OK, Now I Forgot.....Oh, Now I Remember!

I love that the creators of these blog things try to keep us up to date on the latest and try to make things better all the time....BUT, because of the new changes in the format I have had the hardest time just trying to get started with this blog entry. Every time I would push a button the screen would fade several shades and freeze up! This happened about three times and by the time I finally got it to where I could at least write....I had forgotten the inspiration for my entry! AAARRRGGGGHHHH!

Oh yes. I went to The Busy Bee's blog and read her entry about her parent's new car. They bought one of those Smart Cars. It is so cute! I remember when Volkswagens came out. They were all the rage and everyone talked about how small they were and had the engine in the rear and the trunk in the front! And they were inexpensive...then....they were inexpensive. As a matter-of-fact they were so inexpensive, "I" could have bought one easily. I was after all a hairdresser making good money, just a Senior in High School and living at home with no other expenses. I had never even considered such a thing as owning my own car.

You have to understand I grew up in the 50's and 60's. My Moma did not work outside the home and did not drive. My Daddy worked as a cook for a boarding school three miles outside of town and was gone from early morning until late afternoon when he took a short break only to return and go back until around 7:00 in the evening. We lived three blocks from the main street of town and our church. I was within walking distance of everything....so....that is what I did....walk. The only thing I could have possibly "needed" a car for was to drag main.

Now, for those of you too young to know what that is....it is where you get as many of your friends in the car as your possibly can and drive a specified route around the town and wave and honk at your other friends doing the same thing, stopping only at the two places, one on either end, to get something to eat or drink and visit with your friends. In Tahlequah (tal e qua), which is where I grew up, our drag was around the Sonic, which sat at one end of town, down the four lane, turn left on main street to the street that lead up to the Rhode's drive inn. Around the drive in and back the same way around the Sonic and back again. (Now, don't ask me the name of the street, in small towns you don't mess with such trivialities, you go by landmarks. We all knew which street it was! Oh, and the Rhode's drive in was not the name of the drive in....the Rhodes' were the people who owned the drive in). Anyway, you would get on course and round and round you went! It was great fun!

But, even then, as I said, when you did drag main you took as many of your friends with you in your car as you possibly could so I could usually go with someone else dragging main.

One day my younger older brother, George Jefferson Kilpatrick the III Custom Deluxe Esquire ....(you will have to have either the Bohemian or Lizardbreath to finish his other eleventy thousand names for you, and you should, I think it takes about a full minute to say it...which is why I am not going to write it all here) ANYWAY....Neh, as I call him, says to me. "You should buy one of those Volkswagens. You could you know." Well, he got me to thinking about it and I did the research on the cost and decided to buy one. I told my Moma and Daddy and my older sister and they were all agreeable. It was as good as done.....UNTIL....my oldest brother, Seaweed, who was in the Navy and off in some foreign port at the time, told my parentst that Volkswagens were unsafe. He was in a foreign port after all, he should know. He said it would be like driving a tomato can down the street. Well, that was all it took. If Seaweed said it was unsafe, then it must be! Thanks a lot Seaweed! So...that was the end of my getting a Volkswagen.

After that I never even considered getting another car. I would just drive the family car. A 19?? Mercury Comet, fondly called "The Vomit" due to it's many endearing qualities, such as, the door on the drivers side was green while the rest of the car was ah sil...ah gra...ah rus...never mind, it was a car of a different color. And as you might expect, since the door was a different color it no longer latched and had a rope tied to the inside arm rest that had to be held by the passenger to keep it from swinging open. The horn did not work. That is unless the car was in park or you were turning left. The blinkers did not work, which allowed you to practice your hand and arm signals little known today, although it could be cold or wet upon occasions. And the heater did not work. And....what? Air conditioner? What is that? (I was told later it had a four-25 model, that is all four windows down, driving 25 miles an hour). Anyway, the Vomit would work just fine. And it did. It got me from A to B and could hold lots of friends. Of course it's availability was limited. It could even be very entertaining at times. And the great thing about the Vomit was, who would know if you dented or scratched it! Come to think of it....it was the perfect car for a new driver.

