The slumber party that wasn't...

I'm home - it's Saturday night (well ALMOST Sunday morning) and I'm home from the St. Joseph's Grade School Reunion Class of 19__. The original plan was to stay overnight at Roxann's mom & dad's house - but the party ended sooner than she thought it would and my vote was to just drive back home. So that is what we did.

The reunion was a blast. 12 of us showed. There was Bridget who looks exactly the same today as the day we graduated from 8th grade. Genie who is an Iowa State Trooper Sargent (is that the correct terminology). She let us know women should NEVER cry if they get pulled over by a male cop - well by a State Trooper anyway. Rhonda who was the instigator of the entire party and who did a GREAT job. Luann who is still as sweet as ever. And of course there was Rox who was Rox. There is just no way to describe her - to know her is to love her.

Then there were the boys; Joe, Steve F., Steve L., and Mike. All who have grown up to be very nice men. And of course Bryan and Tom. Bryan who actually wore a pea green leisure suit with a polyester dress shirt and WHITE shoes to the party. Bryan who couldn't wait to play and tell me THIS SONG always reminds him of me. I thought for sure it was going to be THIS SONG just because I remember we both had the 45. I think the Chicago song was the first record I ever bought.

And then there was my cousin Tom. Tom and I who have known each other since we were in diapers. Tom and I and our siblings and a shared babysitter who were all forced by our mothers' to dress up as Snow White and the Seven Drawfs for Halloween when we were but babes. Tom who was one of my best friends. Who held my hand from Kindergarten through 8th grade when he moved away. Although we are related because his mom and my dad are first cousins (their dads = brothers) we really grew up together because our mom's were best friends in high school and beyond. There were many days each week when we spent entire mornings into afternoons together because our mom's would be having coffee while we ran wild. In total there were seven kids and two frazzled mom's - no wonder they needed a coffee break. Those were good times. Really good times. Anyway, I really enjoyed seeing Tom and reminiscing and remembering. Man we had fun. I was so sad when it was time to go I actually teared up (it's that good-bye thing - not good at the good-bye thing). Good friends. True friends. Those friends that have known you since you were in diapers. How many of those come back into your life? I feel pretty lucky. So now Tom and I have exchanged email addresses and cell phone numbers. There is no excuse not to keep in better touch. Actually I wish I had thought to add everyone to my phone.

After the reunion broke up Rox and I took a little tour around the town. We went past my old house (my parents have since moved to another town) and Beth's old house and Malia's old house and the swimming pool and the high school. It was fun to revisit all of those places. Shared memories. It was a good thing. A very good thing.

And now I'm tired. It was a long day. Oh and of course I wasn't ready on time. I tried I really tried but there were circumstances beyond my control. I called Roxann at 9:10 and said - "ummm I haven't even gotten into the shower yet" (she was coming to pick me up at 9:30) "I'll call you as soon as I'm out". Well of course I didn't call her as soon as I got out - I had make-up and hair to do. As soon as I heard the radio announcer say it is almost 10:00 and I really had barely started to get ready for the day I knew it wasn't going to be good. I had no sooner finished this thought when the phone rang - Rox. I answered by saying "no, I'm not ready, just go without me and I'll meet you there". Of course she wouldn't accept that answer and said she would go to the grocery store and then come and get me. I really did make good time after that and only ran around like a chicken with my head cut-off for a few minutes after she arrived. We were an hour late in getting on the road - plenty of time :-)

Okay, I'm done now. I think I'm running out of steam.

TTFN...