It's beginning to look a lot like....

It's Christmas Eve day 2008. 2009 is around the corner and time is flying by, as usual. I am no further along in my understanding of My Space workings, but between the old one, the new one, facebook, classmates, and the Delran alumni site, I am happily finding out what's going on with current and old time friends. Fun!










Being home for a few months instead of traveling constantly has been quite a change of pace, but the classes I've taken and things I've learned were well worth it. Too bad for H&R Block I will be gone for much of the tax season, but FL, the cruise, and HI were planned first. Aloha! :-)

I've been continuing the HRBlock classes, working at CONTACT, had dinner with Sandy and the BCEA officers, enjoyed Jill's Chanukah brunch with the Commans (including the MA branch) and Ann and Ted (newly returned from their Panama cruise). I started getting "adjusted" at Dr. Bidwell's and have never felt straighter!!! Tom had a 300 game in one of his bowling leagues recently (awesome!!). We were sorry to miss Caitlin's college graduation party, but are very proud of her (and our Oliver musical star, Jasmine, on another front). I stopped in to see my DMS friends and wish them and all a very happy holiday, wonderful vacation, and super New Year 2009! (And have a great cruise, Margie and company!)

Lucky week-end

The luckiest part was winning the basket from Dr. Bidwell's drawing. It was from the Women's Expo ...weeks ago. The first person they drew the name of never responded, so I got it instead!
The other lucky thing was even though the H&R Block orientation was extra long and in Lawrenceville instead of Delran, I still made it to the Bidwell Open House in time to enjoy a great massage, a tour, some snacks, good company, and bring home my prize and a balloon snowman!
Backtracking a bit, I had fun with Sigma, singing carols and giving out presents at Innova on Friday. The holiday party on the 2nd was so moving and emotionally uplifting! We danced on Wed. and Thursday at Prospectors.
Today, Sue resurrected Velvet Crumb Cake family memories for us, and I look forward to making it for Tom.
I'm pretty sure Jennifer survived Jassy's birthday overnight gig, and happy birthday, Cody!
Tomorrow the Block sessions start up again. Should be fun!

The: Why are you not surprised department

Okay okay okay...I made another website...I know I know, you're saying but WHY???
Well, case in point, msn groups going down....no more yahoo photos anymore, sudden failed hard drive syndrome...it's better not to have all your eggs in one basket. And anyway, this one is different from all the rest. It is just for our brunch group.
http://thebrunchgroup.shutterfly.com
Check it out. Actually, it is probably only interesting to the people in it, but it might give you some ideas for starting a share site like this of your own...Ya can't have too many websites, that's what I say..........

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like.....

Another Thanksgiving bites the dust....We had such a great time at Jill and Mike's . The food was awesome and the company fascinating. Of course, today we cooked a turkey and stuffing and sweet potato casserole (with marshmallows) and ate it... ANOTHER huge meal....but we attempted to work it off dancing....

No, we didn't go shopping early....or at all....except for Tom a little at the end of Black Friday.

Worst news: the trampled Walmart temp and the massacre in India.......

Mid November already!

Today was the monthly brunch get-together. We ate at the restaurant at Flying W Airport, and it was delightful. My favorite part was the wonderful piano player - showtunes throughout the meal. Some people were critical of the chocolate fountain (cold, thin) but..hey! chocolate! (need I elaborate???) The best news was Dina's new bf, and the closest to vacation are Ann and Ted heading down to FL before Thanksgiving for their post holiday cruise to the Panama Canal!

Yesterday I was in attendance at the Second Annual Women's Expo. It was a lot of fun and very interesting and informative. I took pictures and got a massage and ate great food and wrote an article about it for www.mybctnow.com

I'm still taking classes and enjoying them. This is the last week for the Basic H&R Block class and we are finishing up the Contact training soon, too.

I am reading The Sparrow in preparation for my very first Book Club meeting. (How exciting!)

Terri is back in Hawaii, I'm assuming. We were so happy to see her and she kept us dancing for four nights in a row! It was great. We saw Dan too, when he stopped in for a surprise.

Aloha Terri!

Our friend Terri from Hawaii is in town and we have been having fun with her dancing at Prospectors every night since Thursday. Hopefully we will get to see her and Dan when we are out their way in the spring, and dance at Pearl Harbor.