Well, so I walked to and from school, uphill both ways, in the snow a foot deep with the North wind blowing in my face with bread sacks on my feet every....no wait....that was my ....no, that was me. Anywho.....I either walked or hitched a ride upon occasion but I always got where I wanted to go.

Then one day I came walking down the street and saw a strange car sitting in the driveway. It was a very large, brand new, white, 1969 Chevrolet Biscayne. It had genuine vinyl interior and standard on the column. Who did that belong to? Turned out it was ours! WOW...A brand new car! No dents, all one color, heater and air conditioner! Amazing! Wait a minute....I don't know how to drive a standard!

I had been driving my boyfriend's car. See, while my boyfriend had a car, he was not old enough to drive it yet. He was 8mos. younger than I and did not have his license yet. Daddy didn't like it that I was driving his car, so if I was going to drive. I had to drive our car. I had a date that night and if we were going in a car it would be our car, not his. But, I didn't know how to drive a standard! SO...Daddy took me across the street to the parking lot of the church and gave me a 15 minute lesson on how to drive a stick, then took me for a drive. WAS HE KIDDING! Was he really going to turn me loose with a brand new car, with a stick shift I had had a 15 minute lesson on followed by a 5 minute drive? Yes, ladies and gentlemen he was...did. But, THAT is a whole other story!

So, back to the original purpose for writing this entry. The "little" Smart Car is cute. And I saw one today parked next to a Mini Cooper that made it look even smaller. They say the gas mileage in them is great! I am happy for The Busy Bee's parents, (and for further entertainment value, be sure you read the newspaper article and comments), and can't wait to see it in person and sit in it. It is the latest in "small" cars just like the Volkswagen was in the 60's. And the engine is in the back just like the Volkswagen......but where is the trunk?!

Where is Everyone!

Everyday I go to my daughter's blog site and wonder...."Where is everyone?" I know she is busy with four children of her own and babysitting for another...ages 8,6,3, 3, and 1. And I know she is homeschooling, nursing, and trying to do laundry and keep house. But, where is she? The last time she made a blog entry was weeks ago! Then I go to my daughter-in-law's website and wonder....."Where is everyone?" I know she is busy with two very active boys, ages 4 and 2. And I know she just moved into a new house and is trying to get settled in. But, where is she? The last time she made a blog entry was weeks ago! So, today my daughter called me and I called The Busy Bee and talked. They are busy. I know that. Still....I go to their blog sites and wonder. Then...it dawned on me. I have a blog and when was the last time I made an entry? So, here I am. Now, when I get finished I will be writing about everything I have already told my two daughters....but then there may be others out there who are wondering...."Where is everyone?"

We have a family of eight living with us part-time and full-time. The Dad....What did I name him?...and the three oldest children are here all the time. Dad has a new job and the children are going to school. Mom, I called her Eve, is back in the town from which they are moving trying to sell the house, homeschooling the three youngest children, and taking care of the dogs. Now, having just gone through the same kind of senerio with my son and his family....I feel their pain! Eve and the three younger ones come on the weekend and stay through Monday.

Last Monday I had the pleasure of keeping the younger ones while Eve went house hunting. Actually there was very little "keeping" about the whole thing. I was going to be home anyway, mowing and doing everyday stuff and thought the kids would rather stay here with me rather than go looking at houses...and yes they would.... so they did. After I was all through with "my chores" as Thor calls them, and showered. I thought the kiddos might like to go to the park. We have a very nice, very LARGE park not far from the house and they had been so good to play all morning without so much as one little tiff...at least so far as I could tell. These kids are Q_U_I_E_T. You know as in shhhhh. Since there is very little of that around here I am not sure if I would know when they were fighting or not...come to think of it. Anyway...they said they would love to go to the park. I also gave them the option of going to get something to eat, eating here, or taking a picnic lunch with us to the park. Little eight year old Abbie told her brothers, along with me, that they did not need to "go" get something to eat. They could eat here...then go to the park. Something about the exchange made me think that she was echoing something she had been taught or at the very least used to being the one to make these kinds of decisions. Either way neither of the boys protested, but agreed.

