After two rainy days here...and I mean downpours...it stopped for a while this afternoon. The kids and I went outside to run around and get some energy out. They had races of different forms and decided to run around the garage where they found this huge puddle . by the time I got around the back they were running and sliding into it. Pretty funny so I put their bathingsuits on and they played until it turned to mud...then discovered that the little swimming pool had water in it and played in there until Camille (who is a little princess...and doesn't like bugs) decided she needed to go inside. They had put the little plastic lawn chairs in the water and were fishing. I am now letting them watch kids tv while they play in the livingroom. Nana breaktime! I guess I am really getting old because I am exhausted and can't wait until bedtime...for both them and me! Andrew and Amy are coming up tomorrow to play with the kids so that will be great!

So today my friend Elaine and I went to a local garden center and picked up some fabulous hanging plants. I hadn't put any out since I was going to be going away for several weeks at the start of the summer. I didn't want to worry about them not being taken care of. They are beautifully full since its mid July. Makes quite a difference to the front of the house. Think curb appeal. Picked up 5 quarts of strawberries at the school farm. Sweet and yummy!
No real news on the house yet but they who ever they are asked our Realtor for a document from our financial institute showing that we could make the payments. So many houses have defaulted that banks are much more nervous than before.

Such a busy family life you have Kathi! Very exciting, I'll bet you sleep well at night. Or all you too keyed up?
I'm home in P.I. now. the woodchucks have ravaged my flower gardens and there is much to be done to rectify the situation. Today was mostly about laundry and groceries. I'll be here a couple of weeks I guess. Everything hinges on the purchase of the house in Hermon. I will have things to do if we're moving that I wouldn't have to think about otherwise. I have to wait til the end of the week for that decision. Then either a return to normalcy or switch into high gear!

After a busy, busy weekend entertaining all my children, spouses, grandchildren, boyfriends, girlfriends...the only ones left here are two grandchildren. We had the best bridal shower yesterday....thought I would never get the house clean....toys, kids stuff, big kids stuff all over...dishes....more glasses....but we got all the food made, house cleaned and decorated for the big event. Sent the guys all off...they went to Claremont bowling..haha...so much to do around here....Suzanne and John left last night for NYC...Amanda, Rob and Chloe left around 5 tonight. Papa and I took the kids down to the town pool for swimming lessons....Andrew and his girlfriend Amy came to watch ...so when we got home...quiet!!! Kids got their pjs on, had a snack and are being read to by Papa...then it will be bedtime! The most exciting thing was...Caleb was eating his snack and discovered he has his first loose tooth....Camille is very annoyed that she doesn't have one...of course, she is only 3....so, night #1 of two weeks with Nana and Papa begin~....
Karen, I liked your list also! I absolutely agree with you on them....guess we all have to follow our hearts!

Dave leaned over my shoulder and read Karen's list. He likes # 6 not so sure about #8 (start collecting again). Thinks it's all good advice.

We made an offer on a house yesterday a.m and it was rejected immediately. Now will offer one more time and then let it go. It's in Hermon, ME.

the waiting game. Thanks to all of you for keeping up with all of my changes of mind and complain ing. I appreciate having all of you to sound off to and whine to. Will let you know what happens next of course.

Still looking forward to our mini reunion in August. Might travel to Chicago the week of Aug. 26 with Dave. He has work there. I would absolutely love to see Oprah!!

I think it all boils down to how important it is for you to stay with Dave and preserve your marriage. If your marriage is the most important thing to you, all those reasons Karen gave make total sense. If you're not sure about the relationship, then you're probably more attached to what makes YOU feel good right now, which seems to be staying in P.I.

Patti, maybe you should just tell him that you made a mistake--that you thought you could do it, but your heart just isn't into making this move; it's not what you want for your life right now. Unless you've changed your mind again and do feel that it's what you want. In that case, ignore what I just said!

I'm glad to know that Ashlyn is home safe and sound and the wedding went off without a hitch! All good news.

We saw several very nice houses and certainly could live in them. But I don't want to. Horribly it's back to all on me and I wish I had kept my big mouth shout. Dave had resigned himself to living in Bangor on his own for the next couple of years but I felt so sorry for him that I made him this offer and now I regret it. Again. Though it would be very nice to have a beautiful new home only a couple of years old with an in ground pool, who do I enjoy it with? My friends will not be there to dangle their feet in the water. Its the day to day that concerns me. Why will I get up in the morning. No job unless I go hunting for one. No interest in doing that. I don't want to start again at the bottom of the ladder learning the ropes. I'm content with what I have going now.

