RENEWAL

I've been a terrible friend to those I love the most lately, haven't I? I have neglected so many as I have wallowed in my own secret (or not so) sea of sadness and regrets. UGH! I HATE that and I am ashamed of myself! Don't ask why because I'm not gonna tell! HA HA! What I WILL tell you is this ... this Greek DIva is BACK and watch out ... I've embraced a fresh outlook on life and am filled with a renewed sense of hope. You know, friends, life can ALWAYS be worse ... just look around and it won't be long before you (like I) realize just how blessed you really are in the grand scheme of life. Has this ever happened to any of you readers? I'd LUV to hear your thoughts.

FRIENDS vs. CHICAGO FRIENDS

(Thanks Chris!) FRIENDS: Never ask for food. CHICAGO FRIENDS: Always bring the food. FRIENDS: Will say 'hello'. CHICAGO FRIENDS: Will give you a big hug and a kiss. FRIENDS: Call your parents Mr. and Mrs. CHICAGO FRIENDS: Call your parents Mom and Dad. FRIENDS: Have never seen you cry. CHICAGO FRIENDS: Cry with you. FRIENDS: Will eat at your dinner table and leave. CHICAGO FRIENDS: Will spend hours there, talking, laughing, and just being together. FRIENDS: Know a few things about you. CHICAGO FRIENDS: Could write a book with direct quotes from you. FRIENDS: Would knock on your door. CHICAGO FRIENDS: Walk right in and say, 'I'm here!' FRIENDS: Will visit you in jail. CHICAGO FRIENDS: Will spend the night in jail with you. FRIENDS: Will visit you in the hospital when you're sick CHICAGO FRIENDS: Will cut your grass and clean your house; then come spend the night with you in the hospital and cook for you when you come home. FRIENDS: Have you on speed dial. CHICAGO FRIENDS: Have your number memorized FRIENDS: Are for a while. CHICAGO FRIENDS: Are for life. FRIENDS: Might ignore this. CHICAGO FRIENDS: Will forward this to all their CHICAGO Friends Which one are you? Some of the best things in life are unseen, that's why we close our eyes when we kiss, sleep, & dream.

WELCOME BACK!

Hi Facebook friends … have you seen this blog? I think I’ll start back here and just put the link to my entries on Facebook. What say you all? LOL Now for all my AHS buddies … we all know a 6oth birthday party is being planned for the month of October THIS YEAR in Chicago … YIPPEE! Can you even believe we are so YOUNG? Ha ha! Whaaaaat? You think I’m in denial? Oh come on now! We are as young/old as we feel. OK … I feel OLD! Reece asked me about the party we talked about in Vegas (October 2008) and whether or not I’d still plan it for us. I’m thinking YES! If Reece is coming to Reno/Tahoe for a party … you bet we will have one here! I will post the proposed plan as soon as I find that file on my flash drive, OK? I can hardly wait to receive your comments on this post!

Today Is Good Friday

What a blessed day this has been for me! I am certain beyond a doubt that the Almighty God has told me (today) to set this BLOG aside for a while and focus (instead) on the Treasure Jesus Ministries, The 2 Twin Sisters, and The Love Doctor's BLOGS. You will find the links to these in the blue widget on the left side of this page. I will be happy to post AHS announcements here as I have been doing, and in His time, I might resume my comments here. Until then ... look for me to keep in touch with my friends on Facebook, OK?

Grab a new Myspace Layout

Credit Settlements

Have you heard about them? I get tons of emails in my spam box with info about companies that will contact your creditors and make a settlement with them for a fee. The settlement is a reduced amount owed, and is usually expected to be paid in full at the time of settlement. What's interesting about this is that I just received a phone call from one of my creditors asking for payment (of course). I said OK, let's pay off the balance, and can you please adjust the finance charges. To make a long story short, the gentleman (yes, he really was a courteous fellow) on the other end of my phone line mentioned the word settlement, and of course I jumped on it and began asking questions of the inquisitive type implying I know nothing about such matters. What I learned is that one need not pay a fee for a company to make these settlement deals for the accounts ... some creditors will offer it in negotiation with its borrowers, and we can make the deal ourselves simply by falling behind in payments. Don't, however, make the mistake I just made and initially offer to pay off the account in full prior to asking the questions! You see ... we are all in this financial chaos mess together, and I think no one will escape unscathed. Do you agree?

