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College days September 12, 1972 - Eastern Washington State College
Loved college. Every minute of it. Worked 3 hrs part time at mental hospital for room and board off campus, worked 6 hours for janitorial company for cash. Took at least one extra class per semester, and got good grades even while holding down 9 hours of extracurricular labor. Drove my '68 Mustang all over, lovin' those back-road curves. I bought the 'Stang with my own money! I managed to plan my upcoming May wedding, continue to work 9 hours a day, and complete my courses a few weeks early, so I could depart for South Dakota with my husband, before the actual end of the semester.
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Graduation Day June 12, 1972 - Reardan WA
Stupid day. Hated my school and almost everybody in it. Didn't want to attend, but had to because grandparents came up from Denver. Principal and teachers messed up my exit forms, did not give me diploma, only the folder it was supposed to come in. Great. I graduate with honors and they screw me and mess up my grandparents' day too. Still hate Reardan.
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Pivotal Event March 10, 1971 - Reardan Wa
17th birthday party. Long-time friend attends, communicates romantic intentions. Gifts, romantic walk in the woods, friendship ring... not a bad birthday.
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Moved September 1, 1970 - Reardan WA
Moved in stages all this summer and fall while the basement was being dug, poured, and built up to receive the upper house. The house finally moved onto the site in November, supposed to have been there in August. I started my Junior year of H.S. in Reardan. NOT a happy camper. But Dad did purchase a couple of horses and we are learning to ride. It is some small compensation for small- town prejudices, gossips, cold shoulders, few academic choices, and arcane school policies.
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New Sib September 4, 1969 - Fairchild AFB WA
"Nine of Nine" arrives on the first day of school and I stay home to take care of my mom until she is ready to go to the hospital, because my dad is already at work. Mom figures she must have gotten pregnant "on the plane over" as the family joke goes. This last son, the 'baby of the family', eventually outgrows all his brothers and his father to tower over all of us. His name is Dann Henry
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Moved December 1, 1968 - Fairchild AFB WA
Final military assignment for my Dad, near his retirement. "Winter of 68-69" is legendary for bitter cold, high winds, snow. We are used to average temp of around 80 F. Buying coats, boots, sweaters, mittens, all the way up the coast from Travis AFB CA. Several of the younger sibs have never seen or don't remember snow. I am not happy with being sent to a school which is about half the size of my previous school, with none of the special classes. Here tho, I meet my future husband in band class. I eventually forgive him for being interested in my sister first...
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Musical Milestone September 30, 1968 - Clark AFB Philippines
Band class, and I finally make it to Trumpet First Chair. I am picked to perform an awesome and fairly difficult solo in the first concert of the year. This is the most fun I have ever had during school hours, even tho I always do love school. It is also the first time I have a circle of real friends, my fellow trumpet players. However, I am the only girl in the trumpet section. The girls in my class do not exactly look favorably upon me when I am always laughing and chumming with the coolest guys in the grade level, the percussion and brass sections. They have to work much harder than I do to get close. Do I care if I don't have any female friends? Why should I? I never did before, either, so what's new? Boys, that's what's new!
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Moved August 6, 1967 - Clark AFB Philippines
First time out of the country. Endless flight, endless waiting in airports. Mom made it, still sane, while dragging 7 kids all the way by herself. I love the warm weather, love the great school system, and I am happy here. My passport says I am 13 years old, and 4'10.5" tall.
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Moved December 1, 1966 - Denver CO
Back to Denver, but only for a short time. Father stationed to Clark AFB Philippines. We cannot join him until housing is available, but the place is crowded in the middle of the Viet Nam war, and we are a big family. Attended JFK Jr and Sr High School while in Denver. First time I attend a school different than my siblings do.
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Musical Milestone March 10, 1966 - Patrick AFB FL
Long considering myself a developing poet, I find I have now written a song, and scored it myself on the family piano. I can still sing it today.
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Moved June 1, 1965 - Patrick AFB, FL
Father stationed to Florida and only grandparents are unhappy about that. The beach is my new back yard, why would I ever want to return to snow? Parents drove to the new base with a station wagon full of 7 kids, visited every natural and historical site we could find on the way. The locals tell me I have a funny accent! "MOI ???"
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New Sib December 3, 1964 - Denver CO
"Eight of Nine" arrives; blond hair, blue eyes, the fourth sister. Her name is Dawna Lee
Helenna's LifePath entries
Helenna
Female,
located in
Spokane, WA
Eons member since Jan 10, 2007
