Yep 7 hours. I leave tomorrow a.m and will travel as far as I can go. Which needs to be 4.5 hours to Wayne where I'll meet Dave at his father's house. Then we'll either follow each other to the campground (2 more hours) or we'll leave Dave's car and go together in the truck. Which means in 2 weeks at the end of Dave's vaca time then I'll either come all the way back here to P.I. or just to Wayne again. So many decisions still.

I heard from Colin this a.m. He's struggling with the state of PA. Evidently it's boring. He took more time off and went with his friend to Ocean City NJ. to the beach. This is the trip that never ended. I think he'll regret it if he doesn't finish up. Children jeez

So in reaction to our having watched the movie Calendar Girls my knitting group is going to do a calendar. We've each chosen month in which we feel a photo would reflect our personality or "who we are". No nudey stuff! Get your minds out of the gutter! I will be June because I prefer warm weather and gardening is my favorite thing to do. so I need to start a summer knitting project to b e shown in my photo. My friend Brenda is spearheading this project. She's extraordinarily creative and adds so much to whateer we chose to do as a group project. Each year we choose one local project to do in December. We've done preeemie birth hats and Kemo Caps. Those were fun becausewe could be as cretive and wild as we wanted. This year will fill a need but won't be as much fun. We're making 18 X 18 blankets for the cage bottoms of cats and dogs at the shelter. The blankets go home will the pets when they are adopted.

Yes, it's hard to believe it's been a year already. It was so much fun.

Patti, it sounds like you've made some kind of decision then--you're staying in Presque Isle? Sounds like that's what you want, so I'm glad things are falling into place.

My nephew came from Israel again, but only for a week this time. He had another appointment at the Immigration Dept. today. This time it went well! He got his certificate of American citizenship. We were so relieved! We were afraid that awful immigration officer would make problems again even though we had all the right papers this time. Luckily, he wasn't there, and we had a lady who was really nice and barely checked all the things he had asked us to bring. We just had bad luck last time. Anyway, it's done and he's going back to Israel on Friday.

7 hours to your camper?? That's a lot to travel back and forth. You might not even need summer clothes. I actually have shorts with a fleece on...its been crazy weather here. Rainy, cloudy, sunny, thunderstorms, back to sunny, etc....for the last 4 days. There is a rainbow that I can see over the field across the street. I love rainbows...Hopefully, warm, clear summer weather is coming soon. I know what you mean about the lawn....every time I think I can go out and do ours it starts raining again. Neil wants to go out and plant more in the garden, we'll see! I haven't heard from Karen yet! Its alumni weekend here this next weekend. My sister is coming down to spend a couple of nights here so she can help work on their float. Can you believe that its been a year already since we all got together??

I need to get my act together to go to NH to the campground. Dave filled the back of the truck with stuff for the camper like hoses electrical that stuff. but I haven't done much about my clothes and toiletries. I have a hard time making that clothing decision. What summer stuff do I want down there and what do I leave here. I don't like to drag everything back and forth. I have no serious thought of how long I'll be in NH this summer even it though last year I spent most of the summer there. I really like my summer life up here, it's so nice to be outside without a parka! The cost of gas and the 7 hours drive really make coming home sketchy.

Dave is still doing his housing move again so it's possible that we'll be coming back up here in 2-3 weeks to pick up furniture to move into his "hew" home. He's looking at both apartment dwelling which I'm opposed to and buying a cheap fixer upper in Hamden. If he bought the house then we have a yard and privacy and space. I like the idea of that much more than obliging us to pay rental that gets us nothing in the end. Nothing we can re-sell or use for income ourselves as a rental if Dave ever retires.

He has settled into the idea that we're staying in P>I> for the time being. It makes it easier on me when he has stopped encouraging me to look at housing down there. We're getting along better without that added pressure. Even bought a riding lawn tractor this past weekend. So I have a nifty bright red Toro tractor. What a time saver that is. I have a neighbor who is going to keep our lawn mowed while we're away and another who is going to bring the mail in and keep my house plants watered.

