Adding support to friends is easy to do. What goes around, comes around. One never knows when they will need a little uplifting....Think Spring!!!!! Happy Thoughts.............

Aren't we all lucky to have each other, I sure think so

Best wishes to you and your mother, Roland. Kathi, Karen, and Patti have said it well, and I agree with them about enjoying the time you do still have with her.

Thanks all. Your support means alot. We installed a phone for her @ the rehab ctr and thus can talk daily or as needed. She is frustrated with herself as she has always been in such good health and could do everything herself. Yes, the reverse thing with kids taking care of parents is difficult, moreso on them than us I feel. When @ my Board meeting last night I had a nurse come up to me with info on treatments outside of US but related doctors within. She has proof that their "treatments" work and we talked for a long time so if the radiation dosent and its Gods will that she remain with us then I will take if further. REports of tumors totally disappearing with total clean bills of health. I might even checque into it for myself as I have had bouts with it and might face it later in life too. Gob Bless

Unfortunately a lot of us have gone through similar situations with our parents. It is a very difficult thing. You just go day by day doing what you need to do for that parent; whether its emotional or physical...its reverse....child taking care of parent instead of parent taking care of child. Now is the time to really cherish those moments of being together. Hopefully you and your brother have a good relationship and can share the burden. Wishing only happy thoughts to your mom...

Roland my mother went through something quite similar many years ago. I'm glad you're mother is receiving such good treatment. Spend time with her and remember the pleasures you have shared. My best to you and your family. - Pat

Kathi, the latest is that she has a cancerour tumor about the size of a golfball located in her brain and it is growing. they are going to use radiation this week to shrink or kill it and they put her on steroids immediately to help with her pain and hopefully her imbalance situation. We are going to have to sell her home as she will need to go into some sort of an assisted living situation. She had started to think of that anyway so the doctor says she's a good patient. I'm afraid its the beginning of the end and both my bro and I want her to be able to keep the quality of life she's had as long as possible and her doctor agrees. Thank the Lord she has a good, humane doctor. Any more operations are out and so is chemo. thanks again for the concern and any prayers you would care to give. God Bless ya'll.

It seems like you have a lot of company, Karen! How do you do it?

Happy Spring!!! Hoping spring weather shows up here soon. Freezing March winds but the robins are here...a good sign. Happy Thoughts to all.

And how is your mother doing?

Kathi & Richard, thanks for the encouragement. Richard, you were far from boring as far as I remember. Always thinking and making sense. Spiritually there is only one road and that is of the Lord. I wanted to do that instead of going to good ol Groovy Uvy but my family wouldn't hear of it so now I'm back on track. Its a calling. I have learned lots in the meantime so I can deal better with what the Lord will send myself to do with the rest of my years. Inner joy (not peace) in what I have and its awesome. All my needs get provided for and when I am really good more than that. I do feel really blessed. I feel I was lead here. I hope do do mission within the US but the Lord will tell me and I must remain open to his calls. I have had such a grand life and great educationa nd feel I need to give some back.

Welcome home karen, sounds like a wonderul time in warmth of FL. It's sounds just like you to leap back into the busyness of your life. Yard sales and company. I bet you really like it. I know I would!!

That's a good way of looking at it, Kathi--that it's the way we choose to deal with a hard situation that makes us unique.

Good to see you again, Richard. Are you bored or boring? I don't think you're boring. I'm sure you're eating your pizza in your own special way. The fact that you're thinking about it already makes you different. Most people would just be eating it, not thinking about the millions of people eating it at the same time. I was one of those people, sitting on my friend's couch last Sunday having pizza while we watched the beginning of the Oscars.

