Thursday, February 26, 2009

Its that time again, my 4th wedding anniversary is coming up in two weeks. Again, what to do it upon us? For once, I wish my husband would plan something special and surprise me, but I am practical and know that is not going to ever happen. I have booked us for the weekend after for a night in Boston, and going to our favorite restaurant chain "Capital Grille". It might seem silly that a "CHAIN" Restaurant is our favorite, being foodies and all, but it is really because we discovered it together the day after we were married.

It was March 12, 2005, we were staying at the Providence Courtyard because we were not flying out until the next day for our honeymoon. It was snowing and we were looking for a nice place for dinner and I saw an add for Capital Grille and remember there was one in Hartford and people always said it was good. So, I called and made a reservation, they even asked if it was something special we were celebrating, and of course, I was gushing.. We had the most attentive dinner, and then a free glass of champagne and the best service, wonderful booth the whole experience made us smile.

While we were in Chicago on our honeymoon we found another Capital Grille and made a reservation and again was asked if it was something special, and again service was incredible, food wonderful we were hooked. When we moved to Charlotte, NC there was one there, unfortunately, we did not have enough money to go, so we never did, which I regret.

We are going back to it for this anniversary and I am so excited, to see how Boston compares to the Providence and Chicago version of their restaurants. We have been back to Providence and the Chicago one, not celebrating but because we were in town and could afford to splurge. This year has been a trying year for us both, and we decided a month ago to do this and started saving, because we want to enjoy ourselves and not worry about the bill when it comes.

4th Anniversary Gift: Traditional Alumium, Modern: Linens/Silk just a tip..

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

From the New London Day - PASS IT ON!!

By Kenton Robinson Published on 2/21/2009
END OF AN ERA

Now that the Obama administration has failed us, it's time to start thinking about 2012.

Imagine! One whole month into his presidency, and Obama hasn't: A) ended the war in Iraq so we could wage war on Afghanistan, Iran, Venezuela and Vermont; B)yanked our great nation's economy out of the toilet so that we could get back to spending the money we never really had for stuff we never really needed; C) implemented universal health care so we could finally lipo off those love handles; D) halted global warming so that we could have a nice cold, snowy winter like the winters we used to have; E) smoked Osama bin Laden out of his hidey hole; or even F) fulfilled every all-American couch-potato's constitutionally God-given-right to a digital-ready high-def flat-screen TV.

And that's hardly a comprehensive list of Obama's miserable failures. He has not - not once - stopped by to help me clean out my attic. Clearly, this whole “hope” thing was nothing but a sham.

Just about the only thing Obama has “accomplished” is to tell Homeland Security to stop torturing people who happen to look al-Qaidish. This will come as a relief to a lot of cabbies and clerks, but it's just the sort of panty-waist namby-pambyism Dick Cheney warned us about.

Obama's problem is that he never understood the importance of torture. How on earth does he expect to get anything done if he doesn't use it? Want to get those Wall Street bankers into line? Waterboard 'em. How about those pesky Republicans in the House and Senate? Shoot 'em in the face.

Think Obama will do that? No. Which is why I say we can't start planning soon enough to throw the bum out.

Speaking of Dick, he'd be the perfect bum to take Obama's place. This is because what we need is not a hopey bipartisan nebbish, but a leader, a torturer.

Cheney, with a little help from Joe Lieberman, would really turn things around. Or how about Sarah Palin, known for her exquisite torture of the English language? Or Mitt Romney, the man who tied his dog to the roof of his car? Or Rush Limbaugh, or Ann Coulter, both of whom torture logic every day?

Now we're talking hope.

Monday, February 23, 2009

This was my horoscope from the day: VIRGO: Indecision will come back to haunt you. Just because something is new or unfamiliar doesn't mean it cannot work. Open your mind to the possibilities and you will be able to perfect whatever needs adjusting. You are on the verge of a breakthrough.

I was a bit upset about my new position because even only 2 weeks in, and I feel as if I can be fired at anytime. I feel as if I might of made the wrong decision but I have to stick with it, due to we can not move again, we have nothing right now. I do try to keep my thoughts to myself, do not want to upset my husband. He has been so supportive of me and he always tells me, I can do this job, and he gives me tips and advise on making it better at work.

