The last day - Friday, Aug 8

Oh no, how did this happen?  The last day is upon us.  We all awoke very hopeful about the chances of sun.  Bill and I took a long walk this morning out around the Nubble and down to Long Sands for breakfast - not the speediest service, but the food was good.  By the time we headed back to the Beach House the rain was pouring down, but warm, and with the humidity so high our degree of dampness was not much greater than usual.  No big plans today - my cousin Pam Burke drove down from Concord for a visit - good laughs and memories, and she (having been an educator and still involved in a consulting business for educators) and Tina had lots to talk about with Tina being a teacher.  The sun did come out gloriously for a bit and we all buffed up our tans. Off to town for a few last minute errands and back for dinner at the Cape Neddick  Lobster Pound.  This evening 8/8/08 we all watched the opening ceremonies for the Bejing Olympics.

Relaxing by the beach - Thursday, Aug 7

Took a walk on my own this am while Bill slept in - the morning air is always delightful - of course stopped to get my hazelnut coffee for walk home, as well as the newspaper from Garfields.  Took time to walk barefoot along Short Sands down by the water.  A gray overcast, but there is always hope. Ron and Tina are off to Freeport this morning to the home of LL Bean.  Sam,  Chloe, and I all drop everything to run outside for a bit of sunshine whenever the clouds part.  I had not been to town yet! - so off for Goldenrod Kisses and Nana's fudge.  Tonight is Bill's BBQ chicken, fresh greenbeans from a Rumney garden, and sugar corn from Maine.  For dessert - Jumbleberry pie from Pie in the Sky - the best!! We are going to watch "21," tonight. 

ADDENDUM: We had hoped to have Jean Leavitt, our longtime next-door summer neighbor who lost her dear husband, Fred, this past winter, over for a glass of wine this evening, but her social calendar was already booked for the next two nights!!  However, Marcia Blecker, another longtime next-door neighbor came over with daughter, Betsy, aka prosecuting attorney for NYC, now stay-at-home Mom, and two grand-daughters, Isabella and Chloe (ages 5 and 3).  Too much fun.   One other hilarious moment - Ron and Tina picked up a new set of dishes for the beachhouse at LLBean.  We decided to pack up the old ones and donate them.  Unfortunately I was holding the loaded box of old dishes ,when the bottom gave way and nary a one was in fit shape to donate!! (See pic).

A trip to Rumney - Wednesday, Aug 6, 2009

Definitely not a good beach day today!!  Pouring cats and dogs.  We rented another car and caravaned up after picking up lobster rolls and pie for our picnic lunch with Roger and June.  Even in the rain the mountain was gorgeous and peaceful as we sat and watched hummingbirds, goldfinches, and woodpeckers from the big bay window.  Roger looked great!! He is still on continuous oxygen, but has gained some weight.  We talked about the "old days" and family members and June got out some picture albums of when we were all there (including Sam, Chloe, Pam, and Nami) when John was a babe in arms.  Dallas the black lab of course was very happy to see us.  Roger had the large round striped beach rock we sent him last Christmas (per his request about what we could bring him on our next visit) sitting on the window ledge.  Rog then took us out to the sugar house and explained how maple syrup was made and presented us with two large jars (one for Ron, one for Robin) - Yum!!  After a fond farewell we trekked back home to the beach house and had Parras Pizza and Greek salads for dinner.  Some of us then watched International ghost hunters (great TV viewing right before bed).  We are still hoping for some sunshine!!  Almost forgot, on the way back down from the mountain Bill and I stopped for coffee at the take-out at Johnson's Dairy Bar in Northwood (a childhood great ice cream stop).  Of course we decided to get a small homemade ice cream - I have to remember to order kiddie size if you really mean small - it was a huge "small dish," about 3 scoops worth - but delic ice cream still!

Bill and Robin spotted at lighthouse

 Hello from the lighthouse via nubbel lighthouse webcam via Tommy's laptop in Bellevue. (Life in geek world)

Yes indeed the two in the foreground are Billy (on cell phone) and Robin in the white shirt. The pic is quite fuzzy but it is from the webcam at the nubbel lighthouse. Great to see they are having fun and yes Billy and Tommy get to have their geek fun.

Tuesday August 5, 2008

G'day all from York.  Slept in a bit this AM, then another great walk to the Nubble and back into town, this time solo, as Bill really slept in.  Sam and Chloe made it in safely in time for dinner last evening - Bill and I did a great scallop pasta basil dish, salad, and raspberry torte for dessert for the troops.  Great to reconnect - Sam is totally enjoying MED school - loves the learning, the environment, and plans to be an ER physician.  It is now officially confirmed that Sam and John and Brooke and Jason are marrying on the same date next year, May 16, 2009.  So sorry to not be able to attend Sam's wedding, but all due to timing, as is Brooke and Jason's.  We will definitely plan to go to Sam's graduation 2 weeks later.  Chloe is in the midst of a job search and possible change in vocation, but is in good spirits.  No definite wedding date set at this time, but she does have a beautiful engagement ring!!

Today was a bit overcast, but still wonderful to be here.  Bill made great blueberry pancakes after we all walked/ran (the younger ones in the crowd).  A generally nice relaxing day - read, ran out to be in the sun when it briefly appeared and planned dinner - seafood night - lobster, fresh fish, muscles, fresh corn, salad and baguette - Yum!!  Also, Brown's ice cream this afternoon - i so hope I won't be ill after eating McCandy Peppermint Ice cream with an elephant logo after it (which I did not notice) vs Baracky Road with a  donkey logo after it!!!  Dinner was delicious!!  Tomorrow we are off to see Roger and June.  Another night of falling asleep listening to the waves (oh, darn).

Revelry - 5 am Day 1

Missed Tom and Joe for sunrise, but a beautiful one!  Arrived in Beantown yesterday am -  Ron met Tina's flight and then picked us up for the ride north.  Tina is wonderful - very down to earth and fits right in.  Bill and I took an afternoon nap to the gentle roll of thunderstorms.  Dinner last night at the Cape Neddick Lobster Pound - I had my first lobster roll - yum!!  Then out on the front lawn to to a rousing display of fireworks at Short Sands in culmination of York Days.  Early to bed, early to rise!  Bill says he is actually enjoying his morning and for Tom to check out www.foxslobster.com for a live webcam of "Nubben" lighthouse.  Sam and Chloe arrive this afternoon and we are all looking forward to that - next year, all you DeLeo kids (we can hope).  Well, off for a morning strut out to the Nubble and then breakfast - oh, it's so tough to be on vacation in Maine -----

GREAT You made it

Great to hear your air travel is going so smoothly. And thanks for Blogging. Just wanted to remind you if you get up to catch one of those beautiful York Beach sun rises keep your eye out for Joe. If you are lucky enough to spot him take a him cup of coffee for me and say Hi!! Billy get out there and enjoy enjoy enjoy! Also I want a picture of Bill standing on "The rock" .

Have a blast!!
Uncle T

Lo and behold - - - we are on our way!!

After a pat on the head for Sparks, we arrived early at Sea-Tac and settled in for our first try out on passes to Dulles on the red-eye Saturday night and then on Boston.  Much to our delight we got the last two seats in first class across the isle from one another.  We have now gone from late birds to early birds at Dulles - it is 6 am and our departure is at 8:11 - looks like we should get on.  The plan is Ron is meeting his new squeeze, Tina, in Boston at 11:15 am and we will hitch a ride north with them.  Looks like we have a few thunderstorms in the forecast throughout the week, so should be interesting!  Ah-h-h time for Starbucks.  Catch you later!