Presidential Advice Is Good For Us

Seeking Fun

I am noticing that even though the most popular restaurants in town seem to be less frequented lately, the cocktail lounges and bars are still packed on weekends. Does this mean we are (nonetheless) trying to find fun and laughter amongst the economic woes of our lives these days? As for myself, on Friday night, I forget all my problems when I go to the cheers-type bar at the Grill where everybody knows my name and what I will drink. Sometimes my glass of wine is even waiting for me to arrive! Yes, my Grill friends take care of me. I don’t see them during the week. They are my Friday night buddies, and I like it that way. We don’t take anything too seriously at the end of the (traditional) work week, and if the conversation winds around to our finances and gets too depressing one of us is sure to say, “Let’s change the subject.” That person is usually me! After all, Friday night is the night to pretend we are all happy happy happy, right? Hey, guess what? Tomorrow is Friday! Hmmmm … what will I wear?

Are Twitters Worse Than Bloggers?

Shoot me if I get this bad! LOL

Financial Losses

So what's it going to be ... file for unemployment, foreclosure, short sale, bankruptcy, withdraw any remaining cash and stick it between the mattresses, move in with the kids, leave the country, or what?  Does anybody need help in figuring out what to do?  Does anybody have a plan about how to survive this mess?  

Creams And Stuff

OK girls and guys too!  The word for the day is StriVectin, although Dr. Brandt’s products are pretty terrific as well!  Yes ... if you want those deep facial folds to disappear within minutes, you must try this stuff!  It’s a brand of skin care products that specializes in firming, toning, minimizing fine lines and creases, and shrinking pores.  Yes, it is pricey.  You can find it in fine department stores, Ulta, and Sephora.  So get started on it and show up to Bill’s party at Rudy’s house.  

Rudy … are you sure you really want to do this?  I mean, geez … judging from the comments I have been receiving … this could be big!  Personally, I’m OK with the pizza parlor if they do thin crust!  LOL

Myspace Layouts

The Brain Tumor Lady

So what about the young woman who has an (obviously) malignant meningioma-type brain tumor (most are benign) and wants to spend her $50,000+ on plastic surgery so she can die looking like Demi Moore?  What’s with THAT?  Have you seen the photos of this woman?  She is gorgeous! 

(March 13) - A British woman dying of cancer plans to spend about $55,000 on plastic surgery so she can go to the grave looking like her idol, Demi Moore, London's Daily Mirror reports.  Lisa Connell, 29, will fund the surgery with the money her mother had saved to pay for her daughter's wedding. The procedures will include liposuction, a breast enhancement, an eyebrow lift, and work on her skin and teeth.

Does this mean that a 29-year-old woman of these times is unable to recognize the idea of meaningful life purpose?  I am appalled and will be disgusted if any physician really takes on her case.  

Graphics

Texting

I LUV to text so much that I think I'm addicted!  I can't put my new iPhone aside out of arms reach for anything or anybody ... I just LUV the little text message bubbles!  LOL   OK, that might be a bit of an exaggeration ... but here's the truth:  I ask EVERYbody "do you text?"  Most folks our age look at me like I am speaking a foreign language, and I must say, "what's with THAT?"   Are you aware that texting is less expensive than all those extra minutes on your cell phone plan? True story ... just check with your carrier.  And now you can download AIM (AOL's instant messenger service) onto your cell phone and text for FREE!  Unbelievably fun!  I like to tell myself I am using my time more efficiently and am actually multi-tasking when I am texting more than one person at a time.  Texting is the only way I can sometimes endure an otherwise monotonous daily grind or excruciatingly boring business meeting.  I like to think I'm being subliminal about it at the time, and yet I am certain I am not fooling anyone around me.  The problem with an addiction like this, though, is that I don't care! UGH!  I think I will start a support group for people like me ... hookers-hooked-on-texting! HA HA!  HEY ... wanna be my text buddy?

This Darn Thing Just Won't Work

Ever had a day at the office like this?

Cheap Air Fares

For those of us who live out of town ... check out the humongous price drop on air fares today. WOW!  The idea of a party ... at Rudy's ... summer ... not bad, huh?  Go Bill!  Go Rudy!  Go you mighty Vikings!

