1. PATIO PROJECT
Most recently, Jo and I finally decided to do the backyard paver stone patio project ourselves, and we started it this past weekend. Unfortunately we picked a rainy weekend. I was off work Friday to get started, so in between rain showers in the afternoon I was able to get most of the sod pulled up. Saturday I finished the sod and tamped the dirt down between (more) rain showers. Finally a nice day on Sunday, where Jo, Sam, and I were able to get a few inches of gravel base put down, as well as the leveling sand. Hopefully I'll get to put the paver stones down this week. Also, we planted a garden this year which had mixed results. Plants grew like crazy, but the tomato plants got some sort of blight before we got much off them. We did, however, get TONS of cucumbers, zucchini, squash, green beans, lettuce, and green peppers. Let us know if you need any.
2. ANNIVERSARY
Jo and I celebrated our 1st wedding anniversary last weekend. Went out to dinner at Devon Seafood Grille in Hershey on Friday; had a band rehearsal, donated blood, and had dinner with Andy and Alison on Saturday; had brunch with Sam and Mike on Sunday, then dinner (more like a feast) at Jo's parents house Sunday evening. Great weekend all around. Oh, and our gift to each other - a new grill!
3. RED SOX
We've had a pretty good stretch lately. Won 10 of the last 14 games, including sweeping the Blue Jays twice, and taking 3 or 4 from the White Sox, despite losing 2 of 3 to the Yankees. Even though we're 6 games behind New York, we are now 3-1/2 games ahead of Texas in the AL Wild Card race. Next series: @ Tampa Bay.
4. NEW CAR
I got a new 2009 Jeep Patriot. The Explorer died, was revived with a used junkyard transmission, limped onto the dealer lot for a $4500 Cash-For-Clunkers rebate, plus another $3500 rebate from Chrysler. Pictures:
5. SUMMER TRIPS
No big summer vacations this year, in saving up for next year's Italy/Greece trip. We did get to Sea Isle City for a weekend for the now-famous (or infamous) George Family Beach Extravaganza, and went out to Pittsburgh for Papa and Dad's birthdays. Next trip, probably to the beach the first weekend in October (after we can take Sydney on the beaches).
I'll post pictures of the patio once we're done.
