Thankful - Where to Start?

Hi out there in blog-reading land! It's been a long while. Adele took five years to put out an album...it's all about timing/feeling. It's been a few months for me. Oh, I've written some things - but never hit the publish button. I'm not sure why I've been more reluctant to write the blog and share it lately - it's a strange time in my (all of our) life, this pandemic. 

I like to take photos and share what I'm doing. I also like seeing your photos and hear about what you're doing. 

Covid knocked me off of my stride. It knocked the whole world off its stride. Today and the future are forever changed. Ah, Road of Life, you are not smooth. I've blogged before about how our parents - mostly our mom - prepared the Bullock girls for rough roads. Though supportive, she was no helicopter parent. From that, I learned to bounce back from adversity. It isn't painless - and can be quite tough. On December 2nd, Paul and I will celebrate our baby angel Patrick's 30th birthday. His short life taught me many lessons. 

I've learned as a parent of Amy and Jud how hard it is to watch your children struggle. Teaching them resilience (with support) is one of the best gifts ever. Life will continue to throw up obstacles - health, career, relationships, ISU Cyclone teams (can't leave that out!). This Thanksgiving I'm grateful for the support of friends and family who make resilience possible. 

What are your plans? We are so excited to host our family for Thanksgiving (and early Christmas). Jud and Kara with Baby Nell will be arriving Wednesday.  Amy and Corey fly in that day too. I can't wait to see them all again. 

I set up a calendar reminder to take the 17 lb. turkey out of the freezer - never leave important stuff up to my memory 😆. Last year Paul and I were on our own for Thanksgiving since it was before vaccines were available. We're so excited to host local family on Thursday. Paul's sis Carol and our niece Barb, husband Mike, and kids are coming. We'll miss Paul's sister Jean and husband Dave who can't make it this year. 

I'm not a natural entertainer like my sisters and some friends are (if they're not, they fake it well). I'm jealous, but not enough to change it! When I start to stress about food/activities, my mantra is "it will be fine". Covid helped open my eyes to the fact that it's the people, not the food or house. 

We're so happy that travel is back - even if it requires masks! Paul and I are all vaxxed too. We are thankful that we've been able to hit the trail/road/air in recent months.   

-I traveled on my bike all summer after installing a trailer hitch on Bleuy, my car. I purchased an easy on/off bike rack and Albie, my bike and I were off - traveling to and riding on trails all around DSM - 40 miles a week. Exploring the trails was so good for my mental and physical health. 

-We hosted the Goldsmith fam reunion in DSM in August. It's the first time to get three generations together in over a decade. It was so fun to catch up with our nieces/nephews and meet some of their kids for the first time. And we got to show off our granddaughter darling Nell. (who turned 1 in September!)

-In September we attended UNLV vs ISU football game in Vegas. Jud and Kara were there, sans baby, having a good time. Those trips are good for parental mental health. We traveled with our college pals, Vic/Fred, Moose/Kay. After the game we traveled to several State and Federal Parks for sightseeing and hiking. The beauty of America astounds me. And beer is good everywhere. ;>) Kay did a great job planning out our travels, Moose drove us safely. It's a good travel group. 

Right after we returned home from Vegas and Utah, I drove west to Omaha to "group up" with Atlantic friends - some of whom I've known since preschool. There's nothing like hanging with friends who knew your people, and have known you through many stages of your life - child, young adult, and now as a "senior". Life stages are not as scary when you're surrounded by friends.  

We joined our ISU friends in Ames for several football games this fall. Tailgating was fantastic - food, friends, and a few beverages. The Cyclones haven't had the season we were hoping for, but talk about resilience - team and fans are still "All In". And the ISU Varsity Marching Band is awesome! Especially the drum corps.  

In October, a family wedding (congrats Eric & Molly) took us to California - touristing a few days with sister Cindy in San Fransico and Napa (thanks David and Lisa Lamm for hosting us at a winery!), before going to Half Moon Bay, just south of SF for the wedding. Gathering with family for a special event is simply the best!  

