Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Welcome To My World...

Won't you come on in?

Time for more of my 100 things about me or my world...

36. This is my favorite school photo. It was taken when I was in second grade. I don't know why it's my favorite. I just looked cute and I usually don't think I'm very photogenic.

37. My favorite uncle, my wonderful Uncle Bruce died at our house when I was about 8 or 9 years old. He and my Aunt Mary, one of my dad's sisters, had come to play Rook (a card game), visit and share homemade ice cream on a Sunday afternoon. We were just sitting on our screened in porch when he had a heart attack and died in just a short matter of time.

38. In 1957, my mom had her first heart attack and that was the end of my innocence and invulnerability that all children seem to have. You never think anything bad can touch you. I grieved for my Uncle Bruce, but with mom's heart attack I realized that you never knew what the future held.

39. I always wanted to be a cowboy. This was my favorite outfit. Santa brought it to me about 1952. My big brother, Bill, Mom, Dad and baby brother, Bennett, were in this photo with me. Bill was home on leave from the U.S. Army.

40. My mom and dad had been married about 62 1/2 years when mom died.

41. I do not like organ meats... no liver, gizzards or hearts. I don't care how good you think you can cook any of the above, if I can identify it visually it ain't going in my mouth.

42. I had great looking feet when I was younger. I could have been a foot model if there had been anything like that when they still looked good.

43. Mom was carrying me when this family portrait was made. Every time mom was expecting another one of us dad insisted on getting a family photo in case mom died giving birth. From the left going clockwise, dad, mom, my big brother Bill, my middle brother Walter, my oldest sister Lu Ann and my middle sister Sue. I'm still in that nice warm place in mom's tummy.

44. My favorite color is purple.

45. I am the 5th child of a 5th child, my dad. Mom used to say that's why we butted heads.

46. This is one of my favorite photos of my mom. She was rocking Walter's middle daughter, Kelley. Mom loved us kids, but she doted on her grandchildren. Any of them knew if Mama Lou was around they'd get extra love and attention. This photo says so much to me.

47. I smoked a little marijuana back in my hippie days and I inhaled. I never knew how it was going to effect me... I'd either get hungry, gigglely, horny or think I was a great comedian. I never knew who was going to come out to play, so rather liking to be in control of myself and my actions, I never did smoke very much.

48. I love, love, wilted lettuce. I wouldn't care if there was anything else on the table. I could and still can make a meal just on wilted lettuce.

49. Stupid people make me crazy. Stupid. Not ignorant. If you're ignorant you can learn from your screw ups. Stupid people just keep on keeping on doing stupid stuff.

50. I went to Hawaii back in the mid-eighties for 15 days at Christmas time. Among the places we went was to the southern most point of the United States. This tree was the last one before we got there. It was permanently shaped by the ever-blowing trade winds. I thought it was cool.

51. Liars fry me. I hate when I'm being lied to, I guess, because I don't lie very well myself...

52. My dream trip would be to go "Down Under" and go all over Australia, New Zealand and Tasmania.

53. I've always thought it would be fun to parachute jump. Bungee jumping does not, however, hold the same fascination for me.

54. I was raped when I was 16 by a family "friend". I never said anything because I figured that somehow I brought it on myself. Almost 50 years later I still occasionally wonder if it was my own fault.

55. I've had to fight with my temper for most of my life. As I've gotten older I've popped my cork more often than I care to remember.

56. I was diagnosed as an adult with A.D.D., Attention Defecit Disorder. In looking back over my life, I probably was A.D.D. from childhood's days.

57. Children that are not well behaved get on my last nerve. I guess it's a good thing that I never had any of my own.

58. I do love my Ambien as it usually helps me get to sleep, though not always. Better living through chemistry, don't you know.

59. I hate being talked down to by anyone, but especially mechanics and car salesmen.

60. I prefer 77 to 69...

61. Meet my grandmother, Lucy Irene Morgan Venable. Her daddy and a younger brother went to town for supplies. They were jumped by three men, two who held my great grandfather and one who shot him and killed him because of a grudge.

Grandmother knew the men that were involved and she carried a gun in her apron for many, many years. If she'd have ever run across them she would have shot them dead and dealt with the consequences later.

My oldest brother said she was a crack shot.

62. I function much better with a semblence of a routine. I chalk that up to the A.A.D.D.

63.I wish I had more ambition, more drive.

64. I have been known to let my mouth overload my ass. One of those things you do when you try to be a people pleaser.

65. Forty pounds ago I could put both my feet behind my head. I'm not sure I could put one behind my head now. I'll think about trying it and if I do decide to try it again I will let you know the outcome.


That's all from Washington at this time... (who used this line?) I'm gonna try to go to sleep now.

20 comments:

Laura ~Peach~ said...

OHHHHHH I so enjoy your 100... you my dear friend are so like me in so many ways LOL...I do think we will have a ball! I was gonna comment on a couple of these but... for the moment i am working on picking up my jaw LOL. will get back to you on this GIGGLES!
have a wonderful day!
ohhh do have to ask this one... My mom used to make wilted lettuce and I loved it... but I dont know how do share how so i can have some too PLEASEEEEEEEEEEE

Twisted Fencepost said...

That is some interesting information.
At 16, no way was it your fault. Why is it that just because your a female, it's just expected.
I wouldn't have blamed Granny for getting revenge. I think I would have done the same.

darsden said...

