A/C Issues

So, I'm reading my niece-in-law's blog who is having all kinds of issues with her A/C breaking down during brutal heatwave and decided it was appropriate for me to post the issue we had with our A/C this weekend.

I had kissed Phil good bye on Sat. a.m. as he headed out to the golf course with him all set to be coming home on Sat. night to an empty house cuz I was heading to the lake to keep cool until Sunday afternoon. Well, it worked out that when he got home Sat. night at 7:45 p.m. (never checked his cell phone for my message) that I was there. He was surprised and relieved that I was there to help him put in our new A/C window unit that was just too cool (no pun intended) with a remote control. Oh, joy, another remote to try and keep track of. Anyway, I proceed while he's in the shower to get the living room set up to move the A/C into the window. The preparation consisted of breaking apart our sectional to clear the path and window for the A/C.

So, the new unit is so light he can carry it himself and place it in the window. Okay, so far so good so I proceed to the kitchen to get something to drink and all of a sudden I hear a crash. I run into the living room to see Phil hanging out the opening of the window where just a few minutes before our A/C had been. I'm trying not to burst out laughing at the expression on Phil's face which was between a deer in the headlights look and the look of disbelief and anger and frustration as he's hanging out the window. He then proceeds to head out to the yard to pick up the A/C while I am now peering out the hole in the window watching him pick up the unit and trudge back into the house with it. Dirt is falling all over the freshly vacuumed carpet and all. He tries to put the unit back in the window and as he's getting it set I look to see he has it in upside down! Yup, that sucker was upside down and he starts to object in earnest until he sees the power cord is facing up rather than down. He turns it over and now it's back in position but then I notice that my Torchiere floor lamp is in pieces.

Phil: "how in the hell did that break?"
Daina: "must have happened when you tried to catch the A/C as it fell out the window."
Phil: "I didn't like that lamp anyway."

Well, the lamp broke but at least the A/C works. And, I've had the best time telling this story! Ain't life grand?!

Happenings in NH

Well, I haven't blogged in a while so now it's time to catch up with one big post. So, here goes...the biggest news of the spring has been the birth of my niece, Olivia. She was born at 9:33 a.m. on Saturday, April 19th. This happened to also be the day of my niece-in-law, Erin's bridal shower. So, at around 5: 30 a.m. I got a call from my brother stating that they were on their way to the hospital and he would be in touch. By, the 3rd call I was on 2 phones...house line was my brother calling me to tell me that the C-section was beginning and my cell phone was my sister who I was happily updating on the exciting news. So, off I went to the hospital with a pit stop on the way to my sistah-in-law, Rochelle's to drop of my bridal shower gift along with directions to the restaurant where the shower was being held. Once at the hospital I stayed until we were sure that all was o.k. with Marcie and Olivia before heading up to their house to get Olivia's room ready. She was a few weeks early and well the room was painted but there was a wall paper border to hang and a changing table that needed to be brought down from the attic. Marcie's mom, Gail and I went to town and got the wall paper border hung on Sunday and the room all prettied up for Olivia's home coming.

Next, we went to Daytona for vacation with our friends, Pat & Charlie and had a great time relaxing in the sun. We stayed in a very nice resort located right on Rte. A-1-A on the beach. Could really get used to living down there during that time of year.

Next, we came home to find out that Mom finally finalized her purchase of the lake house. Finally she's the sole owner and we can now enjoy hanging out at the lake house without any doubt that it's finally her home.

Next, start of golf season and gardening season just in time for Memorial Day celebration up at the lake house. Bill and family arrived with their friends, Mimi and Rick with their two boys and we had a grand time enjoying the lake, grilling on the deck and hanging out at Mom's.

Next, finish planting the flowers around the house and some of the veggies. Mulch ordered and septic tank pumped...check and completed.

Now, this weekend, it's another trip back to the lake house.

Pictures of Snow Pack!

Here's a picture of the deck on the house up at Sugarloaf...the snow piled up is what has slid off the metal roof this season so far.





































Here's a picture of the snow bank in front of our house from all the snow we've had to shovel off the roof. Notice it's up to the height of our porch railing?!
Crazy!!

So, when do you think we'll be seeing spring flowers?

Spring Is On Its Way?!

Well, it's been a while since my last post and the only thing that's been worth posting lately is about all the snow we've seemed to keep getting blessed with. We're more than blessed up here in the North East. In fact, we've got too much. We're up to almost 96" for the year and we've got another month to two months of winter left. Yes, I know that spring comes in March but believe me we've had snow on May 18th before. No, I'm not kidding! Just ask our family...Donna and Wayne's wedding day was May 18th and it literally snowed that morning.

Anyway, we went skiing this past weekend and it was incredible. So, I'm thankful for the snowfall to have made such a great ski season so far.

Now, back to the shoveling part. It's so bad now that my mother's house up in Laconia is literally snowed in. There's nothing but snowbanks surrounding the house.

