Sled Riding and a Car Hood

I grew up with three brothers and I was next to the youngest.  I was kinda spoiled but I never realized it. My brothers tend to make sure I had anything I wanted. They still do. 

My brothers were my best friends and their friends were my friends.  My next oldest brother was 3 years older than me and he had a lot of friends who always hung out at our house.  The baby of our family was only 18 months younger than me so we were pretty close.  Our oldest brother was 6 years older than me. 

We always had lots of fun together.  All the cold weather that most of the country is getting has me thinking about my childhood and how we spent our winters. 

We spent as much time outside as we could.  We'd bundle up in a couple pair of jeans, extra shirt, gloves, hats, boots.  It was not uncommon to put bread sacks on over our socks before we put our boots on. This would help keep our socks dryer longer. 

We lived next door to the grade school. Here we spent a lot of time. The driveway and parking lot as well as the open space used for sports was the perfect playground.

One of our favorite things was sledding.  Now at our own house we had a really nice hill we could use. But if the snow was really good then we'd head over to the school to go sledding.

The hill at the school was pretty steep, not a gradual hill like at home.  This led to a large open area that was used for sports when we  had gym class. This area led to another smaller hill with trees that led down to the ditch and a small creek known as Buck's Branch.  So when the snow was really good you could sled down the hill and the goal was to see how far across the field you could go.  If you were lucky you might make it all the way across the field and even down the shorter hill. 

My parents both worked and as we got older we were allowed to stay home by ourselves while our parents were at work.  We did our chores but still had plenty of time to have fun. One day during winter we had a really good snow.  My next older brother, my younger brother and myself were home and several of my brothers friends had come over.  This usually included the twins, their younger brother, their uncle, and another friend who was quite heavy. These boys were pretty much always at the house if my brother was there so they were kinda like brothers to me as well. 

One winter day my brothers and I and my brothers friends were all at the house.  We had had a pretty good snow and decided to go sledding. We took the sleds and headed over to the school hill.  The sleds were fun for a while. We'd pile on top of each other on the sled.  The more people who piled on the sled the faster it would go and also the farther it would go. Sometimes you'd wreck and end up in the snow. We kept going farther and farther.

Then my brother remembered that we had an old car hood just sitting around at the house.  We discussed this and the consensus was that if we all piled in with the heaviest person at the very front of the hood we might make it all the way across the field and even part way down the next hill. 

So back home to get the hood.  We positioned it just right on the hill - aiming for a particular spot on the next hill if we made it that far.  Then we positioned ourselves in the hood.  Shoved off and away we went! 

OH MY GOSH!! That was so much fun!  I don't really remember if we made to the next hill and down but I'm guessing not as it would not have been a good idea to crash that hood into the trees that were there. 

After a afternoon of sledding we'd head back to the house to warm up and make a big pot of hot tea. 

Those were good days. This picture while not of my brothers and I is how I remember those days.

Three Truffles and A Candy Cane AKA Candy Months

Truffles and Candy Canes.This is what's left of Christmas. 

Well actually I'm down to just candy canes at this point. 

A while back I wrote about the BRRR months and how they led into the holiday months.  Well, did you ever think that this could also be called the candy months? 

Just think, September comes. You still have some warm weather maybe but it's starting to cool off.  Everyone starts thinking of Fall.  Then there it is!

October -- Halloween.  If you have kids they go out trick-or-treating and come home with a boat load of candy.  Being a good parent you know they don't need all that candy so you 'help' them out and perhaps eat some yourself.  If you don't have kids you go out and buy the candy to hand out to those little, or bigger, kids when they come knocking at your door.  There comes another problem.  You don't know how many kids are going to come knocking and you have to have enough candy for everyone.  Perhaps you overbuy. 

November comes - you are eating that Halloween candy. Parents are probably down to the nasty stuff that no one likes anyone so are contemplating throwing it in the trash. You get it all gone right before Thanksgiving.  That way you can enjoy that Thanksgiving food. 

Oh no!  Here it comes.  December and Christmas candy!  Oh my the Christmas candy!  Perhaps you are one who makes Christmas goodies. Perhaps someone shares the goodies they made with you. Perhaps you receive a LOT of candy as presents.

