Sunday, March 29, 2009

A Holiday Party in 1973 at JJ Finley

What party people we were in 5th Grade at J.J. Finley! In case you don't recognize anyone...(or yourself!)
Here's what I wrote on the back of the photo back in 1973
Mrs. Daniels, David Lee,
Jane West, Carol Doughty, Owen O'Malley, Frank Wickes, Bill Bush
Mike Godby, Bill Foster, Marvin ?
Grant Denny, Arthur Plant
Leslie Silver, Karen Woods

Mrs. Brooks, Karen Woods, Grant Denny, Leslie Silver, Carla Dolder
Norma Shaw, Jane West plays the piano for us while Carol Doughty admires every one of Jane's
magical musical fingers moves! I was always so envious...she could play by ear! WOW! LOL

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Margaret's Obituary and a few more details from her cousin

Brock, Margaret R.
March 6, 2009Margaret R. Brock 45, Indianapolis, died March 4, 2009. Services: 10:30 a.m. March 7 at Faith Presbyterian Church, Indianapolis with calling there one hour prior to service. Burial: Glen Cove Cemetery, Knightstown. Arrangements: Erlewein Mortuary, Greenfield

Margaret passed away on Wednesday March 4th at Indiana Heart Hospital. I am her cousin and Margaret's funeral was Saturday, March 7th. She died unexpectedly from a blood clot that caused a heart attack that she never recovered from. She was a wonderful cousin and we will miss her lots.

I was her cousin and she was going to be staying at my house after she recovered from her ankle surgery...so, this has been very hard for me. I was visiting her every few days and taking her DVD's. She thought it was stress and so didn't think anything about the chest pain she was having until Monday when she went to the Emergency Room at Indiana Heart Hospital and then had a now we realize fatal heart attack from a blood clot. She died with her family around her on Wednesday the 4th, after being pronounced brain dead. I will miss all of her good stories and her crazy humor and of course her smile. - Kari

Saturday, March 21, 2009

Margaret Brock


Margaret Brock
August 1, 1963-March 4, 2009


A Message from her cousin
To all of Margaret's friends....
Margaret Brock passed away unexpectedly March 4th, 2009. She joins her parents in heaven. She was loved very much by her family and many friends. You can sign a guest book at www.erleweinmortuary.com or make a Memorial contribution to Faith Presbyterian Church here in Indianapolis or the Indianapolis Humane Society.

*******************
What was Margaret recently doing?
Here's our recent facebook correspondence...
Margaret Brock (Indianapolis, IN) wrote on February 6th, 2009
Hi,
Sorry, I have been busy. I go to Indiana University here in Indianapolis. I am double majoring in Accounting and Finance. I want to be a forensic auditor when I grow up!
***
Margaret Brock (Indianapolis, IN) wrote on February 8th, 2009
(Answers my question about what a forsensic auditor does)
A forensic auditor does not want to work for Donald Trump, they just want to put him in jail. A forensic auditor follows the money to put bad guys away.

*****************************
Margaret....we loved you, and love you still. I especially loved your laugh and happy demeanor.I'll still ask that you help Carol :) Gather up the best of the best healers and send them to her for us.
We'll let YOU be in charge of the reunion on the other side...if Heaven is how we hope--MY SUGGESTION FOR the venue is an English Castle with stables and gardens and an amazing pool and fireplaces in all the bedrooms for each of us...with the yummiest foods ever from earth...and huge doses of love for each class member and their families as they arrive...I promise to help when I get there.
Until then, may we both be found surrounded by loved ones.....and working to become our very best selves.... Natalie Broadhurst
********************
Margaret... you will be missed. I am so glad that we had a little time to get reconnected on facebook. I will be praying for your family and friends during this trying time. We love you but know that you are with your parents and that they are joyous to see your smiling face.
Gina Spivey
**********************
What a shock Margaret...we just get back in touch and now you aren't here anymore! I feel a loss for me, your friends and especially your family! We had GREAT times together at GHS. You were a good friend to me and I probably didn't appreciate it as much as I should have. Your cheerful, spunky outlook, and your sly comments often had me rolling on the floor with laughter! I love you! Your spirit will continue to cheer my life knowing that you were my friend on Earth. May you rest peacefully in heaven and play your GHS instrutment with the angel band! Carol Doughty
***********************
I was so sad to hear about Margaret Brock. What a shock! I remember how funny she was....a quick wit that made her seem wise beyond her years. I wish I had the opportunity to have been back in touch with her through FB.
Jane West
**********************
I was sad to hear about Margaret Brock. Do you remember the book she was wriring?
and how she'd read us chapter updates at lunch in 9th grade under the tree?
Sara Sandeen

