From The Home Office

Mischievous Mason

Published on March 30, 2011

Only a month ago, I told you about Mason (age 4) logging into ebay.com and buying stuffed animals for himself. Just last week, I told you about Mason terrifying us when he hid under the kitchen table, resulting in a phone call to 9-1-1. I probably should have given birth to this one when I was MUCH YOUNGER! Anyway, Mason doesn't yet *appear* to understand the concept of money, or buying, or anything like that. However, I think he may be practicing selective comprehension because he definitely does understand which buttons he needs to push on an iPad or iPhone with the end result being the mailman delivering a box to him... …

Mason’s Vanishing Act

Published on March 23, 2011

Last Friday, it was 60 degrees here in Bangor, Maine, the warmest day we've had in four or five months. Despite the mud, all the kids went outside to play, including our adult kiddos. I was working in the living room on my laptop, and getting quite a bit done due to the quiet, when Max (age 9) ran in and said, "Is Mason in here?" "WHAT?!" I squawked. "NO! WHERE IS HE?!" Max said, "We don't know!"... …

ACCIDENT UPDATE – We Have NO Idea What Is Going On…

Published on March 16, 2011

As most of you know, our daughter and her boyfriend were in a head-on collision a month ago. For their privacy, I am referring to them as "A" and "M" when writing about the accident. The last installment of the story is HERE. We have been quickly losing confidence in A and M's orthopedist (Ortho #1), and desperately trying to get a new orthopedist (Ortho #2). Over the past month, Ortho #1 has told us she did not need surgery, she might need surgery, and, most recently (seven days prior), that it was too late for surgery. This past Monday, he scheduled a surgery date for her... …

Update on Accident Recovery + Pictures

Published on March 9, 2011

As most of you know, our daughter and her boyfriend were in a head-on collision three weeks ago. For their privacy, I am referring to them as "A" and "M" when writing about the accident... …

A Mysterious Stuffed Animal Purchase?!

Published on March 2, 2011

I received an email the other day that I suspected was an error. It was an invoice for a purchase made on my eBay account. I logged into my account and discovered it was not an error after all. Our youngest son, Mason (age 4), LOVES Shrek and the invoice was for a 27-inch stuffed Shrek doll... …

Kids Recovering From Head-On Collision

Published on February 23, 2011

In case you missed it, last week we only published a News From the Home Office column because our daughter and her boyfriend were in a head-on collision. You can read the story HERE. I am once again not publishing their names for their own privacy. A's boyfriend, M, has more extensive injuries, with the broken foot, ankle, and ribs... …

CAR ACCIDENT

Published on February 17, 2011

Our daughter and her boyfriend were in a head-on collision on Monday night. They are expected to recover but we have been in the hospital with them all week. I have changed their names below for their own privacy.…

Percy’s Dislocated Kneecap

Published on February 9, 2011

Early Monday morning, our dog, Percy, started screaming. Ali and I both heard the racket and followed his yelps to the boys' room... …

The Case of the Stolen Tooth!

Published on February 2, 2011

Poor Zach (age 24) developed a toothache last week. We took him to our dentist, who said all his wisdom teeth needed to come out... …

What To Do… What To Do…

Published on January 26, 2011

Being stuck in the "home office" for weeks at a time during Maine's harsh winters can be pretty...depressing. On Sunday night, we were under a wind chill advisory, with the "chills" dipping to -30 to -40 F... …

No Ice, Please!

Published on January 19, 2011

We received another 6 inches of snow last week and we're supposed to get a small ice storm tonight. Ug... …

Short Escape Before the Storm

Published on January 12, 2011

We love snow around Christmastime but, once January's frigid temperatures set in and we are all homebound for weeks on end, the snow starts to get old really fast... …

What I Made for My Mom

Published on January 5, 2011

We all recovered from the Christmas Stomach Bug. All but four of us caught it by the time if flew from our house and, undoubtedly, into somebody else's. This week, I wanted to show the you gift I needle felted for my mom for Christmas. I couldn't show it to you until now because she'd have definitely peeked... …

The Christmas Bug!

