Kathi, we'll be rooting for you next year. You have to represent all of us "old ladies"!

Its hard to watch and help when people are suffering..no matter what the circumstances....

I walked in a 10K race yesterday at the National Guard Camp up in Colchester. It is called Vermont Remembers Race. Used to raise $ for the Memorial that they have there. It is very well put on...all are welcome..with a big BBQ afterwards...with plenty to do for the kids. Next year we are going to make it a team event...in honor of my brother. My nephew who is now 11 thinks that I am an old lady and could never beat him....I am going to make it a goal for next year to make him eat those words!!! We'll see! My body is tired and sore today!

I hope that everything gets better for all my friends out here!
The weekend goes much too fast now that I am back at school!
Happy Thoughts..............

Sounds like everyone's pretty busy. I've been busy in a marathon of talking in the past week. Our friends are going through a crisis in their marriage, and we've been spending a lot of time talking to them (separately) and trying to help in whatever way we can. They both say they want a divorce, but it still seems, to me, that there's a lot of love buried under all that hurt and anger. I also spent about 4 hours talking to my sister-in-law (Avi's brother's wife) who is in a pretty serious depression, mainly blaming herself for the financial mess they're in, but it's more than just a financial matter. We gave them a number of a therapist, so hopefully they'll go and she'll be able to help them. It's hard to see so much suffering around me.

Pat, sending you some warm wishes, too! Its hard watching our loved ones suffer.

I am going to Milton on Saturday to walk in The Rememberance walk with the National Guard. It raises money for The memorial that they have erected at Camp Johnson for the Guard members killed in war. This is the 3rd year that it has been going on. It is a 10K..walk/run. I will be walking with my sister-in-law. Its nice to do this together...hopefully, we won't be the last ones to finish!
This is our second week of back to school...and I am exhausted! For some reason, it has been very hard to get back into the routine..we have a new school building, which is really nice....more construction...new changes...new bonds coming due so they have to cut $2 million from the budget...hummmm, job cuts? Seems very stressful right now....
Hope things are going well for everyone else!! Happy Thoughts.............

So sad. Sorry she's suffering like that.

Heading to Rutland sunday morning to visit with Lynne. I had a chance to speak with her Dr this morning and they told me she has end stage restrictive lung disease. They weren't really sure she understood the diagnosis. The result of her illness yes, but not the actual diagnosis. I think they're right. I don't think it will be long now before she passes away. I can hear the difficulty in her voice as she struggles to breath and to converse. phone calls have become very very difficult. I wish I lived closer.

Oh, sorry to hear all that, Patti. Doesn't sound good. Even though she feels like being alone, she probably appreciates your visits.

We met Elena for the first time this week. She's the girl our son Rafi met when he was in Spain last March. She's been visiting him here in L.A., but will be going back to Spain on Monday. We liked her. She's really friendly, down-to-earth, easy to talk to. He's been having fun with her, but he still seems a little traumatized from his divorce from Kristine--not really ready for a serious commitment, I think.

Hi Lori, no it's not at all nosey of you. She has only 15 % lung function left and chronic heart disease. She is grossly overweight and her body just can't take it anymore. She has hospice people coming in and other visiting nurse types but mostly she just wants to be left alone.

Patti, can I ask what Lynn is ill with? (Or am I being too nosey?). Whatever it is, I'm sorry to hear she's so ill. Must be hard on you, too. Is Richard a friend of hers? My sister used to complain that I ask too many questions, so don't feel you have to answer anything.

Happy Birthday again, Karen! This time I got it on the right day.

What about Kim Stalter? Hi Kim whichever Kim you are.

Hello Kim when did you appear? I didn't notice yesterday. Welcome and feel free to join in.

Thanks for talking to Richard Deb that's a load off my mind. Lynne is living alone now in Rutland. Matt lives in Las Vegas. She has chosen to spend her final time at her apartment instead of a nursing home as her physician and hospice have encouraged her to do. I'll be going back over Labor Day Weekend.

Happy Birthday Karen!!!! (Fri.) Pat, We'll be calling Richard tonight and will let him know about Lynne. They used to chat occ. but I don't know the last time. I'm sooo sorry she's so ill. Life sure hasn't been easy for her. I'm glad she has her son close by and of course you. It must be so difficult. My prayers are with you all.

Let's see Wed,Th, FRIDAY!

Thanks for the hint, Kathi. I'm not sure what the actual day is, but I know it's sometime this week, so have a VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Karen!!!! I hope you get everything you wish for. So what if you're older? We're like wine, right? We improve with age.

Heck I'd like to go to the Crayola Factory. That would be a blast!

