well, getting the real small town flavour that I always wanted. attending my managers wedding in a few hours. Hes only like 26. weddings out of doors with a justice and the receptions @ a place called Joes Crab Shack. Its lots of bikers types but kool. Makes me feel old but honoured they invited me. Hope all you girls have / had fun @ the mini reunion. Anyone interested in coming south sometime and meeting say @ Stone Mountain for a days fun and or picnic. Maybe we could see who else is close by. I know Page Graham lives the next town over. Stone Mountain is the largest granite block in the world and surfaces to form a mini mountain here and the surrounded it with a park now and a lake too. Lore has it that the dude who owned it traded it for a shiny shotgun years ago. They have lazer light shows there on the weekends in the summer. ciao and God Bless for now

Janice knows where....1/2 mile past the High School, white house with black shutters on the right side of the road. Let me know what time...you might get lucky and I'll even clean the house! hahah. Been hot and humid here lately. Today is cloudy and chance of thundershowers in the pm. Have a great day/weekend everybody. Happy Thoughts..........

Alright then, the class of 72 min-reunion is on for Saturday. Kathi, we; Janice, Lori and I will need you to send directions to your place. What fun!!

No, Patti, no man! Avi didn't come to Israel with me. He may decide to come to Vermont, but not for sure. No definite plans right now. He's not into traveling as much as I am.

Lori was there a man you were planning to bring along?? I wasn't having Dave come because he doesn't anyone except Janice. It's not history. I think he's thinking of a day hike.

No, that's not the name of a town. It's more like a small community, usually agricultural--a communal way of life.

So no men are allowed on the trip to Springfield, Patti?! A day for women only! Fine with me.

Thanks for the info Lori. Been following the "happenings" via the net, wow. Stay safe. Oh, are you in the town of Kabbutz or is it a "way of life" commune thing?

Hi there.

yes, Lori I'm referring to the weekend of the 19th. So either Sat or Sun whatever everyone else wants. Dave is coming over to VT with me but he is not invited to Spfld. ")

Either day is fine with me. You are welcome to come to my house....I am so enjoying summer. Today is another perfect day...not too hot, a little breeze and so quiet. Did some yard work this morning...was going to do the trimming but couldn't get the trimmer started. Oh well! Happy Thoughts..............

Patti, I'll be arriving in Burlington on Aug. 12. You're talking about the following weekend, right? I think either of those days will be okay for me. I didn't talk to Janice about specific dates, but she does know about my plan to drive down to Springfield with you. Will Dave be coming, too?

I was thinking the same question Kathi. About Lori heading into VT. I still haven't gotten ahold of Janice yet. I keep getting distracted by other things and forget to make the call. I don't know if we're going down on Saturday or Sunday. Either is fine for me, which is best for you two? Lori? Kathi?

Are you flying straight to Vermont after Aug 11? I can't believe how fast the summer is going by. Weather yesterday was a typical beautiful summer day. Warm, clear blue skies but a breeze. Just right for sitting out in the lounge chair reading a book! Have a great day everybody. Happy Thoughts........

I'm here until Aug. 11. It's a mess here, but I'm okay. Having fun despite the situation.

Pat, glad you had a good time camping. It is hot here too. I went to a friends house today and lounged in her pool. I could really like just floating around all day! We haven't had storms but they are predicted tonight. It is cloudy now but still in the high 80s. Like I've said before, I don't like to complain about the heat because I dont' like being cold. Need to start doing some more crafting things now that my elbow is feeling better. I had a cortizone shot in it last week, which itself didn't hurt, but for 4 days after I couldn't bend my hand up to my mouth to eat. Luckily, hahah, I figured out how to eat left handed really fast. It was actually quite painful...of course, only 1 out of 5 have a flare up or whatever they called it. Just parts wearing out. I helping a friend make Bat Mitzvah invitations for her daughter...if I could just get the printing in the right place on the card....sometimes the computer doesn't listen to me! My son's girlfriend sent me a link from dummies.com for Microsoft word on how to print them correctly....I probably need the whole book. Anyways, Lori, be safe. Everybody else enjoy the nice weather...it will soon be cold again! Happy Thoughts..........

