Another 'bump' in the road...

Hey there everyone!

We got a call yesterday COMPLETELY out of the blue from a new case worker letting us know that she was now handling our family's case and she'd like to set up a time to meet with us.  Awesome.

Apparently our previous case worker (who we've known since November and has been working with us all along) is no longer handling our case.  We had no warning this was happening, and we have no idea WHY it's happening.  The only thing we can do it remain hopeful that it's a positive change.

However, it's a bit discouraging and kind of feels like we're back to square one.  We had someone out there 'representing' us who knew us well, and we felt comfortable with.  Now we have to start all over with someone who we've never met - who only knows us by what she's read about us on paper.
Kind of like most of you!  :-)

I'm going to try and stay positive, even though it's a little bit difficult to do so....

Everything happens for a reason, right???  Right.

UPDATE - I just got off the phone with the new case worker, and we've already set up a meeting with her next week so she can meet us and start getting to know us better.  Apparently our original case worker was going back on leave and rather than give us another temporary replacement, they decided it was best to give us a new, full-time case worker.  I have no idea what's going on with our original worker, but I'm sending positive thoughts her way, since I imagine there's something pretty serious/important going on her her life.

The new worker has made a great first impression though.  She's VERY nice, seems eager to meet with us ASAP, and above all, she ANSWERED HER PHONE and the one time I missed her, she returned my call right away.  I'll keep you posted if there's any more news!!!

 

Five More Games!!!

Will this softball season EVER end?!?!?
Yeesh. 
I love playing softball and everything, but come on!  Last night was supposed to be our final game of the year, but due to rain outs, we've still got 5 games to play.  We were supposed to play 4 games this weekend, but our game on Saturday was rained out (INSANE rain storms came out of nowhere).  We did play the two games on Sunday, and won, which was VERY nice, and we didn't win last night.  In fact, we were pretty much destroyed.  Oh well.  I had a great game though.....I went 2 for three, and made a fantastic (if I may say so) play at home.  In spite of losing, I still had fun.  And isn't that the point!?!!  ;-)

Jim and I were watching his oldest niece Molly this weekend, so that was quite fun.  We went to her all-star softball game on Friday night after work, then we all went out to dinner.  Her team didn't win, but they were playing a REALLY good team, who had already played 6 games so far in the playoffs (this was Molly's first game) so it was understandable.

On Saturday, we all went out to breakfast, then Jim and Molly spent the day in Plymouth, while I hung around waiting to go to my softball game, which ended up being rained out.  Of course, I didn't know it was cancelled until I was already at the fields, and then I almost drowned trying to make it back home because the rain was so bad.  Thankfully, I made it home in one piece, went for a swim, showered, then met up with Jim and Molly and we all went out for dinner. 

Since I had two games on Sunday, I barely saw either of them in the morning, but after my games (TWO wins!!!) I came home to a full house and an impromptu pool party / BBQ in full swing.  I had a few drinks, ate some food, went for a swim and then Jim and I went out and ran a few errands.  We came home and collapsed on the couch until it was time for bed.  We watched 'The Family Guy' and it was an episode we'd never seen before (the one where Stewie and Brian are locked in the bank vault) and were in hysterics.  It was SO outrageous and 'offensive' we were dying.  I couldn't believe some of the stuff that happened.  If you haven't seen that episode and you're a Family Guy fan, look for it.  It's CRAZY.

I had yesterday off and spent it running a bunch of errands I need to take care of.  I got a new inspection sticker for my car, got an oil change, did some laundry, went out to dinner to celebrate my coach's birthday, and lost miserably in softball.  It was a very full day off!!! 

I hope you all had a splendid weekend....happy Tuesday!!!

Molly and Scooter....post-swim

This is the parking lot at the softball fields on Saturday afternoon.

I told you it rained a lot...

Scooter, the circus dog.

He LOVES his big, purple, ball!

I'm a life saver...

This morning I saved a mouse from certain death.
As many of you know, it is not at all uncommon for Jim and I to find a variety of woodland creatures dead in our pool.  Whether it be chipmunks, mice, moles, and one time a baby bunny (THAT was sad) I'm pretty used to it and it doesn't even phase me at this point.

This morning, I went outside to put out the trash and I notice a teeny, tiny, mouse sitting on the top rung of one of the pool ladders.  I figured, if this mouse was smart enough (or just plain lucky enough)  to get itself safely onto one of the ladders, then it clearly deserved to be rescued.  I went into the house, told Jim what was going on, grabbed my iPhone, and went back out to save a life. 
It was quite simple, actually....after a quick photo-shoot, I grabbed the net we use for skimming the pool, knocked him off the ladder, which sent him swimming, and then I was able to pluck him from the water. 