Assignment this week? Enjoy, and be grateful. 

Leslie learns to Video Chat

Let me be clear - I am not a techie. I only do this stuff when necessary. We purchased our first personal computer (PC) back around 1994 - when our children were little. I'd worked on one at my job at Cornerstone Financial, Mike Moffit's business in Creston. I was fascinated with the PC Mike had at the office. Paul and I soon signed on the dotted line at Best Buy for a very expensive zero-interest loan for our very own PC. Amy and Jud have fond memories of that first computer - Oregon Trail and other games.

I've been the family tech person ever since that first computer. Gulp! Too bad techie stuff doesn't come a little easier to me. I'd give myself a D on tech knowledge with an A for effort! I keep grinding away until I get it. Then it's one of those head knocks like, "duh, it was right there all the time!"

I'm not an early adopter. Change is hard, ya know. Once I learn something, I prefer to just do it that way until forced to change - stuff like upgrades, or insistent children. Covid 19 is causing changes in all of our lives. I'm looking for some of the good changes.

I know many friends who have grandchildren who have been using video chat for years - mostly FaceTime. Getting to see the little ones grow and change is so great for them. Much better than the slightly out of focus photos I'd send to my parents who wintered in Florida, and to Paul's folks at their Earlville home.

Isolated in our homes, my friends, family, Paul and I began to look for ways to feel more connected. We miss our peeps! I've discovered there are many different chat and meeting type Softwares to use, and I've begun bumbling my way through them - with a little help from others! Here are a few.

I have a Zoom business meeting tomorrow with another party - they set it up. I am in the process of setting up a part-time consulting business (yes, I can't get away from trash). I need to do a remote meeting for my business, so I decided to look into Zoom - the limited version is free. When I told a couple girlfriends, they said - check out how to use it with us! So we did!

I'm still figuring it out - how to manage the screen - and who sees what on the screen. For the other participants - I think they only saw who was talking. Last night, six of us "Zoomed" for Robyn's birthday (she's now 62 like all of us except youngster Sal) - all wearing the jammie tops she bought us for our Florida trip. We sang, laughed and watched Sally cook dinner. We got to see Sal and Pam's dogs. Paula thoughtfully presented a pretend cake. She and I are really missing having dogs right now. Her pup Sammie passed a year before Odie. Julia's beautiful daughter stopped by to wave "hi". Chris couldn't attend as her baby boy was flying into Phoenix. The birthday girl was in her glory!

Last weekend, we talked to our kids (Saturday - Amy/Corey, Sunday Kara/Jud) via Google Hangouts. They each set it up, and sent me an invite via email - all I had to do was click on it.  I looked at that program yesterday - it says you don't have to have Gmail but I had put a couple non-Gmail addresses in an invite and they disappeared....so I need more info on that. It may be the addresses they supplied have a block?

Kara had tried to Facetime us on Sunday but it turned out I didn't have Facetime enabled on my phone. Oops. That is now fixed - so next time! We don't have any other Apple products besides my iPhone, so - no iPad to see bigger pics, so this would probably be lower on my list of things to use. We got to see the Goldsmith doggos too and could hear Franklin shaking his ears out. Next time we're going to do a group call with all six of us - maybe we can get Cindo in there too!

I have an older HP laptop - and must admit I've had a piece of masking tape over the camera lens for years after the "your computer is spying on you" stories. I've peeled that tape off now (during calls #paranoid)! The HP camera is not the sharpest - which is kind of nice, like older actors and actresses having that filter to smooth out wrinkles. Last night, I had all six participants' little pictures stretched out on my screen like the Brady Bunch. Just thinking about it now makes me smile. I need to set up some more groups! College pals, sisters, Cyclone tailgating people, Creston homies, Paul's family - the list goes on!

If you are not already using video chat systems - try it! Just don't ask me how - haha.