******************


If you would like to leave a message for our blog for Margaret, you may send it to Natalie or Carol or leave a message on her fb account. (It's still open)

Did Margaret play trumpet? or french horn? I can't remember...she was a band buddy and kept her eyes and ears open for me about my band guy interests. (which none of them, of course, were interested in me! But Margaret was always trying to be cupid!) What a sense of humor! That girl could make me LAUGH! I'm so glad I got to see her and hug her at our last reunion...she still was as funny as ever! -- Carol

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Back to the 10th Reunion

Dinner Enjoyment.....
Mike, Randi, Kristina Larsson and Neil
Bill Price and Tammy Toskes--still together!
George and Kelley---wow, beards and tashes!
Charles Sidman (and wife), George and Karen
Mary Clemons (and friend?) and Nikki Muth
Linda and Bao
Get together on the side...
Kathy Tosi and Catherine Coleman/John Moorhouse/Kim Fradd with baby Lindsey

Thanks to Sara Sandeen who sent me these original photos in 1991...because I wasn't able to attend the reunion! Looks like it was a lot of fun! Does anyone have more photos from that reunion?

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Let's Go to CRESENT BEACH

Beach Babes of the Class of 1981
Summer 1981
Mihae Kang, Kim Fradd, Jana Stauffer, Mary Clemons, Nikki Muth, and Jane West
George Holland catches a frisbee
Summer 1982
Jana Stauffer, Karen Pfaff, Tammy Toskes, and Gilbert Nguyen
Fall 1999
Crescent Beach
Karen Pfaff (with Emerson), Carol Doughty, Charles Richardson,
Sara Sandeen, Jane West (with Conner and hubby)
We were much more sensible then...sitting in the shade during the strongest sunshine of the day!

Sunday, March 15, 2009

The giant HUG of cherished FRIENDSHIPS

What a week it's been....my life has changed focus, the world around me has turned upside down, and I'm so relieved to finally understand why I've been so tired, sick and painful over the last few months. I'm not a complainer (well, most of the time, and usually just to my hubby)...so I haven't shared much of my aches and concerns but when driving, eating and sleeping (and sitting on the computer chair-I even joked with Cardie that I had Facebook hemorroids!) started to become unbearable I knew that I had to go to the Doctor. NEVER did I wildly imagine that the results would be cancer! Aside from being overweight and a little out of shape, I'm generally a very healthy, happy person! This was a TOTAL SHOCK for me and my family!

On Wednesday, I went into the regular Doctor station in our little town for a hemorroid check (never have had one so I wasn't sure)......but she didn't like what she found in there. So she told me to go immediately to the hospital in Helsingborg for a more expert opinion, then I began to freak a bit. I drove myself there, in my new driving position - half reclined on my side. After further excruciating probing by the doctor, she told me that the lump in my rump was not a good bump and that I would have to stay overnight for additional tests in the morning to rule out cancer. There the word was said. And I FREAKED...before being checked into my room, thank goodness, I had the excuse to put additional money into the parking meter (like the worst of my worries! ha) because once I got outside I could let lose a wail of a cry (in my car)...yes, the ugly kind of cry that makes your face go red and blouchy, snorting muscus, hiccup breathing pattern. Not pretty. Then I spent the next two days getting tested (CT scan, blood tests and blood tests, and biospy which I got two doses of morphine for the pain--yuck, throw up city!). Being with my husband for the results was awful...this man is a sensitive puppy dog of a guy who nearly cries when he sees road kill. Sucking it in, he was the one who called the principal of my school to say that I won't be working for a couple of months! I think the first call was the hardest for us. And he couldn't say the c-word! (my Swedish friends say I'm the glue and the engine of our family....so I was proud he could be brave and make this difficult call for me..I love my job and I will REALLY miss my students!)

