IMPORTANT NOTICE:

T
R
I
S
H
A

Told by birdie about upcoming event!

Wish I could be there to help celebrate but a little package is headed your way that is only about three years too late.

So happy that you have joined our blog. Look forward to your updates and perspectives! Emily too depressing to think about but I will certainly keep you posted on ANYTHINGthat happens as your support will be greatly appreciated. I can only wonder who Maddie and Brewster are? Can they be new kitties or some other family pet? Were they biting each other's legs or was that in reference to Tom and yourself? Also, who is Alex? Thank you for the great juke box and trip down memory lane (Elvis). Could not access Sarah's photos at Shutterfly address.

Thank you for your updates on Andy's employment and Sarah's coffee preference. I don't watch either of those TV shows, sorry. We watch the crab fishing, Anthony Bourdain (my personal fave), gang shows on history channel, preferably specific to inmates tattooing themselfs in prison with rusted cans and, of course, The Closer.

Debbie, so happy to hear of your wonderful time with your daughter. She is so lucky to have you for a mom and vice versa. Have you tried the new OreIda frozen potato buds? They are new and make mashed potato a cinch!

Yesterday to celebrate the holiday, Larry and I let the pets out (2 horses, 1 donkey, 2 goats, and 1 pig) out into the yard to run wild. It was dangerous at first but, eventually, they all calmed down and started grazing. They practically knocked me over when I brought out apples and carrots with the big animals teetering on our little porch.

Talk to you soon. Love your updates. Sincerely, Old McDonald.

The Summer Kick Off

So happy to view Trisha's blog! Welcome Trisha! I had a wonderful evening in Easton Friday evening (high temps for the day - 90+ degrees), but a beautiful breeze came through Friday evening and Tom, Trish, and myself had Chinese food, relaxed and chatted. I attempted to help Trish with posting on our blog, but had to "phone a friend" - Leah was kind enough to answer her cell phone and walk us through the process. When reading Trisha's first edition post - I never knew that Bill and Pat's anniversary is May 22nd? Is that true? I always thought their anniversary was in June. It was funny to read the blog and then see the wedding photo that Leah posted.

It was especially great to hear from Sarah! After all, this blog was named in her honor!

What an incredible weekend it was - 90+ degrees one day, back down to 60 degrees the very next day and then the pay off was Monday, May 25th - absolutely the most gorgeous day EVER - perfect temp - a great, steady breeze - the curtains were billowing and there was a song in the air! Okay, now I am getting carried away... I also remembered that Monday was Irv's birthday! On Saturday, Leah and I spent the entire day together and actually had fun! I think Leah was apprehensive about spending the day with her mom and actually was a little resistant to my plans (she was a finger away from hitting the send button on her cell phone to be rescued - we had a pedicure and our toenails look fabulous for the summer! We stopped by a renovated fire station turned into a restaurant later in the day for a drink/appetizers to view the renovations for Leah's next project - very hip we were sitting at the bar! We then stopped by to visit an old friend, see a new baby, food shopped and then went home and cooked up a delicious meal! A very nice day indeed!

Wishing everyone a great summer!

Trisha tries to blog one more time

So in finally trying to blog, I end up setting up my own blog instead. thankfully Debbie and moreso Leah have walked me through the error of my ways.

It is Memorial Day Weekend. We are waiting patiently for Sarah to come home. Alex was over our house today bemoaning Sarah's unavailability. Maddie is now loving the pool and Brewster spends all his time biting Maddie's legs, so jealous a dog. Andy out for the night. Tom is the same - always doing things he shouldn't be doing, lifting inappropriately. Someone should explain his condion to him.

