Waking up to snow gently falling in the am didn't seem like such a big deal really. It is winter in New England and these things shall certainly happen. It then continued to snow late into the evening. This is very demanding on those with plans in some other location for New Years Eve. Luckily, I was able to spend the day shovelling and napping intermittently to be able to achieve my goals. I was also lucky enough to have friends hosting a gathering of like minded food, drink and fun loving types. It was a lovely evening. Twas much appreciated and will be long remembered.

Qtown peeps. Gotta love them.

Being just a street over from my original homestead in QTown, I adore the neighborhood. The narrow streets and charming Victorians are a great thing of New England. The peeps provided a variety of items to behold. The menu on hand by Adam and Carmen was that of Chili, Bruschetta, Blue Cheese/Fig/Proscuito poppers, Salmon something or other crackers, a Lovely Pate' and variety of Cheeses, and (of course) a variety of drinking items. I brought Pad Thai and Chicken Veggie over Garlic Noodles. Jen and Dan brought a lovely cake/pie item with Riccotta and Chocolate Chips. Kendal and Kevin brought a fabulous meatball bites thingy. There was more and the variety alone was a great joy. I love food. Even if I dont get the recipies all of the time, I enjoy them anyway. I very much enjoy the sharing and caring of it all. Food is fabulous.

Drink is also fabulous. Once again, there was no lacking in variety. Absolute joy. The Magic Elixer was a great hit with the Champagne. If I am remembering correctly it is an Austrian Elderberry or Elderflower syrup. Adam can give more details on that but, his sharing of it was wonderful. There were also a variety of beers. I found a beer I could actually drink, should I decide to ever do that again. I probably wont but, I could so thats something. It is a Scottish Oak aged variety. Nice stuff. I brought along a bottle of Marques De Arienzo 1996 Grand Reserve Rioja. Adam and I enjoyed it thoroughly. I don't think anyone else there were as big wine snob types as we can tend to be so, it was he and I enjoying the aromas. Nice to have company with that anyway.

Dan and Jen also brought the Zombie game but, we never did get to play that...dang it all. Looks very exciting even if Carmen might have to play blindfolded. George and Mike also came by and it was nice to see them as always. Mr & Mrs C stopped in for a bit which is always nice to see. Rudy is now fully aware of the lady with pockets full of doggie cookies. He's so dang cute.

We ended up catching the countdown at like 2 mintues to get toasts ready and all so, at least we didnt miss it.

There are photos. The film shall be developed at some point. Dan brought his camera but, forgot his card. I dont think any other cameras were about so, the film is the only record for posterity. I will post once those are done.

http://pandafan.tabulas.com/gallery/new-years-eve-2009/

It was a lovely end to a long precarious year. A nice start to a new more interesting year to come. I raise a glass to all and welcome in 2009.

Since I moved to Massachusetts when I turned 18 I do consider myself at this point more of a local than that of the temporary transplant like many. I never thought I would leave but, here I go anyway. Whew. What a long crazy ride it's been.

After graduating college my days turned into work and my free time turned into cars. Thats where 18436572 comes in. That would be the firing order for Chevy 350s. If I had never come here I would have never experienced hot cars, thrill rides, small engine rebuilding and hitting the wall in full safety gear and still hurting for days. I never would have had the opportunity to back out of an NHRA license and Top Fuel driving position. Okay, so at this point in my life I think thats just fine and the decisions at that point were good ones and very relevant to my not having to wear diapers at such a young age. It was something though I will never forget.

Tourist Buses. Living and working in Salem brings back some fabulous memories. It is a great city with lots of lovely old homes and history abounds in every cobblestone. I will never forget however that when you do live and work in such a city you will be very aware of visitors. Always. Not just through crazy October but every single day. You had better plan your lunch according to the amount of buses parked out around the green before going out. The city itself with the visitors is a place I would live again, it's that nice. I would not wear my long black skirts though because everytime I did some tourist asked me if I was a witch. LOL. Funny stuff. If I had never come here I would have never experienced the wonderful history in every step.