Published on December 29, 2010

Caleb was sick on the 23rd with a stomach bug. I obsessively santized the house and, over and over again, but to no avail. Max woke up with it on Christmas morning. I took pictures of him opening his presents in bed. By mid-afternoon, Frank was sick and Rita and I succumbed by bedtime. On Sunday night, Zach was down for the count and Kimia (Caleb's girlfriend) sent me a text that she had it as well. Nobody has gotten sick since then so we are hoping everybody else in the house is immune. We had to postpone our Boxing Day party, of course. As I'm typing this on Monday, we are getting the big blizzard that's all over the news (14 inches by noon) and Ali is cooking a gourment meal for us in the kitchen while the adults are watching comedies in the living room, next to the Christmas tree. The Boxing Day party will be tomorrow and we're looking forward to a rip-roarin' good time! This week's Maxism: "Does Santa put hidden cameras in kids' rooms to see if they're naughty or nice?" Hugs to all! Angela …

Christmas Culinary Delights!

Published on December 22, 2010

As I am writing this while sitting next to our Christmas tree, Ali (a Culinary Arts major) is in the kitchen making Chili Candied Nuts, Peppermint Bark and Chocolate Chip Cookies. I'm going to need pants with an elastic waist after this week! (Oh, wait...I'm already wearing some...) We're supposed to have a snowstorm on Wednesday and Richard's dad and step-mom are arriving on Thursday night. We really need that snow because the children are SO excited about taking Grampa and Rita sledding! We will have almost 20 people here on Christmas and our living room will be bursting. We are all soooo excited! I have a Masonism for you this week. Mason started having a fit in the bathroom the other day because he saw a fly there (he is terrified of flies). Having been down this road before, I went into the bathroom to conquer the big, bad bug. I looked high and low, but didn't see a fly while Mason kept pointing and saying, "He's over there! He's over there!!" While I was looking, I noticed the dog's water bowl was running low so I started filling it up in the sink. Mason shrieked, "Why are you making him a pool?!" We want to wish all of you a very peaceful, loving and FUN Christmas and Kwanzaa! :) Hugs to all! Angela, Richard and the entire WritersWeekly clan …

Wrapping Paper Cuts!

Published on December 15, 2010

Our daughter, Ali, has always helped me with the wrapping at Christmastime. However, she's double-majoring AND in the middle of finals so she isn't really available right now. So, I've been spending any spare moment I can sorting gifts (out-of-town vs. other) and wrapping... …

Endless Uploading…

Published on December 8, 2010

I've been spending my evenings painstakingly uploading more than 400 photos to Qoop.com, where I order our family photo books each year. After I upload, I must then type captions underneath each one and I try to be a bit witty...on a few of them at least. Those photo books can be pretty expensive (more than $25 each) but the grandparents sure seem to like 'em. I've also been working on a homemade gift for my mother. I won't be able to tell you what it is until after the holidays because she makes weekly comments about WritersWeekly. I figure that means she reads it. I've posted articles in the past about inexpensive holiday gifts you can make at home. If you're interested, see THIS LINK. I have a Masonism for you this week. This morning, Mason (age 4) hollered at me from the bathroom, "Mommy! I can make pee bubbles!" Hugs to all! Angela …

The Christmas Countdown Has Begun!

Published on December 1, 2010

We pulled the decorations out of the basement on Friday and, by Sunday night, everything was up, including the tree and the outdoor lights. I always forget how which cords go with which lighted wreath outside so the puzzle must be re-solved year after year. And, each year, I swear I'm going to label those suckers... …

Thank YOU!!!

Published on November 24, 2010

Today, we are thankful for each of you, our readers. It's a true blessing to have so many online friends. I enjoy the friendships and the comaraderie we all share and it's comforting to know that, if I need anything at all, I can fire off an email to my online friends, and receive an almost instant reply! So, thank YOU!!! :) …

CHRISTMAS SHOPPING!

Published on November 17, 2010

In order to more enjoy my December, I have decided to try to get my shopping done earlier this year. Last Sunday, I spent the entire day on my laptop, shopping online. I try to buy non-China-made items whenever I can and I also try to support artists. …

MEOW! THUMP THUMP THUMP…

Published on November 10, 2010

I woke up last night because Zach, our oldest, had the TV on too loud downstairs. I didn't want to wake up the little ones so I didn't run on the front hall light as I headed for the stairs, intent on reprimanding Zach. I was walking down the stairs in the dark and, in a flash, heard a loud "MEOW!!!"... …

From Holiday to Holiday to Holiday…

Published on November 3, 2010

The nice thing about this time of year is that there's always something to look forward to when something else has ended. On Sunday night, the boys were sad at bedtime because Halloween was over. I reminded them that Thanksgiving is right around the corner and, after that, Christmas will be upon us as well. When I asked if they wanted to help me make a funny turkey yard decoration for Thanksgiving, they were all smiles again... …

Pumpkin Harvest!

