Oh, I guess I didn't realize that you were hoping he WOULD decide to move. Hopefully, his decision will turn out to be for the best, and you'll be glad you stayed in Maine. It sounds like you have a real "community" there--not something I can say I have in L.A. I know it must be frustrating that his mother was the reason for his decision, but on the other hand, someone who cares so much about his mother probably also cares a lot about his wife!

We're all going to Avi's mother's house tomorrow night to light the first Hannukah candle and eat a jelly donut! (about 500 calories, I heard)

Lori, Dave's mother lives not to far from us, 1/2 to an hour depending on weather conditions. She's in an assisted living home very small and family oriented and they take good care of her. But her dementia is worsening and it's extremely frustrating that Dave is the only one of his siblings to be involved in her care. They give lip service to his frustrations and the time he spends taking care of her personally and financially. They have both (sisters) conveniently moved to CA. At one point Dave said he wasn't going to take his mom into account in this decision and then decides that's the reason he's not going with this new position. It's aggravating. Oh well.
I do like living here but it's so far removed from everything and expensive to live here. Flights are hard to get and shopping is non existant. I'd have been 90 minutes away from my dad and that would have been wonderful, given his life expectancy at this point.
The boys are both home and that's fun. The house sounds like home with all their extra noise. Candlelight service tonight at 7. That's always a wonderful hour with carols and candles and lots of people home for the holiday. No luck getting the boys there though. someday maybe.

We're all set to spend a few days in VT at the Town Plaza Suites in Williston. We'll be there over New Years and head back Sunday. I'll see my sister on Friday. Been a couple of years so I'm looking forward to that.

Happy Holidays all. - Pat

Hope everybody has all their shopping done, presents wrapped and loved ones near...relax and enjoy. I wish everyone a wonderful, happy holiday. Happy Thoughts always.....

Patti, does Dave's mother live near you? He wants to be close to her? Anyway, I guess it's better to have a decision than to live in that state of uncertainty. And it sounds like you're happy in Maine and have a lot of friends there.

Happy Holidays to all of you!!!

Well folks as of 7 this a.m. Dave says he wasn't going to take the position. What an emotional rollercoaster. I'm exhausted. The reason he gives is that his mother isd not well. Same reason he gave last year when he was talking about a job in Bangor. I'd say he has closed his doors at this point. You can't say no too often before the offers stop coming in. So we here for the duration and come what may.

14 friends were over this afternoon and we had a terrific time. Lots of school gossip and family talk. Since the two schools combined it has been impossible for all of us to be together during the day. We don't even lunch together anymore. So it was wonderful to catch up. Snowing outside and very Christmasy looking. All's well.

Thanks for all the good thoughts.

Good Luck with all the decision making Patti.
Glad you had a great trip Lori and made it safely back home again.
We have our Kindergarten Christmas Party this afternoon. We made gingerbread cookies for snack...keeping it very low key...so will have cookies and milk...with a book exchange as the gift giving. Each child brings in a wrapped used book from home...they pick a number that coordinates with the number on the book and that is the book they get to take home. It is really a cute idea.
Today is my Grandaughter's 1st birthday. Hard to believe at this time last year I was in NC babysitting Caleb and driving in Raleigh with a 2 1/2 year old in the car! Traffic and I don't mix well! lol....hope everyone has a great day! Hopefully it'll be sunny again today. Happy Thoughts to all!

Have fun in Burlington, Patti. One of these days we'll get it coordinated so we'll be there at the same time! Let us know what Dave decides about Manchester. You're pretty brave to be willing to start over again after living so long in Maine!

Welcome back Lori. It's always good to get a message from a friend who's been away and is home again.

I should know for sure tonight what Dave's decision on Manchester is. He's waffling like crazy. Any decision will be better than not knowing. Then I can get down to the business of getting over the shock or just businnes as usual.

Friends from school are coming over tomorrow for a little R & R. Should be nice. I get to show off my holiday decorations and enjoy my "girls friends" chatter. We don't see each other as much with the changes in the new administration and the physicality (is that a word??) of the new building.

Planning 3 or 4 days in Burlington the week after Christmas. The end of the week I guess so we'll be there over New Years the way things look now. We were going to go to Rutland to see Lynne but apparently she's coming up to Burlington on a bus instead for a visit instead. Something Dad arranged. I think the 2 hour car ride is just too much for him. He has to worry about having enough oxygen in his tank and that sort of thing. Travel is just so risky these days. We're going to stay at a place with a full kitchen so we can relax and not have to do restaurant meals. Dave will take a ski day. He'll love that.

Time to get ready for work. Have a great day everyone and once again, welcome home Lori!

Hi everyone. Just wanted to let you know I got back from Israel today. I'm pretty exhausted, so I won't write much now. Basically, it was a good trip. I spent as much time as possible with my friend whose son committed suicide. She's doing amazingly well. Obviously, it's really hard for her, but she doesn't want to stop living. Another friend and I went with her to Rosh Pina in northern Israel cuz she wanted to get out of the city a little and be in nature. I was glad to go up there, too, cuz I haven't been up there in a long time. It's really pretty. Rosh Pina also has a lot of art galleries.

I've been reading all your Christmas tree stories. No trees for us, but I'm enjoying your stories!