He is out shoveling right now, we got so much snow yet again!!!

Saturday, February 21, 2009

I will admit I have become addicted to "Face book" it is so cool, you can look up people from your past and send them a message. I love it, and even though I work on a computer all day at work, I still go home after work and sometimes just sit down and play on face book, some people I look up I do not contact, but still look to see where they are and admit look at the pictures.

It is amazing how easy it is to be nosey without hurting anyone or even letting them know you are looking at their picture and stuff. If I was a Private Investigator, I would definitely start on My space and Face book, it is amazing how many people are on them. Face book is not just for kids as I thought. I am also on "Linked In" but that is mostly for work colleagues and job hunting. Our whole world has become a giant computer screen, when someone tells me something and I am not completely sure what they are talking about, or want to know more I google it. My boss the other day is you google everything, yes I do.

When I was interviewing I made sure to google and look up each company that was interested in me, and that I wanted to work for, including the top employees, in this day in age you should never go into an interview blind, know something about the company and their philosophy so you can tell if it is the right fit for you. You never can tell completely if it is right for you, but you can get a general idea.

My motto is be prepared. Back to work..

Thursday, February 19, 2009

I am going to vent a bit, on my new job. When I was interviewing I really liked the GM and DOS/M and the team atmosphere. I was told this position was Social Catering Sales/Convention Services. Great, I love the social part and enjoy the detailing. It is a wonderful small Inn.

Then before I started a new GM came in, and I have been informed on top of the other two positions, I am now the Banquet Manager, it is upsetting me beyond belief. My body is not up to handling being a Banquet Manager position and my main job will suffer when all they want is $$ and showing of my sales. I have to talk to the GM but it scares me because NH is a no fault state they can let me go with no reason at anytime.

But I have to or I will suffer.

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): You can't put all your hopes on one person or project or you will be disappointed. Expand your way of thinking and be innovative and imaginative if you want to excel. Don't overspend.

I am again worried about my position at the new place. I am trying not to be offended by what they are doing, but I will muddle through. I want to stay put for atleast 2 years, but realize that my husband and I are very resourceful and no matter what life throws at us we will survive together. His own company is off to a good start this New Year, and will continue to grow and prosper.

I have decided while working at this position, I am going to finally finish my wedding book and get it on line, so if anything happens I will still have something to fall back on.

Hope everyone is doing well this New Year, and it will be interesting to see what 2009 brings with it.

Saturday, February 14, 2009

Happy Valentine Day: I worked for most of the day, and then we started to unpack some of our kitchen stuff, we did put the bed together and have realized we do not have any sheets, or glasses. We are going to the Storage Shed tomorrow to get a few more things and try to find our sheets and some brackets we need to put the dining room table together.

We actually had such a nice talk today, since we have been moving every year since we have been married we want to really embrace this home and decorate it, finally get curtains and make it a home. We are planning on being here for at least 2 years, it might be even longer depending on my position. I am still so scared I made the wrong choice, but it has only been 1 week. You never know when you start a new job, it is so hard to feel everyone out and try to work through the land mines in office politics.

Did I take the position due to the fact it had been 130 days and I was so upset that I wanted and we needed money I took one without really looking at the position and if it really is the right fit for myself.

HAPPY VALENTINE DAY!!

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

I will admit I hate starting a new job. Yes, I like the town and my job, but when you first start, you have to ask alot of questions and if people are busy,you are the last on their list of thing to do is train.

Luckily, I have done this job before, so I am making my calls and follow ups which is hard due to when it has been months since they have been talked to or contacted. Brides can be tough if they feel people are not taking care of them, then they are livid and can fly off the handle for no reason.

Weddings are emotional. I already have 2 tough weddings, one is the bride who wants me to be her own personal assistant and the MOB who thinks she knows better than everyone else, oh goody, tough!!!

I need to book more weddings but lets be honest phone not ringing. I am thinking after this weekend, the phone will be ringing next week.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Well, I started my new job yesterday, it is going well. It is amazing what you need to do when starting a new job, and trying to figure out where you fit in or don't fit in. I do love the Inn, so looking forward to making it a success, along with getting my confidence back.

