We are home!

That was one long drive!  Over fourteen hours to be exact. Armani slept a lot during the journey. She actually was feeling a little car sick. One of the best parts of the ride was when we could see NYC at night. I have seen the view lots of times, but it never gets old. Even though we had a nice trip, it is good to be home :))

Armani Likes Coastal Carolina University :))

Out of all the colleges Armani visited thus far (there were others before this trip), she really likes Coastal Carolina University the best.  I just had to post one picture of her on their campus. Now the only thing she has to do is get accepted! I'm keeping my fingers (and toes) crossed.  Her mom plans to visit a few more schools with her, but I think Coastal is going to remain her #1 choice.  As always, I enjoyed spending time this week with my little girl :))

Good Morning From Myrtle Beach!

We made it to Myrtle Beach yesterday without a problem :)) It was a six hour ride from DC and the journey was actually enjoyable. The above picture was taken from the balcony of our hotel room. In a few hours, Armani and I will be going to Coastal Carolina University for a college tour. After the visit, we are heading back to our hotel to do whatever.  Tomorrow we may drive straight through to Connecticut (it will be about a fourteen hour drive). That's about it for now. Talk to you soon. -Tom

Hello From DC!

Armani and I made it to DC in 4 1/2 hours yesterday!  We got an early start from Connecticut because to get to DC from where I live, you have to drive through the New York area which can get congested with traffic as the day goes on (particularly over the George Washington Bridge). We had no problem at all :))  Today she is touring Catholic University....should take about an hour.  After the tour, we are going to hit the road and continue down to Myrtle Beach.  Tomorrow she will be checking out Coastal Carolina University which is roughly twenty minutes from our hotel. Last year when I had to oversee the Florida office where I work, I rented a Dodge Challenger (a pretty cool "muscle" car).  This time, there is no need to rent a car because I have my own wheels.  It's not a muscle car (it's a Kia Optima), but it's a comfortable ride.  Not so long ago, I owned a Ford Mustang GT convertible.  Now THAT was a muscle car I loved!  It just wasn't practical in the winter (bad in the snow), so I sold it. That's all for now. I hope you like the cartoon and I will keep you posted regarding our travels. See ya' :)) -Tom

Sorry Mom & Dad...

My parents are over eighty and yes, they can operate a TV remote.  They get confused about which buttons to press at times, but they manage.  Regarding their driving?  I won't get into that :)) Speaking of driving, Armani and I are taking a trip this Sunday to Washington DC and on Monday, she is touring Catholic University (a school she would like to attend). It's about a five hour ride to DC, but we don't mind. We are going to put on some tunes and hit the road!  Oh, the owner of the place where I work got us a nice hotel room in the heart of DC, so that will be cool. We hope to do a little sightseeing when we are there; it should be fun :)) After our college tour on Monday, we are going to drive roughly six hours to South Carolina to visit Coastal Carolina University (another school Armani likes). Myrtle Beach is close to the school, so I booked a hotel right on the beach.  We are going to spend two nights there. We can't wait to unwind for a few days under the sun!  By the way, while I am gone, someone is staying at my house to watch it.  I say this in case there are any thieves out there thinking they can break into my home while I am away...lol!  It's not going to happen. Anyway, I am bringing my laptop with me and will be checking emails, so if you write, I should be able to respond (got that, Pam-Pam?).  Bon voyage!

Riptide & Malibu (Sand Characters)

I think Riptide (the character with the blonde hair) needs to stop counting calories and do as Malibu does....eat some junk food and live a little!  Eating poorly all the time is obviously not good, but a little ice cream now and then never hurt. I worry more that Malibu is going to get frostbite under the scoop that fell. Brrrrrrr :))

It's Tough Being A Dust Speck

Poor Dust Specks. They can't catch a break! Just when they thought they found a good place to settle, some dude comes along and ruins everything. And for what?  A stale beer. As for me, I'm not much of a drinker. Don't get me wrong; I had my wild years in high school and college (and some time after that as well...lol), but now I am an occasional drinker. For example, my best friend Dave and I are going to a concert at the Xfinity Center in Mansfield, MA this summer. We used to go there once a year to see a show, but haven't in some time. We always arrive at the concert early, set up a homemade grill in the parking lot,  and cook sausage, onions, hamburgers, and hot dogs. Lots of people do the same, so it's a cool place to interact with others. In addition to the food, we also bring plenty of beer (hence, an occasion when I drink).  Oh, we smoke a cigar too.  I never smoke, but when I go to a concert with Dave, we always light-up a premium stogie (it's a tradition). I am looking forward to seeing Dave; he is a lifelong friend :))

A Bath Every Ten Years?!

All I have to say is....Yuck!

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter to those who celebrate this day!  If you are Eastern Orthodox, Happy “Early” Easter!  I was raised a Catholic and my mom’s mother was Russian Orthodox. Easter, therefore, has always been an observed holiday in our family.  When I was a child, my brother and I would wake up early on Easter Sunday and race to our baskets to see what the Easter Bunny left behind (always lots of candy and fun toys). I think the baskets are stored away somewhere at my parents' house (I will ask my mom when I see her).  Late morning after church, we would take a drive to visit my grandparents. Being Russian Orthodox, my grandmother would also celebrate Easter the following week by coming over our house with her six sisters (my great aunts). They were without a doubt the most fun loving people on earth. And, they could talk!!  My God could they! Our home was filled with several conversations going at once and lots of laughter :)) The food was awesome too. We didn’t eat a meal on that day, but enjoyed a variety of baked goods such as cookies, pies, and cakes.  Those were special moments I will never forget. What am I doing today?  I am going over my parents' house to have an enjoyable afternoon with them and my brother. What about Armani?  She will be with her mom’s family.  I hope everyone has a wonderful day as well!  Happy Easter!  

He's Got It Made!

Talk about lucky! Although, I believe you make your luck in life. Sure, sometimes positive things just happen.  However, for the most part, a well thought out plan gets you where you want to be. Also, you have to go for it! Some people know what they want and how to get it, but never take action (not good). I bet the speck in the cartoon defined his goals and took the necessary steps to achieve them (either that, or he was born into money...lol).  I just hope he is humble. Nothing worse than someone who has it all and thinks he or she is better than others. Arrogance sucks!

A Message To Pam-Pam....

Happy Anniversary!!!  Don't tell me you forgot!  Well, in case you did, it was approximately a year ago we met :)) How do I know this? Simple. The first time I went to oversee my firm's Florida office was last April.  You and I started communicating a few weeks before that time. So, our one year anniversary is right around now!  Did you buy me something? Did you? Did you?  If you didn't, that's ok. An email from you would be the best gift ever :)) My gift to you? Lots of love sent your way! Annnnd, a link to a song that will forever remind me of you. Here is the link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEhy-RXkNo0
To my readers....the song's lyrics don't apply to Pam-Pam and me except for one verse.  The verse, which you may or may not figure out, is how I came up with her nickname.  I hope the song puts a smile on your face, Pam-Pam, as the thought of you does for me. Happy Anniversary! xoxoxotommy