Hi all,

Lori your's is such an interesting perspective. The statement you made about action cities, NY or Tel Aviv; was striking to me. I would have said perhaps NY or Boston, or DC. I'm sure the others would have cities in the US they'd think of. You my friend are our globe trotter. Amongst the ladies anyway. Richard certainly hits all the international hot spots.

To answer your question Karen about my chronic pain. I do have osteoarthritis head to toe but it's not extreme in any one area and the rhumatologist says that it is not what's causing my pain. Fibromyalgia was his diagnosis. I've been doing a lot of reading on the subject. Fascinating and frustrating. I started taking Lyrica two nights ago. I have to say I've had an immediate and positive reaction the pain. There's a lot less of it. I'm not sure it's helping much with reaching REM sleep which is a problem with fibromyalgia patients. But I need to give it time. There's a lot for me to learn about living with this condition and changing my behaviors to manage it. Frankly, I think there may be a little too much change for me right now. Stress is a big factor in causing "flare-ups" in folks with Fibromyalgia.

Anyhoo, it was wonderful having Kevin and Colin home for several day at Christmas. We probably won't see them again until Feb. We're going down to Portland to a Toby Keith Concert Valentine's Day.

There's much to be done to prepare the house for sale, the hardest part aside from actually making that decision is the clean up. I am a hoarder it seems. I discovered two bags of bags in a closet. When I go into a store that gives a nice bag with handles I fold it neatly and keep it. I don't ever use them again but I certainly have them Just In Case. This is going to be like the sell this house show where everything is all fixed up and re-arranged to sell and suddenly the owners are standing in a beautiful home they didn't realize they already had. They just needed someone like Karen to come in and "stage" it. Feel like taking a drive Karen?

Your grandchildren are so cute, Kathi. I guess red hair is a dominant gene. We're kind of spoiled--our kids live close by, so I don't know what's it's like not to see them so often. I can't say I mind the empty nest, though. It's nice to have privacy, but still have them close by. Our privacy will be ending for a while next week cuz my sister's son will be coming to stay with us, probably for about 2 months. He's coming to get his American citizenship. Amy's older 2 kids were here a few years ago to take care of that, and now it's the third one's turn. He just finished the army in Israel. Her youngest got the citizenship in Israel. Some change in the law made it possible for her to get it there because she's under a certain age. Hopefully, Eli (her son) will be able to do some work for Avi while he's here. Otherwise, it will be pretty boring for him, in my opinion anyway. It's not an action city like N.Y. or Tel Aviv.

Happy New Year Everybody. I wrote something a couple days ago...went to put a picture on and somehow lost everything again. I guess I forgot to click on the publish button, very annoying....anyways, hope I am not boring you with my little one stories. Yesterday I was home all alone for the first time in 10 days...I was actually lonely! I moved all the "kid stuff" upstairs and sat and read a book for the day. Neil was and still is on the road again tonight so I didn't even have to make dinner. Karen, it was 8 below this morning when I left for school. I am so glad that the really cold stuff waited until after my son-in-law went home. He might never move closer if he felt that cold! I am so hoping that they move to CT...I would much rather drive 3 hours then 13 to see them. Then, my other daughter can come to CT from NYC and I can see her more often too...so...guess it doesn't take much to make me happy! My son who had been growing his hair out for a long time (big, bushy, wavy kind) got his hair cut for my Christmas present. I was very surprised and pleased!

That's good that you'll be able to get to Vermont faster to meet us, Patti. Another bonus to moving to Bangor! I hope you'll be happy with the change, though it must be hard to move after being in one place for so long.

Yes Lori I have. As much as I prefer life here in the county I feel I need to make the move. There is better medical care there and as time goes by I need that. Living alone is very difficult when chronic pain is part of the process. Married life is difficult at best and living apart for the majority of the week makes it all the more difficult. Nearly 30 years into a marriage is probably not a good time to start living apart. It works for some people; it's not working for us.

My cleaning lady is being taken to court for stealing from one of her families and so I don't feel comfortable continuing with her. That means I'm back to doing all my own housework. I don'tlike having Dave have to do the heavy work on the weekends. Strangely there aren't a lot of people looking for that type of work.

No way to know yet when we will make the move. As soon as we find the right house though I'd say. We aren't going to wait until the end of the school year unless it just works out that way or we get really close.

minus 20 to 30 below with the wind chill factor tonight. Jeez that's cold! Going out to school tomorrow the winds will still be high. Bundle up............................

