P.S. It's only 9:30 out here. I know it looks like I'm up late. Well, I usually am, but it's not late for me yet...

Wow! I'm baaaack!!! Twice in one day... Wonders never cease! You can rest easy, now Richard. :) Thanks for your thoughts on things.

I must say, again, I'm realllly bummed that I can't come back for the reunion.

so if i told karen v. a few things when do you think she would read them? i believe that information is not information if it is not communicated. this is a transmitter and receiver problem that perplexes this radio frequency engineer. i don't like it. i don't like it at all. so at the risk of so much jibberish until september when she checks in again, i will say this. the 4.0 is brilliant! that you want to stay healthy, too, is really great. i got very unhealthy by the end of four years with only a 3.4 in my mba program. it was a little more than others had accomplished and i had a little less gas in the tank because of it. it opened the door to the rest of my life. i would do it again in a heartbeat.

Now I feel guilty about trying to make Richard feel guilty..... so I'm glad you're guilt-free, Richard.

Good to see you here, Karen V. You're our best student of the year! Congratulations.

Hi all!

Couldn't sleep so logged on to the blog and have spent the last couple of hours catching up on all the old blogs. (Am I a slow reader?!) I last logged on in March! Have been so busy with school. Have to brag though - I managed to get another 4.0 last semester!

I was back East in April for my brother Tom's wedding. Had to take a detour to CT so my boys could see my ex's dad who was ailing. (He passed away May 27, a month after they saw him.) I only had one full day in VT and I spent it doing homework. (Am I dedicated, or what?!) However, this left me very cranky and depressed from not having enough time there. So, I've decided to come back when I can have more time to unwind and enjoy VT, probably early Aug. But, reading the blogs makes me wish I could be at the reunion. It's just too difficult with homework, though. Plus I'm trying to stay healthy and not get run down.

Kathi, Congrats on the new granddaughter!

Richard, Your blogs are very entertaining and crack me up. My life is pretty boring compared to yours.

Lori, Glad you had fun in wine country. Was there once with ex & boys during spring break about 5 years ago. Loved it there.

Pat, Sorry about the flood. I would be very upset if I lost any memorabilia.

Jerry, Sorry about your mom. That's never easy.

Karen, Congrats on the Mother's Day thing. You must be doing something right.

Hi Brian!!!

I did have a suggestion for the reunion. I had it for the last one but it never materialized. I thought it would be fun if we all had a one page summary of our life, answering fun questions, maybe some pictures, that we could combine into a booklet. Or maybe e-mail them. I'd be willing to spend a few bucks on a copy. That would also help out those of us who can't come to still feel part of the reunion.

Sorry to miss the fun. I'll just have to get out the yearbook and reminisce by myself instead. Too bad we can't videoconference! Send me pics, OK?

I'm glad you're guilt free Richard. I don't want you to feel guilty I just want you to show up. If you possibly can.

hi. i am guilt free. you know that i would love to start with the first barbecue and go until the last song at the last party and maybe i will. my undisclosed guest has not been in touch, i am a single parent that gets little time to myself, and i am traveling early monday morning after the reunion weekend. that is the bad news. the good news is that i smile a lot, that i think you guys are great, and i will do my best to wang chung with chicks in jeans or dresses (maybe guys too).

You seem to be traveling a lot lately, Karen. Sounds exciting. It's good to get out of the routine once in a while.

Okay, Patti, I'm throwing some more guilt at Richard .... What? You still haven't sent in your RSVP????

I'm glad Brian Davis will be coming. We used to talk a lot in high school, and I haven't seen him since.

I heard from Debi (Lamphere) Lopes today and she will not be able to make it. She be in town for a family event the weekend before. Timing is everything. Karen V will be busy at summer school. Drats.

Debbie is compiling a list for me of who is coming so far. Karen I'll need your snail mail address to send it to you. You can send it to my email. 1ckmom1@maine.rr.com., rather than post here on line.

Richard, this me, shaking my finger at you and saying "shame, shame". Debbie tells me that she has NOT received your RSVP for the reunion. What's up with that? Don't you let us down...........

Karen, I expect you to weigh in here and convince him to take care of business! Come everyone, lets apply a little loving, pressure! Do you feel the love Richard????

I'm pretty sure I'm wearing a dress on Saturday. I look forward to opportunities to dress up because I work in such casual clothes.

Mr. Paul is still there?!!! How old is he?

My friend asked me what I'm wearing to the reunion. I hadn't even thought of that. I'm always in jeans. Are we supposed to get dressed up for the dinner?

