"Work and Play" through the holidays.

Working hard through the holidays shouldn’t be a drag.

Our workloads should never be so heavy that we end up buying our Thanksgiving meal supplies the day before Thanksgiving or our Christmas tree at half price on Christmas Eve.

Let’s be honest … except for Thanksgiving and Christmas day, we all could pretty much work straight through to New Years Eve.

This year I vowed to turn over a new leaf and bring some balance into my life.

Several clients in Southern California needed CASp inspections done right before Thanksgiving so I decided to bring my family with me and spend a couple days at Disneyland.

Christmas time is the best!

I was able to get up early, complete my inspections and on site meetings and still make it back to the hotel before noon to grab the family and head out for some quality time in the park.Flying home the day before Thanksgiving with four teenagers and a 3 month old infant wasn’t as bad as I thought.

My wife and I were shocked to see how well our infant did traveling and it relieved some of our anxiety for two upcoming trips with her.

Two days after Thanksgiving, I took my wife Janelle and our new baby daughter to Boston on business. We landed at Boston Logan at midnight, grabbed an Uber and headed to the Nine Zero Hotel in the downtown district.

We spent Sunday sightseeing, eating in some wonderful restaurants and getting some Christmas shopping done. Boston Common was filled with families and some of the fattest squirrels I have ever seen. The Frog Pond was frozen solid with families ice-skating and enjoying the wonderfully crisp cool weather.

Monday morning I met with Roberto Cambara, the chief engineer for the Nine Zero, to complete their final post construction inspection of their recent ADA upgrades.Roberto and his team completed everything perfectly and really made my job a lot easier by being prepared and extremely organized. 

I can’t say enough about all of the Kimpton staff at this hotel. Friendly, inviting and so accommodating, it’s almost unreal.I quizzed Roberto on which restaurants’ in the area are ADA accessible and provide awesome food.

Here is a quick run down on what we found within walking distance and or a 10-minute Uber ride into Cambridge.

1) Sam LaGrassa’s claims to be the world #1 sandwich shop and I would have to agree. Open from 11am to 3:30pm lunch only, this place has a line down the street  waiting to get it. Located at 44 Province directly behind the Nine zero, it does have a few ADA challenges but well worth squeezing in for lunch.

2) Scollay Square @21 Beacon St directly next door to the Massachusetts State House. This place is fully wheelchair accessible with several ADA tables and accessible bar area. The lobster mac n cheese and mojito’s were ridiculously good and to be dinning during the Packers vs. Patriots game was entertaining to say the least. Everyone was cheering for the Patriots except for one lonely Packers fan at the end of the bar. One lady kept yelling “Come On Tom!!” What a great place.

September, my youngest!

3) Bambara Kitchen & Bar is located within the Hotel Marlowe @25 Edwin H Land Blvd. in Cambridge, MA. Just a short 10-minute Uber ride across the river from downtown Boston. Christopher Hautre is the manager and his staff is wonderful. Our waiter Mustafa is one of the most gracious and kindhearted guys I have ever met.  Mustafa topped off our dinner with complementary Italian vanilla ice cream and mango gelato made in-house. This place has great food; great service and provides a wonderful dinner experience. This is a must try place if your in the area. The Bambara is fully accessible and provides full wheelchair accessible tables and restroom facilities.

4) Mikes Pastry shop @ 300 Hanover Street in Boston’s North end is one of those places you just don’t pass up. I know I know, watch the sweets and calories but really you won’t care when you taste Mikes cannoli’s. Best Ever! Make sure you walk there from your hotel so you can burn off some calories on the way back. Mike’s is wheelchair accessible and the staff is wonderful.

Spending time with my new baby daughter has reminded me just how much I was gone from my family the last 10 years building our company.  I feel like I have been given a “do over”.

I feel blessed beyond belief to have such a wonderful family and a wife that has actually stayed married to me despite how much I travel. I am so very thankful for family, friends and wonderful clients that are a joy to work with.

I wish all of you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, and remember … have fun as you work and play through the Holidays!