What did you think of Shawn Johnson winning Dancing with the Starts earlier this week? Maybe you watch American Idol and would have preferred __ over __. The only show I enjoy is NCIS.
So weigh in on your thoughts. Good talking with you. Enjoy the weekend.

first edition

Okay, I am finally finding time to create an account and post a blog. You have all done such a great job with this blog. thank you Leah, Debbie and Judie. The more I work on a computer, the less I seem to know. By now, you have received most of the Australian walk about photos. Isn't it wonderful to view the horizon from someone else's eyes. When Debbie comes over next, she can show me my naivite with the blog- thing. Right now, I am looking forward to summer. Today is mom and dad's anniversary, first day of summer, and beginning of sandals, capris and bathingsuits.My dogs, Brewster and Maddie, are hysterical. When Sarah comes home, we will send you some photos. Tom and I look the same. Andy looks older, more mature and even hinted he won't play hockey next year at college but instead may play Lacrosse. Andy will be working at the Brockton Rox starting next week, as a runner getting food for the waitresses. It should be fun. Judie, hope all is well with you and that the weather is the most envigorating of the year. I was surprised and somewhat shocked by Emily's news. When you go out to Chicago, I want you to let me know. All is well. Now if I successfully post, this info will not have gone in vain.

Sarah Posted!

I checked out the 1 comment on my post and how surprised I was to find a nice note from Sarah! I cannot believe that she will be home in a few weeks! In my leisure, I will check out the pictures that she has posted on her websites. Can't wait to see Sarah and give her one of my bear hugs!

Maybe if Andy really gets bored he will view our blog and post a comment or two!

Today is a gorgeous day. When I was walking from my garage to my office this morning, the sun was shining brightly and there was a perfect breeze blowing - just a perfect morning!

Summer Has Arrived!

Judie - thanks for your posting! We will figure out how we can be supportive to Emily when she has the surgery. Without much notice, the airfare will be expensive - but we will figure something out (how far is Chicago to drive?).

Summer has FINALLY arrived in Boston. Today is a magnificant day - not humid - near 80 degrees - perfect. I am taking off Friday from work - so it will be a nice long holiday weekend for me. I have yard work to do, Leah informs me that I need to declutter and clean my house - so maybe I will attempt to do that. We will be going to the Cape on Sunday to visit my mother and swing by Meredith's house (my mother's house) for a cook out. Hopefully the weather will be nice and warm and we can sit out on her deck, or go to the beach. I ordered a new bathing suit from Lands' End and it arrived in the mail last night. The best part is that I bought a nice beach COVER UP to wear over the suit and hopefully no one will see me in the suit!! Ugh.

We moved Leah back to Wentworth on Sunday - so she is moved into another dorm on campus - closer to where her classes take place. I actually like this dorm. She has a "penthouse" view overlooking Huntington Ave - she is on the 5th (top) floor. Move in day was a little hectic as we had to move her stuff from one dorm to another (crossing the railroad tracks was interesting as the cart we were pushing got stuck in the tracks!). There were long lines of people trying to get into two elevators with the large carts - the line moved at a snails pace. BUT, she is all moved in (finally the last move in at Wentworth - we just have to move her out one more time!)

I cannot believe that Sarah's trip is coming to an end. I haven't heard any updates lately - hopefully we will hear something.

Enjoy the kick off to summer weekend!

IMPORTANT NOTICE:

3-day weekend coming up!

Hoping you all have a long weekend. I am looking forward to getting more zzz's. Summer is finally here. That means brushing everyone's coat to get the Winter fur off of them. This week is 80's and sunny. Leah, are you relaxing? Sarah, are you getting ready to come home? Andy, how did your sports season end? I am sure you did great! Debbie, Emily asked me if I would come to Chicago when her surgery starts. It will be difficult to get a cheap rate with not much advance notice. She may get notified of a lung in a couple of months. I hope it is longer than that. Of course, she is worried that she may not even make it through the surgery. I will try to just change my work schedule instead of asking for the time off. She has an appointment next week in Chicago to discuss the lung transplant. This week, she is happily back in Charleston (where she doesn't have to climb tons of stairs). Have a great holiday all, love Judie

Leah-

Thanks for your sweet thank you note! Judie

Leah's Studio...my second home

Class room and crit space

They haven't taken out our recycling in months!

My desk space! with my final boards an model!

