Pat, hope your camper has lots of blankets tonight...suppose to get down into the 40s. It definitely felt like October weather here today. High 66 and windy. Good day for mowing, which I did. Only one more week of vacation for me too....just when I'm getting into the groove. Told you before, that retirement could look good. Where is everybody???? Out enjoying those last summer moments??? Let's hear all the exciting adventures! Lori, have a safe journey home. Glad that you are visiting all your family and friends. Roland, haven't seen you on Facebook....could you navigate into the site?? Happy Thoughts...

Kathi, I too had problems with facebook but it finally let me in today, now..... if I can navigate it

For some wonderful reason my internet is accessible right here in my camp site today. It's pretty nifty. The days are still lovely but not so hot and the nights are much cooler for sleeping. Cool enough for an extra blanket in fact. Dave and I are really enjoying these last couple of weeks of vacation. Back to my classroom the first of next week.

Had a great visit with friends in Rutland last week. Some we hadn't seen in 20 years. So interesting that some folks still are so recognizable and others not so. Last visit with my sister for some months now I imagine. Tried to get her to think about moving north with us but she's not at all interested.

Sounds like you've got your hands full Karen, hope everyone is getting better. Off to the beach I guess. Poor me :)

Hi everyone. I've been having a good but hectic visit--a lot of running around from place to place so we can see everyone as much as possible. I'm too tired to write more than that right now. I'll be back in L.A. on the 19th. I'll write more when I'm back. I've been reading what you're all up to, though! Just not giving anything back right now. Sorry....

Nothing too exciting happening here on this side of Springfield. Feels almost like a fall day today. Breezy and sort of cloudy..maybe it'll rain, too. I went to Milton on Monday and had a nice visit with my sister-in-law. I was helping her put her kitchen back together after major renevations. It is really beautiful. Today, my sister came down with my niece and nephew to visit. Growing up too fast. Neil had the day off and we did recycling...hummm...now I'll got think of something for dinner. Karen, I hope you are not Nurse Rachet!! Make sure someone is taking care of You, too.
Happy Thoughts....

The sound of power saws can still be heard all around the town. Folks will be quite a while cutting out from under the terrible storm last Friday. Dave and I were lucky and had minimal tree damage. Just some limbs that were easy to tote off .

Been spending several hours a day in my new classroom getting it ready. We leave tomorrow afternoon to go back to camp in NH. We'll be there until the 19th. One week left till school opens at that point so I'm glad I'm as far ahead as I am. My new job is becoming more diversified and more interesting every day. I'm looking forward to it.

Gas prices are dropping from $3.12 to 2.70ish so traveling south this weekend and then over to Rutland Saturday won't be as expensive as we were planning on.

It is beautiful here today. No humidity. It rained yesterday and when it stopped in the late morning it turned very hot and humid. NOthing like 100 though! High 80s. I just did some outside trimming, which I hate to do. I am so short and the trimmer so tal land heavy that I never get the right angle and always break the cord. I end up spending more time putting the new cord in then trimming. The field by our house was mowed this week but they never get close to the fence so I go over the other side and trim that so I can see out into the fields.
Nurse Karen.....I am sure you will do fine...maybe the patients won't though!!! Doesn't sound like fun for any of you. Good luck!!!
Less then 3 weeks before school starts.....Happy Thoughts..........

Well that was nice of him wasn't it? Thanks Brian. i was just questioning the whole read ony thing that folks do. I'm not terribly concerned about it.

As far as facebook goes, I'm not sure why we are doing both? I do like the ease of the photo inserts but we can do that here as well. Just wondering???

We are picking lots from the garden right now. We really need a good soaking rain. The little bit we got yesterday amounted to nothing as the soil wasn't even wet. Back to humid and warm today. Fine with me, wish I could bottle it up and save it.
Just a word on grieving. Its suppose to be emotional but we wouldn't call that a menapausal thing, Roland. I went through the grieving emotional stuff way before I hit the "age" ....so, my suggestion is to just go with the flow and let your emotions take you to where they need to. There is no right or wrong in being emotional. It doesn't matter if you are male or female when it comes to loosing your parent. I'm sorry that you are dealing with that and wish your mother peace and happiness.
It was great getting together with Karen and Janice. I always have a good time chatting and catching up on things.
I am trying to get some things done before school starts....like cleaning out the basement, painting my bathroom...I am way behind but oh well...it'll get done eventurally. Right now I would rather sit outside in the backyard reading a book! Two more weeks.....
Facebook has been pretty slow! Where is everybody??? Lets hear from you!
Happy Thoughts......................

All right then, but having had time to breath deeply and consider all the things I would truly like to say, this is all I'm going to say on the subject. It's spelled menopause you dope!!! Sorry ladies, I know I've disappointed you but my better angels got the best of me. Maybe next time.

