Hi John…

This morning was spent finishing budget, bills and other paperwork.  I also did a bunch of work on the computer.  It was a rainy day and a good time to complete some inside stuff. 

Normal school day for Gabe.  He and his posse are at The Watchman tonight.  Everyone is wondering how that comic will actually play out.  I for one have no clue about what it is…other than what I have seen with the media blitz.  He is spending the night at Austin’s.  We were talking about the horse farm.  Gabe remembered being there so often after school.  We talked about how this was the farthest he could ride his bike by himself.  Funny how you remember those mile stones.

We got the Voices Study Guide in the mail.  Bess did a great job on this, no surprise there.  That is a poor picture of Max in the center with the cast.  I have to talk to Gabe about my focus issues.

I worked the Richmond Free Library book sale tonight.  Talk about reminiscing.  The old gang was there.  You were missed.  Chris C. came in and sought me out to ask if he could go fix the license plate on the Prius.  He saw that it had been dangling since the deer encounter.  He has a screwdriver and screws just for that job.  What a sweetheart.  I feel taken care of.  I will have to bake him something to return the kind gesture. 

Here is Benjamin.  I met Benjamin at the first book sale I ever worked.  He was crawling up in the coat rafters.  I think he was bout 5 years old.  I knew then I would like this family.  Max and he became good friends, as did Tyler and Sam.
  

Okay, in the second box I opened to sort through I found the book you were looking for.  I had to buy it for you.  This was probably the same book I gave away years ago.  The Ginger Beer recipe is in it.  You will have to make some this Spring.  Rest assured I did not give away any of your books.  I did take in a small box from the hallway book shelf.  I brought home less…score.
 

This one is for Max.

I could not resist this 1966 classic. 

That wraps up my day.  I am off to watch some random dvd in the house.  I have not decided on one yet.

We love you and miss you.   love…d

Hi John…

I’m kind of liking this “dear diary” communication with you.  I know you will appreciate this history of our days without you.  That is the only reason I put up with waiting for this silly download of pictures.  I feel that if I breath funny I will lose the blog before I post it.

Back to yoga this morning.  It was great to have my 8:00 class.  That was followed by my toddler-mom class.  What fun!  It is hard not picking those cute bundles up.  I have to wait until they get to know me better.  I loved it.

After school I looked into the back freezer and found that Dan had dropped off some of his pizzas from his new business.  Everyone loves a good pizza and these are unique, tasty and full of Vermont products.  That boy.   

On a sad note, Kris The Green Grocer is going out of business.  Their loans did not come through for their expansion.  She will be missed however I’m sure she will find another adventure.  She has great energy.  

I took the dogs for a few walks today.  The sunshine was welcomed.  Everyone has been talking about the closing of the Richmond Bridge on Monday.  I guess the Governor will attend the closing.  I didn’t think that was a ceremony worth attending….let alone have the big guy stop by.  Here is a new sign at the Jonesville Bridge to help those know which way to take while the detour is underway.  The one problem I see is that it says I89 to the left toward Richmond.  That would be okay if you were going I89 North.  The poor person who takes that advice for I89 South will be traveling about 10 miles out of their way.  When I pointed that out to someone they said well most know which way to go.  I don’t think the sign is for those that know which way to go.  Maybe I should take out a sharpie tomorrow and change it for them.

The dogs and I went to the front field.  I took another picture of the Sam Stone you and Gabe put into the ice.  It is still there snug in a huge slate of ice. 

I snapped a shot of the Levison’s leaving Town Meeting day.  They are so cute.  They all went and attended together and voted.  It was great seeing them all.

I have enjoyed those few times when someone calls the house and is bewildered why your cell phone does not work.  It is a challenge trying to let them know you are gone through April and all is okay.  My favorite call was with Val K.  He has such a thick accent (Russion?)  and had a hard time comprehending what I was saying.  Gabe had just watched Borat the night before I truly felt like I was talking to Borat.  I had to repeat my simple story at least 3 times.  He would just say “I guess my English is not so good.  I do not understand”.  You must call him when you return.

Well, it is time for all good people to be in bed.  There was a snow ring around the moon tonight.  I thought of you and Sam knowing that you both are looking at the same moon.  Well, maybe yours does not have a snow ring around it.  Sleep well.   love…d   

Well, back to school went smoothly.  We made it there is plenty of time.  Not bad.

