Guest guest Posted February 15, 2005 Report Posted February 15, 2005 Oh man I would love SRD in Galveston. We haven't had one in Galveston since I've been in TOPS. We had one in Corpus Christi that was very close to the water. That was beautiful. I wish we could go there again. I have a charm from every SRD but one when they ran out. Looking forward to my charm from this year. I so enjoy the charms and having them added to my vest that will HOPEFULLY fit at SRD again. I graduated in Longview in 1999 and it was a VERY memorable but BUSY SRD for me. Along with graduating and winning a division winner award I was also field staff. I also had to dance on stage that year. BLAH! That was the most nervous I have ever been. Glad that's all over with. I never had the pleasure of meeting Esther S. Manz but I did get to interview her via snail mail for my chapter newsletter years ago. I did get to meet Betty Domenoe one year at IRD and that was WONDERFUL. Those are the moments I will never forget about TOPS! past SRD's Love to recall past SRD's, some I recall more clearly than others and this surely is a way to date myself. LOL I don't think I can give these SRD's in order by year; I've slept since then. I do have a charm bracelet (I call it my antique TOPS bracelet) with charms from the 60's and 70's on it so like , I could look it all up I suppose. That will be a project we need to pursue: a history of where SRD has been held since day one. Some of our Field Staff can help with this I am sure -- some of them have definitely been around that long because I can still remember their hair color. LOL My first SRD must have been in 1966 in Galveston. Eskew and I were at the meeting one Thursday night and it was mentioned that SRD would take place the following week; we said to each other "wanna go?" and off we went the following week. I remember that we were petrified that we'd be the biggest ones there and everyone would look at us critically because we were sooooooooooo fat. Oh my goodness, were we in for a surprise --- never had so much fun and met so many people -- that was just the beginning of my passion for TOPS. I had joined in April of 1965 and was really a "baby" about what all was going on and she'd only been in since December of that year. I loved going to all these places, some more than once: Corpus Christi, Beaumont, El Paso, Austin, Brownsville, Amarillo, Lubbock, Abilene, San , San Angelo and the Metroplex -- may have left out one or two others -- there have been lots of miles since then. LOL Heck, I liked them all and have missed only a handful. I had the priviledge of meeting our founder on more than one occasion; such a lovely, gracious woman. I didn't have a clue as to her identity when we were in Houston ( I think that was maybe my first encounter with her) and here was this sweet little lady sitting next to me just chatting away quite comfortably --- then she said, "oh honey, your cymbidium (sp?) is just gorgeous." HUH? I didn't know anything about that part of the body. LOL Turned out she was admiring the orchid corsage my chapter had given to me. We got a big laugh out of that and finally I was told who she was. Duhhhhhhhh - told you I was a "baby". Oh my heavens, I felt as though I was truly blessed. And I was. We met two other times and she always remembered the orchid story about me. It's been my pleasure to not only attend but to work on several SRD's since that fateful first and also on some IRD's although I haven't attended nearly as many as I wanted to attend --- but the tone never changes. It's always simply the most inspiring event one can imagine -- like Janet, no one prepared me about the tears -- I've bawled with the best of them -- my chapter used to always bring me Kleenex because I'd forget to do so. LOL What memories, what friends, what adventures we've had along the way. Austin SRD where I graduated was absolutely the most perfect of all naturally as I truly felt that I was "finally doing" the TOPS thing in the most special way. Maymie, Grace and have become lifelong friends of mine and I cherish the special treatment of not only those ladies, but oh so many more. I truly feel TOPS love around me all the time. Thank you for that, all of you. The best is yet to come I feel sure for both you and for myself. There are still memories to make, friends to meet and pleasures to enjoy at SRD for me and for you. I never get tired of it all and you will be hooked, if not now after your first one. Many happy SRD's to all of you. BettyLeader, 4-yr KOPSRemember, the only weight you ever have to lose is the NEXT pound. EMAIL SUPPORT TEXAS-STYLE!!Visit us on the web: http://www.texastops.org Quote
Guest guest Posted February 15, 2005 Report Posted February 15, 2005 , which SRD charm did you miss? Some years I got more than one because I bought one, then got one in my field staff packet - - so I just might have what you're missing. I didn't remember what year you graduated, but I sure remember your dancing up on stage (Waltz Across Texas was the song, wasn't it?) - - because I thought you were just toooooooo cute up there on the stage. I agree that the SRD in Corpus was great!! Being from West Texas and never seeing much water, it was a special treat to look out my hotel room window and see the water, the fishing piers, the USS Lexington in the harbor - - the seagulls - - just everything about it was beautiful. What good times and good memories and good friends!! ((((HUGS))) Clara No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.300 / Virus Database: 265.8.8 - Release Date: 2/14/2005 Quote
Guest guest Posted February 17, 2005 Report Posted February 17, 2005 WOW thanks! :) That means a lot. That was 30 lbs. ago so those clothes don't fit anymore that's for sure but they will again someday. I am very self conscience about wearing anything tight and tucked in so that was a chore for me. We are always going out dancing or etc. at SRD. That's the part I look forward to the most....the after sessions fellowship. I'm looking forward to SRD because it's always a blast and I need a vacation for real! Have a great week. See you there! GEORGE Re: past SRD's WOW , I had forgotten that you graduated in Longview. I did too. The thing I remember most about you was how good looking you were dressed in black from the cowboy hat to the boots. I remember that you and your group were going out dancing and I couldn't talk any one in my group into going!. Looking forward to seeing you again in San Angelo. Pearland EMAIL SUPPORT TEXAS-STYLE!! Visit us on the web: http://www.texastops.org Quote
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