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HEY CONNIE GIRL!

Thank ya, thank ya, thank ya. That's the nicest thing you said to me since our one memorable high school date. WOW! What fun we had. I think? Remember? I thought you were never going to forgive me and now with your compliment it's obvious you have. Your such a sweet thing, always was. Or was all that with your sister. I still get you two mixed up.

Self says hey.

......................P's and Q's. P's and Q's..........................

........."It's five o'clock somewhere."..... SO.... "Pop a top again....."

PS. Cindi!!!! Thanks for starting the wisdom rumor. You make me look OH, OH, so good. You sweet dog you. Your checks in the mail girlfriend. Keep it up and I'll run for office, Or did I already. Must not have won. Oh well. "Dust in wind," my dear friend. "All we are is dust in the wind." So, live it up my dusty friends before you blow away. YEWWWWWW HAWWWWWW!!!

"Working all week just to keep beer on my table."

Randall

07/29/10 08:09 PM

#487

OK.

All kidding aside, which I do a lot off, (sorry) our reunion was great and special. At least to me. Take away the gray, the fat, the wrinkles, the limps, the groans, the aches, the pain, the sickness and time; none of us have changed one bit from our sixties whirlwind life.

It was very special to me to see and talk to all of you again. There just wasn't enough time. We need a reunion where we are all together in the same place all day long. Like our senior trip to Pala-Duro. Why? Cause, I still have a lot to say to all of you and I didn't get to say it all this time. Ya.Ya. Ya. I now it's my fault for not coming to all the other reunions. If I had I could have said it all by now. MY BAD. What is it they say about missed opportunities? Lost time? regrets? sadness? Well, when it comes to my classmates I got um all.

But dam it, I got one good one. Saturday, July 17th, 2010, standing under the Texas sun leaning into the Texas wind on old dip street watching the parade go by at Tulia park, where I met my future wife, Roxie yells from the float "there's Randy Stephens." My heart leaped nearly out of my chest and I had to turn away as quick as I could because of the overwhelming emotion pumping through my body. God, it had been forty years since anyone yelled out my name like that. No one since High School has called me Randy Stephens except for Mom and my Brothers. It has been forty years of just me and the Plainview Buldawg fighting the world single handed, and no one knew me from Adam, at least not like ya'll. And then that special come together just got better and better as day slipped into night.

It still chokes me up thinking about all that stuff. It probably always will. YOU ARE ALL SUCH SPECIAL PEOPLE AND FRIENDS. All of you have always shared a special place in my heart and now all of you have your own special Conestaga corner in my heart. They just don't make friends like ya'll any more. God love and bless you all.

Shit I got to stop.

07/30/10 03:37 AM

#488

Randy,

It was both me and Connie that you had a date with, after talking we decided to forgive you, and agreed it was best not to date you again. I'm sure that's how we remember it, and I'm sure that our 58 (NOT 60 yet) minds would not play tricks on us......you, on the other hand, well?????

Now it's time to pop a top again (Sprite that is), then hit the hay.

Gives ya something to think about, don't it????

07/30/10 07:31 AM

#489

Twins............. OH NO!

I see how yall are. It's a two on one match. Well ok then, bring it on cause when it's two on one, it's best just to go ahead and tap out and run for your life. SO, I'll choke you two in heal dust.

Wisdom for today. Just go back to bed and don't call me in the morning.

"Dust in the wind............................"

Randall

08/01/10 09:11 PM

#490

HEY!

"I don't like spiders and snakes and that's not what it takes to love me............."

The Plainview Buldawg feels the same and last night she was reminded of that. She is very afraid of spiders and also snakes. But not me. The Cherokees' speak of spider medicine. They say that the spider wove the wed of language and brought us fire and snake medicine is about shedding things and changing.

When I was a kid my brother and I hunted snakes. Even went out at night with a spade and flashlight to dig them up and kill them because our farm was infested. We didn't know back then that they were good to eat.

Last night there was a black Racer at our door step when she got home. What a ruckus. I finally ran it off with a broom and was her hero; lots of hugs and kisses. Good medicine.

"Drink a little beer, smoke a little smoke.........."

Randall

08/02/10 11:32 AM

#491

Check out the new slideshow posted on the home page and on the July 17 photo link. Jan put together the show and included some of her artwork. She is an awesome talent!

