NEW YEAR/ MOONSTRUCK IN JAN-FEB -1988

January 18, 1988

(Monday)

Quite a bit has gone on. Darren quit Chili’s and I assume he’s in Austin. I was shocked! He called me for about five days from New Year’s Eve on, but I couldn’t return his call because his line (at home) was disconnected. I don’t know whether he knew it or not; he kept calling ME from work. Until he quit. I found that out when LouAnn called me during the ice days. (We were off for two days.) Oh, I guess you don’t know. We had pretty bad ice junk the week after New Year’s. I stayed home Thursday, Friday, Saturday AND Sunday. I didn’t venture out again until Monday morning for work.

I have a new car now and didn’t want to risk it. I have a bright red, Buick Skyhawk. I really like it! It’s very sporty and has hidden headlights - you know, the kind that pop up only at night. All I’ve had in the past have been Buick luxury cars, Regals, etc.

(THIS is the closest I could get to a pic of it, but it looked better than this... this looks like a NOW pic of 1987 car...)

Catching up for New year (an excerpt from August 1987 previous journal–)

“I’ve been doing a lot of running around with church people. Louis and a guy, Keith (whom you may have never heard of before) are great. Keith is around more than he used to be. He is neat and all, but not the same interests as Louis. Louis and I are cut from the same “interests” cloth.

(2022 comment - I used to say if you put Louis and my brains in the same jar, they would be compatible for life.. - u know what I mean.. ha)

One time in Louis’ apartment in Ft. Worth/Arlington? He, out of the blue, said “Have you ever thought about dating Keith Wallick?” I was disappointed and said “NO!” But the seed had been planted..

January 20, 1988

(Wednesday)

Christmas was okay, I guess. Darren gave me diamond earrings and perfume, and that’s the last I’ve seen of him. I tried to get in touch with him last night; I put a note on his apartment door for him or any of his roommates (one being his brother.) - (2022 - I still have those earrings. They were basically diamond dust (1% real? - anyway, they’re still pretty. weird last time I ever saw him, he gave me jewelry)

January 8 was Randall’s and my 5th anniversary. Fifth anniversary of when we met at Adda’s PJ party. (2022 - Actually, it was January 17. I think all this time I’ve said Randall and I dated off and on for 7 years… well, it looks like it was more like 6 years)

We had a good day. That was one of the days I was off work for ice. Randall managed to make it over and he stayed from noon until 2:00 a.m. and spent the night with Barry. Randall lives out at Lake Ray Hubbard and didn’t want to venture back home until the next day. We’ve been going out but I've been adamant about not being kissy, kissy (you know how he’s been in the past.) But this day being our anniversary and all… well… I’m not as strong as I should be. Though, it was all my idea. Why not? We haven’t gone out since, but I’m not calling him. I’m not at all aggravated, our anniversary is just over and I’m going back to my convictions. I know I’m as wishy washy as they come. But I try to be interesting!!

I am running around with my Flying Solo class blended with Sherri, Randall and even Barry every once in awhile. (Sherri and Barry were still seeing each other?) Many times Keith Wallick and LaReshia and Louis would hang out also. New Year’s Eve 87-88 was really fun. Mark (Noack) had us over to his apt. And we laughed all night. We watched movies and I showed up with my new red car. I remember vividly wanting Keith to come out and look at it. He told me he was dating a red-head named Leslie. That bothered me. He said she had long, pretty nails....

He asked me if he should bring her to church sometime and I said ``No, I wouldn’t.” - don’t know if that was sincere or a bit jealous - but I remembered telling him that he might not want to bring someone, until he was serious because everyone will think they’re getting married. He did not bring her.)

January 21, 1988

(Thursday)

I’ve been really dissatisfied with my job lately. I hope it will pass; it has before. But I really feel unimportant and Vicki seems to be really moody lately..

Elaine, my good friend that I went to Acapulco with, quit A&A and is going to school full-time. I have now lost two of my favorite people downtown. Gee thanks, you guys! It makes me want to move to Iowa or go to school. (Not really, just rattling on.)

Next week, January 28) is my birthday; I’ll be 27. Gracious!

I’m in a cranky mood this morning. At lunch, we’re taking a lady (Carolyn Smith) out for her birthday lunch. I’m sure that will cheer me up!

February 8, 1988

(Monday)

I had a wonderful birthday on January 28. Everyone was good to me and all remembered (except DeeAnn.) I was even sent flowers from a friend at work, Terry Randles. That was such a sweet thing for her to do. She said “To a special friend.” I thought that was a lovely gesture.

I saw the movie Moonstruck with Cher and Nicholas Cage. I saw it with Keith, Don and a few others. I just loved that movie! It spoke to me about not settling and marrying someone you really love. (Like A Room with a View, and yet they were sooo different.) It reminded me of an old screwball comedy at times. I was just enchanted! I loved how he adored opera and wanted to share it with her!!

https://youtu.be/zSnIx8AXx5Y

That's Amore' by Dean Martin from Moonstruck

This past weekend was one of the best I have had in a long time. Friday night the church has a Women’s Retreat at Sally Killion’s house. All my favorite girlfriends from church were there. Bea, Diana, Melinda, LaReshia and others whom I have liked but didn’t really get to know until that night. Three in particular that I really enjoyed talking to were Cheryl Knagg, Linda Bishop and Shannon Campbell. They are all very active, fun people (like me, TEE HEE!) A lady minister, Colleen, was great and taught us many neat things. She, of course, has had many years in psychology and we delved into that quite a bit; right up mine and Diana’s alley. She asked if we had to choose our favorite bird and flower, what would it be? I chose peacock for its showy personality and the color green and a yellow daisy for its brightness and adaptability. We played a couple of games of “Win, Lose or Draw” and I talked until 4:30 mainly with Linda Bishop. We know some of the same people. Russell, her brother, has ridden around with me before in Randy Bryan’s car with Cheryl Tadlock and Tracy Prior (way back in my Sophomore year in high school.) That was just so weird. I even wrote about it in my journal in, I believe, 1977. Pretty great.

Before the retreat, I called Kevin Knight to wish him a happy Birthday. He turned 20. Well John answered the phone. I said “What’s up!?” (an old expression of his.) He said surprisingly “Janie!” What’s been going on? I told him about England, the car wreck, a new car and going to Arizona soon. It was good talking to him. It really was.

FEBRUARY 1988

On the weekends, I have been hanging out a LOT with the Flying Solo class or at least some… Mark Noack, Don Woolsey, LaReshia Sawyer, Louis, Keith Wallick and a few of my old friends - Sherri, Kevin Q, etc. hang out here and there. We’ve been playing games on weekends - mostly at my apartment. Sometimes our friends invite other friends (not in class w/us) and Kevin Q had invited Bryan Baker, whom he knew from his childhood/neighborhood days. He is quite cute and he is a sweetheart, goes to church, etc. I would absolutely go out with him if he would ask me. One time, he stayed at my apartment talking quite late (it went nowhere) and another time we sat in his car and talked for over an hour. He is really into bike competitive riding and talked about how he had to shave his legs to make his speed faster. Weird. He’s got that “shy thing” going on though. sigh….

Keith, Don and I are the “New 3-some” and have a lot of fun together! We’re kind of the “new” Scott & Bill, Randall & Barry - if u know what I mean.

Randall and I also went to see Good Morning Vietnam with Robin Williams. I enjoyed it a lot and surprised what a good actor he is!! Great music!

Don started to sit by me after a movie (we were back at Bennigan's) and I told him to sit across the table so Keith had to sit by me. I really don’t know why I did that?!