Another sad day

Okay, when Robert and I set up this blog we were big on it being a positive place, not a lot of negative blah blah blah - but geez!! After yet another day of hearing about friends being laid off, I just have to wonder where this will all end??

I do believe there is life after Handleman - and a GOOD life - but being laid off is a bitch, to be blunt. Even when I had a date and KNEW when my job was ending it was still a really tough couple of weeks when it all finally happened. It's not the job - it's the people we lose having daily contact with that is hard.

I don't know what "the company" is doing, or where it will be in a month or a year; but it's almost like watching a train wreck (or Britney Spears) and just never knowing what's going to happen next. I know most folks will not want to 'vent' in a public blog, but the option is there if you want it - I'm certainly not going to moderate what you want to say. (Well, let's keep the swearing to a dull roar and watch the libel and slander-type stuff...) Otherwise, feel free.

And to those of you still there...man, watch your back...

Shirley Marino

Hi guys,

Just got back from another interesting meeting in Detroit. Lots going on but not much in music. My territory is now twice as big as it has ever been and I guess I can say the same about myself. I am now waiting for the appearance of my 5th grandchild, (talk about gettin old) not sure what it is, but it might as well be another girl so that I can have 5 granddaughters. My husband and I moved this summer to a small town north of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, so now I can't make fun ob Bob Howard living in Maynard Iowa, (damn that was fun though), we love it, it is so quiet compared to where we did live, we now have to run the fan at night for noise, instead of running it to cover up the noise, and we don't have to worry about somebody plowing down our trees with there cars in the winter when they come down the hill and miss the curve. Last year the Linn Co. Sheriff did it Plowed one down for us. I am glad to be able to keep up with all of our Handleman family. WBU's rock, and those of us who are still with will keep it rockin.

Keep It Going!

Well here goes, Debbie Russo here, of course I got married after I left Handleman, so now I am Lawson. I live in Santa Rosa CA with my husband Mike and love it. Work for Kellogg's Snacks which use to be called Keebler. I feel like I have gone full circle. I work full time, have a company car and drive all over the place. Humm just like Handleman! I was with Handleman from 1984 to 1998 when the frist big lay off hit. I miss everyone and was glad I was told about this site from Robert. If anyone wants to e-mail me, my address is debbie93433@hotmail.com Well I guess that is it for now. Hope to here from more of you. Take care Debbie

Staying in touch HDL 1991-2002

Wow where did time go??? Lots of people out there, where and doing what? It was quite a team! Myself, I left Handleman in 2002 after 11 years. Wanted to get off the road and work in Ridgecrest at a Home Improvement store (from music to hardware it was like learning a different language). Store closed, next I got back on the road as sales rep to a Heavy equipment rental center and off to Mammoth I went. I am now layed off due to constuction slow down. Taking advantage of unemployement.

Kids - all grown up and I now have 4 grandkids, like I said where has time gone>>???

Still keep in contact with Sheri Lewis and Debbie Lawson. Saw Russ Mcquire in Bakersfield he also was/is working for United Rentals.

It was sure a surprise to get this blog and check out some familiar faces... LOPER...MARY...PENNY....DENISE.....JIM.....AND OF COURSE ROBERT!!!!!

My email is zurnvvvv@yahoo.com I also have a spot on My space if you want to check out some pic's...

Great idea Pam,

Thanks,
Vanessa Zurn

Music, video, books and software sales rep/trainer/ADM/ect... for
KMart, Wallmart, Thrifty's, Payless, Rite Aid and Sears
California, Nevada, Arizona and Texas

Kelly James

Great way to keep everyone in touch Pam. Jerry and i are still in Orange County but are considering moving out of state. I have become an aunt again on July 2, 2007 to a beautiful baby girl named Riley Marie. Other than that, nothing exciting. Hope everyone is doing well. Take Care, Kelly

Vegas anyone?

We've recently installed a "site meter" on this blog to help us see how many times each day someone, somewhere surfs on over to take a look. So far we've got an average of 6 visitors each day, each spending about 5 minutes reading and looking around. So I KNOW you guys are out there! :-) If you want to just lurk without posting any comments, that's okay - Robert and I will do our best to keep the site semi-interesting in between hearing from you.

So today is Sunday, September 9 and I am flying to Las Vegas for a couple of days. I'm meeting my middle daughter there to celebrate her 21st birthday (lord, I'm getting old). We will - of course - be hitting the Star Trek Experience at the Hilton (she's even more of a Trek fan than I am, if that's possible) and then I'm taking her to the "Thunder Down Under" show at Excaliber. Front row seats (not sure what I was thinking when I did that...) but it will definitely be a birthday to remember for her.

I will be flying back on Tuesday, so if anyone reading this happens to be hanging out in Vegas this weekend - drop me a note! I've always got my blackberry on - pamdaley@sprint.blackberry.net

Talk to you soon!

Tim Spahr checking in!

Hello from Tim in Kansas City!

Things are going OK with me and the family, it has been a rough last 2 months, my wife has had two major surgeries, a quadruple heart by pass in July and colon surgery two weeks ago. My wife is doing better now that she is at home.

The new job is going OK but have wacky hours, that is how retail is, I am still looking for something where I can work Monday thru Friday.

Great to see a way that we all can keep in touch, I will see if I can dig up some photos, I think I have a few.I will keep in touch and let everyone know how things are going. If anyone wants to get in touch with me my email address is musicman31056@yahoo.com.

Talk to you soon.
Tim Spahr in Kansas City