Breathtaking White Mountain Vistas + a little extra prednisone + a whole lot of great New England beer = a great long weekend

I know, I know, I have been a bad blogger. Don't expect apologies and, most likely, don't expect another post for another few months.

In our annual 4 day weekend celebration of our anniversary courtesy of Rhode Island's continued commemoration of Victory over Japan day (a little non-PC, I think, but it is stupendous to have a 4 day weekend in the summer that the rest of the world doesn't have), Jim and I went away for a long weekend to the White Mountains. It can basically be summarized by rest/relaxation, beer, and hiking- not necessarily in that order.

On the way up to New Hampshire, we stopped at Harpoon Brewery for a 30 minute tour and then 30 minute sampling. I have fallen in love with Triticus- one of their new beers. If you like stouts, you will LOVE it!

Fairly uneventful rest of the drive up to the inn. Checked in then off to dinner where I had a quite yummy Headwall Alt by Tuckerman Ale.

After a yummy breakfast at the inn on Sunday morning, it was off to the top of Mount Washington. Jim was excited to retrace Ben Affleck's steps from Voyage of the Mimi. From recommendation of one of the inn folks, we took the Alpine Trail to Lions Head to view Tuckermans Ravine. Quite impressive! I do plan on skiing this next ski season. Who's in? Followed up by a great 5 course dinner at the inn (with double desserts- what could be bad?)

Next morning, after a stupendous breakfast again, off for a few more hikes to Diana's Baths, Cathedral Ledge, Falls Pond, and Sabbaday Falls. Tons of stopped cars on the Kancamangus led us to a mom and baby moose siting. Then, off to the Woodstock Brewery for another of my new favorite beers, the Old Man Oatmeal Stout. Another yummy dinner, this time at the White Mountain Cider Company.

Next morning, another great breakfast (sense a trend?) and checkout from the inn. Last minute, we decided to take a not-so-direct detour to home via Brunswick. On the way there, we did a hike of Bald Face Mountain. In Maine, we got a little (OK, a lot confused) by the "Maine Turnpike that used to be 495 now being called 95 and 95 now being called 295 and 495 being no longer" phenomenon that seems to have hit Maine since we had last been there but figured it out eventually. Then off to Topsham for the Sea Dog Brewery- I highly (and I mean highly) recommend the Hazelnut Porter. Then to Brunswick for a little jaunt across campus. Off to Portland to go to the Great Lost Bear, home of an amazing selection of beers and (although I couldn't quite order it myself) the Almighty Cheesus (go ahead, google it, you will most likely plan your whole next vacation around this thing).

And, lastly, off to home, where the last 10 miles took 60 minutes courtesy of evening road construction. Yeah well, it couldn't beat me down. It was still a GREAT trip.

Pictures to follow... maybe...

Jack's early birthday present

Jack's birthday is tomorrow and Em and my mom made him this "flower" arrangement.





This is Jack eating his early present...





And this is him yelling at me for snitching some.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At least it's something...

Not that there are many (or any) of you reading this these days but I have been woefully bad at keeping up this blog. I figured though I might as well keep up with the once a month posting that I have been doing as of late.

Nothing too exciting in our house. Bball season is done for Em. Jack's hockey is winding down. They are both still loving school and having great years.

As many of you know, Jack tends to get fixated on a specific activity for weeks/months at a time. For a while it was word searches, then coloring, then puzzles, then Lego Creator series. Now, it is writing stories. Here is a little selection. I tried to get him on videotape reading his stories but he was too shy.

Insert soapbox here...

I googled the cost of my new RA medicine. $52000/year.
Hmmm, at an injection every 2 weeks, that's $2000 per injection.
Jim would like to sell the $4000 of medicine that we have in our fridge on ebay.
All in all, I'm just thankful that I have health insurance that I paid a mere $40 for it.
Now, most of you know my stand on the recent Massachusetts senate election, universal health care, and all other things political...
But seriously?? $52000/year? And that doesn't include any of my other medicines, my doctor's visits, CT scans, MRIs, labwork, hospitalizations...
Obviously, if there was an easy solution to all of the woes of our medical system, it would have been figured out by now but, as a patient, a doctor, a mother, I can honestly say that the health care system that we have now is seriously broken.
Please, my friends, let's try and fix it.

A beautiful day...

As many of you know, the cough/lung thing has been back for the past few weeks and I've been out of work the past week. I've been trying to maximize relaxation and family time and overall seeming to accomplish it.
Yesterday, I decided to push it a little bit and had the most wonderful day.
We spent the morning just hanging out at home, playing games, reading...
We all went to Jack's hockey game which was great.
Then off to the Museum of Science. We had an awesome time there exploring, watching the lightning show, and hit the Harry Potter exhibit. Em is such a Harry Potter fan- it's so fun to see the exhibit through her eyes. Jack, of course, enjoyed playing Quidditch. They were both super excited to use the Spend money from their piggy banks from Chanukkah.
On to the T and hit the Border Cafe for dinner. While waiting for our table, I took the kids to the Coop and let them splurge on a few books. Stupendous dinner including my favorite, fried plantains!
Then a safe, quiet ride home.
Only to be followed by a quiet day at home today including a Settlers of Catan game which Jack won. Lots of other games, reading and snuggle time.
Overall, life is good.
Now, hopefully the doctors tomorrow will wave their magic wand so health issues will all vanish away and I'll continue to feel better for work on Wednesday.

The Kleenex ad.

Me: "Sorry that I haven't been able to play hockey and go skating with you lately. And that I haven't been able to play wii a lot either."
Jack: "I know."
Jack: "But, you know mom, lots of moms don't do that kind of stuff anyways. I'm just lucky that you want to do those things and I know you'll do them again with me when you're feeling better."
Jack: "And, mommy, we've been playing a lot more card games and building legos and stuff and that's really fun too"
Jack: "And, mommy, I just like spending time with you"

Seriously... took a lot to hold the tears back.