Things are moving along at a hectic pace here....or so it seems...we are keeping busy anyway.
My classes are winding to a close and I will be official, hopefully, in both areas, the election is over, Tom has been getting some high bowling scores (but not quite the elusive perfect score! yet...) It is getting colder and Tom is longing for FL warmth.

I made a website about Jennifer's birthday trip which was a good review of all our good times with the visiting Kayes and assorted relatives last month.

I just finished reading The Time Travellers Wife, a book Sue recommended, and I really liked it. Discussing it with someone at Contact led to an invitation to attend a book club meeting later this month. How exciting!

A funny thing happened and I don't know whether to ask about it or just be grateful.....We got a check from the South Carolina Central Traffic Court. Remember the speed trap ticket? They said it was $185 and that's what I paid...but now they sent a check to us for 103.50! Any guesses on the story behind the "refund"? There was absolutely no explanation....just the check. Hmmm.....

Happy Halloween!

I went in Thursday morning for some more phone bank work on the coming election, and spent the rest of the day working on the BCEA website. Clever investigative reporting revealed that NJEA DOES have positions on the state ballot questions. No and then yes, in that order.

Things are getting closer to the end for not only the election, but for my classes too. I have really enjoyed learning so many new things. I am looking forward to using my new knowledge and skills to help people.

It has gotten cold and I am not that happy to be cold. (See January, Florida; wish you were here).

I have a script for a website or snap genie show about Jennifer's birthday trip. It was quite an adventure! Sometimes I really wish we lived closer to our family.

Today is the last day of October. Time is flying!

Riding the Roller Coaster

I'm getting dizzy from watching the stock market travails....I just hope the US economy...and the world's....gets back on its feet asap. Saturday I am going to the Teachers Pension and Annuity annual meeting to hear how our pension funds are holding up....

The Heart Walk was good...a beautiful day...not as many walkers as we used to have.....but I made some new friends and enjoyed the day....





My tax and Contact classes are going well......cutting into my Pogo playing time, but that's ok for awhile anyway.... :-)

Our new landscaping looks good and we are feeling really safe with Slomins security system installed. (And I changed my homeowners insurance for a $300 a year savings!!!) (Remember to say we recommended you if you get security from them, ok?! (Roberta and Tom Sallee! :-)

A Scary Moment

It could have been this headline: Retired Teacher Hit by a Truck While Heading to Helpline!
There I was on the corner, waiting for the light to turn green, when suddenly, this really big truck started turning the corner...and the huge wheel came right over the curb and onto the sidewalk where I was standing. Well, where I used to be standing, because I moved first. OMG. I could have been crunched!!!

So that was one exciting thing from Friday. I spent four hours getting familiar with the Contact phone room. That was very enlightening. I guess it tired me out too, because I slept through the Let's go dancing window of leaving opp. Oh, and so far, so good with the burglar alarm. I only forgot to undo it once. Oh and the landscape guy is apparently working on the bushes and stuff here and there, but we have yet to actually see him doing it in person!

Today is the Heart Walk in Camden. I told people we could meet and car pool at the office, but no one told me they were interested in doing that, nor did we discuss a time to meet...Hmmm....

Feeling more secure?

We had a security system installed yesterday. (If you are interested in one, you might want to consider calling Slomins and tell them Roberta and Tom Sallee sent you!Thanks!) The installer was a really nice guy and we feel much safer now!

Also, the stock market finally turned around yesterday, too. It only went back up as high as last (for me) as last Wednesday, but it's still a move in the right direction. My fingers are crossed.

We had a beautiful day for the monthly get together with the brunch group. This time it was in Lambertville, NJ across the bridge from New Hope, PA We had birthday girl, Dina, to celebrate with and tons of photos of Doug, Cheryl, and the boys.

NYC Birthday Surprise

The Great Depression of 2008?

Well this is sure a scary time, financially speaking. When I saw the Dow was down over 1000 at around 10 a.m. I was flabbergasted. Since then it has gone as high as up 23 and is currently-10:49 a.m. down 245. I guess it will be up and down all day and maybe I should stop watching..What can I do about it? Nothing.....