Hi everyone, I'm home for now. Camp was great but I really do love getting back home. It's hot as heck though, so muggy. Storms today 3 or 4 times but until now the temp hasn't gone down. It's almost 10 at night. Sure beats Winter!!

Lori you be careful over there. When are you coming back to the U.S.?

Hello from Tel Aviv. Things have heated up here the last few days--2 soldiers kidnapped by Hezbollah and hundreds of Katyushas fired on northern Israel. And Israel's retaliation, of course. It's a real mess. I hope something gets better soon. I'm not in any danger myself--though they did say some of the missiles could reach Tel Aviv. Before this all started, I thought I'd go up north with some friends. That idea is out for now.

Roland, although things aren't so great here right now, I do think you'll like Israel if you do make it here one day. It's a small country, but a lot of variety. As for kibbutz, it's like a communal settlement where everyone works and in return for working, they get their basic needs met--food, housing, etc. They don't exactly get paid, but do get a budget to cover certain expenses. The kibbutzim have changed a lot in the last few years, though. They're becoming much more privatized. Socialism seems to be slowly dying out. I'm kind of tired at the moment, so I can't offer a more coherent explanation than this!

Everybody is traveling. I had lunch and a great visit with Karen today here in Vermont. It is in the 90s here and will be through Wednesday. Too bad we couldn't bottle up some of the heat to save for January! Lori have a wonderful visit with your family, enjoy your visit and be safe. Everybody is gone from my house and it is very quiet here. Happy Thoughts.........

Kathi, we have a thing called Freedom Fest here and its pretty big for the 4th. Its sponsored by local churches and its a mega fair with such things as paint ball booths, dunking booths, and usual carnival stuff but also free food ie southern ribs, dogs, blooming onions etc. They culminate with fireworks which resulted in a small fire this year as it was so dry. We had ours over in Monroe (east of here) at the old High School football field. No accidents though and the local FD quelled it in time.

Lori, due tell us about the kibbutz. I'm learning much about your culture and like to learn first hand. I hope to visit Isreal within the next 2 years. Richard, we don't sleep out here unless its in an a/c camper as with the bugs, snakes, and wild critters to say nothing of the virus infected mosquitoes. Oh, for the good ol days, but we didn't burn out smores. We built a fire pit (country style) on the side of my cabin and haven't used it much as its only gone down into the 70's at night here but then again its summer in the deep south. Our state campaigns are heating up and hip boots are now requirred. I wish they would just stick to the facts. At this point I don't know who is lying and who is ok. Daggers everywhere!!!!!! School starts back in about 3weeks. Wow!! I sold my window business and went into the auto paint business for a friend and its really exciting. The achedule will fit my schooling and the customers are pretty kool. I get to see those special projects that appear only on cable tv at those high priced auctions. I even get to drive one once in awhile as we also have a paint shop on the property. We only do and sell the high end stuff, kool.

hi. i am awake and sweating it out this hot summer night which has finally arrived in vermont. it's fine. actually, it is real fine. i am going to leave my upstairs chair at my overheated computer and sleep in a tent in my backyard. watch out skunks, raccoons, kitty cats, and bad memories of burnt s'amores. maybe a shooting star will make it alright (two would be better!).

Hi from me, too. I'm at the kibbutz where my parents and my sister Amy and her family live. We had a barbecue for her birthday last night. It was nice. My brother-in-law makes good barbecues. It's good to be here with my family!

Hi everyone, I'm here visiting my dad in Burlington. We're staying overnight at the Hampton Inn in Williston and then back to NH to the campground. Just a quick trip. bye for now.

Hope everyone had a Great 4th of July. We took the kids to the fireworks at the airport. Camille cried and snuggled into Papa's shoulder and promptly fell asleep...and Caleb thought they were awesome until they made too much noise. Springfield put on a really good show.
Well, everyone have safe travels this week. Happy Thoughts.............

