As many of you might recall, Dad was with the Paper Mill Playhouse (PMP) for awhile. He was doing subscription and fundraising calling!! The firm that did the calling ended its contract with PMP and decided to do it in-house. So that ended that experience. Since that time, PMP has decided to once again hire an outside firm to do those calls, and Dad was contacted to return. But Dad declined...seems the compensation was very minimal, and besides Dad always felt he was begging for money. Seems 'telemarketing' is not Dad's forte.

The folks successfully sold their recreational home at the Hideout. There are times that the "getaway" house is missed, but it really wasn't used that much. It was a good decision. Less headaches to be concerned about, especially in the winter with having to winterize the house, and hope the snows and cold weather didn't cause damage.

Dad is no longer doing his DAILY LAUGH TIMES jokes newsletter. It was getting to be too much to prepare on a daily basis. He redid it on a monthly basis, but it became too much of a tedious task. Well, it was fun while it lasted.

Dad still has a web page containing an undeveloped story with a beginning paragraph. He asked that visitors to the site add paragraphs to help create a story line!! It did finally take off!! And there have been a number of additions to it. IT'S GREAT!! Why not check it out and submit some entries? You can read the 'developing story @: STORY

Dad's golf bag has been put away for a number of years...in fact the last time Dad had played golf was with Ross when they were in Florida back in 2003. Can you imagine how he's going to play should he pick up the clubs again. The Dad was thinking thinking about taking out the skis and getting back to the slopes!! But that hasn't materialized either. (Stop laughing!! He was a pretty good skier!!!)

Since 2003, Dad has been a medical anomaly. He's seen more doctor's than you can shake a stick at. He's been to a throat specialist, a skin doctor, a gastroenterologist, a vascular physician, a pulminary physician, an imunologist and even his own family physician. He's had x-rays, colonoscopys, endoscopes, cat-scans...been to the ER at least five times. Results---all normal. And yet, he's still doesn't feel in the pink. A real anomaly has developed. Makes you think about how much these doctors really know. Well, let's hope things get better.

Dad has gotten into some landscaping tasks as well. He's been installing numerous solar lights around the property. It really is looking spectacular. The folks removed those huge hemlocks that were in the front, thus openly the front of the house. Even put in a new walkway, as well. Really improved the look.

The Mom still thinks of her PC as a 'dust collector'...although she writes periodically to some of her college dorm mates, Ginny and Bett. And the Mom has gotten pretty good at some of the soliare games on the computer. Now if we can get her to surf the web!!

The fish pond....As some of you know, the folks have an in ground-pond in the back yard. At one point there were at least 25 huge goldfish. For several years, the fish survived over the winters. However, 2004 was disasterous. The liner developed a leak, and at one point during the on set of the cold weather there were only 5 fish left. Mom and Dad scurried to save the remaining fish. They took the fish and placed them in the inside aquarium which only held 10 gallons of water. It seemed a futile attempt. But miraculously the fish survived. Altough, Dad had to change the water every other day, they were able to save the fish. When Spring broke, the fish were returned to the outdoor pond with the liner repaired, and were doing quite well. The folks decided to add some more fish...then problems. They added several koi, and some sunbursts and some other fish. All seemed well for about a week. Then slowly the original goldfish died. Dad checked the water, and discovered the ammonia levels were extremely high. Several attempts at curing the water eventually got it to the safe level, but alas, only one fish survived. So the pond as one silver koi left, and he seems to be doing fine. Next spring additional fish maybe added.

Mom was upset at the loss of Butterscotch two years ago. She really liked him. He was a delight to have around.

Of course, there is her '69 Cadillac...Mom finally had their mechanic get it started and replace some hoses and things. And once again it's purring like a tiger!! Now all she has to do it get some QQ plates.

FLASH!! RSL Designs makes it to the Music World!! Read all about it @ RSL Designs

The folks went to Ross' for Thanksgiving this year as they did last year...it was great having spent time with he and Lisa. It was a wonderful time. Lisa and Ross prepared a great Thanksgiving turkey with all the trimmings. A great treat it was. They all even took in the newest Harry Potter movie. Seems the time spent with them is far and few in between.

Ross and Lisa won't be able to come here for Christmas...they'll be spending that time with Lisa's family. So the folks brought some of the Christmas gifts to them over Thanksgiving. Ross and Lisa did say they will probably be down to see us sometime in January...wish it were January now!!

Ross and Lisa have expressed some thoughts in relocating to North Carolina. Guess they don't like Jersey as a choice. Both are not too keen on the weather in Massachusetts or New Jersey. Additionally, Lisa is a bit dismayed with her position at UMASS.

This past summer, Ross and Lisa took a cruise to Bermuda, and had a terrific time. (Of course, the folks were left at home. ha,ha!) Maybe we'll all get to Florida yet.

Last October (2004), Mom and Dad took Ross and Lisa to Mohegan Sun in Connecticut. It certainly was a good time...watching Ross and Lisa experience the slot machines and all. They also availed themselves of taking in Johnny Maestro's show.

As mentioned above, Ross' company, RSL Designs has been featured on eDezines.com as one of the uprising web design companies in Massachusetts!! Congratulations, Ross!! You should be proud!!

Ross is still employed by GazetteNet (a major publication in the Northhampton part of Mass. He is the webmaster and web designer!! In fact he has even trimmed down the time of posting materials to the site...and redeveloped their home page...an improvement to their operations. Ross has gotten his hands into Cold Fusion and a new computer at his position. Still, he wants to be given greater opportunity to employ his skills, but there is some frustration setting in with his superior. (Well, just hang in there, Ross.) What a kid!! Why not check out the site (Click on newspaper)

RSL Webdesigns is now associated with Invisible Circle.com . For further information about this new endeavor, please see: Invisible Circle

You can check out his picture and pictures of his "significant other", Lisa, at our homepage. We'll be posting some updated pictures of their travels there soon.