REALITY REAL HOUSEWIVES OF THE OC

Ok - first I watched the Chicago one when Vicki and Jeanna went out to see Shane play baseball. I was offended by the way Shane and his brother Colby talked to their mother Jeanna and I wonder if I was offended on TV how did the other people feel who were sitting at the dinner?

On the other hand the editing was so bad, when dinner started they showed Shane eating the last of his steak, then cut to him eating soup, then cut again, the waitress serving the Steak, then cut to end of dinner and then back again to Shane eating the Steak. They manipulated the whole dinner, so as the audience we have no idea what really happened or how.

Next- Lynn you need to stop babying Rachel, she is 18 get a job or go to school, you are not helping her by letting her just drift, what kind of productive person is she going to be, if you just let her do whatever she wants and you will pay for it?
Underage drinking is wrong no matter what!!! Do you seriously think she is not drinking away from the house,if you are letting her drink at your parties?

Then I watched Las Vegas- Again, they manipulated the dinner, first Vicki had her drink and then appetizers, then cut to dinner being served, then back again to appetizers. I hate being manipulated, it did seem Vicki was trying to be nice to Lynn but it was a effort, but not sure if that is real or not.

I am looking forward to tonights show with the road trip, and next week the Real Housewives of NY are coming back, and it looks like the gloves are off, and we get to see what these women are made of really.

Saturday, February 07, 2009

Beautiful Saturday morning here in Naples, ME. It is about 20' degrees, may be less but since I am sitting at the kitchen table looking at all the snow for miles. I just packed up for my first week in Wolfeboro. I only have 4 suits with me, so I will be changing shirts to change the outfit, due to working 6 days this week.

We are going to be back in Naples for Valentine's Day, the hotel is sold out which is fine, by then I will need laundry and we should know if we are getting the apartment we applied for, if we get it we will start moving stuff on Sunday, still being at the hotel and do it slowly. Well, the husband moving stuff while I work. I am looking forward to getting back to work, but will admit, I am alittle scared.

I know Wolfeboro will be beautiful in a few months when Spring hits and then summer, it will be exciting. Happy to be back with a hotel open all year, not seasonally, that is tough to take. The husband is working hard on his business, and I really would love it for him not to have to take a job outside the home. I know his business will be a success he just needs to be able to make it work.

Friday, February 06, 2009

For me it is over after 128 days I start a new job on Monday. Excited by very nervous. The husband has had no luck, so he is finally applying for unemployment. It is so easy to get behind when you are unemployed, so now we are going to start catching up on some bills. We know we were luckier then most, and family has helped us out to stay.

I am most looking forward to having our own place again, and feeling part of a community. I hope people realize how tough times are and to be nicer, and help everyone needs alittle help every so often. We appreciate all both our families did for us during this time,so basically pay it forward.

Associated Press BELOW:

Employer Slashes 598K Jobs in January, Unemployment Rate Jumps to 7.6%
The Labor Department's report is grim proof the nation's job climate is deteriorating at an alarming clip with no end in sight.

AP

Friday, February 06, 2009

The Labor Department's report, released Friday, showed the terrible toll the drawn-out recession is having on workers and companies. It also puts even more pressure on President Obama to revive the economy.

The latest net total of job losses was far worse than the 524,000 that economists expected. Job reductions in November and December also were deeper than previously reported.

With cost-cutting employers in no mood to hire, the unemployment rate bolted to 7.6 percent in January, the highest since September 1992. The increase in the jobless rate from 7.2 percent in December also was worse than the 7.5 percent rate economists expected.

All told, the economy has lost a staggering 3.6 million jobs since the recession began in December 2007. About half of this decline occurred in the past three months.

Factories slashed 207,000 jobs in January, the largest one-month drop since October 1982, partly reflecting heavy losses at plants making autos and related parts. Construction companies got rid of 111,000 jobs. Professional and business services chopped 121,000 positions. Retailers eliminated 45,000 jobs. Leisure and hospitality axed 28,000 slots.

Those reductions swamped employment gains in education and health services, as well as in the government.

Just in the 12 months ending January, an astonishing 3.5 million jobs have vanished, the most on record going back to 1939, although the total number of jobs has grown significantly since then.