Sending only Happy Thoughts your mother's way Roland. Life changes are hard. We all face those challenges, usually without choice but I guess its how we choose to deal with those challenges that makes us all unique. Richard you are probably as boring as I am mundane...The sun is shinning and it is 50 degrees here today. Spring is definitely in the air....although it smells like mud! I washed some windows, waited for the maid but she never showed...hahah...so the sun can actually shine into the house! And you can see out, too. Its never to late to go for your dreams.....Happy Thoughts.........

hi, i am so sorry to hear about your mom's condition roland. i really hope that she finds her way. going forward with spiritual work is a different choice. i think that none of us will ever be happy until we make our own different choices, so good luck. it isn't so hard to find something that you can believe in as it is to believe that you will feel fine once you go to it. really, good luck. i have been the world's most boring person. maybe i haven't been boring, just not very different. forty million people lost at powerball two weeks ago. i was one. a gazzilion million people had pizza for dinner sometime last week. guess what. me too. actually work has been more fun than usual. i spoke with pete kochalka today. he and larry kruse have a great business making timeber frames and pete is such a great accessible person. he is a good listener and turned on. okay, i need to go rest up for more boredom. love you guys, richard

How many years of school are you looking at now Roland? It's an interesting time to be making some a life change. You're a bold one.

Thanks all again. Mom underwent 5 hours of brain surgery yesterday In New Britain, Ct. They think she also suffered a stroke. My bro (Garry) lives near and is keeping me informed. Not much I can do presently. Great weathere here though, flowers in full bloom and thus the ol sinus is kicking in. I have got it down to two schools that I hope to attend for my ministry degree in the fall. Both are wqithin driving distance and both see no problem. I'm excited and only hope that mom will se me graduate from there. Then I would like to attend the New Orleans Theological Seminary and go into mission work. God Bless ya'll, R

It's more like the middle of August, Patti, not early August. That would be great if we could get together! All of us!

I was also wondering about Richard. Hope everything's okay.

My preference would be to get together with those of us here too. Certainly there are friends I'd like to see as well but you guys are the only people I'm in touch with anymore. I bet it would be a whole lot easier to pull off that's for sure. Early August is fine with me. Whatever will work. I told Dave that I was going to plan to go over to see you regardless Lori. I was very frustrated last summer that you were so close and I couldn't get there.

Kathi, I'm thrilled that you've joined us here. You're a welcome addition to our conversations!

I wonder if it would be possible for Karen to come? Richard is missing again I'm sure you've noticed.

If you're out there Richard, know that we miss seeing you and hope that your business life is going well. But mostly I hope alls well with you and your family.

Your welcome, Kathi, but I don't think you have to thank us. I think we all have to thank ourselves for keeping this going. It's pretty amazing!

I would like to see all of you. I actually would like to thank you for including me here. It has been nice hearing about what you are doing, your lives, and families. And having you listen to me! Thank you for your support. Happy Thoughts...........

Patti, I'll be meeting my sister Katie and her husband and kids in Vermont in August. We still have to set the exact dates, but it looks like it might be something like Aug. 11-29. If it works out for you to be in Vermont at that time, that would be great! I don't know yet if Avi will be coming. If he does, it probably won't be for the whole time. I think I personally am more interested in seeing all of you who I've been in touch with, but if you can organize a larger class thing, I'll give it a chance!

By the way, Avi and his partner were supposed to finalize their separation last week (his partner was supposed to give him the money and sign the papers), but at the last minute Avi had a change of heart. He started feeling like a fool giving up a business that he had worked hard on for 6 years and for a price that was way less than the real value. So he told his partner the deal is off. They've been talking now to work out a different arrangement. Maybe Avi will be more like a silent partner who's just involved with certain decisions, and his partner will manage the day-to-day business (probably for an additional salary). That way Avi can continue working on the new line he started. There are always surprises around here....

Welcome back home Lori and travel safely Karen. There seems to be a lot of travel among us lately. It's typical warmish/coldish up here aright now. Warm (35-40) during the day but whoa from 4 o'clock on. Boy it's cold.

I think we should plan a summer get together. Lori when will you be in VT this summer? I'd like to set up a camp out maybe at Branbury State Park. A little less than an hour north of Rutland. I remember it as a beautiful park and a wonderful lake and beach area. Someplace with a swimming arrea would be nice.

I'd be willing to send out a mailing to the class list. Many of the names are no longer active but we can post in the blog also and maybe some peole are still reading it but not speaking. Though I don't think that's necessarily good. Anyway. ........

Any interest? Large group, small group, anything at all could be fun.

Have a good time in Florida, Karen. I'm pretty much back into things after my vacation. It was definitely worth going. It was like being on a different planet for me, being surrounded by mountains and lakes. And peace and quiet. I had a good time with my son--we're definitely beyond those teenage years when I was the nag and he was always annoyed with me...