Life's Rythyms

Old photo of our family - my heart

I was just getting used to my new "retired" normal. Ever-busy Paul is building furniture for our walk-in closet. He's only had a purchase a few new tools! He and I painted the closet this week and he put the shelves back up and we sorted through clothing as we re-stocked, weeding out stuff for donation. Suddenly I don't need as many work clothes. I'm doing a jigsaw puzzle and am beginning paperwork for a consulting business I plan to start - working with trash people of course.

Now, due to forces beyond your control, many are forced into life inside your living space. I can't imagine what you are going through - your "new normal". Some of our relatives and friends live in New York, Illinois, and California. Those states have even more strict rules about what they can and can't do. We in Iowa are "sheltering in place". Schools are closed. Bars and restaurants are closed to inside customers. Iowa received as many unemployment claims yesterday as they usually do in a bad month. Many people are now working from home for the first time. It's hard to isolate like that.

I'm stuck with this guy - my fave person

We're all coming up with a new normal. So far we don't know how long. If you are like me, you are still running everything through an "adjuster". When my eyes pop open on a new day, I am filled with gratitude. Then I begin to plot out my day - not remembering the Covid 19 normal. Then I adjust. Reality check!

As I said - as 2 retired people, this does not impact us nearly as much as those who have lost jobs, had to change their work method, small business owners trying to adjust to what this means to their livelihoods. I think about those who remain working on the front line - medical staffers to people working in places that need to remain open so all of us can live. We need our toilet paper!

There are special people - those who we cherish who may be more susceptible to this virus that I pray for. Our older (Aunt Marty says she's NOT elderly at age 87) friends and relatives. Some live in Independent and other types of care facilities that are being very careful about allowing personal access by friends and relatives. Smart! But very difficult at a time when we are fearful. The last thing we want is for these loved ones to be isolated and feel alone.

I've confessed before about my phone phobia. I don't know where it came from, but email and texting have allowed me to be even more of a phone introvert. Well, folks, Covid 19 is busting me out! I've resolved to talk to more people as we are all sidelined. I know, it's kinda selfish too. I'm pretending it's for them. Just wait - after this, I'll be one of those people with a Bluetooth earjack talking to people while I make my way through stores and on hikes! haha

Next - I'm going to try Facetime! I know - all you grandparents already know how to do that. Our kids' dogs haven't requested it. Does this mean I have to actually look decent? Ugh. I also have a couple meetings scheduled through Zoom - another video chat meeting. This virus will change us in permanent ways - I hope we'll find that some are good. Less travel, more technology will cut down travel. I know, in person can be best. But not always.

Last night we ordered delivery pizza from a local place. We'd plan to continue to support restaurants - as we want them to be around after this. Des Moines has always been a great place for local restaurants and we love that about our town. We have decided to increase our normal tips to help those workers get through this too. If you have any other ideas of ways you are helping small businesses get through this - feel free to chime in!

Call, text or check in on someone you know that you haven't spoken or texted for a while. As Mr. Rogers told us to look for the helpers. Even remotely, you can be a helper!

Everyone should have a Robbie Dob

So many memories over our nearly 60-year friendship. It's Robbie Dob's (Robyn Bredensteiner Uehling) birthday today. Saturday birthdays are fun - even when you are our age! She tells me she has plans to see Tony Bennett. No panty tossing Rob!

How does one stay friends with someone for this long? Especially when, except for a brief time in our mid 20's, we haven't lived in the same town since our first 18 years. 

It takes work! 

Robyn and I lived in the same neighborhood growing up. Our parents were in the same loose-knit friends group. We went to each other's birthday parties and had play dates. Later, when we were "free range" kids, out in the neighborhood on our own, we ran together in a pack.

One of Robyn's birthday parties sticks out in my mind. Back then, we had huge parties, inviting all of our little pals. Our moms were in charge of making sure we had a fabulous gift to take to the child of honor. We'd shop downtown Atlantic - so the pickings were limited. One year for my birthday I got three of the same piggy banks - 2 blue and one red! Other present ideas included games, coin purses and for me - horse figurines - porcelain. Rex Pharmacy, Ben Franklin, Bonnesons - those were all good places to score presents.