I was also wondering what those 7 words were. I can't imagine anything THAT terrible.

At age 71 George Carlin has passed away. He may be most famous for his 7 dirty words routine. Other than the original listeners in the audience does anyone actually know what the words were? Apparently there are 3 that are so awful they cannot be uttered to this day. I find that interesting given the ****&&^%## that one hears in film today. Sadly in my classroom too, though rarely.

You're right, Kathi. I just need to let out some steam once in a while!

Gee Pat, you could be Mrs. Robinson....lol. Its cloudy, sunny off and on here today. Mid 70s.
I went to a graduation party today for the son of a guy I used to babysit for...he was my brother's best friend...so its been nice to watch the son grow up ..nice young man. Tomorrow we are going to my Aunt and Uncles surprise 50th anniversary at the Bates Mansion in Cavendish. These are relatives on my mother's side so it should be interesting to see all my "old" cousins..
Karen, you know you are always welcome to stop by....or anyone else in the neighborhood. I have been working on my yard.....I should go out and mow soon. I went to the movies last night with one of my teacher friends and her 13 year old daughter...Don't waste your money seeing "Love Guru" with Mike Myers...pretty sad! I am so glad that school is out!!! Its even worth not getting paid! Lori, things will all work out ...don't stress yourself out ( You can tell me that in September)...enjoy it...remember, it won't happen again for your daughter!
Have a great weekend everybody!

Wow, Patti, you've got a young student coming onto you. I'm impressed!

Karen, have a good trip. We never seem to be in Vermont at the same time. What about L.A.? Any plans to come here sometime? Did you and Richard end up getting together?

It's so hot here, the air conditioner can't even keep the house as cool as we want it to be. I think I'll jump in the pool later.

The wedding is getting closer. Now it looks like we'll also be having a big family meal here on the Friday before the wedding. Help! This is the first time we'll be meeting Darren's parents. Danit and Darren also want them to meet Avi's family before the wedding, so I guess we'll have them over to eat. Maybe not all of them, but at least the ones who come to our usual Friday night meals. My sister Katie and her husband and kids will also be here. So will Avi's uncle (coming from Kenya) and his aunt from Jerusalem. So will Darren's uncle and cousin from Colorado. My favorite thing. Hosting and feeding a huge group. Help! Help!

I'll be glad to send it your way Karen! We've gotten parts done between the showers but it's so deep the mower keeps bogging down. sure looks better where we did it though. Happy travelling!

Rain, rain, and more rain. Finally got the lawn dry enough to do a little mowing but I couldn't start th mower. Jeez I was mad. I went out on 3 different tries but it wouldn't start. So the yard looks awful. Terribly overgrown. Dave is leaning toward buying a rider but I'll be surprised if he does it. I paid a student from my neighborhood to do it a couple of weeks ago but he didn't do a good job and felt a little free with his relationship with me afterwards so I had to nip that in the bud.

Happy Father's Day.
Only 1 1/2 days of school left!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The word came down on Friday that we definitely have to be all packed to move out of our classroom this week. They are doing all the renovating of our building, plus adding on an addition...but they didn't know until Friday that they were going to be working on our end??? Please...they kept saying, we dont' know yet....anyways, it should be interesting! We are going to be moved into a portable classroom until the new rooms are ready.
Neil helped me put mulch down in my big flower garden today. I would have still been laying the landscaping paper....so, I certainly appreciated the help. Beautiful weather here today...warm with a nice breeze, unless you were out in the sun and it was very warm!
My daughter called today and said that she and her fiancee were going to a Iron Maiden concert tonight. I forgot to ask her where they had to go for it...
So, that is all the excitement I know...hope all is well with all of you!
Happy Thoughts

Happy Anniversary Karen and Rich! Another milestone marker. Have a big slice of cheesecake, it sounds great.