Flowers, grass, warmth....sounds heavenly. Have a wonderful trip Karen...have a pina colada on the beach for me, say Wednesday at noon...that'll help me get through the week! Send some warm weather this way. Don't forget the suntan lotion! Relax and enjoy. Happy Thoughts!

brrrrrr....the wind is so cold here the past week! Temperatures were higher today but the wind was just as cold. Lori, I hope you arrived home safely from your big adventure. You'll have to tell us all about it. Send us some warmer weather! I went to West Lebanon today to visit with my sister who had my nephew and niece from Milton from the weekend. They are getting so big. Almost 8 and 5 with them looking just like my brother. Well, happy thoughts to all....

Do you live close enough to your Mother to give her support? Wishing only happy thoughts for her through this.

Well Roland, I wish your mom the very best.

Pat et el.... thanks for the thoughts. Update is she is going to have brain surgery and its pretty risky as the location is difficult but I'm glad she decided against chemo. Its pretty warm here lately and is over 70 today!!!! Got another project vehicle, a 77 Ford F100 with a big 400 4bbl. I hope to have it for sundays. Its got a real straingt boday and needs aonly paint and a carb. Its presently blue but I want to pain it red and black out all the chrome and add cragers for rims. Stay well all (and warm ha ha).

Hi everyone. I'll be flying back to L.A. tomorrow. Yesterday we flew from Queenstown back to Auckland. It's hard being back in a city after all that beautiful nature in Queenstown. It will be even worse getting back to L.A.! We've had a really good vacation--perfect combination of action and relaxation!

I am back too! My flight got into Hartford at 11:09...20 minutes ahead of schedule, a little bumpy flight being so windy but guess that helped us go faster! ....it was pretty nice seeing daffadils and flowering bushes... good to know that Spring will come! Here there is 8 inches of fresh powdery snow that arrived yesterday. Flurring now. I had a great visit with my daughter and grandbabies. Its very hard to leave them but we will drive down in April. Karen, sit on the beach for me! I could use some sunshine..its suppose to be below zero here tonight. Patti, hope your visit was good and that you drove carefully home. Lori, your trip sounds heavenly. Hope all is well with all. Happy Thoughts..........

Great to hear your visit with Janice and Butch was fun. I figured it must have been.

I head home in the morning. Probably 10 hours driiving see you all on sunday maybe.

Enjoy florida karen!

Well Lori, yes, we survived. Thanks for caring. No evacuation was called thankfully. The fire department came and fixed whatever was causing the alarm and we were all set. Dave was anxious to go though at that point. So we spent a little longer waiting at the airport than I wanted but it's fine. Logan has a nice little side area with rockers and we settled in there to wait for our plane.

So now I'm at the Town Place Suites in Williston. It's right in Taft Corners. Real nice, supper kitchen and plenty of "spredding out" room. I went to dinner with Daddy and Rachel last night and then they came over here for a while. Tonight my cousin Michelle is driving up from Rutland and joining us for supper before heading back. I'm cooking here at the hotel. Great opportunity. It's a short visit but we haven't seen each other since my mom passed away so that's almost 18 years now.

I'm not sure how families separate and move on from their connections. I don't recommend it. I've spent the last few years trying to re-connect with my cousins and have even discovered cousins I have never met. Folks from my dad's side. Very strange. The interent is or can be a wonderful tool.

So travel safely every0ne, and we'll talk again from our homes soon I imagine. By the way, Karen, how was your visit with Janice and Butch. I wish I had more time here in VT so I could connect with more people. I'd love to do a mini reunion this summer. Maybe a camping thing. Anyone interested?

It's good to check in and get everyone's news--we all seem to be traveling lately. Patti, you have to fill us in on the end of the story. Did you get evacuated? Are you okay?!!

I continue to be amazed by the beauty in New Zealand. Such unspoiled nature! Yesterday my son and I hiked up a mountain and had a panoramic view of the mountains and lakes. He had to keep stopping for me to catch my breath, but it was definitely worth the effort. It's going to be hard to go back to L.A. after this...

