A lot of fond memories are of the times that we'd (Robert and I) spent in Missouri with my mother's parents, Phillip Sheridan and Patsy Josephine Hutubise.Often times were were shuttled there, I believe, so that we wouldn't be a burden on my parents when they were going through their "martial problems," and later because of my mother's inability to watch over us during the summer months. I think she thought that we'd be better off out of the ghetto in the Colorado Springs and in the hills of Osage Beach.
In any event, I was grateful to have the opportunity to spend time with them.
Grandma was an easy soul. She laughed at you when you fell down, she'd make sure you were ok first, but she knew how to lighten any situation! One memory that comes to mind right now of her is one of the first summers we were staying with them, I had an in-grown toe nail. I asked Grandma if she could take care of it and she started digging. I was squirming and screaming into a pillow! She told me that I needed to toughen up! I always thought that was funny coming from her! She worked for Carl's Market on the main road going into Osage Beach for years and years. We would always stop at the store before heading on to the house. I'll have to upload some pictures I have of their home just to give a visual! I LOVED IT THERE!
When we were really little, Grandpa worked in a body shop and painted cars, while being a volunteer fireman. I remember swimming in the pool that was next to the body shop! It was fun to visit Grandpa and Uncle Kevin and on a few occasssions get to see them peel the tape and protective paper off a car to see the end product! Grandpa always seem to give us some little thing that would help in the venture to the pool. A floating raft, or something of that nature! Grandpa was a hard fellow, rough around the edges. I always thought of him as someone that needed to be handled with care. I admired him from afar. I was afraid to talk to him, and to the day he died, I believe I never carried on an adult conversation with him! The photo in this entry is that of his fire helmet. I MISS YOU GRANDPA! His handle was 101 and he was the Chief of the Osage Beach Fire Department for as long as I can remember! He was a marshall for some years, but he was Chief for much more!
Later when I was an adult and after I'd had my second child, I believe, my little family visited the Hurtubise and the Dixon's came to visit us there. They really loved my Grandpa and I listened to him tell stories to them like I'd never heard him talk before! I WISH THAT I'D'VE BEEN ABLE TO SEE THAT SIDE OF HIM MORE OFTEN! I wish that I wasn't so afraid of him as a child!
Later when I was an adult and after I'd had my second child, I believe, my little family visited the Hurtubise and the Dixon's came to visit us there. They really loved my Grandpa and I listened to him tell stories to them like I'd never heard him talk before! I WISH THAT I'D'VE BEEN ABLE TO SEE THAT SIDE OF HIM MORE OFTEN! I wish that I wasn't so afraid of him as a child!
Grandma and Grandpa lived on the property that was next to a state park, which later was turned into an outlet mall. If you walked the path that was by the old barn, you would be lead right to the lake. Uncle J.R. would take Robert and I to the lake on many occassions. I think we would beg him at times to take us somewhere, on an adventure! :-) One particular walk I can recall Robert putting his hand on a dead log, bringing his hand up and having it COVERED in red ticks.
There are so many memories of when we were children and growing up at the Lake. Some bad, but most were good!
Some things to remember later:
1. Aunt Kay hulla-hooping in the yard and swinging us around;
2. The fire-flies;
3. Grandpa's scanner radio;
4. The burning trash that Robert caught the yard on fire with;
5. The swimming holes;
6. Uncle J.R. shooting a snake, cutting its head off to show us and walking in the river/creek with sandels and snakes swimming by like it was nothing;
7. Uncle Steve calling Grandpa "Fat Boy" and me freaking out that he called Grandpa that;
8. Grandpa calling Uncle Steve "Fat Boy" and me relaxing, realizing it was their thing;
9. Aunt Kay being pregnant with Derek and giving me a box of rings, bling, bling;
10. Going to the boondocks and hanging out with Aunt Kay, Uncle J.R., Uncle Stevie, Uncle Kevin;
11. Going to the amusement park that was across the street from my grandparents drive;
12. Driving to MO from OK to spend the first full summer with the family;
13. The summer that we were accused of drinking grandpa's beer, I didn't do it, and having to leave early because of all the issues that summer;
14. Going to the motel at the end of the drive and asking the manager, that Uncle Steven knew, to go swimming;
15. Taking the Stark kids to the same pool. Derek reminded me that his life was on the line during one of those visits, I didn't recall it being that serious, but he sure does! :-);
16. Spending time with the Stark kids at G'mas when I baby sat for Aunt Kay while she worked;
17. The day that Uncle J.R.'s fire certificate caught fire while sitting on top of the toaster in the kitchen;
18. Asking Uncle Steve to buy us cigarettes;
19. Smoking at the old barn. Derek also says that's the reason that he started smoking! :-(;
20. Getting sick from smoking and swearing to myself that I would never do it again;
21. Watching the Uncles take off down the windy roads to fight a fire;
22. Taking rides in the old fire trucks;
23. Fireworks at the Lake on July 4th and in Eldon, MO on July 5th;
24. The old firetruck that was destroyed in the yard because of...;
25. The blasting of rock to make way for the new outlet mall;
26. Walking to the Outlet mall as it was being built;
27. Taking the G'pa's red chevy out for a joy ride around the mall parking lot, and running into the mailbox with the car. NO ONE EVER SAID ANYTHING ABOUT THAT!;
28. Getting stung by a wasp when Smokey the German Shepherd was walking in the house with me, and he wasn't supposed to;
29. Playing in the hose in the yard with the Stark kids;
30. Watching G'pa's chicken in the yard try to eat the tomatoes he was growing;
31. Catching turtles in the yard;
32. Chasing after rabits in the yard;
33. Watching soups on TV all day because it was too hot and loud outside, because of the locusts, to play outside;
34. Watching the snakes sunbath in the yard;
35. Swimming at the Public Beach, Uncle Steven called PP1 and PP2;
36. Walking to the swimming holes from the house at Lazy Days!
I could go on and on.....
