I'm glad your mom is happier now, and not a bit surprised. We moved Dave's up here to PI a year after we arrived. She was only in her 60's but her "lifestyle" had created an old women in a young body. Dave's sister, living in Belmont, MA just an hour away was unwilling to step in. Anyway, Roberta has been here with us for 11-12 years and decling so we have had to move her here and there depending on her level of capability and just recently found a beautiful, loving, small home for adults about 20 minutes from us where she has probably never been happier. The staff is wonderful and there are only a total of 6 people in residence. It's the kind of place that I would choose for myself if it came to it. She had resisted this move right up to the last minute, in fact her belongings had already been moved when she sat down and said she wasn't going. But we knew the neighbors and staff where she was living were enabling her lifestyle and we weren't going to let it continue. Cool heads prevailed and she can't say enough about how happy she is. It's an awfully tough time, parenting your parents.

My dad on the other hand is not incapable of taking care of himself but his companion is allowing her very strong willed and possessive children to make this decision. they've been pressing for this for 5 years now. Dad doesn't want to live down there without Rachel though. It would be terribly lonely. The years after mom died were very hard for him. I guess my concern as long as he is willing to make this move is how much decision making will be done by Rachel's family. What personal decision making will be giving up. But he's a big boy and I'm struggling not to say too much.

Pouring rain, I'll say! I had to be at work at 7:00 this morning and would have made it, but the river had flooded the road on my final leg of my commute. One ten mile detour later, I made it to work- ten minutes late for a conference call with big Swiss bosses.

Bi-coastal? Sounds like bi-polar. Maybe that's what I'll be if I go back and forth too often!

I'm still getting used to the cold here. I have to force myself to go outside. It's so warm and cozy inside, and if I have a good book, I never get bored inside. But yesterday I was out all day in the pouring rain buying silly things like coasters and sugar cannisters.

The west coast of Vermont is warm and soggy today with below zero temps expected tomorrow night. . . and the west coast of California must be a whole lot better than that right now!?! I did go snowboarding on Tuesday in some big powder but . . . now, oh well.

Congratulations Lori! You are now officially bi- coastal!

Well, maybe not ALL of Karen's ideas! But a lot of them.

The Vermont native in Lori is still evident. When I arrived at Lori and Avi's new place on the shores of Lake Champlain, I found Lori knee deep in icy waters as she caught a northern pike with her bare hands. Lori, are you sure that all of Karen's ideas sound good? It appeared to me that you are into more of a bear-skin rug phase of life.

Just kidding! Lori and Avi have a nice place with beautiful sunsets out the living room window. It was fun to spend time with them.

I think audio blog is like a shared voice messaging thing. I am not really sure though.

Hi. I've been away from the blog for the past week, but now I'm back and enjoying all your comments! I'm still in Vermont. I guess I didn't mention that last time we were in Vermont, we bought a small house in Colchester right by Lake Champlain. We plan to rent it out for short-term vacations so that we'll also be able to use it ourselves. We've been busy all week buying furniture, kitchen stuff, etc. etc. so that the house will be ready to be lived in. We got a computer, too, so I'm sitting here in Vermont writing on the blog, and it feels different writing from here! Anyway, we got a lot done. Avi went back to L.A. yesterday, and I'll be here until Sunday finishing up. Richard stopped by to see us on Monday while we were waiting for the cable guys to come. It was nice to see him again! And, Patti, maybe I'll get to see you on one of your visits to your father once he moves to Burlington. We'll be here more often now that we have this place. I know what you mean, Karen, about the heart being in Vermont. I think my heart is split between Vermont and Israel. And by the way, I wouldn't mind getting all those presents you mentioned!!! I talked to Janice on the phone yesterday and Brian a few days ago, but I probably won't get to see them on this visit.

Richard, what's that audio blog you mentioned? You can't hear me talking, can you?

I am thankful everyday that mine are both still alert and active. Good luck to you both, these things are so hard.

It's good to move your parents while they can still be a useful part of the transition. I have not had this luck and my sister and brother have been useless. After 6 years of remotely managing my mother's life in Spfld from Burlington, including having people at her house seven days a week; I got court appointed guardianship and moved her to an elderly care living situation. Now, almost one year later I have finally sold her house. What a relief! The kicker is that my mother is happier where she is now.