After lunch off we went to the park. They had a great time playing...and a great day for it. It was overcast and not too hot. All I did was sit and watch the antics of three children that were used to playing outside and with each other. It was fun watching them, but I will have to admit I wished my own grandchildren were there as well to join in the fun. After an hour or so and with all the running, swinging, sliding, digging, climbing, and a vigorous game of their version of hide-and-go-seek (which had kind of a "tag" twist to it, almost like the kick-the-can games we played as children) they were hot and thirsty. There was a Hawaiian Ice stand sitting on the parking lot and Mason, the 6 yr. old , spotted it the minute we entered the parking lot coming into the park. He had made a comment about it and almost immediately Abbie informed him he did not "need" and icy. So, it was dropped. They tried to get a drink from the fountain...but it did not work. And now they were thirsty and needed some refreshment. And being the grandmother that I am...I thought they "needed" an icy. Sadly...it was closed. So we went to every Hawaiin Ice stand I knew about, only to find them all closed...I guess for the season. So, it was off to the Sonic....and Happy Hour. When I asked what they wanted they asked if they could have any kind they wanted. Of course I said, "Yes." So here came the concoctions. And what about size? Any size. Even LARGE! "Yes." And large it was....all around.

The thing with the drinks reminded me of something that happened when I was a child probably no older than six. We did not get treats out often, but when we did our Daddy would buy us the biggest one we wanted. And "back in the olden days", big WAS big. Our favorite treat to buy was an ice cream cone. Now you have to understand. At our house when you ate a big ice cream cone you did not use napkins...as a matter-of-fact you did not even drip! Daddy taught us how to eat an ice cream cone and it was a point of pride to eat it without one single drip....and no napkins....no matter how big the ice cream cone was! We went to visit our cousins in a nearby town and took one of my brother's friends with us. He announced that on the way back he was going to buy us a treat at the Dairy Queen. Man oh man! We could hardly wait for the trip back. The anticipation of that great big ice cream was hardly more than we could bear. Well, when we got to the Dairy Queen my brother's friend ordered and when we stepped up to get our ice cream we were handed the dinkiest little bit of an ice cream cone you have ever seen. Talk about disappointed, but.... we did not show it or say anything other than "Thank you", and acted like it was the best ice cream ever. It was good, just not "much" good. After we took my brother's friend home our Daddy must have known how disappointed we were because he took us straight to the Dairy Queen and got us a BIG ice cream cone. He told us he was proud of us for not saying anything. That my brother's friend did a nice thing and if we had said anything it would have hurt my brother's friend's feelings and Daddy and Moma would have been disappointed with us. And to show his appreciation for our conduct the ice cream was our reward. I believe it was that day that I learned about how good manners pay off.

These children obviously have been taught not to ask for, or expect people to buy things for them. And coming from a family of six children there may not be many opportunities for treats. But it was fun buying them a treat and allowing them to get what they wanted. And their parents would have been very proud to know that each one of them told me "Thank you for taking us to the park to play...and for the drink!"

That evening as Eve was getting ready to return home and take the three youngest with her, I heard the children say to her. "Mom, can't we stay here? We had fun today. We don't want to go home." Of course they did leave, but at least I know that when they do come back to stay until they find a house to buy here, they will be happy staying here.

Today as I talked with my daughters on the phone I was reminded of how much I miss my family when they are not here. Our house was always busy while our two children were growing up. They were active in school, with band, choir, and church activities. Their friends were always at our house and we really enjoyed it. It was the same during their college years and for three years Lizardbreath and Rock lived with us, like the Waltons, along with the Professor, the Princess, and the Warrior. And since they have moved to Texas they have added another arrow to the quiver and Baby J will be a year old on September 5th! This summer we have had Mr. Golden Curls and the Lil' Spitfire quite a bit while the Bohemian and The Busy Bee were trying to sell their house or at least rent it, get packed and moved to Hot Springs. This summer has been a swirl of activity and while the activity has not slowed much, our two children and their families both now live five hours away, in opposite directions and we just don't get to see them as often as we would like. Having these other children in our home has made me homesick for my own children and grandchildren while allowing me to relive moments of the past with school and activities.

