Thanks Roland, I will be cautious! I did the trip once in the snow and it wasn't fun. Have a good one .......... everyone!

Would love to meet for coffee or somthing if you are back on fri. My cell is 770.401.9686 and I'll have it with me. I also travel with the laptop but mom has a new pc too. She lives in Cheshire. My cell has called id so give me a buzz and I'll give you her number or you can give me a number to reach you at. Got to bring a camera if we do so we can post it. Yes, I hear the weather is supposed to be good this time. I usually drive through the Blue Mts and that can get icy or snowy but its beautiful, no tolls, and cruise control crusing usually. Everyone else, please have a great day and be careful,espically you Karen, that can be a LONG trip if it snows.

Have a safe trip all you travelers..................and a Happy Thanksgiving!!

Here in Grand Rapids, MI they are saying measurable snow for Monday. We are leaving on Tu to drive to VT. My two oldest are flying in from college to Bradley on Wed. night. We will all be with my older sister at her vacation home in NH for a big feed on Sat. Then the drive back on Sunday. Lots of driving but worth it for family time. Happy Thanksgiving to all!

No snow here yet, Roland, your Turkey day should be okay. I am going to VT for the day.........am off Friday. How long are you going to be here, mayb we can meet for coffee or something?

Ah, another scotch drinker. My favourite winter libation. I used to drink J&B my parents staple but I have moved up to the Glen, Glenfittish that is. Its smooth and not bitter. Had to go back over to AL this week and the weathers REAL bad. Saw an entire block just disappear in about 10 seconds!!!! Luckily I was up the hill and it didn't touch us but it also blew a few tractors off the freeway and one was a tandem!! Whats worse is that I am fairly blazee about such things as real black clouds and greenish skys..... They say this is going to be a violent November for us. Headed to a warmer place (Destin) tomorrow though. Hope everyone's well and busy getting those turkeys either shot or thawed out for the big day. I hope to be in CT for it with my mom. Easter I'll go visit dad in Prescott Valley. Any snow yet people?

Roland, that sounds fun. If I were going to "retire with a baby grand" it wouldn't be a piano and it wouldn't be lighting up a fat one. Maybe it would be a turkey and the Scotch and a little singing and a nap. I can't believe that T-day is almost here. I guess it's going to be a while till summer comes back. I was just starting to enjoy it. Oh well.

Talahassee tonight folks and its cold here, ugh! But it goes back up tomorrow. Found a great place for steak and retired to the piano (baby grand) after dinner with a few Glenfiddish's. They even got me to sing a few tunes and applauded. It was fun. Haven't done that in years. Home tomorro and then AL next week and hopefully I will be on my way to NewEngland for Turkey the following week.

Some great family chat and insights everyone! I too believe in communication. It is the key to insight. It has taken myself many years to learn that my mom wasnt being a nag, she just truely wants the best and most of all wants me to be happy. As you said Richard, as soon as I understood that I could communicate better and let her realize that I have lead a VERY good life in spite of some downs. I feels quite lucky and am happy and am told that I bring happiness and understanding to others too. That makes me feel good. In Hilton Head tonight. I decided to work part time (with full benies) until my ohter business does well enough to pay the insurances etc. Besides, I like to travel and without management responsibilities its fun to go "visit" clients and see how they are doing. After I was away for about 3 mos its nice to have them receive me with positive manners. So, to you moms, variey to certain individuals is happiness. I found a great card to send to my dad for Vets Day. It thanked him for fighting in WW II to so that I may have the continued freedom that I value so highly. Dads need to be told too, in a different way that we matter.

consultant. Excellant, a new job title. I like the sound of that. You're right Richard. when we get to that point things become much easier.

I like what you wrote, Patti. That's really good advice. And Richard summed it up. I think good communication is really important. I see my kids a lot, even though 2 are out of the house, so I'm pretty involved in the details of their lives. Maybe too involved. I always have to remind myself to step back a little. I guess we're not doing too bad cuz Danit and Rafi, at least, have told us a few times that we've been good parents. Omer's not as verbal, but I hope he agrees. I'm sure they all have criticism too! I'm trying to be a "consultant," as Richard says.