Hi everyone. It's been a fun, but hectic week--lots of people around, late nights, not enough sleep--so I'm really tired right now, but I just wanted to let you all know that the wedding went really well!!! Danit and Darren were happy with their wedding, and we were, too. The setting was beautiful--the flowers, the lighting, the weather, the whole set-up outside in the courtyard. Really romantic. The food was good, too. We had 2 DJs, one doing American music, the other doing Israeli/Middle Eastern music. Somehow it was the Middle Eastern music that got everyone up and dancing (those circle kind of dances where you hold hands and go around and around, jumping, bouncing, etc.). It got everyone in a good mood. A lot of people told us they had a really good time, so I guess we're not the only ones who enjoyed ourselves. The only part that was hard for me was standing under the "hupah" for half an hour while the rabbi (Messianic) did the ceremony. My feet were killing me. My heels weren't really that high, but I felt like my feet were becoming numb. Maybe it's just cuz I get nervous being in front of a big crowd. My daughter told me afterwards that her feet hurt, too, and Darren's back was hurting. I think his parents were also in pain cuz his mother has problems with her knees and his father has back problems. Avi's the only one of us who wasn't in some kind of pain! Anyway, after that, the evening went really well and was a lot of fun. It was definitely worth all the hours of planning. I'll post some pictures when I get myself organized. I've been busy with my family since the wedding. I went with my sister and her family and my brother and his family to Santa Barbara and one of the Channel Islands. We rented one of those surrey (?) bikes--all 9 of us on 1 bike. We couldn't stop laughing. Next week I'll be going camping with my sister's family at Sequoia National Park and then Yosemite. I'm too tired to go into more detail right now.....

Karen, I hope things work out with your daughter and get back to normal. It sounds like you know how to handle the situation. Patti, keep us posted about your house hunting, and, Kathi, good luck with the bridal shower. I'm glad that big family meal I had here before the wedding is behind me. I was tense about that, but at least I had a day to relax between that "event" and the actual wedding. I was glad that Avi's family and Darren's parents got along well. It was the first time we all met them.

Hi everyone, I've been to daily Bible Study this a.m. and am now doing some catch up here on the internet. Karen I certainly hope that things are back on track for Ashlyn. There is nothing I think so difficult as having your child be away from home when they are not well.

I'm traveling over to Bangor this afternoon to stay with Dave. We will be looking at a whole bunch of houses tomorrow and then returning here to the campground. yup here, we go again. I can't stand it.

I didn't have a hangover Kathi, I hope that doesn't mean I'm getting used to drinking a lot. That's not part of my plan for the summer. Worse things could happen I guess.

I haven't said anything to anyone at home about moving. It's all happened rather suddenly and so until it is signed on the dotted line, mums the word!

Karen, you know we all send good thoughts for Ashlyn. It is so hard to be a parent some days. Seems it doesn't get any easier as they get older. Remember to take care of you so you can take care of her needs when she gets home.

I really have not done as much as I should be doing. I did change beds today...didn't think everybody would want flannel sheets! Today was like our usual Sunday...Neil was gone overnight on a run Saturday into Sunday so we did our shopping today. What a treat..he even took me to Pizza Hut for lunch....big spender! Good thing was I didn't have to make dinner.

Pat, did your neighbors have to wake you up today??? Did you end up with a hangover....what do you do to entertain yourself when you are camping? Lots of knitting? Are there many people at the campgrounds during the week?

Colin took us to see Wall E; it was his 3rd time seeing it. ! Imagine. We all enjoyed it immensely ! The rain has missed us so far here in Freedom, Nh. We're expecting it tonight and probably tomorrow however. Dave left yesterday and called from PI. He paid bills watered plants and did his work laundry. He still has not decided on a "next home" so will be in a hotel tomorrow night I guess in Bangor.

Please forgive the spelling errors but I'm writing at almost 20 PM and I've been sitting at a fire with my friends and neighbors drinking USA grade A alcohol from a still in W. Virginia. I told Vivian , if I didn't emerge by 11 tomorrow to come in after me.!!

Time for bed my friends, happy weddings girls!

After looking and feeling like it would rain all day...it now is. Not that we really need the water right now...but it is suppose to be really nice weather after tomorrow.

Lori, I hope your day went wonderfully! Rest up and tell us all the details...

Karen, wish I could join you in Florida for the week but I will be taking the kids back and getting ready for school to start...and getting the house ready for the wedding...I really need to clean for the bridal shower this weekend....I'll have a house full on Friday and the shower is on Sunday...think the house will still be clean with 9 extra people???? And how am I going to get food ready without someone catching on???? Any ideas for a brunch menu bridal shower? Karen, I need you to be my coordinator!

