Reunion Pics

Friday Night:


MS and B, two of our former basketball players.

J and S; I spent most of the evening with them, since they hadn't been at previous reunions.

LC and K; K had organized the 20th, but I hadn't interacted with her much five years earlier. And I'd not seen LC since graduation.

Saturday Night:

LK and myself. L had taken me to the fall dance our senior year. I hadn't seen him since graduation either, and his wife and I got along well.

L-R: MW and his wife; B and his wife. B is my old bff, the one with twin daughters:) M was my dance partner for one song. Somewhere there's a picture of us...I can't find it anymore.

JC, F, and myself. JC is a nighttime DJ up in Indy, and knows a few of my favorite disc jockeys from my favorite radio stations. F organized this reunion and the 10th; he was also our class clown.

T and R, other good friends. T and I had several classes together, and was on the Homecoming Court. R asked me, "You haven't put me in any of your books, have you?"

"No, but the Blue Whale party made it into one."

"Oh lord...I'd forgotten about that one!"

I couldn't end the evening without at least one picture of B and myself! Found out he's back in Indiana and is still doing well. Maybe now we'll keep in touch a little more often?

My main gripe about the evening? None of my old friends dance! And my 'date' cancelled on me; her babysitter bailed on her and she didn't have a backup. So I went alone, and while I enjoyed talking to everyone, I was really in the mood to dance. I'm just not comfortable joining in a group of people I barely know on the dance floor. I tried, but alas...some of the cliques are still in place.

I found it interesting that while I would go off and speak to others for an hour or so, B and I would find our way back to each other, or LK and his wife would find me. And when a group of us decided to migrate to a local bar after the country club kicked us out at midnight, only a handful of people showed up.

I guess we're getting old; we need our sleep! I went, but left after an hour.

"Oooookaaaay...Who Are These People?"

That was my first thought when I walked into Preston's Friday night. Had five years changed us all that much? But a few moments later, I recognized one of the women from her Facebook profile. And while she and I were speaking, my old bff B walked in, saw me, and grabbed me in a hug. Everything was better after that!

Yes, we're all slightly grayer and hardly anyone is still a size ten anymore. And while the Friday gathering was fun, and I got to see several classmates I hadn't seen at previous reunions, I discovered a big problem.

I can't hear conversations in noisy bars!

I ended up spending the majority of my time smiling, nodding, and sipping my drink. When some words did make it into my ears, I was able to contribute a phrase or my own opinion. I guess I need either Bell Tones or learn to lip-read.

I'll post some pics tomorrow...I started typing and realized I'd forgotten to upload the pics first. Several comments have already been made on the photos I posted on Facebook, and there are talks of a mini-reunion this fall, and another one in five more years.

Another thing I found interesting: Several friends on Facebook hardly said five words to me all weekend....but yesterday I made a comment and soon everyone was laughing at my sense of humor! I may be quiet, but if something triggers my brain, I'm actually enjoyable to be around:)

Now I just need friends who DANCE!

More on this tomorrow. How was your weekend?

Weekend and a Joke:)

I'm off for a weekend of fun and reminiscing with old friends! At the 10th reunion, it was all 'Look at me...I have a business card' and 'So what have YOU done with your degree?' I felt rather inferior because my husband was not happy about being dragged along to a gathering of people he didn't know, save for my bf B, and the fact that the only thing I'd accomplished was having given birth twice. (I did get compliments on the fact I didn't look as if I'd had a baby three weeks prior, and when it became obvious it was time to go home and feed my darling daughter, I actually had CLEAVAGE for the first time, ha ha! Again, husband was not amused.)

Five years ago, the 20th was a little better. I had one book published, so several people wanted their picture with me and another classmate, who had been named 'Dietician of the Year'. And more of the women were now stay-at-home moms like myself, so we had more in common. And B showed up with his second wife, and we razzed him about becoming a first-time dad in the coming months! I'm anxious to see him, and find out how life with twins are, and if he's survived this economic meltdown.

Tonight, we're meeting at an informal restaurant, and tomorrow at the country club, complete with DJ. I'm taking one of my old and dear friends that I've reconnected with in the past few months...on some level, I'm still scared no one will talk to me, and I wanted a guarrenteed dance partner, lol! And since no bookstores in town felt the desire to set up a signing, I'll take my stuff, but leave it in the car. The ones who have kept up with me via FaceBook know about my two other books, and the response has been overwhelmingly good:)

Big Brother aired last night, revealing an old high school twist, the cliques. I really didn't fit into any group; I was in band (flag corps and played drums); bff was the star basketball player; worked in the IMC (library); Mom was on staff; one of my good friends was an unwed mother; my prom date admitted he smoked pot occassionally; another one of my good friends was the valedictorian of our class. So I really couldn't be 'pidgeon-holed' into one group or another.

