Christmas Eve 2019, we had a prime rib dinner at our house. Christmas day, I worked until 1:30pm then drove to Lizzy and Stas's house for a good cache of presents and the proverbial Chinese food for dinner. We played the two games we got as presents - The Donner Party and Life. Pictures of all the Gangwer's Christmases were exchanged throughout the day.
On Friday, we all had taken the day off and traveled to VT for the 3rd Annual Gangwer Yankee Swap. We visited with everyone (all the Beauchemins and the NY Gangwerss) at the VT Gangwer's house before retiring to our hotel room in Williston. On Saturday, we had the festivities including a catered meal from Mark's Barbecue with Hosmer soda to wash it down with followed by Christmas sweets galore. The hot present this year was Ticket to Ride. Sunday was church with a potluck after which we headed home to CT.
Pictures of all the above festivities are included in the picture album here https://photos.app.goo.gl/f63RCNEMXpApJzXQ6
Sunday, December 29, 2019
Friday, December 13, 2019
Thanksgiving 2019
Thanksgiving 2019 was held at Lizzy and Stas's new home in West Suffield. It was a full house. The Beauchemin nephews spent the holiday at the house, the IL grandparents stayed at a local hotel, and the VT Gangwers and Stas's mom and brother came down for the day.
Pictures of the festivities can be found at the following link https://photos.app.goo.gl/aAbbbnuRvNQMBBhy7
Pictures of the festivities can be found at the following link https://photos.app.goo.gl/aAbbbnuRvNQMBBhy7
Sunday, October 27, 2019
Albany, NY Visit
On Saturday, October 26, Tammy and I headed to Albany, NY for a quick weekend getaway.
We stopped for breakfast at a Cracker Barrel near Albany before stopping for a visit at the first Shaker village in America at Watervliet. After touring the grounds, we headed to the USS Slater for a tour of this attack destroyer from WWII. We then made our way to the Albany Institute of History and Art to finish off our afternoon before checking in to our hotel room downtown. We had dinner at dp and then attended the two hour and 15 minute Kansas concert at the Palace Theater. Sunday morning found us on the road home.
We stopped for breakfast at a Cracker Barrel near Albany before stopping for a visit at the first Shaker village in America at Watervliet. After touring the grounds, we headed to the USS Slater for a tour of this attack destroyer from WWII. We then made our way to the Albany Institute of History and Art to finish off our afternoon before checking in to our hotel room downtown. We had dinner at dp and then attended the two hour and 15 minute Kansas concert at the Palace Theater. Sunday morning found us on the road home.
Saturday, October 19, 2019
Thursday, October 10, 2019
Southern New England 2019
Tammy and I took the first week of October off to do some local sightseeing of our area. On Saturday, September 28 we took off for Cape Code. We stopped in Provincetown first where we went to the museum and climbed the Pilgrim Monument. We then walked along Front Street and had a lobster roll and clam chowder for lunch. We then headed to Monomoy Wildlife Refuge where we walked half the trail. (If we had known the trail wasn't so long, we would have walked all of it.)
We headquartered ourselves at Cape Cod Ocean Manor, a bed and breakfast near Hyannis Harbor. We walked to a seafood dinner at Spanky's that night.
On Sunday, we visited several antique stores in Dennis and Yarmouth. Hyannis was having an Arts Festival so we checked that out along with the shops downtown. We ate an early dinner at the Black Cat and then walked along Kalmus beach.
We got up early Monday morning and took the Hy-Line high speed ferry to Nantucket for a three day visit. We started our stay here with a visit to the Whaling Museum. We then took a historic walking tour of the downtown area followed by a visit to some of the historic houses and places nearby. We ended our day with a dinner at the Band of Thieves before retiring for the night at the Veranda House.
Tuesday morning ,we took the first of three nature hikes of the island with Peter Brace and Nantucket Walkabout Tours. This two hour walk was of the Lost Farm area. When we finished, we had a late breakfast at Black Eyed Susans. We then took an hour bus tour of the island and had an early dinner at the Easy Street Cafe. We then met Peter for a four hour hike to the Great Point Lighthouse to see the seals and the sunset.