Randy S. also has multiple talents. Story teller, snake charmer, hero, twin tamer, beer drinker (just to name a few). Keep spinning the yarns - I check daily just to see what you're up to!

Please take a minute to complete the "Next Reunion" survey. Just click on that link from the left side of the home page.

Happy Monday to all! Have a blessed day.

08/02/10 02:32 PM

#492

Connie Lee (Ash)

Jan,

Thanks so much for doing your slide show, loved it, love your paintings!

I know there are other slide shows out there just begging to happen, ya'll can do one, give it a try, it's fun!

Twin tamer, I think not! FYI, Kay was kiddin, neither one of us every had the, uh, the, the, pleasure, of going out with Randy S.

Sorry Randy, you missed out on the opportunity, but you weren't the only one!

08/02/10 07:56 PM

#493

Connie.

Oh yes one of you did go out with me. I remember it vividly.

I have a mind like a stainless steel trap. Stainless steel never rusts with age and lasts forever. Several years ago a Cherokee Elder blessed me with lots of animal medicine and one of my Animal Totems is the Elephant who never forgets. Not really but it makes for a good case, don't it. I do have Cherokee animal guides who walk with me through life but to be honest Elephant isn't one of them. Cherokees didn't know Elephant medicine. But all that's another story for another time.

I remember it was the twin that didn't go steady with Gleason, at the time, that I went out with. I remember Gleason had something to do with setting it up. It was only a one time date, we didn't click for some mysterious reason and never dated again. It must not have been memorable for you. That's ok. Lot's of stuff in my young life was that way. So I guess you could say it was a one night stand. If you would like more detains e-mail me and I'll share more. Maybe you will remember. I'm really not that forgettable a guy. At least that what I'm told. LOL.

Randall has game. Randall may talk a lot of smack but Randall don't lie darling.

"Honky Tonk Ba Donkey Donk....... You hate to see them go but love to watch I'm leave."

08/02/10 08:44 PM

#494

JAN!! GIRLFRIEND!!!

What an awesome slide show!!!! GREAT JOB GIRL!!! YOU GO GIRL!!! Hey dudes and dudette get you some of that!!!!

You are soooooo talented and soooo creative. Your so good I'm going to come to you house, get drunk, and roll around in your front yard like I did in high school. Ready for that girlfriend??????? Remember that girlfriend??????

"When I Hear That Song I Go Back..........I Go Back To...............

Cindi girl!

Thank ya, thank ya, thank ya!!!!! Will you be my agent? 50/50 girl. "Ya Wanta" Hell will do the big screen, cast you as Monrow and me as John Wayne. Let's go girl!!! Hold on for the ride!!!!

"Kinda like chicken and bisques."

Randall

08/02/10 08:46 PM

#495

HEY. Where are you Ralphie B.

Cindi. Your good girl. You see the good in everyone and everything. Those are special eyes girlfriend, or your just a politician. ???????????????????? I'll vote for you girlfriend!!!!

"All I Want To Do Is Have Some Fun Till The Sun Comes Up Over Santa Monaco Blvd."

Hey I lived in LA. for a while in 1971. Sleep through my first earthquake.

"Shake it baby shake it."

Randall

08/02/10 10:40 PM

#496

Randy, i really don't Remember going out with you, but then my memory is not all that great on some things. What grade was is n where did we go?

08/02/10 10:45 PM

#497

Connie Lee (Ash)

Randy S.,

Your cracking me up!

Per yourself ... "I have a mind like a stainless steel trap. Stainless steel never rusts with age and lasts forever." ..., but you can't remember which of us went out with you!

Well, I am the one that dated Mike, and I know he didn't set me up with you. It wasn't me that went out with you, as you originally stated.

Kay says she doesn't remember going out with you.

So I will leave this ammended response, never to return, to attend to other issues.

08/02/10 11:54 PM

#498

Jan,

Thanks for the slide show, your art work is incredible!

08/03/10 02:22 AM

#499

Ralph Ellerd

Hey Randy S. Boy this thing about u and the Twins lol Mother always told me not to date twins they could play tricks on u and get u in trouble!!! lol Sorry Connie and Kay!!!

