CHEERS & SEPTEMBER FIREWORKS - 1985 Pt. 1

SEPTEMBER 3, 1985

Tuesday

OH! I had a good Labor Day weekend! Incredibly eventful!!

Starting with Friday night.

FRIDAY - I went to my Sunday School party at Melinda Prope’s house. It was SO much fun! We went there (I rode with Richard and Bea Knagg.) This was the best part of Labor Day weekend. I felt like I was at a party with the cast of The Big Chill. Everyone was SO open and we sat around until about 2:30 a.m. and talked about our lives. It was really great! I didn’t even really know anyone but two people (Melinda and Bea, and possibly Richard) and ended up knowing all extremely well and the same with me! I like that. (2021 comment - This must be when I first met Bill and Diana Lawson and… Cheryl and Steve Knagg… Melinda and Bea were in Axe Choir with me and we had become quickly close. We were all in the Pairs and Spares class taught by Richard Knagg.)

SATURDAY - I woke up, had breakfast at Denny’s with Robert (while my car was being inspected) and then I drove down to the cabin where Barbara, Bryant, Mom and Dad and the kids were waiting. I spent the night (played a lot of Trivial Pursuit) then drove back about 1:00 p.m. Sunday.

SUNDAY - I got home, took a quick nap and shower, just in time for Kevin, Eric and Robert to come over to go see the fireworks show on the Trinity that was sponsored by KVIL Radio and Coor’s beer. It was a blast! The best fireworks ever! Beforehand, the Dallas Jazz Orchestra, Boyfriend and Ray Wylie Hubbard played. It was really fun!

SEPTEMBER 6, 1985

Friday

Last night Randall came over. You know, I try to figure him out and then I realize that I’ve always known him, how he’s going to act, etc. He’s been saying things about me getting together with him and going boating, etc. this weekend. Of course, I can’t Saturday because I’ll be at Six Flags with B.C., Barb and the three kids. But, he said Sunday is fine. So I said how about 1:30 or 2:00 (give me time to go to church and visit Nana) and then he said “Well, tentatively.” And then I said “Oh, of course, always tentatively. It made me a little mad. He’s always been the same. He doesn’t like to make any commitments that he can’t get out of, so he doesn’t make any promises/plans. Well, I guess that’s better than breaking promises, but sometimes it seems like a copout to me.

I really need to let him know that I’m dating other people. It never hurts for a guy to be on his toes, but I don’t know how to go about it. I want to keep things the way they are. But, I feel he thinks I spend all my time with Kevin, Robert and Keith, but I don’t. In fact, sometimes I go all weekend without seeing them. It makes things a little more complicated since we were so close August 17. He refers to things like that now all the time whereas he never did before. I admit I am VERY attracted to him.

I just talked a lot to Terry and Eunice (lunch bunch) and they both said something that truly makes sense. There’s more important things than having dancing and the same types of music in common. Randall and I agree politically, religiously, socially, etc. Our values are the same. That’s incredibly important. Maybe, I’ve been viewing our relationship totally wrong. I DO know that he makes my heels click or toes curl (whichever you prefer.) Oh, I feel really confused, I’ll probably go out with Arnold and have such a good time, that I’ll be ready to drop Randall again. I’m a rather complicated person these days.

SEPTEMBER 10, 1985

Tuesday

Well, I’m partly right. Had another great time with Arnold! And, it’s making me seriously think about calling it off with Randall. Not that Arnold and I are becoming an item, we’re definitely not, but I really see no reason in keeping it going with Randall. I do enjoy his company and not only as a friend; I’m quite a bit attracted to him, even though I don’t know why. He’s the type of guy that doesn’t really look sexy or anything, but he acts it. If you know what I mean. But that’s not enough for a steady relationship. Of course, I admire Randall’s integrity, self-confidence (boom) and all the other secure qualities he attributes. He’s very admirable. Well, anyway, I’ll have him over this Thursday night and then I’ll tell him that he’s still welcome to come over Thursday nights, but starting next week is the new season of NBC shows (Bill Cosby, Family Ties, Cheers, Night court) and then at 9:00 on CBS is Knots Landing. These are my favorite shows and I don’t miss them except at reruns. So, if he’s willing to watch these regularly, he can come over, otherwise, he’s gonna have to find another time to see me.

Well, I’ll tell you about my weekend.

FRIDAY - Arnold came by and picked me up about 6:45 p.m. We ventured out to Arlington to see the Rangers play the Chicago White Sox. The best part was the Famous Chicken. (That’s the main reason we went.) I admit, though, for never seeing a baseball game, I enjoyed it. I’ve never seen one on tv. I hollered quite a few times rooting for the Rangers all the way, even when I knew they were doomed. Arnold, being from Peoria, thought the Rangers were funny, though, I admit, when the Rangers had a good play, he’d clap (he appreciates good plays, no matter who the team is.)

Anyway, afterwards, we rode back with the top down and had fun. We got back to Dallas and went to Dave & Buster’s. That place is fun. It’s a kiddy place for adults. I mean, it’s all arcade stuff, video games, horse races, skeet ball, etc. It’s a lot of fun and I know Arnold spent a lot of money. I LOVED the horse races. I came in third a lot of times (out of about 20 horses) and Arnold was behind me, and then, all of a sudden, at the last race, he won the race. I was excited for him.

Later, when he brought me home, I invited him in and we visited until about 3:00 a.m. We had a lot of fun talking.

SATURDAY - I went to Bryant’s house about 8:30 ready to go to Six Flags with Barbara, he and the kids. The kids were wonderful without hardly any fuss. They were so brave about riding the rides, etc. Bryant and Margaret rode all bi rides (everything I rode.) Laura would have ridden more, but she’s too small. We all had a great time.

SUNDAY - Not much happened. After church, I went by Mom and Dad’s house and we went to see Nana in the nursing home. She was just entered Saturday. Then we went to an art show and out to eat at Michelino’s.

I just talked to Mary. It never fails when I talk to her, she cries. Their problems have not diminished at all. John is not willing to stay together. He still speaks very fatalistic about their marriage. I don’t know really what to say to her, so I just listen. I think she appreciates that though.

Again, it makes me glad I’m not getting married. Mary told me statistics proved that even second marriages have only a 42% success rate. I thought it was a much higher margin. That shocked me. It’s just horrible. I’m going to stay level-headed about my relationships and not settle with any certain person. I think that’s the wise thing to do.

I’m not (even though I’ve been thinking about it strongly) going to call it off completely with Randall. Why do it? I’m just having a good time. It’s also healthier for my semi-relationship with Arnold. It will keep me from getting too serious with any one person.

I’ve been thinking about just calling Carl to see how he's doing. He may be married or about to be. But, I’d just like to say Hello!