Yes, acceptance is definitely a big one. Maybe that will balance out the new assertiveness, Richard.

I can only tell from Classmates of those who have joined so I don't know. John would know because he is the holder of the snail mail addresses. Is that right John?

First husband, two kids, no grandkids or pets. Too many different homes but only two states, just shy of you though Karen I'm pretty sure.

I'm not ready to make nice either!! Now here's what I think that means. I'm ready to have a good time. More assertive definately, more forgiving yes, but.........more accepting of me, past, present, and future. Looking less for acceptance. I like that part especially.

Come on Richard....we're all nice, you know that! Maybe more assertive thats all.
Happy Friday everybody...........Happy Thoughts.............

before i finalize my plans i feel like i need to know how many of you are not ready to make nice. and, YES, i am REALLY sorry! (but i am not sure why)

Awaiting first grandchild, still on first spouse, I guess not one of the "most fun"???

Ok Kathi, I know where that is, just north of me, I'm in Jacksonville down on the coast. Get ready for some heat, been close to 90 the last couple of days, no rain though everything's pretty dry.

In Waterville, ME there's a Debbie Streeter. I have no idea who that might be. the map is on classmates.com and unfortunately too many of the women don't use their maiden names in their profiles. I'm quite sure there are other Mainiacs out there!

Kathi if you ask the marriage question be sure to ask how many times?? The thrid time around crowd is always fun!

Lori, I went to a dinner where everybody had to stand and they asked questions...like: If you drove a red car, sit down....if you have sisters, sit down....etc.....we could do something like that but with questions pertaining to the class...if one wanted to...or if you are married stand up....if you have never left Springfield, stand up...just a thought.
Tomorrow is FRIDAY! My favorite day...after 3:30.....full moon last night wild children today!

Thanks for that info, Patti. I guess they're in California, but not L.A. How about Maine? Are you the only one from our class in Maine? And I'm also wondering how many from our class are grandparents. And how many married high school sweethearts? How many are divorced? etc. etc. I can think of a lot of questions.

From what I cn tell, Roger Belville, Kelly Harrington, and of course YOU; Lori Sobel live in CA.

A little town called Farmville, outside of Greenville...They used to live in Raleigh but moved so my son in law could go to school in Greenville.
I gave the award certificates to Deb on the last meeting so I am sure there will be some.
Happy Thoughts...........

Kathi,
If I'm not being to nosey, where in NC?

Richard, you get first prize in imagination. (Will they be giving out rewards at the reunion?!)

Richard, you make me dizzy............

I have very nice pink leather toolbelt but it doesn't have specific beer holders. No fears though I can adapt.

I passed on the message to Deb about maybe listing people who are coming. She is the one with the list as the returns are going to her.
This pajama party sounds like it might be a little wild....Richard, are you staying at the HH??
Lori, I am glad you decided to come. I think everything will all work out and that we will have a great time...not necessarily about high school but how life is now and about our own personal success stories.
Eric, congratulations on the new baby coming. Personally, I find that being a Nana is much better then being a Mom. Its a whole new set of feelings and those little ones have a huge power over our emotions. I am awaiting a new little girl in a couple of weeks and will go to NC and stay with my daughter (and 2 other grandbabies) for 2 weeks. We are hoping that she will be born on May 19, which is both mine and my daughters birthday. 3 generations on one birthday would be memoriable. I am very excited and pleased that she wants me there. The only downfall I have is being so far away from them which is hard...but we have always "chatted" on the phone with the little ones and visited often so I think we have a special bond.
Well, everybody have a great day and Happy Thoughts...........

pat, i am sitting here wondering if i should be thinking about you in new or old pajamas and whether you understood my latin hack job with "semper ubi sub ubi", which means always wear underwear. i am going to assume that we are good on ubi sub ubi and the pj choice is purely for aesthetic and party hardy preparedness. this is how i would break it down. there are tool belts that were not designed for (but have room for) a six pack of bud 16 oz cans. if you are thinking that having six bud pounders secured to your body is going to enhance your look, i say old pjs and a tool belt are the way to go. rip a couple of new holes in those old pjs, would ya? on the other hand, if lori is going to join you in northern maine traditions (whatever those may be and i assume that there is a northern maine tradition or two that involves drinking)- i say new pjs are the way to go. it communicates the subtle and tender message that maine-iacs know great pjs when they see them and that they party like rock stars. this is a form of reaching out and recognizing southern california awarenes of fashion and life as a rock star as you honor maine traditions as well. i hope that helps.

