A couple of weeks ago on Facebook, I received a friend request from my friend, Josh, that I hadn't talked to in several years. It's pretty rare that I get a friend request on Facebook that I'm actually excited about (sad, I know), but this one was different.
Growing up in several different towns (and states!), I don't really have friends that I've had since childhood or "people I grew up with"... except my siblings of course... and one family, the H family.
The H family paralleled my family in many ways. Our parents were best of friends, both Dads were ministers, and both families had 4 kids. We would only get together with the H family about 2 or 3 times a year, as we always lived at least 3 hours from each other, but we always had a great time. The H family's oldest son (Jacob) was the same age as my brother, Jeremy, and their youngest (Lydia) was about a year younger than my sister, Lisa. So, every time our families got together, we naturally paired off as Jacob & Jeremy and Lisa & Lydia. That left me to pal around with the middle two red-headed H boys, Josh and Zach.
If you know me, you know that I was an easy kid. I didn't question authority much (unless it was Jeremy's authority... a Flashback Friday for another day), I did was I was supposed to do, and I stayed out of trouble. However, there is one major exception to the staying out of trouble part... and that was when Josh and Zach were around.
Josh was our ringleader. He would always hatch up these great ideas - that inevitably got us into trouble - then he would hatch up a way to get us out of the trouble. Which, of course, only got us into more trouble. You would think after this happening a couple times, I would have learned. But no.
When deciding which story of trouble I was going to share today, I quickly decided that I would not tell the story of the time Josh convinced Zach and I to get on the roof of the house with him and run around. We thought that since our parents were inside the house they would never know. Of course, we forgot to consider the fact that they could hear us running around up there and we were busted.
Nor am I going to tell about the time that we broke a basement window with an antique croquet mallet of Josh and Zach's great-grandfather. The mallet was also broken in the incident and we were all sent to bed in the middle of the day.
Nor will I share about the time when we were a little older (Josh could drive) and asked to go to the movies. We were given permission to go, but told that we must come straight home. We decided, upon Josh's persuasion, to stop at Dairy Queen on the way home. We got busted on that, too.
Nor will I tell about the time when our families were both guests at an older couple's house and we found an old copy machine in the back bedroom. We decided to plug it in and fire it up, which resulted in filling the whole back of the house with some thick, black, smokey substance. And, of course, we were busted.
Nope, I'm not going to tell any of those stories or the plethera of others that I have to choose from.
Today, I'm going to tell about the time that our neighbor thought Josh, Zach, and I tried to kill her dog.
The H family was visiting us for the weekend at our house in Kansas City. This house was in a neighborhood that backed up to a wooded area. Josh, Zach, and I decided to walk around in the woods to see what we could see. After a few minutes, we found a cue ball (like you play pool with), but nothing else exciting, so we headed back to my house. On our way back, our neighbor's dog started freaking out and barking at us. Josh tossed the cue ball over the fence into our neighbor's yard (he didn't hit the dog), and we walked home.
About 10 minutes after we got home, the neighbor rings our doorbell. My dad answers, and the neighbor frantically tells him how his kids tried to kill her dog with the a cue ball (then she holds it up for proof, ya know, since we left it in her backyard).
The Dads decided to call all of us kids into the living room and find out who it could have been (although I'm sure they had a pretty good idea). Following Josh's lead, we all denied having ever even seen the cue ball. Of course, it was true for Jacob, Jeremy, Lisa, and Lydia. The neighbor quickly affirmed that the kids who tried to kill her dog were the two reds and the girl with long brown hair.
The redhair got us everytime!
We were busted.
*sigh*
Showing posts with label Flashback Friday. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Flashback Friday. Show all posts
Friday, May 8, 2009
Friday, May 1, 2009
Flashback Friday -- Wal-mart and USD
Time: About 2002
Place: The jewelry counter at Wal-mart in The Quah
Place: The jewelry counter at Wal-mart in The Quah
Does anyone remember these dollar coins that were released in 2000?
Chris and I had gotten several of them (like 20 or more) not long after we were first married. I needed to have my watch battery replaced, so I grabbed 5 of them and headed to Wal-mart.
At the jewelry counter, the 12-year old Wal-mart girl replaced my battery, and told me my total was $3 and some change. I handed her 4 Sacagawea dollar coins and waited patiently for my change.
I should have known better.
12-year old Wal-mart girl looked at me with a very confused - somewhat annoyed - look on her face.
12 year-old Wal-mart girl: Ummm, I don't think we take these.
Me: What?
12 year-old Wal-mart girl: We don't take these.
Me (somewhat sarcastically): You don't take USD?
12 year-old Wal-mart girl (dead seriously): Ummm, no.
Me: Ooooookkkkkkaaaaayyyyy, I guess I'll pay with my check card then.
12 year-old Wal-mart girl: Yeah.
Sometimes, there are just no words.
Friday, April 24, 2009
Flashback Friday -- Where's Chris?
Time: Summer 2004
Place: Down by the river in The Quah
While we were in college, Chris and I would spend many 'o summer day hanging out down by the river. It is just part of the experience of our college town. This particular Saturday, we headed to one of our favorite parts of the river with 5 of our friends and a Subway lunch.
My friend, Angie, was driving us around in her Jeep Liberty. The vehicle sat 2 in the front, and we squeezed four in the back. We were still short one seat, so Chris volunteered to ride in the hatch with our Subway lunches.
Going to the river was always so much fun, so when we finally pulled up to our special spot, we all got so excited that we ran out of the car, threw off our shoes, and immediately started playing around in the water. The cool water felt so good on this 100 plus degree day.
After about 3 or 4 minutes, someone saw something strange off in the distance. I suggested that Chris should go out there and see what it is. Chris? Wait, where is Chris???
After looking at each other puzzled for a second, we realized that we had left Chris in the hatch of the car! We quickly ran to the car, opened the hatch, and sure enough... there sat Chris (waiting so patiently for us to remember him).
Hee-hee... it's a good thing I have a forgiving husband!
Place: Down by the river in The Quah
While we were in college, Chris and I would spend many 'o summer day hanging out down by the river. It is just part of the experience of our college town. This particular Saturday, we headed to one of our favorite parts of the river with 5 of our friends and a Subway lunch.
My friend, Angie, was driving us around in her Jeep Liberty. The vehicle sat 2 in the front, and we squeezed four in the back. We were still short one seat, so Chris volunteered to ride in the hatch with our Subway lunches.
Going to the river was always so much fun, so when we finally pulled up to our special spot, we all got so excited that we ran out of the car, threw off our shoes, and immediately started playing around in the water. The cool water felt so good on this 100 plus degree day.
After about 3 or 4 minutes, someone saw something strange off in the distance. I suggested that Chris should go out there and see what it is. Chris? Wait, where is Chris???
After looking at each other puzzled for a second, we realized that we had left Chris in the hatch of the car! We quickly ran to the car, opened the hatch, and sure enough... there sat Chris (waiting so patiently for us to remember him).
Hee-hee... it's a good thing I have a forgiving husband!
Friday, April 17, 2009
Flashback Friday -- Ug Duck
My Dad likes to nickname people... especially his children and grandchildren. I'm not sure I've ever heard him call my brother Jeremy anything other than Fred or Freddy. And Jeremy's children? They are known to my Dad as only Buligard and Pudintane (not sure I'm spelling those right).
