SESAME Street, home of Big Bird and Elmo, has celebrated its 40th anniversary as the longest running children's show on US television.( Nov.2009)

Seseme Street had just been on the air for less than a year when Mike was born.  I was a new stay at home mom with a very colicky baby and found that even at a very young age, Mike loved to watch TV.  When Seseme Street would come on I would put him in his bouncy chair in front of the TV for a short time.  He grew up knowing all the characters well.  His favorite, at least for awhile, was Big Bird.  My folks came down for his 2nd birthday and bought him a Big Bird which came in a box.    He loved the gift (and his grandparents) but he loved the box too.  Here is a picture of him and Big Bird in the box (covered up with a towel by my mom).

Miss Kitty

Miss Kitty showed up at our doorstep when the boys were young and looked like she was starving.  We felt sorry for her and fed her and that began a long relationship with her as our pet.  We named her Miss Kitty from the Gunsmoke series and because she was a kitty and was a female.  Because we didn't know where she came from and because of Brent's allergies, we never let her in the house - at least not intentionally.  She would sneak in whenever she could - and always headed for Brent's room.  She was a cat with many lives.  She loved to sneak in the laundry room and hide.  It was always a surprise when we would open the door after several days and she would streak out and head for the pool for a drink.  One time we went on vacation for over a week and she was locked in there the whole time.  About the time Brent left home, we never saw Miss Kitty again.  We don't know what happened to her, but we prefer to think she found another home to feed her and that had kids.

Lucky Charms

Jim was 3 years old when Sid and I started dating and "going together".  Because of his young age and having to go to bed early and in order for Sid and I to spend time together, I would go over to their apartment for a few hours in the evening.  This was their nightly routine that I observed.  Sid would tell Jimmy it was bed time.  Jimmy would say he was hungry.  Sid would fix him a bowl of Lucky Charms cereal.  Jimmy would eat the charms - which were marshmallows - and decided he wasn't hungry anymore.  Sid would throw the cereal out and put Jimmy to bed.  5 minutes or so later, Jimmy would decide he was still hungry.  They would repeat the cereal, marshmallow, bed routine.  This would not happen just one time but several times every night - night after night.  Not being a parent yet, I did not understand why this kept happening.  After becoming a parent, I understood completely.

Need for Speed

The picture of Sid was taken in about 1967. He loved to ride and often rode during his lunch with his friends - and they all rode as fast as they could. It was after our marriage and during one of these wild rides that Sid had a serious accident on his motorcycle. His thigh was caught up under the fender and it sliced the inside of his thigh deeply. Mike and Brent are here today because the slice was on the left thigh and not the right. The picture of Ben (Bubba) is so similar to Papa that Brent (or Sari) put these two pictures together. I can see Ben riding a real motorcycle when he gets a little older.

Twins

When I was about 5 years old I had this studio picture taken. Notice the long curly hair and the crossed ankles. When Caity was 5 she had this picture taken. Long curly hair and crossed ankles. Because the pictures were so much alike, Brent (or Sari) put them together. Caity was so thrilled that we were posed the same. Caity looks like her dad, I look like my dad - different faces but from a similar source.  Her dad is a lot cuter than my dad.

Brentisms.

When Brent was little he had a unique speech problem. He had a great vocabulary but the doctors said it was if he had learned to speak in Sweden. "Y" replaced "L" and "J". "Lucky" was "Yucky" and "Jimmy" was "Yimmy" - a nickname we still call him today. When Mike got to do something Brent wanted to do, he would say "Mike is so yucky!" Mike didn't like the sound of that and it usually ended up in an argument. He also had a different way of expressing things. Brent got sick once and threw up. He told me he "overflowed", which really makes sense. Instead of a "tickle" in his throat, he said he had a "giggle" in his throat. That's a happy thought. This is a picture of Brent taken in Sept. 1977 when he was 4, almost 5. Ben looks a lot like this now - just a different hair style.

