Skiing into '84

JANUARY 1, 1984

Again, it is the New Year. I want to briefly summarize each person who is a part of my life. Some are in my life only by heart, but most are both in my life physically and emotionally. Here goes:

1) BARRY JOHNSON - My dear, sweet, wonderful, couldn’t be better boyfriend. God! Do I love him!! We met about this time last year. Actually, to me at the time he was no more than Randall Rash’s good friend. I liked him and all but was not at all taken by him. (That changed later.) After Randall and I broke up in February, I didn’t see Barry at all until August. Randall came back, we dated again, but never the same. (stay tuned - 2021) - But dear, sweet Barry stuck around. When Randall was there, so was Barry, when Randall wasn’t, Barry was. Well, needless to say, Barry got brownie points for being present when Randall wasn’t. On October 8th, Barry and I had our official first date. One month later, he sent me six yellow roses to work. Two months after that, (which was three days ago), he showed up at my door with a single red rose to welcome me home from my ski trip and for our third month anniversary. My parents are crazy about him and his parents seem to be crazy about me. I have never felt so complete in any relationship I’ve ever been a part of. We’re almost as one. He’s absolutely my best friend for all the right reasons. He understands me, he tells me things that are good for me, he’s encouraging, he’s complimentary, yet he also tells me if I act like a bozo (which is not very often, tee hee). On top of everything, he’s plain handsome, tall, and what can I say? I just may be in love with him. We see eye to eye on so many important things, such as politics, religion, marriage, raising children. By far the closest I have ever been with a guy in every way. As i said before, I have never felt so complete in my entire life. I told him at lunch not too long ago, “It’s one thing when someone makes a person feel happy when they have been sad all their life, but it’s marvelous to have someone make a person even happier when they have been happy all their life.” That’s the way it is with Barry. I have never been an unhappy person, in fact quite delirious with life, but Barry adds even more (if that can seem possible) to my already fulfilled life. That’s love.

2) MY DEAR BROTHER, ALEX - I have to take a minute to say he’s on my mind right now quite strongly. I’m listening to the song Vincent and thought very much of my dreamer, Alex. The words said something like “This world was never meant for someone as beautiful as you.” I agree with that towards Alex. He needed some kind of life more poetic, romantic, more peaceful. I hope he has found that peace somewhere else; whether it be what everyone calls Heaven, another life here on Earth, or somewhere that no man has dreamed. I love him so much!

3) DEEANN CODY - She (next to Barry) remains my dearest and longest friend. She is getting married May 19, 1984 and I will be her maid-of-honor. That will be wonderful, yet at the same time kind of strange. I mean, we’ve been through so much together and now marriage is taking place. But all in all, it’s extremely exciting and...wonderful! I am crazy about her fiancee’, Brian Center, and truly wish them the best. Knowing that their two decent, beautiful people, they shouldn’t have any trouble.

4) SHERRI CARPENTER - Pretty much tied for 2nd Best Friend. I do a lot more with Sherri than Dee Ann including spending the nite, etc. We always laugh at the silliest stuff. She and I just came back from skiing together with her Youth Group (we were counselors, of sorts) and had a wonderful, wonderful fun time!! First time I ever went skiing!! We went to Monarch, CO.

JANUARY 17, 1984

Tuesday

If I were writing yesterday, I would be full of cheer and telling of a wonderful weekend I had and how much I love Barry. But since I didn’t write until today, I feel quite different than sugar and spice and everything nice.

Barry and I had a rather displeasing “discussion” last night. To make a long story short, we were watching the American Music Awards last night. I was thoroughly enjoying the show and he was picking at it. I made a comment when Irene Carra was dancing and singing to Flashdance, that I would love to see one of these kind of shows in person. He replied with “Why?” in a tone that sounded like “who would ever want to do that?” That made me perturbed, but I held it inside. He continued to make fun of the show. I tried my best to keep it all inside but then Barry Manilow came out. Barry wave his hand at the t.v. as if to get rid of Manilow and said “I don’t like him.” When he said that, (the ultimate of ruining my show) I said in a rather mean tone, I admit “Shut Up!” I was furious. He became really quiet. We didn’t say too much until after the show. I went and took a shower, then we talked; “discussed.” He just couldn’t believe that I would tell him to shut up. I surely admit that I shouldn’t have said that. Saying Shut Up is really a cold thing to say to anyone. But, nevertheless, he got me so aggravated that just popped our before I could think of anything. All I thought of was the way my brothers and sister (especially Bryant) would make fun of a good musical, or something I loved dearly and it would aggravate me SO much. I forgot for a moment that it was Barry; I was blinded by the derogatory remarks towards something that I was enjoying immensely.

