Saturday Night Genealogy Fun- Share a Childhood Memory

Randy Seaver's "Genea-Musings" mission for us this week is: 

Your Mission, should you decide to accept it (cue the Mission Impossible music here) is to: 

Have you written your memoirs yet? If so, please share with us one story from your childhood. If not, then start your memoirs! The story could be a memory of your family life, your schoolwork, your neighborhood, etc. It doesn't have to be a certain length-- just something you recall. 

Here's mine:

In 1991, my family and I moved from Round Rock, Texas to Humboldt, Arizona (probably the smallest town you will ever step in if you visit). My twin sister and I were in the 1st grade and our brother would have been in high school. Our rented house was right off of the main highway- highway 69. It's now a busy 4 lane highway, back then, it was only 2 lanes. In our little "community", it was our house, then to the left of us were the Hellman's. Down the ways a bit in front of our house was also the Hellman's (Brothers) and then up the hill behind the first Hellman's was also the Hellman's (their parents). 

Now, I have no idea if they owned that house or not. I loved that house though. It was spooky and I swear, to this day, that it was haunted. Things would go missing and I constantly heard things around that place- especially at night. It had 3 bedrooms. Coming into the house from the drive way (there was a separate garage), you entered a separate small room for laundry. I guess today, it could easily be called a "mud room". Off that, when you entered the house, was a small kitchen. I remember there being a wood burning stove in there. I don't think the house had an actual heater, we always had to keep logs burning. Then, off the kitchen was a very long dining room. Off of that dining room were the bedrooms. Facing away from the kitchen, to the left was one bedroom and then to the right, was a hallway that led to the other bedroom and the master bedrooms. I honestly don't remember how many bathrooms- probably only one. On the other side of the dining room was the entry way for the front door (rarely used) and to the left was the living room. Off of the living room was a small greenhouse that led to a back porch. (This is all based on MY memory, so who knows if it's all correct LOL).

The floorboards in the master closet opened up to a tunnel! We were told it led over to the Hellman's house (first one mentioned), although, I don't think any of us actually tested that rumor. 

There are so many memories of this house for the short time we lived there. One in particular-- in the middle of the night, we heard a huge CRASH. A car had run off the highway and hit a tree that was literally in the middle of space between our house and the highway (so basically, if the tree hadn't been there, the car would have hit our house). The lady driving was the mother of a friend at my school. I remember her being hurt very badly- several broken bones. My mom went and got the Hellman's (first one) since he was a fireman. All the adults worked together to keep her comfortable and to keep each other safe. I remember it being a long night.

We moved out of that house around 1993 (I think). The road was being expanded to 4 lanes and we were forced to move. We moved to a larger house in Prescott Valley, about 10 minutes away and the city tore that house down- along with The Hellman's (both brothers). I believe the Hellman Parent's kept their home. Whenever I go home to Arizona and I'm driving South on highway 69, heading towards Phoenix, I'm driving right over where our house used to be. It's a little sad sometimes to be honest. 

 

Sharing Memories- Week 4: 3rd Grade

52 Weeks of Sharing Memories

A Challenge seen on:

                                     The Olive Tree Genealogy
                                       Link: Here

Today's prompt is: Playing Hooky in Grade 2 and 3...


I didn't play hooky in these grades...I find it odd that a kid would! I was always a goodie-two-shoes though LOL 

SO, I'll still write about these grades, but it won't consist of playing hooky... 

The 3rd grade was memorable because I only went to school maybe half of the entire year. My teacher was Mrs. Kier (If I remember right)...and I had my first leg lengthening device on that year. 

Here's what it looked like: 

Photo Courtesy of Google

The above picture is just similar to the one that I wore- mine was only on the right leg, connecting to the femur and just below the knee.

I remember going to school in a very large wheel chair and the battery pack from the device would go off in class. The nurse or principal would have to call my mom to bring me a new one. I remember one time, we didn't have an extra battery and we had to go all the way to Scottsdale to get a new one from my doctor- it was about a two hour drive.

I was also home-schooled that year by a woman named Mrs. Soto. She would come to the house every morning. Sometimes I would just bawl because I was so tired and didn't want to participate...It was often hard to sleep with that huge contraption on my leg.

Although it was painful, I got a lot of attention with that device on. I remember walking around the outdoor swap meet and this actor (a guy from an Indiana Jones movie- my parents knew who he was)- he actually followed us through the park until he got the courage to say hello and ask what was wrong with my leg. People are always very curious about it...even now- years later. I tell them I had it done twice on my leg and once on my arm and they are just fascinated by it. It's amusing.

