Lunch with Paula

Lunch with Paula was wonderful — not Paula Deen, but another Paula who is as good a cook as PD.

Actually, it was a luncheon last week that included nine retired business teachers. We taught in various high schools in the Austin school district and became good friends during those years. As each of us retired, we took a place at the monthly luncheon meetings usually held at a favorite catfish cafe. We especially love meeting there during the first week that school starts and watching the “goings-on” at the high school across the street from the cafe. Our number who meet regularly is up to fourteen — and we missed those who could not be at Paula’s this month.

Our menu was salad based — each of us took a dish — with the dessert table provided by Paula. Her Chocolate Italian Cream Cake cannot be beat — we chocoholics were in heaven as we enjoyed big slices of it! I was hoping to take a slice or two home with me, but alas none left with me — maybe next time.

Even though we weren’t sipping out of wine glasses, too, we were laughing and carrying on just like we always have whenever we get the chance. If we’re not laughing as we reminisce, we’re laughing at each other’s stories about our aging process. Our conversation keywords these days include: medicare, grandkids, social security or pension check, or some remedy for an ache. We also seem to keep up-to-date with computer technology (we are ex-business teachers, after all). But, we’re not too hip with itunes or text messaging stuff.

I feel very special being a part of this wonderful group of ladies — yep, we’re one gender only. If we added up all of our years of teaching experience, I guess it would average 30 years times 14 — whatever that number is (I didn’t teach math, you know)! We spent a week together each summer and another few days during the school years together at conventions or conferences. Since the school district gave us a very limited travel expense budget, we usually stayed four to a room in hotels. Then, one room full would invite another room full over to play Pictionary or cards. More than once a hotel manager has called our room to ask us to QUIETEN DOWN — our hotel neighbors didn’t enjoy our loud laughing as we enjoyed each other’s company. This is a group of non-drinkers —
2008 Christmas
— but we might leave other impressions sometimes.

Some of us are having health issues that are serious — but with encouragement and support from each other, we are blessed!

Christmas at Paula's 2008 (2)

Standing L-R: Sandra, Sue Ella, Billie, Ann, and Doris
Sitting L-R: Me (Sam), Paula, Rose, Beverly