Ok snake story from my Grandfather when I worked for him at the Taxidermist Shop in AMA and going to WTSU!! Not WTAM I'm not a Aggie!!!!! He was raised on a ranch right on the TX and NM. state line as a only child. He could take a bull snake by the tail and pop it's head off. So, he told me when he was about 17, had his girlfriend out to the Ranch to ride horses and found a bull snake and was going to show off and show her his trick, well he said it slipped out of his hand and wraped it around her neck!!! He told me U know she never came back to the ranch, Damnit wonder why??? LOL Here's a song for Kathy!!!

Jan, Nice pics of ur art, Did Joe teach u a few things when we were in school??? You, Larry, and Cindy at the Airport------- Where was security!!! J/K If I still worked for Continental and I was there, would got the wand out and checked all three of ya'll!!!!! LOL Hey nice looking kids Jan!!!

Toes In the Sand!!!!

Adios en vaya

con dios!!!!!

Ralph Berriman

08/03/10 01:12 PM

#500

Randy S. - So, you want to take Hollyweird by storm, huh? I love John Wayne but those are some pretty tall boots to fill, Pilgrim. At least you have the boots & the hat so there are some similarities between the two of you. As for Marilyn and me . . . I have nothing in common with her except our mutual belief that diamonds are a girl's best friend. I'm afraid I couldn't fill even one of her cups! I always pictured myself as the Doris Day type. Roxanne and I used to argue as young girls over who got to be her and make out with Rock Hudson. Little did we know . . .

Hey, I do think you should consider going West young man. Poor Mel Gibson & Lindsay Lohan could both use a diversion and you're the perfect man for the job. You could give the news media something else to talk about for awhile. Ha!

Politician . . . I think not, but I did take Diplomacy 101. Yes, I do strive to see the good in everyone and it's usually not too difficult. I've been burned a couple of times by giving people the benefit of the doubt but I never let those experiences get in the way of my eternal optimism and faith in mankind.

I will sign on as your agent any time but I really think you are able to sell yourself just fine without any help. However, I can stand around and shout "show me the money" if it helps.

Ralph: As for Larry, Jan and me at the airport - I almost missed my flight. In fact, if the flight hadn't been delayed by about 15 minutes I would've been spending additional time in Amarillo (or even back in Tulia). We were so engrossed in conversation and having fun that the time flew by (and my plane almost did, too)!

Connie/Kay: Do you think Randy has you guys confused with another set of twins he encountered somewhere along his travels? Did you guys ever pull the "switch" routine while in school? I remember we had a set of twins in elementary school that tried it once (Betty & Billie Carlson). They switched classes in first grade and even though they were identical in every physical way they were so different in personality it didn't take long to figure it out! I was in Mrs. Rose's class with Billie and I remember it well although I have no clue why. I can't even remember where I put my car keys most days but a trivial event from first grade remains vivid in my mind. I must suffer from a slight case of that stainless steel trap mind like Randy S. I just wish I could put that memory to better use!

08/03/10 06:56 PM

#501

HEY KAY!

Ok, you asked girl. So, here goes girlfriend. Hold on tight and buckle up while I tell you about what you don't remember and about what I could never forget. I could make this into one of my mystifying stories but I won't do that to you. I don't know you that well and you might not like me doing that. I don't need anymore enemies so I'll leave self out of this also. Just the facts mama, just the facts. For your information Lawpuppy was the only girl that I was afraid of till I met the twins. I'll try to tread as lightly as I can to avoid twin vodoo uga buga stuff.

We were in High School. The good old glory days. Remember. We were Sophomores, maybe. I picked you up that faithful night at your house, like a gentleman, and like everyone did back when we dragged dip and talked. Then we went parking somewhere out in the country night under the big Texas star filled skies. It was a brief parking experience. I tried my best but couldn't get you to kiss me. So after a while I took you home and went back to dip street. I guess that was rather rude of me to do that. Sorry I was young, stupid and pissed because of no kiss. It's a guy thing. Ok.

I understand that for you, being a young girl and all, the date could be very forgettable. You know since there was no connection, no sparks, no chemistry and all that. But not for me. You see all us young guys, well, we never forget the one that got away. The kiss that never happened. What could have been but never was. What could have developed but never did. A kiss. A connection. Going steady. Getting lost in each others embrace. Stary, Stary nights and all.

But you were the one, the only girl I dated that wouldn't kiss me. The one that got away. NOW HOW COULD I EVER FORGET THAT!!!