Sharing Memories- Week 3: Driver's Licence

52 Weeks of Sharing Memories

A Challenge seen on:

The Olive Tree Genealogy

Sharing Memories

Ah, getting my drivers licence...looking back at it now- I was a TERRIBLE driver! :)

I got my licence before all of my friends and peers at school because I was a year older than everyone else--- all because of repeating kindergarten (Refresh your memory here).

I was 15 when I got my permit and 16 when I got my licence...and I think I was a sophomore in High School. I remember several people teaching me to drive- my dad telling me to "get the big picture"- something I didn't understand until years later....my mom teaching me to park the day OF the test....and then my (ex) sister-in-law teaching me to drive around town. Somebody (don't remember who) attempted to teach me to parallel park, but I never actually got that one down. During the test, the guy asked me to parallel park and simply told him I couldn't...I didn't get marked off and he told me this: "well, if you ever leave Prescott [Arizona], make sure you learn"...OK, thanks!

My husband taught me to parallel park maybe...two years ago and I'm 30...that's kinda sad actually LOL (Teach your teens how to parallel park!)

My driving test went fairly well, I think. I know I got points marked off because I turned too soon into a turn lane...there were old lines and I guess you get marked off for that. I passed the first try. :) 

My first car was a 1984 Pontiac Phoenix (BOAT!) that we received free from a friend of the family. I don't remember it having power steering...and the gear shift - a thin stick-looking thing- broke and my dad actually "replaced" it with a screwdriver (NOT KIDDING!)

My car looked similar to this- but it was white---thank you Google for the picture.

It wasn't too long before I sold that car to some desperate people at a flea market for $800, took the $200 I had saved up and I bought a 1992 Ford Mustang- the car that I actually say was my FIRST car- because I loved that car. I had it for a long time and I even delivered pizza in it! 

This wasn't my car...but thank you Google for having a picture of what my car looked like :)

Sharing Memories- 1st Grade

52 Weeks of Sharing Memories

A Challenge seen on:

The Olive Tree Genealogy

Link: Sharing Memories

In 1990/91- we moved to Humboldt, Arizona and I started 1st Grade at Humboldt Elementary School- home of the Pandas! This was a small little school located up on a hill in the smallest town that I have still ever been to. 

Yes, I grew up in the 90s...LOL

On the first day, my sister (twin) and I had lunch with two girls- Melissa and Julie. They were good friends and we remained friends with them for a very long time. I still talk to and see Melissa occasionally. 

I don't remember too much about 1st grade, but I do remember that my teacher- Mrs.Wyant- all I remember about her is that she was a big woman- older- and kinda strict. 

Sharing Memories- Kindergarten Days

52 Weeks of Sharing Memories

A Challenge seen on:

                                      The Olive Tree Genealogy

Link: Sharing Memories

Since I missed last week because I was sick, I'm just gonna pick up where I left off! Looking at the list on The Olive Tree Genenalogy, it appears most of the list has been removed due to the fact that she has condensed it to a book- Check out Lorine McGinnis Schulze's new book- Writing Your Memoirs For Descendants.



I will just start off at the top of the list she has posted on her blog :) 

Sharing Memories Week 1: Kindergarten Days:

I don't know if I should share this on the web, but I'm going to anyways! I failed Kindergarten. It's embarrassing, I know. My twin sister failed as well and that's the reasoning why~ the school that we went to in Texas didn't feel we were socially ready for the 1st grade because we only communicated with each other. So, the second year, they separated us into two different classes and we did better! 

Above are two pictures from Kindergarten- 89 & 90. I went to a school called Double File Trail in Round Rock Texas. I remember going to school early and watching Gummi Bears in the library. I don't know if this was every morning or if it was very rare, but I do remember it well! I loved that show! 

I don't remember too much from those years- Gummi Bears, the playground and then I remember we had to wear this necklace around our neck whenever we needed to go to the bathroom- I'm assuming if we got lost in the hallway, someone could help direct us how to get back to our classroom. 

Sharing Memories- Week 5- New Years

52 Weeks of Sharing Memories

A Challenge seen on:

The Olive Tree Genealogy

Link: Sharing Memories

This weeks memory: New Years

I've never been a huge fan of New Years- never really been to many New Years parties or was one to make resolutions. 

With my husband, we do have a New Years tradition that we've done every since New Years day since our first one together on 01 January 2010-- We go to the movies. It may not seem like a lot- but it's just something we've always done and I cherish that memory. 

I know the first movie we saw together on New Years day was a very popular/new one because I remember waiting in line for a long time just to get in- but I can't remember what movie it was. 