So when I say, "Where is everyone?", what I mean is, I love you, I miss you, and I wish you were here. But since you can't be....make a blog entry! And I will try to do better as well.

The First Day of School!

Do you remember your first day of school? I do. I loved school, and from the time I was three or so I wanted to go to school. As a matter-of-fact my senior English teacher lived across the street from me and had a private Kindergarten when I was three. She said I used to sit on her front porch and beg her to let me go to school! And when I was kindergarten age you had to pay to go to kindergarten, they did not have kindergarten in the schools....so I did not get to go to kindergarten because of lack of funds to do so. By the time I was old enough to go to first grade I was so ready I surely drove my Moma crazy with anticipation!

As I got older my love for school never dwindled. I still love school. I would go back today and get my doctorate if I felt the cost could be justified just for the sheer satisfaction of saying I had my doctorate and my children having to call me Dr. Mom!

I taught school for ten years and I loved getting ready for the students to arrive and I don't think I ever really lost that "idealistic" thinking of what school would be like for the students as well as myself as their teacher. Sometimes I miss it, other times I am glad to be out of the politics of it...you know....the place where "ideals" die. Overall, I believe every child can learn and loves to learn and can have fun doing so.

Anyway, today was the first day of school for three of the six children living in my home right now. I say children.....these young people are 16, 14, and 12. They have been homeschooled and attended public school for the first time today. I asked them if they were ready and two of them were, while the third was a bit apprehensive. That is understandable. I mean, they have just moved here from another city, attending another church, living in someone else's house, and attending school for the very first time....at ages 12, 14, and 16.

It was daunting for me to think about and I prayed hard for them today. I can't imagine at their age undertaking such a task. Life at their age is hard enough without being the new kid at school and new to school. But kids are resillient and when they came home they said they had a good time. I am glad. I want them to like school and be well accepted.

And...since it has been 1995 since I actually had any kids in school.....I forgot how hungry they are when they arrive back home!

I guess I better go fix supper, growing boys don't last long on snacks....girls either!

And Then There Were Six...No Ten...No Six!

People tease us about our house having a revolving door. What they mean is....we have a great deal of company! And we do.

Two years ago Lizardbreath and the Rock ran off with my grandchildren and left Thor and I all alone in this great big house! Since then we have had more than enough room to house various guests for various reasons for various lengths of time.

Our latest occupants number six when all of them are here on weekends and four during the week. Our church has recently called a Minister to Students and he and his family are staying with us. I will call him, the Body Builder. First of all, he has been a trainer in the past, but now, not only is he that physical kind of body builder, but he is also helping our church build the body of Christ as he works with our Youth and College Students. His wife, I will call, Eve, for not only is she the mother of six, but she is a helpmate to the Body Builder.

The Body Builder and Eve have six wonderful children. They range in age from 6 to 16, two years apart from the next and when standing in chronological order...perfect stair steps. There are four boys and two girls. The girls are #2 and #5 in the lineup. Since I have only been acquainted with them for a short time I can only refer to them by their ages until I learn their personalities. I can say that all of these children are well behaved, well mannered, and get along with each other well. I am looking forward to getting to know this family better as the days go by.

But, for now, I can tell you that Eve and I work well together in the house and have much in common. Although she could actually be my daughter...had I married at 16. She too is a hairdresser and wife of a minister and we can talk pretty much non-stop when we are around one another.

I hope they are able to sell their house in OKC quickly so we can be a constant eight for a little while before they find another house in Owasso to call home!

Let's Try This AGAIN!!!!

Okay, I may be a Baby Boomer, but I like to think of myself as willing to try out this new technology stuff...and succeed. But just trying to add an entry to this new blog of mine has been an exercise in futility. I can manage to get the text written, but getting it posted with the ability to receive comments and have the date where it belongs is something else. This should be a "no-brainer" process, right?! Well, I haven't found it to be so. Hopefully, this time will be different and everything will be as it should be....we will see.