Hertford Trip

Hello again. Abe and I got back from our trip to Hertford yesterday, and I'm glad I took an extra day off to recoup. I'm happy that Abe came along for the ride. He was an excellent traveling companion. We started on Saturday night with the normal 2 1/2 hour ferry ride to Hyannis. This was the first time we had ever got the front row on the ferry, and It was pretty neat. Abe thought so, too. I took the picture above from the driver's seat of our van before we departed Nantucket. Our original plan was to depart Sunday morning, but we changed our ferry reservation to Saturday to avoid getting stuck on-island since the big storm was expected the next day. We pulled into Stamford, CT at about 11:45pm and spent the night at a La Quinta hotel. We woke up to pouring rain on Sunday and pulled out of Stamford at 6:45 am. The rain didn't stop until we reached North Carolina about nine hours later. Yes, it was a huge storm! But thanks to the makers of Rain-X, yes Rain-X, the drive really wasn't too bad. Abe was extremely bored - he packed his own back-pack and neither Lydia nor I checked it before the trip. He only packed a few toy cars, a robot dinosaur, and some crayons and notebook. On a clear day, the view from I-95 from New York to Virginia is enough to make you want to defect to Russia; even worse on a rainy day. So, Abe talked with me as much as a 7-year-old could, drew a few pictures, and slept all day. Once again, the Fitzgeralds set the mark for neighborliness and opened their home to Abe and I. We enjoyed our stay, and I hope that we can return their kindness in the future. I won't bore you with all the details, but we got everything done in Hertford that we set out to do - which wasn't much - so our stay in Hertford was relaxing and slow-paced. Whenever I talk to people who are familiar with Hertford, one of the first things they always say is "The people are so nice!" Well, I have found that to be true all six or seven times I've visited that town. From the postmaster to the people in the municipal building, to people passing by on the street - I have not encountered one rude person yet. I'm sure there's a few in town, but from what I've seen, they're few and far between. Abe and I took every mode of transportation possible on our trip, with the exceptions of hot air balloon and train. In order; we traveled by ferry, mini-van, jet, bus, taxi, and plane. It was a joy to watch Abe get so excited when we were flying on the jet. When we took off, it was as if he was on a roller coaster - grinning from ear to ear and shouting "woo-hoo!" It's funny how he has flown several times on the bumpy little prop planes to Hyannis and back, but got so overwhelmed by the smooth-riding jet. Anyway, have a great day, and check out the new house pictures... click HERE!

Steven

Cliff Walk and Spring's Battle

It's been more than two weeks since I've posted anything here - but please trust me when I say that I've really wanted to! I have come to believe that the two weeks before a big inspection, and in this case it's our annual operations inspection, is more stressful than the inspection itself. I guess it's kind of like a wedding. Today the actual inspection started, and although parts of it still raise my ire, it's much more relaxing than last week or the week before. This is the eighth and probably the last operations inspection that I'll have in my career, unless I become a Commanding Officer of an isolated LORAN unit after advancing to Warrant Officer; and that's a transfer that I don't want to make! Regardless of how stressful it is, and how happy I am to move to North Carolina, the next three months will mark a bittersweet end to my LORAN career. As any pilot will tell you who has flown the same Cessna model for several years - it's comforting to know that any Cessna of the same model handles the same and has the same parts. Sure there are small differences that give each Cessna or LORAN station its own character, but they don't require a complete training overhaul for an experienced operator. My replacement arrived a couple of weeks ago, so right now I'm just a lame-duck Executive Petty Officer waiting for July 1st to arrive. He's a good guy and I'm sure he'll make a fine XPO. We have finally nailed down the date that we will depart Nantucket - and July 1st is it. Once again, as my tour comes to an end, I develop problems in my logic circuits, and so I plan to move myself again.