Anyway....to get on with my story...no beating around the bush here...the fact is I have rectal cancer that has spread to my liver. (I don't like that matastize word...see, I can't even spell it!)
Biospy results are not in yet but they already know it's cancer--what stage and all that, I don't know. GOOD NEWS: my red blood count is "normal" although on the low side so my lovely liver is still working hard! (GO LIVER, work it!) I will find out "early next week" (let's hope by Wednesday or I'll be a crazy woman with this waiting business!) The plan of action is that I will get chemo directed at my liver first since that is the most important, then they'll focus chemo and raditation on the rectum. (wish I could request some limposuction too but that's going a little too far!) We are guessing that surgery is not being considered at this point because of the possibility that I might have to live with a "disposal bag" the rest of my life. I don' t know but when I meet my oncology team I will be armed with a zillion questions. (I'm keeping a journal so I don't forget what I want to ask and say.) The main concern at the moment is to keep my poopies coming through and not lodging themselves on the other side of the bad bump! (ouchy!) I have meds for this but still it can take a couple of days! (not to mention I'm hardly eating so there's not much there anyway) So, all you well wishers....here's what I ask of you....whenever you do a "good poop" WISH one for me too! Who'd have ever thought I'd publicly ask for this type of favor! But it's VERY IMPORTANT! I kid you not. Now....the waiting begins and I just want to get started on the treatment...come on folks (doctors)....let's KICK CANCER OUT OF ME! I'm going to BEAT IT (thanks Michael Jackson!) and I WILL SURVIVE (thanks Gloria!) and I'm MOVING ON (thanks Sarah Dawn Finer!).

The support we have gotten has been INCREDIBLE! I THANK YOU!
(sorry, in this photo I could not smile my usual one because I was holding in the tears!)
Living so far away from my home country is one thing (and my choice)....but we also live in the countryside...not even in town. I LOVE IT! However, it gets lonely some times, very lonely. And that's probably why I have loved "gathering" the Class of 1981 so much into this blog during these past winter months. (and all our FB rantings! What fun!) But this blog is not just for me...that's why I posted this horrible news on my personal blog...and Natalie saw it and ran with it!

Natalie, that was the BEST thing you could have done for me! Thank you, my dear soul sister!
And what you wrote on your own personal blog put me into another crying fit of JOY and GRATEFULNESS and my husband, too--we were sobbing fools during dinner tonight!....all that you and Randy and Kim and Marcus Lisle....everyone is doing for me! It hardly seems fair that I would deserve such attention! I am VERY VERY TOUCHED!

The friendship, love, support, prayers and offers of help have REALLY HUGGED ME! The distance doesn't seem so great. I can FEEL YOUR POSITIVE ENERGY coming into my mind and body and I am STRENGTHEN! This disease will BITE THE DUST...NOT ME! (thanks Queen!)
Thank you, I love you...everyone of you!
You all are "FRIENDSHIP true"!
Your words have touched me very deeply and I will be literally carrying them into chemotherapy with me. I've copied them all and pasted them together to print out for my long appointments at the hospital...to read in those moments when I'm feeling the need for a hug and support...far and near, in Swedish, in Spanish, in English from old and young, new friends and old ones. And especially my GHS ones! The POWER OF THE HURRICANES is running through my body! Thank you for being my friends!

*****Another note of business.....this will be the last you read on this blog about my illness...this is the GHS BLOG for the Class of 1981 not mine. However, if you want to keep up with my treatment...you are welcome to follow on www.whatshappeningwithcarol.blogspot.com
You can type that address above into your address window for websites if this link isn't working!
or you can email me at carol.doughty@telia.com




Saturday, March 14, 2009

PRAY FOR CAROL

Look, I'm taking some personal liberty here...but when someone you love comes up against something that feels bigger than they are, they need help and LOVE. And from PERSONAL EXPERIENCE I KNOW that OUR CLASS is FILLED with LOVE and GOODNESS....

