Halloween's Coming!
I LOVE Halloween. It's one of my favorite holidays - probably rivaling Christmas for the top spot. Every year, I tell myself I'm going to decorate for Halloween like I do for Christmas; get the whole apartment involved, and for one reason or other, I only stick a couple of scary faces on my door by the time it arrives. Not so this year! This weekend, I head to Party City and get ready to pimp the crib, Spook Style! (Wow, I sound so nerdy when I try to talk street.)
So Alex and Will, who were going to make me the happiest geeky mommy around by being Captain Hook and Captain Jack Sparrow for Halloween, have forsaken me and gone with different costumes completely. I'm never getting pirate kids for Halloween, I know it. But I have to admit, seeing Will go berserk for a Clone Trooper costume brought a tear to my eye. My boy, a Star Wars nerd like his mom... so what if he likes the new ones and I remain faithful to the original Holy Trilogy?
Alex has decided to go the Power Rangers route and will be the Red Ranger, naturally. The costume has muscles and a six-pack as part of the costume and with Alex's bulldog build, it's just about the cutest and most hilarious thing to see.
28 days 'til Halloween!!
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
Monday, September 25, 2006
Has it really been 11 days?
I had no idea I hadn't posted in 11 days. What's wrong with me?
So I'm in the midst of trying to update my apartment, which looks like a Toys R Us after a nuclear attack. With a Barnes & Noble thrown in. Not pretty. But I'm trying.
I've got two bridal showers and two weddings rapidly approaching, and I'm nowhere near the dress size I want to be. Grr.
At least I start school tonight - my final class for the Publishing Certificate! Whoo hoo!
I'll write more later, I'm going to post my manic Martha energies on Domestic Goddesses now.
I had no idea I hadn't posted in 11 days. What's wrong with me?
So I'm in the midst of trying to update my apartment, which looks like a Toys R Us after a nuclear attack. With a Barnes & Noble thrown in. Not pretty. But I'm trying.
I've got two bridal showers and two weddings rapidly approaching, and I'm nowhere near the dress size I want to be. Grr.
At least I start school tonight - my final class for the Publishing Certificate! Whoo hoo!
I'll write more later, I'm going to post my manic Martha energies on Domestic Goddesses now.
Thursday, September 14, 2006
Project Runway
I prided myself on the fact that I was NOT watching Project Runway. It's one more reality show I don't need to be teased about watching. Then, I board a JetBlue flight to my Dad's, nothing's on TV - not even on my beloved VH-1 - and I ended up watching three straight hours of a Project Runway marathon. I blame them and Stacey for the fact that I knit my little fingers to the bone, up past the bedtime I said I was going to adhere to, to watch the new one last night.
How did I miss out on this before? What was wrong with me? It's so snarky, it's delicious. It's like eating candy without the calories.
Let the bitchery fly!
I prided myself on the fact that I was NOT watching Project Runway. It's one more reality show I don't need to be teased about watching. Then, I board a JetBlue flight to my Dad's, nothing's on TV - not even on my beloved VH-1 - and I ended up watching three straight hours of a Project Runway marathon. I blame them and Stacey for the fact that I knit my little fingers to the bone, up past the bedtime I said I was going to adhere to, to watch the new one last night.
How did I miss out on this before? What was wrong with me? It's so snarky, it's delicious. It's like eating candy without the calories.
Let the bitchery fly!
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
Knitting Fever
I'm a knitting fiend. I'm working on a cute cardigan and hat set and a cable-knit blanket for my mom's friend (remember the baby booties from hell? That's the one.) The cardigan, ever since I abandoned the original pattern and took up a less stressful one, is coming along nicely. But moss stitch is VERY time consuming, so I took a little break. The back and left front are done, and the right front is 3/4 done so I really don't have much more to go. But I needed something new. Which probably explains why I have so many UFO (unfinished objects) strewn about the apartment...
So this blanket is adorable. It's got a cable running up each side and a diamond pattern in between. I may go cross-eyed from looking at the chart before this is over, but we'll deal with that later. Pictures will come when I'm all done.