HEY!  If I fly in, will anybody go down to Rush Street for pizza with me one night?

From Bill Gade

 

Just a short update from our "casual reunion" from last Friday night.  In attendance were:

Kathy Hart

Patti Sugrue (and her husband Paul)

Linda Mjoen

Rudy Publ

Bonnie Shtulman

Chris Johnson

Helen Giannakopoulos

Jean Pipikios

Pam Thummel ( Class of 1970)

Bill Gade

 

We had a great time and it was good to see people we have not seen since HS.

 

I am not going to tell you who is who in the photo except that Patti Surgue's husband Paul is in the red and blue shirt. Get out your year books out and find out who everyone is for yourself. We have penciled in a cook-out on 6/20 at Rudy's house in Glendale Heights.  More details on what to bring will be out later, but it will be something simple and everyone will bring a dish to pass.  Don't we sound old?  In HS we would have talked about who is bringing the booze or weed; my how we have changed! Pam and I will be there if we are not guiding a motorcycle tour that weekend.

 

Please pass this along to everyone that is not on the distribution list.  There is a facebook page for Amundsen High School Class of 1968, maybe everyone can get on facebook to keep up and catch up with everyone. If you have a Classmates Gold membership please post this message and photos.

 

Bill Gade

March 6th Party

I heard the pizza gathering last night was a blast, and I can hardly wait to receive Bill's photos. I had  asked  Rudy to phone me if Helen was there, and so I had an opportunity to speak to my dear friend on the phone.  I heard a lot of laughter going on, and I know if I lived in the area, I would have been there as well.  Maybe next time for me!  Or maybe I should think about returning to the area as a place of residence so I can pal with Sheila!  Hmmmm ... now that's an idea too!  OH wait a sec ... what's the temperature there today?  OK ... brief moment of insanity on my part ... please excuse!  LOL

My night was kind of a bust last night in that I felt really bored with the same-old-same-old.  I think I'm going to create a new routine for Friday nights starting next week ... maybe hit the Grand Sierra and do some salsa dancing ?!?

What about YOU ... ever get tired of the usual and want to find something new?  How do you go about getting that accomplished?  Do you enjoy the challenge?

Green Hair

OMGoodness ... my hair has subtle shades of green in it! What's with THAT? UGH! Ever had that happen to you? UGH! I think I know why though. I think it's because a couple of weeks ago I decided to buy a metal-cleansing kit for the insides of my body ... you know ... clean out all those metal toxins. HA! Something in this potion is no doubt turning my hair green. UGH! Last time this happened was almost 30 years ago when I put some red henna in my hair and then went into a swimming pool. HA! My boss told me to stay home until I changed it ... bad influence on the kids! Now kids show up with pink and orange hair and no one blinks an eye. Funny how times change!

Graphics & Myspace Layouts

The Bachelor

So how about that bachelor Jason?  WOW … I say (from personal experience as well as this TV episode of blatant deception and drama): beware of men who claim to be in love with two women at the same time!  I will elaborate on those experiences on my love doctor blog.  I so enjoy this show nonetheless that I find my heart pulsating as the hour gets closer to the rose ceremony every week.  Last night being the finale was no exception.  As a matter of fact, I was so excited about who Jason would pick that I devoured an entire bag of chocolate chip cookies for comfort. What's with that, huh?  LOL  Anyway ... for now, suffice to say, or ask as the case may be … if a man or woman dumped you for someone else, how long would it take you to get over it; would you take that person back if he or she asked you to (in a reasonable amount of time); and what would that time frame look like for you?  I want to be the first senior bachelorette.

Seinfield

Remember Seinfeld?  Who can forget, right?!?!?  I LUV that show (yes, I still watch the reruns) because it’s about friendships!  Remember the days when we were young, single, and just “hung-out” with our buds not doing anything in particular and usually having a good time no matter what it was anyway?   For me, those days were in the 1970’s in Clearwater/Clearwater Beach, FL.  There were 4 of us girls, and we seemed to usually gather at either my or Maria’s place.  We were so totally different in regards to personalities and how we embraced life back then.  And today, we are still the best of buds and still live different lives.   If I were to suggest, I think Maria would have been Kramer; Colleen was like Jerry’s character; Phyllis like George; and I was Elaine back then.  We had our favorite breakfast shop on Missouri Street; went to the Judge’s Chambers for night-clubbing; same spot on the beach every weekend; etc. etc. etc.  Our lives were like 4 continuing sagas of nothing that amounted to much in the long run.

