Curtin Call

My husband and I went up to Old Orchard Beach in Maine for a long weekend this past weekend. We were staying with another couple that rents a condo every year. Of course, the big question was “what do we do with the cats?” My sweet mother-in-law offered to take them but there was no way I could do that to her so I just had her take the older one, Sneakers.

Our friends were nice enough to let us bring Frosty with us. Of course, we had NO idea how this was going to work out! Well, I always knew he was a “goo’ boy!” but he proved it to us all the more. On the ride up (which is about 1-1/2 hours plus a stop in NH), he laid in his cage with the door to it open and stayed there all the way to NH. When we left NH, I let him lay on my lap and he stayed there so nice! I couldn’t believe he didn’t sleep at all!

When we got to the condo, he spent some time sniffing the place out. Our friends were kind enough to allow him to have the run of the place the entire time (I’d bought a BIG carrier for him to sleep in, etc) so we decided it would be best if we slept on the lower level while they slept on the third floor so if he should go into one of his meowing fits, they’d still sleep. Although there was NOTHING keeping him from roaming up to their room , he stayed downstairs with us all night!

The ride home went just as smoothly only this time, we barely made the Maine Turnpike and he was sound asleep in his carrier! He must have been exhausted from all the excitement of the weekend! When we got home, he went straight to the bay window and went to sleep in his favorite sunny spot!

He’s such a goo’ boy!!!!!!

The painters were at the house yesterday and they’ve primed one side and the front on the house! It was REALLY strange to come down the street yesterday and see my house a different color! They tint the primer to be just a bit lighter than the actual paint and I am VERY pleased with the way it’s looking! We’re very happy with the painters, too. They were really laying the primer on! Some of the people we got estimates from actually spray the house versus rolling/brushing and I just can’t imagine that you’d get as good a coverage that way???

Anyway, I’ve been taking pictures as we go along and will post them when all is done! (You all know me, no high-tech digital camera here, just my CVS disposable!!!!!)

Well, out of respect for Nomar, I really should give it a 5 however, trying to be the optimist that I like to be, I’m going to give it an 8 (hmmm, that’s his new number with the Cubs!)!

On Saturday morning, as we continued to work on the criss crosses on the windows, getting ready for painting, I was suddenly stung by a bee on my hand. Having no experience with bee stings, I had no idea what to expect. Within just a short period, my left hand began to swell up as though I had just punched a wall! I called the Winchester Hospital to be sure this was normal and they said that swelling is to be expected, I should keep plenty of ice on it, and watch for signs of an allergic reaction (rash, closing of throat, etc). Good news…. no allergic reaction and my hand was back to normal in just a few days!

Later that day, I heard the sad news that my favorite Red Sox player, Nomar Garciaparra, was traded to the Chicago Cubs. This didn’t come as a total surprise, as there’s been talk of a trade since before the season even started. However, the reality of seeing him in a Cubs uniform on Sunday was very depressing – there’s just something not right about that!!!!! Oh, well, life goes on! I still love ya, Nomar!

On Sunday, we managed to finish up the bulk of the preperation of the windows (what a relief – what will we do with all our time now???) and it couldn’t have been more timely as that night, the painters came by and did a walk around of the house and we gave him the info on the paint colors, etc! He’d said they’d start either Monday or, more likely, Tuesday. They didn’t show up yesterday so now the anticipation of seeing what my house is going to look like when I get home is killing me! Soooo exciting!

So all in all, it was a pretty good weekend! Stay tuned for updates on the house!