Carol has been diagnosed with Rectal Cancer. She won't find out until MONDAY what the procedures will be to fight it. She is as surprised as anyone...refer to her BLOG POST today
FRIDAY, MARCH 13th, 2009.

I don't care what or who you believe in....but WHATEVER/WHOEVER it is...will you please summon the Gods to come down and heal her? I LOVE this woman. I know SO MANY of YOU do as well. I also believe with ALL MY HEART in the healing power of a collective conscience...in addition to that of a loving God. If you just consider the SMILES she has brought to each of us over the last few months....

I also believe in Fasting...I have personally witnessed miracles from fasting.

To fast is to go without food and drink voluntarily for a certain period of time. Fasting combined with sincere prayer can strengthen us spiritually, bring us closer to God, and help us prepare ourselves and others to receive His blessings. I will start my fast tomorrow night(Sat. March 14, 2009) at 6pm and end it Sunday night (March 15th, 2009) at 6pm, and invite any and all to join me, whether it be in a fast(for however long YOU choose) or some other personal means of yours in behalf of Carol's healing and peace to her and her family as they begin this journey.

It's times like these I wish I had a magic wand, or the tongue of an angel to be able to move mutlitudes to act in her behalf. There are so many elements of life I am unsure of...but LOVE, I have FAITH in the power of LOVE...and FAITH in HE who IS LOVE. Please, will you join me...in whatever ways you have proven in your life so far...I am SO OPEN to any new suggestions as well...I just want her WELL and as QUICK as it can happen. And...if you could let her KNOW that you are WITH her....

PLEASE POST ANY IDEAS YOU HAVE HERE...let's get the LOVE energy heading her way as SOON AS POSSIBLE!!!

Thank you!!!! Thank you for being apart of my life, and especially apart of hers...
Carol WOMAN...a HURRICANE OF LOVE and HEALING IS HEADING TO SWEDEN TO YOU
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Natalie

Saturday, March 7, 2009

Babe, Bill and Gina --Recent photos!

Babe Adams is the proud mom of a Duck Calling Champion!
Her daughter, Shelby won the Southeastern Wildlife Expo trophy!

Bill Umlauf with his wife, Laura, and their 3 Gator loving kids, Jeremy, Josh and Jay.
Hershey, the dog wants everyone to know that he loves the Gators, too!

Another runner in the alumni bunch!

Gina Spivey and her hubby on vacation!

Two beautiful ladies...Gina and her mom!

Thursday, March 5, 2009

Gator families - Cardie and Shelley

A message from Cardie Conyers!
I have been loving life and working mostly in a sales-related position since HS (just had my management position eliminated at my company, so although I was offered the opportunity to stay on, decided that its time for something new and am currently pondering what I might try next). Every day is an adventure. Goal is to never grow up, make sure I cherish every single day and live life to its fullest with a positive outlook. My husband Jim and I have been together for 6 years now. Very happily married with two very furry, mixed breed daughters, Emma and Savannah. Travel, relaxing, spending time with good friends and family are top priorities for us. Gators, Rays and just about anything related to the beach take up a good amount of our time. Recently have been enjoying reconnecting with old friends and making new ones that I might not have had the opportunity to get to know during our GHS time via Facebook. Gainesville is home (having li ved more places around the world before I was 8 as an Airforce brat than many people do in a lifetime, its good to have a comfortable home base). Looking forward to our next reunion. All I can say is time flies when you are having fun!
Shelley Russell and her daughter celebrate the Gator National Victory!

Monday, March 2, 2009

What does Carter Scott wear to work?

Well, some days she dresses like this.....And on other days, she dresses in one of these outfits
or something completely different !

Whatever the work dress style....SHE'S ALWAYS SINGING!
Carter has been performing in OPERA shows all over the USA and Europe!
If you'd like to read more and see what she normally looks like
CLICK HERE!

Wow...we have another celebrity in our Class of 1981!
Break a leg, Carter!
(can you say that for opera singers too?)