WELCOME TO OUR FAMILY BLOG!
I set this blog up with the hopes of creating a special place to share all the wonderful small and large events in our lives with each other! I hope that all of you will take time to post your special events here along with pictures~birthdays,vacations or just fun days at home~every day is special so lets start sharing!!
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Monitor Street ~ This is for the older Generation!!!!! Do you remember the tree house in the back yard ~ share your Memories
It wasn't much of a tree house~but I do recall playing out there alot~and the empty field next to our house~we used to play king of the mountain over there~and ride our stick horses~and we played some sort of fox and the rabbit game in the snow in the back yard~remember the farmer that threaten to shoot us if we went through his field! Did Peg really throw a fork at Mike and it stuck in his head??? This can be a real hoot~share some funny/not so funny stories or things you remember growing up.
The funniest thing that I remember is us hiding in that funky tree house from Bobby S's mom when she use to yell at us for picking on him! And, I thought Peg threw a Tin can lid at Mike, or was I just dreaming that!!!!
Oh, what was I thinking,that was Park St, not Monitor St. Did we have a tree house at Park St too, or did we just sit in a tree? I don't really remember much about Monitor St then, just going to the park and the candy store!
Ok Nannie Bean, now you got me thinking! What about the time we got our hobo sticks and were going to run away and find our Dad!!!! Now that was really stupid. And, what about the night somone cut the bedroom screen and was trying to get us!!! That was scary!!!!!
Yeah~well that running away thing was my idea~jump on the train and go to Calf. or somewhere and find our Dad (cause I thought he might give us some money or some such nonsense). As I recall it was too cold and we went in after about 15 minutes or so and went to bed! How funny and you were just so little!!! I do remember the thing about the screen being cut and outside the window there was a cement block or something that someone put there to reach the window sill. That was scary!!! What about that basement and that old coal funance~it keep the house warm but it was loud and scary too! We used to play down there~I can remember when they would deliver the coal and just send into the basement through a window into an area just for the coal~Dad had to shovel it into the furnance. Does any one remember Mom's dog (pipin)or something like that.
OKAY, I REMEMBER IT BEING A BUTTER KNIFE PEG TREW, I CAN STILL SEE IT IN HIS HEAD,SHE COULD HAVE KILLED HIM.I DON'T REMEMBER ANY TREE HOUSE,BUT I DO REMEMBER THE WOODS,THATS WHERE BUTCH AND MIKE TOOK THE HEADS OFF OUR BARBIE DOLLS AND TOSSED THEM,IN THE WOODS.AND WE PLAYED COWBOYS AND INDIANS. I REMEMBER PLAYING THAT FOX AND HOUND IN THE SNOW IN THE BACK YARD,AND PLAYING IN THAT BIG CLOST IN THE FRONT BEDROOM. AND I REMEMBER ALL THE THINGS BEING THROWN OUT THE BATHROOM DOOR WHEN THE PARENTS WERE FIGHTING.AND SPEAKING OF THE CANDY STORE, THAT WAS REALLY A BAR, AND WHO STOLE MONEY OUT OF MOM'S PURSE TO GO BUY CANDY. REMEMBER WHEN WE COLLECTED POP BOTTLES,10 CENTS EA., SO WE COULD HAVE MONEY TO GO TO THE FAIR. I REMEMBER WALKING HOME FROM THE SHOW UP TOWN WITH NANCE AND PEG, AND TONI CRAPPED HER PANTS.WHY IN THE HECK WOULD YOU GUYS WANT TO GO FIND DAD? OH, WELL THATS ANOTHER CHAPTER!!OH, THE GOOD OLE DAYS.
well let's see- I remember the screen thing- barely- I remember was it Sue who would sleep walk? I remember big orange poppy's in the yard and I remember Charlie Bozo cutting the grass!! HA! and I remember everybody always making fun of my teeth! Don't know why they are quite lovely :) LOL and I remember throwing Aunt somebody's fruit cake behind the couch and pretending to eat it!!!!
