In church Sunday morning my paster said "If you remember the 60's, you weren't really there." What do you suppose he meant by that. He was about to play a recording of Kum Bah Ya.

You're right, tie-dye never seems to die. Avi does it all the time on the shirts he makes in his business, and there always seems to be a demand for it.

I went to a 60's art and design show yesterday in Montreal. Talk about a flash back. There was one entire wall filled with album covers, Janis Joplin's psychodelic painted Porsche, a lexan box filled with some of Andy Warhol's garbage (clearly on too high a carb diet), lots of Kennedy stuff, space stuff, race issues . . . Wow!

The curators described the 60s as a pivotal point in time that launched life as we know it today. However, they also described the psychedelic design elements and commented that these have had little lasting impact on the evolution of art and design. Hey, come on! Tie-dye isn't dead, what are they talking about?

I heard from Jeannette (LaChapelle) that Jayne (Laskevich)Gallagher was interested in joining us here. So last night I sent her the invitation. If you know anyone interested in coming here, you all have the authority to sending the link to the blog site.
1: look at the tabs upper right of this screen, and click on settings
2: choose members from the set of tabs you see on the next screen
3: click on add members
you'll come to a page where you can add the e-mail address of anyone you wish to receive the blog invitation; they follow the link and on screen directions

You'll want to click on the Posts Tab when you are done to come back here for normal viewing.

So everyone think of at least one person who doesn't blog and send them the invite, let's see if the new year brings new voices! that's means you guys out there just looking in too. You know who you are.............

Thanks for the song Richard, that's actually an old favorite of mine. However did you know?

Was great to read all the goings on and hear that everyone is well now that most of us have passed the half century mark, ha ha. I remember kidding with mom about that and it seems like just yesterday but here I am. Mine was New Years Eve and I spent it in FL with a few toddies, great food, fireworks, and a grand piano. The picnic sounds like a great idea! Please do keep us informed and I will do my best to try and make it. I'm quite busy running a business and starting another but would really enjoy getting away for a bit and Ludlow is a great place for it. I could then kill three birds with one stone as I have an old college buddy in Rutland and another old friend, she still lives up in the NE Kingdom. I would probably fly in and would need to book a hotel maybe. As I recall there are a few there as when ski season is open they need them. Looking forward to it!!

I will do my best to keep you all posted. I do believe there is a camp ground there now run by the state. But I will try to get a place with camp ground. I don't see any problem with that. Happy Birthday Pat. and all that will be....... c[_]~~

Pat, "You've got cosmic rhythm. Who could ask for anything more?" Maybe the lyrics to the whole song? After all I posted a great love song for John's first anniversary and I guess it's just your turn?!?

Days can be sunny with never a sigh
Don't need what money can buy
Birds in the trees sing their dayful of songs
Why shouldn't we sing along?
I'm chipper all the day
Happy with my life
How do I get that way?
Look at what I've got:

I got rhythm, I got music, I got my man
Who could ask for anything more?
I've got daisies in green pastures
I've got my man
Who could ask for anything more?

Old man trouble I don't mind him
You won't find him 'round my door
I've got starlight
I've got sweet dreams
I've got my man
Who could ask for anything more?

oh my God.

My trailer involves a full kitchen with microwave and air conditioning. It's what David likes to call my hotel on wheels. He'd rather be on the ground in a tent and sleeping bag. I like my queen size bed and indoor plumbing. I'm sure I can take it anywhere that I would find mountain goats but would I??? I'm a girl who likes to camp surrounded by her creature comforts. Know what I mean? I do appreciate you looking into some entrails though and finding out what my cosmic rhythms are saying Richard.

It's been a fun birthday so far, the kids sang to me at school and there were lots of offers to skip the work and party instead. No dark colors for me, bright yellow! the boys are taking me to supper later on.
Thanks for the birthday greetings!!

Pat, Happy Birthday!!!!

Funny that you should mention camping. Here is your current horoscope from my favorite horoscope guy (www.freewillastrology.com): "San Francisco Chronicle columnist Tom Stienstra writes about the great outdoors. He sometimes makes long-term weather forecasts by analyzing natural phenomena like the quality of red onion skins, the thickness of winter coats on coyotes and deer, and the difference between sea and land temperatures in coastal areas. I, too, like to factor in clues like this with my astrological evaluations. To gauge your prospects for the coming months, I've gathered information on eagle nests, the horns of mountain goats, and cloud patterns over wild places with no roads. I conclude that for you to be in maximum harmony with cosmic rhythms in 2004, you should spend a lot of time wandering in the great outdoors."

