What Lucky Guys . . .

Rick & Tracy took Ben & Peter on a wonderful vacation this last week . . . the Cayman Islands . . . wow . . . what a great experience for the boys for their first "out of the country" trip . . . they were very excited to be using their passports . . .

the photos tell what a great time they had . . . look at those smiles . . .

they are returning home today . . . I can't wait to hear all about the fun they had . . .

Love you guys . . .
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Our "Sweetie Girl" Turns Three ! ! !

I can't believe that it has been 3 years already, since Adam called early in the morning to say that Little Miss Sienna had just been born . . . I remember that day like it was yesterday . . . so much excitement . . . I can still remember how fast my heart was beating !!

She has been such a joy for these 3 "fast" years . . . she is such a precious child . . . and very very loved by all of us . . .

I hear she got a new 2-wheeler . . . purple she says . . . and a helmet with the "princesses" . . . I can't wait to see her ride . . .

We Love You "Sweetie Girl" . . . and we hope to see you soon . . . Happy Birthday !!
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Neil Diamond at Fenway - "What a Night" !!

Dick and I went to the Neil Diamond concert at Fenway Park last night . . . it was absolutely wonderful . . . great weather . . . fun people sitting around us . . . and Neil . . . great of course !
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here is the review from Christopher John Treacy of the Boston Herald . . . it says it all . . .
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"Neil Diamond’s heart may belong to the Yankees, but last night he loaned his soul to Fenway Park.
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It wasn’t exactly a “Hot August Night.” But things have changed in the 36 years since Diamond released that landmark live recording: His hair’s more under control, his shirts remain buttoned, the collars are unobtrusive and, perhaps most important, his oft-parodied dramatic performances are now tempered with smart restraint.
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In front of some 37,000 fans jamming the beloved ballpark, Diamond took Boston on a two-hour tour of his catalogue, touching old, touching new, touching me, touching you.
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In fact, good sport that he is, theRed Sox anthem “Sweet Caroline” got played a total of three times - first as the opener, then twice more in succession two-thirds through the evening.
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After “Holly Holy” and the urban celebration “Beautiful Noise,” Diamond removed his guitar for a subdued but no less convincing “Love On the Rocks.” “Cherry Cherry” was just as jubilant 42 years on and got the largely sit-down crowd up on its feet.
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Following “Thank the Lord for the Nighttime,” he said, “But that was yesterday,” and launched into a trio of tunes from his new Rick Rubin-produced CD, “Home Before Dark.” In particular, the title track lent credence to the widespread perception of the disc as an introspective collection.
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But he followed with “Brooklyn Roads,” “Done Too Soon,” “I Am, I Said” and “Solitary Man” - all heavily self-reflective songs written prior to 1971. So it’s safe to say that Diamond’s always been stuck in his own head.
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With the same 14-piece band he’s used for three decades, the sound was big but the volume remained tasteful - safe enough for non-earplug listening. If ever Diamond’s authoritative strumming grew tiresome, backup gal Maxine Waters put on a worthwhile sideshow (along with sister Julia Waters and Linda Press, who belted Streisand’s portion of “You Don’t Bring Me Flowers”), brandishing her tambourine and maracas like weaponry.
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And the four-man brass section and King Errisson’s congas elevated the arrangements beyond the run of the mill.
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Diamond grew a little hoarse toward the show’s end, closing with another pair of contemplative numbers, “Man of God” and “Hell Yeah” from 2005’s “12 Songs,” before returning for “Cracklin’ Rosie,” and the immigration anthem “America.”
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Reflecting on the breadth of material performed, it’s plain that he’s always taken chances and almost always won - the last time he released an album that failed to go gold in the United States was prior to 1968. And while he’s never been cool enough to be embraced by subculture, he’s maintained a consistent edge over everyone else in the middle of the road, where he continues shining bright at 67. "
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By Christopher John Treacy (Boston Herald)
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Truro . . . Peace, Peace, Peace . . .

Mom and I just got back from Truro . . . we had a great time ! !

. . . she so enjoyed the peace of being there . . . just listening to the ocean while sitting on the deck . . . reading and talking . . . I had such a good time just spending some special time with her . . . it was wonderful . . .

