Officially Unemployed

After 30 years of working at Strawberry Park, I am now officially unemployed.  The legal transfer of ownership from TD Bank to Elite Resorts of Florida is taking place today, so I received my termination of employment letter this morning.  Having never filed for unemployment, I did not realize the average hold time was measure in hours, not minutes, so it is unlikely that I will complete this process before they close their offices at 4PM.  I guess I can try calling back tomorrow.

We have begun the process of dismantling the deck and attached room, with Chuck and Mark leading the way this morning.  The room has been removed, and the U-Haul truck is booked for Thursday, with hopes of moving all the deck material by the end of the week.  Plans have been made with Hi-Way Campers to have the Park Model moved early next week.  We are relocating 10 miles away, in nearby Lisbon, at a quiet little campground called Deer Haven.  The owners, Randy & Jane, have been wonderfully patient in working with us during our transition.  A few weeks ago, we assisted in moving another Park Model and deck there as well, with Jen's dad (Happy Birthday) and Maureen now settled in to their new summer home.  The boys have enjoyed fishing in the pond on recent visits, and we look forward to getting situated quite soon, as the school year is coming to a close.

It is our goal to have a more definitive plan for our future over the course of the next couple of weeks.  We have been exploring various campground options, both in terms of summer management, as well as possible ownership (if we can find a small campground at the right price).  Once we know more, we will be sure to inform all of our many camper friends we have made over the years.

At this time, all the kids are doing great, including the baby.  We appreciate all the support we have received from our friends and fellow campers, and look forward to sharing more good news in the near future.

Welcome baby Sage

Jen & Dave and the entire Nowakowski family are pleased to introduce Sage Nowakowski, joining us at 8:06PM on Wednesday, May 29, 2013.  She weighs 7 pounds and 8 ounces, and both Sage & mom are doing great!

Baby Name Poll

Although we do not know the gender of the impending birth (due June 9, but expected sooner), we need to start thinking about names.  With 3 boys, we are prepared (and have been) for the possibility of a girl, with a name already chosen (that will remain a surprise).  However, if we are to have a 4th boy, we have not made any final decision.  Since Brock, Reed and Trey are alphabetically named for the ease in remembering their birth order, we may need to select from the latter portion of the alphabet, leaving U, V, W, X, Y and Z.  We were leaning toward a "Z" name to ensure that child #4 would be the last in our line, but we are willing to consider other options.  Not much in the "U" department, and although we had considered Quinn when Trey was due, it seems to have morphed into as much of a girl's name as a boy's, evident by Barney's former girlfriend on "How I Met Your Mother" (and she was a stripper), so we blame Jane Seymour and her  silly open hearts ring for shifting Quinn to the feminine side with her old Dr. Quinn show.  I also liked "Wright", after seeing it as an author's name in SI or ESPN, but Jen was fearful of 2 kids named Reed and Wright (I thought it would be cool).

We have narrowed the field to four finalists, and although we reserve the right to change our minds and pick something completely different, we are presenting these four names for the poll, with plan that we will at least eliminate the low vote getter (probably).  For a little background info, we prefer mono-syllabic first names (due to the length of our last name), and Jen is a Red Sox fan, while I prefer the Yankees.  So, in alphabetical order, we present:

Vance...don't know too many, but always enjoyed Vance Gilbert, a folk artist who played at Strawberry Park.  Also, CT State Police spokesman Paul Vance has always been appreciated, and Director Vance on NCIS has gotten more tolerable.  Met a wrestler from RI last year named Vance, and when I asked him how he liked his name, he was cool with it.

Wade...One of Jen's favorite former Red Sox was Wade Boggs, and he spent some time in pinstripes as well.  A little fearful that it may become too common, with Dwayne Wade's success, or that he will be called D-Wade (for reasons unknown).  Also, even though I had almost forgotten, Wade was the first name of a recent mass shooter in Wisconsin.

Wake...The least common of our four options (not that any are in the top 100...yet).  If Jen gets to pick the team (Red Sox), I get to pick the player, and Tim Wakefield was one of my all-time favorites on the team I dislike, ranking up there with Yaz.  If we took the opposite approach, I don't think Mariano Nowakowski would go over very well.  Wake is very crisp sounding, but there is some concern about the alternate meanings of the word, for although "Wake" as in waves in the ocean or even the Demon Deacons of Wake Forest are OK, the use of wake for a funeral's calling hours may be on the mind of some.