A Really Good Chuckle

When i opened the blog this morning - there was Bill Mooney's little picture - what a good laugh. That badge/pin is from his 35th birthday party on the party boat - we really did have a good time. Judie designed the pin and everyone at the party received one. The picture is priceless! Thank you Judie!

Leah has turned in two of her projects. She is working on a lighting project and auto cad project and she should complete these by tomorrow (whew!). I have a whole bunch of boxes to run over to Wentworth so she can pack up and move out of her dorm by tomorrow at 6 pm. Yahoo - Leah is coming into the home stretch for finishing up at Wentworth!

It is dismal around here this week - rain, misty, a cool east wind - down right nasty. My weekend is looking rather busy with a few social engagements (which I love!). Friday evening my friends from curves - 3 hysterical, funny ladies to go out with - we are dining at an Italian restaurant with a roof deck that looks over the Charles River! Hopefully the weather will cooperate. Saturday (I don't have to work at Curves!) - I will leisurely hang out and then I will be going to my brother's house for a cook out later in the day - Kevin Smith will be home from college for a brief weekend and then he is off to Peru for 6 weeks! Leah and Lee have dinner reservations at the Top of the Hub Saturday night to celebrate their 6th anniversary and her birthday. I hope Leah will post something on the blog about the Top of the Hub! Sunday is Mother's Day and we will be going to the Cape to visit my mother and stop by Meredith's at my mother's house and grab a lunch and then head back to Boston. Hopefully this will all culminate into a fun weekend. Leah will be working at Curves next week so that she can earn some much needed cash and the best part is that she will be working most of my hours - I am thrilled!

Judie - thanks for posting. I think Sarah is due home mid June!

One harkens back to happier and less stressful days.

Soon you will be free to celebrate your 23rd birthday!

Leah!
We are thinking of you and soon your projects will be finished and you will be free to relax and enjoy your special day. We know that all of your hard work will pay off in the end.

Debbie deserves a reward for helping to keep this blog alive. Thank you so much for keeping us updated on your mom and Sarah's travels. We look forward to some more pics from Australia whenever Sarah has a free minute. Question: When is Sarah due back stateside? Judie

Thoughts of Spring and Healthy Thoughts for Emily

The weather on the east coast has had its ups and downs. 90 degrees for a few days, then back to low 60's - cool winds.

My anxiety has quieted (for now) about the Swine Flu - everyone should take care to washing hands and coughing into elbows! I was getting tired of all of the "breaking news" on any new cases of swine flu - my heart rate was picking up with intensity with all of these news reports. We do have one new swine flu case here at BU School of Dentist - so it is in close proximity. Our campus is becoming quite notorious with the Craigs List killer being a med student here and now a case of swine flu - not the type of notoriety we are looking for!

Bill spoke with Emily on Thursday evening - she is still at David's and doing better, although will now be on oxygen 24/7. Her lungs are scarred and will only get worse over time. I think work is about to begin on her condo - it was stalled because new elevators had to be installed in her building. We should take a vacation to Chicago - a few days excursion - visit the windy city and enjoy as well as visit with Emily when she settles into her new place - maybe the fall would be a nice time? Who is game for travelling to Chicago?

Leah Smith Mooney is working so hard on her library and jazz club - I cannot believe someone is so dedicated. She has been working non-stop for weeks. She is up at 6-7 am and works tirelessly on these projects. I have been bringing in food - cooking a delicious fish dinner with rice and roasted asparagus, lasagna last week, a few bucks here and there to help sustain her! She has been "quarantined" at school - going back and forth from her dorm to studio. I don't think she has even managed any outings with Lee - she is focussed and determined (and mighty tired and overwhelmed!). Bill has been a support system to her - calling her and encouraging her to keep up with the workload. What school works their students so hard? It shall be over for Leah by Friday (whew!) - just in time to enjoy her birthday next week!

I have heard from Trish that Sarah is enjoying her time in Australia and might even stay a few extra days and travel the east coast of that great country (I have not heard of any swine flu outbreaks in Australia!). We should all relocate to the Outback! I hope someone posts more of the great pics of Sarah's, and updates us on what is happening.

Take care everyone. Enjoy your week!