I miss those days.  Since I moved away from FL, I obviously don’t see my friends as often any more.  When I do, it is like we haven’t skipped a beat!   We usually get together at Phyllis’ house now because she moved inland and away from the beach, so we other 3 meet at Colleen’s condo and journey by car out to see her.  It’s like a mini-vacation going all the way out to Brooksville!  Once there, we fall back into characters!  

Now that we are all grown up (ha ha) we have evolved just like the show’s characters into different places in many ways.  But one thing is forever certain: I know we will continue to walk and laugh ourselves through life together as friends knowing that our bond is special on a Seinfeld-type-level!

 

 

 

A Renewed Friendship

I have had soooo much fun getting to know Jill McPhearson as an adult, and WOW is she ever a beautiful woman!  Yes, she and her husband have retired out west very close-by.  One of the many qualities about Jill that I adore is the one about how she really listens when I share my life experiences with her.  I know she listens because her responses are on the money.  And I know she cares because she usually makes an effort to offer me something worthwhile such as, "Bertha, maybe this is the year for you to change your holiday traditions" after patiently listening to me lament about how different things are for me during the holidays any more, and how I can't wait for December 26th to arrive!  

I recently received an email from Jill telling me we will grow old together. I realize she treasures me as well.  What about you readers?  Do you have friendships like this as well?  Please share so we can all learn from each other.

From Bill Gade

Everyone, Here is the second and final notice of our reunion next week. Please RSVP so can have an idea how many tables to save. I know some of you have RSVP me already and you do not have to do it a second time. We will meet at the Loon Cafe 2826 Thatcher Ave, River Grove on March 6th at 7:00 PM. Please let me know if you will be attending in case we need more tables. I look forward to seeing everyone. Please forward to anyone you know that is not on this distribution list. For those of you that no longer live in the Chicago Area, it is going to be 15 degrees tonight; don't you just miss our weather?? Regards, Bill Gade FROM YIOTA: It's a bright sunny 65 degree day here in Reno NV!

Remember These?

I left the theater with my heart in my stomach.

Go see it!

Real Friends

It is said that actions speak louder than words and I have evolved to a place in time where I see the true value in that statement. My true friends are rallying around in a somewhat challenging time of my life these days. I get regular phone calls and emails just to check up on us, offer transportation if needed, and just good 'ol companionship. Isn't it interesting how people come into and go out of our lives on a regular basis, and of course some stay longer than others. Several years ago I read a book about de-cluttering my life, and one aspect I recognized that I personally needed to de-clutter was in the area of friendships. I had one friend in particular who seemed to just drain me kind of like sucking all the life out of me on a regular basis. She did this by repeatedly "needing" someone to listen or rescue her from her problems. She would never take advice that she asked for. Her friendship was a one-way street with nothing coming back at me when the shoe was on the other foot. It's amazing how friends like that weigh me down, and equally amazing how light and free I felt when I made the decision to wean her away from me and out of my life. Does anyone out there know what I am talking about?

Comments & Myspace Layouts

I’m BAAAAACK!

What was intended to be a 10-day break turned into almost 6 weeks!  WOW!  Have you ever gone through a phase of feeling sick, then sicker, and finally sickest?  It’s yucky, isn’t it?  Thankfully, these times are usually temporary for most of us, and so it is for me.   Getting old sure isn’t all that terrific on the physical level, is it?  My goodness though … at this ripe middle age, however, I feel on top of the world mentally and spiritually, though.  I won’t discuss my emotions in this post, however, although I will tell you it is getting easier and easier to say “Take a hike, buster” as each day passes.  LOL    How about you?   Tell us about YOUR aging process!

Dec. 26th in Chicago

Fellow Alumni,

 

Our first "casual reunion" was a complete success, despite the low turnout and the poor weather.  There were 4 Amundsen alumni, 1 husband and 1 boyfriend. It was good to get together and talk about times over 40 years ago.  For those of us like me, who have destroyed more than my fair share of brain cells, to remind me of much I have forgotten over time. We have decided to do this again on March 6, at 7:00 PM at the Loon Cafe. Please RSVP ASAP so I can lock in the room. I know many of you were out of town and some of you could not come because you no longer live in the area but here is your opportunity to make our next reunion.  Please do not laugh at the attached photo.  I am not a giant; it is just the others in the photo are "vertically challenged".  I wish everyone a Happy New Year and I look forward to seeing more of you at our next get together. Please forward to anyone you may know that is not on the distribution list.