Employers are slashing payrolls and turning to other ways to cut costs -- including trimming workers' hours, freezing wages or cutting pay -- to cope with shrinking appetites from customers in the U.S. and overseas, who are struggling with their own economic troubles.

The average work week in January stayed at 33.3 hours, matching the record low set in December.

With no place to go, the number of unemployed workers climbed to 11.6 million.

Over the past 12 months, the number of unemployed has increased by 4.1 million, and the unemployment rate has risen by 2.7 percentage points.

Job hunters also are facing longer searches for work.

The average time it took for an unemployed person to find any job -- full or part time -- rose to 19.8 weeks in January, compared with 17.5 weeks a year ago, underscoring the increasing difficulty the out-of-work are having in finding a new job.

Workers with jobs saw modest wage gains.

Average hourly earnings rose to $18.46 in January, up 0.3 percent from the previous month. Over the year, wages have risen 3.9 percent.

An avalanche of layoffs is slamming the country from a wide swath of employers.

Caterpillar Inc., Pfizer Inc., Microsoft Corp., Estee Lauder Cos., Time Warner Cable Inc., and Sprint Nextel Corp. are among the companies slicing payrolls. Manufacturers -- especially car makers -- construction companies and retailers have been particularly hard hit by the recession.

Americans cut back sharply on spending at the end of last year, thrusting the economy into its worst backslide in a quarter-century. The tailspin could well accelerate in the current January-March quarter to a rate of 5 percent or more as the recession drags on into a second year, and consumers and businesses burrow deeper.

Many economists predict the current quarter -- in terms of lost economic growth -- will be the worst of the recession.

With fallout from the housing, credit and financial crises -- the worst since the 1930s -- ripping through the economy, analysts predict up to 3 million jobs will vanish this year -- even if Congress quickly approves the stimulus measure, which has ballooned to more than $900 billion in the Senate.

Obama has been making repeated pleas to Congress to swiftly enact a package of increased government spending, including big public works projects and tax cuts, to revive the economy and create jobs. Obama says his plan will save or create more than 3 million jobs in the next two years.

The economy's problems have proven stubborn. Despite record low interest rates ordered by the Federal Reserve and a raft of radical programs, including a $700 billion financial bailout, consumers and businesses face high hurdles to borrow money. Foreclosures are skyrocketing, home prices are sinking and Wall Street remains on edge.

Wednesday, February 04, 2009

Today, we went to Wolfeboro, NH to look around for apartments/housing. We saw a real cute one right by the Town Hall, I loved the fact on first floor, downtown, all the walls were painted colors not that basic white and a washer/dryer in the apartment. Didn't like the fact small, and only 2 bedroom and no study, and no dining room. The Kitchen was long but not big enough for our dining room table. I like having a spare bedroom in case of company.

We looked at this perfect house big enough great room, newly painted, huge walk in closet, storage, deck off the back. Didn't like again only 2 bedrooms but still pretty big, not in town at least 6 miles away may not sound like a lot but try getting through Wolfeboro in the summertime?

We have decided to apply for the 1st place we saw when we came up for my 1st face to face interview. I can walk to work, it has 2 bedrooms and a study, yes on the 2nd floor but no one above us. It does have its down falls but of all the ones we saw which besides the other 2 mentioned we saw 5 more, not worth mentioning. Then we went looking for grocery stores, it looks like we will no longer be going to Shaw's it will be "Hannaford's" which is fine and new at that place.

So, now we wait to see if we get the place, and until then we move into the Hotel.

Tuesday, February 03, 2009

Day 127- A good day for me. I did get the job offer from the place in Wolfeboro, NH, so now we are on the phone and online looking for a place to live. They are nice enough to let us stay in the hotel for the next two weeks, we are hoping to find a place before that time is up. The husband is trying to find people willing to work with us on the deposit, being out of work for 4 months is very hard on the check book, and once you start a job it is at least 2 weeks before your first paycheck.

I really am excited to be going back to work, and a bit scared. New company, new place, I really like my new bosses, and am looking forward to settling down with a company I can grow with and not move for at least 3 years, if even then. Wolfeboro is such a cute town, it does remind me of Starrs Hollow we will have to wait and see how the people are once we are settled into the town. Even though we did look in Illinois and Wisconsin to be closer to his family and friends, I am a New England girl and for me it is the place to be.