Pat, I hope that your vacation at the camp is going well....hope these lovely storms have missed you! Did Dave go to the movies with you? Neil would have slept through it....
Karen V, it'll be nice to see you, too.

wanna see a really sweet movie, go to Wall E

Its a Pixar fillm and it is wonderful!

The family dinner I was nervous about went well. We were about 23 people. Today I'm just resting by the pool with my sister and her husband and kids. Taking it easy before the wedding tomorrow!

Yes, let's plan on the 19th if that's good for everyone.

Our one location known to all Simpson fans and someone burns it down...imagine.
They have arrested a 18 year old in connection to the fire...I guess he had a fight with his 36 year old girlfriend. The apartments upstairs there were known as a drug haven and were supposedly being watched by authorities. It is definitely terrible for people to be burnt out of their homes and for businessess to be put out of business all because someone is mad at another.
Crazy.

Lori, on a happier note...I wish you a wonderful day for your daughters wedding. Filled with love and family. Best Wishes to them. Can't wait to see pictures! I will be glad to open my house on the 19th for friends! I hope a lot join us!

I watched and read the information on the fire in Spfld. A terrible shame, hard on all the folks living in the block. Does anyone remember the fire in the Adna Brown Hotel. I can remember sitting in the coffee shop window with the family watching that burn down. What a weird event to take your children too.???????????

I'm not having a lot of luck getting outgoing mail to go out! so here's my response to Karen V and hopefully she'll see it. I'm hoping to meet up with the gals on whatever day is the best for the most in August. Saw a note from Mary Pacny this a.m. and hopefuly she'll be able to come along. That'll be wonderful.

So let's pick a date!

Hi all,

Just a quick note to tell you some bad news. Just heard that the Ellis Theater was gutted in a fire. Here is a link to the Rutland Herald and some video.

http://www.rutlandherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080709/NEWS/11078841

Makes me sad. Now where are you supposed to go for a movie?!

Karen V

It's good to read everyone's news. Karen, if you do make it to Vermont again before September, let us know. I'm planning to drive down to Springfield on Aug. 19th and hope to see Janice, Kathi, Karen Vatne, and also Patti if it works out for her. Just realized I don't think I told you that I'd be coming that day, Kathi. I hope you'll be around so we can all get together.

Yes, I'll try to figure out how to post some wedding pictures when we have them. In the meantime, it's getting closer and closer. I can't believe it. On Thursday my sister Katie is arriving with her husband and kids. Can't wait to see them!

You are one busy lady, Karen! I am always happy to visit with you. You'll be happy to know that I got my bathroom painted!!!! I went very simple ...white...I was going to put a yellow coat on but ran out of ambition after 2 coats of white so for now, it is clean. Next week, I hope to continue into my diningroom...Everybody will be here the weekend of the 19th...for a "surprise" bridal shower for Suzanne. I have sent out 20 invitations ..of course, the shower is here at my house too....so I'll be cooking, too. Keeping it simple with finger foods...I made the invitations...I am making some little post it note holders with the same design as the invitations...I have all the pieces cut out...and 5 made so far.... It is the only time that Amanda can get up here this summer from NC...she is having hernia surgery the following week, so is leaving the two older grandchildren here with Neil and I for two weeks. Then we will drive them back to their parents! She wants me to sign them up for swimming lessons while they are here. We will keep busy...adn I will b e tired chasing two around instead of just one! It will be fun....hopefully, not too much missing Mommy ( from Camille who is 3 l/2.) She is excited to see Junior (our cat).
1200 miles walking...I would be ready to stop too! Hope you are having a good time at Camp, Pat. Weather just right today. Hot but a breeze here. I love this time of year.
I hope that you are enjoying all the excitement for the wedding, Lori...we'll want to see pictures.
Its easy to do, remember! Enjoy and only Happy Thoughts....

Happy 4th of July one and all! I'm in my camper waiting for the many folks doing their "parts" of our dinner tonight to finish up so we can all chow down. the party started early, around 4ish, partly the 4th and partly a belated birthday party for someone who turned 50 before we all got here.

Colin joined us here on Tues., having left the AT. 1200 + miles was enough. They all have moved on to other activities. He's saying he'd like to hang out here with Dave and I for the week and then hitch a ride back to Portland with his Dad. Quite a surprise to hear from him and have him say he was in NYC at the train station that afternoon. We did some quick research and had him train to Boston, bus to Dover, NH and we picked him up at 8:50 that night. You just never know what life's gonna throw at you.

