I think we should get together! Lets consider this a open invite to all who want to join us...we'll have to figure out where...and when...we could even watch the parade together! hahah...

I just looked it up and yes, that's Alumni Weekend. Friday the 26th. So what if anything can we do? I'm driving over to Calumet the 3rd of July and Dave and I are staying there that week.

I'll find that poem Lori and read it again thinking of you reading it aloud before your peers.

Thanks for all the support! Patti, the poem is "The Blue Embrace." It's in my book, "In the Mood for Orange," which I think you have.

That will be nice if you can organize a mini reunion. I'll miss this one, but I hope I'll make it to another one.

June 25, I really would love to do that!

Lori, that is great! Stand up and be proud...be confident...you'll do fine!
I am so ready for school to be over this year! It'll be a long 3 weeks, I am sure! I just hope it doesn't rain most of the week, like it is predicted to....plus we have to have our classroom packed up and ready to move...again...hopefully for the last time ever! We did get to see the inside of the building the other day. Our room will be great when finished!! Can't wait....We have 4 people retiring in our building this year...our principal, guidance person, the special ed teacher and a 1st grade teacher...big retirement open house at school next week...we have to make cupcakes or cookies to bring in...anybody want to make 2 dozen cupcakes...One day next week, we go to Cavendish for a picnic at my teachers house...so it'll be a busy 3 weeks.
Anyone want to get together ....Karen will be in town June 25th week...let me know!

That's all really great news Lori. You must be very proud of Rafi. It's wonderful that you're going to take that plunge. Will you share your poem with us? How wonderful that you're going to do this. It's very brave.

Rafi's band played at a club in Hollywood on Friday night, so Avi and I went to see them. They've been busy rehearsing and recording all year, but this was their first performance in a long time. Maybe they'll get back into it now. We thought they played really well--good energy, nice beat--but something was wrong with the sound system at that place. It was hard to understand what the singer was saying or singing. But despite all that, people seemed to be having fun and I think they could tell the band was good even though the sound was bad. There were about 350 people there.

I'm feeling kind of nervous cuz I'm going to be reading one of my poems in a poetry reading next Saturday, June 6. I don't know how many people will be there. It's only 1 poem, and hopefully it will go well, but I'm still nervous! I feel like I have to make the plunge, though. It's now or never. I can't keep avoiding these things! The reading is being organized by the editor of the Sisters Singing anthology. Other L.A. poets who have poems in that anthology will be reading, too.

Our house in P.I. has finally sold. I don't know for how much but I've heard that there were a couple of families bidding on it. Like what we're doing here I imagine whoever is going to live there will make many changes. Make it their own. Its the way of the world.

I've had some some nice comments from folks back there on facebook.


Dave has gone down to visit with his Dad. He's worried about him. Time is marching on for that old fella I'm afraid. But God willing there will be many years more for Dave and jack.

I'll post the photos I have of our construction work so far.

The boys name was/is Ryan Casey McGhee...not someone that I knew in person or his parents.
There is a candlelight memorial service tomorrow night in town, that I am trying to work myself up into going, and he will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery later. I am just so tired of these needless deaths and getting depressed over them....

Kathi, what's the name of the guy from Springfield who was killed? Do we know him?

Patti, sounds like you're adjusting really well to your new home and town--even thinking about looking for a job at the school there. Maybe you're more adaptable than you thought!

Yippee I'm back in! for quite some time I've been unable to access any google sites and have finally gotten my sign in and password reset.

Hope you had a good birthday last weekend Ron. I'm guess that it was last Saturday not this Saturday.

Its good to be home and all the contractor stuff is in full swing. The soon they got started the sooner it will be done. And we'll be broke. Then we can start living on our actual income and not think about what "was" in the bank. Reality at last. HaHa. Hopefully I'll be able to get a job this fall at one of the schools in the area.

Hope everyone's well - take good care of one another!!

Its raining here....certainly made subbing and inside recess such a joy....sigh...Karen, send that sunshine here!!!
I had a late birthday dinner with my 4 close school friends last night...its like the day never ends this year...lol....she made this chocolate lava cake and homemade vanilla/chocolate ice cream...oh my god...it was so good....

I know I get on my soapbox sometimes about Supporting our Troops....and their families.
There is yet another Springfield native that has become a fallen hero in this war. He was 21 years old....moved when he was in 9th grade down south to VA...on his 4th tour of duty...first one in Iraq...and was killed 2 weeks ago. They are planning a candlelight memorial on Friday night at the Memorial site on River Street...it really breaks my heart. I need to work myself up to going to this....thanks for listening, my friends....

