High School Musical ....... no, wait .... um..... Reunion!

So, once I realized that the high school reunion for the Class of 79 was open to more than that year group, I changed my ticket and drove down to California once again! It was a little unnerving to be going to a reunion alone. After all, I hadn't seen many people from high school in 29 years; others not in 10. But I drove on anyway!

I arrived in Fairfield just in time to go to dinner and you know what? It was like we had never been separated. The conversation was easy and lighthearted. There were hugs and laughter ~ just like old times!

Me with Kevin ~


Jamey and me ~


Dana and her hubby, Bruce ~


Mary and Dawn Marie ~




The next day, we decided to head on out to the old stomping grounds: Vanden High School. Wow ~ still the same, and yet so different!



Kevin, Jamey, me, Vic, and Dana in the office (they were sooooo happy to meet us and talk about old times!!)


We even found our class picture on the wall:


Funny how some things never change. Even though it had been years since they had seen each other and they live in different states, Jamey and Kevin were still a hoot!!!!



After visiting the old alma mater, we went to dinner at a great Mexican restaurant in town. It was fun meeting up with even more friends from long ago.

Mike and me ~


The guys in the bar: Vic, Kevin, Bruce, and Jamey


Me and Mike Mahoney ~


John and me ~



But what we were all waiting for was the 'real' reunion party Saturday night! What an absolute blast!

Bruce, Dana, Kevin, me, and Jamey ~


Kevin and me ~


My history teacher, Mr. Weikert, and me!!


Me, Jamey, Carol, Kevin, and Karen ~


And the highlight of the night for me......... a photo op with Jimmy Stewart!! Yes, I mean THE Jimmy Stewart: the greatest basketball player and receiver that our school (or the world) ever saw!!!!!!!!!


Of course that was followed with tequila shots!! Woo-hoo!


Vera, Jamey, and Leonard ~


Dennis, me, and Carol ~


Me with Greg ~


Tracy ~


Greg and Kevin being goofy!!


What a wonderful night with great friends ~


Wait, one more time for real this time:


Thanks to everyone who made this weekend possible and double thanks to those who made me feel so very comfortable. I had a great time and am happy to have reconnected, and connected, with wonderful people.

Back to My Jennifer!

After all of my visits and trips, I really only had one more week at Jennifer's . My time was getting short and I didn't like that very much..... But we made the best of the time we had. No matter how hard I tried, though, I could never beat Jennifer's score on Wii Fit skiing, dang it!


So to make myself feel better, and to combat the heat, she and I also enjoyed the pool!


And of course, there were the kittens!! There was lots of snoozing to be done!!



Luna actually loved visiting me at about 4 in the morning for a little play and then she would curl up on my chest and sleep with me until the real morning!


Of course, that was her favorite spot when I was Facebooking or emailing!!!



Sometimes Max, who is soooooooo a mommy's kitten, would come join us for just a second!

My Weekend at the Beach ~

Jennifer stayed on in California, waiting for her Matt. I headed north to see some dear friends at the beach. Even though I had to drive back by myself, it was soooooo worth it. There is nothing more gorgeous than being on the north western coast!





And the people are kind enough to snap a picture for someone in love with the view ~


This is my favorite view from Ecola State Park:











But of course, the reason that I headed to Del Rey beach was to see my great friend, Miriam!!


And her beautiful children, Lucy and Max:

A Quick Trip to California

Jennifer and I headed down to California to my folks and Darby. She and I drove the 10 hours like pros. Of course this is probably due to the fact that we have each made the trip (together and separately) many many times! And besides, the drive is worth it. My parents have created quite the cozy backyard!

We enjoyed a new, more shaded area under the redwoods.


I loved seeing my Darby again. It was tough to leave her behind, and it was so nice that she remembered me.



See that dog on the chair?? Yup, that is my Darby. That used to be my dad's pool towel.


Turns out that Darby prefers that red towel to any other, so.........


Of course, being spoiled is the name of the game. And the best way to be spoiled is with fresh peach margaritas!!






Well, and those delicious made to order pizzas!