Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Memories of Mom - Friday 5
This is very challenging for me. My mother is only 17 years older than I am, and we had a sister love/hate type relationship, most of my life, while I was growing up. I was mostly raised by my grandmother, whether mom was there or not. I will try to focus on the positives.
1. GREASE - The Movie. We saw it so many times, in the theater, I lost count. We were big dollar movie goers, and I keep wanting to think that was weekly, but how long could this movie have run? I don't really remember. We saw it over 20 times. Fersher!
*singing* "We go together.."
2. ET - The Movie. My mom piled all of us neighborhood kids, from Grandma's neighborhood into her Chevy Impala and took us to the Loma Theater, in Point Loma. There was nothing better than sharing that movie with all the boys. I was the only girl in the neighborhood.
3. Star Wars - The Movie. Are we seeing a pattern here? We saw this movie at this theater, in the valley (Mission Valley), that was in a round building. The line to get in, wrapped the building four times. We took a city bus there and stood all day long, it seemed. It was like being at Disneyland!
4. Mom only missed the birth of one grandchild, that she was aware of being born. My youngest. Labor was induced with all three of my babies. The first two children were born at 00:42 and 00:47 (those minutes after midnight), so she didn't leave work early to see Girlie come into the world. She surprised us all and arrived at 13:57, in the afternoon! (I think she's still pushy like that, too. *smile*)
I can't imagine having a baby and mom not being there. She was good under pressure. She's also a good liar, and was able to calm me while my ex husband ran for a doctor/nurse. "No, honey, the baby is not right there, just lay back!" Under a "pit," I believed her.
5. My mom has always trusted me. She has often said that I didn't teach her how to mother my younger brother, that I was raised with. I always felt that the trust wasn't worth breaking and maybe it was fear.. but I liked my freedom's and didn't ever want to risk losing them. With this trust, though came a yearning for her to be more.. my friend's complained about curfews.. I never really had one. I always felt they were loved more. I know, today, I was just responsible enough, that she could trust me.
I found the perfect Mother's Day Card for her. Now I can only type it here, because I forgot I had it and didn't mail it to her. I usually can't find a card for my mom. They are usually sappy and just don't fit. I did send her roses. I hope she got them. *sigh*
The card:
"I'm proud to have a mother whose independence and determination come from knowing who she is, what she wants.
I'm proud to have a mother who doesn't fit into a mold or let anyone else define what she does or who she should be.
I'm proud to have a mother whose life and love have shown me that anything is possible when you are true to yourself.
You're a one-of-a-kind mother and I'm glad you're mine."
I'm still going to send it.
1. GREASE - The Movie. We saw it so many times, in the theater, I lost count. We were big dollar movie goers, and I keep wanting to think that was weekly, but how long could this movie have run? I don't really remember. We saw it over 20 times. Fersher!
*singing* "We go together.."
2. ET - The Movie. My mom piled all of us neighborhood kids, from Grandma's neighborhood into her Chevy Impala and took us to the Loma Theater, in Point Loma. There was nothing better than sharing that movie with all the boys. I was the only girl in the neighborhood.
3. Star Wars - The Movie. Are we seeing a pattern here? We saw this movie at this theater, in the valley (Mission Valley), that was in a round building. The line to get in, wrapped the building four times. We took a city bus there and stood all day long, it seemed. It was like being at Disneyland!
4. Mom only missed the birth of one grandchild, that she was aware of being born. My youngest. Labor was induced with all three of my babies. The first two children were born at 00:42 and 00:47 (those minutes after midnight), so she didn't leave work early to see Girlie come into the world. She surprised us all and arrived at 13:57, in the afternoon! (I think she's still pushy like that, too. *smile*)
I can't imagine having a baby and mom not being there. She was good under pressure. She's also a good liar, and was able to calm me while my ex husband ran for a doctor/nurse. "No, honey, the baby is not right there, just lay back!" Under a "pit," I believed her.
5. My mom has always trusted me. She has often said that I didn't teach her how to mother my younger brother, that I was raised with. I always felt that the trust wasn't worth breaking and maybe it was fear.. but I liked my freedom's and didn't ever want to risk losing them. With this trust, though came a yearning for her to be more.. my friend's complained about curfews.. I never really had one. I always felt they were loved more. I know, today, I was just responsible enough, that she could trust me.
