Blast from the Past
Wait! Where’s Leslie? It’s Monday, isn’t it? She’s without Internet and since I’m traveling Wednesday, we switched!
I did a crazy thing last week when I was too sick to do much of anything…I cleaned my office. Not a big cleaning, mind you…I only do that when I’m done with a book, not in the middle of one. But the mess had gotten so bad, I could hardly put my laptop on my desk…and I have a very small laptop.
While cleaning, I made a fabulous discovery of old pictures! In fact, since the Plotmonkeys have been waxing nostalgic for the past couple of weeks, I thought I’d share the pictures because this is the first conference where I met (in person), Carly and Janelle. I’m pretty sure Leslie and I had already gotten to know each other in Atlanta by this time, but my other friendships were all online and it was fabulous to hook up with all these new friends in my favorite city in the world…Chicago.
We look so young! And I look so skinny (this is the first conference after having my baby, so I’m very impressed with myself, LOL!) I also wasn’t a redhead yet…just a reddish wash in my naturally brunette hair. I was testing the waters, I suppose. This is me, our esteemed editor, Brenda Chin, Janelle and Carly outside the landmark where we agreed to meet–the Ghirardelli cafe just off Michigan Avenue. I don’t believe we ate there…in fact, I can’t really remember what we did that day. Shopping? I’m guessing shopping!
If memory serves, this is dinner before the Harlequin party. I seem to remember more people being there, but this may have been our half of the table. That’s Julie Kenner, me, Brenda, Janelle and Leslie. We went to this favorite Italian restaurant of mine on Ontario Street and the air conditioner wasn’t working. Ugh! Was it hot! There was a heatwave in Chicago that weekend and for a city more used to harsh winters, they didn’t deal with it very well.
This is a picture from the Harlequin party and I believe Janelle is behind the camera. I know this because I don’t take pictures and if I own them, it is because someone gave them to me…and it’s usually Janelle. This is Julie Kenner, Leslie, me, Carly in the front row and Temptation authors Donna Sterling and Jamie Denton in the back. The party was at the Planetarium. They had yummy desserts that were melting in the heat. This is also before I figured out how to effectively straighten my hair.
One night, a bunch of us went out for pizza. Before we made our way to Pizzeria Uno, we stopped to admire the cow exhibit that was all over this city. I can’t remember the theme of this particular one…but they were all fun and cute. This was, I believe, the original display of cows long before it became de rigeur for cities to pick an animal and have them decorated in various themes for charities. It was manatees here in Florida. But the cows were always the coolest, IMO.
I’m not quite sure when Julie Kenner, me and Janelle made it back to Ghirardelli for ice cream…but here’s the guilt-laden shot. Oh, those sundaes were so yummy! They always are. My daughter and I often go there after shopping at American Girl (right across the street) and count it as lunch. It counts, right? There’s dairy, protein, fruit, nuts…
This is from the RITAs. I remember well when I could fit into that dress! That’s Carly, Stephanie Bond, me, Kimberly Raye and Janelle…a part of the 1965 group! I don’t remember a thing from that night except that I had a great time.
Walking down memory lane was a blast…do you ever do that? Find old pictures and spend way too much time looking through them and trying to remember all the details? I guess that’s what pictures are for!
Yeah, I have moments like that, especially since a lot of my friends don’t live anywhere near me - the ones I grew up with - and we see each other every several years.
I love your trip down memory lane. You all look even better now - I hate you guys LOL.
Comment by Stacy ~ — March 5, 2007 @ 7:35 am
I try not to look at old pics of me- they are very scary, I mean skinny. Nope, make that scary.
My fav ones are of daughter growing up and my first wedding. Not because of the ex, but that was the last time my whole family was together before funerals started becoming the new family reunions. :cry:
Manatees??? Thank god daughter didn’t know about that one, she would have dragged my butt there to take pics. She has been collecting them since she was little and even adopted one.
Comment by ev — March 5, 2007 @ 9:18 am
I like to take a look at old photos. It’s a blast down memory lane. I love checking out the hair and clothes styles.
Great pictures Julie.
Comment by Carolyn A. — March 5, 2007 @ 9:36 am
Cool pictures, thanks for sharing. You guys always look like you’re having so much fun!
I kind of got caught up in going through the old pictures when I started working on my oldest son’s scrapbook for Christmas. I had 20 years worth of pictures to sort through - yikes! It was very easy to get side-tracked and nostalgic. I had to keep getting myself back on track and remember that I was supposed to be looking for his pictures, not reliving my college days!