Patient Papa

When David was very little - I think 2 or 3 - he and Papa would play this game endlessly where Papa would build a house with Lincoln Logs and after he finished, David would knock it down. They did this over and over and David would laugh each time. Sometimes I suggested that David not knock it over but look at the neat house Papa built - David would just look at me and then knock down the house. Papa was so patient - he never said anything, just kept building the houses. They weren't all the same either, each house was just a little different, something only those of us that were quick could see before David took care of it. What a wonderful Papa!!

Boys Today - Men Tomorrow

One of Jim's favorite things to do when he was young was to put together erector sets. He had great skills and imagination to do and redo many projects. It's interesting that today he is an engineer. It's not the same kind of engineer that would do bridges, etc., but he still has the skills and imagination.

Mother of the Year - NOT!!

Relief Society use to be during the week in the morning. Once a month we would have a luncheon and we all served on the luncheon committee several times a year. This was always stressful for me since I was not a cook and never had been taught how to cook - even make a salad. One Tuesday it was my turn and I was stressed before I ever got there. I dropped Mike off at his kindergarten (he was 5 yrs old) and when I got to Relief Society put Brent in the nursery (he was 2 years old). We were meeting in the chapel south of Camelback on 56th Street at the time and Mike was attending Mohave Grade School off Granite Reef south of McDonald Drive. Anyway, I'm peeling potatoes - and more potatoes - something even I could do, when I noticed the time. Mike's class had already ended and I hadn't picked him up! I told the other sisters I wouldn't be back (I'd had enough of potato peeling), jumped in my car and raced to Mohave school to pick up Mike, crying the whole way. He was sitting on the classroom step all by himself and feeling very forgotten. I hugged him, etc. took him home and begged his forgiveness. We finally both calmed down and I realized that in my haste I had left Brent at church in the nursery!! I loaded up Mike and, once again, raced to the church, crying the whole way. Brent was very unhappy in the nursery after being told his mom had gone home. It's a wonder these boys weren't scarred for life - I know I never forgot it. This is Mike's kindergarten picture - this was the year they decided he needed glasses. He only wore them the one year, and wouldn't wear them again.

Labor Day Storm of 1970

In regards to yesterday's post, there was an article in the Arizona Republic today. The title of the article was "1970 storm drenched Arizona, left 23 dead in its wake" The story reads "...it is time to recall the deadliest weather event in recorded Arizona history, 39 years ago this weekend. On Sept 4-5, 1970, the remnants of Hurricane Norma swept over the state. It is most commonly recalled as the Labor Day Storm of 1970. It set off severe flooding, mostly in the central part of the state. Twenty-three people were killed... In other words, many parts of the state got as much rain in 24 hours as they would normally get in a year. Tropical storms have hit Arizona with heavy rains many times, but none was as deadly as the storm of 1970." These heavy rain caused the SRP canal north of our home to overflow, break and then flood a large area including the area where our house was located. Sid had left the hospital where I was with baby Mike to go home and watch an evening football game - Dallas vs Someone. Dallas was his favorite team at the time. He fell asleep watching the game and work up to Snoopy (our Smart Dog) scratching frantically at the back door, which had high steps leading to it. He went to see what the problem was and saw that our entire back yard was flooded (and Snoopy was having to swim to stay above water). He quickly opened the side gate and the water rushed out of the back yard. By doing that, he saved our home from being flooded. Every other house in our neighborhood was flooded with a lot of water damage done inside the home. I don't think I could have faced coming home with a new baby to a house with such terrible water damage inside - fortunately, I didn't have to. This is a picture of the Salt River flooding up to the Sun Devil stadium, usually a good distance away.

