Mid Week Mute

 

Let's Catch Up, Shall We?

Wow, busy week.  Another one on the horizon.  I can barely find time for naps!  So, let's catch up with what's been going on, via the bullet format, shall we?

• Taylor turned 19 last Monday.  We had the most divine birthday cake ever.  It was lovely lemon curd topped with sugar blueberries.  Oh.My.Word.  It was heavenly.  It was a real cake from a real bakery.  I felt so chic.  
• My grandmother turned 95 yesterday.  She spent the evening with my brother and his family.  They dined at The Cheesecake Factory, and she enjoyed a glass of wine.  Awesome. I asked her how it felt to be 95, and she said it was no different than 94. Go figure.

• I saw two sets of fireworks this weekend, but was way too pooped to stay up last night for the "real" ones.
• We traveled to Cary, NC this past weekend.  It was a mini family reunion in the name of USA Baseball.

• Brother is coaching Team USA this summer.  They are the best of the best in college baseball.
• Nephews are growing up too quickly.  I can barely steal kisses anymore.

• Is there a better place to be on 4th of July weekend, than at the ballpark?
• Steven was so darn happy that they sold beer at the games.  
• There was a family reunion in our hotel.  Family had 130 people in attendance.  WOW.
• Eight more hours in a car.  Eighteen MORE in the next week.

• The Morris Family has moved back from Oklahoma.  Yeeha!  The besties are back!
• Vacation in Florida next week.  I plan to sit, swim, read, eat and giggle the whole week.

• Had to skip bowling tonight--time for planning and list making prior to vacation.
• Team USA is currently leading Team Japan 1-0.
• Not sure what to think of all this Casey Anthony stuff.  
• LOVE my Kindle.

• What is the most beautiful thing you've ever seen?  (take children out of the equation)  I think mine is the mountain view outside Eagle's Nest Hideaway in Bryson City, NC.
• Bleachers are NOT comfortable.
• This bullet format is getting me in the mood to make my lists.
• Happy Tuesday/Monday!

Happy 4th Of July!

Here we go again!  And this year's theme seems to be ugly kids.  I don't know what our country's birth and ugly kids have in common, but there was apparently a time in history when ugly kids were all the rage.

Example One:

 This kid is so ugly, they handed him/her (?) a lit firecracker.  Good idea.

Example Two:

 

 Another is it a boy/girl child.  And another freakishly dangerous situation.  Pantaloons just aren't a flattering look.  The shoes are almost kinda cool, but not quite.

Example Three:

Whoa.  This one's so bad they stuck his head inside the lit fireworks?  Wow.  Rough crowd.

 Example Four:

 

What is it with the turtlenecks?  It's July people.  

Example Five:

 This is like the grand finale at the local fireworks show.  You've got all the uglies together, wearing their turtlenecks, holding some big old firecrackers and BAM!  

 Now, this is much more like it.  I am going to this party today.  That cat in the red looks like he's having a blast. And not a turtleneck in sight!

Happy 4th to one and all! 

Mid Week Mute (One Day Late) (But Only Because I Had To Finish My Story) (Not Because I'm a Slacker)

Day Three, And Finally....The Reunion

......realized that it was time to bury some of these ghosts from my past.

I've hung on to so much disappointment and hurt from moving my senior year.  I've whined and moaned, and let it affect me for thirty years.  I pouted for most of my senior year, and stayed angry at my parents for even longer.

So, as I sat there and looked out at my classmates, all of us older and wiser, I realized it was time to just let it all go.  And I did.  It was just that easy too.  Okay, granted, it took me an awful long time and a 13 hour road trip to get there, but just like that, I put the ghosts to bed. 

And thus, the next day was one of total peace and low nerves for me. I didn't need to tour the school anymore.  I was content to remember it as it had been in 1981.  My mind might be a bit foggy at times, but I can remember the band room, the choir room and the stage.  I can remember that horrible swimming pool right near the cafeteria  (who designed that anyway??!) I can easily see the classroom where I learned about the Ides of March.

I felt so happy.

