Monday, May 26, 2014

New Front Deck


This weekend Dan and his friend Nate redid our front deck.  It had to be redone.  Ed built it 20 years ago and the wood was rotting.  When Dan, Nate, and Matt were here in early May they said how I didn't need to hire someone, they could redo it.



So they selected Memorial Day weekend to do the job.  Funny, somehow Matt ended up needing to work, so he wasn't here to help.  But Dan and Nate came home and Saturday morning we headed out to Home Depot to get our materials.

The job took longer than expected.  We thought we could use all the old framing but all the joist hangers had to be replaced and stair strings also needed to be redone.  Day 1 was demolitioning the old deck (which I enjoyed doing but they make it look so easy on TV) and then putting new joist hangers in and redoing the joists.  Day 2 was laying the decking and completing the stairs.  Day 3, Nate had to leave in the morning.  But Dan stayed and the two of us did the railings.

We still have the stair railing to do because Home Depot was out of the needed materials for that.  But at least we can get into the front door and we'll plan to do the stair railings in a few weeks.  I think it came out really nice and I think Ed would have been very proud of what a good job they did.

Thanks guys!!

Dan & Nate at Home Depot

Demo'ing - Harder than it looks!

Redoing joists

New 4x4s in place, now working on decking.

End of Day 2

Just need to do the railings for the stairs!  They did good!  And I helped!

Wednesday, May 21, 2014

I'm Here

I'm sorry I haven't written lately.  I'm still here slogging through life.  On May 9-12, Dan and I went to Washington DC.  It was a great trip and we had a terrific time.  We are certainly good travel companions--we like to do and see the same type of things and operate on similar schedules.

So planning for this trip and then getting back on track once we returned has been consuming the past couple weeks.  Very little downtime lately which I guess is a good thing.  As I've said before, keeping busy is good.  Last weekend was finally painting the kitchen.  Nothing new--just a fresh coat of paint.  I had taken everything down weeks ago and patched the walls so it really needed to just get done so I could put the kitchen back together.  Last weekend was also having to mow.  The start of another season of tending to the yard.  I was quite happy when both mowers started right up for me.  I did not attempt to use the weed whacker--I don't expect as much success with that.  The ads I see for a battery-powered trimmer and blower always get my attention, but I will attempt to use the gas-powered ones I have for now but may throw in the towel if they test my patience again this year as they did last year.  Granted my patience was much thinner than.

So life goes on.  Work is busy; tending to the home is busy.  But I promise to post about our trip to DC in the near future.  In the meantime, know that I'm still here, taking it one day at a time.  Year 2 is underway and although I still miss Ed tremendously and the void is still very much present, I am trying to figure out me, as an individual, and what I want my life to be.  What is important to me? How do I want to spend my time?  Just continue to navigate this path that is my life.  One day at a time.

Monday, May 12, 2014

Trip to DC - Final Day & Happy Birthday Dan!

Monday, May 12th - Happy 26th Birthday Dan!!
Our final day in DC.  Our flight was not until 4 PM, so we have a good portion of the day to spend in DC.  We originally didn't have anything planned but decided to walk down to see the Lincoln Memorial and the Vietnam Memorial in the daylight.  We then walked over to see the Korean Memorial in the daylight and it was not the same at all.  If you ever go, be sure to see that one at night.

We really didn't have anything else planned so we walked towards the Washington Monument and happened upon the ceremonies for the reopening of the Monument.  We knew they were being held Monday morning but it really wasn't on our agenda that we had to be there.  But since we happened upon it, we stayed and watched the ceremonies (and saw Al Roker who was the master of ceremonies) and then went up to the Washington Monument where you could now go up to the base (it was blocked off before).  We couldn't actually go into the Monument because tours didn't start until 1 PM and we needed to head to the airport shortly after that.

We then decided to hit a museum.  Dan's choice--Air & Space Museum.  We spent a couple hours there and saw pretty much everything we want to see before we had to head to the airport.

Overall a great trip!  We saw a lot.  Did a LOT of walking!  And also learned that we pretty good travel companions!

It was a great way to celebrate and share Mother's Day and Dan's birthday.  Wonder what we'll plan for next year?

