In the mail the other day, which I check regularly at this time of the month as I await a check, a large envelope came from Two Rivers, WI. Oh, I was so excited! It contained two class reunion booklets, one from each year of the recent joint reunion. Plus photos taken of the assembled 'kids' from each year, 1974 and 1975. My class was less represented than was Jill's (my sister) but I guess that would be because our 35th reunion should have been last year. I will volunteer to be the detective for my class when it's time for the 40th reunion so that we can round up more folks. I will become their worst nightmare, if I am not already!
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The questionnaire originally sent was brief, with only a few questions to answer or blanks to fill in. Many did not fill in the address the info for some reason, and some did the top portion of the survey but did not do the 'fill in the blank' portion. Of those who did complete the sentence: "When I retire I want to......" the vast majority of answers from both classes was to live somewhere warm. Others mention in their list of regrets or things to do over that they wish they had paid more attention in school or that they would have spent less time working and more time with their kids. Not all of these folks are farmers but some are business owners and even a few pastors and teachers in the mix. Many wish to play more golf which really surprised me because-----I don't know why it surprised me, it just did!
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Another question on the survey was "I know I am getting old when....." and those answers are so funny! My answers were "my sisters are becoming grandmothers" and "I make my plans for the day based upon the condition of my knees". I am not alone in this, as many report their joints making sounds when they move about, and one lady even mentioned having hip and knee replacements already! Of course, you can imagine what I chose for my "If I had one thing to do over it would be....." answer would have been, but I simply referred the readers to the questionnaire portion listing "Children"....
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It seems that, to a person, all have remained faithful, as no one mentions falling away. Maybe even after reading their answers in the booklet, some would like to have a do-over for the questionnaire. It seems to be a very good witness for the Lord, and for their parents for seeing to it they attended Lutheran grade/high school. A couple did thank their parents for making sure they got the 'One Thing Needful'. Who knew it might take some 35 years to realize or appreciate it? Or to basically say it out loud for their classmates to hear? Nice!
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Today I must go and get postage stamps as I have two separate mailings to go out, one for Outreach and one for Inreach. When at the grocery store the other day I simply forgot to ask for the stamps so now this mailing is going out later than I like. Friday when I saw my BFF Judy at La Nop, she asked me if I heard from anyone regarding the purchase of a used soda machine for the Fellowship Hall, as our existing one has expired. Oops! I totally forgot about it so, once home, made phone calls to all I could reach on a Friday afternoon. Those in the Ladies' Group whom I did reach were in favor of the purchase if Judy thought the machine was right for us, but when she went to look on Saturday, it was not what we needed. The used machine not only dispensed sodas but also snacks and Judy did not want to get into that! But, in seeking approval for the purchase, I got to talk with my friend, Janet, who is vacationing in WI and MI. She was in Rhinelander when I reached her, and rejoicing over getting to wear long pants and a sweatshirt when sipping her morning coffee on the deck in 57 degree weather. That rascal!
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Once more Evelyn made it to church yesterday, making four in a row, and I was able to grab her, so to speak, for a photograph. I will post it another time when I take the memory card out of my camera. Evelyn said, "I believe she sleeps with that thing", in her strong Southern drawl. Those around us laughed at that because it seems I am always snapping away at something!
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There is a newly-active couple involved in the Outreach committee now and much of the conversation is regarding the attempts to revive the website. I have tried to connect Terry with Chris D., who is in Afghanistan, but so far I am the only one who gets through, via Facebook! He sent me a better address to use this a.m. which I forwarded to Terry so her co-worker can attempt to resuscitate our now-deceased website. It is my hope that the original site can be updated/revived rather than having us spend money we do not have for starting over from scratch. I think it is lame to still pay for advertising in the Yellow Pages when most folks use the Internet for church finding, and we could so use that money for other Outreach efforts. Just my thoughts on this...
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This is going to be a very full week for me, starting with water aerobics on Tuesday and Wednesday, Bible study on Tuesday night, and Wednesday night is Happy Hour event at The Club. Thursday will be Bible study at Victory and then later, a conflict between the Outreach meeting and a political hobnob.....with my leanings toward the hobnob. Friday is the premier of the movie "Eat, Pray, Love" starring Julia Roberts with the Clay Chamber of Commerce sponsoring an event at the Fleming Island theater to raise money for breast cancer research. Food will be provided by Carrabba's, with the highlight being the movie. My friend, Sharon S., the facial lady, asked me to go with her and I think I might do just that! It sounds like just the kind of movie I would like, I hope it is, anyway. My friend's daughter, going through a divorce, was recommended this book to read to help her cope with some of her stress. I wonder if it did.
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Friday night, then, is a trip to St. Augustine to see/hear Suzanne play with a chamber orchestra (it is a big "chamber" day on Friday!!!) at Trinity Church. Saturday I am going back that direction to Palm Coast to see my niece and her family, as well as Marian and Biff, who are coming from South Florida for Maya's 4th birthday. Her official party is the next day but I prefer to come on Saturday instead of find myself in an uncomfortable situation. Saturday night is Suzanne's birthday party, a low country boil plus smoked Boston butt. Whew! When will I get pool time??
