Things that made me happy this week: 1. Sorting through all my purchases from the CKC convention. 2. Trying out new scrapbook techniques. 3. Planning a shopping date next week with my daughter. 4. Seeing the excitement in my daughter as she gets ready to go away to college. 5. Seeing pictures of my son online having a great time away at camp. 6. Thinking about our upcoming beach vacation.

My clearest memory of 2nd grade: I was sick (or hurt) and was sent to the main office. While waiting to be picked up, my very prettty 2nd grade teacher walked in to the office. To my complete and utter shock, she went into the bathroom!!! On that very day, I realized that teachers (even pretty ones) were real people...and they left the classroom to do things like using the bathroom!!! My world was rocked forever.

My childhood home. 3 bedroom apartment in Forest Hills,NY. Many of the apartment buildings had presidential names. We lived in the Grover Cleveland. We knew where our friends lived not by their address, but by the name of their building. 200 families were my immediate neighbors. My brothers shared a bedroom but I had my own. The 3 of us shared a bathroom. My parents had a bathroom in their master bedroom. My best friend lived 3 floors below me. Many of my classmates lived in my building. I always had someone to play with anytime of day. Halloween was great! You never had to leave the building. Everything I needed was in walking distance. Parents rarely drove kids anywhere! Hallways were our playground on rainy days. We had a terrace but rarely used it. Not sure why. People never complained about noise even if you had 3 kids and a german shepherd living above you! One summer we sunbathed on the roof. Back then we used a reflector and baby oil. I learned the hard way that that was not a good idea! I hated when the elevator needed repairs. Everyone I knew lived in an apartment. I didn't realize anyone lived in a "real house" until I was about 10 years old. I have great memories of my first 24 years in the Grover Cleveland. The memories continue as my Mother still lives in that very apartment! This August it will be 50 years since they moved in. BTW, my brother lives in the Woodrow Wilson.

1.Spaghetti and Meatballs 2.BBQ Ribs (my husband's specialty) 3.Sushi (everyone's favorite restaurant choice)

My best friend growing up was Laura. We lived in the same apartment building. She lived on the 2nd floor and I lived on the 5th floor. By nursery school, we were old friends. We drew the same pictures in school and our teacher did not like that! We were in the same class in k-6 and did almost everything together...good and bad! She loved my mother's "chicken a la king" (not sure what that is anymore!) and was invited to stay for dinner whenever we had that. We had different "crowds" in junior high and high school. Naturally we grew apart for a few years. She knows more about my life than almost anyone. Fast forward to today...50 years later we are still friends!

At the present.. Sitting at my desk at work Taking a minute to check emails and facebook Reflecting on the moving and very sad funeral service I attended this morning. Anticipating a joyful and musical evening as we celebrate Israel's Independence or Yom HaAtzmaut

My first pet was a Yorkshire Terrier named Nikki. We got her when I was 13 or so. She lived for 12 years and when she died, my (almost) husband felt so bad that he went out and got us another Yorkie that we named Ruby. She lived for about 13 years. We were "pet free" for a short time until Madison, our cat, found me and followed me home. After that we adtopted Milo, a red tabby from the shelter. And 4 years ago, I couldn't stand not having a dog any longer, so Murphy, our cockapoo came into our lives. Madison, Milo and Murphy are happily still with us and you can see them featured on one of my Mosaic Moments challenge pages.

1. Remember the poop sample the vet needs for my dogs checkup....ugh. 2. Finish my book for book club. 3. Cook meals ahead of time since I'm out 3 nights this week for meeting...ugh again.

Love it!

Most of the above plus.... Sonny and Cher Adam 12 Marcus Welby MD That Girl All in the Family The Brady Bunch Here's Lucy Medical Center My Three Sons Laugh In Mary Tyler Moore Maude The Waltons Bob Newhart MASH Barnaby Jones Good Times Rhoda Laverne and Shirly One Day at a Time Three's Company Soap I wish I could say I remembered all of these but I had a little help from the internet. But I did love all of these shows during the 70's and remember "how" I watched them. Some (like The Waltons and Little House on the Prairie) I watched snuggled up with my Mom in her room and others I watched with my brothers while my parents were out. We even had our dinner in front of the TV which was absolutely forbidden while watching the Saturday night shows. Great memories!!

1. Quarters for the laundry machine! Growing up in an apartment in the city meant the laundry room was in the basement and you needed quarters! I remember my Mom collecting all week for laundry day. 2. A pot of coffee...now it's just single serving Keurig. 3. Telephones with cords..although I can always use my Mom's since she hasn't gone cordless yet! 4. Same with VCR. She hasn't converted to DVD let alone Tivo or DVR. 5.Summers with both kids away in sleepaway camp!! 6.Walking anywhere and everywhere in NYC. We moved out several years ago and I miss just being able to walk in the city. 7. Good Chinese food. It doesn't exist where I live now. 8. The World Trade Center.

Jobs as far as I can remember... 1. Babysitter 2. Cashier in supermarket while in high school 3. Showroom Sales for Swatch Watch 1984..great job! 4. Account Manager Christian Dior costume jewelry 5. Assistant Banquet Manager, Union Club NYC 6. Stay at home Mom 7. For the last 19 years, co-owner of Star Wines & Liquors, Monroe, NY 8. Many volunteer jobs within my community

Like you, Tami, I am torn between the two. I grew up in Queens (right outside of NYC) in a big apartment building. Great things about living in the city: 1. Many friends lived right there in the same building. 2. Rainy days were never boring. 3. Didn't have to wear a coat on Halloween because we had a built in neighborhood to trick or treat in. 4. Walking distance to playground, movie theatre, shopping, restaurants and Grandma and Grandpa's house. 5. Never had to ask for a ride anywhere. 6. Eventually old enough to take the subway into NYC with friends. We used subway tokens not metrocards!!! I didn't move to the "country" until my kids were born so this list is from a totally different point of view. Great things about living in the country. 1. More space in a house vs. an apt. 2. Don't have to wait for an elevator! 3. Have my own craft room!! 4. Laundry right in the house!! (Laundry room was in the basement of the building but since I was a kid, it didn't affect me!) 5. Love the peaceful woods behind my house. 6. Love sitting on my (newly re-built) deck 3 out of 4 seasons reading, listening to music or just enjoying the scenery. 6. BBQ BBQ BBQ BBQ 7. Kids have lots of space indoors and outdoors. 8. Have to drive everywhere but parking is never an issue. Go try to park a car in Queens!! You'd sell it in no time!

1. Chocolate....anything chocolate is fine by me! 2. Coffee...mmmm 3. Hazelnut...Nutella...aaahhhh 4. Strawberry, raspberry, blueberry are ok too. 5. Did I say chocolate??

Today, I.... 1. Spoke to my Mom about her upcoming birthday plans. 2. Went to work. 3. Got my hair cut (and colored) at lunch time, then had delicious take out from the BBQ Restaurant in town. 4. Returned phone calls, answered emails and placed orders. Later, hopefully will have a family dinner and possible movie night. A typical Friday!

Family Friends Food Wine Cake Laughter

The talk around the water cooler in my kitchen.... 1. "Mom, we have no food in the house" 2. "Mom, there's something wrong with the microwave" 3. "Mom, the dishwasher is full"

Today I.... Called my Mom Had lunch with a friend who is going through a hard time Thought about all my unfinished projects Reminded my husband that tonight was "girl's night out!"