stop with the mess I had so I got a little more than soaked finishing up that part. Probably a good thing to stop then anyway, I was starting to feel sore already! Oh yeah, and my blister was screaming too!

I had the dentist that afternoon followed by a trip to pick up materials for my latest side job. Wednesday turned out to be a long day. 

Yesterday, Thanksgiving, Wifey was up and off to work early. It was chilly and crummy out so I decided to get in the shop and get the side job done. This basic storage rack for fine art portfolios and supplies turned out OK. A utility grade project, it went fast.

It worked out good because I was able to get the rack built in the morning by which time the weather had cleared and ended up being a beautiful day.

I don't mind telling you I had a huge motivational issue getting back out to the sod. Just not at all fun. One of those brutal tasks you think will never end. But I did get back out there after lunch to toil away some more.

That pic is more than half of the pallet gone. I actually didn't think I was going to use it all but not the case!

The worst areas were on the side of the house. Pretty much from the A/C unit to the street had to be replaced. The front yard had one large patch with some smaller areas near the front door. I got finished at about 4:30. Another long day! It did not feel like Thanksgiving!

I'm sure it was cinch bugs that ate up the lawn. I noticed most lawns around the neighborhood in a similar state. Once the bugs do their thing weeds have an easy time invading the bare spots. I need to learn more about prevention and overall lawn care. I had it figured out pretty good up in N.E. Florida is so totally different! I don't want to have to go through this again!

Today (Fri) I think I will work on outside X-mas decor. I may take it a little easy though- I am so sore and I think my blister will thank me! 

Funeral

Just got home last night from NH were we buried my Grandmother. She turned 93 a few days before she passed. She had been in a nursing home for the past 7 years with advanced Alzheimer's. Otherwise healthy, it took her ability to speak away along with the ability to care for herself. Not at all a pleasant last decade were she was concerned. I think a big relief for my mother. She would visit her everyday she was in NH to feed her at lunch. Can't be easy watching someone fade like that regardless of who it was.

I had a chance while I was there to visit with my other Grandmother. She is also 93 and in a nursing home. She is doing really well despite her advanced age. It was a really nice visit. She is my last grandparent still alive. With my brother now a Grandfather that makes her a Great, Great Grandmother to those boys. They got a really good 5 generation picture of all of them recently.

Otherwise an uneventful trip, the usual family drama not withstanding.