Yes, I'm okay about us disagreeing on things. Actually, that's one of the reasons I like Obama--because he seems to be making an effort to talk and listen to people who don't agree with him or with U.S. policy. I'm probably not as well informed as you, but one thing I am passionate about is the importance of listening to the other person and other points of view and not getting stuck on being right (not just in politics). As for the bailout, I am definitely not an economic genius (I hate math and my mind seems to close when it comes to banks, money issues, etc.), but it seems to me that Obama has been taking advice from the best economic minds in the country. If they don't know what they're talking about, who does?

Okay, Patti, if you say so, I'll consider myself witty--though usually it seems like I make people laugh the most when I'm NOT trying to be funny.

And, Karen, though I am an Obama supporter, you are definitely my favorite conservative. I admire your passion and the fact that you take action on your beliefs. I'm more passive and uninvolved in these kind of things.

You know Lori I think that's an interesting perspective on using Facebook. Sometimes it is very conversational people seem to be throwing as you put it "witty come backs" back and forth. I hadn't looked at it that way but you're right. However, most of the responses are not in real time. Often they are several hours later. My point now that I rambled a bit, is that I think everyone uses Facebook differently and you are the quick and witty as any of us. So there.

Anyway I still say I like this better. It's more conversational. I'm glad we have them both.

I know how you feel about Facebook, Patti. I look at it once in a while, but I can't seem to get into it the way I'm hooked on the blog. It hasn't become a daily habit for me like the blog has. I do better in smaller formats like this. I'm not very quick on the rebound or whatever that's called when you're good at throwing back witty responses. Or is that just an excuse? I don't know what's holding me back.

I always enjoy the times our sons decide they need to move back in. Unfortunately I can't really think of a scenerio in which that will happen again. But you never know.

I'm heading up to P.I. tomorrow for a mammogram and bone density scan. Next time around I'll have it done here but it's already scheduled so I'm going ahead. Next month I have a dental appointment up there too. I just haven't felt like making those necessary changes.

You know I like being able to come here and talk because I know who my audience is. I can speak freely. In Facebook anyone who has added me as a"friend" included my former students can see anything I write. It doesn't lend itself to sharing. Here over the years I've felt comfortable telling you ladies, and Richard where ever you are these days what I'm really thinking or feeling.

I can just imagine that Monday gloom with the wind and rain outside. It's nice to be in a warm, cozy house, but when you don't have electricity and can't make coffee, I guess it's not so cozy!

I didn't know your son was doing a massage therapy course, Patti. It should be easy to find a job doing that. Yes, Rafi's back with us right now. Maybe he'll start looking for an apartment, but right now he has to readjust to life in L.A. first. His head is still in Seville.

A Vermonter captured by pirates! And then freed!

That's good news Lori. I'm glad Rafi enjoyed his trip. Is he living with you again?

Kevin finishes his massage therapy courses this week and sends away for his license. Then he plans to go to San Diego and spend time with a friend for 10 days. I hope he has a job before he leaves. Thats the mom talking. I think Colin will like having the house to himself for a while.

My son, Rafi, got back last night from his month in Seville, Spain where he was studying Flamenco guitar and Spanish. We've been hearing all his stories about his time there. He loved it! He really clicked with the place--loved the atmosphere, the warmth of the people, the lifestyle, etc. A friend of his from Israel was there with him, too, so that made it even more fun for him. He came back in such a good mood. It seems like it was just what he needed to help him heal over the separation from his wife.

Happy Birthday, Richard!!! Where are you???

Wow Lori, that's definitely a whole different situation. We rarely are together so its almost always uncomfortable. Dave's dad is here but we didn't make it to church as Dave was feeling sick this a.m. We'd gotten up, we were ready to go, I had put together a casserole for the Easter Breakfast and poof, no go. Oh well.
A quiet day here in the chilly 30's.

I find holidays a little stressful myself...so I completely understand, Lori.
We are going to my sisters house in Lebanon tomorrow for dinner...I am cooking a turkey to take and she is doing the ham. My sister-in-law and kids are coming down from Milton, so it will be nice to see them. It is Heather's birthday today, so we will have cake for dessert tomorrow. Neil went to work late morning today, so it has thrown his day way off...I don't have to make dinner...he can have some leftovers when he gets home. I did do a little cleaning and made a 4oth birthday card...
Happy Birthday Richard...where ever you are lately!

Patti, I think it's the opposite in Avi's family. They see each other TOO much, so then they get into each other's business too much. It's definitely not a problem of being polite and reserved--more a problem of one person thinking he's right and the other's wrong and telling that person how he should do this or shouldn't do that, basically how he should live his life. Get the picture?!