I know the following year- 2011- we saw New Years Eve with Zac Efron, Michelle Pfeiffer and Robert De Niro. That was a cute movie. 

Sharing Memories- Week 4- Christmas Activities

52 Weeks of Sharing Memories

A Challenge seen on:

The Olive Tree Genealogy

Link: Sharing Memories

Hello, happy Tuesday! Well, this week would technically be week 5, but since I skipped last week due to family in town, I'm just continuing on! 

Christmas has always been my favorite holiday. I love the snow, the family, the presents, the decorations and the tree but one of my favorite things is Christmas cookies.

Especially when I was younger, my mom, sister and I would make cookies. My mom would get some old records and melt them in the oven into the shape of a bowl. We always made the same kinds of cookies- 

No-bake chocolate oatmeal (my favorite!)

Meringue kisses

Ohio Buckeyes

Sugar 

Chocolate chip

We would arrange the cookies onto the melted record plate, put a piece of plastic wrap over it and hand them out to friends and neighbors. 

Sharing Memories (Week 3): Winter Vacations

52 Weeks of Sharing Memories

A Challenge seen on:

The Olive Tree Genealogy

Link: Sharing Memories

This prompt is kind of difficult to write about because when I was younger, we never went on any vacations, let alone winter vacations... so, I'm going to write about recent/future winter vacation(s) instead. 

I grew up in Arizona, but in 2010, I moved to California with my boyfriend (now, husband). There have been a couple holidays so far where I couldn't go home for the holidays so we had to stay in California, away from the snow :( Yes, it does snow in Arizona...shocking, I know. People always get surprised when I mention this.

Last year, my husband and I moved our little family out to Fort Collins, Colorado. So now, our winter vacations will most likely include either staying home, going to Arizona or to California.

Last Christmas, we couldn't really afford to go to Arizona or California, since we had just made our big move, but we did go on a mini vacation with friends here in Colorado. We went up to Breckenridge, a small ski town in the mountains. Our friends own a cabin up there and we stay the weekend up there. It had been my first time in that super adorable tourist trap and I loved it! There was so much snow! So many interesting people! Great food! Great shops! 

If you've never been to Breckenridge, Colorado, I highly suggest it! :) 

Sharing Memories (Week 2): Winter Activities

52 Weeks of Sharing Memories

A Challenge seen on:

The Olive Tree Genealogy

Link: Sharing Memories

This week's memory is Winter Activities. Really, the first thing that comes to mind when I think of winter is Christmas and snow. 

When I was in the 1st grade, we moved from Round Rock, Texas to Humboldt, Arizona. I didn't know it even snowed in Arizona, but that first winter, it snowed...and it snowed A LOT! (at least from a small person's perspective!). I remember my sister and I romping through it, the snow crunching underneath our feet. I don't know who came up this idea, but we grabbed bowls from the kitchen, filled them with snow and topped our frozen treat with red Kool-Aid. 

Sharing Memories (Week 1): Introduction

52 Weeks of Sharing Memories

A Challenge seen on: 

The Olive Tree Genealogy
Link: Sharing Memories

Introduction: 

A couple months ago, I started my version of the ever-so-popular 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks and I am having so much fun with it that I've been browsing other blogs for such fun ideas. This morning, I came upon The Olive Tree Genealogy’s Sharing Memories and love the concept!

I never really thought my stories and/or memories were important, but then I think- what if at least one of my ancestors had written a journal and it had survived all of these years and I was able to read it? As a genealogy and history fanatic, I would LOVE such a possession to be mine to read! It would be one of my most treasured items- to be able to read what they did on a day-to-day basis, what they went through, what heartaches and wonderful memories they had and shared with their family and friends!

We hear rumors of what our ancestors were like. I was told that my great grandfather was a very hard-headed individual who never smiled. What would his journal say about him?

I’ve always kept a journal- up until about a couple of years ago. I haven’t written in a long time but this project seems like a LOT of fun- especially if I could, one day, share it with my children, grandchildren, great grandchildren.

If you’re reading this and you love journaling, I encourage you to do the same in your blog or even in a book at home! J

New Tuesdays!

New Changes...

Hey everyone,

I've recently found a new "challenge" that I've decided to write instead of doing Tuesday's Tip-- I think it will be more entertaining (hopefully)- for myself and my readers! :) 

Lorine McGinnis Schulze from The Olive Tree Genealogy posted 52 Weeks of Sharing Memories on her webpage. I came upon it this morning and was instantly intrigued! 

SO... starting today, Tuesday's will now be Sharing Memories day! :)