Some of my Dad's nicknames for us have really stuck (like Freddy), while others were around for a while, then eventually evaporated. There is one nickname that my sis, Lisa, and I had for a while that I'm SOOOOOOO glad didn't stick around too long.
Introducing to the blogosphere for the first time..... Ug Duck!
And here's Ug Duck's sister, Ly Ling.
Put us together, and what do you have???
UgLy DuckLing!
Used only in the most loving way, of course (no really, it was!), and only after we were old enough for it not to cause too much damage to our self-esteem *grin*.
I'd like to add that in the photo above, you may notice that I'm wearing ugly tennis shoes with my skirt. I had been sent to school that day in sandals, but had changed into tennis shoes when my class went to gym. They had called us out of gym to take our pictures, but I was too shy to tell my teacher that I needed to change my shoes first. The parental unit was not thrilled when they saw my ugly tennis shoes in the photo!
Some of my Dad's nicknames for us have really stuck (like Freddy), while others were around for a while, then eventually evaporated. There is one nickname that my sis, Lisa, and I had for a while that I'm SOOOOOOO glad didn't stick around too long.
Introducing to the blogosphere for the first time..... Ug Duck!
And here's Ug Duck's sister, Ly Ling.
Put us together, and what do you have???
UgLy DuckLing!
Used only in the most loving way, of course (no really, it was!), and only after we were old enough for it not to cause too much damage to our self-esteem *grin*.
I'd like to add that in the photo above, you may notice that I'm wearing ugly tennis shoes with my skirt. I had been sent to school that day in sandals, but had changed into tennis shoes when my class went to gym. They had called us out of gym to take our pictures, but I was too shy to tell my teacher that I needed to change my shoes first. The parental unit was not thrilled when they saw my ugly tennis shoes in the photo!
Friday, April 10, 2009
Flashback Friday -- Cathy & Vicky
When Lisa and I were just 'lil tikes, we loved to play house. I think in many ways, we both still do. We had this whole pretend world that was another home to us as little girls. 
In our pretend world, my name was Cathy Haden. My husband, Scott, and myself had four little darling children. I worked in an office, and carried a briefcase. I used to put my dad's t-shirts on as a dress, tie a belt around my waist, and prance around in play high-heeled shoes.
Lisa was my neighbor, Vicky. She and her husband, Junior (she named him this), had three little darlings and no jobs. Well, I take that back. Vicky's job was to watch my kids while I was out being a CEO and whatnot. Over and over again, we would play out the scenario of me dropping my kids off with Vicky on my way to work and picking them up on my way home.
For those of you that know Lisa or myself in real life, you can appreciate how funny it is that Vicky and Junior, who had no last name (and really, is Junior a real first name???), were the Haden's neighbors, best-friends, and child-care providers. It's just very fitting to our personalities.
And I still love to prance around in my high-heels!
In our pretend world, my name was Cathy Haden. My husband, Scott, and myself had four little darling children. I worked in an office, and carried a briefcase. I used to put my dad's t-shirts on as a dress, tie a belt around my waist, and prance around in play high-heeled shoes.Lisa was my neighbor, Vicky. She and her husband, Junior (she named him this), had three little darlings and no jobs. Well, I take that back. Vicky's job was to watch my kids while I was out being a CEO and whatnot. Over and over again, we would play out the scenario of me dropping my kids off with Vicky on my way to work and picking them up on my way home.
For those of you that know Lisa or myself in real life, you can appreciate how funny it is that Vicky and Junior, who had no last name (and really, is Junior a real first name???), were the Haden's neighbors, best-friends, and child-care providers. It's just very fitting to our personalities.
And I still love to prance around in my high-heels!
Friday, April 3, 2009
Flashback Friday -- Dirty clothes, clean car
Time: Winter 2001
Place: The Quah
Chris and I got married during fall break of our junior year in college. We were both full-time students, broke, and so in love. We were also both employed as student workers at our University, making little more than minimum wage. We both had school paid for through scholarships and grants, so that was not a problem. However, sometimes finding money for our living expenses was a bit challenging.
We lived in this tiny apartment next to a gas station and a big car wash, directly across the street from the University's football stadium. It was the kind of apartment where one person had to move out of the way for another person to walk through the room. It certainly didn't have space or hook-ups for a washer and dryer, and even if it had, we couldn't have afforded those anyway.
One week, after about 4 or 5 months of marriage, we were really broke as usual, but still had about 5 days until payday. We were in desperate need of clean clothing, and it had gotten so bad that we considered just turning our unmentionables inside out and wearing them again *grin*. Okay, so not really, but we were completely out of clean clothes and laundry HAD to be done. I gave Chris the only money we had -- one 10 dollar bill -- and sent him next door to get quarters for the laundromat.
A few minutes later, he comes back and hands me a handful of coins. Upon closer examination, I realize that the coins were not quarters, but car wash tokens.
Oooh, I was hot! How could this happen? Did he not pay attention to the change machine? How are we supposed to do laundry with car wash tokens???
After dismissing Chris's suggestion to put our clothing through the car wash (although we seriously considered it, the logistics were too complicated), we scrounged around in our car, couch, recliner, and anywhere else we could think to find enough quarters for two washer loads of laundry. We hung everything to dry, and that was enough to get us by until payday.
While we didn't have many clean clothes, we sure had a clean car for the next couple of months!
Place: The Quah
Chris and I got married during fall break of our junior year in college. We were both full-time students, broke, and so in love. We were also both employed as student workers at our University, making little more than minimum wage. We both had school paid for through scholarships and grants, so that was not a problem. However, sometimes finding money for our living expenses was a bit challenging.
We lived in this tiny apartment next to a gas station and a big car wash, directly across the street from the University's football stadium. It was the kind of apartment where one person had to move out of the way for another person to walk through the room. It certainly didn't have space or hook-ups for a washer and dryer, and even if it had, we couldn't have afforded those anyway.
One week, after about 4 or 5 months of marriage, we were really broke as usual, but still had about 5 days until payday. We were in desperate need of clean clothing, and it had gotten so bad that we considered just turning our unmentionables inside out and wearing them again *grin*. Okay, so not really, but we were completely out of clean clothes and laundry HAD to be done. I gave Chris the only money we had -- one 10 dollar bill -- and sent him next door to get quarters for the laundromat.
A few minutes later, he comes back and hands me a handful of coins. Upon closer examination, I realize that the coins were not quarters, but car wash tokens.
Oooh, I was hot! How could this happen? Did he not pay attention to the change machine? How are we supposed to do laundry with car wash tokens???
After dismissing Chris's suggestion to put our clothing through the car wash (although we seriously considered it, the logistics were too complicated), we scrounged around in our car, couch, recliner, and anywhere else we could think to find enough quarters for two washer loads of laundry. We hung everything to dry, and that was enough to get us by until payday.
While we didn't have many clean clothes, we sure had a clean car for the next couple of months!
Friday, March 20, 2009
Flashback Friday -- He's an Adulterer!
Time: Spring, 1985ish
Place: A farm somewhere
I think I've mentioned on here before that I was raised a city-girl. Concepts of the farm were very foreign to me as a child. I don't remember all the details surrounding this story, but I do remember the important parts.
My family and I were visiting someone on a farm one afternoon when I was around 4 or 5 years old. There were cows roaming all over the place, and I was fascinated by this. As little children often are, I was curious to know which were the girl cows and which were the boy cows. There were several calves standing by their mommies, so I wanted to know where all the daddies were.