. . . we had a great dinner at Montano's . . . went into P-town for a bit to see the sights . . . but mostly just sat and listened to the peace of the ocean . . .

. . . and the sunset was incredible ! !
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On My Way to Truro

YEAHHHHHHHHHHH . . . I'm on my way to Truro . . . one of my favorite places in the whole world . . . if I can't be at the Pacific Ocean . . . then give me Truro ! ! !

Taking Mom down for a couple of days . . . just to relax and soak in the ocean . . . AHHHHHHH . . . sleep listening to the waves . . . so so good for the Soul !!

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"Coming to America"

Today I was listening to my Neil Diamond CDs . . . preparing for the concert we are going to at Fenway Park . . .

As I sang along with “America” . . . it really hit me . . . and I started to cry . . . thinking about all of my ancestors who came to this country . . . to give their families a better life . . . the struggles and sacrifices they made . . .

And then my mind immediately went to the people who have come here in my lifetime . . . and people that are still coming . . . and people that want to come . . .

I thought of all their struggles and sacrifices . . . of what so many have gone through to come here . . . to this wonderful country of ours . . . the country I was so fortunate to be born in . . . without having the struggles and sacrifices . . .

It made me think . . . why was I so fortunate . . . and why should my country try to keep people out . . . people who just want a better life . . . people who are willing to do some of the hardest jobs . . . people who actually make my life better by their coming here . . .

Our country needs to find a way to help people who want to be here . . . help them come without climbing fences . . . sneaking over borders . . . and all the other things that make their coming here so much harder . . .

What right do we have to keep people out . . . we DON'T . . . we’re all in this life together . . . and we need to BE in it together . . .

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We need to welcome people who want to come to "America" . . . people who are hardworking . . . and just want a better life for themselves and their families . . .

I will never sing these words again without thinking of all these people . . . and especially my daughter-in-law, Ileana . . . she and her family know about the struggles and sacrifices it took to come here . . .

Far
We've been traveling far
Without a home
But not without a star

Free
Only want to be free
We huddle close
Hang on to a dream

On the boats and on the planes
They're coming to America
Never looking back again
They're coming to America

Home, don't it seem so far away
Oh, we're traveling light today
In the eye of the storm
In the eye of the storm

Home, to a new and a shiny place
Make our bed, and we'll say our grace
Freedom's light burning warm
Freedom's light burning warm

Everywhere around the world
They're coming to America
Every time that flag's unfurled
They're coming to America

Got a dream to take them there
They're coming to America
Got a dream they've come to share
They're coming to America
They're coming to America
They're coming to America
They're coming to America
They're coming to America
Today, today, today, today, today

My country 'tis of thee
Today
Sweet land of liberty
Today
Of thee I sing
Today
Of thee I sing
Today
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Birthday No. 61 . . . "oh no"

I had a terrific birthday . . . Dick picked some beautiful hydrangeas for me from his garden . . . I love hydrangeas ! ! !

I came home from work to the most gorgeous fruit bouquet . . . with yummy chocolate dipped pineapple and strawberry flowers ( I wish I had thought to take a picture of it before Dick and I started to eat ! ! ! . . . thank you Rick, Tracy, Ben, and Peter . . .

While we were busy eating these delicious treats . . . the UPS man came . . . with several dozen roses . . . absolutely beautiful . . . thank you Adam, Isis, Sienna, and Olivia . . .

On Friday evening we went to dinner with Todd and Andrea to celebrate . . . they gave me a birthday card to open . . . and out fell 2 tickets to "Neil Diamond at Fenway Park" ! ! ! . . . incredible . . . I could NOT believe it . . . that is going to be an awesome evening . . . thank you Todd & Andrea . . .

Mom came with us . . . and gave me my $$ birthday gift . . . to buy whatever I want . . . so now I am trying to decide . . . going to wait for a while . . . and come up with something really good . . .

Also received lots of cards and well wishes from other family and friends . . . thank you all so much . . . for helping to make my birthday a great day !!

Congratulations, Adam ! ! !

Adam has won the 2008 AFSCME California State Senate Legislative Staff Person of the Year Award . . . for the 2nd year in a row ! ! !