It'll be easily and faster for me to get to VT when you are there next time Lori, so maybe we'll be able to do some get togethers Kathy and Karen, Janice and whomever else may be "listening" in.

Beautiful picture, Karen!

So it sounds like you HAVE decided to make the move to Bangor at some point, Patti, right? Are you okay with it now?

That's a lovely photo Karen. Very wintry and how nice for you that you got to leave it behind. I woke up to the alarm this a.m. at 5:30. Ready to head to head back to school to start the new year. Oops! another snow snow day. Crazy amounts of snow and blowing all over the place. Wicked cold and I'm glad to be tucked safely here in the house. but, it means we're going long on the spring end. Well we gotta deal sometime. All the skiing and snowmobiling folks are very happy.

Dave and I looked at 9 houses over Christmas and over 20 more on the internet when we finally got home Sunday night. We got stuck for over an hour in the driveway of the first house we went to. Should have had the truck I guess but this continuing snow fall is throwing everybody off. it's not supposed to keep happening. Impossible to see what the yards look like of course. For me that's a problem as I feel the yard and potential gardens are very important. Everything is very expensive too. Housing here in the county is far behind price wise. I think we'll sell easily and at a higher price when the gardens are growing. We'll see, I guess it depends on when we find what we want on the other end.

I'm glad to finally have seen the rhumatologist down in Bangor. It's great to have someone take all the information and tie it up in a big bow. No more competing Dr. info. I even get copies of all the reports generated from the appointment and tests run. That's a first.

Off to get some breakfast. Enjoy your day everyone.

Your grandchildren sound so cute, Kathi! I can almost see them and hear them the way you describe them.

Happy New Year everyone! May all your hopes and dreams comes true in 2008...or at least something really nice in your life!

Things have been hectic here with a housefull of little and big ones. We have gone on a sleigh ride....Camille (who is 3) had this petrified look on her face as we started the ride...when asked what was wrong...she wanted to know when we were going to fly! (The only sleigh she knew of was Santa's...and what does his do????) When she realized we were not going to fly, she relax and had fun. It was the perfect day....lots of snow and mild temperatures. We have been lucky so far with having the fluffy beautiful snow. Good enough to make snowforts and snowmen and snowballs. The little ones have had a great time outside. The big ones got into it yesterday after my girls found their "old" snowpants up in the attic. Pretty amusing seeing them in their pink snowpants! They couldn't believe that I actually had them.....
Christmas was fun, with Camille again...coming into the house saying "Nana, nana, we got you a new mixer"....they big kids had chipped together back in July and had kept it a secret until the last second! At least I didn't know what color......blue! lol....
Chloe is sitting up reaching for things and getting onto her belly getting ready to crawl....Papa is helping her learn much to her mothers chergrin! I am keeping my fingers crossed that they might be moving to CT for a job opportunity for my son-in-law...we'll see! I would be happy to have them much closer! At least I could drive there in a weekend!
Caleb was my shoveling helper....he took his job very seriously....for a few minutes!
All in all it has been a great visit that will end when everyone leaves sometime today......then I'll need the maid big time! Luckily, I don't have school until Wednesday!
Congratulations Lori! Karen, It was great seeing you and hope you arrived home safely!
Happy Thoughts to all............................

I forgot to mention that we have another wedding coming up! My son Rafi and his girlfriend, Kristine, are back to normal after their break-up and have decided to do what my daughter did--have a civil ceremony at the Town Hall! They set a date for Jan. 18. I'm not sure what the point is cuz they are planning to have a regular wedding, too, but they just "feel like doing this." Guess that's a good enough reason. I don't know when their other wedding will be, but my daughter's will be on July 13. They might end up doing theirs this summer, too. Who knows?

Happy New Year to all you bloggers! Hope you're having fun. We haven't decided yet what we're doing. We'll probably either stay home for a quiet, romantic evening or spend it with Avi's family. No noise and crowds for us this year! I wish you all the best of everything for the coming year.

ya' know, i found a 2005 cd release that had slipped by me until now. i really, really like it. it is called- the very best of rosanne cash. she and i have been pretty tight since about 1980. (that is one of my secrets that i haven't told her yet). i found it for $12 at best buy. she has some great, great songs.

