Lori you are so funny !! that's exactly what Colin said. Why would you want to give up the fun creative job you have now? Great minds and all that good stuff!

I decided today at work that I would not apply for the other position. I had a lot of laughs during the day and enjoyed myself thoroughly. I realized at some point this afternoon that I'd be crazy to look at anything else. So it's steel toed boots and safety glasses for me. Besides, the grass is always greener on the other side. The other women are always telling me they wish they could just wear jeans.

So there you go!!

Patti, I'm not trying to tell you what to do, but it sounds like the job you're in now involves a lot of creativity, and that's a positive point for me! And if it's good for your ego, what more could you want?! Wear the women's clothes somewhere else (and ignore everything I said if you want).

Roland, I too am sorry to hear things are not improving for your mom. Enjoy the time you have left with her. Your strength of faith will help you through this.

I'm thinking a lot about a change in jobs for next year. It was be as one of the two school secretaries. Clean clothes and clean working environment. I like that a lot. There's a lot I enjoy about working with Gary in Tech Ed but I don't like the dirt and I don't like changing complete student groups every 5.5 weeks (7 times) over the course of the year. However, he's great to work with and very good for my ego. That helps a lot.

The secretary position would mean 4 fewer summer weeks. I don't like that at all and it's probably the thing that will keep me where I am. But I sure would like dressing like a woman more often.

Thanks. I wish your mom peace in body and soul with lots of loving support. Happy Thoughts.

Kathi, Happy and congrats both. Glad to see they are keeping dedications local. I find most of the small town America is really great that way. The liberal news just reports otherwise unfortunately. We have a guy who just returned ( in bad shape) in our church family and another that returned in a box that three communities honoured. Weater here is already hot and muggy. Cut the grass four times!! Mom is doing worse and I got the full unadultereated report from a friend who is an excellent doctor. He basically said she will die some night in her sleep so it will be painless except for the present condition. She has lost all her strength in her legs and can't stay balanced. Doc Noble has the same thing but hers is benign. She is retiring from Goodrich on disability and will be in therapy for a long time. They were able to operate on her though and remove most of the tumor. God Bless your nephew on his religious convictions!

Yes, it is Springfield High School Auditorium that is being dedicated in Kevin's honor and "to all those that have made the supreme sacrifice in defense of America". I am really not sure of what is happening that day...yet....I have heard they wanted pictures for a slideshow. Who is speaking....maybe Heather, she did the eulogy at the funeral. I'll see her tomorrow and maybe find out more details. I can imagine what Kevin is saying right now! haha...he was quite the joker. But it is a great honor and personally feel very humble that they are doing this. Karen, the card was perfect! And much appreciated...Happy Thoughts to all. P.S. It didn't rain today, and I got to use the new mower!!!! Neil gave me a beautiful necklace for my birthday...love those surprises!

That's really nice that they'll be honoring your brother that way, Kathi. Will your family be making some kind of speech?

Do you mean the Spfld. High Auditorium? That's a tremendous honor Kathi regardless of which school but our home town school would be good.

We too are looking at continuing rain through the middle of the coming week. What really suprises me is that everything is still growing like mad. The plants in my garden look wonderful. I can only imagine what will happen if the sun ever comes back out! We'll be mowing with a scythe that's for sure.

I'm still battling laryngitis. I've been mute since last Tues. It's exhausting. Nearly impossible to teach, that's for sure. Dave would enjoy it if he were here but he's out of town so theres no one here to laugh at me. Oh well.

It poured again today! I am so tired of the rain. It might rain until Tuesday....please, sunshine! We finally got our new riding lawn mower so I can't wait to try it out, unfortunely it'll be a while before we can use it. TGIF! I had a birthday cake to share with the kids today, but we decided that it wouldn't be shared until after 2:30, so they could have sugar highs at home! The cake had a picture of me...when I was probably 6 or 7, with long ringlets, so the kids thought that was pretty funny. Then when they guess that I am now 24 or 40, I thanked them! They had a good time and so did I. Had a little get together at a friends house afterschool, with plenty of snacks...and a mudslide....and then dinner and cake at home...so I am birthdayed out!
I found out today that they are dedicating the High School Auditorium to my brother on May 30. We are extremely honored that they would remember Kevin in this way. This dedication will be part of the school day for the Highschoolers with the Governor and other dignitaries being present...besides family. I will be going to Milton this weekend for my nephews first communion...so again, sunshine!!! Have a great weekend everybody and Happy Thoughts.