Published on October 27, 2010

Awhile back, I was posting weekly pictures of our pumpkins, Monster, Half-Pint, Tiny and Punk. Last Sunday, with tears, Max harvested three of his four pumpkins. Surprisingly, Punk (the orange wart pumpkin) is still on a live vine. The three white pumpkins were on dried vines, and starting to attract slugs. The four pumpkins are the biggest we've ever grown and they are now being proudly displayed by Max in our living room. He does NOT want to carve them, however. He wants to go to a local farm and buy pumpkins for carving. He can't bear to cut into his babies. Isn't that sweet? :) Here's Max with three of his babies. Below that is a picture of Punk.

This week's Maxism: "That pumpkin is growing fast! And, I'm growing fast, too!!" Hugs to all! Angela …

Halloween Count Down!

Published on October 20, 2010

Max and Mason are giddy with excitement, counting down the days until Halloween. Max has his own horror dolls and other creepy characters displayed on his desk. Mason (age 4) gives the desk a wide berth when he passes by... …

Fall’s Last Hurrah!

Published on October 13, 2010

Our good friends Scott and Kelly left last Wednesday. On Thursday, we packed up the RV and drove to the KOA in Bar Harbor for one last Fall hurrah... …

More Guests Arrive!

Published on October 6, 2010

Our friends Scott and Kelly chose to spend their honeymoon in Bangor this week, after getting engaged here last year. Romance is in the air! They allowed us to infringe on their time and we've had a fun week doing lots of driving and leaf-watching. We went to Cadillac Mountain (where they got engaged) and we even spent a night in Boothbay Harbor. Here are a few pictures from our fun week:

I have a Masonism for you this week. Mason was standing in the living room, turning his head all the way to the right, and then all the way to the left, over and over again. I finally asked him what he was doing. He replied, "I want my head to turn all the way around!" Hugs to all! Angela P.S. YOUR MEMOIRS - A GREAT HOLIDAY GIFT FOR YOUR FAMILY! WANT TO REMEMBER YOUR PAST, AND WRITE ABOUT IT? HOW TO REMEMBER, WRITE AND PUBLISH YOUR LIFE STORY Using Angela's MEMORY TRIGGERS, recall memories that have been dormant for years, and record those memories in chronological order in your memory notebook. Using the memory notebook as your outline, write your autobiography! **Also works for biographies and memoirs.** …

Bright Yellow, Burnt Orange and Bleeding Red!

Published on September 29, 2010

Fall is the time of year when we get the most visitors. Everybody wants to see the finest Fall foliage and Fall in Maine is magical in its beauty. For about 3 weeks each year, the colors are so amazingly crisp and bright that we feel like we're living in a postcard... …

DAY 15: Fine Dining With a 4-Year-Old

Published on September 22, 2010

We were pretty hungry after a long day of tire trouble, repairs and driving and we could not WAIT to eat some really good food. The Turning Stone Casino in Verona, New York had quite an impressive list of restaurants to choose from. When we walked into the casino, Max and Mason were in awe of the lights and the slot machines (which they were only permitted to ogle from a distance). Max was looking in wonder at the actual casino and said, "I wish I was 18!"... …

DAY 14: Bulging Tire

Published on September 15, 2010

We spent the day driving to Erie, Pennsylvania and, when we arrived, Richard did what he always does. He walked around the RV, checking the tires and everything else. He came back inside with bad news. One of our tires had a bulge. It could blow out sideways at any time. This was a repair item we couldn't ignore or delay... Read all the details (and see pictures!) here: https://www.wirelesstrips.com/day-14-bulging-tire This week's Maxism: "I like to get caramel stuck in my teeth because then I can lick it off." Hugs to all! Angela …

DAY 13: We Love Duct Tape!