Anyway, this year, Mom must have either - been sick of running downtown or she plum forgot. She turned to Dad for a gift. Yep, lingerie! If you don't know me, this might sound kinky. Relax! Dad was a sales rep and when we were young, he repped lines that included kiddie clothes. I don't know if I even knew what the gift was when at the birthday party, the kids gathered around for gift opening time. She ripped off the wrapping paper to reveal: a kid-sized red peignoir set (silky red PJs). Op! I was so embarrassed WTF was this? As a tomboy, I could not imagine wanting jammies like this. I don't think my parents ever got me into such things. Robyn still teases me about this today. She swears she loved it and wore it proudly.

My bachelorette party - Omaha

There were many parties throughout the years. Including some of the first times, I drank beer (underaged, of course). We took advantage of the keg on tap at her mom and Tom's house. And when her dad was out of town, his apartment was a great place to gather. Later, when I was in college, Robyn visited Sal, Julia and me at ISU a few times. She settled back in Atlantic, working with Dr. Trewet, a dentist and tending bar at the Country Club. We vacationed together one summer - driving to Vail to stay with my sis Cindo. (I drove the whole way out - she slept, haha)

Marco Island 

After college and a brief stint during my first job in Sioux Falls, I moved to Omaha. Fate brought Paul to Oakland, Iowa - nearby. It was such a bonus that my friends Robyn and Chris Deardorff moved to Omaha then too. We had a couple years together - meeting up for Aerobics and weekly home-cooked meals together. Plus who could forget Friday night drinks at the Rusty Scupper in West Omaha. During our time there, I became engaged to Paul and Robyn to Glenn, her beau from Griswold. We both married in 1982. Paul and I moved north to Osage - and Rob eventually moved much farther, to Orlando! Her marriage to Glenn eventually ended, but both still live in FL. Rob keeps us up-to-date on that kind man and his family.

Omaha

We may not have seen each other every year, but somehow, my girl and I have stayed close. She came to Marco Island one year when we visited Mom and Dad. She made the drive to Creston when we lived in our first house, and left one of her mother's Tervis Tumblers. I treasured that cup and used it often, thinking of her. (yeah I probably should have returned it to Jody, but I loved it so...). She came back for family visits, and for class reunions. We found our ways to see each other.

So glad Amy and Jud have met Robyn

Many people know what a special person Robyn is. She shined from childhood. My dad, who was known to give people nicknames, called her Robbie Dob. He'd tell the story of how he'd be taking a nap on our couch in the living room, only to wake up with Rob's smiling 5-year-old face in his. She'd offer a cheery, "Hi, Daddy Dave!" Then she'd see my mom in her everyday knock around the house clothes and say, "Mrs. Bullock, I love your shoes!" What a character!

As an introvert, I have always admired how easily Robyn makes friends. I take time to assess people before letting them into my world. That can make it a lonely place. Not Robyn. When we both lived in Omaha, one time she told me she was going out to supper with a gal she'd met in a laundromat. Doing laundry! Take that in. I read and put out my "don't talk to me vibes"!

When our son Patrick lived his brief life in 1991, Robyn was one of the first people to call. Again when my parents passed - all the way from Orlando, she reached out to comfort me. On random birthdays - we'll spend an hour on the phone, laughing and sharing our lives.

Rob hugs Julia

Robyn looks for ways to build others up. She's told me things about myself that I never saw from the inside of this skin. Things that she admires about me. I never knew that when I acted like somewhat of an old lady even when I was young, it was cool. haha That my parenting skills were looked upon positively. That encouragement means the world. Plus she's funny as hell!

Robyn isn't perfect - nobody is. Building everyone else up all the time is hard. We need to support her too. I'm glad she has so many friends and family members who love her as much as I do.

