Part II - Piece (of) Work - It's a long story

So, where to begin on this subject. Woah. Last year I hooked up with Tina Jaime and Karen Rodgers on facebook after 30 years. The last time I saw them I was sitting on the curb in front of the business Tina owned with my little baby girl of 6 months. (who by the way was named Jaime after Tina) I was saying goodbye to my 2 close friends and colleagues after they shut the doors of TNT Keypunch Service and moved to Florida. A kiss a hug and a tear, and that was it. That was a sad day. First, you have to understand, (and everyone that knows her will confirm) Tina is no ordinary woman. LOL. All I can say is there are no coincidences only fate. Here is our story.

When I turned 16 my sister Nancy (pic..the blonde at the table), got me a job that very day at a little grocery store named Mr. J's. Turns out Karen and Tina worked there too at one time and none of us knew each other. Later, Nancy worked at a real estate agency and turns out Tina worked there too. Separately my closest friend in high school Debbie and I were hanging out dong everything together. Turns out Debbie is Tina's niece. hmmmm. Tina opened up a keypunch business that she started in her basement all by her lonesome. This business grew in size and space to a storefront office...several keypunch machines... and she hired my sister Nancy. Than she hired me and eventually Karen. (even my mom worked there at one point and several other friends) You following? lol

Tina was a mean boss! Right Karen? lol. Picture this. The old keypunch machines were used in this case to type name and address labels for Grolier Enterprise book clubs. HUGE! We were paid piece work. yup...by the card, one at a time. The faster we typed the more money we made. Today I can type 95 words per minute because I loved money!. This job was responsible for my future and career. Everyday we had to pick up and deliver more and more work. When the weekend would come and we all thought we could go out and kick it up? NOT! Karen would come grab a bunch of us out of the bar with beer in hand "we got 6000 pieces of work to get out by tomorrow morning." Yes we pulled many all nighters for sure.

When Tina walks into a room, you know it. We could tell her mood by her hair! If it was messy we knew she was thinking. OH GOD, she's thinking. I saw that same look recently. LOL. Tina has an opening statement (attention grabber) for everything she says. and not quietly mind you. Here are just some... "I don't wanna brag or nothing, I don't wanna say anything but....or Is it me..? ...oh how about this one...Don't think I don't know, I got eyes in the back of my head..." We swear she did. She knew everything. Girls, grab a coffee, we need to talk. Everyone is entertained when Tina walks into a room. We worked hard for her, and she always rewarded us with great dinners and the best Christmas parties, coffee and Happy Snacks (that is what she called our office junk food). Even when we walked into a restaurant for a brainstorm meeting, and the hostess would say "6 in your party?" she would say...."Does this look like a party?" lol. She could hold seminars on attention grabbin opening statements and grand entrances.

Anyway, think about it. 30 years pass! Tina and Karen find me on facebook, and they begin reading our blog. They live in Tampa Florida area. Back in August they wanted to come visit but didn't have a lot of time off. Karen owns Wesley Chapel Pet Sitting Service. Is not easy to get sitters when you are the sitter. So, when Tina questioned coming by train for only a weekend, Karen replied, why not...Jules and Judy would do it. LOL. So they came to the Milford Oyster festival for our first reunion in 30 years. Me, Nancy, Tina, Karen and Debbie and her friend Gina. We spent a couple of days just having fun and "cracking up". Just like old times.

So when we had a chance to go to Florida, Judy and I killed it and sent it all out of the ballpark. We got to see Lynde, introduced Lynde to Tina and Karen, closed down animal kingdom park and went off to stay a few days at Tina and Karen's in Wesley Chapel. Tina and Karen have not changed a single bit. We met their 4 dogs, Maggie, Taco, Sammy Sugar, and Rosie. (Taco fell in love with me, woke me up with french dog kisses every morning, wiggling and wagging). Karen made us a home cooked beef stew meal the first night as they thought being on the road that would be the best idea. It was! Then we did laundry, solved all the problems of the world, drank coffee, drank wine, went to lunch, went to dinner and YES... Tina still makes her grand entrances. Took on a bunch of bikers in a restaurant and they let me take their picture. At one point at the end of the day, Tina said to Karen, "I gotta go on facebook and check out whats going on." Than she says, "wait a minute no I don't, Facebook is here!" LOL. I guess Judy and I pretty much hijack their facebook wall just like we do all of yours.

You can see by the pictures, the character and fun of these too ladies I call life friends. I am however finding similarities in the people I attract. It was pointed out to me on this adventure. My besties all have lots of animals or have a deep love for them. It must be animal attraction. We stayed with the girls for a few days. and off we went to the next stop. I don't want to brag or nothing.....but ....Is it me? or are we having a blast!

P.S. Tina caught the bouquet at my wedding, just sayin. LOL I know I have pics just can't find them. But I will :-)