Its a W.A.S.P.'s Life

2012-02-14T15:07:00.000-05:00

We are all a little weird and life's a little weird, and when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall in mutual weirdness and call it love.

Today, is the day on Feb. 14, 2005 we got our Marriage License...

Hope everyone has a wonderful Valentine's Day!!

My husband thinks it is a made up holiday, so I will get nothing, but I am trying to be used to it.

2012-02-09T13:12:00.001-05:00

I thought this article was interesting, especially since this is my field of work..

By Angela Rose, Hcareers.com

According to The Outlook for the US Economy, released by Goldman Sachs in October of 2011, “Household finances are gradually getting healthier.” This is great news for the hospitality industry. The willingness of Americans to spend their discretionary income on luxuries such as restaurant meals, hotel rooms and vacations is dependent, to some degree, on their financial situation.

Unemployment, currently at 8.3 percent, is predicted to continue its downward trend. As more Americans re-enter the workforce, their discretionary spending will increase. This, in turn, should lead to a need for increased hiring for cruise ships, restaurants, casinos, hotels, country clubs, catering companies and other hospitality-related businesses.

If you’re looking for a job in the hotel industry, 2012 could be your year. The hiring freeze instituted by some hotels the past four years is thawing. Hotels across the nation are expected to hire additional hourly staff in 2012. In fact, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data, the lodging industry has already seen an increase of about 50,000 jobs since 2009.

We can expect to see increased hiring in the restaurant industry as well. According to a National Restaurant Association News Release, 55 percent of restaurant operators plan to make a capital expenditure for equipment, expansion or remodeling in the next six months. This is the largest percentage of restaurateurs planning capital expenditures in more than four years. Expansions increase the need for new staff.

In a nationwide survey of hiring managers across all industries conducted by Harris Interactive, 23 percent planned to hire full-time, permanent employees in 2012. These survey results are supported by a recent Businessweek article, in which economists predict that 2012 will bring the creation of the most new jobs since 2006, shortly before the economy began to decline. The outlook for the hospitality industry is particularly favorable.

According to a recent ManpowerGroup survey, employers in the leisure and hospitality industry sector expect to increase their workforces by an average of 14 percent during the first quarter of 2012 alone. In fact, the hiring has already begun within the travel industry. According to the U.S. Travel Association, the travel and tourism industry has gained 224,000 new jobs since December 2009.

Hcareers.com has seen an even larger increase in the number of hospitality job postings on our website. Hospitality employers posted 35% more jobs on the website in 2011 than they did in 2010 and we’re already seeing this upward trend continue into 2012.

PKF Hospitality Research predicts that employment in the accommodations segment of the lodging industry can expect an average increase of 25,000 jobs in 2012. They also predict that demand for new workers will be highest in cities where new hotel rooms are being added, such as New York City, New Orleans, Pittsburgh, Tucson and Fort Lauderdale.

What does this mean for you? If you’re looking for a job in the hospitality industry, whether it’s in restaurants, catering and conventions, hotels, cruise ships or other hospitality fields, your employment prospects should become increasingly plentiful as 2012 progresses.

About the Author

Angela Rose researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues for Hcareers.com.

2012-02-08T12:38:00.002-05:00

I am in the process of doing a "Bridal Show Room" at the Inn. I have asked many vendors, and I am almost finished, the picture with nothing on the tables was first, then progressed as the days have been going on,what do you think?

The "BIG BOSSES" are coming today, and I want it basically finished to show them, in this economy we have to help each bride "envision" her day here at the Inn, competetion is heating up and we are all out to maximize every dollar and make sure every person that comes in wants her wedding here.

My direct boss is stressing out about today, and I am trying to not stress but I am worried!!

2012-02-04T16:44:00.000-05:00

In the New London Day paper last week, it talked about the charges brought against the latest owners of the "Lighthouse Inn" in New London, CT. Here is a picture of this once wonderful Inn. When I was growing up on Saturday nights my mom and stepdad would take me out to dinner, when I had no plans and it was always a treat.

This was one of the places that was on their list, along with Poor Richard or Bootlegger both which are gone, but the Lighthouse Inn had music on Saturday nights, ( not dj ) Big Band, Jazz and people dressed up to go out here, so it was always a production. Servers were in Tuxedo's and knew you by name, along with the Maitre D'. I think these Saturday nights helped me realize how much I love restaurants and the fact you really make some one's event, evening, just by making sure their night is everything.

We forget these facts sometimes, working in Hospitality we may do this 5-6 nights a week but for them it is an occasion and they want to savor and enjoy the whole experience. My first date with my husband was to the Lighthouse Inn, when we became engaged he had made a whole night of it, and we went to the Lighthouse Inn to hear our favorite band "The Cartell's" and he proposed!

The Cartell's and the Maitre D' made the night so special they played "Unforgettable" and when they played at our wedding that is the song I walked down too. The Maitre D' took our picture and champagne all around, it was an incredible night.

It breaks my heart that this wonderful place has been left in disarray and there is no one who wants to take it on and bring it back up to the grandeur it once was and can be again, it looks out on Long Island Sound and surrounded by some beautiful houses, landscape and of course the water.

2012-02-03T16:58:00.001-05:00

This was taken from our Deck on Monday, January 30, 2012 around 430pm, I thought it was so pretty. I know the other day, the Groundhog stated 6 more weeks of winter, but it has been such a mild winter here in NH. We really need more snow, for all the wonderful winter activities here in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire.

I know it is only week 5 into the New Year, but for me personally it has stunk. I am so stressed out about my job, my lips have blown up and not in the good way....

I hope everyone else is having a better start to 2012...

2012-01-20T14:28:00.000-05:00

This morning it was snowing, and as I was walking to work, realized even though it was nice fluffy snow (great for pictures) underneath was sleets of ice, yes I fell a few times. Luckily, I did not rip anyting. Lately, at work I am feeling as if I am not good enough for the team. My big boss man, sends me stuff/information from my counterparts in the other properties and did could not handle it anymore. I directly asked him, am I just not living up to your expectations because I feel that everytime I turn around there is a new email from what they are doing?

His response, well that is a loaded question. He explained he was looking for ideas and such and guess what never answered the question. I never really expected him to answer but he is always going on about reviews to let employees know how they are doing. Well, I started with this company Feb. 9, 2009 and guess what still no review.

My direct boss, she has been working on for months, and she is out of town this weekend, I was on her computer and saw it but did not open it, because I know it must suck if I still have not received it. I feel this company has no loyalty when I sit around the big manager meeting every week, and see all the faces have changed but 2 ( my boss and mine) makes me nervous, and alittle ticked off, because they hired the wrong leader and had her in that position for 18 months, then no one for 4 months then our new big boss.

In those 18 months we all were doing 2 - 3 jobs instead of the one we were hired for, and then for the 4 months interium we were each running our own departments at one of the busiest times of year for the property. Then when my husband was so rudely ousted, he luckily quit first and was replaced with someone who thinks knows everything and nothing about this property. I admit I felt defeated then I had some bad months in my sales but I seemed to have gotten revised in the last month or two and getting excited again. I have been handling weddings for over 20+ years and admit, I feel burned out on weddings. I really want to move forward in my career, I can handle it but no one will give me a chance due to never been a director. I have done a Director's job for many years, but never the title and now that I work for a small boutique property they do not even have the Director position I want. What do I do?

Part of me thinks I should look around to move forward in my career the other part thinks this is the best I am ever going to get and you love the property you work at, why rock the boat? I am not getting any younger and life is so short, should I take another leap of faith or stay put?

2012-01-13T09:20:00.001-05:00

This is what my street looked like yesterday morning. Up here in NH it really has not snowed since Halloween, a little dusting on Christmas but this is so much better. Personally, I do not like shoveling or driving in the snow, but business wise, we need this. We also need the lake to freeze so the people come for the cross country skiing and the ice fishing.

Today, it was raining so now the snow is mushy and when we leave work today it will be slick. Normally, it is nice to stay inside and snuggle, watch tv eat great meals, but due to a mess up with my paychecks in December, we are playing catch up with bills, so basically I am working for a paycheck not working for fun or life.

It has been really hard on the husband, his business is starting to pick up but it slowed down in November and did not exist in December, so we ended 2011 harshly, eating burgers ( yes broke)..

Once, the first paycheck hits in February we should be back on track, so as I watch the snow fall I try to remember that it is only for another 6 weeks, we can survive.....

2011-12-30T13:27:00.001-05:00

On our adventure back to New Hampshire from CT, on Dec. 26, we saw a sign for the "Smith Mansion" Historic site, due to our last name we had to stop this was the view for the parking lot. So peaceful and quiet, it was not open but we walked around outside and took some pictures.

We do alot of "drive by" sight seeing, we will stop and take pictures but never actually go inside the buildings or even get out of the car, it cracks us up for whatever reason. Getting ready for the New Years Eve big weekend here at the Inn.

Hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday!

2011-12-28T10:56:00.003-05:00

On our way back to New Hampshire, I drove the husband to one of my favorite beaches, in Rhode Island. I used to come here every Jan. 1 and when Thomas died I came here, when my relationship with Scott ended I came here. This spot always made me feel calm. I wanted to finally go for a wonderful reason and show Stephen. It was a beautiful day Dec 26, 2011 , a bit chilly but gorgeous, we walked on the rocks and I took this picture from the beach..

Well, 2011 is ending in 3 days and 2012 begins, it seems so unbelievable to me that 2012 is here, when I graduated from High School in 1982, it seemed so far away and unfathomable to think about it. Now, it is upon us and of course, makes you reflect what has happened in your life time.

Technology is a big part of changes, kids today all have cellphones, and computers. On Christmas Eve I was sitting with the young kids 4-22, and they are all sitting there on their separate phones, twitting, texting, facebook not really talking to each other. I had my cellphone with me then thought I should put it away to enjoy the family. Growing up at these family functions we talked, laughed and no one was on their phone, has technology taken away communication in the normal way?

Even at work- my clients don't really call me everything is done via email. Even for weddings, it is easier for them to email a question and they can do it while at work and not have to explain why they need the answer right away to their boss. Seems so impersonal sometimes and you have to keep checking when you send an email to not come off wrong, so hard. Things can get interpreted differently on line then on the phone.

2011-12-24T10:01:00.000-05:00

So, we bought this "little" fireplace with stockings from Job Lot and I love it, even though it is small makes me feel Christmassy, ( is that a word).. We are in the Hampton Inn, Mystic CT visiting the family for the holiday and since, the husband and I are not exchanging presents this year, for me, I want it to feel as much like Christmas without presents. I am not upset about no presents, just worry about the husband feeling guilty for our current situation. When you are starting a business it is tough in the beginning and I know in my heart it will take awhile for his business to take off, but I have full confidence.

He does not always like Christmas, and wants me to be happy, I just love him so and when we got married I said for better or worse and richer and poorer and really meant it. We are young ( ish) and both work hard, so I know it is just a tough economy but you must take a chance to better yourselves and our lives.

I started this post before Christmas, and became side tracked. We had a wonderful Christmas with my family and each other. Now, we are back trying to make our lives better and to see if we can actually survive in our own business..

2011-12-23T09:06:00.002-05:00

This was the beautiful sunrise over Lake Winnipesaukee on Thursday, December 22, 2011 up here in Wolfeboro,NH

This morning Friday December 23, 2011 I woke up to Snow! It will be a white Christmas up here in NH, we leave around 1pm today to go down to Connecticut to spend the holidays with my family and I do not believe there will be a white Christmas down there...

Work has been really slow this week, waiting for the anticipation of engagements happening in the next week or so... Then we have Valentine's Day, work wise I love this season then my sales go UP!!! What bothers me is the people who are Shocked you do not have that Saturday in Summer available, then refuse to be flexible, Friday and Sunday weddings are usually less expensive and you are pretty much guaranteed to be the only bride that day, on a Saturday you can not promise that, also if you really want to cut your list go to a Friday. Sunday's are nice you have do a Brunch early afternoon and guests will not feel obligated to spend money to spend the night which is helpful in this economy.

Just a few thoughts on weddings in this "ENGAGEMENT SEASON"! Congratulations to all the new brides to be coming up and a Very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year...

2011-12-21T16:50:00.001-05:00

It is the week before Christmas and I still have nothing for my mom.. Tonight, I begin my sauce to make my lasagna for the family Christmas Eve. The husband is working hard to bring in some extra money, we had to tighten our belts this Christmas and now are just waiting for the New year and my paychecks back up to where they are suppose to be.

We leave for CT on Friday, to spend with my family, am looking forward to it... Hope everyone's Christmas is safe and Happy...

Christmas Eve Outfit

2011-12-19T12:15:00.002-05:00

Ok, Christmas Eve is coming up again!! We just colored my hair,and yesterday we were on the hunt for a Sparkly Shirt for me to wear with my winter white dress pants. I really wanted a Green one, but one it is hard to find, especially with sleeves. I am not a designer but why are there no sparkly tops with color for adults not teenagers? There were some beautiful tops at "Maurice's" with one sleeve but again not sparkly.

Then went to Kohl's nothing! Walmart/Target/JCPenney Nothing! Did try Kmart and there was a red shirt with a little sparkle from Jacklyn Smith, but still not what I wanted. So, we went down to TJ Maxx my favorite store and we found (3) 2 black and one Gold ( Jacket), ended up with black by "Michael Kors", I love the style and the fit with cap sleeves but wish it had more color... Here is some pictures.

2011-12-09T17:58:00.002-05:00

I just want to say what annoys me: People that for some reason throw anyone under the bus for what reason to better themselves in who's eyes? It is just so frustrating.

Why say you are uncomfortable by something you over heard? Don't ease drop....None of your business, or my favorite, their b**** about someone and I may make a comment and then I am backstabbing... I have decided to unfriend and block anyone I work with from facebook. I do not put anything on facebook but not going to give them a chance to use my personal stuff against me..

2011-12-07T15:52:00.001-05:00

NEW YORK – The 13-year-old boy who admittedly threw a shopping cart over a fourth-story railing in New York -- striking a philanthropist mom of two -- cared more about his sneakers than the woman he nearly killed, officials revealed Tuesday.
"The respondent was more concerned with the condition of his sneakers than with the condition of his victim," city lawyer Leah Schmelzer said of pint-sized Jeovanni Rosario, 13, whose legal fate in the prank -- originally set for decision Tuesday -- was delayed due to lingering sentencing issues.
Rosario and his even younger partner in crime, Raymond Hernandez, 12, had spent their time at a Harlem precinct "laughing and joking," and showed "no empathy or remorse," following the Oct. 30 tragedy, Schmelzer told Manhattan Family Court Judge Susan Larabee.
"Am I going to be able to get my sneakers back?" Rosario asked as he was led off to detention, a police source said.
Both boys have pleaded guilty to dropping the cart over the railing of a shopping mall despite knowing it could seriously hurt those below. At sentencing they face anywhere from probation up to being jailed until their 18th birthdays.
Victim Marion Hedges had been at the mall purchasing Halloween candy in bulk for disadvantaged children -- and her own 13-year-old son watched in helpless horror as she was struck.
She remains seriously injured from a severe head injury, though prosecutors have kept mum about her specific condition.
"All we know is that she is out of the hospital and getting rehabilitation," Rosario's lawyer, Shahabuddeen Ally, told the New York Post of Hedges.
"I'm being told only that she is at the point where she has to relearn her name, and other basic functions."
The lawyer said Rosario is quite concerned with her wellbeing, and has written her a letter of regret that says, "I did not mean to hurt you," and "I hope you feel better."Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/12/07/police-say-boy-who-dropped-cart-on-mom-more-concerned-with-shoes-than-victim/#ixzz1fsswQKWP

2011-12-03T14:10:00.002-05:00

"It is the most wonderful time of year". Today at work was Breakfast with Santa, it was quite the success, I truly enjoy my job when you get to see people so happy.

