Most days you can find me sitting at my laptop working, emailing, surfing and facebooking. And sometimes Cathy joins me.Monday, November 16, 2009
Workin'
Most days you can find me sitting at my laptop working, emailing, surfing and facebooking. And sometimes Cathy joins me.
Friday, October 23, 2009
PSU weekend in the snow and rain
Last weekend we drove to Penn State to see Bryan and catch our yearly football game. Always an amazing experience at Penn State. This year, due to the snow (arriving a month earlier than usual!), there was no parking permitted on the grass around the stadium. The weather didn't lend itself to tail gating anyway, so we went out to lunch and hung out at Bryan's frat until the game. It was also Homecoming weekend so the frat was ship shape awaiting the return of their alumni that evening.
The game was good - I mean there were two teams running around and jumping on each other so it looked normal to me. PSU won 20-0 against Minn. (I think.) What's with the gopher mascot??? Gee, he looks menacing. No wonder the Nittany Lions won. Roar.
As usual, a few pics:
Those people running around on the field. I was disappointed we didn't get to see the half-time show. It is usually spectacular. Watch this! But Joe Pa wouldn't let them onto his soggy field.
Those people in the stands: Marian, Don, & Dave. (Friends from town also with us - they have a freshman at PSU.)
Snow-filled stands ... my legs, boots, and scarf tassels (purchased at a market in San Gimignano for 8 euro - good buy. Not at all relevant to this post but maybe of interest to the non-football readers.)
The game was good - I mean there were two teams running around and jumping on each other so it looked normal to me. PSU won 20-0 against Minn. (I think.) What's with the gopher mascot??? Gee, he looks menacing. No wonder the Nittany Lions won. Roar.
As usual, a few pics:
Those people running around on the field. I was disappointed we didn't get to see the half-time show. It is usually spectacular. Watch this! But Joe Pa wouldn't let them onto his soggy field. 
Those people in the stands: Marian, Don, & Dave. (Friends from town also with us - they have a freshman at PSU.)
Snow-filled stands ... my legs, boots, and scarf tassels (purchased at a market in San Gimignano for 8 euro - good buy. Not at all relevant to this post but maybe of interest to the non-football readers.)Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Thanksgiving weekend - Canadian style
Last weekend, Oct 2, 3, 4, and 5th, we hosted the Gill Canadian Thanksgiving! Both of Don's sisters and their families motored on down the NY turnpike into NJ for a weekend of turkey eating, scavenger hunting, birthday celebrating, anniversary celebrating, sightseeing, shopping, cocktailing on the beach, coloring and picture taking.
In the month of October there is lots to celebrate with 4 birthdays and 2 anniversaries in the Gill family, as follows:
Oct. 1 - Michael's 5th Birthday
Oct. 3 - Barb & Doug's 11th Wedding Anniversary
Oct. 5 - Cathy & Don's 24th Wedding Anniversary
Oct. 10 - Brandon's 15th Birthday
Oct. 11 - Kathy's Birthday
Oct. 26 - Don's Birthday
In the dining room, from L to R going around the table: Michael (5), Brandon (15), Carolyn (17), Kathy, Don, Bryan (19), Me, Adam (18), Eric (7) and Barb. Missing is Doug a.k.a. Uncle Buck! And 2 birthday cakes.
Cheers to my sisters-in-law, Barb and Kathy!
These are the scavenger hunt teams: Michael & Adam, Eric & Bryan, Carolyn & Brandon. Who won? Well, they were all winners, right Brandon?
In the month of October there is lots to celebrate with 4 birthdays and 2 anniversaries in the Gill family, as follows:
Oct. 1 - Michael's 5th Birthday
Oct. 3 - Barb & Doug's 11th Wedding Anniversary
Oct. 5 - Cathy & Don's 24th Wedding Anniversary
Oct. 10 - Brandon's 15th Birthday
Oct. 11 - Kathy's Birthday
Oct. 26 - Don's Birthday
In the dining room, from L to R going around the table: Michael (5), Brandon (15), Carolyn (17), Kathy, Don, Bryan (19), Me, Adam (18), Eric (7) and Barb. Missing is Doug a.k.a. Uncle Buck! And 2 birthday cakes.
Cheers to my sisters-in-law, Barb and Kathy!
These are the scavenger hunt teams: Michael & Adam, Eric & Bryan, Carolyn & Brandon. Who won? Well, they were all winners, right Brandon?
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Empty Sky
Today Don and I took a drive in to Liberty State Park in Jersey City. It is directly across from lower Manhattan so there are amazing views of the city, Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty.
It was a beautiful, warm sunny day today. We walked along the Hudson River and enjoyed watching the busy harbor and the other walkers, joggers, cyclists and bladers along the waterfront.
A gaping hole in the cityscape is, still, the World Trade Center. They have an interesting memorial planned for Liberty State Park, which is to basically frame the location where the WTC was, and to list the NJ people who died that day. In the meantime there is a hedge representing the 2 walls for now. Here's the current view and the plaque with photos of the 'before 9-11' and 'proposed memorial'.