Patty, who made fun of your teeth? You have nice teeth. Barb, Mike was the one that stole money from Mom's purse to go to the candy store. How come I can't recall the basement at that house? Did we really go down there? I can see the door in my head, but I don't remember much about being down there. Was it spooky? Ok, now , did we all really used to hide behind Peg in the bed when Mom and Dad would fight? And did she really have a knife in her hand?
YES, WE REALLY DID GO DOWN THERE, IT WAS JUST A BASEMENT WITH A BIG OLE FURNACE,A COAL BURNER,AND A LITTLE ROOM WHERE THE COAL WAS. IT WASN'T THAT SCARY. I'M SURPRISED WITH ALL THE FIGHTING MOM AND DAD DID,WE DIDN'T ALL GROW UP MENTAL!!WELL, MAYBE WE ARE AND JUST HAVEN'T REALIZED IT YET. WHAT A LIFE, AND LOOK HOW GOOD WE ALL TURNED OUT.
I was a real dreamer~didn't realize just why Dad left or where he was at first and wanted or thought that I could find him somehow and that he would help us~silly I know ~ and poor Toni was almost up to going with me~funny thing is Mom knew what I was up too~she left the door unlocked and I think she even said something to us~like "It's getting cooler or dark out there"! Dad wasn't that bad before Grandma died and he could have been a good Dad if he hadn't drank so much~we were well behaved children before he left~remember standing in line to wash up before dinner and to brush our teeth~he ran the place like an Army base. I remember when Patty was born we all sat around the table trying to come up with a name and thats how you got your name Patty! Dad used to play with us in the yard~that fox game and making snow forts~he even played ball with us in the feild across the street~like I said could have been~but wasn't because of all the drinking! Yes it was a butter knife that Peg threw at Mike~could have done some serious damage!! Remember playing ball and flash light tag (in the nasty wood pile) riding bikes all over the neighborhood~we just had to be home before the street lights came on other wise we were pretty much on our own! I wonder after Mike got his lecture on taking money out of Mom's purse if we got to share that candy with him? Peg had a knife at least one time when she was trying to protect the rest of us~you all hid behind her crying~I remember a few times trying to break up their fights and also all of us running out the door screaming our heads off~didn't seem to bother the neighbors~guess they all figured it was a family matter!! Dad could have killed her!! Well so much for now~you are right it is a wonder we turned out with no real mental problems~we're just tough!!!!
Patty I don't think you ever had bad teeth~you never got braces or anything???? I do remember (me only 9-10) having to carry you (only 1-2 yrs old) and your bottle around with me almost everywhere I went so Mom could get the house work done~I think Peg was in charge of Sue. Toni you probably don't remember when you had your eye surgery do you? Didn't you get a coat hanger stuck in your eye or something like that? You used to sit on the front steps and lift up your bandage and peek to see what was going on. Oh I know I'll come up with more later~~~~
I HAD ALWAYS THOUGHT AND HEARD THAT NANCE AND PEG WERE FIGHTING OVER A COAT HANGER, AND GUESS WHERE IT ENDED UP.DO YOU REMEMBER WHEN MOM WORKED AT THE FLOWER SHOP AND FRIDAYS SHE GOT PAID,AND WE GOT TO GO TO CILEK'S GROCERY AND GET HAMBURGER, BUNS,CHIPS,AND POP, THAT WAS OUR FEAST, OTHERWISE IT WAS BEANS, RICE,PB&JELLY, OR WHAT EVER ELSE WE GOT FROM THE GOVERNMENT.WERE YOU GUYS NOT ALWAYS EMBARRASSED BY WHO WE WERE, WHERE WE LIVED, BEING MADE FUN OF AT SCHOOL.BUT YOU KNOW WHAT, MOM DID THE BEST SHE COULD,AND DAD,WELL HE COULD HAVE TRIED TO AT LEAST HELP A LITTLE.HIS LACK OF SUPPORT IN OUR LIVES,EVEN IF IT WOULD HAVE BEEN SOME MONEY FOR FOOD WOULD HAVE MADE A DIFFERENCE.I HONESTLY REGRET EVER HAVING HIM GIVE ME AWAY AT MY WEDDING ALL THOSE YEARS AGO,I THINK IT MADE MOM MAD, BUT I GUESS I DIDN;T LOOK AT IT THROUGH HER EYES, BUT I DO UNDERSTAND. KEEP UP THE MEMORIES, THIS IS FUN.