Vietnam Memorial

Lincoln Memorial

Al Roker Hosting the Re-opening Ceremony for the Washington Monument

Me at the Base of the Washington Monument

Dan at the Air & Space Museum

Sunday, May 11, 2014

Trip to DC - Day 3

Sunday - Happy Mother's Day!
Today we planned to go to the 9/11 Memorial at the Pentagon and then Arlington Cemetery.  It was a HOT day...in the 90s and humid!

We took the Metro to The Pentagon.  It would have been nice to tour the Pentagon but you need to get tickets months in advance (since security clearance is needed and there are no tours on weekends)--oh well, next time.  The 9/11 Memorial is on the back side of the Pentagon and so you need to walk quite a ways around the building to get to it.  There are many signs posted around the building itself stating "no photos".  However we were able to take photos once we got to the Memorial.

This Memorial was very moving as well.  The design was incredible--very simple but moving.  There was a bench for each person who perished at this site and the benches were arranged based on whether the person perished was in the Pentagon or on the plane and they where arranged by year of birth as well as angled on the path the plane took into the building.

From there we took the Metro to Arlington Cemetery.  Because it was so hot and humid, Dan I agreed to take the tour trolley to get around.  First stop was the JFK and family grave site followed by the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and then to the top of the hill to Arlington House.

We had originally considered walking back across Arlington Memorial Bridge to see the Lincoln Memorial in the daytime, but because of the heat we came up with a new plan to take the Metro to Penn Quarter where we walked over to the Spy Museum.  We spent a few hours there--we really enjoyed it.  Lots of interesting stuff to take in.  We then walked around National Mall and by the Smithsonians and then took the Metro back to our hotel.  Our plan was to go out again in the evening to see the White House at night which we did and then stopped for a quick dinner afterwards.

9/11 Memorial @ The Pentagon

Arlington Cemetery

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

White House

Saturday, May 10, 2014

Trip to DC - Day 2 (Evening)

Going back to the hotel to rest proved to be a good idea.  We headed back out around 8 PM and we had a lot more energy and our legs and feet were feeling better.

I had contemplated taking one of the tours for "Monuments at Night" but I'm so glad we didn't.  First, we would have needed to be at Union Station by around 7 PM.  Dan and I both felt that was too early since it didn't even get dark until around 8:30 PM.  Plus, they would drop you off at a Monument and you could spent about 15-20 mins there and would need to reboard their bus.  What I know about myself and it is true for Dan as well, is that we don't want to feel rushed. We like to have our own timetable and be able to spend at little or as much time in a place as we want.  Another reason we are good travel companions.

We decided to walk towards George Washington University to find someplace to sit down and have a nice dinner.  We had one place in mind but when we got there it was extremely crowded so we continued walking and happened upon Bertrucci's.  I know, not a DC landmark, but as Dan said, we didn't come to DC to eat.

After dinner, we walked to the Lincoln Memorial.  As we walked through the park on our way, a fox came out and crossed the path and took us quite by surprise.  I'm sure we scared it as well because it kept on it's way but that was startling to see!

We spent quite a long time at the Lincoln Memorial taking in the views, taking pictures and thinking what it was like when Martin Luther King, Jr., stood there and gave his "I Have a Dream" speech with the crowds below filling the lawn around the reflecting pool.  It was quite a sight.

From the Lincoln Memorial we headed towards the Tidal Basin and came upon the Korean War Memorial. Now that was something else to see for the first time at night!  We just happened upon this large statue standing in the grass which took us a bit by surprise until we realized it was the Korean Memorial.  Seeing this memorial at night was quite moving.

We continued towards the Tidal Basin and stopped at the MLK Memorial.  Quite impressive at night and reading his quotes along the wall was moving as well.  At this point it was close to 11:30 at night.  We continued our walk over the Kutz Bridge and it was here that both Dan and I commented how much energy we had for so late at night and all the walking we were doing.  It was also kinda funny how comfortable we were walking around that late at night.  There were people around, but not that many.  Of course, walking around with a 6'3" man makes you feel much safer!

We took time to view the Jefferson Memorial and then headed back in the direction of our hotel stopping at the Washington Monument as well.  By now the White House was dark though (lights out at 11 PM) so we would have to try to see that another evening.  It was certainly quite a sight to see all these monuments at night and I would highly recommend it for anyone going to DC.

