Day 6 - The Boston Park Adventure

Saturday night, we drove to and stayed in Natick, Massachusetts.

Sunday was our day to explore Boston, so we decided to explore Boston Common and the Public Garden. The weather was perfect - sunny and almost 70 degrees!

Caleb enjoyed playing in the Fall leaves, watching the ducks, and looking at the mounted policeman and his horse. I enjoyed the fresh air, and a Starbucks pumpkin spice latte! We got very lost on the way there and back, which provided good opportunities for sight-seeing for me and napping for Caleb.

I am really enjoying our trip, but it is not relaxing to travel with a toddler. I think I am ready to head home and am glad we will be there in two more days.
(sent from my BlackBerry Pearl)

Day 5 - the Coastal Adventure

Friday night we drove to and stayed in Peabody (pronounced pee-b-dee), Massachusetts. Since we were north of Boston, and I have always wanted to Maine, I decided to make the drive on Saturday. I didn't want go too far, so planned to go just across the border to Kittery, which is known for its outlet stores.

On our way to Maine, we took a detour through Portsmouth, NH. I wanted to get out and walk around, but Caleb was sleeping. I drove all around taking in all the beautiful scenery and old buildings.

After getting lost quite a few times, we made it back to the highway and found Kittery. Caleb woke up just in time for lunch, so we stopped to eat at McDonalds. Then we continued exploring.

We went exploring trying to find good picture spots and ended up at Kittery Point. Caleb wanted to "get out," so we stopped at McClary Fort State Park. He loved climbing on the walls that have been there since the early 1800s, running around on the grass, and kicking around the leaves that have fallen. I got to see the Atlantic Ocean and got some great pictues, too.

We had quite the successful outing this day. We will see what Sunday has in store for us, as we hope to make it into Boston.
(sent from my BlackBerry Pearl)

Day 4 - The Failed Adventure

Thursday night we drove to and spent the night in Braintree, Massachusetts. Caleb has had a hard time falling asleep all but one of the nights so far, so he and I slept in until he woke up at 9am on Friday morning. After breakfast we wandered out to see what we could see. No big plans for this day since we were exhausted from the first three days, and were both fighting colds.

I saw online that the mall in town is the one where some of the scenes from the movie, "Paul Blart: Mall Cop" were filmed. The security officers even ride segways, from what I read. We walked around the mall a couple times, upstairs and down, but never saw Paul Blart or any of his associates.

After lunch we drove a couple miles to the neighbouring town of Quincy to see the birthplace homes of John Adams and John Quincy Adams. After driving around in circles a few times (literally), we found the visitor's center, purchased a tour ticket, and boarded the tram. We were only able to drive past the birthplace homes because it was so late in the day (darn you circles!), but we did make it to the Peacefield mansion where both Presidents Adams spent their time when they were not at the white house. We had just started the tour when the guide informed me that it would be an hour long tour listening to her talk, and that my 2 year-old would probably not enjoy it. I did agree with her and apologised. They did not let me know this when I purchased my ticket. After three agonising rooms (probably 10 minutes) of listening to her talk, we were able to escape and return on the next tram.

I am hoping Saturday's excursions are more successful than Friday's. Even though it didn't turn out as I had hoped, I did get to see some really neat historical buildings and spend another day in this wonderful area of our country.
(sent from my BlackBerry Pearl)

Day 3 - the zoo adventure

We drove to Rhode Island Wednesday evening and stayed in Warwick, RI. On Thursday, Caleb and I ventured to Roger Williams Park in Providence (or Cranston, depending on which map you look at) to see the Zoo. Boy, were we in for a treat! Being the park-lover that I am, I was quite impressed by the expansive grounds of Roger Williams Park. I don't know who Roger Williams is or was, but the Park named after him is amazing. The leaves haven't fallen off the trees in Rhode Island, so I was able to experience the true beauty of Autumn in New England. My breath was taken away many times this day (one time earlier in the day, I was so caught up in enjoying the beautiful trees along the highway that I missed my exit!)

