Classmate spotlight...

"Ok guys, in my life I haven't accomplished anything memorable or headline worthy, why choose me to feature?...I'm boring". We beg to differ.


Pat Navalany Launhardt is actually someone that we can all learn from. Does her resume cover sheet show Wall Street career accomplishments to a potential employer, perhaps not, but turn to page two for character traits, integrity and a list of people that she has touched throughout her life. She has endured the loss of her son Brian at the age of three in addition to losing the love of her life, husband and fellow WHS 1970 classmate Chuck Launhardt only into the first week of their marriage. Patty had a choices to make when hit with these losses and she plowed ahead with life and anyone considered to be her friend along the way is the fortunate one.


"I try to include a positive attitude with a sense of humor to my day, and those around me. I totally dislike all the negative drama that surfaces these days I make light of it through humor. We don't need added stress and we can simply filter it out if we choose to. When people hurt you, forgive them! When life brings you circumstances that seem hard to get thru, find your way thru it. Life is too short to hold grudges! Always let love win!!!!"

Now, before we make this young lady out to be the second Mother Theresa we want to point out she is not the one to anger while on the road. The Jersey persona comes out in her and some believe Walt drew inspiration for the character of Cruella DeVille from our fellow classmate, at least for the scenes behind the wheel. Speaking of Hollywood, there is one personality that Patty has a very slight affection for, George Clooney. "Rich, yes I do adore the man but it goes beyond his good looks, I just feel he is "good people". He is unselfish with his time and money for worthwhile causes and that alone makes me like him.". At this point I asked Patty if she attended the WHS prom and with whom. Her answer was no, the one I was waiting for to ask me never did. Turns out he was too shy to ask her at the time and as a result both stayed at home that evening.

She chooses laughter, with a dash of sarcasm these days. Anyone that follows her on Facebook will recall some of her "Patty-isms". Chris Boland O'Keefe has collected most of them over time...

 

So this morning when the guy in the BIG truck pulled out in front of me and slowed to 25, I did not get mad!! My first thought was actually "sorry about your penis" LMAO!!!

In the battle to balance the soup, salad, drink and iPad... the salad lost! DAMN!!!

Hey idiot in the Saab... what part of "State Law: STOP for pedestrians in crosswalk" don't you get? Almost witnessed a bad scene. And a word to the college students as well; stop texting while walking and pay attention to the idiots who will NOT stop when you are in the crosswalk! Happy Monday!!!!!

I don't know which is a better place to people watch, Wal-mart or the farmer's market in Delaware. I do know that a size 18 ass does not fit into size 12 leggings!!! Seriously!

It is said that acknowledgement is the first step to recovery, so here goes: Hi, my name is Pat and I am a witch! I have been broom free for about an hour today!

So I am no longer a Duck Dynasty virgin! Watched a few episodes, so now I will have to binge watch some more. Those guys QUACK me up!!!!

Just when I vow to give humans another chance at redemption, some selfish ignorant moron changes my mind! WHY would you leave a shopping cart RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HANDICAP PARKING SPACE! AARRGGHHH!!

Beautiful beach day! Funny thing happened...this woman plopped her fat ass in a beach chair and went right over on her back like a turtle! Good thing my sister was there to help me back up!

When you pull out a pair of shoes to wear, and you need to dust them off, does that mean you have too many shoes... Nah, I don't think so. I think I need to clean the closet more often. LOL

In a panic...can't. find. keys. Search purse, tote, floor, kitchen, bedroom. NO KEYS! It's getting late, need to leave for work. Grab the spare keys and head for the car! Keys still in the ignition! I am a DUMBASS!!! LOL

What started as a great idea to clean the closet, ended with me dusting off a box of letters from Chuck from 22 years ago! That led to smiles and laughter and tears! Memories are much more fun than cleaning anyway. Cleaning can wait!

Congrats to the ass in the Saab this morning who thought he was cute cutting me off! You win "Idiot of the Day"!

Yay me! I put together my little gas grill, and did not blow myself up! Who says I need a man!!!!

WARNING: Binge watching Duck Dynasty can lead to crazy ass Redneck dreams!!! LOL    Had a doozie last night.

What kind of MORON spits their gum into the OFFICE SINK and leaves it there? I'm just sayin.

