thanksgiving 2009

We were about 40 miles outside Baton Rouge when Kate called us to wish us a Happy Anniversary. Thank you Kate - I totally zoned out. Since we got married the day after Thanksgiving, I constantly forget what the actual date is. November 24, nine years ago.

We have been on the road for almost a week: Starting in Houston TX, we spent a few days with our friend Doug. Then we headed up to Port Arthur, TX to meet Doug's family. Too fun. Since I've been good friends with Doug for over 20 years, I felt like I knew these folks, but this past week we got to meet F2F for the first time. In a word, delightful.

Tuesday morning began our adventure. We drove through Cameron Prairie, LA, a Wildlife Refuge, that was vast and untouched; quite a stark contrast to Port Arthur in many ways. In PA we were in an industrial town surrounded by friends. Once we were on our way, we were on our own surrounded by rugged landscape. With stops in Lake Charles and Baton Rouge we landed for the night at IP Casino Resort in Biloxi. A day of crazy contrasts. Richard won two hundred bucks at the casino, which was definitely the best part of our stay in Biloxi. I concur with Aunt Ann and Uncle Walter with their take on Biloxi. Casinos and nothing else. One day was enough.

Wednesday took us from Biloxi, through Southeastern Mississippi, up through Alabma and into Chattanooga. Driving a fancy car and wearing Red Sox caps left me concerned that we'd stick out like a sore thumb on this leg of the journey and maybe not be received well [read: mugged]. Untrue. Folks were very pleasant, welcoming and helpful. My big regret is blowing thru Alabama without spending any time. We got to Birmingham too late in the day to visit the Civil Rights Museum and Sixteenth Street Baptist Church. Seems silly to be in such an historically significant place and miss these sites. A reason to go back.

Thanksgiving day we traveled through Great Smoky Mountain National Park; far more crowded than we had anticipated, and colder too. We were mow'n down some turkey sandwiches by the roadside when a Korean tourist came by to ask us for directions. By the time I finished my conversation with him, the sun disappeared, the temp had dropped 20 degrees and we were in the middle of a snow squall. By Thursday night we were safe and sound in Asheville, NC on the east side of the Smokies.

Pix from trip:

http://picasaweb.google.com/closethedistance/RoadTripTXMD?feat=directlink

Kate90210

I just got a cell phone call from Kate. She's producing a photo shoot in LA and was sent off on a mission to find sprinkles cupcakes for a very particular client. sprinkles? cupcakes with jimmies? No. Sprinkles - some posh posh cupcake company in Beverly Hills. So, while she was cruising Rodeo Drive looking for very special cupcakes for very special clients she mentioned being at the same bar last night with Drew Carey, Kathy Kinney, and Ryan Styles.

Don't know the second two names? You know their faces. [Who's line is it anyway? and Drew Carey show] Small world. Matt and Amanda lived down the road from Ryan Styles up in Bellingham Washington. And believe it or not, I organized a morale-boosting "Mimi" day at one of my clients a number of years back (a rare "Ellen wears makeup" event).

I asked Kate if she was enjoying herself and she confessed she likes her boss way better when she's drunk. [the boss - not Kate] i think.

I'm on a boat!

Tiffany and I closed on a boat today! We purchased a 1987 40' Aft Cabin Silverton motoryacht. We are very excited to be making this transition that will take a few months at least before we are able to live on board full time. This is due to several reasons, 1) We want to live at Capital Yacht Club, but the application takes a few months and they are limited on slips. 2) There are no other slips available on the SW Waterfront that are available for full time liveaboard. We will be able to keep our boat nearby however and be able to stay on board a maximum of 4 nights per week.

We are going to keep our condo as well until we determine what works best for us. So come visit!

Tobias Scott #1

Toby's first birthday

WORKING ON THE RAILROAD
Tobster was working on the Rail Road at San Diego's Balboa Park where we celebrated his first birthday.
The extended Brewster/Finnegan clan got to enjoy a ride on the railroad followed by a pizza picnic. For dessert, Anastasia served cake decorated in keeping with the rail road theme. Toby didn't know what to make of it; at first thinking it was playdough, he mashed his piece all up into a ball. Big sister, Maddie, saw this and fed him some of her cake. Wow, did his eyes light up.

Toby loved playing with his balloon bouquet until he fell on one and it popped. He appeared not sure whether he should cry or not. He chose not to. He is one of the "chillest" kids we've ever met. He's an observer and an explorer. Wobbly standing on two feet, he's making progress slowly but surely. On all fours, he's a force to be reckoned with, challenging the land-speed record for crawling babies.

Before heading back to Boston Monday night, we attended Maddie's pre-school Halloween party. It did seem every little girl there was a princess. Madeline stood out as the cutest flower evah! Parents hosted games and activities for the kids. Her favorite was the face painting. When we arrived, she parked herself steadfastly in the queue for face painting and wouldn't budge until it was her turn. She is growing fast into a strong, beautiful little girl.

Ellen & Richard