Spent the evening watching my 8th graders become 9th graders. they mostly cleaned up real nice. Fun days today just to get the numbers of school days in and do some general housekeeping. I bet I'll still have kids in DT who can't follow the rules and play nice. Oh well. that's my job.

then I'm heading down south. Stay with Dave tonight on Philips Lake and then head to Wayne first thing tomorrow for Avis' funeral. We'll meet Kevin there and afterwards go over to Jack's house before heading back up to Bangor. It's not decided yet apparently whether we'll stay Sat. night with Jack. We'll have to see if he wants or expects us to.

Congratulations, Karen! 31 years! Didn't you have that Outrageous chocolate cake last year, too, on your anniversary? I seem to remember hearing about it.

Richard, you won't get any pampering from me, but if you're interested in having lunch in Burlington in August--if you'll be around--let me know. Aug. 18? 20th?

karen, my cell is 802-999-7479. call when you get back to town. i think it might be difficult for both of us with the schedules as they are. i just love how you pamper visitors so i could handle some stress from my side :-)

Oops sorry Lori. Wouldn't that be nice though? All done, a lovely memory.

This Friday the 13th is our last day of school so something good is happening anyway. I'll be traveling south that day because of the funeral on Sat. A.M. Then back up here on Monday. I'll go in for 3 hours on Tues. to do a "Sat. Detention stint. Though I doubt the student will show up. But if he doesn't he won't be allowed to attend the first day/week of school. No coming back until he completes his disciplinary action and that won't be until the first Sat of the new school year. Jeez what a mess this kid has made of his life. But his mom lies constantly for him so I can't fault him completely. Though ultimately the choice to come to school each day is his.

Patti, the wedding's not this Friday--not June 13. It's July 13. Getting closer!

karen, rich is a lucky man- hummingbird talk, gardening, putting number 50 block on each other, drinking tons of margaritas, and taking a cold shower if it comes to that. sounds like you guys are busy. i can still fit you hummingbirds into my schedule and get away to say hi on tuesday night if you are free. that would be tuesday in eight days from now. let me know.

I haven't hung out my hummer feeder haven't seen any as a result. Though sometimes we see them at the lilac bush, which this year is amazingly full and beautiful. But still no tiny birdies.

I planted a bunch of tomatoes, but in-ground and hanging. The hanging baskets will come to camp and maybe to Dave's new digs wherever that may be. Then suddenly on Saturday the wind came up and blew down trees in the neighborhood. It was quite scary.

So Lori enjoy the wedding Friday and relax afterwards. It'll be wonderful I'm sure. I'm looking forward to the summer and our mini-reunion. I wish our Karen's could be be there....................

Gasoline is $4.24 per gallon. My summer plans are changing right and left with this terrible expense.

A friend of mine borrowed her husbands truck and we went and got a load of mulch. There is this fancy cover on the back of the pickup which raises up on hinges ...well, the cover only goes so far up, so the guy had a hard time loading the mulch into the back..so with lots of careful manuvering he got 3 scoops into the back of the truck...then off we went to unload. Up goes the cover...I climb up into the back of the truck with my shovel...bent over in half, scooping out the mulch...needless to say, I had a hard time getting the mulch out because I was laughing too much. It probably would have been much easier to pay the extra $ and have it delivered! But I feel good that I did it myself! Now to spread it around where it needs to go......Weather is suppose to hit 90s this weekend....way too hot for here! That is July weather....80s for the last week of school...next week....yeah!!!
Travel safely Richard.
Pat, it sounds like you are staying in Your house this summer.....I am sorry to read about your father-in-laws friend.
Lori, I had a hummingbird in my plants this week. I've actually been to Balboa Park...one of the few places I have been!
Karen..just be your usual entertaining self...remember, he has a mother and shouldn't be surprised by anything!
Happy thoughts................

