More Mish-Mash

Originally I wanted to write about a few more things I remembered about growing up but I read an article in one of my magazines and I started thinking about it. Actually, it does touch on my growing up years so I thought I would toss it out to all of you.

The article is entitled, "Dinner Time". It talks about having dinner together as a family. Most families today, do not eat meals at the same time. When I was young my family had dinner together every night. The article claims that family dining is disappearing. Teens are reported as saying it's because 'parents work late'. Parents, on the other hand, state the reason is 'conflicting schedules'. The other reasons are: families choose not to eat together, interference of teen activities, too busy and the all important- television watching that just can't be missed. My daughter has made sure her family does sit down at the table together. My grandson practices wrestling every evening after school but we do not eat until he comes home. It's very important to have that family time. It opens the lines of communication. You find out how days went, how school was, talk about classes or whatever else you want. Unless you communicate on the run. Kids running up and down the stairs....'hey how was your day', 'yeah..ok'. Gone. In and out the door,' want to talk about anything? ' no time'. That's what I've heard at some of my friends homes.
When I lived with my sister or my brother, meal times were special. We always ate together and we talked. I notice some families don't talk because the news is on. How sad that they lose out on the days activities in their family lives. Yes, local and world news are important but not as important as your family. I also learn a lot about what happens by accident. I can now catch up on what went on in my daughters teen years that I didn't know before. Imagine that!!

Mish-Mash

I'm going to attempt writing more tidbits of growing up. I hope I don't repeat many things but I haven't re-read any of my entries on the subject of memories, so forgive me if I do. When I was young, til my mother passed away, clothes were always hung on the line to dry. Didn't matter if the weather was; freezing, scorching, or windy enough for the clothes to slap you in the face, my mother put them outside. She loved the softness and smell of them when she brought them in. Her fingers and hands would be frozen and beet red in the winter but she didn't mind. She also washed floors on her hands and knees. Never used a mop. If you were on your knees, you could see better and get right in those corners easily. Mother never dusted or vacuumed around things. They were always moved. I remember when the curtains were washed and put on a stretcher thing we had. There were little nail like things you attached the curtains to. Man did they ever hurt. CF may know what the name of it was. I always called it the "curtain stretcher" and I could not keep my hands off it. That's how I know it could hurt you. I liked to do things back then because I thought it was fun. Til I had to do it. Like rug beating. Mom would put the rugs on the clothes line and give them heck. So, I wanted to do it too. Man... your arms sure could get tired. My youngest sister and I had to share a bed and we did that until I moved out at 16. But most of the time, I didn't mind. She wasn't a blanket hog nor did she sprawl out all over the bed. We got along well, usually.

I lived with my older sister Joan, a couple of times. The first time I was in high school. I slept on the couch. One morning I had no idea I would be in for a rude awakening. My oldest nephew came over to me and BAM.......hit me right in the head with a metal truck. Oh yeah; I was ready for the day. It's funny now but I don't believe I was laughing very hard at the time. I think it was after that, my sister let me have the sun porch for my room. He was only a couple of years old. How mad could you get? And he was so cute. I used to let my 3 nephews wrestle around. The older and younger somehow always managed to gang up on the middle child. So, I would take him aside and tell him what to do. Still, with 2 against 1, it was hard. Eventually I had to stop that activity. When I moved to my brothers house, to take care of his 3 girls, what a difference it was. One time, my oldest niece was around 9 or 10, I believe, she came into the house crying. I asked what was wrong. Her friend that came to play with her slapped her in the face. And she came in the house crying?? Oh no. Don't think so. I got hold of her, but her friend left by then, probably ran home. I told her at that time the next time anybody hit her she was to lay them out or she would be when she got home. If anyone ever hit her after that I never knew about it. And my niece was no lightweight. She wasn't heavy but she could have held her own with anyone.
Times were fun back then. Well for some of us, anyway. I'd love to hear how your younger years were. Let me know.

New Year, new ideas, new things, new..new..new.

Happy New Year everyone and welcome to my journal. My prayer is that 2009 will be wonderful for you, will bring you lots of happiness, and good health.
I have a lot to be thankful for. My first great grandchild (a girl) was born Dec. 12th, 2008 and we spent Christmas together. My son and his family were here so I got to have Christmas with them and my daughter, her family and her fiances family as well. I had 8 of my grandchildren here then 2 more came later; so I got to see 10 out of 14 of them. I keep saying I have 13 grandchildren because I don't know how to count (or there are so many I lost count). HAHAHA. No, no, no. You can never have too many.
Anyway, our Christmas was great. But what was also great to me was that one of my co-workers and good friend called me around Christmas. What a treat. I was so surprised. And very pleased. I don't know how long Billy has worked at transportation but we finally got to work together once. I had a good time. He's funny, yet you can have a decent conversation with him without him acting like "he's all that",(as the kids say now days). Several of us used to go to lunch together after our noon runs, which ended around 1:00 or so, then gulp something down and get back out on the buses by 2:00. What a mixed up, motley crew we made. But I had the best times then. I miss all my friends at transportation; so thank you Billy for making my holiday a little more pleasant. I love you, buddy.