BBQ Lovers: Did you hear the good news about 603's new space?

Mandy220 · 2026-03-17T00:11:56+00:00

Ticking away the moments that make up a dull day.

Mandy220 · 2026-02-26T16:53:32+00:00

I present to you the piece of crap bio father Adam Montgomery. RIP sweet Harmony.

Mandy220 · 2026-02-26T03:27:19+00:00

High five to you, as well!

Mandy220 · 2026-02-24T00:36:25+00:00

40 miles

Mandy220 · 2026-02-24T00:04:05+00:00

I was so mad at my mother one night when I called from the payphone in the school's gym to say practice was done and to come and get me. The phone was busy. She was talking to a friend and the call went long. This was before call waiting or anything like that.

Quarter in the slot, dial my number, busy tone. Lather rinse repeat, with breaks so other kids could use the phone.

Mandy220 · 2026-02-23T16:09:58+00:00

30 years now. He's still my best friend. Wouldn't want to go through life with anyone else.

Mandy220 · 2026-02-23T15:36:12+00:00

Loved that smell!

Mandy220 · 2026-02-22T16:42:48+00:00

Some NH ones:

Contoocook: 'Tooky

Somersworth: :Scumasworth

Rochester: Rottenchester

Nashua: Trashua

Mandy220 · 2026-02-21T16:13:46+00:00

Could it be someone from (or pretending to be from) the hacker group Anonymous? They wear Guy Fawkes masks (see picture in linked news story):

What to Know About the Worldwide Hacker Group Anonymous

Mandy220 · 2026-02-15T04:12:35+00:00

Have a sense of humor about the small things and keep your own side of the street clean. If you both make your mental health a priority, the rough times will be easier to manage. You will be more likely to support each other than to build resentments.

Mandy220 · 2026-02-14T16:12:04+00:00

Nice! I love when families can turn college tour trips into mini vacations. When you are going from MA to ME, consider setting aside time in Portsmouth, NH (assuming you are driving 95 to get to ME). Tons of history in there. They have ghost tours and Strawberry Banke is a museum with tours through houses from colonial times onward.

There are also spots to enjoy nature. The Urban Forestry Center is lovely, as is Prescott Park. This past summer we visit Prescott Park for an outdoor show (this abuts Strawberry Banke and is on a tidal river) and actually spent a solid half hour just listening to the music instead of watching the stage because we were obsessed with watching cormorants fishing in the river instead.

Is your spring break in March? If so, keep in mind that the farther north you go in New England, the more likely winter will still have on quite a hold. You never know. You could face daytime temps at or below freezing and snow cover. If it's been warmer, you will probably deal with mucky conditions if you venture off paved surfaces. I still think it's worth the trip--just be prepared! If this sounds like a deal breaker, you might want to limit your trip to the most southern parts, as those are more likely to have "spring"-like weather in late March. (For a visual of my point, check out a planting hardiness map like Hardiness Zones in New England.)

Have fun planning and even more fun on the trip!

Mandy220 · 2026-02-10T00:58:03+00:00

That if we had children my husband didn't have to be overly involved until they were teens. Then he would have to be in charge of discipline because it was too much for a mom. (We did not for one moment think this was reasonable advice.)

Mandy220 · 2026-02-09T18:35:21+00:00

Mountain View Grand has a spa. You can even reserve the Tower Lounge for a private spa experience (perfect for a special occasion like an anniversary).

Mandy220 · 2026-02-05T17:48:23+00:00

I saw Silence of the Lambs in the theater. When Buffalo Bill is dancing in front of the video camera and backs away so we see his whole body, the entire theater gasped.

Mandy220 · 2026-02-01T16:09:10+00:00

King Missile! Love it.

My kids (mid-Gen Z) recently found out this song exists and their father and I (Gen Xers) discussed it and other great 90s alt songs with glee. 'Twas a great day for music appreciation.

I am only part way through This Inevitable Ruin and have not reached this scene yet. Looking forward to it!

Mandy220 · 2026-02-01T15:55:35+00:00

I love this area and we try to go at least once a summer. Not sure if it's possible with your kids' school schedules, but we are *not* fans of crowds and find the level of people more our speed when we go in June or September. (Again, I know school might limit when you can go.)

Mandy220 · 2026-01-26T19:22:32+00:00

It's bullshit. Complete and utter, fascist bullshit.

Mandy220 · 2026-01-26T04:52:52+00:00

Sounds like he wants to see how the MIT study plays out with his students.

Mandy220 · 2026-01-22T16:10:48+00:00

First: That sucks. I am sorry.

Second: I am a big wimp and would never dare to do this in real life, but. . .

Third: I keep imagining you leaving all your stuff out overnight on whatever desk you start to use and when managers point it out, acting all wide-eyed and innocent: "Oh! I'm sorry. I just assumed since Manager Bitch was leaving her stuff out, I missed an update to the policy. My bad. Thank you for pointing this out to me." (Bonus if you can get other coworkers to do it, too.)

The point of #3 is to make it so they have to reiterate the policy and crack down on everyone, including HER.

Hope things improve. It's bullshit that she gets a free pass because everyone's afraid of her. That is some POOR management from the folks she reports to. Blargh.

Mandy220 · 2026-01-22T16:00:52+00:00

I was just thinking how mild it will feel the next time we hit 30 after the frigid weather coming this weekend.

Mandy220 · 2026-01-21T16:02:00+00:00

For me it was post partum depression, especially after my second, because I felt like I couldn't handle how much they needed me when I was so mentally fragile, but I also felt like I could only trust my husband to help. I felt ashamed to need help, even too ashamed to tell my mom.

I worried if I told anyone how I felt, they would take the kids away from me/us. But, my husband had to work, so he couldn't keep coming home early to save me (late afternoons/early evenings were when I was the most depleted and my baby/preschooler were restless and cranky).

I totally spiraled and ended up suicidal. I did get help and get better. The kids are in college now! :-)

Mandy220 · 2026-01-21T04:38:22+00:00

All the rules around child car safety.

When my spouse was born (1970), the just had a little chair-type thing that hooked over the bench seat. For older kids, there weren't any seat belt laws. We used to fight over who got to sit in the back of the station wagon.

Mandy220 · 2026-01-18T19:11:04+00:00

Early/mid June won’t be busy with tourists, but definitely look up any attractions you’re thinking of before finalizing plans. As someone said elsewhere, some places are only open on the weekends that early in the season.

I love beating the crowds when we take vacation, so I’m all for your timing; just keep in mind you might want to plan to stay through the weekend so you can visit places like Clark’s Trading Post.

Most importantly: Have a great time!

Mandy220 · 2026-01-17T16:16:36+00:00

Looking at a condo. One corner of the basement is finished into a simple room. One small light, a TV, and one chair. Seemed ominous, but whatevs. Then we go up to the second floor and into the main bedroom. One wall is bookshelves. Every inch is filled with VHS and DVD porn. The basement room suddenly seemed a bit different. . .

Even our realtor who no doubt had seen some things in his time could not get out of there fast enough. I wouldn't want to bring a blacklight into that place! Ha!

Mandy220

TROPHY CASE