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Great Job, Adam . . .

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ok . . . I'll say it . . . I'm bragging here . . . but Dad and I are really proud of YOU . . .

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Happy 4th of July !

We celebrated July 4th on Saturday with the Rhode Island Keigwins in Kingstown . . .

it was great to visit with Scott & Jane . . . and meet their new little guy, Henry . . . Matt & Paige are all grown up . . . wow ! ! !

it was fun visiting with Jennie and Andy too . . . and their little people, Harry & Gracie . . .

and it was great to see Bev & Jack too . . . we haven't seen everyone for a long time . . .

I only wish all of our guys could have been there with their families too . . . what a great Keigwin reunion that would have been . . . just like the old days when we would celebrate July 4th in Warwick . . .

Happy 4th of July !!
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The "Last" Phil Craig Book

Well, I just finished the last Phil Craig book . . . it was wonderful . . . as always !!

I first discovered Phil's books in 1995 . . . I think there were 5 out then . . . and I read through them all right away . . .

Then every spring I looked forward to the new one coming out . . . and that was usually the first book I read every year in June . . . I would always try to make them last . . . tried to read very slowly . . . but each one was so good I just couldn't put it down until it was finished . . . and usually read it in one day !

Last May . . . Phil passed away . . . I had met him a few times at different author events . . . and he was one of the nicest people I have ever met . . . so so kind . . . one of my favorite authors . . .

It makes me sad to think I will never get to speak with him again . . . or to be able to look forward to another one of his books in the Spring . . . June reading will never be the same.

7 Days in California

I just got back from my trip to California . . . Sandy and I had a great time . . .

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the 4 days taking care of Sienna and Olivia were hectic and we were sure tired at the end of each day . . . but they were terrific days . . . sharing in the girls' daily lives . . . they are such little sweethearts . . . and it was so good to have such precious time with them . . .

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we had a great time visiting Amador wine country . . . and Napa too . . . the fires in Napa had the area somewhat smogged in . . . but it's still beautiful scenery . . . did some shopping . . . found a terrific quilt shop . . . and even managed to squeeze in a little time in San Francisco . . .

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we had some time with Adam and Isis before they left for the wedding . . . and again after they got back . . . and that was terrific too . . . just too short . . .

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somehow the time goes so quickly . . . and there is never enough of it . . . I love California . . . so so much to do there . . . a great place to visit . . .

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Sienna Graduated ! ! !

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Sienna graduated the other night . . . from "Toddler Two" . . . now she is officially in Preschool . . .

she was quite proud of her diploma . . .
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Olivia is getting so big . . . Adam & Isis are telling me she's rolling all over the place . . . and "talking" like crazy . . .


I can't wait to see them all . . .

5 more days !!!

One Week from Today

Just one more week . . . and I'll be leaving with Sandy for California . . . I can't wait . . . we are going to have a great time ! ! !

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I sure can't wait to see those two little cuties . . . Sienna sounds so grown up on the phone . . . and Olivia seems to be growing like crazy . . . I'm sure we will have a wonderful time with them both . . . probably will be quite tired at the end of the days that Adam and Isis are gone . . . but it will be a good tired . . . just being with them is going to be soooooooooooo terrific . . .

I've been busy getting my English paper pieces cut and basted . . . so I can take them with me to work on on the plane . . . I will be able to get a lot of blocks sewed together . . . if I can just get all these pieces ready . . .

this weekend I cut and basted 676 pieces . . . I have 91 to go . . . ! ! !

here is a photo of my FIRST finished English paper pieced quilt . . . it's out at the quilter's right now . . . so she can work her magical stitching on it . . . it will be ready when I return from California . . . I can't wait to get it back . . . put the binding on . . . and hang it over my fireplace . . . it's going to look so good there . . .

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Good News & Bad News

great job Ben !! . . . he earned a Gold Medal in his figure skating competition this past weekend . . . we're very proud of you . . .

and good for you, Peter !! . . . he had a tough time this past weekend . . . turns out he fell and got hurt . . . had to have several stitches in his head . . . boys will be boys I guess . . . and from what we hear . . . he was very brave at the emergency room . . . we're very proud of you too . . .
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Two Little Cuties

Aren't they 2 little cuties . . . I sure do miss them !!!

