Celebration 11
My high school boyfriend Alan Watterson.
When I think about high school, most of my memories will involve Alan. We had a relationship that was on and off. I could write a whole blog about mistakes and what not to do while you are dating, but instead I'm choosing to reflect on the good that he taught me. He didn't have an easy life. He worked hard on his grandparents farm, he almost always had a job in high school and even worked through college. He never expected things to just fall in his lap, he worked hard for the things he wanted. I always admired that about him. He was raised by grandparents who loved him and did their best to instill in him to love your family, love the land that you have, love the Lord, and love your country.
Anytime you walked into the house and Rush Limbaugh was on the radio, you better believe Sylvia was sitting in her chair, ice tea on the table, old nasty dog at her feet (his name I have forgotten, but I do remember he didn't smell the best). You couldn't speak until commercial or he was done with his broadcast. The table talk around supper was usually about politics or how Alan should be going to church more often. Once I remember Alan telling me that it would never work out between us. I didn't vote. Politics meant nothing to me. He reminded me that men died for my freedom and I was just spitting in their faces. I never forgot that comment and that conviction. And maybe Rush rubbed off on me too :)
He taught me to vote and to be grateful for my freedom. In his honor, I'm taking cookies to one of my favorite veterans. Say it with me..........USA. USA. USA.
Saturday, June 4, 2016
Celebration 10 Bob LaDue
Celebration 10
My high school crush Bob LaDue.
High school boyfriends came easy to me. I almost always had a boyfriend. Some not so good ones, some that cheated on me numerous times, some that really liked me and I was just playing the part, and some that were interested in a serious relationship while I was just in limbo mode until a better option came along. These are things I'm NOT proud of. This is the reason I tell my daughter all the time that I hope nobody judges me for who I am today by the person I was in high school.
Then, there was Bob LaDue. He was the one boy that really wasn't that interested in me. He was not pursuing a relationship with me, in fact I'm pretty sure he was avoiding it. We did go to Prom together and that gave me hope that maybe, just maybe he would "love" me. Looking back, I'm sure he either went because his mom made him or because his buddies were dating my buddies. I can't believe he wasn't interested I did all the things a psycho girlfriend would do.
Drove by his house numerous times.......check
Wrote him multiply notes.........check
Made him a mix tape of love songs...............check
Hung out with his younger sister in hopes of running into him at home..............check
Made him a video of "our story" with baby pictures and all..................check (this one is the most painful one to type)
Yep. Psycho. I'm so sorry about these actions and I am thankful for grace. He is happily married. I am happily married. Life continued even when I thought there was no way possible it would :)
He taught me all about rejection. To keep moving forward trying to become better than what you were in the past. In his honor, I will be delivering a gift to a mother that has been rejected by her young daughter. I think she is a wonderful person and I know that the pain she has endured will be followed with grace.
My high school crush Bob LaDue.
High school boyfriends came easy to me. I almost always had a boyfriend. Some not so good ones, some that cheated on me numerous times, some that really liked me and I was just playing the part, and some that were interested in a serious relationship while I was just in limbo mode until a better option came along. These are things I'm NOT proud of. This is the reason I tell my daughter all the time that I hope nobody judges me for who I am today by the person I was in high school.
Then, there was Bob LaDue. He was the one boy that really wasn't that interested in me. He was not pursuing a relationship with me, in fact I'm pretty sure he was avoiding it. We did go to Prom together and that gave me hope that maybe, just maybe he would "love" me. Looking back, I'm sure he either went because his mom made him or because his buddies were dating my buddies. I can't believe he wasn't interested I did all the things a psycho girlfriend would do.
Drove by his house numerous times.......check
Wrote him multiply notes.........check
Made him a mix tape of love songs...............check
Hung out with his younger sister in hopes of running into him at home..............check
Made him a video of "our story" with baby pictures and all..................check (this one is the most painful one to type)
Yep. Psycho. I'm so sorry about these actions and I am thankful for grace. He is happily married. I am happily married. Life continued even when I thought there was no way possible it would :)
He taught me all about rejection. To keep moving forward trying to become better than what you were in the past. In his honor, I will be delivering a gift to a mother that has been rejected by her young daughter. I think she is a wonderful person and I know that the pain she has endured will be followed with grace.
Celebration 9 Julie White
Celebration 9
My high school best friend Julie White.
Oh if anyone knows Julie, they know she's crazy. She has a personality that draws people to her. Growing up with her on the ball field, cheering side by side, and driving with the windows down with the AC on through the big town of Bedford....she was crazy. Then after college, we shared an apartment with each other in Oolitic and I learned a new crazy :) She took boring dull nights and made them memorable. When I think of Julie, I smile and laugh.
I remember when we went to Nationals in TN, we were out on the balcony waving and yelling at boys. Mrs. Wheatley have given strict instructions to be in bed and lights out....yet we stuck out on the balcony thinking we were getting away with something. After a few minutes of waving, trying to get peoples attention walking by, Mrs. Wheatley leaned over HER BALCONY and said "Girls get in bed!" We ran so fast into the hotel room and giggled ourselves to sleep.