Steven and I spent the afternoon at a cute little bar and watched cars cruise up and down Wabash Avenue.  We watched some excitement taking place at the Cigar Store across the street.  We prepared for the reunion dinner and I felt no qualms.  I just felt happy.

The dinner was dinner, you know buffet and all that.  I sat with Jenifer, Sam, their husbands, and another lovely couple.  I hugged Webster Wilson, and he asked me how my parents were.  My clever response?  Dead.  Luckily, we both giggled.  I chatted with Chuck Parrish and we realized how much we had missed each other's smart-ass-ness.  I spoke with my band instructor and realized he did remember me, and he, too, asked after my dad.  The TinMan from our production of  "The Wizard of Oz" presented Steven with a picture from those days, and it warmed my heart tremendously.  (this gal was Dorothy)

We watched a wonderful clip with photos and candids of classmates.  I was pleasantly surprised that I was in as many pictures as I was.  I was a tad bit nervous when my picture came up on the screen.  But, at least there were no "boos" or such!  I felt sad for those who have passed on.  The party moved upstairs and people danced.  Yeah, all our dance moves are stuck in the 80s.

We moved to a bar and I would swear that everyone moved from the reunion to the bar.  No one wanted the night to end.  Everyone else drove, but Steven and I walked from the hotel.  Uh, it was WAY more blocks than I figured.  I was a sweaty mess by the time we got there.   Once a dork, always a dork...

But, I didn't care. I was just enjoying myself.  I was happy to be right where I was at that moment.  The cool kids mingled with the non cool and all was right with the world.  Everyone was happy and smiling and it was just good.

***********************************************************

I know you're wondering to yourselves, what about Pete Grimes?  Is there more to this tale?  Well, I put my feelers out people.  I heard everything from, "He's been run out of town" to "He's just the same."  One report had him looking HOT, another had him looking rough.  Again, this is another thing I prefer to remember as I did in 1981.  I guess he's to remain a mystery to all of us for a little while longer.  (don't worry---I won't give up on THIS one!!)  This is one ghost we'll let stick around, okay?

So, no tripping and falling.  No school tour.  No pants wetting.  No Pete Grimes sightings.  But folks, I found peace.  I didn't know I'd find it there.  But honestly?  If I think about it, I kinda figure it was hidden there all the while.

Day Two, Mini Tour and The Meet & Greet

...Honey Creek Square Mall, the DQ I used to frequent after school (Hot Fudge Brownie Delight, Hello!), Long John Silver's, Rax Roast Beef (which is now Arby's), the Wabash Valley Fairgrounds and on and on and on.  As we traveled down 41 South, I found my head whipping left and right, trying to take it all in.  It had been thirty years since I traveled this road.

Our first stop was going to be my old neighborhood, Woodgate East.  I wasn't sure I would be able to find it, but once I got to the top of the hill, past the Monastery, I knew the road.  My body knew the turns to take, and we found ourselves on Highland Court.  We went right to the house and saw all sorts of crap outside.  So, the picture looks a bit junky, but it was still great to see my house.  I giggled as I remembered sneaking out at night to get into some kind of trouble. I thought about my dad listening to Willie Nelson albums.  I remembered the summer Chip Glore had his motorcycle accident and Jenifer and I made dinner for the family.

I showed Steven where Dan Roberts had lived, Royce Ehrle, and then Donita and Jenifer's houses.  (my buddies)   It was strange to look at those two houses and have a 60 second replay of my life go on in my head.  Toto, Heart, Earth Wind & Fire, Jesus Christ Superstar, tomato soup with popcorn, unsweet tea, yogurt, Shower to Shower powder, earrings, Fritz, Coco, Kelly.

We then continued our tour by driving by the school.  Steven noticed the sign before I did.  (go figure)

From outside, I pointed out where my locker was, the band room and where we practiced marching band.  I thought about waiting for the bus to take us to band camp.  I remembered wet hair from swimming, basketball games and pep band, homecoming courts, musicals, revues, lunch in the cafeteria, and on and on.  It was so quiet, being that it's summertime.  It felt so odd to be there.  I'd thought about this moment for a long long time, and I found myself feeling a little, well, empty?

