We're really alike. I'm always praying too! I don't worry about Danit and Rafi so much. Mostly Omer, I guess because he's given us some surprises in the past. And he's the one who surfs and snowboards and has to go down the hill as fast as possible and jump and do tricks, etc. He's fallen a few times and hurt his back, but nothing serious luckily, and nothing slows him down. But I guess you're talking more about the nighttime activities!

My Kevin still does that. Nothing starts til around 10:30 11:00 at night. I'm hopefully sleeping by then and I hear him go out. It's frustrating. I'm getting better and just saying my prayers for his well being and going back t o bed. Then when I know he's back i say my prayer of thanks.

Yeah. In the beginning, I couldn't fall asleep until I knew they were home (and in Israel you only START the evening around 11:00 or 12:00 at night, and that's where we were when they first started going out). Now at least I've learned to fall asleep no matter what time they get home!

You have it exactly Lori, I just need them to come home to sleep. All the rest of the day, I'm fine. Once they come in (wee hours or whenever) I can finally rest and know they'll be alright.

Omer, our youngest, has also been back and forth. Now he's out of the house again. He moved out last week into a studio apartment in Santa Monica. He likes being closer to the beach, since he's really into surfing. He's looking for a job connected to what he studied (merchandising), but in the meantime he's helping promote a club his friend organizes and is earning pretty good money from that. Danit, our daughter, has been living on her own for a few years already, but Rafi, the middle one, is still at home and not really in a hurry to move out yet. I know what you mean, Patti--I want them to be independent, but I still keep doing things for them and sometimes I'm glad when they come home to sleep and I know they're safe. I worry too much!

Up here in the north it's called Boy Be Gone. Same basic principle though. We still have one "boy" left. Though he says he's looking for a apartment. We'll believe that move when we see it. It's a double edged sword, you know? You want them to grow up and be "a man" (what does that mean?) but on the other hand sometimes I think I'm not ready to stop being mom. Though when they don't live at home all the terrible things they do are unknown to me so I don't worry so much. Even though I just know they are doing those terrible things. It's a pickle.

We're about 21 months away from getting a room back and we are counting the days. It used to be an art studio, but now it is computer, PS2, and TV central with a luxurious display of papers, CDs, comic books, and occasional food artifacts. Unfortunately, our boys clutter spreads from every foot hold that it gets. Do they sell "Boy-Off" in a spray can?

Well, things are changing in the Mahoney household. Kevin, our eldest just moved into a house across town on Sunday. He's been back home with us since last April. It's quite an adventure. He starts a new job soon so that's going to keep him busy. Now I have "my room" back. So I just set up my computer and sewing equipment in his recently vacated space.

We're using a wireless network so that I don't have to run a bunch of wires upstairs. It's pretty cool how easily that works.

Dave and I started a digital photography class this evening. It's looking pretty interesting. Nice group of people. We're looking for things to do together since our interests are pretty much oposites. Anything computer related seems to peak our interest.

Hope everyone is well out there. Stay warm!

Hey everyone, sounds like everyone is quite envolved and thriving. Thats great. The creative always find a way don't they? Yes Richard, you must stop and smell the roses once in a bit and sounds like you survived the worst crunches yet. One of my offices is in RanchoCucamonga Ca and the fire came close but didn't hit and luckily enough most of our people out there managed to stay safe also. My cousin out in the high desert says it was awful and my other cousin in Vegas reported too. I remember back in the early or mid 70's I was out there and woke up to ash all over my white Delta 88's convertable top but it never came to our house. That did scare me enough to move back to VT at that time. Thinking of making another NE tour for Turkey Day but not sure yet. Depends upon the weather. Got lots of irons in the fire too so must just put aside the time. Nothing much creative here but am drawing up plans for relandscaping my "new to me" ranch house. Would like to have both the inside and outside finished for my annula Christmas tree decorating bash. I have collected ornaments for years and usually invite some close friends over to help decorate and the requirement is they bring a unique to them ornament for the tree. I call it my friendship tree. I in turn put on a gourmet buffet and some wine tastings. I should be able to have a good size tree this year as my living room is 32' long. The house had been added onto and they built an old fashioned properly pannelled "den" which I use for a guest room / extra living room. It opens onto a back patio but no one ever put a door there so I plan to put in a single french door.

Richard, I don't know what kind of art your son is into but my son Nolan is a digital design major at the University of Cincinnati and he loves it. They have a school of DAAP (design, art, architecture and planning) there that is well respected and competes with RISD and the Purdue program. Nolan's major has co-op as part of their training, its a five year program and he hopes to work in animation and illustration on the computer. Of course the programs in CA are probably the top of the line for that.

Lori, I probably sound excited about the travel stuff because I get to go so seldom that I remember every detail and it doesn't take much to please me!

I will be going on college trips too for child three, but we are waiting to see where he is accepted and then will do a whirlwind trip. His first choice is University of Michigan but he is not black, female, or "other" ......... so no extra points on the MI app!! I just love quotas!

Pat we went to Portland to look at Maine College of Art for my son Milan and to check out the town. It was fun, but maybe Milan needs to be around more people?

I think Providence has become what Portland would like to be- not sure, but we will check it out and going on to Newport is a great idea. Last time in Newport for me was in 1978 and I am overdue for seeing old and new things there! I did a sketch of a roof line from one of the mansions in Newport for friends building a new house here a few years ago. I would love to go and see the real thing.

On my 5th day without coffee. I think I'm okay.