Karen, that's really nice of you to offer to host that guy for a month. I know what you mean about being on good behavior. Isn't great to going back to being our grouchy bitchy selves after people leave?!!! Just kidding. Sort of.

Thanks for the report, Richard. I didn't think I'd be hearing about a hummingbird in a cactus garden. In one of my poems, I say I wish I were a hummingbird--instead of an elephant (which I was feeling like on that particular day).

lori, my travel journal is short for this trip, cuz i have some days left but i am trapped in a hotel at a conference until i go home. i am actually pinned against a canyon wall that the local indians must have abandoned when the eight lane highway was put in right next to it. now its a hilton and i am trapped here for the next three days. at check-in i was told that hilton is the native american word for being trapped in a hotel jammed between a freeway and a hard place. fortunately, my last twenty four hours has been somewhat better. yesterday i drove along the pacific coast highway between newport beach and most of the way back to san diego. i stopped for beer and some fish tacos at a bar next to a pier in san clemente. the waves were rolling in right under the deck where i was sitting. today i was in balboa park, which is a very wonderful park in the middle of san diego. it is huge and i guess it must have been home to a worlds fair back in about 1910. there are great buildings and many museums that have moved into them. the best part was sitting in the sun having a sandwich as i gazed up at a tile covered dome on a towering building next to an old theater there. then i walked through the canyon of palms. it was a secluded walk with fabulous palm trees and lovers stealing kisses. i ran into an odd sign that told me to stop in my tracks because i was entering an archery range. that was a first. i have never seen a sign that told me to beware of flying arrows. well, you can be sure that i took it seriously and i climbed up a canyon path that eventually took me out behind some park buildings that were pretty secluded. all of a sudden i found myself in a cactus garden that was spectacular. there were all kinds. they are the strangest thing and stranger indeed when they are the size of an alien spaceship. there was a hummingbird poised above a flower on one of the giant pin cushions. you know the pose with the wings as a gray blur and the tail cocked to balance the reaching beak that is drawn to nectar. so that was great, but then the hummingbird landed on a twig and sat there. it struck me that i have never seen a hummingbird when it is sitting still. he had a little pot belly and he used his beak to preen under a couple of his velvet feathers, but most of all he just sat there. i stood motionless and watched. he would tip his head a little to the side as he thought about things. as i was standing there, i realized how much i am just like that hummingbird. i tip my head just like he does when i am thinking about things and i have the matching belly, too. maybe there is still hope for me. then i walked over within a couple of feet of him and he took off. it was wonderful. after that i went to another cactus garden- the one that you can find on the map, and that was even more spectacular. it is beside a magnificent rose garden. the hands down winner in the rose garden is one that is called rainbow sorbet. they had a bunch of them and the colors are all shades of brilliant reds, oranges, and yellows. the roses look like their name, rainbow sorbet. after that i grabbed a beer in the gaslamp district. i am afraid to say that these happy events are all i will be milking from this cow of a trip.

How are Dave and his dad doing, Patti? There's always some life issue to deal with. No time to get bored, right? I guess he's lucky he had her as a companion until age 91.

Richard, we'll be waiting for the travel journal. It must be nice to come home to beautiful Vermont even after being in all those exciting places. The ride home from the airport in L.A. is definitely not beautiful. Just an ugly stretch of freeway to welcome you back to L.A. Okay, there are beautiful places here, too, but the ride home isn't one of them.

coffee break is over. everyone back on their toes! hey, you in the leotard. this is not dancing with the stars, ya know. well, i am about to travel 16 of the 21 working days in june. this may change my attitude about just loving to travel. we'll see. i am one week in san diego, one week in atlanta and four days in boston on two different occasions. karen, i could probably bust loose in atlanta (i think) if you have a minute to see me. it is a trade show and those mean i live and breath co-workers and peers until i want to hurl. then there is july and that one has got a bunch o travelin' too (memphis, san francisco, woochie mama).