Reading all this is just making me cry!! I loved Mom soo much and always was proud of her for trying to raise all of us on her own. I remember crying myself to sleep some nights because I know everyone always made fun of us. I always prayed that someone wonderful, and rich, would come along and marry Mom so we wouldn't have to be poor. But,that never happened. She had a hard life, and I still, to this day, will never understand how our Dad could have let us live our whole lives like that. I was so mad at his Funeral when they talked about what a loving father he was, loving father to whom, it sure wasn't to any of us 8 kids. I know I sound bitter, and I' sorry, but I just had to say it. Mom, and us, did not deserve that! But, oh well, that's life, and we all turned out fine, so I guess I just need to get over it!!!! I love you all very much.
YEAH, I THINK WE HAVE JUST ALL ACCEPTED THAT HE WAS A JERK, AND YOU KNOW WHAT WE CAN'T DWELL ON IT, CAUSE YOU KNOW WHAT WE ALL HAVE WONDERFUL FAMILIES AND A LOT OF LOVE AND A LOT TO BE THANKFUL FOR. I FEEL SORRY FOR HIM, CAUSE HE MISSED OUT ON ALL OF THAT.WE ARE THE ROBERTS GIRLS, THE BESTEST SISTERS IN THE WORLD!!!
Ok now ladies- somethings are just meant to be - we are fine we have wonderful children and grandchildren- and money and the good life are not everything heck look at Britney Spears! what a waste! we have something money can't buy- good hearts given by our mother and the strength to get us through whatever lies in our path. I am proud of all of us for what we have done with our lives we have not done too badly I'd say- so somethings are meant to be :) so now let's get on with the fun stuff! One of the best memories of my childhood was the birth of MIKEY! Yeah I was still a kid then!
Remember when we used to take Sue and Patty to the park and play on the swings? Susie hit her head so many times. How sad. Does anyone remember that guy that we always were afraid of? Crazy Don, or something like that. We all thought he was a killer or something. I can't remember his name. Do you know who I'm talking aboyt?
Yes, that's it Patty. How did you remember their names? Was he really crazy, or did we just think he was? Does anyone remember the name of the family that lived in the white house on the corner, next to the Doffin family(I think that was their name)? I used to think that house was a mansion, and I drove by there the other day, and my, how small and dumpy it looks now.
Okay guys ~ wow what a life we had ~ I too used to pray that Mom would find a nice man~remember when she would all dressed up in her one red dress~put on her red lip stick~fix her hair and go out on the weekend (probably sat night)She always looked so pretty to me and she was~alot of people told me how pretty Mom was~but what sane man would want to take on all those kids!!!!! The one thing I am most ashamed of is when I was in 6th or 7th grade and I used to skip school all the time~I'd walk to the bus stop with everyone and then not get on~sneak back home and hide until Mom went to work and go in the house~I got caught eventually and Mom had to take me into the office~where the law was laid down~I almost got kicked out of school!! Mom never yelled at me~she just cried those silent tears on the way home~those silent tears she cried often!!!!! I didn't like myself much then and wanted to just hide away somewhere. I think I was a trouble maker and bitter back then~never trusted anyone! OMG Toni if I was the one who stuck that coat hanger in your eye~~I am sooo sorry ~ but I don't think that is why you had surgery~I think you were cross eyed or something!!! Okay I'll come up with something funny next time........... Remember the little red barn~some of us were really scared of that place the old man killed little kids and hung them up in the red barn!!!!!!!!!!