Michael Lance White - Sept. 4, 1970

It was the hottest August on record - or so I felt - and Mike was due the first week in Sept. I had gone to the doctor on Sept. 3rd and he told me it would be at least a week or more before his birth. Actually, he said "before the birth". We didn't have ultra sounds in those days and never knew until the baby was born if it was a girl or boy. I had felt very strongly during my whole pregnancy that I was going to have a girl. An olive complected girl with a mass of black hair and brown eyes. I even thought I might name her Julie. I could even see her in my mind's eye. Anyway, on the 4th our dog, Snoopy, (also know as Stupid Dog) hurt himself and needed to go to the Vets. A very stressful situation. My stomach also wasn't working right, so I had taken pills to help with that. I began having cramps that afternoon, but assumed it was the pills working. It was Labor Day weekend and my doctor had told me he would be gone all weekend. Sid was doing car upholstery at that time and would do special jobs in our garage at night. He had a friend that needed his sand rail seats done that night. He had a big race to go to the next day. My neighbor stopped by and noticed my stomach cramps were 10 minutes apart. We decided to be safe that we should take Jim to his Uncle Vernon's and Aunt Willene's. They lived down town and we took the freeway to get to their house. On the way back one of Arizona's famous summer sandstorms hit and we had to pull over with zero visibility. I was still having regular cramps and getting real worried. We finally rushed me to the doctor who told me that it would be a least a couple of days. Back home - I rested on the couch while Sid rushed to get his job finished. At 10:00 pm I could wait no more, regardless of what the doctor had said. He took me to the hospital where they told him I would be in labor probably until noon the next day. I told him to leave and come back in the morning - which he did. At 3:30 am I decided - or Mike decided - it was time. The nurses called Sid, woke him up, and told him to get to the hospital. Almost an hour later he still wasn't there. They called him again, and he had fallen asleep. He got to the hospital just as they were taking me to the labor room. Fathers did not go in the labor room at that time, so he waited outside. I had told the doctor (not my regular doctor) I was having "Julie" and described her to him. When the baby was born, he started laughing. That is scary to hear just as you've "pop" your baby out. He told me that not only did I have a boy, I had a very fair, blond, blue eyed boy. He thought that was so funny he left for a few minutes and went out in the hall to tell Sid. In those days we stayed in the hospital for 3 days after we gave birth. It rained hard and heavy all that weekend and the night before I was due to come home, the canal broke by our house and flooded the whole neighborhood - every one's house but ours. Indian Bend Wash was a real wash then and there were no bridges across it when it flooded, and it was flooded. Sid borrowed a 4-wheel drive truck to come get me and Mike and bring us home. As for Mike's name - Sid liked the name "Michael" and he knew a sports figure and other people named "Lance" and so that was what he was called - Michael Lance. Happy 39th Birthday today, Mike!!

Sundown 1979

We moved to Sundown Drive in September 1977. There was no pool - no yard really - just weeds and dirt in the back and a dying lawn in the front and the big pine trees to the north. We built a pool the next year and cleared the weeds off. This picture was taken in June 1979. We were busy cleaning up and remodeling the inside and hadn't done anything, other than the pool, to the outside. There have been many, many changes since 1979, thank goodness. However, I think that is the same mail box we have today. I can't get Sid to replace it.

Come Fly With Me

Mike had a golf tournament every year for many years to help with the medical expenses from David's surgery and cancer treatment. At one of the tournaments held at The Links at Queen Creek our friends, the Urschels, had a special treat for David. Their son, Scott, had his own helicopter and a license to fly it. He flew to the tournament, picked up David and Mike (and Joan?) and took them on a short flight around the area. David was so excited and talked about it for many months afterwards. It was such a special treat for a very special little boy - and his dad!

Featuring in the center ring - the amazing Elsie

One of the fun memories I have of my mom was when I was young - somewhere around 9 and 10. We would go to the park behind the hospital with friends for a picnic and for the kids to play. While there I remember Mom would walk around on her hands. Not only just walk, but walk forward, backward and in circles. I was amazed that someone that old could do that - she was 26 and 27, very ancient. She had been a tomboy when she was younger and had learned how to do this amazing stunt then. She could also write right handed or left handed or both at the same time. She was right handed naturally but had broken her right hand when she was in 7th grade and had to learn to write with her left hand. Even after her right hand healed she continued to write often with her left. She was amazing to me. This picture shows her attitude at this time - fun and funny lady and mom. She probably climbed that tree after this picture was taken of her with my brother Ray.