After a much needed nap (Jenifer kept us up much too late the previous evening!) we headed over to the Meet and Greet at a classmate's gorgeous home.  I haven't felt that nervous since I don't know when.  I seriously contemplated turning around and heading for the hills.  No one would know, right?  So, Steven and I walk to the back of the lovely house, and we see a throng of people in the yard, and I seriously think I'm going to pee my pants.  All of a sudden, from nowhere, comes crazy Brenda up the steps to give me the biggest bear hug.  Brenda hadn't changed one iota.

I started looking around and was so happy to realize that I recognized faces. (I only had one moment of, "honestly, I don't remember you.")  Did they recognize me?  Did they remember me?  Oh man, do they like me?  I made my way down the steps and my ankle went out on me and I came this close to making a REAL memorable entrance, if you know what I mean.  Luckily, Steven caught me and we moved through the throng.

I saw the boy who I broke up with by singing to him on the telephone.  (Sorry Rob, I still feel bad about that)  I saw the girl we all thought was so beautiful.  (yep, she still is)  I located my Facebook friends.  I put on my name tag and wrote my maiden name for the first time in ages.  (Steven went by the name, "Husband.")  I drank beer, legally, with these folks.  I reminisced with the boys from the Young Bucks Band.  The baton twirler was there.  Bravettes were there.  People remembered me as the Coach's daughter.

I giggled with Sam.  Chris and I discussed life changes.  I tried my darndest to get scoop on Pete Grimes. Steven was becoming the life of the party.  Darla, Jeff and I discussed driving up from the south and how great the temps in Indiana were.

I ate a ton of red, black and white (school colors) candies, and made Steven try a Little Kings.  (beer of choice for the underage crowd in the late 70's)

And, as I was sitting there, admiring the weather, the people, my husband and life in general,  I....

(to be continued)

Day One, Giggling With Jenifer

Last Thursday morning, Steven and I set off on our cross country (well, HALF cross country) adventure.  We rose early and were on I26 by 5:30 am.  I promptly fell asleep, even though the excitement was killing me!  I slept through the best part of the trip (the Smokies) but woke up in enough time to see the world's biggest cross situated next to the world's biggest porn shop.  Irony?

As you know, this was the weekend of my 30th High School Reunion, to be held in Terre Haute, Indiana.  You did know this right? I've mentioned it a few times before?  We decided to spend the first night in Indianapolis with my dear friend, Jenifer.  (You may remember Jenifer, I blogged about her here...) 

As I'm heading to this reunion, I'm wondering to myself a few things:

1. Will I know anyone?  Will I remember anyone?  
2. Will anyone know or remember me?
3. Will I feel sad about having to move my senior year?
4. Will I make an ass of myself?
5. Will we get any new Pete Grimes updates?

I thought about these things through North Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, a bit of Ohio, and then Indiana.  I reminisced in my mind as the temperatures plummeted from 100 in Goose Creek, down to 63 in Indy.  (that was pure bliss, my friends!)  I would look over at Steven and thank my lucky stars that he was accompanying me to this event. 

My heart broke when I had to move my senior year.  And that heartbreak has affected me for the the last thirty years.  So, going back to it all is kind of a big deal for me.  I was 16 when I left there, and an awful lot has transpired in the years.  There are a lot of ghosts there that need to be visited.  And, I'm nervous as all get up.

So, I'm awful glad that we spend Night Number One with crazy Jenifer and her crazy family.  She has a wonderful husband and four great kids.  We eat, we visit, we look at yearbooks and gossip like nobody's business.  Neither one of us really knew a whole lot, but we shared what little we did.   "Oh, do you think so and so will be there?"  We regaled our husbands with tales that bored them crazy, but sent us into fits of giggles.  It was a very special evening.  It helped prepare me for meeting up with all those memories.

I woke up on Day Two in a teen girl's bedroom.  I couldn't help but think about myself as a young girl, sleeping in a bedroom just like this.  I was reminded of all I had hoped and dreamed for in my life, and did it all end up as I had dreamed? 

So, with a great evening under our belt, and a little bit of a hangover, we then proceed on the 70 mile drive to Terre Haute.  That's when we take Exit #7 and head south on Hwy 41 and we see....

(to be continued...)