Here's a funny one~when I was just 14 I got to go to an ROTC Ball with a very handsome guy~Mom paid $16 for a dress for me and Raymond Hanlon came over to do up my hair~gee I thought I was so pretty~~~until I got to the Ball~~I had the ugliest dress and the stupidest hair-do~~couldn't turn an ugly duckling into a princess after all~~~~never saw the handsome guy again either!!!! Now that is funny......
Toni he was a drunk - he used to sometimes sleep on Hardin's back porch if it got cold at night- for real- him and Pansie Pete they seriously lived in the old box cars that used to sit along the railroad tracks- but they never hurt anyone just homeless drunks. Nance I always thought you were a very beautiful big sister. Hey just thank god none of us looked like Trudy Lagrow - I'm sure you all remember her - poor thing.
I remember pansy pete and that don guy~very dirty and very drunk~they used to pick up cig butts~but they never hurt anyone as far as I know~they also would steal food off the Hardins back porch~they kept eggs and stuff out there~talk about a big family~but they always had plenty of food and she (the Mom) was a very good cook~oh yeah I sure do remember the Hardin's LOL Mom had a wringer washer and once Mike got his arm stuck in the wringer~Butch fell off the top bunk and broke his arm~we were playing stage coach! Dad was very mad he had to leave work early~ Mom always wore dresses and an apron in the kitchen~she wore yellow rubber gloves when doing dishes or cleaning the bathroom~Mom had a flower garden on the east side of the house~we were not allowed to play there~remember the lilac bush in the front yard~remember the tavern picnics Dad & Mom took us too~the little Church we went to~before Grandma died Mom took us all the time~we were always in the Christmas programs~Aunt Cora played the pianio(sp)Mom never learned to drive~I guess when she was learning she almost ran over Peg and so she stopped trying~the big living room was once a small living room and the part at the east end was a bedroom~I remember a few of us being sick and we had to stay in that bedroom until we got over whatever it was we had~~~~~enough for now......
OH, YEAH, TRUDI LAGROW,AND DAD FRANK, REMEMBER HE HAD THAT STOLL HE CARRIED ALONG WITH HIM CAUSE HE HAD TO STOP AND REST WHEN HE WAS WLAKING. REMEMBER OLD MAN METZLER,EVRYONE SAID HE KEPT ALL KINDS OF MONEY IN HIS HOUSE.TONI, REMEMBER GOING TO LETZ MANUF.CO. WITH UNCLE BILL, HE WAS THE NITE WATCHMAN,AND US AND WANDA WOULD GO WITH HIM ON HIS ROUNDS.REMEMBER DEBBIE BARNES ACROSS THE STREET, WE WOULD GO XMAS CAROLING WITH HER. REMEMBER SHOOTING BASKETS WITH DAVE AND JOE BOSEL, AT GRANDMA BOSEL'S. HEY NANCE, I SAW MRS. HARDIN AT THE CLINIC A FEW WEEKS AGO,SHE JUST STARTED COMING THERE, SHE SAID, DO YOU REMEMBER ME? I SAID OF COURSE,SHE SAID SHE ALWAYS WONDERED WHAT HAPPENED TO ALL OF US. JANICE MADE HER APT, BUT ANOTHER DAUGHTER BROUGHT HER IN, CAN'T THINK OF HER NAME THOUGH.
Yes, I remember Debbie Barnes. Actually, I think she was the only friend I ever had, besides Leta Carlin. Everybody else always made fun of me! I kind of remember going to that factory with Uncle Bill and Wanda. But why did we go there Barb, and what did we do? Help me out here guys, the little lady, the one related to Trudy Magrow, the house we always went to, next to Charlie Bosel's house, was that Grandma Bosel, or what was her name? I just can't think of it. I know we were at her house all the time, and I think it was just to get food!
