November 27, 2012

Another entry on another day of snow.  While I do not think that we will get much accumulation, I am still new enough to the northern climate that I get a bit excited about the fluffy white stuff.  I also realized that I am not writing as much (on this blog) as I did while in Japan - and perhaps that is because we are not getting a few feet of snow a day!  Of course, there are the still seemingly endless boxes of stuff and projects around the house that keep me otherwise occupied when not chasing Stone around.  While he is very adept at keeping himself entertained, if you are not paying attention he might just do things you might not want him to do.  While the image below is not that great you can see some of the additional color he thought the floor needed.

We spent the Thanksgiving break at Ellen and Steve's place in Rhode Island.  The weather was pleasant allowing quite a bit of outside time for each of us; which, please Stone to no end.  As usual he adapted quickly to the new surroundings and acted as though the place was his once he knew where all the rooms where.  We extended our stay an extra day after exploring a bit and picking up a few fresh off of the boat lobsters.  It was my first time cooking the critters and with some help and guidance from those more experienced in getting to through the shells they were quite the tasty treat to contrast the traditional meal the day before.  I must admit I did have to complete a wardrobe change halfway through the meal as I was slimed from nearly head to toe by a vengeful crustacean.

The trip to and from Rhode Island was fairly uneventful despite the usual clueless ignorant horribly stupid and impatient drivers that obviously paid for and own all of the roads they travel on.  I really do not understand how there are so many people up here based on how poorly they drive.  OK, rant over for now ...

I was able to explore a mountain bike trail system in one of the neighboring towns and it was quite a fun network of singletrack trails in a wildlife conservation area.  It is hunting season and there were a few folks out with various weapons - fortunately I was not mistaken for anything worth putting lead into.  This tract of land has been recently approved for additional trails, so I look forward to finding out more details so add labor to increasing the network of riding options in that location.  In speaking with a few others after the ride (as they were about to begin) there are evidently trails a couple of miles from the house in another town.  So, I now have another set of trails to go find and explore and these will most likely be the trails that I can most easily access directly from the house.  Everything else will seemingly require a vehicle to get to.

Till the next entry, enjoy.

November 12, 2012

Stone is trying to take me out ... we have always played the age old game of punch daddy in the face ... one of the best games ever.  Today he took it to a different level.

We were in one of our usual giggle, tickle, wrestling sessions and per the normal routine I started getting a palm to the face which sends me great distances from Stone which brings him great pleasure.  On one return trip he grabbed a wooden maraca.  I let him know that we don't hit people with those (I could see the look in his eyes and the smirk on his face what he was planning).  Sure enough once I was within striking distance, boom!  Maraca to the top of the head.  Now, he is not that strong yet, and it did not hurt too bad; however, he did manage to hit the same spot that I keep smashing my skull into on the range hood in the new house (which is another long story that I wont go into).

I grabbed my head and rolled over in pain (as it did hurt as that spot was bleeding a few nights ago).  He got a very sullen look on his face and I said we DO NOT hit people with those.  After a few seconds of being very unsure about what was going on he gave me a hug and patted me on the shoulder to let me know that it was ok.

He does care.

November 8, 2012

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow ...

A new home, a new state and as we get settled in - the winter weather has arrived.  Our only question is did we drag the weather from Japan's previous winter to the Northeast?  Time will tell.  As for the storm to begin the season: about 2" of accumulation overnight, and now a steady rain creating a nice slurry on unplowed surfaces.  There are a large number of trucks with plows on the front - both public and private - so I do not think that will ever be a real issue here.  Again, time will tell.

We closed on the house last week and have been steadily making progress in getting things operational, yet far from organized.  With help (thanks Ellen and Steve) we have the kitchen, laundry, Stone's room and the master suite "up and running".  As we are here for a good while, we are taking a bit longer to decide on what stays and what goes ... as the blending of the Texas and Japanese stuff has been interesting.

Stone has really taken to this house.  Each time he has been in the house (the first being when it was simply framed and sided) he has run around in each space as if he had been there for years.  Normally he is a bit apprehensive when entering a new space (especially if there are new people) yet, no matter who would come in and out of a room here, he simply smiled and engaged them.  Joan and I were semi concerned for moving day as there were ~8 movers, us and lots of boxes.  Stone found some toys he had not seen in a few months (from Japan) and played quietly in the room the duration of the unloading process.

About the only thing he asks for help with is going down the stairs as they are a little slippery with socks on ... and the house has rather open acoustics so his voice carries very nicely!

I'll continue to snap a few photos and publish them throughout the process.  Thanks for reading and enjoy your day,

Jeff