Hi Everybody.
I am back home again!!! I miss my daughter and little ones but it is so nice to be in my own house.
Back to Kindergarten today. Rainy Monday so they will be inside, hopefully glad to see me and not too hyper!
I remember reading the New York Times and the questions on the board. I think we might have all been in the same class. I used to see him around town but haven't in a while.
Mr. Paul still teaches American Studies.
Have a great day and Happy Thoughts.....

I remember one very interesting concept from Mr. McHugh and his NY Times. He showed us how to fold it so you could read it on the subway barely moving it to turn the pages. That really stuck in my mind.

3 weeks to go. What to wear, what to wear?

How does a Friday night BBQ sound? We could plan to bring our own meat to grill and pick up munchies and salads to go with. then all we need is Deb and Ron's back yard! What do you think?

I can hear you, Patti. All the way out here.

By the way, are any old teachers going to be at the reunion dinner? My parents are friends with the McHughs and want me to call them when I'm in Springfield. Did any of you have him for a history teacher? I did. He had us read the N.Y. Times every day. That's about all I remember.

I know you can't hear me but right now, I am giggling.

If my order is a choice between prime rib and salmon then it's salmon only because I love it. The elusive Brian is just that. It is quite unknown when or if he will surface. My favorite teachers right now are my yournger son and the engineers I work with in Switz.- it won't be them. It could be my lovely wife. The possibilities are endless, but only until I see you.

If my order is a choice between prime rib and salmon then it's prime rib. Only because I don't each fish. Why a he indeed? Guess I'm thinking about the elusive Brian. Perhaps a favorite teacher? Your lovely wife? the possibilities are endless............

pat the future is so uncertain that i can't say much. you know, it is too soon to say whether it will be an order for prime rib or salmon. why do you think that it is a he? why would we be "glued to each other" if it was a he? i can only say that it is one of my favorite people.

I'm not sure why it's tiny for you Kathi, doesn't seem to be on my screen. I tried to bump up the font size. Let me know how it looks. How do we feel about green? Very spring like don't you think? I'm just having some fun. You click on the customize button and there are several different templates to choose from.

Good news about the attendance numbers. Particularly since we agree to 80 based on attendance at our last reunion; so we have to pay for 80 at a minimum. We need to keep getting the word out. I talked with Brian Cruz Davis and he is now hoping to make it. There are so many people up the Burlington area. Richard maybe you could arrange a little skywriting reminder to the class of 72!


Richard it sounds like we may be about to play where in the world is Richard and ????? Is it someone from our class who said he didn't think he'd make it? Animal, mineral, or vegetable?

pink, tiny, and a nerve that you like to hit. okay! given this , i suppose i could give a little more information on my guest. you will know my guest by the special buttons we will be wearing. i had a couple of buttons made with a mapquest map of spfld and an arrow to the town center with a message that says, "i am here." if my guest and i are not glued to each other, you will know my guest by the button.

This is definitely different! It is pink and very tiny on my screen. I think the count is now up to 50plus so that is great. Did you find someone to be our guest speaker, Richard...someone from our "past" who remembers us!!! Sounds intriging to me also. I am really enjoying the summer weather here. It isn't too hot with a breeze...figure if my freakles continue maybe they will all connect and I'll have the perfect tan! (Not really)....Only 8 more days of school for me when I get back, too! I am so excited. Happy Thoughts.....

Come on, we don't like secrets!

Patti, how did you manage to turn the whole thing pink?!

A special guest; that's intriguing. Spill Richard, we're not good at waiting!

hey now. that is floating my boat. woah!!!! i may be able to come to the reunion with a special guest. let's see what happens.

I did it. I thought it would only impact my view not everyone else's. Isn't it pretty?
Guess I better change it back. Sorry about that.

What does it look like now Eric?

Is it just me, or did the format just change significantly???

I heard from Debbie tonight, the count is up to 44. She thinks a get together Friday night is a great idea and will look into it. She's going to make some calls and try to get some more help.

Congrats on finding your way back to the house. Yes it was hot today, I almost turned on the AC in the car. I'm glad we could have clear weather for your trip, I expect the same in Springfield :). On your way to Durham, exit 297 on I40 in Raleigh, the NC State Farmers market, a stop not to miss.