Gosh!!!! We must have been hungry!!!! When I got old enough to date~~~~the only reason I wanted to was because we would usally go to out to eat somewhere!!!!Barb if Mre Hardin comes in again~ask her where Mary is now! Gee what were all the kids names? Gerald, Danny, Mike, Mary, Janice, Wilma, Betty Jo, and I think there was a little brother~
WELL, TONI WE WENT THERE WHEN UNCLE BILL WAS WORKING, WE ACTUALLY JUST SAT AROUND IN THE FACTORY,AND EVERY HOUR HE HAD TO DO HIS ROUNDS,AND WE WALKED THROUGH THAT BIG DARK BIULDING WITH FLASH LIGHTS. YES WE DID GO TO GETTY'S JUST BECAUSE SHE ALWAYS FED US,FLIES OR NO FLIES, WE DIDN'T CARE.NANCE, WILMA IS THE ONE WHO BROUGHT HER TO THE DR. MR. HARDIN DIED A FEW YRS. AGO. MIKE HARDIN WAS ONE OF THOSE INJURED NOT TOO LONG AGO AT THAT EXPLOSION AT ONE OF THE MILLS, BUT JANICE SAID HE IS DOING GOOD NOW.GERALD ALSO COMES TO THE CLINIC,HIM AND HIS WIFE ARE BOTH PATIENTS THERE.NEXT TIME I SEE ANY OF THEM I'LL ASK ABOUT MARY.FRIED GREEN TOMOTOES!! SOUNDS GOOD. MRS. HARDINS BISCUITS SOUND BETTER.
Gerald, Danny, Mike, Wilma, Diane, Janice, Betty, Johnny and Dion - I hung around with Janice, Sue hung around with Diane - I think that was all of them- she did make very good biscuts but that's all I remember her ever cooking was beans and biscuts! They had lots of cockroaches in the house - you should see that house now - someone remodeled it it is very nice now. yeah I think someone did hang themself across the street. In fact I think we caried some of their cockroaches home with us probably in our clothing when we spent the night.
Yes Johnny did kill himself after he went back to Ky~I never liked that guy~he hit on everyone~that is one of the reasons Bob & I stopped hanging around them~and the fact that we moved to North Judson and Bob got drafted. Talk about roaches ~ remember park st~man they were everywhere! I remember Mrs Hardins breakfast the best~she aways made a big pot of oatmeal~really sweet stuff.
Barb & Toni~I didn't realize that you two got made fun of as much as I did~ but you handled it better~you both made good grades and at least outwardly didn't let it show~~~ Patty how was it for you and Sue~I thought that by the time you got into Jr and High school things were just a bit better~did you get made fun of too?
I forgot about Diane and Dion and couldn't remember John's name~so that makes 10 altogether then~what a bunch~she (Mrs Hardin) must be getting up there in years now~she was much younger than her husband.
Imagine this ~ remember when all 4 of us older girls would take the bus to Gary and mess around up there all day and then take the bus back~but it was much safer back then~or we were just so lucky that nothing bad happened to us.We also went to that place I think it was called the Village shopping Mall. The big store in Gary that we went to had a radio station inside~I'm thinking it was Golblatz or something~anyway we always went there and it was a big store! We were our own best friends~some people thought we were crazy hanging around our own sisters so much~but they were just jealous cause they didn't have built in friends to hang with!!!
R C Cola & a Susie Q for a quarter~penny candy from the candy tavern~a nickle was plenty back than~Mike must have had a lot of candy in that bag he bought back!!!! I used to love to buy chips and frech onion dip~me and Mary would pitch in together or she would just steal a buck from her Mom and we would buy chips and dip and sit and eat it all.