We will do that, Kathi.

Memorial Day this year marks the 5th anniversary of my brothers death in Iraq. Please take a moment tomorrow to respect all our Military who have served and are now serving. There will be a national moment of silence at 3pm...Please take this time to send Happy Thoughts to those men and women serving our country and those who have given the ultimate sacrifice...they live on in our hearts forever. Thank you.

Hi everyone! Well we've had rain, sun, and beach but sadly, no cabana boy! Evidently there is a season for that and I'm not in it. Oh well. I'm going to enjoy the sun today while it lasts and possibly for the last time here on our trip. Storms are scheduled starting later today and each day but that's not unusal. An afternoon rain is one thing but the thunder and lightening I'm hearing about will keep me in. Perhaps a peducre will made me feel better. I'll give that some thought once the clouds open up. In the meantime I'm going to go on the intercostal waterways and take a tour.

Honestly I'm looking forward to being home and getting started on our contruction projects. We have budgeted certain monies for this and need to get it spent before we do something rash and don't have it available.

Here I am with my Birthday Granddaughter.
Isn't she the sweetest!!

Karen, have a good time in Florida, I hope Pat's enjoying herself. Must be nice to have a cabana boy. My sister and I had grand ideas of such a time and met in StPete for her 50th Bday 2 years ago. We got on the empty beach and were surrounded by dead fish. Needless to say no cabana's for us. We did enjoy the weekend tho.
Happy Birthday Kathi. Enjoy the day!! Ron's is Sat. and we'll be sure to have choc. cake. The long weekend sounds like it will be a good one. Temps in the 70's.
Have a good weekend all.

I knew it would be challenging to get us together but I'm still hopeful. Your summer in Israel should be restful for you. Seems like you are usually on the run tring to catch everyone when you're there. I'm glad you'll have a good long visit.

Yes, to beachin' it! I plan to hand out the cocktail flag and signal my cabana boy regularly. Enjoy your trip Karen.

I won't be able to make it to your camp this summer, Patti. We're leaving for Israel on June 30. Avi and Danit, Darren, and Rafi will be staying for 2 and a half weeks, but I'll be there longer--until Aug. 8. Omer is in Nicaragua now, but he'll be meeting us in Israel this summer. He'll stay longer than the others. Anyway, I won't be able to travel to both Israel and Vermont this summer, so Vermont will have to wait until another time. Sorry it won't work for me this time. I hope you manage to get a few people together at least.

Kathi, is your birthday May 19th? I know it's May, but I don't remember the exact date. Anyway, whichever day it is, I wish you a VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! Enjoy it!

Hi ladies, I'm trying to catch up boy there's a lot of posts to read which is wonderful!

Lori did I miss your birthday? So sorry, I hope it was a pip. I have a sneaking suspicion that Kathi might be coming up too. It's about time all you caught up with me. When I was in H.S. It was fun being the oldest, since I certainly was the smallest. Now, well let's just say I still hold one of those titles!!!

So let's talk about this summer!! I was serious when I said I wanted to get you girls to come over to NH and spend time at my campground. Susan has signed on and I wish as many of you as possibly can - will do so as well. Janice are you listening?? I haven't picked a weekend because I want to find out when you can or if you can/will come over. The trailer is already on site and waiting. Karens S and V I know it may impossible for you but please know I really want to see you.

It thrills and amazing me and everyone I tell (I tell people all the time) that we are still in touch and loving it. We are a very lucky group of women.

Dave and I leave for a week in Fort Lauderdale this coming Monday a.m. though he will be working most of the time, we'll have our late afternoons and evenings so it will be fun. While we're away our roof will be done. We're really trusting our contractor.

Happy planting everyone........-Patti

Hi Everybody....glad we all had a great Mother's day....I think we should celebrate every day!!!
Neil and I were here alone...my kids got together and sent me a big bucket of perinnals...lots of different kinds..I still have to read all the tags to know where to plant, how much sun, etc....just love the gift that just keeps giving! They all called and Chloe (my littlest grandbaby) called to sing her Happy Mother's Day song....she is almost 2....she gets on the phone and starts whispering..."happy, happy, happy, happy....." I guess there are more words but that was the one she liked the best. It was quite funny.
I treated myself (thanks to a gift certificate from Christmas) to a pedicure tonight. It was heavenly and felt so good. Unfortunately, I could learn to love all those pampering things....maybe in my next life!!
I wonder who is going to have the big one with the initials KS, thanks Karen Stover...you are just tooooooo cute. Trying to figure how to celebrate with my daughter and Chloe...I am thinking of taking Tuesday off from school and meeting them part way to celebrate together...we'll see!
We got rid of all that wood from the front yard. Neil put a "free wood" sign out and it was gone in 2 days! Great for us...as we would have had to rent a wood splitter to get rid of it...some of those pieces weighed 200 pounds....