So glad that your brother-in-law is doing much better! Such a relief to everyone.
I am sitting outside on the deck using Amanda's laptop. I like being able to use it anywhere. I think I will have to start saving my pennies (lol) and get one. It was so hot here in NC today but now there is a beautiful breeze and the bugs aren't out! I am sure by the time I get home the blackflies will have decided to come out. Made a big trip to the library with the kids today. It certainly brings back memories of when mine were little. I got sort of lost coming home from the library....but I knew that I had to keep turning left. I finally drove by Caleb's preschool..to which he was all excited so I was only a few streets off...and I knew the way from there...pretty pathatic! Good news is I made it there and back safely! I will leave Saturday night, spend the night in Durham with my sister-in-law and fly home on Sunday.
Happy Thoughts............

No, I didn't win any money, Kathi, but my friend did. She won $500--or actually $300 after you subtract what she lost first. I had to pull her away from the machine.

Patti, maybe the ignored spouses can have their own party!

Mornin' all! I'm back from Tennessee exhausted but exhilarated. Our team placed 30th out of 74 teams and that is terriffic for first timers competing against scshools for whom Destination Imagination is a part of their school's curriculum. I'm very proud of them. Dollywood was loads of fun and I wish we'd had the time to do the water park across the the way. The ride there from Knoxville was lovely beautiful countryside.

Jerry I'm so glad you kept trying and finally got back in. We've missed hearing from you. I know it's been a difficult 07 for your family. My best thoughts are with you as you know. I'm so very glad you and Carol are coming in June. I've been looking forward to meeting her for a while now. Will you be staying at the Inn?

Lori, even though Dave is coming along, I'm planning on ignoring him most of the time so don't worry about being the only "spouseless" one! I asked Debbie but haven't heard about anything for a supper/float building together Friday night. I heard from Brian Cruz-Davis yesterday and sent him the info. He's looking forward to coming now so our numbers are rising!

I wish we lived a couple hours away or so, then we could visit more often. I hate being 14 hours away and can only come on specific school vacations. Weekend visits would be fun. So Lori, that way you can have your peace and quiet and still visit and get that baby loving. It is still rest time here...which is a mom's/Nana's heaven.
Glad that the wine tasting experience went well. Did you win any money at the casino????
Happy Thoughts........

Hi Jerry. Sorry to hear about your mother, but good to see you on the blog again.

Kathi, I'm getting jealous. I want to have grandchildren to play with, too--though I'm also worried I won't have the energy I'm hoping I'll have! I like my peace and quiet, too....

Well, I'm back from the wine-tasting day. Richard wasn't kidding about the spit can. I used it to pour out some of the wines that were too sour for me. My favorite was Zinfandel and also a desert wine, Orange something, I forget the name. But I guess I'm hopeless as far as wine goes cuz the best part for me was sitting on the terrace looking out at the beautiful view--and trying to absorb as much quiet as possible before we went on to the casino my friend wanted to go to.

By the way, is everyone coming to the reunion with a "spouse"? Avi's skipping this trip, but will be coming on the one to Israel in July.

Can you believe that I am sitting her watching my son's old Teenage Ninja Movie with my little grandson. He thinks it is so cool and wants to grow up to be a ninja...The baby (Chloe) is doing well now and the other two are adjusting to having a new baby in the house. My sister-in-law who lives in Durham, came down and took me to some Outlet Mall yesterday. She found lots of goodies. I didn't buy much...baby things...that I don't have to carry home on the plane! One more week of being a helping Nana....it's always sad to leave the little ones but nice to get home.
Glad that you found your way back on Jerry. I have to tell you that your obvious love for your mom was so beautiful.
Happy Thoughts...

I just realized, Karen, that I spaced it because Jim, Larry, and Martha are not your uncles and aunt, they're your cousins. Their Dad Irving, my old next door neighbor growing up, was your uncle. I wanted to clear that up. Jerry

Hey, can you believe it? I made it in here after previous unsuccessful tries to get a new Google Account. I see that no one was in here yesterday. Yes, a slower time with some people doing other things on this holiday weekend. I see that the last count of RSVPs was 33. Is that just classmates, or does it include guests? Mine is "in the mail" to Deb and Ron as of Friday. So the new unofficial count is either 34 or 35 'cause my girlfriend Carol will be coming with me. She already visited the Hartness House with me back in January when we were in Springfield to visit my ill Mom. Carol liked it very much and was looking forward to reunion time. Is it ok that she's a grad of Concord NH High? Ha! Karen, your Uncle Larry and Marlene stopped by to chat with my brother Ron at 442 South St yesterday afternoon. It was nice for me to see him, your Uncle Jim with Priscilla, and Aunt Martha with Andy at the visiting hours for my Mom at Davis Chapel in February. It was very nice to see Kathi, also, and the dear Mrs. Bingham, the Mom to 12 kids, who's been a longtime neighbor just a few houses away on South St. We just had the committal service for Mom at the cemetery in Georgia Plain just south of St. Albans the day before Mother's Day and what would have been my Dad's birthday. I look forward to seeing all of you on the 23rd, and I'll check in here again. Now I'll see if I can post this. Jerry