I'm a knitting fiend. I'm working on a cute cardigan and hat set and a cable-knit blanket for my mom's friend (remember the baby booties from hell? That's the one.) The cardigan, ever since I abandoned the original pattern and took up a less stressful one, is coming along nicely. But moss stitch is VERY time consuming, so I took a little break. The back and left front are done, and the right front is 3/4 done so I really don't have much more to go. But I needed something new. Which probably explains why I have so many UFO (unfinished objects) strewn about the apartment...
So this blanket is adorable. It's got a cable running up each side and a diamond pattern in between. I may go cross-eyed from looking at the chart before this is over, but we'll deal with that later. Pictures will come when I'm all done.
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
What's with the Banks?
So everyone familiar with Forest Hills knows it's like Bank Mecca. You literally can't spit without hitting a bank. Then I read this in this morning's Daily News and almost fell off my chair. What is with the banks? Are we becoming our own little Wall Street or something?
Flushing Savings Bank plans to open its newest branch at 107-11 71st Avenue, the former site of The Zone clothing store, where it will compete with more than 10 other banks in a ONE BLOCK radius, according to construction workers at the site.
There are even rumors that a bank will move into the former site of Value Depot, a 71st Avenue bargain store that closed last month.
What in the world is this all about?
So everyone familiar with Forest Hills knows it's like Bank Mecca. You literally can't spit without hitting a bank. Then I read this in this morning's Daily News and almost fell off my chair. What is with the banks? Are we becoming our own little Wall Street or something?
Flushing Savings Bank plans to open its newest branch at 107-11 71st Avenue, the former site of The Zone clothing store, where it will compete with more than 10 other banks in a ONE BLOCK radius, according to construction workers at the site.
There are even rumors that a bank will move into the former site of Value Depot, a 71st Avenue bargain store that closed last month.
What in the world is this all about?
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The Lights of 9/11
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The Hunt for Red November
For the past several months, I've been telling myself that I'm going to find a dress for Karen's wedding. I'm one of her bridesmaids and, in a move that is magnanimous on her part, she informed us that we only need show up in a red dress. Perhaps, I suggested, we go with a David's Bridal-type situation where we do the mix and match so we're all in the same type of outfit, a la Stacey's wedding? No, too much restriction. So with less than 60 days to go, women are scrambling and freaking out at being told that getting a dress can take up to 12 weeks if you're going to David's Bridal.
Not that I'm any different, and I've been a bridesmaid before. I just didn't feel like trying on dresses at this point, but finally I broke down and the good and kind Stacey and I embarked on Roosevelt Field this past weekend. Wow, we saw some humdingers. But finally, in Ann Taylor of all places, I found a dress! On sale! While the size I was hoping for was not zipping past the boobage, I upgraded and will likely take it to the cleaners to have a minor nip and tuck here and there. Why my boobs are a size bigger than the rest of my body is a fact left best to modern science to figure out. Ah, the wonders of womanhood and childbirthing.
So the dress is deep wine/burgundy, tank top with a bit of a scoop neck, and has a little bow at the waist with a center pleat that I am assured is flattering. I am doing 30 minutes of cardio a day just to make sure it STAYS flattering. We then went on to the holy land, aka DSW, where we were disappointed in the lack of ridiculous shoes - that is, until we happened upon this work of art:
Yes, that is pasta on the shoe. And a tomato. And, as Stacey noted, basil. We have a complete Italian dinner for two on one shoe! For only a mere $299! Mangia!
I did hit the jackpot for myself, finding a cute pair of strappy heels that match the color of the dress perfectly, so I am a complete bridesmaid now! I also found a cute pair of red Kenneth Cole loafers marked down to a price that challenged me NOT to buy them. And then, the big coup - a pair of black Charles David mock-croc pumps with deep purple piping on them. Marked down from $148 to a ridiculously low price. After conferring with Stacey and my mom via cell phone, it was decided that I should treat myself to all three pairs. My DSW Reward Your Style card hasn't seen this much action in ages.
Last night, headed over to Karen's to stuff wedding invites. Karen, Shauna and I sat around a small table, ate Chinese food, and assembled invites. I am a fully-dressed bridesmaid. Cue the huge sigh of relief.