Thanks everyone for listening to my rants on being unemployed. We are now embarking on another new state and new place to live, you never know what this new adventure will bring.
Northeast Colchester Crime & Courts Education Business Environment Bizarre Motorcycles News Columnists Bill Stanley
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The article below is from the Norwich Bulletin, my real hometown paper. I know I quote the New London Day more than ever, but once in awhile I do read this paper online too.

I am a Norwich girl, and my family was very involved in the community, as was my grandparents. I remember these men that are in the article, and as a young girl seriously thought they ran the City of Norwich. It used to remind me of, "A Wonderful Life" and them being the Mr. Potter and the rest of us like the Savings and Loan.

It was never that bad, but the point was the men mentioned in this article really only wanted what they considered the best for Norwich. They gave up their time, and time with their families to go to meetings and make a difference.

My stepfather was on the City Council along with my Uncle, and my mom was involved in the Republican Town Committee, and Rose Arts Festival. So, when I read this it brought back so many memories. I do love to read Bill Stanley and how he captures all the different times in Norwich, he is the true historian to Norwich.


By BILL STANLEY
For The Norwich Bulletin
Posted Jan 24, 2009 @ 11:12 PM

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Once upon a time, my wife, Peggy, and I were attending an awards banquet at the old Sheraton Hotel. During the program, the master of ceremonies wanted to recognize two men for a successful civic project.


He pointed to philanthropist and former electrical contractor, Bill O’Neil, and said this town should be grateful for Bill, and then he looked to Stanley Israelite and continued the sentence with Stanley. He was recognizing Bill O’Neil and Stanley Israelite, but to the crowd, the only words they heard were, “This project wouldn’t have happened without Bill Stanley.”


That night, as we got our coats, a half dozen or more people patted me on the back and told me, “Good work,” when, in fact, I hadn’t done anything.


But fate is often like that. Stanley Israelite and Bill Stanley have been around in this town for more years than we want to remember. In fact, we started very much alike. He, with his father, operated a jewelry store on Main Street. I, with my mother, operated a gift and photo shop on Franklin Street.


In time, Stan Israelite would move to community service with the Chamber of Commerce; later, with the Norwich Community Development Corp., create Norwich’s Industrial Park, and go on to be the chief of staff for U.S. Sen. Christopher Dodd.


I would close the gift shop, become a stockbroker, later become state senator for the region, then a host of community projects, from developing Cambridge Estates and the creation of St. Jude Common for the frail elderly.


I headed a host of charitable fundraisers and served on the board of The William W. Backus Hospital and the Southeastern Connecticut Water Authority. Oh, yes, and published seven books and have been writing a column for some 18 years for the Sunday Bulletin.


Rotary award
Last week, the Norwich Rotary presented both Stanleys — myself and Stanley Israelite — with the Paul Harris Service Beyond Self Award. In the presentation, it was pointed out that Stanley Israelite and Bill Stanley had worked for years to improve Norwich. To the casual listener, one might have concluded they worked together as a team, but nothing could be further from the truth. Stan Israelite and Bill Stanley both fought for what they believed was the good of Norwich’s future.


Israelite, in accepting Rotary’s highest honor, pointed out that he and Bill Stanley were actual combatants and were on opposite sides of most local issues. I can tell you, the contest was a lot more complicated than just Bill Stanley and Stanley Israelite.
In the 1950s and 1960s, there was a colorful cast of characters — most of them now gone — who made Norwich a very interesting and politically active place.


A team
There was a young, energetic attorney who came to town in the 1950s named Milton Jacobson. Like Stan Israelite, he became very active in community service. The two of them teamed up and, working with then City Council President Eugene Sullivan, created Norwich’s Community Development Corporation.


For Israelite, Jacobson and Sullivan, it was a labor of love. They succeeded in purchasing land from Herman Sharps in Yantic and developed a successful industrial park.


Bill Stanley, after the 1963 Spaulding Pond flood, headed the fund drive to re-establish the 37 businesses that were wiped out during the flood and later ran the most successful United Fund campaign, which was credited with saving the United Fund in Eastern Connecticut.