I have Internet access here in my trailer as long as a friend of mine is here as he has set up a router and allowed me to use it. Very convenient and.

Best go back to the group. Hope you're all enjoying the festivities of the weekend . - Pat

You will have to tell us all the exciting details of the wedding....colors, dress, etc...what are you wearing...food....cake...can't wait to hear.
I am impressed with all the knitting Pat. I made one baby sweater...luckily the librarian at school was this wonderful knitter who made everything....from sweaters to socks....anyways, she would help me when I got stuck. My mother used to knit like that but she made me rip everything out and start again when I made a mistake. My friend used to fix where I dropped stitches without ripping it all out. She was a life saver! I envy your knitting skills....
Some of my friends at school are getting together on Tuesdays for a craft day..that was fun. We were at my house today. We did some embossing on cards today and then ate lots for lunch...yummy stuff.
I did see Karen last week for a while. She is good and says hi to all until she can get on the net again.
Happy Thoughts............

That's nice that you do those knitting projects, Patti, and make a contribution to the community.

The closer we get to the wedding, the more nervous/excited I get. Yesterday Avi's aunt arrived from Israel, and next Thursday my sister Katie and her husband and kids will be coming from Israel. I'm looking forward to this wedding, but I think I'll also be relieved when this whole year of planning is over and I can get back to my writing. I've had a few poems accepted recently at different literary magazines, including the poem that mentions the hummingbird! (Remember when we were talking about that a while back?). That poem is called "Elephant Day" cuz I was feeling like an elephant that day--NOT like a hummingbird.

Yep 7 hours. I leave tomorrow a.m and will travel as far as I can go. Which needs to be 4.5 hours to Wayne where I'll meet Dave at his father's house. Then we'll either follow each other to the campground (2 more hours) or we'll leave Dave's car and go together in the truck. Which means in 2 weeks at the end of Dave's vaca time then I'll either come all the way back here to P.I. or just to Wayne again. So many decisions still.

I heard from Colin this a.m. He's struggling with the state of PA. Evidently it's boring. He took more time off and went with his friend to Ocean City NJ. to the beach. This is the trip that never ended. I think he'll regret it if he doesn't finish up. Children jeez

So in reaction to our having watched the movie Calendar Girls my knitting group is going to do a calendar. We've each chosen month in which we feel a photo would reflect our personality or "who we are". No nudey stuff! Get your minds out of the gutter! I will be June because I prefer warm weather and gardening is my favorite thing to do. so I need to start a summer knitting project to b e shown in my photo. My friend Brenda is spearheading this project. She's extraordinarily creative and adds so much to whateer we chose to do as a group project. Each year we choose one local project to do in December. We've done preeemie birth hats and Kemo Caps. Those were fun becausewe could be as cretive and wild as we wanted. This year will fill a need but won't be as much fun. We're making 18 X 18 blankets for the cage bottoms of cats and dogs at the shelter. The blankets go home will the pets when they are adopted.

Yes, it's hard to believe it's been a year already. It was so much fun.

Patti, it sounds like you've made some kind of decision then--you're staying in Presque Isle? Sounds like that's what you want, so I'm glad things are falling into place.

My nephew came from Israel again, but only for a week this time. He had another appointment at the Immigration Dept. today. This time it went well! He got his certificate of American citizenship. We were so relieved! We were afraid that awful immigration officer would make problems again even though we had all the right papers this time. Luckily, he wasn't there, and we had a lady who was really nice and barely checked all the things he had asked us to bring. We just had bad luck last time. Anyway, it's done and he's going back to Israel on Friday.

7 hours to your camper?? That's a lot to travel back and forth. You might not even need summer clothes. I actually have shorts with a fleece on...its been crazy weather here. Rainy, cloudy, sunny, thunderstorms, back to sunny, etc....for the last 4 days. There is a rainbow that I can see over the field across the street. I love rainbows...Hopefully, warm, clear summer weather is coming soon. I know what you mean about the lawn....every time I think I can go out and do ours it starts raining again. Neil wants to go out and plant more in the garden, we'll see! I haven't heard from Karen yet! Its alumni weekend here this next weekend. My sister is coming down to spend a couple of nights here so she can help work on their float. Can you believe that its been a year already since we all got together??