After my string of questions, my parents tried explaining to me that cow families were not the same as human families. They pointed out the one bull, and tried to explain that he was the daddy of all the calves, even though they had different mommies.
To which I confidently exclaimed, "*gasp* That bull is an adulterer!"
Place: A farm somewhere
I think I've mentioned on here before that I was raised a city-girl. Concepts of the farm were very foreign to me as a child. I don't remember all the details surrounding this story, but I do remember the important parts.
My family and I were visiting someone on a farm one afternoon when I was around 4 or 5 years old. There were cows roaming all over the place, and I was fascinated by this. As little children often are, I was curious to know which were the girl cows and which were the boy cows. There were several calves standing by their mommies, so I wanted to know where all the daddies were.
After my string of questions, my parents tried explaining to me that cow families were not the same as human families. They pointed out the one bull, and tried to explain that he was the daddy of all the calves, even though they had different mommies.
To which I confidently exclaimed, "*gasp* That bull is an adulterer!"
Friday, March 13, 2009
Flashback Friday -- Falling for New York
Time: Spring Break 2003
Place: Madison Square Garden, New York City
In college, Chris and I were members of a group called Redmen for Christ. Every year during Spring Break, RFC conducts a Spring Break campaign somewhere in the US. In 2003, we had traveled to New York City for the second year in a row.
We had spent the entire week volunteering at a local elementary school during the days and conducting a Children's Bible School for a local church in the evenings. We took Friday as a fun day to see some sights before returning home on Saturday.
Place: Madison Square Garden, New York City
In college, Chris and I were members of a group called Redmen for Christ. Every year during Spring Break, RFC conducts a Spring Break campaign somewhere in the US. In 2003, we had traveled to New York City for the second year in a row.
We had spent the entire week volunteering at a local elementary school during the days and conducting a Children's Bible School for a local church in the evenings. We took Friday as a fun day to see some sights before returning home on Saturday.
Here I am with some of the students from the class I volunteered with at the elementary school:
Several of our group (about a dozen or so) had tickets to a New York Knicks basketball game at Madison Square Garden that evening. I even have a photo of my ticket... {I haven't changed much!} *grin*
This included Chris, Jeremy, Shawna, Jordan, baby Kaylee, and myself. The game didn't start until 8:00pm, so by the time it was over, it was about 11pm. Our seats were waaaaaaaaaaaaaay up in the nose-bleed section of the massive arena, and as soon as the game ended, people were flooding out by the thousands. We were trying hard to stay together in the huge crowd, and I had little Jordan (about 2 1/2 at the time) by the hand. I was really scared that he was going to get swept off in the crowd and we were getting ready to go down stairs, so I picked him up, slung him on my hip, and continued on. Shawna was right next to me as we walked down flights and flights and flights of stairs. I had just turned to her and said, "Watch out, the stairs are wet. I hope nobody falls."Can you guess what happened next?
Yes... really... I did. I slipped on the wet and fell. Down the stairs. With Jordan in my arms.
Yes, I did.
As I lay there sprawled on the ground, Jeremy, Shawna, and Chris grab Jordan and drag me out of the path of the crowd before we got trampled. Jordan was fine, just shaken up, and I was so horrified that I had fallen with him in my arms that I couldn't even think straight. I did know, however, that my arm was hurting... badly... and my fingers were swelling.
The MSG EMTs came with a stretcher and everything, but I decided to just walk to their little station. They checked us both out, and assessed that Jordan was fine, but I needed to go to the hospital for my arm. They wanted to take me in an ambulance, but I refused. It was just my arm. I mean, I have two of them *grin*.
We did end up going to the emergency room at a hospital in Brooklyn (upon the recommendation of a parking garage attendant). By this time, it was well past midnight, and that emergency room was SCARY. Lisa -- who had gone to a Broadway Play instead of the game -- took the kids back to the hotel, while Jeremy, Shawna, and Chris all stayed with me for hours while I waited to see someone. They did x-rays and decided my arm was not broken, but I did have a bone bruise and would have to wear a sling for a week or so.
We arrived back at the hotel just in time to pack our bags and catch our flight home. We were so exhausted, my arm was throbbing, and we still had a day of travel ahead of us.
Here is Lisa, myself, and Chris on the plane. I'm wearing the sling given to me at the hospital... high tech!
Our group was very grateful that the injury wasn't serious and that Jordan was okay. I was especially grateful that it happened on our last night in the City and not earlier in our trip. At least my Spring Break wasn't ruined!!!Pictured below: Chris, Jeremy, Kaylee, Lisa, Jordan, Chelle, and Shawna at the top of the Empire State Building.
Friday, March 6, 2009
Flashback Friday -- Fire down below
This is another journal entry from our Ukraine days.
Time: Wednesday, November 9, 1994
Place: Our 4th floor flat in Kiev, Ukraine
My journal from this day reads:
I woke up this morning feeling better than I had in days. We ate breakfast than dad left around 9:15 to teach an early English class. I went in my room to do homework. A little later, mom came in a told us to get our shoes on. So, we did and walked into the living room and the kitchen was filled with smoke. Jim & Freda Lewis were here. We went in the bedroom and got all the money, plane tickets, and looked for the passports, but couldn't find them. We covered our faces and ran down the stairs outside. It was so smokey we couldn't hardly see anything. There was a fire on the first floor, and the smoke had come up through the entire building. We stayed at Jim and Freda's flat for an hour or more. Our noses were black from the smoke. When we finally went home, everything was covered in soot. The sink, toilet, and bathtub were black. We had to do a major cleaning job. Freda stayed and helped us clean. After everything was clean, we got ready to go to a Bible study. We had to run to catch the bus, but it wasn't hardly crowded at all. After we got back home, we ate dinner and wrote in our journals.
Once again, please forgive my choppy, detail-lacking, emotionless writing. However, the main idea of what happened is conveyed.
What is not conveyed is how scary this was! At this point, we had been in Ukraine for one week (and this was our first-ever trip). Jim and Freda were Americans that were there working with the same school that we were working with, but we had never met them before this trip.
I remember very clearly feeling completely panicked that our flat was going to burn down, and we couldn't find our passports!!! How could we not find our passports?!? I also remember feeling so confused. We couldn't figure out what was going on, and we couldn't find anyone who spoke English. That just added to the panic of the already tense situation. We didn't know what to do, we didn't have anyplace to go (and it was FREEZING COLD outside), we didn't know the country, we didn't speak the language, and Dad was gone.
Looking back, it really wasn't a huge deal. However, I'm sure it was the combination of culture shock and confusion that made it feel terrifying.
After all that, it was a good thing that we caught a not-so-crowded bus. In those early days, our hearts couldn't have handled cramming on a bus after such a crazy afternoon!
Time: Wednesday, November 9, 1994
Place: Our 4th floor flat in Kiev, Ukraine
My journal from this day reads:
I woke up this morning feeling better than I had in days. We ate breakfast than dad left around 9:15 to teach an early English class. I went in my room to do homework. A little later, mom came in a told us to get our shoes on. So, we did and walked into the living room and the kitchen was filled with smoke. Jim & Freda Lewis were here. We went in the bedroom and got all the money, plane tickets, and looked for the passports, but couldn't find them. We covered our faces and ran down the stairs outside. It was so smokey we couldn't hardly see anything. There was a fire on the first floor, and the smoke had come up through the entire building. We stayed at Jim and Freda's flat for an hour or more. Our noses were black from the smoke. When we finally went home, everything was covered in soot. The sink, toilet, and bathtub were black. We had to do a major cleaning job. Freda stayed and helped us clean. After everything was clean, we got ready to go to a Bible study. We had to run to catch the bus, but it wasn't hardly crowded at all. After we got back home, we ate dinner and wrote in our journals.