You'll have to park the trailer and head off by foot to get up with the eagle's nests and mountain goats.

John the picnic idea sounds, great! Can you make it at a place with a campground. Dave and I would very much enjoy coming over with our trailer.

You'll have to excuse me now I have to go win a house!!

Hi John, long time, no hear............you are right, most of us will be turning that big 50 .........the picnic sounds like a great idea.........my friends (high school and college) and I had thought of doing a camp out kind of thing.........keep us posted on the picnic thing............I am always interested. Karen, I tried the Dream Home contest last year and told the people at work it would be our "flexiplace" to work.............it was on the FL panhandle, not far from where I was for 9 1/2 years............it would be awesome ifyou could win in GA, since I thought I read earlier that is where you are headed now? I can relate to the moving thing..........being in the military, I was moving every two years and when we got to FL........we sat there for 7 1/2.........you get "itchy feet" and want to go............I guess that is why I volunteered for the chance to go to England. That was where I wanted to go after I first got my assignment to Germany almost 15 years earlier. But Germany was great as well...........the people are very friendly and love it when you try and speak the language............with all those years in German class, I did okay...................did alot better after a few glasses of wine (wink). Happy Birthday to those already turning 50........I am not far behind..............Pat, have you heard from Eleanor Richardson at all? Luanne and I were wondering at the reunion how/where she was. No, I don't do resolutions for the same reason, Karen.............I have "goals", if I make it, great, if not.............oh well..........on for the next year. Happy New Year everyone.............

I just got back from Bob Laplante's 50th Birthday Party. Keith Graham who is already 50 and Dick Graham who is also 50 was there along with Ron Young and Steve Ankuda...... I guess we had a mini reunion....... It was good to see them all. Only conclusion we came to was that we were going to try to post by word of mouth a picnic type gathering for anyone in our class. I will keep you all up to date if or when it will happen. We are going to try to look into the state park which was the boy scout camp in Ludlow(plymouth)....Where we had our highschool party....Hey Karen that is a great idea on the Dream home. Hope you get it so we can all join in on the party...
Well got to get back to the grind tomorrow after 11 days off. Until then, Later.......

I'll second that vote. And I'll be waiting for an invitation!

Okay, you all need to go to HGTV.com and register to win the dream home (everyday until the drawing) and then the person who wins has to have all the rest of us there for a huge wild reunion! ........ fun to dream at least. It is on the coast of GA, so I vote that I should win! Happy Birthday Pat!

You can let us know what it's like, Patti! Happy Birthday (in a few days)!!

You showed your worm. What I want to know is what you caught for fish. Did you get a Budweiser delivery route or did you ply younger men with alcohol or . . . ?

Hi all, Eleanor Richardson and I will be the first 50's of 2004, this coming Tues. (6th). We were the first in our class to turn 18 when the legal drinking age had been lowered. I remember using that advantage right away, wonder if she did?

No resolutions from up here, I don't keep to them so I stopped making them a couple of years ago. Happy New Year Everyone!

Now I see the light. Audio Blogging could be used for karaoke! Why didn't they say so? It would be kind of like an opera if we all sang our messages. The only problem that I can see is learning Italian and I bet audio blogging isn't free.

Happy New Year to you all. Richard I will see what I can do about posting some sort of singing, I am sure Louie wouldn't mind like it was at the reunion. Just had Knee surgery done in Sept. I blew out the cardlidge on both side of the knee cap. Well, I can just add that to my other operations. The doctors tell me to make sure I wear my seatbelt since I am so accident prone. I got my Polar watch for xmas and so my resolution is to use it. But anyway just wanted to throw in a hi to all and Happy New Year to you all. For most of us it is a big 50 this year.

Yes, I think I'll adopt Karen's approach from now on. No resolutions!

We ended up having Avi's family over last night--no big party, just a toast at midnight. How are you all doing?

Yeah Lori, there really isn't any good way around consistently failing at resolutions. Just kidding! Karen's approach has virutue, though.

