Talahassee tonight folks and its cold here, ugh! But it goes back up tomorrow. Found a great place for steak and retired to the piano (baby grand) after dinner with a few Glenfiddish's. They even got me to sing a few tunes and applauded. It was fun. Haven't done that in years. Home tomorro and then AL next week and hopefully I will be on my way to NewEngland for Turkey the following week.

Some great family chat and insights everyone! I too believe in communication. It is the key to insight. It has taken myself many years to learn that my mom wasnt being a nag, she just truely wants the best and most of all wants me to be happy. As you said Richard, as soon as I understood that I could communicate better and let her realize that I have lead a VERY good life in spite of some downs. I feels quite lucky and am happy and am told that I bring happiness and understanding to others too. That makes me feel good. In Hilton Head tonight. I decided to work part time (with full benies) until my ohter business does well enough to pay the insurances etc. Besides, I like to travel and without management responsibilities its fun to go "visit" clients and see how they are doing. After I was away for about 3 mos its nice to have them receive me with positive manners. So, to you moms, variey to certain individuals is happiness. I found a great card to send to my dad for Vets Day. It thanked him for fighting in WW II to so that I may have the continued freedom that I value so highly. Dads need to be told too, in a different way that we matter.

consultant. Excellant, a new job title. I like the sound of that. You're right Richard. when we get to that point things become much easier.

I like what you wrote, Patti. That's really good advice. And Richard summed it up. I think good communication is really important. I see my kids a lot, even though 2 are out of the house, so I'm pretty involved in the details of their lives. Maybe too involved. I always have to remind myself to step back a little. I guess we're not doing too bad cuz Danit and Rafi, at least, have told us a few times that we've been good parents. Omer's not as verbal, but I hope he agrees. I'm sure they all have criticism too! I'm trying to be a "consultant," as Richard says.

I think your allowed to be a consultant. If you try to be a manager the rubs can be pretty severe.

Happy Veteran's Day everyone. Just in case you want to know: it's 19 degrees here. The beginning of the end.

That must have been a nice time in your relationship Richard. The times when we come to understand each other can be so revealing and can open up communication about so many things. I know the boys think we worry over much and we probably do. But they do know that we're crazy about them and want them to be happy doing whatever they choose with their lives as long as it's not something that will hurt them or some one else.

We don't push them to go back to school but they both know that if they make that choice our help is there as though they went when they graduated high school, like most of their friends. They have good jobs and live resonable lives and though it's not what we figured on it's not for us to decide or make those plans for them. Boy did that take a lot of painful time to figure out.

Growing up in a household where your parents made all the decisions including what your future would be, made for a rude awakening when I tried to raise my own children using my childhood as a guide. I had to learn that it's actually better all around when you let them make their own mistakes and wait to asked for help. Not that I have always done that by any means. I'm still learning but our communication has always been good. I sometimes lean more than I really want to know!

Good idea, Richard! I know Omer hates when I worry about him. It makes him feel like I don't trust him and like he's a little kid. I'm working on it, but it's not easy sometimes.

It took me a long time to realize that my mom was just worried about my happiness. Once I knew this I was able to tell my mom about how happy I was doing whatever and everything went a lot smoother.

Richard I can promise you that your mother is worrying about you. It genetic. We can't help it. It makes up feel needed and keeps the lovely people at Pfizer, Bristol Meyers Squibb, and Merck in business.

All we really want is your happiness. Right Ladies?

I wonder if my mother is worrying about me?