"Loverrrrr, Lover, Lover, Lover You Don't Treat Me No Good No More. No Good No More!"

Randall

CONNIE GIRL! How's that for an old stainless steel trap mind!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL. Just go ahead and attend girlfriend. LOL!!! J/K. Not. Who knows.

08/03/10 07:28 PM

#502

CELINDA!!!

Your a hoot girl. Yew right, show me the money. I can see you now giggling and wiggling as you shout. You can fulfill you wanta be cheer leader dreams. Yes you would make a good Doris Day girl. I'll co-star with you anytime, anywhere. We'll smile all the way to the bank!!!! LOL!!! Take Hollywood by storm. They won't know what hit them. Two old Texans throwing down on the west cost scene. O HELL YEW. We'll co-star in a movie called "Growing Up In Small Texas Town." I'm thinking about that as a name for my book which will never get published. But what the hell. Dream a little dream, drink a little drink, get down tonight. Get down tonight.

You have really become, with all your political ways, little miss proper. Little miss queen. LOL!!! LOL!!! J/K. Not. Who knows. (Learned j/k from Ralphie B.) Thanks R. B.

"NO WE DON'T HAVE A LOT OF MONEY, NO WE DON'T HAVE A LOT OF MONEY............. ALL WE NEED IS LOVE AND WERE FREE, FREE AS WE'LL EVER BE....."

Randall

PS Celinda. Diamonds are best used for powering Starships and lazer beems. And Cindi. You guys is so gay. It's yankee talk. Texans old and young, in and out of Texas say ya'll or you all. Got it girlfriend. Just trying to get you ready for the movies. K.

R.B. Thanks for the tune (Spiders and snakes). When I get home this weekend I'll play it for the Bulldawg.

08/04/10 02:50 AM

#503

Randy,

Well, that was interesting reading, I was starting to get a little scared when you said we went parking, but relieved when you said I wouldn't even give you a kiss. Just let me get this straight, you picked me up on a date, drove up and down dip street (which I could do with my friends), apparently didn't spend any money on me, then took me parking!?!?!?!?!? And you honestly expected at least a kiss????? (Not that I could be bought, but kinda sounds like you were a little on the cheap side.) LOL. I have to say I really don't remember, but then I don't have a memry like a steel trap. Thank goodness, seems you've grown a little since then since you seem like a really nice guy now with a really nice wife.....me thinks you got really lucky.

Cindi,

As best as I can remember Connie & I only switched one time, I think it was in 8th grade. We were in the same class (big mistake on the part of admin), and we switched seats. Everyone but the teacher knew.....we did tell her at the end of the class and she was rather flustered, said she knew all along, which she didn't. Can't remember her name, but Connie might.

As for guys, we never switched dates, we had different taste in guys, and I think we both wanted to date who we liked, we weren't about to miss a date with our guys just to pull a prank!

08/04/10 07:50 AM

#504

HEY KAY!

As the song goes, "I Might Be Cheep But I Ant Free."

Looking back on things now I guess I should have taken you to get a coke at Waynes Drive in. Then it sounds like i might have got that kiss. Didn't realize you were high maintenance. LOL. J/K.

"No We Don't Have A Lot Of Money, No We Don't Have A Lot Of Money, All We Need is Love And Were Free, Free as We'll Ever Be."

OR, "Drink A Little Drink, Smoke A Little Smoke."

Randall

PS - Nice Guy? Lucky? Well ok. That's better than being cursed.

08/04/10 01:11 PM

#505

Deborah Nelson (Ferriter)

Randy S: So you think "you guys" is a gay Yankee expression? Ha! California isn't exactly in Yankee territory although there are plenty of them transplanted here and we do have a large gay population. I know the Brits refer to all of us in the U.S. as "Yankees" but I always thought the term referred to those from New England or the northern states. Anyway, I don't think I've said "ya'll" in well over 35 years although it does slip out once in awhile when I visit Texas. I do, however, still say "I'm fixin' to . . . ", and have maintained a lot of other Texanisms and no matter where I live I will always be a true blue Texan (about 4th generation on my dad's side I think). My husband always says "you can take the girl out of Texas but you can't take Texas out of the girl" and he's right. My question to him is "why would you want to"? (It's all good!)