I need to get my act together to go to NH to the campground. Dave filled the back of the truck with stuff for the camper like hoses electrical that stuff. but I haven't done much about my clothes and toiletries. I have a hard time making that clothing decision. What summer stuff do I want down there and what do I leave here. I don't like to drag everything back and forth. I have no serious thought of how long I'll be in NH this summer even it though last year I spent most of the summer there. I really like my summer life up here, it's so nice to be outside without a parka! The cost of gas and the 7 hours drive really make coming home sketchy.

Dave is still doing his housing move again so it's possible that we'll be coming back up here in 2-3 weeks to pick up furniture to move into his "hew" home. He's looking at both apartment dwelling which I'm opposed to and buying a cheap fixer upper in Hamden. If he bought the house then we have a yard and privacy and space. I like the idea of that much more than obliging us to pay rental that gets us nothing in the end. Nothing we can re-sell or use for income ourselves as a rental if Dave ever retires.

He has settled into the idea that we're staying in P>I> for the time being. It makes it easier on me when he has stopped encouraging me to look at housing down there. We're getting along better without that added pressure. Even bought a riding lawn tractor this past weekend. So I have a nifty bright red Toro tractor. What a time saver that is. I have a neighbor who is going to keep our lawn mowed while we're away and another who is going to bring the mail in and keep my house plants watered.

I was also wondering what those 7 words were. I can't imagine anything THAT terrible.

At age 71 George Carlin has passed away. He may be most famous for his 7 dirty words routine. Other than the original listeners in the audience does anyone actually know what the words were? Apparently there are 3 that are so awful they cannot be uttered to this day. I find that interesting given the ****&&^%## that one hears in film today. Sadly in my classroom too, though rarely.

You're right, Kathi. I just need to let out some steam once in a while!

Gee Pat, you could be Mrs. Robinson....lol. Its cloudy, sunny off and on here today. Mid 70s.
I went to a graduation party today for the son of a guy I used to babysit for...he was my brother's best friend...so its been nice to watch the son grow up ..nice young man. Tomorrow we are going to my Aunt and Uncles surprise 50th anniversary at the Bates Mansion in Cavendish. These are relatives on my mother's side so it should be interesting to see all my "old" cousins..
Karen, you know you are always welcome to stop by....or anyone else in the neighborhood. I have been working on my yard.....I should go out and mow soon. I went to the movies last night with one of my teacher friends and her 13 year old daughter...Don't waste your money seeing "Love Guru" with Mike Myers...pretty sad! I am so glad that school is out!!! Its even worth not getting paid! Lori, things will all work out ...don't stress yourself out ( You can tell me that in September)...enjoy it...remember, it won't happen again for your daughter!
Have a great weekend everybody!

Wow, Patti, you've got a young student coming onto you. I'm impressed!

Karen, have a good trip. We never seem to be in Vermont at the same time. What about L.A.? Any plans to come here sometime? Did you and Richard end up getting together?

It's so hot here, the air conditioner can't even keep the house as cool as we want it to be. I think I'll jump in the pool later.

The wedding is getting closer. Now it looks like we'll also be having a big family meal here on the Friday before the wedding. Help! This is the first time we'll be meeting Darren's parents. Danit and Darren also want them to meet Avi's family before the wedding, so I guess we'll have them over to eat. Maybe not all of them, but at least the ones who come to our usual Friday night meals. My sister Katie and her husband and kids will also be here. So will Avi's uncle (coming from Kenya) and his aunt from Jerusalem. So will Darren's uncle and cousin from Colorado. My favorite thing. Hosting and feeding a huge group. Help! Help!

I'll be glad to send it your way Karen! We've gotten parts done between the showers but it's so deep the mower keeps bogging down. sure looks better where we did it though. Happy travelling!

Rain, rain, and more rain. Finally got the lawn dry enough to do a little mowing but I couldn't start th mower. Jeez I was mad. I went out on 3 different tries but it wouldn't start. So the yard looks awful. Terribly overgrown. Dave is leaning toward buying a rider but I'll be surprised if he does it. I paid a student from my neighborhood to do it a couple of weeks ago but he didn't do a good job and felt a little free with his relationship with me afterwards so I had to nip that in the bud.

Happy Father's Day.
Only 1 1/2 days of school left!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The word came down on Friday that we definitely have to be all packed to move out of our classroom this week. They are doing all the renovating of our building, plus adding on an addition...but they didn't know until Friday that they were going to be working on our end??? Please...they kept saying, we dont' know yet....anyways, it should be interesting! We are going to be moved into a portable classroom until the new rooms are ready.
Neil helped me put mulch down in my big flower garden today. I would have still been laying the landscaping paper....so, I certainly appreciated the help. Beautiful weather here today...warm with a nice breeze, unless you were out in the sun and it was very warm!
My daughter called today and said that she and her fiancee were going to a Iron Maiden concert tonight. I forgot to ask her where they had to go for it...
So, that is all the excitement I know...hope all is well with all of you!
Happy Thoughts

Happy Anniversary Karen and Rich! Another milestone marker. Have a big slice of cheesecake, it sounds great.

