Update via the camera phone

Today I called on hospitals in north-central Mass & across the border in Nashua, NH. I was so thrilled at what my GPS "Garmi" found for lunch. I haven't had Chick-fil-A since December. I've really missed it. I got the chicken sandwich, fries, lemonade and cup of IceDream and loved every bite!

I was in Pittsburgh, PA for a regional midyear meeting with my new job Monday - Wednesday this week. The picture below is out my hotel window looking over the rivers to their stadium. It's a cute medium size city along the river with hills and green everywhere. My quota's big, our products are good, and I have to keep plugging along to do well.
Saturday Mark & I went to Brimfield Antique Show about an hour+ from Boston. We've heard good things and really enjoyed ourselves. It felt like the good old days of Lakewood Antique Shows in Atlanta. Brimfield's population of 2,000 balloons to 130,000 over the 5 day antique fair stretching 1 mile on either side of the 2 lane state road, aka Main Street. 

If we had more space I would've bought about 6 pieces of furniture. Instead I bought the lapis necklace pictured below from Afghanistan for only $18. What a steal! Mark bought a bass fishing book from the 1960s. Come on up if you're interested in going in September. They only have the show three times each year.

Boston Tall Ships 2009

Boston Tall Ships 2009 filled the Harbor, Charlestown, South Boston and Seaport with their beautiful sails. It was great weather to see them off today.

Sweet sisters come to Boston

Then:

Last time we were all in the same kitchen was in Austria 2005: Jerry, Heather, me, Katie.

Katie and I went to Auburn together and without meaning to met up again in Austria 3 years later. She's a sweet friend who is a delight to be around! It seems she does all things well from cooking, skiing, quilting, being a mom, balancing travel and home with family. Brings a smile to my face :)
She even taught me to ski in her class in Ramsau. Did I mention I was 25 and they were only 4? Better late than never! 
And her sister Heather. We roomed together during Spring school at Tauernhof and became great buddies. She's since graduated from college, married, and started her Master's degree. I can laugh with her more than most anyone i know. 

Now:

Heather, Katie & I at Quincy Market last night. I'm so glad their cousin got married on the Cape and they decided to spend a little time in Boston with us!

Jerry, Katie & Quinn

It was Quinn's first taste of ice cream and he wasn't sure what to think.

Fishing

My wife relaxing (aka bored out of her mind) while I am fishing.

Another Bass

This weekend I decided to explore my inner fisherman.  I grew up fishing in my grandfather's ponds in Alabama.  I caught Bass, catfish, and Brim.  I decided to do some exploring and found a pond at a state reservation about 30 minutes outside of town.  I caught two pickerel which for the southern folk - is a fish in the pike family.  Its kind of a small breed of northern pike.  I had to read up on it myself.  I local fisherman told me what it was after I described it to him.  The second day, saturday, I found another pond that had some great bass.  I caught three bass on limetruesse colored zoom worm.  I had never fished much with plastic worms but I watched a guy in Bass Pro Shop that showed how to fish with them.  I guess I have had better luck with them since.

I get a lot of pleasure from simple things.  I guess fishing is one of them.  Swimming in the ocean waves is another.  When I find a good pond or two, I could stay all day.  Its very relaxing and quiet.  I think a recession has been good in a lot of ways.  It has allowed several people I know get back to realizing the important things in life and realizing that work does not make you who you are.  I guess my half days on fridays have been put to good use.  

Up on the roof

Our 4th of July evening was spent on the roof eating dinner while enjoying the sounds of the Boston Pops and watching fireworks over the Charles River.

On the deck

Mark's garden is finally coming together: sunflowers, mint, basil, cherry tomatoes, rutgers tomatoes and flowers. It looks like we're growing green marbles now but I know from the smell that they'll be delicious when they ripen.

Holmes family at Carillon Beach, FL

Monday evening Mark & I joined the other Holmes at Carillon Beach, near Panama City Beach, FL. It was a warm week with nice breezes, fun playing in the waves, pre-dinner swims at the pool and birthday celebrations.

A favorite part for me was playing Taboo and NERT card game after the kids were in bed. It's a real treat to be with family without the stress of holiday rush and gift-exchange to enjoy hanging out, eating together, and playing outside. Mark got to play tennis with John, body surf the waves with his dad, devour cake for his 32nd birthday & his dad's birthday the day before, and explore nearby towns like Rosemary Beach. 

Mark had crab legs & rock shrimp for his birthday meal and enjoyed every bite. We both recommend Red Bar in Grayton Beach--AMAZING crab cakes. We had great company with the Floyds too. What a treat! 

I am thrilled to have the pictures below. It's rare to have family pictures and I'm so glad everyone agreed to be a part of the photo shoot. I took 100+ pictures and realized that I joined a beautiful family :)

The Holmes siblings & wives

Mark & Emalee

Abby & Mark B.

Poppy & Gigi

Elizabeth, Virginia & John holding William

Buzzkill morning

Mark and I got home last night from a great week+ with friends, family, and sunshine. We'll blog more later with fun pictures.

This morning we discovered that both our cars had been ticketed and towed because of street cleaning while we were away. Our last vacation was Christmas and we had one car and a designated parking spot. I usually love the city and opportunities it offers. Today I'm reconsidering my city-dwelling and really discouraged. It was an expensive lesson on where to park your car and ticks me off.