 Whatever the reason - you end up the first to middle part of January bringing that candy to work for snacks.  Three truffles and a candy cane.  Not to much as one sitting - it'll last through the day.  OK - you have finally sent that candy home with the grand kids, eating yourself or again throwing away anything yucky.  You can focus on eating right but wait!!!

February -- Valentine's Day!  Oh no!! More candy!  Maybe you buy some just to have around - you know cinnamon hearts or something like that. Whatever - there you have it more candy. 

Next up is Easter.  Now this may come in March or it may come in April but whatever month - it's more candy!  Which you might get rid of by the first of May. 

Do you see what I mean?  Candy Months!  That's more than half the year associated with candy!  And that is why in January you have three truffles and a Candy Cane for snack.

Just a Few Calls

It's the start of semester and you know what that means - my calls increase as does the stupidity. 

I haven't had a free day recently so thought I might as well get on here and share with you.  Maybe it'll bring you some amusement. 

Student calls on Friday of the first week of semester inquiring about whether or not she needed to go to class she just wasn't sure.  My response was to ask if she had enrolled in classes.  The student says that she thinks so but she just wasn't sure what to do. I then ask if she had checked her class schedule  and get the same response. I go through the verification and look at the student account and verify that yes - she is enrolled in four classes. I ask her if she has attended her classes and her response was 'No, no one called and told me to go.' 

WHAT??? I told her no one was going to call her and that she had indeed missed the first entire week of classes.  She said 'Well I have two mailboxes and I never got any letter at either one telling me to show up.'   I advised her that she really  needing to be checking her college e-mail and that we would not be following up advising to go to class nor reminding her that she had classes.  I then told her she might want to contact her instructors since she has missed the entire first week. 

I then hang up thinking how do you get to be 41 years old and still expect someone to tell you this stuff?


And to the single mother who called me complaining because she missed the drop period and now has to pay for her class.  I get it - I've been a single mother myself. I know it's not easy. However, I also know it is doable - if  you want to make it happen you will make it happen.  Then to proceed and tell me that you have been coming here for 5 years and you have nothing to show for it does not speak well for you.  Suck it up, Buttercup. 



To the caller who already has a degree calling me for assistnace.  Your words were, 'You speak to stupid people all day. Don't try to tell me something I already know.'  Please keep in mind, you just put yourself in the category of 'stupid peole who call'.   You are the one calling me for assistance.  I've given you the best advise and I can tell you that if paperwork is required then yes you do have to turn it in - degree notwithstanding.


To the student calling regarding transcripts. I certainly can look that up for you and advise if we have it on file.  When I ask you what transcript we are looking for forgive me if I pause a moment when you tell me it is the transcript from our college.  Yes, we do have that - I don't know what you think we might have done with it.  Are you wanting to request this transcript be sent to another school? When you respond, 'No I just want to know if you have it.' I may again pause before I proceed with the conversation. 


And this student who advises they went to class and the instructor told them they weren't enrolled.  Did you check your class schedule. 'No, but I enrolled in the class'.  I then ask if they had made a payment plan. and they advise no so I tell them they were probably dropped for non-payment. 

I go through the verification with the student and then check account and sure enough he was dropped for non-payment.  Student then asks, 'So, should I go to my class?'  Again -- you are not enrolled in any class.  You did not make a payment plan so you were dropped and you do not have any classes to attend.  Telling me I need to contact ___________________ and they will verify you are enrolled does no good.  You  may certainly contact _______________________ yourself but my records show you are not enrolled in any class. 

Treat Me With DIgnity

I have the privilege in my job of taking calls.  Some of them I have shared on  here as they can be quite amusing. 

Some can be head-shaking. 

Some are downright funny.

Yesterday I took a call and this lady goes into this speech about trying to help her mother who's wanting to take classes and they need a little assistance.  This is kind of a shortened version.  This is not an uncommon call. I frequently get calls from someone helping their mother, daughter, dad, boyfriend, cousin. 

I explained that I would have to speak to her mother and do a short verification and could then assist.  The lady puts her mother on the phone, which is on speaker phone,  and I start the verification process.  I get to the date of birth and my mouth drops open. 

This lady is 91 years old!! 

I'm thinking ok and proceed to try and verify.  This is where it starts. 

I ask for the street address.  You can hear the lady kind of pause as she is thinking. 

In the background I hear the daughter giving the information that her  mother needs to provide to me.

In the background I also hear the daughter say 'You've got to memorize this stuff and know it'.