Julie taught me to have fun and to be spontaneous. I have struggled with how to honor that, so I asked Julie what she would do for an act of kindness. She suggested several things and I plan to do all of them in her honor. How's that for fun and spontaneous!
My high school best friend Julie White.
Oh if anyone knows Julie, they know she's crazy. She has a personality that draws people to her. Growing up with her on the ball field, cheering side by side, and driving with the windows down with the AC on through the big town of Bedford....she was crazy. Then after college, we shared an apartment with each other in Oolitic and I learned a new crazy :) She took boring dull nights and made them memorable. When I think of Julie, I smile and laugh.
I remember when we went to Nationals in TN, we were out on the balcony waving and yelling at boys. Mrs. Wheatley have given strict instructions to be in bed and lights out....yet we stuck out on the balcony thinking we were getting away with something. After a few minutes of waving, trying to get peoples attention walking by, Mrs. Wheatley leaned over HER BALCONY and said "Girls get in bed!" We ran so fast into the hotel room and giggled ourselves to sleep.
Julie taught me to have fun and to be spontaneous. I have struggled with how to honor that, so I asked Julie what she would do for an act of kindness. She suggested several things and I plan to do all of them in her honor. How's that for fun and spontaneous!
Friday, June 3, 2016
Celebration 8 Jason Tritle
Celebration 8
My friend Jason Tritle.
Actually he was my brother's friend, but he became my friend too. While in high school, my brother was too cool to take me to school. He didn't care if it was raining, snowing, or really hot he refused unless my mom made him. Not Jason, he would see me walking and pick me up EVERY time. Later after school, we became even closer. He went to the military and we wrote several letters back and forth. When I was struggling with life he became the big brother that I needed. He was the calming force in my chaos.
He would listen to me complain, he would let me cry the ugly cry, and when he was home on leave we would sneak a cigarette together. He was a good friend. I miss those simple times.
He taught me to be kind. In his honor, I have a gas card that I waiting til the right moment and right person to hopefully brighten their day.
My friend Jason Tritle.
Actually he was my brother's friend, but he became my friend too. While in high school, my brother was too cool to take me to school. He didn't care if it was raining, snowing, or really hot he refused unless my mom made him. Not Jason, he would see me walking and pick me up EVERY time. Later after school, we became even closer. He went to the military and we wrote several letters back and forth. When I was struggling with life he became the big brother that I needed. He was the calming force in my chaos.
He would listen to me complain, he would let me cry the ugly cry, and when he was home on leave we would sneak a cigarette together. He was a good friend. I miss those simple times.
He taught me to be kind. In his honor, I have a gas card that I waiting til the right moment and right person to hopefully brighten their day.
Celebration 7 Mrs. Wheatley
Celebration 7
My cheer coach Mrs. Wheatley.
Oh Mrs Wheatley taught me so much. I probably spent more time with her than my own mother. Practice never ended. Cheer leading season never ended. She was small in statue, but mighty. She expected perfection. She didn't have much rhythm, but yet she knew if your motions needed to be corrected. Sometimes she could be harsh. Sometimes she would leave mid-practice because she was so frustrated. She was also gentle and understanding when you needed someone to talk to.
We probably would never know how many hours she spent cleaning cheer uniforms, prepping for cheer camp, and the out of pocket money she spent to make sure we always had what was needed. I have told my daughter several times about Mrs. Wheatley when she starts whining about a coach and their expectations.
Mrs. Wheatley wanted champions and she molded us to become the best. The countless hours of jumps, jumps, and more jumps. Legs, arms, butt, stomach, every muscle we used would be sore because she worked us for all that we had. That work was worth it. Some of my best memories were the competitions we entered and several that we won. We were the "team to beat". She made a name for Mitchell High School and I'm glad I was a part of it.
She taught me hard work. In her honor, I worked extra hard at my aunts house cleaning out a dirty nasty shed. It was hot!
My cheer coach Mrs. Wheatley.
Oh Mrs Wheatley taught me so much. I probably spent more time with her than my own mother. Practice never ended. Cheer leading season never ended. She was small in statue, but mighty. She expected perfection. She didn't have much rhythm, but yet she knew if your motions needed to be corrected. Sometimes she could be harsh. Sometimes she would leave mid-practice because she was so frustrated. She was also gentle and understanding when you needed someone to talk to.
We probably would never know how many hours she spent cleaning cheer uniforms, prepping for cheer camp, and the out of pocket money she spent to make sure we always had what was needed. I have told my daughter several times about Mrs. Wheatley when she starts whining about a coach and their expectations.
Mrs. Wheatley wanted champions and she molded us to become the best. The countless hours of jumps, jumps, and more jumps. Legs, arms, butt, stomach, every muscle we used would be sore because she worked us for all that we had. That work was worth it. Some of my best memories were the competitions we entered and several that we won. We were the "team to beat". She made a name for Mitchell High School and I'm glad I was a part of it.
She taught me hard work. In her honor, I worked extra hard at my aunts house cleaning out a dirty nasty shed. It was hot!
Celebration 6 Phyllis Fults
Celebration 6
My favorite teacher Mrs. Fults.