I think your allowed to be a consultant. If you try to be a manager the rubs can be pretty severe.

Happy Veteran's Day everyone. Just in case you want to know: it's 19 degrees here. The beginning of the end.

That must have been a nice time in your relationship Richard. The times when we come to understand each other can be so revealing and can open up communication about so many things. I know the boys think we worry over much and we probably do. But they do know that we're crazy about them and want them to be happy doing whatever they choose with their lives as long as it's not something that will hurt them or some one else.

We don't push them to go back to school but they both know that if they make that choice our help is there as though they went when they graduated high school, like most of their friends. They have good jobs and live resonable lives and though it's not what we figured on it's not for us to decide or make those plans for them. Boy did that take a lot of painful time to figure out.

Growing up in a household where your parents made all the decisions including what your future would be, made for a rude awakening when I tried to raise my own children using my childhood as a guide. I had to learn that it's actually better all around when you let them make their own mistakes and wait to asked for help. Not that I have always done that by any means. I'm still learning but our communication has always been good. I sometimes lean more than I really want to know!

Good idea, Richard! I know Omer hates when I worry about him. It makes him feel like I don't trust him and like he's a little kid. I'm working on it, but it's not easy sometimes.

It took me a long time to realize that my mom was just worried about my happiness. Once I knew this I was able to tell my mom about how happy I was doing whatever and everything went a lot smoother.

Richard I can promise you that your mother is worrying about you. It genetic. We can't help it. It makes up feel needed and keeps the lovely people at Pfizer, Bristol Meyers Squibb, and Merck in business.

All we really want is your happiness. Right Ladies?

I wonder if my mother is worrying about me?

We're really alike. I'm always praying too! I don't worry about Danit and Rafi so much. Mostly Omer, I guess because he's given us some surprises in the past. And he's the one who surfs and snowboards and has to go down the hill as fast as possible and jump and do tricks, etc. He's fallen a few times and hurt his back, but nothing serious luckily, and nothing slows him down. But I guess you're talking more about the nighttime activities!

My Kevin still does that. Nothing starts til around 10:30 11:00 at night. I'm hopefully sleeping by then and I hear him go out. It's frustrating. I'm getting better and just saying my prayers for his well being and going back t o bed. Then when I know he's back i say my prayer of thanks.

Yeah. In the beginning, I couldn't fall asleep until I knew they were home (and in Israel you only START the evening around 11:00 or 12:00 at night, and that's where we were when they first started going out). Now at least I've learned to fall asleep no matter what time they get home!

You have it exactly Lori, I just need them to come home to sleep. All the rest of the day, I'm fine. Once they come in (wee hours or whenever) I can finally rest and know they'll be alright.

Omer, our youngest, has also been back and forth. Now he's out of the house again. He moved out last week into a studio apartment in Santa Monica. He likes being closer to the beach, since he's really into surfing. He's looking for a job connected to what he studied (merchandising), but in the meantime he's helping promote a club his friend organizes and is earning pretty good money from that. Danit, our daughter, has been living on her own for a few years already, but Rafi, the middle one, is still at home and not really in a hurry to move out yet. I know what you mean, Patti--I want them to be independent, but I still keep doing things for them and sometimes I'm glad when they come home to sleep and I know they're safe. I worry too much!

Up here in the north it's called Boy Be Gone. Same basic principle though. We still have one "boy" left. Though he says he's looking for a apartment. We'll believe that move when we see it. It's a double edged sword, you know? You want them to grow up and be "a man" (what does that mean?) but on the other hand sometimes I think I'm not ready to stop being mom. Though when they don't live at home all the terrible things they do are unknown to me so I don't worry so much. Even though I just know they are doing those terrible things. It's a pickle.

