16 Things I Love!

I was sent one of those emails awhile back that really made me grin. It was a very thoughtful list of "things they loved". What a great topic for a blog! The following are the best little tidbits I could think of at the time. It was fun to think of something that I could share that could actually even define what makes me who I am. Here are a few...

1. When my family is "enjoying" each other's company. Maybe around the dinner table or on the way to dinner or a movie. I love it when we are laughing at the same things. This would be with each other and not AT each other.
2. Saturday morning trips to Home Depot with Gary. Usually includes a big Diet Coke and a Chorizo with grilled onions. This qualifies as a date in my book.
3. Walking into a clean room.... yes I cherish it when it happens...
4. Light Jazz music on the patio with iced tea or lemonade and my feet up, with a light summer breeze please...
5. Late night phone calls with good friends
6. Early night phone calls with good friends
7. The tingle that goes up my back when I hear music that speaks to me
8. New sheet music and/or a new CD... really exciting when one goes with the other & can be played together
9. The first sensation of jumping into a cool swimming pool on a very hot day after working hard in the house or yard
10. Night swimming. Floating on my back under the stars, wondering if God is watching from up there...
11. The hug that sends my sweetie off to work in the morning, sometimes just a silly ritual but it's the connection.
12. Quiet morning walks by the streams and ponds in my neighborhood.
13. The way my dog looks when he runs.
14. Feeling not old when I run with him.
15. The tickle of kitty whiskers that go up your nose when you snuggle close.
16. Special uplifting emails from people you love, often including positive messages that help you remember that life and relationships are precious.

In Remembrance - Class of 76

This picture isn't very clear, but these are those classmates who have passed on. Both Gary and I were sad about a few of these surprises.

Highland Class of 76!! What a Kick!

Last weekend was our class reunion. It was 30 long years ago! Gary and I were highschool sweethearts! And yes, we've been married for 29 years! We waited a whole year to get married after high school! This is a fun picture of Gary and I with one of my best friends Carla. She was with me when I first met Gary at Bob Prestwich's Party!








Bob didn't go to the reunion but we met him for breakfast at Perkins the next morning. He plays the drums in a rock band. He also plays for Sunday services at Grace Luthren church. We were able to listen to him that morning. It was SOOOOO good to see him after all this time. It really has been 30 years since we'd seen him!

P.S. Hey Terri..... Bob says "HI"! He wishes you well and only the best!!




One of the most pleasant surprises was Cathy Beebe! Thank God, she's not DEAD! My father's home care nurse told me she had passed on. It was a case of mistaken identity. It was actually her sister who died. She was a bit surprised when I hugged her so tight. Then amazed that she had been mistaken for dead.



Some people really haven't changed all that much. There were some pleasant surprises as well as some disappointments. Some of the humor was done in fun..... some not. There were some strange moments.... like the seperation of people into some of the old cliches. There was the parking lot crowd. Those would be the ones drinking beers out of coolers outside. Then there were those who hung in the middle between the parking lot and inside. Then there were those who boldly hung out inside and outside..... hmm...... I'm not sure about the 40th.

I'm glad it's over and we won't have to think about it for 10 more years.