Today was the annual park picnic, and once again, these people MUST be aliens!
1. What would possess you to let your dog walk on the table where other people are going to eat?
2. Why would you wear black leopard print underwear with white gauze pants?
3. If your slacks are stuck in your butt crack, perhaps they are too tight
AND...
4. If your boobs touch your belly you need to wear a bra, at least in public!

Today's Idiot was me! Stopped in Kohl's to get a shirt for Chris and had to use the restroom. Walked right into the MEN's room! Glad there was no one standing at the urinal! LOL

Marriage is a relationship in which one person is always right and the other is the husband!

f you ever doubt our loved ones who have passed are not watching over us and listening, let me tell you a story. This morning I was missing Chuck and sad that I had to celebrate our anniversary alone. I told him so, Loudly. Switched the radio to a station I only listen to once in awhile, and within 10 minutes of my thought, on came Luther Vandross " Here and Now" the song that I dedicated to him on the day we were married!

I was traumatized at Burger King today. I got a senior discount...AND I DID NOT ASK FOR IT!!!! Time to hide the gray??? Nah, I earned every one of them.
 

"I believe if you wear enough pretty lipstick, sparkly jewelry, and great shoes no one will even notice the size of your ass"

 

Our featured classmate was raised in Fords. In fact, at the corner of Heartstone & Inverness. Like Hollywood and Vine, this Fords' intersection was the locale for the making of a female Rat Pack consisting of Patty, Donna Wilson, Penny Shuff, Pat Dillion and her two besties...Patsy Ann Koebel and Cindy Hathaway. Jack Taylor was once quoted as saying we (guys) were actually afraid of the group. "We were afraid to ask anyone out, yes we were intimidated by you!"

Pat calls West Grove, PA home today and has worked for Advanced Audio Visual for the past 14 years as their billing manager. She has no plans for retirement in the near future and loves her co-workers. One point in particular she shared with us was her company has a yearly talent contest and she is a two time winner...a result of being the female vocalist for their group, The Avengers. When pressed, she owned up that she can do a mean Patsy Cline! Where was this vocal talent discovered, being a participant in the Fords Junior High Variety Shows created by the science teacher, Mr. Williams.

 

She is very proud of her two children, Robbie and Jenn. Some of us have read Jenn's work since she is an accomplished suspense & science fiction author. Her latest release is entitled "Lucky's Break".

We had an opportunity to speak with Patty's sister Linda. Linda thanked us for featuring her sister and told us how proud she is of her. "My sister is someone I admire every day and I am so thankful to have her. I honestly can't find the words to describe how much I love her. says Linda". When asked to share a word or two about her life long friend, Cindy Hathaway-Prokop wrote this about Pat: "Friends come, friends go, but not Patty. We have been friends since October of 1955.  We lived through some crazy times, some very sad periods, but lots of happy times. If one can truly have a "BFF" (and I believe we can) mine is Patty. We now live on different sides of the country, but our friendship will never end. Patty is easy to talk to, fun to laugh with and a truly good soul. She has endured some really heartbreaking events in her life, but she locks them in her heart and goes on. I am so blessed to have this woman in my life. 

 

During her free time Pat will work on crafts whether it be quilting, flowers, etc. She looks forward to her annual family girls reunion at the Jersey Shore..."Have to get my boardwalk food and especially Taylor Pork Roll. During last year's gathering she witnessed the destructive fire. She budgets her time to always allow some casino time in Atlantic City.

Patty is looking forward to the challenge, along with Betty Bellanca and Chris Boland O'Keefe, in chairing our 45th Class reunion. She said getting an early start and getting a game plan together is so vital. She is amazed at all the offers of help that have surfaced thus far. With these three, along with a great support team, we're confident a memorable reunion in 2015 is awaiting us.

Patty remembered from our last reunion weekend and the Saturday tour of the high school how small everything appeared. "The ceilings weren't so high, hallways not as wide...all so less intimidating compared to our time back then."

For many of the same reasons that Patty has been attracted to Mr. Clooney over the years we concur the same attraction with Mrs. Launhardt...they are both "good people". Patty's daily smile and kind ways are a reminder to us all to embrace our days, friends and blessed family. In closing, let's remember at the reunion to hand her the microphone not for more evening announcements but rather something far more entertaining...a little dose of Patsy Cline!