I like that tiger idea. Sounds much more exciting than making resolutions. Richard, you have to do something with your writing. You have so much imagination!

santa's sleigh and posse made their usual stop at my place. everything seemed a-ok with the reindeer and all claimed to have plenty of gas in the tank. i used to think that sushi is strange, i have wondered if our universe really needs to be so big, and what is up with anteaters anyway? i realized this year that santa's crew have always been cool with me. i have never found the whole thing to be strange or questionable. next year, i will be looking forward to their return. i have time off from work this week. that is sweet. i just finished making a coffee table. i needed one and it gave me a chance to try out the details in construction that i hope to use on the luv shak. i set it up in my living room and headed out to the lumber yard to get more wood for my next project. i have a new boss and a new assignment at work when i go back next week. that was sort of sprung on me. it eliminates lots that i did not prefer and lets me focus on more of what i like. i haven't met my new boss yet, but it could all be good. hope so. by the way, don't make any resolutions. it has been shown scientifically that there is no evidence that resolutions work. the truth is we all have a tiger inside of us, who is us and whom we are riding upon. we all have pretty good tigers, so just enjoy the ride.

The guys are clearing the dinner table and washing the dishes. I'm having a quiet moment in my study to say hello to all of you. It's been wonderful having the boys home. They leave sometime on TH. As do Dave I . We're heading down the Bangor, TH morning.

So I'll say Happy Holidays whatever they may be and save my Happy New Year thoughts for later on in the week!

Thank you, Richard. We need you here on the blog to remind us to feel good about ourselves. Love you, too. Did Santa come down your chimney?

lori, i have always known that you are a party girl. you have just had a little trouble figuring it out for yourself. there are so many things that are pagan, like santa, that a goy boy like me celebrate. it really is okay to party like it's 1972. it is odd that paganism is the modern way to say plolytheistic and polytheism (it is code for believing in goddesses, too) is pushed in the direction of- maybe she doesn't believe in anything at all, and she sure does love to party. hey, i believe in a lot. i work my ass off for my beliefs and for this reason alone i want santa shooting down cashmere chimneys, i want goats smiling in the back yard, and i want smiles on all the beautiful people's faces. by the way, you are a 10. love ya, richard

When I hear you all talk about Christmas, it makes me wish we celebrated it! It sounds so fun!

On a less upbeat note, we found out yesterday that Omer, our youngest, sprained his ankle while snowboarding at Mammoth. He's in pain and really disappointed that he won't be able to snowboard and surf for a while--besides being worried about how he'll manage at work, etc. He has crutches now and can't put any weight on his foot. We haven't seen him yet. His friends will be bringing him back today.

You all are great! We had our family Christmas today and we head to FL in the morning. My lesson this year, that I managed to pull off so far (not sure how the morning will go) is that if you just "don't sweat the small stuff" (that I see, that no one else sees) then you can really have a good time and appreciate the great family that you have. It was a great day, not a perfect day, but a really fun, calm day with grown kids and a husband who pitched in, appreciated everything, talked, laughed and fell asleep in various places. I have to go pack but I wish you all a really great time with those you love. Be sure to come back in the New Year!

Heres a special Holiday wish to all .....that Santa doesn't get stuck in too many chimneys....embers burn hot and that you find peace and love in your hearts, not just now but in all 2008!

My little ones are on their way to Nana's house! I am so excited that I finally started cleaning the house...why I'm not sure...no one will know after they arrive! But guess its the holiday spirit kicking in. Some little darlings from school gave me a plate of decorated cookies...been munching those inbetween scrubbing...really yummy. I had waited for the maid but guess she ran off with an elf or something.

Please enjoy your families and friends....keep spreading that cheer, Richard! Travel safely Karen. Hope to catch you in Springfield! Peep when you drive by. Wonderful things are around the corner!

Happy Thoughts....................................

http://www.thecompassgroup.biz/merryxmas.swf

Good morning to all! My Uncle Woody (Oliver Woodruff) mom's brother sent me this link today and I wish you'd all use the link and enjoy it as much as I did. It's the perfect Christmas card message. Cheered me right up!!

Merry Christmas one and all, celebrating the holiday or not, I' bet you get a smile on with this.

My Love to you - Pat

hot 'lanta karen, you got it right. i had been missing you. i was at a point where i could have used some of your fun perspective. i have been running into too many scrooges out there this year. i have actually offered to give away some of my positive energy to a few of them. i got one who took some and smiled and another who was on the fence. maybe the second one didn't know what kind of mojo she would be messing with. i am worried that this might be a year when santa gets stuck in a lot of chimneys. when embers in a fireplace don't burn hot enough, too much soot builds up. when embers in your heart are still just barely lit, there is plenty left to hope for. here is to hearths on fire and hearts that are smokin'.

Having read your book Lori, If I didn't already have a copy, I'd buy one in a heart beat!