I continue with the call and try to assist the elderly lady with her questions as I continue to hear the daughter in the background continue to talk to her mother as if she was a child. 


I get it.  I do. Sometimes the elderly do need the reminders - just as a child does.

Sometimes the elderly do get confused - just as a child does. 

BUT -- and this is my point.  Do it in private.  Give them their dignity.

Don't put them down or talk down to them in front of other people; or as in my case on a speaker phone where it can be heard. 

Did your mother do that to you when you needed gentle reminders as a child on learning your address?  Or did she assist, advise, encourage you during private moments where you were alone? 

To my children:  If I live to be 91 years old, which I do not think will happen, but if I do --- PLEASE, give me my dignity.  Remind me if I need to be reminded in a manner that is not demeaning to me as an adult. 

And to the 91 year old woman who is taking classes - I hope you have a fantastic semester! 
 

Countdowns

It's that time of  year that kids are all excited.  They are counting down the days until Christmas.  They may make a paper chain countdown where every day they tear off a chain helping them see how close Christmas is.

I'm almost as bad, just ask my family.  To me it's the most magical time of the year.  Everyone knows that the countdown actually starts on my birthday which is exactly 100 days until Christmas.

I have several countdowns in my  house. 

I have a magnetic refrigerator tree.  Starting December 1, I put a new ornament on the tree culminating with a star on the 24th. This was given to me as a gift and I love it.

I have a bugle countdown. This has numbers that you flip every day to count down.  This was also a gift to me.  I have this on my washstand under the TV. 

I have a gingerbread countdown house.  I was so excited when I got this.  It was from Hobby Lobby and marked down half price.  It's pretty big. Every day I open a little door/window counting down the days.

I have a Hallmark countdown nativity ornament.  Every day you change the day and hear the story of the nativity.  This was one of the special ornaments that Gary and I bought one year - we buy a new Christmas ornament every year. 

TV stations do 25 days of Christmas showing different Christmas shows leading up to Christmas.  Some of these are old familiar shows, Rudolph, Frosty, Charlie Brown, It's a Wonderful Life, and some are new movies that have been released just for TV.

This year I was asked if I wanted to participate in a Bible Study - Countdown to Christmas.  Of course I said yes.  This has been a great study. I am really enjoying it.  It's titled Hope In Struggle, Countdown to Christmas. 

So every day this month not only am I doing my countdowns throughout the house I am also doing a countdown through the Bible.  It's a great time of reflection on what Mary and Joseph went through as well as what Jesus went through.

And all of these countdowns are leading up to the same thing - the reason we celebrate Christmas. The birth of Jesus. 

How are you counting down the month of December?  And what are you counting down? The birth of Jesus or the arrival of Santa Claus?

Holiday Months

I had a friend send me this picture the other day.  She said it made her think of me.  Now that makes me smile. First off, it's always nice to know that someone is thinking of you.  Secondly, yeah this is kinda me.  

Everyone knows I really love Christmas.  Throughout the year in my mind I am decorating for Christmas.  Trying to figure out where I'm gonna put what decorations. How will I arrange things this year?  What groupings do I want to put together?  Where will I put that new sign I just bought? This stuff doesn't happen with the snap of a finger you know.  

However, I do also love the other holidays.

Halloween -- what's not to love about being able to eat candy because people just give it away!  Haunted houses?  Of course - they are the best.  When we lived in Missouri we always went to the Haunted Houses in Kansas City.  They are awesome! Gotta say when we went to one here in Tulsa we were a little disappointed. We got married on October 29th and the night before our wedding we went to a Haunted House in Springfield.  So much fun with the girls.  

Thanksgiving -- again - what's not to love about food!  As my daughter K.C. says this is the best holiday because no one expects anything of  you and you get to eat all you want.  Food - family and fun.  That pretty much sums up Thanksgiving.  

It's all about the food. And if you have ever been to our house you know that Gary is our menu planner and chief cook and he loves it.  You will find our menu for the entire Thanksgiving weekend printed out and on the refrigerator.  

And it is a whole weekend holiday for us with traditions that we look forward to each year.  Gary's parents come down on Wednesday.  Gary and I both have Wednesday before Thanksgiving off and we do some prep work for Thanksgiving dinner - you know desserts, etc.  Thanksgiving is our big meal and Thursday evening we usually go to  a movie.  Friday - well that's when we go shopping while Gary's dad puts up my outside Christmas lights.  