Ok so on to happier topics....
The Jennifer Birthday Visit/Surprise worked out just great. She was sooo surprised and happy to see Sue and Jeff..and Bradley and Beej...when we walked into Carmines in NYC. Her visit included two Broadway shows, rides on the subway, brunch with Millie and Harry, an amateur theater show, a whirlwind tour of historic Philadelphia (complete with cheesesteaks), a tour of Washington D.C. sites (including Hannah and her beau and Sue's good friends Bob and Kathy), three attempted trips to Liberty Island to see the statue of, and currently wedding involvement with N. Jersey friends. It has been so great having Jenn and Jassy for a visit..and our time with Sue and brief contact with Jeff and all other family members of long lost times...was a huge bonus.

Joanne surprised me by stopping in at my H&R Block class Wed. (on her way home from the Santa Fe Balloon Fest vacation). I had lunch with her and Marcia before I went to 30th St. Station to pick Jenn and Jass up after their Washington leg of the journey), always a pleasure.

Currently we are in N. Jersey for a Bowling Tournament Tom is in. Wish us luck!

Jennifer-film at 11

Jennifer is flying in tonight! for her birthday celebration! We are so excited!!!
Plans are still in the air for a lot of it, but we know there's a lunch in NYC at 2 on Saturday. That's a definite!!

A lot has gone on since last I wrote here. The insanity of the financial situation of America is mind boggling (not to mention pocket-book related issues). The Presidential election posturing is a continual source of puzzlement. (What will America be like a year from now, one wonders??)

We have had a lot of major purchases-from Long Term Health Care Insurance to power washing the house to ordering the installation of a security system to landscaping (trees out, shrubs in, refurbishing the deck and patio, more stones (less weeds!). Hopefully it will all be worth it (but hope to never have to use the LTHC, of course!)

I am really enjoying the H&R Block and CONTACT classes and training. (A little bit of tax knowledge is like psychology 101, though. You know what I mean???)

I stopped in at DIS a couple of days last month. It was great to see old friends and meet new ones. I am so hoping the website I provide for them will be more utilized and helpful there!

Our friend Teri in HI is coming to NJ in November with bf Dan. Prospectors, here we come! :-)

Roxanne is Gettting Married!

We got the cutest wedding announcement ever from Roxanne and her husband-to-be..."Mikey". It's a magnet. So adorable. The wedding is Next June27th. It sounds like they are super compatible and we wish them all the best!


Today was semi recovery day from a hectic weekend that included working at the Eastampton Fun Day in Buttonwood Park on Saturday and enjoying a delightful birthday party for our friend Terri on Sunday.


Today was the H&R Block class in Delran. It was good, I visited DIS while I was in town and tried to get Carli Lloyd ice cream at Lindy Hops, but it didn't open til 3, so I paid for my 2008 membership of Triple A and talked possible new homeowners insurance with Pete.

Jenn and Jassy never called back to discuss plans, but we are ready for anything!

Can you spell half a trillion dollars?

Stocks have climbed a bit up the cellar stairs...in anticipation of government intervention with a yet to be finalized plan to take over all the bad debts. At least that's what it sounds like. I await further decisions and disclosure.

My golf class is over and Tom and I went out golfing today. Am I better? Maybe.... We played with a very nice man named Ed with a radio voice and a Borgata shirt. (He said it was given to him for free, but he figures if you count the gambling he did to get it, it was the most expensive shirt he owns!)

My tax class is going well, with some new twists. We had a sub teacher Thursday who was awesome, and it turns out our venue is not available next week, so we have to go on other days or nights, or the same, but in Delran...or anywhere else they are teaching. Maybe I'll get to visit DIS again!

Yes, I went there on the 17th, Constitution Day, met the new principal, and got to see (and photograph) some of my old (and met some new) friends. (I am so hoping they will start utilizing the private staff website more!

We danced Wednesday and Friday and I am looking forward to working at the Eastampton Fun Day tomorrow and attending Terri's birthday celebration at a restaurant in Philadelphia on Sunday.

Talking about birthdays, Jennifer is coming out (with Jassy) for the 10th anniverasary of her 4oth birthday and we just can't wait to see her/(them)!

A Bad Day for the Stock Market

500 points later, we looked up with deep despair. 'Nuff said.

So other than that.....the week-end went well. A lot of dancing and an interesting dinner with the brunch group at a Moroccan place in Dresher, PA, complete with dancing girl and finger food and music. Lots of food. Everything was great except the shish kebob course...the meat was overcooked to a level that can only be described as inedible.

