Hey, at least I was here to witness a record!!

Well, with any luck, I will end my 2 week stay here in Boston and head back to Carlisle tomorrow.

Just in cae you have not been following the news, the northeast has experienced a record amount of snowfall this month and i have been lucky enough to be here and experience it firsthand!

Let me just say that I will never again complain about the weather in Utah.. I have seen it all here in the past 2 weeks and according to the local news, this is one for the record books and trust me, they have been keeping records on snowfall back here since the 1700's!

Last night and today was the latest storm and a pleasant 15 inches fell here in an 8 hour period. I've seen record snowfall and record low temps.. enough to last a lifetime!

I do look forward to visiting here in better weather.. All in all, a very interesting 2 weeks.. The best news..

I'm heading home next Wed to see everyone! I cannot wait!!!

Love to all... Grandpa

More Photos of Boston.. Jan 23rd

I'm afraid the cold weather here is starting to take its toll on my ability to get the internet. It's been an issue most of the day and has made using Skype impossible.

I decided to head back out today and visit a few stores and take in a few sights. My face will never thaw out! It was COLD!!! Cannot believe that tomorrow will be even colder. -7 is the forecast here in Boston but I'm headed into New Hampshire in the morning and it is going to be -12 or worse so that will be fun!

Here are a few more photos from my journey. See you all in a couple of weeks! Please try and make arrangements for warmer weather please!!!

Love you,
Grandpa

Bunker Hill

Neat Houses near Bunker Hill

Boston Garden

Paul Revere Home

Harvard

Harvard

Proof it was Harvard!

2nd Weekend In Boston...

So, I cannot stand just staying in the room on the weekend so with the temperature outside a balmy 10 degrees, I decided to take a road trip. Here are a few of the sights I was able to visit today..

Boston Temple

Harvard

Market Basket Supermarket

Patriots Stadium



Stop and Shop
Corporate Office- Where Grandpa has been working this week

 I decided to take a road trip and ended up in Rhode Island for awhile and then worked my way back to Boston. There is more bad weather heading this way next week so I thought I'd better go visit a few stores just in case the weather won't allow me to during the week.

There is alot to see here but the stores are quite busy on the weekend. I'm sure all of the storms during the week create some of the panic buying going on here. It is funny to hear the term "wicked" everywhere I go. For the most part, I am adjusting to east coast life. There is far more ethnic diversity than I expected and I was shocked to here Chinese over the pa systems in some of the stores.

Even though it is vewry cold and we are in the middle of winter, it is still very pretty here and it is like a postcard setting when you get off the freeways and turnpikes. I am glad I have a GPS  system in my car. These backroads get a bit confusing.

There is a military ball of some sort going on here at the hotel tonight so its sort of like a prom for grownups downstairs. Lots of people all dressed up. If, the weather holds tomorrow, I will venture back downtown tomorrow to see a few more sights. I miss you all and can't wait to see you in a couple of weeks.

In fact, 2 weeks from today, I will be back home.. Peyton and Korbin: Take care of Grandma for me!

Love you all!

Grandpa

Checking out Boston

I had a free day today here in Boston so I decided to venture out and tour a few of our stores and also take in a few sights as well. I figured the traffic would be its lightest today and with the Patriots playing here today I assumed all the locals would be at home preparing for the game.

Here are a few of the sights I was able to see today...

Grandpa's Plane from Harrisburg to Philly. I had to help push it away from the gate!

My Hotel In Boston.. Notice all the snow! Just like back home in Layton.

Fenway Park. I was not impressed.. Yankee Stadium and even Wrigley Field were much more impressive.

Downtown Boston.. I weird mix of new,old and even older!

Symphony Hall.. Can't wait to bring Grandma Here!!

JFK Presidential Library

One of many cool exhibits at the JFK Library

Atrium at the JFK Library. I had the place to myself.

JFK Museum in Hyannis. Hard to believe, but all the houses in Cape Cod reminded me of Cape Cod style homes.. :)

Sign was more impressive than the rock itself!

Monument for the rock built in the 20's

There it is... Plymouth Rock.. I was disappointed.



Well, there are a few of my photos from my journey around Boston today. I have a full weekend coming up here in Boston next weekend to do a bit more sightseeing. Hopefully, the weather will cooperate!

Love you all!! Grandpa

Week 1 Completed! Headed to Boston

It's been a week since I posted on the blog. So much for keeping up to day on here!! It has been a very busy week which is a good thing when one is alone.

I started the new job on Monday and as is the case with all new jobs, there was a mixed bag of experiences. This is not an entirely new experience. I've started new positions with new companies a number of times in the past, but adjusting to so much change all a once has been a bit overwhelming.