Hi Everybody,
Can you believe that the summer is almost over???? I had to go to Opening Day for Staff today...our building looks great...with more construction outside our windows again...but...the sound proofing is a little better then the trailers! Its really nice to have a nice big space again...it'll be wild and crazy but I think it'll be a good year....here's hoping anyways. Our principal feels parents should be taking more responsibility on their childrens actions...what a concept! So, I think it'll work out well having "new" leadership.
I have to tell you that I just love being a Nana!! And I am sure you will all have that opportunity sometime! Best if your children are ready....not just you! I have talked to mine on the phone...with them telling me their vacation highlights...They went to the Crayola Factory in Pennyslvania where my middle granddaughter was in ART Heaven. Wish I had a scanner that worked with this laptop to share the book she made me...it is so cute. She was giving me lessons on drawing...and asking if I wanted to draw the straight line....or the rectangle. It was so sweet.
My oldest one called to tell me he lost another tooth...and the littlest one calls and says, Hi Nana over and over and Papa Home??? Just makes my heart melt.
Somebody has a birthday this week!!!! Wonder who........KS....and its not me!

Hi Debbie. It's nice to hear your news on the blog. You and Kathi definitely make it sound fun to have grandchildren. I love little kids. I'm just not so crazy about the baby stage--but when they start walking and talking, they're so cute! Karen, it might happen sooner than you think! (All your sons have girlfriends, don't they?!) My kids seem to have more and more friends who are getting married now and also some who are having or have had kids--although they still have a lot of single friends, too. I'm going back to Israel in November for my sister's daughter's wedding. I'm excited about that.

Hi Deb thanks for the good thoughts. I'm looking forward to starting work at Beans. I'm sure it'll be fun from what I hear from others who work there. In the meantime I'm thoroughly enjoying having my summer time. We'll still travel over to NH to the campground a few more times before leaving for good Columbus Day. After that we'll see our "summer friends" for New Years Eve.

I wonder if you can do me a favor. Lynne is very ill and wants to talk with Richard. I'm not sure if she's talked to him about her illness, I think she might have but hasn't heard from him since. If you talk with him would you please ask him to phone her? Thanks so much.

Welcome back Lori and Karen. I can't believe how much you guys get around. Hello Pat and Kathi, and anyone else I may have missed. As you know I'm not big on these sites but will post occasionally.
Seems like summer just started and school is back, Kathi you said this week?
I agree being a grandparent is the best. We had Lily for a sleepover Fri. and will have Lindsey my 20 mo old this Sat. Lindsey is going to have a sibling sometime in March. Boy the family grows fast.
We're enjoying our new deck and had my office summer party here yesterday in spite of the rain, which shortened the afternoon. So plans for chipping golf, horseshoes and croquet were abandoned. We did get to Maine for a couple of nights which was fun, and got to have my lobster dinner.We've only gotten the canoe out once so far. Summer is over cuz bowling starts next Mon.
Did Karen V. ever get home this summer?
Pat, good luck with your job when it does start. Are you OK with being at home for now?

I know just what you mean Karen. Dave and I have been his parents caretakers for many years. there are 2 daughters that are not particularly involved. Before she passed away a couple of years ago Dave's mom suffered from such confusion it was so troubling for her and for us. we spend as much time with his dad nowas we can and we're much closer physically now so that's been easier. He's 85 and dave fears his time is limited. We agreed many years ago to take care of our parents at what ever point that came. It would be so much easier if the girls would help though.

Oops, sorry. That's a sensitive subject, I guess. Anyway, I'm impressed at how much YOU do.

Kathi, do you ever get down to N.Y. to visit your daughter there?

Hi...it is early here. Everyone is sleeping...shhhhh, its quiet and I like that.
My daughter and son-in-law from NYC are visiting for the weekend. It is nice, they haven't had time to come up all summer. The guys are doing boy things today, while Suzanne and I and a couple of her HS friends are driving to St. Albans for a bridal shower. She says she feels like in HS with her Mom driving them around. I get to be the chauffeur. It should be fun....just hope it doesn't rain the entire trip up. Yesterday, we had spells of turential downpours inbetween periods of sunshine and high humidity.
Good job Lori finding the class site....always knew you could do it.
Karen, I hope you got home safely...It is understandably a stressful time taking care of someone you love. I commend you for doing it. I wish it had worked out for me to come down with you...maybe sometime! Although, we have to put a new roof on our house, so that is probably my fun $ used up.
School starts for me on Tuesday. I am in the mood of vacation but once there will be fine. I look forward to the new challenges and changes of this year. I'll keep you posted!
Have a good day everybody....think we need to keep moving this ahead!