Lincoln Memorial



View from Lincoln Memorial across Reflecting Pool

Korean War Memorial

Martin Luther King Jr Memorial

Jefferson Memorial

Washington Monument

Trip to DC - Day 2

Saturday was the "rainy" day for our trip.  The other days were forecasted to be hot and humid (in the upper 80s and 90s).  Dan had written to Elizabeth Warren's office and got us Capitol tour tickets for Saturday.  Our plan for the rest of the day was to do "indoor" tours because of the weather forecast.

So we got up, had breakfast, and took the Metro to the Capitol.  Two side notes--1) Ed, Dan, and I are ones who do not mind the "free" continental breakfast.  We are not big breakfast eaters and we always felt that we could eat a decent breakfast and that would hold us to dinner (maybe with some snack in between if needed).  And that is what Dan and I did here as well.  It's the small things like this where we are similar that sure makes traveling easy.  2) Dan was the master of the Metro.  By later in the 2nd day, I was understanding it as well.  But Dan doesn't even have to think about it.  He was the one that navigated the T to Logan and then the Metro in DC to our hotel.  In fact, when I kept looking at the map and reading the signs, we would laugh at me because it just came natural to him.

Okay, back to our trip.  We arrived at the Capitol building well before our scheduled tour.  We walked around outside and I was most impressed, and appreciative, that Dan agreed to pose in front of the Capitol and let some random stranger take our picture.  This is one of my favorite photos of the entire trip!


Since we toured on Saturday, the House and Senate was not in session but we did get to see the typical Capitol Tour.  We also spent some time in the Visitor Center which had small models of the Capitol and Capitol Hill and how it changed and expanded over the years. We found that to be very interesting.

From the Capitol we took the tunnel to the Library of Congress, Thomas Jefferson Building.  We were both quite impressed with the architecture.  I mean, we've seen this type of architecture in Italy, but to see it here in the US, is something else.  While we viewed the Main Reading Room, we recalled scenes from the movie National Treasure where they searched this room for a document.

Thankfully while in the Capitol and Library of Congress we missed a downpour.  As it drizzled, we walked over to the Supreme Court but then it started to rain more so we walked (swiftly) over to Union Station where we planned to grab a late lunch and sit out the rain.  That planned worked out perfectly and by the time we finished our lunch it had stopped raining and we walked over to The National Archives.

The National Archives was one of the other few things on our list of things to do.  We then spent several hours there and thoroughly enjoyed our time in particular viewing the Magna Carta, the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, and the Bill of Rights.  Between the Capitol and the National Archives, it really brought back the history of our country.

One of the other things I had on my list that I really wanted to do was see the monuments at night.  So Dan and I decided to head back to our hotel, rest up since our feet were getting sore/tired, and then we would head out later in the evening to grab something to eat and view the monuments at night.

Capitol Dome

Library of Congress - Jefferson Building - Main Reading Room

Supreme Court


Union Station

Friday, May 9, 2014

Trip to DC - Our Adventure Begins

Dan and I decided we wanted to take a trip over a long weekend and we decided on Washington DC.  Dan had never been there, it was something we talked about doing when he was younger but never did, and I had only been once in high school and I remember more about hanging out with my friends, then actually seeing DC!

So we decided we would go as a combination Mother's Day/Dan's birthday gift.

On Thursday evening, May 9th, I drove out to Dan's apartment after work.  We then left Friday morning, taking the T from Waban into Logan.  We then flew from Logan to Reagan National Airport.  The direct flight from Logan was less expensive than taking a train and they had flights to/from about every hour, so it was also very convenient.

Leaving Waban

We had a short list of those things we definitely wanted to do/see.  Obviously, the various monuments and Dan secured tickets for tours at the Bureau of Printing and Engraving for Friday and a Capitol tour on Saturday.  Our only other plan was The Pentagon and Arlington Cemetery on Sunday.  Otherwise, our schedule was pretty flexible which we both liked.

Arriving at Reagan National Airport
When we arrived at Reagan Airport, we took the Metro to our hotel.  We stayed at the Hampton Inn on H street--a block from the Metro and 2 blocks from the White House.  Good price, easy access to everything, and continental breakfast included.  Once we checked our bags, we headed out to begin our adventure of DC.

