August 8, 2009

Five Things

I've never done a meme before -- I prefer blathering on with original content -- but when Rebel Mother challenged me, I decided to give it a shot. Bucking the rules, as usual, I'm just doing five of the ten questions, 'kay? So here are things you probably didn't know about me:

1. Apart from your house and your car, what is the most expensive item you've ever bought?
Foregoing jewelry too, it's a tossup between some pro sports events. Eeny, meeny, miney, mo. Okay, tickets to see Sugar Ray Leonard fight Tommy Hearns at Caesar's in Vegas. 1989. Let's just say, we paid over a grand each for the tix. So I was a little bummed when 12 rounds ended in a draw, and though I wanted Sugar Ray to win, I think Tommy bested him. Plus, my voice went hoarse from screaming so much. "Sugar Ray! Sugar Ray!" and "You suck!"

2. What is your most treasured memory?
I have a bunch, among them the births of my own four babes (born separately or I'd have my own show too: Four Score and Jesus God No More!). Also high on my list: participating in the births of four nanababies. That your daughters trust Mom to be there (over their guys) makes you feel kind of important. Till they "remember" they still know more than you.

3. What is the best gift you received as a child?
A $5 bill. 1965, I'm 10. Dad had gone to Seattle for work and left my mom and his six kids in Phoenix until he could send for us. We had to make every penny last. One day my mom sent me to Safeway with the only money she had, $5 (which bought a whole lot more then) for bread and milk, and somewhere in the candy aisle, I lost it. Then I had to go home and tell her. I was so upset to see tears in my mom's eyes (and how PISSED she was!) that I exiled myself to the front porch. I felt like I'd stabbed her in the heart and deserved solitary confinement. At sundown, a family friend of my dad's found me there sobbing. He pulled a five out of his wallet and said, "Go tell your mom you found it." That guy saved my life. I have been guilt-free ever since. Okay, that guilt-free part was a lie, but I like the idea.

4. What was your highlight or low light of 2008?
Being the worst year ever, there were many low lights, but topping the list: my baby sister died in a car accident, and I will never get to tell her, face to face, all the things I wanted her to know. We will never again get together to play Pick One and laugh our asses off. She will never again piss me off for always, always being HOURS late, or toking up, or never returning phone calls. Yeah, sometimes even the bad stuff you'd forgive if only there was a way to turn back the clock. The highlight? I got two new sons-in-law. One daughter eloped to the islands and one went down to the JP's office in Austin. I guess they're both keepers.

5. If you were a comic book/strip or cartoon character who would you be?
Jessica Rabbit. I love that she's absurdly sexy and faithful to the core, but mostly I'm attracted to guys who bounce around haplessly and like to live dangerously. Jessica's famous one-liner: "I'm not bad, I'm just drawn that way." Yeah, me too.

Now go hop across the pond and say hi to Rebel Mother, and tell her the Fragrant Liar sent you.
.

36 comments:

darsden said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Michel said...

Oh my! This post made me teary-eyed. It might be because it's like 0430 am here and I'm having trouble sleeping, but it just might be because it was touching!

Great post! I LOVE LOVE LOVE the $5 story. That guy probably doesn't even know how much his gift meant to your whole family!

darsden said...

blogger devils published before I was through... I cried too over the five dollars, love the cartoon character...

extremely sadden about your sister

sadden I was deleted from first to be replaced by michel...

Hit 40 said...

You've had a long year. I am sorry to hear that your sister passed away.

Money was also tight growing up at my house. My mom would freak over a stamp to mail a letter to a pen pal. She needed to watch all the pennies. Things seem easier and harder with woman working now. Nice to have two incomes...

but life was more relaxed with mom at home. I am glad that I get summer off teaching. The fall is always rough for me. Lots to do at the beginning of the school year.

Great list of info for us. Thank you for sharing.

Kimberly said...

Jessica Rabbit...nice call.

That Janie Girl said...

Oh, Lord, girl...what an awesome post.

We'll all be your bloggy sisters, and we'll laugh with you, but we'll never take her place.

Blessings and love to you...

Justine said...

Are memes supposed to make you cry?

I am so sorry that you lost your sister in such a sudden, tragic way. I guess no matter the way it would still be as bad. But my God, to not even have time to say all you'd wanted to say? I'm soooooooo sorry.

How wonderful of that neighbor to give you $5 out of his pocket. Amazing that back then a 10 year old could be sent to the grocery store on their own!

Justine :o )

Debbie said...

That $5 story is the sweetest thing I've heard in a long time!

blognut said...

I believe you made me teary for a minute there.

I, too, wonder if the man ever knew how much that $5 meant, or that you'd remember it for the rest of your life.

Awesome meme - and I'm very sorry about your sister.

Captain Dumbass said...

Mmmm, Jessica Rabbit.

Sharon Rose said...

Losing your sister. . . . that is a deep wound for which I have no words.