I proud of you for considering going to work after the holiday Karen. If it's something you enjoy doing, then you'll surely enjoy it. Good it for you.

Good luck with your New Year's JOB resolution, Karen. I'm impressed! It sounds like you're good at what you do, and you're lucky you have a skill like that that can get you a job. The closest I've come to a job is selling some copies of the poetry book I published in Israel to the women in my writing group. I was embarrassed to take money. I was going to just give it to them, but they insisted on paying. I also went to an Israeli store here that sells Israeli books, music, and decorations, and the owner took 6 books on consignment, 3 for each of his 2 stores. That means he only pays if he sells them. Most of the books are in bookstores in Israel, which I'm excited about--though I'll be very surprised if anyone actually buys one.

You may be talking to Karen V and not me but hell, I am taking this one! Afterall, how often do you have a male (that you are not married to) tell you that he loves you?? So Richard, thanks and back at you with the love!

And I am definitely glad that you feel that life is heading in the right direction, whether possibilities or realities. We all deserve that or at least have learned that we shouldn't hesitate to make it happen. I toast to that for sure!

I have been thinking about New Year's resolutions ... losing weight and getting in shape is always there, but I have added a JOB this year! The other day a woman that I met while I was doing the painting job in the fall (she was building a deck on the house) called me and wants to meet about a business she wants to start. Its called G.O.T. (Get Organized Today). It would involve staging houses for sale, rearranging rooms with things people already own, doing cosmetic makeovers (which is what I did on that job), and organizing clutter. I told her I would talk to her after the holidays. I guess I misspoke 18 years ago when I said that I would go to work when my youngest went to school ...... must have meant COLLEGE!

On a sad note, I took my dog to the vet today and she has an enlarged heart (congestive heart failure) which came on rapidly as her August xray was very normal. $225 later, she has a heart med and lasix and hopefully they can stall it for awhile. She will be 12 in March.

I am off to buy a couple of last gifts and hit the grocery store for our Christmas dinner, which will be Saturday for us. Then Sunday we are off to FL to do the Stover side and from there to VT for my side. I have not really found the spirit(maybe I should say that I never got into the chaotic "have to" do a million things) this year but am feeling good about remaining calm with hopefully a "whatever" attitude when things don't go perfectly. Also I thought of some personal, more sentimental gifts, like cookbook binders of family recipes and a framed panorama of Acadia, which made me happy. My middle son is coming home tonight and my oldest son will be home Fri night. I am getting out my tubs of 30 years of pictures and hoping to get the kids to help me put them in albums ... or at least they can look through them together and get some good laughs.

Happy Holidays to all and best wishes for 2008! Thanks for listening and sharing these past years.

karen, love you, miss you, mean it, richard

Glad to hear you got home safely, Kathi, and it sounds like it was really fun surprising the grandchildren like that!

I can't remember (am I getting senile?) if I already told you all that my daughter's wedding plans are finally taking shape. They signed the contract at the Skirball Cultural Center and will be getting married on July 13--about a year and a half after they officially got married at the Town Hall. I guess they'll have 2 anniversaries. And my son and his girlfriend are re-engaged. I'm still not really sure why they broke up, but it seems like the break-up period did them good. Nothing like the fear of losing someone as far as appreciating each other goes.

I am toasting tonight getting home from NC. Our flight was cancelled yesterday, luckily before we were on our layover in Washington. We left here Friday morning at 2am in the snow. It was very nasty traveling to Manchester, NH airport. They changed our flight but it worked out that we got in sooner. My daughter came to Raleigh to pick us up. Camille was in the backseat thinking...her idea...that she was going to the airport to pick up a princess package. Imagine her surprise when it was Nana and Papa...and not a princess box....she was so excited. It really was a precious thing....unfortunately, it took the baby a little while to connect the crazy lady voice with the person...she finally did! Caleb got off the bus and it took him a minute to figure out that we were standing there. All in all the surprise was so worth it! My son-in-laws graduation went well and we (with his side) went out to dinner to celebrate. Afterwards, my sister-in-law who lives in Durham came down and picked us up. She thought she had us overnight and was taking us to the airport but ended up having company for an extra day and getting up at 5 to drive to the airport. We had a great time....coming back to shovel out the car and scrape off a inch of ice off the windshield.....and to come home to shovel the walkway into the house...I am so not a world traveler.
I'll toast to the friendships that we have all made and that peace and love may find you all! Thank you for all of you being YOU! Happy Thoughts...................................