First stop was the White House.  We then walked across The Ellipse to the Washington Monument.  We then had time to kill before our tour at the Bureau of Printing and Engraving so we walked up to Federal Triangle and found a nice restaurant, Aria's, to sit and have a nice lunch at.  Did I mention that it was like 85 degrees?  After lunch we then made our way to the Bureau of Printing and Engraving.  When we first decided to go to DC, this was on our "must do" list and we weren't disappointed.  It was very interesting.

We then headed down towards the Tidal Basis.  We thought about paddle boats, but it was hot out and the Basin was MUCH bigger than I had thought.  In fact, DC was much larger than it looked on maps.  I thought we could easily walk here and there.  And we did, but distances were much greater than originally thought.

So we skipped the paddle boats and instead walked over to the Jefferson Monument.  While there, we sat and watched the Presidential helicopter take off from the White House.  We hung out and did some people watching, watched planes landing at Reagan, and hoped to see the helicopter return with the President that didn't happen.

We then headed back towards our hotel stopping at the World War II Memorial on our way.  One thing we learned quickly is that there are no places to eat around the White House/National Mall (unless you want an ice cream from a truck).  So we continued our walk north through Foggy Bottom and happened upon a pizza joint (Custom Fuel) just a block from our hotel.  There we picked up two custom, personal-sized brick oven pizzas and took those back to our hotel room.  After all the traveling and walking around on Day 1, we were exhausted and so had our pizza and crashed early that evening.


White House - North Lawn

Dan - White House - South Lawn

Me - White House - South Lawn



Jefferson Memorial
The planes were so low as they approached Reagan National Airport.

The Presidential helicopter

Zooming into the White House from the Jefferson Memorial.

World War II Memorial


WWII Memorial



Sunday, May 4, 2014

And the beats goes on...

That about sums up the last week.  I continue to have a long list of "to do's" and as the weather is getting nicer (well, at least some days), this list now includes yard work.  I am, though, enjoying the fresh, crisp spring air and it feels so good to be outside after such a long, cold winter.

This past week I signed up to participate in Relay for Life.  I feel I need to find a good cause and invest some time and energy in helping to battle our fight against cancer.  Is this the cause I will stick with in the coming years?  I don't know.  But it's something I can do right now and so I'll make this commitment.  I had met a woman back in March who is a team captain and whose daughter is currently fighting cancer.  So it was easy to find a team to be part of.  If you have any interest in donating to my team, my personal page can be found here:


I continue to find happiness and appreciation in small things.  This past week I had dinner with "G" and it was nice to catch up and also be able to talk about Ed freely and not avoid the mention of his name.  That was really nice.  I also had dinner with "M" and then we went to see the movie "Heaven is for Real".  Of course, the book is better, but they did a good job making the book into a movie which was not an easy thing to do.

Thank you "K" for your hugs and kind words this past week as well.  You are such a special person and I hope you know that.  Know how much I appreciate your thoughtful words and kind gestures.  I'm saving those protein bars for my next 5K!  And lucky me had Dan, Nate, and Matt here for the weekend.  They are such good guys and are so good to me.

So I've clearly gotten over "my mood" and I can better appreciate the good in my life.  Yes, there is still sadness and I know we're approaching the anniversary of Larry's passing and I'm saddened when I see Kay's children cleaning out her house.  But I'm able to keep functioning; to keep moving forward.

I have made it through the first year.  This does not mean I'm over my grief.  I feel I'm now moving into the next phase which I feel is figuring out who I am and what my life is.  This past year has been about surviving.  Now I need to figure out how to begin living again and defining who I am.  I'm not afraid of this.  I am determined and I have made a commitment to myself that I will do what I feel is right, what I want to do, and not necessarily what others think is "right" or what they expect me to do.  Yes, year 2 is about being a bit selfish.  It's about me.  Year 2 has begun and I'm less afraid...

Dan, Nate, Matt--I love these guys!
Spring has arrived!  My little memory garden.

My Story

Lately I find myself moving through the days, being with others, laughing, and living life. Days pass quickly and grief, sadness, and feelin...