Wednesday, December 28, 2005

When I was 3....

When I was 3 years old, my family moved from Des Moines to Birmingham.
The builder had not finished our house as planned, therefore had to set us up in some apartments until the house was finished.

Since he had to pay for the cost of the apartment, of course, he wanted to spend as little as possible. He arranged for us to live in one apartment and store our things in a second apartment which happened to be located in a very low income part of town.

I was very little, so I could not really form an opinion of where we were living, but I do know that I was not happy. The little boys that lived in these same apartments were mean to my older brother and me. They would push me down and steel our toys.
(I know, poor little thing, right?)
On a couple of occasions, my mom had even had gone to the neighbors apartment to retrieve our toys. My mom would say, "Excuse me sir, but I believe your son has brought some of my children's toys to your house." The man, sitting in an easy chair staring at the television, without turning his head, would say "yeah, just take what's yours."
Well, I guess you kind of have the picture.

Once, my grandparents had come in town from St. Louis to visit.
Before they left to go home, they said to me (I am sure just an endearing way to say good bye) "Why don't you come home with us?"
Well, I guess I took them literally. I went into my room and a few minutes later I came out dragging a suitcase behind me. My mom asked me where I was going, and I said "I am going home with them....come get me when we move". If any of you know me, then you would be able to picture me with pouty lips ~ a trait I have always had.

(I suppose at that time my parents and grandparents discussed it, but I don't remember that part of it, I was too young).

So, they put my suitcase in the car, and off I went on my own adventures to St. Louis with my grandparents. I was shared and showed off between both my mom's parents and my dad's parents.

A month later, my dad flew to St. Louis and brought me home, to our new house.


My parents have always said I had a little bit of an independence streak from the time I was very young.


Okay, I shared, now it is your turn...what is one fond childhood memory that you have.

31 comments:

Clinton P. Desveaux said...

I remember the 1st time as a 5 year old when my dad taught me how to use his turntable. Since then my album collection has grown to 1000 albums on the vinyl format and 1000 albums on the CD format.

henri Banks said...

Hey lee Ann i found the pic back
here is the link
http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4109/533/1600/lee%20ann.jpg

Ticharu said...

I had an extremely idyllic childhood Lee Ann, growing up on a farm, the closest neighbor a half mile away had a son 6 months younger than I, still my best friend after 45 years.
Fond memories from those days could fill a book!

Saur♥Kraut said...

Oh good for you! I am trying to instill that sense of independance in my own daughter. But good for your parents, also, for allowing it.

Did you ever read of my tangle with NASA in first grade? It might not be a favorite memory, but it sure was memorable! ;o)

Ellen said...

Lee Ann- Your independence is a giant step for woman-kind! Good for you, and your parents for allowing it. They were smart to know it was the best for you at the time to go with your Grandparents.

I always remember my Dad (the educator) thinking it was important that we see history as it happened. When John Glenn made the first orbit around the moon way back in the early 60's, it was televised. Dad rounded up my brothers and myself to see "history in the making" as he said we would appreciate it later in life. I was only a wee kid at the time... but still remember it today. History, geography and language arts became my favorite subjects in school because of his love for it.

Lee Ann said...

Clinton p. Desveaux ~ Hey! Thank you for stopping by. That is amazing! The number of cd's you have is amazing in itself, but to add that many vinyl...I am really impressed. I have a nice small collection of vinyl, but very small in comparison to you. I hope you will come by here more often.

Henri ~ Is it ok if I call you that? It is just that typing all of that other name is so long. Anyhow, thank you for finding that picture. I was beginning to think it was my imagination. It is a little freaky, but still cool. Thanks again.

Tich ~ That is so awesome to have kept that friendship so long. I can almost picture the little Ticharu running around the farm.

Saur ~ Nice new profile pic! I think under normal circumstances, and if it had been with any other people, my parents would not have allowed it. Also, if it had been any other people, I am sure I would not have been so independent either.
I have really fond memories of our "reading groups" in first grade, but I don't recall reading that one. Aren't we the lucky ones to have started our lives so young with good books and reading skills?

Lee Ann said...

Ellen ~ That is an awesome story of your dad getting you all together to see the "man on the moon". My dad was exactly the same way. However, I never loved history in school. I have only become interested in recent times. Those are good memories, thank you for sharing.

Fred said...