I'm glad you're feeling better about things Lori! I wonder if sometimes holidays are a pain because we don't get together often enough and so we get on each others deserves too easily. Sometimes I find our family feels like guests more than family. Polite, reserved, uncomfortable.........

That's okay, Patti, you can still wish me a Happy Passover! Now that it's over, I'm able to laugh about it more. I think that's nice that Obama had a Seder at the White House. Well, I'm back to the kitchen. Today the group will be here again for Kiddush, our Friday night meal, but I'm used to that. I don't get stressed about that anymore.

Well I was going to wish you a Happy Passover Lori but now I'm not sure I should. Sorry it went badly for you last night. I thought it was pretty great that there was a Seder supper at the White House.

Dave's dad arrives today and will stay through the weekend. Should be fun though I wish the boys were here too.

The yard is drying up well and I can see an over abundance if there can be such a thing; of iris, a couple of tulips, and some crocus. Next year there will be an abundance of other spring flowers, both out front and back of the house. I'd love to come and help you rake and weed Kathi, just think of me as there in spirit!

A blessed Good Friday to you all. - Pat

I'll volunteer Karen and Patti to help you in the garden. How's that?! They seem to be into gardening. I'm recovering today from having the Passover dinner here last night. We usually go to Avi's sister's house, but she didn't feel like doing it this year--so I sort of got volunteered. It was a little hectic and tiring, and we finished really late so now I'm just kind of grumpy and wondering why we need these damn holidays. They seem to bring out the worst in people. Sorry. Just letting off some steam. I'm okay.

Can everyone say...Spring Fever, Spring Fever....the kids were wild and crazy today. It is cold here, upper 30s and windy...I guess it would be kite flying weather if you had mittens on to hold the string. Oh well, it will get warmer soon!
I went for my follow up appointment for my elbow and hand. He said it was healing nicely but to keep my activities limited for another six weeks. The ligament holding the tendion together was pretty shot and it will take up to 3 months for it to heal...slow but sure he said. Guess I'll need to have my friends come over and help garden!!! Any volunteers??? lol....
Have fun Karen...think you should put a bet down for me!!!

that's a beautiful Azalea Karen. the setting is great. Do you enjoyed the races?

I look forward to having blooms in the area here. In the meantime I bought a magnificent Hydrangea which I am keeping in my living room. so far I see Iris starting and maybe lilies but its too early for them so probably not.

I didn't say it was low calorie! But it is pretty tasty!

Wow, thanks Kathi, I especially like the 2 parts butter!

HASH BROWN POTATO CASSEROLE BY Kathi

1 (26 oz)thawed shredded hash brown potatoes 1/2 stick melted butter
1 (15 oz)can cream of chicken soup 1/2 tsp. onion powder
1 (8 oz) sour cream
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1. Melt butter, add soup,sour cream, onion; mix well.
2. Add Hash Browns and stir into soup mixture.
3. Add cheese, saving some for the top.
4. Put into greased 13x9 baking dish.
5. Top with remaining cheese.
6. Bake at 350, uncovrd 45 minuts to 1 hour....until golden brown.

Adapt to however you want...different cheeses, salsa,chopped onion.. etc.

Yum , can I have your recipe, I'll make some for Easter breakfast at church. I'm already scheduled for a quiche.

Sorry Pat, I actually missed the waitressing route. I did go to the AW to eat but not to work. It used to be a busy place.
Multitasking...sometimes...not lately!
Karen, hope your weather warms up...we are rainy, I think you sent that this way. It rained so hard tonight before supper...huge huge puddles outback..good thing we have the drainage in the basement! Have fun with your sister. I am sure you will find something fun to do together!
I have school tomorrow...sigh...we are having a staff breakfast before school, so I had Neil help me mix up some HashBrown Casserole...everybody likes it and wants me to make it everytime....so, I'll bake that in the morning and it'll be hot for the breakfast.
Wishing everyone a fun weekend!

I am definitely not a multitasker. I can't even concentrate on my exercises at Curves if someone talks to me. And everyone knows not to talk to me in the kitchen. Either I'm talking or I'm doing something else, not both at once.

Oddly enough I have always enjoyed waitressing. don't ask me why, and I think I was good at it and could be again. However, the new restaurant opening is delayed so I don't think I'll be taking a job if offered since my availability in the summer is so sketchy. I'm bummed.

I remember our A&W days fondly don't you Lori and Karen and Karen. Kathi did you work their too my memory isn't real clear on that. We ate so much stuff free whether we were supposed to or not! I didn't like it when it was raining though. they had these ugly, heavy brown coats for us to wear. I even met some guys while I was working that I dated. Just another car-hop tart!