Patti you didn't miss any reunion for our class. Our 35th is next year...right??? The alumni newsletters usually come out in late April/May. Weird weather here. Been very rainy, now humid and windy althought the sun is shinning periodically. Everything feels damp and gross inside.....my grandbabies are full of energy, which I don't have! I usually get up about 5:30 to read for awhile and they get up right after I do...the lucky thing is early bedtimes! Today we went on a library trip. I had to update my library card (which expired in 5/99!) so the kids could get books. Got lots so we can read, read, read! Maybe going under the sprinkler will be the order for the afternoon....no me, but them! lol.....Hope all is going well with all...enjoy those vacations! Happy Thoughts.............

In four days, we head to our favorite campgound in Ossippee, NH. We'll be there for 2 weeks but it'll be broken up by several trips. First we head to Boston for 2 or 3 days as Dave has meetings to go to. We'll be in Burlington for a couple of days visiting Dad, and Dave's sister is coming for a day. It's busier than usual. We generally relax a lot more. We'll do some hiking and swimming and I've got several beach books to hang out with.

I'm disappointed that I didn't get my newsletter from the Alumni Association this year. Or does that usually come out after the reunion weekend? I wasn't even aware that the reunion had happened. Not that I was going so that's fine. I'm looking forward to going to Spfld. with Lori and Kathi and hopefully Janice or anyone else who may be around in August.

My gardens are in full bloom and I'm really enjoying them. A neighbor and I were swapping plants this evening. That was fun.

Colin is getting ready to have his license back (he hasn't driven in 2 years)and move into a house with a couple of buddies. They are working hard to renovate a house purchased by the parents of one of the boys and given to their son.

Busy times.

Your must have someEnglish in him somewhere Lori. their sense of humour is very educated and "artsy" and most just don't get it. It is different. I'm now envolved with state politics (shich I said I'd neve do again but...) now and am backing Casey Cagle for Lt Gov. Meeting lots of interesting "rednecks". sold my window business and am learning the auto paint business with a friend. Always busy and learning. Its the interesting people that keep me going. Did I tell ya'll that Condolezza Rice addressed our convention last week? She is a great speaker and even better on a personal level. Very mundane but educated to be able to make BIG decisions.

I can see the parade the way you describe it, Kathi. Funny about the clown. A lot of kids seem to be afraid of clowns for some reason. I don't remember ever really finding them funny. I don't like the kind of humor that tries too hard to be funny. My son Rafi likes a lot of movies with weird humor, and I never understand what he's laughing at.

I am ready to rest and do nothing! Housefull of company this weekend. Always nice but tiring. All my kids were home together for a while on Saturday which was great. They haven't all been together since Christmas. They all played with Caleb and Camille which was great having all those babysitters! Then my sister-in-law Heather, her kids, Nathaniel and Alyson, stayed too.
She was invited to my brothers 20th Class reunion so I watched the kids. They are 8 and 5. The good thing was having so many of the "big" cousins watch the little ones. We went to the alumni parade...it had poured until 10 so a lot of the bands didn't play...there were a few floats and the firengines and political figures doing their walking...It was the grandbabies first parade...they sat in their little lawnchairs eating popcorn...the shriner clowns scared Camille...she didn't find them amusing in the least. Its kind of nice that some things never change. Do you think we'll do something fun next year? Have a great week..and Happy Thoughts....

Good! It's important to know how to rest and do nothing!

okay, i like quiet too, very true, i do! i have a new lounge chair that is sooo comfortable. it is beautiful weather today. i will be type b for the rest of the day. maybe forever.