I rendezvous-ed by phone with both Suzanne and Conni re retiree luncheons for the assorted E.A.'s and look forward to attending them.

This week is: tax classes, golf classes, meet with Chip (that's timely!), dentist, working Eastampton Fun Day, and birthday lunch with Terri in Philadelphia.

Remind me to check and make sure South Carolina got my speed trap speeding ticket cashiers check. And in case anyone is interested in giving money to the American Heart Association (I am doing the HeartWalk on October 18th) my official page is: http://heartwalk.kintera.org/fallsouthernnj/rosallee or just send a check for any amount to me made out to the American Heart Association. (Don't feel obligated.)


Doreen and George went to one of the last games to be played at Yankee Stadium before the new one is built and the old one is no more.

That reminds me....how about those Phillies???

Fall Days, Full Days

I have been keeping busy this Fall so far!

Yesterday for example, I went to my (third) H&R Block class (turns out I did too much homework--and finished through what isn't due til next Tuesday...It is really fun and interesting), then the Heartwalk Coordinators meeting at BCEA, my second golf lessons class (Interestingly, I found out at the first session that Mike the golf pro/teacher is the boyfriend of the nice lady I befriended at Prospectors a few days earlier. He recognized me as the person who helped her learn a dance before the Keith Anderson concert Saturday night! Small world!) and finally 90 minutes or so of dancing at Prospectors.

The day before was gym, golf (for the second time this month for me!), and Prospectors.
The day before that was tax prep. class, and first golf lesson.
See what I mean? And I didn't even hear from Contact yet regarding the Fall training with them.

Meanwhile, the stock market keeps going down (even the few up days aren't helping much), we are agonizing over the Long Term Health Care Insurance decision, I went to the bank for the Cashier's check to pay the (grrr) SC speeding trap ticket, and Bluegreen tempted us into another Florida vacation at The Fountains in Orlando (sometime in the next 12 months).

Still on the agenda: meeting with Chip the 16th, Terri's 25x2 party the 21st , dinner at Marrakesh with the brunch group Saturday , working at the Eastampton Fun Day on the 20th, collecting donations for the Heart Walk, and Jennifer and Jassy coming for her birthday in October! Whoo hoo!

I Hate the Stock Market

The Dow keeps going down and down. Maybe we should rename it the Up.

Tom and I did the new annual First Day of School trip to Seaside on Wednesday. It was a beautiful day.

The beach was not very crowded, but there were people out and I thought of my school chums and mentally wished them all a good day.





We got home and went to Prospectors to dance. We bumped into some old friends, but there weren't any teacher friends out. I am thinking they will be back after the returning rush of responsibility and reorganization settles down.

On Tuesday, I met up with Sandy and Bob and Joanne at the BCEA Office for lunch. It was like old times...we almost broke into a meeting!









Thursday was my first H & R Block tax class. It was interesting once I got there. (It only took me 50 minutes for what turned out to be the 20 minute away location! Oy, don't ask!)

Thursday evening I went to the viewing for Dick Hummell in Burlington. All the Hummells and related family and friends were there. They had so many photos....a lot of nostalgia of yesteryear.

I have signed up for the Contact training and some golf tips too, so this should be a pretty busy Fall for me! And, of course, Tom has golf and bowling and we both have the gym for work out purposes and dancing for fun.

Congratulations, Randi and Greg!

Saturday was a day of mixed feelings. We started out with the sad event of our neighbor's wife's funeral.

Just a few hours later, we were happy to be able to attend the wedding of our friends, Randi and Greg Parente.










They had their annual Pig Roast/luau party for the reception and a great time was had by all!

Great band~

"Zack Somebody" turned out to be a really great band. We loved them! We bought the Foundations CD and everybody signed it. (Turns out melissa from pogo lives near and knows them. Small world, eh?)

Good news! Teri is saying aloha in November and coming to play at Prospectors! How fun!

Tomorrow we have two functions: a funeral( for our neighbor) :-(
and a wedding/pig roast (for Randy and Greg) :-)

I am so so very glad not to have to be getting ready for/thinking about school! I hope we have good weather for the First Day of School Trip to Seaside (but if not, we'll go on the very next nice day to celebrate!)

OMG can you believe McCain's choice for Vice President???This is going to be a very interesting election, I must say....

Busy day

Wednesday was a really action packed day for us!
We went to the gym, then on to Prospectors for the James Otto concert, then golfing, then back to Prospectors for dancing and fun.