I also want to wish you all a Happy New Year! We'll probably just stay home, as usual. Avi's not really in the mood to go out with his mother still in the hospital. She's improving, I think, but she's still in intensive care, connected to oxygen. Haven't thought about my resolutions yet! They always seem to be the same, though--shows you how successful I am in keeping them!

HappY New Year to you all..........have been in the process of planning a "nifty to be fifty" party sometime in the summer of 2004.........everyone that is turning 50 in 2004 is invited, and also some "honary members". We need to pick a time and place, but already have some willing attendees. Hard to imagine that I am going to be 50, the time does seem to slip away, but I have enjoyed most of it. Good Luck to you all in 2004...

Roland, we will probably live in Alpharetta, the job is in Cumming. Have to consider schools as I have one still in school, a freshman. My senior got into Clemson which is only two hours but he is leaning toward U of Michigan. Will also have one at the U of Cincinnati, and my daughter may be with us or go back to KY. That is the hard part for me, scattered family, my own children and my parents, siblings, etc. Richard, no resolutions for me this year. Last year I vowed to clean up my potty mouth and the kids got a real kick out of how that DIDN'T work! Mom of the year here! Best Wishes to everyone for a good 2004!

Hey all, yeah, the moving thing is like traveling, gets old after too much of it but it sure does make life interesting and throws us into situations in which we are forced to learn. Plans for my "little" businesses" are off and running and I have only two weeks left of this silly road thing. I'm in Hilton Head probably for New Years unless I get enough done and then I'll be on the water in J'ville or at my favourite paino bar in Tallahassee. Resolutions........well, may not as much procrastination with things I really want to do. Always sounds good. Going to ATL Karen? Would love to see you. There isn't that much culture but lots of shops and some history but lots of activities. I live a little east of there what used to be country. I have 4 acres with woods protecting myself against the neighbours so I like it now. Its really convienient for travel to most all sections of the country in some mode of trancprtation. The climate is almost perfect. Not to warm, and not too cold but after almost 10 years now I get cold when it drops into the 40's and bitter when it occasionally goet into the 30's. Hope all of you have a grand New Year and maybe I'll get to see some of ya'll this year.

Any resolutions?? Last year John Laplant made a resolution to post a karaoke performance for us all to check out. Without any evidence to view, I can only assume that he sang the year away.

One of my resolutions for '04 is to do more woodworking, part-time. Hope the New Year brings goodness to us all!

Good luck, Karen. We've moved quite a lot, too, but not to as many different places as you--just back and forth between here and Israel. That was enough to kind of screw up the kids' education, but I can't say I have any regrets. There are always advantages and disadvantages. I think the experience gave them enough to make up for what they lost in school. When I was a kid, we also moved a lot, but mostly to different places in Vermont. The worst was a year at school in Hanover, N.H. I hated that place. Really snobby. I was always with the rejects there.

An "organ recital," Richard? I like that!

Geez Karen, you definately win the moving prize. That's way more than us!! We talked about it every few years but I held firm and so we didn't make the move as often as we might have. Luckily for Dave's position in the government it hasn't kept him back at all.

Atlanta is a beautiful city and I do love the warmer climates. The airport is certainly accessible for anywhere you'll want to visit. To come back to the coast for a summer visit, you may have to fly into Boston and drive up. Though Portland airport is opening itself up to more flights. Maybe sometime when you're in the state we can visit.

Richard, please do visit, I should be there by July. Our moves include, a year in Enfield, CT, 10 years in the Schenectady, NY area (three houses), 7 years in Pittsford, VT, 7 years in Lexington, KY and almost two in Grand Rapids, MI ........ does that add up to 26+ years of marriage? I am experienced but not energetic!!!! Thanks for commiserating Pat!

`Moving is hard Karen, we've done it more often than I like to think. This is the longest we've ever lived anywhere and Dave has been talking about moving for the last couple of years. He still talks about Bangor, which is only about (just under) 3 hours south and frankly that's not far enough south for me. The fact that he will retire in 5 years makes me wonder what the point of the move is. As a kid we moved every 3 years until my senior year when mom finally put her foot down and said no, but then we moved when I was a sophomore in college. I never really felt that I lived in the Milton house, just a summer and a couple of school vacations.

Our boys spent a rough 18 months when we moved from Rutland, to Essex, and then to Presque Isle. Now that they are both back living here I want to be close to where they are. I've dug in my heels I guess but I know that Dave doesn't want to be far from them either. It's his call to make.