Helen, you sure are knocking these out. I don't think I have that much stuff about me.

I enjoy the stories of your childhood so much. You had a lot of drama for a young child! (uncle and your mom wow)
NO! noway was 16 any of your doing!

Your Grandfather OMG...

I can relate to... purple my fav. I don't do organs,stupid People, lying,d'weed,forty pounds ago... but Helen hon you lost me on #60. I don't get it-I see dumb people in the mirror!

Great posting you are almost done!

Cool picture of the tree for sure.

Staci said...

These posts are great! And I'm lovin the cowboy shirt!

joanne said...

I think you touched my every emotion with this post. You certainly had an interesting family...my older brother is coming for a visit. He's seven years older and I'm hoping we can go through so old pics and he can give me some insight to the family. Who knows what may be hiding in there!
NO WAY it was your fault but I understand you feeling the doubt.
Thanks Helen...j)

Tipper said...

WOW this is my favorite set about you so far! Just amazing things you are willing to share-I love it that you just put it all out there-wish I could be more like you.

Brenda S Okie in Colorado said...

NO WAY WAS IT YOUR FAULT!!! You were 16! Too bad Grandma wasn't there with her gun!
And, please Helen, if you decide to put the foot behind your head thing...please make sure you have someone there to help, in case it gets stuck!!!
I grew up on wilted lettuce. But I need a piece of buttered cornbread to go with it and some sweet tea.
You just keep getting better. You make my day.

farmlady said...

This is so interesting! I don't know that I could be so honest but you rock girl. ..., and don't for one minute think that you were responsible for what happen when you were 16. If you didn't want it and you said so..., that was Rape. Clear and simple. Bless your heart. You don't have to please anyone on this subject.
Is 77 really better that 69? Are we talk'in about the same thing?.

Nola said...

Another beauty of a post!! I really, really enjoy reading these!

Mary Ellen said...

These posts are so awesome. I might have to insist on another 100 after these are done.

You have lived an amazing amount and I love reading about your childhood.

Wonderful World of Weiners said...

Resorted to the fake and bake tan. Went for 7 minutes today. Don't think it's done anything yet but there's always tomorrow!!

Hallie

Caution/Lisa said...

You really are fascinating! I wanted to be a cowgirl, too. Then I rode my first horse and that changed everything ;(

DocSly said...

Helen, I so enjoy reading about you as it helps us know each other better. You are very honest and I believe the older we get, the easier it is to share some of those personal things. My parents were married 53 1/2 years before my father died. Keep the stories and pictures coming. Thanks for asking about me, I have a load of stress going on right now with job and staffing. Really busy at the capitol working with legislators on funding and meeting with school officials. Hard to get everything I like to do (reading and writing blogs) done.

DocSly said...

Helen, I so enjoy reading about you as it helps us know each other better. You are very honest and I believe the older we get, the easier it is to share some of those personal things. My parents were married 53 1/2 years before my father died. Keep the stories and pictures coming. Thanks for asking about me, I have a load of stress going on right now with job and staffing. Really busy at the capitol working with legislators on funding and meeting with school officials. Hard to get everything I like to do (reading and writing blogs) done.

DocSly said...

Helen, I so enjoy reading about you as it helps us know each other better. You are very honest and I believe the older we get, the easier it is to share some of those personal things. My parents were married 53 1/2 years before my father died. Keep the stories and pictures coming. Thanks for asking about me, I have a load of stress going on right now with job and staffing. Really busy at the capitol working with legislators on funding and meeting with school officials. Hard to get everything I like to do (reading and writing blogs) done.

DocSly said...

Helen, I so enjoy reading about you as it helps us know each other better. You are very honest and I believe the older we get, the easier it is to share some of those personal things. My parents were married 53 1/2 years before my father died. Keep the stories and pictures coming. Thanks for asking about me, I have a load of stress going on right now with job and staffing. Really busy at the capitol working with legislators on funding and meeting with school officials. Hard to get everything I like to do (reading and writing blogs) done.

hetty said...

I am really enjoying your 100 things! You have lived an exciting life! But I am sure that didn't just happen. You are an exciting person!

Lonicera said...

What a life you've had...When you reach 100, could you start again please?
Caroline

kim-d said...

Man, I miss so much when I get all behind on my blog reading. I am absolutely loving your 100, and 100% loving the old pix...those are priceless!

You were such a cutie! And that little brother of yours...awww, how darn cute was that kid! I envy your big family. And, that was a darn nice cowboy outfit, too. :)

Okay...just a couple of things I'm not clear on. Wilted lettuce? Not familiar with it at all, but it sounds like something I would like. Could you share more about that, please? And then there is the 77/69 thing. I know what I THINK it is, but my brain sometimes works in mysterious ways and...well, let's just say that sometimes the things I come up with are rather unique. BWAHAHAHA!

And I had to chuckle about the inhaling...peanut buster parfaits from the DQ and "laughing" grass that made you laugh until your sides hurt (and worked up an appetite for even more PB parfaits)and also tended to make you feel like you were going backwards, even while standing still. I quit that nonsense pretty quick, too...but it WAS rather fun at the time. :)

SherryBee said...

I stumbled in from the net....
Loved what I read so far, and I will be back....
Your 100 is great...what I've read so far.
PLEASE, PLEASE explain the 77/69 thing....I have an image in my head! ROFL!!!
SherryBee in AZ
http://www.youravon.com/sherrybeeson