Abe, Lydia, and I went for a long walk yesterday around Siasconset. I know I've said this a million times; but sometimes I really have to pinch myself to realize just where we live. As much as I gripe about the cost of living, summer traffic, health care, and tourists out here - it really is a beautiful place. Right now, the daffodils and roses have not begun to bloom, and the grass is just getting a hint of green; but what really makes it nice is the fact that we only saw two other people on our entire four-mile walk yesterday. In July, it will be elbow-to elbow. I just like looking at all of the old cottages. Abe took the picture of me standing in front of the cottage with the partially revealed "Auld Lang Sine" sign. It's the oldest structure in Sconset, and it's one of the hand full of homes in this village that has a year-round occupant. 95% of the houses out here are only lived in during Summer. Anyway, we took what is commonly referred to as the "Cliff Walk". It's basically an ancient path that leads from the central village of Siasconset along the cliff beside the ocean to Sankaty Lighthouse. In the 1990's, beach erosion got so bad that the cliffs caved in and parts of the path crept closer inland. Now, the last bit of the cliff leading to the lighthouse is roped off because the path has fallen away. It's still an awesome walk, and although there's not a whole lot of greenery this time of year, the ocean views are spectacular. In a lot of places, the path leads right through the back yards of houses close to the cliff - which is another reason I like walking it this time of year - nobody's home! When I walk behind some of those homes, I like to imagine having a lawn that pretty much butts up to the ocean. It must be nice! Almost all of the homes on the walk have at one time or another been extremely nice and well built. Some homes are new, some have been remodeled, and many more (like the home with the elaborate woodwork in the photos) are begging to be restored. I believe that the owners of some of these houses in disrepair are doing everything they can just to pay taxes on the land, and can't afford to remodel. It will be shameful if that beautiful old house is allowed to fall apart. Well, to end this ramble, we had a nice long walk on a beautiful day (54 deg and sunny). The other two boys said "No thanks!" when we asked them to come along. Please excuse our redneck attire. Lydia didn't realize I had a camera until we were well on our way. I, of course, didn't think anything about it. Oh yeah - Abe wanted his picture taken next to "Herbie". We watched "The Love Bug" a few weeks back, so now he thinks we should ask the owner of the blue bug to paint it white and put a racing stripe and numbers on it! Click www.sltodd.com/cliffwalk.htm for pictures of our walk. We also got a few more pictures of the house last week. The siding should be finished by now. www.sltodd.com/ournewhome.htm

Steven

The roof, the roof, the roof is on....!

"Bunkbed" by Abe Todd

We've been busy for the last two days. Yesterday, Noah played in his final basketball game this season and I played in my final dart match. Unfortunately, both of our teams lost, and both were playoff matches. I was much more heartbroken over Noah's lost, but he really didn't seem to mind. I think we both enjoy being on a team more than the actual game itself. The boys played their hearts out on the court, and the game was close, in spite of the fact that two of the opponents were at least 12 inches taller than anyone on Noah's team. Cory also got the green light on his lacrosse physical yesterday. He's excited about playing, but I hope the weather improves before practice begins.
Abe has become an art monster. That is just about all he ever does now - draw and paint. We have stacks and stacks of art around here, and you'd better not try to throw any away, unless you want to go on a guilt trip, chauffeured by a 7-year old. He does come up with some interesting stuff. His favorite subject lately has been snowball fights.
Today, I earned my 18-year bachelor degree from Excelsior College. After all these years of on-and-off study, I expected to be more excited, but it's quite melodramatic. I was watching TV at home while my "classmates" were handed diplomas and later threw up their caps at the college in Albany, NY. I'll be overly thrilled if the degree helps me become a Warrant Officer next year. I might even try a cartwheel!



*********** The roof is on! New Pictures!

Hertford, NC Trip

Ok - It's been awhile; I know. I just got back from a trip to NC to check on the progress of the house. My Daddy drove up from GA and met me there so he could inspect the work up to this point. I was both surprised and happy that he only had a few "recommendations" for the contractors, and he was overall pleased with the quality of the work thus far. I was pleased that all of the floor joists were of the "engineered" type, which should make both floors much sturdier. NEW PICTURES!!!! www.sltodd.com/newhome.htm

As always, I enjoyed my trip in Hertford; and once again, the flight home was horrible. To make a long story short - my flight to Nantucket from Boston departed at 8:00 pm; at which time I was on a plane from Philadelphia, enjoying a bird's eye view of downtown Boston from the air, circling the city as we waited on permission to land. I slept in Boston at the Roadway Inn - the cheapest I could find - $89.00 - on Lydia's and my anniversary. I finally got home at 10am this morning.

Here's a few funny church bulletin entries that were listed in the Cape Air magazine on my flight to Boston............

The peacemaking meeting scheduled for today has been canceled due to a conflict.

Miss Charlene Mason sang, "I will not pass this way again," giving obvious pleasure to the congregation.

Don't let worry kill you off - let the Church help.

Next Thursday there will be tryouts for the choir. They need all the help they can get.

For those of you who have children and don't know it, we have a nursery downstairs.

Barbara remains in the hospital and needs blood donors for more transfusions. She is also having trouble sleeping and requests tapes of Pastor Jack's sermons.

A bean supper will be held on Tuesday evening in the church hall. Music will follow.

Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our church and community.

Potluck supper: prayer and medication to follow.

Valentine's Day (Belated)

Self portrait by Abe

Love is Many Things

Love is a Valentine.
Love is kissing.
Love is hugging.

