ex10

So like if you guys are serious, I could plan a party. We could do a doo at my brother's house, who has the awesome back yard. Make it a day long thing? Or a week-end thing? Seems to me if people will travel from Dallas and beyond, we should do something more than just a barbeque. Help! I'm so serious.....

PS I wasn't sitting on my rear getting drunk at the S&W. Forgive me.

But ya know what? We had the option of bowing out. We did it, in '86. That was the total last straw. We (hubby and I) as well as my brother and sis-in-law bowed out, kicking and screaming about how screwed up it was. And I gotta tell ya. My hubs was Way Prod, but Orchestra, not up front, afforded all the perks, etc. He worked his butt off for that, and I gotta say, those guys were some of the least appreciated of all time. That and branch/territory coordinators. We got the brunt of the work load, as far as dealing with people, just showing up for their freeking jobs. I know staff worked hard, lordy I was one of them too. One of the worst summers of my life was doing my staff job during the first corps thingy ever, and then the Rock. summer of '78. But.......whatever, I'm not one to gripe, just one to say, "to heck with you, I gotta real life." We always had the option, and if more of us hadda kicked and screamed, it woulda changed things, maybe. Too many were willing to take the stuff, and ask "what is your problem? Where is YOUR committment?" when many of us bowed out. Just my experience....Whatever.

Dear nika I understand the sentiment totally. Seeing as how, it's been 24 yrs since corps graduation and my marriage to my dearly beloved, as well. I've now been married to him over half my life. Egads, how did that happen? But at least I didn't spend my teens and 20's doing drugs or frittering my time away in nothingness. I understand some may feel that way. But for moi, at least I had a cause that I believed in, that I sacrificed for. Maybe it was a worthless cause, in the eyes of many, but it taught me many lessons, which I am sure to pass on to the next generation of my family. And I can't complain about the life I've built with someone who has the same ethics and values. And WE SURVIVED! And are much older and wiser for it.

Glad you're back, coolchef. Pull up a chair and set a spell! ;)

Have the greatest of days, babe!

Hope you have a really cool (literally) day, top! Enjoy it!

I confess to being one of those people who talks to random strangers anywhere I go. It's surprising to me, how many people really need help with what they are doing, and don't mind a conversation. Example: Today, I took my daughter to the DPS, Department of Public Safty, to get her driver's license. That's where you go in TX, I know it's different in other states. Was waiting in line with a guy who is new to the state, and he was mystified about what ya gotta do here, to get your stuff situated. (We had to stand in line together for 2 hours.) I was able to give him some hints, about such things as: where ya gotta to get stuff done here. (too many things, too numerous to metnion.) He was very appreciative, and gave me his business card and offered to take my and family out to dinner because he doesn't know anybody, and appreciates the friendliness of daughter and moi. And we gave him some good info, about gettin himself situated. I didn't "witness" to him, that was the farthest thing from my mind, but I think I helped him. And whether or not I ever see him again, I don't really care. There is something really freeing about being able to talk to people, help them with info, and not care if you ever see them again. ;)

Forget the picca de gallo and guacamole, I want first class chilis rellenos? how do you spell that? I would love to meet your dearly beloved.....I seem to have insatiable appetite for real Mexican, not the fake TexMex stuff. So promise me she will help me cook, and we can do it.

Been thinking about this get toegether halfway seriously. Maybe we should have a show of hands, who would really show up, if we plan a big Texas barbeque? I know you'd be there, tommy. You can bring the marguarita snowcones. :B)

Thanks for that. I love you.

OK, tell me what course you wanna play. It's not like we have a shortage of them here. :D Some are private, some not. Hubs doesn't golf, but everyone we know does. So, I can always find somebody, who knows somebody, who is looking for somebody. Ya know? Let me know....

Only on a golf course, tommy. That could be arranged, ya know. :B)

Aye Chihuahua, Whitedove. If you're in the mood for a road trip, come on down to Houston. We got heat and flies aplenty. If it makes you feel better, instead of staying at my house, we can share a hotel room, at the S&W clone here. And J will put you on burger detail, running the grill. And I'll rent a cushman and be the gofer for bags of ice. :D

Hey freeatlast. I spent 4 years after graduating from the corps in Topeka. We have friends there we are still in touch with. Wonderful folks. Lubbock.....well, all I can say is, it ain't Houston. Too bad. I love it here.

Well, please have a Guiness or two for me. And tell whoever you see, "Howdy" as well. Yee haw! Have an ace time.

Yeah, I was thinking October, too. Perfect weather.

Ok, Tommy, but we gotta wait til it cools off. :)

My house is always available. We don't have a pool, just a hot tub, but, if we need a pool, my brother lives down the street, and has an awesome pool. But no hot tub. Just let me know a date, and it's a happening thing. The most people we can accomadate is like 50 for dinner, after that we move to brother's. So just let me know, we can totally do it.

I don't know about pipes playing the bagpipes, but my dearly beloved says he can play "Amazing Grace' on his sax, after meeting my Greasespot friends. He says, it has been so worth the time I've spent, cause of the people we have over, and the connections that have been reconnected here. Tis true.

Pipes You reminded me of my '78 Wow Adventure. We had 8 Wow families in our branch. 32 adults, plus some kids. Well, it just so happened that my parents house was about half way to our destination city. (Dallas) So about 7 in the morning, as our wow caravan made a rest stop, I called Mom and said: "Hey, Mom, we are about an hour your house, and are tired and hungry. Do you mind if we stop for breakfast?" She says, "Of course not, hon, how many people are with you? 3 or 4?" Moi: "Well, uh, there's actually uh 34 or 35 of us, including the kids." Mom, without missing a beat: "Ok, take your time getting here. I need at least an hour to get to Kroger and back, and heat up the griddle." We arrived and Mom made pancakes, bacon, and eggs. Oenophile and Ca Dreaming were part of that crew. I wonder if that kind of thing would even be possible in the new and improved TWI? No in the plan, ya know.

Hi polar bear! I remember you and I think we might even have been in the same twig in rez once upon a time. Nice to see you again!

Howdy again, Jerry. We had an awesome time "fellowshipping" here at my humble abode last night. Wish you and yours could have been here. I know it's a long way for you guys to come, but I just want you to know that you all are welcome here anytime. And we can make space for you to spend the night at "hotel ex10." Same goes for any of you fellow Texan Greasespotters. We always have lotza good food, and Shiner Bock, of course.

Aw, Groucho, I feel the same way. Last night, we had some folks over for dinner that I met in GS chat, among some other friends and family. They are lovely people, kind, generous, caring. I am so glad I met them through GS, and they expressed the same sentiment. This really is an awesome place.

" Life shouldn't be about trying to live perfectly. It should be about actually experiencing and enjoying life and the people and relationships you have." You said it! WN. I wonder what kind of relationship these poor people are building with Jesus Christ? and one another? I wonder, too, what they are learning to grow in faith and confidence in a livng Saviour? and a God who is faithful whether we "plan" or not? Sure would be nice if life was all perfect and predictable and risk free, and we never got thrown any curve balls. Ya know?