Jennifer's Blog
08/10/2006 - A HUGE Thank you to Cindy at Cincere Hosting for bumping us up to a larger account for FREE! She rocks and you should contact her if you ever need webspace because she will pretty much make your life.
08/08/2006 - I am having trouble getting over how grown up we all are. It really only seems like yesterday that we were in high school. I know that sounds cliché, but I honestly feel that way. I had visions of all the things that could go wrong on Saturday and none of them were realized. I can't explain the atmosphere there with words. It was fun, it was warm and it was more than I could have ever hoped it would be. That you for letting me do this for the class. Next time, we're going to start much earlier in the year and schedule it before people get vacations and such scheduled and it's going to be better than ever!
08/06/2006 - Oh. My. Goodness. Last night was so much more fun than I could have ever imagined. I have tons of family things going on today, but I hope to have pictures up either late tonight or definitely by morning. Anyone else who took pictures, please either email them to me or ifyou upload them somewhere, it would be great to have a link to them! SO MUCH FUN! We should have done it a long time ago! I can't wait for the 20th!
08/04/2006 - Holy crap it's tomorrow. I feel like I have a bazillion things to do, but I don't really. See you tomorrow! If not, shame on you.
07/30/2006 - See you guys in 6 days! A few of us are meeting tonight at O'Charley's to finalize some things. Tickets for the DANCE ONLY are still available! I've already sent a head count to Calhoun's for the food. The dance will start at 7:00! Again, I don't mind if you pay for those at the door, but I need to know that you're coming ahead of time!
07/25/2006 - Ok, folks, if you've been dragging your feet, you have precisely 24 hours to either purchase tickets or mail me a check! Head count has to be in to Calhoun's tomorrow! If you're coming just to the dance, you can pay me at the door, but I need to know you're coming ahead of time!
07/21/2006 - Vacation hangovers really stink. I still have some pictures to post, to be honest, I've just been too busy. We're still right at 53 people and we'd love to have you! If you're on the fence, just come to the dance part. At least if you come and decide we all suck, you can leave and not be out much. HAHA Hopefully everyone will have a great time and we can jot down some ideas for the next one. We do need to find some more people, and hopefully we'll have an even better turnout. I think 50 isn't too bad considering we've never done it. I'm sure some people are just complacent about it by now. The closer it gets, the more excited I am to see people!
07/13/2006 - Hey folks! I'm just about to head out for vacation. The site won't be updated, but I'll be able to monitor email and the message board. Feel free to talk about me while I'm gone. Hey, how about ordering those reunion tickets you've been putting off? Back on the 18th!
07/07/2006 - 52! If anyone would like to buy dance tickets only at the door, that's fine. I just need to know that you're coming ahead of time!
07/06/2006 - We're up to 51!
07/05/2006 - Holy... I just found out that the SHS class of 2001 is having their 5 year reunion at Calhoun's this weekend. I'm going to try and get someone to let me know how it is!
07/01/2006 - Wow, I got the contract for the DJ yesterday. It's so official now! We're still around 48 people and remember the deadline has been extended to July 22! Have a great holiday everyone!
06/28/2006 - This thing is going to happen whether we have 50 people or not. We may not get quite as much for the money, but I don't think the people coming care about that at this point. Look for info about that in an email about that. We're up to 31 sold for sure and another 10 or so that I know are coming who just haven't paid yet. :)
06/27/2006 - It has been suggested that maybe the word *meal* is scaring people away. So, we are discussing just having heavy appetizers before the DJ starts. Unfortunately, due to the lack of money we have in, the price will be the same, but maybe more people will be comfortable just mingling, munching and enjoying beverages? Think about it. Feel free to email me with questions until we get this figured out. We're up to about 39 people coming now, with a few of those not yet paid.
06/27/2006 - Still stuck on 26. We're working on a contingency plan. The price will stay the same and we won't get as much bang for our buck, but there will still be a reunion! So there....
06/24/2006 - No more new sales :(. We're stuck on 26. At least we're halfway. You procrastinators need to get on the stick!