Monday, September 11, 2006
I know I've been quiet today but September 11 is never a good day for me. A bunch of friends on ClubMom have been taking part in this Legacy.com tribute, where you select someone who was lost that day and memorialize them. As usual, my powers of technology were not with me and I think my tribute is somewhere in the ether so let me just blog it directly.
Christine Lee Hanson was 2 1/2 on September 11, 2001. About the same age as Will. She was going on vacation with her mommy and daddy, and was probably really excited to fly in a big plane, like Will and Alex get.
You know, once you become a parent, you don't deal very well with bad news stories involving children. So you're going to have to bear with me here. Because every child becomes your child when something goes wrong.
So little Christine was probably very excited. Her parents were probably smiling and laughing with her, pointing out the big engines or giving her gum to chew so her little ears didn't pop when the plane took off. But little Christine and all the potential ahead of her ended at the World Trade Center that morning.
Christine's not going to have the same opportunities Will has. She's never going to be excited over seeing her first movie in a big movie theatre. She never got to start Kindergarten and make new friends. She won't get to pick out Hello Kitty or Barbie school supplies. Christine's mom will never drop her off on her first day of school and cry when she gets home because her baby is growing up.
Poor Christine didn't have enough of a life to warrant her own obituary; she was part of her father's and her mother's. But she'll never be forgotten.
Every time Will reaches a milestone, be it a science project or be it mastering a two-wheel bike, my mind will wander to Christine. Because like the saying goes, there but for the grace of God, went Will and I.
There is no justification for this act.
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
School Daze
I sent my big boy off to second grade this morning, so I'm a little misty-eyed. Will was so excited to be back at school and with his buddies. We got his supplies ready last night and portioned out which he's bringing in which day - it's going to take a full week to bring everything in. Public school kids - how do these kids not graduate stooped over? I have FOUR BAGS of supplies, including three rolls of paper towel, two boxes of tissues, and a box of baby wipes - am I a parent or the local Costco?
X-Men folders? Check. Wacky Packages pencils? Got 'em. Tony Hawk folder - check - and do you actually know who Tony Hawk is? "Yeah, Mom, he's the skateboarder guy." Wow, I'm impressed. My son is turning into a pop culture freak like his mother.
We assembled school supplies, watched Revenge of the Sith and the Clone Wars I DVDs, and then he made some calls to his friends - who he'd be seeing not 24 hours from then - and all I could think of was, "Wow. He's a kid. He's not a little boy anymore." He's totally become this real kid, as opposed to the little boy I sent off to first grade last year. I may still have written his name in indelible ink on all his posessions this year, but he's growing up.
He even chooses his own shoes now. We went to Payless to pick up some new sneakers for him and he announced that he no longer wanted "any shoes or socks with cartoons on them." It was like a dagger in my heart, as I was eyeing up the cool Batman sneaks in his size. He chose a black pair of Shaq sneakers ("Do you know who he is?" "I think he plays basketball - but they're COOL SHOES!") and a pair of white and black hi-top Shaq sneakers. He loved them and was so proud that he chose them. For a sec, he looked at me and wavered, but I couldn't be selfish. I told him, "You have to wear them. You're... a big kid now. What shoes do you want?" "I don't want the Batman ones, Mom."
So we now have two pairs of Shaq sneakers at home - some guy who plays basketball. He couldn't wait to lace up the black ones this morning. He spiked up his hair (he chose the haircut, too) and was ready to go.
Oh, well... I still have a modicum of say in Alex's stuff for the time being. :-)
I sent my big boy off to second grade this morning, so I'm a little misty-eyed. Will was so excited to be back at school and with his buddies. We got his supplies ready last night and portioned out which he's bringing in which day - it's going to take a full week to bring everything in. Public school kids - how do these kids not graduate stooped over? I have FOUR BAGS of supplies, including three rolls of paper towel, two boxes of tissues, and a box of baby wipes - am I a parent or the local Costco?
X-Men folders? Check. Wacky Packages pencils? Got 'em. Tony Hawk folder - check - and do you actually know who Tony Hawk is? "Yeah, Mom, he's the skateboarder guy." Wow, I'm impressed. My son is turning into a pop culture freak like his mother.