Once again, please forgive my choppy, detail-lacking, emotionless writing. However, the main idea of what happened is conveyed.
What is not conveyed is how scary this was! At this point, we had been in Ukraine for one week (and this was our first-ever trip). Jim and Freda were Americans that were there working with the same school that we were working with, but we had never met them before this trip.
I remember very clearly feeling completely panicked that our flat was going to burn down, and we couldn't find our passports!!! How could we not find our passports?!? I also remember feeling so confused. We couldn't figure out what was going on, and we couldn't find anyone who spoke English. That just added to the panic of the already tense situation. We didn't know what to do, we didn't have anyplace to go (and it was FREEZING COLD outside), we didn't know the country, we didn't speak the language, and Dad was gone.
Looking back, it really wasn't a huge deal. However, I'm sure it was the combination of culture shock and confusion that made it feel terrifying.
After all that, it was a good thing that we caught a not-so-crowded bus. In those early days, our hearts couldn't have handled cramming on a bus after such a crazy afternoon!
This is a photo of the bathroom floor. You can see when the rug had been and how bad the soot was on the ground.
This is where the smoke damaged the bathtub
Friday, February 27, 2009
Flashback Friday -- My Family
This is a story I wrote about my family when I was in Kindergarten (6 years old). I edited some of the spelling so it would be easier to read.
My mom asked my dad if he would take us to Worlds of Fun. And he did and it had rollercoasters and lots of fun than there I like the balls the best the funnest of all the rides. And on my brothers birthday we went to the baseball game. It was fun too. On my other brothers birthday my sister sang a funny song to him and on her birthday she got a Cabbage Patch. I did too and on my dads birthday he got some shirts and on my moms birthday she got a key board on her birthday. We like to play with it. I learned a new song from it. It goes like this this is up this is down and when I do it with my left hand it goes backwards. I told my brother how to do it right and he did too. I'm not kidding you but the first time he messed up but I told him the right way. We like our birthdays. My family has 6 in it. I have 2 brothers 1 sister. I have 2 Cabbage Patches my sister does too. My brothers do not have any at all. They call them Creepy Kids. That is a name I dont like. My sister screams when my brothers take her 2 Cabbage Patches and when they punch them in the face and beat them up and I don't like that either. When we take them outside we take them and put them in the tire and then we get on the swing and Michele came on Saturday when I made this book. My mom is going to teach me how to cross stitch. I like to play with my sister Lisa. I like to look at a book called You Will Go To the Moon. It is a neat book. I also like to look at a book called The Egg Book. I think I have a nice family and I do. I will go to Grandmas and Grandpas with my brother and sister and we might go swimming. They have a boat and skies too. I am so excited I just can not wait.
Heehee. I love how, in my young mind, my Cabbage Patch Kids were very much a part of my family.
My Family
by Michelle Maidenname
My mom asked my dad if he would take us to Worlds of Fun. And he did and it had rollercoasters and lots of fun than there I like the balls the best the funnest of all the rides. And on my brothers birthday we went to the baseball game. It was fun too. On my other brothers birthday my sister sang a funny song to him and on her birthday she got a Cabbage Patch. I did too and on my dads birthday he got some shirts and on my moms birthday she got a key board on her birthday. We like to play with it. I learned a new song from it. It goes like this this is up this is down and when I do it with my left hand it goes backwards. I told my brother how to do it right and he did too. I'm not kidding you but the first time he messed up but I told him the right way. We like our birthdays. My family has 6 in it. I have 2 brothers 1 sister. I have 2 Cabbage Patches my sister does too. My brothers do not have any at all. They call them Creepy Kids. That is a name I dont like. My sister screams when my brothers take her 2 Cabbage Patches and when they punch them in the face and beat them up and I don't like that either. When we take them outside we take them and put them in the tire and then we get on the swing and Michele came on Saturday when I made this book. My mom is going to teach me how to cross stitch. I like to play with my sister Lisa. I like to look at a book called You Will Go To the Moon. It is a neat book. I also like to look at a book called The Egg Book. I think I have a nice family and I do. I will go to Grandmas and Grandpas with my brother and sister and we might go swimming. They have a boat and skies too. I am so excited I just can not wait.
Heehee. I love how, in my young mind, my Cabbage Patch Kids were very much a part of my family.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Flashback Friday -- He's a Runner!
Several weeks ago, Chris and I were having dinner with friends when somehow or another this story came up. I had temporarily forgotten about this incident, but as soon as we finished telling it, I knew I wanted to post it as a Flashback Friday. I think it's too funny not to share!
Time: Fall 1998
Place: Midwestern SmallTown that was home to my husband and myself during High School.
Chris and I were seniors in High School and had been dating for about a year. It was not uncommon for us to have these ridiculous, dramatic fights over nothing important. One Wednesday evening, we ended up getting in this fight after school. I have no idea what led to this or what it was about (obviously so important *grin*). Anyway, so we fought for an hour or so, when I finally said, "Forget this. I'm going to church. Catch ya later." ...or something to that effect.
He left my house and went home to his house that was about 7-8 miles outside of town on some land. I figured I'd just see him the next day at school.
After church was over, I walked out to the parking lot to go home. I noticed this person in the grass -- trying to catch their breath -- and quickly realize that it was Chris! I didn't see his car anywhere, so I began to wonder if he had broken down somewhere in town and needed me to bail him out (also a common occurrence).
Me: What are you doing here?
Him: *pant* I wanted to see you. *pant pant*
Me: Where's your car?
Him: *pant* I ran.
Me: What?!?
Him: I ran here. *pant*
Me: From where?!? Where is your car???
Him: *pant * From my house. *pant*
Me: WHAT? You ran nearly ten miles from your house? Why? And how? Did you run down the highway?
Him: Yes. *pant pant*
Me: WHAT? Why?
Him: I needed to let off some steam, so I went for a run and ended up here. Do you mind driving me home?
Me: (sarcastically) What, you're not running back?
Him: I think my feet are bleeding.
Me: Chris! Your feet ARE bleeding! Why are you so crazy?
Him: Good question.
I drove him home, and it was several years before we realized that he was so crazy that night because he was in love with me.
To make the story even better, several kids from our school saw him running down the highway that night. By the next day, seemingly the whole school had found out about him running to town to see me (joys of a small town!). Even the cross-country team coach approached him and asked him to join the team (seriously!).
Later that year, when the special senior edition of our school paper came out, it had predictions for what each of us would do with our lives. The prediction for Chris's life included a career in running, soccer, and eventually settling down with me!
Friday, February 13, 2009
Flashback Friday -- Train up a child
"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6
Friday, February 6, 2009
Flashback Friday -- Say What?!?
In Ukraine, the primary language is Russian. Each year, as my family and I would travel there, we would learn bits and pieces of the Russian language. Along with learning any new language, there are times when mistakes are made. It's just part of the package.
My Mom, however, seemed to especially have problems with this. She was notorious for calling Bogdan, our translator, Dogban, by mistake. So, it's not really coincidental that the funniest language mistakes I remember from our time there were all made by Mom!