"Beautiful and boring Vermont"? I disagree! Vermont's just beautiful, not boring! I like quiet....

hi, i just wanted to say hello, but maybe a little more is okay, too. i just spent a week in san francisco. it was mostly work, but a few days of fun as well. i did real tourist stuff. i have before and probably will again. san fran is a fun place to do that. i went to the haight-ashbury street festival. i can tell you that there was nothing average about the average person there. wow! many wore black because there is no darker color. bands rocked LOUD. in contrast, the museums were wonderfully quiet and interesting. also, i saw starship (was jefferson starship, after being jefferson airplane) in an outdoor concert that was super. so i am back to beautiful and boring vt. good thing that i am boring too. next week is arizona, yahoo!!

Happy Summer Everyone!
Hope everyone is enjoying the sunshine and warmth. It was a perfect day here. High 70s and a little breeze with lots of sun. It just makes you feel good....having the summer off helps too! All my kids and grandbabies will be home this weekend. It will be hectic but fun. Alumni weekend here too...next year will be ours again. How time does fly. Enjoy family and friends.....Happy Thoughts!

I will be available to meet with you. I don't have any big plans this summer. My kids are coming this Friday. Suzanne and her friend John will drive up from NYC on Friday night. I pick Amanda and the kids up at the airport on Friday morning. Not sure if Andrew can get this weekend free or not. If not, he'll be up the weekend of the 4th for sure. It is hard to find time for the "adult" children to all be unbusy at the same time. I really value those times. I am trying to get my house put together again....painted Andrew's old room....I told him its now a guest room...got to hang curtains and shades...We had big storms this afternoon. It was 90 here at noon, very hot for us. The rain has cooled it down which is good. I really try hard not to complain when the temperature gets warm because I really don't like to be cold. The state released lots of flies to breed on the tent caterpillars and they are very annoying outside. It did cut back on the caterpillars here so I guess its a good thing. They were really eating many trees.
Here's to getting together, family and friends...Happy Thoughts...

Good, Patti, I'll be looking forward to that weekend! What do you say, Kathi? Will you be around at that time if we drive down to Springfield?

We went out for Father's Day. First we went to see my son's apartment in Santa Monica. He moved there recently with a friend (the son of our best friends). We walked from his house to Main Street where they have all kinds of restaurants. My son's girlfriend and daughter's boyfriend also came. It was nice to be together--we seem to have a hard time sometimes finding a time that suits ALL of us, so it's a treat when we do.

Dave and I generally enjoy our sons more as adult kids than we did as real kids. It's apples and oranges I suppose though. Different stages of life, they're really different people now of course. Most of the time we love having them here. Sometimes though when they're out of work for example; just helping out around the house isnt' enough if they're not actively looking for work. But what good does forcing them out of the house really do. Some peoplke say we enable them to be less than. Less than what I wonder. I'll miss Colin terribly when the time is right for him to be on his own again It'll be good for all of us I'm sure but Im not rushing the moment.

Enjoy the lake Karen, sounds like you can use some serious rain in your area. We're living with hazy, hot and humid, high 80's, expected rain and thunder but no sign of the wet stuff yet.

Looking at the weeknd of the 18th to head over for a couple of days in August Lori. Kathi will you be available then? If so, maybe you could call Janice and see if she's available for the four of us to meet? Sure wish you could around too Karen. I'm looking forward to it!!

Summer is definitely here in Vermont. It is 85 and sunny. BBQ time today for Father's Day, just Neil and I.
We have our house back. My sister-in-law left today to go to NC to wait out hearing about jobs. It was okay with her here some but it was time for moving on.
My daughter and grandbabies come on Friday for 2 weeks. I will go to Hartford to the airport to pick them up. It will be fun. They change so fast. Suzanne will come up from NYC for a few days and Andrew will come up from Concord to see them. Next Saturday is the alumni parade. It will be Amanda's 10th reunion....they are having a picnic at Plymouth Lake on Sunday....remember how our class went there for a classtrip....so exciting!
I hope all of you enjoy the day relaxing....Happy Thoughts.........