No rain here. It's getting really hot. I'm waiting for it to cool off a little so I can go out soon on my usual hike. My friend Levana has been busy with her clothing line lately, so I've gotten used to going alone--though sometimes it gets lonely and I start feeling sorry for myself!

We don't usually do much on Mother's Day, but this time my son Rafi made reservations at a Korean/Japanese barbecue restaurant. It was fun cuz there's a grill in the middle of the table and you grill the stuff yourself. We went with our friends and their kids. The Japanese must be used to a lot smaller portions, though, cuz we kept having to order more meat and felt like such pigs!

Yeah, Richard, where are you?

Unfortunately, the rains have moved further north. It's been raining for days and scheduled to continue for several more. Flooding but not at all on the scale of what has happened in S. New England. We live on a hill so no worries personally.

I'm writing today from my recliner and using Dave's new laptop. I've been home for a couple of days with laryngitis and a rotten cold. This weather isn't making me feel any better that's for sure. Boo Hoo. Think I'm gonna miss going out to my knitting group tonight.

The boys have gone south for a few days of business for Dave and then a couple of days of camping. Be well everyone.

I think we are all looking pretty darn good.....for our age! haha
We are getting a new riding mower but I might have to trade it in already for a boat! It has rained here steadily since Thursday night. It might be just drizzling now but looks like showers for the rest of the week. Major flooding again in some areas. Rivers are cresting higher then ever. Guess no one can say we have a water shortage. Even the kids were sluggish and lazy today...with the lack of sunshine and being inside for days. Personally, I hope they stay that way! Certainly better then the hyper mode!
Happy thoughts and send some sunshine our way!

Well, we'll catch you another time then--sometime before we all look so bad we don't want to be seen anymore. Just kidding....

Patti, I'll try to find out from my brother and sister what the plans are for those 2 weeks, and I'll get back to you when I have a better idea of when we could meet. That would be nice to meet with Kathi and Janice and anyone else that wants to get together with us. Any chance, Karen?

I think we start school around thr 24th of August. But it might be the 28th. I'm not sure. 28th sounds better. I know it's before Labor Day. I can come over whenever it's good for you. My dad doesn't have room at his place so I just need to decide and get a room at the Town Place in Williston. I like it there because they have a full kitchen. let me know when it's good for you and I'll make arrangements. I'd love to get together with Kathi and Janice too. Karen how about taking a ride!!

I'll be going for my usual summer trip to Israel to see my family and friends. I'm leaving July 5. I'll be there until Aug. 11 when I'll be heading to Vermont with my sister Katie and her husband and kids. I'll be in Vermont until Aug. 25. Do you know when and how long you'll be in Burlington, Patti? I'd like to get down to Springfield sometime during those 2 weeks. Avi always has trouble planning in advance, so I still don't know his plans. He may come to Israel for 2 weeks or at least 10 days. I'm not sure about Vermont--maybe for a long weekend. He likes his work, so it's always hard to pull him away from work and routine. He doesn't like traveling as much as I do. He's okay with the travel channel on TV! Actually, once he gets to the place, he has a good time. It's just getting him there that's the problem!

I didn't know the French kiss 3 times! The Israelis kiss on both cheeks. I always get stuck in the middle, never quite sure if I should be giving 2 kisses or just one or just a hug.

We are out of school June 13th. Amanda and the grandbabies are coming June 20 for 2 weeks. She is flying up with the kids while her husband has summer classes. I have an exercise class I go to 3 times a week during the summer for 6 weeks. Weight bearing exercises for us "mature" women. I like the summer time classes because they are early in the morning (7:30) where the classes now are Tues and Thurs 4:15 to 5:15....makes it a long day! Other then that, just things around here, cleaning, gardening....I will go up to Milton and visit Heather and the kids. I used to feel guilty about not working during the summer but figured I did my time when we had the Stand and only had July 4th and Labor Day off for the entire summer. So, I am not too far away from home and would like to visit with any/all of you! Happy thoughts...