Spent the evening watching my 8th graders become 9th graders. they mostly cleaned up real nice. Fun days today just to get the numbers of school days in and do some general housekeeping. I bet I'll still have kids in DT who can't follow the rules and play nice. Oh well. that's my job.

then I'm heading down south. Stay with Dave tonight on Philips Lake and then head to Wayne first thing tomorrow for Avis' funeral. We'll meet Kevin there and afterwards go over to Jack's house before heading back up to Bangor. It's not decided yet apparently whether we'll stay Sat. night with Jack. We'll have to see if he wants or expects us to.

Congratulations, Karen! 31 years! Didn't you have that Outrageous chocolate cake last year, too, on your anniversary? I seem to remember hearing about it.

Richard, you won't get any pampering from me, but if you're interested in having lunch in Burlington in August--if you'll be around--let me know. Aug. 18? 20th?

karen, my cell is 802-999-7479. call when you get back to town. i think it might be difficult for both of us with the schedules as they are. i just love how you pamper visitors so i could handle some stress from my side :-)

Oops sorry Lori. Wouldn't that be nice though? All done, a lovely memory.

This Friday the 13th is our last day of school so something good is happening anyway. I'll be traveling south that day because of the funeral on Sat. A.M. Then back up here on Monday. I'll go in for 3 hours on Tues. to do a "Sat. Detention stint. Though I doubt the student will show up. But if he doesn't he won't be allowed to attend the first day/week of school. No coming back until he completes his disciplinary action and that won't be until the first Sat of the new school year. Jeez what a mess this kid has made of his life. But his mom lies constantly for him so I can't fault him completely. Though ultimately the choice to come to school each day is his.

Patti, the wedding's not this Friday--not June 13. It's July 13. Getting closer!

karen, rich is a lucky man- hummingbird talk, gardening, putting number 50 block on each other, drinking tons of margaritas, and taking a cold shower if it comes to that. sounds like you guys are busy. i can still fit you hummingbirds into my schedule and get away to say hi on tuesday night if you are free. that would be tuesday in eight days from now. let me know.

I haven't hung out my hummer feeder haven't seen any as a result. Though sometimes we see them at the lilac bush, which this year is amazingly full and beautiful. But still no tiny birdies.

I planted a bunch of tomatoes, but in-ground and hanging. The hanging baskets will come to camp and maybe to Dave's new digs wherever that may be. Then suddenly on Saturday the wind came up and blew down trees in the neighborhood. It was quite scary.

So Lori enjoy the wedding Friday and relax afterwards. It'll be wonderful I'm sure. I'm looking forward to the summer and our mini-reunion. I wish our Karen's could be be there....................

Gasoline is $4.24 per gallon. My summer plans are changing right and left with this terrible expense.

A friend of mine borrowed her husbands truck and we went and got a load of mulch. There is this fancy cover on the back of the pickup which raises up on hinges ...well, the cover only goes so far up, so the guy had a hard time loading the mulch into the back..so with lots of careful manuvering he got 3 scoops into the back of the truck...then off we went to unload. Up goes the cover...I climb up into the back of the truck with my shovel...bent over in half, scooping out the mulch...needless to say, I had a hard time getting the mulch out because I was laughing too much. It probably would have been much easier to pay the extra $ and have it delivered! But I feel good that I did it myself! Now to spread it around where it needs to go......Weather is suppose to hit 90s this weekend....way too hot for here! That is July weather....80s for the last week of school...next week....yeah!!!
Travel safely Richard.
Pat, it sounds like you are staying in Your house this summer.....I am sorry to read about your father-in-laws friend.
Lori, I had a hummingbird in my plants this week. I've actually been to Balboa Park...one of the few places I have been!
Karen..just be your usual entertaining self...remember, he has a mother and shouldn't be surprised by anything!
Happy thoughts................

Karen, that's really nice of you to offer to host that guy for a month. I know what you mean about being on good behavior. Isn't great to going back to being our grouchy bitchy selves after people leave?!!! Just kidding. Sort of.