In honor of my friend Robyn, let's all try to be more like her. Verbalize those uplifting things you think about others - right to their faces. Don't be afraid to be vulnerable to others. Laugh and cry together. Life can be messy - we're in it together. Friends make all the difference.

Drinking Problem

I bet that got your attention. I do post a lot of pictures that include alcohol as our weekend activities often include our favorite beverages. I'm don't often drink alcohol during the week, except the occasional Thursday night. That's when we meet folks from Paul's work for "Teambuilding".

My drinking problem is with good 'ol H2O. I don't drink enough of it. Water. I never have. During this past couple weeks, not drinking enough water has taken its toll. I was recovering from an illness and became dehydrated. Now I have a knot in my calf that won't go away. I'm suffering from other things like foot cramps too.Yuck.

I read an article recently that said that women don't hydrate enough - especially as they age. That causes dehydration. Dehydration is the reason many women fall. Two of my dear friends' mothers have fallen in the past year. Those falls have had severe consequences! A broken hip and nerve damage. I feel so badly for my friends' mommas and their families. They are in good hands now as they rehab in good facilities.

I've never been a water drinker. I usually have water available - for just in case! But subconsciously I don't want to drink it up.

• I don't feel thirsty
• Then it will be gone
• I will need to pee
• I'll need to refill my bottle with water that tastes bad

I know, pretty weak! Except for the not thirsty thing. That one is tough. It doesn't seem to be a problem on Friday night during cocktail hour! 

I haven't been working out with my trainer since I got back from Florida - recovering from illness. I'm booked for Monday. This leg thing isn't going to help. I hope the workout helps the leg! Torie, my trainer told me about an "app" I could download on my phone to help remind me to drink water. Today I did that. I'll need to drag a water bottle around more. I try to avoid single-use plastic bottles whenever I can. But bad-tasting water can stop me from drinking water when away from home. 

The app I downloaded is Drink Water. I put in my gender and weight and it figured how much I need to drink. The app reminds me every 45 minutes during my waking hours. We'll see how this goes towards building a good drinking habit! Wish me luck. Sip, sip.

Happy New Year!

It's like opening a present. The year 2016 is a gift perched on the table, dressed up in shiny wrapping paper - with ribbons and bows. It's full of opportunity! I'm excited. More than I have been about a new year for a while.

big hair

Let's take a quick look back at 2015. Not a bad year overall. They go by so quickly now - or has it always been that way, and I just didn't notice? Yeah, that was it. Like my 30's...where did they go? I feel like I missed that decade! When I look at photos from the late '80s to the late '90s, ugh. I know why I'd like to forget. Bad hair, glasses. I digress.

The year 2015 - the highlights revolve around our children of course. Jud asked Kara Whited to marry him - which we happily look forward to on April 23, 2016. They seem to enjoy their lives in St. Louis. Amy has settled in with a fella, Corey Park, and the two of them have adopted a puppy named Franklin. The three of them are moving to Pennsylvania in January for Corey's job. You know what. Seeing your kids lead lives where they navigate the ups and downs successfully - that is satisfying! Of course Mom and Dad still like the opportunity to weigh in with our opinions and back pats and hugs when necessary.

Paul and I both feel so rich when it comes to friendships. That doesn't happen easily - both parties must take time to nurture the relationship. Sometimes it might take a lot of work. Other times, you can lose track of someone and then connect again years later - like finding that long lost Benjamin you hid and rediscovered. Joy!

When I went to college I lost track of several of my high school friends. Oh sure I lived with Sally - and she was a bridesmaid in my wedding. And Robyn and I kept showing up in each other's lives. Some of the others I'd see at class reunions - and we'd have fun catching up, but then off we'd go to our lives, raising kids or working. When our classmate Theresa Faust passed away right around when we all turned 50, several of us talked and decided we should get together in Omaha. I thought it would be fun, but that would be it.