Dave came home last evening and met me at The Pub, where I was hoisting a few Guiness with friends. We had a fun evening until around 9:30 when his dad called to say that Avis (his companion of 29 years) had passed away. We were expecting it but not expecting it; I'm sure you know what I mean. She'd been declining since last Feb. when she fell in the night and broke her hip. Avis had been in her early 90's. It's been a difficult few months for Jack as she could not come home to him and her family and he were not friendly. So anyway, Dave left today to go to his dad. Kev is driving up from Portland I'm happy to say. That will make things better too. Services will be later this week.

I was wondering where you disappeared to, Richard. You always have something unique to say. You keep us on our toes!

hi lori, you know that you could write something very short for your poetry group. ernest hemingway said that his best work was a very short story consisting of six words: "for sale. baby shoes. never worn." or consider this one, "the last man on earth heard a knock on the door." okay that one is ten words and i can do my own if i am given that many. here is my best shot at describing you tonight: "gorgeous women. mute. man charmed by stories in her eyes."

Nothing that exciting planned for this weekend, Kathi. Tonight it's my turn to have Avi's family here for the Friday night meal, so I'm in the kitchen today (not my favorite place!). Some of them stopped coming, so it's not really such a big group--usually between 10 and 12 people. Then on Sunday I'm going to a meeting of my poetry group. I don't have a poem to bring this time. I haven't been able to write much this year. My mind's too cluttered with wedding plans, fixing up the house, etc. etc. Remember I mentioned that my nephew was here for a while to get his American citizenship and didn't get it because of that picky Immigration officer? Well, now he got a letter to come for another interview on June 25. We got the documents the officer asked for, but I'm still nervous cuz he's such a bastard. I'm afraid he'll still find something wrong with the documents, and I don't want my nephew to come all the way from Israel and be turned down again. If the Immigration officer was a normal, logical human being, I wouldn't be nervous....

12 more days of school left!!!!!!!! I am so excited for vacation. Today we (K-4) went to SpringWeather Nature Area..up past the Springfield Dam for a day of nature...lol...walking trails, doing activities, having a picnic lunch. The weather was in the high 70s and breezy. It was so nice. Tomorrow, we have Kindergarten Orientation where we meet the new kids for next year.
Should prove interesting....gives us a preview!
What is everybody doing for excitement this weekend? We know Karen is driving to Kentucky for a wedding. I want to get more flowers and plant them...where is my landscaper when I need one?
Enjoy and Happy Thoughts...............

That's great news that the stone passed, Karen! I'm sure you were able to enjoy your vacation a lot more because of that.

Happy Memorial Day one and all and happy birthday to Ron!

Dave and I did some yard work and I planted some pumpkins and onions this afternoon. We don't plan to have much of a veggie garden this year. We won't be around probably to keep it up. so we're going light this year. I just have to have pumpkins though! I'll put some tomatoes in too. They're growing at school right now in the green house so I'll have a leg up on those. I didn't start anything else so hopefully I'm not too late to be putting seeds in.

My flower gardens look great this year. All the extra snow did that good anyway. Let the work week begin, at least its short.

I'm really not brave. Sometimes I just do things on the spur of the moment without thinking and afterwards wonder...what was I doing!! I have discovered that I can speak up about what is important to me! Remember I told you about that Australian Editor who interviewed me in March? Well, he was at the Memorial Day dedication today. I had no idea that he was going to be here. (The Garden Club planted 2 flowering crab apple trees at the Memorial on River Street and dedicated them in honor of Kevin, Scott Rose (who's wife is from Springfield) and Kurt Deschen. Families were guests of honor. Anyways, after the ceremony he came over to us to chat. He said that he is very pleased with the article which will come out in June. He is sending us copies....
I feel like I am rambling, sorry!
Deb, I hope you had a great time with your Granddaughter! Happy Birthday, Ron!
Lori, I have not seen that movie, but now with your recommendation I might!
Happy Thoughts..................