Somebody stop me before I say something I may regret.

Hey all, we did get Hospice for mom and my emotions are like ,,, well maybe a womans menapause?????? this just isn't suppose dot happen. Reading the posts sounds like it was great. School has started back up this week down here in somne spots and our fall semister @ church had its big bang today and went well. I will try looking into that facebook.com and checque it out. I finally decided to splurge and get something I always wanted and absolutely love it. I am now the proud owner of my first Land Rover. Not new but very good condition. Joined the Appalachian Rovers and hope to get some R&R on trips and meets. The "clan" of owners is almost like the "volvo clan" I belonged to for som many years. I still like the ol 164 models. Biltmore here I come. (its the closest Rover experience around). Glad all went well. Been really hot here and not much rain. ciao for now.

I read a tremendous article on the 750 words written by The Washington Post regarding Hillary Clinton's cleavage. An outrageous waste of the Post's reporting. I laughed quite a bit reading the editorial however. It's well written and very funny. I particularly enjoyed it as we head back to school and deal with "summer cleavage" among our student population. Trust me folks, there are way too many hormones in the foods our children are eating.

i read the new york times everyday. i get it online. today i read about the 342 different reasons that motivate people to have sex. it's in the science times section which is always a fav for me. there were well over 200 reasons that have never driven me to such activity, especially the one with ice cubes.

It is the perfect Vermont summer weather right now. As I've said before, too bad we couldn't bottle up some of it and save for January!
Happy Birthday to Mr. McHugh and many more. Wonder if he still reads The NewYork Times...how many of you still do?????
Happy Thoughts

A split second after I hurriedly published my posted message this morning I realized that I didn't include Charlie McHugh's mailing address as I did back in June or whenever if anyone wanted to hunt for it back there. Soooooooooooo...it is 9 Pine Brook Lane Unit G5, North Springfield, VT 05150. Have a Happy 90th, Charlie!!

Hi, This may be a bit short notice for those who don't check in that often, but I just wanted to post the reminder of Charlie McHugh's 90th birthday coming up on Tuesday the 31st. He might get a kick out of hearing from some of us. Glad everyone is spending some time in the cooler water. Will be attending my cousin's daughter's wedding in Hinesburg on the 4th with reception following in Charlotte. My cousin Bruce, the Dad, had a stroke early morning the 17th and is in rehab at Fanny Allen in Colchester. He should be able to be OK at the big day. Jerry

Pat, I am glad that you have made some decisions. Life challenges us all in some form or other. I hope that all works out the way you want. I always think there is no better thing then my own bed after being gone from home. Enjoy the rest of your "vacation"....keep in touch.
Hope Karen and Lori are enjoying their vacations too. It was in the 90s here yesterday. I spent the afternoon sitting on a float, dangling my feet into the clear blue water of a friend's pool. I did get exercise, moving my hands back and forth to navigate the float! Such a life it was! Reality set in and I had to come home and make dinner....hummmmm....Happy Thoughts!

It's been a long time coming but I'm ready to head for home. Dave arrived this morning and based on the weather we'll probably head back to head to the wilds of Maine on Friday. I'm miss my gardens and am anxious to see my new classroom. I'm not going to work at the fair this year since I've not been home for a month. My bed at home will be a real treat!!

We went sailing today with a friend on his catamaran. It's great fun.

Well, the excitement of the Simpson's in Springfield is over.

It was a crazy day down in the main street yesterday. The weather was perfect for the big event. Lots and lots of people lined up to try and win tickets to the showing of the movie. Many reporting teams from the networks and newspapers roamed the streets looking for "the perfect" interview. Music, food and entertainment ...Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie all came for the big premiere, along with their "seeing eye" people, to make sure they didn't fall on their faces on the yellow carpet and through the crowd. Nothing like being up close and personal with Homer! I didn't win tickets to see the movie or buy the $20 t-shirt...did get a free poster. Watch all the news channels and they'll have snippets of the hometown event! TV Guide Channel was there, too.....photo by me! lol

We are back from our quick trip to NC. It was HOT HOT HOT there. Big thundershowers in the late evenings each night. We did lot of grandbaby loving. Got to save those kisses and hugs for when we are apart.
Catching up on the newspapers...they are predicting maybe 10,000 here in town on Saturday. Can you imagine that???? Where are they all going to be in front of the movie theatre....4 different showings of the movie, lottery drawings somehow. Springfield is hiring more police for security...It'll be interesting to say the least!
Drive carefully everyone.....Happy Thoughts.

Hi! I don't know where to write and don't want to repeat myself, so I'll write on facebook.