Being there when your nanababies arrive, Priceless!

Jessica Rabbit. . . LOVE IT!

Sarah Lulu said...

I'm so sorry about your sister ...she lives on ..even in my mind and heart in Australia.

The $5 story was gorgeous ...

I can see you as Jessica Rabbit ...yes yes yes ..

But what really got to me? You paid that much money to see a fight!?!?!?!

Rebel Mother said...

Oh, you did it! I'm so pleased! We all know a little bit more now.

I'm so sorry about your sister - thats so sad.

I love the bit about the $5...what a great guy!

And Jessica Rabbit - love that line!

At least you got your moneys worth with the fight....nothing like shelling out a load of money for a 30 second fight!

Love RMxx

david mcmahon said...

The story of the $5 really hit me.

Betty W said...

Very interesting. Since I´m a new reader I love to get to know you better. You are so funny! That hooks me on a blog. :)

Beth said...

I LOVE the story of the $5. What an amazing guy to save you from being in trouble.

Also, you obviously have been an amazing mother. I would never have my mother in the room while birthing a baby. You, Jessica Rabbit, you.

Unknown said...

Oh yes, the story about losing the $5 and your generous neighbor is fantastic. So sorry about your sister Fragrant, as Sharon says, there are simply no words.

Jessica Rabbit is definitely a great call.

Girl Tornado said...

Wonderful post, love your creative writing. :) The $5 story was so very touching.

I'm so, so sorry about the loss of your baby sister. I'm sure words could not begin to express your grief, and I hope the healing process is coming full circle for you. There are truly no words that friends can offer to ease the pain, but just being there and being a friend can make all the difference in the world. Hugs ~

Susan aka Oz Girl

anon said...

The one about your sister made me shed a tear.
Then the one about jessicca rabbit made me laugh because about 3 days ago I left a comment somewhere about how I'd be JR if I was going to be a comic book character.

Small world, but I wouldn't want to paint it. : )

drollgirl said...

aw, i sure love #3! and i am so sorry to hear about the loss of your little sister. how awful. but you sure have a good attitude.

and there isn't anything wrong with being jessica rabbit. boy, i'd chose to be her, or wonder woman. yup, that'd be good!

Missy said...

Love the Five Dollar story! Great post!

Duchess said...

I was playing along with this meme until I got to your baby sister. Then it wasn't a game any more. That makes 2008 one of the worst ever, I guess. I am so sorry.

But the nanababies remind you that life goes on.

bernthis said...

Being a jessica I was called jessica rabbit a million times. I am sososo sorry to hear about ur sister I try to never go to bed angry when it comes to my kid bc of stories like yours. Sending u love and hugs

lisahgolden said...

Dang it, I didn't know about your sister. It's a tragic reminder to tell those people that we love them.

Smart Mouth Broad said...

I love Jessice Rabbit too.

Smart Mouth Broad said...

I wasn't going to mention it but maybe you should know that I never drive thru that area without thinking about her and saying a little prayer for you all. Hugs,SMB

Vic said...

Here's hoping there are never any 2008-style repeats in your life, ever. Your sister sounds wonderful, just like you, and I'm so sorry she was taken from you so early.

Unexpected kindness, in the form of five dollars. Loved that story.

Alicia @ boylerpf said...

Always enjoy these memes...especially written by a good writer. Great $5 story, sorry about your sister..I am sure missed. Jessica Rabbit..would never have picked her out of the hat but it sure fits!

Jocelyn said...

It's a damn good thing I'm watching LOVE ACTUALLY at this very minute and starting to get my cry on, as your #3 and #4 pretty much got me weepy.

Marcelle said...

Hello

Thanks so much for visiting my blog and leaving a comment,now I have another GREAT blog on my feedreader to read!!

Had a look through some of your older posts...you looked fantastic at the wedding...

JamaGenie said...

So sorry about your sister, and everything you didn't get to tell her. But you'll see her again someday...then she can yell at *you* for being "late". ;D

Loved the story about the $5 bill.
Have a great day!

creative kerfuffle said...

this is a beautiful post fl. i am so sorry about your sister. we lost my brother-in-law unexpectedly this spring and i feel your loss.
i so love how excited you are over your nanababies and i anticipate being the same way when it's my turn.
love the $5 story and wish that man knew how impactful that one gesture was.
jessica rabbit---lol--you're just drawn that way. love.it!

foxy said...

Great post, my fellow hooha. I miss you... need some more sass in my life... should plan lunch or HH soon!

Unknown said...

nicely done.
~AM

Nancy said...

Loved learning new things about you. I am so sorry about you little sister. Man, damn 2008!

On the other hand, $1,000 for a fight?

And I loved the guy that handed you the $5. My Dad would have done that. He was that kind of guy.

lovelyprism said...

Number 3 was just awesome! And I love you just because you know the proper way to say "sons-in-law". Grates my nerves when people say that wrong!