Hello Everyone!
So excited to tell you that the gathering of all our girlfriends at Diane Beatrice's house yesterday was amazing! Diane was a marvelous hostess to say the least! Seeing everyone was a walk down memory lane. Diane and Chuckie both mentioned that the gathering was all planned around my visit with them. Wasn't that the sweetest thing to do for a friend!
The sorority girls that were not able to attend were Janice Scandone, Dora DiBartolomeo, Jeanine Erricola, Janet Campello, Anne Farrell, Estelle Follett, Janice Manuele and the Esposito sisters (Annette and Camille). Lianna Andreottola just moved to Florida so she did not attend as well. But we certainly had an amazing turnout.
As the doorbell rang and each started to flow in...I had my camera ready to capture that special shot of them walking in the door. Oh my.....so much food....so much wine...so many things to discuss.....who remembered something real special about you and who had pictures with them to share about their children and grandchildren.
After I return home, I will create an online photo album to forward to all that have an email address.
Friendship has the same power and influence over your life as family relationships, sometimes even more. Close friendships have special connection about them that allow each person to share their lives and secrets. We learn and grow from friendships just as we do from relationships within families and those with lovers.
My childhood friends taught me how to trust, to love, to share, to care. I think if you can maintain good friendships at that point in your life, you will generally follow the same patterns throughout your life.
Sometimes you meet someone and there is a special connection from the onset. And my friendship with Diane started in Grammar School along with the other special classmates. I feel that it is a often a recognition on the soul level. Your frequencies match, you feel a link or special bond, and you want to spend more time together.
Then we have other friendships that I feel are Karmic friendships who are the people who come into our lives for learning lessons. They may be lifelong friendships or short term. The lessons can be positive or negative, depending on what one's soul is searching for at that time. It is all about the experience.
Marie & Nina
Rose & AnnMarie
Every year as the clock nears midnight on December 31st, the eyes of the world turn once more to the dazzling lights and bustling energy of Times Square. I watch it every year on TV. I gave up going out on New Years Eve years ago.....I prefer to stay away from the drunks on the road.
I guess I'm confusing you guys and myself as well.....Michelle signed me up with the Blog on "rosesareread.blogspot.com". Then, after researching on my own AOL site....they have a similiar bog called "Journals". AOL is more user friendly and easier for me to insert photos and clip arts, so I will play with both until I see which I prefer. The Blogspot adds spaces that I didn't put there and moves photos around which was annoying me but otherwise works well. So check out my other BLOG at 
This is Michelle and Bill's snowman up in Vermont! Cute!
Most of you have been receiving my Roses are Read weekly newsletters via snail mail or e-mail but I thought I would try setting up my own blog. I know a lot of you out there are not too computer savvy but you can leave me a comment just as easy as sending me an e-mail. This is new for me too. I may decide to go back to the old fashion way but it is almost 2008 and all the young kids are trying it these days. Try it and let me know what you think. I'll post more later and let you know all about my trip to Boston. 
Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas!