Friday, June 24, 2016

Flashback Friday: House Hunting

June 2006:
I began scouring the Sunday paper for rentals in our area, but  wasn't finding anything in our price range.  K was busy with BSA activities, and was elected Senior Patrol Leader.

Mom H called us on a regular basis, wanting to  talk about shows she'd seen on TV, forgetting we didn't have cable.  D's aunt also began calling us at least once a month, to complain about the fact we weren't coming down often enough to check on her.

J and I set up at the Hazelwood Fish Fry, and I did manage to sell a few books. I don't think she was very successful in gaining anyone's interest in the PrePaid Legal though.

Next Month: Possible lead on a house???

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Present Day:
I've been busy helping out with VBS snacks every morning this week:)  Tomorrow is Billie's Disney-themed Karaoke Birthday Party, which we are sharing in spirit:)  I'm going as Elsa, and yes, I plan to sing Let It Go:)

Sunday, I'll be setting up at the Corning Irish Festival.

Other Songs:
Leader of the Pack
Lean On Me
Learn To Fly
Leather and Lace

Friday, June 17, 2016

Flashback Friday: Witnessing A Mistake

June 1996:
My upstairs friend and neighbor was getting married.

One day she came downstairs and asked me how to get out of it.  I told her there were three ways: 1) Leave him at the alter; 2) Pick a fight and throw the ring at him in the middle of it; or 3) Be honest and simply call it off.

"But Mom and Dad have shelled out sooo much money, and put down non-refundable deposits....I'd feel guilty."

"They want you to be happy!  I don't think they'd object.  It would cost more for marriage counseling or divorce in the long run."  I tried to get her to see it my way.

"But we'll have beautiful children..."  (Brilliant reason to get married, right?  Snort!)

In the end, she chickened out and went through with it.  My spouse refused to attend, so I went alone.  I had a funny moment; I spotted one of her friends wearing the exact same dress and accessories as I was!

I decided to deal with it asap, and went over to her to introduce myself, since we had met on a couple of occasions.  She was rather snotty, though.

"Yes, yes, we're wearing the same dress."

"I just wanted to congratulate you on your obvious good taste in clothing."  I walked off.

At the reception, she made sure to stay on the opposite side of the room from me (eye roll).  I left after the cake cutting and went home to bathe my kids and put them to bed, then to return to the party.  I found the bride having a drunken meltdown.

"What the hell have I done?  I've ruined my life!  I don't want to be married to HIM!  Why didn't anyone SAY anything?"

She was surrounded by friends, who made sure the groom wasn't around to hear her tears, and they did manage to sober her up.

The DJ noticed I was alone, and came down to dance with me, even propositioning me a few times!  But I refused.  Donna Summer's 'Last Dance' was the final one, and I danced with the bride's very good looking brother!  Then it  was home again, where I had to listen to my grumpy spouse gripe about why I chose to attend the disaster of a wedding, and why I felt the need to leave him alone with the kids.

I tried not to let his mood sour my good time.

The kids and I spent a lot of time at the pool, and we looked forward to the soon-opening of the downtown Circle Center Mall.

Next Month:  My 2 y/o daughter is a flirt....

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Present Day:
The weather's been up in the 90s, but dropped back to 86 today.  Not sure if we're going to attend the family reunion tomorrow or not.

Karaoke songs:
Lay It On The Line
Lay Your Hands On Me
Le Freak
Lead Me On

Have a great weekend!

Friday, June 10, 2016

Flashback Friday: A Memorable Vacation!

June 1986:
With my AF officer overseas and spring semester over, I began to 'finally' concentrate on my relationship with JD.  Only, I'd waited too long.  I had guarded my heart, since I was positive all BJG had to do was snap her fingers and he'd drop me like a hot potato.  When that didn't happen, I started opening up a little more.

Big Mistake.

I also need to back up a bit:  In May, BG had finally contacted me, but our 'reunion' had been a disaster, esp since I was meeting him at his girlfriend's house, and I was terrified of her coming home early from work and catching us. I went to see him two days later and told him I could no longer see him, except as a friend.  He agreed, and told me he'd see me over the summer, since I'd told him I'd be attending summer school.

Anyway, roomies BJG and EY were looking forward to working at the MDA camp up in Monticello, along with JD, and invited me up for the dance.  But they told me the wrong night, and when I arrived, suddenly the tension in the air was so thick, I wondered what was going on.  JD was nowhere to be found, and my roomies were very guarded in conversation.  When JD DID materialize, he didn't greet me affectionately, then he took me for a walk.

He confessed to developing feelings for another counselor, which I reassured him I was fully appreciative of the 'band camp romance', which normally doesn't last past two weeks.  I told him I wasn't upset; but to keep me informed.

I spent another hour chatting with my friends and meeting their campers, then I left and drowned my sorrows in a large chocolate DQ sundae.

