We've ONLY JUST BEGUN - Begin the Barry Beguine

GWTW Poster I bought while shopping w/Barry

Pics from our First Date

OCTOBER 11, 1983

Tuesday

Woweey Zoweeyy!!

Have I Had a fun weekend!! They key name these days is BARRY! Yes, you heard it here folks! Barry Johnson! Time for details!!

FRIDAY - This was the North Garland Homecoming football game. I was supposed to look around for Randall, Barry and LaDonna. I found them under the stands. Randall made me feel better by coming up to me and hugging me. I was relieved. I would hate that we couldn’t be friends because of all this. And I had already completely decided to go for Barry.

After the game, Randall and LaDonna went to eat pizza out, and Barry came over to my apartment and ate pizza with Sherri, Kathleen, Shane and me. We all had fun. He left about 1:00 a.m., having to go to work Saturday morning. We mentioned many times that night how we were looking forward to our date Saturday night. When he left, I reached up and lightly kissed him on the cheek. He then hugged me and said “I was hoping you would do that.”

SATURDAY - Definitely on the top few dates as the best! In all honesty, I can’t particularly think of a better date than this one. It was close to perfection. He came to get me about 7:00. He thought I looked wonderful! We took a few pictures, then from my apartment we went to Red Lobster. I had popcorn shrimp and he had the sampler’s platter. Our waiter (Randy) was a nut. He seemed like he should have worked at Magic Time Machine instead of Red Lobster. He kept telling us jokes. The food was good and the company was better.

(On left are the infamous Tango frogs - now presented in Nashville, TN)

From there, about 9:15, we went to “Tango” and danced, danced, danced. Barry was a little worried before going, about his dancing. But once he got there, he did just fine. We danced about three hours. He really likes the way I dance. The people there were quite interesting to watch. One girl was dancing by herself. Another girl (oriental) kept acting out the songs, and had bangs down below her eyes. She was strange. Barry and I never figured out for sure, but I think at one time there were two guys dancing together. To each his own. I did make for an interesting night. Only one problem. We really wanted to slow dance, and no slow music ever played. About 12:00 a.m., we decided to leave and go to Reunion Tower. This is where he kissed me for the first time.

HIGH ATOP REUNION TOWER

How romantic!!!! FIRST kiss!

(2021 - Lots of dates at Reunion Tower.. this was not my BEST date there - but that happens later ;)

Oct. 15, 1983 - Brainstorm w/Barry

Love my Natalie Wood! (her last movie)

OCTOBER 14, 1983

Wednesday

I have one announcement to make. I MISS BARRY!!

After the last weekend I spent with him, I couldn’t help but miss him terribly. We spent practically every waking moment together. Well, actually some sleeping ones together too. Saturday night he stayed all night and we talked, and talked and talked. I needed that. He is so gentlemanlike too. I can’t stress that enough. He wouldn’t jeopardize my virtues for anything in the world. I sure am crazy about him!!!!!

OCTOBER 24, 1983

Monday

I am so tired today. I went to the Cowboy vs. Raiders game last night with the Carpenters. We didn’t get in until 2:00 a.m. or so. We didn’t even win. But, I did win $25 from the football pot here at work.

I just got back from lunch. With my $25 I won, I bought a new purse (which I needed desperately) and a billfold. Well, it went over $25 somewhat.

Tonight Barry is coming over tonight. We may go see To Kill a Mockingbird at the Granada, go shopping for Holly’s birthday present, or stay at my place and work on final details for his Halloween campout this Saturday. I can’t wait for that. It’s practically my party though. Most people invited are my friends who now are Barry’s friends. This is who’s invited.

1) Sherri Carpenter

2) Thomas Seay

3) DeeAnn Cody

4) Brian Center

5) Keith Rice

6) Randall Rash

7) Cari (I don’t know her last name) - LaDonna’s sister??

8) Kathleen Kirby

9 me

10) Donna Belmarres

11) Barry

I know there are more people than this, I just can’t think of anymore. These are the people that are coming for sure. (Well, I really never know about Keith or Donna until that day.)

I think that will be a good group. Of course, they’re some of my closest friends. I’m getting Vicki (friend at work) to bake a cute pumpkin cake for the party.

I was thinking of something that to me is a weird coincidence. Okay, my first boyfriend was a redheaded boy named Barry (Branning). The first boy I kissed was redheaded. Now the guy I’m becoming serious (did you hear that?) is named Barry. It’s kind of like a circle. Like it all belongs together. Oh well! I always think of weird things like that. Just kind of neat, that’s all.