Kathi, I think we must have been posting at the same time last time, so I just saw your blog now. I really admire you for being able to get up and speak about something that must be really painful for you.

Happy Memorial Day. Kathy, I work with Dale so I know how tough this weekend is for all of you. Sounds like you did a great job. They were doing a dedication of a memorial colage for Kurt at church yesterday. I didn't attend but must stop in to see it. I was able to take my mom to the cemetary of Fri. noon after getting the flowers. Mortality sure has a way of presenting itself.
We celebrated Ron's birthday Sat. night, got the garden planted yesterday, will prbably take my grandaughter shopping today. It's great to have a long weekend.

You know Kathi you may just be the bravest person I know.

We saw a really good movie yesterday, "The Visitor." Has anyone seen it? It's about illegal immigrants, music, love..... It hits you in the heart, and I was crying throughout most of the movie (if I cry in a movie, that means it's a good movie!).

Happy Memorial Day.
Today is the grim reminder anniversary date of my brother being killed in Iraq. I am trying to stay positive today.
Yesterday, I went to a Veterens Dinner held in Springfield. It was put on by the VFW, Moose Club, Elks Club and American Legion. There were probably 150 there. The Elks has becomed involved in The Medal of Valor to families of those fallen. We received one last night along with Kurt Deshens Mother. You would have been proud of me...I got up and spoke my Thank you to those present and a few other words. I did it on the fly after the MC asked if there was anything anyone wanted to say. I really don't remember what I said, but they gave me a standing ovation after....which was very surprising and gratifying.
Give your families big hugs.....and happy thoughts always....

Hi Debbie welcome back it's good to hear from you! It's easy right!

So, kidney stones, ick, painful, not enough drugs in the world to make me want to go through that. I really hope this passes quickly for you Karen.

It must have been wonderful to have everyone with you for your birthday Kathi! Loads of fun and being able to take them to school with you is fantastic!

Gas prices went to $4.04 today. It's terrible. So expensive for Dave to come home every weekend.

In between rain storms, I got the lawn mowed with the help of a friend's tractor. Even trapped a woodchuck! My first of the spring season. First of many probably. When Gary came to pick up his tractor his took the little varmit with him. Off to a new home. I won't set the trap up again until I see another one.

Good luck with the iPod, Kathi. I've never used one. I'm a little technically retarded. I don't know how to send a text message on my cell phone, and I don't even have phone numbers in my phone. All the numbers are still in a little green address/phone book that I'm not ready to give up.

Good to see you here, Debbie! Keep writing!

Karen, I'm in pain just reading about your pain. I'll pray that the stone comes out.

Hello there all classmates in cyberspace. This is only a test, to see if this will actually work. I'm probably the most computer illiterate of all humankind. But I do want you to know I occasionally check in to hear what's new.
I really enjoyed our evening at McKinley's when Karen was in town.
Kathi, I love the stories of your grandchildren. The youngest of my 2 is just 5 mths old. So far only girls in our family.
Pat, thanks for the invite AGAIN.

Karen I feel your pain....I had lithotrisy (sp) kidney stone blasting done in both kidneys in 2002...my stones were way too big to pass. The blasting part wasn't bad because they drug you pretty well..but I ended up having stents put in so the blasted particles didn't get stuck. That hurt worse then the procedure....I had no idea you could get that up close and personal with a urilogist! If you don't have to have surgery it is much better! So I'll keep my fingers crossed that that stone passes quickly!
My little ones just left so it is very quiet here at my house. I had the best time with them. I took Caleb to Kindergarten with me today. He was very well behaved and everybody wanted to play with him...which he ate right up. Camille is just the most girly girl...who is very artistic and has the vocabulary of a 8 year old in her 3 year old body. Chloe is just adorable...she sits on her leg to scoot along pushing with her other leg...sort of like a scooter. She scrunches up her little nose when she giggles...and almost has "Nana" down. She likes to wave using her whole wrist..flapping it up and down, very amusing. I really wish they could get their house sold in NC so they can move closer....so help me send those "wishes" along to the great house seller in the sky! Caleb told me, "Nana, you try really hard not to cry when I go and I'll try really hard not to cry too....promise"....of course, I did my best which wasn't very good....I just adore them so...
anyways, that's the story here.
My kids chipped together to give me a Ipod for my birthday.....of course, I'm not sure how to make it work now that they are gone. They downloaded some of my CDS onto it, of course not showing me how to do it...so now I'll have to figure it out on my own...or call them with lots of questions!
Happy Thoughts....