06/22/2006 - Many more days like this and I'm going to start a potty training advice forum on the message board. Sheesh.
06/21/2006 - 26 sold! Here's a fitting song for our class reunion... Click the link below the page title! You can see the lyrics here.
06/20/2006 - DJ Problem solved! 22 tickets sold! Apparently the plea from the naked Indians helped.
06/19/2006 - I trust everyone had a wonderful Father's Day! Ours was spent recovering from the Lawn Party. We're up to 20 tickets sold now and I know of probably 20 more that we'll sell for sure. I was really hoping for 100 people to be there, so I'm hoping there are some who are just procrastinating! I have emails out to 3 different DJ's, so hopefully we'll have that taken care of very soon.
06/16/2006 - Yay for more tickets being sold! Let me get through tonight and I have some more pictures to put up that were sent in by Stephanie Shifflett. We still need to book at DJ, so if you know of someone, please let me know. I'm hoping to make some calls on Monday.
06/15/2006 - These pictures are too much fun! Thanks to Lisa, Tom, Amanda, and Beth for contributing and thanks to everyone for being a good sport! Keep sending them in!! And of course, order your tickets. We're up to 15 now, with at least 15 more that I'm fairly sure just haven't paid yet, but are coming! Remember, the cut off day is July 1 - Reunion is August 5!
06/14/2006 - This week, I might be a little scarce, so if you register and don't hear back right away, don't panic. We're busy, busy, busy here at the Armstrong ranch with the Singers Glen Lawn Party. I hope everyone's enjoying the pictures! We still need to book a DJ, so keep your ears open!
06/13/2006 - Thanks to those who are buying tickets! It does my heart good! We're up to 14 sold and at least 11 more that I know will be bought! That puts us halfway to our minimum quota! (that makes us sound like under-achievers) I'm sorry we couldn't make it suit everyone, but on short notice we weren't really flexible.. I'm working on the rest of the pictures I have right now! We're also back to the drawing board on a DJ. :(
06/12/2006 - I went to Mom's last night and got more pictures. Now I just need to find a few hours to scan them all and get them up. Some are from MIDDLE SCHOOL!! I'll even put some up of myself since I've embarrassed other people. It's only fair. In cease you haven't heard - you need to buy your tickets, like - NOW. Remember the cut off date is July 1. That's our do or die day - if there aren't 50 tickets sold, we have to trash the whole thing!
06/09/2006 - OK, I know the pictures aren't up yet. I'm up to my knees in peas! I think my fingers will be forever green. I'll get them up over the weekend. I think we have a DJ, and I think it will be exactly what I budgeted. NOW IF WE WOULD JUST SELL SOME TICKETS I could calm down even more.
06/07/2006 - Tune in tomorrow for a few new pictures and (some of the) details from the meeting tonight. I had a great time, although it was a little crazy, it was fun. Next time we'll know to forget the food because our jaws were too busy flapping to eat. :)
06/05/2006 - No real news to update today. I'm sure there will be plenty after the meeting on Wed! Oh and - order your tickets already!
06/02/2006 - I had to disable guest posting on the message board. For some reason, there were a lot of people wanting to sell Viagra from our board. Yesterday, we had upwards of 10 posts by spammers. I don't know why they love us so much. Ticket sales have slowed a little bit, don't make me nervous!! This is just a reminder to order early. We need at least 50 people to keep the price where it is....
05/31/2006 - I hope everyone had a great weekend! Keep those reunion ticket orders rolling in! :) Nothing would make us happier than to run out of room! Also, this is a reminder of the meeting NEXT Wed, June 7th @ the Rockingham County Fairgrounds, please email me for more info or check the "wanna help" forum on the message board.
05/26/2006 - Order your tickets for the reunion today! If you need help, please email me! See the Reunion link on the home page..
05/26/2006 - Reunion date set for Aug 5! I need to confirm a time of day with the guy and then I'll be sending out an email with the details and putting up the order page. You will be able to pay online through Paypal, even if you don't have an account!
05/25/2006 - Look for confirmation for a date today! More details will be coming by email and there will be updates on the site!