Finally did it Patti--made my reservations at the Hartness House and flight reservations! The lady who answered the phone seemed a little out of it, so I hope everything is okay! I'm used to Vermonters being friendlier on the phone. Oh well, as long as I have a room....

Talking about maps, can you tell me who else lives in California?

On the map thought, another way to do this would be to get all of our google earth GPS coordinates and you could do a fly through of all of our locations.
For example our house;
Lat 34°45'50.04"N
Long 77°21'3.69"W

Thanks, but the kids have to get credit for the name, I guess I'm still just old fashioned.

Good thoughts Eric.

Madalyn Smith is a great name. I'm interested in the fact that she already has a name. I think I like the idea that if you know the gender of the child you might as well go all in and have her name ready.

Let me rephrase, downer is not bad! It is a GOOD idea, everything in this world doesn't have to be sugar and spice to be appropiate. This is a time of remembrance, it truely is a good thought.
Don't I sound preachy, well enough of that.

Other news, expecting first grandchild just before I come up, Madalyn Smith is due to make her first appearence end of May first of June.

Well Eric, it is a downer, what made me think of the memorial was that we had so recently lost two of our classmates, Paula and Mary.

I had found a little S in a drawer with a tennis racket pin on it. I had played tennis one year. It was my way of learning to play. I lost every match I played, even the doubles matches! It's the only letter I earned.

We were all so different then than we are now. it was just a bunch of thoughts while I did ny ironing. Pay no attention..................

Some of us under achievers may not want to remember what we did or didn't do in school. The map of locations would be interesting to see how wide of a geographic impact 72 has had on the world. A reminder of our mortality via our fellow classmates is appropiate, even if it is a downer.

Still thinking, stream of conciousness maybe, while I wait for my flat iron to heat up:

How about we bring along things like awards or sports letters. We could make up a display to remind us of things that we used to do.. I also wondered if a dsplay remembering those who have passed on might be nice. Well not nice, but you know what I mean. And maybe a where are they? Classmates.com has maps that show where all the members live. It's pretty cool. I could work that up.

Hey Kathi or John I wonder if you could post the names of people who have replied. It would be fun to know who to look forward to and would also help us to harass those who have not yet respoded in the positive. I was thinking of sending out a reminder e-mail. Also could you let us know if you're having any luck with addresses of those who's names have been posted as being unable to be reached? Thanks

I'm definately not planning to get drunk. I do plan to have a good time though. the 80 particicpants was based on what Debbie said came to the last one. The hope is that if that many will go to a motel in Bellows Falls than hopeully that many and more will go to a local establishment. We have to pay for 80 at the very least and we cannot decide not to go there. Unless someone has been doing some really fast talking.
Though the 10 pm closing is a pain I don't think it's that big a deal. there are places to go and lots of people will call it a night anyway. there are places right in the HH to just go and hang out. The committee in town is looking into paying a couple of hundred bucks to another class so people can go there and keep the party going. There's going to be plenty to do.
I'm awfully glad you're coming it'll be wonderful to see you again! What room did they give you?

Thanks for the number, Patti. If they don't get the number of people they're expecting, will they still have it at the Hartness House?

So you're all planning to get drunk and party? Does that mean I get a second chance, since I missed out on the action the first time round?!

thank you Richard, Im touched by your support of my pj concept. Im even thinking of getting buying new ones for the occassion. what do you think?