Back in School and Loving It!

Needless to say, this was a long rough year. I've very grateful to the faculty and students of Richmond Middle and High School for helping me to integrate into the community. Now its my turn to become the student. Moving back to Social Studies has invigorated me to go back to school to work along with other educators and adults passionate about teaching, public administration, governance, politics and learning. This week I started the Summer Technology Institute in Belfast. Its a week long course, I've very excited as it fits perfectly with my probationary teacher goals. I'll finish the course, participate in reading discussions and work on a project that I will actually be using in the class room. Perfect. I'll have a week reprieve and then my Public Administration Course begins. It will be a busy summer, hopefully I stay disciplined. I've been accepted into a C.A.S. program so these classes will count towards that degree and help me with my teaching.

Don't Call Me Shirley

Leslie Nielson died this morning. He starred in my favorite comedy of all time - Airplane!. He will forever represent wacky comedies and bonding with my grandfather - a self proclaimed dumb Polack from Brooklyn that smelled of Garcia y Vega Cigars and Smirnoff Vodka. Priceless.

Operation: Dinner Out

I made reservations at Apollo's Bistro in Waterville to celebrate our anniversary. We had eaten there once before. The spring after Aden was born, I surprised Ciara with a full day at the Spa including a lunch upstairs in the Bistro. She has had her haircut there since, but this was our first opportunity to dress up and enjoy a night out for dinner. Ciara wore the dress I bought for her in Boston. She had been looking for shoes with Marie and I was keeping an eye on Aden. In doing so, I saw an extremely HOT dress and told Ciara she had to try it on. Needless to say, she sizzled and insisted we buy it.

Ciara ordered the Mixed Apple Salad as a starter. On the salad was a stuffed Squash blossom that was fantastic.

For our main meals, Ciara had the Butter Poached Lobster with homemade gnocchi in a beur blanc sauce.


I had braised rib over tagliattle with a bolognese sauce. MMMM. Both dishes were delicious but my favorite was the gnocchi.

We followed dinner with coffee and dessert - a flourless chocolate torte for me and creme brulee for her. She said it was the best she had ever had. We then went and saw Dinner for Schmucks. It was good, but the evening alone with her was great.

The Commies Are Coming!!!

Aden has become a huge fan of Thomas The Tank Engine. Jared commented that the series is communist propaganda. I can definitely see aspects to support this such as when Sir Topham Hat, the head of the rail road, is described as the most important man on the island similar to the Chairman of the Communist Party. Though the same could also be Capitalist allegory. Topham, the head of industry is, by default, the political, cultural leader of the island. Either way, Thomas the Train pulled into Boothbay on Friday afternoon. Aden and Rylan were there supervising both Nannies and Ciara.

They troop continued to Moose Crossings hoping to get some more Scotch Moss to add to our garden pathway. They were disappointed to find the store closing, and decided to venture to the Narrows for lunch and drinks to console their spirits.

Nanny Noonoos came back to our house. She stayed the next night so that Ciara and I could go out for our anniversary.

"Hey Guys, you talkin' 'bout me?"; PeePee on the Road

It was a Mommy, Daddy, Aden, Rylan, Basker and Aden day!!! We go camping and I get marshmellows, and chocolate and crackers!!!! But I don't sleep in tent I sleep in my own red sleeping bag!!! It was a really really really long drive. I had to go pee pee on the road so I don't get my undies wet.

Rylan was upset so Mommy came a sat with us. Basker helped Daddy drive but he was tired and fell asleep. Oh nooooo!!


I helped get wood to make a fire. We need a lot of wood to make a fire.


Mommy put up the tent.


Rylan ate dirt.

Then I made.......sausage.



Daddy used the camera to take pictures.



In the morning I taught Daddy the right way to go pee pee.



We went to see a light house but I took a little nap.


I like purple flowers.

We went to Canada and saw fast water....


a pretty house...



and Whales.... They're sooo cute.



Then we got soda.

I was scared.

The baby seals were so cute....
And a boat with purple sails.

There was BIG BLUEBERRY!!!

Ahhh and little baby blueberries...

I have to go pee pee now. Bye.

Eat This, Goldsmith!!!!

Last night I ran my second 5K of the summer....of my life for that matter. I had asked long time friend Holly if she wanted to participate in the Roland Dyer Memorial Run. She was easily convinced as her visiting cousin/long distance runner Justin was a shoe in. She convinced Ciara to do the run as well. Ciara was nervous all day, having run about 2 miles the day before and struggling. Justin, Ciara and I each won for our age groups. Justin is a very good runner and Ciara had the best time of the three of us "adults", Holly was next just ahead of me. The lesson I've learned from these races is you don't have to be fast to win, just the lone entry. We all felt great afterward and enjoyed some Spanky's pizza and sandwiches. Ciara and I will try to do another before the end of the summer because.....why not. We didn't have our camera at the event so once I get the rest of the photos from Nanny 'J' I'll post them. Tomorrow, Ciara and I head for Cobscook bay for a 2 night camping trip with the boys. The trip should be a blast.

Bon Voyage, Marie

We got back into town late Saturday night. The previous 3 days and 2 nights were spent in Boston as a last horrah before saying good bye to our friend Marie. It was a great trip to the big city including dinner with friends Caroline, Josh and Noah and a light early dinner and cocktails at the Top of the Hub restaurant in the Prudential Tower. We splurged and stayed right in the city and so did more walking and T riding than previous trips. It gave me a much better understanding of the city layout. Each step and each passing hour, brought us closer to the impending goodbye.


Marie was with us for about three weeks. Needless to say, Marie became part of the family. She was willing to try anything and met a slew of new people, both from France and Maine. Her french friends became our friends and our Mainer friends became hers. I hope that she got as much from being here as we did hosting. There was a lot going on during the time - we went camping near Sebec Lake, hiking in Acadia, we went to the Celtic Celebration in Belfast and did our best to put on a "Quatorze de Juillet" (Bastille Day) party. In-laws from Ireland visited as did friends from Portland and beyond. We cooked, We did yard work, we swam, we cleaned. Here are some pictures from our New England Odyssey. We will miss you Marie.





















































Merci beaucoup, Marie. Nous espérons vous voir bientôt.