05/22/2006 - Ok, so some people had trouble with the poll on the message board, so one has been added to the web page. Just click on your choice and click submit. All votes are completely anonymous. Click here to visit the Poll Page.
05/18/2006 - I added a table to the full class listing to show who I know has been contacted. (See the "who have we contacted" link on the home page) If you have been in contact with someone that I don't have marked, please let me know! We will probably need some help contacting people soon by phone or snail mail. Beth (Shifflett) and I are going to work together to really get the ball rolling on something. Please check back often for info as it rolls in!
05/17/2006 - Breaking Reunion News! Could Calhoun's be where it's at? Please visit the message board (register if you haven't) and check out the Reunion Thoughts forum for more info!
05/17/2006 - Thanks to Krista's almuni book, I was able to find about 20 more email addresses and I'm only through "L." Hopefully we'll see many new members!
05/17/2006 - Holy crap. The jazz was so loud at Dave's tonight that there was no way I could discuss anything with anyone. However, I will call them. Fundfest was a blast!
05/16/2006 - Wow! Less than a month into it and we have almost 40 people FOUND! Krista is bringing one of those alumni books tomorrow, so hopefully some of that info is still good. I might actually have to use the phone. Perhaps I'll see some people at the Food and Business Fair at the Fairgrounds next Wed. You never know when you'll run into people!
05/13/2006 - John Welsh - my emails are bouncing to the address you provided at registration! If you see this, or if any of you keep in touch with John, please have him email me - jhawkins@shsclassof1991.org so that we can correct it! Thanks!
05/12/2006 - Thank you guys for using the message board! I think it will surprise you to know how many people ARE interested in what you've been up to. I think since you guys got the ball rolling, there may be some people more willing to post. I hope everyone has a great Mother's Day Weekend!
05/11/2006 - It's supposed to be a beautiful day here in the valley, so I think mine will be spent outside. My gardens have been overtaken by weeds, so I'm sure that's where you'll find me.
05/10/2006 - I completely forgot to look for more pictures when I was at Mom's this evening. In the process of fixing Mom's computer, I needed an Ethernet cable, which Mom did not have. So I ran to Grottoes, which I must say, is the first time I've BEEN to Grottoes in some time. There are like, new roads and stuff. I went up from Herby's and I couldn't figure out where to turn. I felt a little stupid, but what else is new. At any rate, Ace is the Place for almost everything, but no Ethernet cable. However, I was informed when I got back to Mom's that I should have picked up a refrigerator light. I know they had those. I did run into Jeremy Ream though and gave out my first site business card thingy. While Jeremy couldn't find me an Ethernet cable, he did remind me that one comes in the installation kit from Adelphia. Problem solved.
05/10/2006 - I am talking to myself! I changed up a couple of things today, just to keep people guessing. I'm curious as to why you guys aren't interacting with each other, but maybe that will come with time. We're going to Dave's next Wed, so I will ask about getting the upstairs sometime this summer. I might even send out an email to all the registered people about that.
05/09/2006 - I need some suggestions on the site. I've run out of ideas on "new and exciting" things to add. The message board gets lots of traffic, but no posts. Should I scrap that idea? Do you guys want a way to "talk" to each other and still keep your email addresses private? Just let me know, I'm not hard to get along with. I "found" a few more people this week. Tammy and I were on the phone for a long time today having a "whatever happened to.... and have you heard from...." conversations. I'm really anxious to get together sometime this summer. I think I'll check into Dave's and see if they'd even charge us to use the room upstairs. Hey, if nothing else, maybe those of us who are close enough can come and think up a fabulous idea for a real reunion. Anyone up for that? I'm sure we'd need a minimum number and such.. And if those of you who made it out of the valley want to make the trip, then by all means, it would make my day. Wait, is anyone even reading this anymore? I've been accused of talking to myself before...
05/08/2006 - We're up to just below 30 members and I know there are more who have seen the site and not registered. That's not too shabby for only having the site up for 2 weeks! Thanks to everyone spreading the word!