He/she was not at all thrilled about being captured, but even so, he/she grabbed onto the net, and then once I lifted him out of the pool, he let go of the net, fell to the ground, and took off into the woods behind our house.  I was happy to have saved him, but BELIEVE me.  If he gets any crazy ideas about coming back to the area (or our house) when the cold weather rolls around, I will be more than happy to trap the sucker and that will be that.  Swimming in the pool or running around the back yard is one thing, but if that thing sets one of it's little, furry, paws in my house, he's done.  

Side note: I'm sure Jim will crank up the chemicals for a day or two just to be sure there are no mice germs left behind.....he's not a fan of mice at all, especially when they try to use the pool without permission.

Other than that bit of excitement, I have nothing too exciting to report.  I have a softball game tomorrow afternoon, but it's supposed to rain, so that may be cancelled.  I have two games scheduled on Sunday and one on Monday night, which should be very fun, since we're playing on the Boston Common.
That's always a good time.  :-)

Have a very happy Friday - and a GREAT weekend!!!
xoxo

The culprit

Moments before the rescue...

Thirsty Thursday

I don't know why that popped into my head (Thirsty Thursday) but it did.  I mean, I know why it did - because it's Thursday - but it's not something I've thought of in a long time....like since college.
You know when Thursday was (for some odd reason) the official kick-off to the weekend?!?  Isn't that funny how that happens?  Even now, we live near a college and if you try to go out on a Thursday night and find yourself in one of the places that the 'kids' frequent, it tends to be super-crowded.  Whatever, good for them!!!  If they can go out and party on a Thursday night and still function on Friday, more power to them. 
I'd rather sleep. :-)

My sister, two of her daughters, and four of their friends stopped by our house yesterday afternoon for a quick dip in the pool.  It was nice to have them over.  I'm used to Jim's sister and her family being over, but it was nice to have my side of the family stopping by to enjoy the pool.  What was even nicer was that they felt totally comfortable there, which I was a little worried about.  Since they don't live as close to us as Jim's family does, they don't come by as often.  I was worried that they may not feel 'at home', but as soon as they got there, they were in the pool and before I knew it all the pool toys, masks, etc. were out, and they were having a great time!!

I have softball practice tonight after work and I really hope the weather isn't unbearable.  I'm in no mood to collapse on the softball field tonight.  It's supposed to be a lot nicer today...I just hope Dylan (one of my favorite weather gals) is right, and it's not going to be too hot.
Speaking of news reporters.....I kind of love the folks who do the morning news on channel 7 in Boston (the chosen station of our home).  Anne and Adam are a great team and they make me laugh.  Some of the folks out 'on the streets' kind of make me crazy, but overall I like the whole bunch.

Side note: two of them are gay and pretty easy on the eyes as well, which certainly doesn't hurt.

OK everyone...this totally random, rambling post is all I've got for today.....have a great day and stay cool!! 

This is Anne....she make me laugh

  

This is Adam ('family member' #1)

This is Dylan....she's the weather gal.

This is Ryan ('family member' #2)

Another Fantastic Weekend!!

Lucky, lucky, me!!!
It's Tuesday morning, and in spite of the fact that I'm at work, all is well.  :-)
Although, truth be told, it's so damn hot out I'm thrilled to be in the a/c.  I just hope that Scooter isn't too hot at home.  I'm sure he'll be fine.  He's in the kitchen with the fan on, and it's a shady spot, so he won't be in the blazing sun all day.  Knowing Jim, he probably went swimming with Scooter first thing this morning, so that probably cooled him off as well.  Anyway, the weekend was SO fun spent with a ton of family and friends.

On Friday night, Jim and I went to the fireworks that are held every year in the town where B, K, and {b} live.  There was a big group of us that got together for the viewing and we had a great time.

Here are some pictures from that night.....stolen from Barrie....as usual.

The whole gang...

Jim with Diego....and Benjamin

Me, waiting for everyone to arrive

Me, Jim, baby Nick (Emilee and Dave's son), and Joyce

I love this picture  :-)

On Saturday morning, we woke up at 6am (say what?!?!) got showered, packed, dropped Scooter off for his 'vacation', and we headed to Jim's parents place down the Cape.  We made it there in no time at all (leaving early was a GREAT idea - nice work Jim!!) and spent the entire day on the beach.  It was a BEAUTIFUL day.  Some of the family went out fishing on the boat, but a number of us decided to stick around the beach instead.  Once everyone returned from fishing, the beach, etc...we all got ready and went to the annual '4th of July cocktail party' that's held on the beach each year.  Everyone in the neighborhood gathers on the beach to have a few drinks, some food, (everyone brings an appetizer to share!!) and a lot of 'catching up'.  We stayed down there for an hour or so and then headed back to the cottage for dinner. 

After dinner, we hung out for a bit longer and then made our way back to the beach for some fireworks. 

