Gina Garske:  

Life After good ole BHS, I attended college for two years, then dropped-out to join the workforce and decide what I really wanted to do. A job in the medical field gave way to a job in the banking industry. I got married to a firefighter in 1981, and moved to Martinez in 1986. I continued in banking until 1989 when our first son was born. I "retired" from the world of finance to become an at-home Mom, and three years later our next son was born. I kept busy with the Mom thing, but as my kids got older and much more independent, I found myself with more time for me. I returned to college and planned on pursuing the full law degree, but have placed an indefinite hold on that idea as it would conflict with a possible early retirement for the hubby, and not allow us to travel. In the meantime, I do stay busy with personal interests and family. My Mom passed away in 2004, she lived a full and happy life, we miss her terribly. .......Here it is 2014, can't believe how fast time flies by. The Hubby retired in December 2011 after 32 years in the Fire Service. He is busier than ever with home improvement projects at our home in Martinez and our cabin on the Russian River. I have no problem making up honey-do lists, and at times I think he wishes he was still working at the Firehouse. The oldest son is working in Construction and waiting for a call up on an Electrician Apprenticeship. The youngest son is in College, still in love with Basketball, and holding down 2 jobs. They are great young men and make us proud. I don't feel as old as I am, and it still amazes me that I am (gasp) 56 . I'm still close with old friends and manage to see a few classmates every now and then at different functions. Life has been busy, happy and full of surprises; every year only gets better. School Biggest Crush.....first love, Buzz Grapes, a special person, we just had all the timing wrong in a small town. Best teacher, easy, someone who taught me I needed to challenge myself intellectually...Pete Jones. Best Friends, once crazy-always crazy....out of touch with one, still crazy with the other, Becky and Debbie. Fondest memory, John Claverie, who had the biggest shoulder to cry on and could put all my troubles in perspective, his friendship was a treasure. Cruising First street, it was easy to cruise all night long with gas at somewhere around .67 a gallon, five bucks in the tank and you were set to go. Put a couple of crazy friends in the car and the next thing you know, you have the cops talking to you over their P.A. system. ( sorry, inside joke ) I remember learning to drive a stick shift on Carla Strong's parent's Volkswagon bug, and almost killing us in the intersection of Military and First. True friends hang in there with you, the Bug's clutch survived, the friends survived, and I learned how to shift. Back at school, we thought we were so sly, got out of 4th period on the premise of using the restroom, and called in pizza orders at Pizza Pirate for lunch so it would be ready when we got there. I still remember Miss Loewe and her "Alley Cat" song. Oh, Biology with Uncle Brian, I still refuse to touch a frog, alive or dead, and much against his prediction have never learned to stomach the smell of formaldehyde. I thank him for not flunking me. My years in Choir singing with good friends, hello Ms. Shryl Naomi Renee Avril, and wearing those God awful gold dresses with the blue scarves. Mr. Turner, what can I say, we had a large conflict of personalities, he just wasn't the P.E. teacher for me. However, I still do play tennis, but just not at 6:45 a.m. every morning. And finally, Mr. Arrants, whose first encounter with me was my freshman year, I called his beloved sophomores, sophisticated morons. He was a teacher then, and said I would live to regret it. I did, he never cut me any slack once he became Principal....the discussions in his office were enlightening. Four years of friends and fun....would I do it all again ?......nope...had too much fun and made too many memories, besides at my age I'd probably hurt myself real bad.....if I survived. April 29, 2005 College Two years of Solano College, majoring in Psychology. Sitting in Beth's car cramming for tests. Bumming cigarettes (yes, I was stupid enough to smoke then) from Madison, who gave me an entire pack, each cigarette wrapped individually like a present for my birthday. I quit soon after. Taking self-defense and surprising myself by getting an A out of the class and an invitation to go to a tournament. Didn't go, it's one of few regrets. I left 1 class short of my degree to go out and "find myself". I did go back to school after I got married. I dropped the Psychology major and started picking up Criminal Justice/Law classes, loved the classes and thought I might aim toward a career in that field as my kids got older. Had too much fun raising my kids, so put the education on hold. Still having fun now that they're older, so haven't gone back. Workplace Left College to work with a Respite Center that provided in home support to disabled/ terminally ill kids. Developed a roster of the greatest clients, grew very close to them. Had to quit when I just couldn't handle the stress of treating the terminally ill kids. Next job, helped run a Plasma Center. Did a little of everything, worked with patients, spun bags in the lab, ran tests, worked the front desk. Worked with some good people and a jerk of a boss. Left when it dead ended unless I moved to Seattle to start up a center there. It rains too much in Seattle. Moved on to the Banking industry, the pay sucked, but the group I worked with was like family. We had fun on and off the job, it made up for the lack of salary by making it a place you wanted to work. I stayed there until my next job...Mom. That brings me all the way up today.....it is a job that I still have fun at and the people are great...................April 29, 2005 Life continues.... Here it is June 2009, does anyone else think time flies faster and faster? Oldest son is in college with an Administration of Justice major, wants to be a cop. Youngest son ending his Sophomore year in High School, still in love with basketball, has mumbled a few words about possible future career in Fire Service. Who knows, at 16 you are allowed to changed your mind monthly, if not weekly. I am staying busy with home improvement, family stuff, and general craziness that revolves around my family. Life is still good, even if the economy sucks, and those in charge can't seem to find their tushs with both hands and a flashlight. Update...7/2011 Wow, 35 years since our graduation. My youngest son ...Expand for more