Aren't we all sophiscated with wine tasting and wondering if we should be the designatged drivers or get a room! See how responsible we have become. Personally, I'm not much of a wine drinker so I would be the DD. Guess we are all the same Lori! Hope you have/had fun hiking and tasting.
My sister-in-law who lives in Durham is coming down tomorrow to take me shopping for the day. My daughters in-laws are coming to visit so I thought this would be a good time to take a break from babysitting. I am having lots of fun being with the grandbabies. It is tiring though! They certainly have much more energy then I do!
Happy Memorial Day everybody. Let's honor all those who have served us and pray for those still serving to return home safely.
Happy Thoughts..............

Is there really a can to spit into?! I believe everything, so I never know when people are kidding. Anyway, looks like we WILL be going. She'll clean her house another day. There's also a casino on the same road where the wineries are, so she wants to go there after we do the tasting. If we spend a few hours there, the wine should wear off by then. Or maybe I'll just be the driver and let her do the drinking. Or is that too boring?!!

Karen, where do I get that wrinkle cream you mentioned?!!!

i am back from my journey. it really was just sooooo great. i wish it had never ended, cuz the places i went were super.

lori, wine tasting is different than wine drinking. they have a can you can spit into. of course, it may be the tasting part that you do not go for. they never give you a can to spit mixed drinks into and i never believe people that tell me that they love the taste of whiskey. hmmmmmm, must be some other reason that people drink whiskey. i agree with your kids. getta room.

and, why didn't i think of that? maybe i will clean my house. i am such an idiot.

They have graduation from pre-school too?!

A friend of mine wanted to go wine-tasting with me sometime this weekend in the Santa Barbara area. My kids seem to be worried about me. They keep asking who's going to be doing the driving or if we're going to sleep there! Actually, I don't even like wine that much. I like mixed drinks better. We might not end up going cuz now she's talking about staying home to finally clean up her house (something she's been saying for years!).....

I am here in NC playing with my grandbabies! I got to babysit the two little ones while Mom an Dad went to Calebs preschool graduation last night. Guess I did okay, Chloe slept the whole time and Camille and I had girl night..It was fun. Weather here is beautiful! Karen, enjoy your sons graduation and be proud. You have done a great job with all your kids! Congratulations to you! Catch you later. Happy Thoughts...............

Congrats Kathi, sorry I didn't get to say it till now. The work everybody is doing, other than me, sounds like it will result in a great time for all. Safe travels for all.

Pat have fun at Dollywood! Especially with middle schoolers....good luck in your competetion.
Chloe is doing much better and should be in the regular nursery tomorrow. I got to hold her this afternoon for the first time so that was exciting for me. Neil and I have kept busy with the other two. Camille adores her Papa and will hardly leave him alone. Its so cute to watch him with the Grandchildren. Like I said its so much more fun! And they like you. Neil is leaving for VT tomorrow night and I will stay until June 3. Thanks for listening everybody. Happy Thoughts..........

Yes, Lori, 33. Doesn't sound great does it? However, Debbie says that she is getting an average of 4 per week and I expect as we get closer the numbers will improve. It's difficult for most people I believe to make plans, weeks, or month in advance. It's important for travellers to do so because of flights and such but many of those closer to New England will I HOPE be coming and just haven't sent in their papers yet.

I leave tomorrow for Knoxville for the week so I'll be offline til after Memorial Day Day. I'm not taking my laptop with me this trip. Too much to carry and I'll be in charge of a bunch of middle schoolers. Most of this kids are not exactly travellers. One hasn't been on a plane before so he's pretty nervous about it. He's also a little (HA) oppositional defiant. Looking forward to a few melt downs , heaven help me. We'll be going to Dollywood on Saturday. That should be a blast. water water everywhere!!

Karen, I told Debbie your offer to make name tags so we'll wait to see what she has to say. I think it's a great idea. Are the vases something you and Kathi are working on together? I seem to remember her mentioning something about decorations a while back. I think its wonderful that even from a distance we can be part of the "getting it all together". How many years has it been since you and I have seen each other? Please don't say 35. Aren't we lucky that Brian set up this site 5 years ago?