Our house has so much snow that we've had to close down on side of our cal-de-sac because the plow truck just can't squeeze through the opening any more. After arriving home from our ski weekend we had to unpack the car start shoveling and plowing which included a 2 hour shoveling stint on the roof. This makes trip number 6 up on the roof for me anyway, number 2 for Phil but he had a broken thumb. The snow bank in front of our house from the snow that has been shoveled this whole winter off of the roof is not up to the railings of our porch. Good thing about this is that the deer can no longer eat our evergreen bushes.

I'll be attaching pictures soon. Right now, I've been too busy to get them downloaded to post. But, for those of you that have visited our house I think you can imagine it.

We have a 1/2" ice expected with tomorrow night/Wednesday's weather that's coming. Then a break on Thurs. only to have another system coming on Friday and more snow showers on Sat.

I think at this point, I'd like to be visiting that damn Puxatuney Phil and give him a piece of my mind. :-)

Baby, It's Cold Outside

Well, if it's not snowing, sleeting or freezing rain...it's windy and freezing out. Today at the top of Mt. Washington it's -20° and the wind is blowing over 100 m.p.h. Yesterday we rec'd another 5" of the white stuff which was quite the work out shoveling. No need for Curves up here. Just keep on shoveling and you'll either lose the weight or die tryin. It was the nice heavy stuff that the minute you laid the shovel to it...it just stuck all together making bit clumps. Nice Snowman building snow or making snowballs. We've got another storm on the horizon for tomorrow afternoon into Wed. which means that there's just no rest for the weary. Sunday there's yet another storm on the horizon. Boy, this year is sure making up for the past 2 lack luster snow years. Now, if we could just get it to go further north. Let's just hope that we don't have a rapid meltdown or hip wadders are going to be the fashion statement for spring up here. Mud season ain't going to be pretty.

THERE'S ALWAYS NEXT YEAR

Well, it's the morning after the Pats losing to the NY Giants in what can I say...Patriots fashion. Yes, we wrote that play and it was executed beautifully by Eli and Plaxico. Hats off to the Giants! They played their hearts out and just seemed to have wanted it more. We will be back next year better and stronger and who knows...the Pats just might go undefeated again. Then again, maybe not. But all that matters is that its a great sport and there's always next year.

The good news is that on the 14th pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report down in Fl. to begin spring training. Let's Go RED SOX!!

Winter Kids

This week has been pretty hectic with having Martin Luther King Day off so I've not been able to make a blog posting until now. Anyway, last weekend, a group of us that couldn't ski on Sat. due to being restricted on the level of ski pass we purchased got together in the afternoon to go on a hike through the woods with snow shoes otherwise known as snowshoeing. Phil managed to ski and snow shoe on Saturday.

It was a really nice hike and humorous at times because out of the 9 people and 2 dogs snowshoeing, I was the only one out of the lot that had the classic kind of snowshoes. Everyone else were wearing the new shoes with metal tracks on the bottom. So, needless to say the steep hills that they were hiking up and down were quite the challenge for me. Thank goodness everyone was patient. While darkness was approaching all of us made it back to the starting point o.k. and in one piece.

I now know though how our ancestors felt trying to ski with the leather straps and wooden planks with only their poles to guide them down the steep inclines. Technology is an amazing thing!

However, I'll be purchasing a new pair of snow shoes once the annual sale starts up at our local winter sports outlet. Time for the old fashioned ones to be mounted on the wall.

I did get some really nice pictures while we were hiking along the Carrabassett River. I've posted one of my favorites from the trip. Enjoy!

Back Into Winter

Well, our January thaw is over and now we're back into winter. We've rec'd another foot of snow which has given the kids another "snow day". At the rate we're going with another storm in the wings for Friday...the kids up here will start to go into their Summer Vacation if this weather pattern keeps up. So, all of you relatives that are living down south now wishing and praying for snow...just remember that you'll be enjoying your summer vacation long before our kids will. So, sometimes not getting what you wish for can be a blessing in disguise!


Other than that, it looks beautiful outside my window here at the office. If I get a chance before the sun sets I'll try and post a picture from the house.

January Thaw

We're in the midst of a January thaw which is typical for the Northeast. I guess, it can be typical anywhere in the U.S. but since I'm a resident of the Northeast I'm more aware of our January thaws. So, in December which happened to be historical for the record books keeping track of snow amounts. It was the snowiest December since they started keeping records. I was up on our roof removing snow 2 Sat mornings in a row prior to Christmas. Now, that 4+ feet of December snow is melting faster than you can blink.

In one respect, I'm not complaining because down where I live we had way to much of the white stuff. But, when this thaw starts wrecking our ski mountain...well, I just can't help myself but to complain to the Snow Gods. Our mountain was almost completely opened last weekend. Skiing was just so SWEET! Now, we're down to 36 trails and it's just looking pitiful. Tomorrow's forecast will not be much help since the prediction is for 1"-3" of snow in the hills only to change over to freezing rain. Hello?! Do you know what's it like to ice skate on planks?

