FAMILY TIES

Sister Fran temporarily escaped the treacherous Boston winter, and joined us for a few days. Ironically, a positive change to the temperature arrived with her. Beach weather at last; thank God almighty, we have beach weather at last! Fran provided the sunshine, Marion and Jude provided much of the food. Geeg and I provided the essentials; the toilets. (Ladies' room to the left, men's room to the right.)

Our time was spent on the beach, on the deck, in the kitchen, and in the dining room. (Spare time was filled with an unusual amount of trips to the airport.) In typical Gu*s*el*o fashion, (the asterisks are for Amy - she doesn't want our name out in cyberspace) we celebrated with food, laughter, and emotion. All three were in abundant supply.

Finally, finally, after month's of antipation, we enjoyed a thorough pictorial introduction of Brooke Lo*t*s, Fran's grand daughter; Brian and Babe's 7 month old daughter. This introduction was especially appreciated during a week end which we were particularly cognizant of a family loss.

Welcome to a loving family, Brooke. The circle of life continues........

And so it goes.

Happy Birthday Landon

A big day for Landon; one of several this week. Have a great family party; hope you enjoy the presence of your surprise guest. I'll be thinking of you, today and everyday.

So............we left New Milford on January 1. Twenty three days later, Geeg is back.

Who won the pool?

Mr. President

We had important mail to send this past Tuesday, which happened to be "Inauguration Day."

We went directly to the Post Office; a mail box just wouldn't be sufficient for Landon's birthday card and a letter to Miles. The parking lot was very crowded; I stopped while Geeg went inside. Apparently, my position was not acceptable to a woman who was trying to leave the parking lot. Initally, she stopped, trying to decide how to get around me. There was plenty of room, but seeing her hesitation, I moved up slightly, just as she tried to make her move. This caused her to abruptly stop again. She finally passed me, with waving arms and cursing lips. Her dispositon was foul.

Clearly, it was with prejudicial profiling that I concluded she was a New Yorker. I also suspect she did not vote for Obama.



Which reminds me of an incident from last week. We were sitting on our deck with Marion and Jude. Someone looked up (a complete stranger), and said (to Jude) "you look like President Bush!" This made me very jealous since I, of course, aspire to resembling President Obama, but I'm not sure how I am going to grow my ears.

Untitled

Buoyed by the understated clamoring for another GPS entry, I submit the following:

I recently returned to the Clearwater Toyota car dealership; initial scheduled maintenance required on the Prius. I arrived on time, without the use of my GPS.

As I prepared to return home, I decided to give my MIO a try - maybe it would provide a short cut I was not familiar with. Sure enough, the first suggested turn was unexpected. Fearless, and with little time restraints, I turned left, as instructed.

As I was crossing a three mile long bridge I had never seen before, I began to become apprehensive. However, I soon saw signs for Route 60 - I knew that would return me to Indian Rocks Beach. Unfortunately, my GPS ignored Route 60; I was instructed to go straight. Still apprehensive, I headed straight. I saw a sign for West Bay; I knew I should make a right turn and head west. GPS tells me to turn left. What the...?



I turned right. GPS is recalculating my route. I'm trying to remember where my receipt is. This POC is going back to Radio Shack.

Then it dawned on me. I programmed the unit to remember "home" is in New Milford. Duh.
My bad. Yet I feel fortunate I was still in the state of Florida when I discovered the error of my ways.






Hey, my GPS needs a name. She has a female voice; stern, but not scolding. She hides her annoyance for her owner well. Any suggestions?

And So It Goes

Another glorious day of retirement in Florida. A little cool, but the sun shine most of the time. An occasional meal with Marion and Jude, brief but infrequent visits to the beach. The water is brisk.
I wonder How Miles and Landon are doing. Is Landon bored with his "Happy Feet" movie yet?