Yes, it's scary what happens when the mind goes. My parents saw my grandmother succumb to Alzheimer's and don't want to end up like that. My father said to give him a push out the window if he becomes like that! There's nothing really to do about it except accept it, I guess. By the way, does Lisa also take a turn staying with their mother? If you talk to her, say hello from me. I always remember a trip we took together to go see Hampshire College.

Hi, Patti. Karen, I did it!

Hi Lori

Yes, you're right. A grandchild is just what I'd like right now!

I can't seem to remember how to get to the class page on facebook. What do I type in? I tried different combinations, but nothing worked.

Thanks, Patti. That's good that you're happy in your new home and town. It turned out to be the right decision for you. I'm getting back into things, trying to figure out what I want to add to my life here. Maybe some kind of Big Sister volunteer job? I like little kids. We'll see.... Now I'm off to Curves to try to repair the damage of eating too much in Israel!

Welcome back Lori its wonderful to hear from you again. So glad that once again you saw all the folks you love to see. I hope your family are all well.

I wonder what the trick is to having both the social and private life you seek? There must be a way to make this happen.

I'm settling in here in Hampden. I decided I like it quite a bit. It's a tiny hamlet with not much of anything going on but we are enjoying our home particularly with the changes we've made. It's becoming more and more "ours".

I've been over to VT a couple of times. Just to see my sister Lynne who is very ill. I spend a few hours with her and then I go back to NH. It's been tough.

I'm starting work at LLBean in Customer Service in early Oct. It's a seasonal position. Hopefully one that will take me through much of the winter. I do so like having the summer time off.

Once again, welcome home Lori!

Hi everyone. I got back from Israel yesterday. I landed at 6 a.m. and was so tired, I ended up sleeping most of the day. Then I couldn't sleep at night. So today I didn't let myself take a nap because I want to be able to sleep at night. I spent the day unpacking, catching up on mail and bills, and just finished catching up on the blog. I had a good time in Israel as usual. It's always good to spend time with my family and friends--though it does get tiring after a while cuz I'm constantly driving from one place to another to see people. I don't have much time to myself there. I think I need more balance in my life. In L.A. I have plenty of time to myself (for my writing, etc.), but not enough social life, and in Israel, it's the opposite--lots of people to see, but no time to myself. Oh well, at least I get recharged there. I love going to the beach there--the Mediterranean is nice and warm. It sounds like all of you have been having busy summers, too.

yooohooo, Anyone here?

I would love to be able to go with you Karen, but it just won't work for me now. Maybe next time!
I feel like this summer is just flying by....Next week is my only "free" week the whole summer...after that there are different appointments...getting ready for school....all that stuff.. I really meant to get lots done but haven't done that either!
We had so much rain last night that it washed a big gully down the garden...we have to go cover up roots to the pumpkins. Beautiful day today.

Drama, drama, drama on the blog....I hope this doesn't make us all loose our friend connections!

Read that Mrs. Goodrum (Don's mother) has passed. I have fond memories of her coming into our Vegetable Stand. My oldest was just little and would stand on the bench and sing to her. It was very sweet. A lovely lady. My condolenses to the Goodrum family.

Weather is finally hot here in Springfield. It was in the 80s...and no rain for 2 days..imagine.
There is a really nice breeze coming through my windows right now...first time I have had all of the opened all summer.

My grandchildren are back home and it is quiet here! I actually cleaned my house!!! and it is still the same...We had a great time during their visit and yesterday at the Lake Compounce Amusement and waterpark in CT yesterday...My NYC daughter and her husband came up for the day, too!
Hope all is well with everyone! Lori, when are you coming home?

Below is a message sent to me this morning by the classcreate webite people. I'm not planning to be using the other site. But I share this information with you all for what it's worth.
Pat
I am glad that you looked over some of our website and enjoyed it.
Some parts of the site are protected and not available for general viewing unless one has joined the site. Unfortunately, I see that you did not join the site. I will leave your name on the Guest list until Saturday as in my earlier e-mail to you.

As you request in the e-mail, I will remove the link to your 'blog'.
Truly, we have no interest in the 'blog'. Just a thought, but it might better serve you and your friends to rename your site for what it is. This would help to avoid future confusion by all and if desired, allow your classmates to put up a website for your class using the SHS title - just a thought, Pat.

Please let me know when your class has an official website. It would be a nice touch for a 1ckmom!

Just a quick question, are you related to Francis Mahoney, class of 1957?

