Drive carefully.
It's the first day of summer vacation. Yeah! I've already been outside to work in my flower gardens. Its been raining here for 3 days but is not at the moment and looks like it might clear off. Not quite as cool either...black flies are out and biting though.
Think I'll be nice and make a potroast for dinner....well, everybody, have a good day and think happy thoughts!

So glad to hear that the surgery went well for Neil . That's great news


The funeral is for the dad of Dave's best friend from high school. Dave and Magnus have been stayed close over the years.

We're splitting the trip up going both ways so that we don't have to drive so far at once. We'll have the chance to stayed with Dave's dad overnight on Saturday and take him out to breakfast before heading back Sunday.

Hi Everyone. Neil's surgery went fine...we finally got home around 7:00, had soup, and sent him right to bed. Drugged him for the night and he slept pretty well. Last day of school is today. Its always bittersweet, but mostly sweet for summer. There was a 40 degree difference in temperature yesterday from 90s on Tuesday to low 50s yesterday. Suppose to warm up again today. Hopefully showers will stay away! Have a good day and think only Happy Thoughts!

Thanks, everyone, for the good wishes. Patti, whose funeral are you going to? Anyone we know?

Hey Lori sounds like a busy time again but of course the trip to see family is worth it. Enjoy!

Still raining here but it certainly eliminates the "drought" we usually have goin on. At least we'll start the summer season off moist. Once that sun comes back out the "stuff" will grow and bloom like the dickens.

Richard, I'm sorry this round didn't go well for you. I hope you know we're all pulling for you though for the next time.

We may be heading south for the funeral over the weekend. A 9 hour drive, ick. but we'll see some dear 'ol friends from Dave's high school days.

School is closed up for us now and closed is what I mean. Skyway Middle School is gone forever and the Presque Isle Middle School is being worked on all summer to finish up for opening in late August. I realized Tuesday as I punched out for the last time that for now on I work at a different school. We had a big party here at the house and many of us are good friends outside of school so we'll spend time together over the summer. Bringing in 20 other teachers and creating a new staff will be our challenge. But it's all for the kids and we'll make it work.

Safe travels Lori! Keep pressing on Richard. Kathi, hope Neil breezes through surgery ... again! Looks like a break from the rain here again today ... whoopee!

Have a wonderful trip. Enjoy your family and your friends...remember in the end, everything does get done!
Happy Thoughts!

Richard, it definitely sounds like there's still hope. A "glowing recommendation" for another federal grant sounds good to me. Good luck! You have us all behind you.

I'll be leaving next week (June 21) for my usual 6-week summer trip to Israel to see family and friends. Avi will be coming, too, but only for 2 weeks. I'm always tense before the trip cuz somehow there seem to be a million things to take care of before I leave, but I'm definitely looking forward to being there.

Richard...don't give up. Things have a way of working out when you least expect it. Somehow your dreams will come true. Happy Thoughts!

i have a mixed report. i did not get the grant i applied for. out of 20 finalists, i was one of the 10 losers. they suggested another federal grant and said that they would give me a glowing recommendation, so i still can see possibilities. it is fine. i am used to being squashed like a bug. hey, hold back those tears. otherwise, my work is going okay and the fam is good. that's it from here. karen, the poem does say that there is a lot in seeing the glass half full, but asks the reader to take the next step by making good on the magic that comes when you act from your heart. it is an interesting point for you to consider because you have a great heart that i think you follow a lot. don't ever under estimate how special your heart is, cuz i think you got a really good one. the description of looking into the glass probably has to do with losing yourself in introspection and alcohol. that wasn't my mom's problem, but it was all around her in the three martini lunch crowd she hung with. for me, the poem is a request to my mom to see the magic that she created in me with her heart and to look away from the dark elements of death that she moved into.

I second that one! Congratulations....can you imagine breaking in a new one? I'll keep mine ...most days! Neil is having 2 hernias repaired on Wednesday...to add to his list of ailments...so, it'll be another 6 weeks anyways before he can go back to work. School is out on Thursday.....we'll see!!!
We went for a walk this morning at 6 am...almost to the 2 1/2 mile point, "we" discover that his pedometer is missing...so we back track to find it...and get almost back to our yard when there it is on the ground....so, a 3 mile walk turned into 5 1/2...then I mowed. Luckily, my son came out to help me mow. We were having Neils brothers and families over for a BBQ. It has been so hot and sticky here in Springfield the last few days. I try not to complain too much with the heat because I know I moan and groan with the snow and cold!!
Hope every0ne had a great weekend....Happy Thoughts!

Congratulations Karen!!!! I think we all deserve medals. It seems to be getting more and more unusual for marriages to last longer than a few years.