Zeke...We like the sound, and since Jen vetoed "Zake", this is the next closest thing. Zeke was one of the three farm hands in The Wizard of Oz (along with Hickory and Hunk), as the Cowardly Lion.  Only downside is the potential for negative rhyming nicknames of Geek or Freak.  We would go simply with Zeke, as opposed to Ezekiel, of Zekeriah (I just made that one up).

If you have any other suggestions from U-Z, feel free to post a comment here or on Facebook.

Thanks for your help.

Park Model for Sale $39,900

Our Park Model located on site 198 has now been posted on Craig's List at http://newlondon.craigslist.org/rvs/3757910590.html.  If you wish to contact me directly, please email at nowakowski@sbcglobal.net.  See details below.

2005 Heritage Park Model Double Loft (12' x 34') with attached 3-season room (21' x 12') and wrap around deck. Located on site 198 at Strawberry Park Campground, with site available on a seasonal rental or for separate purchase from campground. Beautiful, large, private corner site with 50 amp, water, cable and sewer. External AC/Heat unit, with full duct work into attached room, and storage shed. Park Model has sunken master bedroom, with double loft above. Center island kitchen, vaulted ceiling, Corian counters and window sills. Hardwood flooring and tile upgrades. Bathroom with tub & shower and residential style commode. 4 cable TV hook-ups, including in 3-season room and loft. See more info on campground at www.strawberrypark.net. Over $70,000 invested in this set-up, and ready for your family to move in. If not sold by May 1, unit will be moved to an alternate location, so don't miss out on this opportunity for a perfect summer vacation home.

Yard Sale

Although the following items have yet to be officially listed as "for sale", we are offering advance notice to our family, friends and blog followers.  If you are interested in anything, please contact us via email at nowakowski@sbcglobal.net

Item #1: Log Cabin on 20 acres in North Stonington, CT.  Pictures to follow shortly, with listing to be offered by Jan Mallett of Raveis Realtors.  Asking $349,000...or consider buying the house and only 9 acres for $319,000.  For general info, see 479 Cossaduck Hill Rd

Item #2: Park Model with large wrap-around deck and 3 season room.  Located on site 198 (corner lot) at Strawberry Park.  Includes storage box, external AC/heat unit and more.  2005 Heritage Park Model with double loft and sunken master bedroom.  Asking $39,900 (firm), and will be relocating unit if no buyer found.  Will be on Craigslist soon, but here is a sneak preview with one photo  Site 198

Irem #3: Nolan Ryan Rookie Baseball Card--very good condition.  Asking $1000.  Will be on EBay shortly.

Item #4: Abraham Lincoln Carved Portrait Wooden Sculpture:  Unique historical piece perfect for any Lincoln-phile. 30" tall by 25" wide. If not making the cut for "Antiques Roadshow", look for it on Ebay also. Awaiting official appraisal.

Item #5: Ivory Tusk Carving: 14" piece features, frogs, turtles and rabbits pulling a wagon. Awaiting official appraisal.

Item #6: Stan Musial Autographed Baseball:  Official Rawlings "Stan the Man" ball with personalized autograph to an old friend.  Asking $500.

We are looking to liquidate any of our assets, so additional items may become available. Also, if anyone is looking for an investment opportunity, please contact us.

Half Way to Child #4

Brought the whole family to see the most recent ultrasound, as we are about at half-time.  Was not quite prepared for some of Brock's questions, as he is a curious 5.5 year old.  My analogy to baking cookies in the oven did not seem to resonate with the ultrasound technician.  We all averted our eyes when the camera wandered below the Mason-Dixon Line, for as with the three boys, we are waiting to find out the gender.  However, boy or girl, this is the end of the line.  With children 1-3 being named in alphabetical order (coincidence), we may need to find a boy's name in the U-V-W-X-Y-Z range, which does not afford many options.  It does seem like the nose is not quite as bulbous as a traditional male in my family, so perhaps we can finally use one of the female names that have been considered thrice prior.  Our due date is June 9, as we tend to deliver right around music festival season, but Jen is usually a little early. Since this child will now allow a 6-pack of soda to be shared so nicely among the family, it appears that someone may need a little out-patient surgery this year, and although I have volunteered, rumor has it that the doctors offer a "two for one" special for the mom, presenting a tubal tossed in with a fully paid delivery...but I have been bamboozled by those in white coats before. We look forward to seeing everyone this spring, and will keep in touch.