Well the last day of school is Friday the 16th of June. We started late last year because of the remodeling going on. Dave and I will leave for our campground in NH (Ossipee) for a 2 week stay on the 30th. Beyond that I'll be working in my gardens and reading and whatever else I can think of. Not a lot of travel due to the cost of gas. We'll visit my Dad while we're in NH. It'll be a short trip from there.

We expect Colin will be back on the AT by then so who knows where he'll be. Leaving in early June from Mt Kathadin and heading south. Dave will try to find him at some point and do some hiking with him. I'm not up to this particular challenge.

I'll spend some time at school honing my power tool skills. Imagine. I'll spend some time in VT in late summer visiting Lori!!!

Thanks for asking.

And what delicious things did you serve for dinner? Glad you had a good time...and hopefully, lots of help cooking. French kisses, huh...lucky you. The weather is cool, cloudy here..suppose to be rainy Friday and Saturday. We are having our Kindergarten picnic tomorrow in Cavendish at the teacher I work withs house. We are so lucky to take the bus to her house. I need to cut up veggies, make dip and macaroni salad tonight...before American Idol comes on, so I guess I better get moving. Happy Thoughts to all...and Happy Mother's Day, too.

Sorry about your horse Karen, guess it's good that only "hope" was lost on this one.

Maybe my alumni newsletter will come today since you've received yours. They can be interesting. Not enough info aboutUS though. That of course is because the class of '72 isn't into alumni functions presumably. I know there are still quite a few members locally but I wonder if a study was done what class would be most spread out across the country

Through Classmates.com you can see a lot of people from didfferent classes. Women though are always the mystery. I try to be sure to identify myself by my maiden name.

We've had both rain and sun these last few days so the outdoors has greened up remarkably well and I'm amazed at the early growth in my gardens. It's wonderful. Colin mowed everything yesterday. It's been great having the extra set of hands around for yard work this spring. The water's too cold for me but Dave and Colin have been kyaking several times.

This morning though there was quite a bit of frost on the ground. Hopefully that's the last time that'll happen. At lunch there's been a lot of talk about snow storms on Mother's Day. I don't remember any, but it may be I just put those sorts of horror stories out of my mind.

Dave's sister is coming over from CA for a short visit this coming weekend. She'll be here briefly, Friday to Monday. I'd like Kev to come home for a visit for M day but that's not likely. He just moved into a new place and is busily settling in.

Off to get ready for school. Have a great day all! - pat

Lori, My sister-in-law is ready to relocate anywhere other then California! She isn't sure if the she can survive the cold either. She might go international, whatever happens to turn up! She looked up on the alumni website for her class and found she was missing, so she emailed them and told them she was homeless and jobless and could be reached at her brothers. The lady emailed back (to my email address) sorry for her current problems but thanks for updating. I was embarrassed and Gail thought it was hysterical.....I told her she had to email back! lol....
Thanks for the poems. There are a couple that I can really relate to! You use a lot of imagery and feeling. Great expression!
Beautiful weather here today! High 70s again...only fallback is the black flies are out! I finally came in from working in my flower garden tonight but will put stuff on tomorrow to continue! Tried the new lawnmower...works pretty good! The gardner doesn't come along with the maid..wonder if they are gtogether!?! Happy Thoughts...

Lori, Colin's plan is to head back to the trail in mid June. He's heading southbound this time though. So he'll begin by climbing Mount Kathadin and then head back down and into the 100 mile woods. Heaven help us. In the mean time he's being a big help here at home for these few weeks till he leaves again. I've told him he has to be home by Thanksgiving so he better get a wiggle on.

Kathi, is your sister-in-law relocating in Vermont? I love Vermont, but after living in sun and warm weather for so many years, I don't think I could handle the cold anymore.

My son got back on Wednesday from his year of traveling. He came back in a good mood and with a lot of motivation to start working--doing something in the fashion field. I hope he finds what he's looking for. By the way, Patti, did your son go back to the trail? Is he okay?

