Well, I may be changing my attitude soon,Roland. Have any of you ever heard of the Landmark Forum? It's a 3-day weekend course, sort of a self-improvement thing. A friend of mine did it recently and invited me to a guest event. I ended up signing up cuz it seemed interesting. (Avi and I did a similar course a long time ago called Lifespring). Anyway, it's June 11, 12, and 13. So get ready for a transformation in a few weeks!!

Come on now ya'll. Guess I've moved around so much and lived under so many different circumstances ruts were never allowed but tolerance to chance and understanding was a daily occurance so....change is usually good in the long run. Its all about attitude people.....remember its not the aptitude but the attitude that will lead you to altitudes unimaginable. Enjoy!

That's a good way of putting it--getting unstuck. Maybe I have to look at it that way. Thanks!

I think I was nicer then too. I'll get back to that. Thanks.

50 is strange because it is my first chance to grow and change since being 30. It's hard to do without a little friction. Gerda and I are both interested in getting unstuck. Right now, we are still optimistic.

Avi bought this house without me seeing it--I was still in Israel. It worked out okay, so I guess he knows my taste by now. As for being 50, I'm not sure I like it. It seems like we're both getting more stubborn and set on doing things our way! We were nicer when we were younger. Hope this is just a passing phase.

Very funny guys! We are experiencing a first in our marriage. Rich is putting in a bid today on a house in Alpharetta that I have never seen in person. He sent photos last night and we discussed it. There is another bidder so not sure we will get it. It is at least good for a laugh as I have enjoyed the comments from people who know us well and think that one of us at least, has lost it ......... me for giving up "control" or he for sticking his neck out (or other vital parts)! See what approaching 50 can do to you?

Yes, I'd like to hire you, Karen. When you finish cleaning up your place, how about coming out here?!! Could use a good handyman. What's happening on the other end? Did you buy a house down there yet? We have 2 kids out of the house, but we never seem to have a vacant room. My sister's son has been with us for most of this year. He's going back to Israel at the end of June. And Omer still sleeps in the other room when he's in the area and is too tired to drive back to Santa Monica to his apartment. I think next year I'll hang out a sign, "No Vacancy."

Boy Karen, you're really talented. Probably pretty motivated too. I don't believe I've ever seen the back of my refrigerator. At least not since we papered the kitchen some years back. Exhaust fans, no not really gonna happen. Even when we move. I guarantee. You are a very good woman.

Thanks for the well wishes. Into a different mode now ..... the cleaning out mode instead of the cleaning mode. Actually, the inspectors come on Friday so I cleaned out two refrigerators tonight and attempted to clean the compactor, how gross! Will clean the exhaust fans in the bathrooms next and vac the back of the refrigerator. Finally got a semi dry day and got the lawn mowed. I feel like a regular handyman!

That's great that you have a contract on your house Karen. If you and Rich could sign the back of the check and send it to me, it would be just in time to take care of our "life after high school" payments.

It is so wet here that the river is up over its banks. There are fish rising and breaking the water in corn fields. Sea gulls stand nearby.

Karen congrats and I guess welcome to GA fairly soon. The $$ aspect was a motivating factor in myself picking up on my "new deal". In four years I will probably build a much smaller "retirement" estate somewhere out in the contry. Have been looking towards Columbus or AL near Columbus. Wow, payments still. But its all worth it and today the background is standard and not a luxury. If I do go back for my law degree I will stay in this area as UGA is a good school. For now on this move I am putting all excess in the basement and then will have a big sale on some Holiday we this summer, then redo the basement rooms for their intended purpose, which can change after a few months in there. Again, congrats. Once you loose the white stuff and low temps you'll probably never go back.

Karen, congratulations on selling your house. I'm glad that part is starting to finish for you. You've been through the graduation fun before so you know how exciting you can expect that to be right? We aren't worrying about the water tables for once this summer I guess but I sure would rather have the drought than all that rain and flooding. Sure looks like a terrible thing to have to deal with.

Hi All. It looks like I have sold my house today. Signed the offer with a few revisions and am waiting for acceptance. We will close at the end of June and bid farewell to Grand Rapids, MI. Its an emotional time as our third child is graduating from high school next week also. Lots of LASTS ..... Now some lasts aren't that bad, like last cold winter, and last time I see some crap that is going out to the garage sale. Meanwhile, record rains here and all around us. My lawn never dries out enough to mow. Wonder what LAST college payment will feel like? If my calculations are right I will be 57 when the last one is due, but then there are the loan payoffs. Who cares about extra rooms to reclaim, how about the extra cash????????

Back in the game of having teens around again. My friend recently got divorced and needs a place so he is going to move into the house too. Its actually much too big for myself and we get along well. I have know his kid since he was six and now he's going into highschool and on the foothball team. He's already 6'. So.... guess I'll be catering some parties. They already got my into the school supporters. Its kind of nice. Didn't really know what I would do with all that room by myself. My friend is a fellow Yank from upstate NY (Norwich) and I think it'll work out great. So Pat, I'm doing the opposite but looking forward to it.