No Time

"They" always say that as you get, shall we say, more mature, that time seems to lag.  But for me, one minute it is Tuesday and the next it is the weekend.  I don't know where the time goes. I don't know what we are doing that seems to make the time fly.  I cannot figure out why we are so busy when we are here in retirement land.  But time flies, the days whiz by and sometimes, just sometimes, I wonder how.

I signed up for a book class at a scrapbook store on a whim.  The class description led me to believe that we would be using several tools that I own, but had not really played with.  This, I thought, would force me to use them and become comfortable with them.  What did I learn in this class?  I learned the difference between scrapbooking classes and workshops.  The project was a book made with clear acrylic covers and a variety of different pages. It was a nice little book.  The class kit was thick with materials, but everything was done for us.  All the pages had been cut to size, folded, punched, scored or whatever else they required.  We pasted some things to other things and collated the pages which were ready for binding. The instructor, who was really a nice young woman, did the coils for us.  Everyone's book was exactly the same, which is okay sometimes, but this required no thought, no skill and no design decisions on our part at all.  I came home with a cute (and I emphasize the word "cute") little finished book, but the class taught nothing.  I didn't even get my hands dirty. I really miss the more in-depth classes I took in Los Angeles.

I received an e-mail from the current yearbook editor at Burbank High School in CA.  The school is celebrating its 100 year anniversary.  She is contacting all the previous yearbook editors and asking us to fill out a questionnaire on our experiences back in the day.  I didn't think I would remember anything of interest, but as I began answering the questions, memories of high school came flooding back.

Since my daughter keeps sending me CDs of old slides from my childhood and young adulthood, my head is spinning with memories.  Add to that that I have John right here to add his impressions and memories of the kids we knew in common and the teachers and classes we shared.  For those of you who are new to this blog, John and I have known each other since we were kids.  We dated off and on in high school.  We were always friends when we were kids, but did not see each other for decades and then reunited and married three years ago.

Also because of the 100 year celebration, an excellent e-mail loop has been maintained by Pam and Jon Kirkwood for BHS alumni.  As I read it, I am reminded of old classmates that I hadn't thought of for years.

Above is my before-my-date-picked-me-up prom photo.  Below is a graduation night photo of me and my then boyfriend, Bill on the left and our friend, Ricky on the right.

Please note the dyed to match pink satin heels and the precious tiara in my prom photo.  Who ever thought that was a fashion must?  And the wallpaper in my parents house.  Yikes!  

I don't know what Bill and Ricky ended up doing in their lives, but as I look at our smiling fresh faces looking out into the future, I wonder what we thought our lives would be.  Certainly I never thought I would travel to other countries or live in as many places as I did.  I never thought about owning a store or marrying twice or being a grandmother.  I never thought about being as old as I am now.  I never thought I would be writing this blog on a computer (!) and sharing my thoughts and photos with people I have never met from all over the world.  I always thought I was lucky, but I have been luckier than I ever imagined.  I always thought I would be happy, but I never realized what things or which people would generate that happiness.

I guess that is another thing about time.  It passes so quickly and we don't realize which moment may become an important memory.  

Comments

[Judy Wise]

Wonderful post; I think I remember that wallpaper! Love the photos.

[TACE]

I have heard a theory before that time is actually speeding up. Maybe.... Or maybe as we get older we perceive time, and it's passing differently than when we were younger. It's a dang weird thing. Sometimes I will say slowly, and with great care "I have been in California for 7 years" YEARS. YEEEEEEEEAAAAARRRRS. How can YEARS go by? But then, I look at my husband and say, how can it be ONLY 7 years??? Time is weird.
Very interesting blog! Your prom photo is cool, verrrrrry fancy dress!

[Dot McQuade]

I agree... I think time has sped (is that a word?!!) up for me too. I never quite have the time to do what it is i think i need to do.

I have taken classes like the one you mentioned and was disappointed too that we weren't able to make our thing to be truly our own.

I love your prom picture and your graduation one as well!! They're great! And I love the tiara!

On a side note... while beginning my cruise to Alaska there was a China boat bringing in things to the US in Seattle.... I took a picture of it....

Take care!
dot

[Priya]

"Which moment becomes a important memory" --- I think this sentence captures what I feel. Lovely post and lovlier are the pics from the past. Priya

[Rachel Greig]

Ginny - you inspire me: to look forward to my own retirement! Stew & I always say that we will still be busy whether we work or not! There's way to much fun to be had!

Good on you both!

[Davinia]

Your time couldn't possibly be flying by as fast as the time here in 'down under' land. One minute I was 18 and a couple of blinks later I'm fast approaching retirement. Now about that wallpaper.......I think it looks great!!! and tiaras are all the go now anyway. Fashion just gets recycled. I've been reading your blog for awhile now and never thought to leave a comment....along with losing time I think I'm losing some of my senses!!!!!

[andrea]

TIME. What about the idea that it isn't linear after all?
Somewhere, in another dimension, young Ginny is getting ready for the Prom all again. Ground Hog Day! (Although I don't understand it, people like Stephen Hawking say it might be true.)
I've been to the same kind of workshops and felt the same too. I think it's time you did one for the rest of us, please!
PS I think the gloves were the best part of the ensemble. Very Jackie O.

[andrea]

TIME. What about the idea that it isn't linear after all?
Somewhere, in another dimension, young Ginny is getting ready for the Prom all again. Ground Hog Day! (Although I don't understand it, people like Stephen Hawking say it might be true.)
I've been to the same kind of workshops and felt the same too. I think it's time you did one for the rest of us, please!
PS I think the gloves were the best part of the ensemble. Very Jackie O.

[Maija Lepore]

What great memories! You are so darling in your photos. It's a great love when decades pass and true love finds itsalef again!

[NotSoccer Mom]

oh that dress is to die for! i love it! i bet you loved wearing it.
what you say about time is oh so true. you never would guess what you'd be doing, you never know what will become important. love this post.

[Toni]

I didn't get far in reading when I saw 'Burbank HS-100 yrs' and though my mom is now gone, she attended and graduated from BHS, I believe it was the Class of 1929. She was 17 at the time. I think she was in sports, etc.. but it, of course, was many moons ago. I wonder if there's ever a way to find any photos from her time there?!

[Michi, Orange County, CA]

Hi Ginny!
I LOVE seeing your prom picture!!!! What a lovely fairy princess you are in that photo!!! It was also nice to tour LA with you via the blog . . . my family and retired teacher buddies are talking about touring LA now and then!!!
What fun!!!!