Friends - Notes - and Sweethearts

You have to meet our new found friend on facebook Lisa Zeiner Trenske. She was lucky to meet our friend Lynde Dodge in Disney this year. Lynde my best friend growing up. I am jealous. We met at a really nice restaurant in Milford called Stonebridge. we had such a nice lunch sitting outside and catching up on lives. Lisa you are lovely. and a GEEK LIKE ME. We went back to Judy's and lo and behold Lisa pulls out a state of the art IPAD. LOVED IT. And how is it that Jim Rickel the TRAVEL DAD from El Paso called yet again? Thought he dialed the wrong number when he heard Judy's voice on my speaker droid.

We are all going to the Tri Class Joseph Foran High 35th reunion this year and planning to go in style and have a blast. Class of 75, 76 and 77.

Later that evening we watched videos of Judy jamming. Yes Jamming. Judy is way cool. She plays guitar and sings and rocks the rock star. But for some reason every adventure with her has to deal with a bar and a bathroom

PHOTO... behind the door where Carol Merrill is standing. LOLOLOL. and Lisa has quite the sense of humor. TRY PORTABLES....it is the American thing. Must be gearing up for the MILFORD OYSTER FESTIVAL, stocking up on potty's for the big event.

Meet finally Tommy D. He came by in the evening once again to chit chat about the good old days. JUDY has every note from grammar school. We got such a kick out of reading them. Oh and Tommy? He was my 7th and 8th grade sweetheart. I still have the ID bracelet to prove it. lol. Not because I had possession if it all this time because when you break up in 8th grade you GIVE IT BACK. I got it 10 years ago when I last saw Tommy. oh and He also has notes. If you ever want the biggest laugh of your life, read the notes!!! I wished I saved my stuff. I am so fortunate you all did and this is a fun fun fun adventure. Stay tuned. we are as Lynde said ...Blazing the good times. WOO HOO.

School Daze - A Bit of History - Lunch with Beth Ann

Well here it is. Live Oaks School. K-8 is where it all started. This is were we met our forever friends and grew up with them. I lived on 3 Windsor Rd and yes walked through the snow for miles and miles, lol. I had good company, my very best friend Lynde Dodge. We were born 3 days apart and did everything together as children. There was a Dodge practically for every Balisciano. We lived in front of Treats farm which is now fenced off and was not when we grew up. Lots of hide and seek. The golden ranch is the house we grew up in and the side yard for which we played many games of spud and hide and seek. The Yellow house that was once blue is the Dodges house. Located across from our side yard. When we got older that was where all the boys hung out since 4 girls had the side yard bedrooms. lol. Judy always wanted to live in this neighborhood so now she does. Don't know why since she lived ON THE BEACH. She lives on the old Farley farm and has a beautiful home yard and pool.

Judy is a great hostess. She invited us for lunch and while 2 people did not show up for last minute emergencies Beth Ann Luchs did. Beth does a lot of work organizing our reunions every year. She is crazy. lol. And a lot of fun. She brought along the yearbook and the photos. Judy has all the notes we passed. hysterical. I posted our 1st grade pic (judy was not there) and 8th grade yearbook photos. I aspired to be a Secretary. LOL and Judy a Model. hahahaha. We were very cute. I was born a foreign exchange student lol.

Later we phoned the Travel Dad Jim Rickel to say Hi since we invited Tommy Dowin over. We called Tommy from Jim's in El Paso and now we called Jim from Milford. Jim and Tom were best friends. I wore Tommy's ID bracelet though. LOL. He is very talented and played a few songs on Judy's guitar. We are attending our 35 reunion in August! Everyone is invited to stay at Judy's as long as you like. LOLOLOLOLOL. she cooks real good. hehe

New York City - Fraser Anderson

All Aboard - Metro North Departing From Milford Connecticut to Grand Central Station. May 10, 2011. Today's Adventure was yet to meet another friend from 8th Grade, Victoria *Vicky Cantwell. Another Beautiful thing about Social Networking on Facebook. We have not seen her in 35 or more years as she seemed to disappear around the age of 16. Judy and I were a little worried about Vicky as she is a vegan and likes to bake bread. lol. Who Knew her to be such a chatter box. But if you need to ask her for directions forget about it.

First Stop Ladies Room Second stop ...ehem. lol It's a Judy thing. We had to take the subway green line number 6 to Bleaker Street. Now if you saw "As Good As it Gets" with Jack Nicholson, how many times did he ask if they had "stone crabs" at the restaurant. Judy had him beat with confirming to at least 10 people "is this the subway to Bleaker Street?" OH MY GOD!!!


Vicky and I were hangin together during the Hippie days when hitchhiking was cool and woodstock music was the sound. We were Foran Highs morning DJ's. Vicky brought it up saying she DJ'd with some girl in high school. HELLO!! it was me! I admit I was really quiet and reserved back than. we got into a bit of trouble sophomore year for which again she did not know who with. lol. Nothing too serious but our Moms had to pick us up at the police station. haha. Remember MOM? Got you out work so you could pick up the Thanksgiving Turkey!

Had dinner at Max's outdoor patio. By the way they do not serve anything but Beer or Wine. Jimmy Rickel (Travel Dad) would appreciate that since he tends to pick those places too. You should have seen Judy's face. It had (FFS) written all over it. (no comment..lol).

We went to see Fraser Anderson at The Living Room in the village. He is a singer from Scotland who by the way, Vicky found on Facebook. Did not know him but we all friend-ed him. He is fantastic and has a great sense of humor. We enjoyed the show very much but don't you dare talk or even whisper while they play. Got yelled at for laughing. geez.

We met up with Vicky's gorgeous daughter Gabrielle and her friend. They live in the city. It is nice to share the family's of our friends and that they are happy to. Got to love the street art!

So far on this adventure of Planes Trains and Automobiles, (minus the planes cuz Judy wont fly, which started this whole thing anyway), we are having a blast. Getting a lot of requests to continue this blog so next stop Vermont I believe. And another Visit Upstate NY to see Vicky, we are not done with her yet. She is quite fun and such a beauty. LAUGH METER.

Jules and Judy.. Reprise

Well we are home for a couple of 3 weeks now. The first 3 days home were all about sleep and let me tell you it was much needed. You never know where you get your energy from when you are on the go until you get home. Nothing like your own comfy bed after a trip like this.
So far we heard from Slim - whom we met at Whiskey Dicks in El Paso and Guy - the cute guy at Imperial Beach. Guy is coming to Connecticut this summer and wants to meet up with us. Slim on the other hand is planning a week long cowboy run (something he does for disabled or troubled children). I guess if I have to hold Judy's hand everywhere we go (lol) and she wants to do this, well I better saddle up and take the horse by the reigns.
Today we took horse back riding lessons in Milford and I, yes once again signed the DEATH contract and saddled up. The thing is Connecticut is so controlling with laws. You have to where a helmet. Judy hated that with a passion. Nothing like the freedom of real texas riding huh. This time I did cones, and trotting and all kinds of neat weaves in and out but GOD knows I had enough practice weaving the cones on the HWY for 100's of miles. Was a tiny weird not having Jersey barriers in the arena though. lol. So. case and point....you learn something new every day and go ahead and take that adventure, may change your life or give you something new to try. JUDY my friend thanks for yelling at me the second I drove up. I missed you!!! lol and P.S. Any pointers on thigh gear?? youza. YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEHA! See you all in NYC on Tuesday to meet up with yet another 8th grade friend. VICTORIA WE ARE COMING!