Time: Freezing cold, icy, snowy November, 1994
Location: The building where the church met for worship
As my Mom, Lisa, and I came in out of the icy cold wind and freezing temperatures to the building where the church met for a mid-week Bible study, we were approached by a younger man. He introduced himself (in Russian) as Anatole. We very quickly discovered that Anatole spoke practically zero English. Since we (at that time more than any) spoke practically zero Russian, the situation quickly became awkward as we all just stood there, squirming a bit, and stared at one another.
Finally, after a minute or so, Anatole pointed to Mom and said, "Yallow vlue baus -- I lavfh hyoo". He kept saying it over and over again, along with hand motions, until we finally understood that he was trying to teach us to say "I love you" in Russian by saying the English words, "yellow blue bus" (and this does work, somewhat).
The next week, we once again saw Anatole at Bible study. From across the room, I smile and wave. All of the sudden, Mom begins to wave and shout, Yellowbluebus, yellowbluebus, it's the yellowbluebus man! at Anatole.
Lisa and I were so embarrassed! We said, "Mom! Don't you realize you're screaming I love you at Anatole?!?" (which of course, she didn't). We all got so tickled that we laughed and laughed AND LAUGHED. Crazy Americans.
Time: March 1996
Location: The Bizarre
Mom, Lisa, and I were braving the snow, ice, and sub-zero temperatures to pick up a few things in the local bizarre for dinner that night. I don't remember what exactly we were buying, but Mom needed two of them. We'll say potatoes for the purpose of the story.
The Russian word for one is один (adeen) and the word for two is два (dva). As we approach the potato table, potato lady asks Mom how many potatoes she needs. Mom holds up two fingers and says, adeen.
How many? potato lady asks in Russian.
Adeen, Mom insists holding up TWO fingers.
How many? potato lady asks again (getting a bit frustrated).
Adeen! Adeen, adeen, adeen Mom rambles, all the while waving two fingers!
Although Lisa jumped in and saved the day, it's a wonder we walked away with any potatoes at all!
Time: March 1998
Location: Our flat in Kiev
This night, we had invited about 6 or so babushkas (grandmas) to our flat for a Bible study and snacks. Mom had served them a lovely tray of crackers, cheese, and kolbasa (summer sausage). Mom and I were working in the kitchen, when a couple of the non-English speaking babushkas came in. In Russian, they thanked us for the snacks, then asked what the meat was (the meat was quite a treat for them).
Without missing a beat, Mom answers, "Sabaka!" (the word for DOG)
The babushkas were horrified as I quickly tried to correct the mistake. No, NO, I insisted as I waved my arms. Kolbasa, it's Kolbasa!
We ALL got quite a laugh out of that one!
My Mom, however, seemed to especially have problems with this. She was notorious for calling Bogdan, our translator, Dogban, by mistake. So, it's not really coincidental that the funniest language mistakes I remember from our time there were all made by Mom!
Time: Freezing cold, icy, snowy November, 1994
Location: The building where the church met for worship
As my Mom, Lisa, and I came in out of the icy cold wind and freezing temperatures to the building where the church met for a mid-week Bible study, we were approached by a younger man. He introduced himself (in Russian) as Anatole. We very quickly discovered that Anatole spoke practically zero English. Since we (at that time more than any) spoke practically zero Russian, the situation quickly became awkward as we all just stood there, squirming a bit, and stared at one another.
Finally, after a minute or so, Anatole pointed to Mom and said, "Yallow vlue baus -- I lavfh hyoo". He kept saying it over and over again, along with hand motions, until we finally understood that he was trying to teach us to say "I love you" in Russian by saying the English words, "yellow blue bus" (and this does work, somewhat).
The next week, we once again saw Anatole at Bible study. From across the room, I smile and wave. All of the sudden, Mom begins to wave and shout, Yellowbluebus, yellowbluebus, it's the yellowbluebus man! at Anatole.
Lisa and I were so embarrassed! We said, "Mom! Don't you realize you're screaming I love you at Anatole?!?" (which of course, she didn't). We all got so tickled that we laughed and laughed AND LAUGHED. Crazy Americans.
Time: March 1996
Location: The Bizarre
Mom, Lisa, and I were braving the snow, ice, and sub-zero temperatures to pick up a few things in the local bizarre for dinner that night. I don't remember what exactly we were buying, but Mom needed two of them. We'll say potatoes for the purpose of the story.
The Russian word for one is один (adeen) and the word for two is два (dva). As we approach the potato table, potato lady asks Mom how many potatoes she needs. Mom holds up two fingers and says, adeen.
How many? potato lady asks in Russian.
Adeen, Mom insists holding up TWO fingers.
How many? potato lady asks again (getting a bit frustrated).
Adeen! Adeen, adeen, adeen Mom rambles, all the while waving two fingers!
Although Lisa jumped in and saved the day, it's a wonder we walked away with any potatoes at all!
Time: March 1998
Location: Our flat in Kiev
This night, we had invited about 6 or so babushkas (grandmas) to our flat for a Bible study and snacks. Mom had served them a lovely tray of crackers, cheese, and kolbasa (summer sausage). Mom and I were working in the kitchen, when a couple of the non-English speaking babushkas came in. In Russian, they thanked us for the snacks, then asked what the meat was (the meat was quite a treat for them).
Without missing a beat, Mom answers, "Sabaka!" (the word for DOG)
The babushkas were horrified as I quickly tried to correct the mistake. No, NO, I insisted as I waved my arms. Kolbasa, it's Kolbasa!
We ALL got quite a laugh out of that one!
Here we are hosting a ladies Bible study at our flat. I'm in the center in a blue Adidas shirt.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Friday Flashback -- Crazy List Thing
This Friday Flashback features one of those e-mail survey things that I completed when I was 17. For some reason, I printed it and have always kept it around. I've made a few comments to my original answers in green. Enjoy!
Sunday, February 1, 1998
Full Name: Michelle Mae MaidenName
Nickname: Chelley, Chelle (CH with an SH sound)
Ones I particularly dislike: Chelle or Chelley with a CH (as in CHeese) sound I still hate that!
Parents: Charles A. MaidenName, Stephanie J. MaidenName (Chuck and Jody)
Siblings & their ages: Shane 25, Jeremy 22, Lisa 15
School: Cleveland High School
Future School: Unknown
Best Friends: Susan H., Katie T., Adam G. (still), Chris N. (still), Jen S.
Pets & Their Names: None
Jobs: BUM
Hobbies: Music, computers, writing, exercising really? I liked exercising? Hmmm.
Things you collect: any kind of turtle, glitter domes, rings
Best Advice Ever Given: Suck it up and move on I don't remember anyone ever saying this to me!
A Non-Sport Game which you excel: The love game :-) Heehee... that was true
A Non-Sport Game which you enjoy: Phase 10, spades, solitaire
Dream Car: Acura SUV
Coolest Experience in Life: Living in Hicksville USA
Scariest thing you've ever done: Riding in a car that my best friend is driving
Fave thing to do in the summer: swim, camps, stay with bros, have fun, hang out with friends, hike, fish
Fave thing to do in the Fall: got to football games, take walks, hang out with friends
Fave thing to do in the winter: sled, cuddles up to someone and drink hot chocolate, hang out with friends, go to basketball games
Song that couldn't be improved upon: Love Hurts Oh wow...
