Thanks Karen and Roland. Karen I got your note Friday nite, thanks. If I win the HGTV house can we be neighbors?

Pat, I sent you a note from my current email address, so you should have it now. Thanks for updating it for everyone.

Dear Pat, I now have changed addresses too, I went with JOI internet and my address is punchman@joi.com I think its .com and not .net. I'll try and send you an email from thereif I can still access my addressbook if not I'll have Nancy give it to you.

I've been attempting to update the e-mail list. It's pretty bad right now. Many letters came back undeliverable. I have some on the list incorrectly myself. I wrote the new address when I got it into my address book but forgot to change the master list. Has attbi gone out of business? The addresses for those folks have almost all been changed.

Karen I've somehow lost your address, if you wouldn't mind correcting me. It's not ameritech now right??

I'm still hearing from folks based on my last mailing a few days ago, folks who say their address has changed. Guess they're still getting it at the former address too. So I'll give a few more days to see if there are still changes I can make. If you know of someone who did not hear from me recently or who has changed their e-mail address in the last few months. Please let me know. Even Brian King's came back undeliverable. So if you yourself see this here in blogger and need me to edit the list on your behalf or someone else's please get in touch.

I'm really looking forward to details on this summer's camp out. Should be a blast!

You know Richard, there are times when the idea of other wives for Dave is not so unappealing. So watch yourself out there.

I agree with Gerda. More than shorts and sandals, "why are we going there????"

Have a good time.

We are packed like an expedition headed for Everest. Gerda would rather be packed like an expedition heading for the beach and asks, "If you need more than shorts and a pair of sandals, is it really a vacation?" For me, the possibility of adding many new wives to my life is an obvious draw to go to Utah.

Richard have a good time on your trip! Hi Lori and everyone! We hit 44 degrees today, it seemed so nice. Roland, Rich told me it was about 68 down your way today, not bad!

Have fun in Utah, Richard!

Hello to the rest of you--whoever's out there....

Richard, we didn't receive the snow luckily but some areas icey up by am and the usual crash derby followed. Luckily I didn't have to go out much before 10. We do however have ONE ski resort in the NE corner. Sort of like what Bolton Valley used to be. I never got into the boards but it seems like fun.

Hi Roland, Snow in Atlanta. Time to get waxed and go big!

Hi Lori, My mid-west trip was first to Chicago, then Detroit and Flint Michigan. I was talking with companies that make communication stuff for new cars. I was definitely feeling the tentative heartbeat of industry as I drove past monstrous factories- some busy and many closed. There seemed to be some synergy between pawn shops and beer trucks, trading diamonds for drinks.

I leave for Utah this Friday, I can't wait! It would be fun to see you and Avi in March.

Glad to see everyones active and enjoying life! There is so much to do even when you think you've tried it all. My moms still going strong and pushing her late 80's. I attribute it to keeping active. She swims laps now 3 times a week in addition to travels! Talking about snow, they say it might come close to ATL tonight. Hope not, got a route to do tomorrow. My old company inquired about subbing back my admin abilities for new product rollouts and I might do it. A little here, a little there, it all adds up.

Is that the snowboarding trip you just got back from? How was it?

I haven't been going to art openings, music events, or walks along the beach, but I have been doing a lot of hiking on a trail in the Hollywood hills lately with my friend Levana. This is the first time I feel like I'm getting addicted to exercise--I mean I actually feel like going!

By the way, Avi and I will be in Vermont again March 10-16--probably another busy vacation (finishing some things up on the house) but hopefully there will be some time to get together.

Hi Lori, I just got back from a mid-west trip. Great to be back home. I definitely empathized with both, although the American woman could easily be blamed for her problems. It was really sad and troubling because of the bottomless feelings that I was left with.

How is sunny LA? Please go to art openings, music events, and walks along the beach 'cause I can't.

That's definitely one of the messages! Did you empathize with both sides or just with the Persian family? Some people I spoke to didn't seem to empathize much with the American woman. I did.

Lori, That is a good movie and certainly is not a comedy. Do you think that the message was that you should pay attention to your mail and pay your bills so that everyone doesn't have to die? The acting was great.

Richard, you asked about good movies. If you like depressing ones, we saw a good one recently--The House of Fog and Sand. I like movies that make me cry. There aren't too many comedies I like.