Today was terrific here. After class I stop and applied for a waitress job on the way home and then at the superintendents office for substituting. The afternoon was warm and I raked in the garden freeing up some iris. Then I enjoyed a cold HIPA in the sun. Now we're going to have a burger and rice for supper. A quiet evening home.

Pretty funny Lori!!! April Fool's Day entertainment...kids didn't know the difference between fooling someone and scaring them...
I made a mushroom, onion and rice soup tonight for dinner...it was pretty tasty. Of course, I took dinner over to my neighbor...(along with some leftovers)...now I am wanting chocolate pudding....which I won't make.
Nothing much new here....it was damp, raw and rainy here today...but temps tomorrow are suppose to be close to 60. That is what we are waiting for!!
Hope all is well with my friends...

Hi you guys. I'm mad at all of you...........April Fool's! (Okay, okay, I know that's pretty lame, but I couldn't think of anything better.)

Kathi, you are definitely very nice, but I can also definitely understand how tiring that can be! That lady is lucky she has you for a neighbor. I have a 97-year-old neighbor, but her unmarried sixty-something-year old son lives with her and takes care of her. Doesn't seem like he has much of a life. I feel guilty most of the time that I barely go over to see her--though I've written a few poems about her! (Does that count for anything?!). Last time I saw her, it didn't seem like she really knew who I was anyway.

Patti, I don't know if the readjusting gets easier because I fly a lot. It just seems that when I'm away for a shorter time, it's easier to get back into things here.

My gosh Kathi, after all that she was released. I can well imagine her daughter was mad. They're going to have to figure out something other than having you watch out for her. That's quite a responsibility. I know it's not in you to just let her monitor herself. Her family really needs to step it up here.

Do you ever get tired of being "nice"???? Its not that I don't want to be nice but it can get to be exhausting. We are having all these budget issues like I've told you...and some want to talk all the time to be about it....with me....Saturday, my elderly neighbor, whom I adore...came over while I was outside reading in the sun, chatted for a while and then walked back to her house. I watched her get there safely..and a few minutes later she is on her steps ringing this bell on the side of her door and waving...so I go over, and she is in the middle of a stroke. I get her to the hospital, call her daughter who lives 2 hours away....wait there at the hospital with her until she comes...a little traumatic for us both...yesterday, I go and visit with her at the hospital for a couple of hours...today, I come home for a few minutes before going up to visit her, call her hospital room to see if she needs anything brought up only to find out they released her a couple of hours before..so I call her at home...she is out feeding the birds...sigh...so I go over and make her go into the house...make her supper and call her daughter who had no idea that they had released her....she had talked to her twice during the day and nothing was said to the daughter about releasing her...so she is upset...and I feel like I have to check on her until they figure out the arrangements of care for her. She seems to think its fine to stay alone....luckily, it is only her speech that has been effected....I am sure she will be fine, I just don't want that responsibility of making sure she is. Anyways, I guess I will still be nice....We had talked about her helping me clean because I couldn't scrub things..to which she had responded no, I don't think so....so I told her...next time, she didn't have to be so dramatic and just say no!

The sky is bright and I'm seeing more and more of peoples yards now. I'm looking forward to seeing what might be growing in the raised beds here. I've seen signs of Iris I believe.

Lori are you feeling like you're back to your CA routine again? Since you make the trip so often is is more difficult or does it get easier to just get back to the day to day?

I'm off to a birthday party cookout today and then knitting in Orono at Fiberphilia.

beautiful spring rain today

It's nice that you can appreciate the sunshine after all the bad things going on! I don't have a black car, but my son Rafi does, so I'll have to let him know about that. So the farmers have to get their cows to stop farting?!!

Dead hens...pretty funny, huh....
I am sitting here and Neil has the news on....after watching Glen Beck's show and now the news, I am so tired of it all...Lori, I hope you don't have a black car in CA...as of 2013 they will be illegal (so the news said) because it will use much more air conditioning to cool it down making the emissions more. Dairy and small farmers watch out too....cows are producing too much gas...got to tax the cows...Karen, are you going to host a tea party on April 15th??? You could have Glen at your home...I told Neil that's what he should do....
We are in such a turmoil here in Springfield with the budget not passing the first time, the superintendent has sent pink slips to 60 teachers...including eliminating all music and art programs...it is a "threating tactic" or will/can he really reduce the staff that much IF the budget doesn't pass this next week??? Makes it such a joy to go and try to teach children...So, of course, everyone is edgy...plus we are making up days on the next 2 Saturdays...
Good news is my hand works really well...although I am still not twisting and lifting on the elbow...Someone gave me a bottle of vitamin E to rub into the scars..seems to be working really well...so there is my medical advice of the day...use vitamin E oil on scars....
We had the most beautiful day here today..65 degrees!!! So so nice. I am sure the rain from Karen later this weekend...but for now the sunshine is heavenly.
Happy weekend everybody!!