Most Influential People: parents, Adam G., close friends
Character traits you look for most in a person: honest, fun-loving, intelligent, kind, respectful
What you want to be: BUM :-)
Future goals: Always be a good friend, be a good wife and mother, serve God to the best of my ability
Fave Music: Anything and Everything. Absolute Fave: 70's rock! Yikes.
Groups/Singers: R.E.M., REO Speedwagon, The Cranberries, Bush, Patty Loveless, Enya, Cowboy Junkies, John Anderson, Randy Travis, George Straight, Chicago, Collective Soul, Matchbox 20, Journey, Blues Traveler, Live, Heart, They Might Be Giants, Jewel, Queen Very eclectic mix of music!
Fave Food: Mexican
Least Fave Food: Asian
Funniest People you know: Jen S., Josh B., Tweety W.
Fave Vacationing Spot: Estes Park, Colorado
Fave Subject: Math
Fave Sport to play: Volleyball
Fave Sport to watch: basketball
In and around the cd player: R.E.M., Cranberries, Joe Diffie, Eagles, Seal, Enya, Bush, Queen I was obsessed with Seal's Kissed by a Rose song for a while.
Fave Toy: Reggie (my truck :-)
Fave Actor: Chris O'Donnell
Fave Movies: While You Were Sleeping; Titantic, The Cutting Edge, Born Yesterday I don't even remember the movie Born Yesterday?
Fave Animal: turtles, turtles, turtles!!!
Fave TV show: Everybody Loves Raymond
Fave Day: Thursday Still like Thursdays
Fave Month: October I love October... that's why I got married in October!
Fave Color: Green
Fave Toothpaste: Crest Mint Paste
Fave thing to wear: baggy jeans and comfy sweaters
Fave number: 2 or 8
Sunday, February 1, 1998
Full Name: Michelle Mae MaidenName
Nickname: Chelley, Chelle (CH with an SH sound)
Ones I particularly dislike: Chelle or Chelley with a CH (as in CHeese) sound I still hate that!
Parents: Charles A. MaidenName, Stephanie J. MaidenName (Chuck and Jody)
Siblings & their ages: Shane 25, Jeremy 22, Lisa 15
School: Cleveland High School
Future School: Unknown
Best Friends: Susan H., Katie T., Adam G. (still), Chris N. (still), Jen S.
Pets & Their Names: None
Jobs: BUM
Hobbies: Music, computers, writing, exercising really? I liked exercising? Hmmm.
Things you collect: any kind of turtle, glitter domes, rings
Best Advice Ever Given: Suck it up and move on I don't remember anyone ever saying this to me!
A Non-Sport Game which you excel: The love game :-) Heehee... that was true
A Non-Sport Game which you enjoy: Phase 10, spades, solitaire
Dream Car: Acura SUV
Coolest Experience in Life: Living in Hicksville USA
Scariest thing you've ever done: Riding in a car that my best friend is driving
Fave thing to do in the summer: swim, camps, stay with bros, have fun, hang out with friends, hike, fish
Fave thing to do in the Fall: got to football games, take walks, hang out with friends
Fave thing to do in the winter: sled, cuddles up to someone and drink hot chocolate, hang out with friends, go to basketball games
Song that couldn't be improved upon: Love Hurts Oh wow...
Most Influential People: parents, Adam G., close friends
Character traits you look for most in a person: honest, fun-loving, intelligent, kind, respectful
What you want to be: BUM :-)
Future goals: Always be a good friend, be a good wife and mother, serve God to the best of my ability
Fave Music: Anything and Everything. Absolute Fave: 70's rock! Yikes.
Groups/Singers: R.E.M., REO Speedwagon, The Cranberries, Bush, Patty Loveless, Enya, Cowboy Junkies, John Anderson, Randy Travis, George Straight, Chicago, Collective Soul, Matchbox 20, Journey, Blues Traveler, Live, Heart, They Might Be Giants, Jewel, Queen Very eclectic mix of music!
Fave Food: Mexican
Least Fave Food: Asian
Funniest People you know: Jen S., Josh B., Tweety W.
Fave Vacationing Spot: Estes Park, Colorado
Fave Subject: Math
Fave Sport to play: Volleyball
Fave Sport to watch: basketball
In and around the cd player: R.E.M., Cranberries, Joe Diffie, Eagles, Seal, Enya, Bush, Queen I was obsessed with Seal's Kissed by a Rose song for a while.
Fave Toy: Reggie (my truck :-)
Fave Actor: Chris O'Donnell
Fave Movies: While You Were Sleeping; Titantic, The Cutting Edge, Born Yesterday I don't even remember the movie Born Yesterday?
Fave Animal: turtles, turtles, turtles!!!
Fave TV show: Everybody Loves Raymond
Fave Day: Thursday Still like Thursdays
Fave Month: October I love October... that's why I got married in October!
Fave Color: Green
Fave Toothpaste: Crest Mint Paste
Fave thing to wear: baggy jeans and comfy sweaters
Fave number: 2 or 8
Friday, January 23, 2009
Flashback Friday -- Welcome to the Lake!
Time: Spring 1999
Place: In a small car blasting down a country road
A couple of months previous to this incident, I had discovered just how serious my parents were about my curfew when I had pushed my limits a little too far and gotten my driving privileges taken away for 2 weeks. When they said to be home at 9:30, they actually meant 9:30... not 9:40 or 9:45 or even 9:31.
On this particular night, Chris and I had gone out on a date and my curfew was 10:00pm. We were running a little late and I was freaking out that I wouldn't make it home by 10. Chris decided to shortcut to town on country roads. He lived about 10 miles out of town and knew the roads well, so I trusted him.
He was driving a little faster (okay, a lot faster) than I was comfortable with (which is something we STILL bicker about *grin*), but I didn't want to be late, so I didn't say anything. Just as we came over a big hill, down into a valley, we drove straight INTO THE LAKE!!!
The entire car was submerged in water.
If I had been in the driver's seat, we would have been in big trouble. I don't react well under pressure, and we would have probably just floated away in the night. BUT, Chris is a fast reactor and immediately put the car in reverse and backed out of the water which had completely flooded the road.
After backing out of the water, we just sat there for a second. Chris looked at me and asked me if I was okay. I muttered uh-huh as I watched water and mud and leaves and seaweed and kelp drip down the windows and off the car. Okay, so maybe not seaweed and kelp, but a that point I was so freaked out that I didn't know what I was seeing.
Oh, and I did end up making it home just in time. When my parents asked how my evening had been, I completely left out anything about the lake.
Of course, they were quite puzzled by the big clump of seaweed they found in the driveway the next morning. *grin*
Place: In a small car blasting down a country road
A couple of months previous to this incident, I had discovered just how serious my parents were about my curfew when I had pushed my limits a little too far and gotten my driving privileges taken away for 2 weeks. When they said to be home at 9:30, they actually meant 9:30... not 9:40 or 9:45 or even 9:31.
On this particular night, Chris and I had gone out on a date and my curfew was 10:00pm. We were running a little late and I was freaking out that I wouldn't make it home by 10. Chris decided to shortcut to town on country roads. He lived about 10 miles out of town and knew the roads well, so I trusted him.
He was driving a little faster (okay, a lot faster) than I was comfortable with (which is something we STILL bicker about *grin*), but I didn't want to be late, so I didn't say anything. Just as we came over a big hill, down into a valley, we drove straight INTO THE LAKE!!!