We finally made it to the zoo after I drove all around the park letting Caleb get in a little nap. We were at the zoo for 5 1/2 hours! It was fantastic! It was not pretentious, but the variety of animals amazed me. Caleb loved watching them all. He couldn't figure out if the zebras were horses or tigers, was fascinated watching the seals swim underwater, and called anything he wasn't sure of "bear." So fun! I thought he would enjoy the elephants, but there was a waterfall nearby, so he was distracted. He was mesmerised by the giraffes, though, for good reason!

Overall, a really neat day! Two of my very favorite things with my very favorite munchkin. What more could you want?
(sent from my BlackBerry Pearl)

Days 1 and 2 - The Adventure Begins

We spent Monday night at a hotel near LAX. Caleb did not sleep well, so, of course, neither did his mommy and daddy.

Tuesday we flew from LA to Chicago, then from Chicago to Hartford. Our 2 year old did amazingly well. He slept some, watched movies some, and walked the aisle charming our fellow passengers. The only fussing he did was when we had to put him back in his seat to land in Chicago.

We all slept really well Tuesday night in Rocky Hill, CT.

Today we found a mall with a fun play area and carousel. Caleb deserved some good play time after a whole day of travelling. He had a great time! Then we went to UConn to meet up with my friend who is in graduate school there. We spent a couple hours visiting with her, then had dinner at Vernon Diner. Yum-o! We are hoping to eat there again before our trip ends, it was that good!
(sent from my BlackBerry Pearl)

On An Adventure

As some of you may know, we are currently in New England. Jason had to travel for work, and Caleb and I were fortunate enough to be able to join him. In a week's time, we will visit Hartford, CT; Providence, RI; Boston, MA; and hopefully Portland, ME.

I had planned to blog our journey and post pictures each day. This will not be possible, however, since I forgot the power cord for my computer, and the battery is completely dead. Instead, I will try to post one or two pictures from my phone each day. Enjoy!
(sent from my BlackBerry Pearl)

Menu Plan Monday

This week I am in "clean out the cupboards and freezer" mode (as well as being on a tight budget). We will be out of town for a week starting next Tuesday.

Monday - leftover Olive Garden :)

Tuesday - Crockpot Beef Short Ribs made like the 3-packet Pot Roast with potatoes and carrots

Wednesday - out or something quick since hubby and I both have meetings

Thursday - Baked Ziti, salad, garlic bread

Friday - Pancakes, sausage, orange juice

Saturday - Hamburgers and french fries

Sunday - out for Caleb's Birthday

Goodbye Citibank

I have had a Shell Mastercard through Citibank for 2 years now. A few months ago they sent a letter saying that my very low interest rate would adjust to 15% higher soon, unless I opted out, which would cancel my account when my card expired. No big deal, I thought, since my card doesn't expire until 2011. I called and said, no thank you, I don't want my interest rate to go higher.

This week, I received another letter from them saying they reviewed my credit report and decided to cancel my account because I have "serious delinquencies." I was concerned, so I pulled my credit report. There are no current delinquencies (the most recent negative was more than two years ago), and it doesn't even show an inquiry from Citibank. Hmm. Anyone else thing the real reason is my refusal to let my rate adjust?

I tried calling them, but could tell the agent was reading a script telling me the same thing the letter told me. SO helpful!

The same thing happened last year with a Sears card I had that was through Citibank. My account was in good standing and I had no recent negative marks on my credit. Then one day I received a letter in the mail saying they had decided to close my account.

I was angry, but now I am just frustrated. The account was going to close in less than two years anyway, and we are trying to pay down balances and make no new charges. We are working hard to reduce our spending, get out of debt, and improve our credit scores. We have not been late on any payments in over two years. This is like a slap in the face from Citibank saying, "Who cares. We don't want good customers like you unless you want to pay our exorbitant rates." After this experience, I will never use Citibank again.

Monopoly Time!

It's Monopoly Time at McDonalds. I hope we win! So far I've won 75 Coke Reward points and we got some instant win food. Bring on the cash!
(sent from my BlackBerry Pearl)