Exercise is the last thing I get back into when I come home from a trip. My goal is to get back to Curves next week. That's nice that you have a group of friends at the gym to go to lunch with after you exercise! So we're hens now? What comes after that?!

Thanks, Patti. I'm glad you're getting something out of them. As for resting up, I haven't done much of that since I got back--just jumped right back in to laundry, bills, buying groceries, etc. etc. So different from being on vacation! It usually takes me a week to get back into things here. I don't know why it's going faster this time, but I'm not complaining.

Welcome home Lori, I found more of your poems today. Such a pleasure to enjoy them. Rest up.

Hi. I've been catching up on everyone's news. I got back from Israel this morning. I'm too tired to write much now. It was a good visit. Short and sweet. I had quality time with my family and saw my friends at the end of the visit. Two friends are going through difficult times with their kids. One friend's son suffered some kind of trauma in the army a few years ago. He was doing okay for a while cuz he had a girlfriend, but now she broke up with him, so he's really falling apart. Another friend's daughter was hospitalized for some kind of mental breakdown. Life seems so bittersweet sometimes. So much suffering--but also a lot of happy times....

Kathy, I'm amazed you can teach with all the construction going on. Just driving by Union St School looks as though the whole school is in a bubble of construction plastic and portable rooms. Sorry you have to make up days on the weekends. They used to build extra days in. This IS Vermont afterall.
Pat, your class sounds interesting. It's a whole lot different going back to school at this age, you actually learn cuz you want to and can find it interesting. The teacher also makes a big difference.
My Celtic Woman concert was awsome. There voices are so angelic. Even my son-in law enjoyed it. Course he had a few beers too. Sheila (my middle daughter)lives in Dunbarton NH just outside of Manchester.
I haven't seen my granddaughters for a while now. Lily is in Florida for 10 days and my little one was sick this weekend.
So we did a lot of yard work this weekend taking cae of trees Ron cut down. What a mess. Beautiful weekend tho. I can see 1/4 of my yard. Still alot of snow to go.

Hi Kathi, we have the same rule in the County as you do for 1/2 days. If we stay in the building until 12 it counts as a whole day. They move the lunch times around so that all the kids eat before we get them onto the buses. I haven't heard yet if they are going to have to do extra days. We did last year but I don't think we had nearly the same outage as you.

Dave left early this a.m. to go over to Sunday River and ski for the day with some friends from MA. Back tonight.

I'm going to follow your lead right now Kathi and go down to find my Easter goodies.
bye all

Happy Spring!!!!
Sunshine and mud...melting snow! I am sure we will see another storm before the end of April but at least we know that it will melt fast!!! We have 5 snow days to make up plus 2 construction days...so it has been decided we go for two half Saturdays...there has to be 50% of children present to count...so hope parents will want their weekends interrupted. I'm, of course, thrilled to go on a weekend....seems a little off to me that its okay for us to do a half day on a Saturday and have it count as a whole day...why can't we make up snow days like that? If there is a early release day, we have to eat lunch at school to make it count as a whole day...so not quite sure what this difference is.
My hand is doing much better and I can type two handed for a little bit at a time...my elbow is still stiff and sore but healing nicely...did some lefthanded cleaning this morning!
Headed to see my grandbabies tomorrow for the day!!!!!!!!!!! I found lots of Easter treasures leftover from my mother that I am going to share with them.... I will post some pictures over the next few days for your enjoyment...snicker, snicker.

As a matter of fact the base age to attend courses here is 50! It called the Senior College; it's affiliated with the University of Maine. Theresa, a woman I met just after moving here has been a good friend to me and she was going to take the course. She encouraged me to join her. We're pretty sure we're the youngest heads in the room. Interestingly with many of the students our parents' age they remember things that happened in world history that we don't. They'll say "Well in 1956 such and such was going on" We go "Ya sure".

I had my first class in European History today. It was amazing. The professor is really something. Very opinionated and happily so which makes for a lot of laughs.

I'm glad we got the Honda when we did, I'd hate to be using the truck to drive 45 minutes to school. It's a pretty drive along the coast at least.

This weekend we make a strike against our basement mess and really empty boxes and organize down there. I want my bread maker and i know its down there somewhere!