YUM, OATMEAL WITH COCKROACHES, GRITS!YEAH, I REMEMBER THE COCKROACHES AT PARK ST, YOU'D TURN ON THE LIGHT, AND THEY'D SCATTER.THE BUS TRIPS TO GARY, DOWNTOWNAND THE VILLAGE, THAT WAS THE BEST,BUT DIFFERENT TIMES, NOBODY BOTHERED YOU THEN. WHEN WE GOT EVICTED FROM THE HOUSE ON MONITOR ST, HOW WERE ABLE TO MOVE RIGHT AWAY TO THE HOUSE ON PARK ST., WAS THAT ALREADY ARRANGED. DIDN'T CHARLIE BOSEL MOVE US. I FOR SURE REMEMBER THE LITTLE DAIRY,A RC COLA AND A SNOW BALL CAKE. OH, YEAH, WE GOT MADE FUN OF ALL THE TIME, THE ONLY ONES WHO TALKED TO US WERE FROM OUR SIDE OF TOWN. I'VE SEEN MANY PEOPLE I WENT TO SCHOOL WITH OVER THE YEARS, ESPECIALLY BEING HERE IN TOWN, AND I AM JUST AS NICE AS CAN BE TO THEM, THE ONES THAT THOUGHT THEY WERE ALL THAT BACK THEN, YOU SHOULD SEE THEM NOW!! IF THEY ONLY KNEW HOW MUCH IT HURT, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOUR A KID.TO BE MADE FUN OF ALL THE TIME. NANCE, YOUR RIGHT, WE ARE OUR OWN BEST FRIENDS.
No I don't think anyone really made fun of me except someone in my own family calling me bucky beaver -and I would always cover my mouth when I smiled until one day someone told me you look much prettier when you smile -that's when I realized that I really did look ok- but other than that I think it was just my own lack of self esteem and embarrassment from being so poor that made me feel not good enough but actually made fun of I don't think so. yeah we used to go to the store and get a pop and a susie q - and take pop bottles back all the time to pay for it.
I always wondered how Mom managed to get the house on Park St~she had no money for a down payment unless she borrowed it~and after losing the house on Monitor it seems like it would have been hard for her to get another so fast!!I do remember tearing an eviction notice off the house on Monitor St~of course or we (I'm sure I had help) waited until those men left. I was in Tn with Mary visiting her Aunt when Charlie helped Mom move~one of you wrote me a letter and told me about the move and how nice the house was. I didn't see it for about a week or so after you moved in. It is funny how hurtful words seem to stay with us even when we are all grown up~the saying "sticks and stones can break my bones but words can never hurt me" is so not true ~ hurtful words spoken can hurt and last much longer than a stone thrown~but when we grow up we realize that all of that is not so important because then we all must learn how to just survive and make our lives meaningful in some way~if for no one but ourselves~But even today I can not stand to see a child or any one else left out or picked on for any reason!So I guess that is a lesson learned! I always had the best friends in the world right there in my own wonderful family.
Okay~let us have it Patty~Who called you bucky beaver~but it was probably not meant to hurt you. I was called nanny goat~for awhile I thought I must look like one and once I was told that I was so skinny I could stand under a clothes line and not get wet~man what happened!!!
Honestly I really don't remember - who and it really doesn't matter I was just saying that's the only making fun of I remember if there was anything else I think it was just my own lack of self esteem . Yeah we were all so skinny! Ha! We still are! Remember when Toni was 98lbs soaking wet! she was the skinniest! Hey has anyone talked to Peg yet to see how their trip was? Wish they would post on here.
I haven't talk to her yet and I wish they would get on here too! I have asked them to many times~I e-mailed Laura a few days ago but haven't heard anything back yet. Peg did say that they would be coming back around the 7th or 8th so they may be back~I'll give her a call tomorrow~since I won't be going to the store.
Lets see Peg was the mature and more serious one ~ Barb and Toni were stuck together like glue ~ Butch was smart but very much a loner (Dad was so cruel to him) Mike was the most out going and seemed to have no problem making friends, very good at sports (of course he didn't have to put up with Dad) I was probably the most rebellious and meanest and spent alot of time away from home~lived with Sharon for a couple years and then got married and moved away~seems I wasn't there much Patty when you and Sue were growning up and we weren't as close as we should have been. That was my fault for staying away so much of the time. This post has just about run its course it takes too long to scroll though it.
