The Dogs

Between my family and our friends, there is a little cast of character in dogs here in Kentucky.

Well all know the first and most important dog in my life, Fred. Since I've been in Kentucky, Fred doesn't go to work with my Dad, as much; he enjoys spending the day with me, even though all I do is study. Fred's just happy being around people and having someone to pet him. Here's a few classic pictures of Fred...


Fred has a not-so secret admirer, Dory. She's a very demanding little Westie and kinda dirty most of the time too.


These are the neighbor's dogs, Sam aka Moo the Bull Mastiff and Monkey, the mutt. They're good dogs, although Sam, who weighs approximately 240 pounds is scared of anything and everything. That is unless you are on his property, then he goes wild.


Monkey is about 6 months old and he's pretty dam smart. He's a cute little dog and just wants constant companionship.
Sam will sit at any sink until you turn it on for him. He prefers his water out of a sink or toilet, rather than the standard dog bowl.


Look forward to a future post focusing solely on the numerous cats on the farm.

See ya soon!!

I'm already back in Kentucky from my weekend in Boston. I arrived on Thursday evening, and was happily picked up by Sue and Lokesh. We proceeded to the Barking Crab, for some seafood and good laughs. I was so happy to see both Sue and Lokesh as I haven't seen them since they left Boston in April. We had a great time and I was very thankful for some fresh seafood. While Kentucky does have fast food seafood and Red Lobster, I much prefer the fresh stuff and wouldn't anything else. Say no to Captain D's!!

I spent the remainder of the weekend, with two incredible little boys: Walker, 3, and Barrett, 18 months. We had a lot of great play time and enjoy the 4th of July festivities in Needham. The only downfall to the weekend is Barrett's inability to be consoled in the middle of the night. His two year molars were coming in and he had no desire to be in his bed at 1 am. Hence, the party in my bed, and the little amount of sleep I got. Although it was a lot of work, it was a lot of fun and it was a great study break!

I returned home Monday night, and have been on the go since, just studying and ready to get this test behind me! I'll be back in Boston in 3 weeks for the big test and hopefully soon after that, to find a new place to live, a job and a fresh start on life.

Here's Walker enjoying some time on his balance bike. He's 3 and can already ride without training wheels. He's also really photogenic.

Here's Barrett tending to the grass in the driveway; he loves to use his mower and doesn't care that there aren't in bubbles in it.

Leaving home. I love Boston and the people there. While I can't wait to get back, I am enjoying the relaxation and non-stress Kentucky has to offer.

Almost home..

Its true, I'm almost home. In a few days, I'll be headed back to Boston for a long 4th of July weekend. While I'm excited about being back, I wouldn't have had this opportunity, if I hadn't decided to nanny for the weekend. Although it will be a lot of work, I am so excited for it. I think it'll be a great, much needed break from studying.

I land in Boston around 6pm on Thursday. Sue has already agreed to pick me up from the airport, so we can spend some quality time catching up. I can't wait. Since Sue left for DC in April, I haven't seen her and there's truly been something missing in my life since. She's an incredible friend and confidant!

After a scrumptious meal, Sue will drop me off in Needham for three days of uninterrupted fun with Walker, 3 and Barrett, 18 months. I'll surely be tired when Sam and Dave arrive home on Sunday evening, but I think I'm going to enjoy it.

I have grand plans of making it to the Capozzi BBQ on Saturday afternoon. Unless some major crisis occurs, I have full intentions of dragging the kids out, so I can get in a few minutes with friends.

On Monday, I depart back to Kentucky for a few jam packed weeks of studying and stressing. If you're planning on heading to Mike's party on Saturday, I hope to see you there!

I fought the law and I won!

During the trip to Kentucky, I was stopped by Kentucky's finest. The officer claimed I was going 78 in a 65 mph zone. I believe I was the victim of profiling because I had Massachusetts license plates. The officer was kind enough to give me a ticket, which would have cost me $170. Since I was given the option, I figured I'd drive to Traffic Court for the hearing and take my chance with the judge.

So on Monday, I drove the 85 miles to court for my hearing. As I entered the court, outcomes a small child wearing nothing but a shirt and a diaper running around in the courthouse. I knew right away this would be a different experience than the Boston courts. I got through security and went up to the courtroom. Everyone else appeared to be standing in line, so I followed their lead.