The kids were so excited and Santa & Mrs. Claus made sure each child felt special (as they are). It does make me wish I could of had children but since I was not blessed it is wonderful to see them come in and be so happy...

I love Christmas and with kids it makes it even more special...

I hope everyone realizes Christmas is a time for family and to enjoy the season not just getting crazy with presents. The kids actually brought in a presents for other children which to me really made it wonderful..

2011-12-02T14:48:00.003-05:00

I was just on the Hotel News Webpage and saw this article , on a new service called Backbid.

I do not agree with this, I think this business is already cut throat now it is just downright dirty. We all know it will be a bidding war, I am in a small town and it is hard enough getting people here, now you want to put businesses against each other, and the real possiblity of putting a small hotel out of business? This economy is so tough as it is. Who came up with this? I know Chris Patridge, but has he worked in a hotel ? Does he realize the hard work and such...

The fight for guests heats up Posted by Jason Q. Freed at 12:00 AM

As if the street-corner hotel business wasn’t already competitive enough, a new third-party intermediary undoubtedly will turn up the heat. BackBid, just 10 days old, allows hoteliers to essentially steal—for lack of a better word—guests from hotels down the street by offering a more appealing stay.

How it works: Travelers book a room and then send their confirmation number to BackBid. Hotels in the surrounding area are then able to query guests from BackBid’s database and bid, or pitch, to that traveler with value-adds and private rates. The consumer can pick his or her favorite bid and change their reservation. The new reservation is pre-paid and non-refundable.
Chris Patridge, executive VP of marketing and co-founder of BackBid, told me he hopes hotels will compete with value-adds instead of discounts. For instance, hotels can use BackBid to learn about a guest who already has booked at a competing hotel in their area and then pitch a more customized experience. If the traveler is there on business, the competing hotel could offer free Wi-Fi or free breakfast, he said.

It’s a nice thought—but I don’t think that’s how it’s going to work. If BackBid catches on the way Patridge hopes, hotels are going to be undercutting each other left and right. I don’t think a consumer would go through the trouble of canceling their reservation and changing to a non-refundable hotel down the street for a free bagel and orange juice. But to save US$50 a night …
Fortunately, the system, Patridge said, is completely opaque. So if Hotel A sees that a guest has booked Hotel B down the street, contacts the guest via email through BackBid and convinces the guest to change his reservation to Hotel A, Hotel B will never find out. At least theoretically.
Patridge says the system is set up to allow hotels to determine a competitive set that must have a certain amount of hotels. The hoteliers can create an unlimited amount of competitive sets, but there are limits on how many hotels appear in more than one comp set. So hoteliers won’t be able to gain proprietary rate information about an individual competitor or single out a particular hotel and attack it, he said.

GetMidArticleAd('Blog', 'Mid Article', 'True')
There are two ways hoteliers can offer bids: A full Global Distribution System model is a little less flexible on what kind of packages the hotel can offer; or hotels can use BackBid’s extranet to get granular by looking through the database and offering specific packages tailored to individual guests. Hoteliers can set detailed parameters for their queries—such as certain days of the week or certain types of travelers—and can automate the query-and-bid process to run at specified intervals.

“We hope that in the future both hotels are going to be partnering with BackBid and accessing reservations that are coming in,” he said, “so it will be a wash losing some reservations and picking some up.”

Chris Anderson, professor at Cornell University, said during a price optimization webinar this week he is “fascinated” by BackBid. “Suppliers have been very slow to adapt; there hasn’t been a lot of desire by individual suppliers to participate in BackBid,” he said. “As a consumer, you have a lot of flexibility with the reservation. At one level, we don’t want to reinforce that more with something like BackBid.”

However, during the past 10 days, BackBid has signed on 100 hotels, and Patridge expects to add a dozen or so each week. In the meantime, the company has developed an algorithm that searches a partner online travel agency for what it considers a “better deal” and then presents those deals to the customer.

“Consumers will always get bids either from BackBid partner hotels or hotels we’ve determined are better deals,” Patridge said.

In researching and developing the product, 85% of hoteliers offer rates that are refundable with no penalty, he said. There really is no downside to a consumer posting his or her reservation on Backbid, he said.

But I wonder if there will be long-term consequences; if the trend catches on, will more hotels offer non-refundable rates?

2011-12-02T14:40:00.002-05:00

I know it is a dark picture, this is the hubby and myself at the Tavern to celebrate his birthday.

We went to the Restaurant for a cocktail first, then the tavern for dinner then after dinner up at the new place. I was upset at the new place due to the owner was standing behind me touting how wonderful his new property and restaurant is when only (6) People were there, no one in the dining room. He also knows where I work and what I do, how rude!! Will most likely never give them my money again...

Stephen actually seemed to enjoy his birthday for the first time since I have known him. Birthday's in my mind are to be celebrated, and he never seems to really want to do that..

Here are some pictures of the wonderful food we had...

2011-11-26T13:21:00.001-05:00

Yesterday, was so beautiful on our way back from CT, we took a different route and came about the Wayside Inn in Sudbury, MA..

We had such fun, it was so pretty...

2011-11-23T10:36:00.002-05:00

Well it is snowing!! Shocker! So, we are leaving NH around 4pm to head south the CT to spend Thanksgiving with my family... Once we reach MA it will most likely be rain, but how long to the MA border? When on a good day should take about 90 minutes, on the most traveled day of the year, how long will it actually take us?

I have had people say, leave at 4am and go down tomorrow, yes that will make a relaxing Thanksgiving... We have both been at the Inn the last 3 years, so this should be alot of fun!! Glad do not have to work on Friday...

Work is so stressful right now, I feel as if I am going to be let go.. due to being part of the "old" team... due to only (2) of us are still here from the old management team.

2011-11-22T08:55:00.002-05:00

Well, it is (2) Days until Thanksgiving, and today was frost and over the lake was this beautiful fog. I of course, had to have the hair colored and cut before I see the family, so it is my new look, since I took my own picture I can barely see, and I am walking to work. That is the Inn behind me..

I just saw that Gone with the Wind will be playing tomorrow all day! I love this book and tolerate the movie but most likely will catch pieces of it...

2011-11-18T13:14:00.002-05:00

Well, Thanksgiving is next week, how the year begins off slow then it speeds up! I finally went to a professional for my hair, especially since will be seeing my sister's and mom next week, and I do not want to hear what is wrong with my hair, eyes, and of course weight. I actually look forward to spending time with my family, but I stress out sooo much in the weeks leading up to it.

I always stress, work, home life, money! That seems to be my life right now.

2011-11-12T12:41:00.002-05:00

So, I made an avatar of myself, it is horrible, my hair looks better on the avatar and I dont' have glasses, but it looked better this way. How do you make a better likeness I ask of you?

Anyone a new Hotel and Restaurant has opened up the street last night, and I went for a cocktail, pretty, new modern, and packed! Definately, huge competetion for our restaurant and for me personally, a big barn for weddings and I have already lost a wedding to them for next year. I am so upset!!

The person up there is from this town and has had her own wedding business, I feel this is going to be even harder closing. The husband is telling me to just do my job and stop worrying about them but for me its personal.. I do not mind competetion, I just get scared..

2011-11-08T16:15:00.000-05:00

I saw this Article in Hospitality news Written by Jay Schultz, Sr. VP, Hospitality Group. Due to the fact this is my business, I thought he was so correct and thought I would share it.

Sallie Krawcheck’s departure earlier this month from Bank of America Corporation is just one more example of the ongoing difficulty women executives have had securing, as well as maintaining, C-level jobs in the hospitality, finance and real estate fields. Krawcheck—whose job was eliminated after running the wealth management division of the nation’s largest bank for the past two years—leaves a noticeable void of women holding senior-level positions in the aforementioned industries. One could definitely say that Krawcheck’s untimely departure is a classic example of “taking one step forward and two steps back.”

I was curious to know more about where women executives from hospitality, finance and real estate ranked in comparison to their counterparts from other industries. As a result, I turned to FORTUNE magazine’s current “50 Most Powerful Women in Business” rankings and what I learned surprised me. Aside from a few non-commercial banking and asset management executives being ranked (including Krawcheck at number 26) no other women from the hospitality, finance and real estate industries cracked the Top 50. According to the FORTUNE data, women realizing the most success worked in the technology and branded company industries.

Coincidentally, the same day I learned of Krawcheck’s ouster from Bank Of America, the September 7th issue of HOTEL BUSINESS® was being put to bed and page layouts were beginning for the edition you’re reading right now. Both issues include coverage from the Hotel Business Executive Roundtable Series. The theme of September 7th event was “Redefining Luxury: New Tactics for a New Decade” and on page 2 of this issue, you’ll find coverage beginning of the “Unconventional Wisdom: Identifying Brand Opportunities” Roundtable. Despite my involvement in the events, I was a bit surprised when I came to the realization that of the 22 executives featured in the Roundtable coverage there were only two women.
My initial reaction was to figure out what we were doing wrong. I wondered aloud, “could these lopsided figures be accurate and reflective of what’s really going on the marketplace?” Then I took into account the male versus female ratio at any of the hotel industry investment conferences: Enough said. Anyone who has attended ALIS, NYU, or the Lodging Conference can testify that these events are overwhelmingly dominated by men. Right or wrong, it made sense our events would skew similarly.

It seems that as an industry we could do a better job of recruiting, promoting—from both a career progression and public relations standpoint—and most importantly, retaining, the best and brightest female executives. There’s little question that our industry has a tremendous amount of female talent within its ranks, nevertheless many don’t seem to be staying for their entire careers or advancing at a reasonable pace.

Are women perhaps forced to deal with situations that men do not? Do they face some sort of ceiling as a result of an “Old Boys Club”? Are top graduate schools advising their best female students to go explore industries other than hospitality, finance and real estate? I don’t proclaim to have the answers but as an industry we owe it to ourselves to at least ask these difficult questions.

2011-11-05T13:41:00.001-04:00

A few weeks back, my husband started stressing about Europe and our money in a national bank, he wanted to look into a credit union or local mutual savings bank, and we would move everything. Then life took over and until today, we finally made a plan an apppointment and moved our money. We still have to keep a checking at the Big Bank until Dec. 1 when my direct deposit will change over.

I was mentioning this at work and no one seemed to know what I was talking about, so I found articles about "Transfer Bank Day", and found one I liked, so here it is below...

Article on www.broowaha.com; Tony Berkman
Facebook Page makes it clear that while they appreciate what OWS protestors have done Bank Transfer Day movement was neither inspired by, derived from nor organized by the OWS movement.
While enrollment in Credit Unions has skyrocketed, according to the Chris Bowers a reporter for the Daily Koss, it would be invalid to conclude that this was the result of the Occupy Wall Street Movement.
The Facebook Page of "Bank Protest Day" which is to be held tomorrow November 5th specifically reads:
"While the Bank Transfer Day movement acknowledges the enthusiasm from Occupy Wall Street, the Bank Transfer Day movement was neither inspired by, derived from nor organized by the Occupy Wall Street movement, and the Bank Transfer Day movement does not endorse any activities conducted by Occupy Wall Street."
While the organizer, Kristen Christian, credits Edddie Cola for Use of the "Guy Fawkes" image ( http://www.facebook.com/eddie.colla ) it is interesting to note that Guy Fawkes has become the "offical logo" of the hackster group, Anonymous.
Kristen is clear that, however, that she has no association to Anonymour and neither to Occupy Wall Street. According to her Facebook "Kristen Christian, a private citizen and small business owner with no affiliations to Anonymous or Occupy Wall Street. While she's now a proud member of Coast Hills Credit Union... and Los Angeles Federal Credit Union, she's not a credit union employee. She's received no public or private donations for her efforts or costs associated with this movement. Every bit of work on BTD is a testament to her love for her community & neighbors. She genuinely believes we can pull ourselves out of this economic mess the big banks caused by investing in local not-for-profit credit unions."
According to Kristen anyone can join. To join visit her page on Facebook and she has a list of instructions about what to do including:
Research your local credit union options
Open an account with the one that best suits your needs
Cancel all automatic withdrawals & deposits
Transfer your funds to the new account
Follow your bank's procedures to close your account before 11/05
More people joined Credit Unions since the Bank of America Fee debacle, according to the Huffington Post, than in the entire year of 2010:
"At least 650,000 customers opened new accounts at credit unions since September 29, the day Bank of America announced it would charge customers a $5 per month fee to use their debit card for purchases starting in 2012, the Credit Union National Association estimates. If that number holds true, it would be more than the 600,000 consumers that joined credit unions in all of 2010."
Credit Unions around the country clearly are major beneficiaries of this move and are enticing customers to make the switch. While many in the Occupy Wall Street movement will claim that they are the cause of this move, it seems apparent that the connection between Bank Transfer Day 2011 and OWS and Anonymous are tenuous at best.

2011-11-04T14:46:00.001-04:00

I saw this first on CNN and then Huffington Post ( article from Huffington Post):

Is this man insane? Being in the wedding business for over 20 years, I have seen brides and grooms get insane over some pretty petty things but this is definitely the most ridiculous you are not even married to this woman anymore so why should you care? 2nd are you trying to get a "Free" Wedding Photographer? You signed a contract, get over it!! I believe he is a scam artist, where is your ex-wife? Does she care is she willing to come back and do a "mock" for your pictures?

Its founders, Curt Fried and Harold Gillet, just back from serving in World War II, decided to open a photography studio in the Bronx, right as the marriage rate skyrocketed. Business boomed, and after decades of celebrated work, they handed the business down to their sons, Dan Fried and Larry Gillet.
Meanwhile, equity research analyst Todd J. Remis had his own taste of the fairytale life during his wedding to Milena Grzibovska on Dec. 28, 2003, at Castle on the Hudson in Tarrytown, N.Y.
But when Remis and H & H Photographers hooked up, the result was an entrepreneur's nightmare.
Unhappy that the company had not taken photos of the last dance and bouquet toss which took place in the last 15 minutes of the wedding, Remis has filed a lawsuit against H&H Photographers as well as its original founders, who are now both in their 80s. He is suing for $4,100 for the cost of photography and $48,000 to bring back the principal attendees and recreate the wedding so new photos can be taken. What Remis failed to disclose in his legal papers is that he got divorced in 2008 -- and he doesn't know the address of his ex-wife, who returned to her native Latvia. "Honestly, I think the whole thing is an abusive lawsuit," Dan Fried told The Huffington Post. "Having to go through this along with my dad and partner and partner's dad is a real shame. We have a lot of pride in our work, a love of photography and thousands of happy clients over 65 years. The whole thing is a shame."
According to Fried, Remis came to the office in January 2004 to pick up his wedding proofs (though in legal papers, Remis denies getting any pictures). "He complained to us right away," says Fried. "And the company made an effort to try to find a common ground with him. We said if we missed something, we would be happy to offer another type of shoot or do touchup on some images and make some changes for the prints for the wedding album. But that was not enough for him."
Remis continued to file complaints but never picked up his wedding album or paid his final balance. After years, H&H sent Remis a bill for the outstanding amount due. "He responded with a threatening letter and then shortly thereafter, he sued," says Fried. That was in 2009, six years after the wedding, a year after the couple separated and a few weeks before the statute of limitations would have expired.

So far, the Frieds and Gillets have spent about $50,000 in legal fees. And it's not over yet. Justice Doris Ling-Cohan of the State Supreme Court in Manhattan dismissed most of Remis' claims, including his claim for infliction of emotional distress, but has allowed the case to continue. At a hearing on Thursday, a court date was set to meet with the judge in December to discuss a settlement. "A settlement is not something that sits well with us, but we have to obey the judge's orders," says Fried.

Though the judge's original opinion contained references to lyrics from "The Way We Were," and Remis' lawsuit is being likewise mocked in blogs and social media, this is no joke. Another recent lawsuit that raised just as much widespread ire ended up practically putting a small business out of business. Roy Pearson's $54 million lawsuit against a Washington, DC, dry cleaner for losing his pair of pants ended up lasting two years before getting thrown out in 2007. A few months later, Jin and Soon Chung, the financially strained owners of Custom Cleaners, were forced to closed two of their three locations.

