Comments:
Wow, graduating in 1980 was so long ago. But at the same time, it seems like just like yesterday that Birdman was checking us at the parking lot gate.
After leaving Central, I ended up at IRCC in Ft. Pierce that took 4 years to finish a 2 year associate degree. Couldn't figure out what I wanted to do (still trying too!). Ended up meeting my future wife there (Cheri Myer, Class of 1983 - Fort Pierce Westwood HS). She got me into some stage plays there. We got married in August 1985 and moved to Orlando, FL where I started at University of Central Florida in 1984 to finish a degree in Finance which I did in 1986.
We ended up staying in Orlando since Cheri was finishing up her degree, which she did in 1987. Only took her the normal 4 years to finish unlike myself.
While in Orlando, we've lived near the University for 3 years, then in Casselberry for 10 years, then down by the airport for a couple years and now in Oviedo, FL, just north of the University for the last 9 years.
Jobs situations were pretty tough after College. Worked in the credit industry, then switched over the Internal Audit field. Did that for some 12 - 13 years. Then got myself into Software Sales of Intenal Audit software. That has turned out to be pretty good moved. It's allowed us to get out of the debt we acquired when not making enough money in our first 15 years of marriage.
Unlike many of the youth today, Cheri and I relied on ourselves rather than our parents. Neither of our parents had money. Only Cheri's mother is the only parent alive. I lost my father in Dec. 1989 at age 69 and my mother most recently at age 87 in Sept. 2007. Yeah, my parents were in their 40's when they had me. Cheri's father died in 1991.
We get back to Fort Pierce pretty often since Cheri's Mom lives there. Since Orlando area is close we generally visit during the lesser holidays, like Mother's Day, July 4th, etc.
During Christmas we have been heading to our cabin in the mountains that we own and rent out. Nice to get out of Florida and experience Christmas in a different way by going and cutting down a Christmas tree and decorating it with popcorn garland.
Cheri and I always have tried to travel around the United States for vacations. In our early years of marriage when we had very little money it was to family locations through driving. Or it was tacked onto some of my business trips. However, as time has gone on we have been to a lot of places:
- National Parks including: Yellowstone, Yosemite, Glacier National Park, Rocky Mountains, Grand Canyon, Great Smokey Mountains.
- Canada including: Banff, Lake Louise, Calgary and Northern Ontario.
- Caribbean: Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, St. Martin, Grand Cayman, Belize, Cozumel Mexico.
- US States: proably been to about 35-40 states now. And outside of the National Parks, we been to a lot of the states on vacations which include: Califorinia (San Fran, Napa Valley, Monteray), Washingston (Seattle, Mt Ranier)/Oregon (Mt. Hood, Mt. St. Helens), snow skiing in Colorado, the Carolina's & Blue Ridge Parkway, Washington D.C., New York. Plus, many other locations for vacations. And seemingly every town in the State of Florida.
In my spare time I love to travel for vacations (not business travel), golf, fish, and go to the movies.
My wife Cheri has turned into an author since graduating with a Theatre degree. She's been writing 9 years and has a some books out with a new one coming in a year. She been on TV talk shows and had written hundreds upon hundreds of magizine articles. But don't get excited, she doesn't make a lot of money. She is a Christian author. But, she is going to the Holy Land in Nov. 2009. That's pretty cool. I am not going since she is going on a sponsor trip by the Israeli Tourism Board with other authors.
I suppose I've written enough for now.