JANUARY 23, 1984

Monday

This weekend was really fun! I was busy every minute from Friday night until Sunday night. I love my Barry so much!

FRIDAY - I went to his house and brought his mother a red rose, just because she’s so sweet. She’s always giving, friendly and just plain sweet. I love her a whole lot.

SATURDAY - Nancy, Scott and Joe came over about 11:30 a.m., and Nancy and I went shopping at Richardson Square Mall. I bought a pants outfit and a pair of pants. I always buy something new around my birthday. I guess I could say I splurged. That night was great! Kathleen, Shane, Barry and I went to the Cactus to eat and then went to Monopoly’s where Scott, Joe and Nancy were waiting for us. Monopoly’s is a new dance place which I loved! It is so cute. Everything is decorated like the game Monopoly. The dance floor IS an exact replica of the gameboard. I thought it was precious. The music was great too. A pretty wide variety of music, with a strong emphasis on Michael Jackson (Thriller). I loved it. My Barry loved it too. We’re going to have to go back some time. After Monopoly’s, about 3:30 a.m., we all (except Kat and Shane) went to Denny’s for breakfast. We didn’t get to sleep that night (should I say morning) until about 6:30 a.m. Just a great evening on the whole!!!

(Info on Monopoly's)

MONOPOLY’S PARK PLACE. Here’s a bar that cries out for the nineteen-year-old -young partiers who have finally reached bar age. Funky, slick, Madonna-styled (or is she already out?) kids flock here to celebrate their own vision of heaven. There is dancing on a game board floor, chic lights, etc., but the best show comes from the post-high school posturing. 6532 E Northwest Highway. 696-3720. Sun, Wed & Thur 7 pm-2 am, Fri &Sat 7 pm-3 am. Closed Mon & Tue. All credit cards.

SUNDAY - About 2:30 p.m., Sherri, Barry and I went to The Granada t see my all-time favorite movie. Guess which one, people? You got it! Gone With the Wind! I bet I have seen that movie over 10 to 12 times. The only other movie I have probably seen more is The Wizard of Oz. And both movies were made in 1939. (2021 comment - well, I definitely have seen GWTW more times at a THEATRE than Wiz of Oz.)

JANUARY 31, 1984

Tuesday

My 23rd birthday was a lot of fun. Barry gave me a great birthday party. Even though he was still quite sick, (he didn’t go to work that day) it was fun. Among the surprises of people that came, was Robert Bevis. I really enjoyed him that night. Larry Lewis came also; he was quite enjoyable too. Neither Keith Rice nor Doug showed up. It really kind of upset me that Keith didn’t show. I had talked to him in person the Tuesday before the party, and he said he was definitely coming and with ranch style dressing for my vegetable plate. Well, no Keith or sauce. My vegetables were dry. I am going to try and call him and find out what happened.

But besides that, the party was a success. It was over about 3:00 a.m. Kevin was a blast, as always. He is always the life of the party.

I received some nice birthday presents:

1) The Johnson’s Whistling tea kettle

2) Keith Rice Color Portraits of Movie Stars (poster of Bogie)

3) DeeAnn Cody The History of Movies (the cover has “Scarlett” on it)

(think I still have this book)

4) Kevin Quattlebaum 4 peach crystal-like glasses (actually plastic, but

Doesn’t look like it)

5) Barry (My baby) The birthday party, and tickets to see Sammy Davis Jr. at Granny’s Dinner Playhouse.

6) Kathleen Kirby Green and white tin holder with a green candle holder and vanilla candle inside.

That’s more than I usually get for my birthday. It’s been nice. Cam even called to wish me Happy Birthday. He’s going to National Beauty School. That’s great. That’s what he’s really always wanted to do. I’m glad he feels he can do it now.

I found out earlier that Therese has a job. She’s the head dietician at Doctor’s Hospital.

(2021 comment - where was this party? I had a MTM party at some point… but this sounds like at a house or something - ugh - anyone know?)