I called Peg and her and Eddie got back early Sunday morning like 2 am they had a great time and the kids are all doing good~Peg and Eddie both have colds right now but they'll get better! Peg said she does check out the blog from time to time and enjoyed all the pictures we put on of Christmas!
We had many many good and happy times as kids too~seems we have been dwelling on the bad~but all said and done we had many good moments and good with the bad we all came out of it just fine and we have much to be thankful for~~~and I am!
OMG! It took me forever to read these comments!!! I'm really lucky to have such a wonderful mother and so many wonderful aunts! I love you all so much!
Man you ladies are writing a book, hehe. No I love reading about your childhood, though it makes me sad to see how rough you guys had it, I'm so thankful for the family that i have, and the wonderful family's all of you have.
YEAH, WE COULD PROBABLY WRITE A BOOK, BUT THEN I GUESS A LOT PEOPLE COULD, BUT IT WOULD ONLY BE INTERESTING TO THEM.THERE ARE CERTAINLY A LOT OF CHAPTERS THERE, BUT I THINK THE BEST CHAPTER IS GOING ON RIGHT NOW, AND LOOKING TO THE FUTURE.
Amen to that Barb~We can remember and hold those memories near our hearts but we can't go back and change anything ~ what we can do now is enjoy every minute that God gives us now and make the most of what we have!
50 comments:
It wasn't much of a tree house~but I do recall playing out there alot~and the empty field next to our house~we used to play king of the mountain over there~and ride our stick horses~and we played some sort of fox and the rabbit game in the snow in the back yard~remember the farmer that threaten to shoot us if we went through his field! Did Peg really throw a fork at Mike and it stuck in his head??? This can be a real hoot~share some funny/not so funny stories or things you remember growing up.
The funniest thing that I remember is us hiding in that funky tree house from Bobby S's mom when she use to yell at us for picking on him! And, I thought Peg threw a Tin can lid at Mike, or was I just dreaming that!!!!
Oh, what was I thinking,that was Park St, not Monitor St. Did we have a tree house at Park St too, or did we just sit in a tree? I don't really remember much about Monitor St then, just going to the park and the candy store!
Ok Nannie Bean, now you got me thinking! What about the time we got our hobo sticks and were going to run away and find our Dad!!!! Now that was really stupid. And, what about the night somone cut the bedroom screen and was trying to get us!!! That was scary!!!!!
Yeah~well that running away thing was my idea~jump on the train and go to Calf. or somewhere and find our Dad (cause I thought he might give us some money or some such nonsense). As I recall it was too cold and we went in after about 15 minutes or so and went to bed! How funny and you were just so little!!! I do remember the thing about the screen being cut and outside the window there was a cement block or something that someone put there to reach the window sill. That was scary!!! What about that basement and that old coal funance~it keep the house warm but it was loud and scary too! We used to play down there~I can remember when they would deliver the coal and just send into the basement through a window into an area just for the coal~Dad had to shovel it into the furnance. Does any one remember Mom's dog (pipin)or something like that.
OKAY, I REMEMBER IT BEING A BUTTER KNIFE PEG TREW, I CAN STILL SEE IT IN HIS HEAD,SHE COULD HAVE KILLED HIM.I DON'T REMEMBER ANY TREE HOUSE,BUT I DO REMEMBER THE WOODS,THATS WHERE BUTCH AND MIKE TOOK THE HEADS OFF OUR BARBIE DOLLS AND TOSSED THEM,IN THE WOODS.AND WE PLAYED COWBOYS AND INDIANS. I REMEMBER PLAYING THAT FOX AND HOUND IN THE SNOW IN THE BACK YARD,AND PLAYING IN THAT BIG CLOST IN THE FRONT BEDROOM. AND I REMEMBER ALL THE THINGS BEING THROWN OUT THE BATHROOM DOOR WHEN THE PARENTS WERE FIGHTING.AND SPEAKING OF THE CANDY STORE, THAT WAS REALLY A BAR, AND WHO STOLE MONEY OUT OF MOM'S PURSE TO GO BUY CANDY. REMEMBER WHEN WE COLLECTED POP BOTTLES,10 CENTS EA., SO WE COULD HAVE MONEY TO GO TO THE FAIR. I REMEMBER WALKING HOME FROM THE SHOW UP TOWN WITH NANCE AND PEG, AND TONI CRAPPED HER PANTS.WHY IN THE HECK WOULD YOU GUYS WANT TO GO FIND DAD? OH, WELL THATS ANOTHER CHAPTER!!OH, THE GOOD OLE DAYS.
