Got A/C! Cool!

Our condo is 25 years old as are all the appliances, heating and cooling systems.  Remember, back in March, the landlord had to replace the furnace since it stopped working?  We really didn't start using the Air Conditioning until mid-July.  Even then, it seemed like it really was putting out enough cold air or at least as cold as our A/C back in Sterling.  We complained to the landlord, he came down and looked at it and proclaimed that it was working as usual!  I knew different because the compressor would make this horrible noise each time it started, the the refrigerant pipe coming from the compressor was not as cold as the one back home.  Oh well!

When we got back from our trip to Sterling last Thursday, the condo was 85 degrees at midnight!  The A/C fan was running but the compressor was not.  After a quick check, I discovered that the circuit breaker was flipped.  I tried to turn it on, but it just flipped and sparked again.

The next day, Friday 100 degress outside, I called the landlord to inform him that the AC was now dead.  A repairman show up on Saturday and declared that the compressor was 25 years old and was toast.  It would have to be replaced along with the cooling coils for an estimate of $6000!  He said he could pick up the parts on Monday and do the job on Tuesday..  That means 3 more day over 100 degrees and no A/C!

The AC guy show up on Tuesday, installed a new compressor, new coils, new vent covers, caulked and sealed all connection and now we have Air Conditioning.  It seems that  AC systems here in California are a big deal because they use so much electricity and electricity is scarce.  New AC systems must be installed according to new specifications required by law which make them at least 35% more efficient than older systems.  This is a good thing, cheaper electric bills.  The inspector and installer will be out next week to see if it passes.  The new A/C is actually pushing out cold air, finally!  I wonder what appliance will break next?

Our new Air Conditioning Compressor Installed & Working!

Back In Murrieta, CA!

Yesterday was traveling day.  We managed to pack all four suitcases and the carry-ons in Evan's car and headed for Logan for our first flight to Denver with a 3 hour lay-over.

On the Mass Pike in Boston

We flew Southwest and the fight was uneventful.  As usual, we both "opted-out" of the automatic scanners and chose the "Homeland Security Pat Down".  The fight to Denver was long, but we both managed to sleep little.  This is unusual for me, I usually can't sleep on planes.  We had plenty of time for dinner in Denver, watched TV.  The airport had free WiFi.so we were able to watch"The Daily Show" on my Xoom.    We landed right on time in Ontario at 9:40pm and Debbie was there pick us up with our Element.  By the time we dropped her off and got to the condo is was 12:00 midnight.  Our bodies told us it 3:00am Eastern Time. We were sleepy. We put the kielbasa away in the fridge and hit the pillows.

We woke up mid-morning when the sun came into our bedroom. The kielbasa made it alright but it appears that Homeland security was curious about it as they opened the suitcase with the kielbasa and also the one with my CPAP machine and the Christmas Cookie Shooter machine.  The left little notice inside our suitcases informing us that they "broke in" to our personal belonging.  How Nice of them!

The TSA Baggage Inspection Notice

My guess is that the dogs smelled the kielbasa and went crazy, and my CPAP machine has wireless transmitter that could be mistaken for a detonator.  Who knows!

Anyway, we got here safely with all our luggage (and kielbasa) and are now recuperating from the day of traveling.

The Kielbasa made the journey just fine!

Elly recuperating with her morning coffee

The patio plants survived thanks to our neighbor

Today is "un-packing day" and its warm outside: 98 degrees!

The Big "E"

Every year the New England states holds their agricultural exposition called the Eastern States Exposition or "The Big "E".  We had planned to go with Leah & Josh, our last time to see them before we head back to Murrieta.   Before we went to the fair, we stopped at Leah's house to pick her up.  We would meet Josh later at the fair after work.  Leah took us to the school that she works at in Longmeadow.

Leah at her classroom desk

It was a treat to see her classroom and hear her stories about here kids and how she is helping them get along and improve in their life skills.  After the classroom visit, we drove to the fair.

Elly & Leah in disguise

 It is similar to the San Diego State Fair in Del Mar, but is is a little more agricultural and rural  oriented. They have the fried anything, the entertainment, the midway rides, the craft fair booths, the kitchen appliance demos, high school bands and the State Buildings and everything else that a state fair usually has.

