Family/Travels/Events:
Larry won a Caribbean cruise in 1994 that we took the same month as our 25th wedding anniversary. I had a wonderful time, but Larry stayed sick for most of the entire trip!
Oh the stories and laughs that have been told over the years about that experience! Ha-ha (No wonder he was a Marine and not a Sailor!)
Larry and I have done plenty of traveling besides the states we've lived in. AL, AZ, CA, FL, IL, KY, LA, ME, MA, MO, NV, NM, NY, PA, TX, DC, and what Detroit kid hasn't been to Canada, huh?
In 2001 while still working in the nursing home, I formed a chapter of the Red Hat Society.
My Dad came up with the name 'Brookhaven Blossoms.' Other names were voted on as well, and none of us knew who put in what name.
I was thrilled when I learned Daddy's was selected by a large majority.
Because I formed the chapter, I'm automatically referred to as the 'Queen Mother' (smile).
We do lots of good things in and for our community. We put up a 'theme' tree each year in the public library, walk in parades, have helped start Red Hat groups among the residents in nursing homes, and planted trees outside the senior citizen center.
We visit shut-ins, and try to bring cheer and happy memories into their lives.
We take trips, mostly day trips, and have lots of laughter, fun and fellowship among friends, who must be 50 years old or older for membership. There are not many rules beyond the age and that members wear purple clothing with a red hat.
For 22 years I was an AVON representative.
I qualified each year to be in their 'President's Club' through sales, of course, and have a cabinet full of what they call Mrs. Albee's.
She was the first Avon lady, and the statues are simply beautiful. The mold is broken at the end of the qualifying time each year, and since they never were an item that could be purchased, they're mighty priceless to those who care.
I make and sell cakes down here in Mississippi.
I have one that is a real favorite...could it be the BLACKBERRY WINE that's in it? Ha-ha
February, 2008 I saw that Jim Whitledge had visited my profile on Classmates.com.
I wrote him back immediately telling him I remembered him.
Jim and I decided we absolutely had to have a 50th class reunion.
All the names of those I've kept up with over the years, and the names Jim had were combined and gave us a good start.
By May we found 20 of our classmates willing to join us as 'search volunteers', and with all the workers in MI doing 'hands on' efforts, we had one fantastic reunion in 2009.
If, by chance, you are thinking of not attending our 55th, please think again. Life is short, and it's getting shorter for us all. Don't miss the chance to tell someone how much you cared for them, back when maybe you didn't appreciate things and people as you no doubt do today.
Life is still the best teacher!
I want to take this opportunity to thank Ken Kelsey for this fantastic reunion site. Classmates.com should take some lessons.
'User friendly' this one is, and it's just wonderful to be able to find and talk to folks you've thought about for years, but didn't have such a remarkable tool to reach out on. Thank you Ken.