Now we are getting ready to go to Prospectors again. Zack somebody is having a little concert.

Guess what? I am going to take golf lessons take 2...this time at Springside. Maybe I'll get a little better this time...

Tom just bought his millionth bowling ball. :-)

I called S. Carolina to double check on that ticket. Sure enough....$185.... :-(

Can you spell "speedtrap"?

We had a great vacation in Myrtle Beach......but, unfortunately, the last lingering memory will be the speeding ticket we got en route to the Beach Wagon tonight (Saturday). This is not a good thing...........

Heading home very very soon.........

Beautiful weather in SC

Despite the scary news of the FL hurricane (now just rainy, stormy), the weather here in Myrtle Beach has been gorgeous and Tom and I have been having some great beach and pool days. In fact, I am headed down to the beach now....See ya!

Hurricane Fay headed our way??

As we begin week two of our Myrtle Beach vacation, there are news alerts about a hurricane headed to the FL keys. Hmmm.....
Meanwhile, we have been having fun in the sun and enjoying a warm ocean (so unlike the frigid waters of coastal NJ...) It's a little disappointing that none of the friends and relatives we invited to come vacation with us were able to, but maybe another time.....
The Beach Wagon sans manager Casey is not as country as much as it was, but we still had fun and especially since we bumped into some relocated Prospectors folks.
And on a very sad note.....Don.........

Hunka hunka Manyunk(a)

The Sunday brunch of the month took place at the Manyunk Brewery. It was a beautiful day for a walk around town and a delicious buffet spread. Next month is tentatively on Sept. 7th at a Marrakesh dinner.

Go, Greased LIghting!

Today I am going to a production of "Grease" featuring the Melvin kids and others. Film at eleven....

The trip to NYC was quite an adventure...sort of a Wonderland lunch and then the disappointment of not getting into the taping for the Millionaire show after all, but the guaranteed promise for the next time....(Can you spell "confirmed reservation"???)





A foggy beach time at Brigantine and some fun dancing at Prospectors upon our early return rounded out the midweek. (Sugarfootin' Sunday was fun, too!)

Let it be known that choosing the Long Term Health Care plan is way more complicated than one might expect.....

Rumor has it Crystal, Linda, and the grandchildren of Arkansas will be heading our way while we are in Myrtle Beach this month. Whoo hoo!

Upcoming activities prior to that SC trek include the brunch bunch in Manyunk, box making for DKG and newsletter folding for BCREA....

Summer Fun!

I am at the BCEA Office and headed for the library next.
I came to get some RA photos off the computer for the BCEA website.

I still have to get the Jamboree photos organized and up. Can't wait 'til next year. (In the online survey they sent me, I put for a suggestion more big name stars like there used to be!)

Yesterday I had so much fun at Maria's. I missed the first batch of Sigma sisters, sadly, but I will catch them at Roxanne's on the 7th. Meanwhile Vicki and I were the last to leave. We had so much fun! Vicki's art was awesome!

We're checking into Long Term Health Care (everybody should...omg!).

Monday I am going to NYC to meet Louise and watch the "Do You Want to be a Millionaire" taping...and then we get to take the test! How fun! And we are going to have lunch at a very cool sounding place...Alice's Tea Room.

Al Gore Should So Have Been President.....

We are newly returned from the Jamboree in the Hills and we had a great time again this year, especially with Doreen and George there with us. More on that later, but have you seen this Al Gore speech? You need some time for viewing it in its entirety, but it is so worth it.


The ten year plan to eliminate dependence on carbon based energy resources....yes!

A Moving Puzzle and Jamboree, Here We Come!

Conni sent me this interesting jigsaw puzzle that she got from Bobbi Ryan: Unusual Puzzle We all solved it! Why don't you give it a try when you have some spare moments???

We have just arrived at our hotel in Ohio. It's Jamboree in the Hills time and we are so excited!
We hooked up with George and Doreen en route and will be playing with them for our tenth annual!

I don't want to talk about misplacing the tickets, ok? All is well and that's the bottom line!!!





I put a little addition onto the BCEA website's Retirees' page. See if you can find it!

It's time to check in!