Neil and I are down in NC where it is HOT HOT HOT. We arrived here yesterday morning bringing back our Grandson. He rode really well on the long drive down. We are now visiting with the girls and storing up lots of love.
We will head back on Wednesday night.
Imagine Karen thinking of something crazy to do. lol
I think we should all try to get together again soon. It was fun.
Drive carefully everybody.
Happy Thoughts.....

Hi Jerry, nice to hear from you again. It was great seeing you and meeting Carol. Glad that you had a good time and you are entertaining in Vermont. You can bring her to the big premiere next weekend! What a treat that would be.
We are leaving tomorrow night to drive my grandson, Caleb, back to NC. I am really not excited about the long trip with a 5 year old but....we'll drive at night, so hopefully, he'll sleep a good share at first. I am sure his mom and little sisters will be glad to see him. He has been really good, entertaining, fun and tiring. Maybe I am getting too old for fulltime babysitting! He didn't have any problem being seperated from everyone. this is the first time he has been on his own, so that was great (not having a problem)! I just adore him...and he does me!
Continue to have great vacations so you can share all about them with us!
Happy thoughts and safe travels to all.

Hi everyone! It was great to see all of you at the 35th, especially all of the first-timers who came. I was John Candy in the parade. Karen, I meant to ask you what you intended to do with the whipped cream holding it over Stu's head once, and later pointing at me with it. I can only imagine. Glad to hear your camping out was fun, Richard and Brian. Carol enjoyed your little magic show with the candy, Richard. I had a quickened step early Weds morning when I was hearing and reading about Springfield's big win in The Simpsons Movie competition on radio, TV, and in the newspaper here in the Nashua/Manchester. I also got an overnight email from a church friend who knows I'm from Springfield after he heard the breaking news. It's around 90 and sunny today in the Granite State. I'll be in Springfield Sunday night and Monday to see my brother and perhaps hike Mt. Sunapee. Planning to go see the Royal Lipizzaner Stallions in North Hero with Carol and my aunt on Friday. Have fun whether you're in Israel, Georgia, Bristol or any other place that's special. Jerry

Bedtime, bedtime, bedtime. Now I remember why it was always my favorite time of the day! I love having Caleb here but I have got to tell you that I am exhausted. Guess that is why we have our children when we are still young enough to be able to go nonstop for days! He has been very well behaved for the most part. Keeping busy with swimming, playing, reading, playing, eating, playing,fishing, playing, running Nana ragged....Of course, Papa has been on the road for 3 days straight. He has promised minigolf for tomorrow. I think we are headed to NC late Sunday night and returning on Thursday. Hope everyone is fine and enjoying the summer. Yes, Pat it is weird weather. We were without electricity for 6 hours the other night. Luckily the flooding stayed north of Springfield. How are the storms when you are in a camper?? Hope you get some company this weekend....Happy Thoughts.....

In spite of the awful rain yesterday, ( driving up route 7 was dreadful) this morning is beautiful. Sunny and blue skies. I managed to get into town in time to make the Magic Hat Brewery before they closed for the day. I've stocked up now and hopefully the boys will be over this weekend. I'll be leaving Williston after lunch with Rachel and going to Duxbury to visit my parents graves. Back to the campground by supper time.

Sure hope the next few days over there are sunny. We need to dry up a bit. Flooding in Barre was awful as you may have seen on the news. Weird summer.

Have a wonderful trip Lori1

From the c ampground I'm only about 3 hours from Spfld. This reunion I could actually make!

Yeah, you should all get together in Springfield for the big event! Wish I could come. The reunion was so much fun. Bye you guys. The next time I write I'll probably be in Israel.

I voted! Glad to know my vote counted. Are we all converging on Spfld. for the big event???

doh!!!!

Wow, great photos, Lori. Ahh the fun we had. Thanks for posting 'em.

Say, has everyone heard that Springfield won the Official Springfield of the Simpsons contest! Yaay Springfield! I always knew I was from the Simpsons Show.

Check out the winning video!

i am sorta connected to facebook. i need to do some more work on myself there. i gotta message from karen and replied. i think i will get my old buddy, bri, to give me some pointers. by the way, it was another great fourth at brian's. there was non-stop salmon leaping from the grill and plenty of vermont wildlife catching 'em (and not releasing 'em). there are always a couple of new people for me to meet and i always start by assuming that they are very smart or have special gifts, cuz otherwise i would think there unique and obsessive focus is a strong indication of insanity. i rarely run into people that define themselves by one, single thing like guys who are their car or women who are their big hair or something like that. i ran into neither of those types- not even close. no difference, though. i do love brian's crazy friends. there just ain't nothing like passion. really, there isn't!

I leave on Thursday, Kathi--July 12. I'll try to still be in touch from there, but I might get lazy.