It took him so long to assemble my new computer desk yesterday that I doubt I'll ever have to move again. He certainly won't want to repeat that experience!

Having a child in school will help though Karen. Our kids have always been our entre into society. And you've always got us here to talk to!

Karen, I know what you mean about sadness, but we are also all involved in incredible things as well that really are miracles and gifts with only an occasional fondue that is unclear if it is either one.

On the topic of fondue, I have to say that the mixture of ementhaler, gruyere, white wine, kirsh, and garlic can be a little hard on anyone that is not in the mood. My favorite fondue is done with long thin strips of beef that you roll up on a skewer and cook in a broth that has oriental flavors. Then dip it in a curry mayonaise, horseradish sauce, or some other fabulous flavor. At the end you can eat the broth (although this was never my favorite part).

On the topic of sadness, the bad news is that our peers will soon be starting organ recitals, where we hear the current state of affairs with everyones' internal organs. Somebody shoot me if I ever start!!

Please deliver my best wishes to Rich on his new job! The best man at my wedding now lives in Atlanta. I would love to come visit y'all sometime. Maybe I can swing it as a business trip!?!?

Lori, I hope things get better soon. Is it me, or our age ........ I feel like there is constant sadness and trauma all the time ...... of course it could be menopause! Richard, about the fondue ........ it was not that big a success. The kids didn't appreciate the tanginess of the wine in the cheese. We have only done cheese and chocolate but there must be others. Guess I haven't told you all that Rich is starting a new job north of Atlanta in January and we will move down after my number three child graduates in June. We have been here less than two years so I feel like it is too soon to leave, and my freshman doesn't want to go either. But we hear good things about the area and if we can't be close to family then I am glad to go somewhere warm. I will be here with three of my kids for the next 6 or more months so I will probably be communicating with you all alot ........... sanity! Happy New Year!

I wouldn't want to be going off to any war. I love Israel, but when my kids got close to army age, we left. I didn't want them fighting in any wars, and especially not because I was the one who wanted to live there (though that wasn't the only reason we left. Avi was travelling back and forth at that time, and it was hard to manage his business here with all that travelling.)

Boys in the class of '72 were very aware of the possibility of going to Vietnam and I was very releaved when my number was 229 in the draft lottery. Then it turned out that none of us would get drafted as they changed to an all volunteer army. The guy in the room next door to me in my college dorm was #1.

On the topic of fondue, I think that this can be a really fun tradition. I used to work at a restaurant called the Swiss Pot. This has a different meaning now that the Swiss have legalized marijuana, but at the time it only meant fondue. We served cheese fondue, beef fondue with either oil or broth for cooking and interesting sauces for dipping, and a chocolate fondue served with fruit. I do not know if there are any others. . . are there??

Tough week Lori. I hope everyone comes through all right. Like much of America right now we are enduring the time of friends and loved ones leaving with the military. Both of the boys best friends, Kevin's current roommate and Colin's roommate last year when he was living away; are leaving. One is with the National Guard and is being deployed to Iraq leaving here today. The other is a 20 year old who joined the service 6 months ago and expects to be in Iraq within a few months. He leaves for basic training Monday and then is being sent to Germany, the expectation is that from there he will be shipped to Iraq.

When we were in high school and our brothers were going off to Vietnam were we too young to really understand the ramifications. I remember missing Hal terribly but I don't remember fearing for his safety and wondering if he would survive. Maybe it was too long ago to remember the feelings or maybe it was just me and I was too naive. I certainly have strong feelings about this war and my son's are very frightened for their friends.

It's a rainy rainy Christmas here in L.A. It's also been a week of hospitals. Avi's partner had an operation to unclog an artery in his leg. He seems to be recovering pretty quickly from that, but 2 days later, he had a terrible toothache and had to have 2 teeth removed. And Avi's mother has been in the hospital since last Saturday night. She had stones in her gall bladder and had her gall bladder removed yesterday. She'll be all right, I think, but she's in intensive care right now. It's supposed to be a simple operation, but wasn't so simple in her case. Avi and his brothers and sisters are taking turns sitting with her. And besides all that, a friend of my daughter's was in a car accident yesterday. He had head injuries and is still unconscious. His family is in Israel, but he's not on such good terms with them. I hope the New Year will bring better days. Happy holidays to all of you.