We're about 21 months away from getting a room back and we are counting the days. It used to be an art studio, but now it is computer, PS2, and TV central with a luxurious display of papers, CDs, comic books, and occasional food artifacts. Unfortunately, our boys clutter spreads from every foot hold that it gets. Do they sell "Boy-Off" in a spray can?

Well, things are changing in the Mahoney household. Kevin, our eldest just moved into a house across town on Sunday. He's been back home with us since last April. It's quite an adventure. He starts a new job soon so that's going to keep him busy. Now I have "my room" back. So I just set up my computer and sewing equipment in his recently vacated space.

We're using a wireless network so that I don't have to run a bunch of wires upstairs. It's pretty cool how easily that works.

Dave and I started a digital photography class this evening. It's looking pretty interesting. Nice group of people. We're looking for things to do together since our interests are pretty much oposites. Anything computer related seems to peak our interest.

Hope everyone is well out there. Stay warm!

Hey everyone, sounds like everyone is quite envolved and thriving. Thats great. The creative always find a way don't they? Yes Richard, you must stop and smell the roses once in a bit and sounds like you survived the worst crunches yet. One of my offices is in RanchoCucamonga Ca and the fire came close but didn't hit and luckily enough most of our people out there managed to stay safe also. My cousin out in the high desert says it was awful and my other cousin in Vegas reported too. I remember back in the early or mid 70's I was out there and woke up to ash all over my white Delta 88's convertable top but it never came to our house. That did scare me enough to move back to VT at that time. Thinking of making another NE tour for Turkey Day but not sure yet. Depends upon the weather. Got lots of irons in the fire too so must just put aside the time. Nothing much creative here but am drawing up plans for relandscaping my "new to me" ranch house. Would like to have both the inside and outside finished for my annula Christmas tree decorating bash. I have collected ornaments for years and usually invite some close friends over to help decorate and the requirement is they bring a unique to them ornament for the tree. I call it my friendship tree. I in turn put on a gourmet buffet and some wine tastings. I should be able to have a good size tree this year as my living room is 32' long. The house had been added onto and they built an old fashioned properly pannelled "den" which I use for a guest room / extra living room. It opens onto a back patio but no one ever put a door there so I plan to put in a single french door.

Richard, I don't know what kind of art your son is into but my son Nolan is a digital design major at the University of Cincinnati and he loves it. They have a school of DAAP (design, art, architecture and planning) there that is well respected and competes with RISD and the Purdue program. Nolan's major has co-op as part of their training, its a five year program and he hopes to work in animation and illustration on the computer. Of course the programs in CA are probably the top of the line for that.

Lori, I probably sound excited about the travel stuff because I get to go so seldom that I remember every detail and it doesn't take much to please me!

I will be going on college trips too for child three, but we are waiting to see where he is accepted and then will do a whirlwind trip. His first choice is University of Michigan but he is not black, female, or "other" ......... so no extra points on the MI app!! I just love quotas!

Pat we went to Portland to look at Maine College of Art for my son Milan and to check out the town. It was fun, but maybe Milan needs to be around more people?

I think Providence has become what Portland would like to be- not sure, but we will check it out and going on to Newport is a great idea. Last time in Newport for me was in 1978 and I am overdue for seeing old and new things there! I did a sketch of a roof line from one of the mansions in Newport for friends building a new house here a few years ago. I would love to go and see the real thing.

On my 5th day without coffee. I think I'm okay.

Karen that sounds like such a wonder place to visit. Very relaxing with no motor vehicles. Bet it pretty.

Lori I'm glad you are far enough away from the fires to be safe. The smell is terrible though isn't. There were fires in Montreal last year that were so bad we could hardly stay outside the house or car but we were in no danger otherwise.

Happy Halloween everyone! Do you have your costume on? I still have my orange and black spirit day at school clothes on. So I have pumpkins hanging from my ears and a pumpkin decorated vest on.

Karen, you should be a travel agent. You always seem to have good travel advice.