A Very Grave Story

Warning: No member of the family under 30 years of age should read this story - especially the male members. One of the stories I hear from Sid's brothers are about his exploits when he was a teenager. Before he was old enough to drive, he would "borrow" Vernon's car and, at night, drive through the cemetery near their house. I use the would "drive" very loosely. He actually tore through the cemetery, doing wheelies, spin outs, etc. and many headstones suffered for his actions. This picture is not an actual picture in the cemetery of his adventures. We aren't sure what the statue of limitations are for his driving mishaps. Vernon also complains that his car was always getting damaged because of his night time cemetery trips. No, this does not excuse you, Mike, for driving before you had your license and ruining the tires on my car.

Our Karate Kid

Neither Brent nor I can remember the exact reason we picked karate for him to get involved in. He had played football and baseball and felt he was just not coordinated enough. It had been hard on his self esteem. Our best guess is that the neighbor, Joe Tiemeyer, was an instructor at the karate school. Brent was friends with his brother - and someone in the family suggested karate. We enrolled Brent when he was 6 and he loved it. The owner/head instructor (I don't know the exact term), Dennis, really liked Brent and spent time with him helping him get started. Brent had always been a likable boy, but very shy. Karate not only helped him with his coordination, it always helped him with his shyness. They competed regularly in events in Arizona and a big event in Long Beach, CA. Brent always did his best and came away with many trophies. A few times we, his parents, felt the judges were bias again him because he was not a minority - prejudice in reverse. Brent stayed in Karate for at least 3 years (again we don't remember when he stopped going) and earned many different colored belts showing his progress. In this picture taken in November, 1982 he had advanced to a purple belt. He was truly our own Karate Kid.

How Grandpa became Papa

When Kayla began talking she called Sid "Grandpa" and me "Grandma" which is what we called ourselves when talking to her. When Hannah began talking she had a little trouble pronouncing words. I was called "mamaw" which sounded like "Grandma" to her. She couldn't say "Grandpa" and finally said "Papa" and that's what his name became to her. Kayla tried to correct her many times, but Hannah wouldn't budge. Even as she got older and could say "Grandma" fine, she still called Sid "Papa". Kayla gave up and started calling him that too and all the other grandkids have done the same.

Styles come and go - and some we hope stay gone

In the 80's the style for golf pants was plaids, stripes, Madras, in all different colors - the crazier the better. Sid had several that were very tame by those standards, but the boys teased him all the time about his golf pants. Here is a picture of a pair of the more subdued ones. Finally the styles changed, but the boys have never forgotten and still give Sid a bad time about his. This picture was taken at Magic Mountain in California in August 1981 after Sid had just gotten off the Roaring Rapids ride and he was very wet. Yes, he even wore them on vacation. We have noticed that the European golfers are starting to bring back the style and we just cringe when we see them. This is one style that does not need to be repeated.

The Kid

When Jim was 5 yrs old he came home from kindergarten and announced he did not want to be called Jimmy any more. From now on we were to call him "The Kid". Shortly thereafter Sid and I said something funny and after Jim quit laughing he said, quite seriously, "you made The Kid laugh". That became a joke in our family for many years when something funny was said that it "made The Kid laugh". This picture was taken in the back yard of our Pecos Road house in December 1968 of The Kid and The Kid's ma.

Watch out for those sneaky screen doors!!