Beautiful picture, Kathi. I love all that red hair!

Nope, not much got done....it was either too cold or everyone is too busy doing other things...so I'll just plow along doing what I can, when I can....We had fun together and that is the main thing...being together. Amanda and I took the girls over to school today to "show" them off...Camille spent an hour with Miss Alice our librarian. She just loved her. She got to sit in and hear stories with the Kindergarteners. It was really cute. Chloe fell asleep...tomorrow Caleb will go to school with me for the day....hopefully, he'll remember I'm the teacher not just Nana!
Everybody leaves tomorrow night...sadly. We need lots of positive thoughts about selling their house so they can move closer!!!!!!!
Finals of American Idol tonight!!!!
Happy Thoughts.....

Birthday, Birthday, Birthday....quite the scene here yesterday! We celebrated Chloe turning 1, Amanda turning the big 30 and mine and my twin brothers....I made him the funniest card with picturers of us when we were probably 3 months old looking like he is grabbing my hands and I'm getting ready to smack him....quite funny actually. The kids are here for 2 more days....at least the sun is shinning here today. Yesterday it was in the 40s and freezing! I'll show you pictures, have a great day everybody.

Kidney stones are so painful...The stones are actually pointy and sharp objects trying to get through a little tube, so I guess you could say its like giving birth....only once it passes you can hardly see it unlike babies....I told Karen to make sure it wasn't kidney stones last night...and then this morning she tells me I was right...unfortunately! I had the same issue the night before my mothers funeral, needless to say, I was very drugged going to. Luckily, Karen has a great occassion to attend so if she laughs a little no one will think anything of it!
Congratulations Karen and Rich....great job raising another son! You did good.
It is actually all of our birthdays.....May 19...Amanda will be 30, Chloe 1, and me 54....so they arrived here about 7:30 tonight. My little ones were so excited to be here...it was cute. Tomorrow we are having a family BBQ and birthday party....have you guys tried the Hood Birthday Party icecream??? It is really good!

Jeez Karen, please be careful with yourself. I'm such a weenie that I lay low when I'm in pain. I tried to avoid things like parent meets. I try to command the world to stop until I' m ready...........Yikes!

Kathy, I'm a little confused. Is it your birthday, your daughter's or your granddaughters? Everyone? Wow have a fabulous weekend.

I've been researching lawn mowing tractors. Gosh they're expensive. Just for fun I drove one that was $3,400. Man it was amazing. Turned on a dime, practically served snacks while you mow. Even had cruise control. Not in my price range but boy it was great.

I've heard that's more painful than giving birth. Take it easy on the weekend. Health is one of those things we only appreciate when we're NOT feeling well....

I knew your birthday was sometime in May, Kathi, but I couldn't remember exactly when. So it's the 19th? Have a very happy birthday with lots of love and fun and happiness! Enjoy your family!

Karen, that must be a relief that your mother is doing so well. I'm sure her positive attitude helps.

