MAIL CALL
(oops......no one responded since the last NEWSLETTER a month ago posted on 2/22/15)
CONTACT INFORMATION
I am working on updating the information on our class spreadsheet. The last full update was when the committee was working on our 45th reunion that was held in 2013. If you have moved, retired, dropped your “landline”, remarried and changed names, spouses' deaths, changed e-mail address, AND, AND, AND since 2012, make sure I have those changes. If you can't remember if you sent them, send them AGAIN just in case. Thanks.
NEWS FROM THE HOMEFRONT
It seems that I must be having the same type of month you all are having. Not much to report here. Too much yucky weather days!
My Dad is doing well and is looking forward to his 99th birthday next month. My sister stayed with me for 5 days recently. I carted her around all over the creation keeping her busy. We visited some cousins she hasn't seen in 15-20 years. Murphy and I kept our youngest granddaughter, fourth grader Drew, for her spring break from school last week. She keeps us on our toes! This weekend we will have a family gathering in Fulshear, TX to celebrate spring and a house warming for my brother's daughter. It is going to be a huge crawfish boil. I've never been to Fulshear, right next to Katy, but classmates Robert (Bob) Sandoval and Linda (Olivier) and Rex Meyer live there. I drove to Friendswood and spent the day with my brother. His family was gone and we spent a quality day together.
We have been watching MLB spring training games and looking forward to the season starting in April. I know many of your grandchildren are involved in sports and that keeps you hopping. Our two granddaughters play soccer and practice and train in Beaumont but play almost all of their games and tournaments in ATASCOCITA on the weekends.
I was at the GULF COAST MUSEUM of SE TX in downtown PA this week to pick up a painting I purchased from an art showing honoring local artist, Doug Jackson. While waiting, I saw Mrs. Lavern McMillan behind the desk at the gift shop. As it worked out, we had a long visit and I thoroughly enjoyed our talk. She definitely remembered classmates Paul and Lynn Martin because they were her next door neighbors. She recalled many other classmates and said that she had received our invitations and was sorry she didn't make the last two reunions. Principal Charles McBee even called her after our reunion in 2008, our Hawaiian Luau, and said he had a “great time.” She meant to come to our last one, but just didn't. I told her that I didn't have her as a math teacher since she was the HEAD of the MATH department then and probably taught all the SMART classes. She reassured me that she taught where she was needed including CONSUMER MATH! Now, we're talking!
Our recent doctor visits have been good. I had a biopsy that was benign, thank heavens. I think we just have the same aches and pains that many have in their 60's. We are so thankful we are not having major issues as so many classmates have had to go through. Please keep me posted so I can include any health or personal issues I could include in future updates.
SUPPORT
from Christi Kirkland Havens in Port Arthur
Thanks everyone for the well wishes for my cataract surgery yesterday. I got the patch off today & although there's still some swelling, that should be better in 2 or 3 days. The hardest thing of all is the restriction of not lifting anything over 5 lbs. for a week......which means I can't lift my cats!! Of course as soon as I sit down at least 1 of the 4 jumps into my lap! Pets are wonderful.
(Christi will have the other eye done in a few weeks.)
6018 15th Street
Port Arthur, TX 77642
ckhavens@gt.rr.com
from Donnie DeLee in San Antonio
I'm still living in San Antonio and doing pretty good. I'm no longer on dialysis, in fact I have been downgraded to stage three. I had rough time after a simple stent operation when I had a pulmonary edema after the surgery and spent 2.5 months in hospital and rehab centers. I'm fine now.
(Donnie has a service dog (Sparky) that he uses to help with his health issues.)
100 Lorenz Rd
San Antonio, TX 78209
dondelee@gmail.com
from Cheryl Robinson Jones in Vidor
(after a fall and having to stay at the hospital)
Finally, I am home, and this time, hopefully, to stay for more than just a few days. Evidently I was VERY concussed from that hasty fall. I'll admit, it was a bad one, and I swear I could hear my head when it hit the asphalt! I'm still having trouble typing, and yes, the "floatie" is still definitely in my eye. But both are getting better, along with the swelling. I can keep my eye open, now, though, and that's progress! Thanks to all of you for your thoughts and prayers. I am so blessed to have such wonderful friends.
Love to all of you.
795 West Davis Loop
Vidor, TX 77662
cjones49@gt.rr.com
Miss Nancy McClain, pe teacher, has been having several medical issues.
bkmac@gt.rr.com
CONDOLENCES
(I received a note from David Salter in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on Feb. 28)
It is with much sadness that I am emailing to let you that my sister Bev, and I lost our dear mom, Jean Salter, yesterday afternoon. She spent her last few months in a dementia care center in the Fort Worth area near Bev and Dave. She still knew us, but I believe the Lord allowed the dementia effects to lessen the painful memory of our losing Dad one year and one week prior to her passing. Bev, my wife Lana and I were there for her final hours as a beautiful snow fell outside blanketing the Fort Worth area. Despite the void in our lives, we are greatly comforted to know that Momma is in her Lord's presence and joined with Dad...who once again patiently waited on her. I so look forward to seeing them again! I'm sure the "Lovebirds" (as they were called in their independent living center) are now strolling...or even skipping...around together hand in hand with big smiles on their faces again. God is so good!!
Mom had a special heart towards my T. J. family. When I would read to her from the newsletter or tell her of visits with classmates and Aldersgate buddies, she'd say, "Will you tell those kids hi for me." So in fulfilling her request, I say, "Hello and blessings to you from Jean! Knowing so many of you brought her joy."
11517 Way Cross Dr.
Oklahoma City, OK 73162
desalter@sbcglobal.net
As previously reported, Sharon Lewis Forrest's husband passed away two days after Thanksgiving. He was recently honored for his service to his country by being interred in the Arlington Memorial Cemetery in Virginia.
207 Scarlet Ridge Dr.
Boerne, TX 78006
sharonaforrest@yahoo.com
I apologize for the lack of “newsie” items in this update. Maybe since SPRING has sprung and we start to head out on a few outings, I will begin to get a little more information from you.
Stay in touch and contact a classmate,
Linda DeCuir McFadden
lindadmcfadden@yahoo.com
www.tjhs1968.com