Okay, I'm pouring the champagne. You always say it the best, Richard.

lori, yes, please, let's toast ourselves. i feel like i have had enough of a chance to get to know each other again over the last few years and a toast is appropriate. life remains hard and seemingly more complex than ever, but i see my fellow bloggers in the light that shines on you all best. that is your own light, shining on you and the ones you love that are around you.

That sounds good to me, Patti--a toast to possibilities!

I'm all for toasting, just haven't figured out who I am or who I want to be. Is it alright if I have a toast to possibilities? To figuring things out? Sounds good to me.

Another huge storm on its way so "my beloved" to borrow Richard's term if I may; is heading to Bangor mid morning this time. he's staying down there next weekend since his sister is flying in from CA to visit their Dad in Wayne, ME (near Augusta).

So by Christmas Eve I'll have my guys back home with me. It definitely is #1 on my gift list. The boys are taking two days following the 25th off too so we'll have an extended visit this time.
Happiness to you all, my friends --Patti

So are we making a toast to ourselves, Richard? Are we finally, at age 53, starting to get who we are and be okay with it?

karen, consider this. if for no other reason, get yourself jacked up for Christmas on the fact that the people that you are talking to on this blog have finally started to knock themselves out to have the lives that they want to have. too many of us could not be the man or woman that our beloved wanted and still be the man or woman that we are. sometimes our beloved gets that and sometimes not, but it is plenty to celebrate in this season of light. lots of love, richard

Pat, glad that everything turned out okay! Was it determined that anyone was in the house??? with the door closing? Smart to get out of the house and call 911! It is a scary thought being home alone so much...I think of that when Neil is on the road....but we do what we have to do.

We are suppose to fly this weekend..now I hear of a Northeastern coming in on Sunday....to go or not to go...to loose airline $$...that is kind of why I don't like to travel in winter!! I don't really want to get stuck in the airport in DC... keep your fingers crossed ..maybe the track will go different!!!

I took a picture of my tree...not sure if I can get it here...very simple decorating this year.

I think you're really brave, Patti. I don't think I could have slept there by myself after all that fear and commotion. That's good that you found the culprit!

Good morning everyone. I want to tell you what happen to me last here last night. A terrifying experience. I had only been home for about 45 minutes and was on the phone with Dave. I heard distinctly the sound of a door closing. Really just like the sound the door makes that opens into the house from the garage. Since everything had been locked up all day, I was completely startled of course and for some reason started hello-ing like that was a good idea. Dave kept saying whats happening who's there and I told him what I'd head and he kept telling me to get out of the house but I was standing at that point in the living room and frozen in place. to get to the door would have meant going through the area where the sound had come from. I finally did run out the front door having hung up on Dave so I could dial 911. What I didn't know then was that he was parked in a grocery parking lot on his cell phone couldn't call 911 from his cell so he'd driven home to use the phone 3 directly to the PI police who told them police were already on their way here. So I'm standing out in the snow in my stocking feet, no coat hysterically talking to the 91 operator. I suddenly realized that the police wouldn't be able to get into the house because all the doors were locked so I started sobbing again. I didn't go over to any of my immediate neighbors house because I felt like such an idiot. I called my friend Elaine who lives nearby and she couldn't understand my babbbling but she came right over and made me get out of her car. Unbelievably I had unlocked the front door and I gone out of it and the office was inside; I could see his flashlight moving around. I heard him say if anyone is here you better come forward right now or I'll shoot when I find you. That scared me even further. this is all before Elaine had arrived. the officer came out finally and told me that he was sure there was no one there but he took me inside (elaine came too) and we went everywhere. He'd gone through all the closets and the shower stalls. It was creepy. Finally he left saying i did the right thing to leave the house and call them. I felt like a fool though. Elaine tried to get me to stay at her home or stay over with me but I felt like I had to tough it out. Tough it was too. But I did it. This morning I found a picture that had fallen off the wall and had to have hit the heating thing along the all when it fell. The sound would have been exactly from the right place. I'm so relieved but still really shaken up.

Luckily these holidays are only once a year!
No snowday....which is actually a good thing!
Neil and I are flying to NC on Friday for the weekend. My son-in-law is graduating from Nursing school...and this way I get to surprise my babies! The two little ones will come to the airport to get us and we'll be there by the time Caleb gets off the bus....can't wait to see their faces! The are driving up for Christmas and staying almost 2 weeks!
Remember to smile................Happy Thoughts.......................

Thanks, Kathi. We've been lighting the candles and trying not to eat TOO many "soofganiot" (like jelly donuts)--500 calories each!