On Wednesday, we had our third and final hike with Peter to the Stump Pond area of Nantucket. Upon returning from that we headed over to Nantucket Bike Tours for a two hour ride. Our tour guide was Jason, one of five alderman of Nantucket, who gave us a great overview of the island's present government and showed us some places we hadn't seen on the other tours. We grabbed a sub and some chips from the Stop and Shop by the docks and took the 215 ferry back to Hyannis where we drove to Seekonk to spend the night.
On Thursday, we went to the Mashantucket Pequot Museum spending a good portion of the day before heading to our hotel in Uncasville. Once there, we took the shuttle to Mohegan Sun and had dinner at Frank Pepe's and dessert at Carlo's Bakery. We ended our night attending the Then and Now Foreigner concert.
Friday, we did some shopping at the Tanger's Outlet at Foxwoods; then went to Mohegan Sun for dinner at Lansdowne Irish Pub followed by a Journey concert.
On Saturday, we headed home and picked up the OH Raffa's at the airport. The VT Beauchmin's were already at our house, and we all spent the morning catching up. For a late lunch, we went to the Country Diner, had dessert at DQ, and cannoli snacks from Russo's Italian Bakery. The evening was spent looking at possible places for the J Gangwer Reunion in 2021.
Sunday, the Raffas and Beauchmins headed to VT, and we spent a quiet day before our return to work on Monday.
To see the pictures of our week-long adventure, click the link below,
https://photos.app.goo.gl/EwSD5F96fQ3DJx6d6
We headquartered ourselves at Cape Cod Ocean Manor, a bed and breakfast near Hyannis Harbor. We walked to a seafood dinner at Spanky's that night.
On Sunday, we visited several antique stores in Dennis and Yarmouth. Hyannis was having an Arts Festival so we checked that out along with the shops downtown. We ate an early dinner at the Black Cat and then walked along Kalmus beach.
We got up early Monday morning and took the Hy-Line high speed ferry to Nantucket for a three day visit. We started our stay here with a visit to the Whaling Museum. We then took a historic walking tour of the downtown area followed by a visit to some of the historic houses and places nearby. We ended our day with a dinner at the Band of Thieves before retiring for the night at the Veranda House.
Tuesday morning ,we took the first of three nature hikes of the island with Peter Brace and Nantucket Walkabout Tours. This two hour walk was of the Lost Farm area. When we finished, we had a late breakfast at Black Eyed Susans. We then took an hour bus tour of the island and had an early dinner at the Easy Street Cafe. We then met Peter for a four hour hike to the Great Point Lighthouse to see the seals and the sunset.
On Wednesday, we had our third and final hike with Peter to the Stump Pond area of Nantucket. Upon returning from that we headed over to Nantucket Bike Tours for a two hour ride. Our tour guide was Jason, one of five alderman of Nantucket, who gave us a great overview of the island's present government and showed us some places we hadn't seen on the other tours. We grabbed a sub and some chips from the Stop and Shop by the docks and took the 215 ferry back to Hyannis where we drove to Seekonk to spend the night.
On Thursday, we went to the Mashantucket Pequot Museum spending a good portion of the day before heading to our hotel in Uncasville. Once there, we took the shuttle to Mohegan Sun and had dinner at Frank Pepe's and dessert at Carlo's Bakery. We ended our night attending the Then and Now Foreigner concert.
Friday, we did some shopping at the Tanger's Outlet at Foxwoods; then went to Mohegan Sun for dinner at Lansdowne Irish Pub followed by a Journey concert.
On Saturday, we headed home and picked up the OH Raffa's at the airport. The VT Beauchmin's were already at our house, and we all spent the morning catching up. For a late lunch, we went to the Country Diner, had dessert at DQ, and cannoli snacks from Russo's Italian Bakery. The evening was spent looking at possible places for the J Gangwer Reunion in 2021.
Sunday, the Raffas and Beauchmins headed to VT, and we spent a quiet day before our return to work on Monday.
To see the pictures of our week-long adventure, click the link below,
https://photos.app.goo.gl/EwSD5F96fQ3DJx6d6
Sunday, July 14, 2019
Oregon Visit 2019
Early Saturday morning, July 6th, Tammy and I headed to Boston to catch a flight to Portland to visit Jaclyn, Blake, Lilly, and our newest granddaughter Juniper born in June.