Our days remain lazy. The local paper is delivered now; another step in our filtration of this little town. This week we got Florida driving licenses. Proved to be a painless process.
Is Miles changing his "Thomas" train track every day? I hope he remembers to attach straight tracks next to all the special tracks,and between all of the small curved tracks, so the trains don't fall off.

It seems the Prius was made for Florida driving; we're getting over 46 mpg down here. Gas prices are starting to creep up; I won't be surprised if I pay $2/gallon the next time I "fillerup" in about 3 weeks. I'm trying to get in the habit of washing my "baby" on a regular basis.
Is Landon still wearing those silly glasses? They make him look very scholarly, especially when he is working at the computer. I think he needs a tweed jacket and a pair of winged tip shoes to complete the ensemble.

We walk every day, mostly on the sidewalks; sometimes on the beach. We bought a pedometer. We're up to 6000 steps per walk, about 2 and 1/2 miles. We do some "in house" exercises as well; Geeg does more than me.
I hope Miles is dealing with that miserable New England weather. He doesn't care much for snow, ice, cold. If he's not getting out much, he must be wearing out his "Leapster."

We are dieting, which basically means not eating between meals. Maybe a little portion control. Don't worry; you'll still recognize us when we return.
Landon must be psyched for his birthday. I was so proud of the way he behaved during Miles birthday celebration, which seemed to last forever! Landon deserves an extended celebration too. I hope Miles is as understanding as his little bro' was.

We've seen a few good movies lately; I even got some from the local library, but there selection is not nearly as extensive as New Milford's. Maybe w'll try the Largo libray some day, but that one is not as convenient - we have to drive to get there.
I wonder if Miles ever accidently calls anyone else "Pop." That's one of my favorite things; when he calls me a friends name by mistake, them smiles, laughs, and corrects himself.

We haven't taken our bikes out yet; we should. I suppose there a lots of things we should do. I'm sure we'll ger around to the important ones.
OMG, how's Gee? Is he acclimated to Landon's 'Big Boy" bed yet?

Are the boys wearing there bathrobes?
Do they have slippers?
Has Landon expanded his menu of acceptable foods?
Is Miles keeping his fancy sneakers clean?
Who's coming to Landon's party?
Does Miles remember he has a skateboard waiting for him in the Spring?

Do the boys miss the double wave?
Sweet dreams, Miles and Landon. Geeg and Pop miss you.

I Dreamed a Dream

One of the prescribed medicines I take, lists, among its potential side effects, "possible unusual dreams." Hmmm.

I sleep with the radio on all night; providing a steady stream of sports talk from insomniacs and derelicts, as well as late night commercials suggesting who knows what. Hmmm.

(I once awoke with a "gotta have it" craving for a Subway pastrami sandwich.)

It is not unusual for me to enjoy a late night adult beverage. Hmmm.

Not surprisingly, I often have unusual dreams. Most of them have a few things in common -

1. They seem to be epic in proportion, featuring numerous guests that seem to have nothing in common.

2. I often question if I am dreaming, in the dream.

3. I almost always forget them shortly after awakening. Too bad.

But, good news! I remember some of last night's escapades.

I was wearing a suit that featured capri pants. It was all black and inspired me to imitate Al Pacino in "Scarface." (Which is odd since my memories of this character portray him in a white suit.)

My imitation consisted of pouring a liquid into a bowl in front of someone (I think it was Marlon Brando), and shouting, in a spectacular Puerto Rican accent, "here's your lime juice, you stinking Cuban!"

I was so proud when he recognized by impersonation.

I also remember being late for English class, and not knowing what room I was supposed to be in.

And then I woke up. Or did I? What's real and what's not? Look around - does anything make sense? Are we a figment of someone's or something's sub conscience? Could be.

How else do you explain the Giants losing to the punk Eagles yesterday?

POOF!

Retirement has provided me with predominately peace of mind, but also plenty of free time. I have used some of that time to thoroughly research potential purchases. I was consumed by collecting and dissecting data about new cars before I decided on the Prius. The TracFone followed.