05/05/2006 - For some reason, all the links weren't working to all pages from the home page, so I got that fixed. Of course that was how I reset the hit counter. BOO! We were over 600! Now that that's fixed, I'm off to continue finding crap to take to the Belmont Yard Sale. Come see me if you're going. I'll be on White Oak Drive. Email me if you need more info. I have lots of girl clothes sizes newborn to 2T!
05/04/2006 - I'm way past the point of pulling an all-nighter. It was fun, though. Thank goodness for Sheetz coffee at 1:00AM to get me home. I think the email issues have been solved. Apparently there were some issues with a few of the pages, too. I'm working on that now. Then I need a nap.
05/02/2006 - I'm hoping my email is not still acting wonky. I've been having some trouble with my dot com emails this week. So, if you register and you don't get an email back from me, you need to try and email me again. For some reason, they keep bouncing saying "user not known." Just a heads up. If you have registered and you're not listed, please register again. Now, back to supper...
05/02/2006 - Well, I'm all moved into my new office. We added on to the house and now I have my very own space to call home while I work and piddle on the internet. Seriously folks, are you having problems with the message board or do you just not want to use it? Because if you're having problems, I need to fix and if no one's going to use it other than me, well - there's no point in it. How's that for a guilt trip? If any of you are in the Northern Virginia area, you should come out to Jammin Java in Vienna tomorrow night for Joey DeGraw and Michael Tolcher. I'll be there! That will be after a trip to IKEA to get some things for my office...
05/01/2006 - So, I've been trying really hard to get a Google ranking so that we at least come up on the first few pages. We do come up, but only by the classified's page that's linked on the front page. Anyway, when I checked the web stats this morning, these are the keywords that Google hit on for our page:
fun, facts, 1991, the, of, carey, mariah, about, under, sea
All my hard work and worrying, and all I needed to do was reference Mariah Carey.
04/30/2006 - Never mind yesterday's post. I'm paranoid. Daily News Record has an "events" page that I might try and sneak the web site on to. I didn't think WSVA would put it up on theirs, but they did. Of course, I'm thinking we might have had a little help on the inside with that one. I won't be around at all tomorrow. I'll be working the "box office" at the Rockingham County Fair. Our concert tickets go on sale tomorrow. So, if you're calling for tickets, you might get me, or my Mom. Lone Star and Little Big Town are the headlining acts this year. On a related note, it's very cool that you can pick up where you left off with old friends, or even in a better place than where you left off. It probably has something to do with the fact that you have no idea why you stopped talking in the first place.
04/28/2006 - My son successfully had his 2 front teeth extracted this morning. He's enjoying the fact that he can have ice cream all day long. I hope you guys aren't having trouble with the message board. I see we have new members, but no posts. Let me know if you have any problems with it.
04/27/2006 - I hope I'm not losing it. I went to the park today and could have sworn I saw Jeremy Weaver. However, this guy had on a hat and sunglasses, so who knows. It was not a definite enough of an ID that I could walk up and say "Jeremy?" I think I'm seeing things...
04/27/2006 - Wow, how this website has changed how I go about my daily routines. I keep my eyes peeled for people from class. Yesterday, I *thought* I saw Staci McMichens going into Target. I did, actually, but I was in a big rush and didn't want to roll down the window and scream at her from my mini-van. Apparently it changes other people's too. Xav called me from the road to tell me she had run into someone, got their email address and sent it to me so I could let them know about the site. I'll be away some today (not that I sit at the computer all the time when I'm home). Tomorrow, my son's having some minor surgery and I have to "gear up" for that. We did have another person register yesterday and I (with my husband's and Xav's help) found 2 more people, so it was a good day for shsclassof1991.org.
04/26/2006 - Today I added Senior Superlatives from the yearbook. I have emailed a bunch more people and haven't heard much back. Oddly, most of those were people I thought would be all over it. I'm off to work and I hope to see some new registrations when I get home. It's been fun hearing from people! On a totally unrelated topic, whoever said that potty training girls was easier - lied.
