MERLIN PULLED A DISAPPEARING ACT! - NEW CAT/New boyfriend (Freudian?) - May & June 1988 #thisisKandJ

Here are pics of my apartment with my kitty cat, Tisha.

(2022 comment - I had two cats. They looked a lot alike but Merlin was a menace, chewed all my Nine West shoes... he disappeared one day... Yes - Merlin did a disappearing act!

and shortly thereafter, I found Tisha at a grocery store and kept her til Andrew was 3 or 4 years old. She was very sweet.)

JUNE 2, 1988

Thursday

Dear Ann:

Congratulations! I can’t believe you’re getting married! Is this the girl who said she’d NEVER get married to Tom? What changed? Just the fact that you were apart… how romantic! How are his religious views these days? Have they changed, or does it matter now, or what? Write me details soon! I can’t wait to hear it all! Tell how he asked you, etc.

Well, I have some great news too! I got a new job! Just today I gave my notice. I will start work on June 13 at Blockbuster Video Corporation.

I was hired in a secretary position to move onward and upward into something more. It’s exactly for me! Nothing could be more perfect. I will actually be paid to view movies from time to time. I will be doing a lot of answering phones, computer data, etc, but all employees there help view movies. Can you imagine ME getting paid for watching movies? Hard to believe! I’m so excited I can’t see straight!

It was harder giving my notice than I expected. (I have worked here for six year and have developed some close friendships.) Jane (you know, the older lady that works by me?) started crying when I told Vicki. And VICKI! - when I told her I'm giving her a two week notice as of today, she (rather forcefully) slammed her forehead on the desk and said “Oh no, Janie!” You know, though that made me cry and feel bad also, it makes me feel really good! To know that I will actually be missed is a great feeling. Jane told me that if it was anybody else, it would be fine to her, but not me! Isn’t that the sweetest thing to say? She said I always put her in a good mood! (this was Jane.) Ann, you don’t know how much that means to me. It really makes me feel appreciated. I’ll write later after I’ve been at the job for a couple of weeks and tell you how it’s going.

To catch up on my love life... This Keith is a head scratcher and maybe?? something more?

MAY 22, 1988 (Sunday)

Our “group” was leaving Sunday night church and Keith said “I wanna go see a movie… who wants to go?” I said “Sure” w/o knowing what movie we were going to see – Turned out only Keith and I went.

We saw “Willow.” I acted scared a few times (one of my old moves, yes - girls have 'em) and so... I put my arm through his.. for (cough cough) comfort.. hee hee

May 23, 1988

I took the next day off and he and I hung out all day. We went to Lake Ray Hubbard - hiked, had lunch together. He had told me that he had the day off, so I called in sick.. I had to figure out my feelings for him..

(2022 comment - this was the first time I ever heard "Look at the country girls" and "We're on an enchanted journey thru the woods." - Still inside jokes w/our family to this day.)

May 25, 1988 (The ASKING for a date in a sneaky way)

- Wednesday Night - Keith and I had dinner at Judge Roy Bean’s before my church choir. I honestly don’t know if he paid or not… We began talking about how hard it is to date and especially for guys to ask girls out.

Our conversation went something like this..

“Well, if it’s so hard asking girls out, practice on me!”

“Will you go out with me?”

“YES!” (with an “I’ve GOTCHA” kind of look)

Keith - “OH!” - and he was silent and contemplative for a bit

This was at the end of our dinner… so then we walked out. When he got in his truck, he was backing out and I was still in the parking lot. Then he bewilderedly asked “Do we have a date for Tuesday?” And I smiled like that ole’ Cheshire cat and said “We do!” - Not so sure I’ve ever been so proud of myself!!

May 31, 1988

(from a letter to Ann)

As far as my love life goes, a guy at church, Keith and I went out Tuesday night. We have been running around a lot lately. We went to see Dominick and Eugene (such a good movie.) When we came out of the movies, he gave me some carnations and roses. They were hidden in the back of his truck seat. (yes, another truck driver… Tracy, Barry, etc.) I don’t know how I feel about him, he’s really neat and wonderful to talk to, but I’m not really flipped over him or anything. To tell you the truth, ONE real big change in my life is enough. I don’t think I’m ready for a new relationship AND a new job. (Oh, Jim called me again from London.) Keith IS a good kisser though. I was quite surprised…

One weird thing Keith said after giving me the thoughtful flowers… “Well, I did that for Leslie (meaning giving her flowers) - so I thought I’d do the same for you.” Deflated a bit - but it was still nice.

Friday, June 3, 1988

Keith called last night to make sure everything went alright with telling Vicki about my new job. He really is a very sweet person.

Saturday night he’s having a few people over to watch Monty Python and the Holy Grail. That should be fun. I’ll see how I feel more, then.

This is just a short letter. I want to mail it to you today.

Again, I’m excited for you and I truly want to do everything in my power to come! With starting a new job, I may only be able to come for the weekend. We’ll write to each other much more than that! Write a long one!

Love ya

Janie