The entire car was submerged in water.
If I had been in the driver's seat, we would have been in big trouble. I don't react well under pressure, and we would have probably just floated away in the night. BUT, Chris is a fast reactor and immediately put the car in reverse and backed out of the water which had completely flooded the road.
After backing out of the water, we just sat there for a second. Chris looked at me and asked me if I was okay. I muttered uh-huh as I watched water and mud and leaves and seaweed and kelp drip down the windows and off the car. Okay, so maybe not seaweed and kelp, but a that point I was so freaked out that I didn't know what I was seeing.
Oh, and I did end up making it home just in time. When my parents asked how my evening had been, I completely left out anything about the lake.
Of course, they were quite puzzled by the big clump of seaweed they found in the driveway the next morning. *grin*
Friday, January 16, 2009
Flashback Friday -- A Ukrainian Experience
I decided that for my first Ukrainian Flashback Friday, I would just open the journal from my first trip and write what was written on that page.
Hee-hee... maybe I should have thought about that a little more. Please remember that I was young when I wrote this... and had a bad attitude about writing it...
Saturday, November 19, 1994
I woke up this morning at Luda's house. I slept very good. Luda fed us a huge breakfast, and afterwards we went with Tommy and Eddie for a tour of the city. I personally was not very impressed. Kharkov isn't near as beautiful as Kiev. In the metro building, I slipped and fell down the stairs. I felt so dumb! I hurt my arm, and it still hurts really bad. Hopefully nothing serious. We came back to Luda's and she fed us what she called a "snack". We played cards with Bogdan for a while until Tommy came back. Then we ate again. I was so full. Without losing a beat, we continued on to Tommy's office for a Bible study. There were about 25 people there. It lasted for about two hours. We were escorted back home by 2 Ukrainians named Artiome and Marina. Tommy and Eddie also came. They are still here. Dad and Tommy need to talk about some things.
Hee-hee... maybe I should have thought about that a little more. Please remember that I was young when I wrote this... and had a bad attitude about writing it...
Saturday, November 19, 1994
I woke up this morning at Luda's house. I slept very good. Luda fed us a huge breakfast, and afterwards we went with Tommy and Eddie for a tour of the city. I personally was not very impressed. Kharkov isn't near as beautiful as Kiev. In the metro building, I slipped and fell down the stairs. I felt so dumb! I hurt my arm, and it still hurts really bad. Hopefully nothing serious. We came back to Luda's and she fed us what she called a "snack". We played cards with Bogdan for a while until Tommy came back. Then we ate again. I was so full. Without losing a beat, we continued on to Tommy's office for a Bible study. There were about 25 people there. It lasted for about two hours. We were escorted back home by 2 Ukrainians named Artiome and Marina. Tommy and Eddie also came. They are still here. Dad and Tommy need to talk about some things.
Here we are playing cards that evening. I'm not in the photo because I'm taking it.
Okay, so my journal (from my first trip especially) really lacks any emotion or detail. As I read through that, I remember some things pretty clearly, like playing cards with Bogdan and Luda's "snack" that was a big meal complete with chocolates filled with liquor. Oh, and I remember falling down the stairs in the Metro building. That's just so me. No one will doubt how ridiculously clumsy I am as probably half of Flashback Fridays will somehow include me falling. *sigh*
Okay, so my journal (from my first trip especially) really lacks any emotion or detail. As I read through that, I remember some things pretty clearly, like playing cards with Bogdan and Luda's "snack" that was a big meal complete with chocolates filled with liquor. Oh, and I remember falling down the stairs in the Metro building. That's just so me. No one will doubt how ridiculously clumsy I am as probably half of Flashback Fridays will somehow include me falling. *sigh*
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
A Flashback Friday preview
When I first decided to do Flashback Friday, I decided that I would post some excerpts of journals that I had written while spending time in Ukraine as a teenager.
You see, when I was 13 turning 14 (I actually had my birthday in Ukraine), my parents began taking one month mission trips to Ukraine each year. My dad, mom, sister, and I would travel to Ukraine and live and work among the Ukrainian people for about 4 weeks. We stayed in a very typical Ukrainian flat, shopped at the bizarre, used public transportation exclusively, worshipped with the Ukrainians, and spoke bits of Russian (some of us better than others, but that will be a Flashback Friday post all its own).
We did this during the winters of my 8th, 9th, 10th, and 11th grade years (yes, I would miss an entire month of school!). My dad and sis actually went during my 12th grade year as well, but I opted not to go on that trip as I was very busy being a senior. My brother and his wife lived in Ukraine for about 7 months in 1998, and my parents also eventually moved there for a couple years while I was in college. My memories of living and working with the church in Ukraine are very near and dear to my heart.
One of the requirements that my parents made of my sis and me on these trips was that we keep a daily journal of our experiences. Trust me when I say that we were a little less than thrilled to journal every single day. We hated journaling. I had no idea at the time how much I would cherish those journals later on. Unfortunately, the journal entries are short and sweet for the most part, and being written by a teenaged girl, they are a little, well, annoying in spots, too.
Despite this, I am going to post some of the journal entries as Flashback Friday posts. Stayed tuned for the first Ukrainian Flashback Friday soon!
You see, when I was 13 turning 14 (I actually had my birthday in Ukraine), my parents began taking one month mission trips to Ukraine each year. My dad, mom, sister, and I would travel to Ukraine and live and work among the Ukrainian people for about 4 weeks. We stayed in a very typical Ukrainian flat, shopped at the bizarre, used public transportation exclusively, worshipped with the Ukrainians, and spoke bits of Russian (some of us better than others, but that will be a Flashback Friday post all its own).
We did this during the winters of my 8th, 9th, 10th, and 11th grade years (yes, I would miss an entire month of school!). My dad and sis actually went during my 12th grade year as well, but I opted not to go on that trip as I was very busy being a senior. My brother and his wife lived in Ukraine for about 7 months in 1998, and my parents also eventually moved there for a couple years while I was in college. My memories of living and working with the church in Ukraine are very near and dear to my heart.
One of the requirements that my parents made of my sis and me on these trips was that we keep a daily journal of our experiences. Trust me when I say that we were a little less than thrilled to journal every single day. We hated journaling. I had no idea at the time how much I would cherish those journals later on. Unfortunately, the journal entries are short and sweet for the most part, and being written by a teenaged girl, they are a little, well, annoying in spots, too.
Despite this, I am going to post some of the journal entries as Flashback Friday posts. Stayed tuned for the first Ukrainian Flashback Friday soon!
Friday, January 9, 2009
Flashback Friday -- Taking out the trash
In his younger days, my brother, Jeremy, was notorious for forgetting to pay attention. I think he's mostly outgrown that trait (correct me if I'm wrong, Jeremy). But back then, he would absentmindedly do things like throw perfectly good items in the garbage without paying attention.
One time, he threw an entire 5-gallon bucket of my dad's tools away. Dad was so mad, Jeremy was so in trouble, and I, well, I was just so amused by the whole thing.
Time: Summer of 1997
Place: Jeremy & Shawna's apartment, Tennessee
My sister, Lisa, and I had been staying with my oldest brother, Shane, and his wife for about a week. Li and I decided it was time to move on to our next destination, which was Jeremy & Shawna's apartment, so we loaded the car and drove about 6 or so hours to their place. It was pretty late when we arrived at J & S's, so we quickly unloaded the car, dumped our stuff in the living room right next to the door, and went to bed.