Legendary Democratic Town Chairman Philip Shannon saw in me a candidate for state senator. With his backing, and a series of local primaries, we were successful in 1966 in winning the state Senate for Norwich and eight surrounding towns.


The political wars, as they were known, raged between Shannon and myself on the one hand, and Stan Israelite, Milt Jacobson and Eugene Sullivan on the other. You know, looking back, our fights were intense and very often front page news, but at this moment, I can’t remember the details of a single one. Maybe they weren’t so important after all.


Split the council
The strange thing about the political alliance was it split the Norwich City Council. The president, Gene Sullivan, lined up with Israelite and Jacobson. The Democratic majority, including Arthur Sylvia, Jake Fusaro, Jim Quarto, John Ryan, Stanley Taraskiewicz and Dick Ziff joined forces with Phil Shannon and me.


Stanley Israelite had a secret weapon, which he told the Rotarians about last Wednesday. When the battle between us became too hot and public, he would always contact Monsignor Joseph King, who was then pastor at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and I would get an unexpected visit from monsignor. I think his job, as Israelite once said, was to put Stanley — Bill Stanley, that is — back in his cage. We wondered aloud last Wednesday if the good monsignor, now in Heaven, would be looking down in disbelief as Stanley Israelite and Bill Stanley shared the honors of the Norwich Rotary.


If he was a spectator, he would certainly be smiling in disbelief.


Today, the Norwich Industrial Park is known as the Stanley Israelite Business Park. The two of us seem to be walking toward the sunset in the late afternoon of our lives having done just about all we can for the city we love and her people.


While neither of us are Rotarians, we both thank this wonderful public service-oriented group for its recognition. Coming from Rotary, it means more than they can possibly know for both Stanley Israelite and myself.

Monday, February 02, 2009

Day 126- I truly believe the Wolfeboro position will come about soon, so we decided not to spend the money and go down to Lynchburg, VA. Instead, we are going to visit friends in CT for the day and of course, go down to "Book Barn" in East Lyme, our favorite bookstore in the world.

We stayed at my older sis's house last night, she was in PA visiting her husband who had gotten a position down there after his lay off a few months back, her kids are both in college. I love her house my sister has quite the decorating ability, I would love. She finds interesting pieces all over and makes it something you would not predict. In her bathroom, she has a wooden plank with 3 old faucets attached, something you would find in a hardware store to sell the faucets. She is using it to hang her necklaces. She has different frames of her family, and the wonderful colors on the walls.

Her house should be in House and Gardens or Town and Country something like that, it really is a home to show and the fact that it makes you feel so comfortable. I really do appreciate my family so much.

Sunday, February 01, 2009

I was just reading and article on a father/son team going to appear on
"Amazing Race" this season, and my husband and I should of applied. We were on the road for weeks from 11/1 - 12/11/08, and surprisely did not get in that many fights.

When it is just the 2 of you going around the country in a car, you have to figure out if you truly love this person or at 70 miles and hour do I want to throw them out the car door just to see their head bounce off the highway. Not that I thought that, but being together 24/7 is hard enough doing that in a car with absolutely no space, no privacy is something entirely different. I can see why some of these people on the show get in tiffs.

When I lost my job, we packed up the house, put everything in storage and then decided to see part of the country. We went and stayed in OH, PA, IL, SC, TN, MO, WI and drove through even more states. After we left SC we came up the Eastern Seaboard and are now back in Maine, in Naples not Phippisburg now. We do leave today to drive back down to Lynchburg, VA I have a job interview there on Tuesday morning. Actually, it was a Lynchburg paper that had the article on the father/son team due to the father lives in Lynchburg. His son is actor/writer/director Mike White ( was Jack Blacks roommate in "School of Rock" and he actually wrote it too.)

My husband and I did not really fight on the road, but will admit right now being together so much living in my mom's spare room, we are getting on each others nerves. Lately, in the afternoon I will go up there alone not to nap but to have quiet time, just to be alone. You never realize how much you crave it when it is not easy to come by. When I worked I would miss my husband, and personally that worked best for us, so when we did have time off we enjoyed each other so much more.

Well, I wish all the contestants in the "Amazing Race", a safe and hopefully not fight filled time on the show. Good Luck!!