11/22/23 Harrison Township, MI USA
Awoke to cold gray skies and happy to stay indoors. Suzette
spent the day making pies and other goodies for the household to enjoy. I
worked on reviewing the state of the estate sifting through investment
portfolios and statements. This would the annual audit of the trust to make
sure the budget we set up for the household was realistic and sustainable. Additionally,
we wanted to confirm that the investments were good and that tax planning was
being properly implemented.
The day passed quickly and we enjoyed a family dinner with Suzette’s sister Rene and brother Bobby.
11/23/23 Harrison Township, MI
Another gray day to start, but it did give way to a bit of
sunshine in the afternoon. Suzette spent the day sifting through the storage
barn in an effort to clean out the junk. Brother Nick dropped off a box of
files that we had set up previously and I set about balancing the books.
Suzette and Bobby did a fabulous job preparing the Thanksgiving Feast. Sister Josette arrived with homemade canned pickles and her famous carrot dish made from her home grown carrots. Dinner was delicious topped off with cherry pie and ice cream pie for desert. There was lots of reminiscing and happy memories.
11/24/23 Harrison Township, MI
I wrapped up my presentation of the trust so we could share
it at the family meeting in the afternoon. Suzette made turkey soup and turkey
pot pies to put in the freezer. The report on the trust was good; under budget
on expenses and the value of the investments were higher than predicted. All of
this was good news as we wrap up the first year of running the household
without Suzette’s dad.
Turkey soup for dinner and an early bed time rounded out the
day.
11/25/23 Harrison Township, MI
Up early to make it to the airport for a 9:45 flight to
Baltimore. They were predicting heavy post holiday crowds at the airport so we
gave ourselves plenty of time. With virtually no traffic on the highway, a
quick rental car return, priority check in, TSA pre we were at the gate having
coffee at 7:30. No significant crowds, and on time departure and a short flight
had us in Baltimore by 11:15 and at My sister Tammy’s house by 12:30.
We did stop to pick up several fresh wreathes to give as
gifts over the next few days. It was great to see Tammy, John and Jackson. Tammy’s
Holly tree was in full bloom so Suzette enhanced the wreath with Holly leaves
and berries. For the afternoon we headed out to sample brews at a couple of the
breweries in Baltimore.
11/26/23 Catonsville, MD
A lazy morning as we prepared some dishes to take to the
family gathering in the afternoon. My siblings, their children and grand
children all gathered at my Niece, Michelle’s home and enjoyed a great evening
visiting, eating and drinking. Michelle is one year married to a great guy
named Aaron and they have a beautiful home in Frederick, MD.
11/27/23 Catonsville, MD
Suzette and I headed into DC to meet my brother Mike and Sister-In-law
Lynne for a day in DC. We always like visiting this city because there is
always something new to take in and sometimes old to revisit. We met at the
Washington Monument where Lynne had arranged for us to go to the top. The last
time I did that I walked to the top. The stairs have been closed since 1976, so
that shows how long ago that was. We were whisked by the new elevator to the
top in 1.5 minutes. The view was fabulous as the day was crystal clear. Such a
beautiful city. For lunch we enjoyed the Old Ebbitt Grill across the street
from the White House. The Old Ebbitt Grill dates back to 1856 and is the oldest
salon in DC. Lots politics and politicians gracing this establishment. I am not
sure, but I think I spotted MTG. It was hard to tell because she was listening
and not talking.
We lingered over oysters and Maryland crab soup. No desire to go back out in the cold, so we moved on to desert and coffees.
11/28/23 Catonsville, MD
It was cold outside so we were happy to stay indoors and
while away the day talking and enjoying each other’s company. My sister and her
husband, John, are wonderful hosts and we were very comfortable hanging out at
their home. In the evening we went to dinner at the Bread and Circus
Restaurant. I enjoyed a couple Maryland Crab Cakes, when in Rome. From there we
went to the Cathedral of Mary our Queen and enjoyed an incredible Christmas
concert. The venue was awe inspiring, a truly grand a beautiful cathedral. The
players were a combination of professional musicians and high school musicians;
brass, steel drums, organ and choir. It was very memorable night.
11/29/23 Catonsville, MD
We saddled up early
to catch an 0700 flight home.( Note to self: do not visit Detroit or Baltimore
in the late fall, way to cold, come when the weather is nice.) The flights were
on time and smooth as we landed in Orange County at 1230. Inez was on the curb
to take us home . Always good to get home, if for no other reason than to see
that the house is in good shape and to see our friends. The house was in great
shape thanks to our great housekeepers. It did not take long to jump into
unpacking and restarting the homestead.
We will enjoy the holidays before jumping into a few boat projects at home. We have a return ticket to Rome for March 6, but we will see how that plays out, we may go sooner. I can't wait! Next leg takes us south along the Italian coast and across the Adriatic to Montenegro.
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