After hours and hours of looking for, scanning, pasting, cutting up and glueing...my infamous birth - 30 birthday card is done for my daughter. It is a pull out, accordian type card with lots of fun things on the pages. My granddaughter, Chloe's card was much easier to do because she is going to be 1...lol...so only one picture to do! Everybody is coming this weekend (all my kids and grandbabies) so we can all celebrate the "big" day together on Monday. Of course, it looks like rain all weekend so if you can all send sunshine this way it would be great! I told everybody to bring "work" clothes so they could help do some outside things.....I'm sure they are all excited about that. Now to get ready for school.....the voters have finally voted to close down Park Street school and consolidate with Union and Elm....so more renevation coming our way...sigh....It is really hard to work with kids with the construction right outside our window...noise level, workers and smells.....hopefully, within 2 years things will be "beautiful"!
Have a super rest of the week....Happy Thoughts.....

Hi Karen welcome back. I'm glad to read that your mom is doing so well.

I don't think anything has changed in the opportunity to read and or post in over a year or more. You just have to respond to the invitation and step up. I'll send another invite to Deb and hopefully we'll see her back her. That'd be great.

So I guess we can't make any definite plans yet. We'll wait till the time gets closer.

Happy Mother's Day to all you mothers!

Lori I meant the beginning of your time in August also.

I'll be playing much of the summer by ear since I want to catch Colin whenever he gets up there/here. At some point he'll have to cross Rte 4 by the Killington access Rd. I'd love to go over from Ossippee and catch up with him there. We have plans to bring him from the White Mountains in Conway over to camp for a swim, a feast, and an overnight. We told him we'll take care of whoever wants to come over with him. They're hiking with quite a crew right now but things change everyday out there on the trail. Many hikers have already dropped out.

Sadly his buddy Jarrod who started the hike with him has been recalled by the army. He will likely be redeployed to Iraq in July.

I didn't mean the beginning of August. I meant the beginning of my time there--around Aug. 18. Is that too late for you?

For me, the beginning of August will be best as I have school by the end. 5 more weeks of school left. Lots of sudden unexpected shake ups. It was a tough way to end teacher appreciation week. Nothing happened to me but my friends are in trouble.

Imperfectly perfect? I like that! Thanks, Richard.

Sounds like you all had fun, Kathi!

Janice, Karen, Linda Brochu, Kathy Westney, Deb Young and I all meet at McKinleys last night for our mini reunion. We chatted for hours catching up and sharing news. Funny how time just goes by when you are having fun with friends.
Karen leaves this morning for GA and will be back on sharing her words of wisdom soon. She had wonderful news about her Mom, which we are all greatful for....
Happy Mother's Day to all you special women...you've all done a great job! Happy Thoughts...........

hi lori, hearing your blog voice is wonderful. i could listen to you read a telephone book. i am so glad you are beyond stupid :-) i love when a person can say what they feel, who they are, and then go on to say that they are good with what that is. you should be. i have always thought that you are imperfectly perfect.

Yes, I hope we can have that mini-reunion we were talking about in August. I'll be in Vermont from Aug. 17-31. Avi and the kids will be there for part of the time, so I'll probably be busy at that time. I'll probably have the most free time either at the beginning (Aug. 18, 19, 20) or the end (after the 26th). Do you think any of those dates will work out for you, Patti? Anyone else? If not, let me know what works for you, and I'll see what I can do. My parents will also be in Vermont, so I'll be seeing them, too, but I'll find time for you guys!

Okay, Patti, I won't keep my mouth shut. I'm trying to break old habits, and one of those habits was keeping my mouth shut so I wouldn't say something stupid.

Karen, we're waiting for your words of wisdom.....

You should never keep your mouth shut Lori. You have so many things to say that need to be heard! Thanks so much for being open with your feelings and experiences.

Karen I'm very glad to hear that your mom is feeling better. It's wonderful that you were able to spend this time with her. I'm sure she'll both enjoyed it and appreciated it as well.

I'm hoping to be part of a mini-reunion this summer. It just depends on when everyone is available yes????

If it helped, I'm happy, Patti. I was beginning to think I should just keep my mouth shut!

Glad to hear your mother's doing well, Karen. I wish I could be at that mini-reunion.