Sitting on ones butt sounds like an excellent way to energize oneself. Sometimes thats what you have to do.
I spent the afternoon wrapping gifts..Neil said he would help as long as football was on...so I let him watch the game...such choices we have to make. Made dinner and then sat and vegetated....
Lori, glad that you had a wonderful trip. Happy Hanukkah to you and yours.
Hoping for a snowday tomorrow! Happy Thoughts to all.....

mule's ass finds ground- doesn't move. that should be the headline for my last few days. if traveling was all about being on the go, i can tell you that everyday since getting home has been about doin' nuthin. i did do laundry and ran the dishwasher. i burned up a $100 gift certificate i got at the company holiday party last year. it was to a great restaurant, but i do not think it is the venison ravioli, calamari, salmon that looked like a volcano, or the two jack daniels manhattans that have brought this boy's bottom to a halt. don't know when i am likely to move again. don't care, much. i hope you are all taking this sitting down, cuz i think it has benefits. i do not wish to fly like an eagle for a while.

Glad to hear everyone's travels are going so well. Karen your entryway is gorgeous. Are you in the same place now? That's quite a space to have available. You can do a lot with it.
With all the snow we have everyone's holiday lights and decorations are all the more lovely up here.
Once again Richard, you've made the most of your travels. Thanks for sharing it with us.

Hi. Got back this morning at 6:30. I'm too tired to write much now, but I've been enjoying reading what all of you have written--and seeing the picture, too! Richard, my 15-hour flight seems like nothing compared to all your flights. I didn't have any stopovers this time. I prefer the direct flight. I hate the airport part of flying, but I like reading on planes.

some years ago, i said that i wanted to take mignon home with me. do y'all see why now? what a great dog! that is the closest any of us will come to looking into the face of a divine being. karen, the pic is fabulous and decorations are even more so. it is okay to not be having that same feeling at the moment. my experience is that when you come to this kind of place, it makes you first collapse in disgust and then move your ass forward toward new feelings of hope. that could just be me. maybe it makes other people do something different. hope is also good.

hi, bloggettes. the number who are sitting close to the campfire is dwindling, but the warmth of the flames and yarns being told remains quite warm. well i have a story to tell. have you ever had a really annoying experience at the grocery store where are checking out and your store clerk seems like they are in a different world? i think that is as close as you can come in everyday life to my recent time in airports, where i completed seven flights (not counting connecting flights during the last ten days) with little help from support staff. that is not the story that i am going to tell. . . . nine days ago, it was midnight. i laid down and fell asleep in the usual way. it was relaxing as i wish all things would be. it was just a natural kind of letting go. three and a half hours later the alarm goes off, my wake up call rings twice, i pull myself out of bed and i am into the shower, then i am on a shuttle bus, and then i am onto a plane. some hours later, i am near the rockies. biz goes fine and then the real story begins. i have a great date for lunch. no names, just the facts. she forgets her cell phone and mine is about dead. i have a voicemail from a cellphone that she borrowed and i am able to listen to it before mine gives up the ghost. now i know where to find her and i have already been wandering for some time. i am counting every minute cuz i don't have that many and i am psyched to see her. we find each other and, as expected, she still fits in her pants from high school (for the record, she left the bell bottoms at home). that is not a big issue with me- just the facts. the really special thing is that i was able to see just how great she is in so many ways during the next few hours. as classmates, i feel that we all have a way to let each other feel a sense of being at home as we interact and i really value that. in this particular case, we had never talked much or known each other very well. that was not much of a surprise to me and it sure was nice to talk now. we were in a great town. lots to see in its buildings and the sun shines quite bright there. we went to a very special teahouse for lunch. beautiful wood poles support a brightly colored ceiling of tile. all the tile patterns seem different and i have pictures to prove it. we made a plan on how to attack lunch- get strange things and share. the food was good and the main course was just being able to talk. it was perfect. how great is it when you can see so easily what a classmate has been up to for so many years? i know how alive and smart she used to be and i heard about the in-betweens. she is on fire now. she is smart, dedicated, passionate in the best possible way, and following something that feels so right to her. pretty sweet that i could have lunch with her, wouldn't you say? time went by too quickly, but, then again, we talked about so much. i have been told there is a special chance to grow if you can find people from the past, spend time with them, and remember what it is that made being with them so great. she and i had never really had that peice in the past, so this was extra special. i got to see what i missed and appreciate it now at a time when i can appreciate what it is all about. dinner in atlanta with karen and rich was like that and visits with lori have been like that, too. all are bright and special moments that are not lost in the smallest way upon me. thanks, thanks, thanks.