Mega Reunion

Atlantic City with Melissa, Tina, Tiff, Louise, Magee, Dave, Scotty, and Mark was big big fun. We took off from Gab's in a three vehicle caravan. We gathered all the players, ate, gambled, hit Steel Pier, gambled, got delicious chocolate souvenirs from Louise, and took lots of pix!


We had fun with a portion of them at Prospectors Friday night and they cavorted at Gab's on Saturday without us (We had our own cavorting with the Prospector crowd at Sue's and had to miss it, but we like the photos!)




It's hard to believe Jamboree in the Hills time is almost here! George and Dor will be there with us this year (good thing, too, because who ever sees them online anymore??)

And a happy happy birthday to brother Jeff is imminent as well.

Changes!

On our way to the gym this morning, we learned that our personal trainer is really hurting and may not be around anymore. (:-(

So we worked out with two new guys and now we are sore! Hmmm...........

We danced at Prospectors and had big big fun.

Two more days and the week-end of the mega reunion is upon us! Whoohoo!

I talked to Jass and Jennifer (Hooray! Can't wait to see them in October for Jenn's birthday, speaking of which, it is Jodie's (and little Cait's ) today! Happy birthday!!!)

I updated the BCEA and DKG websites (Kathy put in the calendar and her Newsletter in the Newsflash going out tomorrow...very good job!), and I heard from Jackie Bell in France!

July Already!

Today was the monthly brunch with the Commans and the Roses. We ate at Michael's in Phila and I had lox and bagels...yum! We got to see photos of Doug and Cheryl, Jake and the new baby Tyler. I helped Mike get them on his computer and then online (Tyler's Bris pix)
Backtracking to events over the last week or so.....we've seen four movies: Indiana Jones (good), The Hulk (okay), Wanted (best of the lot), The Happening (boring, horrible, don't waste your money or time on this dog!).We've been to Hurricane Harbor twice and on the second visit parlayed it into the concert (James Otto)
at Great Adventure.



We had a good time at Margie's annual barbecue party and got to meet Shaun and Amy's new baby (and Amy too!)






We saw Jeff Bates at Prospectors in concert recently too, and have been playing his album ever since. (shades of Trace Atkins kinda voice). We've danced at Prospectors, happily. I had my first article as an http://www.myBCTnow.com contributor, and started a Scrabble on Pogo subgroup on mega.

I was very happy to hook up with Joanne and Wilma and other old friends at Marcia's for lunch.



We are so looking forward to both Sue's party and the upcoming mega reunion, S. Jersey-style!

My sister, the Community Education Person of the Year

I am so proud to have learned and be able to share with you that my sister, Susan May, of Pleasanton, CA is the Community Education Person of the Year.

She got the award in February and in typically modest fashion, never said anything....but now she is "outed" and we are all so proud.

The publication with her photo, explanation of the award circumstances, and a phenomenally written article by her about an outstanding program she created, designed, and implemented (just one of many!) can be found at: http://acceonline.org/files/Spring_2008.pdf

Way to go, Sue!

Happy Anniversary!

On Wednesday, Tom and I celebrated our tenth anniversary of falling in love. It was June 25, 1998 when Terri, Tom, and I traveled to Seaside Heights for that memorable "Day After the Last Day of School Trip to Seaside". And we lived happily ever after!

Time has been flying. There was a lot of brouhaha with the legislature and I was in Trenton a number of times lobbying and watching the proceedings (http://www.bceanjea.org)

The senior expo was bigger and better than ever and I was there with my trusty camera. The best part was the people I took pictures of last year remembering and posing for this year's version!

Yesterday was movie day (Raiders and The Hulk (I miss Mark and Bill!)) and today we went to Hurricane Harbor (It ws 96 degrees out....now it is raining, she said, epilog-ly)

Tomorrow is Margie's party!!! Can't wait! (Now where did I put those games.....?)

Last Day of School

I am headed for the Delran Retirement Brunch today, following a week full of Association activities focusing on preventing Pension Reduction for our part time and future members. Two Lobby Days and one cyberstation coverage later we still have more to go to achieve our goal.

I have all related photos and info posted on the BCEA website.

Good news: Lauren is back online with her Southeast Asian travelogue, George and Doreen are in NJ and we will see them tomorrow, Doug and Cheryl have a new baby, and we will be attending Robert's graduation party Sunday and seeing Ann and Gina and everyone.

Congratulations to all the Delran 2008 graduates!!!!

Don't "misunderestimate" us!

