We Are the World 25

Very true that I couldn't name most of them, Miss Cellania, but I can name all of these. I want my MTV...

WE ARE THE WORLD @ Yahoo! Video

If you can't name them all click here for the details.

Success!

Saturday, we held a benefit for an ill classmate and made almost $8,000 selling raffle tickets, baked goods, barbeque links and smoked boudain links. Pictures below.

Did you know that when the sausage links are being grilled, they sometimes split open? Did you also know that those split sausages go into a separate "junk" pan and cannot be sold as a "link on a bun?" And, did you know that those split sausage links are delicious little gifts from the gods and that tasting one will make you want to slap your momma? I am now obsessed with juicy, split, "junk" sausage links. Just what I need...another food obsession.

Note to all 1974 graduates of Thomas Jefferson High School in Port Arthur, Texas: we're looking for you. Click on the flier below for information on how to contact Karin Shepherd with your information.

That's me in the front in the red coat. I was initially kneeling down and it took about five of those people to help me up. My 54 year old knees, cold weather, twenty extra pounds and three layers of clothes conspired with gravity to hold me down. One of the beautiful things about hanging out with people who are exactly the same age as you is that everyone could relate to my dilemma and they were proud of my courage for attempting to kneel down in the first place.

Me, Duane and Megan laughing at god knows what. We laughed all day.



Favorite stories of the day:

Differences between mothers and fathers
Randy told us that he's always had a hard time convincing his children that he was "hot" in high school. That's what dads do. They try to convince their kids they used to be "hot."

Moms on the other hand work hard trying to convince their kids that they absolutely, positively did not "make out" with anybody under the football stands and certainly didn't speak to the people who smoked dope in the empty field across the street from the school. Moms also never snuck into bars, drank alcohol while under age or made illegal u-turns while cruising "the drag."

Making money while "working the street"
Occasionally while holding their signs (see picture above) and trying to lure people to our tasty goods, drivers would stop and hand money to our sign holders. Margaret was very excited about the $3 someone handed her from a car window. Shortly after Margaret's wonderful $3 moment though, Randy came up to us flashing a five dollar bill.

Margaret still isn't buying it. She maintains that he paid somebody $10 to give him $5. "So, it's a wash," she says. That's her story and she's sticking to it. Nobody works the street like the women of the Class of '74. Especially not the MEN of the Class of '74.

Even we have more sense than that
Shortly after two of our classmates took the signs and headed to the street, they started walking back toward the tents.

"HEY! No way," I said. "Get back out there. It's not that cold, you bunch of old timers."

"Well," one of them said, "We decided it wasn't a good idea to hold our signs up and shout at the funeral procession."

I looked at the street just in time to see the hearse pass by.

Yep, Class of '74. We're a class act.

Dad and Gabby

Tonight, I received this amazing e-mail from a student that dad taught and befriended at Hughen School in Port Arthur:

Dear Laurie,

I just learned from a friend of mine about the passing of your dad a couple of weeks ago, and I wanted to express my condolences and sympathy for you and your family. I know that a great man like him is being greatly missed.

My name is Gabriel.....aka...your dad knew me as Gabby.

I am a former student of The Hughen School where I had the pleasure of knowing your dad from 1974 - 1983 when I graduated from High School and moved away to college. I was the first student to take swimming lessons from your dad when he first started the classes there, and kept attending the weekly two-hour swimming time every time he'd show up even after I had already learned to swim just because I really enjoyed "hanging out" with him.

Looking back on those years I can recollect the times when he always would do tricks and jokes to keep us laughing, while at the same time he would be teaching us not to be afraid of the water and swim...but most importantly he also taught us not to be afraid of trying new things, and to never give up even though we had the odds stacked against us just because we were supposed to be "handicapped".

And so I wanted to share with you the fact that I give a lot of credit to the success in my life to some of the lessons I learned from your dad during the times that I had the pleasure of being with him.

At the Hughen School we used to have a Drama Club where we would put on a full production play twice a year. It was in one of those plays that one time I had the honor of acting the role of a clown....and I remember your dad showing up for our two performances (Friday after noon & Saturday night) one hour before curtain time just to help me put on my clown make-up....and such is the memory I hold of your dad as the picture I am attaching with this e-mail to share with you and his days at the Hughen School.

That was the Mr. Red I honor in this message.

My sincere love to you and your family.

Gabby..... :-D

If you would like to find out more about Gabby you can visit:
Click here (online version of Gabby's book)
Click here (http://www.ifican-youcan.com/)
Click here (http://www.smilemyway.com/)
Click here (http://www.successfulcourage.com/)

Things I've Been Doing Lately...

(Click links under pictures for slideshows.)

Spindletop Spin Rest Stop Commander and Fearless Leader

My Niece Katie's Graduation

Co-Commander in Chief of 35 Year Class Reunion

Benefit for My Cousins

My cousins Alan and David (they're brothers) have both been recently diagnosed with cancer. David's son and some former classmates are putting on a benefit for them this Sunday. They were both big skateboarders and surfers back in the day, so it's really cool that the organizers have even put together a skateboard contest.

Thanks to everyone who has helped with this and I look forward to seeing everyone there. Details below...

February 8, 2009 from 1pm to 5pm
Fast Freddy's Barbeque (click here for map)
Corner of Highway 366 and 32nd St.
Groves, Texas
Contact Info: 409-351-1155
Organized By: Dylan Hebert

Live music and skateboard contest. Links and drinks $3.00. Come join us at Fast Freddies to raise money for David and Alan, brothers who have been diagnosed with cancer. There will also be an antique sale. All money raised will help with medical expenses. Donations would be greatly appreciated. If you would like to make a donation please contact Ken LaGrappe at 409-351-1155 or Connie Nicholas LaGrappe at 409-727-3286.

Blayne's World...Party Time...Excellent

Me and Blayne

Last weekend was Relay for Life and our team, Blayne's World, raised $3,625.60 for the American Cancer Society. Thanks to everyone who donated. If there's a Relay for Life near you (I bet there is), you should participate. It's an amazing experience. Click here to read more about Blayne.

Contribute to Blayne's Relay for Life Team

Last year, my friend Jennifer and her family had to deal with the unthinkable: their son and brother Blayne was diagnosed with cancer. Blayne is 4 years old and was diagnosed with Rhabdomyosarcoma on June 21, 2007. Blayne then underwent 6 months of chemotherapy and is currently cancer free.

His mom has organized a Relay for Life team to raise money for cancer research, supplies and support for cancer patients. To donate to our team, Blayne's World, and read about Relay for Life, you can click on the title or click here.

Here are some pictures of Blayne and, yes, he is as delightful, mischievous and fun as he appears in these pics.

Click here to donate to Blayne's Relay for Life team,

Blayne's World

Toys for Troops

My blogging friend Gnight Girl has a son in Iraq. About a month ago, she did a post saying that her son requested toys be sent in the packages she was sending to him because the Iraqi kids love them. They especially like soccer balls and Beanie Babies.

Since that original post, the Toys for Troops project has taken on a life of its own. Click here to read more and send some toys to the troops.