Headed for surgery on the knees tomorrow in the morning. Will try to keep everyone updated as often as I can. Thanks for all the good wishes, support and prayers that have been coming my way.

Back to the Grind

I'm back to work on Monday!

I think it is going to be a shock to my system.

I've been trying to get myself ready; EARLY to bed, EARLY to rise and NO naps!

Ugh, I loved my naps.

I'm going to miss all the time to read!

Visits with my FAMILY!

Visits with my friends!

Visits from the "grandkids"!

BEADS, BEADS, BEADS!

Sleeping late!

Staying in my PJs all day!

NO STRESS!

I'm very grateful for the wonder people in my life who have made

these last eight weeks much easier than I had

anticipated.

THANKS!!!!

Hold Onto Your Hats

Yes, it is true! I am writing a new post. I know it is hard to believe, but I thought a year was about as long as I should let this blog stand idle. I know that many of you have switched to Facebook and I too have a Facebook account but I'm not any better with that than I am at blogging. I do so appreciate those of you who do keep up with your sites. It's good to know what is going on in your lives and enjoy your wit, compassion and spirit.

So, what has been going on with me in the last year?

In May, I turned 56 years old! Never thought that would happen! It kind of caught me off guard and began me thinking about RETIREMENT. In June, I completed my 27th year of teaching in the Pembroke School District, which again got me thinking about retirement. Many of my teaching companions have retired recently and I'm one of the most seasoned (that means old) teachers at TRS. I'm having a hard time with this decision as I'm not sure I'm really ready yet. I love working with the kids! At this point I'm going for thirty years which would have me retiring at the end of the 20011-12 school year. WOW!

In July, I bought a new car. Surprise! it's a SUBARU outback wagon. I looked at and researched a lot of options but in the end, couldn't give up my reliable and sturdy Subaru. (So glad I didn't get a Toyota.) It is a pretty charcoal grey with a charcoal interior as well. If you have kids, I don't recommend the dark upholstery. It's always dirty. Here's another big surprise, I got an automatic. I have driven a manual transmission for about 40 years. I still try to shift all the time. The kids say I'm hopeless, but I'm getting better and like it on the most part. It still scares me in the snow. I can't down shift!!! It's like learning to drive all over again in the bad weather.

I guess the biggest news for the year, it that in December, I had surgery to remove excess skin and fat around my abdomen. This has been quite a relief but more importantly, it opens the way for double knee replacement surgery in the spring. I am excited about both of these procedures. Over the last years I have lost a lot of function and was becoming very frustrated with not being able get around and do the simplest of thing. I'm looking forward to a very active summer, and a positive busy 2010-11 school year.

I'd like to thank my family for their loving support and assistance during and after the surgery. Christmas, even in the hospital, was wonderful. Thank you for all the wonderful gifts, even my beautiful new stocking hanging on an IV pole. I was wonderful to come home to a clean, well organized home and my new sheets are the best. All the repairs to my home have been a blessing. Thank you again so much, I love you all.

Also, a big thank you to all the wonderful friends who have kept me in their prayers and helped me out during my convalescence. (overnights, cleaning, dishes, laundry, groceries, company, trips to the drug store, outings, get well cards, etc., etc., etc.) Cindi, trips to the doctor have never been so fun, watching you following me around with a chair so I could sit if I needed to. And Heather you are one great wheelchair operator. No moss growing on those wheels!!

Love you guys,

all of you!!!

Hopefully it will not be so long before I post again, but don't hold your breath.

Blog Stalker

I admit it I am a serious blog stalker.

I so enjoy reading about your day to day lives and the joy

you get from your children and your families.

I revel in your shinning examples of love and good will for your fellow man.

I love the wonderful way you have of making big tasks or challenges seem easy.

I admire the way you live and love and teach the gospel in all you do.

THANK YOU TO ALL WHO DILIGENTLY POST

AND BRIGHTEN MY DAY

Here's to Family!

I've had the priviledge of being included as a member of some wonderful families over the years, but I am just beginning to understand the power of that familial connection. I'm just beginning to comprehend the vastness of the reality of the pre-existence, mortality and eternatiy.


Perhaps it has been working in the temple that has blosomed this awareness in me. Perhaps it has been the opportunity to watch the good examples around me of temple marriage and the raising of a righteous family within the context of the gospel. What ever the reason, I am grateful for my tesimony of the importance of family.

Thank you to my own wonderful family and all those who have adopted me over the years.

1. As a comment on my blog,(if you would be so kind)
leave one memory that you have of us together.
It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you.

If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you.
If you don't want to play on your blog, or if you don't have a blog, I'll leave my memory of you in my comments.

This blog curtisy of LL.

Thanks

1. blogging friends

2. summer

3. living in the lakes region

Long Past Due

Sorry folks, I’m not real good at this blogging thing. The creative juices just don't flow as well as with some of you.

It has been an interesting summer so far, beginning with my nephew’s wedding. It was great weather if a bit hot that first weekend in June. The wedding ceremony was beautiful. The vows were fairly traditional, but the overall ceremony was a little different. I liked it quite a lot. Each of the groomsmen and the bridesmaids had a part in the ceremony. The theme was about the importance of our hands in the carrying out of the marriage vows. Hands are used to caress, to help. to hold, etc. It was beautiful.

The marriage ceremony took place in a little church in Center Sandwich (10:00 am). Then back to camp Quinnibarg for a lunch. then down to the lake to see the bride and groom arrive by canoe. After that, we all changed and had some fun in the sun.

At 5:00 pm, we returned to our cabins and got dressed in our fancy clothes, had cocktails (ginger ale for me) and dinner with dancing right at the camp. It was so much fun. The food was great, the company was even better and I danced up a storm if you can believe that! Just a good time all round. (Pictures to follow when I can get my hands on some.)

The kids rented the youth camp for the weekend. The guests all stayed in the cabins at the camp. There were many activities throughout the day and evening including, swimming, boating, kickball, basketball, bocce, and in the evenings there was always a bonfire.

Next were a couple more weeks of school and some very hot weather for New Hampshire. I was informed that I would be moving up with my student s which prompted a room change, thus a need to pack up my entire room. Thankfully Maria, a friend, took pity on me and helped out the day after school got out and all the packing and labeling got done in a reasonable time. THANKS MARIA!!!! After about 10 years in 5th grade, I finally got promoted.

Then a week at YW Girls’ Camp. AWESOME!!!! No responsibilities. I was a kitchen waif and just did what I was told. Who knew it could take 2 hours to tear up lettuce to make tacos for 150 people! I also helped out with water watching at the waterfront. Both of these jobs were great. It was so nice to be back at camp. It has been a few years and I have missed it. It is also great to see some of our campers from years past return as leaders. It has been such a blessing to watch these beautiful young women grow into terrific women who still love camp. It was also good to get caught up with old friends. Just one little complaint, my room mate snored quite a lot and was scared of the dark. I had to hold her hand a lot. She made me lock the door at night and I nearly broke my nose on it trying to get out one morning in my rush to the potty. I love you Cindi! Thanks for letting me help out.

Today's Blessings

1. family

2. girls' camp

3. good friends