Then it was time to educate myself on the world of GPS. (Despite all of my research, I still can't remember what "GPS" stands for.) I considered recommendations from Consumer Reports; I religiously perused all print and Internet ads. All indications suggested the purchase of a TomTom or Garmin device.

However, not convinced that I really needed a GPS, I initially chose to ignore all advice (both solicited and unsolicited), and go cheap. Still, I wasn't one of those crazy people that shopped at 4:00 a.m. the day after Thanksgiving to get a terrific bargain. I waited until 4:30.

Geeg and I went to Kohl's that morning, primarily to get a Nextar GPS for $79.99. (We also got our girls those smashing matching pj's.) I was convinced a cheap GPS would meet my needs for an insurance policy for our trips back and forth from home to home.
(I just read this post; boring. But, poof, I continue.)

Yada, yada, yada,...the thing was a POC. (piece of crap) Admittedly, it did get me to my sister's house in Long Beach, a destination I have never been able to reach without getting lost, but the time the unit took to receive a satellite signal was unbearable. I returned it to Kohl's, who graciously accepted it back. (I think they had become used to this transaction.)

I decided to wait until after Christmas, sure that stores would be practically giving them away by then. Not so. I considered units priced as much as $250, but I just couldn't pull the trigger (or beg Geeg for the money,) still not completely convinced I needed or wanted the damn thing. How does this fit into my plan to simplify?

But, my father's influence encouraged me to recognize the value of the insurance, the peace of mind, a GPS could provide.

One day sale at Radio Shack - a MIO; 4.3" screen with TTS (text to speech) for $99.99.

Not recommended by Consumer Reports, my bible. Not recommended by anyone I know who owns a GPS. But the price was right; obstinately I'm going the cheap route again.
(I am slowly coming to the realization that nobody cares. But, poof, I plod on.)

Yada, yada, yada.....this GPS fits my needs! It grabs signal quickly, it identifies street names, and, as an added bonus, it has a large screen. This one is a keeper; and such a bargain!

However, I'm still not comfortable always relying on the GPS proposed routes. I'm inclined to ignore them. (Poof; I know better.)

So, to reiterate, I ignored advice related to GPS purchase, I ignore the information provided by the GPS, and I continue to ignore the interests of my readers by continuing to ramble on about my zealous bargain hunting.

I am Pop. As previously stated, I am sometimes Poop.

Considering some recent behavior, I fear I have the potential to become Poof -

Perplexingly Obstinate Old Fart.

I know the cartoon above is difficult to read, but I'm not changing it. I am Poof.

IT'S NOT EASY LIVING WITH A SAINT

Geeg knows. I know too.
I guess it's inherent in any 24/7 relationship; mindless quirks, totally acceptable behavior from anyone else, become acts of war when performed by the one you put up on a pedestal. It's like Chinese Water Torture. (Pat, can I say "Chinese"?
But it's really all small stuff.
So my New Year's Resolution is to not sweat the small stuff. I'm usually pretty good at that, except for my bride (and sometimes the Giants.)

When I ask you a question, and you want to answer a different one, go right ahead.
If you to ask me what I want for dinner, even when you've already decided, go right ahead.
If you want to imitate a bull in a China Shop when I'm trying to take a nap, go right ahead.
(Can I say "China"?)
If you want to incessantly change tv channels, go right ahead.
If moving furniture is part of your weekly routine, go right ahead.
If you want to collect every piece of imaginable crap from the Dollar Store, go right ahead.
If you want to continue to try to convince me that I have any say in any decison, go right ahead.
If you want to throw out my sports memorabilia..........let's talk about it.

All small stuff.
Big picture, I am blessed to have met you, blessed to share my life with you; from the sunny beaches of Florida to the glorious dwelling of our grandsons. My memories are miracles.

Happy Birthday Pat.
You own my heart.