The fires are still raging here--not right near us, but you can smell it in the air and see it in the sky from some places. They're having a hard time controlling it, but the weather seems to be changing now so hopefully that will help.

Richard, how about trying Newport, RI? We went there and stayed at a B&B several years ago, toured some of the mansions, had dinner at the warf and also went to the Kool jazz/food festival. Saw Hammersmith farm where Jackie grew up and she and JFK were married, Rosemont (I think) cottage where the Great Gatsby was filmed. The shore walk is beautiful. I love Newport! Don't know much about Providence, sorry. In PA, we have friends in Bucks County, near Philly. Stone farms, cute villages, very picturesque. Good luck in your travels! We went to Mackinac Island, MI a couple of weekends ago. No motor vehicles are allowed so you walk, bike or ride horses. We took a carriage ride around the island. The views were beautiful and most of the village is Victorian homes, lots of B&B's. Its great and only about 4 hours from us.

Wow, long quiet break here in the Blog. Richard may I ask what you did in Portland? We don't get there often as it is a good 6 hours or so drive. I know people who go down and back in a day trip but not me. We're more likely to drive through on our way somewhere else, like NH or MA. We go maybe once a year if there's a weekend concert and we can plan to stay the night. Last time we did that we heard Ray Connick , Jr. perform. He was amazing. That was a couple of years ago.

We've moved back into fall. There is no more snow and the rains just keep coming. In fact with temperatures in the 50's it's almost like spring. I'll tell you, I wouldn't mind if we were already on the other side of winter and getting the screens back in the windows. I love Summer Time. I'm afraid we may have to mow soon!

Be well everyone - for those out west in CA - please be careful

Hi Bloggers, I feel like I just pulled my finger out of an electric outlet. I have been working non-stop since Jan '03 trying to stay employed (that is the electric outlet in this story) and forgot to take vacation. Now I have a lot of vacation time saved up and the company has a "use it or lose it" policy. I will be taking many weeks off between now and Jan '04. I went to Portland ME last week- I had never been there and I had a pretty good time. I am calming down, it feels good! Anyone have travel tips for Providence or Philadelphia? These are on my quick-trip, check-em out, try to have fun list.

Snow.......ugh......its still in the 80's here during the day but does get a bit chilly going into the high 50's and dewy at night.

So you have to get out the boots for a while?! Soon you'll all be freezing and I'll remind you how warm and sunny it is out here!

Lori it's funny you would mention walking barefoot in my garden. Last Sunday I was doing exactly that and this Sunday we are expecting SNOW. Boy how things have changed over the week.

Its always uneasy when making changes, espically big ones. Lots of umemployment in ATL also. Lots of people don't want to learn a new trade or change where they live. Got to these days or at least be willing to do so. My company is trying to "smooze" me into staying but I told them they now have to show myself what THEY have to offer as I have certainly shown what I can do and I am in the drivers seat to an extent. When I resign in a few weeks it will take them time, effort, and $$ to keep up what I built. If they totally go down the road which they appear to be doing they will loose all advantage over the competition and loose all within a few years. Oh well.............can't tell some people anything and thats a motivational item pushing myself to make money for myself now. I try to keep abreast of the markets and open to suggestions within limits or should I say perimeters. I am trying to do more with my church and also donate more usable items and now food items as much as possible too. CT has been through hard times for a few years and they just seemed to recouver and then this. 911 has also given the greedy CEO's an excuse not to take responsibility for their own actions to an extent. Like KMart, they didn't listen to their customers and employees........Oh well....... as my bro used to say, "Roland, always remember, nothings permanent."

Hi Lori............maybe we can all start on the next one..............35? I know what you mean, Roland. So many companies we reveiw have gone through such drastic changes and it all started with 9/11..........we had whole companies close down..........it was so sad to see, and still is. I hope that the economy does move upwards, as some people say.........I still can't see much improvement at my level. I am the Combined Federal Campaign lead for our district in Hartford, and going to the United Way and talking with others is a indicator............the food shelves in the area are already limiting the hours they are open and the food they can give out..............so I have encouraged all to donate food to them if they do not want to donate to a charity................too many people are unemployed. Good luck with your business, Roland, it sounds like you have your feet firmly on the ground and should do well..................