My son Omer is still traveling, but the other 2, Danit and Rafi, came over on Mother's Day. Rafi brought me some Mrs. Field's chocolate chip cookies--guess he knows I prefer cookies to flowers! They thought we'd watch a movie together, but we ended up watching the special that was on TV about Alzheimer's. Pretty depressing, but really well done and interesting, I thought. Did any of you see it? Not the usual Mother's Day activity! Well, at least we were together! It's a 4-part program, so that was just the first part.

Debbie, the fires were near Santa Barbara, which is about an hour and a half from us, so we weren't in any danger. But my niece and her boyfriend were driving back from San Francisco and had to take a detour when they got near Santa Barbara.

Happy Mother's Day to all my friends!
Nice hearing what wonderful days you have had. Everyone celebrates the same day in different ways...My kids sent me the biggest bucket of perinnals...now to plant. Neil took me out to dinner, we went to West Lebanon to Koto's Steakhouse. It was nice.
Neil put a sign out front on our front yard saying "Free Wood"...needless to say, all the wood is now gone off the lawn...now to cut the stump back and clean up the sawdust and fill in holes....
I am trying to make a bunch of birthday cards for next week. My youngest granddaughter will turn 2...I am making this fold down cupcake book...it has 5 pages each adding more to the cupcake ending with the whole cupcake with two candles....I need to cover all the pages, add photos...my printer is giving me a hard time....of course....and put embellishments on it...hopefully, I will finish in a couple of nights...I have a feeling they might come up this next weekend...the kids want to know when they can come back to Nana and Papa's house to stay...lol.
Again, Happy Mother's Day to all ............

Happy Mother's Day to all, Thanks Kathi for getting me back on track with the address. I lost all of them when my phone Co. did and update, then I finally switched to highspeed. I know I'm a little slow on the draw.
I had the best mothers day ever. We celebrated Sat. My sister is home from Ark. until this next Tues. so I've had the week off. All 3 of my girls and 2 spouses , my 2 granddaughters, Val and my Mom and of course Ron, were all here. The guys planted 2 crabapple trees for me and then today a climbing rose. We had steaks and hotdogs on the grill. I love it when my girls are all together. It happens only 1 or 2 times a year. We all just love it when my sister comes. She's always been a very special auntie. We've got some great pictures, and sometime I'll try to post some.
Karen, I like your bucket list. This time of year must be very exciting with the derby and all.
Pat, I feel your pain. I've redone each room in my old house at least 2-3 times since we've been here (30 years). I had that problem with one room and I ended up painting over the wallpaper on 2 walls cuz I was so sick of the scraping. It didn't turn out so good. Good Luck.
Lori, I hope the wildfires aren't near you.
Where have the other bloggers all gone?
Any more word on if we'll try to get together this summer?

Mother's Day comes not that long after my birthday, so I always feel like I've already celebrated it and that I don't need more cards and presents--yet.

Yes, I think the not sized is the problem. I have all the usual tools but it's a struggle. I'll be wicked glad to get it done.
Janice I echo Karen's birthday wishes! I don't think you're looking at Facebook anymore are you??
Dave and I start a ballroom dance class tonight. We leave for Fort Lauderdale Tuesday of next week so we'll miss the second class. Oh well. I think I can miss class for days in the sun! Nothing but rain here..................All of New England I think.

I've heard that one too! I look forward to having company though after we fix things up and make it more of ours. I've been working hard at peeling off this darn wallpaper border. It's wicked hard to get off. We've painted one small room any have a lot more to go.

Karen, have you heard the saying, "Guests and fish stink after 3 days"?! Actually, it's been pretty easy this time cuz they rented a car, so they're not dependent on us to take them around. Right now they're in Las Vegas for 2 nights. Then they're coming back for a day and then going to San Francisco for 2 nights. And they're so enthusiastic about everything they've been seeing here, so that makes it easier, too. We almost discouraged them from going to Universal Studios. It seems boring to us cuz we've been there so much, but they really liked it!

Can I borrow your grandchildren, Kathi, until I have some of my own? They're so cute!

Here are a few Nana moments.
Sorry!!!