Karen, do you have your favorite horse picked out? You could have a Georgia Derby Day Party with your mint juleps, start a new tradition! Weather was beautiful here today. High 70s, beautiful blue sky.I think its suppose to get colder for the weekend though....Need to try out my new lawn mower so I hope it doesn't rain. My son's girlfriend graduates from college on Sunday in Rutland so we are going to that. My sister-in-law sold her house in San Diego, gave up her consulting business and is looking to relocate, is staying with us for a few weeks. We went to a new Mexican restraunt in Chester tonight..it wasn't too bad....not up to California Mexican standards but....served its purpose and I didn't have to cook. Hope all is well with everyone. Happy Thoughts.

Hi Everybody, guess there isn't much happening around! Hope all is well with all. Things are okay here. Rainy...but we need the rain so I guess that's okay. Have a good day and Happy Thoughts!

Thanks, Patti! There are also a lot of things others see that I miss. I think we all just pay attention to different things. Sometimes I can't believe how UNobservant I am, but I tell myself I was just noticing other things!

I enjoyed your poetry Lori. you're a deep thinker. I believe you see things that many miss.

I haven't heard of that poet, Karen, but that doesn't mean she's not good! There are a lot of internet sites that publish poetry, but I haven't sent any to those places so far. Somehow I prefer seeing things in an actual journal that you can hold in your hands. I'll email you an attachment of some of my poems when I have a chance. You, too, Kathi, since you asked to see some. I sent some to Patti a while ago.

Longfellow wrote a long poem about the town I came from in Ct. "The Birds of Killingworth.

Happy belated! finallygot this wifi working and I love it. I don't read much petry anymore butlove my Robert Frost (I was @ Pres Kennedy's inaugural when he started with the papers and then the wind blew them away and he just continued). Henry Wadworth Longfellow had lived in the house down the road from me in CT (of course long before I was there) and I used to go and pretend write in his little stone study on the back lawn. I have friend that write Irish pems and ballads and we meet once per month @the historical society in Gwinnett.

Yes, I knew about April being national poetry month. Who was the poet they were writing about? I read quite a lot of poetry (not just write it), but sometimes I feel I just can't keep up with all the things I want to read--besides the other things I want to do. Not enough hours in the day. I need time to do nothing, too!

Jeez Lori, I'm glad you weren't involved in that accident. The folks who were, are lucky to be alright from the sound of it.

Thank you all for your birthday wishes. It's good to know I'm in good company with "beautiful ladies of a certain age," as you put it, Patti.

I saw a terrible accident right in front of me on the freeway today. One car bumped into another one, and all of a sudden I saw one car sliding across the freeway and flipping over and the other car slid into the divider wall. Luckily, there wasn't much traffic at that moment so the other cars were able to slow down and go around the accident. I was surprised to see both drivers sitting up at the wheel, apparently okay. I was shaken, though--and glad just to be alive.

Happy Birthday Lori! I don't get there until mid May...and I can't even forget about it with a twin and my middle daughter being born the same day. Wrinkles......lines.....gravity.....gray hair....oh well! Happy Thoughts..........

Happy Birthday kiddo. Take from someone who's been 52 for a while now. OOps sorry no advice :)

No really, I was at the hairdresser tonight looking a what I felt was a nice simple hair style. My comment was to wonder if it would look good on a 52 year old face. The girl in the picture was a bit younger. It's tough sometimes but most of the time I just don't think about it. The wrinkles are there for sure. I think I earned them though, the good ones and the bad ones. It's not so bad. We are beautiful ladies "of a certain age".

I can't wait to get together this August. It will be wonderful!

Thanks, Karen. 52 sounds old! I'm trying not to see the wrinkles and fat. It's a matter of finding the right mirror and lighting........not the kind that shows every single thing wrong with you.

Oh, so that's what you meant, Patti. I guess I am a terrible mind-reader.

Oh sorry Lori, what I meant saying I knew where I'd be 8/11-25 was I'd be in VT visiting you!! What's wrong you're not a mind reader?

I deleted the extra copy of your message for you.

Sorry, that last note came out twice and I can't seem to delete it.