I am now "resting" after settling the little ones down for a nap. We went for a walk this morning and to the park to play. Amanda and Rob have gone out for lunch....finally! Karen, I haven't figured out IM on this computer so unless somebody helps me I will have to be satisfied with this.
I saw camilla blooming here too. Daffadils are out too. There was a coating of snow on the ground yesterday morning so the big joke was that I had brought the snow with me. Unlike home, though, it was gone in 2 hours! Hope all is well.....Happy Thoughts ....

Hi everyone from the Courtyard Mariott Trement St. in Boston. Dave and I head home in a few hours. It's been a fun couple of days but bitter cold wind chills. We went all over the place anyway though. Les Miserables on Sunday was wonderful. I'd love to see it again!

When we get home this PM I'll be switching suitcases and heading to VT for a few days. A little snow is expected but nothing too worrisome.

As we speak the emergency lites are flashing and an announcement to heed the possible evacuation alarm is being repeated. As you can see I'm ignoring it. If the evac notice comes on Dave will appear with my coat I imagine. (I'm down the hall from our room in the nice little business area) Nice of the hotel to provide these computers for us.

Lori, NewZealand sounds fabulous. Dave has arrived quite concerned so I'm going to go. Talk to everyone soon! I hope - Patti

Lori, sounds heavenly. I probably would have been given the maid quarters! haha. Have a wonderful time. Certainly better then the below zero windchills here. It was very windy for the past couple of days with lots of trees and branches down. Karen said her parents were without electricity for 24 hours...they only live a mile or so away from me and luckily we didn't loose power. I am flying to NC tomorrow for a week to visit with my daughter and grandbabies. I am excited to see them. Hope everyone has a wonderful week. Happy Thoughts..........

Hello from New Zealand. It's amazing here. I feel like I'm in a dream--so quiet and peaceful and beautiful here. I'm with my son in Queenstown, and the hotel is right on a huge lake with mountains all around. It's tourist season here, and they didn't have enough rooms so they upgraded us to something that looks like a presidential suite. We were in shock when we walked in. We thought they made some kind of mistake. It's more like a luxury apartment than a room. It has a huge balcony with a jacuzzi, a living room, 2 bedrooms, a laundry room with a washing machine and dryer, a modern kitchen, and even a movie room--and all for the price of a normal room. Tomorrow we're going up the river on jetboats and funyaks..... I'm not going to want to go home!

Happy Valentine's Day everyone! Getting ready to finish out the week and then head to Boston for a few days. then on Wed. I'll be on my way to Burlington. Wed - Sat. Lon ride but it'll be worth it. I get to visit with my cousin Michelle this trip as well as my dad. I'd like to see some warm weather but we'll see.

Just finished making my Valentines for my class and frosting the sugar cookie hearts. I thought I was making the frosting a pink color but its more of a purple/pink with sprinkles. I am sure the kids won't care what color it is! The blizzard of 2006 left us with about 2 inches of snow! My daughter in NYC said they got 2 feet. I, personally, am glad that it didn't come this far! It has been cold but the temp is suppose to be in the 40s until the weekend. Enjoy your Valentine's Day and Happy Thoughts............

Best wishes from me, too, Roland--hope your Mom isn't suffering too much.

Roland, I'm sorry to hear about your mom. I hope that everything turns out alright for her. The strength of your faith will help you.

Try and keep a positive attitude about your Mom. She has lived over 25 years after first having cancer which certainly puts her in a survivor mode. Wishing her only happy thoughts.....

Hey all, a bit of bad news today but please pray for me. My mom went to the doctor and they found a lump on the back of her brain that is making her dizzy sometimes and she has lost some of her motorcoordination in her right hand / arm. She had cancer back in 79 and they think this may have matastisized from there. We're all getting older and I guess we must deal with thises things as some of you have already. thanks and God Bless.

Yes Lori, I am flying by myself to NC. Neil is taking a week in April so we can go visit together then. We will drive down then. I waited six months in between visits with the babies last year and decided life is too short and that is too long of a time to not see them. This morning my son was driving his girlfriend back to Rutland and his car broke down on Main Street by the Community House. Great gift for a birthday...so he had his car towed and came and borrowed mine. Some bolt that holds the crankshaft pulley broke and of course, isn't a stock item, and has to be ordered. Needless to say, I'll be carless until at least Thursday. I did feel bad that it happened on his birthday but glad that it happened in town and not half way to Rutland! Karen, travel safe! Happy Thoughts.............