Thanks with a smile,

Kay

Hi folks, you might notice the link to another site for SHS classes has been removed from our desktop. However you may be interested to know that the link to this blog site is in place on the site Classcreator.com. So you can't go there from here but you can come here from there. It's an interesting site full of all kinds of information. The information below was sent to my email address this afternoon. It came from someone named Kathleen Yoxtheimer Shelton. And I thought Patricia Smith Mahoney was a mouthful.

Springfield High School - Vermont Class Of 1960

The Springfield High School - Vermont Class Of 1960 has a web site located at http://www.classcreator.com/Springfield-VT-1960.

You have been invited by a fellow classmate. Please join us and reunite with your Classmates!

That's such a sweet picture Karen!

I just applied to LLBean for a position as a Customer Service Representative. Here's hoping..........

Camp Nana sounds fabulous! Dave and I returned home to Hampden this afternoon. To some more rain unfortunately for the next several days. Guess I'll do the laundry and other inside tasks. Dave is going back into work tomorrow.
We visited with Lynne and Matt for about 3 hours earlier this week. Matt has returned to Los Vegas but plans to come back in a couple of months. It was hard to sit with Lynne in her apartment knowing that it isn't likely that she'll ever leave it again. Her spirits are pretty good and I have her set up on Facebook. She likes that. I don't like that she is alone, but it's what she wants.
We are'nt going back to camp this weekend and staying home sounds good to me. Strange but its more relaxing.
Hello to you all wherever you are..................

Summertime is busy for all of us....
I am having Nana Camp for 2 of my grandchildren...I think I might have to start hiring some staff!! I can certainly say that as enjoyable as it is to have them, I am equally tired!!
I hope that everybody else is having a great time...where are you all?

Hi...I had a great time getting together with a bunch of friends on Saturday night. We met at McKinley's that opened for the first time since the big fire. Linda Hayes, Margaret Ambrose, Deb and Ronnie Young, Karen Millay, Joanne Gordon, Rick and Dianne Ingalls, Janice Hinkley, Linda Labonte, Pam Wearing were all among the funsters. (Of course, I didn't put married names or spouses, that were with a few) I apologize if I forgot anyone..we had a fun time chatting and catching up on news.
Patti, I hope you are feeling better...we are all still hoping to get together this summer, somewhere!
Lori, have a wonderful trip! Travel safe and enjoy your family visit...
Happy Thoughts to all......................

Oh, that doesn't sound good! Hope it's getting better, though.

I have severe lumbar strain. I had been bothered by some low back pain for a couple of days and then while doing some gardening really felt the need to take a break and rest it. Then when I got up it was really painful. Not being the brightest bulb in the box, I went back to work anyway, figuring I'd just work it out. Long story short, I fell twice (inside luckily) and had to be taken by ambulance to the hospital. I was on the bathroom floor when it arrived. So embarassing.

I'd love to hear how the alumni weekend went for everyone.

What happened to your back, Patti? Hope you're okay! I'm in my usual pre-flight stress, trying to finish everything that needs taking care of before we fly on June 30th!

I hope all of you back in VT for Alumni Weekend had a great time. Did the rain hold off? Sure hope so. Enjoy your time together.

Ditto from me, what Lori said. With my back injury I can't go anywhere for a week or so. But I hope you all have a wonderful time at your reunion.

I'm getting jealous that I won't be able to be there with all of you! I'll be there "in spirit," as they say. Have fun.

I just spoke with Janice. Plans are to meet at McKinley's at 6:30. They have food there. The band doesn't start at KJ's til 9. So we can get started at McK's and be able to hear each other before KJ's. Sounds like a progressive party to me, huh?
She will call Kathy Westney. I'll make a few more calls tonite.
Karen, you'll post on facebook? I don't always get where I'm trying to go there.

I'll call KJ's tomorrow to make sure ist's not a private party going on. Ron said McKinley's is supposed to be open again this weekend. I'll try to find out more. All are welcome to come to our home in the afternoon. KJ's maybe 7ish?
I'll be near the plaza with my mom and brother for the parade. There supposed to be things going on at Riverside after the parade so that may be another meeting place.
I'll try to give more of an update Wed. night.

Karen, that is fine. Remember about it being one way up through town...if you go to the bank parking lot you will have to go all around by the plaza....My little ones will be here for the parade, too....so not sure where we will go to see it...we used to Park on Pearl Street and walk across the Fellows Bridge and watch it on River St...but you can't use that bridge anymore...

I am finally done school...spent today helping to move the office stuff into the new building...we are all trying to work together to get things back together. Our new building is going to be awesome....so its kind of fun to work on getting it together. I am done with working in the dust for the rest of the summer. (Jutst the dust in my own house!)
I am not sure what everyone wants to do getting together...not too many places in town that aren't already booked...it'll be fun to see everyone who can show up!
Well, I need to go and do some grocery shopping...company coming on Thursday.