I found the perfect Mother's Day Card for her. Now I can only type it here, because I forgot I had it and didn't mail it to her. I usually can't find a card for my mom. They are usually sappy and just don't fit. I did send her roses. I hope she got them. *sigh*
The card:
"I'm proud to have a mother whose independence and determination come from knowing who she is, what she wants.
I'm proud to have a mother who doesn't fit into a mold or let anyone else define what she does or who she should be.
I'm proud to have a mother whose life and love have shown me that anything is possible when you are true to yourself.
You're a one-of-a-kind mother and I'm glad you're mine."
I'm still going to send it.
Saturday, May 3, 2008
HighSchool Memories - Friday Five
1. Football Games and Wrestling Tournaments
Here's the juice.. I dated a football player.. I was the idiot freezing, alone, in the stands, at all games.. dressed in school colors, of course. Then I dated a wrestler, from Clairemont High School (Barry McKnight has fallen off the face of the earth, tho!). Our school sponsored a big tourney and well, I sat with his school, in our school colors and was a living traitor. LOL Then one of my bestest friends got hurt, from our school.. so I went and did "ice on hot guys neck" therapy. It was my public service to Anthony Patton. I should call him and ask him if he remembers this. He probably doesn't. I was quite invisible in that capacity, to him.
2. Seminary - San Diego 5th and 11th Ward
We had a ward boundary between our apartment, with my mom, and my grandparent's house. When we lived with mom, we lived in 11th ward. When we moved back to grandma's 18 trillian times, we were back in 5th ward. 5th and 11th ward combined many youth activities, including seminary, until my senior year.. I had the best of BOTH worlds.
I miss Sam Edge, the most. He knew me in BOTH worlds.
3. ASB. Associated Student Body - I was the VP.
The VP is the dirt job. really. You do whatver the Prez doesn't want to do or won't do. I broke my foot the last weekend of my junior year. I had to plan and coordinate the Home Coming Dance, that summer, for October of the next school year. It was MY function. I survived a whole semester, as the VP. Then the change in the attendance laws dropped my grades and made me ineligible for student council. 'nuff said.
4. MYAC - Mayor's Youth Advisory Council with Maureen O'Connor
I worked with a bunch of other geeks for a democrat! *sigh*
5. SADD - Student's Against Drunk Driving - #1 Home Coming Float 1986
I was the arm hanging off the back of the tow truck. We had a grim reaper and a homecoming couple.. that's it. We just towed a wreck around.. we rocked!
YES, I've always been a geek! I resisted the urge to say "IT ENDED!" Because that was memorable, in itself!
Here's the juice.. I dated a football player.. I was the idiot freezing, alone, in the stands, at all games.. dressed in school colors, of course. Then I dated a wrestler, from Clairemont High School (Barry McKnight has fallen off the face of the earth, tho!). Our school sponsored a big tourney and well, I sat with his school, in our school colors and was a living traitor. LOL Then one of my bestest friends got hurt, from our school.. so I went and did "ice on hot guys neck" therapy. It was my public service to Anthony Patton. I should call him and ask him if he remembers this. He probably doesn't. I was quite invisible in that capacity, to him.
2. Seminary - San Diego 5th and 11th Ward
We had a ward boundary between our apartment, with my mom, and my grandparent's house. When we lived with mom, we lived in 11th ward. When we moved back to grandma's 18 trillian times, we were back in 5th ward. 5th and 11th ward combined many youth activities, including seminary, until my senior year.. I had the best of BOTH worlds.
I miss Sam Edge, the most. He knew me in BOTH worlds.
3. ASB. Associated Student Body - I was the VP.
The VP is the dirt job. really. You do whatver the Prez doesn't want to do or won't do. I broke my foot the last weekend of my junior year. I had to plan and coordinate the Home Coming Dance, that summer, for October of the next school year. It was MY function. I survived a whole semester, as the VP. Then the change in the attendance laws dropped my grades and made me ineligible for student council. 'nuff said.
4. MYAC - Mayor's Youth Advisory Council with Maureen O'Connor
I worked with a bunch of other geeks for a democrat! *sigh*
5. SADD - Student's Against Drunk Driving - #1 Home Coming Float 1986
I was the arm hanging off the back of the tow truck. We had a grim reaper and a homecoming couple.. that's it. We just towed a wreck around.. we rocked!
YES, I've always been a geek! I resisted the urge to say "IT ENDED!" Because that was memorable, in itself!
Friday, May 2, 2008
More About Me - Thanks MadHatter
. What time did you get up this morning? Went down at 5am. Saw no more morning!