"That's the reality of being an entrepreneur today in a society that has so much litigation -- you never know what might be around the corner that could make you a defendant," says Fried. "And it can eat your time and energy and money. You can have all the pride in your work and passion and good intentions and happy clients like we do, but you can run into one rotten egg that gives you a nasty education about our legal system."

2011-10-30T08:00:00.002-04:00

October 30, 2011: Yes last night it snowed! I can not remember a snowfall so early then before Halloween!

This was our driveway, the plower came right after this picture and my husband shoveled out our stairway and walk way. Our neighbors were not up so early so besides having the snow on their cars then the plow basically plowed them into their spots.

Today, I got tickets for "Little Shop of Horrors", the husband is not going to like it but will go for me..

We were up early, so I could go into work and make sure my staff was there for the breakfast and Lunch group, my staff stayed over at the hotel so that was perfect. Made sure the Master Invoice is all set for when they are ready to leave... Rest of the day is us, only 8am and up and ready to have a great day.

2011-10-29T13:05:00.003-04:00

Ok, it is Saturday, Oct 29 2011 and yes, I live in NH but really snow already? Tonight suppose to get between 6-8' and then tomorrow 1-3', and power outages are predicted due to all the leaves still falling and the wind...

We just put our snow shovel away along with the Melt away back in May, and now they are back out and sitting on our porch ready for the storm. Work has been busy today, so it makes you wonder what is going to actually happen. We were going to have a Booze Cruise on the Lake tonight for the end of the season but instead we will be having it at the bar in the Tavern. Do not really want to be on the Lake in a snowstorm, we went out in heavy rains and wind, but this just seems worse...

The husband is going to the store just to make sure we are all set with groceries and supplies for the storm watch nothing happen, but at least we will be prepared....

REALITY TV UPDATE:
Teresa (NJ Housewife) is just out there, does she really believe she is famous and worth losing her friends? Delusional....

Project Runway: I love Anya do not get me wrong but really believed Victor or Josh should of won, they are both so talented and I believe in them so much!! You just never know, I give her credit for just learning how to sew and taking it all the way that is some feat...

Kim and Kyle ( Beverly Hills Housewives) does it make you feel better about being "mean girls" to Brandi does that make you feel better about yourselves?

I am looking for Project Runway All stars.

American Top Model All Stars, I think it is great that Lisa and Domique are doing so well but I admit I am for Allison, something about her besides her eyes makes me thinks she can be incredible..

2011-10-28T09:35:00.002-04:00

Ok, so we are in the middle of the World Series, and last Friday I took some wonderful fall pictures, and last night it snowed! What is that? Now being from New England there is an old wives tale, if it snows before winter, that is how many storms you will have throughout the winter.. Seriously?

Well a number of years ago, I was in a car accident due to a snow storm on Nov 15 and we had 20 something storms that winter, so it was kind of right with a little more...

Monday is Halloween and I do remember as a child bundling up to go trick or treating and being upset that no one could really see my outfit. Tomorrow I will be on a Boat for a Halloween party it is going to be cold, I don't care if anyone sees my outfit I want to be warm, how times have changed. On Monday, I will be hanging out on my street watching the kids, giving out candy and drinking jello shots with the adults... Fun !! Pleasant Street, Wolfeboro, NH

2011-10-26T11:47:00.002-04:00

Today, was in work by 530am, and computer is de-fragmenting since 8am, it is now almost noon and I still have gotten no work done. Such is me life.

Sunday/Monday with the hubby, on Sunday we went over to O's in Laconia, one of our favorite restaurants, first went to the movies then over there for appetizers and 3 oz wines, it was so much fun. Monday, just hung around the house, when you eat every meal at home it is amazing how many dishes you have to keep washing, I miss my dishwasher from NC, and that was in 2007.

This weekend, we are low of funds so it will be a quiet weekend, I of course must come in on Sunday, only for a few hours, then home for the rest of the day. Still not loving my job, but it is more tolerable then it has been.

Didn't win the lotto, so of course, have to keep working. Hubby is working hard to get his own business off the ground, and we are just tightening our belts, and of course, Christmas is coming, so we will see how that plays out... I want a real tree but realized from Dec 23-Dec 26 we will be in a hotel in Mystic, I am thinking "no" to a real tree.

Just rambling a bit.

2011-10-22T11:14:00.003-04:00

Reality TV update and opinion:

Project Runway : I love Anya, and am so impressed with how far she has come, but I am routing for Vicktor he is so talented and you can see it throughout the season. Josh McKinley is talented but not my taste, and his attitude for me makes it worse.

Real Housewives of NJ: Theresa is a b****, Caroline and her family has been nothing but nice to you and take you in, when your own family can see what kind of person you and your awful husband are. Melissa is a sweetheart and all she wants is her husband happy, and you pick and choose what you think is right who the hell do you think you are?

Real Houswives of Beverly Hills: Last season, Kyle was my favorite, but after her and Kim picked on Brandi and then were offended after she made a comment about Kim's drug use, really? You can't see that something is really wrong with KIM? Maybe it was approiate but you two treated her awful ( we don't want to play with her) are you 12 or adults? Seriously? Lisa, get a new wedding planner, he only wants his vision not yours!!

2011-10-22T11:11:00.000-04:00

Fall colors have popped! It is October 22, 2011 and it feels like winter is coming way too soon!!

I thought the colors were pretty this year...

2011-09-24T15:33:00.002-04:00

RANT: I am going to rant at the moment, work well my husband was the F & B manager here and left two weeks ago, he loves it. I have found out since he left the person who he brought in and thought was his ally was the one forcing him out, bad mouthing him to the GM, and basically just making sure he looked bad. Well, since he has been gone, I have found this out, and she throws him under the bus every chance she gets, I just keep my mouth shut, but have caught her in lies, and manipulation today was a prime example. His replacement is not blind, we will see how this plays out. I want her gone, but I am right now sitting back and letting her hang her self, and call her out or at least point out every single mistake. Don't mess with a woman's husband and think there is not pay back....

Today, she threw one of her supervisors under the bus, he was so mad, he called the GM and told him he does not appreciate it and will not take it. She obviously, feels threatened, after talking to the staff, they all are scared of her, because she is so close to the GM, and she is a manipulative crazy b****, how long before the GM realizes he made a mistake? Well he is a democrat so he most likely will not admit it even if the realizes it. I want to file a complaint but guess what his wife is the HR Director for the company, so for me, it is best to sit back and CYA my own butt and make sure he knows every screw up she does...

2011-09-23T11:48:00.002-04:00

This are different images around Vermont. We went to Burlington, VT this weekend to get away and to celebrate my birthday.

We stayed right near Lake Champlain, went on a boat ride, brew tour, stowe vermont drive, and ate some wonderful food. We just had such a nice relaxing weekend, it was 70' and beautiful all weekend.

I still am having some major issues with my job but trying to be positive. Stephen is so busy with trying to launch his business, even when I get home on time, he is still working for another hour or so...

2011-09-14T09:05:00.002-04:00

I am upset beyond belief, all my paranoia about work was just verified. My husband's suppose helper for the last 6 months has been undermining him to our boss, and the stupid ass that he is believed her.

Now, I have to keep my mouth shut and not say anything because it will look like I am petty and vindictive, which I can be, but right now I will just keep my mouth shut. She will hopefully hang herself as they say what comes around goes around.

2011-09-11T09:09:00.000-04:00

This is me, Thomas and Seth August 2001. We were on our way to a wedding, so happy!!

Then on September 11, 2001, Seth went to work at the local airport at 5am, and I went to work at 7am, due to a Pfizer meeting was taking place at the Inn at Mystic ( my work) and I went in got breakfast out for them, making sure room all set. Then around 8am or 830am went up to my office and my Director of Sales Debbie started yelling turn on a tv. She had just called NY to make sure we are all set for our February bridal show in NY.

Turned on the TV to see the 2nd plane hit the Towers. I had to go downstairs and let the group know what had just happened. Then Thomas called upset and told me to come home. For me
there was no question I was going home. Thomas and I sat and watched the news, and then Seth came over and the 3 of us watched as the whole world did to see other Americans being attacked and using our own plane system.

It was heartbreaking, and the 3 of us just bonded. Seth and Thomas have both passed away, and I always remember them, but especially today, what we shared that day.

My heart goes out to all the people and families affected personally by 9/11

Please everyone send a prayer out and do not ever forget 9/11

2011-09-02T10:08:00.001-04:00

Walking to work this morning, this tree was starting to change colors and then the sky over the Gazebo and lake looked so beautiful, it felt like fall. Part of me always gets a little sad when the weather changes, thinking of what I did not get to do in that season. I do always love Fall, but when summer fades out and the crowds go home, it is a bit sad...

On the other hand, I love the fall clothes and the crispness in the air..

2011-08-30T15:44:00.001-04:00

I was on the "New London Day" webpage to see how bad my home state and area fared during the Hurricane. Up here, we got a bit of rain and some wind but that is it. On the Left hand side is the entrance to Groton Long Point, where as a child I spent my summers and on the right is River Road in Mystic, which seems to always flood, my sister luckily lives on a hill above Mystic.

It seems CT, MA, VT got hit harder than NH or maybe just my area in NH.

2011-08-27T11:48:00.001-04:00

The first picture is taken from my deck at home this morning, waiting for the storm, the 2nd is our empty deck here at the Wolfeboro Inn we are getting prepared for the Hurricane.

We are going to beach the BELLE ( boat) and hopefully get the canopy down before the storm hits, we have (1) function this afternoon so we are getting ready, walking down to the beach we have sandbags and all outside furniture is being moved inside. The storm is starting to hit CT, where will it head next?

2011-08-26T16:31:00.002-04:00

Since, my husband is a "HUGE" reader and collector of books, I thought this picture was perfect.. This is a wedding "vegan/gluton" Cake.

My wonderful husband has decided he has had enough of the "Inn" and has handed in his resignation, his last day is Sept. 8, what is irritating me is he has needed help since July, but instead the powers that be, just kept adding more things to his list and we found out have been trying to oust him without to many issues.

On Tuesday, I saw a tag line of the owner to my General Manager and the tag line: "How to extradite the smiths", so I knew it was not only him they were planning on getting rid of, makes me not want to work hard for that next sale if they are planning on cutting me loose.. I did what I needed to do in case it comes tomorrow.. My desk and area are completely void of any personal items.

I told my DOS because knew she would find out, and it wasn't to get rid of me, it was if they let him go what would I do? At this time, I am staying but we will have to wait and see, I am frustrated too, but also know we need the paycheck and I have worked hard on the upcoming weddings and events and do not want to pass on the commissions coming in when I put all this work into them. Selfish on my part but you know what business is business.

My hubby is so excited, he is going to try to get his own business back up and running and maybe pick up some wait shifts at different places around here for extra money. It does mean we have to be careful with our money and tightening our belts and not go out so much but we can do it. I have been asked many times since it came out yesterday if I am leaving, I don't think anyone remembers I was hired first, and he followed me not the other way around just pointing it out...

I am jealous that he is following his dream, but this job was killing him and he was not himself and it was hurting "us" so this is perfect for now. I am back doing the schedule and so is my boss, but this year, we have more staff to pitch in, and a General manager who wants to help solve problems not ignore them. So we again, start a new season with a whole set of issues, what will we do or how will we do is the question.

2011-07-03T17:54:00.002-04:00

Well, summer is really beginning this weekend. Tomorrow is July 4, and we both have to work in the morning and then we give out hotdogs which the last 2 years has been so much fun1! I hope it will be fun, but not so sure. My job is weighing on me so much, I am a stress ball, I never can relax and my body is telling me it may be time to figure out if it is worth it or not...

2011-06-14T15:16:00.001-04:00

From the New London Day:
Hartford - Gov. Dannel P. Malloy announced Monday a new "quick start" summer tourism marketing campaign to beckon people from across the metropolitan New York region to spend time and money in Connecticut."The tourism industry in Connecticut is in the top five of job producers in our economy," Malloy said. "The quickest way to create jobs would be to strengthen the tourism and hospitality industry."The marketing blitz of print, radio and Internet advertisements bills the Nutmeg state as "Closer Than You Think" and describes the bountiful opportunities for waterfront recreation, family activities, historical tours and casino visits.

Tourism officials have already secured 30-second spots on a dozen radio stations and bought a large colorful ad in the Sunday New York Times.The governor said the $2.4 million campaign is more aggressive and comprehensive than previous marketing efforts. It was financed through $800,000 in private-sector contributions from 43 businesses and groups as well as by shifting $1.6 million of state funds into the Statewide Tourism Marketing Account.

The marketing fund was empty for two years during a previous state budget crisis.The Greater Mystic Visitors Bureau provided about $400,000 of the private-sector total for the new campaign, officials said.The money will carry the campaign through July 1, when tourism marketing receives $15 million under the new state budget. That is roughly three times the amount of funding before the marketing budget was cut to a token $1 under former Gov. M. Jodi Rell.Malloy said Connecticut fell behind other New England states in the race for tourism dollars when it cut back.

As a result, people may already be less inclined to consider Connecticut as a fun place to visit, he said."If you don't advertise, those situations compound themselves." Malloy said. "Probably what happened is we took it for granted, and anytime you take it for granted, you lose."Several southeastern Connecticut tourism officials came to hear the governor's announcement at the Cesar Pelli-designed Connecticut Science Center in downtown Hartford Monday.Malloy was introduced as "the tourism governor" by Christopher "Kip" Bergstrom, executive director of the Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism.Many in attendance said they appreciated Malloy's commitment to tourism and the willingness of private businesses to help fill the funding gap."The governor is throwing out a lifeline to the industry," said Peter Glankoff, senior vice president of marketing and public affairs for the Sea Research Foundation, parent company of Mystic Aquarium. "The aquarium has been very aggressive on its own to market itself - but you cannot succeed alone.""

For the state of Connecticut to basically get out of the game the last couple of years has been extremely difficult," said Dan McFadden, director of communications for the Mystic Seaport. "This administration really gets tourism and really gets marketing."The new summer campaign targets women ages 25 to 54, who according to the campaign are often the "key decision-makers" of their households on matters of vacations and weekend getaways. The ideal demographic is a household with an annual income of at least $80,000.The Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism is also promoting regional "One Tank Getaways" destinations for the budget-conscious.

The website CTvisit.com details the getaways and more than 180 summer travel deals at hotels and attractions.One deal is $20 for a day pass to the Mystic Seaport and Mystic Aquarium.j.reindl@theday.com

2011-06-10T16:22:00.002-04:00

Reality TV:
Real Housewives of OC: Ok, Alexis doesn't think she was competeing with Peggy? Give me a break, she acted so innocent as if Peggy is crazy, get over it Alexis for some reason you feel the need to compete with Peggy on everything especially husbands, children and career that is not a friendship. What the heck was with Tamara and Gina? Quinn interesting as always with her wig, where was Lynn? It was a big bang these ladies never disappoint, my heart goes out to Vicki and Donn breakups are tough and in the public eye has to be so hard for all involved.

Real Housewives of NJ: Teresa and her brother need to get over it and make up, your family! Teresa really is to much into the whole fame game.

Real Housewives of NY: I did not get to see this week yet, but last week was explosive with Ramona and the psychic and what was with Sonja's reaction does she know something?

The Voice: This week was Team Blake vs. Team Christina, who am I going vote for on each team. Personally on Christina's team it should be Frenchie and Beverly both are so talented and so different, the other (2) forgot their names are talented to, but I believe these 2 women really do have the Voice. Blakes team, I love Xenia but so young and shy, I am a huge Jarrod fan, still can not decide who to vote for, what is nice you can vote right up to Monday.

2011-06-08T16:48:00.002-04:00

Where is the winning lotto numbers? Just a question!!