I swear someone said to act goofy in this shot...homegirls

I was wrong! Thanks to Theresa, what happened was a reconnection with the grown up versions of a bunch of girls I didn't really know how much I loved. Now we seem to find ways to get together at least every couple years if not more often. We text each other frequently to say how important this group is to us. And to talk about funny things like anatomical mushrooms.

Though I don't get to see them as frequently, my college pals are as comfy as old shoes too. I can slip them on easily - like when Behrs and Wilts came to a football game in October. Paul too enjoys his pheasant hunting trips to SoDak with college pals.

Creston homies at the lake

I'd be remiss if I didn't mention our Creston pals - people who have hung with us since the '80s and looked past my bad fashions during those years...We had fun biking with Bobbie and Jeff this summer. Okay, I sat on the deck at the bar and made memories that included beer. It sure was fun though. Paul got to go to Lake of the Ozarks this year with Higgins and McKims while I did the Atlantic Homegirl thing, but I vow to plan my trips better in 2016. We got together with Lents and Weis's a couple times too. Our tailgating peeps, Kevin and Kari went all out this year and we had a great time despite our team's less than stellar play. I enjoyed several get-togethers with my bestie Deb - including a couple concerts and my only kayak outing of the year. There are too many others to mention. I love you all.

Deb and me

We are one of those families who actually like each other! Not everyone does....our Florida trip with my sis Cindo and her son Colby is what gets me through Iowa's winter. We were back in Colorado in May and visited Susi and Jim again in Grand Junction - such good hosts. The Goldsmith Golf Trip to Wisconsin is a perfect time to touch base with Paul's sibs - much better than trying to meet in winter months. We hope to see them soon at our nephew Craig's wedding in Iowa City too.

We loved having our own kids home for Thanksgiving. We had a blast and Franklin the puppy terrorized Odie joyfully! Of course we could pass up ended the year in Colorado again without going to Denver to see our Lamm cousins. And then on to Vail, to the Lefebvres even though the cherubs weren't with us. Our friends the Pottorffs hosted a grand Christmas din din as usual. The Sanders family and Frank are like our real friends too by now - after joining the group for seven whole years!

Yes, the rendition of the year is the sugar-coated version. You don't want to hear about doctor's appointments, job stress or the like. We had all that too. Sometimes I feel like we're in one of those old video games - we're all starships and something is shooting at us. Some of us get hit and knocked down. Some are just injured and keep flying. It can be brutal! My goal is to just keep flying in 2016 and to have fun along the way. I will surround myself with friends and family and be the best person I can be. Of course my very best friend will be by my side. #luckygirl.

Best wishes to you in 2016! We hope to see you. Help us open the present.

My double life

My double life - in Creston and Des Moines - I've grown accustomed to it...but it's still hard to leave home each week. Tonight I had to drive up to Waukee (it's Sunday) for an early a.m. trip to Dubuque tomorrow. I already miss Paul, Odie, my homegirls, my house. Sadly, I'm not sure I'd be happy living full time in Creston any more. The truth is - I'm spoiled by the bright lights of the big city. Or should I say the amenities of living here. And the fact that my life's work is here.

Amy's 26th birthday is Friday. So that means come this November, we will have lived in Creston 25 years. It's so comfy - like a great pair of shoes you can slip on, and your feet go, "AH..." I can get to where I'm going in five minutes. No nasty traffic to slow me down, unless you factor in trains, causing me to re-route.

I see people I know where ever I go in town, and I know their stories. They know mine. They ask about the kids. I have status (or a reputation - put it that way) in Creston. We can shop in stores and take things with us to "try out" like samples of products from furniture stores and cabinet and counter tops etc. In Des Moines you have to sign away your first born (and she's almost 26!) when you take a sample from a big box store.

And our friends. What can I say about them? We've known some of them for nearly all of those 25 years. They have seen us through the fun times and some sad stuff too. Sober, and the other end of the spectrum - in a ditch, relieving myself of excesses (puking). And they still like me! (Or they fake it pretty darn well). We know each other so well that we can almost speak in code. Lois, curlers. And everyone knows who I mean. So very comfy.