The next morning, Jeremy got up early to head to work. Li, Shawna, and I took our sweet time getting around for the day since we didn't have much planned besides doing laundry. Li and I each only had about one clean outfit left in our suitcases, so after breakfast we tracked down some quarters and got organized to go to the laundromat.
I had forgotten to pack a laundry bag, so I had put all my dirty clothes into a white trashbag that was sitting by the rest of my stuff. Only, when I went to get my trashbag of clothes, it wasn't there!
Shawna, Li, and I scoured the apartment and the car for my clothes, only to come up empty handed. We just couldn't imagine what could have happened to them. I called Shane to see if maybe I left them at his house... nope.
Finally, Shawna called Jeremy. It was trash day that day and he had hauled all the trash out to the dumpster that morning. He didn't realize that the trash he had taken out was actually MY CLOTHES!
I. WAS. SO. MAD! I quickly ran out to the dumpster to find that it had already been emptied (that's what I get for getting up late and piddling around). My clothes were GONE!
Of course, Jeremy felt bad and I knew he hadn't done this on purpose so I cooled off pretty quickly. He was just trying to be a nice husband and take out the trash. Sometimes guys really can't win for losing *grin*.
I'll tell you this, I sure didn't think Jeremy's habit of throwing non-trash in the garbage was so funny anymore.
*Edited to Add* -- I forgot to say that Jeremy, being the good brother he is, did take me shopping to replace the clothing. He even carried my unmentionables around the store for me :-).
One time, he threw an entire 5-gallon bucket of my dad's tools away. Dad was so mad, Jeremy was so in trouble, and I, well, I was just so amused by the whole thing.
Time: Summer of 1997
Place: Jeremy & Shawna's apartment, Tennessee
My sister, Lisa, and I had been staying with my oldest brother, Shane, and his wife for about a week. Li and I decided it was time to move on to our next destination, which was Jeremy & Shawna's apartment, so we loaded the car and drove about 6 or so hours to their place. It was pretty late when we arrived at J & S's, so we quickly unloaded the car, dumped our stuff in the living room right next to the door, and went to bed.
The next morning, Jeremy got up early to head to work. Li, Shawna, and I took our sweet time getting around for the day since we didn't have much planned besides doing laundry. Li and I each only had about one clean outfit left in our suitcases, so after breakfast we tracked down some quarters and got organized to go to the laundromat.
I had forgotten to pack a laundry bag, so I had put all my dirty clothes into a white trashbag that was sitting by the rest of my stuff. Only, when I went to get my trashbag of clothes, it wasn't there!
Shawna, Li, and I scoured the apartment and the car for my clothes, only to come up empty handed. We just couldn't imagine what could have happened to them. I called Shane to see if maybe I left them at his house... nope.
Finally, Shawna called Jeremy. It was trash day that day and he had hauled all the trash out to the dumpster that morning. He didn't realize that the trash he had taken out was actually MY CLOTHES!
I. WAS. SO. MAD! I quickly ran out to the dumpster to find that it had already been emptied (that's what I get for getting up late and piddling around). My clothes were GONE!
Of course, Jeremy felt bad and I knew he hadn't done this on purpose so I cooled off pretty quickly. He was just trying to be a nice husband and take out the trash. Sometimes guys really can't win for losing *grin*.
I'll tell you this, I sure didn't think Jeremy's habit of throwing non-trash in the garbage was so funny anymore.
*Edited to Add* -- I forgot to say that Jeremy, being the good brother he is, did take me shopping to replace the clothing. He even carried my unmentionables around the store for me :-).
Friday, January 2, 2009
Flashback Friday -- Heavy on the Flash
For my first Flashback Friday, I'm going easy on the back and heavy on the flash.
Time: Summer of 2007
Place: MRU Enrollment Office
Late summer is one of our busiest times at MRU. This day, the Enrollment Office was buzzing with students gearing up for fall semester. I was wearing a cute, knee-length summer skirt and one of my favorite pair of flippy heels. I don't have a printer in my office, so my practice was (and still is) to print a whole batch of papers at once and be-bop out to the lobby to retrieve my documents from the printer about once an hour. This gives me a chance to look away from my computer screen, get out of my office every so often, and see if there's anything exciting going on.
This particular day the lobby was especially busy (as was I), so I started high-tailing it back to my office hoping to avoid getting caught by student out there. I am be-bopping away from the lobby full of students, back toward my office, when suddenly my shoe slips out from under me. I try, desperately, but in vain, to catch myself as all the papers in my hand go flying above my head. Somehow (and I really don't know how *sigh*) I end up on the ground, legs in the air, FACING the lobby, one shoe completely off, and papers everywhere.
Remember the part where I said I was wearing a skirt? Yeah.
This whole fiasco takes place right in front of my co-worker's office. AND she's not in there alone. Ooooh nooooo... there were students in her office as well. I mean, of course there were, right? Would my luck have it any other way?
As quickly as I could, I scramble into my own office (I am only about 4 steps away). I leave my shoe, I leave the papers, and I leave my dignity in the hall.
I sit down in my chair just in time for my co-worker to come running in to see if I'm ok. She saw everything. The students in her office saw everything. The students in the lobby saw everything.
I. was. mortified.
AND bleeding. I had cut my arm on the wall as I was trying to catch myself. I really needed to go to the bathroom to wash the blood and dirt off. Unfortunately, the only way to the bathroom is through the lobby.
So, I did what I had to do. I put on my shoe, picked up my papers, straightened my shoulders, swallowed my tears, and walked right through the lobby -- right through all the people that saw my unmentionables because my skirt was around my neck -- and went to the bathroom.
My co-workers (who laughed shamelessly at me for this later) said to look at the bright side: After that incident, enrollment will surely be up!
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Let the Flashback Fridays begin!
I've decided to spice it up a bit over here and start a new "feature" on my blog. Most of my blog concentrates of the happenings here-and-now in The Life of Chelle, but I think it would be fun to record stories and happenings from the past as well.
To accomplish this, I plan to write Flashback Friday each week where I will tell a story from the past that would have been blog-worthy had I had a blog at that time *grin*. A bonus to this is that sometimes I have a hard time thinking of material for my blog (is anyone with me here?) so this will give me at least one thing to concentrate on each week.
I'd love for all of you who have blogs to join me. Think of how much fun this could be!
Oh, and while most Flashback Friday posts will feature me, there may be others involved in the story as well... especially siblings (J and L, watch out!). Some of my stories may be funny, sad, or reflective, but they will all be meaningful to me (and maybe only me, but that's okay).
I hope you'll join me! Stay tuned for the first Flashback Friday this week!
To accomplish this, I plan to write Flashback Friday each week where I will tell a story from the past that would have been blog-worthy had I had a blog at that time *grin*. A bonus to this is that sometimes I have a hard time thinking of material for my blog (is anyone with me here?) so this will give me at least one thing to concentrate on each week.
I'd love for all of you who have blogs to join me. Think of how much fun this could be!
Oh, and while most Flashback Friday posts will feature me, there may be others involved in the story as well... especially siblings (J and L, watch out!). Some of my stories may be funny, sad, or reflective, but they will all be meaningful to me (and maybe only me, but that's okay).
I hope you'll join me! Stay tuned for the first Flashback Friday this week!
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