Hey all, Really nice pic! Been real busy starting another business and buying back another small one I had. The company I have done so much for in the past year is going through a rather hostile take over with lots of politics. I can play the game and win but decided it just isn't worth it so.......back to making money for myself. Got a partner I can trust and hopefully more freedom too. Tying up loose ends for the other company for a few weeks then I hope to be out early next month. I am looking forward to spending time around the new to me house I just moved into and also the cats and dog will see more of me now. I plan also to actually put some permanent roots in and get envolved with the Elks and other local orgainzations as well as my church. Been selling off some physical toys to raise some immediate capital but kept my 86 Volvo. Just can't part with it. Good ol faithful. Was going to just keep the cells but finally installed a landline last week, meanwhile I'm in Al having some fun and heading to FL next week to visit friends.

Hi Nancy. Yes, it was nice to have a mini mini reunion since I couldn't make the big one last June.

Nice picture, you all!! It is good to see you Lori after all these years!! It was good you all could get together. I was surprised at how many at the reunion were still in the Burlington area as well as the Springfield area. Ssome are coming back after being gone for a bit......It is interesting to see that we all age well and don't seem to have changed much after all these years. Glad you got a hold of a passerby..............I was supposed to go to Burlington to give a seminar and supervise a new employee brief as well, but my supervisor decided he wanted to go instead.........he is from NYC and can't get over that it will take him 4 1/2 hours to get there............not sure how close he thought Burlington was to us here in CT. Hope everyone is doing well and can get a rest this extra day off we have (if you have it off). The leaves are beautiful down here already.........one of my favorite times of the year in NE. Take care all........

Karen, I like the way you call us 49 year olds. Somehow that sounds much younger than 50!

Sounds like you have a nice place there in Maine, Patti. I can just see you walking around barefoot in your garden.

Geez Lori I wish I did but no we pretty much are never back in VT. We've moved so many times now I've gotten used to looking forward and not back. We were only in our last home in VT for 18 months. I've lived here longer than I've lived anywhere else. never though that would happen. We looked at moving back to the Burlington area a couple of years ago. The cost of housing was so bad that we would have had to completely change the way we live. Much smaller house, year round work for me. I like having my summers off and we like where we are now. Though we may still move again. Who knows. I would sure love to see you though.

You know, you all look pretty damn good for 49 year olds!!! Keep up the good work!

Save your questions for next time, Brian. There WILL be a next time, right?!

Patti, I hope I get to see you sometime, too. Do you ever get down to Vermont?

Hey folks, I'm back in the groove as it were. Much family stuff good and bad going on up here and it's been very distracting. I'm on a forced unpaid day off today though I'm playing catch up.

Your trip to Burlington sounds like so much fun Lori, I'm envious. I'm awrfully glad that we still have the blog to turn to. We all live so far away from each. Well some of us.

Hi Janice, I know you're out there! Thanks for the anniversary card. I lied though. I told you it was 25 but it was 24. Math and history were never my strong points. Dave says I should send it back and you can up-date it next year!

Fall is falling and with it the temperatures. I might have to put my sandals away soon. I hate the thought of socks and coats. Ick. Our boys are good but still living at home. That's starting to get old. Kevin starts a new job in early Nov. and we're hoping he gets settled into an apt. real soon. Colin is still hiding out in the kitchen as a short order cook. Wish he'd go back to school but that's not lookin too likely right now. At least they're here in town so we get to see them. When they live away we miss them terribly.

Nice to see you again Brian. Great that the three of you were able to get together. I loved Carbur's. Does anyone remember the Black Cat? You could get yards of beer. It burned down a bunch of years ago. I used to love drinking there. It was challenging not to hit somebody in the head with your glass! I've never seen another place where you could buy your beer in a yard long glass.

