First..I am still here in Sicily. It is seventeen years since I moved here. Right now I am applying for Italian citizenship and it is tons and tons of paperwork. The USA won't recognize this citizenship but in Italy we are allowed dual citizenship.

Nothing much changes. The town is still a summer tourist attraction and winter unattraction. So things will be jumping for a couple months.

My husband is still working and I am not doing much. This winter I joined a gym class and that helped pass the time. I am still knitting, sewing and quilting.

One grandson got married this past month. My youngest son was diagnosed with MS last year. That is my big worry. He is doing fine and is on top of his health issues. He has made some life changes and right now doing great. That brought me to the USA for a few months so I could help (I wasn't needed for this) and see how he was for myself.

So the grandkids are growing up and that means I am getting older but it isn't so bad.

So tell me what is happening with all of you?? And I need an accordion update.

Since it's summer, the garden occupies most of my time. I'm not working but plan on subbing for the next school year. I have started playing tennis again after many years and it is a very humbling experience. Both my girls have gotten jobs out of state but dh's parents are going to be moving in with us for awhile so we don't have long to be empty nesters. Then his parents will move into a senior apartment complex. It's going to be, uh, interesting for the next few months.

I'm sorry to hear your son has MS. I have been hearing more and more people have it now, and I wonder why. Many years ago we had a neighbor whose mid-20's dd got it, and in the last year one of my good friend's dd was diagnosed in her late 20's. Last week I found out a cousin and his son both have it. What causes it?

So sorry to hear about your son. I'd be worried too.

Nothing much to report here. It is the most beautiful time of the year right now at our house. Everything is super green, the peaks still have snow on them, and the flowers are exploding with color. It is truly spectacular. We went hiking last night and I just smiled the whole time.

It's been over 3 years since the old board imploded. I'll bet Tesoru doesn't know about Adele, or about the little boy you're expecting! Ooops, I gave it away!!

Well, yes, there is a lot new, that's for sure.

to get my teaching license & certified to teach ENL (English as a New Language). I am currently taking two classes, so I'm not around much. I do pop in a few times a week, but haven't posted much lately.

Glad you are back! I remember you from the old board...Debbie in AR, too! I hope you both stick around.

They could use you here as everyone wants to learn English as a new or second language.

My local doctor tells me that MS is triggered by a virus that never fully left the body. It can manifest itself in a variety of diseases. One virus that is difficult to completely get rid of is mono. My son's doctor told him that autopsy statistics show MS is prevalent in a large percentage of those autopsied but never reach a stage of concern.

My husbands granfather and uncle both had MS. It is one organization we give to annually. I wonder how the virus is transmitted, as my hubby always felt their was a genetic component. In his family, the symptoms first began for both of them soon after trauma. For one it was a fall out of a tree, I forget the other one. It very well could have been coincidence though.

I'll be thinking about your son!!

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Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it~~~~~Ferris Bueller

said their dr said it was probably caused by a trauma too - but then she was in a really bad wreck and seems a likely thing to blame most things. If it's a virus, geez, anyone can have it and not even know it.

The big change for us is that we bought a house along the eatern shore of the Chesapeake Bay in MD as an investment. I';s quite a fixer-upper, but has 2 acres less than a half mile from the bay in a major bird migratory flyzone. It;s been fun, tiring, and always full of excitement.

Other than than, my almost 15 yo is taller than both hubby and I and our 11 yo is catching up fast.

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Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it~~~~~Ferris Bueller