Lori, Great pictures! Glad you posted all of them to show how wonderful we all look!!
Day 3 down....
Just put Caleb to bed! I am exhausted, not sure about him. We went to the Agricultural Fair today....all those Vermont animals...except the camels! Not sure where they are from....He was talking on the phone with his mother tonight and asked her what she did today...she said they walked to the Post Office...and he told her that was "boring"...so I guess its very exciting with Nana and Papa...too funny!
When do you leave for Isreal, Lori?
Happy Thoughts...........

Great photos Lori!

Didn't feel like deciding which pictures to post, so I posted them all....or most of them.

Can you be my grandmother, too, Kathi? I hope I'll have as much patience as you do when I'm a grandmother.

I am here entertaining my almost 5 year old grandson for the next 10 days or so...I just put him to bed after day 2 (without parents). We had a fun day going down to the bike path (my daughter from NYC and her fiance John rode bikes) Caleb and I walked down to the Paddock bridge..needless to say, it took us almost 2 hours to go the 2.6 miles. He wanted to look at each big rock in the river and look where the beavers chewed down the trees. We had a huge storm this afternoon, so he got to watch the Teenage Ninja Turtle movie, his favorite...its actually my 25 year old son's movie from years ago. Funny how those things come back into style. We are reading "James and the Giant Peach" together each night before bed..up to chapter 16, where James is going on the big adventure with The Spider, Old-Green grasshopper, Centiped and the Gloworm. He has now gone to bed saying I'm the special Nana. So guess its going okay! Tomorrow is the Agricultural Fair up at Barlow's Field, so we will go up there to check out the animals. Suppose to be big doings in the street with music, etc honoring the Black River, so we'll check that out as well.
I haven't had much time to be on Facebook but will soon. Happy Thoughts and wish me luck!!

Well Karen, it sounds like you've given Facebook the once over and then some. Thanks for all the info. I saw the photos last night they were terrific!

Here in the campground I have two options for internet. Go over to the Office 1/4 of a mile from my site to connect or I just found out last evening I could hang out next to the men's bathhouse, sit on the ground and connect to some fellow on the other side of the tree line in his summer home. Although that one is closer and all I think It's stealing. I'm not sure. The day light makes it wicked hard to see my lap top screen. I can't fiure out how to boost the display so I can see it. I need indoors or extreme shade. I loaded it with lots of music so I could listen anytime. We picnicked with a bunch of friends the other night and I pulled it out. It was fun to have the easily transportable music.

Dave goes home to PI Sunday after church and i will be oddly on my own here. first time ever.

I'm planning a trip to Rutland sometime next week to visit with Lynn in the Nursing Home.

Thanks everyone, your good wishes and thoughts mean a great deal to me. I'm looking forward to sorting things out, one way or the other. Anyone is the Freedom, NH area, come over for a visit. Camp Calumet, site 40!

I've been looking around the new site too. It seems off the top that it makes for private conversations not the group experience we enjoy here? Am I wrong?

Sorry about what you're going through, Patti. I hope this time away from home gives you a chance to think and figure out what you want to do. As Kathi said, we're here if you need us.

I hope that things work out to your best interest, Pat. You know that you have emotional support from your friends here.
The house is full here, with all the kids and grandbabies here. I always think my house is big until they all come back, now with spouces, significant others and children. Found a big empty computer box today and the kids were playing boat, with lacross sticks for paddles. I got to be the shark...pretty exciting as they wanted to kill the shark, their idea not mine. We then made a house out of it...complete with windows with handles and doors. Then they were playing the three little pigs and you'll probably guess who I got to be that time.
Having a family BBQ tomorrow.

Well Pat, may your camper be the castle Nirvana and assist in quiet serene contemplation.
But the socks will come in handy when the seasons change.

I'm concerned that I may in fact be about to start my life all over and I'm not feeling up to the challenge. The reason I didn't end up at the reunion was marital. Looking back I wish I'd just gotten into my truck and gone anyway. So now I'm in NH living in a camper for the month of July, contemplating my naval and knitting socks. oh well, this too shall pass. I need some really good lyrics here but my mind is blank!!

Wow, you're all saying such thought-provoking things. I wish I had something smart to say right now, but I don't, so I'll just keep flowing. By the way, Brian, what was that rant? Did you make that up? I liked it--and those comments at the end, too, especially about not watching TV. I seem to have some kind of TV dyslexia--can't concentrate unless it's a good movie. Not anything educational. I know that's pathetic. Don't say anything. As for moving around, we've done that a lot, and I agree with you, Karen, that it has its disadvantages, but it also makes you stronger and more flexible. I don't see myself living in Vermont right now, but I'm glad it's still part of my life. Every time I go back, I love it. And, Richard, let us know when you figure it all out. Pretty exciting to feel like you're starting your life now and not in the middle of it.

I agree with the bob seger line, but I think I was feeling more like Kansas kind getting blown around.