We assembled school supplies, watched Revenge of the Sith and the Clone Wars I DVDs, and then he made some calls to his friends - who he'd be seeing not 24 hours from then - and all I could think of was, "Wow. He's a kid. He's not a little boy anymore." He's totally become this real kid, as opposed to the little boy I sent off to first grade last year. I may still have written his name in indelible ink on all his posessions this year, but he's growing up.
He even chooses his own shoes now. We went to Payless to pick up some new sneakers for him and he announced that he no longer wanted "any shoes or socks with cartoons on them." It was like a dagger in my heart, as I was eyeing up the cool Batman sneaks in his size. He chose a black pair of Shaq sneakers ("Do you know who he is?" "I think he plays basketball - but they're COOL SHOES!") and a pair of white and black hi-top Shaq sneakers. He loved them and was so proud that he chose them. For a sec, he looked at me and wavered, but I couldn't be selfish. I told him, "You have to wear them. You're... a big kid now. What shoes do you want?" "I don't want the Batman ones, Mom."
So we now have two pairs of Shaq sneakers at home - some guy who plays basketball. He couldn't wait to lace up the black ones this morning. He spiked up his hair (he chose the haircut, too) and was ready to go.
Oh, well... I still have a modicum of say in Alex's stuff for the time being. :-)
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Mope
I've been very mopey these last few days. It's a combination of the usual hormonal insanity plus change, and I'm just not a big fan of change no matter how often it comes. Even if changes bring good things, I just tend to resist it and make myself miserable, wishing for things to stay the way they were, no matter how improbable it may be. I'm trying very hard to kick that habit, but I can't say it will be easy. I just ask that my friends understand where my insanity comes from and roll with it for a little while. You know me, I always even out in the end. :-)
In my neverending quest to get back to wedding day weight, I made carrot cake bars using a Cooking Light recipe I've been meaning to try out for about two years now. While I am suspicious of any carrot cake recipe that doesn't involve cream cheese frosting, I will roll with this and try it at lunch. If it's good, I'll post the recipe on Domestic Goddesses - that's the Martha blog after all!
I think this blog needs a picture of Duran Duran on it to cheer me up today.
Why stop at just one? Here's a yesterday/today kind of thing. Ahhh... so much better now.
Monday, August 28, 2006
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Sometimes I really miss working in NYC. Little things like seeing this sweet mopey bulldog, being a quick walk or hop away from lunch with friends - it is an adjustment.
Thursday, August 24, 2006
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
Happy Birthday Boy
Alex had a great birthday yesterday, and the pics will come later. He got some toys and ran around like a psycho with big brother Will last night, and a lovely time was had by all. Now he eagerly awaits his birthday celebration with uncles Keith and Adam and aunts Nancy and Stacey. I figure this is the last year I could get away with having the quick 'n dirty family party at home, next year we're looking at McDonald's at the very least.
I still can't quite wrap my head around Alex being three. He's still a baby, at least I feel like he should be. They don't stay little long enough.
Don't get me wrong, I love that Will and I can kick back on the couch together and watch Who Wants to be a Superhero? and laugh like maniacs (I haven't watched last week's yet, waiting for Will to come home - so don't tell me who was eliminated!) and have an hour-long conversation about our favorite X-Men. But I feel like I didn't get to hold that squirmy baby for long enough. I miss the feeling his of their little heads resting on my shoulder at 4 a.m. when I'd burp them and watch Insomniac Music Theatre on VH-1.
When Will was at the height of his colic bouts, we stayed up and watched Donna Summer's comeback concert on VH-1 (I'm 35, I watch a lot of VH-1). I sang along while he screamed and I just told myself he was singing backup. By the time Donna was belting out her last encore, he was finally asleep and I felt like I had really accomplished something. I had gotten my colicky baby to sleep with no nervous breakdown. (Thanks, Donna!) I stayed up for another hour, just holding him and watching him sleep. His little mouth was half open and his eyelashes dusted his face, they were already so long and lush.
Alex and I would wake up for a little while, and I'd keep him curled in to me while I just sat awake, watching him in the moonlight coming through the window. He'd give a satisfied little sigh and push his head against me, falling back to sleep. Those are the moments we don't have long enough. Maybe that's why I appreciate them so much now.