2. Diamonds or pearls? Pearls
3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? August Rush
4. What is your favorite TV show? CSI
5 What do you usually have for breakfast? Eggs, scrambled, with cheese
6. What is your middle name? Janeen
7. What food do you dislike? I can't think of another besides Brussel Sprouts, but I'm trying to be more original. IF I think of it, I'll change it. GOT IT: Velveeta!!!!!!!! (I like the flavor of coconut but not the texture. I'm not a fan of passion fruit, papaya, or mango.) I despise orange flavored soda. Thank you, so much, Glucola testing!
8. What is your favorite CD at the moment? Colbie Callat - CoCo
9. What kind of car/truck do you drive? Toyota Sienna
10. What characteristic do you despise in people? Hate
11. Favorite clothing? Denim
12. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation where would it be? The Virgin Islands
13. Favorite brand of clothing? Don't have one
14. Where would you retire to? Money no object? San Diego
15. What was your most recent memorable birthday? 21. not recent. I turned 21 in a military club. At midnight we paraded in a chain, to the front, and had my "OVER" wrist band put on my other wrist. Then I ordered a 7-up! *giggle*
16. Favorite sport to watch? Baseball
17.Furthest place you are sending this? Egypt
18. Person you expect to send it back first? No idea
20. Are you a morning person or a night person? Night
21. What is your shoe size? 8.5-9
22. Pets? 2 cats
23. Exciting news you'd like to share with us? Yesterday was officially my 5 year anniversary of WLS and I'm down 152 pounds.
24. What did you want to be when you were little? an Adult
25. What is your favorite candy? Skor, PayDay, Snickers
26. What is your favorite flower? Tulips and Sunflowers
27. What is a day on the calendar you are looking forward to? Mother's Day
28. What is your full name? Heidi Jeffers Thibodeau
29. What are you listening to right now? the microwave beep
30. What was the last thing you ate? Dove Milk Chocolate Caramel Promise
31. Do you wish on stars? I do
32. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Sepia
33. How is the weather right now? Sunny, 72F/22C
34. Last person you spoke to on the phone? Andrew
35. What is your favorite soft drink? Root Beer
36. Favorite restaurant? Logan's
37. Color of your hair? Nutmeg, and Natural (look into a can)
38. What was your favorite toy as a child? My bicycle (Freedom)
40. Hugs or kisses? Both
41. Chocolate or Vanilla? Chocolate with cinnamon
42. Do you want your friends to email you back? No, copy it and put it in your blog or add your answers in a comment
43. What is under your bed? Carpet
44. How keys on your key ring? 4
47. How many years at your current job? ? 20?
48. What is your favorite day of the week? Not sure I have one
49. How many towns have you lived in? 10+ (3 in the last 10 years)
50. Do you make friends easily? Yes
51. How many people will you send this to? ?
52. How many will respond? ? YOU? *smile*
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Name That Teacher
Redneck Woman makes me feel that I can do this challenge.. even as messed up as my childhood was..
I also was more stable in my dysfunctional family when I lived with my grandparents.. I just did it off/on my entire life, growing up. I was born to a teenaged divorcing mom.. and well.. it has had its many challenges in life.
I started Kindergarten, with my grandmother at my side. I went to both morning and afternoon sessions. We didn't have full-day K then.. but somehow I was able to attend both.. who knows why or how.. I just bet it wouldn't be allowed today.
First grade was a nightmare. I went to so many schools that I have a few scattered memories, but I don't really know any teacher's names. I finished first grade at Birney Elementary, in San Diego, where I had to put my head on my desk for kissing Ernie Valdez, in line! LOL (Once a week, I walked the opposite way home, from school, in first grade, to my brownie leader's home. This was the way Ernie walked! Other than this and some baby chicks we cooked in an incubator and then played with after we rolled up the carpet.. I don't remember anything else of first grade.)
I stayed at Birney for 2nd grade (Mrs. Harris) and then half of 3rd grade (Mrs. Yates).
In the middle of 3rd grade, we moved back to grandma's. I don't remember the name of my teacher, back at Carson Elementary, but I remember that she was very pregnant. Willie Coyle had a cast on his arm and she was hit breaking up a fight, on one of the last days of school.
4th grade was Mrs. wow. I can see her.
5th grade was Mr. McCan. This was the year that we learned about the Holocaust and met one of his relatives that had spent time in a concentration camp. Very moving experience. This was not my first male teacher. I had one other, during summer school, at Birney.. for oceanography.