2011-06-04T12:03:00.002-04:00

Wolfeboro Inn wedding, yesterday Friday, June 3, 2011, was a perfect weather day for a wedding. The ceremony was up at Castle in the Clouds and then the dinner here at the Wolfeboro Inn, Adria and Jason are into a "Green" wedding so the aspects of their decorations, favors and flowers were all "Green" it was lovely. The Pictures represent the Wedding and the wonderful bride and groom.

2011-06-01T08:37:00.001-04:00

This beautiful day for a small wedding in the 1812 room, lavender was her theme. She didn't get to have her wedding on the Boat due to engine issues, so we made this room special for Melanie and Justin on their special day..

2011-06-01T08:31:00.002-04:00

We were invited out to my cousin's camp on Rattlesnake Island for Sunday night. As you can see we always over pack!! Stephen had worked 12 days straight and actually turned his phone off and left it at home, so he was without anything, no facebook, twitter or access to internet, so nice to be compeletly shut off!!

The weather was so beautiful this past weekend, we had such a great time, and appreciate the hospitiality of our family..

2011-05-27T09:58:00.002-04:00

OK, I was so excited when Scotty won American Idol, I was for him the first time I saw him perform what a voice and the fact he is only 17 is amazing to me.

So, this is my Reality Check Post:

Real Housewivs of NJ came back a few weeks ago, and I thought I would not like the (2) new ones, but Melissa and Cathy so far are wonderful and it does not make Teresa look good, I wish Jacqueline and Caroline could see how she acted at the Christianing and how here husband acted before taking sides, it might open some eyes. When Teresa said she was the Matriach of her family is she kidding? Your family is falling apart and you and your husband are not helping it at all. Caroline rightfully so did not want drama at the Brownstone, but what about a child's christining is that the place to have drama? I think fame is going to Teresa head and she doesn't want to share it with her brother and sister in a law very selfish as far as I can tell. Caroline, I am in the hotel/restaurant business and my husband is the F & B director and I barely see him it is long and hard work I give you and your husband credit for keeping your marriage alive and healthy with his long work hours..

Real Housewives of NY: Ok, last season I thought Kelly was crazy, but now I really think Ramona and Sonja both have some screws loose, who are you that someone has to unpack for you? Have you never traveled? To tell a Top Moroccan designer who is offering something to you,that you want more "sexiness" are you crazy? It is a conservative country and you are both so obnoxious, I would be embarrassed to be seen with them. Sonja how are you affording to live the way you think you deserve when your husband had the money and you are what making a cookbook about toaster ovens? If I was Alex I would do what she is doing and staying neutral because we all can tell it is going to be a bumping next two weeks on the show.

Mob Wives: Ok, Renee the drama queen cracks me up but her heart seems to be in the right place for her son, but what an explosion last week at her dinner party between Carla and Renee, it was interesting to watch. Karen is still upset about her break up with Lee and yes it has been 14 years, but you know that pain doesn't go away unless you have confronted what you believe was the issue and Dritta should respect her feelings, even if she feels they are not justified they are her feelings.

Saddleranch: Being in the restaurant business this shows exactly how wait people let off steam and other drama, we are all actors in this business.

The Voice: I love this show, the judges have a tough time picking who should stay and who should go, I am looking forward to next weeks show, of course I am a huge Blake Sheldon fan but CeLo, Adam and Christina are so much fun to watch how they all interact with their pupils. I was suprised CeLo kept the Thompson girls it will be interesting to see how it all plays out...

American Idol: I voted for Scotty from day one, Lauren is so cute!! I really thought in the 1st round it would be Casey and Pia the final two, so it was nice to see my favorite not only go the whole way and win, when they were both elimanted I thought Haley and Scotty would be the final two. It was wonderful to see both Country acts get the final two slots now what happens? Lets be honest besides Carrie who has made it as big? I realize some are on broadway, and where is Lee? I saw Crystal's video on CMT, she is wonderful, sometimes it seems 2nd place has done better than first just saying, we will see what happens after these (2) because I truly believe Scotty will do so well in Nashville..

2011-05-21T12:47:00.001-04:00

Another small wedding here at the Wolfeboro Inn in the 1812 room. It has been raining all week long and the sun came out for a bit this morning and then it started again raining..

2011-05-15T10:30:00.002-04:00

It is prom season up here in NH, so I thought I would dig out a few of my prom pictures. The small ones are from my Senior Prom the standard picture and of course the one that made it into the yearbook. The one below is from my Senior Cornation - love the shoes back then was not even attempting heals.. The other one is my Junior Prom another bad picture of me for the yearbook, a trend or what?

The boys: Senior Cornation Tom Chinigo -Artist, bad boy guess why I picked him? Even though I look so buttoned up, why he said "yes" I will never know.

Senior Prom: David Giroux

Junior Prom: Paul

2011-05-14T12:02:00.002-04:00

Ok, we all heard what happened to Osama Bin Laden in Abbottasbad, Pakistan and I want to commend the Navy Seals, but also understand all the press and information out there can jeopardize the men and their families, do people not realize that the Terrorist are just out there looking for who has taken down this man and will punish even innocent people to get their point across to the world.

As Americans we are taught freedom of speech but sometimes we need to keep our mouths shut along with nothing on the internet, these are men they we as americans are proud of and want to let them know this, but we are in time where any information in the wrong hands can hurt these people from doing their jobs.

As I drove around the state on Thursday, I noticed people are again being patriotic and making statements on signs, hanging up the American Flag, which I remember after 9/11 the surge of patriotism, I am proud to be an American but in order for us to fight the terrorist we must be smart and steady, so please respect the privacy of these people who took him down to continue working for us and not have to worry what might happen to their families why they are making a difference and trying to save us civilians..

2011-05-11T11:59:00.001-04:00

Last night over Lake Winnipesaukee this rainbow came up, wonder where the pot of gold was. It was amazing to see, I have been so depressed and down lately, that for a few minutes it made me feel almost happy again.

2011-05-04T15:33:00.002-04:00

Reality Shows Update:

Ok, I have started with a new "reality show" some of these are so addicting. So here is my take on some I have been following:

Mob Wives: Ok, the name alone can tell you drama, this takes place in Staten Island, NY, and so far I can actually understand all their ideas of what happened either with fathers, husbands sometimes both. Renee was so programmed to believe what her father (in jail) told her was her life and beliefs but when her ex-husband is arrested again, she is reevaluting what is right and wrong and how it is affecting her 16 year old son AJ. Carla is my favorite so far, she divorced her husband a bit before he was arrested and now in jail, the only thing is her kids do not know he is in jail. Karen is writing a book about her life ( her dad is Sammy the bull), she is still upset at Drita for marrying her ex-boyfriend (about 15 years ago) get over it.

Saddle Ranch: Love, due to the fact watching them work and play in the restaurant business is always close and dear to my heart, the first episode I watched was a party at the bartenders house and the drama that unfolded reminded me of many of those I have gone too or thrown myself and the aftermath (watch Waiting )..

Real Housewives of NY: Kelly is even stranger than usual and Ramona is on my last nerve, love Cindy (new) she is wonderful.

Real Housewives of OC: Alexis give it a rest, " I can't do anything without my husband", what is that about? ARe you and adult or just a child? Gretchen you are a caddy bitch and if Slade can not pay child support it is his battle not yours, and how dare you make fun of Tamara's new man "Eddie" oh what was your comment oh she has a boyfriend? I don't believe you an Slade are anymore then girlfriend and boyfriend too. Alexis stop competeing with Peggy you are way out of your league..

The VOICE: LOVE! I am so into American Idol this season, but this show has such a twist, I love watching to see if Christina will feel bad and hit the button anyway... Interesting to see who is picked because of talent not because of looks or age and who is beautiful and normally would of been picked but didn't make it because they did not have the voice!!

Bad Girls: Why is Nikki so competetive? It is not as if they "win" any money, and Char needs to get over herself, you are not all that...

American Idol: My pick for the top (2) Should be Scotty and James, but I have a feeling it will be Haley and James, Pia was the most talented but like Jennifer Hudson before her, she may have gotten elimanted way to early but it seems to be helping her get further ahead then anyone else, congratulations on her record contract and all the new things she has been doing...

2011-05-01T09:42:00.001-04:00

I find this so sad, what can we do?

Johnathon Willsey sat back in his chair, having just finished a plate of tuna casserole.
He sat with two friends, Tori Merrill, 17, and Joshua Hayslip, 25, all part of a growing clientele of young adults at the New London Community Meal Center, known to most as the Soup Kitchen.
Faced with homelessness, unemployment and the rigors of a down economy, they turn to the free, twice-a-day meals on Montauk Avenue — especially near the end of each month when various financial and state aid programs run dry.
"I'm extremely grateful that this place exists," said Willsey, 22. "Because otherwise I wouldn't be able to eat a lot. Food stamps only get you so far when that's all you have to live off of."
Ellen Bassuk, founder and president of the National Center on Family Homelessness, said young adults who are homeless have often aged out of the foster care system or left destructive home environments.
"That youth population, by and large, has less services and is relatively neglected," said Bassuk, an associate professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School.
Tall, thin and that day wearing tiny baby duck earrings in each earlobe, Willsey was born in the area but moved to live with his father in Oklahoma and Idaho for much of his youth. After he moved out on his own, he said, he had a falling out with his roommates. His mother paid for a plane ticket, and he came back to New London.
Eventually, Willsey said, his mother was evicted from her apartment, leaving him without a place to stay. He stayed at the Homeless Hospitality Center at St. James Episcopal Church for a few months, more recently sleeping on a friend's couch.
For the better part of two years he has worked many temporary jobs, some of them through Labor Ready, a temporary employment agency. He attended a job fair at the Crystal Mall, not finding much there.
Willsey said he has his General Equivalency Degree and would like to attend Three Rivers Community College. But it's difficult finding steady income, he said.
"There are a lot of people that are getting in tough situations. It's getting to the point where their families can't take care of them," Willsey said. "Or whatever choices they've made down the road have put them in this situation. It's not easy to deal with or get out of."
Looking for work
Joshua Hayslip said he has held various jobs in the past several years, including at Sheffield Pharmaceuticals and as a bathroom attendant at the MGM Grand Casino. He quit the first job and was fired from the second for punching a wall in frustration.
Wearing a hat with the Ford Mustang logo and a silver Chevy belt buckle, Hayslip has an affinity for cars and fixing things. Computers, mostly. Recently, he has spent his free time fixing the chain, tires and fender on an old Schwinn bicycle he found at a dump.
He returns to his family's home in New London only to pick up his mail.
He called his high school diploma, which he said he earned through New London Adult and Continuing Education, "just a piece of paper" and says he would work anywhere at this point.
"Any of the fast-food places on Colman Street. I have applications in there," Hayslip said. "I've tried at the mall. I can't even remember (them all)."
He is grateful for the soup kitchen. He questioned if he would be alive without it.
A lot of family stress
Tori Merrill has been coming to the soup kitchen for about two years.
Dark-haired and soft-spoken, the 17-year-old lives with her mother. Soon other members of her family will come to live with them. Her uncle just underwent back surgery. There's been a lot of stress in her family lately, Merrill said.
Her father lives in Norwich and is not well, she said, but he has been supportive of her. She said her family has used food stamps for as long as she can remember.
Merrill has not found a job but says she is working toward her diploma in night school at New London Adult and Continuing Education. She writes poetry and envisions working in the arts or child care one day.
"I'm hoping to be able to get a job for now so I can partially help out my mom and save up to get my own place," Merrill said. "I'd like to be on my own and be able to stand on my own two feet."
Some have given up
More than 300 volunteers work at the soup kitchen each month. Sometimes they are shocked by what they see.
"You'd be surprised by the number of people that come through here to volunteer and say, 'I really didn't realize it was this bad,'" said Milton Cook, the president of the board of directors.
Richard, who declined to give his last name, has been a regular since he was laid off two years ago. He described the people he meets there: Some are educated. Others don't know how to handle their money and struggle with alcohol and drug problems.
Richard said he is a former nuclear engineer who used to work at Electric Boat and Pratt & Whitney, among other places. He went through a difficult divorce and said he's been laid off eight times.
Richard said the outlook is bleak for many at the soup kitchen. "Most of them have given up looking for a job. Most of them gave up a long time ago," he said. "They've accepted they're going to be unemployed for the rest of their lives."
But the younger ones — Willsey, Hayslip and Merrill — have plans.
As they ate dinner together at the soup kitchen, Merrill was asked where she envisions herself in a year. She plans to be done with school and working.
Hayslip said he has considered attending Three Rivers, but if he doesn't go to school, he will continue looking for work.
Tent option
In the meantime, Willsey and Hayslip said they would soon be without a place to stay again. They have recently stayed with Hayslip's cousin, but she will soon lose her apartment.
They both said they would consider living in a tent outdoors. Willsey said he has no intention of returning to the Homeless Hospitality Center.
"No, no, no. I'll find something to do," he said. "By winter, I'll be in school."
He moved on to the dinner line at the soup kitchen.
The crowded room, packed with more than 100 people, said grace. Patrons moved forward for helpings of spaghetti, tossed salad and green beans.
Willsey then sat down in the back of the room, sharing another meal with Hayslip and Merrill.
jeff.johnson@theday.com

2011-04-29T14:11:00.001-04:00

April 29, 2011 - It is a beautiful Spring day here in Wolfeboro NH. Kelly and Gabe have a wonderful day to celebrate their wedding, as you can see it is in the 1812 room and their theme is red.

2011-04-29T10:06:00.002-04:00

History was made today in England. April 29, 2011 Prince William married Kate Middleton a commoner, it was beautiful and exciting for everyone. My husband mocked, I on the other hand loved the show. No, I did not get up at the crack of dawn as in 1981, instead I recorded it on my DVR...

They look so in love and wonderful together, my congratulations to the happy couple.

I am hosting a small wedding here at the Inn tonight, so it is wonderful to be celebrating..

2011-04-27T11:54:00.002-04:00

Saturday, April 23, 2011: Kristen and Jeff got married here at the Wolfeboro Inn, as you can see it is only about 17 people. The theme is definately Feng Shei, it worked out wonderful, as you can see there is red weaved into the colors which is good luck..

The weather started out raining, then turned to sleet and then snow, and back to rain, good luck to the couple.

It was a beautiful ceremony and the couple and their friends and family seemed to really enjoy themselves. Here are some pictures of the reception room.

2011-04-21T16:44:00.000-04:00

This is disgusting and unbelieveable to me, glad Florida has the death penalty. He was 15 years old....