Comment by Jodie — March 5, 2007 @ 9:48 am
Such great pictures!!! I remember that conference. I loved it. Chicago was the best. I can’t wait to go back and visit. I, too, rarely take pictures. Usually someone gives them to me. Recentely, though, my hubby’s been excellent about bringing the camera to take shots for my web site. What I’m really awful about (Brenda will attest to this) is carrying pics of my kids. Bad mom!!!
Comment by Kimberly Raye — March 5, 2007 @ 10:13 am
Yes, I do. And then I spend way too much time crying over how skinny I used to be!
Comment by Lori Borrill — March 5, 2007 @ 10:33 am
Fun pictures, Julie.
Comment by katie — March 5, 2007 @ 10:52 am
I just started scrapbooking and have been looking through old photographs. I seem to spend more time looking at the pictures then actually scrapbooking. I remember always thinking that I was fat and now I look at pictures and think I was so small. LOL I guess that is the way it is. I love your pictures. Have a great week.
Comment by Patty L. — March 5, 2007 @ 10:54 am
Love the pictures Julie. I’m going to Chicago next month and wondered which Italian restaurant is on Ontario. My friends and I usually hit at least one Italian restaurant when I hit Chicago and I would love to try a new one. I do love to look at all my old pictures just to see my family and friends growing up. Although it does make me wish I was a skinny as before…I guess one can always dream.
Comment by Liza — March 5, 2007 @ 11:43 am
Thanks Julie, those pictures were great! I love to look at old pictures but then I always feel old…where did the time go? Especially when I look back at my kids who are now 18 & 13, then I really feel old.
And about the icecream….definitely a meal
Comment by Tina Martinesi — March 5, 2007 @ 12:19 pm
Oh, wow, I remember that conference SO well! Julie, remember our 8 mile trek around Chicago? That was so much fun! We all look so young, too! :o
Comment by Janelle — March 5, 2007 @ 12:26 pm
Kim, I rarely carry pictures of my daughter because nine times out of ten, she’s standing right next to me.
The only time I go anywhere without her is to the plotmonkey retreat or to National. I went to the mall today and kept wondering why I didn’t have to keep calling out her name and looking between the racks to find her.
Liza, the name of the restaurant is Bice. Here’s a link on the web: http://bice.ws/BICE-CHICAGO.htm I haven’t been in years, but I used to love it there. It’s hard not to find good Italian in Chicago. I went to this one place that was fabulous…and of course, can’t remember where it was or what the name was. I didn’t pick it…a former client of my husband’s did, so I can’t even ask!
Janelle, yes, I think my feet still hurt from that walk in 100 degree weather! But it was a blast! I’d do it again in a heartbeat, even with my bum foot. (Which, btw, has been properly diagnosed as an “extended” arch rather than a fallen one.)
Comment by Julie Leto — March 5, 2007 @ 2:05 pm
Thanks for the link. You might try any of the Rosebud’s restaurants the next time you are in Chicago. The food is amazing and the atmosphere is wonderful. The Rat Pack hung out at the original Rosebud’s when they were in town.
Comment by Liza — March 5, 2007 @ 2:29 pm
Thanks for sharing the pictures.
I love looking at old family pictures. When I was in Oregon recently we were going through some of Mom’s things & found an old photo album dating back to the 30’s! It was so much fun seeing those pictures of Mom & her brothers when they were growing up & then later ones in the 40’s after I was born. Real treasures. We also found an old bible that Mom had recorded her family history back to the people that immigrated from Germany & my Grandmothers marriage certificate from the church where she & my Grandfather were married. All priceless! And there was more but I won’t go into detail! There is also a lot more stuff to sort through. Mom kept “stuff”!!
Thanks for reminding everyone that those trips back in time are worth every moment spent remembering family & friends. As the ad says Priceless! :love2:
Comment by Donna M — March 5, 2007 @ 2:56 pm
WOW! That was eight years ago. I can not believe it! I loved that National (except for the heat!) It was the first time I realized Julie knew all cities and loved exploring!!!
Comment by Carly — March 5, 2007 @ 5:34 pm
Not *all* cities. But I’m trying! I do love to explore!
Comment by Julie Leto — March 5, 2007 @ 5:49 pm
Oh pictures are fun. Thanks for sharing.
I just found and bought the two books Night Whispers and Private Lessons.
I know what I’ll be reading this week.