After our long walk we shared a few appetizers at the Marina restaurant, gawked at the many yachts, and enjoyed this perfect fall day. (Tomorrow is our 24th wedding aniversary.)
It was a beautiful, warm sunny day today. We walked along the Hudson River and enjoyed watching the busy harbor and the other walkers, joggers, cyclists and bladers along the waterfront.
A gaping hole in the cityscape is, still, the World Trade Center. They have an interesting memorial planned for Liberty State Park, which is to basically frame the location where the WTC was, and to list the NJ people who died that day. In the meantime there is a hedge representing the 2 walls for now. Here's the current view and the plaque with photos of the 'before 9-11' and 'proposed memorial'.
After our long walk we shared a few appetizers at the Marina restaurant, gawked at the many yachts, and enjoyed this perfect fall day. (Tomorrow is our 24th wedding aniversary.)
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Back to School Night - Last time!
Last week Don and I attended our last 'Back to School' night. We dragged ourselves over to the school not especially anxious to traipse through all the classes again. Of course, once we got there we had a great time seeing all the parents we haven't seen since June, and catching up with parents that we are only connected to via the school.
When the evening was over I was actually sad that this was our last ever 'Back to School'. How many parents will we lose touch with next year? It will be much harder to stay connected with our extended community without the necessary school events.
Since then I have mentioned this to several Moms I know who have their last child off to college this Fall. Did they miss 'Back to School' this year for the first time in umpteen years? One friend said, " I do miss the KHS stuff too, but, you know as you move into other realms of your life, it is not all that bad."
So true.
When the evening was over I was actually sad that this was our last ever 'Back to School'. How many parents will we lose touch with next year? It will be much harder to stay connected with our extended community without the necessary school events.
Since then I have mentioned this to several Moms I know who have their last child off to college this Fall. Did they miss 'Back to School' this year for the first time in umpteen years? One friend said, " I do miss the KHS stuff too, but, you know as you move into other realms of your life, it is not all that bad."
So true.
Friday, September 18, 2009
And the summer continues ...
We had a wonderful weekend last weekend in LBI (Long Beach Island) while we stayed with friends, Deirdre and Mark. It was great to catch up on each other's lives. They left Kinnelon about a year ago so we don't see them as often. For 3 years we stood beside or near each other watching hockey games. But, alas, the boys are away in college now.
We arrived on Saturday which was an overcast day. I loved the look of the ocean when the sky and ocean are almost all the same color. It was beautiful. Here's Deirdre and I, followed by Don & Mark who went for a swim. Sunday was sunny but of course I didn't take any beach pictures that day and that was the day Don tried surfing!
By the way, a week or two ago, there would have been many blankets and umbrellas in between me and the ocean. LBI is a popular NJ spot in throughout the summer with many, many shore homes. Its a great spot with views of the ocean or the bay from almost every home. But with school being back, the beaches were wonderfully quiet. Of course the ice cream man was still ringing his bells! For whom his bells tolled, I do not know.
We arrived on Saturday which was an overcast day. I loved the look of the ocean when the sky and ocean are almost all the same color. It was beautiful. Here's Deirdre and I, followed by Don & Mark who went for a swim. Sunday was sunny but of course I didn't take any beach pictures that day and that was the day Don tried surfing!
By the way, a week or two ago, there would have been many blankets and umbrellas in between me and the ocean. LBI is a popular NJ spot in throughout the summer with many, many shore homes. Its a great spot with views of the ocean or the bay from almost every home. But with school being back, the beaches were wonderfully quiet. Of course the ice cream man was still ringing his bells! For whom his bells tolled, I do not know.Wednesday, September 2, 2009
NYC Saturday
Don & I went into the city (NYC) last weekend despite the threat of rain. We found a great French restaurant for lunch in the West Village - Pastis. From there we walked along Bleeker and bumped into neighbors who used to live across the street from us in Baltimore. They now live in Chicago and were in town moving their son into NYU as a freshman! It was amazing to see them! This is Don and I with Kim and Charlie:
From there, Don and I drove across town to the East R. and walked across the Brooklyn bridge - the first time we've ever done that. It was great! Very crowded on the Manhattan side but as we crossed the mid-point the crowds thinned out and it was a nice walk to Brooklyn. Once in Brooklyn we found a little pub with street seating where we stopped for a drink. We met a great couple of "kids" (in their 20's) who were cousins. One was visiting from Houston, a recent grad of Kansas U., and the other was working in advertising in the city and was just newly engaged. We spoke to them for a long time before walking back across the bridge at dusk.
It was a unexpectedly wonderful day!
From there, Don and I drove across town to the East R. and walked across the Brooklyn bridge - the first time we've ever done that. It was great! Very crowded on the Manhattan side but as we crossed the mid-point the crowds thinned out and it was a nice walk to Brooklyn. Once in Brooklyn we found a little pub with street seating where we stopped for a drink. We met a great couple of "kids" (in their 20's) who were cousins. One was visiting from Houston, a recent grad of Kansas U., and the other was working in advertising in the city and was just newly engaged. We spoke to them for a long time before walking back across the bridge at dusk.
It was a unexpectedly wonderful day!
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