We went into Portland since the weather app indicated it would be the best weather day of the week. Well, it was cool and foggy. We thought we might go to the Portland Head Light, but there was no point in the fog, so we wandered around spending money for hours. It was fun and I think we bought some nice things that we will use and that we couldn’t find somewhere else. Then we came home and had an amazing lobster dinner. It’s only the second time I’ve had a full lobster and it was delicious and special. The kids wouldn’t touch it. More for us! Someday they will not desire day-old pizza instead of fresh lobster. That day is not today.
Category: June 2023
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June 29
I walked over 16,000 steps around the island, including one jaunt I thought would take me to a nice lookout point. Turns out that lookout point was a lot farther away than I estimated and between Christina’s shoes being completely inappropriate for walking and the fact that I had to be back for dinner, we never made it. But we did find a little private beach at the end of a dirt road and a very well-hidden trail. Christina was tickled.
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June 28
Lots of rain this morning, and then fog, and then a moment of sun, and then more fog, but we managed a family bike ride around the island and I got a short walk in afterwards. There are thousands of pictures I still need to take! We enjoyed a Lions Club dinner courtesy of Uncle Bob.
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June 27
We had a great day exploring the area. At one point I suggested a walk around the island. We got as far as around the corner, but I loved watching the girls explore the rocky beach, which they have never experienced. We were there for well over an hour. They discovered quartz, sea glass, snails, and even a crab.
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June 26
Made it at last to Maine. Today’s drive was much easier than yesterday’s. The weather leaves a little to be desired; cold and foggy. We had a nice lunch overlooking the water before getting on the ferry. The kids enjoyed biking, although Robin is not used to hills or requiring use of bike brakes and she rode directly into a bush and halfway into the ocean. Now she doesn’t want to bike ride anymore. We’ll break her in. It’s been great spending time with Aunt Cathrine and Uncle Bob. Looking forward to a quiet week ahead.
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June 25
I forgot NYC traffic. I think I got one or two new gray hairs today. The traffic itself doesn’t bother me, but the cutting in and out drives me crazy. People are so disrespectful on the roads, it is unbelievable. And completely draining to deal with. A 7-hour drive took 9+ to complete because of traffic, and we didn’t even go over the George Washington Bridge or through the Bronx as the Yankees game was ending. But here we are, and I had awesome ribs and mashed potatoes and beer for dinner and now the kids are at the pool and honestly, it’s good. A few more little old hours and we’ll be on the beach. Cannot wait!
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June 24
The trip is underway. We were delayed a few hours because our a/c stopped working last night. The technician came by this morning and luckily it was a quick, easy fix. And then on the road! We couldn’t agree on where to go for dinner once we arrived in Virginia, and Robin and Christina weren’t thrilled about where we ended up, but turns out the food was great and they had something for everyone. I even got a BLT, which I had been craving in the car but never thought in a million years I’d find on any menu anywhere on our way. We hit traffic as we crossed into South Carolina for about 50 miles, but otherwise was smooth sailing. Tomorrow we head through Washington, DC, Baltimore, and NYC… headed through the Bronx at the end of a Yankees game… so I am not expecting great things, traffic-wise. I made a great 60’s playlist (I mean, truly great), and it is 19 hours of music, so it should get us to New Haven, no problem. I sang almost the whole way today. I’m sure I drove Billy crazy, but OH FUCKING WELL.
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June 23
Busy day getting ready to travel. I was trying to wrap up several things at work, but kept having to step away for one reason or another. This was a worthy cause, though. The kids spent the week at summer camp preparing a production of “Stone Soup,” and it was really good! Christina was the narrator and Robin was on the production crew. A nice break in the day.
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June 22
Did a little shopping for Christina for our upcoming trip. It looks like it will be a little chilly in Maine, so we had to get her some long pants and long-sleeve shirts. She got cute stuff. Watched the Yankees lose bad. Finished rereading all the Harry Potter books. Now what?
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June 21
Time is slipping me by. I have had very little of it for myself, and when I do, I don’t know what to do with myself. I end up staring in space, running through lists of things I could do to fill up time, never actually doing anything. I need to do something replenishing, and soon. I’m fading into the ether, losing touch. Nothing feels right.
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June 19
So much driving around today. Dropped kids off at camp, went to restaurant to pick up credit card I left behind yesterday, went to Panera for coffee, Whole Foods to return ballet shoes that didn’t fit Christina, got gas, then worked (on a company holiday), showered, picked up kids from camp, took Christina to dance, came home for an hour, took Robin to cheer, picked Christina up from dance, had dinner, picked Robin up from cheer. Billy went to the garage where they towed his car on Saturday. They said they’d towed 17 cars there on Saturday. Yikes. Booked the last hotels for our vacation and also reserved a sunset kayak tour at Acadia on the 4th of July. I’m going to force the kids to suffer through a strenuous hike up Cadillac Mountain. Better bring some good snacks. And earplugs.
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June 18
I finally got back into the yard to do some weeding and found even more hydrangea blooms. We have three plants right next to each other and each one is a different color – purple, white, pink. Who knew the soil pH could vary so much in such a small space?
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June 17
The weather has been wild lately. This morning Billy hydroplaned right off the highway during a rainstorm. Luckily he didn’t hit anything and no one got hurt, but there was enough damage to the car that it had to be towed to a nearby garage. While he was on the phone with AAA for a tow, a woman flipped her car right next to his. Thankfully she wasn’t hurt either, but wow. What a morning.
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June 16
It was a hectic day. We spent time at a memorial service with Billy’s friend, Huie, whose father recently passed away. It was a lot of driving and I let myself be pulled in too many directions, but it was good to see old friends that we just don’t see very often. Next time it will be under better circumstances.
Year in Photos 