A collection of powerful speakers was just one of the impressive aspects of the June 12th Rally in Trenton. From NJEA President Joyce Powell, to the student NJEA member (who was the one who referenced President Bush's comment ("Don't misunderestimate me") they spoke eloquently and forcefully against the proposed actions regarding pension and health benefit changes.

Next Monday, Thursday, and Friday I will be involved in action on this issue as well.

I am glad to see NJEA is on top of things as usual, and I hope we prevail.

School Day

On my way home from an appointment in Delran, I stopped at Millbridge and DIS.
I thought it was pretty unfair to let the kids go home because of excessive heat and not the staff. At least DIS has air conditioning, but I quickly remembered how hot Millbridge was...and how hard to teach with sweat pouring down. :-(
It was good to see everybody (Jean Lombardi was finishing up a day of subbing (?!!)) and I am looking forward to seeing them again at the Retirement Brunch on the 20th.

Then I stopped at the BCEA Office to get pics and info for the BCEA website

Sandy, Mary, and Barbara were there. (Barbara is getting married a week from Saturday!) I also found out Toni was elected as an NEA Director, Steve Swetsky is Vince G., Vince is Bob B., and Edie is on the State Board! Who knew???

Not a lot of people responded to my call for Rally-ers for tomorrow.

Lauren hasn't written in her blog for almost a week. I guess Laos doesn't have easily accessible cyber cafes. (and I hope she is ok and all is well).

What a busy day!

After recuperating from the WXTU concert (it was good but so HOT!)...loved Sugarland and Terri Clark the best..........

On Sunday, Marc and I drove into Philadelphia so he could visit the Liberty Bell
(It wasn't like a Field Trip to Historic Philadelphia at all! Turns out there are no lines on Sundays!!! Although possibly that may also have had something to do with the heat index...) We had a lot of fun and then raced up 295 to get him to his train to Newark Airport in a timely fashion.

On the way home I stopped for a visit to the 2008 Earth Fair at Smithville Park,

took a brief nap, and headed out to dance at Sugarfootin' Sunday at Prospectors.
Newest news: the Lobby Day Thursday is turning out to be a Rally in Trenton instead...be at the BCEA Office for the bus at 8:30 a.m.

One down, one to go!

We took Tom's mom to the airport yesterday and picked up Marc (that's Oregon Marc) at the Hamilton train station today.....how fun! More guests than we've had in five years!

Tonight we are going to Prospectors, tomorrow the XTU concert on the grass, in the 96 degree heat (?!!) and possibly doing a quick tour of historic Philadelphia first. Sunday looks like brunch, maybe the Earth Fair, and a ride to either Hamilton or Newark Airport.

I have missed two NJEA Lobby Days, but hope to get to at least one of the next four scheduled (see the info on the BCEA website).

I worked the polls in Lumberton on primary election day Tuesday and saw two people I knew: Wendell and Cheryl Friedman. It was a long day, but we had more people than last year, and the people I worked with were all very nice!

Lauren Brown's blog continues to be fascinating, and I have now started a "Mrs. DiCerbo's Class" group on the Delran Schools Alumni Site. I am looking forward to massive participation!

June is Busting Out...............

We are home and it is amazingly colder than it was in AR yesterday....

The tenure of Tom's mother's stay here is tenuous....she may be flying out on Tuesday or Thursday, although the possibility of driving her back to VA when Amy returns is still in the mix, in my opinion....

Tom and I are going to work on making our house more guest friendly...and we definitely need to have it done by Friday for Oregon Marc's visit!

I hope it is gorgeous weather for the XTU Concert Saturday!

I spent some time on the return drive perusing the Delran Alumni website and checking out former students. It will be fun to see if any of them write back!

The Prospectors website seems to have disappeared so I'll have to call to see if tomorrow is a Sugarfootin' kinda Sunday.

Hot Springs...hot!

Oops! I see I am a little behind here....We have been in our Hot Springs resort place since Friday at check in. It is really nice here...lots to do from pool to tennis, miniature golf to ping pong, jacuzzi and sauna to shuffleboard ( I am at the lobby, picking up the sticks and round things now...)

We were on our own for a few days, but went over to Crystal's dad's for a Memorial Day eating time (his house is big and awesome!) and to pick up the boys.
We have been having fun with them. Linda came over today and hopefully we'll see Crystal and Ethan later.