Sunday, we went to church, and Tammy attended a Sprinkle that afternoon that Brookann had organized for Juniper. Monday and Tuesday we spent at the house with Jaclyn, Lilly, and Juniper just visiting and playing on the swing set and in the kiddie pool. Wednesday, Tammy and I took Lilly out shopping for toys at the Dollar Store and clothes at Jack and Jill. After Lilly's nap, we all went to see Toy Story 4. We also picked up Grandma Kelly that night at the airport to join us in our visit. Thursday we spent at the house visiting again playing with bubbles. On Friday, Tammy, Jaclyn, and Lilly went to the Children's museum in Salem. Grandma Kelly and I stayed home watching Juniper. For dinner, we all went out to eat at Pop's Branding Iron.
We headed home Saturday morning returning to Boston early Sunday morning, July 14th.
Photos of the trip can be seen here https://photos.app.goo.gl/KWk3z9WAepJZ3wC86
Sunday, we went to church, and Tammy attended a Sprinkle that afternoon that Brookann had organized for Juniper. Monday and Tuesday we spent at the house with Jaclyn, Lilly, and Juniper just visiting and playing on the swing set and in the kiddie pool. Wednesday, Tammy and I took Lilly out shopping for toys at the Dollar Store and clothes at Jack and Jill. After Lilly's nap, we all went to see Toy Story 4. We also picked up Grandma Kelly that night at the airport to join us in our visit. Thursday we spent at the house visiting again playing with bubbles. On Friday, Tammy, Jaclyn, and Lilly went to the Children's museum in Salem. Grandma Kelly and I stayed home watching Juniper. For dinner, we all went out to eat at Pop's Branding Iron.
We headed home Saturday morning returning to Boston early Sunday morning, July 14th.
Photos of the trip can be seen here https://photos.app.goo.gl/KWk3z9WAepJZ3wC86
Saturday, May 25, 2019
Puppy Love
It had been some years since we lost our Boston Terrier Licorice. Lizzy had been hinting at us getting another dog even to the point of her and Stas helping to repair the backyard fence that had been damaged by several falling trees.
On Sunday, April 21, I asked Lzzy if she had been looking for any dogs. That Monday, I started receiving texts of various Boston Terrier's from her at rescues in Georgia and South Carolina. I told her those were too far to go. The third text was from Champlain Valley Rescue in Vermont where my sister Rachelle had gotten her rescue dogs and fostered for them. They had just gotten a 10 week old Boston Terrier.
I contacted Tammy who was fine with getting the puppy. I contacted Rachelle who contacted the rescue and had a hold put on the puppy. We filled out the paper work and were approved that night. Rachelle picked up the puppy for us Tuesday night and kept her for us until we could get up there on Friday night, April 26. We decided to name her Charlotte.
To see more pictures of Charlotte, click the following link - https://photos.app.goo.gl/FjsVD1JVu1ejiAi69
On Sunday, April 21, I asked Lzzy if she had been looking for any dogs. That Monday, I started receiving texts of various Boston Terrier's from her at rescues in Georgia and South Carolina. I told her those were too far to go. The third text was from Champlain Valley Rescue in Vermont where my sister Rachelle had gotten her rescue dogs and fostered for them. They had just gotten a 10 week old Boston Terrier.
I contacted Tammy who was fine with getting the puppy. I contacted Rachelle who contacted the rescue and had a hold put on the puppy. We filled out the paper work and were approved that night. Rachelle picked up the puppy for us Tuesday night and kept her for us until we could get up there on Friday night, April 26. We decided to name her Charlotte.