Hey look! A photo!
We snagged a passerby to hold our cameras. Thanks to PhotoShop, this one was salvageable.

It was a blast, but there are still so many questions. I really only wanted to talk about the East School/High School experience, and not to reminisce, but to figure it out. Wouldn't it be great to really find out what your classmates were thinking, and thinking about in those crazy days? We did cover some ground, and for that I am deeply grateful. More!

I agree, we had a great time. And Richard and Brian look great, too. I'm glad we had a chance to get together after all these years and that we cared enough to arrange a meeting. I won't wait 30 years for the next meeting! And it was fun seeing Janice, too. We did a lot of talking and laughing.

East School was a popular topic. Lori' and Brian's memories were better than mine. I had forgotten about redistricting. It was sort of an intermediate step to being with more kids like the way it would be at Riverside. Lori certainly has dealt with moving around- first coming to East School and then heading to Israel during college. It sounded like it was hard but also a chance to experience new things.

I saw Shorey Wilson from my car just a few days ago. I waved, but she didn't see me.

Did you talk about the old days at East School? I was there for fifth and sixth and had Mrs. Woods and Mrs. Wilson (Shorey's mom). I was redistricted from South to East, that was a very big deal for me......... now I have moved my kids around and I think of that and can relate to how they must feel. So glad you had a chance to get together.

Brian and I had dinner with Lori last night. Lori looks great and is great. Between the three of us, we have 60 years as happy married couples. Who would have thought it possible?

I'm feelin the love, Bri! I still see the kid that was at my 5th birthday party whenever you and I get together. I think the real wisdom is being OK with 5 for life. I know you prescribe to that.

Karen, I was Pete's room mate at the time and he and I also had a woodworking shop together, then. Pete is in Cambridge Vermont where he runs a (post and beam) timber frame and stress skin building company. Larry Kruse is his partner.

Jeez, that was an interesting story, Richard. I wish it WAS Macs that I had to spend all this time with. Actually, my work is done on Bill Gate's money maker. I would like to work less, but our company is struggling in this economy, and we all put in many extra hours a week unpaid, just to survive as a company. It's challenging work, I enjoy it, as well as the time I spend with my family, but that often leaves too little time for anything extra, like a social life. Luckily, I am simple-minded enough to find delight in all my moments on earth, so no harm done.

It's always a pleasure to see you, and I think it is so cool to see Lori again after all these years spent in other worlds. This really is fascinating, to look at a 50-ish former classmate with the reference of a sixth grader's impressions. I mean more time has passed since the school days than we ever spent there, and our real wisdom has formed in the years we have been apart. But not too many people will see that little child in you that is still there, and it's kind of wonderful to have that perspective. Well, I think so anyway.

And for that reason, dear classmates, I love you all.

Great trivia, how do you know so much about Pete's love life? Do I detect some jealousy? Where is Peter now?

It's right next to what was Carbur's. It used to be a Swiss place called Edelweiss or something- you know expensive little sandwichs etc. Carbur's is now the Biltmore Grill. Pete Kochalka used to work at Carbur's during what I call Pete's Summer of Love. It seemed to me that all the women in Burlington loved Pete. His kitchen manager status is probably what made him sooooo attractive. He had great personal control- escaped unscathed- and in many cases unkissed, but he was happy every single day. There were even some really gorgeous twins that were digging him for a while.

I wish you could come too, Karen!

Wish I could come. Did that used to be Carber's (sp?) at the time that we would have been in college? Seems like a hundred years ago.

It's on City Hall Park. It's a right hand turn onto St Paul St. off of Main Street (if you are going toward the lake, one block after Church St). Pacific Rim is 3/4 of a block up St. Paul on the left, just before the open lot that once was Ben & Jerry's original gas station. Let's talk before then (802-764-4353 is work for me).

That sounds good. Where is it? Yes, if anyone else out there wants to come, come!