But when I get to Des Moines, I enjoy all the choices of life here - shopping, restaurants, movies. Too bad I have no friends - besides Joan, who like me seems exhausted by her work schedule and doesn't do much during the week besides work and a bit a shopping. The logistics of life in the big city do take more effort - precluding a lot of running around like you can do in Creston.

It's hard to believe that December will mark 3 years that I've been living with Joan.  For now anyway, I will continue to enjoy my double life - with perks in both towns.

Warms my heart

I posted something about Patrick's birthday on my Facebook status. His name and that it was his birthday RIP. Friends and family took time to post something. I know it's just stupid FB, but it brings tears to my eyes when I think about it.

Some of the people that posted are the people that helped when Patrick was diagnosed. Nancy Groth and Kenton helped drive us back and forth. Mendy helped watch the kids. Other people like Peg and Connie just said prayers.

And of course the family. My sis Cindo sends a real card every year - snail mail! That is love. Bets and Wayne loaned us money - because back then, we decided we wanted to try again to have another child. It didn't quite work out that way. But I'm convinced it's just another step we needed to go through to get through that ordeal.

Sometimes I feel like nobody else remembers Patrick - except Paul and Amy. Jud was so little that he doesn't even remember it happening. I think everyone else has forgotten our little bundle of joy that turned into the most difficult thing I've ever gone through. Now I know - they haven't. They just don't know what/when to say something. And face it, dead babies aren't something people bring up a lot. I get that.

I'm feeling a little weepy about Patrick this year. Good thing I have all those friends to prop me up.

While I was away...

Alright I wasn't really away - I just don't have my Dell. Anyhoo, this week I got together with Robbie Dob. She was in DSM after a visit with her mommy and step pop in Atown. We got together for lunch Tuesday near her motel. Of course it wasn't really a long enough time to talk!

You may recall Robbie Dob is a childhood friend - we're talking the Wayback Machine (remember that on the Bullwinkle show?). We've known each other for some 48 years or so. Gosh that sounds downright elderly! Oh well we wear it well!

Robyn spent a few days with her mom and Tom, who are getting on in years. Jeez they're some of the few parents left of the 'ol gang. They've been married so long I don't always remember that their marriage caused somewhat of a scandal as two marriages broke up back when few people divorced.

The divorce was very hard on Robyn who was around 13 at the time and Karla who is 4 years older. It must have sucked to be dragged from the home they grew up in to live an apartment with their mom and Tom. Their dad got his own place and never remarried.

The divorce caused lots of hard feelings with our parents (the Atlantic peeps) who all took sides. I don't think my mom spoke to Jody for years. This turned out to be convenient when I was in high school, as I could tell Mom and Dad I was staying all night with Robyn when I really meant Sally's BF Robin (along with Sal and my BF Mike). I knew Mom wasn't calling Robyn's house to check up on me if it meant perhaps speaking to Jody!

The marriage between Jody and Tom really seemed to work though. And after years went by, people forgave and forgot. They were again accepted by everyone at "the Club". I think if that had all happened today, people would have gotten over it much more quickly.

Even so, Robyn did well to adjust to her new life. She split time between her mom's fab homes in rural Atown, and her dad's upstairs apartment (he had Playboy - we peeked). Her dad had the life he wanted I think - girlfriends but no wife. Stepdad Tom had his own fam - who moved away to the East Coast when their mother remarried, but one daughter came back to Atown during high school. Rob is close to them all today.

Tom was one of my Dad's oldest friends. He called dad "Bullock". They went fishing nearly every year - even when they turned into the "Grumpiest Old Men". Tom was a pilot and the last time they went to Canada he didn't file a flight plan and security rushed out the greet the plane - but it was just a few old guys and they let 'em go!

So Rob and I had lunch and a couple hugs - it will need to be enough to tide me over. Remind me to tell you about her Match.com experience - it's a hoot! I value her friendship a great deal. I'm a lucky gal!