New Years Eve Morning.

I can not believe it. I am on ourblog! I got here with just a little help from the tall , handsome grandson that happens to be here in India also!! Also, I got money from an ATM, and all by myself.

Well, we arrived by Air India in Chennai last night about 10:30. We are at Hotel Palava, which is an old hotel, and felt that way last night. We had dinner on the plane, yes, Indian airplanes still serve food, and pretty good food at that. We were magically met at the airport with van and driver. It is wonderful what money can buy. The south feels different from the north. This morning I was up early as usual, I went out on the street, found an ATM and used, first time. And the hotel fells good and not so old this morning, here I am on ourblog.

Ajanta and Ellora were up to expectation. Fantastic. Things that have changed: crowds of people, really big crowds. For me, Ajanta was a major athletic event. Stairs, hills. I am grateful to all grandchildren, daughter, and especially s.i.l. for helping me down all of the stairs, and most of the going up. Our guide was very good. It is good to have a guide, he gave us lots of good stories and information.

Driving to both Ajanta and Ellora, were adventurous. We trusted our driver after awhile that he really did know he could pass on what looked like a curve. He was a good driver.

We are having a good time. It feels as if we have been here longer than we have as we have seen so much. At 11 this morninig a driver will pick us up and we will take the train to Trichy.

I am taking lots of pictures, as you may expect.

HAPPY NEW YEAR DEAR FAMILY AND FRIENDS!

This Space Available

Hello, India! Any bloggers out there?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHANDRAN

Hope the car problem is solved!! There are a lot nicer ways to spend a day or two! Anyway, enjoy your day!

Party

Emma and Laura

We had our annual Christmas party. It went very well. It’s a good time to get in touch with old friends and reconnect with people we have not seen all year. Chiara’s friend Allison came, she is a lovely girl who we only see twice a year for these parties and Chiara’s birthday. Nelida, Jens and their daughter Emma came and of course the McCann’s minus Colum who is traveling. We had a surprise visit from Anita and Nikhil and their children. They were supposed to be going to Florida today but their flight was canceled because of the snow. We had some new friends this year from Chiara’s school, and some friends from the twins preschool days, one of which is in Nicky’s class this year. The good news for you all is that I now have a large supply of prosecco. Not only had I bought some for the party, but everyone that came brought at least one bottle.

Rotecastello

Rotecastello
Originally uploaded by casagreppo

this a one of Piero's photos from his flkr site. Rotecastello is that little town you can see from Cristina's B & B.

Aurora

We just saw the aurora borealis driving home from dinner. I love that.

Yesterdays storm

The major storm passed North or South of us, but we got enough to give some 'white out' driving conditions yesterday. This morning there is still snow on rte. 19 because of blowing snow.

The 1169 Tree

It seems strange , just Susi in front of the tree. Well, Popop had gone to get the owner of the tree farm to come with his tractor trailer and power saw to cut it down. I love the colors in the room at night with the lights on.

And we also are looking forward to Christmas in NY!

Makeshift Tree

This year we decided not to get a Christmas tree because we would not be here for the days leading up to Christmas. I didn't feel in the Christmas spirit without a tree, so i decided to hang up some lights to replace our tree this year. I think it helps.

One step down

I finally got my cast off, but now I am on a brace for 4 more weeks. It feels great to have that cast off. In other news we had our first snow fall and put up the Christmas tree and creche. Can't wait till you all come.

The tree

Merry Christmas

In spirit of the holiday season, my friends and I stole this tree.

Happy Holidays.

Thanksgiving '09 @ Madhu/Calvins

Kamala made the whole two day affair seem easy! There were 24 people for dinner Thanksgiving, and about 35 for dinner on Friday night. It was a good celebration. More pictures on my flickr site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/34008016@N05/

the starlings of Rome

Nicola Caiola April 6, 1926- November 20, 2009

Some good news

Colum McCann wins National Book award for fiction

A Good Week in NYC

Sara went to Rome to see her father, and I had the good fortune to go to NY and spend the week with the kids. For me, it was an active and rewarding week.

On Wed. they erected trees on Park Ave. Both pictures are on the way to the park playground.

It's sunrise season.

Warning

Don't open links on e-mails you may have received from me-possible virus.

Nice weekend

Susi preps the timpani.

We had a lovely weekend with Noah and Hannah both home. We all went to Susi's concert and dinner. Then Dad, Mom and I went to the ROS concert, which featured some really lovely Brahms. Sunday Mom left for NYC, I attempted a lot of math and accomplished a little, we washed windows, Ashwani widened the path for winter and prepped his Thanksgiving responsibilities--chicken curry and rajma.