6th grade was Mr. Youngdale. I sat at his desk and graded papers. I was like a teacher's assistant. He tried to get me pushed through to jr high school and I'm so glad that didn't work out. After I got to jr high, I was lost all the time and a social mess. Going a year earlier would have only been more traumatic.
7th grade started at the jr high school. I only remember things that happened.. not really names. My Spanish teacher was in her sixties and used to spit on us. My pre-alebra teacher used to sing "everybody's working for the weekend." My home-ec teacher scared me and I felt I knew more about cooking and sewing than she did. She did intimidate me, though. My History or Geography teacher was scary, too. Everyone referred to her as a witch and I'll never forget how we fell-out when she announced her birthday was October 31st.
8th and 9th grade was also at the jr high school. It was my introduction to electronic typewriters and tutoring. P.E. was torture. It didn't have to be but my teacher was a sadist. LOL
10th grade started at the high school. I mostly remember Mr. Garris. He was my art teacher. The only problem is that I didn't take an art class. I signed up for "Crafts" because I can't draw. We spent too much time drawing still-life and I thought it would suck life from me. Our TA ended up being a student and a senior.. and asked me out. Oh Eddie Echevarria! *sigh* I was so naive.
My English teacher was Ed Singer. His mother also was a teacher at Kearny. I really liked him. He was a great teacher. He inspired me. I stayed in his classes for four semesters. I transferred into business courses after that. I continued to stop in and read what his class was reading, though. Novels were easier without the tests!
My Geometry teacher wasn't a teacher at all and I can't remember his name. I just remember we had community tests and I learned nothing the first semester. I transferred to "the other teacher" for the second semester. That was the semester that you apply what you learned the first semester.. and since I learned nothing.. I struggled.
My science teacher was a trip. He was the basketabll coach but I don't remember his name. He was very real with us. One time, someone asked him where he lived.. He said, "You know when you turn down Genesee Avenue, and head down into the canyon and just as you get up to speed, the light, at the bottom of the hill turns yellow and you have to stop for some asshole that is coming out of that new subdivision? Well, I'm that asshole"
My Senior year is where I seemed to come alive.
Dr. Short taught governement. My business/computer class teacher was our ASB (Assoc. Student Body) Advisor. Mrs. McSomething (McMullen?), I think. I hate that I can't remember her name. It will come to me in the middle of the night, next week, and I'll sit straight up and say her name out loud. I'm sure. *giggle*
I spent a lot of time, in high school, with the Wrestling Coach (Varner) and the Football Coach (again, I can see him.. hmmm). I had adapted PE by that time because I was a clutz and always on crutches anyway.
By the second semester of my senior year.. I hated school. I had spent my life thriving in school because home life was so bad. School was my escape. No one really knew my dysfunctional life when I was at school. By the time I could drive.. the sky was the limit and I was itching to just get away.. anywhere..
When I turned 18, in April of 1987, I was ready to drop out. I no longer needed that hell that was such a game. It wasn't about learning, anymore. It was about a game that you had to learn the rules to, in each class, and then endure. When the attendance laws changed, in January, of that year, I instantly went from straight A's to F's, and really I didn't care anymore.
My mom had always said that if I could carry straight A's and not be there, then I obviously didn't need to be there. I would go for tests and turn in homework via different channels (wish we had email then) but in general, I spent my time in libraries, reading, doing family history, or going to book signings.
OH Mr. Garris always called me HOLLY. For three years I was Holly, no matter how I corrected him. He was a crazy old man that loved teaching, even though he was more a military commando art instructor. Eddie saved my life in that class. I found creative ways to do my projects and managed to get on the teacher's good side.. so enduring was a little easier.
This was fun.. thanks SheB
I also was more stable in my dysfunctional family when I lived with my grandparents.. I just did it off/on my entire life, growing up. I was born to a teenaged divorcing mom.. and well.. it has had its many challenges in life.
I started Kindergarten, with my grandmother at my side. I went to both morning and afternoon sessions. We didn't have full-day K then.. but somehow I was able to attend both.. who knows why or how.. I just bet it wouldn't be allowed today.
First grade was a nightmare. I went to so many schools that I have a few scattered memories, but I don't really know any teacher's names. I finished first grade at Birney Elementary, in San Diego, where I had to put my head on my desk for kissing Ernie Valdez, in line! LOL (Once a week, I walked the opposite way home, from school, in first grade, to my brownie leader's home. This was the way Ernie walked! Other than this and some baby chicks we cooked in an incubator and then played with after we rolled up the carpet.. I don't remember anything else of first grade.)
