Summer 2007

After 3.5 cold and foggy summers in Berkeley, we are so excited to be here in New York State enjoying this beautiful east coast summer. It is so utterly fantastic on the farm with the family that I am worried that I am going to make most of you sick with this feel-good post. I would imagine it is more interesting to read about the dark side of a family's life dealing with shitty kids,a cheating partner or some huge credit card debt and a vicodin habit that cannot be kicked, but I am happy to report that we are having the time of our lives. The kids are great, Elizabeth and I are blessed to have each other and we are very busy with work. Bobbi is now officially off the boob, so I will have my visitation rights reinstated in the near future.

Before I rattle on anymore about our bucolic existence, I will mention the bad news/good news that my mother-in-law has breast cancer and needed a mastectomy just last week. They removed all the cancer and she will live on to see her grandchildren graduate from either law school, art school or released from state prison with time off for good behavior.

As for details, you will notice from a few of the pictures that Veronica has been performing in a tutu. This was her first dance recital and she proved you can throw a fit on stage at age 3 and people will find it endearing. Seems like some other dancer was in her 'spot' so she decided to keep her back to the audience and stare down the little girl who wronged her during the entire song. She managed to pull it together for the second song in the program and was the hit of the show.

I am not one to be maudlin, but it truly is wonderful raising my family and having such a fabulous wife. This all makes the memories of my own depressing existence as a child more palatable. Yes, I stay up at night thinking about global warming, psychotic islamists and most republicans , but I savor every single moment with these kids and hope that one day they can be on this property and do the same with their own children.

I promise to tell all if my marriage goes down the toilet or if we ever get busted for growing weed, but for now, (except for my growing gut), life is good and getting better all the time.
Enjoy your summer and as always, come visit us for up to 3 days and 2 nights if you have the time.

Central Park with Uncle Norm

If you want to know what your prototype Godfather should be like, look no further than our own 'Uncle Norm'. The man loves our kids, adores my wife, tolerates me and is selfless when in the presence of our family. He spent 2.5 hours of utter hell waiting in line to get up to the top of the Empire State building(Miles spent less than a minute looking around before announcing his intentions to focus his time and energy on the gift shop) and never complained. He walks the baby, takes pictures, has started a secret college fund for the children that we don't even know about, and is beloved by the kids. Thanks Norm.

Veronica's first recital!

Bobbilicious

Dag, this child is easy. She smiles all day, never cries unless we drop her, and is easy on the eyes(and ears). Women who spend time with her are all secretly thinking of ways to breed with me. No doubt.
This will be the first baby of ours that Suzie Cortez will not be able to take care of and nurture in her special way, but we hope she will still turn out to be a productive member of society. Speaking of special caretakers, I would like to publicly thank anyone who has helped us raise these children over the last 5 years. Freeda, Suzie, Ying, our old neighbors Bob and Andrea, and of course their Grandma.A big tip of the hat to Susan, who has been amazing with Bobbi for the last year. Thanks.

Miles of smiles

The many faces of V

Oldies

Before I post up new pics and thoughts on Summer, here are a few pics from the archives. Couldn't pass up the Halloween photo on the front porch.

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Winter Family Pics 2

Winter Family Pics 1

Winter is over

Winter is now over and I couldn't be happier. Yes, we enjoyed the snow and the scenery. Yes, the farm looked amazing and before I forget, a big shout out to the town of Freemont and the brave men who drove the snow plows that kept Ruebman Road drivable most days.
As most of you readers know, my people came from the desert, so I am more of a summer lover at heart. Give me a hot, humid August afternoon any day of the week. I do not ski, snowmobile or indulge in ice fishing, so most winter days are spent thinking of summer days.
The children seemed somewhat indifferent to winter and did not talk about the weather like the grownups do. They both got upgraded to down blankets on their beds and have yet to get the flu this season, so I consider the whole affair a huge sucess.
Elizabeth spent 3 straight weeks without leaving the house in February. Divorce seemed imminent by day 15, but somehow we made it through and we both feel our relationship is stronger than ever. Adversity on the domestic level is always tricky, so I must give props to all the shrinks we have been to over the years that keep this love boat above water. For any of you kids out there going through a rough patch with your mate, just remember to share. Sharing leads to growth. Growth is good.

As for me, I go to New York City each week for a day or two. I drive to the town of Beacon(http://www.cityofbeacon.org/), which is on the historic Hudson river. There is a direct train to Grand Central Station that puts me 4 blocks from my office. Fantastic. I am starting to feel like a real New Yorker.
Driving back from the city was never that much fun but add zero visibility and only country radio stations and you can see why I am ready to move to Brooklyn or Jersey.

Well, spring is now here and I am feeling way optimistic. The wild turkeys have been crapping in the yard, the pond is no longer covered in ice and our beloved cat, Scout keeps killing mice who are just trying to survive the cold but are not wanted by our family at all.
Kinda warms your heart.

Fall on the farm

Fall is a beautiful season up here in Sullivan County, NY. Most every man is happily getting ready for hunting season with wild turkeys leading off, archery bear season batting second, archery deer in third and batting cleanup, the big daddy of them all, regular deer season (high powered rifles for you city folks). Deer season brings the New Jersey weekend hunter up here and let me tell you, this classy individual is a real eye opener. Middle aged, balding, overweight hunters in fatigues driving pickup trucks(and that is just the chicks).
The Ruebman family has a deal with the Mandrake Club (no web site), which allows them to be the 'exclusive' hunters on the farm property in exchange for clearing the ever-present Juniper Shrub that grow like weeds and would take over the property if not cleared every year. Miles likes to grab his play rifle and run out to greet the fellows before they head into the woods. Nicest guys in the world, and I do hope they let him into the club when he gets old enough (no joke).
Speaking of deer, the motion lights went off last night around 11 pm, and I was pleased to find a 6 point buck just a few feet from our beloved mini-van. We have galvanized trash cans with tight fitting lids, so I have no idea what he was up to, but I was not complaining. Maybe some other local would have shot him right then and there, not even worrying if his kids would wake up to the noise of a squealing deer, but I just kinda admired him for a moment and went back to bed.
Veronica turned 3 last week and now is living life without the comfort of pacifiers for the first time in her life. We try to feed our kids healthy foods, they are not addicted to TV, we usually don't spank them but we have let them use Pacifiers to the point of ruining their teeth. Veronica is doing well without them, but our future dentist is the one who will benefit the most.
For V's birthday, we boarded the 'Santa' train from Honesdale, Pennsylvania (http://www.honesdale.com) for a 2 hour ride from hell. The best was the Santa singers crooning away as my son covered his ears and promised to shoot both the players with his guns. Nice.
Bobbi is still a perfect baby. Never really cries, sleeps great and smiles at everyone(including the crack/meth head addicts who cleaned our chimneys the other day.
E and I are busy building my photography business in the city and enjoying the country life.
October, with the leaves full of color, warm days and cold nights was pure magic.
Let's hope winter is half as nice.

Fall family pics1