Eastern State Band Organ "Calliope"

More of the Band Organ here on Youtube.

Each of the 6 New England States has a down-sized replica of their state building.  Inside each of these buildings, they promote products from that state.

New Hampshire State Building

  I had the Rhode Island Clam Cakes,

Rhode Island Clam Cake Booth

The clam cakes

and the New Hampshire Apple Crisp with ice cream.  Elly had the Massachusetts Clam Chowder and Maine Lobster Roll.  Elly also had the Connecticut tomatoes,basil and mozzarella salad.

We ate the food at the replica new England town common while a high school band entertained us.

After walking around and viewing some of the exhibits, people watching and just goofing around, we said our goodbyes and left for home.  Today is packing day, we leave tomorrow.

Neighborhood Party

Last night we attended a party at our neighbors house.  This is the third one they had like this with a live band in their living room.  We missed the second one because we were in Cali, but we were glad that we were able to get to this one, just three days before we leave.  We can pretend it was a going away party.  The party starts at 6:00 with the food.  Everyone brings something so there is plenty of food.  Our neighbor said that 60 people RSVP'd!  The food and beverages were great & abundant and were being consumed liberally.

Iced vodka with a Blacked-Eyed Susan IceWrap

At 7:30 the band started playing.  The band they hired for the evening is call "John Cates and the Van Gogh Brothers".  You can read about them on wikipedia here, or you can go to their webpage here.  They have been following this band and another call the Swinging Steaks around New England for at least 20 years.  They had the Swinging Steaks at their last two events.

In order to get more acquainted with John Cates, we even bought 3 of their CDs online and we really liked their music.

John Cate and his Band

Here is a music video they posted on youtube singing "California".

The Host & Hostess

 There was lots of dancing, eating and conversations. A great time was has by all!  can't wait for the next one!

Real Polish Kielbasa!

We went to the European Delicatessen (aka Golemo's market) to pick up some real Polish food.  Usually when we go there, we are the only customers speaking English.  Luckily the cashiers are bi-lingual and we have no problem ordering what we want. Occasionally we see something that some another customer orders that looks real good and we have to ask what it is.  They are very helpful explaining the different foods.

Golemo's Market on Millbury Street in Worcester

We usually get the smoked kielbasa, fresh kielbasa, pierogies and sauerkraut.  But since we are leaving soon for California, we just got some smoked kielbasa and sauerkraut to bring back with us.

Smoked kielbasa hanging behind the counter

This is what we bought, smoked kielbasa

We vacuum packed all the kielbasa, but haven't decided yet whether to ship it just put it in our luggage. 

It's PYO Time in Sterling!

You know that fall is coming when the PYO (Pick Your Own) signs crop up all over town.  There are many orchards and farms in and around Sterling and most offer pick your own apples, peaches, pears, blueberries and pumpkins.  Our favorite orchard is the George Hill Orchard.  They have our favorite apple, the macoun and the macoun trees are right near the parking lot.  You can read more about this apple here on wikipedia.  We just stop in, pay, pick the apples and are done in less than 10 minutes.  Of course, we often do it leisurely, but its nice just to stop in and get some fresh apples right off the trees!

This must be the place!

George Hill Apple Barn

Macoun apple trees

Macoun apples on the tree

 On the way home from apple picking, we stopped at Rota Springs Ice Cream stand for some vegetables for dinner.  You can check out the earlier blog entries about this ice cream stand.  It doubles as a farm stand and the also have their own beef for sale.

Our van parked at Rota Springs

Rota Springs Farm store with pumpkin display

We bought some corn for dinner, and some braided garlic but we passed on the ice cream.  We sat while to enjoy the farm scenery with the cows.

Elly enjoying the New England farm scenery

Its real nice to have an orchard, ice cream stand and farm store so close to the house with a country vibe!  The fall colors have not yet started here.  The swamp maples are turning but that's about it.  Everything is still green.

Wicked Awesome Lobstahs!