Pat, I think you are lucky to have Dave to chase. Another degree, a new profession, and staying active in the winter all sound like good ways for Dave to stay busy when he isn't chasing you (sometimes men need a little help with their priorities.)

I found a great card that I am using for my Valentine that says, "Love doesn't make the world go 'round. Love is what makes the ride worth taking."

Roland, thanks for the helpful hints about the Atlanta area. I am sure we will be okay. We seem to find something to like about each of the places we have lived. Richard, hope you have a good time on your ski trip, no broken bones. Nothing new here. I have been painting to get ready to market the house. The realtor is coming next Tu. Have a good weekend everyone. Later .........

Hi, It's snowing here. Maybe we will get 14". Its the first really good snow that we have gotten in a while. Tomorrow will be warm, that's a change as well! Anybody seen any good movies??

Getting waited on, hand and foot! Fabulous concept! Now I need to figure out how to make that my lifestyle. Right now I am waiting on everyone else. Going for a walk is living large for me.

The unexpected result of my morning walk today was seeing two pairs of piliated woodpeckers. They're pretty incredible. When I got home, my son told me that their tongues retract up behind their brains. That's just strange, but I know that they also have an extra bone in their head and that sounds useful. I think I need a little more bone in my head to be able to keep hitting mine against the wall. Sensing a little frustration? Yeah, maybe a little. Right now I am just counting the days until I go snowboading in Utah, "22, 21, 20, . . . "

Retirement, ah, guess I've been lucky. Been semi retired most of my life and able to go and do most everything I've wanted to I'm thinking about getting my law degree for retirement. Live life upside down I guess. Karen, Atlanta really is a great part of the country. I've been here for 8 years now and always threatened to move as I've lived through a HUGE growth spurt and all the little annoying things with it but they are finally doing lots of future planing and getting the roads a bit ungridlocked etc. The climate is great. Its the best of both worlds. You have just enough summer and when its gets unbearable it goes into a short winter and maybe every other year we get 3 inches of the white stuff but you can either drive or fly to it if you want. GA is second largest state only to Texas in land mass and we have all the climates and conditions of the entire country here. Gwinnett CDounty has the best schol systems and thats where I landed and love it. You can go a bit north but the traffic is not as easy to havigate. Lots of real estate to choose from. I just have a plain (older) ranch house on 4 acres but there are many beautiful subsivisions. When I was in that business I was doing to hight end stuff from 500kup but stuck mostly to the mill plus country club and upper scale apartment homes as they now call them, townhouses that you lease actually. I have decdided that I will probably stay in the area. Its really convienient for most all and we now have everything that NYC or LA has. I know a good realtor, she is VERY honest and fair (associated with Coldwell Bankers). If you want I can hook you up. She says she usually works with people 3 to four months in advance. Her name is Teresa Brigham. You give her a list of your requirements and she won't waste your time on stuff that dosen't interest you. Glad you're coming!! You'll love it here. Course its a bit like Boston in that all roads lead to Peachtree...... ha ha. You'll get that after you've been here a bit. Richard, sounds like you're having fun too. Oh, what one can collect. It takes me about 3 years but OH MY Gosh.... its just amazing. And, the more room I have to more I "collect". Instutituted a new rule. If something comes in, something goes out. Buy a new pair of jeans, one old pair must go etc...... Guess you HAVE to do somehting indoors as by the looks you can't move much outside these days. Almost spring here but we did have a terrific ice storm last week. I spent in in Hilton Head and was waited on hand and foot as there weren't many guests. Was awesome!!

Dave and I will retire in 5 years. We don't know what we'll do. Or where. I'd like to be warm year round but Dave enjoys winter sports. He also doesn't picture himself as a man of leisure. Travel for a while is appealing. then I think he'll go back to school and get another degree and start a whole career. Ick.

I got pretty good help as I cleaned bedrooms, compared to other efforts I have seen my boys make. So far the new piles are just clothes. The mixed piles of clothes, empty CD cases, old candy wrappers, and tons of papers from ???? haven't started to build yet. I think that travelling around the country is a good way to start finding retirement possibilities, but the next question is "what are you going to do there?" I think I may combine visits with searches for transitional employment, like being a volunteer at the San Francisco Zoo or doing groundskeeping work at a desert art colony for women.

Retirement still seems so far away to me. Retirement for Avi, that is. I've been retired for most of my life!