I'm also going with a clean memory card in my camera, so I'll have plenty of pictures to show off next week!

Now for the joke:
Got this in my email a few days ago, and really brightened my day! Enjoy:)

A contestant, Sally,on 'Who Wants to be a Millionaire?' had reached the final plateau.

If she answered the next question correctly, she would win $1,000,000. If she answered incorrectly, she would pocket only the $25,000 milestone money. And as she suspected the Million Dollar Question was no pushover.

It was, 'Which of the following species of birds does not build its own nest but instead lays its eggs in the nests of other birds?

Is it:
A) the condor
B) the buzzard
C) the cuckoo
D) the vulture

The woman was on the spot.. She did not know the answer.

She had used up her 50/50 Lifeline and her Ask the Audience Lifeline. All that remained was her Phone-a-Friend Lifeline. She hoped she would not have to use it because........ Her friend was, well, a blonde.

But she had no alternative. She called her friend and gave her the question and the four choices. The blonde responded unhesitatingly: 'That's easy. The answer is C: the cuckoo.'

The contestant had to make a decision and make it fast. She considered employing a reverse strategy and giving any answer except the one that her friend had given her. And considering her friend was a blonde that would seem to be the logical thing to do. But her friend had responded with such confidence, such certitude, that the contestant could not help but be convinced.

Crossing her fingers, the contestant said, 'C: The cuckoo.'

'Is that your final answer?'

'Yes, that is my final answer.'

'That answer is absolutely correct! You are now a millionaire!'

Three days later, the contestant hosted a party for her family and friends, including the blonde who had helped her win the million dollars.

'Jeni, I just do not know how to thank you', said the contestant. 'How did you happen to know the right answer?'

'Oh, come on,' said the blonde 'Everybody knows that cuckoos don't build nests. They live in clocks.'

Sally fainted.

Have a great weekend:)

Out of The Mouths of Babes...

The munchkins left yesterday, but not without a bit of humor!

Since I hadn't spent much time with them, I invited all three little ones to join me on my errands, and there was a mad scramble for shoes before piling into the van and making sure their seat belts were fastened.

1st stop, landlord's to pay the rent.

Miss Drama Queen: "Why don't you just drop it in the mail like my mama does?"

Me: "Because it's only two blocks away. Why waste a stamp?"

Mr. Energy: "That was too short! Do we hafta go home yet, Aunt Molly?"

Me (looking at 'low fuel' warning on dash): "Let's go to the gas station first."

Miss Drama Queen: "Yay! Can we get a snack?"

Me: "You just ate! Not right now."

(pouts all around)

Stop #2: Gas station. Uneventful, except for pouts as I made them wait in the van.

Stop #3: Downtown.

Me: "Who wants ice cream?"

Unanimous: "I DO!!!"

We enter, choose our flavors, and sit down.

Me: "I thought I'd give you a treat; Aunt Molly's been a little grouchy this week..."

W (interrupting): "Uh-huh."

MDQ and ME giggle.

Me: "You didn't have to agree with me..."

W: "Uh-huh!"

Mr. Energy falls off his stool, he's laughing so hard, causing his sister to explode with more giggles!

Stop #4: Fireworks store. Kids were thirsty, and B has an huge water cooler. We picked up some party poppers for later, and drove home.

Their mom arrived around 5:30 and now they want W to come spend a few days with them. We'll see if Daddy ever goes to work this year; maybe we can all go up and spend the weekend.

In the meantime, my schedule is getting back to normal, and I may even get to write again. I have to help D create a resume' for the first time; he has to have one on file with the unemployment office. We also got our 'football parents' newsletter in the mail, detailing the responsibilities of all football parents and fundraising efforts. It gave me a headache, since we're struggling to simply pay the utilities and prepare one kid for his Senior Year; the second for her Freshman Year, and the joys of entering Kindergarten for the third. We did sacrifice some food items so S's birthday could be celebrated, and hot dogs and hamburgers were the main sourse of meals last week with the 'grandkids' here. But no one complained, and hopefully next week will be better.

How's your summer going?

Last Week

Daughter's birthday cookie...she decided to spend the day at the store with me. She also earned $50 by being our walker, stock person, and providing this delicious cookie to snack on, lol!

Brandon, the manager, behind the counter...MY register! We actually shared both of them; just depended on who got there first!

A 'before' shot of various fountain fireworks.

We sold out of the smoke bombs (multi-colored display to the right) on the 3rd.