Because of our location on the water, we were able to see not only the fireworks that were happening right on our beach, but at any given time, we were watching the firework's displays of about 4 or 5 other towns along the water.  It was amazing to see so many of them all going off at once.  There was one town in particular that had a CRAZY amount of fireworks , directly across the water from us.  After the fireworks, Jim and some of his family played cards, while I read (I'm not a fan of cards) and then we all called it a night.

VERY early on Sunday morning they all got up for church - crazy Catholics :-), but Jim and I woke up once they left, packed everything, and headed home.  Since we left so early, we had time to get home and relax for a bit before starting 'phase 2' of the weekend.  We met up with K, B, {b}, and John at the 4th of July parade (in the same town where we viewed the fireworks on Friday night) and of course, had a great time. The parade isn't the greatest, but the company sure was!!!  

Here's a picture of us all enjoying the festivities:

After the parade we went to our friend Julie's house for a BBQ and then Jim and I headed into Boston to watch the fireworks on the esplanade from the roof deck of my friend's (and teammate) condo.

He lives one block from the esplanade, so needless to say, it was AMAZING. 

I had never seen the Boston fireworks in person, and seeing them from that close up was unreal.  It was SOOO cool.  In a crazy coincidence, Jim's sister Susan was on the roof deck at her friend's place directly next to us.  We yelled to her across the roofs, but had to pass on her offer of trying one of her Rice Crispie treats, which she brought to her party.  :-)

After the fireworks, we hung out on the roof for a little bit and then headed home.  Thankfully, getting home wasn't an issue at all.  I expected to get stuck in some traffic, but there really wasn't any....very cool.

Yesterday we slept in, picked up Scooter from daycare (as well as my sister's dog, who we watched for a few hours) went grocery shopping, and spent the rest of the time by the pool.  It was SO incredibly hot out, I was beyond happy that we had the pool to keep us cool.  Scooter was thankful too, as he spent most of the day in the water, whether we wanted him to or not.  Jim's sister and her family stopped by for a little while too, in an attempt to stay cool....I'm sure we'll be seeing a lot of them this week, as the weather is supposed to be crazy-hot through tomorrow.  After everyone left, Jim and I went out to dinner at a nice little Italian place down the street (not our favorite place - Johnny Macaroni's, since they're closed on Mondays......grrrrrrr) and had a delightful dinner.  It was a great way to end a great, long weekend.

Now that I've been writing forever, I suppose I should get some work done.

I hope you all had a great holiday and are staying cool, wherever you are!!!

xoxo

My sister's dog (Miner) visiting us for the afternoon.....

You know who.....taking one of many, swims in the pool

 

My coffee and I....

Since it's the Friday before a long weekend, I knew it would be a quiet day in the office, but I thought it would be a BIT more 'populated' than it is.  I walked into the building this morning and felt like I'd walked into this:

Seriously, it is SOOOO quiet in here, I feel like I'm alone.  Well, not completely alone....I do have some company.

Hooray for Dunkin' Donuts iced coffee!!!!

Anyway....I'm here at work, pretty much alone.  It should be a quiet day.  I have my daily conference call with the folks in India and Princeton, NJ - then I'm headed to a meeting in a different building, then I'll be back here for the rest of the day.  I'm out of here at 3:30 every day anyway, so there's really no need to leave early....although I may do just that if the spirit moves me.  We shall see.

We have lots of fun and exciting stuff happening this weekend, which I'm VERY excited for. 
Fireworks with friends tonight, heading down the Cape with family tomorrow, a cookout/pool party with friends during the afternoon of the 4th, followed by watching the fireworks on the Esplanade from a roof deck on Beacon Street later that night.  THAT should be a great time.  I can't wait.

Before I depart, can I just say that I'm completely mystified by the amount of attention/press/hype that Lady Gaga is getting?!?!?  She's performing in Boston tonight (and last night) and I really just don't get it. 
I like her music just fine, but I don't think she's all that spectacular.  Whatever...I'm glad that so many people are having fun listening to her and following her every move, but she doesn't really strike me as the type who will be very long lasting, but who knows? If she sticks around for a good, long time - excellent.  If she's fallen off our radar by this time next year, I probably wouldn't realize it.

OK - enough about her.....have a GREAT holiday weekend (or if it's not a holiday for you - have an equally great 'regular' weekend) and I'll be back blogging before you know it.
xoxo

Pizza Pahhhhty!!!!

It's the day of the Pizza Party, y'all!!!  :-)

OK - so last night's whoopie pie making session was a success.  Of course, it took FOREVER, but it was well worth it.  They seem to have come out quite well, but I haven't tried one yet.  I'll report back after the pizza party and let you know how they were received.

I took a few pictures of the process -

Direct from the oven.....

A cooled, pyramid of cakes....

Filled, wrapped, and ready to go!!

Scooter, hoping a pie will fall his way.

No such luck!!

Have a great day everyone!!!
xoxo