Thursday, April 4, 2019
Reads So Far in 2019
Chicago's Pride - Louise Carroll Wade
Slaughterhouse - Dominic Pacyga
The Civil War Journal of Pierre Starr - Brad Quinlain & Jason Kusk
The Devil's Roominghouse - M. Williams Phelps
The Pilgrims and the Myth of the First Thanksgiving - Godfrey Hudson
Columbus: The Four Voyages - Laurence Bergreen
The Fever of 1721-Stephen Cross
Slaughterhouse - Dominic Pacyga
The Civil War Journal of Pierre Starr - Brad Quinlain & Jason Kusk
The Devil's Roominghouse - M. Williams Phelps
The Pilgrims and the Myth of the First Thanksgiving - Godfrey Hudson
Columbus: The Four Voyages - Laurence Bergreen
The Fever of 1721-Stephen Cross
Saturday, March 16, 2019
My Cancer's Procedures
12 Chemo treatments
3 PET Scans
3 Chest X-rays
1 CAT Scan
1 Echocardiogram
1 Ultrasound
1 Port a Cath placement and removal
1 Mediastinoscopy
1 Bronchial Biopsy
3 PET Scans
3 Chest X-rays
1 CAT Scan
1 Echocardiogram
1 Ultrasound
1 Port a Cath placement and removal
1 Mediastinoscopy
1 Bronchial Biopsy
Monday, March 11, 2019
Fun in the Sun in AZ
On Saturday, March 2, Tammy and I along with Lizzy, Stas, and Iliya left CT (after shoveling the driveway from snow) to head to Gilbert, AZ to spend the week with the IL grandparents and Jaclyn and Lilly.
Sunday, we did some shopping at Goodwill and Safeway. Later in the day, Tammy, Jaclyn, Lilly, Lizzy, Stas, and Iliya all swam in the heated pool.
Monday, Tammy and I went to a local park with Jaclyn and Lilly. In the afternoon, Tammy and I along with Lizzy, Stas, and Iliya went to Old Town Scottsdale for Mexican food at Barrio Queen and walked around the shops getting some gelato for dessert. We then headed to a Phoenix Sun's basketball game against the Milwaukee Bucks (who lost).
Tuesday, everybody but Grandpa Kelly went to the Phoenix Zoo. For dinner, everybody went to Organ Pizza where an older gentleman would come out to play requested songs on an organ.
Wednesday, all the guys went to a Cub's spring training game against the KC Royals (who lost). Tammy had a short visit with some old friends from her childhood in IL.
Thursday, Tammy and I took Jaclyn and Lilly to the i.d.e.a Museum. We then went out to lunch at In and Out Burger. The IL grandparents took us out to eat at Black Bear Diner restaurant for dinner.
Friday, we just hung around the house preparing for the flight home on Saturday afternoon. We did go out to dinner with the IL grandparents to the Black Bear Diner restaurant.
Pictures of the trip can be seen at - https://photos.app.goo.gl/DrEXyg9Su2khoBU76
Sunday, we did some shopping at Goodwill and Safeway. Later in the day, Tammy, Jaclyn, Lilly, Lizzy, Stas, and Iliya all swam in the heated pool.
Monday, Tammy and I went to a local park with Jaclyn and Lilly. In the afternoon, Tammy and I along with Lizzy, Stas, and Iliya went to Old Town Scottsdale for Mexican food at Barrio Queen and walked around the shops getting some gelato for dessert. We then headed to a Phoenix Sun's basketball game against the Milwaukee Bucks (who lost).
Tuesday, everybody but Grandpa Kelly went to the Phoenix Zoo. For dinner, everybody went to Organ Pizza where an older gentleman would come out to play requested songs on an organ.
Wednesday, all the guys went to a Cub's spring training game against the KC Royals (who lost). Tammy had a short visit with some old friends from her childhood in IL.
Thursday, Tammy and I took Jaclyn and Lilly to the i.d.e.a Museum. We then went out to lunch at In and Out Burger. The IL grandparents took us out to eat at Black Bear Diner restaurant for dinner.
Friday, we just hung around the house preparing for the flight home on Saturday afternoon. We did go out to dinner with the IL grandparents to the Black Bear Diner restaurant.
Pictures of the trip can be seen at - https://photos.app.goo.gl/DrEXyg9Su2khoBU76
Sunday, February 24, 2019
Some Busy Weekends
Saturday, January 26 and Sunday, January, 27 = Spent the night at Water's Edge Resort and Spa in Westbrook, CT. They had the U2 tribute band Joshua Tree in a concert that included hors d'oeuvres and a buffet dinner. Went to a couple antique stores along the CT shoreline on the way home.
