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..

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..

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..

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

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..

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.

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...

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

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.

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..

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.

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

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

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..

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...

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!!

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..

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:

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!

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.

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

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..

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..

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...

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.

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.