 

Best Regards,

 

Bill Gade

A Wish For All

Another One From Bill

Everyone,

 

I have heard from some of you but very few.  Please if you are going to attend send me an email so I know how many people to plan for.  Those of you that have already responded sorry for the second email.  For those of you out of town you are missing our sub-zero temps!

 

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

 

Bill Gade 

3 More Shopping Days

I do it every year … I begin my shopping on the 21^st.  This year, however, I will begin my Xmas shopping a day late on Monday afternoon.  I have a short list, which makes the ordeal much less stressful for me just 2-3 days before Christmas.  I have it all planned out, though … a walk through Costco for the I-can-only-buy-this-at-this price-here items; a visit to Sephora, my favorite cosmetic store (men and women alike … get a sample of LiftFUSION for a stocking stuffer or better yet, for yourself!  It really does suck the skin in and take years off the face.); and finally, I will hit either Ross, Marshall’s, and/or TJ Max for at least 2 of those wonderful Kathy handbags which sell for $100+ at major department chains, and can be had for no more than $49 at these stores. 

The good news is that my oven is still unrepaired, so I will not be concerned with baking!

I procrastinate; then push myself up to the last minute; and have a most exciting time doing so every year.  What about you … plan and prepare well ahead of time or wait until the last minute to pull it all together for yet another glorious holiday?  

A Message From Bill Gade

Everyone,

 

While the year of our 40th high school is almost over,  I thought we could do a casual reunion in the Chicago Area.  I have reserved the "back room" at the Loon Cafe on December 26 (Friday night) from 7:00 PM to ?. You can just show up and visit with 1968 Alumni.  Food and Drinks are available on your own and off the menu.  They are located on 2826 Thatcher in River Grove; I thought this would be a central location for you in the suburbs on the city. Please RSVP by 12/21 so I can give them an idea how many people will be there.  Pam (AHS Class of 1970) and I will be there so I hope many of you can make it.

 

If you received this email in error please delete. If you did not receive this email in error and know of people I missed please forward it to them. Dress is casual but I am going to try to get into my Letterman sweater if I can.  I hope those of you that may be in town for the Holidays can make it.  I will try and post this on classmates but I am not sure I have the right membership to do that.  I look forward to seeing everyone.

 

Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year

 

Bill and Pam Gade

Dumped For A Boyfriend

What about those friends who exchange their friendships with us for the love of a significant other?  What’s with THAT?  It kind of reminds me of HS days!  I had a friend who did that to me just this past summer.  Here’s how the story played out:  I had PainterGirl over for dinner almost every Friday night (for at least a year) because we both enjoyed each other’s company and had no desire to be out in bars looking for guys at that time.  In retrospect, I observe that she never reciprocated by inviting me over to her place to share a meal, and only once or twice contributed to our dinners at my house.  So the friendship was lopsided in that the hospitality and invitations were extended on a one-way street, so to speak.  One day she met TheBachelorMan, and she fell for him hook, line, and sinker!  Without notice, she no longer answered or returned my phone calls or text messages.  PainterGirl was too busy with TheBachelorMan to pay me any notice.

One evening she did indeed phone me; disappointingly not to actually visit with me, rather to seek my advice about a gesture TheBachelorMan practiced that she did not like and a conflict she was engaged in with her 16-year-old daughter.  Interestingly, the boyfriend maintains friendships with women, and her daughter feels neglected because of him.  Hmmmm.  Soon thereafter, PainterGirl forwarded me an email another one of her friends wrote to her in which the friend wrote that she was feeling abandoned by PainterGirl since TheBachelorMan came into her life.  Do you see the pattern here? 

Why do some friends (?) do this?  Are they really using us as the obvious appears? Or is there truth to the thinking that quite simply, some friends are not forever?  Regardless of the possibilities, losing a friend hurts the heart, and that’s all there is to it.  What if PainterGirl reads this post?  I will hope she recognizes that I miss her.

