Archive for the ‘Family & Friends’ Category

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A Wedding Party Worth Waiting For

1, Nov 2009

I was fortunate to live only a few miles from my younger cousins Sara and Lara when growing up. We spent every Sunday playing together at my grandparents’ house and countless occasions having fun with their older brother Jon. Because of Sara and Lara’s close proximity in age with me and my brother Matt, they [...]

My Family’s Version of a Barn Raising

29, Oct 2009

In an area where cheap labor is abundant and construction help is prevalent, it’s quite rare in Northern Virginia to see family and friends come together as we did last weekend at my brother-in-law’s house to build a deck.
Many of the townhouses in his Woodbridge neighborhood feature decks. But almost all of them were built [...]

The Grass Is Finally Greener

18, Oct 2009

My lawn isn’t quite finished — there’s still some bare spots out back and brown areas in the front — but it has undergone a remarkable transformation since I wrote about it last month. Compare the picture at right with the one from September and you’ll see what I mean.
In late August, I hired Peter [...]

Wedding Weekend in Saratoga Springs

14, Sep 2009

My wife and I have known our friends Maureen and Mike for as long as they’ve known each other. We were there the night they met five years ago at an Ithaca College happy hour in Washington, D.C. Even though all four of us graduated from the same college, it was only after we moved [...]

In Search of the Perfect Lawn

6, Sep 2009

Many people would probably say it’s not worth the effort. Or simply a waste of time and money. But for me, having the perfect lawn is a matter of pride. I want my yard to be the best in the neighborhood.
This spring I started transforming it from an unkempt mess by focusing on the front [...]

Ken Kogut, R.I.P.

17, May 2009

For as long as I can remember, my Uncle Ken was always telling jokes. Christmas, Easter, birthday parties, graduations, weddings, even funerals. He had that rare natural talent to bring a smile to your face using humor no matter what the occasion.
That’s what I’ll miss most about him. Last Saturday, after a courageous battle against [...]

Benjamin Thomas Bluey

14, Apr 2009

Benjamin Thomas Bluey, originally uploaded by Rob Bluey.
Benjamin Thomas Bluey was born at 5:39 a.m., weighing 8 lbs. 9 oz., and 21″ long.
Missy did an excellent job and looks great. She and Ben are resting comfortably.

Ithaca’s Tower Club Closing Its Doors

4, Apr 2009

Ithaca College: The Towers, originally uploaded by aimeedars.
Ithaca College announced this week that it is closing the Tower Club restaurant, a unique place on campus located on the 14th floor of the East Tower, overlooking beautiful Cayuga Lake, the city of Ithaca and the rolling hills of Tompkins County.
The decision to close the Tower Club, [...]

How My Life Changed 11 Years Ago

13, Feb 2009

Eleven years ago today Missy and I went on our first date — if you can even call it that. We were hanging out at a college party on South Hill in Ithaca, N.Y., with her friends on a typical Friday night. Not exactly glamorous, but certainly a life-changing event.
Even though Feb. 13 doesn’t hold [...]

New Job and New Baby in the New Year

1, Jan 2009

As the book is closed on 2008, I’m preparing for two big changes in the New Year. Starting today, I have a new job at The Heritage Foundation. And a few months from now, Missy and I will welcome Baby Bluey into the world.
In today’s day and age — when it’s nearly impossible to keep [...]


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