Ditto from me, what Lori said. With my back injury I can't go anywhere for a week or so. But I hope you all have a wonderful time at your reunion.

I'm getting jealous that I won't be able to be there with all of you! I'll be there "in spirit," as they say. Have fun.

I just spoke with Janice. Plans are to meet at McKinley's at 6:30. They have food there. The band doesn't start at KJ's til 9. So we can get started at McK's and be able to hear each other before KJ's. Sounds like a progressive party to me, huh?
She will call Kathy Westney. I'll make a few more calls tonite.
Karen, you'll post on facebook? I don't always get where I'm trying to go there.

I'll call KJ's tomorrow to make sure ist's not a private party going on. Ron said McKinley's is supposed to be open again this weekend. I'll try to find out more. All are welcome to come to our home in the afternoon. KJ's maybe 7ish?
I'll be near the plaza with my mom and brother for the parade. There supposed to be things going on at Riverside after the parade so that may be another meeting place.
I'll try to give more of an update Wed. night.

Karen, that is fine. Remember about it being one way up through town...if you go to the bank parking lot you will have to go all around by the plaza....My little ones will be here for the parade, too....so not sure where we will go to see it...we used to Park on Pearl Street and walk across the Fellows Bridge and watch it on River St...but you can't use that bridge anymore...

I am finally done school...spent today helping to move the office stuff into the new building...we are all trying to work together to get things back together. Our new building is going to be awesome....so its kind of fun to work on getting it together. I am done with working in the dust for the rest of the summer. (Jutst the dust in my own house!)
I am not sure what everyone wants to do getting together...not too many places in town that aren't already booked...it'll be fun to see everyone who can show up!
Well, I need to go and do some grocery shopping...company coming on Thursday.

I haven't heard much action here lately. Where is everyone? Alumni weekend is this weekend. Is anyone planning to be around? I'll make a few calls to Linda and Janice and if I run into anyone in town I'll pass on the word. I did see Mike Graham on Sat. but he'll be out of town then. Let me know what I can do to get things going.
This summer is already going by way too quickly. We have no big plans for vacation but will probably take a few short trips.
Kathi, it must be a nice break with school finally over. Enjoy the grandkids.

Kathi, I agree it would be great to get together as many of us alumni weekend as possible. I think KJ's has a couple of bands that Sat. if I'm not mistaken. We can always have a gathering here at our place if anyone cares to.
Karen,it'll be good to see you again.
Pat, will you be able to make it? Lori, you're crossing the pond again? It's good your faimily is so close, yet so far. Hope you have a good trip.
I haven't tried facebook for a while, but will check it out.
Tomorrow I take my mom to visit my grandmother (my Dad's step-mom) She turns 99 on Tues. It's a very small nursing home but she is quite comfortable there. It'll get mom out of town at least for a bit.

We're leaving June 30--Avi, me, Danit, Darren, and Rafi. Omer is meeting us in Israel. He's in Guatemala at the moment. We're having a family reunion in Israel with all of my family. We'll all be there except one of my sister Amy's sons, who is in Australia right now. Omer and I are staying longer than the others. I'll be back in L.A. on Aug. 9. Anyway, I'll check out Facebook again....

I am finding FB easier to get to...and more people to talk to. Its easy because you can just type a line or two ...
I always check in here to see who has written..lately, I haven't come up with much to talk about...school, construction and packing boxes to get ready to move...plus have Kindergarten...its been so distracting...and pretty boring. I am so ready for this year to be over...one more week with kids and then I think we are getting one paid day for moving. Then I have a few days off..by myself before my kids are coming to visit...I think its going to be Nana Camp for a lot of the summer!
I am helping our art teacher put together a huge puzzle mural that the kids at Park Street have done. We went and found old pictures of Park Street School to put onto that mural. It is really fun to read about old Springfield.
Lori, keep trying facebook...you can directly to us all! When are you leaving for your trip???

Hi Lori, well you may be right. I use FB everyday and I know that Kathi and Karen do also. I don't know that they mean to use that instead but I don't know what's going to happen here. I still feel both programs have their benefits. The only place I see you and Debbie is here. I haven't seen Richard anywhere in months traveling, incommunicado I don't know. There aren't more people talking in FB from the class Karen V is there ever so often but its rare. Several are signed up as members but they don't use it any more than they did/do here.

Yes, that must be hard to go into a class you don't really know to teach something you're not really prepared for!

Have you all been hanging out more on Facebook? I get the feeling that that's where all the action is, and I'm still resisting it for some reason. Don't know what's wrong with me...

Well it takes some getting used to and some getting over. I still have times of insecurity, sometimes it depends on what I'm talking about and how much prep time I've taken. The idea of substitute teaching is horrifying as one is never really prepared.

Yes, I don't know why that fear of public speaking is so intense, but it definitely is. You're probably okay with it, though, aren't you?--if you were a teacher for all those years and had to stand up and talk in front of a class.

Congratulations Lori on getting through the reading intact! I'm glad you felt you did well. Public speaking is the #1 fear of adults and so add to that reading your own work and YIKES.

Sounds like your get-together is going to work out. Have fun!

Well, I got through the poetry reading last night--without turning red, losing my voice, or fainting! Actually, it went okay. I liked hearing the other poets read their work. Some were really good. One of them was an Arabic woman who was born in Syria and grew up in Lebanon. She asked me if I want to join a group she's in with Moslem and Jewish women who get together to talk and listen to each other. I might try it. Sounds interesting to me, and I think acceptance and tolerance are really important. It was a nice sort of "New Age" kind of evening, but I think it went on a little too long. People can't really listen to poetry for more than an hour, and this went on for about 3 hours. In the first part, 9 of us poets read, then there was an intermission, and then one poet read while an electric cello player played in the background. The music was beautiful, but that should have been saved for a different evening. Oh well...

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?