 

AHS Update

AHS has a web site at http://amundsenhs.org and when I saw the photo of the school from the back field, I thought WOW … AHS is huge!  The memories filtered in my mind so much so I just have to write this post.  I posted a memoir about our 40^th reunion on the site even though I noticed that not many have signed in as alumni.  I also found an AHS Alumni site at http://amundsen.projectalumni.org and while this one has a free registration, a fee of $10 allows you to actually use the site.  I didn’t pay. 

I googled Mr. Wolfe and couldn’t find a thing on him.  On US Search (a people search engine) there exists a William Wolfe in Lake Forest/Lake Bluff who is 84 years old and one in Roodhouse, IL who is 94.  I wonder …!  I had heard he was on a TV show called Unsolved Mysteries abut how brilliantly smart he is.  Does anyone know anything about this?  He’s of interest to me because of my personal fascination with human behavior and my passion for trying to guess the correct DSM (basically mental) diagnosis. 

Dr. Ann Gale (our Principal) is 102 years old and lives in Chicago.  I would LUV to see her!  Can you just imagine the stories she has to share if she has a memory?  Maybe she would know about William Wolfe. 

 

Is Weight Important?

My alarm sounds off at 5:45 a.m. which allows me to stir around, LUV up the dogs and cat, and organize myself for the morning news broadcast at 6:00.  This morning’s top news story? … Oprah in O Magazine!  "I'm embarrassed," she writes. "I can't believe that after all these years, all the things I know how to do, I'm still talking about my weight. I look at my thinner self and think, ‘How did I let this happen again?’”  HA!

Well, here’s a news flash … show me a woman in her age bracket that doesn’t worry about and/or watch her weight and I will show you either a middle-aged woman with an eating disorder or a woman with genes I would covet!  Personally, I started the battle-of-the-bulge when I turned 40.  My Mother (may God rest her soul) used to say “Yiota, you are not 20 any more!”  “I know, Ma, I know!”  I’ve gone up and down on the scale over and over again … a queen of yo-yo dieting at the very least.  These days I am content with a designated size range vs. being anal about one particular size.  What a relief for my stress levels! 

On my 16^th birthday party, I remember all the women in the family standing in that long hallway of our house on Washtenaw Ave. just outside my bedroom door.  Yeah … except for me and my Mom, the big fat Greek women … LOL … and my Theia Sophia said to me, “You’ll see … some day you’re going to be just like me!”  Happy Birthday, huh?  The prophecy has only come true on the top half, and let me tell you … it’s all good!  Besides, haven’t we learned (especially by now) that beauty comes from within?  HA HA!  No, I don’t buy that one either … I think I look OK for my age though, and when I look around and see all the obviously overweight girls with boyfriends and I don’t have one … I think what’s with THAT?

Regardless, I haven’t let my weight stop me from having fun; socializing, and/or attending reunions of any sort … have YOU?

 

Christmas Cards

I remember when I used to shop and shop for the most perfect cards with the most perfect message.  Now Xmas cards have lost their significance, haven't they?   A dear new friend from the AHS old friends list contacted me last week because she wanted my address so she can send me a Xmas card.  (By the way, did you know that those who say spelling Christmas as Xmas takes the Christ out of Christmas are wrong?  Uh-huh.  X is the Greek symbol for Christ.)  OK ... that's the trivia for the day and now back to cards.  My friend Jay's card has always been the first I have received every year.  I notice how the number of cards received dwindles annually, and even if one is sent with just a name attached (v.s. a personal antidote), it's fun to open it and find a prominent place in the living room to display it for all to see.   Now I have stopped sending cards simply because writing them out by hand feels like a such a task v.s. the fun of searching for online cards in the comfort of this soft leather chair I am sitting in at this very moment.  So, if I have your email address, you can be sure you will get an electronic greeting and wish from me.  I ponder the idea that for some it's a chore to keep in touch with friends these days, and does it reflect what I think I see even in our alumni, let alone in society as a whole?  We seem to be so busy that the priority of relationships just isn't there any more. Remember how when we were kids we lived for friends and partying with friends?  I know, I know ... now we have families to occupy us, and new adult friends.  Maybe there isn't time and room in our lives for the old, and yet for those of us who choose to maintain the old along with the new ... AH! ... Hence the title of this blog! What about YOU ... handwritten or electronic Xmas cards? (Nope ... no predictions on this one!)

