Hello Classmates, I can’t wait until July when we can all meet again. The 30th class reunion was so much fun catching up with everyone and introducing you all to my Aussie husband “Who shoots Roos”. We had a great host with Ed Hendrickson and even a tornado in the area that had Ed up all night worrying about whether to get us to the basement. We had no idea and slept through the whole thing. Thank you ED.
I moved to Australia in 1992 with my two children who are now adults with children of their own. The best move I ever made as we all three love our lives in Australia and wouldn’t want to live anywhere else. Well maybe Maui would be a close second. Geoff and I try to come back to the states to visit at least every 4 years if we can seeing as many family and friends as possible. We have even been able to see a few of our classmates visiting them where they live and do some sightseeing. We had a small gathering in Ames at the OLDE Main last time which was great seeing some of our friends. We always try to add a bit of travel so Geoff and I can see more of the USA. We spent 9 days in Hawaii on one trip that was fantastic. We went to South Dakota to see Mount Rushmore which was on my bucket list, had the famous Chicago pizza and went to Okoboji which Geoff had heard so much about and had to see it. We had a great tour of the lakes with Ed’s dad and played mini golf at Arnolds Park. Geoff and I love our mini golf and we just can’t drive past one without stopping to play. Each time I try and introduce a new American experience for Geoff and have some fun. Our next trip back together I want to be in November and December so that Geoff can experience the wonderful Christmas spirit and some snow.
We haven’t had many visitors from the USA though so you all better put a visit with us on your bucket lists. We live in Western Australia which is just beautiful and so much to see and do. My mother and sister Diane have come down to see us twice and next year will be coming again and we will see Tasmania.
In the last 10 years the most wonderful thing has happened being Facebook and Skype. I have been able to get in touch with so many of our classmates, family and friends. I don’t feel so far away from everyone and can see pictures of your families and hear the good and bad news. Watching you all take holidays, build houses, spend time with grandchildren and so much more. I love it!! I am bad at posting those things but I will try and do better. To me it is like getting a letter from home and I thank you all for letting me be part of your lives. If you are not on my friends list and want to be I am happy to welcome you into my life.
Geoff and I live in a very small town but on a property 10 klm out of the town. We have cows, sheep and horses in the paddock but luckily they are not ours and don’t have to feed them just fun to watch. We love the quiet country life and lack of major traffic. We both work for the same company which is a sub-contracting business for the two mining companies in town. Newmont, an American mining company that has their head office in Colorado are mining gold. The other mine is called BHP Billiton and they mine bauxite. Geoff works out at the Newmont mine as a qualified mechanic and serviceman (driving the fuel truck filling everything with diesel). I work in our head office and I am the Administration Officer doing just about anything office related and everyday is a new and different challenge. The only bad part is the dust and yellow high visibility jackets (my least favorite colour). Geoff and I work on crazy rosters so we don’t see each other much and only get 2 weekends a month when we are both off work together. When he is on nightshift I see him for 5 minutes to say hi and goodbye. Other than work we spend time with our grandchildren when we can having 11 of them keeps us going. I like to make cards as a hobby in my free time.
We have had a medical drama this year as many of you would know with Geoff’s health. We found out in January that he has level 9 & 10 Advanced Prostate Cancer. He had surgery to scrape out as much as they could in Feb. He is on a hormone treatment to block and stop the cancer and it seems to be working. It has been very sad and difficult for our family but we are doing all we can to fight the cancer. Geoff is back at work and feeling great.
See you all in July and please feel free to contact me at my email or on facebook as I would love to stay in touch.