Appalachian Trail

For 6 years I have heard Franco & Tina talk about climbing the Appalachian Trail. Every year they would make plans...but never set a date. Tina would come up for a weekend thinking to attempt the trail...but there was never enough time. Finally this summer she came up for 9 days. She had SO many plans for those 9 days I wondered if they would make it this year. They spent 1 day shopping & packing, 2 days on the Trail & the fourth day unpacking & airing sleeping bags etc. Suffice it to say..."It wasn't as GRAND as they expected"!!@@ Franco claimed there were TOO MANY trees, not enough vistas. But I think the final straw was the pasta with the BAD dried pasta sauce they planned to have for two meals. After eating it for the first evening meal, they couldn't bear the thought of having it again!@ The next day they skipped lunch altogether & scampered down the mountain for home. They couldn't get back fast enough!!

The Corn Maze

While Laurie (in green) & Lynne (in red visor) were visiting, we went with neighbors to a Corn Maze. It was a a lot of fun, my first time. We had to navigate the maze as well as answer questions along the way.

AAAAH....Retirement ....at last!!

First photo: Milton Women
Back row: Chris, Jackie, Ingely, Kari, Janet, Zay
Front Row: Nancy, Me, Susan
Second Photo: Litchfield Historical Society Staff
from left: Julie (Curator of Collections), Me (admin Assist.), Kate (my replacement), Linda Hocking (Curator f Archives), Linda Loveday (Education Coordinator), Cathy (The BOSS), Lee (Assist Curator of Archives).

OK so I only worked for about 4 years in Sweden & then did temp work here in Litchfield, finishing with 7 years at the Litchfield Historical Society...but I'm tired and it was time to follow other dreams/passions.
My friend Zay gave me a really nice Luncheon with other neighbors from Milton. It was a wonderful & the ladies all brought me such nice gifts: books, a gift certificate to the Spa a shawl, bubbles to play with the grandchildren & many more things.
Last Sunday my colleagues took me to my favorite restaurant to celebrate my retirement. They met here first for Cosmos & they too had several gift baskets FULL of wonderful treats: a massage, a bottle of vodka ( for MORE Cosmos), books, note cards, a puzzle, a gift certificate for bulbs, a subscription to BITCH magazine (no insult intended!) & many more items.
So far I have been BZ in the house repainting the kitchen, mudroom & downstairs bathroom.
My sister arrived today for 3 weeks. We will be visiting Becky & her family in NJ (where we will also see Tina) & Scecco & his family in DC. We will also be stopping in Cape May, NJ & Amish country.
Then I am going to New Orleans with my colleagues for 7 days. That should be fun! They are half my age so it will be a challenge to keep up with them!
After that Franco & I are taking a road trip South To SC & GA stopping of course in DC to see Gabriella & ending in NJ for Lorenzo's First Birthday!!
If it's not too late I will then have LOTS of gardening to do!!
So you see there will never be a dull moment!! I have more trips planned for 2009.
Look for my memoirs on the Best Seller's List in 2010...NOT!!

Mirs in Greece

Rebecca & Zak took the family to Greece this August. Here are some nice photos of them on the trip. Despite the look on Afsara's face, I'm pretty sure she had a good time!!@