Home !

Friends…
   I’m finaly back !… After more than 9 weeks away I’m home with my family. It feels indescribeby great to be lying in my own bed as I type this. My trip was amazin.  but you’ll have to forgive me.. I’m not abpe to talk about it quite yet. All I can say that I’ve been away workign on a TV project for Discivery channel called
The Colony’. the show will start airing on July 11th of this year. After t airs I can begin talking about the experience. Until then.. I can jussay tha participatign in the making of this show  had one of the greatest experiences of my life.. !!!
   It/s so sweet being home and seeing Diane. gabe and the dogs. I just got the wonderful suprise of seeing that Diane kept up this blog for most of the time I was away. I can’t wait to finish readinng about what I missed. What a gift she’s given me in that !
   it’s alte and i have 3899 emails to plow through by tomorrow.. so I’ll leae it at this for the evening. I’, really looking forward to reconnecting with everyone and hearign how everyone’s doing. I missed you all… More… much more.. tomorrow .. Gnite all.. gnite Sam !
-me

  
   

My Last Letter

Morning John…

The dogs were barking at 5 AM for some reason so here I am awake.  They have had their breakfast and probably will head back to sleep.  Me…I’m up.

Yesterday was a filled day.  I replaced the back door deadbolt.  I was proud to do it.   Although it did require another trip to Home Depot.  The dead bolt I got before was keyed on both sides.  That would mean we would need a key in it at all times for safety.  I guess one would need that in some locations…not a door in your house.

Gabe went to Austin’s birthday party after school.  They had an old fashioned treasure hunt, then girls came for the BBQ part, I stopped in for a little bonfire action.  By the end, most were gone and mischief looked like a priority.  I dropped off a few dvds…Tenacious D, Bottle Rocket, and a snowboarding one.  I’m sure all went well…and into the morning.  I loved watching their interactions.  Right on the edge of playful goofiness and true teenager-ism. 

Well, this will be my last letter to you  for a while.  Soon you will know why.  That day will be fun.  This blog site will be quiet for a bit.  When the time is right you will be able to write again.  I have loved writing you and filling you in about our days.  We miss you and love you.  Soon we will be together again.  Much love always and forever.   love…d  

Happy Passover-Happy People

Hey John…

Happy Passover.  This evening the Obama family held the first Passover meal in the White House.  Gabe & I think Obama may have to enter the Guinness Book of World Records with all of his “firsts”.

I encountered so many happy people today.  I had to get Max’s car fixed up for Spring and I was regretting the Sears Autoshop experience.  Well, it was great.  The guy there was a riot to talk to.  He could not imagine how someone born and raised in Vermont could ever negotiate the NYC.  He found me in the waiting room to tell me of his one day in NYC.  He has no desire to ever return.

He had a friend from NJ while in college 25 years ago.  This friend took 3 Vermont college boys into the city for the day.  He told me many events of the caliber that 4 college students would enjoy.  One was especially funny.  He said there he was in this brew-pub having lunch.  This place would give you all the free beer you could drink as long as you were eating.  A woman came to their table and put down a key and said “$20”.  He looked at the key and then her and said, “That key is not worth $20”.  His friend had a hoot with that one.  He had no clue.

While I waited I went to JC Penney’s to get Gabe some socks.  The cashier not only helped me recieve a $10 rebate but also was able to take another $10 off for some in house special.  I never even asked for any of that.  She just offered.

Next stop after the car was done was Home Depot.  This is not my most thrilling store however no less than 5 people asked me if I needed help on my short trip (although maybe it was my glazed over eyes).  The first man who asked me if I needed help did not even have his uniform on.  He looked like a cutomer.  He said he was off at the moment none-the-less he walks me to the end of the store looking for dog leads.  He friend redirects me to another spot.  On the way there I again get asked…however now I know where I am going.  The next fella helps me find a new dead bolts for the doors and opens them to make more keys…even though I haven’t bought them yet.  While he makes the keys I go to the aisle with ropes to find dog leads.  Two more gentleman help me find them…they were on the top shelf.  They only have 2 lengths, 20′ and 75′.  I ponder the sale because I think 20′ is too short and 75′ was way to long.  They then strike a bargain with me and say…hey you can buy the 75′ for the cost of one 20′.  They seriously try to talk me into it by saying it will save me from hooking 2 together.  I kindly thank them for their gerousity and say I will just get the two 20′ leads.  Interesting.  It didn’t just stop there.  I went to the self service checkout.  I love those lines because I think I am playing kids grocery store imaginary play.  Well, the guy is so helpful there that he scans all my items (in the self service lane!) and then I pay.  Darn I missed my playtime.

At this point I can’t wait to see what will come my way with friendly people.  My next stop was the bank.  Nothing too exciting played out there…no special lottery number was hit.  Although while opening mail this morning I got a surprise check from our flood insuance being canceled.  That truly started my fun positive day.  The money will got towards Chai’s medical bills.  See, money is green and it flows.

This is my last errand day.  Tomorrow will be getting the house in order.  Much to do.  I took Chai & Satori on 2 walks today. I would say Chai is officially feeling better.  She has got her wiggle back.  Gabe had lax practice.   The mountain tops were glowing with white snow in the late afternoon sun.  It was beautiful.

Good night John!   love…d
            

April Snow

Hi John…

We woke to white outside.  Not much at this low elevation yet it was snowy throughout the day.

I am beat.  I have been burning the candle on both ends and it is catching up with me.  The day was busy starting with taking Satori to get a clip and me to Carole’s for my hair.  We both were getting our hair done at the same time.  Her dog Zara is recovering from a broken toe.  She has a splint.  We exchanged dog stories. 

More importantly we talked about her brother-in-law who is captured right now by Somalian pirates.  He is a merchant marine captain of the ship that was just taken over by pirates.  The crew is now safe and he is still being held captive.  I can’t imagine the worry the family is in right now as they wait for news.  They must feel powerless.  Michael is on another ship and is well.  He too must be beside himself waiting for news.  Time will tell.  I wish them well and send my love. 

Hard to write anything beyond that.  Hard to talk about my day which seems insignificant to those waiting.  I will take Carole’s bright attitude and move forward as we wait for news.

I brought Chai for a car ride to get Satori.  Satori looks so cute.  Oh…maybe I’ll grab a picture tomorrow.  Randy at the Grateful Dog is going through some major changes…both personally and professionally.  She is a real sweetie.  I brought her a few daffodils and a SamStone to brighten her day.  I hope to get Chai in after her stitches come out.

I had my last Kids Yoga at RES for the Spring.  These kids are wonderful.  I love watching how much these kids love their Moms & Dads.  When they tell stories…even the simpliest details you can just tell how much they love their families.  They just bubble with smiles and adoration.

Tonight was my Teen yoga at a new time and day.  We had enough for a class.  All were tired so it was a Yin-talking class.  Good to hear their stories. 

We made a yummy rigatoni spaghetti dinner with Kristin.  I had been on the phone throughout the day.  Yes, I am off to bed.  Too much swimming in my head right now.

Good night love.   Hope you are warmer than we are here.  love…d