Toni Schmid

2002 ride on B-24 Liberator from Houston to Waco (like Dad flew in WWII)

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1982 ~ 1940 ~ 2001
3 Pilots ~ Toni Schmid ~ Ed Schmid ~ Gordon Stevenson

BIO: (as of December 2008)

Entered AHISD in 1965 ~ began AH Junior School mid-year, when dad retired from USAF in San Antonio
Since 1971: Have lived in Austin since graduating from UT Austin. Bachelor of Fine Arts, have taught Art, did Community Theatre, got married, got unmarried, then married Gordon 30 years later. Work has included 28 years in Mortgage Banking & Technology Industry, and some non-profit work: Austin Chamber of Commerce, 1988 Mayoral Campaign, Keep Texas Beautiful, Inc. (as you drive thru Texas, TXDOT signs at city entrances say "Keep Texas Beautiful Proud Community" was 'my' project); Volunteer: Commemorative Air Force (formerly known as Confederate Air Force), Paramount Theatre, CASA of Travis Co./Guardian ad litem, Hospice Austin (fundraising)
Current Position: Tour Director for the B-29/B-24 Squadron of the Commemorative Air Force.
Who am I: Typical Libra - a realist, practical, happy, easy going, independent, procrastinator, responsible, fair, calm in a crisis, slow & over-analytical, cautious, a bit stoic. Assertive, but not an 'A' personality - more like B+. Am both social and reclusive. Adore working from my home.
Wish: that I'd been born 30 years earlier & been a WASP (Women Air Service Pilots); what a kick!
Regret: That I did not know my grandparents. That I never had children of my own, however, I have a fantastic step-son, Taylor
Important to me: good physical & mental health, my husband, financial independence, freedom, sense of humor, honesty, family, friends, our animals, accomplishment and trust.
Favorite little things in life: the quiet sounds in the barn when the horses are eating; fresh cut grass smell, road trips, lawn sprinklers, wood-burning fireplace, cricket chirps, "M.A.S.H." re-runs, classic films, the Ferry crossing at Port Aransas, fireflies; an icey cold beer and grilling outside.
Advise to Youth: Befriend older people, especially people over 70 - listen to their stories - they have much to give. Be kind, have empathy, keep your sense of humor, don't gossip.
Military/Govt Experience: None, but was the daughter of career Air Force Colonel, so "served my time" as 'Air Force brat' abroad and growing up in many places. A wonderful life and worth most of the sacrifices.
Awards/Recognitions: voted by my dogs, cats, the deer & various wildlife 'in the hood' as "BEST Mom". (I hope to be reincarnated as one of my pets)
Adventurous things: At the age of 55, got my first horse, an 8 year old ex-racehorse thoroughbred to love and care for; earned my Private Pilot License 1982 at Robert Mueller Airport; 1984 purchased & single-hand sailed a Catalina 25; 1980 auditioned and landed (fluke) the "Sandy Dumbrowski" role in "Grease" in an Austin community theatre, with no theatre experience; traveled Europe alone w/backpack, hiked the Grand Canyon. Built my home. Scuba dived with nurse sharks. Dating in the 80's & 90's was pretty adventurous too.
Most Proud Of: My father. My sister. My husband. My stepson. A 90-minute 1200 slide multi media presentation, spanning from 1886 to the present (1100 photos, period music) which I created for our family. Am also somewhat proud of this web site.
Greatest Accomplishments: Earning my Pilot's License. Taking 1st Place in Turnback Canyon Sailing Regatta Lake Travis, 1984. Reaching 50 w/out therapy. Building my home.
How to be remembered: happy & content, loyal, kind to animals, could laugh at myself.
In spare time: Well, there seems to be a shortage of spare time these days. When I'm not spending time with my horse George, I putz around house/yard, watch the wildlife, walk my dog, read or vegg on on porch, meet w/friends for wine, dinner or a walk; trek around cemetaries with my geneology empassioned husband; work on his geneology website; and work on this crazy, time consuming class web site! LOL ~ TS