Hopefully sometime over the Thanksgiving weekend we will watch Christmas Vacation. We might try to do some kind of day trip on Saturday.  I'm kinda thinking that maybe spending the entire day on Saturday watching Christmas movies might be a fun way to spend the day.  Whatever we do - it's a big family affair with all the local family included in any activity they wish to participate in. (Sometimes you might need a little break from family).  

Then Sunday afternoon is when my Christmas decorating begins.  I remove all my decorations that I have out - not just the Thanksgiving ones - but everything!  I start with the two big trees - yes two -- I have two bay windows so each one needs a tree.  I have started taking the Monday and Tuesday after Thanksgiving off work so that I can get the decorating all done and not have my house torn up for a week as I work on decorating a couple of hours a night. I usually have Remington and Lily willing to help me put out my decorations.  Actually last year they did the decorating for me as I was recovering from knee replacement surgery.  They did a great job too.  Now I have the rest of the season to enjoy my decorations, my trees, my lights, and just the season in general and not stress.  

So there you have it.  Yes, my Fall/Halloween decorations are out.  I will put up my Thanksgiving ones November first. This means leaving pumpkins themselves out but taking out Halloween specific items and then getting my turkeys and pilgrims out.  

BUT in my head right now I am thinking how the Chrismas decorations will be displayed.  

Amusing Myself

My daughter stopped by to visit me at work today after her class.  This particular class is Pop Culture and she was talking about it.

The instructor has said that pop culture is basically what anyone around you happens to say.  For example: You go to college and you call this college because everyone else does.  However, if you came in here and everyone said it was a bank then it would be a bank not a college. 

Then she was telling me how they have to do journal entries.  So of course, my mind goes to what she has just explained about her instructor so here is my 'journal entry' for a pop culture class that meets twice a week.  Please keep in mind - this is just to amuse myself. 

Day 1 - Bank Receipt
 
    I am depositing this receipt into my filing cabinet for the day.   Please add this to my balance and advise me of the total accumulated interest I will receive at the end of the class.  My journal entries will be known as Bank Receipts. My class record will now be known as the filing cabinet. Accumulated Interest refers to my grade in the class itself.


Day 2 - Bank Receipt

   Another deposit for the filing cabinet.  This one can be labeled 240 words for content collection.  Because I say that have 240 words in this deposit it is so.  The class is in agreement.


Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 - Bank Receipts
   Filing cabinet receipt submitted for the day.  This will count as three (3) submissions because I am to busy to do the next two that are required after this.  I have gotten all my fellow classmates to agree to this so it is sufficient for Pop Culture. 

Day 6 - Bank Receipt

  Filing cabinet submission -- I will attempt to do a better job at submitting these receipts in a more timely fashion in the future but please accept this as submitted on Day # 6 with a word count of 314. I had trouble getting this one done - please refer to previous receipt indicating my schedule conflicts. Again, I have gotten my fellow classmates to agree to this.

Day 7 - Bank Receipt

   Filing cabinet submission -- Class is becoming more and more interested in my concept of pop culture and will start filing their own bank receipts effective immediately.  We will be submitting a formal document signed by the entire class renaming this Banking 101 and this will become part of our official transcript because we all agree that Pop Culture was not the Humanities course we thought it was going to be.

Day 8 - Bank Receipt

  Yet another filing cabinet submission -- Class is becoming restless and is considering restructuring.  We have determined that instructor is not a proper name for the person who is 'leading' the class.  We therefore are going to refer to you as our Personal Banker. In addition, we have decided that 8 am is to early for class and we prefer sleeping in so if we do not make it to class until 9 am we will still be considered as present and accounted for in regards to any classroom work. 

Day 9 - Prescription

  The class has gotten tired of bank receipts so we have decided we will now submit prescriptions to the pharmacy.  This is something that is very appealing to us so we will continue this throughout the rest of the semester.  Pharmacy hours are as follows: Monday and Wednesday only from 9 am - 10:30 am.  In addition, we will be calling ourselves penguins instead of people.  We feel that being a penguin would be a lot more fun than a person.  It's even more fun to say. So from now until the end of semester your penguins will be submitting daily prescriptions for you to read. 




I hope that you all have enjoyed this as much as I enjoyed writing it.  What is your concept of Pop Culture?