Quincy. QTown. The place that will hold the longest in my heart. Another very Historic city filled with Tourist trolleys that I eventually went on myself and had a glorious time. The place everyone gets lost. Can't blame them, dang church in the middle of the main streets that everyone just goes around and around. The neighborhoods, the seashore, the people. All amazing. There is no other place on earth I could feel so at home. That's not easy to say either, NE'rs aren't a warm bunch, not at first. Maybe thats why it worked. I can never forget the apartment with the toilet in the middle of the staircase to nowhere. Good gosh, I dont think anyone can. I'll never forget sitting on Wollaston Beach watching the silverfish jump and getting the call that the divorce was final. Nice place to be if it's going to happen. I'll never forget the Tent and the 30th birthday I had there or going there for drinks after work when it was called Waterworks. Watching the planes soar overhead at the marina I think is something everyone should experience. The crane. Such a landmark now sits like a dying giant. I was here when it was. No one can take that away. Roxies, what a great place. You know what, I may even take the ride to stock up there. Can't blame me really. JQA House. There is nothing like seeing the daffodils bloom on the historic lawn. There's also no better personal library in the world I have seen with my own two eyes so far. The Red Line. The Quincy Center garage is a great place to park your car in a snow storm. The batcave. I will definately be back for that. I will even take calls on that one. 1 hr 40 min. No problem. Just need a couch afterwards.

Braintree. The Hobbit House. What I can't believe is when figuring out all the dates and all I moved in here in Sept 2005. Really? Yes. Wow. It went too quick. I will miss this house the most. The charm of it all is just so funny. I love the hardwood floors, the molding, the quiet neighborhood (well, except for Mr Drummer who moved in recently). I never did use the pool. I planted a fabulous garden though. That will be missed most of all. The fire pit, the BarBQs, the friends near and dear. The Turkeys, opossum and rabbit too. Bringing extra Halloween candy down to Heather's cuz she's about to run out. Kirk helping with the airconditioners, license plate, etc. Having those little things in your life is so valuable, so precious that it's very hard to leave. There are really bad memories here though as well and that needs to be swept away. I want to have good thoughts and good feelings in my life. thats what life is about.

Boston and Abuzz. Some of the best, closest friends a person could ever have in their entire life. What a bunch of geeks we were, eh? Fabulous stuff that will live on through the move. What a fabulous city with endless things to say. Remember Grendels, MFA, Dicks Last Resort, The Oyster House? Gosh, lots of places, lots of faces and well, lots of friends.

Funny though when I think of the things that I will always remember of Boston. How about Pre Big Dig? Nothing like it. How about Mass Ave? The ride from BMC all the way to MIT. I can do that one in my sleep. How to avoid the most traffic during a snow storm? Cross over Dot Ave, go through the housing projects, around the circle, by JFK Library onto the MCGrath Hwy...like there's another way? Bar hopping on Lansdowne St when Mama Kins was there. The seats at Fenway and the big ol fat guy next to me passing gas. The Cask N Flagon as an alternative. Winning the World Series. Finally. Great seats for Bruins games and lots of hat tricks. The South End and the fact that I can tell you where each and every Quaker Oats ad is from there to Cambridge. Southie Beach Houses, Castle Island and french fries overlooking the library for lunchtime. Being felt up each and every time I went to Quincy Market and decided to walk over for fresh fruit. Learning defensive driving and swell phrases that never really bother anyone. Telling one of the richest men in Boston what an ass he was being and him being okay with it. Sitting in traffic and watching the snow fall at Trinity Church. Those great guys in Downtown Crossing who just need a hug. Making a panhandler pay for a cigarette. Roasted nuts outside of State St station. Park St Station and a Braintree Train.

The knowledge and experiences I aquired from Massachusetts and it's residents can not be equalled. My general disposition can not be tamed. Watch out back woods folks...here I come. You can take the girl out of Boston but you certainly cant take the Boston out of the girl. The fun begins.

As in " The middle of...".

As in where I will be living.

http://pandafan.tabulas.com/gallery/hell-and-gone/

Snow gently falling all day. What a lovely New England day to have a wedding! I'm sure it hindered a few from getting out and getting there but I think most just sucked it up and showed. It was great and I think everyone had a fabulous time.