The company itself is undergoing a massive change. Consolidating 4 divisions into 1 is never easy but the sheer volume of chaos was a sight to see. For example, I am assigned a workarea on Monday and begin to settle in. I receive my laptop, log ins, email and system access and we're off to the races. After being out of grocery retail for the past decade, its a bit like riding a bike. I know what to do, but have to think a bit too much about things. The other issue is understanding the company structure and language which is very unique.

The good things is, there are a number of new people and also about 75% of those in the office are transplants from one of the other divisions, so in many ways, they too are new so there are a number of conversations that start.. " Hi, I'm.. who are you and what do you do"!! Quite humorous actually.

So I survive day one and head back to the hotel mentally exhausted. I get up too early ( as always) on day 2 so I decide to just head into work early and get the day started. I head through the maze of cubicles to where I was working on Monday to find the cubicle gone and it replaced by a copy machine. So much for making a good first impression! No, I wasn't fired after the 1st day! It seems that the 11th was moving day for our dept and no one told the movers I had already started work so I did not exist on their plans. So, I found a cubicle that looked unlived in and made myself at home.

A couple of hours later when people started to roll in, no one questioned who I was or what I was doing. It seemed a bit like an old Seinfeld episode and I was George Castanza! Anyway, eventually I found my new home, an upgrade from the space I was given on Monday. Nicer location, nice view, bigger, nicer equipment etc..

The rest of the week was spent meeting people, attending meetings and conference calls and trying to understand the company structure. Since they have been operating understaffed for a while, it really has been a case of jump in and just swim. I'm sure things will become clearer in time, but for now, I am working day to day trying to learn who, what, where and when. I know most of how to do the job since the categories are not new to me but it will be nice when I have a better understanding of how all of the pieces fit together.

So, with the 1st week completed here in Carlisle, I head out this morning for a 2 week trip to Boston and New York. It's strange to be working and traveling to work in areas where I previously only vacationed.

My new home in Boston for the next 2 weeks!

Boston

I take perhaps the smallest plane I've ever been on from Harrisburg to Philly this morning and then on to Boston. Weather should be cold but manageable. I probably will not get to see much this weekend but hope to get out a bit next weekend weather permitting. I then head to New York on the 25th before heading back to Carlisle on the 29th.

It will be a long 2 weeks, but its nice to be seeing new areas! I will try to do better in updating the blog.. Amy, I will also do my best to survive in the Red Sox Nation the next 2 weeks. I'm thinking that wearing a Yankee tie to work on Monday would help set the tone!!

Love to all..

Grandpa

Welcome to Carlisle...

This place was established almost 100 yrs before pioneers arrived in Utah



Intersection of Hanover and High Street. Downtown Carlisle. Cannot wait to explore!

I spent a very uneventful 1st day here in Carlisle. It was actually nice to not have to get up at 4am and hit the road..

It snowed here today and you'd think they had a major storm. It only snowed about 3 inches but they were slow to clear the roads and there were a number of accidents. I was able to venture out and run a few errands. I found out the getting a drivers license will be easy. No test, only $30 and a valid license from another state. I need to have proof of residency, so this will have to wait until I move into the townhouse in Feb., but it is nice to know it will be an easy process.

I've decided to try the local eating establishments over the next few weeks so tonights dinner choice is Italian. Its a local place called George's and it has been around since 1958 and was recommended by the hotel staff. I figure by the time Grandma moves here in June, I'll have this place pretty well figured out.

I am enjoying the maid service and the hottub here at the hotel but I'm sure living out of a suitcase will get old in the next month! I am anxious for work to start on monday and finally get into a routine here. It was nice to be able to try out skype video conferencing today with Katy and Kyle. It worked and I am thrilled we will be able to use this to see the grandchildren.

I will be heading to Church in the morning. It will be weird going without Grandma. I hope everyone is doing well. I miss you all!!!

Grandpa

Welcome to Carlisle!!!

I have finally arrived.. After 4 days and 2400+ miles, I am finally here in Carlisle and have checked into my home away from home

Grandpa's Temporary Home until Feb.



Grandma and Grandpa's New Home in Feb.

 It was quite a white knuckle drive today. Lots of snow and ice as I made my way from Ohio, thru a small part of West Virginia and then into Pennsylvania and onto Carlisle. It appears that just a couple inches of snow creates quite a mess back here. It really wasn't all that much compared to Utah snow storms but they cancelled schools, had alerts on the radio and a bunch of accidents. I'm glad we found a home close to my office since it looks like anytime there is snow, traffic is a mess.. More is in the forecast for this weekend so I am thrilled to be done with driving!

I love to drive, but 2400 + miles in 4 days is a bit much even for me! I had a chance this afternoon to go by the new house and finally take pictures. After looking at our choice a 2nd time, I am pleased with what we have selected. We will have plenty of room for the 2 of us and a nice guest room for what we hope will be many visitors. I drove from the house to the office tonight and it is a 6 minute drive. Nice and easy!