SUMMERFIELD, Fla. -- When Seath Tyler Jackson received a text message Sunday afternoon from a 15-year-old ex-girlfriend saying she wanted to rekindle their romance and that they should meet at a central Florida house, a female friend of Jackson's sensed something wasn't right.
"I wouldn't fall for that," 16-year-old Brittnay Jones told Jackson, she recalled to The Associated Press.
The 15-year-old Jackson ignored his friend's advice and went Sunday to a house in Summerfield, about 65 miles northwest of Orlando.
There, authorities said, he was shot and fatally beaten as a result of a plot to lure him there and kill him. Then, Jackson's body was stuffed into a sleeping bag and burned, and the remains were put in paint buckets and dumped at a remote lime rock pit, authorities allege.
Marion County sheriff's detectives said the way the defendants carried out the crime was "unlike anything they had ever seen."
Authorities on Tuesday night arrested six people in connection with the crime, charging five with first-degree murder. The five were being held without bond.
Investigators said in an arrest affidavit that five suspects had acknowledged varying roles in Jackson's death. Authorities said the 15-year-old girl and a woman, 18-year-old Charlie Kay Ely, acknowledged trying to persuade Jackson to come to the woman's house. Deputies also said the girl's brother, 16, and 20-year-old Justin Soto acknowledged participating in the attack on Jackson and alleged that 18-year-old Michael Bargo shot Jackson repeatedly with a .22-caliber revolver.
Authorities, as well as family and friends, said Bargo was dating Jackson's ex-girlfriend and had gotten into a fight with him several weeks ago.
The five were gathered at the house Sunday "when Michael Bargo began to speak of his hatred for the victim Seath Jackson," authorities wrote the 16-year-old boy told them. "The conversation then turned into a plan to lure Seath to the residence so that Michael Bargo could kill him with the assistance of other persons."
Authorities have also charged the stepfather of the minor suspects, 37-year-old James Young Havens III, with accessory after the fact to first-degree murder. He was being held on $10,000 bond. The AP is not identifying the two youngest suspects because they are minors.
Investigators were searching Wednesday afternoon for remains in both the fire and lime rock pits, as well as for the murder weapon.
Bargo and some friends began plotting Jackson's death after the two fought several weeks ago, authorities said, and things moved quickly.
The plan called for Bargo's girlfriend to text Jackson, telling him that she wanted to get back together and that he should meet her at the house, authorities said. Ely and Soto were living at the house, and Bargo sometimes stayed there, according to court papers.
Authorities said Ely told them that she and the 15-year-old girl met with Jackson to try to get him "back to her residence so that the murder could take place." But Jackson didn't return with them due to a disagreement.
Ely told deputies "Michael Bargo was furious and demanded that the two get Juvenile Jackson to the house so that the plan could be carried out," according to the affidavit.
That's when the 15-year-old girl sent a text message to Jackson, authorities said.
Brittnay Jones told the AP that Jackson told her Sunday about the texts. Jackson's Facebook postings in early March displayed affection toward the girl whom he'd dated, but they turned angry toward the end of the month.
When Jackson arrived Sunday afternoon, authorities said Soto told them, Bargo and the 16-year-old boy emerged from a spare bedroom and "bum-rushed" and began to beat Jackson. The 16-year-old told authorities that he and Soto struck Jackson with wooden objects.
Bargo then shot Jackson several times, several defendants told investigators.
Authorities said Soto told them that when Jackson tried to escape, he struck him with an ax handle and restrained him. Investigators say Soto acknowledged helping place the victim in a bath tub, where he said Bargo beat his kneecaps and, realizing Jackson was still alive, shot him again.
Afterward, some group members hog-tied Jackson and put his body in a sleeping bag, which was placed in the backyard fire pit and burned for several hours, authorities said.
His ashes were then put into 5-gallon paint cans and disposed of, authorities said. The house was then scoured with bleach to get rid of the blood.
Havens told investigators he arrived after the slaying and helped put the ashes into the paint cans and get rid of other evidence, authorities said.
Jackson's parents reported him missing Monday, thinking he had run away. Authorities said they learned of the slaying Tuesday when Havens' wife called investigators to say her 16-year-old son had witnessed the slaying.
Bargo, Soto, Ely — who maintains she ran into the bedroom before any shots were fired — and the minor siblings were arrested hours later.
Phone messages left by the AP at listings for Bargo, Soto, Ely and Havens were not returned Wednesday. A phone number listed for the victim's parents was not in service. A woman who was standing outside the victim's home about three miles from the attack site told an AP reporter to leave.
Lacy Lyons, 18, described Jackson as a "good kid" who did well in school.
"He had the cutest little smile," Lyons said.
Court records show that Bargo had earlier charges of burglary and grand theft. Another court record showed that a woman had sought an injunction against Bargo to protect her son. The woman's phone number was disconnected.
Bargo's attorney for that case, Charles Holloman, said his client did not have a violent track record.
"He's had his scraps, just like a lot of kids growing up, but certainly nothing that rises to this level," Holloman said.
Jones, the friend who tried to stop Jackson from going to the house, said the killing should never have happened.
"It's just boys and their stupid fights," Jones said. "It's just who wants to be the bigger man

2011-04-17T09:38:00.000-04:00

Below is an article from the New London Day. My heart breaks for this boy, and am very disturbed by the fact the 3 boys who did this have no remorse or conscience, what is the world coming too. Three charged in April 2 incident; they also face expulsion from school New London - They held guns to his head and ordered him to say goodbye to his family. "I love you guys!" wailed the 12-year-old boy. On Saturday, April 2, three juveniles held a middle school student captive in a Shaw Street home, torturing him for several long minutes with BB guns and threats, according to the child's family. They locked him in a closet, called him names and laughed about the terror they were inflicting, the family said. The boy thought he would become a murder victim, just as his father had in 2006. But his captors eventually released him after making him swear "on his father" that he would not tell. One of them videotaped the incident on a cell phone, and later in the day, witnesses said he showed the recording to others in a city park. New London police confirmed the incident and said they charged three juveniles with cruelty to persons, second-degree reckless endangerment, carrying a dangerous weapon, second-degree unlawful restraint and threatening. All were due in juvenile court on Friday. The police said they seized three BB guns and a cell phone containing video footage of the incident and that their investigation is continuing. Deputy Police Chief Marshall Segar said police could release only limited information about the case because of confidentiality laws involving juveniles. He said the city's school resource officers investigated even though the incident had occurred outside of school. The three juveniles were suspended from school after the incident. Two have had expulsion hearings and a hearing for the third juvenile is pending. Results for the first two hearings were unavailable. 'I was crying' With his mother's permission, the boy, who is not being identified because of his age, described the incident during a phone interview last week. The mother said she has withdrawn the boy from the school he attended and is seeking to enroll him elsewhere. He is also receiving counseling to help him cope with the trauma, she said. The boy said he rode his bike to the Shaw Street house to see a 13-year-old friend and play football. When he arrived, the friend was there with two slightly older boys. No adults were home. The boy said they let him into the house, and the older boys began to call him names and taunt him. They tried to make him fight with his friend, then ordered the friend to get a gun, he said. "I didn't know if it was a BB gun or a real gun," the boy said. One of the juveniles ordered the boy to stand up and go into another room. Soon all three of them had guns and were calling him names and yelling instructions, he said. "They told me to say goodbye to your mom. Say goodbye to your whole family. So I did," he said. They ordered him into a closet. "I went into the dark closet, and I was crying," the boy said. "I couldn't hear what they were saying. They opened the door, and they were all pointing guns at me." They let him out of the closet and continued to give him instructions at gunpoint. At one point, he said, he ran to the door and saw that it was locked. "They said, 'You ain't going nowhere,' " he said. Eventually, he said, they did let him go, after making him "swear on his father" that he wouldn't tell anyone. The boy held it in all weekend. "I really wanted to tell my mom, but I thought it was a promise or truce to my father," he said. By Monday, he said he had to tell somebody. He went to a math teacher at school, who alerted administrators. Police were called, and the boy was asked to write down everything that had happened to him. He went to police headquarters and spoke with investigators. "My mom came," he said. "She cried. She hugged me. That was it. They got arrested, and they got suspended." The three boys received summonses to appear in juvenile court and remained in the neighborhood. Word of their reaction got back to the boy. "They said they don't care if they go to jail," he said. "My mom says I can't go outside anymore. I don't feel safe anymore." 'It's everywhere' The boy's mother said she had sensed that something was wrong with her son that weekend, but he would not tell her what was bothering him. She said she was checking to see whether police or the court have issued a protective order preventing the three juveniles from coming near her son. She said she has known the family on Shaw Street for years and is disappointed they have not reached out to apologize. She said her son, who was already troubled about his father's murder in 2006 and other issues in his life, needs help. She said she would like to get together with other parents in the city to discuss some of the ongoing problems with youth. "It's everywhere," she said. "It's all over." 'We've suffered enough' The boy's grandmother said she wants to cry every time she thinks about what happened. "He told me he thought, 'This is what my dad must have gone through when he died,' '' the grandmother said. The father was beaten to death in another town six years ago. The case has not been solved. "This is so upsetting for this family," the grandmother said. "We've suffered enough." Seek protective order Faith Vos Winkel, an assistant child advocate for the state Office of the Child Advocate, said a parent in such a situation should ensure a protective order is in place that keeps the juveniles from coming within a certain distance of the child. She said the parent should monitor social media, such as Facebook, to make sure no further harm is being inflicted and should make sure the child is seeing a social worker or psychologist. She said the parent should also let the child's school know what has happened so the staff can monitor the situation. "This kind of situation is really indicative of post-traumatic stress disorder," she said. "You'd really want to make an outlet [such as counseling] to make sure he's feeling safe." k.florin@theday.com

2011-04-08T09:58:00.002-04:00

Is America crazy? The best singer of the bunch and you save Paul McDonald or even James Durbin ( not my favorite), I love Pia, Casey and Scotty, I really thought the final (2) would have her in there. In my heart I know she will still have a career, but then again they voted off Jennifer Hudson way to early and look at her now, an Oscar and Grammy winner...

The people that vote are just nutz!! The most talented, beautiful singer and you vote her off? Now, I really think america has no idea or really doesn't want a talented person as the American Idol. Last season, I do not understand how Lee won over Crystal but who has a video out and an add with BB King? Crystal not Lee, so sometimes it is better not to win..

2011-04-01T10:00:00.002-04:00

Wolfeboro, NH on April 1, 2011 - Declared a state of emergency due to lack of Spring!!LOL...

Yes, my car is under snow, Spring Snowstorm, is the world going NUTS! Last year at this time we were actually having Spring, but it seems this year, no one realizes it is not still winter..

I am stressing out about work, my lip has blown up and a few zits have come out on my face, my gosh, you would think when you are in your mid 40's, zits are in the past. Nope, in my case when I am stressed out, they appear.

Work is stressing my out, worried not doing my job good enough, yesterday the owners were here, which did not help...Now, I am looking at the snow and thinking spring is never coming to New Hampshire, will I be doing weddings in the snow instead of sunshine and the Lake not frozen...

2011-03-30T13:20:00.003-04:00

The lake is still frozen!! It is the end of March and the few wonderful days during St. Patrick's day made me think, "Spring", well I was wrong...

Another snow storm is heading our way for Friday, April 1, I am thinking maybe the weather channel is pulling our leg for April Fool's Day!!

2011-03-29T14:04:00.002-04:00

We celebrated our 6th wedding anniversary, two weeks late but we went to Providence RI. We love Providence, we stayed at the Providence Biltmore and were in a Jr. Suite, it was and alwasy worth having a larger room. We drove down on Saturday night, we went to Union Station Brewery but the beer was horrible, so we ended up eating at McCormick and Schmidts in the hotel. On Sunday, we each had a massage at the Spa at the Biltmore, such a wonderful way to start the day, then we went to Uno's for lunch (Stephen's favorite) especially since he is from Illnois, and loves deep dish pizza, then we went and saw "Sucker Punch" so not worth the $24 for Imax, feel cheated by the trailers..

That evening we really celebrated at the "Capital Grille" which was our main point of coming to Providence. The night after our wedding we went there for dinner and were treated so wonderful over the 6 years, we have tried other Capital Grille's there are 42 in total according to the wonderful Tim (bartender) who was just perfect to us. We have only been to 7 so we have more to try, but Providence holds a special place in our hearts. They did not disappoint from Tim when we started in the bar, to London our waiter even Steve the manager came over to check on us. Stephen ( husband) did not love his meal, mine was perfect, and the vegetables were overcooked, but it didn't matter we had an incredible evening and will definately go back. This was our first time back since we got married.

On Monday we went up to Norton, MA for work, but we lounged in our hotel room until 11am exactly and then checked out, it was so worth it..

2011-03-24T11:45:00.002-04:00

This is a picture of Kimberly Cates ( Left), David Cates and his Daughter Jamie. On October 4, 2009, Kimberly and her daughter were attacked inside their home by Stephen Spader and Christopher Gribble.

Christopher Gribble is on trail right now, and what upsets me the most is he is trying to plead insanity at the time of the attack, but when he was apprehended by the Police within 24 hours, he for the next 7.5 hours would not shut up, he went on and on about the murder.

He made a comment, he has always wanted to committ murder, and that was always part of the plan when they invaded the "Cates house". So why the turn around to "insanity". This case has upset me so much in the last 2 years, I have lived here in NH.

Home invasion cases scare me so much, the case in CT, which I have written about too, all your feeling of safety in your home go out the window when you read and hear about these terrible cases.

Here is a case that I loved:

2011-03-18T14:57:00.001-04:00

On Saturday afternoon at 3 p.m. the moon will be at perigee, marking its closest pass to the Earth in 2011: a mere 221,565 miles away. Just 50 minutes earlier, the moon will have been officially full. It is a rare combination that happens only once every 20 years or so.
The last time we saw a moon this large was way back in March of 1993. If you miss it this year, you will have to wait until the year 2029 to see it again!

2011-03-10T09:36:00.006-05:00

Below is a review in the New London Day on the Flood Tide Restaurant in Mystic. I admit I have a huge soft spot for the Flood Tide. It was heart breaking to me to watch the show last week, and see everything Jody Dyer worked for be put under a microscope. I fell in love with it back in July 1990 when I first walked in for a job interview. I have some great friends I met there, I fell in love there, had breakups, breakdowns and so much fun.

At one time, on Saturday nights we had to build the "buffet" for Sunday brunch which was always a chore, we made it into a game, and at the end of certain time period we would have a party and someone would be a "Buffet Queen". On Thanksgiving one year, our GM brought in sandwiches and snacks for everyone to keep us up all day, and then at the end we would put all the tables together and have "Thanksgiving Dinner" as a family.. Because that is what we all were, it was a magical time for me, and I will always cherish it. I am glad it is making a come back, it deserves it..

New potential at the Flood Tide restaurantBy Katie Warchut
The Flood Tide restaurant seemed a natural choice for the Food Network's show "Restaurant: Impossible." Its prime location - part of an inn on a Mystic hilltop overlooking the water - and the culinary accolades it once received were proof that, despite its decline, it could flourish once again.

If you watched the episode last week, the makeover came off as a great success. But on a recent trip there, we felt a little like we were still watching the show, rooting for the staff to turn things around.On our visit, we noticed the new sign at the entrance that was featured on the show: The Wood Grill at Flood Tide, emblazoned on a boat. Celebrity Chef Robert Irvine's idea was to convince locals that the new Flood Tide was not the same as the one that had lost its luster. But the new name seems to have been mostly abandoned, since it's nowhere on the restaurant's website.We sat in the lower dining room, which was untouched by Irvine and his team.

But the main-level dining room, featuring the exhibition kitchen, got some much-needed color when the dark mohagany woodwork was painted mustard and coral red. A few new additions to the décor - a large fish skeleton sculpture and blackboards with boat sketches - were also good modern touches, but it leaves the place stuck in limbo. The old carpets, white tablecloths, brass railings, leather chairs and piano playing are relics that just don't match.

The show shocked its audience by detailing a dirty kitchen but showed the staff cleaning it up, so we decided to have some faith that they learned their lesson and kept it that way.The dinner crowd on a Friday night was mostly older, choosing between new selections inspired by Irvine and a fixed price menu of more traditional dishes. We went with the new menu, which focuses on the restaurant's wood burning grill. Irvine got rid of the dishes made tableside, such as Caesar salad and chateaubriand, dismissing them as dated and time-consuming.Our appetizers were not as hot as they should have been, but the flavors stood out. The blue crab fritters ($9) were soft and doughy, with crab, sweet corn, scallions and banana peppers and a spicy aioli for dipping. The crispy duck spring rolls ($7) were not that crispy, but the duck added some richer flavor in some kind of sweet and sour sauce with just a tad of heat. The wood-grilled smoky chicken flatbread ($8) had a nice balance of flavor with sweet caramelized onion, spinach, tomatoes and smoked gouda on top, though, again, the bread could have been crunchier.

On the show, much was made of teaching the servers to be friendlier, and our waitress was pleasant enough, though we had to wait for refills of water and wine.Our entrees were an improvement, with the salmon roulade ($22) emerging as a favorite - nicely cooked, with a crisp (finally!) outside over healthy black quinoa, sweet roasted tomato, greens and a green herb sauce. The rack of lamb ($28) was also tender in a demi-glace, with delicious garlic mashed potatoes. We found that perfect crunchiness again in the skin of the roasted chicken ($20), keeping the meat moist inside, and the filet mignon ($31) was also juicy, with a gorgonzola crust.