Love that haircut. Nice bangs.

My fondest memory would have to be anything to do with the beach. It was a ritual every weekend to meet the grandparents and just hang out. It was something I always looked forward to growing up.

Lee Ann said...

Fred ~ Haha, I know, as children we are subjected to what our parents think is cute. Mom always made me have bangs, once I was old enough, I haven't had them since!
See, those memories of grandparents at the beach are awesome.

Ticharu said...

OK, one of my fondest memories is of a 'snow day', it had snowed about three feet and school was cancelled, so Robert and I decided to get together. He'd meet me half way. We both remember it, starting across that huge field. We could see each other struggling through the snow, inching closer, it took forever for us to meet in the middle. That was GREAT!
We followed his tracks back to his house, the snow was up to our chests!

Lee Ann said...

Tich ~ Awww, how cute, two little boys struggling through the chest high snow! Sounds like good times.

henri Banks said...

yeah ofcourse you can call me henri ;-)

Lee Ann said...

Oh good, thank you Henri!

Lee Ann said...

Aw, Jef ~ How cute is that? I can picture you, so little and climbing...I bet they thought that was cute and couldn't dare be mad.

Anonymous said...

I remeber, as a little girl, getting my lunch money stolen every day by the block bully. I came home crying about it one day and my mom said, "Don't come back here crying again or you'll get a whooping." So the next day he tried to steal my lunch money again and I really laid into him.

GNDTX

Lee Ann said...

Hey GND! Thank you for stopping by and sharing that memory. Sometimes your parents can tell you what to do without telling you. Glad you socked it to him. Hope to see you over here more often.

Ellen said...

Oh, Lee Ann- I was wrong. John Glenn made the first orbit around the earth, not the moon. Who says I remember it like it was yesterday? Must be my "senior moment" kicking in! Sorry!

Lee Ann said...

Ellen ~ haha, I have those too! I didn't even realize a mistake!

Neo said...

Lee Ann -Listening to music upstairs shaking the change in my pockets to the beat of the music. :)

Lee Ann said...

Neo ~ you are a special person!

Lee Ann said...

Yidding ~ Hey! Thank you for stopping by. Thank you, so nice of you. I hope you will come over here more often.

jiggs said...

I have no memories of child hood. Literally. I can't remember anything before junior high and even then no scenarios, just images. I think I deleted those memories because there wasn't enough space in my little brain.

You mind me asking how old you are, Lee Ann?

Lee Ann said...

Jiggs, I am sorry you have no memories of your childhood, that can be some wonderful times. No I don't mind you asking! ;)

BeckEye said...

I have a lot of fond childhood memories....none that really stand out I guess because my family was always close and we all got along. I'm just reminded of the time I was playing with my stuffed bunny and his leg totally ripped apart. I was screaming bloody murder and my Dad came in and calmly explained that the bunny would have to have an "operation" and he sewed his leg back up, giving me a blow-by-blow description of what he was doing, ala ER. I remember thinking that was the greatest thing ever.

Lee Ann said...

BeckEye ~ That is great! My mom used to give my stuffed animals operations with RED thread. Sort of a badge of courage type thing.
Thanks for sharing!

Carl Spackler said...

i was the worlds greatest baby....atleast thats what my mommy told me.

honkeie said...

kewl childhood story. I have soo many, I have this one scar that I got when I stabbed myself in th left with a curtain rod. I was about 10, and to this day I have a 4 inch slash on my upper leg. I was running down a hill with two of them, my brother me used to use them to 'sword fight' lol

Lee Ann said...

Carl ~ I remember seeing a picture of you as a little boy...so so cute. Your mommy was right!

Honkeie2 ~ Hey! Thank you for stopping by. Wow, definitely a memory, but I am guessing not a very fond one! Hope you will be over here more often.

onan the bavarian said...

Hey LA, what a lovely story, it reminded me of some of my own tough memories and some fond ones. I'm at the beach for a week so have no photos with me, but I've sent myself an email reminder to post one of my particular fond memories, and it's an American one.

I like people unafraid to recall some lows as well as some highs. Everything balances out. Thanks for sharing that.

Lee Ann said...

Rob ~ You are so kind, always. I have to say I am glad to know you. I look forward to seeing your story when you return.

SHELTONSFAMILY said...

PRETTY INTERESTING.
I WILL READ MORE LATER TODAY.