Saturday, February 2 = Attended the Broadway show CATS at the Bushnell in Hartford, CT
Sunday, February 3 = Patriots won their sixth Superbowl
Saturday, February 16 and Sunday, February 17 = AJ and Vania visited from VT
Monday, February 18 and Tuesday, February 19 = VT Grandparents visited
Saturday, February 23 = Attended the Broadway show Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at the Bushnell in Hartford, CT
Saturday, March 30 = Attended the Broadway show Beautiful at the Bushnell in Hartford, CT
Friday, April 19 = Went to a Chicago concert at the Providence Performing Arts Center and spent the night in Providence, RI followed by a stop at the Putnam antique stores on the way home Saturday
Saturday, February 2 = Attended the Broadway show CATS at the Bushnell in Hartford, CT
Sunday, February 3 = Patriots won their sixth Superbowl
Saturday, February 16 and Sunday, February 17 = AJ and Vania visited from VT
Monday, February 18 and Tuesday, February 19 = VT Grandparents visited
Saturday, February 23 = Attended the Broadway show Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at the Bushnell in Hartford, CT
Saturday, March 30 = Attended the Broadway show Beautiful at the Bushnell in Hartford, CT
Friday, April 19 = Went to a Chicago concert at the Providence Performing Arts Center and spent the night in Providence, RI followed by a stop at the Putnam antique stores on the way home Saturday
Wednesday, February 20, 2019
Cancer Be Gone!
On Monday, February 18th, I had a PET scan to check how well my chemo treatments had done against the cancer. Tammy and I went to the oncologist on Tuesday, February 19th and received a great report. The oncologist said the lymph nodes don't disappear, and it takes a long time for them to shrink completely; but the metabolic uptake was no different from lymph nodes versus the rest of the tissues which is good.
The ongoing plan is to see the doctor again in April and then see him every 3 months for blood work. I will have another PET scan in 6 months if insurance will allow it. If the cancer is to come back, it is most likely to do so in the next two years.
Sunday, January 20, 2019
Cancer Good-Bad
No Hair Cuts
Lot Less ShAmpoo Used
Meet New People
Cureable Lymphoma
A Day off Every Two Weeks from Work
"But I have canceR..."
Constipation
Use up HSA
Nausea
Chemo Brain
Loss of TastE
foot neuRopathy
Lot Less ShAmpoo Used
Meet New People
Cureable Lymphoma
A Day off Every Two Weeks from Work
"But I have canceR..."
Constipation
Use up HSA
Nausea
Chemo Brain
Loss of TastE
foot neuRopathy
Monday, January 14, 2019
30th Wedding Anniversary
Our 30th wedding anniversary was this past December, but because of the busyness of the month, Tammy and I put off celebrating it until January 12-13 with a weekend getaway.
On the way to our destination, we stopped by two of our favorite antique centers in the New Hartford area. We then headed to Winsted to explore some new antique stores where I purchased several books.
Back on the road, we drove to Interlaken Inn near Sterling, CT for our "romantic getaway". We checked into our room and enjoyed a bottle of sparkling cider with some chocolate covered strawberries. There was a game room at the inn, so Tammy and I played some ping-pong, pool, and air hockey. It was then dinner time, so we enjoyed our three course meal at Morgan's. Breakfast was a full continental breakfast.
We checked out early Sunday morning and decided to do some shopping at the Lee Premium Outlets in MA on our way home.
On the way to our destination, we stopped by two of our favorite antique centers in the New Hartford area. We then headed to Winsted to explore some new antique stores where I purchased several books.
Back on the road, we drove to Interlaken Inn near Sterling, CT for our "romantic getaway". We checked into our room and enjoyed a bottle of sparkling cider with some chocolate covered strawberries. There was a game room at the inn, so Tammy and I played some ping-pong, pool, and air hockey. It was then dinner time, so we enjoyed our three course meal at Morgan's. Breakfast was a full continental breakfast.
We checked out early Sunday morning and decided to do some shopping at the Lee Premium Outlets in MA on our way home.
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