Thank you Isis . . . for keeping us up to date with photos . . .

Happy 80th Birthday, Mom !!!

Mom turned 80 today . . . so hard to believe . . . she is so young in spirit . . . what a terrific woman . . . wonderful Mom . . . awesome grandmother . . . special great-grandmother . . .

We had a surprise Red Sox baseball party for her . . . she loves the Red Sox . . . almost never misses a game . . . we gave her a big flatscreen tv . . . so now she can watch them really well . . .

She was so surprised . . . she had a great time with everyone there . . . and was really surprised . . .

Happy Birthday Mom !!! . . . You're the BEST !!!

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Today's the Day !!!

Rick, Tracy, Ben, and Peter arrived this morning . . . it is so good to see them . . . we haven't been together since last July . . . the boys have grown up so so much . . . what handsome guys they are . . . I love having time with them . . .

We had a great time . . . visiting with Nona . . . this is her birthday weekend . . . we also played dominoes and had a lot of fun . . . I love playing games with the kids . . . grandchildren are the best !!!

Tonight we went to "The Outback" to celebrate being together . . . Jason, Peter, Ben, Casey, Jon, Nona, Me, Dick, Sandy, Todd, Andrea, Rick, Tracy . . . lots of fun . . . I wish everyone else could have been there too . . . I always want my whole family together . . . but with a big family it's almost impossible . . . maybe someday soon . . . I hope !!!
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Looking Forward to April 26th

Yes . . . April 26th ! ! !

Rick, Tracy, Ben, and Peter will be arriving on that morning . . . to spend the weekend . . . and help us celebrate Nona's 80th birthday . . .

I am so looking forward to seeing them . . . it's been a while . . . and I bet the boys have grown so much . . . they sound very grown up on the phone when we talk . . .

It will be a lot of fun . . . just spending some quiet time with them . . . and maybe doing something "very special" too . . .

17 more days ! ! ! . . . I love seeing my grandchildren ! ! !
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Another Wonderful Blessing

Here is our Little Honey Girl, Olivia . . .

all dressed up in her Easter outfit . . . is she just the "yummiest" thing you ever saw . . . I just want to eat her up . . .

She is such a precious baby . . . and just so so pretty . . . . . . I couldn't love her more . . . another wonderful blessing . . .

I can't wait to have a "grandmother & granddaughter" day with her . . . all to myself . . . yeah ! ! !

Dick and I are very blessed . . .

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A Wonderful Day

What a wonderful day I had today . . . I spent it with Little Miss, Sienna . . . and it was truly awesome ! ! !

Sandy joined us for a fun time . . . Sienna wanted to have lunch at a "real restaurant" . . . so we took her to Scupper Jack's . . . and she really enjoyed herself . . . what a good girl she was too . . . the waitress was so impressed with her that she kept coming back to talk with her . . .

We were there only a little while when Sienna seemed to look all around . . . and then she turned to me and said . . . "this is kind of nice" . . . Sandy and I almost cracked up . . . it was good to get her "approval" on our choice of restaurant . . .

I guess she kind of got pooped out . . . on the way back to Marlborough she fell asleep . . . so we took her into the house and put her on the sofa for a little nap . . . while she was sleeping Sandy had to leave . . . when Sienna woke up she asked . . . "where did the girl with the white hair go" . . . she is so so funny . . .

While she was trying to wake up . . . she lay on the sofa looking out the window . . . the day was really windy . . . she called me over to see the trees saying . . . "look Gran, the trees are going to fall over" . . .

Once she was wide awake we decided to go to the movies to see "Horton Hears the Who" . . . again she was wonderful . . . she sat through the entire movie . . . really paying attention . . . and sitting on my lap . . . reaching up with one hand and patting my cheek . . . oh what a great feeling . . . I could have sat there forever . . . she is such a love . . . and I truly love this child with all my heart . . .

We had the best day . . . nothing like a grandmother being with her grandchild . . . alone . . . for the whole day . . . what a gift . . . and what a blessing Sienna is . . .

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