Janice is doing well, Patti. Dealing with the same issues we all have--parents getting older, kids trying to figure out careers, etc. I think she'd answer you if you wrote her a personal email, just not this group thing. I'm not usually much of a group person either, but somehow I've become addicted to this blog! So you don't think you'll make it to Vermont in August???

It was my birthday yesterday. We celebrated it with Avi's family on Friday night, and then my friend Irene took me out to eat on Saturday and also to see a really good traveling photography exhibit called Ashes and Snow, by Gregory Colbert. It's photographs of people and animals. I couldn't figure out how the people could look so peaceful sitting with a cheetah or under an elephant. I would definitely not be closing my eyes and meditating under those conditions.

We'll be at our campground in NH from July 1 to the 16th I think. It's in Ossippee which is quite near Conway, so good shopping if I take some weight off and save my pennies!!

We'll go over to see Dad in Burlington on an overnight during that time. That's about 3 hours.

I'm not sure how long a ride it would be to go over (down?) to Spfld.

Lori how is Janice? I miss her so much. I haven't seen her since the reunion and we've barely spoken. I wish she liked e-mail. I'm terrible at writing letters and not great with making phone calls. I'm pretty good at keeping up here.

I know where I'll be sometime between 8-11 and 25. For sure. Right now, gas prices are $3.11 per gallon. I really wish it would go down before we all start driving but I don't believe it will.

Patti, I'm planning to be in Vermont Aug. 11-25, something like that. So keep those dates in mind! All of you! Kathi, I think you'd like that restaurant. I just had a sandwich, but it was good. And Janice and I had a delicious chocolate cake.

Yes, Lori, Please let us know when later in the summer you'll be back. It'll be fun to get together with the two of you. Maybe Karen will be in the neighborhood as well. Wouldn't that be something?
Heading home in the a.m. Hope the woodchucks haven't been in my garden!!

I couldn't have left at lunchtime but thanks for the thought! Look me up this summer...that would be great! It used to be the Morning Star Cafe but the guy who owned it sold it out just before he died in Jan of cancer. It was a very sad thing.very nice man. I haven't been to the restraunt since so I would be interested in hearing how it was. The weather is so nice here in NC...kids are just waking up from naptime and Neil and Amanda are out planting a little vegetable garden together. I'll try to keep the little darling occupied in here until they are done...otherwise they will be in the middle of everything! Check those gas prices!!!! Happy Thoughts..........

Kathi, we had lunch at a restaurant called 56 Main. It used to have a different name, as I'm sure you know. I thought you'd be at work at that time. Otherwise I would have told you to meet us there. Janice was able to take a lunch break from work, but it's probably different when you're working with kids. Patti, next time we'll get the timing exactly right!

Lori, happy that you got to get to see your family. Must be hard with them so far away. Where did you and Janice have lunch? Pat, glad that you are enjoying your visit with your dad. Its great to be with family. We are having a good time here in NC with the grandbabies. I just adore them and it is so much fun...tiring....guess we are getting older! hahah....we'll head back Friday night from here. Drive safely! Happy Thoughts....

Lori, we arrived around 6pm the 17th. Imagine being so close!!

Everywhere I go up here I look at faces wondering if it's someone I know. (or have known) it's a strange feeling. I've yet to run into anyone on one of the 4 trips I've made since this past Labor Day. But I know they're out there.

We'll head back home around 8 am TH. Earlier if we can get it all together. Home before dark is the primary goal. It's big time moose and deer time in The County.

Patti, I missed you by a day. I left the 17th. It was a short visit this time--I went to meet my parents, who were visiting my brother. We did get down to Springfield, though. They saw their friends, and I had lunch with Janice. Karen Blais happened to be in the restaurant. I hadn't seen her in more than 30 years.

I'm here in S. Burlington visiting my dad with my son Colin It's a gorgeous day, the view of Camel's Hump from the porch is fabulous. The grass is green here too. I wish it were up in PI but it will be soon I'm sure. left in the rain and drove 9 hours in it. Good to be off the road.
Eating at the Sirloin Saloon tonight. It's been many years.

Happy Easter Everyone!!