I was lucky enough to be escorted by Kirk in his truck and pin striped suit. It was a nice ride even when he played around. It was snowing like crazy and we were in a truck heck, you've got to do it. Especially when your playing Latino music. We made really good time as well making it to the church with time to spare.

It's always nice to see everyone gathered all dressed up and feeling fun and fabulous. The ceremony was very nice and everyone looked wonderful. The bride and groom being the best dressed, of course. The guys and gals though did a great job of cleaning up too. I like seeing guys all dressed up. It's just so spiffy. Makes them more charming then they are regularly. That Dan groom guy I must say had not a single moment of his 'Dark and Brooding' but more of a constant bubbling over with joy. Very nice indeed.

The Grand Ballroom at the Hawthorne Hotel in Salem was a lovely spot for a reception. The food was simply fabulous. Take it from someone who's had more chicken dinners and chicken dances than can be counted. It really was good stuff. The DJ was great. He was having himself a great time while spinning it all and that's always helpful. Adds to the whole mood. Heck I was dancing so, you know there's that. That could be from the Tequila or Southern Comfort or both but, still. Much fun was had by all.

Chucks head was closely shaved and I took my fair share of enjoyment out of that. Adam made a fabulous speech. Jerry and I discussed the joy of scarves. Plans were made for the batcave. Carmen and I danced. We all laughed and shared some great joy and made some great memories. It's a lovely thing.

After the reception all gathered into the Tavern. It's a lovely spot with a roaring fireplace and filled with that New England charm. Many with rooms went up and changed and came back down to enjoy in more comfort. The place was still pretty dang filled up even when Kirk and I went on our way back home. I'm sure there was much fun for the evening.

I watched the photographers pretty closely. I do that. They did a fine job. They covered a lot and I'm sure they've got great shots. At the end of their night I was reviewing some of the shots at the gazebo with one of them and those look just wonderful. Dan and Jen will definately enjoy those for years to come. I took pictures too. I had fun doing it. At this point, thats a great place to be at. When weddings burn you out it takes a long time to recover and have fun with it. I shall certainly share when they are developed and scanned.

Thanks Dan and Jen for inviting me to share your day with you. I wish you the best of all things. I wish you enough. All the days of your lives together.

Carry on.

Dan & Jen's Wedding:

http://pandafan.tabulas.com/gallery/dan-jens-wedding-1-18-2009/

Boston via Tel Aviv:

http://pandafan.tabulas.com/gallery/boston-via-tel-aviv/

All photos are now uploaded for your enjoyment.

Any of you looking for prints - give me a holler on which ones - no problem!

I am thinking this is going to be a continuing saga so, we'll just call it the Back Country and any further interesting facts and fables will be shared as they arise and may possibly be labeled #2, #3, #976, etc.

Yes I am moving to the middle of the woods and I am actually choosing to do this. However, I find so many things so very fascinating at this early stage in the game that it must be the whole culture shock thing. Or something. I always thought I was pretty laid back and easy going but I'm thinking now that I'm not. I'm a city chick. I've got things to do, places to go, don't know you, etc etc. That's gonna have to change or they're going to have to adjust. I'm thinking that they're going to have to adjust. Seriously. I'll admit I have things to learn about all this backwoods crap too but these people are odd. Lots more odd than I am. Lord help us all.

Today I got to deal with:

 #1. The well.

I get the whole well thing but, I don't get  how it works (in complete detail) and why it stopped working while I was there. I am so very used to walking over to the faucet and turning it on and it working that I thought I might have fallen over from the fumes of cleaning substances and was having a nightmare or blackout or something. I actually checked all the faucets too. Duh. Idiot. I think the pump is in the barn. I don't have access to the barn. That sucks. I really don't know and I've got to figure this all out if I'm to survive out there. I made some calls, thinking I'm a complete idiot but,  only after checking the breaker box and stuff anyway (not completely useless). It's not my fault as far as we can tell at the moment. He thinks perhaps he shut the water off somewhere and all I got was what was in the hot water heater. Great. Didnt help me today. Does however put the thought of having water "on hand" a very real issue. Also puts back in my mind having a rain barrel. That's not an entirely bad thing. In fact, I've wanted one here for years so, I think on this new property I may just be able to get it. Still. What the hell else will this well have in store for me? Do I even want to know? Probably not.