Also, R.S., just for the record - I don't recall ever aspiring to be a cheerleader. I simply didn't have the pompoms (or popularity) for it and those spots were pretty much determined early on in our school days. Besides, I was much better suited for an activity that included the wielding of a prop (metal rod) that could double as a lethal weapon (also known as a baton). Also, I still got to wear short skirts and rub elbows with the cheerleaders. I still use that metal rod when I walk to ward off dog attacks or snakes on the hiking trail. It doesn't twirl like it used to but it still makes a great weapon. A pompom would be useless under those circumstances!

I'm feeling a little guilty and "cheap" now after all the comments here on the forum. I stole a beer from your cooler, R.S., during the reunion when you weren't looking. I owe you one . . . or was it 2 . . . no, maybe it was 3. (seriously, it was only 1 and I was highly encouraged to take it by a person who shall remain nameless). Shame on me! And shame on you for not even buying Kay a corndog or some tater tots from Wayne's!! You still may not have gotten that kiss but could have qualified as a "good" date instead of a forgettable one. Ha!

Kay: I'm really surprised that you and Connie were allowed to be in the same class. I always thought they kept family members and even good friends separated. Roxanne and Sandi were probably my best friends from 1st grade through 6th (7th grade on we had multiple classes during the school day) and I don't think I ever had Roxanne in my class and Sandi was only in my 3rd grade class. It's not like the same kids always ended up together but you would think at some point we would have ended up in the same room. Roxanne's folks were good friends with mine so maybe our parents conspired to keep us apart. They knew we could brew up some trouble together. Ha!

To All: If you haven't already done so, please take a minute to complete the "next reunion" survey! Even if you didn't attend the recent one we value your input into future events. There have been 17 responses posted to date with a lot of good comments & ideas! So far, it looks like everyone is interested in doing a 60th birthday gathering in 2012! I'll provide more details after we have obtained more responses.

08/04/10 02:59 PM

#506

Just for the record "you guys" is more of a New Jersey or New York thing, not all Yankee inclusive... like me living in Massachusetts... we don't say "you guys".....just setting the record straight... have a great day... love to all, deb

08/04/10 05:36 PM

#507

Deb: Hey, I thought they say "youse guys" in New York, Jersey & Boston. I used to watch the Sopranos and Boston Legal! I do remember the first time I heard the term "you guys" and it was from a native Californian so Randy may be off just a tad on his geography, ya think? As for the reference to that term sounding "gay", I'm not sure why he thinks so but maybe Randall can explain how he came to that conclusion out there in Ala-freakin-bama. Enlighten us, please, Randall. Get your toes out of the sand and your behind out of the chair & provide some education. Inquiring minds want to know! It's not every day a girl gets told she has the vocabulary of a gay Yankee . . .

08/05/10 05:58 PM

#508

Jan Minchew (Sparks)

Randy! Guess what? Today is International Beer Day! (Go roll around in someone's front yard.)

Thanks so much, everyone, for the kind and encouraging words about my Art Work. You make my heart Sing! And, Randy...I'm so happy to know that someone from Alabama appreciates Culture!

I am,

Jan

08/07/10 05:03 PM

#509

Connie Lee (Ash)

Hi to everyone, including those of you that peek in to see what's going on but remain silent.

I have been talking to several of the classmates and have found that all have/are suffering from a bit of post-reunion blues. It's not a lot of fun, but just let me say that if you are one of these, you are not alone, so just keep that in mind.

I also find myself missing my classmates more than I thought that I would, so when I think of one of you and I haven't heard anything from you or on the forum, I just say a little prayer for you that your doing good.

Ok, the following certainly doesn't include everyone on my mind, that would be the class rooster, but I'm going to give a shout out to a few (more or less), to just put a line in the forum and let me know if your still out there and doing ok.

Ok, here goes....Ralph B., Randy S., Larry W., Perry H., J.K., Randy J., Mike G., Lloyd S., Dallana (C)L., Kathy (B)C., Debbie (C)J., Sheila (F)H., Jo (H)B., Kathy (W)C., Vicki (J)H., ... some of you I'm getting a tad worried about because you usually have some kind of word to say and are being strangly quite....the others never say anything and I would like to at least see a "doing good/bad/ugly since the reunion" or something!

And to those I didn't name (this time), even if you don't want to say much, if you peek in, just say hi and if you are ok or or something. It will do everyone good.

08/07/10 11:09 PM

#510