I think we're all saying the same thing--the more we're there for our kids, the better, but obviously the financial situation affects our decisions. We help our kids a lot. We try to do what feels right to us--it doesn't seem to work for us to do what we're "supposed" to do--like kicking kids out when they're 18. Rafi still lives with us (he's 25) and his girlfriend, too. We're happy and they're happy. I'm sure they'll move out sometime in the near future, but I don't see what's wrong with them living with us if we're all okay with it.

Bring on summer! I am on Vacation officially as of today. It rained overnight but the sun is shinning now. Hopefully will for the day....I plan on sitting in my lounge chair reading a book.
I probably won't do it for long....I always find other things to do. But am so glad and appreciate being able to be home and do the things I want to do for the summer. ( Try to imagine me smiling while writing this)! Happy Thoughts to all.

As often happens in e-mail and internet conversation I think there is a similar sentiment being shared here but....

Without face to face communication, we lose the nuances of body language, facial expression, and tone of voice. Without these the message can be misinterpreted. Studies have shown recently that the more people communicate via technology, even phones since everywhere you look someone's got a phone to their ear, or so it seems, we as humans are losing our aility to communicate orally. We use short cut language and spelling. Much of today's communication is about getting the message out as quickly as possible and the quality of language usage is diminishing. I agree with much of what these studies have shown. I see and hear it in the schools and I believe it happens here on our blog as well. Particularly when it can be a couple of days between parts of a conversation.

At least in instant messaging it can be in "real time" or chat rooms where if you spend time you can have an ongoing conversations with a friend without it going on over days and losing some of it's intent. I prefer my conversations in person but that obviously can't happen with us.

Happy Thursday everyone, Only 2 days left to school including today. Bring on the sunshine.

so true Pat. decisions made to support a family are just that and usually always work out great. Nothing wrong with an opinion or observations as they arejust that and we should take them that way and learn about one another inthe process.

Living in rural communities all my life, I can say that I don't know anyone male or female who work in what might be consider a high power job. For myself and many of the moms I know, we've worked outside the home when we needed to and stayed at home when we could. I was lucky enough to be a "stay at home mom" both in Vt and ME through most of the boys early years. I went into teaching when they were in middle school and I was able to be at home by the time they get home and had the same vacation schedule they did. I was very aware that they liked having me here. Certainly I liked being at home with them.

Living where we do now the expenses are high and salaries are low. Incomes are depressed and one wage earner households find it extremely difficult to own a home and meet expenses. I'm just talking the basics not family trips and "stuff". I know many moms who would like nothing more than to be at home for their children but it is not feasible. Most of us are just doing the best we can. I for one don't even make $12.00 an hour. A house painter makes more. If the girls I teach find themselves needing to be employed I want them to be able to find the higest paying jobs available to them and often those jobs are traditionally male centered.

As parents the choices we make to support our adult children are simply that. The choices we make. Neither right nor wrong for everyone. All of our situations are different and we do what we think best at the time for good or ill.

So there's my 2 cents for the day.

Greensboro's awesome. The Four Seasons is nice place to have the convention. Speakers have been great and the music too. David Phelps singing I've seen the light brought the house down.
Nice to get away for a week in a totally different format of study. All the movers and shakers of the Nation are here.

One more day of school. I am so excited. Probably now more then when I was a kid! I think summer vacation is suppose to save the sanity of those who work in school with Children all year. We are having a splash party tomorrow...if I remember to bring the nozzle for the hose!...maybe I should forget it....I just hope they don't plan on splashing me! lol.....we have had a couple of days without rain...which is wonderful! Even got some of the lawn mowed yesterday. Neil even got some of the garden planted...very late...but its in. I'll have time to work in my flower gardens later this week. Can't wait to sit in my lounge chair and read a book...well, enjoy the rest of the day! Happy Thoughts...........

Karen, I liked your analysis of supermoms a few blogs back. I definitely would have gone crazy if I had had to take care of the kids AND work at a high-powered job. My kids tell me now that they're glad I was at home for them. On the other hand, if I hadn't had my writing to keep me busy between kids and housework, I don't know if I would have handled it as well. I guess it worked out for the best for all of us....

wow 29 yrs.....congrats!!! time does fly but you sound like its been good to you. we made it up her to Greensboro today after the 2nd service and were able to take in the evening lectures. guess we'll head back thurd am. should be an awesome week!!! lots of big speakers and new materials let alone the testimonies.