Published on September 8, 2010

When we get back to Bangor, we'll have the RV guys check: The windshield wipers (they keep stopping in the middle of the window when you turn them off) The quarter-panel on the passenger side (it came loose and is currently being held on with duct tape) The slides (they are squeaking, and probably need a good greasing) The air conditioner (the filters need to be changed) And, the big one - our huge plug that we use when plugging into the power at campgrounds is melting. Yes, you read that right... Read all the details (and see pictures!) here: https://www.wirelesstrips.com/day-13-continued-we-love-duct-tape This week's Maxism: "Can we buy dinner at the gas station?" Hugs to all! Angela P.S. WANT TO REMEMBER YOUR PAST, AND WRITE ABOUT IT? HOW TO REMEMBER, WRITE AND PUBLISH YOUR LIFE STORY Using Angela's MEMORY TRIGGERS, recall memories that have been dormant for years, and record those memories in chronological order in your memory notebook. Using the memory notebook as your outline, write your autobiography! **Also works for biographies and memoirs.** …

Another Dent in the RV (Oops….)

Published on September 1, 2010

In the past week, we: Went swimming (twice). Saw a HUGE personal Star Wars collection. Visited a dinosaur museum. Ate Kelly's homemade stuffed hamburgers and gluten-free fruit pizza. Ate Cindy's homemade pork loin sandwiches and cherry pie. Ate the Garbage Plate at Frank's Diner in Kenosha, WI, which has been profiled on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives. Dented the rear slide on the RV (now, whose fault was that?!) And were shocked to discover the large electric plug on the RV had started to melt! Read all the details (and see pictures!) here: https://www.wirelesstrips.com/days-5-8-we-are-not-acclimated This week's Maxism: Conversation overheard in the back of the RV between Max (8) and Mason (4). Mason refuses to try eggs, and now probably never will. "Mason, do you know what eggs are?" "No." "They're big, squishy balls that come out of chicken's butts...and we eat 'em!" Hugs to all! Angela P.S. WANT TO REMEMBER YOUR PAST, AND WRITE ABOUT IT? HOW TO REMEMBER, WRITE AND PUBLISH YOUR LIFE STORY Using Angela's MEMORY TRIGGERS, recall memories that have been dormant for years, and record those memories in chronological order in your memory notebook. Using the memory notebook as your outline, write your autobiography! **Also works for biographies and memoirs.** https://writersweekly.com/books/4764.html …

DAYS 5 – 8: We Are NOT Acclimated!

Published on August 25, 2010

On Saturday morning, I emptied my (rather large) purse and then re-packed it with sunscreen, bottled water, and an extra pair of clothes for both the boys... …

DAY 1: Backseat Giggles

Published on August 18, 2010

We've once again taken the business on the road! We're currently on the trip we were supposed to take in May, which was postponed when Richard broke his leg. As soon as we hit the road today, Max and Mason made up a rousing game with their Mario and Luigi dolls, and were giggling in the RV for a couple of hours straight. They were making the dolls fart on each other (sigh...) …

Monster Update and a New “Baby” in the Garden!

Published on August 11, 2010

Max and I were supposed to be extras in a movie scene being shot last Sunday. Max was pretty bummed when we received an email on Friday morning alerting us that filming of the candy store scene was postponed indefinitely. However, he got to see the "real" Thomas the Train that afternoon in Boothbay Harbor so he bounced back pretty quickly... …

“Monster” is GROWING!

Published on August 4, 2010

I have somehow managed to get completely snowed under with work this week so my post today will be extremely short. First, Max and I got a call last weekend to be extras in the movie we auditioned for. Filming will be on Sunday and it looks like we get to be in the candy store scene! Yea! Max (almost 9) is SO excited! Second, I wanted to show you how much "Monster" (our pumpkin) has grown in the past 7 days. …

Is My Garden Warning of a Fierce Winter to Come?

Published on July 28, 2010

When we first moved to Maine, I read A Year in the Maine Woods by Bernd Heinrich...twice. That book helped me learn about the intricacies of nature's seasonal dances in Maine, which are far different from those in Texas. One of my favorite passages from Henrich's book is from August 14th: "The fields are daily coming more alive with crickets and grasshoppers, a sure sign that fall is near." Max cocked his head suddenly and whispered, "Sssshhhh." Following his lead, I did the same and we both smiled at each other and said, "CRICKETS!" at the same time. It wasn't just one cricket. A cacophony was emerging... …

Dinner with the President in Maine!