Thanks for the report, Richard. I didn't think I'd be hearing about a hummingbird in a cactus garden. In one of my poems, I say I wish I were a hummingbird--instead of an elephant (which I was feeling like on that particular day).

lori, my travel journal is short for this trip, cuz i have some days left but i am trapped in a hotel at a conference until i go home. i am actually pinned against a canyon wall that the local indians must have abandoned when the eight lane highway was put in right next to it. now its a hilton and i am trapped here for the next three days. at check-in i was told that hilton is the native american word for being trapped in a hotel jammed between a freeway and a hard place. fortunately, my last twenty four hours has been somewhat better. yesterday i drove along the pacific coast highway between newport beach and most of the way back to san diego. i stopped for beer and some fish tacos at a bar next to a pier in san clemente. the waves were rolling in right under the deck where i was sitting. today i was in balboa park, which is a very wonderful park in the middle of san diego. it is huge and i guess it must have been home to a worlds fair back in about 1910. there are great buildings and many museums that have moved into them. the best part was sitting in the sun having a sandwich as i gazed up at a tile covered dome on a towering building next to an old theater there. then i walked through the canyon of palms. it was a secluded walk with fabulous palm trees and lovers stealing kisses. i ran into an odd sign that told me to stop in my tracks because i was entering an archery range. that was a first. i have never seen a sign that told me to beware of flying arrows. well, you can be sure that i took it seriously and i climbed up a canyon path that eventually took me out behind some park buildings that were pretty secluded. all of a sudden i found myself in a cactus garden that was spectacular. there were all kinds. they are the strangest thing and stranger indeed when they are the size of an alien spaceship. there was a hummingbird poised above a flower on one of the giant pin cushions. you know the pose with the wings as a gray blur and the tail cocked to balance the reaching beak that is drawn to nectar. so that was great, but then the hummingbird landed on a twig and sat there. it struck me that i have never seen a hummingbird when it is sitting still. he had a little pot belly and he used his beak to preen under a couple of his velvet feathers, but most of all he just sat there. i stood motionless and watched. he would tip his head a little to the side as he thought about things. as i was standing there, i realized how much i am just like that hummingbird. i tip my head just like he does when i am thinking about things and i have the matching belly, too. maybe there is still hope for me. then i walked over within a couple of feet of him and he took off. it was wonderful. after that i went to another cactus garden- the one that you can find on the map, and that was even more spectacular. it is beside a magnificent rose garden. the hands down winner in the rose garden is one that is called rainbow sorbet. they had a bunch of them and the colors are all shades of brilliant reds, oranges, and yellows. the roses look like their name, rainbow sorbet. after that i grabbed a beer in the gaslamp district. i am afraid to say that these happy events are all i will be milking from this cow of a trip.

How are Dave and his dad doing, Patti? There's always some life issue to deal with. No time to get bored, right? I guess he's lucky he had her as a companion until age 91.

Richard, we'll be waiting for the travel journal. It must be nice to come home to beautiful Vermont even after being in all those exciting places. The ride home from the airport in L.A. is definitely not beautiful. Just an ugly stretch of freeway to welcome you back to L.A. Okay, there are beautiful places here, too, but the ride home isn't one of them.

coffee break is over. everyone back on their toes! hey, you in the leotard. this is not dancing with the stars, ya know. well, i am about to travel 16 of the 21 working days in june. this may change my attitude about just loving to travel. we'll see. i am one week in san diego, one week in atlanta and four days in boston on two different occasions. karen, i could probably bust loose in atlanta (i think) if you have a minute to see me. it is a trade show and those mean i live and breath co-workers and peers until i want to hurl. then there is july and that one has got a bunch o travelin' too (memphis, san francisco, woochie mama).

Dave came home last evening and met me at The Pub, where I was hoisting a few Guiness with friends. We had a fun evening until around 9:30 when his dad called to say that Avis (his companion of 29 years) had passed away. We were expecting it but not expecting it; I'm sure you know what I mean. She'd been declining since last Feb. when she fell in the night and broke her hip. Avis had been in her early 90's. It's been a difficult few months for Jack as she could not come home to him and her family and he were not friendly. So anyway, Dave left today to go to his dad. Kev is driving up from Portland I'm happy to say. That will make things better too. Services will be later this week.

I was wondering where you disappeared to, Richard. You always have something unique to say. You keep us on our toes!

hi lori, you know that you could write something very short for your poetry group. ernest hemingway said that his best work was a very short story consisting of six words: "for sale. baby shoes. never worn." or consider this one, "the last man on earth heard a knock on the door." okay that one is ten words and i can do my own if i am given that many. here is my best shot at describing you tonight: "gorgeous women. mute. man charmed by stories in her eyes."