My plan is to spend the weekend recovering from the drive and also going to Church Sunday. I am anxious to get started at work and to meet everyone. I'm only here for a week before I head out on a 2 week business trip so I won't have much of a chance to settle in here. I don't think this will feel like home until I am out of the hotel and into the townhouse. Even then, it really will not feel normal until Grandma arrives later this year.

It looks like I will be back in early Feb to help with the movers. That is less than a month away!!! I'll continue to update everyone via the blog.. Have a great weekend and thanks again for all the emails and calls!

Love you!!

Grandpa

Road Trippin Day 3... Getting closer!

I've decided that this is one LARGE country! I've spent 3 straight days doing nothing but driving, and I'm still at least a full day away from Carlisle.

I finally encountered winter weather and spent most of the day driving in snow. It was not too heavy, but it was enough to slow things down considerably. I am now in Dayton Ohio. If the weather holds up, I should arrive in Carlisle sometime tomorrow night.

Due to the weather and the fact that there was not a whole lot to see today, I do not have any new photos to share. I did stop in Peoria to see if Jon ( Mary's brother) was working today but it was his day off. I stopped by his home, but no answer. so, I moved east and am now spending a snowy night in Dayton.

Rather than even try and venture out tonight, I'll see if I can catch up on some sleep and get an early start tomorrow. Sorry for the boring post, but , boring was the word of the day today!

I did get to talk to Peyton for a minute today which was fun. Mark also called so it is nice to get  an occasional call from people back home.

All is well... More to come tomorrow!

Grandpa

Road Trippin Day 2.. Halfway there!

Greetings from the huge city of Muscatine! After another LONG day of driving, I've settled in for the night on the Iowa/Illinois border.

I thought last night's town was a bit dull! This one is even quieter.. The big event tonight.... " The Fur Ball"!

Yes, they are holding a dance/dinner/silent auction to benefit the local animal shelter. It's tempting but I think I am going to pass on this huge event!

I did make a couple of stops along the way today. I went thru Lincoln Ne too early to hook up with Mr Bill. ( Sorry Bill.. We'll hook up in Carlisle) I did however, make a quick side trip to Winter Quarters.



Brigham Young Statue at Tabernacle in Council Bluffs



Winter Quarters Visitors Center







Temple at Winter Quarters


I was hoping to see Kyle's little sister who is serving a mission in Council Bluffs but she was not at the visitors center today.

I am happy to report that the other missionaries there all love Darcy and she is doing quite well and evidently is quite the cook!

Following the side trip to Council Bluffs, I headed to Iowa and made another brief stop at the Herbert Hoover Presidential  Library

I'd post these photos but I do not know how to move them to the correct location! I'll get better at this blog stuff!!!


The only other big news today was that we received confirmation that we secured the lease on the townhome in Carlisle that we wanted. So, we know where we will live! Good news indeed.

That's it for now.. More exciting road adventures tomorrow as I head thru Illinois, Indiana and end up in Ohio!

Love to all!! Grandpa

Road Trippin Day 1

Well, I have survived my first travel day to the new job... After an emotional goodbye this morning, I headed east into the frozen tundra of Wyoming. As always, there is not much to see in Wyoming but encountering ice fog made the drive interesting this time!

Per Mary's request, I did take it slow and actually stopped from time to time to stretch my legs a bit and take a couple of photos to prove I was being obedient!

Rest Stop just outside of Laramie

Lincoln Statue in Wyoming.. Look familiar girls? :)

I will admit to just a couple tears as I left home this morning..( ok, maybe a few more than a couple!) I am a mixed bag of emotions as I head to Carlisle. Part excited, part sad, very anxious and naturally worried about everyone back home.
This is a good thing though and I know this was the right decision. I am however looking forward to having Mom/ Grandma back there with me later this year.

I'm staying in Nebraska tonight. Not too much going on out here for excitement but the room is nice and it is quiet. It sounds like there may be a chance of snow tomorrow so sometime mid day tomorrow, I will need to decide whether to stay on the 80 or head a bit south. For now I'm keeping my options open. I have until Saturday to arrive in Carlisle so I'll take it slow and steady.

I wish I could provide you some exciting news, but it was simply a day of driving. It was faith promoting to be listening to the Tabernacle Choir as I traveled across Wyoming. I could not imagine treking through there via handcart in the middle of winter like the Pioneers did.

I'm going to look on line tonight and see what fun things I can visit along the way the next couple of days. Perhaps that will make the blog a bit more interesting! Many thanks again to all of you for coming by to visit and to wish me well this past week. I look forward to seeing you visit us in Carlisle soon!