Kathi, to answer your questions: no, all my kids were born in Israel, not in California. When we moved here the first time, my daughter was starting first grade, and the youngest was 9 months old. We live in "the valley," not near the ocean. We lived near the sea for 5 years in Israel, though, so that's how Omer got into surfing. Rafi (the middle one) used to go boogie boarding there, but now he's mainly into his music. Omer was traveling for a while with a girl he knows from Israel, but then she went back to Israel. Now he's basically on his own, but he's the type who always meets people (definitely didn't get that from me!), so he's not really alone. He may end up doing something with my husband when he gets back, but he also has a few friends involved in the fashion industry, so there are other possibilities that might work out.

Yes, Avi is definitely more relaxed working on his own instead of with his partner--though he's still waiting for his partner to buy his share. For a while we seemed to be talking non-stop about the situation with his partner and what to do about it, but I guess we've accepted the situation cuz it's not in the headlines anymore!

So you'll be going by yourself to visit your daughter?

Doesn't it amaze you what our kids actually do. They travel around like its nothing! Were your kids all born in California? Do you live near the ocean? Is he traveling around on his own or with friends? Will he go to work with your husband? I hope the stress level is lower at your house with the partner out of the picture. Neil didn't want to take a vacation yet so I booked a flight down to our daughters house in NC for our winter break. Life is too short to wait around for other opportunities! So good for you for going to see him by yourself! Have you ever been to New Zealand? You'll have to let us know all about it. You'll have to be my travel guide because I know I won't ever go there! Happy Thoughts .................

He's just been traveling, Kathi--and doing a lot of surfing. That's his passion. He's planning to come back to L.A. in April or May and then he'll have to figure out what he's going to do--probably something in sales in the fashion industry. Or the surfing industry. He studied merchandising and was working in sales before he left on his trip. He wasn't ready to settle down at that time, but hopefully he'll find something he likes when he gets back.

Lori you are definitely a world traveler! What does your son do in New Zealand? I am sure he'll be thrilled to see his Mom! Have a great time. I am going to North Carolina which is a long way for me!! I am making a cake for my son's birthday, he'll be 24 tomorrow. White cake with chocolate frosting. It is clear and in the 40s today. Rained heavily last night. Almost no snow left. Enjoy your superbowl fun....happy thoughts!

Oops, I pressed "publish post" twice!

I skiied as a kid, but now that I'm older, I'm more cautious and that takes the fun out of it. I can't say I miss it. I haven't skiied much in the last few years, but when I did, I preferred being on the nice wide beginner slopes. Then I could go fast and feel good about myself!

Karen, that "small world" thing you mentioned happens a lot in Israel. It's a small country, so you always seem to run into someone who knows someone else you know and things like that. Here in L.A. I don't even know who lives across the street. I know the old lady on one side of us. That's about it.

I've been traveling a lot this year, so I'm almost embarrassed to say I'm going on another trip in 2 weeks. I'm going to meet my son Omer in New Zealand. I was hoping Avi would come, but he can't really get away from the business right now--especially since he's not working with his partner anymore and has to get his own line finished before the shows start. Anyway, I decided to still go by myself. I didn't want to tie my son down, but it seemed like he wanted me to come. Our other son and daughter just got back from visiting him in Australia. My son's girlfriend and daughter's boyfriend also went. They had a great vacation by the beach mostly. But I'll be seeing the lakes and mountains of New Zealand. It will be a mother/son trip--could be interesting! I'll give you my conclusions afterwards! I'll be away Feb. 15-28. If I have time, I'll try to check into the blog while I'm away.