04/25/2006 - I sent our page in to WSVA as a public service announcement and they put it on the radio! I thought it was just for their website. So yay for free advertising! At the same time - YIKES! They put my cell phone number on there. Oh well.. let's hope it finds a few people!
04/25/2006 - Oh no, she did NOT post that picture! Oh yeah, I did, and I have more - I just have to find them. I'm out working today and tomorrow, so I'll get to the advertising requests and such as soon as I can!
04/24/2006 - I went in search of more photos to put up this morning. The only things I found were a few old report cards, a volleyball program from a TA Game in 1991, and my senior portrait "portfolio." I find it depressing that I had collar bones. I haven't seen them in many years now. I suppose I'm going to have to make a trip to Mom's and see if I have any photos over there. I have a few more here, but I don't want to have some of my best friends hate me for posting pictures of them on the internet. ;)
04/22/2006 - I think I finally solved the problems with profiles. I locked the forums on the message board so that only registered users of that will be able to see posts there. The only thing is that you have to register there, too. I'm not experienced enough to set up users and lock one page of the site, but the message board is already set up and everything is automated. However, I'm the only one who can see the information. Once it gets some use I will probably ask someone to help me moderate it. So now, you can go to the message board, register and post away about your life's story. Only members of the class will be able to see it. NOW GET TO POSTING!
04/21/2006 - Wow, not to sound like a dork or anything, but this is really fun. You might ask what prompted me to spend my own money and a crap-ton of time to do this. Then again you might not, but if you did.. I think I would answer that I helped my Mom do a web page for her 35th reunion this summer. That site isn't near as involved as this one because they had contact with most people already. Then, couple that with getting together with Xav, Tammy and Krista ever so often to catch up on everyone and who we've all bumped into and it just made me wonder what everyone ELSE was doing now. Then we sat at the same table with Steve Morris at a wedding and he threatened to tell my husband stories about me. Then, since I'm related to Tom Schroeder by marriage, we talked a little bit about high school over "Easter Dinner" (that's another story for another blog). Lets be honest, we've changed. We've gained weight, lost hair, gotten married - or not, had kids - or not, had tragedies, triumphs and who knows what in 15 years. I can't be the only one who's curious about someone other than the few I still talk with. There seems to be a buzz about a reunion, but no real plan to do anything, so here's the first step in a plan. We'll see where it goes.
04/21/2006 - A new Thank You to Manda Watson. I contacted Amanda since she was the reunion contact on Classmates and tried very hard to get something going a few years ago. She's going to hit the streets for me with a long list of people I would have no idea how to contact otherwise!
04/20/2006 - I wanted to thank all of you for help in getting the word out. Our membership is up 100% from this time yesterday. ;) On the other hand, there are some specific thank you's and a few others I'd like to recognize for their help: Colleen, Xav and I emailed all day yesterday brainstorming about the possibility of a reunion. They listened to me bounce ideas all over the walls and ultimately, I just decided to throw up a website. Several others have offered help in other ways- Krista Kanney and Lisa Cardin. Thanks to Thomas Schroeder for the kind words about the site. I know many of you will be an integral part of this as it grows! I'm a complete novice when it comes to site design, so if someone has some better design ideas, I'm all for suggestions. I'm going to try and keep mass emails from the site to a minimum, so make sure you check here often. I think I speak for a lot of people when I say that we'd like to eventually have a reunion that includes as many people as possible, and is fun and exciting for everyone. Once we get in touch with all the class officers, we will open up more dialogue about a reunion. For right now, let's concentrate on just getting people here, and we'll take off from there! Jennifer
08/10/2006 - The Class of 81 and the SHS Athletic Boosters are selling engraved bricks to be installed at the football stadium. We’re doing a “Wall of Fame.” The bricks can be engraved w/your name, year of graduation, sport played, etc. We’re trying to hit past classes to see if anyone is interested in purchasing a brick to leave their “mark” at Spotswood High School. If anyone is interested, they can check out the bricks on the Spotswood High School link on the Rockingham County Public Schools website. If they would like to purchase one, they can email us at spotswood1981@yahoo.com and we’ll get a form in the mail to them.