Oops, I pressed "publish post" twice!

I skiied as a kid, but now that I'm older, I'm more cautious and that takes the fun out of it. I can't say I miss it. I haven't skiied much in the last few years, but when I did, I preferred being on the nice wide beginner slopes. Then I could go fast and feel good about myself!

Karen, that "small world" thing you mentioned happens a lot in Israel. It's a small country, so you always seem to run into someone who knows someone else you know and things like that. Here in L.A. I don't even know who lives across the street. I know the old lady on one side of us. That's about it.

I've been traveling a lot this year, so I'm almost embarrassed to say I'm going on another trip in 2 weeks. I'm going to meet my son Omer in New Zealand. I was hoping Avi would come, but he can't really get away from the business right now--especially since he's not working with his partner anymore and has to get his own line finished before the shows start. Anyway, I decided to still go by myself. I didn't want to tie my son down, but it seemed like he wanted me to come. Our other son and daughter just got back from visiting him in Australia. My son's girlfriend and daughter's boyfriend also went. They had a great vacation by the beach mostly. But I'll be seeing the lakes and mountains of New Zealand. It will be a mother/son trip--could be interesting! I'll give you my conclusions afterwards! I'll be away Feb. 15-28. If I have time, I'll try to check into the blog while I'm away.

Contrary to popular belief a lot of us Northerns do not like to go out into the snow much! I don't mind going out to play in the snow with kids (if it is not too cold and windy) but do not enjoy skiing which I never did until my 30s with Kindergarteners. One time on the last day of the Kindergarten season (we went every Monday 9:30-5:00 for 8 weeks), it was a beautiful sunny day and the teacher I worked with decided she would take me to the top of the mountain because it was such a georgous day and my last chance that season to enjoy the moment. I really did not want to go to the top but ended there anyway and proceeded down.....until I came to the first very steep part and went into a panic attack...to make a long story short....the instructor came back up the mountain and skied backwards guiding me down. Talk about feel stupid. I just came to the conclusion that I do not like to go fast, even though I have great control with my skies and never really had the fast problem...Probably not fast enough skier! After that I stayed on the little slopes with the ones who were not ready to go to the top....like me! Now that I am in a different Kindergarten, we don't go to Bromley skiing, which is wonderful for me!
My cards I usually sell in the Teachers Room at school and to friends who wish for them...mostly, I give away. I only mass produce when I make Christmas cards or when I need 20 for my class. I like to make something different about all of them. Relaxing to me. Have a great weekend and Happy Thoughts!

Yeah, my kids are about the same age as yours, Patti--26, 25, and 21. And no grandchildren in sight!

I definitely agree with you, Kathi, about wanting to create more than clean. If I can write a poem, who wants to clean a cabinet? Where do you sell your cards?

mornin all! moving a little slowly here but I know I'll kick it into gear in a bit. thought I'd take few minutes to say hi.

Crummy winter weather heading in today and hopefully the sleet and rain will hold off till after the last Biathlon races today. It all culminates a big mardi gras type party at a local restaurant tonight. Fireworks and all!

Kevin, my baby son, my first born, my heir apparent,,,,,,, turned 25 this week. Wow what an earth shattering experience. While I will always be his mommy, it's tougher to picture it at this point. Colin will be 23 in 2 weeks. Boy how the time does fly!

Lori, you asked if I ski. While I own x couontry ski equipment i only went out once last year and not yet this year. I also have snow shoes and haven't used them yet this year either. I'm an indoor stay warm kinda gal. I'd prefer to live where the weather was more summery or even long spring but no such luck. We're as north as we're ever going to go though so it's all "down state" from here. If ever.

Best get going, have a great day folks! I'm glad we're keeping this up!! - Pat

I decided after cleaning out my parents and inlaws houses that I need to hoe out so my children won't say......what did she save this for! I cleaned under my cupboards in the kitchen where the pots and pans go...and plastic rubbermaid....but when others put things away it is too taxing to pick up the smaller pans and put the bigger ones on the bottom....or when towels are put in the linen closet.....or clothes in the closet.........or when kids clean out their rooms and put stuff in the attic to "save" for when they have extra room, which they never do....It would be so nice to have one of those organizing shows come and do my house! I have been making Valentine Cards....I made a bunch to sell and am in the process of making some little ones for the kids in my class. Very simple but cute. Do any of you remember Mrs. Ballard who ran a Kindergarten in town for years, well, she volunteers 3 hours every day in the other Kindergarten at Union St and will be turning 85 next week. She is the tinest, most well put together lady, so sweet. So I will make her a birthday card, too. Personally, I would rather create then clean!!!!! And its good to know that you think its hopeless too! Happy Thoughts................And Happy Groundhog Day...of course, he saw his shadow today, so another six weeks of winter (not that there is ever any question of that here)!

I guess I have that same dream of cleaning out the storage rooms. I did finally go through my kitchen cabinets, which I've been meaning to do for the last few years. Finally got rid of a lot of junk and reorganized things. And now I'm in the middle of cleaning out the closet in our bedroom, which is also full of junk I haven't worn in years. The problem with starting is that it's hard to stop--you clean one thing and then start to see that the whole house is a mess and get more and more frustrated that there's no end in sight....

Patti, do you ski at all? At least that gives the snow some purpose!

Kathi, hate to disappoint you but 50 is NOT warm!!!

I'm very ready to have you send some sunshine! I'm done with the races, and so now I don't care about winter, just want spring to head on in. I'm being very selfish. We need cold and snow for the whole of next week for the rest of the Biathlon and then of course the snowmobiling community would curse me if they heard my thoughts on snow and winter.

Bring on the SUN!!!

Lori, that sounds great to me...its suppose to rain/freezing rain/snow tonight and then again Monday night. It has actually been unseasonably warm, close to 50 again yesterday. I just booked my February vacation to Raleigh to visit my daughter and the grandbabies. I am so excited! Happy Thoughts and enjoy the sunshine!

Or maybe I should just toss you all some warm sunshine from here....