Mom was at band camp that week, and my sister was out with friends, so I curled up next to my dad, who was watching TV, and told him the news.  Dad passed me his bag of chips and we watched TV together in comfortable silence.

The following week, I left for Florida, and since I still didn't know where I stood with JD, I didn't refuse a man I met one night at The Point, my favorite place to sit and write at twilight.  He asked me out, plus began joining me in the pool every afternoon.  Grandma knew his parents, and approved of my going out with him.  He was 40 to my 20, but we had a great time that  week!  He took me to nice restaurants, bought me a pina colada at an outside bar, and we walked the beach.  We also saw 3 or 4 movies during that two-week period.  During Karate Kid 2, I decided I was  ready to take the next step, and I confess I don't really remember much of that movie; I was anticipating our walk on the beach, and going back to 'our' catamaran, where we'd had some pretty good make-out sessions!

Our final date, I took my camera along, and got pictures of the two of us.  He offered to  take me to the airport for my flight back, but Grandma said no.  RR and I exchanged mailing addresses and agreed to keep in touch.

I was thrilled;my 1st official summer fling!

Next Month:  Summer School!

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Present Day:
I have a busy weekend ahead!  Tomorrow I'll be at Heaps of Jeeps festival, then on Sunday, go to the Legion Garden Party in Washington:)

Tomorrow's Karaoke Songs:
Land of Confusion  (hoping to get the full song this time!)  Nailed it:)
Last Kiss Slightly low, but still sounded good!
Last Name  DNH....adding this to Thurs...
Last Dance  Didn't think it sounded TOO awful!  I did receive a compliment:)

Have a great weekend!

Friday, June 3, 2016

Flashback Friday: Catching Up....

May 2006:
Stressed out with the prospect of losing our home and having all the kids in the house, I made an error in judgement and demanded J be responsible for her own kids.  At the time, I thought I was employing the 'tough love' strategy; now, ten years later, I see she still made some questionable choices and I should have sucked it up.  The kids did return to me in July, after she yet, again, lost her job.

Sam Hornish Jr won the Indy 500 that year, just barely beating rookie Marco Andretti.  The race was also very hot, nearly 90 degrees that day.

June 1976:
With school out, my mother let us play with her old formal dresses, and we enjoyed playing dress up, as well as riding our bikes.  A and I continued to talk over the tracks, though it only happened whenever we happened to be there at the same time.  We didn't call each other, since neither of us were allowed to use the phone yet!  Back in those days, I only used the phone if I was home and it happened to ring, or I needed to call my mother at work.  If we wanted to get together with friends, we rode our bikes to their house.

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Present Day:
I've enjoyed a relaxing week with my parents, and an even more thrilling 100th running of the Indy 500 with my daughter, her boyfriend Mike, Dad, Uncle Bill and Will, and their friends Ron and Pam.  I was thrilled when the rookie I'd chosen to root for, Alexander Rossi, ended up the winner:)  Mom and I watched the recap and the Victory Banquet, then on Tuesday, I took her to an appointment.  Afterwards, we ate lunch at Arni's, then shopped for Alex's 4th birthday presents.  Since A loves My Little Pony and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, we bought her a DVD of 12 cartoon episodes and a talking Michaelangelo, as well as a puzzle and two MLP toys.


We're meeting in Terre Haute on Sunday at TGI Friday's (that's where Alex chose to go!), and I'll return home with the family.

Tuesday night, Angie Priest and I went water-walking in the Lazy River at Tropicanoe Cove, along with her son Doug.  I also recognized Kevin E's daughter Audra, her hubby, and their six-month-old daughter, Ariel.  Good to see them in person!

Last night, Angie and I went to karaoke.  Here's the breakdown of the songs I sang:
I Will Be  Still couldn't hit high note...
New Divide  Nailed it....
Numb  Crowd pleaser!
Silver Springs Did well, and another crowd pleaser!

I was getting irked when several others who had just sung were back up at the mic; my phone had died, and I was keeping track of the rotation, so I could guestimate when an hour had passed.  I finally went up and politely asked him to put me in, citing the fact I was falling asleep!  He admitted to others paying him $20 to put them in ahead of others, which REALLY pissed me off!  Imagine my shock when I got out to the car....1:30am!  I'd only intended to stay as late as 12:30 or 1.  Thanks Tito....I may not be back on Thursdays for a while, and if I do, I'll be sure to get there at 9 from now on.

Tonight, we're off to Red Lobster for dinner, then tomorrow Brenda, Angie, and I are heading to the Outpost for more 'roke.  Angie wants me to sing Black Velvet, so here's my tentative line up:
Black Velvet  Not too bad...
Spilled Perfume DNH
Heart Like Mine  No energy, though I was applauded....
Hate Me  Guy stopped me and thanked me:)
Famous in a Small Town  Was hi-fived:)
Girl Crush  Whole bar cheered!

Have a wonderful weekend!