If working with the boys on their rooms is anything like my house, it means you do the cleaning and they watch and identify things that are unrecognizable. My 17 year old just told me tonight that he doesn't know what to do with the stuff in his closet. In other words, he has no idea where to begin. Makes me feel like a major failure in the Martha Stewart department. As for the retirement choices ........ interesting. I just heard from a couple that we know, he quit his job and they are spending the next two months travelling around the country to see where they want to retire. Thought that sounded like a good way to decide.

We aren't moving but I am making a major push to clean, fix, and finish things in our house. I worked with my boys on their rooms the last two weekends. Oh my god!!! Before that I made a dining room table and a dining room out of an extended area of our living room. Cleaning my shop took all of x-mas vacation.

If I could only retire, I might enjoy it. My vote for retirement would be Phoenix or Santa Fe.

If you have friends in the Atlanta area, that should make the move a lot easier. As for retirement, if Avi is ever willing to go back to Israel, I wouldn't have to think twice. But that doesn't seem very likely. It looks like we're staying put for now.

I am sick of it. I would like to get to the point of thinking about what we like instead of thinking of what will sell when we change something in the house. At least I know that there is a commitment to Kellan, my ninth grader that we will not move him again until he goes to college .......... so three years in GA at least. Will be 2 1/2 here by the time we go, except for the weather, I don't really feel ready to leave. I have a couple of friends in the Atlanta area and they are making me feel wanted and that it will be a good place to live. We sometimes talk about where we want to retire, have any of you thought of that? Any suggestions? I don't see myself as a Florida girl! Rich likes Charleston, SC. Where the hell did the time go??????????

So are you too busy cleaning closets and painting to notice he's gone?!! Just kidding. I guess you're used to this moving thing. I don't think I'd have energy to pack up again for another move. But maybe the energy comes when you need it. I guess I better shut up before I make you feel worse.

Hi Lori, Thanks for asking. Rich started work on Jan. 6th and just came home for the first time this past weekend. I had a "honey do" list as long as my arm. He likes the new job very much. It seems like the minute he left it started snowing and hasn't stopped. Today we are due to get 6 inches of snow .... my boys are hoping for the first snow day this year, but they are pretty tough here. I have been spending most of my time cleaning out closets and painting rooms. We have only lived in this house for a year and a half so we hadn't really gotten things the way we wanted them. We will market our house by the end of Feb. and will look in GA in the spring. Glad to have blogger to check on. Hope the winter is short for all of us.

Hey, Karen, are you still there? Did Rich start his new job? How are you managing?

Yes, that's sounds like a good idea. I've heard it's beautiful there. My son, Rafi, was there, visiting a friend who lives there and teaches diving. He went down with a few of his friends, and they loved it there. I'd tell you to come here, but my brother and his family will be visiting in April, so I don't think that would work out. Besides, L.A. definitely can't compete with Cabo San Lucas! But it is warm here!

London was all fun, no business.

April vacation trips for warm???? I like the idea of Cabo San Lucas, the southern tip of the Baja peninsula. It is a desert in the middle of the ocean. It is warm, swimming etc. but not tropical. There's a little bit of Mexican culture and some cool little towns not far from the beach. Driving after dark can be tricky because they have black cows and no street lights. Don't hit a cow, man! One roadside opportunity is called "Art and Beer"- you can sit with an artist in his cactus garden and drink beer.

Wonderful trip to London Richard. When I travel I love to do all the touristy things. Was it all fun or were you there on business as well. Dave and I are looking for something wonderful to do this April vacation. Got any idea anyone??? think warm please.

A while back I read a story that talked about visitors. It said the bereaved are surrounded with food , flowers , more company than they can handle in the weeks following the death of a loved one. 6 months later, when they are completely alone and no one talks about it or comes by to see how you feel is the worst time of the entire process. It is a time of great loss and alone-ness. but no one else is feeling it and so you have to go through it alone. the immediacy of the event is what brings everyone out and then we all fall back away into our lives. Strange phenomenon.

Pat, London was a really good experience. I found a reasonable place to stay that included breakfast. It was a small apartment (part of an older hotel) with a little private courtyard out back. It sat within the city block that is the British Museum. I was in London for 4 days and started it off by going to a midnight show at a comedy club in Soho. Then the real work of being a tourist began including the changing of the guard, Big Ben, Tower Bridge of London, many museums, restaurants, Kew Gardens, and of course the Phantom show. It was only 3 months ago but it seems much longer.