Love is your cousin.
Love is your friends.
Love is my mom.
Love is my dad.
Love is helping cook.
Love is when my brother gives me a piggy back ride.
Love is when my dad reads me a bedtime story.
Love,
Abe
2/14/07

Island Fever and New House Photos

Sorry bout not posting in awhile - I'm sure all three of you who read this were going through symptoms of withdrawal. This whole dog gone island has been sick with various forms of stomach viruses, head colds, and fever. But hopefully this family is just about over it all. I had to work all weekend, thanks to the quick response of our local Verizon technicians. 48 hours to replace a circuit card! I would have been busted down to Seaman Recruit if I troubleshot at that speed! The worst part was I missed Noah's basketball game. Lydia said it was the best he's played yet - and they won! The wind has died down a little to 20 mph and it's not as cold - maybe 23deg for a low tonight. The sun is shining, too! Every thing's getting better - I'd better call Lydia and have her grab a lottery ticket on the way home. Anyhow, if you feel like it, take a look at some new photos our wonderful new neighbors sent us again. www.sltodd.com/newhome.htm OR www.sltodd.com/feb11housepics.htm

Steven

First Floor Framing

Looks like the boys have been busy down in Hertford. The Fitzgeralds just sent us some new photos of our house. Click HERE to go directly to the pics; or go to www.sltodd.com/newhome.htm to see more.

Oil Change

Today, I changed the oil on our Jeep Commander myself for the first time in the new garage at the station. This isn't my first time changing oil - I've been doing it since before I got my first car - but what I've found is that the later model car you own, the harder and messier it is when you go to change the oil. If I didn't live where I do, I would have taken it to a shop and got an oil change, fluids topped off, tires checked, and a multi-point inspection for $29.99. Instead, I bought 7 quarts of oil and a filter for almost $20 and changed the oil myself. Deal, huh? Sure it's a deal if you enjoy searching for the 13mm metric socket that fits on the oil plug of your "American made" vehicle; pulling out the plug and having a half quart of dirty oil flow all over your new mechanic's gloves, down your forearm, and exiting via your armpit onto the new garage floor; having to call your wife to look up the location of the oil filter on the internet, because the filter is under a skid plate and colored black, the same color as every other thing under the vehicle; finding out that the latest and greatest of oil filter wrenches (two different designs, mind you) won't fit in the tiny opening where the filter is located; finally getting the filter off after pulling your shoulder out of socket and having another quart of oil spill down your freshly cleaned arm; taking forever to get the new filter back on because you can't see the threads; putting the plug back in; pouring new oil in the crank case; cleaning up all that mess you made; disposing of the old oil and filter; and last but not least, having your wife chew you out for ruining another shirt. If you enjoy all that - then I guess it' all worth the $9.99 you could have paid a mechanic to avoid all of the above. Personally, I would rather get a sharp stick stuck in my eye.

Now - on to the van!

Pirate Party.......Arrrrrrrrrrrgh!

Click here for pictures!

Today was Abe's "Pirate Party". After two solid days of cake and cookie baking, craft making, grocery shopping, wood working, hole digging, stencil tracing, knot tying, party planning, and house cleaning - the two hour party is finally over. According to Abe, it was "wicked awesome!" Once again, I think about how much I need to get these kids out of New England! Just kidding, my North Eastern friends! Funny thing is I just watched a news program about how parents should strip down the parties and just let the kids eat cake and play in the yard again. I totally agree. I wish I had seen that program before we sent out the invitations! Next year.

Besides the work, the party was fun - and I think the kids had a good time. We were worried this morning, because we woke up to rain; but by the time noon rolled around, the sky was just overcast and the temperature was a balmy 33 degrees - perfect treasure hunting weather! The party was from 2-4 pm, and here was the schedule of events.......

1. Kids arrived and started making their own pirate flags with various markers, crayons, glitter
glue, etc.
2. Kids made their own parrot with fake feathers, eyeballs, and the above.
3. Kids colored pirate ships and solved pirate puzzles.
4. Kids played "Pin the Pirate on the Treasure"
5. Kids received the Pirate Facts lesson from Tater Todd the Treacherous Tyrant.
6. Kids and adults went on treasure hunt. Kids were divided into five teams of two. One
member was the "pacer" and the other the "digger". Each team was given a map with clues
to find each treasure (a wooden box filled with loot).
7. After warming up, we had cake and ice cream.
8. Abe opened his presents.
9. We barely had time to break open the pinata.
10. Kids went home!

Abe's Birthday, Basketball, & SUB-Arctic Blast

I thought it was cold last week until I walked outside this morning. Compared to today, last week was speedo weather. 7 degrees with -14 windchill. I thought my face was gonna freeze off before I finished my three minute commute to the station.

On Wednesday, Noah had his third basketball game this season. It was a thriller! 40 - 38. Noah's team lost, but they played their hearts out, all the way to the buzzer. Noah is starting to really slim down and get taller. Lydia and I are happy that he enjoys sports so much. It keeps him moving and lets him socialize with other kids his age - since there are none his age near our home. Cory is starting to practice lacrosse now. He seems to really enjoy it so far.

Last but not least - My little man is one year older today. I asked him how it felt to be seven this morning, and he said, "Strange." I'm sure he's happy to be over his two-day stomach virus he had earlier this week; especially since he has eight of his buddies coming over for his Pirate Birthday Party!