When I got to the front of the line, I gave the clerk my last name. She looked up the information and simply asked, "were you speeding?" In a comical fashion, I answered "no." She looked at me, as if recognizing that she's not as stupid as I thought she was. Her response to me, "Ok, I'll dismiss it with a warning." I was almost dumbfounded. Could it really be this easy?

It could be. I was in the courthouse for maybe a maximum of 8 minutes, before I left to drive the 85 miles back home. On my way home, I decided to treat myself, after my great victory. I drove straight to the liquor store.

In Elizabethtown, where my parents live, its a dry county, so you have to drive at least 25 to 30 minutes to the closest liquor store. So having seeing the opportunity of a liquor store, I knew I had to take advantage of the opportunity. At the particular liquor store I went, I'm sure they knew I wasn't from around there. Every other customer that came to the store while I was there used the drive through. Yes, a drive through liquor store!

Besides my recent victory over the speeding ticket, I really have not been up to much else. In exciting news, I will be in Boston for the 4th of July weekend, during which I may make a special appearance at the Capozzi BBQ.

Happy 70th Birthday Dad!

My mom and I really pulled one over on my Dad. Friday, we told him that we would be going out on Saturday night for dinner for his birthday, and he was pretty excited about it. He'd been talking about going back to the Japanese Steakhouse for a while.

When he went in for his shower last night, to get readyto go to dinner, my mom and I set up everything - the food, decorations, etc. When my Dad emerged from the bathroom, he was speechless when he saw everyone in the house. The first thing out of his mouth was: "So weren't not going out to dinner?" Obviously not!

It was a great success and a really fun night for my dad. There's was tons of food, alcohol and laughs - what more can a guy ask for? Of course, plenty of thrilling gag gifts were all provided to him.

Below is a few pictures of my Dad's cake, and his most prized birthday gifts.


My Dad is still a die hard Red Sox fan, even after they moved to Kentucky. They order a special baseball package every summer so he can watch the games.


He's in his glory, with his best dog by his side!



His most favorite gifts. The Jingle Jugs we got at Spencer's. It sings "Beers and Tits" all the while the jugs are jingling. And of course, an old fart obviously needs an bedside urinal.

Nothing new

Well I thought I'd post a little update on the happenings in Kentucky. There hasn't been a whole lot going on, not too much happens in Kentucky.

Last night, I survived my first Tornado warning. The tornadoes passed to the south of us and we only had a small thunderstorm. As much as we complain about New England weather, it storms every other day here and we're constantly losing power.

I've been putting in a lot of time studying, and really that's about all. Since I have never lived here (before now), I don't know anyone, so there's not really anyone to go out with. I have yet to go out and do anything social with anyone in Kentucky. While I know I made a really good decision about coming to study here, its hard at times because there is no one to hang out with. I know this is a good thing because I can get a lot of studying in, but I could use a much needed mental break at times.

The one thing I hope this summer gives me is a chance to let go. Its been hard to let go of my relationship with Matt, even though its already gone. I think the letting go has been more or less about being alone and not having someone to share things with.

I also really need to let go of my anger over the bar; nothing else can be done at this point. Ever since I found out I failed, I've been angry about it. I just have a tendency to get angry over the fact that I have to be studying again, when there are plenty of others who probably didn't put in half the effort I did, and they passed.

One thing that has given me joy this summer is being here for my Dad's 70th birthday. Tomorrow, we'll be having his surprise 70th Birthday party for him, and I'm so glad I'll actually be around for it. While he's not my biological Dad, there's no difference to me. He's always been an amazing Dad to me, much better than my biological father. I'm just very happy I can be here for such a big birthday.

I hope everyone in Boston is doing well and I hope you all know you're amazing friends and that I miss you dearly!

Kentucky Oddities...

Below is a list of a few odd things about the people and places in Kentucky.

1. When I grew up, we have ice cream trucks that came around to the neighborhoods. Emphasis on "trucks." In Kentucky, they have ice cream vans. Like the vans often equipped with handicapped lifts. Now ice creams vans scream out "Alert pedophile!" Anybody else?

2. When it rains not only do you lose electricity and cable, you also lose radio stations.

3. While watching TV, I saw a commercial for Universal Technical Institute. However instead of referring to it by name, they kept calling it UTI. To me and probably a lot of other people, UTI means urinary tract infection. Poor choice for an acronym!

4. A lot of people refer to Kentucky and Indiana as Kentuckiana. Funny, I thought these were two different states.

I'll have more oddities to come, but this is just the start of what I think will be a very long list!