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.....