We only got 5-6 inches of snow here in P.I. but areas around us were really hammered. Dave had 15 in Bangor. It was a nice day off. I had the chance to do some decorating and relaxing. It was nice. I had dinner over at the home of some friends last night. It was good to get to get out. I have trouble going out at night. I get easily settled in here at home and I'm not crazy about going back out. We're having friends over to share a big pot of chili on Sat. I'm glad there will be someone here to see my decorations. The boys have never really cared too much and I like to show off my efforts. I'd just hope they (Kevin and Colin) are able to get time off to come home.
Christmas Day is a given but the restaurant is open Christmas evening I think and the store is open for sure the 26th. It's 4.5 hours to drive in good weather if they have to make a day trip of it. I've never been without them for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. I don't want that to happen. I'm having a lot of empty nesting issues!!

All the snow and cold is making me COLD, too! lol.....Shoveling is such a treat....we had about 9 inches here in Springfield. Monday was a snowday for us. I didn't get as much done as I thought I would, kept getting sidetracked doing something else! Never ending. Kids could not go out for recess at noon today because the windchill was too low. Personally, I think 15 minutes of fresh air wouldn't have hurt them but you know you can't have those few children whos parents don't dress them appropiately go outside. They would be the first ones to be upset if their child was cold! Karen, you'll just have to invest in some new long underwear so your little body won't freeze! Think warm and happy thoughts...................

By 6 PM last evening school had been closed for today. High winds and continued snow make the roads very dangerous. Much less snow than was predicted though has actually landed. Fine by me. So today I'm going to work out for a while, and do some more Christmas decorating.

I had lovely fire in the fireplace last night but somehow it was anti climatic. Oh well.

I'd be thrilled to receive a copy Lori! I was telling a colleague of mine about you and your poems, we had an interesting talk about interpretations and reactions. Particularly how reading the same piece on a different day can give an entirely new meaning to that piece.

Sounds like you had a great experience again on this trip. I'm glad for you. Travel safely. I'm off to school.

Hi everyone. I have a few more days here in Israel. I leave Wednesday night and get back to L.A. on Thursday. I'm still running around from place to place to see family and friends as much as possible. No snow days here, but the high school teachers and some university teachers have been on strike for more than 40 days, which means the kids are home getting bored. Still no end in sight to the strike. Two of my sister's kids are affected by the strike. I hope they don't have to make up the semester in the summer.

Patti, I can mail you a copy of the book if you want. The reading went pretty well. They were a nice group of women (and one man) who seemed to like the poems and asked quite a few questions afterwards. My friend had the table set up nice with cheese and bread and wine, etc. My sister Katie came, too, and read a few of her Hebrew translations of my poems. I'm glad I did it.

Kathi, say hi from me to the Springfield gang next time you see them.

Well Kathi, that's an interesting question. The chicken sandwich was gross. I threw it out. Ended up with a broccoli and cheese baked potato that was tasty. My lasagna tonight was delish and the lemon cake was fab! So some stuff is good and others yuck!

It's so horribly cold out that we couldn't do anything regarding lights or outdoor decorations. The wind is brutal. So we put our tree up with lights at least and I brought out my Christmas dishes. A little of this and that and I feel pretty good about the day. I'm keeping things much simpler in my decorations this year. At least that's what I say today.

I am hosting the annual cookie swap here on the 12th. So far about 10 of my cohorts from school are planning to come. I need to bake 6 dozen cookies. Should be a blast as usual.

Big storm coming in, as you mentioned Kathi. Dave may have to head to Bangor early tomorrow to get there instead of leaving here Monday a.m. I don't mind the snow day if it comes. There's always plenty to do instead of going to work!

So let's see, who's "listening in"? Janice?, Debbie?, and who knows who else? Well here's hoping you're all staying warm and enjoying the holidays so far! I would love to get Christmas cards so here's my address 30 Lombard St., Presque Isle, ME 04769. Anyone????????????????????

While at the Craft Fair at Riverside this morning, I ran into Ron and Deb Young (Ron was selling framed Photos, very nice work, Ron!)...Deb said she "listens" in to us and enjoys the conversations! As do a few others.... I told her to add something to help us out! Linda Brochu was there, too. Almost a class reunion right in Springfield!
It is bitterly cold here. Windchills are brutal. Snowstorm headed our way for Sunday night and Monday...hummmm, snowday??? I hope to go get our Christmas tree tomorrow, we'll see. Did make my bows for my wreaths today. Hope all is well with all....hope your party was fun, Pat....what's for lunch??
Happy Thoughts..................