I am headed off to NC in the wee hours of the morning to visit our daughter and grandbabies..Neil likes to leave in the middle of the night...like hes still working! It'll be a surprise that we are getting there Saturday night instead of Sunday so that will be fun. Have a great Easter everybody. Happy Thoughts!

Karen, I owned land in Loganville for a long time and finally moved out here about a year ago. I love it. Lots less traffic. Sort of like Lawrenceville was 13 years ago. We are on that border line and you are just above it sort of like the snow boundaries in VT. I live on 3 acres or so but my friends just acquirred 80 so I guess I'll be back helping with the animals. We now have room for trails and can ride. I actually live closer to the Social Circle area down off SR81

Colin will be home around 11 tomorrow evening. He got on a bus in Gainesville at 9:30 this morning. I wish I knew what was going to happen next. Oh well.

Patti, I hope your son recovers quickly. He's brave to do the trail by himself.

Karen, too bad you won't be in Vermont in August--that's when I'll be there, probably from Aug. 11-25. I didn't mention that I'm also leaving for Vermont tomorrow morning. It will be a short visit, though. Just a long weekend. I'm going to meet my parents there. They're visiting from Israel. I'll be driving down to Springfield with them on Friday. They'll be having lunch with their friends, and I'll be having lunch with Janice on Main Street. I'm looking forward to that. But I'll have more time to get together with friends when I'm there in August.

Hey all, Ga in an interesting state to live in. We have such a varied climate. Where Karen is does eem to get more severe weather and where I am its relatively mild and protected. All is in full bloom and has been for a few weeks. We can plant northern varities as well as southern here and I love that. Even impatients come back from seed here yearly. Hope Colin is ok. I've done some of that trail and its an awesome experience. Hope he is checquing in along the way. Richard,finally looked at the powerpoint. Very creative. Are you doing anything with it now? We're supposed to hit the 80's the end of this week so I guess the hot weathers here early this year. I didn't realize migrant workers came that far north. They are a needed part of the economy these days but I just disagree with the striked et el. They should follow the same rules as the rest who want status, including paying taxes and learning English. I have nothing against Spanish but this is America first. ciao all God Bless.

Unfortunatly colin is not able to continue. He will need medical care for a viral gastric condition and dehydration. they thought about putting him on an iv but decided against it. He is coming home on a bus as soon as he can get one. Then after a few weeks of re-conditioning will go back.

Hope Colin was okay....Isn't it funny as parents we still worry about them no matter how old they are! Beautiful day here today. Recess is great now...that it isn't cold and windy! Hope everybodies week is going well. Happy Thoughts............

Colin is alone unfortunately. H e has been in a campground for a couple of days recuperating from we're not sure what. He has an appt tomorrow A.M. with a Dr. We're afraid he's coming home though. Time will tell.

At least you had some clean jammies to change into Richard! Are you on vacation with your family? Next week is school vacation here! I am so glad. Neil and I are driving to NC to visit our grandbabies...He is suppose to help Amanda plant a garden, should be interesting as she really is not much of a gardener. It will give Neil a real purpose on "vacation". Me, I'll just play with the kids! Pretty ambitious of Colin to be hiking the trail for 6 months. Is he with a group of people or by himself? What's everybody doing for Easter? Weather here was perfect today. In the 60s, not much of a breeze and best of all, no bugs! Happy Thoughts.............

karen, i am in florida and i heard one of those thunder claps like it was right inside of my pillow!! of course that was right after i flossed with the bolt of lightning that came first. i changed my pajamas and went back to sleep.

Colin has been on the Appalachian Trail for a week now. We heard from him last evening for the first time. He's had to wait out some wicked storms at night and since there are no leaves on the trees has managed to badly burn his head. (He's a baldy and didn't wear a hat.) Got pretty dehydrated and lost all his food in the rains one night. It ran into his food bag through the opening at the top. Even the zip locs he had food in have enough of a hole at the end that they too were filled with water.

So he's about 3 days behind schedule right now. Staying in a camp ground in Suches, GA. Got a shower, ate lots of food and is waiting for the post office to open this morning. He's sending back a few things to lighten his pack. Then it's a 3 mile walk back to the trail and another 14 to the next trail town, Neels Gap. We hope to hear from him again on Wed. This is going to be a very long 6 months.