Karen, congratulations on getting Nolan through college...5 years no less! I have 5 more days of school left and then summer vacation!!! Yeah!!!! I don't know what it is about this time of year but it is definitely time for a break. Kids are anxious because of the unknown, for a lot of them, of the summer and the change for next year. They are acting out and doing things that they did at the beginning of the year...whinning, tattling, not listening. Our field trip to The Friendly Farm is this Thursday...because of rain last week...and hopefully, it won't rain this week! Just love that ride on the bus with your kidneys going up to your eyeballs. Most of school time now is just clean up, give out stuff that's around the room...undo bulletin boards...send all that crap home to parents! Dog sitting the next couple of days......so Happy Thoughts!

No, I didn't wear the slutty shirt. I changed to something more circumspect. Good thing too since so many of the girls came in inappropriate little tank tops and had to call home or go home for a real shirt.

I was sponsoring the DDR competition so I just had on my socks!

Neil's sister, who lived in SanDiego, sold her house and gave up her consulting business to look elsewhere for a job. She has been here since the beginning of May. She has had lots of phone interviews in various parts of the country and is going to NC this week for a interview. She is hoping for the southern warmth and would do more international stuff. So, now it is a wait and see where she will end up.......I am just not used to the tv being on most of the time! She is hoping to have a job before the kids come up June 23.....me too! Positive thinking and Happy Thoughts~

Keep up the good work, Patti! I like what you're teaching those kids!

Kathi, how long has Neil's sister been living with you? I didn't realize that's the sister-in-law you were talking about who's been looking for a job. I thought you meant your brother's wife for some reason.

Just curious if you wore the "slutty" shirt to chaprone? With our without steeltoed boots? Or maybe with the pink sandals...interesting when grown children are giving their opinions about their Moms. Mine is packing and moving to Concord, N.H. tomorrow. He is transferring to the Best Buy Store down there and his girlfriend has a job in Manchester....so they are settling in together. They seem serious so guess this will tell. I'm having one of those Mom moments when you realize they are really adults. He gave me a big hug this morning before leaving for work which made me remember the "little boy". Neil and I are almost alone again.....if his sister moves out soon! She is going to NC this week for a job interview....keep your fingers crossed! Please!!!!! and Happy Thoughts ...............

I was just asking my son Colin who is 23, if the shirt I have on is too slutty for the dance I'm chaperoning tonight. He laughed uproariously and said he couldn't possibly answer me. I think that means yes but I'm just not sure.....

Wow Richard I went right to the site. Her work is magnificent. She is quite an artisan. My goal has been to teach the boys that there is as much room in wood working for women as men and the very same to the girls. But for the girls, well I guess also on a smaller scale to the guys, the concept that wearing steel toe boots doesn't take away from your "femaleness" it just shows you want to protect your feet from falling tools and lumber! I have great photos of my girls in pearls and heels running the radial arm saw other such machinery. It's wonderful stuff. It's mainly a problem of gender identity in the work place. There are no more male bastions.

For me, well I just prefer clean clothes and cute shoes. At least my nails are in good shape!! Enjoy the weekend everyone...............

ya know i got part way into what i was going to say and had to post and run. that is how my life is going. what i was going to say in my last blog is that young women are changing lots- working out with weights to hit golf balls farther, tennis balls harder, and eclipse many male accomplishments of our generation, for example. soooo my point was headed toward saying that we are setting examples for new, striving people that may not find value in the old way to do anything. instead of looking feminine (not that there is anything wrong with it!) letting young women know about the striving women of our generation that broke the ground for them would be a great thing to do. patty, my favorite woodworker is judy kensley mckie (http://www.artworksfoundry.com/artworksgallery/mckie/index.htm). No man has come close to her work as a personal fav for me. that's all. sorry for being smelly and stinky.