To complete the meal, we split a dessert, a chocolate peanut butter torte ($7) that we wouldn't order again. Something about the peanut butter flan didn't work, and the blackberry chocolate glaze was unappetizing.Before the Food Network, a dining companion observed, the Flood Tide was like a porcelain doll no one played with anymore.

Now, the restaurant has some new potential, and it should embrace change and go all the way, in food, name and décor. It's almost there, and we're rooting for it.

2011-03-09T14:18:00.000-05:00

Westboro Baptist Church needs to be stopped and if the courts won't help these families let the Patriot Guard Riders RIDE!! Freedom of speech correct...

Defenders of military families at funerals see membership spike Eight thousand people have joined the Patriot Guard Riders nationwide in the week since the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of a fringe church that stages anti-gay protests at military funerals.

When the Westboro Baptist Church makes news nationally, the Patriot Guard Riders see a spike in their membership. This time, however, it's more dramatic, given the attention and interest in the March 2 Supreme Court ruling, which held that the First Amendment protects the church's demonstrations at funerals for U.S. soldiers killed in action.

The Patriot Guard Riders shield the mourning family and friends.
"I don't want anybody's speech violated, but I also don't want our military denigrated," said Douglas Van Houten of Middletown. "I'm a big enough guy that I can stand between two people, block a view and do whatever is asked of me to show respect for the military. Where would we be without them?"

A retired Air Force master sergeant, Van Houten had thought about joining the Patriot Guard Riders for years. The Supreme Court decision spurred him to sign up Saturday.

Twenty-one of the new Patriot Guard Riders joined from Connecticut. Nationally, membership now stands at about 221,000, including 1,200 in the state. Typically a few hundred people join per week.
"People reacted with anger and disgust, and they want to do something about it. Our organization is uniquely suited to do just that," said Bob Stone, the Connecticut state captain, explaining that the Patriot Guard Riders do not interact with protesters. "We simply shield the service with our bodies and our flags. If they get really noisy, we park the motorcycles there and rev our engines. I don't like doing that. We're not there to put on a show, but whatever it takes."
'Beautiful' reaction

A spokeswoman for Westboro Baptist Church, of Topeka, Kan., called the membership increase "beautiful" since it means there will be more people at the funerals to hear the church's "message."

"Yay! How good is that?" Shirley Phelps-Roper said Tuesday. "It is so much easier to tell people the message if they get off their dead butts and get out there to the streets."
The Patriot Guard Riders formed in 2005 in opposition to the Westboro Baptist Church. Their mission is two-fold - to show respect for the fallen members of any military branch, their families and communities, as well as to protect the mourning family from any protesters, not to counter-protest.
Thursday, the Patriot Guard Riders will go to the funeral for Army Spec. David R. Fahey Jr., 23, of Norwalk, who was killed Feb. 28 in Afghanistan when insurgents attacked his unit using an improvised explosive device. He was promoted posthumously to his current rank of specialist.
The Fahey family asked the Patriot Guard Riders to attend. A contingent from Connecticut will meet in Danbury Thursday morning, then meet their counterparts for the funeral services in Yorktown Heights, N.Y.

Fahey was born in Norwalk and raised in Yorktown Heights. Thomas Fahey said in a statement that his nephew was "a man of uncompromising integrity who served both God and country."
James "Sneakysnake" Davis, a vice president on the Patriot Guard Board of Directors, said Tuesday, "We have soldiers fighting for our rights today. One is freedom of speech. The very thing they're fighting for, Westboro is using against them when they give their life for this country."

Phelps-Roper said she was unsure if the Thursday service was on the church's "schedule of pickets." Westboro Baptist Church, founded by Fred Phelps, proclaims that military deaths are God's retribution for America's tolerance of homosexuality.

The Supreme Court case stemmed from the church's protest at the Maryland funeral of a Marine who died in Iraq, Lance Cpl. Matthew A. Snyder. His father, Albert Snyder, sued. The church plans to step up its activities in the wake of the court decision, Phelps-Roper said.
Its members protested in East Lyme in 2006 at the services for Army Capt. Jason Hamill. The Waterford High School Drama Club, the Patriot Guard Riders and members of several motorcycle groups acted as a buffer.

"Westboro isn't going to change what they're doing, and we're not going to change what we're doing," Davis said. "For us, it's all about honoring that fallen hero for their sacrifice on behalf of all of us, and respecting the family for what they're going through. That's the bottom line."

j.mcdermott@theday.com

2011-03-08T16:43:00.001-05:00

It is "Fat Tuesday" and here on Lake Winnipesaukee, it is warm and the Ice and Snow are melting. I have taken pictures to document how pretty even in the Winter the Inn is.

The family is coming up this weekend to celebrate mom's birthday day!! I wish all the snow would be gone, but I know it is suppose to snow again on Sunday.

Thought these pictures were pretty..

2011-03-06T13:03:00.002-05:00

Next weekend my whole family is coming, it seems every time we get together is it either bitter cold or snowy not nice weather, why is that? We are celebrating my mom's 70th birthday, it also happens to be our 6th wedding anniversary, which have chosen to celebrate at the end of the month. I am of course, worried, nervous when the family comes to visit, I feel my life is now under a microscope, and I never seem to live up to any one's expectations.

Do we ever really feel like an adult when your with people who have known you your whole life, have seen you celebrate life's accomplishment, life's failures and disappointments. I love my family and am better when we are in their homes, but to come to NH and see my life and work, it scares me as if I should be doing something more in my life.

Ironically, I do love my life, the husband and I are a real team, we enjoy our time together and maybe way too selfish about it, but we cherish just 'us' time. We love to sit and read, do some work but still be together, we love to go on little road trips and unexpected overnights. Living right near the Inn, we sometimes feel as if need to get out of town, even if just for 1 night or 1 day.

Tomorrow will be cleaning the house, errands to get ready for the weekend, they all arrive on Friday..

2011-03-05T18:05:00.002-05:00

A beautiful wedding today at the Wolfeboro Inn, it started out snowing then went to rain, then cleared up and was sunny. Now it is a bit of a mixture. The bride and groom seem very happy and content, ceremony was quick and sweet. They were smiling so big and sparkling, which is why I love my job.

Their colors were purple and silver with Ivory tablecloths and chaircovers from Divine Inspirations. Flowers were by Dandeloins here in Wolfeboro, DJ: Billy from Main Events. It was a nice turn out and a good mix of people, fun crowd. March is a perfect time for a wedding, you can have almost the whole Inn to yourselves and the town is waiting with open arms for winter business...

2011-02-27T09:40:00.002-05:00

Its been a winter wedding weekend! It started with the Rehearsal dinner in our 1812 room, with the snow coming down and the incredible Groom's cake from Jacques Pastry looking like a Pot of Chili with a Sam Adams beer, yes folks all edible.

Then the wedding on Saturday, when you walked into the ballroom it became a winter wonderland with the Blue and White lights, the white material over the snowflake lights and then the added touch of silver blue overlays and ties with crystals in them on the chair covers. Another wonderful Cake from Jacques for the wedding.

The bride Julie and Groom Adam were so very happy, everything was exactly as they wanted it for their Winter Wedding Weekend.

This morning when I came in they were up and happy, and it was again snowing this morning at their guests are leaving the Inn, it was a successful and fun weekend. Winter Weddings are so much fun, you and your guests are lucky to have something fun to do in the middle of all the snow and can take over most of the Inn for yourselves.

Here are some pictures I took of their special day.

2011-02-25T12:50:00.002-05:00

I thought this little girl deserves every chance, so please pass this story on if you know anyone who can help.

Stonington - It happened over a span of just 10 days in December.
First, Theresa Pont, a kindergarten student at Deans Mill School, told her mother Kim she had a headache.
But it quickly went away, and Kim didn't think much of it. Then a few days later, Theresa felt nauseous. Kim thought she was coming down with something but didn't worry later in the day when Theresa felt better and ate dinner.
A few days later, though, Theresa's vision became blurry. A pediatrician said she might need glasses. That made sense to Kim because several family members already wear them.
But when she noticed Theresa's eye was drifting, she brought her back to the doctor, who found she had lost sight in that eye. On Jan. 3, Theresa was rushed to Yale-New Haven Hospital, where she was diagnosed with a brain tumor.
Surgery was the next day. But three weeks later, the tumor had grown back, causing more vision problems.
Theresa is now undergoing 16 weeks of radiation and chemotherapy treatments at Yale-New Haven. She and her parents, Kim and Bob Pont, have been staying at the Ronald McDonald House in New Haven because the car trip back and forth from Stonington makes the little girl sick.
"She's doing the best she can. The radiation wipes her out. It's like a cloud over her," Kim said this week. "But when she feels good, she's like her old self, joking around and smiling. We relish those times when her old personality is back."
Theresa was diagnosed shortly after she and her family had moved to Stonington, where Bob Pont had grown up. For the past 18 years he had lived in Florida.
The Ponts, who also have two sons, are also struggling with financial problems. Bob Pont has not been able to find a job because of the time he needs to spend with his daughter.
Borough resident Wendy Cekala, a friend of Bob Pont's brother, heard of the family's plight and decided two weeks ago to organize a fundraiser for them with the help of about 40 other volunteers.
The benefit pasta dinner, which will include a raffle and live music, will be Friday night at the Portuguese Holy Ghost Society in the borough.
"We're doing this because this could be any one of our children," Cekala said. "They're a family in need who are in crisis both financially and with what is happening to their daughter."
Volunteers are spending this week preparing lasagna, spaghetti and meatballs, sausage and peppers, desserts and other items.
Cekala said she hopes to raise a large sum of money for the family.
Kim Pont, a native of Staten Island, N.Y., said the outpouring of support from the people of Stonington, even though her husband has not lived here in almost two decades, has been overwhelming.
She said there have been calls, e-mails and a bake sale at St. Mary Church for the family.
She said either she or her husband plans to attend Friday's dinner to thank people. She hopes they both will attend, but that will depend on how Theresa is feeling.
"I can't believe how the community is trying to help us. It's just amazing," she said.
j.wojtas@theday.com

THERESA PONT BENEFIT DINNER
WHEN: FridayTIME: 6 to 9 p.m., dinner seatings at 6 and 7 p.m.WHERE: Portuguese Holy Ghost Society, 26 Main St., Stonington Borough.ADMISSION: $20 for adults, $10 for children. Tickets can be purchased in advance by contacting Wendy Cekala via FaceBook or Jennifer Geary at 860-710-1821.CONTRIBUTIONS: Payable to "Theresa Pont Benefit" can also be sent to c/o Kate Careb, P.O. Box 202, Stonington, CT 06378.

2011-02-22T15:10:00.001-05:00

He is a monster, how else would you describe what he and Steven Hayes did to the Hawke-Petit Family that day? His lawyer wants him to sit closer to the jury? Why so they can see what a pathetic piece of human flesh he really is, go ahead maybe then we can finally get to the point of death for him and Steven Hayes..

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (AP) -- He's accused of one of the most heinous crimes in Connecticut history, a gruesome home invasion in which a mother and her two daughters were killed after a night of terror in their suburban home.

With Joshua Komisarjevsky heading to trial on capital murder charges next month, his attorneys are trying to lessen emotion in the case. They want to humanize their client, who was compared to the devil last year at the trial of his co-defendant, Steven Hayes, who was convicted and sentenced to death.

Among their many moves last week in New Haven Superior Court, defense attorneys argued that Komisarjevsky should be allowed to sit closer to the jury, where prosecutors traditionally sit. Todd Bussert, one of Komisarjevsky's attorneys, said there is a "perception that he is a monster."

"We want the opportunity to let them see him up close, to see that there is nothing to be afraid of," Bussert said. "He is a troubled young man. He made a mistake being there that night. He should not have gone into that house."

Judge Jon Blue said he would consider the request later in the proceedings and had Bussert take measurements of the distance between Komisarjevsky to jurors and between prosecutors and the jury box.

William Dow III, a prominent defense lawyer in New Haven, compared the challenges facing Komisarjevsky's attorneys to "trying to do an ice sculpture in the middle of hell."
"The defense is going to leave absolutely no stone unturned in trying to stop the execution of their client," Dow said.

Authorities say Komisarjevsky and Hayes killed Jennifer Hawke-Petit and her daughters, 11-year-old Michaela and 17-year-old Hayley, in their Cheshire home in 2007. Dr. William Petit, the girl's father, was beaten with a baseball bat but survived.
Hayes was convicted of sexually assaulting and strangling Hawke-Petit and killing the girls. Authorities say he and Komisarjevsky tied the girls to their beds, poured gasoline on or around them and set fire to their Cheshire home, leading to their deaths from smoke inhalation.
Hayes and Komisarjevsky have blamed each other for escalating the crime, but prosecutors say both men were equally responsible. Jury selection for Komisarjevsky's trial is scheduled to start March 14.
During the first trial, Hayes' attorneys portrayed Komisarjevsky as the mastermind of the crime. They described him as a home invasion specialist who wore night-vision goggles as he broke into homes with children present and bragged about breaking into a state trooper's home.
By contrast, Hayes' attorneys portrayed their client as a petty thief who took pains to avoid confrontations and was so unsophisticated he would return to a crime scene to break into cars by smashing windows with rocks.
After the crime, Hayes was so remorseful he tried to kill himself, his attorneys said. They contrasted that with Komisarjevsky's journal writings that indicated he took pleasure from the crime. Komisarjevsky wrote that the deaths of the victims broke "the enchantment" and his "physiological control" over them.
"In life their fear and sorrow was a gift we now shared," he wrote. "My nirvana lived in their life their eyes, in their emotional pain."
Hayes' attorneys also called a witness who testified that Komisarjevsky looked like the devil, describing "completely dead eyes."
While Hayes stared blankly ahead or kept his head cast down in court, Komisarjevsky, 30, smiled at his father as he came into court. His hair was slicked back and small tattoos were visible near the back of his neck.
The defense wants the trial moved from New Haven to adjacent Fairfield County, arguing Komisarjevsky was so "demonized" during Hayes' trial that he could not get a fair trial in New Haven. A hearing will be held this week on the request to move the trial.
Bussert asked that marshals near Komisarjevsky be allowed to sit rather than stand. They also tried unsuccessfully to remove Blue, arguing he made improper statements that appealed to emotions surrounding the case. Another judge found no evidence of bias and left Blue on the case.
Prosecutors defended Blue, saying his comments were fair and based on the evidence. They said there was no need to move the trial.
Blue on Tuesday rejected a request by Komisarjevsky to ban the use of Twitter during his trial, rejecting a defense claim that a broadcasting ban in the case applies to Twitter. Komisarjevsky's attorneys say the sudden typing of tweets by reporters and spectators signaled to the jury during Hayes' trial what evidence the observers believed was significant.
Komisarjevsky's attorneys tried unsuccessfully to keep William Petit out of court during pretrial arguments and jury selection because he plans to testify again at the second trial. They also argued that Petit and other relatives and supporters of the victims should not be allowed to wear pins and other paraphernalia associated with the victims or charities in their memory, saying the items posed a threat to Komisarjevsky's right to a fair trial.
Some jurors met with Petit after the verdict, Komisarjevsky's attorneys noted.
"What we witnessed was mob mentality," Bussert said. "The jurors felt a bond to this family."
Blue said the victims could continue to wear the pins, describing them as small and discrete. He said there was no need to keep Petit out of court during pretrial motions and jury selection.
Komisarjevsky's attorneys are right to try to minimize the emotions of the case, said Arthur Patterson, senior vice president at DecisionQuest, a national jury consulting firm.
"In a community where a horrible event has occurred, it is difficult for jurors to separate their own emotions and their perception of their fellow community members' emotions from the task of listening to evidence impartially," Patterson said.
Komisarjevsky's lawyers made clear they would wage an aggressive effort.
"We're not simply going to roll over and let Mr. Komisarjevsky be killed by the state," Bussert said.

