Oh the Goats…

Just when you think a conversation may die…those sneaky little goats come right up and get you!

What do I mean by this?  Well, Uncle Kevin – who has been mentioned on this blog before for his fantastic ‘listing’ abilities, has a great kinship with Andrew.  And this is the email he recently sent to both of us:

SUBJECT: Tired of mowing your lawn?

Andrew,

While enjoying my breakfast this morning, I came across this article in the Wall Street Journal.  I knew you would be interested.   Free Range Landscaping

Here is another link for you:  http://rent-a-goat.com/Site/Welcome.html

Best, Kevin

If you take just a moment out of your day to read the article & check out the website you’ll immediately see why I am at a loss.  With legitimate enterprises like the WSJ taking on the case for goats…my argument gets dimmer by the minute.

Never fear (my neighbors in particular), there will be NO goat at 71 Barry Family Drive* – but it seems we will have to keep talking about it for a good long time!

If you’re curious, Andrew’s response was this:

Hi Kevin,
Thank you for this.  I am both elated by fact that this concept is gaining steam, and frustrated by my own failure to capitalize on this.  Please let me know if you have any interest in becoming a business partner in such an enterprise.

Best,
Andrew

There will also be NO Goat enterprises at 71 Barry Family Drive* either – if I have anything to say about it.

My furry little friends it seems you will forever be with us, in conversation that is.  Thanks Uncle Kevin for keeping the ‘Goats’ alive!!

*Addressed changed to protect those involved.

Plum Island prep…

It’s that time of year…PLUM ISLAND!  You can learn all about our PI adventures here: http://barrybliss.wordpress.com/2008/08/19/plum-island/.  This year though…we’ll have Maya!  It’s going to be different there’s no doubt, but Andrew will still try to complete everything on this list I’m sure…with Maya in tow of course!

Now it’s packing time.  What to bring for a week at the little house for everyone…everything!  Packing is tricky, Andrew has lists (none of which include necessities of course).  And I have multiple lists!  My uncle Kevin is an excellent list maker.  I wish I had enlisted him to help us out here.  He has a perfect list for everything.  With a kid now I’m starting to see the real potential in these detailed lists.  To give you an idea of the difference between my list & Andrew’s it goes something like this:

Andrew: Fishing poles
Me: Food for Maya
Andrew: Headlamps
Me: sunblock and sun shade
Andrew: Kayaks
Me: bed for Maya, Pillows etc…

It goes on like this for while.  Andrew gets all the fun stuff – I get all the boring stuff.  But such is life.  At least he takes on the task of getting it all into the car (that has no air conditioning).  It will be a true geometry exercise.  I’m just hoping that the things that ultimately get left (there’s bound to be something that doesn’t fit) aren’t on my list!

There are stores for us to get anything we need of course, but given that we can’t leave the house once we get there…we have to make sure we have it all.  This year we’ll also be celebrating Maya’s 1st birthday on the island.  There will be more to come on that later.  But all in all it will be an adventure.  Maya’s sleeping habits aren’t the best so I’m hoping she doesn’t keep everyone awake all night.  Fingers crossed this adventure goes as best it can!  I won’t be able to post from there I don’t think…but I’ll keep track of all the stories for you & recount when we get back!

Anyone out there have favorite kid travelling stories?  Wish us luck!

Plum Island on my Due Date 7/4/2009

Side note – this time last year I was VERY pregnant!  And was at PI a week after my due date. too..I never thought it would happen!  This year will hopefully be more comfortable!