We were getting worried that you disappeared, Richard. Good to see you're still around! I don't mind the sitting on the beach by myself eating food with my fingers and reading poetry, but I'll leave the leather jacket at home for now! Patti can speak for herself.

It's really nice that they honored your brother like that, Kathi. Have you heard anything else about the documentary movie?

i care a lot about the challenges you all have expressed. however, it seems like lori is asking for a kick in the ass but has very carefully covered access (is this fair?). hmmmmmmmmm okay lori here it is- fear factor style. you need to put on that sexy leather jacket, go to the open-air market in santa monica beach this saturday. buy some food that you eat with your hands, sit on the grass by yourself reading a copy of ginsberg's "howl" and count the looks that you get from men that are intrigued. let me tell you, if i was there i would be drooling. then you need to write a blog that convinces patty to take the same kick ass attitude with her students. teach by example. come on people! sure we are fifty but . . .

Thanks for the kind words people. I got a kick out of the fashion statements too. Here we have many opportunities to garden with many species both northern and southern I am planning a patio aand small deck finally and the challenge of what to plant as I have much acid in the soil where I am. I am going to the Southern Baptist National Convention in Greensboro next week. It should be informative as well as exciting as we are electing a new President and there are many controversies brewing about canadates etc. We launched our 1st church plant last week and had about 200 attending the service. Its contemporary with full rock band. I loved it. We have a lounge (sort of ) out front first with contenental breakfast etc and media tools to aide in learning. Hope all's well with ya'll.

I like digging around and having things look pretty. Having a gardener is out of the question, so if I want it done...well, guess I have to do it! Today was the dedication for Kevin at the High School Auditorium. It went very well and was tastfully done. This was done as an assembly during school. The Military Science Club was instrumental in getting this in motion and going to the school board to get it passed. It was a very tough fight from what they were telling us. But they worked hard to achieve this goat. The LT Gov was there...he was quite elequent with a message to the kids of getting out and learning about the world around us. One of the guys who was Kevin's truck partner and roommate, and very badly injured spoke. He told the human side of Kev, he made us both smile and tear. I then hosted a "lunch" for family, some friends of Kev's and some of his military buddies. It was really nice to get together with everyone. It was very low key and I could talk with people who knew Kev differently then I did. I think Kevin would have been very humbled by this honor. I am glad the day is over, though! So, Happy Thoughts to all and pray for those soldiers on duty now. Thanks for listening....

So you're teaching them more than the actual subject matter. That's good!

Kathi, it sounds like working in your garden is therapeutic for you. A lot of people say that. I guess I'm too lazy--I just like LOOKING at a beautiful garden!

Interesting. Yes, on boot days I deliberatly dress more "feminine" on the top half of me. With a sexy pair of pink shoes the whole package changes and my personna is more feminine without thinking about it.

I try to show my students that working in the machine tool industry of "shop" related industries dosesn't mean you give up any part of your femininity. I want them to realize that women can do anything men can do and they should (the girls) look at possible careers in these areas. It's good money and very rewarding in many respects. It sometimes takes the boys a bit of time to acept my role in this classroom. My former students are challenged by the switch in roles. The boys and I have had a little conflict but I've managed to win them over for the most part. The girls get over it much more quickly. After this year it won't be as much of an issue because all of the students returning will have been in my classroom. The incoming 6th graders don't have any prior experience and so don't think anything of it.

Isn't it strange how clothes and shoes can change us. Its fun pretending! I have spent the last 2 days doing yardwork. It feels so good to get outside and do things. It has been in the 80s here and sunny. Prefect weather. I planted and weeded and mowed. I would start in one place in the yard and get distracted by doing something else. I still have a flower garden to weed out and plant some more annuals. I made potato salad and we had hamburgers on the outdoor fireplace. Tasted yummy. I hope everyone stops and remembers and wishes for peace for this Memorial Day. It has taken on a whole new meaning to me. Happy Thoughts............