2011-02-14T20:17:00.002-05:00

Happy Valentine's Day! Well, the husband does not believe in the day, he says it is a Hallmark holiday so he does not acknowledge it. He has been sick for the last 2 days it started yesterday, and I thought on Saturday he felt warm but now he has not stopped coughing, hacking and sniffling, he is sick... We went out for lunch to get out of the house, and then came home and hung out reading and sleeping the rest of the day.

He made dinner, and we opened the wine I bought him at Christmas, it is called " Smith & Hook Cabernet Sauvignon 1980. I bought it because our last name is Smith and he always wanted to be a pirate...

So, now watching CBS Monday line up, to see how bad Charlie Sheehan looks on Two and half men and also the new show Mad Love...I hope everyone is having a great valentine days

2011-02-13T08:42:00.002-05:00

Well, this week, has been hard. First on Wednesday I get a call that my dad was rushed to the hospital and had lost alot of blood. I could not get down there until Thursday afternoon, then for the next two days waiting for a doctor to give us a diagnosis, finally we got one on Saturday morning. Now, what to do about treatment is the question. I did come home last night, and went in to work this morning to clear off my desk.

I am not happy at work right now, and I have no idea how to turn it around, I will definitely do what is asked of me, but going through the motions does not make me happy, what do I want to do? We do not want to move again, and the husband is so stressed out and tired from work, what am I suppose to do?

I am aggravated, upset and on edge, something is wrong at work, and I feel like we have no where to turn and nothing to do but stayed put for awhile longer. I have decided to start on my wedding book to keep me occupied and not think about work until I am at the job. When I am at home, I stress and worry about work, even when my dad was in the hospital I was concerned about work.

2011-02-09T13:47:00.002-05:00

So, work has been crazy for my husband, it seems even when he is not at work, he is stressing about it, and then the phone rings. This past weekend, we did nothing really, I was trying to get him to relax. Well, yesterday, he had a huge meeting with all his supervisors and the big boss, and I could tell it did not go well.

He came home from work after 12 hours around 9pm, and looked exhausted, and defeated, he would not talk to me about it, one of his supervisors came to me and asked if he was ok.. I of course, called him immediately to find out how he was, today will be only a 10 hour day for him, easy right?

I have not been happy in my job for quite awhile, but willing to stay and make it work since he loves where we live and I admit it is fun, knowing your neighbors, walking to town and being part of the community, but I am so worried about the husband!! Sometimes it is so hard working together when I want him to stay to keep the load off of me, but the other part wants him happy! I told him, if he wants for us to look for other positions or other places to let me know, his response was I love this town. I understand that, but we are in the middle of nowhere, so there is no other work in this town.

I am so confused about what we should do, for me, I want my career to move forward, I have been stuck as a CSM for so long and want a director job and wouldn't feel right leaving for the same position I am in right now, because I would be in the same boat and struggling.. We have moved so much since we got married, this is the first time, we are working on 2 years, today it is 2 years since we moved and I started my job here.

For me the importance is my husand's well being, physical and mental, so if I have to move again I will, he just is trying to stick it out, and I feel guilty he originally took this job to make my job easier and it is so hard to watch things unfold here, this place is unique and harder than any other place I have ever worked. These are just my thoughts..

2011-02-02T14:02:00.003-05:00

"Groundhog Day" 2011, or Storm 2.2.11, maybe play a lotto number in there. Anyway, this first image is from the front door of the Inn out toward the Lake and the Gazebo, 2nd is where do we put the snow? The 3rd is looking out toward the street. Snow, keeps coming and according to the weather, we are suppose to end up with about 14'-20' inches an another storm on Saturday is coming our way.

Seriously, where are we going to put the snow? This morning on the news I saw that the Groundhog in PA did not see his shadow which means we are to have an early spring, seriously has Punxsutawney Phil been drinking or something? How old is he anyway? From up here in NH spring can not come fast enough!!

Our car most likely will not be dug out until the weekend, luckily we went grocery shopping on Monday, and we live in Town and can walk anywhere we might need to go, walking to work this morning was not so easy, glad I was not driving, could not see anything, compeletely white and wet.

An "old" boyfriend about 15 years, loves that his birthday is on "Groundhog" Day never understood that, but wish him the best anyway..

I hope everyone is staying, safe and dry wherever you are spending this snowy day!!

2011-01-30T21:13:00.002-05:00

This is the hubby! This is going to be sappy, so if you don't want to see it or read it ignore this post...Lately, work has been "crazy" ! Work has been taking over our lives lately, and unless you have ever been in the restaurant business you would have no idea... People not in the business think we are "selfish" for how we cherish our 2 days off together.
As he is sleeping, I love to watch that, and I love him more everyday. We both love being in the restaurant business, and realize that we give up a lot of ourselves for it, but we would not have it any other way.. I do worry about him, and make sure on our time together, we do what is beneficial to his/ my mind, body and soul. Right now, what is happening in our business affects him more, so I am the one taking care of him, last summer it was him taking care of me, it is a two way street, we work always as a team.. Sometimes, just getting out of town is the ticket, so yes it might cost a bit but to both of us it is worth it..

We have dreams of owning our own restaurant, and in order for that to happen we have to staff healthy, in mind and soul.. So it may not be cool, but after being together 7. 5 years and married 6 years, I still an very deeply and wholeheartly in love with my husband!!

2011-01-27T18:29:00.002-05:00

My heart goes out to my boss Lucy Van Cleve and her family today. Her niece Molly was hit and killed by a car last night in Texas, she was only 20 years old, I met her the summer of 2009, sweet nice fun girl and my heart hurts but right now my thoughts and prayers are with Lucy and her family.

She is on her way to Texas, and I feel like I am lost, I wish I could help her, I remember my pain when Thomas died and I was in North Carolina way to far to feel I could be comforted. At these times she needs her family and they need her.

It was and tragic accident, she ran out of gas and was walking down the street in dark clothes to get gas and a father and daughter coming on to the highway hit her. My heart goes out to all involved it was just a tragic accident.

So, I wish everyone's family and loved ones is safe tonight, and please say prayer for Molly and the family.

2011-01-22T12:14:00.002-05:00

This is Congresswoman Michele Bachmann from MN she is a "Tea Party" Candidate. The reason I bring it up, is the idiot from MSNBC Chris Matthews was on a "tear" the other day against her, calling her "Psycho". I think his man-crush on Obama is under scrunity, so he is lashing out at people he think aren't worthy. Or is it because she is an attractive conservative woman with a brain? Does Mr. Matthews have a problem with smart attractive women? I believe so, look at his track record. just a thought..

Below and Insert from this interview on MSNBC:

I think the American people are the ones that finally are speaking tonight," she said as Matthews' co-hosts Keith Olbermann and Eugene Robinson chuckled.

Following the interview, Matthews explained his line of questioning. "The important question is that Michele Bachmann has become a very successful sort of troubadour for the tea party by going around and making these extreme statements. On our program she said she thought her colleagues right across the aisles should be investigated McCarthy-style for anti-American attitudes. That was a strong statement. She either means it or she doesn't. Or she's irresponsible," Matthews said.

HEY Chris, look what happened to your buddy Keith Olbermann...

2011-01-21T14:06:00.002-05:00

This was the beginning of the summer season, our first boat ride with Blake & Stephen, My stephen shown here next to Blake, we were so happy after last winter, light spring to be on the Lake again..

Today after watching the snow fall, and know we have a long way to go, made me remember how much fun summer can be here on the Lake, yes alot of work, but it really is worth it..

2011-01-20T10:07:00.004-05:00

Winter on Lake Winnipesaukee, in Alton Bay, it becomes a Airport, you have Ice Fishing, we have events, fun, and interesting people up here in New Hampshire year round.

I thought these pictures were cool, and shows anyone who does not live up here year round,yes it may be cold, and snowy, but it can be so much more!

Lake Winnipesaukee year round is a playground. This is our 3rd winter up here, and we still find things to do that would amaze me years ago. Snow Tubing (because my knees can not handle downhill), Snowshoeing, going on the Ice just to hang out..

2011-01-19T16:40:00.001-05:00

Besides that is snowing yet again. I know I live in NH I should get used to it, it is the rain and sleet and ice that is all over everything.

I always worry about it hanging down and hitting someone, and hurting someone badly.

It is pretty though.

2011-01-18T13:01:00.004-05:00

I saw this on the Street in Boston, MA. My husband is what are you doing? I said, you see a giant Inflatable Mouse in the street you take a picture. They were protesting a restaurant, didn't get the name.

2011-01-12T16:28:00.002-05:00

This morning, I got up at 5am, realized that Rotary was cancelled, went back to bed until 7:15am, got up bundled up and slushed down the hill to work. Good thing about living close if the car is not dug out oh well, on the bad side, you live close so you have to go to work, no excuse for not getting to work.

As you can see this person in downtown Portsmouth made sure she got to wherever she was going.

We are having a fundraiser here at the Inn tonight and people are still coming they are not cancelling, then again when you live in New Hampshire/New England you should be used to all this weather by now..

I had at least (4) Phone calls today asking about our Boat for the summer, seriously did you look at the snow that is beating down on us and think of the summer? Good for them...

2011-01-11T16:37:00.001-05:00

Stop Westboro!! Fox news:

Arizona residents are locking arms to stop the Westboro Baptist Church from disrupting the funerals for victims of Saturday's shooting in Tucson, with bikers and others organizing a massive counter-protest and state lawmakers fast-tracking a bill to hamstring the group.
The Kansas-based Westboro church is notorious for showing up at the funerals of dead soldiers and other high-profile gatherings wielding anti-gay signs.

But when the church announced it would picket the funeral Thursday for the 9-year-old girl fatally shot over the weekend at a Tucson grocery store by a gunman who allegedly killed five others and injured 14 others attending a town-hall session by Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, Tucson- and Phoenix-area residents started organizing immediately.

They may not be able to stop them, but they plan on giving the grieving family as much of a buffer as possible between the protesters and the service. "It makes me sick to my stomach," said Glen Littell, who's bringing a pack of bikers from the Phoenix Motorcycle Rider Group to Tucson on Thursday. "They're a stench from a slaughterhouse. We're just going to block the stench so the family can catch their breath."

Arizona state lawmakers are also scrambling -- to pass a bill that would order protesters to stay 300 feet away from the funeral. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, the lead sponsor on the bill, said in an e-mail to colleagues that the plan is to suspend the rules Tuesday and fast-track the bill to protect the victims' families from the "hateful protest" from the Westboro Baptist Church.
She said she has the support of the Senate president and Gov. Jan Brewer, and the bill will go into effect "immediately" once it's signed.

"It's gonna happen," Sinema said. The senator said she was "real upset" after learning that the Westboro church planned on protesting but had a visceral reaction after reading their press release and sprung into action. "It is the most disgusting thing I ever read in my entire life," she told FoxNews.com. "I literally threw up after I read it. … I'm like, 'I'm gonna fix this.'"
Littell said his riders are not looking for any violent confrontations. But he told FoxNews.com that Arizona bikers are going to do "whatever we have to do" to cordon off the family from the protests. A group called the Patriot Guard Riders often does this when the Westboro church pickets military funerals, but Littell said that group is not traveling to Tucson, so "we're stepping in."

"Our sole purpose will be to allow that family some dignity and respect … without having to worry about the a--holes," he said.
It's not clear whether the Westboro church intends to picket the funerals of all the victims of Saturday's attack. One press release from the group declared, "Thank God for the shooter," and said the group would picket the "funerals." Another release announced plans only for the protest on Thursday.
"God sent the shooter to deal with idolatrous America," the group said in a statement.
The Westboro church, led by Fred Phelps, believes that tragic events like the deaths of soldiers are punishment for tolerance of homosexuality.
The Supreme Court last fall heard arguments in a case brought against Phelps by the father of a soldier killed in Iraq whose funeral was protested by the group in 2006. The father, Albert Snyder, had won a multimillion-dollar verdict against the church, claiming invasion of privacy and intentional infliction of emotional distress. The court is expected to issue a ruling soon on whether free speech can be curbed at specific locations and events.

Sinema said the bill she was introducing is modeled on an Ohio law that has withstood court challenge. It would technically apply to protesters at any Arizona funeral, though Sinema was clear that it's directed at Westboro.
She said she hopes the protesters and counter-protesters avoid any violence at the service. Meanwhile, several grassroots groups have popped up on Facebook calling on Tucson residents to intervene.

"We will create a wall of humanity to allow the families who've lost their love ones to hold their funerals in peace, held with dignity, and surrounded in love," one of the Facebook groups says in a statement.
Another calls for a "peaceful protest" of the church at the funeral Thursday for 9-year-old Christina Green.
Littell has notified the Pima County Sheriff's Department and has reached out to several other biker groups notifying them of their planned presence at Green's funeral. He crossed his fingers that the Hells Angels would join them.

"Nothing says stand back and be silent like a Hells Angels presence," he said.
Littell added that if the church moves on to picket other funerals, his riders will follow.
"We're getting word there's gonna be a pretty large presence of bikers," he said. "Word's spreading. And spreading quickly."

2011-01-04T11:34:00.000-05:00

I am so upset, how can it be? Seahorse has always been part of the summer fun, after the concerts at the beach, just to relax and have some good food and conversation...

FROM THE NEW LONDON DAY:
Seahorse owes more than $900,000, must be handed over to creditor next week
Groton - Weighed down by more than $900,000 in debt, the longstanding Seahorse Restaurant in Noank is being forced to close.
Filings in New London Superior Court indicate the restaurant, a local favorite for more than half a century, must be handed over to its main creditor by Jan. 10.
"It was a colorful place for locals," said Betty Helbig, who works at nearby Noank Village Boatyard. "The locals used to come all year round. It's very sad."
The creditor, CIT Small Business Lending Corp. of Livingston, N.J., filed a foreclosure notice against the restaurant's ownership organization, Seahorse Inc., restaurant owner and chef Robert J. Sader of Westbrook and the building's owner, Sader Realty LLC, last May.
Judge James J. Devine finalized the foreclosure in November, at which time a report stated the restaurant on nearly a half-acre off Marsh Road owed its mortgage holder more than $877,000. The debt doesn't include unpaid real estate taxes of more than $26,000 and other fees totaling nearly $5,000, according to court papers.
"It's been an institution for a long time," said Matthew Fay, owner of Noank's Universal Food Store, who said word about the closing was circulating around town.
Neither Sader, former head chef of Bravo Bravo, nor his New London attorney, Gordon Videll, returned calls seeking comment. Calls to the restaurant elicited no response, and an attorney for the creditor, Paul A. De Genaro of Stamford, also did not return a message.
But court records indicate this wasn't Sader's first brush with credit problems. In March 2010, Unifund Corp. sued Sader for more than $15,000 in credit-card debt, and in 2007 SNET Information Services claimed he owed more than $1,600 for ads placed in the AT&T Yellow Pages, according to court filings.
Harry Boardsen, a longtime Noank resident and owner of Livery Limited of Pawcatuck, said the restaurant, which started in 1947 as little more than a hotdog stand next to Spicer's Marina off West Cove, had been a staple of village life for many years.
"The Seahorse was to Noank and Groton and Mystic what Hughie's (restaurant) was to New London," said Boardsen, referring to a city hangout made popular by restaurateur Hughie Devlin before being closed down a decade ago by the Fort Trumbull development project.
"It was a nice, small, cozy place," he added. "It was the place to go."
But Boardsen said the Seahorse's food and service had fallen off dramatically in recent months, and many customers, himself included, had started to frequent The Fisherman restaurant at the entrance to Groton Long Point.
John F. Williams, owner of The Fisherman who learned the restaurant business as a bus boy and server for the Seahorse, said the demise of a local institution indicates the struggles local operators are having in today's economy and the need for customers to support homegrown businesses.
"A lot of business owners are under the gun," he said. "It's a sad thing to see a local landmark like that disappear."
Sader bought the Seahorse from John Hewes, current operator of the Mystic Boathouse, for $500,000 in December 2003, according to court documents. An appraisal of the property says it is worth $402,000 today.
Hewes had run the 3,600-square-foot restaurant and bar for 22 years. Before him, Charles Doughty and Bruce Wakefield had operated the Seahorse for more than two decades.
The Seahorse's appraisal, by Stephen P. Smith of Morrow Morgan Smith Inc. of Farmington, said the restaurant, viewed during a typical lunchtime during the boating season, "indicated a low level of business activity." It added that "the vicinity lacks commercial drawing power outside the neighboring land uses."
Sader had brought a restaurant pedigree - trained at Johnson & Wales University in Providence and previously with the Copper Beech Inn in Ivoryton and Restaurant du Village in Chester, where he served as executive chef - but Boardsen said his attention to customers was lacking.
"In this environment, only the strong are going to survive," he said.
Tricia Cunningham, president of the Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce, said the demise of the Seahorse is sad news, but she expected someone else would take over the space by the spring or summer.
"That's a prime space," she said. "I don't think it's going to stay empty for long."
l.howard@theday.com

2011-01-01T10:49:00.002-05:00

Happy New Years Day, this morning was a bit foggy, but it has cleared up and suppose to get up to 50' today, what a beautiful way to bring in 2011, not with a storm.