Fall

I took this picture way in back on the last day before hunting season opened. Lately Buster and I have been walking on the road or driving to the park. Even though I'd prefer to own the land myself, I do enjoy the trails our "new" neighbor maintains.
Other news: Local Democrats were trounced, of course. We went out in old costumes for Halloween and mostly socialized--not much candy gathered. Susi is playing in Jr. High Area All_state this weekend. She's timpanist to the orchestra. Noah is coming home for the weekend. Ashwani spent several days in Worcester, MA as a consultant in a hospital merger. Hannah survived her engineering midterm. Jo is thinking about getting her permit.

Halloween

the hunter, the wolf and little red riding hood

The hunter shoots the banjo player

We had a fun Halloween, went over to Allison and Colum's house as usual.

New cast

We went to the orthopedist yesterday. She put a smaller cast on and said the bone is almost healed. This new cast will come off in 3 weeks.

Of little interest

Our brand new tankless hot water heater!

Also of interest

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/27/science/27rat.html?_r=1

Naked Mole Rats, everybody..

of intrest

What is your opinion?
Is It Safe to Post Children’s Images on Online Photo Sites? - NYTimes.com

Time to turn off the water

The beach is wide. We emptied the fridge, the mice have already had a party eating the nuts left in the cupboard.

Piano lesson

Laura and baby

on the tram

We went for another piano lesson with Isabella. This time Laura was also with us. She loved going on the Tram and had fun playing with Rachel's oldest and youngest.

Laura had bonded with the baby on Monday's piano lesson. She feels we need to have another baby, Nicky agrees, he would like a baby sister. Chiara on the other hand feels that 3 is enough and so do I. though that baby is so cute!

I love it

As seen on face book.

New old rug and other news

My sister sold her apartment and she had no use for one of the rugs, so I bought it from her and we are selling the rug that was in our living room. Both rugs were originally in my mother’s house. I think it is a great improvement; the other rug though beautiful was way to big for the space. My father is still in the hospital; he is getting a little bit better. Tomorrow my sister is coming over and we will be speaking to one of his doctors. Our plan is still to go to Rome from the 7-15 of November.

Jo on her 16th Birthday

Ashwani brought her 16 roses and said they weren't as beautiful as her, which is true.

Nice, Busy Week End

Kamala came for the week end, Noah came home, and so did Hannah, briefly. What we did:
Went to U of R, Hannah's dorm, Meliora week end.
Noah BBQed the delicious steak, sorry to our dear veggie family for what may look a little primitive.
ROS sang Beethoven's 9th with the RPO in the new Kodak Hall for 3 concerts. This was the first look at the renovated Eastman Theater. The acoustics have improved, the hall is smaller, the paintings have been cleaned. It looks and sounds good.
We had our second frost, but first hard frost. (See my flickr site for pictures)

Douglas Campbell 1922-2009

Douglas Campbell preached the 'gospel of theatre'

News

Chiara is feeling better. We went to an orthopedist today, She put on a new cast and told us that it's Chiara's scaphoid bone that has a fracture. this might mean she needs to be in a cast for 8-12 more weeks. In other news my dad is going into the hospital tomorrow, nothing serious, he has a few things that need to be looked into and his doctor felt it would be best he went in for a few days so that all the tests necessary could be done at once.

more

Chiara and I did not get back home till 10:00, there was only one orthopedist on call and it was a busy afternoon. Other than our stay in the ER it was a very nice weekend, Chiara had a soccer game on Friday, as it turns out her last for the season, they won 4-0. Rosa’s on Saturday with Su and then hair cuts for all 3 kids at Astor Place Barbers.

More Chiara

Chiara, playing soccer with Nick & Laura, fell and broke her wrist. Sara took her to the ER 4 hours ago, and they are waiting to get the wrist set and cast. Chiara is OK, considering. In other news, Susheila was here for the weekend from D.C., and Junnu (did I spell either name correctly? Sorry) came for lunch.

For Chiara (again)

I read the next Percy Jackson book. Chiara, you were right. It was just as good as the first book. Personally, I thought it was better than the first. I can't wait to read the next one!!!

ps 6 PTA fundraiser 9/21-10/14

The twin’s school is having its annual wrapping paper fundraiser. If you order through this web site, the school receives 50% of every order.

Go to this website: Innisbrook.com

Click on: Out of Town Family and Friends

The school number is 109379

Nick’s Number is R3109002E

Laura’s number is R318956E

Final (maybe) Update

Did not see dear Dr. Klotz, but the Physicians Assistant, whom I liked. She was easy to talk to and knowledgeable. I asked her all my questions, I drove home. I will have a series of physical therapy, right in Churchville. I need to follow the precautions still. The x-ray's look good. There is a narrow place where if the ball gets near the edge of the socket, and is pushed a little further, it goes out. She was sympathetic. I do worry about the Eastman Theater stage chairs. We shall see!

