Catch Up Photos

Like everyone else, I would imagine, there are times that I take photos and just forget to do something with them, as in file them properly or show them or whatever.  This is just a little post to catch up on a couple of wonderful times with my granddaughter Hannah.  These first ones go back to their first visit over to the new house in Georgia.  Hannah decided to take a swim in the whrilpool bathtub, and I had never had one of these and had certainly not ever put bubbles into one.  Also like everyone else, I would imagine, I used too much and we had to shut the jets off for a while.  So Hannah in the tub... mommy Samantha acting as lifeguard:

And this single photo is from my trip 8/15/10 over to Hope Mills to see all the work that David and Samantha had done on their bump-out addition to the kitchen.  It's really looking good.  I also had not seen the yard since they removed all their trees, planted grass, and Samantha had planted her gardens.  This is just me and my little Hannah just before I pulled out to head back to GA.

Family Visit August 27-29,2010

Oh it was a very nice weekend indeed.  On Friday I took delivery of my new black refrigerator and of course it looks better in the kitchen.  The doors are also hinged on the correct side so I no longer have to walk around the door to get something out of it.  Such a small thing and such happiness :)  Later in the evening David, Samantha, Hannah and Rossi pulled in towing their empty trailer with their big new truck.  When they left, just a short time ago, they left with the old refrigerator that they are going to use as a second beer-making refrigerator along with all my living room seats -- the black leather loveseat and chair, and my wonderful, very old, very comfortable LaZBoy recliner.  I will live without living room furniture for just a few days as the new stuff is ordered and will be here on Thursday.  Until then, I'll live just fine.  Saturday David and I tore off and replaced the top boards of the deck railings which is coming along nicely.  Sunday morning Carolyn, Chris, little Will and Chris' brother Carlos came over to the house for a bit of breakfast and a visit which was very nice indeed.  Now, the house is empty... of people and furniture.

Hannah looking very much the part of the little lady that she is.

David went in to get Hannan up from her nap.  When he didn't return after quite a while, I went to check up on him.  He was very successful as you can see.

OK... Hannah's up.  Now to get Daddy up!

Hannah at work, sitting on my very favorite rocking/recliner that is headed over to Hannah's house.  I thought I'd be a nice grandpa and said something like "Oh, Hannah.  You know how to use a computer."  Hannah immediately responded with "Grandpa, it's a iPad."  Oh...

The living room is just a bit bare at the moment but I think it looks pretty good all the same.  Anyone want to dance?

Connecticut

By speical request by special friends I'm putting this bit of info out along with some photographs.  I lived in Middletown, CT, from May 2006 until February 2010.  Middletown is pretty much in the center of the state, about 15 miles south of Hartford.  I thoroughly enjoyed my time in CT and found it to be incredibly pretty, and incredibly hilly.  Head up northwest for an hour or so and you're in some serious mountains, the upper Appalachians to be exact.  I was not expecting that at all and made a point of riding my motorcycle throughout just about all of the state.  I'm not unhappy about leaving CT though; their politics and taxes are not at all to my liking.  So, some photos of my little Cape Cod in Middletown, CT.

In November of 2008

Again, November of 2008.  I was the last house on the street before the end of the cul de sac.  The wetlands you see were technically on my property and they go all the way to the back of the house and beyond.  I say technically because technically I couldn't do anything with it except pay taxes on it, technically.

I loved this deck and the patio below it.  The house was on a rather severe slope and was the only one with a retaining wall, just beyond the fence.  This was a rather nice private area. 

Again the back, this time looking more towards the house.

August 22, 2010 Motorcycling

I enjoy riding motorcycles and have ridden for a number of years.  I enjoy long, multi-state trips and I enjoy just exploring the areas around my home.  I've ridden with a lot of wonderful riders, and some not so wonderful.  The best riding group was the Jerseypine Cruisers in the Chicago area.  If you're looking for a wonderful bunch of seasoned, safe riders, look them up.  I miss riding with that group, particularly my favorite riding partner of all time, Steve.  I also miss Bill, Chris, and Andy.  Steve and I just meshed from the first little ride we took together, coming home after a rather unpleasant ride to dinner with the group.  From that time on, it was nothing but good times shared.  Steve was going to come down to GA this summer but I asked him to hold off for a year.  Just like when I moved to CT in May 2006, I don't get out much the first year because there's too much work to be done.  Steve made it to CT twice... once solo.  I got out today for a rather nice ride in central/western GA.  I bought a MAD map of the area.  Overpriced, without question, but I have to give them credit because the loop I made today, down to the Warm Springs area and FDR state park, was rather nice.  Great roads with little, if any traffic,  getting down there I 'found' the speedway just because I rode past it.  Now if there's a race that attracts me, at least I know where the place is.

Proof I was there.  Of course, several hundred thousand others had already been there before me!

Something eerie about having the place to oneself.

First Post

OK, here we go.  This is the first post on this blog and a new adventure for me.  Being a rather private fellow putting something out on the internet is not something that comes naturally in any way, shape, or form, but what the hell.  First subject?  I guess the house... people ask about the house.  Where I live and all of that.  I live in Douglasville, GA, having relocated here from Middletown, CT in late February of this year, 2010.  So, some photos of the main areas of the house.

Up the cliff that is the driveway and you're there.

 The kitchen, looking into the dining room. Need to replace that white refrigerator.

 In the dining room, looking back through the kitchen towards the porch and back yard.

The dining room.

The dining room, looking out the front of the house.

Kitchen and eating area.

Looking from the kitchen into the living/great room; more doors to the porch.

Again, looking through the living room towards the front door; office/bedroom in the distance.

Up near the top of the driveway

Pretty much the whole of the front of the house.

 

At the top, looking back down the driveway which falls off VERY steeply.

 

The front door area.

 

The porch/deck area which I really enjoy.

And looking out into the yard.  It's rather quiet and rather private.  I like both.

OK, that's enough for one posting session.  I'm rather proud of myself for getting this far :)