While in high school during my sophomore year, I would hear horror stories about Mrs. Fults. I had Mr. Tieken during my sophomore year and all we had to do in his class was talk about football. I was nervous thinking about English 11A. Mrs. Fults did fulfill some of the rumors I had heard. She was very strict. She expected your best work. She was all business. She didn't accept excuses. I appreciated that she thought we were smarter, that our handwriting could be more legible, and that our essays should be more thought provoking. She believed in me before I believed in myself. Then, we were blessed to have her our senior year because the Senior English teacher took the year off. Mrs. Fults was so much fun that year. She became my friend along with being my teacher.
What I truly remember about her is while turning in homework (like any teenage girl would do) in the corner was my confession of being "so in love" with my most recent boyfriend. When the homework was returned, there in red ink......"True Love is NOT boastful" along with the bible verse reference. I don't think I have ever written that I loved anyone on any surface since that day. It was something that stuck with me all these years. She spoke truth to me, not in a hateful or degrading way, but in a loving matter-of-fact way.
In her honor, I delivered dessert to my preacher. He speaks Truth and I'm thankful that after all these years my ears still want to listen.
My favorite teacher Mrs. Fults.
While in high school during my sophomore year, I would hear horror stories about Mrs. Fults. I had Mr. Tieken during my sophomore year and all we had to do in his class was talk about football. I was nervous thinking about English 11A. Mrs. Fults did fulfill some of the rumors I had heard. She was very strict. She expected your best work. She was all business. She didn't accept excuses. I appreciated that she thought we were smarter, that our handwriting could be more legible, and that our essays should be more thought provoking. She believed in me before I believed in myself. Then, we were blessed to have her our senior year because the Senior English teacher took the year off. Mrs. Fults was so much fun that year. She became my friend along with being my teacher.
What I truly remember about her is while turning in homework (like any teenage girl would do) in the corner was my confession of being "so in love" with my most recent boyfriend. When the homework was returned, there in red ink......"True Love is NOT boastful" along with the bible verse reference. I don't think I have ever written that I loved anyone on any surface since that day. It was something that stuck with me all these years. She spoke truth to me, not in a hateful or degrading way, but in a loving matter-of-fact way.
In her honor, I delivered dessert to my preacher. He speaks Truth and I'm thankful that after all these years my ears still want to listen.
Friday, May 27, 2016
Celebration 5 Joyce Dorsett
Celebration 5
My neighbor Joyce Dorsett.
When I was just 13 years old, my neighbor Joyce seen in me a responsible, caring, and nurturing girl.
Our families were always close. Her toddler Drew, spent a lot of hours at our house. He was such a joy to be around and we looked forward to his visits. Then, along came his little sister Devin. She was perfect and made that sweet family complete. Joyce asked that I babysit those sweet children and to my surprise my parents agreed. I can still remember her husband, Bobby, sitting down with me giving me instructions, pouring his heart out about how much those kiddos meant to him, and making sure I knew the responsibilities that were required.
I'm thankful for those times with the Dorsett kids. They taught me so much in my young life. While others my age were riding mopeds, spending their days poolside, or fighting with their siblings....I was being needed and wanted by two sweet souls. I learned about money. I learned about patience. I learned about time management. I learned how to calm a crying baby. I learned how to entertain a crazy 2 year old boy.
Joyce and Bobby made it easy. I watched them love each other, I watched them love their kids and I followed their example. I watched them closely. I wanted to learn how to parent, how to love and treat your spouse, how to take time for each other even with the chaos of parenting, and how to have fun as a family.
Looking back, I can't believe they entrusted me with such a mission, but I'm so thankful they did. They taught me the importance of family. In their honor, I'm preparing a meal for a family that just added a second daughter to their home just days ago.
My neighbor Joyce Dorsett.
When I was just 13 years old, my neighbor Joyce seen in me a responsible, caring, and nurturing girl.
Our families were always close. Her toddler Drew, spent a lot of hours at our house. He was such a joy to be around and we looked forward to his visits. Then, along came his little sister Devin. She was perfect and made that sweet family complete. Joyce asked that I babysit those sweet children and to my surprise my parents agreed. I can still remember her husband, Bobby, sitting down with me giving me instructions, pouring his heart out about how much those kiddos meant to him, and making sure I knew the responsibilities that were required.
I'm thankful for those times with the Dorsett kids. They taught me so much in my young life. While others my age were riding mopeds, spending their days poolside, or fighting with their siblings....I was being needed and wanted by two sweet souls. I learned about money. I learned about patience. I learned about time management. I learned how to calm a crying baby. I learned how to entertain a crazy 2 year old boy.
Joyce and Bobby made it easy. I watched them love each other, I watched them love their kids and I followed their example. I watched them closely. I wanted to learn how to parent, how to love and treat your spouse, how to take time for each other even with the chaos of parenting, and how to have fun as a family.
Looking back, I can't believe they entrusted me with such a mission, but I'm so thankful they did. They taught me the importance of family. In their honor, I'm preparing a meal for a family that just added a second daughter to their home just days ago.
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