Olive and Lucy, Simon Pearce, Evergreen Harvard, Thanksgiving

Update - November 18 to November 24

Patti and Lucy

-- Twice as Much Olive and Lucy This Week

Patti told me that Corinne would bring Olive and Lucy over on Sunday to visit so that she and Patti could go shopping. Something about Kohl's cash, whatever that is. Anyway, I told her that I didn't mind watching both grandaughters while they went shopping.

As it turned out, Patti had invited my twin nieces, Lily and Paige to visit as well. When they arrived they had brought a college friend with them; Sarah.

Olive and the Pigeon

So off shopping went Mom and Grandmom and I was home with the five girls. It was a fun day as the girls doted over the baby and kept Lucy busy as well. I made lunch for everyone and when Olive became extremely agitated after taking her bottle, I was the one who spent an hour holding her until she calmed down.

It was probably nothing more than above average discomfort getting up a burp after feeding. Anyway, everything was fine by the time our shoppers returned. That then put me in the house with seven women. Yikes.

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READ my other Blog "The Books of Richard F Wright" (Books, Bookstores, Writing)

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-- Our Plan is to visit Vermont in December

Simon Pearce Restaurant

Patti has taken some extra time off this fall and winter so that we could enjoy more travel, particularly places nearby that we seldom get to visit. We have wanted to visit Woodstock Vermont in the winter as we have been there many times during other seasons. So, I have reserved a hotel for us so that we can get some of the Vermont holiday spirit going.

We already have reservations for a visit to Maine at the end of the month, so this continues our effort to travel more. One of the restaurants we want to visit is Simon Pearce in Quechee. We have never had a chance to stop in yet.

-- Trustees Meet to Decide on Hiring a Management Company

Following Saturday's informal meeting of the Trustees, tonight's meeting included an in-person and a teleconference with the two finalist applicants. The Board reviewed the credentials of the companies and the credentials of the person who would be the primary contact each month. This was a very important component in the view of the Board, as it was felt the previous meltdown with the current management company was due to a lack of open communications.

The Board selected Evergreen Harvard Group and I was detailed to contact the winner and notify the losers so that we could get the transition underway and in full effect no later than January 1, 2019.


-- Olive and Lucy Make Usual Tuesday Visit

Lucy and Olive

Olive was a bit less cranky in taking her feedings today, which was a relief. Patti has the magic touch with the wee one. Lucy was energetic as usual and spent time trying a puzzle, drawing, pretending to be a monster cat, and having me read eight books (one of them three times) to set a new record for reading.

She had a mix of new and familiar books, in particular, she likes familiar books as she likes to re-read the loud parts in a loud voice. New books have surprise elements, so she's not ready for the loud parts.

-- Finalized Management Company Tasks

On Wednesday I picked up signed contracts from Rachel, made a scan of the document and forwarded it to Evergreen Harvard. I communicated with the transition team and collected a list of coordinating tasks that will require our old company to turn over to the new company. I got all the phone calls and emails done so that as of tomorrow, Thanksgiving, all the paperwork is now in process. My role is essentially done.

-- Maintenance/Repair Skills Continue to Shine

Undercabinet Lighting

For some reason that totally escapes me, the under-cabinet work light in the kitchen came loose and was dangling on its cord. The unit was screwed in and how it dislodged is beyond me. I grabbed the electric screwdriver that I had bought last week to install the new window blinds and found it very handy in reattaching the light panel. I inspected the other panels under the other cabinets and they all seemed in good condition. I may never know why this thing fell off as it did, but at least I confirmed that I know how to put it back if it falls off again.

-- Today is Thanksgiving Day and Patti is Working

Hand Made Candy Wreath

Patti almost always works on Thanksgiving. She has to work two or three major holidays each year and so this has become part of the tradition. I usually visit my brother's house and spend the day with my nieces, Lily and Paige. It was a very pleasant visit and the dinner was very good. Marna packed up some leftovers so that I could bring them home to Patti.

Another tradition that had faded out a few years ago was revived this year. Marna had resumed making candy wreaths. She ties small, individually wrapped candies to a wire hanger to form a wreath of candy. How she has the patience to do this is beyond me. It generally takes weeks or months for us to plow through the candy; ripping each piece off, one at a time. Anyway, tradition is what you make of it; in this case, it's all about the Tootsie Rolls.

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