Nothing that exciting planned for this weekend, Kathi. Tonight it's my turn to have Avi's family here for the Friday night meal, so I'm in the kitchen today (not my favorite place!). Some of them stopped coming, so it's not really such a big group--usually between 10 and 12 people. Then on Sunday I'm going to a meeting of my poetry group. I don't have a poem to bring this time. I haven't been able to write much this year. My mind's too cluttered with wedding plans, fixing up the house, etc. etc. Remember I mentioned that my nephew was here for a while to get his American citizenship and didn't get it because of that picky Immigration officer? Well, now he got a letter to come for another interview on June 25. We got the documents the officer asked for, but I'm still nervous cuz he's such a bastard. I'm afraid he'll still find something wrong with the documents, and I don't want my nephew to come all the way from Israel and be turned down again. If the Immigration officer was a normal, logical human being, I wouldn't be nervous....

12 more days of school left!!!!!!!! I am so excited for vacation. Today we (K-4) went to SpringWeather Nature Area..up past the Springfield Dam for a day of nature...lol...walking trails, doing activities, having a picnic lunch. The weather was in the high 70s and breezy. It was so nice. Tomorrow, we have Kindergarten Orientation where we meet the new kids for next year.
Should prove interesting....gives us a preview!
What is everybody doing for excitement this weekend? We know Karen is driving to Kentucky for a wedding. I want to get more flowers and plant them...where is my landscaper when I need one?
Enjoy and Happy Thoughts...............

That's great news that the stone passed, Karen! I'm sure you were able to enjoy your vacation a lot more because of that.

Happy Memorial Day one and all and happy birthday to Ron!

Dave and I did some yard work and I planted some pumpkins and onions this afternoon. We don't plan to have much of a veggie garden this year. We won't be around probably to keep it up. so we're going light this year. I just have to have pumpkins though! I'll put some tomatoes in too. They're growing at school right now in the green house so I'll have a leg up on those. I didn't start anything else so hopefully I'm not too late to be putting seeds in.

My flower gardens look great this year. All the extra snow did that good anyway. Let the work week begin, at least its short.

I'm really not brave. Sometimes I just do things on the spur of the moment without thinking and afterwards wonder...what was I doing!! I have discovered that I can speak up about what is important to me! Remember I told you about that Australian Editor who interviewed me in March? Well, he was at the Memorial Day dedication today. I had no idea that he was going to be here. (The Garden Club planted 2 flowering crab apple trees at the Memorial on River Street and dedicated them in honor of Kevin, Scott Rose (who's wife is from Springfield) and Kurt Deschen. Families were guests of honor. Anyways, after the ceremony he came over to us to chat. He said that he is very pleased with the article which will come out in June. He is sending us copies....
I feel like I am rambling, sorry!
Deb, I hope you had a great time with your Granddaughter! Happy Birthday, Ron!
Lori, I have not seen that movie, but now with your recommendation I might!
Happy Thoughts..................

Kathi, I think we must have been posting at the same time last time, so I just saw your blog now. I really admire you for being able to get up and speak about something that must be really painful for you.

Happy Memorial Day. Kathy, I work with Dale so I know how tough this weekend is for all of you. Sounds like you did a great job. They were doing a dedication of a memorial colage for Kurt at church yesterday. I didn't attend but must stop in to see it. I was able to take my mom to the cemetary of Fri. noon after getting the flowers. Mortality sure has a way of presenting itself.
We celebrated Ron's birthday Sat. night, got the garden planted yesterday, will prbably take my grandaughter shopping today. It's great to have a long weekend.

You know Kathi you may just be the bravest person I know.

We saw a really good movie yesterday, "The Visitor." Has anyone seen it? It's about illegal immigrants, music, love..... It hits you in the heart, and I was crying throughout most of the movie (if I cry in a movie, that means it's a good movie!).

Happy Memorial Day.
Today is the grim reminder anniversary date of my brother being killed in Iraq. I am trying to stay positive today.
Yesterday, I went to a Veterens Dinner held in Springfield. It was put on by the VFW, Moose Club, Elks Club and American Legion. There were probably 150 there. The Elks has becomed involved in The Medal of Valor to families of those fallen. We received one last night along with Kurt Deshens Mother. You would have been proud of me...I got up and spoke my Thank you to those present and a few other words. I did it on the fly after the MC asked if there was anything anyone wanted to say. I really don't remember what I said, but they gave me a standing ovation after....which was very surprising and gratifying.
Give your families big hugs.....and happy thoughts always....