This Just In - Yankees Suck!

Masonite!

Mason has been thriving, getting cuter by the day, enjoying lots of time with mom Cici before she goes back to work and dad Jared, resident baby sleep expert. He is already exhibiting quite a lot of personality and has a very expressive face, delighting his extended family and providing plenty of blog fodder.

A New Year, a New Beginning

December 31st, 2009, marked Jim's last day as an employee at Abt Associates Inc. After 32 years of loyal service to the same company, his life will never be the same. We're hoping for lots of new opportunities in the coming year, including an expanded ability to visit friends and family in far off places! On the slate is a trip to Portland, OR in the next couple of months, and a trip to Provence, France in May.

Jim says he won't miss the sharp pain in the back his company phone in its "holster" used to give him. He's joining the iGeneration with a brand spanking new iPhone! Now, he won't need to rely on le TomTom to try and kill (oops I mean guide) him - he can use the built in GPS!

Some Grow It Hot!

One of our most anticipated holiday gifts these past few years has been wonderful, home-grown hot peppers from our friends' garden in Walnut Creek, CA. It's true that I personally also lust after their caper bush and meyer lemon tree output, not to mention the other wonderful produce! But the chiles, all kinds, are the best!

The peppers go a long way toward warming us up during the Big Chill.

From Here to [Grand]maternity - Welcoming Mason Asher Klein

With incredibly accurate timing, Ciel's labor began in earnest on the 24th of September (She was VERY ready, and the 24th was her due date!) with gMom Louise, friend Lindsey, and Jared attending.

Ciel and Jared took their carefully packed "labor bag" and amid great excitement left for Mt. Auburn Hospital shortly before midnight. Aunt-to-be Jaime was on her way back from New York City to welcome the new baby. gMom-to-be-for-the-second-time began reading The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown to await the happy news, and the dogs bounced around throughout the night. Around 6 am we heard the news: Mason Asher Klein had arrived at 4:42, weighing a healthy 8 1/2 lbs and measuring 21 inches!

Although the name Mason was on the "short list" of boys' names, it was ironic that I was reading "The Lost Symbol" while Mason was being born, as it was filled with Masonic history and lore. In fact, Mason's great-great-grandparents on the Hadden side were members of the Masons and Eastern Star! A very fitting name.

A cast of many grandparents, friends, grandgodfather, new aunt and new uncle arrived to celebrate, which garnered Ciel a single room while at the hospital - and on Sunday, Mason came home to begin a new life with Mom and Dad, his boppy, and Molly the dog! Three great-grandparents and a number of great aunts and uncles celebrated from afar.

Chillin' with Champy and the Gnome in Burlington, VT

Bright and early on the 13th of September, I embarked on a journey to Burlington, VT - via Philadelphia (how silly is that?) for a SAS Users Group Conference (NESUG.) I was co-chair of the Posters section, and had both a poster and a presentation to give. The conference site was quite beautiful, overlooking Lake Champlain and a short walk to a very cool and funky downtown (not to mention close to Ben & Jerry's, Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Champlain Chocolates, and the like!) The leaves had not yet turned, but the skyline in the evening was nothing short of amazing.

A highlight of the conference was a dinner cruise on Monday night. The view from the boat was stunning, and the company was good.

Still, I was happy to bid adieu to Burlington, ever nervous that I would miss the blessed event to come.

Harvest Time

The hazy heat of late summer, punctuated by the shrill of cicadas, has led to the beginnings of harvest time. The fruit is getting heavier on the trees, and the tomatoes are heavy on the vine. The first leaves are already turning. The roses are fading, and the color scheme of the local flora is trending towards yellows and oranges.

Of course, the TRUE sign of fall around here is the return of the Pod people! Moving trucks and PODS litter the streets, along with all the detritus of unwanted furniture and household items. Back to feeling ancient in a city of mostly under 21s! Autumn of our lives, I guess.