The 'after' shot of the fountain table! Taken around 1opm on the 4th.

My kids, K (pink shirt, Uncle Sam Hat) and S (red shirt) hard at work on the 3rd. Walkers were paid their choice of $7/hour in fireworks or $5/hour cash. S took the cash, K the fireworks!

4th of July: Stacey at the register. She gave up her day off to come help out in the afternoon and evening.

Brandon (left) and James (Stacey's SO) restocking the bottle rockets.

The crew after a looooooong day: Me, Brandon, Stacey, and James!

Currently Reading: Finished To Love A Hero last night! And it's another head-slap moment: Whyyyyyyy did I wait so long to read this book???? I loved it! In case you missed it, I labelled it a Recommended Read while only on chapter six!

Book buying is still on 'hold' until either I get paid or D goes back to work. I'm bummed...Mona's Babies In The Bargain sounds terrific too, and it's been at the top of my TBB list since January!

Thanks to everyone for their thoughts yesterday; we sent the kids to the pool and spent two hours getting the house back under control. J's arriving tonight to get A and J, and while I didn't get to spend too much time with them this week, I know they'll be back at Christmas. Hopefully Aunt Molly will have her hormonal self under control by then, ha ha!

Have a good day, and for a laugh, check out Kenzie's post:) Do YOU recognize the movie? Enjoy!

Lessons Learned

I've learned several things about myself over the past week.
-I cannot work 10am-midnight and still keep up with housework, blogging, or even e-mail;
-Going to bed at 2am causes me to sleep past 9am, something I've not done 1995;
-I have a rather annoying habit of helping myself to snack food which isn't even mine;
-Working eleven days straight has caused me to have anti-social tendancies and disorientation;
-Suddenly having a day off made me extremely irritable;
-I'm nicer to strangers than to my own family;
-Work kept my mind occupied during an e-mail 'fight' with a friend;
-When Molly doesn't check her e-mail for three days, cleaning out the inbox takes an hour or longer!

I'm trying to stay positive, but it's damn hard when the husband is still home in July; my reunion is coming up and I may have to borrow the money in order to attend; I can't afford to get promo items; I'm praying the company PAYS me before friday (this company has a LOUSY attitude toward workers...where else can a person work for eleven days straight w/o pay? If I don't get paid soon, I'm NOT paying for the fireworks I brought home!); and having to fight for computer time is making me want to throw everyone out of the house, or leave myself. The ONLY thing my husband has done while I've worked is the cooking. The front room looks as if it exploded, and I want to call my niece and tell her to come get the kids. But today is dollar day at the pool, and they are looking forward to going (case in point: It's 10am and the boys are already in their swimsuits! Pool doesn't even OPEN for 2 more hours!)

Yes, I'm grumpy, irritated beyond belief, and all I want to do right now is to lock myself in a room and cry my eyes out. And I can't even do that, since there are no locks on any doors in this house. Yesterday, I cried in the shower.

Contacted the woman who organized the author's showcase last year; we are NOT doing the State Fair, after all. Which means my signings are now down to six for the rest of the year. I need to contact Folletts and Borders about this weekend; maybe there's still time to squeeze one in. (And that's IF I get paid so I can afford book marks????)

On a lighter note, our storage was broken into over the weekend, but nothing taken. I don't know whether to be insulted or relieved, lol! See? I can still have a sense of humor about life!

Okay. Off to get another cup of coffee and to start cleaning up. Or maybe I'll finish Mona's book and wait until all the kids go to the pool this afternoon???

Sorry for the down mood; maybe things will be better tomorrow.

Too Busy To Blog...

B's girlfriend of two years broke up with him yesterday. And as the Fourth is now four days away, we're going to be veeeeeeryyyyy busy until then. We spent yesterday pricing inventory in preparation for the rush, and discovered that not everything on display was labelled. So during any down time today, I'll have my pricing gun in hand, so I don't have to look up the stock number!

Okaaaayyy...what did that have to do with B's news? He's taking it hard. Yesterday we stayed busy, but apparently last night was rough, so I need to get over there ASAP so the guy can take a small break and 'crash', 'decompress'....whatever it's going to take to get through the grief/pain/hurt.

Scroll down for the good news of the week or click here. I'll be back after this madness is over! And have a safe and happy Independence Day!

Mona, I'll get back to To Love A Hero as soon as I can. And if the dittie muse strikes, I'll post it. Don't know what I'm talking about? Ms Mona Risk's third book, Babies In The Bargain releases on Friday. And so does Anny's Surpassing Pleasures. See there? Lots of holiday reading for everyone! I'll probably get to read again next week.....