We also have fairly mild temps and no snow, might get a dusting tonight. We are possibly starting a new tradition ......... Christmas Eve fondue! Have done fondue some over the past year and the kids really enjoyed it. As I sit here in the kitchen typing the deer are about 30 feet from my back deck having their Christmas Eve feed, seven of them right now. We are allowed to feed them and I buy 6-8 forty pound bags of feed every two weeks. I just love them. Hope everyone has a great holiday season!

You won't find me out in the cold if I can avoid it. Which frankly is a challenge up here. though not today. It was so warm I didn't even zip my jacket. The snow is melting and the rain is raining.

"I'm dreaming of a White Christmas."

Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah everyone, may you all enjoy the holidays.

You won't find me on a double black diamond trail. Maybe the bunny slope...

I just got back from snowboarding. I tried a double black diamond trail today that I had not been on before. Steep and narrow is tolerable and pretty fun if the snow is good. Bumps can put it over the top because they are difficult on a snowboard. Rocks, roots, stumps and ice make it impossible. I saw all of the above when I had my eyes open.

I'm feeling comfortable and warm now, kind of like an old slipper I guess.

Oh yum, I love those only now when they serve them at school I call them dogs in a condom. Times have changed.

Swapping boys and girls classes in Shop and Home Ec. was an early and practical adjustment to changing roles. For me, it was where I learned how to wash my hands and make pigs in a blanket. There have been so many times in my life when I have thanked my lucky stars for this experience. As I sit here now with five sparkling fingers wrapped around a Pilsbury covered Oscar Meyer dog, I can only say have a great holiday mates!!!!

Hey Everyone, I hope everyone has a great holiday season and a even better New Year. It is hard to imagine that another year has gone by so fast and so much has happened in this one. I have enjoyed trying to keep up with you on blogger and staying tuned to old high school and college friends. Best wishes and be safe.

Hi Robin thanks for catching us up on your exploits. It's fun to hear about the folks just dropping by.

What grade was it in Jr. High that the shop boys and the home ec girls traded classes? Anyone remember that? The guys made pot holders and we made little wooden pot holder handing thingys. I remember a bunch of us girls got our photo in the local paper working down in the shop.

Greetings from the great white north. In chapter 7 of "I wonder what the hell ever happened to:______" , an elderly gent stopped one of my buses dropping off a client at THE doctor's office up here in the Islands and asks the driver if he's "Robin Way". Driver says "no, he's the executive director and works in the office." Turns out its William Cerauskis, of eighth grade shop. I have nightmares of working hopelessly on some lawnmower engine with Brian King. Perhaps its due to too many years of rock and roll. Mr. Cerauskis and his wife live in South Hero. Diane...ahh...something Polish...who was a year ahead of us also lives in So. Hero...works for the Visiting Nurse. Susan Ainsworth stopped by my office today. The non-profit housing agency that she works for is buying one (of two) senior/low income apartment complexes "The Round Barn"(and it was...)where in a number of our clients live. Happy Holidays all...Robin

Welcome home Lori. Glad you got out before the deluge. Can snow be considered a deluge? Now we're talking about 30 inches before it stops. Already well over the minimum they had predicted and still coming hard and fast. The sound of snowblowers is all around me as people stry to stay ahead of it. The gentleman across the street is struggling with the snow being almost deeper than his machine can handle. It's his first time today though so next time will be easier.

Well, here I am back in L.A. I had to change my flight to fly back through Cleveland instead of Newark. I probably wouldn't have gotten home if I had flown through Newark cuz there were delays and cancellations because of the snowstorm. It's hard coming home after a vacation--even though it was sort of a working vacation this time (getting the house ready to be lived in). Now it's back to the bills, etc.

I haven't had to parent my parents yet. They're relatively young --70 and 71--and still doing okay. Luckily.

You know the old saying: "Be good to your kids, they'll be picking out your nursing home."

It's a snow day here. Just got back from a week in Las Vegas and was really anxious to get back to school but you can't see an inch in front of your nose so that's that. I'm dreaming of a White Christmas - Tra la la la la la la la la !

Pat, I like your point about parenting our parents. To think that my boys might one day be parenting me is a little disconcerting. I am sure that tying me to the roof of the car and taking dad for a Sunday drive is well within the realm of possibilities.

