BenSpark Family Adventures

Photo-A-Day #667 Today was Nicholas Gregory’s Christening. Allison and I went to the Christening over in North Providence. Both proud poppa and momma were beaming and baby Nicholas was an angel during the ceremony. I got to play with Derek’s new camcorder. I video taped the ceremony. After the ceremony we went to Chester’s for a reception and we sat with Mike and Anna and Beth and Matt. Mike and Anna’s son Matthew was there too and he was being very cute.  Neil and Andrea were at the ceremony and reception. Neil got Derek’s camera to take pictures and I gave Andrea my camera to use to take pictures. I took it back to get this picture of Derek, Michelle and Nicholas and Derek’s sister and Brother-in-law and their kids. Derek’s sister is the godmother and his brother-in-law is the godfather. We had a very nice time and are so happy for Derek and Michelle. We also got to see Derik and Sarah and their adorable little girl Riley. Last night we watched the Super Bowl and it was exciting....

Photo-A-Day #666 This past Tuesday Allison began her new hobby, knitting. She is taking a knitting class at a store downtown called Yarn It All. This past Tuesday was her first class and she has been working away at her first project, a scarf, ever since. The scarf is now about 2 feet long and is coming along nicely. Allison got some knitting supplies from Tara and they are both going to take the class. Tara is going to start up this Tuesday and I think Allison’s friend Jenn is as well. She is very excited about the project and the class. She has already said that she wants to knit me a Jayne Cobb hat eventually. I will be very excited to get it too. Duncan and Oliver have been sitting on Allison’s lap too and she enjoys that they don’t disturb her as she knits and she can knit and not disturb them. Although it looks like Duncan has his eyes on the yarn. Other than that today we went shopping, I burned a couple of DVD’s for work and Allison cleaned more out of the old bedroom. Things a...

Photo-A-Day #665 Tonight Allison and I went to a surprise birthday party for our friend Marybeth’s husband Damian and his brother Jason. Notice how the cake has both the Red Sox and Yankees symbols. The boys had a good time destroying the logo of the rival team. The party was a restaurant in Walpole called Finnegan’s Wake. Nice place. We had a good time with Marybeth and Damian. We look forward to getting together with them soon.

Today as I was working on my computer my brand new monitor, the Viewsonic VX2245 with integrated iPod dock, suddenly made a pop noise and shut off completely. I was nonplussed to say the least. I just sat their staring at the black screen pressing the power button and wondering and hoping if it was a fluke and if it would turn back on. Well t did not turn back on so I unhooked everything and took it back to Comp USA. I purchased the Technology Assurance Program or TAP program as they call it so I knew everything was okay. The TAP program is a one time thing if something goes wrong with your device you bring it back and if it cannot be fixed it will be exchanged. I brought it in and they checked it out determined that it was in fact kaput so they got me another one. However because I did not have my original box I had to take the new one home without a box so they could send the broken one back. A little weird but never-the-less I was happy to get a new monitor. I also got back my cords...

I have downloaded about 6 days worth of iPod podcasts. I need a way to listen to these in the car. I have been searching for a good device that will allow me to play the iPod through my car stereo speakers. One of the products I have been considering is the Monster iCarPlay Plus Wireless FM Transmitter/Charger for iPod. I read these reviews and I can’t seem to find a good consensus. It think that that is one of the problems with reviews, everyone has an opinion and personal preference clouds the review. I do it all the time. I dismiss something that I don’t find appealing maybe not on specific merits but rather on personal preference. I’m not sure if these reviews are making the purchases easier or harder to make.

  Photo-A-Day #664 Tonight Allison and I took Mom and Dad to Fortune House for dinner. It was to celebrate Mom’s birthday. Fortune house is the best place ever for Chinese Food. The people are so nice and they love my Mom. She feels like a celebrity when she goes there. Allison and I love going there too because the food is so fantastic. I tried something new tonight. I got the Kung Pao Beef. I had not gotten that before and was very happy with my choice. After dinner we swung by Comp USA so I could pick up the iPod cradle from my monitor because I left it on the monitor when I returned it today to exchange it for a new one. That story can be found on my other blog, Flatwater Bookstore. Today’s photo is of the lamps that Allison and I ordered before we got our nightstands. Do you think they are too big?

A lesson I need to learn. I just got my message about my earnings from Amazon.com and as an affiliate my personal purchases do not count toward affiliate earnings. I think that is crap but it is in the terms of service and I did not read the fine print when I started buy products through Amazon and thinking I would also get the commission. So instead of having about $78 coming my way I only have $28.  Well, I have put the word out to family and friends to make purchases through this site or through The BenSpark but I can’t make out with extra savings by making my own purchases. So if you an an Amazon.com affiliate and think you can save a little extra on your own purchases, I say to you, read the Terms of Service. You are warned. That being said take a look at Amazon’s new Unbox program. And Pre-order Harry Potter 7 – Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.