Hip update

By now, you all know the gory details of my hip dislocation. I will just update you on how I am today.

Better. I did not need to sleep all day, with the help of tylenol, the pain was indistinct. I talked to my very sympathetic Dr. Gupta. Her office made an appointment with Dr. Klotz, my hip surgeon, office for tomorrow.

I plan to go to ROS tonight, which worries me a little. But if I want to sing at the grand opening of our refitted Eastman theater next Thursday, Sat, and Sun, I must go. Dad will take me. Hopefully I will be driving soon.

Piano lesson

Because both Chiara and her good friend Isabella have intense soccer schedules finding time for piano has been a problem. So we have decided on a once month lesson at least for this semester. Today was their first of these lessons. Isabella slept over last night and I brought the girls over to Roosevelt Island were their teacher now lives. It was a fun trip over on the tram and it was nice to see Rachel her husband and three kids all happily settled in a lovely spacious apartment with a view of Manhattan. The Lesson went well and I hope this will work.

View from the tram

The girls

For Chiara

I finally read the Lightning Thief and you were right. I think it is the best book i've ever read and I have read a lot of books. I recommend this book to all.

-SKC

Everyone was in town

waiting for Obama

They blocked off Park Ave and 79th Street from 5th to 3ed Ave last night for a function at the Met Museum.

Disconcerting noises

There is a large 'cat' roaring and moving dirt, trees, bushes. A power saw with occasional crashes as the big trees fall. I walked out there yesterday, staying on our land, and could not see them, so they were quite a bit East of us. Today, I can make out the cat, cannot see the person sawing, so they are moving our way. I think it will last one more day. The forester said they would be here 3 days and they started Tues. It is the Alexander's land (the farm owners East of us) and the timber is being sold to Amish in PA.

Chinatown bike trip

Chiara biked all the way to Joe's Shanghai with me, with Laura providing commentary and analysis from her bikeseat. We met Sara and Nicky at the Mulberry St. playground, then went and ate huge amounts of dumplings and scallion pancakes. Chiara handled the streets with confidence and total control. It was a gorgeous day.

Want a hamburger?

The hamburgers have lettuce and tomatoes.

Some disappointing information came today. A forester stopped by to warn us that our neighbor, the farm land all around us, is cutting some trees. They have sold the lumber to an Amish company in PA. There goes our dense forest to the West. Well, we may be getting some sunsets in the near future, to try to look at the bright side. Will we need curtains? They start Monday. They are not clear cutting, he assured me, and in 3 years we will not be able to tell the difference. I suspect, because we will not remember our dense forest that is gone.

Good thing I am trying to reforest our land, note the newest White Pine above.

of intrest

This article was in the NY times today: Life in the Slow Lane
Chandran wants to do this, maybe when Laura and Nick are older.

minor detail

we walked a marathon and it hurt real bad

i cannot put into words how much it hurt

i still hurt and it happened sunday

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SUSANNA AND SUZANNE

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Minor details from my day-to-day life

So the kids went off to school this morning. Chiara first at 7:50 with all her stuff. She had gym today, and the rules of the upper school are that you can not wear your gym clothes to school, so she had to bring those and her cleats and shinguards for soccer practice after. The Chandran broght Nick and Laura to school at 8:25. Both were happy to go. I called my dad, he is ok. He sounded better today. Still, my sister and I are concerned and are planning a trip in early November. I got the twins at 2:30. All went well, one of Laura’s class mates lives next door at 124, our old building. Nick announced that he did not want to go back to school, but Laura could go. Chiara got home at 6:30 after soccer practice; she still has all her homework to do.

Blog!

Blog! Put the minor details of your day-to-day life HERE! (Please.)

About Noah

One of Noah's friends died from complications due to H1N1 on Friday. Noah spent the weekend at home, which was nice for everyone, and went back to Ithaca this afternoon. He and his friends are driving to White Plains tonight for the funeral tomorrow. Noah was babysitting Gracie the husky puppy. Buster is so tired in the picture, because he was forced to stand up all day. Every time he lay down Gracie would offer to play.

First Day of School

Today was the first day of School for Chiara, Nick and Laura. All went well. Nick and Laura are in separate classes, and till Friday will be going at different times. Today this was not a problem as Chandran was home, tomorrow will be a bit tricky. We saw some familiar faces, 5 kids from their kindergarten class are at PS 6 this year. Nick has one of them in his class, Laura unfortunately none. Chiara seemed very happy with her first day of school (it was only a ½ day).