A unique New England adjective is "wicked".  It means "very, really, so or totally" as in a person can be "really smart."  It was originally part of the Boston dialect, but has since expanded throughout New England.  Some things out here are "wicked awesome",  people are "wicked smaht", and you can get "wicked good deals" at some stores. 

A place where "wicked good deals" can be found

 Something that is way too cool, is "wicked pissah." To properly use "wicked" there must be a adjective placed after it.  "That party was wicked" is not correct. That party was wicked awesome is correct.   Also if  you are from California, Iowa (or anywhere that isn't New England) and you use this word, you sound like a dumb ass.



The letter "r" is also forgotten around the Boston area. You order a "lobstah roll" and ask for a glass of "watah".  There seems to be a lobster war going on on these parts which makes eating lobsters inexpensive.  Live lobsters at the local grocery store are only $3.99 lb.  The famous restaurant menu item, the "double lobster dinner", is only $15.99 at a local restaurant.

Twin Lobster Dinner for $15.99 at Barber's Crossing

Barber's Crossing Restaurant in Sterling

I think its time to eat some more "lobstahs" before we go back to California!

Mom's Birthday, Trees and the Two Mimis

Saturday we drove down to Fairfield, CT to celebrate Mom's birthday.  Evan drove us in his car since our car is in California and we didn't want to take the van.  I have taken this trip hundreds of times, but rarely as a passenger.  Being a passenger afforded me the opportunity to view the sights as they passed by on the highway.  The thing the struck me the most was the "Wall of  Green Trees" that each highway road in New England seems to me surrounded by.  It's like each highway was cut though a forest.

"Walls of Trees"on the Merritt Parkway in Connecticut

 When traveling the highways in California, you get to see much more of the surrounding countryside because the hills and mountains are everywhere and there are no trees blocking your view.  The highways climb up the mountains or hills affording you a fantastic view of the area.  You often can  see the highway up in the distance, but it may take you another 10 minutes to get there.  In New England, you are lucky if you can see even 1 or 2 miles ahead.

This is about as far as you can see.  More "Walls of Trees"

 When passing through towns on the highway, all you see is the exit signs, nothing of the town is visible from the road.  It was enjoyable ride, seeing all the "green" as opposed to "brown" that is Southern California.

We got to Mom and Dad's early and had a nice quiet visit before everyone else arrived.  Leah and Josh can down from Ludlow, MA and surprised Mom because we didn't mention that they were coming.   It was nice to see them again since we have been in California since January. A little later on, Sue, Troy, Ali, Brook, Fran and Ed arrived in time for dinner.

L to R: Elly, Leah, Ali, Brook

Dinner was great, everyone made something. Sue made appetizers and a salad, Fran made eggplant parmesan and Elly made mac & cheese.  I never did like eggplant in my youth, but Fran's eggplant parmesan was delicous!  She said my taste buds probably changed.

For dessert, Francine made white chocolate cookies and this outrageous cake called  "OUR LADY OF (Drown your) SORROWS CAKE WITH HEAVENLY FROSTING" from a book that she was reading:  Rococo by Andriana Trigiani.  I won't post the recipe here, but someone else did on their blog. You can check it out here.  After looking at the ingredients, I had thought that it would be extremely sweet, but it wasn't.  It was actually very good and we all took some home.  Thanks Fran!

After dinner, Mom opened her presents.

Mom looking surprised as she opens her presents

Mom surprised again with Sue helping

Fran also surprised me and Sue with an enlarged photo of us siblings taken (we think) in 1958 B.F. (that's Before Francine).  It shows the two Mimis, Mom, me, Sue & John. This would make Mom about 32 years old, I would be 6, Sue would be 4 and John would be 10.

We called our grandmothers Mimi because, as children, we had a hard time saying the french "Ma Mere".  So they just became mimi.  We had two mimis, our great grandmother we called "little mimi" because she was shorter than our grandmother: "big mimi". The photo doesn't bear this out though.

L to R: Little Mimi, Big Mimi, Mom; me, Sue & John

The day was very enjoyable and it was nice to see everyone again!  Oh yeah, I almost forgot to say that it was also my and Elly's 39th wedding anniversary on Saturday.  Happy Anniversary to us!