Hey Lori when will your devoted fans get a chance to purchase a copy of your poetry? I'm really looking forward to it! Come home soon

Well it's official, I'm now a Jenny Craig girl I received my first crate of food last night and yum I just loved the pancakes and sausage I just gulped down! The consultation I had by phone last night was informative and helpful. Yippee skippy I'm gonna stop going hungry. It's a good thing.

My knitting group is having their holiday get together this evening. I'm in charge of wine. oops. What about the food plan????

I can't believe I somehow deleted all that I had typed....I'll start again.
Sounds like everybody is getting into the Holiday mood. I took all the fall stuff down and bought a couple of wreaths, just need to make a bow then will hang them. Can't believe that it is almost December. This weekend I'll go to the "big" (relative) Craft Fair at Riverside and out to lunch with my niece and that will get me into the mood. I did make 25 Christmas Cards on Sunday. Now I need to sign them and buy some stamps. Neil has tomorrow off so I'll send him to the Post Office. I bought a kids CD of Christmas music for the grandchildren...it'll drive my daughter nuts..lol...so he can mail that too. I am going to keep it very simple this year and try very hard not to get stressed and enjoy it. The little ones are coming on the 22nd and the rest of my kids after Christmas. This will be our first one with "children" in a long time. It will also be Camille's 3rd birthday on the 20th....Nana bought her a pair of pink cowgirl boots. I think she'll love them.
Lori, it sounds like you are on your way to being a known poet! How exciting for you. Glad you are having such a great time. Enjoy it all.
I have been cleaning out "junk" too, Pat...I have boxes of stuff from my mother's still in the basement that I finally started to go through. Not a fun job...but one that needs doing!
Karen, I am sure your decorating is georgous....I would like to put lights, candles, etc up but Neil says we already pay the electric company more then enough...I put a little funky fake tree in the kitchen...figure that's where I spend alot of time, mights well enjoy that!!!
Richard, you'll have to let us know which turkey design you made....
Happy Thoughts........................

Hello out there faithful followers! Time goes by quickly. I was away for a week with no computer access and have barely checked in since then.

I finally finished unpacking last night. I still have lots of "things" around. Wreath decorating doodads and ribbons. That sort of things. We did some holiday shopping around town and so I have some presents to wrap. This is pretty early for us. I get home after dark though so I haven't done any outside decorating. I told Dave to gird his loins cuz this weekend I'd have him outside hanging lights and stuff.

I have some organizing in the family room to do tonight so my cleaning lady can get after things down there. When the boys come home for Christmas I don't want them to have to slog around amidst the storage stuff to find a spot to sleep in. It's odd, they won't sleep in their bedrooms anymore. The stay together downstairs in the family room. It's become storage more than a family room though since Dave's mom's things arrived and stuff that should have stayed in the camper came back; and on and on.

Dave has asked me to have a Realtor come in for an estimate. I won't do that without making sure the place is at its "best". We want to know what the house is worth at this stage and what minor things can be done to raise that figure. We looked at several properties in the greater Bangor area last week. We're looking for a home or camp on water. Much $$$$. So terribly expensive. I'd prefer to do just a camp so Dave can live there in summer - between there and camp in NH. then I get to keep my home and job here in Presque Isle.

Hello Lori over in Israel. Enjoy yourself!!

What's all this deprivation, Karen?! Don't be too hard on yourself!

I'm doing my usual running around here in Israel, trying to see as many people as possible every day. I'm exhausted when I get into bed at night, but it's good to see everyone. I'm also happy with the way my book came out. They'll be sending it soon to bookstores here and also to some newspapers, magazines, radio stations, etc. Then it's a matter of luck whether someone likes it and writes something about it in his/her newspaper or just ignores it. I gave them some info about myself and my poems to send out with the book, so hopefully that will help a little. And I'm giving a reading to a small group at my friend's house in Jerusalem on Saturday night. So wish me luck!

I don't always have time to write while I'm here, but I still like reading what you all write, so don't think I'm not "listening."

Thanks! 35 years and where did the time go?? "Remember when.....???"

Karen, glad that your nephew is going to be okay...puts everything in perspective, doesn't it.
Lori, travel safe...enjoy your family, hope your book is ready!!
Pat, cherish the moments.
Richard, good luck with your bird...lots of great ideas with foil. I'm sure you'll come up with something!

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you....guess we should all be Thankful for everyday!
Happy Thoughts...

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone! I'm off for the airport soon. We usually take taxis, but my son Rafi said he's going to break tradition and take me this time!