Oh well, what can ya do? But, suck it up and make sure you've got plenty of cold alcoholic beverages and board games handy. It helps with the pain of having to sit inside watching it rain in Jan. They don't call our ski club the Hangover Health Club for nothing!

The bright side of this is that we are supposed to be getting more snow on Monday. Weather guys won't state how much this far out but there's a good possibility it could be plowable snow. Now, let's just hope it goes north.

The Day After

Well, by now everyone knows that Hillary won for the Dems and McCain won for the Reps in yesterday's Primary. I have to admit I was very surprised when Phil and I went to vote at all of the people who were coming to and from the polls. There were actually polling places that were very close to running out of ballots.

But I'm happy to report that both of our candidates were the Victor!

Now, let's hope it's quiet on the home front for a while until the Presidential Campaign starts up full throttle.

Today's the Day!

Well, after an exhausting night of politics and watching my beloved Buckeyes lose yet another BCS Championship Game it's crunch time. Who to vote for?

All of my co-workers are undecided and I'm still on the fence as to whether I go with experience or change. What a decision! I guess enee...meanee...minee...moe is not the correct way to decide but hey it worked when I was back in school.

On another note it's like March/April outside today. After the 4 feet of snow we rec'd in December the January thaw is on. Which we did really need to have a thaw.

Well, off to finish lunch and maybe decide before hitting the polls who the heck gets my vote!

Being a New Hampshirite during a Presidential Primary

So, tomorrow is Jan. 8, 2008 and that means only one thing in the State of NH:

We're having a Presidential Primary!
We're having the 1st in the Nation Presidential Primary!
We're the focus of every National Media Force in the United States of America because all eyes of the American People (who by the way are sitting on the edge of their seats) to watch and see if we match the #1 candidates that were picked during last week's Iowa Caucus!

PHEW!

Do any of you realize what a responsibility it is to be a resident of the State of NH during this time of year? Well, let me tell you a little about our plight...

First of all, imagine that every time you turn on your TV to watch the Nightly News that every commercial (not every other commercial...that ended about Oct.) but every commercial is a political ad. During Christmas do you know that (starting with Mike Huckabee) they were posing in front of a Christmas tree stating I don't want to talk to you about voting for me but rather to wish you and your family a wonderful holiday (not the exact phrases used but you get the idea). After watching that refreshing commercial...I have to admit he had me almost ready to vote for him. Only I'm now a registered Democrat after being a registered Republican (cause that's who my Dad voted for when I registered at age 18 (Jimmy Carter was still a sore spot) and Ronald Regan was a great President (it's my opinion and I'm stickin to it!) so I can't vote for Mike Huckabee.

Anyway, imagine all the commericals being political ads and you'll just go bloomin NUTS! (thank God there's that clicker!) QVC take me away from all of this! (Yeah, I've heard all the quips about the "Q" being one big infomercial but it's more entertaining than you know. Try it. I dare ya.)

Okay, so tonight we not only are having to endure every commercial being a political ad but we are now listening to the candidates being interviewed individually to tell us why we should vote for them. Meanwhile, Phil's screening the telephone (we're hi-tech now with caller id and when you can't tell the number (even when on the do not call list)) there's always...voicemail! Yup, they call non-stop to see if they can't get you to either tell them who you're voting for or you can bet it's one of those pollsters calling to make sure you vote for their candidate. (Now, picture me with my fingers in my ears and singing La..La..La...La!)

Phil just announced that the local news has stated that the towns are making sure they don't run out of ballots. That would be worse than the hanging chads! Thanks Florida for that little SNAFU!

So, it's now the Eve of the 2008 Presidential Primary and the pressure is on. I'll admit, as Phil has too, we're undecided going into tomorrow. So, the question will be...if you were in our shoes, who would you vote for?

More to follow tomorrow.

Happy New Year!

Well, it's finally 2008. So, I decided that today will be the day that I start our blog and see whether or not if I can keep up with it. We didn't really do too much in the way of celebrating the new year's arrival. We actually missed the ball dropping in Times Square but we managed to wake up at a little after midnight in time to see Fergie introducing another act on the Dick Clark's Rockin Eve. We then moved on up to bed to sleep for the rest of the night.

While Dad was visiting us over the holidays he wasn't feeling too well and ended up actually having a cold. Of course, we thought it was allergies or him adjusting to the altitude. But, nope it was a cold. Now Phil, Bill, Chris and myself (I'm showing symptoms today) are all dealing with it. Like Phil said "you can't expect to get on a plane and fly 1/2 way across the country without catching something." My response is "isn't that way Airborne was created?" Oh well, what are you gonna do?

Off to make some chicken soup and another Mimosa! Gotta get that Vitamin C quota in for the day.