Alex had a great birthday yesterday, and the pics will come later. He got some toys and ran around like a psycho with big brother Will last night, and a lovely time was had by all. Now he eagerly awaits his birthday celebration with uncles Keith and Adam and aunts Nancy and Stacey. I figure this is the last year I could get away with having the quick 'n dirty family party at home, next year we're looking at McDonald's at the very least.
I still can't quite wrap my head around Alex being three. He's still a baby, at least I feel like he should be. They don't stay little long enough.
Don't get me wrong, I love that Will and I can kick back on the couch together and watch Who Wants to be a Superhero? and laugh like maniacs (I haven't watched last week's yet, waiting for Will to come home - so don't tell me who was eliminated!) and have an hour-long conversation about our favorite X-Men. But I feel like I didn't get to hold that squirmy baby for long enough. I miss the feeling his of their little heads resting on my shoulder at 4 a.m. when I'd burp them and watch Insomniac Music Theatre on VH-1.
When Will was at the height of his colic bouts, we stayed up and watched Donna Summer's comeback concert on VH-1 (I'm 35, I watch a lot of VH-1). I sang along while he screamed and I just told myself he was singing backup. By the time Donna was belting out her last encore, he was finally asleep and I felt like I had really accomplished something. I had gotten my colicky baby to sleep with no nervous breakdown. (Thanks, Donna!) I stayed up for another hour, just holding him and watching him sleep. His little mouth was half open and his eyelashes dusted his face, they were already so long and lush.
Alex and I would wake up for a little while, and I'd keep him curled in to me while I just sat awake, watching him in the moonlight coming through the window. He'd give a satisfied little sigh and push his head against me, falling back to sleep. Those are the moments we don't have long enough. Maybe that's why I appreciate them so much now.
Monday, August 21, 2006
The End of Summer is Nigh!
Alex is three today. How did that happen? I still remember waddling around Bookspan feeling him beat the tar out of me. And getting together with our friends on Friday nights, only to fall asleep on them by 9.
Mike and I were up last night frosting mini-cupcakes for his party at school this morning. Only thing was, we forgot to mention it to school on Friday so his teacher just called me up and said, "If I had known, I'd have told the parents." I started feeling bad, but he's 3 - and he's got cupcakes. I think we're all good. Plus, do I need more presents than I know he'll be getting? They'll sing, he'll eat cupcakes, life will be good. Because he's three.
Went to Michelle's birthday extravaganza at Barca 18 on Saturday night, which I highly recommend if you like Spanish food and/or tapas. It's on Park Avenue South between 18th & 19th and it really wasn't as expensive a night out as I feared. The food was awesome, the company was great, and I got to sit with David and Robb, which is a pretty good formula for a good evening. I even thought it may be fun for us to consider for the Sex & The City Girls' Night Out that Stacey and I have talked about for four years now.
I can't believe we're almost into September already. Man, time is going by faster than ever. Next thing I know, I'll have to worry about Christmas shopping.
Alex is three today. How did that happen? I still remember waddling around Bookspan feeling him beat the tar out of me. And getting together with our friends on Friday nights, only to fall asleep on them by 9.
Mike and I were up last night frosting mini-cupcakes for his party at school this morning. Only thing was, we forgot to mention it to school on Friday so his teacher just called me up and said, "If I had known, I'd have told the parents." I started feeling bad, but he's 3 - and he's got cupcakes. I think we're all good. Plus, do I need more presents than I know he'll be getting? They'll sing, he'll eat cupcakes, life will be good. Because he's three.
Went to Michelle's birthday extravaganza at Barca 18 on Saturday night, which I highly recommend if you like Spanish food and/or tapas. It's on Park Avenue South between 18th & 19th and it really wasn't as expensive a night out as I feared. The food was awesome, the company was great, and I got to sit with David and Robb, which is a pretty good formula for a good evening. I even thought it may be fun for us to consider for the Sex & The City Girls' Night Out that Stacey and I have talked about for four years now.
I can't believe we're almost into September already. Man, time is going by faster than ever. Next thing I know, I'll have to worry about Christmas shopping.
Thursday, August 17, 2006
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The bootie from hell!
It looks so unassuming. So cute... but this little sucker is giving me some grey hair. I have followed the instructions to the letter, and yet I keep getting this hole between where I shape the instep and where I continue on with the rest of the bootie. GRRRR!