Lori, Gerda's mom and dad went through the same experience when her dad had a stroke (a long time ago)l. The time that was spent at the hospital was not so good for having vistors because Gerda's dad was recovering from a stroke. None the less, many came. Once he was home and could really benefit from some vistitors, no one came by.

Yes, my daughter's friend is definitely awake, but still really confused. His mother is flying him back to Israel tomorrow, accompanied by an Israeli doctor. Hopefully, his situation will keep improving. And by the way, Avi's mother was released from the hospital last week. She's happy to be home, but I think it's also a letdown in some ways. There was someone visiting her every day in the hospital, and now that she's home everyone is back to work and their routines--and not finding time to visit her every day. I guess that's to be expected. Sad, but what can we do?

I knew Richard would have a good answer!

The circle of life is a weird thing. I am here in my classroom "hosting" after school detention. Kids keep looking at the clock. 12 more minutes to go. I'm watching it too.

I see the connection now. Your point is well taken.

Phamtom of the Opera is one of the plays I really hope to have an opportunity to see. The music is spectacular and the story line is timeless. Did you enjoy London?

Dave and I saw Lord of the Dance in Las Vegas recently but it was a traveling troupe or something and not very good. I was disappointed. Oh well.

Are you getting this snow in VT? We are at about 18 inches now and still falling. Well I'm off to Walmart in my 4 wheel drive truck! I need some more yarn and am determined to have it!

Lori, I also am relieved to here of the awakening of your daughter's friend. It makes me feel really uncomfortable to think about how one instant can make the difference between conscious life and unconsciousness. Maybe now he will improve a little more, day by day.


Pat, the only reason that I said "Jerry Springer" is because Walter Cronkite was the one that delivered shocking news like Kennedy's death, Vietnam, going to the moon etc. Today, none of these things are shocking. Now, The TV shock guy is Springer. I saw advertisments for the play based on Springer when I was in London, but opted for Phantom of the Opera instead. Springer probably isn't Walter Cronkite or an art form either. Phantom of the Opera was good! Life is strange!

I'm sorry but I had had to laugh at that Lori! I'm glad the mom has a sense humor!!!! that's certainly great news that his recovery is starting to look brighter. Your daughter must be relieved.

Richard, I don't think you took my question in the spirit in which it was intended. :-(
Jerry Springer indeed. He certainly gives the people what they want, I'll say that much. Didn't I see that he was planning to run for polical office? I know there is a play in London based on his shows. Life is strange.

Jerry Springer

I don't have an answer to that. I'm sure Richard does, though! I just wanted to mention something else. Remember I told you all that my daughter's friend was in a coma from a car accident? Well, he's out of the coma, though it's still not clear what he remembers and what the damage is. He's still attached to tubes and can't move around. But the strange thing is he keeps kissing my daughter's hand and giving his mother the finger! His mother flew here from Israel to be with him and spends the whole day at the hospital. Luckily, she has a sense of humor.

Who would you say is the Walter Cronkite of our adulthood? Is there one?

Not any more, but you used to be. Things change

Hi, have been hearing about the temps in New England. We are getting snow today and it is currently 28 degrees here in Grand Rapids. I think the weather man said 4-6 inches expected. I am headed for my dad's 80th birthday party at my brother's in MA this weekend. I hope it warms up before then. I lived in the country Pat, and we had an antenna so we got three channels and they were all "WSNOW"! You mean I am not supposed to believe everything I hear????????

I don't remember how old we were, little though, in Spfld. my Gramdparents had purchased the first color TV in town. (how did we know this? Beats me but that's my memory) Every Sunday night we watched Bonanza and The Wonderful World of Disney. Percieved reality was live TV shows and the news, I guess. We were all told what to know about and what to know about it. When did "we" begin to question what we were being told? I'm glad "we" did whenever that was.

Clearly, "being there" meant "tune-in, turn-on, drop-out" which had a nasty effect on memory. The thing that struck me about the 60's, as described in the museum show, was how the meaning of "now" was narrowed by TV into meaning instantaneous perceived reality. I think that this has not been so kind for keeping memories alive.

Someone is crying lord . . . (and maybe they have been crying for a long time), but how can you know that if you don't remember. Kum Bah Ya!

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.............