I haven't heard much action here lately. Where is everyone? Alumni weekend is this weekend. Is anyone planning to be around? I'll make a few calls to Linda and Janice and if I run into anyone in town I'll pass on the word. I did see Mike Graham on Sat. but he'll be out of town then. Let me know what I can do to get things going.
This summer is already going by way too quickly. We have no big plans for vacation but will probably take a few short trips.
Kathi, it must be a nice break with school finally over. Enjoy the grandkids.

Kathi, I agree it would be great to get together as many of us alumni weekend as possible. I think KJ's has a couple of bands that Sat. if I'm not mistaken. We can always have a gathering here at our place if anyone cares to.
Karen,it'll be good to see you again.
Pat, will you be able to make it? Lori, you're crossing the pond again? It's good your faimily is so close, yet so far. Hope you have a good trip.
I haven't tried facebook for a while, but will check it out.
Tomorrow I take my mom to visit my grandmother (my Dad's step-mom) She turns 99 on Tues. It's a very small nursing home but she is quite comfortable there. It'll get mom out of town at least for a bit.

We're leaving June 30--Avi, me, Danit, Darren, and Rafi. Omer is meeting us in Israel. He's in Guatemala at the moment. We're having a family reunion in Israel with all of my family. We'll all be there except one of my sister Amy's sons, who is in Australia right now. Omer and I are staying longer than the others. I'll be back in L.A. on Aug. 9. Anyway, I'll check out Facebook again....

I am finding FB easier to get to...and more people to talk to. Its easy because you can just type a line or two ...
I always check in here to see who has written..lately, I haven't come up with much to talk about...school, construction and packing boxes to get ready to move...plus have Kindergarten...its been so distracting...and pretty boring. I am so ready for this year to be over...one more week with kids and then I think we are getting one paid day for moving. Then I have a few days off..by myself before my kids are coming to visit...I think its going to be Nana Camp for a lot of the summer!
I am helping our art teacher put together a huge puzzle mural that the kids at Park Street have done. We went and found old pictures of Park Street School to put onto that mural. It is really fun to read about old Springfield.
Lori, keep trying facebook...you can directly to us all! When are you leaving for your trip???

Hi Lori, well you may be right. I use FB everyday and I know that Kathi and Karen do also. I don't know that they mean to use that instead but I don't know what's going to happen here. I still feel both programs have their benefits. The only place I see you and Debbie is here. I haven't seen Richard anywhere in months traveling, incommunicado I don't know. There aren't more people talking in FB from the class Karen V is there ever so often but its rare. Several are signed up as members but they don't use it any more than they did/do here.

Yes, that must be hard to go into a class you don't really know to teach something you're not really prepared for!

Have you all been hanging out more on Facebook? I get the feeling that that's where all the action is, and I'm still resisting it for some reason. Don't know what's wrong with me...

Well it takes some getting used to and some getting over. I still have times of insecurity, sometimes it depends on what I'm talking about and how much prep time I've taken. The idea of substitute teaching is horrifying as one is never really prepared.

Yes, I don't know why that fear of public speaking is so intense, but it definitely is. You're probably okay with it, though, aren't you?--if you were a teacher for all those years and had to stand up and talk in front of a class.

Congratulations Lori on getting through the reading intact! I'm glad you felt you did well. Public speaking is the #1 fear of adults and so add to that reading your own work and YIKES.

Sounds like your get-together is going to work out. Have fun!

Well, I got through the poetry reading last night--without turning red, losing my voice, or fainting! Actually, it went okay. I liked hearing the other poets read their work. Some were really good. One of them was an Arabic woman who was born in Syria and grew up in Lebanon. She asked me if I want to join a group she's in with Moslem and Jewish women who get together to talk and listen to each other. I might try it. Sounds interesting to me, and I think acceptance and tolerance are really important. It was a nice sort of "New Age" kind of evening, but I think it went on a little too long. People can't really listen to poetry for more than an hour, and this went on for about 3 hours. In the first part, 9 of us poets read, then there was an intermission, and then one poet read while an electric cello player played in the background. The music was beautiful, but that should have been saved for a different evening. Oh well...

I think we should get together! Lets consider this a open invite to all who want to join us...we'll have to figure out where...and when...we could even watch the parade together! hahah...

I just looked it up and yes, that's Alumni Weekend. Friday the 26th. So what if anything can we do? I'm driving over to Calumet the 3rd of July and Dave and I are staying there that week.

I'll find that poem Lori and read it again thinking of you reading it aloud before your peers.