Published on July 21, 2010

I'd like to preface this post by telling you that, no, we didn't vote for Obama. Most of you probably already know I was raised in the south by die-hard Republicans. However, you don't have to be a Democrat to eat within pea-flinging distance of the current President of the United States. Our daughter works at a fine dining restaurant on the coast of Maine where's she has a summer externship. Last week, the owner of the restaurant made a comment about making sure they had up-to-date photo IDs for the employees because Obama was coming to town. Our daughter thought there might be a chance he'd come to that restaurant because it's a really nice one. We'd had reservations to go to Bar Harbor for a short vacation for a few weeks and, admittedly, we weren't too happy when we learned last week that Obama and his entourage were coming, which would result in closings, detours, and more... …

Fighting City Hall!

Published on July 14, 2010

We learned a few months ago that there are no residency restrictions for convicted child molesters in our city. We, of course, subsequently launched a fight, trying to get the city council to enact an ordinance... …

Patriotic Bubbles!

Published on July 7, 2010

We had a FANTASTIC 4th of July celebration on Sunday! Our good friends Mark and Corey came to visit with their niece, Lauryn. …

A Movie Audition!

Published on June 30, 2010

On Sunday, Max and I, along with Frank's friend, Caleb, went to a movie audition. Pretty cool, huh? It's for an indie film but they have quite a few speaking parts, along with the need for lots of extras. Filming is only during the summer and it won't be a full-time thing so we thought...why not? I've auditioned for a TV reporter gig (got that years and years ago) and a high school musical (I got a non-speaking "Lady in Waiting" part and I got to sing...but not a solo) but I've never auditioned for a movie before. It was so much FUN! …

Happy Birthday, Mason!

Published on June 23, 2010

It seems like just yesterday that Mason, our youngest (and last!), was born after we fought for the right to have a Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC). Then, the doctor told us 12 days later, after several days of rapid breathing, that Mason might have a congenital heart defect, and may "expire" at any moment. We got a miracle that day! …

A Hidden Surprise

Published on June 16, 2010

We've been having two bedrooms repainted and refloored over the past six weeks. We had planned to have the old, ratty, who-knows-how-old-it-is carpet removed and replaced with Pergo(R) (that fake laminate flooring that resembles wood). However, we got a big surprise when they pulled up the carpet in both rooms and found old, rolled-up linoleum that wasn't glued down. And, under the linoleum, they found a layer of old newspapers in excellent condition. …

“Tweet, Tweet”…Silence

Published on June 9, 2010

I woke up on Tuesday morning and started doing my morning chores - laundry, breakfast, you know the routine. I was still rubbing sleep from my eyes when I heard a very loud "RAT-A-TAT-TAT-BANG-TAT-BANG-TAT!!!" in the kitchen. I ran in there and found Mittens trying to scale our wooden blinds. There was a bird between the blinds and the window. Mittens moved faster than me and had that cute bird in his jaws before I could grab him. But, grab him I did and I managed to pry his jaws open and free the poor thing. …

Chop, Chop, Ow!

Published on June 2, 2010

Ali didn't get to come home until Tuesday morning because she's been so busy working at her new job. They were very busy over the holiday weekend. She's been slicing and dicing and plating salads and desserts and she has the battle scars to prove it. She showed me all the nicks in her palms and she has a really nasty slice from a lobster. Yes, she wears gloves when she works but they're for sanitary reasons...not for safety. …

Need… (pant) the… (pant pant) Air Conditioner!

Published on May 26, 2010

Just two weeks ago, I was fretting because we were going to have a freeze just as my new pumpkin seedlings were emerging from the soil. I'd broken the cardinal rule of gardening here, which says you're not supposed to plant anything until Memorial Day because of the risk of a late frost. I'd taken the risk because I wanted to get our seedlings planted before we left on our (now canceled) trip to Wisconsin. Today, we had the boys sweating up a storm, pulling the window unit air conditioners out of the attic and putting them in the house. It's supposed to be in the 90s tomorrow, which is unusual for this time of year in Bangor. …