I'm glad your mom is happier now, and not a bit surprised. We moved Dave's up here to PI a year after we arrived. She was only in her 60's but her "lifestyle" had created an old women in a young body. Dave's sister, living in Belmont, MA just an hour away was unwilling to step in. Anyway, Roberta has been here with us for 11-12 years and decling so we have had to move her here and there depending on her level of capability and just recently found a beautiful, loving, small home for adults about 20 minutes from us where she has probably never been happier. The staff is wonderful and there are only a total of 6 people in residence. It's the kind of place that I would choose for myself if it came to it. She had resisted this move right up to the last minute, in fact her belongings had already been moved when she sat down and said she wasn't going. But we knew the neighbors and staff where she was living were enabling her lifestyle and we weren't going to let it continue. Cool heads prevailed and she can't say enough about how happy she is. It's an awfully tough time, parenting your parents.

My dad on the other hand is not incapable of taking care of himself but his companion is allowing her very strong willed and possessive children to make this decision. they've been pressing for this for 5 years now. Dad doesn't want to live down there without Rachel though. It would be terribly lonely. The years after mom died were very hard for him. I guess my concern as long as he is willing to make this move is how much decision making will be done by Rachel's family. What personal decision making will be giving up. But he's a big boy and I'm struggling not to say too much.

Pouring rain, I'll say! I had to be at work at 7:00 this morning and would have made it, but the river had flooded the road on my final leg of my commute. One ten mile detour later, I made it to work- ten minutes late for a conference call with big Swiss bosses.

Bi-coastal? Sounds like bi-polar. Maybe that's what I'll be if I go back and forth too often!

I'm still getting used to the cold here. I have to force myself to go outside. It's so warm and cozy inside, and if I have a good book, I never get bored inside. But yesterday I was out all day in the pouring rain buying silly things like coasters and sugar cannisters.

The west coast of Vermont is warm and soggy today with below zero temps expected tomorrow night. . . and the west coast of California must be a whole lot better than that right now!?! I did go snowboarding on Tuesday in some big powder but . . . now, oh well.

Congratulations Lori! You are now officially bi- coastal!

Well, maybe not ALL of Karen's ideas! But a lot of them.

The Vermont native in Lori is still evident. When I arrived at Lori and Avi's new place on the shores of Lake Champlain, I found Lori knee deep in icy waters as she caught a northern pike with her bare hands. Lori, are you sure that all of Karen's ideas sound good? It appeared to me that you are into more of a bear-skin rug phase of life.

Just kidding! Lori and Avi have a nice place with beautiful sunsets out the living room window. It was fun to spend time with them.

I think audio blog is like a shared voice messaging thing. I am not really sure though.

Hi. I've been away from the blog for the past week, but now I'm back and enjoying all your comments! I'm still in Vermont. I guess I didn't mention that last time we were in Vermont, we bought a small house in Colchester right by Lake Champlain. We plan to rent it out for short-term vacations so that we'll also be able to use it ourselves. We've been busy all week buying furniture, kitchen stuff, etc. etc. so that the house will be ready to be lived in. We got a computer, too, so I'm sitting here in Vermont writing on the blog, and it feels different writing from here! Anyway, we got a lot done. Avi went back to L.A. yesterday, and I'll be here until Sunday finishing up. Richard stopped by to see us on Monday while we were waiting for the cable guys to come. It was nice to see him again! And, Patti, maybe I'll get to see you on one of your visits to your father once he moves to Burlington. We'll be here more often now that we have this place. I know what you mean, Karen, about the heart being in Vermont. I think my heart is split between Vermont and Israel. And by the way, I wouldn't mind getting all those presents you mentioned!!! I talked to Janice on the phone yesterday and Brian a few days ago, but I probably won't get to see them on this visit.

Richard, what's that audio blog you mentioned? You can't hear me talking, can you?

I am thankful everyday that mine are both still alert and active. Good luck to you both, these things are so hard.

It's good to move your parents while they can still be a useful part of the transition. I have not had this luck and my sister and brother have been useless. After 6 years of remotely managing my mother's life in Spfld from Burlington, including having people at her house seven days a week; I got court appointed guardianship and moved her to an elderly care living situation. Now, almost one year later I have finally sold her house. What a relief! The kicker is that my mother is happier where she is now.