#2. The Post Office

Picture in your mind a tiny little house. Okay - the hobbit house would work if that helps. Cut it in half. On one side is the Post Office and the other side is the bank. Woohoo - what a grand business you all do here, eh? Oh my. But, it is back country living and I have to be lucky to have a post office and a bank after all. Since it's back country I also have a mailbox that has been taken out by plows and even someone with too much spare time and a baseball bat at their disposal. I am NOT having my mail left there. It's a long driveway anyway so I might as well "go into town" and see people. Or something. Anyway....I ordered a box on line. It didnt work. The payment went through just fine but, I had to go get it in person. Fine. When I showed up at 1:30 a note on the door told me they were closed from 1-2:30. That must be when they deliver mail? I have no idea. I went back later. There was one person in front of me. They were all chatty and catching up and talking about people and planning on having a bottle of wine. Blah blah blah blah. Whatever. Do you see me standing here? Okay, deep breath. Count to 10. Okay, count to 100. "Hi, may I help you?"  I'm laughing at this point at what transpired after that. By the time I left there were 4 people behind me waiting. They all knew my name, phone number, where I live now, where I'm going to live, when I'm moving in and that I'm getting a PO Box instead of just "you get mail delivery you know" with a sideways look. OMG. That's nice and friendly of them all. ????? I dont get that. At all. I'm trying but, it's not working. It's none of your dang business. Any of it. I dont care. I want my box dangit. Just give it to me. This 4x4 square does nothing for my privacy. Oh yeah, I dont have any anymore do I? Crap. I'm trying my best not to be that snooty city gal that's moving in but, it's hard to adjust. Even harder under pressure.

#3. Driving.

You know, I can drive up a storm. I've survived years of Boston driving and lived to tell about it. That should be enough. It's not. How the hell do you drive 80 mph on a curvy back road in the middle of nowhere, in the winter, with deer crossings and schoolbus crossings everywhere? I felt so ...... untrained. I guess it's the difference between the expressway in rush hour to go 14 miles to work and it taking an hour and 80 mph to go 30 miles for just a gallon of milk. I don't know really. I cant figure it out. Is it because no one else is on the road? Because I am. Hello. Shit. Really. Are there more back road accidents than highway (taking into consideration population differences)? I'm thinking there may be. Jeesh. I'm also feeling very small. Everyone has a big truck. I want a truck again. This may push me right back to that. Then again, I may take the Mazda to 80 mph but I probably wouldn't take a truck over.......65. lol. Yeah, right. Who knows.

I mapped out the Dunkin Donuts run too. It's not bad really at all. Considering everything else. It would be like if the only DD's was the one by Marina Bay. It's not terrible it's just not as convenient. I also did the Stop & Shop run. 1/2 hour. To get there. Humm. Thats another thing to keep in mind as far as being prepared, making lists, stocking up, bringing a cooler in the summer, etc. It is a very nice Super Stop & Shop though. Also has a Dollar Store, Game Stop, Video rental place and Walmart next door. Gas too. So, that works. There were 3 country/general stores on the way as well. So, I guess it could be much worse. Don't think I can sqeeze anything into that 1 hr lunch break though.

4. Friendly People.

I'm already getting the wave. I'm used to the wave from boating but having a hard time putting it out on the street. You just don't do that unless you know someone really really well. I guess in a town of 1700 and a long back road with all of 10 houses on it, they feel they know me well enough. What is the etiquette for it though? Is it your street only? Is it all back country roads? Does it apply to in "town"? And whats with the stare down "in town" anyway? I swear I almost caused 4 accidents walking to the post office. Does everyone already know I'm new in town? Is it really that apparent? Who told them? lol. JEESH. I checked where I was walking each and every time a truck stopped in the middle of the road where I was walking cuz I thought maybe I was in their way or something. With just dealing with how they drive I was afraid I was going to get myself run over. But, no. They were just stopping to stare. Thats nice. Crap. I look like shiite. If all you people were going to stare at me I would have put on a fancy outfit or make up or something. No one tells you this. Why not? There should be a handbook.