Just kidding, there was no misery in Carpinteria, right? In all seriousness, I have posted all of the photos I took on FaceBook, which you can access if you have a free account or when you decide to get with it (Mom, Marianne). I will post the shots to this blog shortly. We are going to see Miriam’s sick father in Florida for four days so I might not post them until after I return (Saturday), so stay tuned.

Gene and Deanne, the shots of the girls with their aprons on look great! Nice! Super cool shots all around, actually. Did you see the carp shots we got? Funny, funny stuff.

Day three in Carpenteria and having a fantastic time. Day one was a bit hectic with the travel time and getting settled into the new place, but we’ve since found our groove. The weather has been picture perfect with plenty of sun and some scattered clouds keeping things cool.

Doug made flank steak the second night, quite good. Mama had Firestone Cab on tap which made even better! He was using  Soy Vey Teriyaki sauce from Trader Joe’s, very tasty. There was plenty left over which meant lots of delicious steak sandwiches. What else did we do (other than eating and making merriment?)? Well, Aunt Mary and Aunt Sue are in town for a few days, so we are taking plenty of walks as they like to move. We’ve also been spending some time at the beach. It’s only 3 blocks away, sweet.

Ladies in red

Prior to heading out to the beach on Monday, Miriam and Doug had a surprise for all the girls – cute little red aprons! Here is a fun picture of all five them with their new aprons on. Last night we had Nonna’s lasagna which was delicious. Aunt Pat, Uncle Irv, Cousins Rob, Kyle and Elizabeth were up for the day. We had some fun at the beach and then ate well into the evening. Aunt Pat made a delicious salad and Cousin Elizabeth brought sumptuous brownies, a perfect end to a perfect dinner.

I have posted all the pictures on geneperry.net, just check the images link.

We have two condos. Marianne and girls are in 130 Ash Street, #20, and the rest of us are at 4701 Third Street. These are along the last street next to the marsh and a block or so off the beach.

Cell phones: Gene: 858-386-9384; Doug: 650-207-1532; Marianne: 828-582-8907

I would give you mine, but I either don’t have it on or can’t find it or can’t hear it, so call them……

We had talked about kites, and as I recall I asked Doug to take on the selection of age appropriate kites and the the purchase thereof.  Doesn’t have to be too fancy, but perhaps more than one so that we have a back up in case of disaster.  I leave it to you two to deal with this.

Gene and I really enjoyed playing music last year on the last night. Remember the revelry? The off-notes, the missed lines, the Elvis kick? we’ll do that again this year–but we want more people to sing. More songs. More revelry. Our suggestion is you bring a song or four and we’ll sing with you.

Here is our current song list. Below, please leave your list of songs and we’ll give them our best shot!

Norwegian Wood, Beatles, Rubber Soul
In My Life, Beatles, Rubber Soul
Please Mister Postman, Beatles, With the Beatles
You Really Got a Hold on Me, Beatles, With the Beatles
Money, That’s What I Want, Beatles, With the Beatles
Mother and Child Reunion, Paul Simon, Paul Simon (first solo album)
Me and Julio Down by the School Yard, Paul Simon, (first solo album)
Kodachrome, Paul Simon, There Goes Rhymin’ Simon
Tenderness, Paul Simon, There Goes Rhymin’ Simon
Take me to the Mardi Gras, Paul Simon, There Goes Rhymin’ Simon
Loves Me Like a Rock, Paul Simon, There Goes Rhymin’ Simon
I Wanna Roo You (Scottish Derivative), Van Morrison, Tupelo Honey
The Blues Rock, Texas Johnny Brown, Atlanta Bloues Guitar
Bongo Boogie, Texas Johnny Brown, Atlanta Bloues Guitar
Frank Sinatra, Cake, Fashion Nugget

Stickshifts and Safety Belts, Cake, Fashion Nugget
Dust My Blues, Elmore James, Let’s Cut it
Shake Your Money Maker, Elmore James, Best of
Bring It On Home, Led Zeppelin, LZ2
Not Fade Away, Stones, Big Hits: High Tide and Green Grass
Sweet Virginia, Stones, Exile on Main Street
A Message to You, Rudy, the Specials, The Specials
Various Beach Boy Songs

The Beatles

Saw her standing there
Penny Lane
Hello Goodbye

Van Morrison
And it stoned me

Ramones
I want to be sedated

Sugar Ray
Someday

Steely Dan
Rikki Don’t lose that number
Showbiz Kids

The official dinner post has been mostly confirmed. See the list below. Marianne, who has not volunteered for any dinner (and yes, I did notice ), can either volunteer for Thursday night or do dishes.

Saturday night: Pizza/salad night
Sunday night: Doug: flank steak, corn, salad
Monday night: Mom, Mary, and Sue: Lasagna PLUS!
Tuesday night: Gene: Greek (or Wed night)
Wednesday night: Doug/Gene: Tacos (or Tues night)
Thursday Night: TBD
Friday night: Hamburgers!!!

I would like to have a night where we play games. To start, I am taking you all down in a no-holds-barred all out Mafia style round of SORRY – the Perry classic that Mama still has out at 12 Latimer (accept no substitutes). I will also be bringing some poker chips so we can play blackjack and poker. Let me know if there are any games that you want to add to the list.

This can be an after dinner event, so coupling this with some sort of buffet will give it that Vegas-style feel. Come to think of it, maybe we should have a Vegas night!!!! Complete with Shrimp buffet and gambling! OH YEAH – VEGAS BABY….!

Here we are again, ready to rock it in Carpenteria for Summer of ‘08. If you haven’t been sent an invite, please let me know at geneperry@gmail.com and I will hook you up.

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I aims to please, so please let me know if you have any questions – thanks! Gene

Hello

I am I doing this right? Can’t anybody hear me? Definatlely looking forward to the beach, yeah!
I can’t wait to see all the family and the little girls.

I plan to throw a Big BirthDay Party for every one I dont’ get to see throughout the year. Feel free to share in the giving if this works for you. And get out your party hats!

Love to all
Marianne