I stayed at Birney for 2nd grade (Mrs. Harris) and then half of 3rd grade (Mrs. Yates).
In the middle of 3rd grade, we moved back to grandma's. I don't remember the name of my teacher, back at Carson Elementary, but I remember that she was very pregnant. Willie Coyle had a cast on his arm and she was hit breaking up a fight, on one of the last days of school.
4th grade was Mrs. wow. I can see her.
5th grade was Mr. McCan. This was the year that we learned about the Holocaust and met one of his relatives that had spent time in a concentration camp. Very moving experience. This was not my first male teacher. I had one other, during summer school, at Birney.. for oceanography.
6th grade was Mr. Youngdale. I sat at his desk and graded papers. I was like a teacher's assistant. He tried to get me pushed through to jr high school and I'm so glad that didn't work out. After I got to jr high, I was lost all the time and a social mess. Going a year earlier would have only been more traumatic.
7th grade started at the jr high school. I only remember things that happened.. not really names. My Spanish teacher was in her sixties and used to spit on us. My pre-alebra teacher used to sing "everybody's working for the weekend." My home-ec teacher scared me and I felt I knew more about cooking and sewing than she did. She did intimidate me, though. My History or Geography teacher was scary, too. Everyone referred to her as a witch and I'll never forget how we fell-out when she announced her birthday was October 31st.
8th and 9th grade was also at the jr high school. It was my introduction to electronic typewriters and tutoring. P.E. was torture. It didn't have to be but my teacher was a sadist. LOL
10th grade started at the high school. I mostly remember Mr. Garris. He was my art teacher. The only problem is that I didn't take an art class. I signed up for "Crafts" because I can't draw. We spent too much time drawing still-life and I thought it would suck life from me. Our TA ended up being a student and a senior.. and asked me out. Oh Eddie Echevarria! *sigh* I was so naive.
My English teacher was Ed Singer. His mother also was a teacher at Kearny. I really liked him. He was a great teacher. He inspired me. I stayed in his classes for four semesters. I transferred into business courses after that. I continued to stop in and read what his class was reading, though. Novels were easier without the tests!
My Geometry teacher wasn't a teacher at all and I can't remember his name. I just remember we had community tests and I learned nothing the first semester. I transferred to "the other teacher" for the second semester. That was the semester that you apply what you learned the first semester.. and since I learned nothing.. I struggled.
My science teacher was a trip. He was the basketabll coach but I don't remember his name. He was very real with us. One time, someone asked him where he lived.. He said, "You know when you turn down Genesee Avenue, and head down into the canyon and just as you get up to speed, the light, at the bottom of the hill turns yellow and you have to stop for some asshole that is coming out of that new subdivision? Well, I'm that asshole"
My Senior year is where I seemed to come alive.
Dr. Short taught governement. My business/computer class teacher was our ASB (Assoc. Student Body) Advisor. Mrs. McSomething (McMullen?), I think. I hate that I can't remember her name. It will come to me in the middle of the night, next week, and I'll sit straight up and say her name out loud. I'm sure. *giggle*
I spent a lot of time, in high school, with the Wrestling Coach (Varner) and the Football Coach (again, I can see him.. hmmm). I had adapted PE by that time because I was a clutz and always on crutches anyway.
By the second semester of my senior year.. I hated school. I had spent my life thriving in school because home life was so bad. School was my escape. No one really knew my dysfunctional life when I was at school. By the time I could drive.. the sky was the limit and I was itching to just get away.. anywhere..
When I turned 18, in April of 1987, I was ready to drop out. I no longer needed that hell that was such a game. It wasn't about learning, anymore. It was about a game that you had to learn the rules to, in each class, and then endure. When the attendance laws changed, in January, of that year, I instantly went from straight A's to F's, and really I didn't care anymore.
My mom had always said that if I could carry straight A's and not be there, then I obviously didn't need to be there. I would go for tests and turn in homework via different channels (wish we had email then) but in general, I spent my time in libraries, reading, doing family history, or going to book signings.
OH Mr. Garris always called me HOLLY. For three years I was Holly, no matter how I corrected him. He was a crazy old man that loved teaching, even though he was more a military commando art instructor. Eddie saved my life in that class. I found creative ways to do my projects and managed to get on the teacher's good side.. so enduring was a little easier.
This was fun.. thanks SheB
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