Last night, I watched the midnight fireworks, kissed the husband who got home at 11:57pm, and then went to bed, to be back at work by 8am.

I have a few pet peeves, but (1) is DO NOT CALL OUT SICK ON NEW YEARS DAY, especially when you live in a small town and everyone knows you were out partying last night..

When I was a banquet server, I remember going to a big party and staying out to 3am and having to be in work at 10am to do a wedding, it ended up being a 12 hour day, well 3 people who were at the party with me called out, so not only was it a long day, hung over and short staffed, one of the people was my boyfriend at the time. I remember thinking if you did it to yourself you must suffer, because you knew you had to work and be responsible the next day..

Holidays are really busy at hotels and restaurants so for you to call out, hurts not only the customers, the business and your fellow employees. Why do people feel you can talk to line employees as meanly as possible and be surprised when they do not give in to what you want from them? Just a thought..

I am looking outside wishing I was out there and not working, but since the husband got called in at 7am this morning due to the call out, he is here anyway so why not, he is closing tonight, so hopefully he can go home soon and sleep until he has to come back. We both know it is only for a little while, due to the hotel drops off in the next month.

We have planned to celebrate tonight, with our champagne when he gets home from work, and we have tomorrow together, maybe sushi, maybe a nice ride, or just snuggle in for the day..

Happy New Year..

2010-12-31T09:34:00.001-05:00

Happy New Years Everyone! Tonight will be a boring evening for me. The husband is working and I have to work at 8am on Saturday morning, so I will not be out. I feel so old, but thinking back, there is only a few NYE that were good for me.

Usually, I am worried about driving or I am stuck in a house of annoying people, I always thought it would be fun to be in a city, and go to a big ball in a Hotel and be all dressed up, kind of like "When Harry met Sally", but of course, due to working in the business it has never happened.

The last few years, I have not even made it to Midnight.

2010-12-29T13:41:00.002-05:00

These are my brother's daughters Lizzie and Maddie, aren't they so cute! Love the wings my dad and Ellie gave them for Christmas. I didn't get to see the girls on Christmas day, but saw them on Christmas Eve..

2010-12-28T15:13:00.003-05:00

Sunday evening, the snow started to fall, and the wind was so loud, I was afraid we would lose power, but nope. The husband worked that evening so his staff did not have to drive in the storm.

Monday we were both off, and we had a wonderful day, first we dug out the car, went grocery shopping then all day just stayed in the house, and hung out together, cooked and enjoyed that we did not have to go anywhere in the weather.

We both know the snow will most likely last until April now, but I always love the first snow fall, but I admit after weeks of digging out the car and dealing with the snow, rain and cold, I will be yelling about it by February.. For now, look how pretty the sunset was yesterday, I hope everyone got home after the holiday safe and sound.

New Years Eve will be another quiet affair for me, home alone, will down here to kiss the husband then home to bed, we will see if I can make it to Midnight..

2010-12-23T10:54:00.002-05:00

Twas (2) days before Christmas, and all through the town Paula is waiting to get out of work, Stephen is finishing up his shopping, doing laundry and getting ready for me to come home.

As, we begin our journey down to CT, I remember all my Christmas past, and sometimes wish I was still that little girl, who wakes everyone up before dawn to see if we can catch "Santa", which never seemed to happen, but we still had our presents.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if I had a big enough house so the whole family could all wake up together on Christmas morning and for once go back in time? Santa seems to find us no matter where we are, if I am in London, Charlotte, Mystic, anywhere he always finds me..

Merry Christmas and to all a good night..

2010-12-21T15:32:00.001-05:00

This was last winter on Lake Winnipesaukee, it is 3 days before Christmas and we have no snow, and the Lake is not frozen. I really want a "White Christmas" this morning walking to work it was flurrying, so I was optimistic that I would get my wish of a White Christmas.

I am still keeping an open mind, especially due to the fact we are going down to CT and they have snow, according to the pictures this morning on the Weather Channel in Berlin, CT. We will be having dinner with friends in Westerly, RI then on Christmas Eve my big family party up in Avon this year. Then Mystic on Christmas morning then back to CT we are both working at the Inn on Christmas night.

I am wishing everyone a Safe and Happy Holiday Season..."MERRY CHRISTMAS"

2010-12-16T13:16:00.002-05:00

This is the husband and I at the Capital Brew Pub in Washington DC, November 27, it is now December and his birthday has passed, he is down.

December always gets him down, he never gets excited about his birthday, and I love Birthday's and he is not into Christmas celebrating, so in our house is a "Festive Pole" with white lights, no tree. Last week, he did seem in better spirits while we were shopping and when we got home he helped me wrap presents. Which is great, since I am the worse wrapper in the world, no matter if I am paying attention and taking my time, I just am bad at it. I appreciate my family and friends for not picking on me so much about how bad I wrap presents.

This morning I could tell he was down, but we go through this every year, from Dec. 1 ( his b-day) until Dec. 31 he is not himself, he is down, grumpy and distant, the first few years it freaked me out, since I love Birthday's and Christmas, but now I accept that it is his dark month.

I had some news yesterday, my stepfather who lives in Seattle, WA had a stroke, I called him and told him I miss and love him, I realized I could of lost him and he may never know how he changed my life and was/is a big part of it. Last time, he came back home was in March 2005, for my wedding, which I had asked him to do a reading. Life is short so everyday you should tell the people you care about how much they mean to you.

My husband and I may seem sappy, but we do tell each other everyday how much we love each other and appreciate each other strengths and weaknesses.

2010-12-04T17:33:00.002-05:00

Its getting close to the end of our vacation. It has been so wonderful, spending time together and exploring new cities, DC was exciting, walked ALOT, my legs were hurting so bad from lack of exercise, but well worth it.

We drove 2.5 hours to Charlotteville, VA to see Monticello, Stephen really wanted to see it, even though it was far, well worth it..

Had dinner at our favorite place, "Capital Grille" food was excellent like always but the waiter needed alot to be desired, I messed up and made the reservation for Monday, but we went on Sunday, they fit us in, but no special writing for Stephen's birthday, I felt awful then I lost the birthday card and still can not find it, he deserves so much better then my scatterbrain...

Then we went to all the monuments, starting with Lincoln, did you ever know how far away the Jefferson monument is from Lincoln, I can tell you far!!! My legs really hurt, then we went to the National Archives, we both wanted to see the Declaration of Independence.

Went to different places for dinner, then on Stephen's actual birthday we went out for sushi.. My stomach has been upset most of the week, I am looking forward to going home tomorrow, not work but in our own place with a nice dinner YEAH!!

The Wedding was today it was incredible, Christian made me cry when Jen walked down the aisle he was in tears it was so touching...

2010-11-25T12:16:00.002-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving! Worked this morning, Stephen is still there, but I am home preparing for our vacation. We are so excited, our first real vacation since our honeymoon in 2005, we have gone away for 3-4 days, but first real 10 day vacation..

Looking forward to seeing Washington for more than 1 day, and actually staying in the city.. Stephen's birthday is next wee, and we are going to our favorite restaurant "Capital Grille" we have never been to the DC one, looking forward to a wonderful celebration and our time together..

Hope everyone is giving thanks to their friends and family today...

2010-11-21T09:10:00.002-05:00

Reality Bite:

We all know I love the Real Housewives on Bravo, but the latest incarnation has a new villain and she is better at playing the victim then Danielle from NJ. If you don't' watch it let me give you a little something about the women.

Kyle and Kim- Sisters actress, Kim was a "HUGE" Child star in the 70's, Think "Return to Witch Mountain" yes Kim Richards. Kyle has a wonderful home life, 4 girls loving husband and she does some work now and then but her family is everything. Kim has children but no husband and what I can see no career, how does she live? On her royalties from being a child star? She is so real full of self doubt, it is kind of sad to watch her, she was (1) of the people I wanted to be when I was a child..

Lisa - British, funny outspoken owns a restaurant and actually works in it, from what I can see has been very successful in the restaurant/nightclub world, which I appreciate very much. I don't really understand Cedric her permanent house guests but I like her, she tells you like it is.

Taylor - her marriage seems to be she is the Trophy wife, and he has no personality but runs her, if he doesn't want her to do something she won't it seems he controls everything and I see no love between the two.

Adrienne- my favorite, she works hard for everything she has, and her husband and her make a good team they bicker, laugh and definitely you can see the love between the (2)..

Camille- Villain or Victim? I see her as the Villain she loves to tell everyone she has (4) Nanny's for her 2 children, she is working on a project for Nickelodeon and she is married to Kelsey Grammer, exactly what does anyone have to be jealous of you for? The fact you are a Trophy Wife, who by the end of the show we know is no longer with Kelsey? Did your project ever get off the ground? Do you still have an abundance of staff? You are ridiculous I have no use for her, except to see her attack Kyle and try to look like she was the victim, you are insecure, you have no life but your ex-husband, your children seem more like and accessory then anything else, 4 nannies why?

The fact that she says she is SOOO busy doing what exactly on the show all we see you do is take 1 meeting for Kelsey, and then on vacation and yell at your staff. I think she can give Danielle a run for her money. At least Danielle really does take care of her girls on her own and includes them in everything she does. Believe me Danielle is not going to get Mother of the Year, but a bit better then Camille.

Project Runway, I am still upset that Gretchen won over Mondo, I wanted him to win so much, I love everything he did, I am sure he will still have a huge Career.

I dont' watch Dancing with the Stars, but who hasn't heard about Bristol Palin in the final 3? I read that people think it is a conspiracy, seriously is that what our elected officials are doing watching the show and voting? Give me a break, maybe more people actually like her, why is it so tough for people to understand? Why does it have to be something wrong, because of who her mom is?

Reality TV has gone so far, there aren't alot of shows on other than them it seems sometimes it gets me down...

2010-11-18T10:31:00.002-05:00

The Husband at Moat Mountain Brewery, being funny, see he goes out with the guys and acts silly.

We love Moat Mountain Smokehouse & Brewery in North Conway, this time it was bonding day with the boys...www.moatmountain.com

They were there doing research for our Beer Dinner on January 14, 2011 here at the Wolfe's Tavern featuring the Beer of Moat Mountain.

Thought this was funny, so sharing...

2010-11-10T12:39:00.001-05:00

Eastern Point Beach- I love this place, it brings back such great memories, I saw this picture in the New London Day today, thought I would post it...

2010-11-09T11:44:00.001-05:00

From the Hartford Courant: These case has affected everyone, we are suppose to feel safe in our own homes, if Steven Hayes wants to die, then deny the appeal and get on with it, why should we house and feed you while you linger for years, you didn't give Jennifer, Hayley and Michaela the same courtesy. You are a SCUM!!! I hope in your time alone you relive what you did in your head and get no peace...

NEW HAVEN – — Certain words in the litany of verdicts that sent triple murderer Steven Hayes to death row Monday were reminders of what happened to a woman and her two daughters inside their Cheshire home three years ago.Sexually assaulted. Kidnapped. Murdered.Included in the repetitive recitation of the verdicts by the judge's clerk Monday in Superior Court were the words Dr. William Petit Jr. has said were often missing from three years' worth of court hearings:

Jennifer. Hayley. Michaela.When their names were read Monday, Petit, seated in the courtroom, lifted his head and closed his eyes.After deliberating for nearly 17 hours over four days, a jury of five men and seven women decided that Hayes, 47, a career burglar from Winsted, should be executed for the torture and murders of Petit's wife, Jennifer Hawke-Petit, 48, and their daughters, Hayley, 17, and Michaela,11, during a home invasion at their Cheshire home on July 23, 2007.Petit was badly beaten with a baseball bat and tied to a pole in the basement. He was able to break free and escape before the fire consumed his home."This is a verdict for justice," Petit said to reporters outside the courthouse. But, he said, upon hearing the jury's decision, "I was really thinking of the tremendous loss … I was sad for the loss we have all suffered."Petit, pausing to choke back tears, said, "Michaela was an 11-year-old little girl. She was tortured and killed in her own bedroom, surrounded by her stuffed animals."Petit also talked about his daughter Hayley's bright future and her strength and the many children who his wife, Jennifer, helped.Petit thanked the jury for doing its job, and said, "I appreciate the fact that there was seven women on the jury. This was a case of sexual predation …

I liked to see women stand up for other women." Hawke-Petit was raped during the attack, and Michaela was sexually assaulted, according to testimony."Crimes like this have to be pursued and prosecuted vigorously," he said. "The easy way out is to plead things out." He described how New Haven State's Attorney Michael Dearington came to his house and said "If any case deserves the death penalty, it's this one. If I don't go for it, there's no reason to have it on the books." Petit said he agreed."In a civilized society, people need to be responsible for their actions."In court Monday, Petit shut his eyes and cried quietly as he clutched the hand of Beata Bagi, a victim advocate. Some of the more than two dozen family and friends, most of whom attended court with him daily, also cried and clutched one another as Judge Jon C. Blue's clerk, Edjah Jean-Louis, read the verdicts one by one.Across the room, Hayes, seated at a table with his public defenders, did not appear to react to the six death verdicts. He stared straight ahead toward the judge's bench, rarely looking at the jury or anyone else.The jury decided for death on six capital counts: killing Hawke-Petit and Michaela and Hayley in the course of a single action; killing a child under the age of 16; killing Hawke-Petit in the course of a kidnapping; killing Hayley in the course of a kidnapping; killing Michaela in the course of a kidnapping; and killing Hawke-Petit in the course of a sexual assault.During the penalty phase,

Hayes' lawyers argued that a series of mitigating factors, including Hayes' addiction to drugs, a "significantly impaired" mental state, a troubled family history of abuse, a weak personality and the responsibility they say Hayes has taken for the killings with his offers to plead guilty in exchange for life in prison without release, warranted a life sentence rather than death.But the jury found those mitigating circumstances did not outweigh the aggravating factors: whether Hayes killed Hawke-Petit and her daughters during the commission of, or immediate flight from, the commission of a felony — third-degree burglary — and that Hayes committed the murders in "an especially heinous, cruel or depraved manner" and "knowingly created a grave risk of death to another person."

After the verdicts were read, New Haven Public Defender Thomas J. Ullmann shook Hayes'
hand and patted his arm before a judicial marshal led him out of the room.

NEW HAVEN – — Outside the courthouse, Ullmann said Hayes "was thrilled" with the outcome. But he declined to say why he thought Hayes was thrilled and he refused to discuss what he talked about with Hayes. He said Hayes smiled at the verdict."That's what he wanted," he said, adding that Hayes wants to commit "suicide by state" with an execution."He's tried to kill himself before," Ullmann said. "The jury gave him what he wants."