Comment by jeannie — March 5, 2007 @ 6:24 pm
Thanks, Jeannie! Hope you enjoy them!
Comment by Julie Leto — March 5, 2007 @ 6:37 pm
Great pictures!
I love looking back at old family photos. Luckily, or maybe not, I am not in most of them. I was always behind the camera! Great avoidance tactic.
I look now at the sweet young thing my 17 year old used to be and wonder, where did that “I’m always happy” girl go?? I am hoping she makes a return visit soon. Then there is my youngest. He is 13 and, I think, is going to be a lady killer (being the besotted mom I am I couldn’t be biased.) He was a real cutie. He is still the sweet one. I’m sure going to miss it when he realizes that giving me hugs and kisses just isn’t cool anymore.
Pictures from my 20th class reunion were a real downer though. I could have sworn I looked as good or better than some of those um… girls. At least I wasn’t the only one that had some extra padding.
Keep making those memories!
Comment by Lynn Matherly — March 5, 2007 @ 9:01 pm
Thanks for sharing the pictures. How much fun is it going down menory lane?
I’m usually the one behind the camera because I don’t like having my own picture taken.
But I have a beautiful story that happen to me around Christmas time that made me so glad that I am always taken pictures.
You know how you have your own little group of friends when you are young? Unfortunately my best friend passed away in a car accident when she was 17 years old.
Of course over the years, out little group had grown apart. Everyone living in different areas. But I got a phone call from a husband of a friend of our group. He had got it from my friend that past away parents.
He said that my old long lost friend didn’t have any pictures of herself or her friends while growing up. He wondered if I had any because he wanted to make a scrape book for her for Christmas.
We really threw her for a loop. I called her and told her that I had ran across her phone number from several years ago. We made plans for us to meet. During that time, I took my pictures to her husband for him to make copies while I visited her.
She called me after Christmas and told me what a great surpirse. Since then, we have connected up with our little group of friends. Now we are all planning on taking a nice day and driving up to gather to our dear old friend’s grave.
I don’t think that any of us have ever visited it because it is far away. So we thought what better way that all her good old group of friends to go together in her rememberance.
Not only do those old photos bring back memories but how wonderful that it brought back together good old friends.
Comment by Tina Byrd — March 5, 2007 @ 9:02 pm
Tina — That’s a beautiful story!
Comment by Janelle — March 5, 2007 @ 11:58 pm
Tina, that is AWESOME! It’s funny…all my pictures from grade school and high school and a good deal from college were inadvertantly thrown away when my mother redecorated my room. It was weeks before I realized it and I’m devastated…I have very little to show my daughter about those years. All I have is old yearbooks…and that’s just high school. My grade school yearbooks were lost.
I do see some of my high school friends pretty regularly. With pictures being so easy to copy nowadays, I should ask them to make copies. Maybe I can throw a party and invite them all and ask them to bring their pics!
I’m totally out of touch with my grade school friends, though. It’s a shame. Being in Catholic school, we were together for 9 years. You’d think we’d keep in touch!
Comment by Julie Leto — March 6, 2007 @ 12:51 am
Thanks Janelle, it really has been a wonderful time catching up with all my old friends.
Since I was about 12 years old, I have always wanted to be a writer. But marriage, babies and work came along. So I let my dreams of writing go by the way side.
But that would be the story that I would write if I ever got the chance.
Tina
Comment by Tina Byrd — March 7, 2007 @ 12:01 am
Hi Julie,
OMG, I would have also been devastated if I found out my pictures were thrown out. I hope that you didn’t go off on your mother too badly….LOL
My friends couldn’t believe that I still had all those pictures.
Not only did I get to share with my children but my granddaughter is now looking at them and getting a kick out of how her MeMe looked back in those days.
A few years ago, I found a bunch of negatives from when I took pictures of my children growing up. So I bought a safe and put them in there. Just in case of a fire, ect.
I like to think of my great grandchildren looking at them after I’m gone and trying to wonder what I was like in my younger days. Not that I’m that old, only 44. But still it’s a nice thought.
Tina
Comment by Tina Byrd — March 7, 2007 @ 12:13 am
I couldn’t really blame my mother…I was the one who stuck them in a garbage bag for safekeeping. I was thinking it would keep the paint from messing them up if it dripped…but my father or brothers or someone thought it was trash and tossed it. It’s upsetting, but I’m seriously thinking about having that party!
Comment by Julie Leto — March 7, 2007 @ 12:18 am