Newspapers

I finally got around to working through the awful task of opening mail yesterday.  Does anybody else out there dislike doing that as much as I do?  Hint: I let it go for weeks on end.  By the time I force myself to do it, the power and water have been disconnected because I didn't see the late notice.  UGH  ANYway ... I got a new bill for the newspaper delivery which I have subscribed to simply for the benefit of my sister and for only 4 days/week.  I was about to pay it today BUT I heard on the morning news that the RGJ http://www.rgj.com/  will be laying off 60 people and canceling several of the weekly publications by the end of this month.  What's with THAT?  I don't think I will renew my subscription, and since I usually need coffee creamer ... I will be better off to go to the corner (need the exercise anyway) and just buy the paper on weekends since I have a tendency to read the news online.    What about you ... newspapers or online?  My prediction?  Most of you in Illinois read newspapers, and those of you out-of-state are onliners. 

Blogging and Texting

Yep ... LUV 'em both! As a matter of fact, now when I meet someone new, instead of asking the MAJOR screening question "Do you text?" ... I ask "Do you BLOG?" If not ... hit the curb baby! HA HA HA HA HA Seriously, try it ... you might like it! I realize I might not have hit the right topics yet, and unless I get some feedback on that ... you are at my mercy! The really KOOL thing about blogging is that it's a great space for exploration. It's easy to get on a roll .... just try it ... it's a you-might-like-it-kinda-thing.

Anyway, I did go out and have some fun tonight with a NEW friend. New friends are great for testing interviewing skills, aren't they? You know ... you gotta find out all the basic stuff to see if you have anything in common. Sometimes I hit it off with someone right away. Is that mental chemistry? Other times I struggle just to get a complete sentence out of the person, and I wonder: what's with THAT? For those of you who did not attend either of our last 2 reunions ... trust me when I say I think you would be surprised to know just how easy it is to talk with all of our alumni classmates at this stage of our lives. I am still in amazement about that aspect of our last weekend in particular. Maybe it is because we already know so much about what we all have in common that we didn't have to go through those interview questions so to speak. The familiarity aspect over-rode the time and distance aspects of our old friendships.

OH! Since I'm on the reunion again ... a BIG GIANT THANK YOU to Reece and Nadene for hosting our edibles at the cocktail party on Friday night at Stack. That's the night we went to SushiSamba for dinner. We were all so overwhelmed with the menu that the food server offered to put a menu together for us, and so we all agreed on that option. WOW! It was a terrific blend of Asian, Peruvian, and Brazilian food! My favorite was the sushi and edamame ... ummm good ... right, Jerry? LOL

How about the readers ... meat and potatoes or sushi and edamame?

Making New Friends

I wonder how many of us are divorced these days and of those who are, how many experienced the disappointment of losing long-time friends at the same time as losing that spouse like I did because I didn't live up to the image of that perfect-Christian woman I portrayed on the outside. What's with THAT?  I remember feeling so abandoned by my friends that it took me years to recover enough to wake up one day and actually recognize that "I need to make new friends!" Now, with the exception of Randi, JoJo, and Di, the faces in my everyday life are new ones ... faces who love me for who I am at this point in my life.  What is interesting and most humbling is that my friends in Florida of 35 years have stuck with me through thick and thin no matter what direction my life has taken.  Maria, Colleen, Phyllis, and Jay are on the forever-friends list for certain!  What about YOU?  Has this happened and what did you do about it? 

Decorations

This weekend I watched my neighbors across the street put up the outdoor Christmas decorations ... YES ... I said CHRISTMAS! LOL Remember when we had CHRISTMAS Vacation? And EASTER Vacation? Yes ... Thanksgiving VACATION? Uh-huh! Now the day after Thanksgiving is called Family Day. OK OK ... I can live with that. ANYway ... back to the neighbors and kids who were talking about whether the lights look better all the same color or multi-colored. Remember the HUGE multi-colored bulbs we had? Still have them? No, of course not because they can't be replaced if they burn out (kinda like the TV's that won't work one of these days SOON). And what about all the holiday music ... dare I call it as we did ... CHRISTMAS music playing on the radio BEFORE the Thanksgiving and Family Day weekend ... I mean ... what's with THAT? Personally, I prefer to wait until the first weekend in December before starting all this Christmas hoopla and do you know why? (No "I don't care" comments please ... ha ha) Because IT'S THE WAY MY FAMILY DID IT! My point, you ask? The older I get, the more I treasure old family traditions. What about you? Stick to the old? Ever switched and made your own? Ever want to go back to the originals? Pondering ... hmmmmm!