Don't remember at ALL going to the fair with Thomas, Sherri & Barry

Somewhere in here DeeAnn and Brian became engaged! I remember Brian calling me and asking me how to propose... (2021 - She just told me that they were discussing wedding plans but the official engagement was week of Thanksgiving 1983)

OCTOBER 26, 1983

Wednesday

I just got off the phone from Mom. She told me that she went to her dentist (Dr. Johnson, Barry’s dad) this morning. I’m not so sure I like that. She knows all my business now. Not that I do anything at all bad, but I don’t know it left me with a funny feeling. She said “Well, I heard that you went over to Barry’s house AGAIN last night.” That made me feel funny. Then she said “What’s this about a campout he’s having?” What made me mad about that is I just told her about that last Thursday after the fair. She doesn’t listen to me, but she listens to Mrs. Johnson. That kind of aggravates me. She said “Well, I guess it’s okay if you go to the campout.” Like, if she said no, I’d mind her. I’m on my own now and I don’t have to have her permission to do anything anymore. Maybe I am overreacting, but somehow I’m burning on the inside over this. I wish she would go on and get her teeth finished, and quit talking about Barry and me with Mrs. Johnson. Our lives are private, I don’t want them shared with God and everybody. That’s supposed to be one good thing about moving out. They can either trust me or not. I trust myself immensely and I thought they did too. But, sometimes, I wonder. Oh, I’m sure I’m making a bigger deal out of this than necessary. I just feel a little burned on the inside.

Enough on that!

I did have a nice time at Barry’s last night. I got to play the piano a lot. I sure miss that. I have to admit. It really put me in a great mood. I got lost going home later though. I somehow ended up in Dalrock. I have no idea how. Barry can’t figure it out either. (2021 comment - Don’t know if this is the time or not.. But I got lost out Wylie way, and had to call Barry, try to explain where I was and he and Randall came to rescue me) - HA!

I sure am becoming crazy about Barry. I have a little trouble saying that Barry is my steady boyfriend. I prefer to still say we’re just dating. The other sounds so permanent. And I’m not ready for permanence yet. But I have a feeling it’s coming soon. I give myself until December or January 8, 1983. The reason for this is September 8 is the first time we went out. We saw Cujo and went out to eat. That night I began thinking just as much about Barry as I did Randall. But, I didn’t consider it an official date, but Barry did. A mix-up. October 8th was our true, official date. I give myself three months from either date and if we’re still dating steadily, than I’ll call Barry my “boyfriend.” I know that sounds crazy, but I’ve always said three months tops. Not too many relationships have happened with me longer than three months. Either of these will mean three to four months; a good time for claiming someone, but not before.

I think I need to get to bed early tonight. After I get back from babysitting, I’ll call Barry for a little while, but I want to be in bed by 11:00. No later. Preferably earlier. I haven’t slept much since October 18. Because the 19th, I talked to Barry on the phone until 1:00 or so, the 20th I went to the fair and Barry came over that night and stayed until 12:30 or so, the 21st we went out with Randall and Cari and we were out until 2:00 or so, the 22nd I went to his house, then he came over and didn’t leave until 4:30 or so, Sunday night I went to the Cowboy football game and didn’t get to bed until 2:45, Monday I saw To Kill a Mockingbird with Barry and he left about 12:00 or a little later, and last night I got to bed about 12:45 after going to Barry’s, getting lost, and calling him when I got home.

But boy! Have I had fun!!!

I remember at 3, Holly saying "Aunt Janie, it's hard being 3 years old!" - she was too funny!!

Another time, (maybe Bryant 3's bday? - she was "grounded" or in trouble so Mary said she couldn't have any bday cake - so I, being the Great Aunt that I am, took her to my bedroom and gave her a BIG piece! - tee hee)

OCTOBER 31, 1983

Monday

This past weekend was the most magnificently, delightful, promising weekend of my life, I do believe!

My dear, sweet, wonderful Barry Johnson is, needless to say, terrific! Even DeeAnn and Brian think so. This past Saturday, the 29th, was Barry’s campout Halloween party and it was a blast. I laughed a lot, hugged a lot, and smiled all the time. Life is wonderful, and I wonder if I deserve such a good life. You know what? I deserve it!!!!