Monday, August 14, 2006
How the heck did it get to be Mid-August?
I'm sitting here scratching my head in wonder. How is it that school is just around the corner(for both me and Will)? I still have half a reading list to get him through! I haven't lost all the weight in time for bathing suit season yet!
But yes, summer is rapidly coming to a close and that means that shorter days and cooler temperatures will be here before we know it. While I love Fall and Winter, the inevitable shortening of the days is sure to bring me down like it always does. I wish I could figure out a way to get past that.
Anyway. I finally finished some knitting projects - you know by now how horrible I am at actually sewing the projects up once they're done - this weekend. I met Karenala for a stitch & bitch at our Starbuck's on Queens Blvd and instead of starting yet another project, I brought stuff I needed to finish before I could move on.
So I finally finished my goddaughter's poncho, which I promised her roughly four months ago. Just in time for Fall, right? And I sewed up the little infant hat I made for Helene's pregnant friend, Helena, in Sweden. (Gab, if you're reading this, surprise! I'll be sending out a package soon!) Now I just have to find the three letters I've written to Helene while I was waiting to finish the projects for Helena. Good lord, I am a mess.
Pictures to come, I just have to pull them off the camera... who says I finally finish what I start?
I'm sitting here scratching my head in wonder. How is it that school is just around the corner(for both me and Will)? I still have half a reading list to get him through! I haven't lost all the weight in time for bathing suit season yet!
But yes, summer is rapidly coming to a close and that means that shorter days and cooler temperatures will be here before we know it. While I love Fall and Winter, the inevitable shortening of the days is sure to bring me down like it always does. I wish I could figure out a way to get past that.
Anyway. I finally finished some knitting projects - you know by now how horrible I am at actually sewing the projects up once they're done - this weekend. I met Karenala for a stitch & bitch at our Starbuck's on Queens Blvd and instead of starting yet another project, I brought stuff I needed to finish before I could move on.
So I finally finished my goddaughter's poncho, which I promised her roughly four months ago. Just in time for Fall, right? And I sewed up the little infant hat I made for Helene's pregnant friend, Helena, in Sweden. (Gab, if you're reading this, surprise! I'll be sending out a package soon!) Now I just have to find the three letters I've written to Helene while I was waiting to finish the projects for Helena. Good lord, I am a mess.
Pictures to come, I just have to pull them off the camera... who says I finally finish what I start?
Thursday, August 10, 2006
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Mighty Will at the sprinklers in Russell Sage park.
Awesome, I geeked out and sent a pic from my phone. It's a couple of weeks old, but still cool. Thanks to Stacey for leading me into a new level of geekdom, hee hee.
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
I'm Back!
I haven't disappeared! I've been on vacation, glorious, vacation. Yes, it was 104 degrees in Virginia and mid-90s in Florida, but so was New York! And I wasn't working, I was in the swimming pool in my Dad's complex or at Busch Gardens. So I'll take it. I'll post more later, but for now... the boys.
Linda nominated this as her favorite picture, and I'm inclined to agree. I don't know what's funnier, the gorilla hanging out in the background (which is why I posed the shot like I did), or the hilarious faces on the boys.
It's root beer, don't call Child Services on me. But I still can't shake the nagging feeling that I'm looking about 15 years into the future...
Alex and Will enjoy a frosty (root beer) one on a hot day. It hit about 100 this day at Williamsburg, down from 104 the previous day.
More later.
I haven't disappeared! I've been on vacation, glorious, vacation. Yes, it was 104 degrees in Virginia and mid-90s in Florida, but so was New York! And I wasn't working, I was in the swimming pool in my Dad's complex or at Busch Gardens. So I'll take it. I'll post more later, but for now... the boys.
Linda nominated this as her favorite picture, and I'm inclined to agree. I don't know what's funnier, the gorilla hanging out in the background (which is why I posed the shot like I did), or the hilarious faces on the boys.
It's root beer, don't call Child Services on me. But I still can't shake the nagging feeling that I'm looking about 15 years into the future...Alex and Will enjoy a frosty (root beer) one on a hot day. It hit about 100 this day at Williamsburg, down from 104 the previous day.
More later.
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