Awesome job on the blog, friend!

M.I.A.

OK ... who stole my profile?  UGH

Not TheHappyBlogger right now! 

Add A New Post

OK, so I think I figured this blogging thing out a bit more (although I haven't yet figured out why the photos sometimes disappear) ... I have sent an invite-to-post to all of the AHS alumni I have an email address for at this time.  This means that if you follow the directions, you should be able to create a NEW post of your own on this BLOG.  If you just want to write a comment in response to another POST, simply click on the COMMENTS link located directly under the post itself.  This is easy, actually ... it just takes a while to figure it all out. If you do not receive an invite and would like to be included just tell me so in a comment below this post, and I will make it happen!  OH ... And BTW ... I see no reason to limit this BLOG strictly to the class of 1968, so feel welcome to share it with other classes as well since we all know people who either were before or came after us!  

You might like to know that I am wanting to create other BLOGS as well, and the one I have chosen to start next is about me and my sister. You can find the link to it in my profile (way down at the end/bottom of that page) on this BLOG if you are interested.  

I remain TheGreekDiva now a.k.a TheHappyBlogger ... HA HA HA HA HA!

Skinny Guys

Very kool site, Terry!  And I must confess ... well, I don't "must" but WILL confess (since I started this BLOG):  IMHO Mick Jagger has always been one of the hottest bods on the planet!  HA!  Yeah ... that was when I was into skinny guys with bulging Adam's Apples ... remember my AHS boyfriends?  (Lynne, are you laughing hysterically?  And WHERE ARE YOU, Girl?)  ANYway ... these days I prefer muscles! HA HA HA HA HA  What about the other gals:  Has your taste in men changed over the years and if so, HOW?

ILLINOIS

Hi ALL!

I'm sitting in my easy chair watching HGTV.  The fireplace is on and my 2 dogs are at my feet. Tonight we are looking at houses in Roataon (an island off Honduras and yes, I had to look up the spelling), and I am fantasizing BIG time!  What about YOU? While a good number of us have left Illinois, I wonder what has kept most of us there?  Jobs?  Family?  LUV it in general?  And where would we live if money were no object and retirement were to happen like we planned it would had our current economy not killed all of our dreams?  And Bob ... thanks for joining the Followers list.  I hope more people visit and participate.  This could be fun!

FROM BILL GADE

Phil, Great email and it is good to hear from you!  Sports!  My sports are riding Harleys and hunting with the bow!     Since I have everyone's attention  I have been thinking about a reunion in the Chicago area around Christmas.  I was think of a place where we could all meet for beer and pizza and talk about old times.  I still have all my yearbooks, and photos from Trumbull and Phil you are in many of the Trumbull class photos.   What does everyone think of 12/26?  It is a Friday night and it will be after Christmas.  I have the name of a place in River Forest that I need to check out.  If anyone has another suggestion shoot out an email.  I know Dennis is in Dallas but maybe he will come back to Chicago for Christmas.  I wish everyone the best and have fun in Vegas.  I am still trying to get my "new" business started, so right now it not a good time to go to Vegas.  If you have not already done so check out my web site at: www.tourontwo.com <http://www.tourontwo.com>     I look forward to hearing from everyone soon.   Bill Gade

FROM PHILIP SIEWERTH

And to all of you, Just reading the address list has triggered more fond memories that I knew I had from Amundsen... some of you going back as far as Trumbull. We live in a time of virtual social networks. Could Yiota be the founder of another social network? a blog? After 40 years we are still somehow in touch with each other. It will be fun to see how we continue to evolve. Speaking of evolving, I believe that most people retain their core traits and values most of their life. For example, I continue to find music important, though not a career. I still play guitar, traded in my 12 string, but still pay and sing for those who will tollerate me. I remember Bill Gade played sports with his heart as well as his ability. Are you still playing sports Bill? Linda Sabo Peck are you still into aviation? For the benefit of those who will participate in spirit tell us what you did then that you still do in some form today. Thanks for listening, Phill