Hey I was reminded that yesterday was square root day (3/3/09).  How could I have forgotten that?

Morning was spent cleaning the toy closet looking for my kids yoga stuff.  I found our VCR.  I knew we had it be some where.  I also found numerous misplaced items.  Good deal.  I didn’t toss anything yet.  Springtime for that stuff.

I walked the dogs.  They just won’t let you get away without a walk.  I waited until it was 20 degrees.  It was -5 this morning!  I helped out at Gabe’s school.  I love talking with those kids.  I cleaned again…this time the yoga space.  Mason stopped by and we chatted.  That boy is doing well although recovering from a cold.  He helped me take down the movie screen down.  Nice to have tall people now and then.

I picked up Gabe from school.  We listened to the story about the hiker/climber who had to cut off his arm after 6 days of it being crushed in a rock.  As we cringed listening to him talk about trying to figure out how to cut the bone with his tiny blade he had an epiphany.  He could just break his arm with a rock..heck he could just snap it.  So while we were all listening in horror he reminded us that he had spent 5 days in death.  He had taped his good byes, he had wrote RIP and his name in the rock, he had written to people, he had made his goodbyes over and over again.  It was a joyful moment to just break his arm and walk away.  It made sense.  So many times our minds create what we think we would expect.  It is truly never how you imagine.  He died and was birthed at that rock.  An amazing tale.

Gabe went to Night Riders tonight.  Another cold one.  My picture taking is poor and my hands were cold.  He won a pair of Electric goggles in a raffle.  He is looking to sell them now.  We ate bean & cheese burritos and watched Gross Point Blank.  Well, almost watched it.  We fell asleep.  Satori snuggled up next to Gabe.  All the dishes are very clean leaving the TV/Sam’s room.  I think Chai and Satori do the prerinse.

I’m off to bed.  Love you…d       

It is late.  I was out for a meeting and need to get to bed.  No pictures today…the camera is taking too long to load.  I guess it wants to go to bed also.

Nice last day of vacation for Gabe.  He went up to Bolton on a sunny crisp (4 degrees at the top) day.  It was beautiful and had nice powder.  He got quite a bit of snowboarding in this break.  The weather had been perfect for riding.  I keep expecting Spring temperatures yet it is still quite cold.  It is -1 as I write.

I had a few talks with friends today about dentists.  I really think dentists are the unsung heroes of present time.  Okay there are many heroes.  But just think about how far dentistry has come…and how no one really makes a bit deal about the value that they add to our lives.  To think that I had a broken tooth and in a half of day I walk out with it repaired.  Just think how valuable that would have been 200 years ago.  Yes, I know Little Shop of Horrors is what people think about and make fun of…talk about a missing ad campaign.  The technology is amazing and the skill level of the technicians is superb.  Still, no on likes to sit in the chair and having your mouth open is intrusive. 

I had fun trying to decide what to do while my mouth was open.  At first I thought “do I try and be in the moment?”.  No, that went out quickly.  I don’t know many marathoners who relished being in the total moment feeling each step of their feet and every breath they take.  Yikes…that would be a long run.  I then looked upward and to the side.  I remembered reading somewhere that by doing that eye position you lessen your experience of trauma.  That got boring.  I then would look at his arm moving and make my eye cross a bit and morph the size of his arm.  That was the most fun.  Then I looked at the stucco type ceiling and wondered about painting it and could I find shapes in it.  I also practiced relaxation techniques starting at my feet.  I never got past my knees…and I tried a few times.   Then I tried to find all my bones and just relax them.  At that point he was done and I never really settled on what I would do.  I had fun trying yet have no real suggestions as to how to pass the time while your mouth is gaping open.

I went to Marcie today.  Yeah.  She helped unstuck my jaw.  She is awesome.  We had fun talking.

I then stopped in at Town Meeting to vote at 2:00.  They were still going strong.  Wow.  Democracy at work.  I know you like going.  I think you would have enjoyed today.  It really isn’t for me.  I am so thankful that others are passionate and interested in town politics…or just in the workings of the town.  Thank you to all that make a difference in Richmond.  I appreciate it. 

Sleep well John.  love…d