Okay, so maybe I just needed to take the summer off. :-) I've been increasingly finding myself wanting to tell stories in picture format (which Facebook really doesn't lend itself to) or share really groovy tips or techniques I've discovered (with more than my 45 FB friends) so a blogger I am. Surprise! Did ya miss me?
A couple of weeks ago me and my oldest and dearest friend Jackie took a planned 'walk down memory lane'. About a year ago we reconnected and I can't tell you how fullfilling it is to have her back in my life. We scared up some old buddies from jr high (via facebook, of course)and began the evening at The Mecca (a bar, of course) on Main Street in good ol' Porterville, CA. I imagine The Mecca has been there so long that my grandfather used to hang out there before I was born. Oh...and not surprisingly; we also ended the evening there. ;-)
I found myself joking before heading down there that it would be fun to have little prizes for "who's been married the most times", "who has the most grandchildren", "who's had the most plastic surgery", etc etc, but I found that once we all got together, remembering each other so vividly as 12 year olds, it was just phenomenal and awesome to BE together, you know?
I realized that when some people "our age" (53) have literally "died of natural causes", the rest of that crap just does not matter. We had SO MUCH FUN laughing and reminiscing. If you ever have an opportunity to jump in on or create that kind of experience I really hope that you will.
By the way...here's another couple of fun little 'before' pics of Jackie and I. It just so happens these pics were taken 36 years ago today.
Me putting on making (after apparently getting my hair 'done' as I had to leave the hat on) and Jackie washing her hair at my mom's kitchen sink. I was getting married in a couple of hours. A full out white dress couple hundred people invited to the church wedding. We were 17 years old. It's mind-bending to me...to think of a girl that age today planning out her whole wedding..including the renting and timely return of the plastic flowers, as well as the sewing of half the wedding party's dresses. Yeah. Times have changed. I wish I could find the wedding photo album. Melissa had it last time I looked but now she can't find it. Heather, holding the blue phone in the group shot above, was the other girl in the wedding party in addition to two of my sisters. If we ever find the photos I'll share a couple more.
I am reminded from the link to last year's post that I opened today's post with that I used to cram way too many things into individual posts. I am going to try to and stop doing that...would rather post less info but more often. So....I'll be back soon!
Glad you're back!
Posted by: Pam | August 24, 2011 at 04:34 PM
Yeah!
Posted by: georgiapeachez | August 23, 2011 at 07:51 PM
I've missed you! Love this post. xo
Posted by: pam | August 23, 2011 at 10:21 AM
It is funny how in our 50s now we reach back in time for comfort and familiarity. I find connecting with the world harder and I yearn for things to be simple. Maybe it is a control issue? Look at you...planning the entire wedding and sewing dresses for it. Thats control baby. And at 17 we could do those tings. My 2 best friends and I planned entire parties for our large church group with no adult help or supervision. And it was awesome. No wedding would be done like yours anymore... a wedding planner and trip to salons would take care of all that. We live too complexly. Maybe this is just how everyone feels when they are 53 or 54 (me). Your pictures are sweet and true. Friendship doesn't die. It made fade but it doesn't die. I could say more. I love when you post. It is like talking to an old friend. I could have easily slipped into your photos with my Farah Fawcett curled hair and my hippie long dresses from the 70s.
Posted by: nanette | August 23, 2011 at 08:00 AM
Welcome back! I've missed your blog posts!
Posted by: sherri | August 22, 2011 at 05:05 PM
I was so happy to see your blog bolded - new info. I really missed having your blog in my world. I tried to pick out who was who and the only one I was sure of was Trudy. I thought the one holding the blue phone was Heather but after 35 years we do change a little. Welcome back.
Posted by: Peggy | August 22, 2011 at 03:15 PM
Glad to have you back!!!!! I connected via FB too with my elementary peeps...all 9 of us began kindergarten together and joined Blue Birds in 1st grade. We were tight until the end of 7th grade when all of us moved from LA within 3 months. So great to get together once in a while. We go right back to 1965!!!!
Posted by: BrendaLou | August 22, 2011 at 11:54 AM
Great pictures Jen! Looks like you all were having a great time :) I personally would LOVE to see the wedding photos!
Posted by: Laurie | August 22, 2011 at 07:25 AM