There are things that happen that make you laugh while they are happening and then you forget them. Then there are things that make you laugh when they happen and every time you think about them. We have one story that we tell that makes us laugh and laugh no matter how many times we tell it. (Well, we laugh and laugh - I'm not too sure how much laughing Mike does.) In May, 1984 we took Brent and Mike on a summer vacation that started in San Diego. Jim had to work and was involved in softball but joined us later in Pasadena. In San Diego we stayed at a hotel that overlooked Mission Bay. The view from the patio was beautiful of both Mission Bay and of the ocean. As we checked in to the room and saw the view, Mike rushed to the patio in excitement about seeing the bay and the ocean. There was just one problem. The patio had a screen door and Mike crashed right through it! Sid told him to slow down, etc. and the rest of us hid our smile. We went out and had a busy day. Upon returning Mike once again rushed to the patio and once again crashed through the screen door. This time it came off in his hands. He turned around to us holding the screen door with a look of terror on his face. By this time I am laughing so hard I had to hide in the bathroom and Brent joined me. Sid mumbled again about Mike slowing down then he cracked up laughing. Mike had little screen door mesh figures on the tip of his red nose. This picture is of Mike (behind the pole) and me sitting by the pool and in the background you can see our hotel room on the top floor. I am laughing again just sitting here writing this story.

The Bunco Squad hits the White House

In December, 2002 my friends Bev and Glorianne and I decided we needed to have a fun thing to do once a month that didn't involve any work - just showing up and laughing a lot. We decided to start a Bunco group since we had heard how much fun they were. After Christmas, and after a lot of figuring how it all works, we started the Chaparral Bunco Squad. Our first meeting was in February, 2003 and we have been going strong ever since. I have really great memories of all the fun and laughter we have had over the last 61/2 years. It was my turn to be the hostess this month and, as with everything I do, I really stressed out about it. Everything had to be just perfect, and of course it wasn't. Nothing ever is. I finally got through the night and as the last of the group left they commented on the beautiful carrot cake still sitting on my counter and how they bet it would have been delicious. I HAD FORGOTTEN TO SERVE DESSERT!! Bunco is mostly eating - dinner first, snacks while playing then dessert when we are finished playing. Days later I still get upset just thinking about it. Of course, everyone has long forgotten about it. Believe me, Bunco is A LOT MORE fun when it's at other people's house. The picture above was taken several years ago of most of our group. Some have since moved, and one was a substitute.

Never put off until tomorrow...

Years ago Sid and I would go up to Prescott to play golf every summer and he would sometimes call his brother Carl that lives in that area. About 5 years ago we talked about how Carl and Margaret were getting older and we also didn't see Vernon and Willene very much anymore. Sid started calling Carl and playing golf with him and we'd go out to dinner with him and Margaret when we were up there. Vernon and Willene couldn't join us at first, but all the brothers and their wives have been together for a few days the last 3 years. Last summer Willene expressed concern that Vernon was having memory problems. It has gotten progressively worse and he has been diagnosed with dementia. We can tell the difference each time we see him. We met with him, Willene and their daughter last night at their home. Vernon has had his driving license taken away from him and Willene's recent shoulder surgery and problems from the surgery prevents her from driving. They are facing a hard time in their lives when they are no longer able to take care of themselves. Decisions are being made for them that are hard. As Sid talked to Carl about everything I am even more thankful now for the summers we all made the effort to get together. Vernon will not remember any of us very shortly. We worried that Carl, who is 9 years older than Sid, would be the one to leave first, but it will be Vernon, who is less than 2 years older. He will still be here physically, but will not share in his brothers "remember when" fun.

Why this Blog?

I have so many memories of my last 60+ years and I wanted to start writing them down so my family will have them and, hopefully, enjoy them. Some are of me, some are of my grandparents, my parents and siblings, some are of my own wonderful family and some are of my friends. There will be no rhyme or reason to the order - just as they come to mind. I am not a great writer, but this is not meant to be a great work of literature, just my ramblings and comments about past memories and memories that are being made now. Who will read this? Maybe my family once I tell them about it, but that's really all. My greatest concern is that I not offend anyone with my posts by saying something they wish I hadn't. As for my boys, I know they hope I would forget memories with them as the main character - sorry - I'm the mom and that's my job. Here goes.....