We are back from CT after returning the Grandchildren back to their rightful owners!
I had such a great time (with a few exceptions) with the kids. The youngest who is almost 2 is so funny. She has many many facial expressions ...and definitely knows what she wants. She is very quiet, laid back. She slept through the night...something she doesn't do at home....Little Miss Princess (Camille) will sit for hours doing "art projects"...she is a girly girl who likes to play in the dirt. The oldest one , Caleb, is all boy, jumping, running, moving even while trying to sit still...he has the red head temperment, too. Kids always act differently when their parents aren't around!!
Back to reality tomorrow...I think it'll be a long week!

I really like the card, too. He's definitely talented!

Kathi, looks like you have a lot of wood for your fireplace now!

My niece, Galit, and her boyfriend, Sammy, just arrived from Israel. They'll be visiting us until May 12, and then they'll go to N.Y. for a few days and Vermont for a few days. They've been together a few years, and he just proposed to her before they came. We were all happy about that. He's a really nice guy. This is his first time in the U.S. He's been to places like Thailand, Viet Nam, Guatemala, Brazil, etc., but never the U.S.

Here is the tree in my front yard....The electric company
is trimming limbs and decided that the tree was rotten through the core of it...and this is what it
looks like tonight. It is pretty sad...but it saved us lots of $ not having to pay to take it down ourselves.
Hope all is going well with all of you!!

I'm still going 3 times a week, though I have to drag myself there sometimes. It's not like I'm dying to exercise. Once I get there and hear the music, I get into it again.

Hi Lori, I joined the local Curves here n Hampden last week. They are running a 30 day special so I didn't have to commit for a long time. I'm hoping my time there will get me back on track to being more active generally. there was a curves not far from our campground too but I think it closed last summer. Too bad cuz I could have gone there during the summer months.

Karen why the move? Does Rich have something else he has to go to?

Okay so I guess I'll add my 2 cents. so much went wrong with our last administration that our current administration has extra hurtles to surmount. I believe it would be prudent to let our congress and senate reps know how we feel through email or phone but in the mean time; we need to give Mr. Obama a chance to make a positive change.

Karen, sorry I didn't respond to your last political comments. I did read the Romney article. It looks like we might have to agree to disagree. I see Obama's actions as showing some humility instead of what I would consider arrogance--the idea that we're always right no matter what. Yes, freedom and democracy are important, but maybe we do make mistakes sometimes and maybe there's a better way of getting our message across than by force. I don't think one side can be all right and the other side all wrong. There must be some common ground between the 2 sides, something we can work with in order to reach a compromise. Maybe I'm naive. I don't know.

Camille sounds so cute! I'd like someone to say that to me. Actually, Danit and Rafi wrote some really nice things on their birthday cards to me about what a good mother I am, etc., which was nice to hear, especially since I seem to have this terrible habit of putting myself down all the time. A lot of people tell Danit she looks like me or acts like me. It was nice to know she takes that as a compliment, not an insult! This was also the first time Darren (Danit's husband) wrote something on the card, so I definitely felt loved and appreciated. We ate at a restaurant called Hugos which has a lot of healthy things that I've never eaten, so I wanted to try them--like quinoa and some weird-tasting green juice. Of course, I made up for all the healthy stuff with a huge piece of chocolate cake for dessert.

Karen, can't you sell the house "as is"? Do you definitely have to move? Where would you go? I know what you mean about needing some time at home sometimes, but I think it's great that you get away on the weekends so often. Sounds like you're always having fun.

Hoping your birthday dinner celebration was great for you! Always fun to go out with your family. Again, Happy birthday!

I have had such fun with Camille this week. I am meeting my daughter tomorrow in Holyoke to do the exchange...will go shopping while down there. I was hoping my friend was going to drive down with me but those plans fell through. Camille told me tonight when I was putting her to bed that she was so sad and was going to miss me. I said she couldn't be sad because she was still here with me ...she rolled over snuggled into her pillow and said ...okay...It was a pretty sweet moment. She also told me she would love me forever even when I'm dead. I guess that has to be the ultimate compliment~I always think its funny that my husband always wants them to stay longer, when he is working all day!
Have a great weekend everybody....weather suppose to be warm and beautiful finally here.

Thank you all for the birthday wishes here and on Facebook! Wednesday is my grocery shopping day with Avi's mother (she doesn't drive). Not too exciting--but tonight we're planning to go out to eat for my birthday (Avi, me, and the kids, except Omer who is in Costa Rica now).

Happy Birthday Lori! I hope you're dong something fun to enjoy the day! - Patti

 
This afternoon, Camille conned Papa into taking her into the attic to find something to play with.
This is what she found: A big basket full of Original Strawberry Shortcake and her Friends Dolls. She
spent the afternoon playing with them...dressing and combing their hair. It certainly brought back memories
of watching my girls play with the same dolls...

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.