MOM'S FROLICKING IN BENNINGTON

Mom is off to enjoy her sister-in-law, Annie, for a few days!  I'm sure she will enjoy her time as life here has become very routine as of late, what with school in session again. I have to say she looked pretty snazzy with her new luggage in tow. On the ride down to Bennington this morning I was noticing the changing landscape. We are at the very beginning of what will hopefully be a beautiful Fall Foliage season...the maple trees have started to show their true colors.  Now, let's see.... what am I going to do while Mom's away?  Carpe diem!

SATURDAY-TIME TO FROLIC...

Don left for MA  to fish for Striper in his kayak....caught a big one, too!  Mom and I got straight to business.  First on the list...TJ MAXX!!  Lunch at Ginger China- the best Chinese in Rutland. (have to keep our energy level up) Then, off to our Mall (such as it is).  Mom scored big today...she was the winner by a long shot.  I searched endlessly for something to buy....but, it was an epic fail.  Oh well, better luck next time!! Then off to serve the out-of-state National Guard dinner. Yup, they are still here fixing the roads from IRENE.

IT'S SEPTEMBER ALREADY??!!

On Thursday night of my first full week of school Mom says "Boy, the week just flew by!".
 Really??  I mean we still had one more day to go! I guess time gets away from you while relaxing unlike the standstill moments of time experienced over and over in a good days work.  And so, we settled into the new school year.  The weather took a turn and caused us to close all the doors and windows for the first time since May.  Goodbye heat and humidity, hello Fall!! : )

EGGIES AND UPWORDS

This is my life now...Don really takes an interest in "As seen on TV" gimics.  Usually I can reason him out of purchasing the item  but every once in a awhile one slips in...and this time it was "EGGIES".  It's claim to fame is that you don't have to bother peeling those darn hardboiled eggs...ever again!!! Imagine the frustraion melting away!  So, we tried "Eggies" today.  They do cook the eggs and you don't need to peel them...but, it's a bit tricky and how are we going to clean up the billion plastic pieces called "Eggies"?  Later, I played a full afternoon game of UPWORDS with mom....one of HER favorites.  Who wants to play her next??

NEW LUGGAGE FOR MOM

Don't know where she thinks she is going, but, mom bought new luggage!  You just never know! Labor day today, we have been working around the house....Don's workshop in particular.  Anne dropped by bearing her home baked goodies...today's offering was rhubarb-orange cake and chocolate chip cannolis.  hard to resist as everything she bakes is absolutely delish!  Heard from Mike today...everything is going well and he and his three roomates have the best room in the dorm : ).  Got to go watch the Red Sox and pray that Becket is not hurt too bad : )

DOCTOR DAY AGAIN

Doctor appointments today for mom but managed to drop off toiletries for our fellow Vermonters and also have lunch with the girlfriends in between. Workers have been busy and more roads, although temporary, are opening up so people can move around a bit. The help all over is astounding and someone created tshirts that say "I am Vermont strong" which have sales almost up to 2,000 in one week.  all proceeds go to the Vermont Foodbank....that's huge.  Very bad, sad news for us shoppers today : ).  Our closest decent shopping center (in West Lebanon) was completely destroyed by flood.  Among those lost were Kohl's (I know!), Kmart, TJMaxx, CVS, JC Penneys, Shaws...just to name a few....total disaster for our NH neighbors....all those jobs lost!

HURRICANE DESTROYS VERMONT ROADS

HURRICANE IRENE tore up our state something awful!  most major roads were affected by torrential flooding like you can't even imagine.  The rivers sweelled up 10 times their width and the raging waters became powerful destroyers of anything in their path....we can only be ever so thankful there wasn't more loss of lives, but a few people were swept away, some remain uncounted for even today.  There has been massive relief efforts by trucks and helicopters out to reach the 13 isolated communties mostly around Killington.  we have Red Cross and Fema here in Rutland, as well as local relief efforts in which we gave to yesterday at Restoring Rutland which is also reaching out to these communities.  It will be a very long time repairing this mess.  But, the humanitarian effort around here is going full force and Vermont is strong.  People really care about others and it is nice to see everyone working together.

WE HAD A VISITOR TODAY

today was a day to catch up on things around the house.  Mike left for college and his room got straightened out....if you know what I mean.  Our first day of school has been delayed a week because of plumbing problems and it is just plain weird....waiting!  here is a picture of the deer staring at Don today through our brush in the backyard.