We have been busy babysitting Caleb and Camille. Little Chloe is doing much better but is still in the NEO unit. Hopefully, she will be able to go to the other nursery tomorrow. My energy level is running low tonight! I can see why my daughter only gained 20 lbs with the baby after chasing after the other two. Guess that's the one downfall of being a Nana...needing Geritol to keep up!
Hope everybody had great traveling..Karen to Nashville and Richard, all over! The weather here has been perfect. 80s but with a breeze and no humidity...I hope it stays for 2 weeks!
Beats VT where my son says its been cold and rainy for 3 days straight.
Happy Thoughts to all!

That's great, Kathi! Congratulations!

Only 33 people, Patti?

congratulations !

Finally....Chloe Alyssa Rollins was born this afternoon at 3:30 on her Nana and Mommys birthday. She weighed 8lb. 11 oz. The smallest of all the grandbabies. She had a little rough start but is doing much better. Hopefully, I can hold her tomorrow. Papa and I watched the other two all day and then drove to the hospital with them to see their mommy. Special treat of McDonalds to celebrate having a new sister. (Not a treat for me...but oh well...once in a while, not exactly birthday gourmet!

Debbie tells me that we have 33 postive RSVP so far. Kelly Harrington, Christine Buckingham Pixey and Sue Goding Cass have said they can't make it.

The float is based on Richard's idea of a park bench and they are looking for people to wear masks and sit on the bench, John Candy and Steve Martin I believe.

Next meeting is at MacDonald's, Monday, May 21 at 6:30.

Why Richard, you poor put upon fellow. How you must suffer for your art..............

I don't think I'd trust that suspended viewing deck! I'm embarrassed to say I still haven't been to the Grand Canyon even though it's not that far from us. Or Napa Valley. Maybe I have to find an engineering job so I can go see those places.

pat, these particular areas are locations of customers and there is a three day conference in napa that got me out here to begin with. the grand canyon is my side trip today. by the way, i do not plan on spending $75+ to look down through the new suspended glass viewing deck into the 1000' drop canyon below. the simple answer is that hi-tech companies like to locate in nice places (which are often close to companies that spun them off some time prior). so you can see that i am pretty much forced to go to nice places even though i would much rather go somewhere like buffalo in mid-winter to pay penance for whatever must have happened in my earlier lives. the fact that i am traveling with a beautiful engineer this time is just luck.

Sounds like great spots to travel Richard, If I may ask though, how does your business send you to these terrific area?

The snow we had yesterday is gone again but it was very wet and heavy and smashed my screen room. OOps guess I should have watched the weather and prepared better.

Think I'll write to Debbie and see if we can get an update on the reunion plans. I haven't heard anything in weeks. Small or large I'm looking forward to it!

like willie nelson- i am on the road again. it has been a magic time. thankfuly, the locations have not included newark. i am in portland, oregon right now after four days in napa, a day in san francisco and a few in vancouver. phoenix, grand canyon, and huntington beach are still on the itinerary. it is a biz trip with some time for fun. i have to pinch myself daily as the sites have been just that sweet. this may be the first time that i do not think i was reincarnated to live a life for being a bad pooty cat in the last one.

We left VT at 8:30pm we arrived in NC at 10am...Stayed in Durham last night at my sister-in-laws. Got to my daughters in time to pick Caleb up at preschool. The teacher said she definitely could tell who I was picking up (Caleb is a redhead)...so that was funny. It is now rest time where the little one is napping and Caleb is playing with Papa! Great activity. I am sure it'll be my turn soon! New baby is set to come on Saturday (csection) on Birthdays...so.... Happy Thoughts..............

I'm sorry to hear that Karen V probably won't make it this time. I'll have to make arrangements to et over sometime this summer. Maybe she'll be there while I'm at camp in NH. I'm bringing my photos Lori, I hope others do too.

One more week and I'll be in Knoxville,TN at the University of TN. Does anyone live near there? I don't think so.

Thanks everybody! I'll be checking in when I'm down there and keep you posted!
Happy Thoughts...........

Kathi, I travel quite a lot and I still get overwhelmed when I have to pack, so I totally understand. We'll be waiting to hear about the birth of the baby. Happy Birthday to all of you!

Patti, in case Karen V. isn't reading the blog, I just wanted to mention that I wrote to her to ask if she'll be coming to the reunion. She didn't think she'd make it this time because she'll be in the middle of studying. She might go to Vermont when the course is finished, but that would be later in the summer. Bring those pictures you have!