Susan

Hey gang. I’ve been really slack on the posting the last few weeks, huh. Work has been bangin’ right along. It’s billing day next week, so that takes some pre-planning. Our Newcastle office moved to Nobleboro on June 1st, so that took me out of the office for a couple of days, resulting in two days worth of catch-up. Then I worked out in the field one day, so there’s one more day of behind-en-ness.

Last week was Jim’s bachelor party. As the best man, it was my job to throw it. Today, I’m catching a flight to Detroit, where I’ll pick up a rental car and travel four hours north. The wedding is Sunday. On Monday, I travel back to Detroit, and fly out in the evening. I’ll be back in ME late Monday, early Tuesday. I’ll prepare for billing day Tuesday, then billing day proper is Wednesday. I’ll try to make it throught Thursday and Friday, and then the following week is vacation! Yeah! I really could use one.

Also stuffed in there was my and Susan’s wedding anniversary. We celebrated 15 years of Holy Matrimony with supper at our favorite-est little eatery: Prism Glass. We started off with beef carpaccio. Susan had a veal parmigna, and I had linguini and clams. Dessert was some sort of caramel chocolate cake with banana sorbet. It was all very delicious. There are still so many things on the menu we want to try: pork chops with vidallia onion jam; chicken with artichoke hearts; duck breast with a dried blueberry glaze; lamb chops. Wowwie!

When we got home from dinner, we cut into the top layer of our wedding cake. That’s right! We forgot to eat it on our first anniversary, so we ate it on our 15th! My parents did sorta the same thing; they forgot to eat theirs, and ate it on their 10th. I remember it! I’m sure Julia will remember eating ours, too. The boys are almost 5–they probably won’t. The cake had good chocolate flavor, but was very dry. There was no “freezer funk” to it. The kids didn’t seem to care about the texture; the boys were upset we threw the bulk of it away! I took some photos, but they’re not posted yet.

I had this idea the other day. There’s been this commercial for a place in Portland called Jokers. It’s much like a Chuck E. Cheese, I guess. (I’ve never been to a Chuck E. Cheese.) Both and Matt and Nat mentioned to me they wanted to go. I had taken the day off today to recover from the gig last night. (Incidentally, that gig didn’t happen!) So I figured I’d take the family down. And, I figured I’d make it a surprise! I didn’t even tell Susan.

Then, I had another idea. Jim and Rachelle live in Brunswick, about 1/2 way between here and Portland. I thought “I’ll call Jim and Rowe and ask if they want to come.” I go t Rowe’s cell phone from her Facebook page, and asked if they’d be game. She and the kids were game, but she didn’t know if Jim could make it. We’d have to play that part by ear. Nolan (their son #2 of #3) had a birthday party to attend today, so Rowe asked if we could leave a little early. I told her I would be there promptly at 10am, which would get us to Jokers at 11am.

We got up this morning, had a quick breakfast, swung by the bank, and headed for the surprise. We ended up at the Gilbert’s about 9:45. Rachelle was just pulling into the yard; Nolan decided to go to his friend’s birthday party early, and hang with them instead of us. Rachelle also told us that Jim was at a job (he’s a dependable Maine tiler), but that he’d meet us there. Cool!

We had a great time at Jokers. For less than $40, the five of us got to play in the giant inside jungle gym, play games, win prizes, and split a cheese pizza and sodas. I’d go again.

After about 2.5 hours, it was time to leave. We said our goodbyes in the parking lot, and headed towards home. It was warm outside, and even warmer in the van. Matthew said something about wanting some ice cream. And thus was born Surprise Friday Idea #2!

There’s a Cold Stone Creamery in Brunswick. I’ve been once; the rest of the family had never been. I figured it would be a good place to stop. Nat wanted mint, so he and I split a Mint Mint Chocolate Chocolate Chip. Julia ordered a cheesecake with white chocolate chocolate chips. Susan and Matt had cotton candy. Julia couldn’t finish her’s, so Matt polished it off.

And then we came home. It was a nice day, and I had a really good time.