I didn't mean the beginning of August. I meant the beginning of my time there--around Aug. 18. Is that too late for you?

For me, the beginning of August will be best as I have school by the end. 5 more weeks of school left. Lots of sudden unexpected shake ups. It was a tough way to end teacher appreciation week. Nothing happened to me but my friends are in trouble.

Imperfectly perfect? I like that! Thanks, Richard.

Sounds like you all had fun, Kathi!

Janice, Karen, Linda Brochu, Kathy Westney, Deb Young and I all meet at McKinleys last night for our mini reunion. We chatted for hours catching up and sharing news. Funny how time just goes by when you are having fun with friends.
Karen leaves this morning for GA and will be back on sharing her words of wisdom soon. She had wonderful news about her Mom, which we are all greatful for....
Happy Mother's Day to all you special women...you've all done a great job! Happy Thoughts...........

hi lori, hearing your blog voice is wonderful. i could listen to you read a telephone book. i am so glad you are beyond stupid :-) i love when a person can say what they feel, who they are, and then go on to say that they are good with what that is. you should be. i have always thought that you are imperfectly perfect.

Yes, I hope we can have that mini-reunion we were talking about in August. I'll be in Vermont from Aug. 17-31. Avi and the kids will be there for part of the time, so I'll probably be busy at that time. I'll probably have the most free time either at the beginning (Aug. 18, 19, 20) or the end (after the 26th). Do you think any of those dates will work out for you, Patti? Anyone else? If not, let me know what works for you, and I'll see what I can do. My parents will also be in Vermont, so I'll be seeing them, too, but I'll find time for you guys!

Okay, Patti, I won't keep my mouth shut. I'm trying to break old habits, and one of those habits was keeping my mouth shut so I wouldn't say something stupid.

Karen, we're waiting for your words of wisdom.....

You should never keep your mouth shut Lori. You have so many things to say that need to be heard! Thanks so much for being open with your feelings and experiences.

Karen I'm very glad to hear that your mom is feeling better. It's wonderful that you were able to spend this time with her. I'm sure she'll both enjoyed it and appreciated it as well.

I'm hoping to be part of a mini-reunion this summer. It just depends on when everyone is available yes????

If it helped, I'm happy, Patti. I was beginning to think I should just keep my mouth shut!

Glad to hear your mother's doing well, Karen. I wish I could be at that mini-reunion.

Your words really resonate with me Lori. I think that's what I'm looking for. Acceptance for what has/is happening. Then being able to move forward together because, I'm hoping the love is still there. thank you

Its nice getting together with friends...so, like Karen said...all you "listeners", feel free to join us!

Hi Everyone, just a quick "Hi" from Kathi's kitchen table. I am having a hard time typing on her new laptop. Sounds like a lot has gone on here on the blog. I will have to wait till I get home to digest all of it and give you my sage wisdom, which I know you all can't live without.

After a full week in VT, I have finally seen the sun and warmer temps. My mom is doing well and we are living in the moment and enjoying being together. I have done cooking, gardening, cleaning, and some nursing duties. I saw Janice and Kathi today and we might get some people together at McKinley's on Thu for a mini reunion. That should be fun. Anyone out there who is in the area and wants to join us, is welcome.

I will be home on Fri, May 9th ... flying out of Hartford. Hope all is well with all of you.

Yes, those moments are there, but for me it was more important (or at least just as important) to come to an acceptance of those other not so nice moments because they're also part of the picture--instead of expecting life to be a romantic fairy tale 24 hours a day. I've finally learned that the love is still there even if we get angry at each other sometimes or disappointed about certain things. It seems that the more acceptance I have for the way things are, the more room there is for love.

but you admitted to having found the air, fuel and ignition source that you wanted to be able to see was still there in your marraige.

A simple view is good--although sometimes it confuses me more cuz I expect life to fit that view and then get disappointed cuz it usually doesn't fit; it's more gray (for me) than black and white.

it is true that i expect a little too much, and no less of myself. however, the reason i put it out there in simple terms- like air, fuel, and ignition source, is to suggest that it is okay to get the noise out of our heads and simply check for air, fuel, and ignition source. when things seem terribly complex, a simple view can be valued.

I think you all know that we went through a difficult time in our marriage when Avi told me almost 4 years ago about an affair he had had--which ended with the woman getting pregnant and a child being born. I don't think I could have gotten over it and saved our marriage if there hadn't been that kind of love between us that you're talking about. Despite all the pain, the love and sexual attraction was still there between us, helping us get through. Dealing with this crisis has actually brought us closer and given us a deeper understanding of each other. It's really only recently that I can say I'm completely over it and have finally come to accept myself. I think that was underneath a lot of our problems--that I didn't really accept a lot of things about myself, and when you don't accept yourself, you're not very accepting of others either. Now that I'm feeling better about who I am, everything suddenly flows more smoothly. But, Richard, I think it's a little too much to expect heart-stopping moments 24 hours a day--if that's what you're saying. Those moments should be there and are still there for me, but there are also those other moments that aren't so nice, but they're part of life, part of being human.