Contrary to popular belief a lot of us Northerns do not like to go out into the snow much! I don't mind going out to play in the snow with kids (if it is not too cold and windy) but do not enjoy skiing which I never did until my 30s with Kindergarteners. One time on the last day of the Kindergarten season (we went every Monday 9:30-5:00 for 8 weeks), it was a beautiful sunny day and the teacher I worked with decided she would take me to the top of the mountain because it was such a georgous day and my last chance that season to enjoy the moment. I really did not want to go to the top but ended there anyway and proceeded down.....until I came to the first very steep part and went into a panic attack...to make a long story short....the instructor came back up the mountain and skied backwards guiding me down. Talk about feel stupid. I just came to the conclusion that I do not like to go fast, even though I have great control with my skies and never really had the fast problem...Probably not fast enough skier! After that I stayed on the little slopes with the ones who were not ready to go to the top....like me! Now that I am in a different Kindergarten, we don't go to Bromley skiing, which is wonderful for me!
My cards I usually sell in the Teachers Room at school and to friends who wish for them...mostly, I give away. I only mass produce when I make Christmas cards or when I need 20 for my class. I like to make something different about all of them. Relaxing to me. Have a great weekend and Happy Thoughts!

Yeah, my kids are about the same age as yours, Patti--26, 25, and 21. And no grandchildren in sight!

I definitely agree with you, Kathi, about wanting to create more than clean. If I can write a poem, who wants to clean a cabinet? Where do you sell your cards?

mornin all! moving a little slowly here but I know I'll kick it into gear in a bit. thought I'd take few minutes to say hi.

Crummy winter weather heading in today and hopefully the sleet and rain will hold off till after the last Biathlon races today. It all culminates a big mardi gras type party at a local restaurant tonight. Fireworks and all!

Kevin, my baby son, my first born, my heir apparent,,,,,,, turned 25 this week. Wow what an earth shattering experience. While I will always be his mommy, it's tougher to picture it at this point. Colin will be 23 in 2 weeks. Boy how the time does fly!

Lori, you asked if I ski. While I own x couontry ski equipment i only went out once last year and not yet this year. I also have snow shoes and haven't used them yet this year either. I'm an indoor stay warm kinda gal. I'd prefer to live where the weather was more summery or even long spring but no such luck. We're as north as we're ever going to go though so it's all "down state" from here. If ever.

Best get going, have a great day folks! I'm glad we're keeping this up!! - Pat

I decided after cleaning out my parents and inlaws houses that I need to hoe out so my children won't say......what did she save this for! I cleaned under my cupboards in the kitchen where the pots and pans go...and plastic rubbermaid....but when others put things away it is too taxing to pick up the smaller pans and put the bigger ones on the bottom....or when towels are put in the linen closet.....or clothes in the closet.........or when kids clean out their rooms and put stuff in the attic to "save" for when they have extra room, which they never do....It would be so nice to have one of those organizing shows come and do my house! I have been making Valentine Cards....I made a bunch to sell and am in the process of making some little ones for the kids in my class. Very simple but cute. Do any of you remember Mrs. Ballard who ran a Kindergarten in town for years, well, she volunteers 3 hours every day in the other Kindergarten at Union St and will be turning 85 next week. She is the tinest, most well put together lady, so sweet. So I will make her a birthday card, too. Personally, I would rather create then clean!!!!! And its good to know that you think its hopeless too! Happy Thoughts................And Happy Groundhog Day...of course, he saw his shadow today, so another six weeks of winter (not that there is ever any question of that here)!

I guess I have that same dream of cleaning out the storage rooms. I did finally go through my kitchen cabinets, which I've been meaning to do for the last few years. Finally got rid of a lot of junk and reorganized things. And now I'm in the middle of cleaning out the closet in our bedroom, which is also full of junk I haven't worn in years. The problem with starting is that it's hard to stop--you clean one thing and then start to see that the whole house is a mess and get more and more frustrated that there's no end in sight....

Patti, do you ski at all? At least that gives the snow some purpose!

Kathi, hate to disappoint you but 50 is NOT warm!!!

I'm very ready to have you send some sunshine! I'm done with the races, and so now I don't care about winter, just want spring to head on in. I'm being very selfish. We need cold and snow for the whole of next week for the rest of the Biathlon and then of course the snowmobiling community would curse me if they heard my thoughts on snow and winter.

Bring on the SUN!!!

Lori, that sounds great to me...its suppose to rain/freezing rain/snow tonight and then again Monday night. It has actually been unseasonably warm, close to 50 again yesterday. I just booked my February vacation to Raleigh to visit my daughter and the grandbabies. I am so excited! Happy Thoughts and enjoy the sunshine!

Or maybe I should just toss you all some warm sunshine from here....