Isn't it amazing that we can all keep in touch with each other no matter where in the world we are! I am so glad that you are enjoying all those special family moments, Lori...Karen, happy that you had a wonderful sister vaccation, though I missed talking to you. Pat, don't you love that new car smell??? I can actually use my right hand lots more after 3 weeks of uselessness....my elbow is still healing, guess the tendion takes longer to heal...so by the end of the day, I know that I have been moving it....plus, I can only type with both hands for a few minutes before it begins to pull, so then I go back to my great one handed style....
I am not sure where all our "guys" are....maybe we do scare them away, although not intentionally! Come back boys!!! (men).....Have a great day everybody!!

Karen, I know what you mean about connection with the family. That's what I needed this time, too. I guess that's what I always need when I come here, but this time the visit is shorter than usual, so I've mostly been going back and forth between the kibbutz where my parents and my sister Amy live and Modi'in where my sister Katie lives. I've only seen one friend so far, but I'm saving a couple days at the end to see my other friends here. I'm really enjoying Katie's kids (ages 7 and 10). They're so cute! I'll be back in L.A. on March 24.

Good to hear from you Lori. It sounds beautiful where you are right now. Please give my regards to your family, it's been so many years. Enjoy.


We've purchased a new Honda CR-V; Royal Blue. Traded in the truck. I'm not a County Girl any longer. We put 400 miles on it this weekend going over to NH for a Mystery dinner Theater. Had a great time.

Hi. I'm at the kibbutz where my parents and my sister Amy and her family live. It's nice to be here in the winter when all the wildflowers are blooming. Usually I'm here in the summer when things are more dry. I've been doing a lot of walking, especially when I was in Tel Aviv with Amy. There's a promenade along the beach in Tel Aviv and a lot of people walking and riding bikes there. Winter here is not like your winters there in Vermont and Maine--though it sounds like you're finally starting to thaw out a little!

I'm thinking not going yo work for not being able to do my hair would probably
not go over well....I think its more the can't grib a pencil or scissors..they are just glad I'm back...Happy Wednesday!!

Hey there, no snow here, high 30s today and 40's tomorrow. melt melt melt melt melt

Sorry you can't do your hair. Should you take more time off?

We are having snow this morning, so a 2 hour delay for school, so far! Gives me time to try to get "ready"! One handed hair doing is not a easy thing...hopefully, today will go better!! Have a good day everybody....I know Karen said she would be away from the computer...just teasing from afar...You getting Snow, Susan or Pat???
Richard or Brian??? Karen??????? Lori?? (lol)

I think I remember Karen saying she'd be off-line while she was away. That would drive me nuts! Its, windy and warm and melting. Come on SPRING............

Lori, so glad you are enjoying your vacation with your family. Sounds like you are having a great time. Spring is certainly on its way here...rain and temps in the 40s is melting this snow and turning it into Oh, Lovely Mud!!! I am sure there will still be snow in the future but now it won't last for months! Karen, I know you are having a great time too ...don't they have computers in Florida???

Hi everyone. I arrived in Israel Friday afternoon, and Saturday we all went to a restaurant to celebrate my mother's birthday. It's the kind of place where you don't have to order. You just sit down and they keep bringing more and more food. The food was delicious! Then you go downstairs and sit on the mattresses and pillows they have spread out on the floor, and they serve you coffee, tea, and cake. It's in an Arab village up north (not in the West Bank). I'm at my sister Katie's house right now, waiting for my friend Wendy to come see me. Tomorrow I'm going to the kibbutz where my parents and Amy and her family live. So, as you can see, I'm busy and having fun!

Patti, I'm glad you got a clean bill of health, and, Kathi, I hope you're recovering and your arm is better. Hope you're all having fun. Bye for now...

unless you live in Arizona, you should turn your clocks ahead tonight. Hi Lori where are you?

I noticed this follower thing on the dashboard a couple of days ago. There was a gadget to download so I did and that's when John L showed up as a follower.

Good news, I got a clean bill of health from the clinic. Ta Daaaa

I am finding it very difficult to sit still and not do much...there are only so many tv shows and movies to watch...and books to read. Then Karen has the nerve to go on vacation! lol. Miss chatting! So, tell me what you are all doing to help pass my boredom!!

Celtic Women are Irish singers.
Glad we are all done pretending!
John Laplante are you hiding from us??

Excuse my ignorance, but what kind of music is Celtic Women? In high school I might have pretended to know what you were talking about, but I'm beyond pretending now....

Glad you're doing well, Kathi, and are even managing to appear on the blog!

hey Deb, it's Sunday night at 7 and Celtic Women just came on MPBN..........