New Year update...

Christmas was very good - My parents came over for the big day, we all (all) went to PCF the night before for Christmas Eve service.  For me, I was blessed that S. was most pleased with his gift choices.  The infrared goggles we got for D. and N. worked, they were quite cool.  I got a WD Live (TV internet device) fairly cool.

Spent yesterday evening with the in-laws, Kay's First Day as a retired person.  I recommended she grab my RV and move to Vacation Village with my Tampa friends...

S. with Troop 3, and D. and I (with Troop 4) will be going to Vally Forge with the Scouts.  C. and N. and Cousin Tommy will come out for the day - It's in mid February.

Power Returns

Have a stack of branches in the front yard the size of the Truck, and in the back yard, twice as big.  But after a week - the power is back on at our house.  That big wire that runs past the house to the pole next to the garage held the pole on the corner of Munson St. up.  The top was snapped, and it pulled the top of our mast loose.  We spent a week of no school (or college) and my new office got power and opened Wed.  Spent our days feeding the fireplace, and going out in the evening to the RV for some warmth, and a movie or some cards.  C. had enough by Wed night though - and when my in-laws house had their power restored - we went there.  She was happy to be with her Mom, watching TV and sitting around the table after dinner.

This morning, as I drove by to get my car at my house (their driveway is kind of small) - I notice the pole on Munson had a 2x4 on top and the lead to my house was back tight again.  They'll need to replace the pole, but they bought some time.

The town will pick up the downed branches on/after Nov. 21 - so we need to move the big pile out to the front yard.  Need to get raking as well.  And figure out if CL&P will reattach my mast ...

C. and N. are at the Battleship (USS Massachusetts).  I've been 3 or 4 times and with the chance to earn back a benefit day (otherwise Mon/Tues would have cost me two vacation days) - the perils of working for a small company. D. ran off to JP's to talk minecraft...and S. is off Bowling.  He worked most of the week as well (His mgr seems to no when College is cancelled, and expects Steve every time).  He's enjoying TUConn - and having a car.  Was signing up for next semester already, how quickly the new and scary becomes old hat.

the year Halloween got eaten by Christmas

So we've been weathering, the weather.  A surprise snowstorm blanketed the Northeast, and since our trees still had leaves, they held most of the snow - and snapped the branches...We still have no power, or phone, or cable/internet.  Keeping a fire burning in the fireplace, and spending dinners in the RV.  We've been stacking branches, and getting the camper out to refill the gas tank today.  D.  and N. have no school until Friday - and my new job has been without power as well.

And Afterword...

The Webeloree is over - we got to camp in People's State Forest, at Mattias Grove - It was a chilly weekend, and we were at the South end of the park, with the Boy Scouts were at the other - It was a 500 pace walk back and forth.  Pin's went well - and the water bottle rocket launchers were a Huge Success!  The Boy Scouts had a Big Potluck - food was very good, and the Campfire was good as well.  My favorite skit was performed, Banana/Bandana.

It was neat to be back leading a Scout function.  Felt ok, but I am out of practice for camping.

Webeloree

Webeloree and Camporee Weekend - will setup tomorrow night @ Peoples Forest, and other than the madness of registration, I'm looking forward to it.  Patches arrived today, the camper is packed (to serve as HQ).
Work is going well - I continue to adjust to working home.  It's not the home part - it's the permanent job part. I still think about the short term contractor mentality of needing to be immediately useful, to provide value.  Tough to unlearn, trusting the "deal" that there is an understanding of all the things I have to master. It is a very different environment, very non-corporate.

Eagle Weekend

Steve's Eagle Ceremony was Saturday at Bakerville Methodist.  It was good, I enjoyed the irony of Steve's big day being in Church, and having cake.  Dawn made a cool Merit Badge cake - and Troop 3 did their usual nice job.
Got my haircut at Cutting Corner on my way to Church on Sat.  little things do make me feel like I'm home it was good to see Cindy B. and catch up about Bakerville.
Have been going to PCF for a few weeks, Dave goes to youth group, and Nate to Sunday School.  Pastor Ryan  has been very good, It's nice to hear sincere, solid preaching.
Aventura went well - Dave did great, and it was odd to be back doing the skit with Amanda, and singing the special music.  Playing the opening/closing with Chris R. and Judy was really nice as well.

Working on the Webeloree for next weekend at Peoples Forest - Water Bottle launchers are here and tested, camper is ready as emergency vehicle...Of course at our stage of life - Steve will not be there until after his Sat. work - and Dave is triple booked...

N. Starting Fall Soccer

Team is completely different, his buddies must have moved on to Travel.  Good Coach.