well let's see- I remember the screen thing- barely- I remember was it Sue who would sleep walk? I remember big orange poppy's in the yard and I remember Charlie Bozo cutting the grass!! HA! and I remember everybody always making fun of my teeth! Don't know why they are quite lovely :) LOL and I remember throwing Aunt somebody's fruit cake behind the couch and pretending to eat it!!!!
and I thought it was a butter knife also
Patty, who made fun of your teeth? You have nice teeth. Barb, Mike was the one that stole money from Mom's purse to go to the candy store. How come I can't recall the basement at that house? Did we really go down there? I can see the door in my head, but I don't remember much about being down there. Was it spooky? Ok, now , did we all really used to hide behind Peg in the bed when Mom and Dad would fight? And did she really have a knife in her hand?
YES, WE REALLY DID GO DOWN THERE, IT WAS JUST A BASEMENT WITH A BIG OLE FURNACE,A COAL BURNER,AND A LITTLE ROOM WHERE THE COAL WAS. IT WASN'T THAT SCARY. I'M SURPRISED WITH ALL THE FIGHTING MOM AND DAD DID,WE DIDN'T ALL GROW UP MENTAL!!WELL, MAYBE WE ARE AND JUST HAVEN'T REALIZED IT YET. WHAT A LIFE, AND LOOK HOW GOOD WE ALL TURNED OUT.
I was a real dreamer~didn't realize just why Dad left or where he was at first and wanted or thought that I could find him somehow and that he would help us~silly I know ~ and poor Toni was almost up to going with me~funny thing is Mom knew what I was up too~she left the door unlocked and I think she even said something to us~like "It's getting cooler or dark out there"! Dad wasn't that bad before Grandma died and he could have been a good Dad if he hadn't drank so much~we were well behaved children before he left~remember standing in line to wash up before dinner and to brush our teeth~he ran the place like an Army base. I remember when Patty was born we all sat around the table trying to come up with a name and thats how you got your name Patty! Dad used to play with us in the yard~that fox game and making snow forts~he even played ball with us in the feild across the street~like I said could have been~but wasn't because of all the drinking!
Yes it was a butter knife that Peg threw at Mike~could have done some serious damage!!
Remember playing ball and flash light tag (in the nasty wood pile) riding bikes all over the neighborhood~we just had to be home before the street lights came on other wise we were pretty much on our own!
I wonder after Mike got his lecture on taking money out of Mom's purse if we got to share that candy with him?
Peg had a knife at least one time when she was trying to protect the rest of us~you all hid behind her crying~I remember a few times trying to break up their fights and also all of us running out the door screaming our heads off~didn't seem to bother the neighbors~guess they all figured it was a family matter!! Dad could have killed her!! Well so much for now~you are right it is a wonder we turned out with no real mental problems~we're just tough!!!!
Patty I don't think you ever had bad teeth~you never got braces or anything???? I do remember (me only 9-10) having to carry you (only 1-2 yrs old) and your bottle around with me almost everywhere I went so Mom could get the house work done~I think Peg was in charge of Sue. Toni you probably don't remember when you had your eye surgery do you? Didn't you get a coat hanger stuck in your eye or something like that? You used to sit on the front steps and lift up your bandage and peek to see what was going on. Oh I know I'll come up with more later~~~~
I HAD ALWAYS THOUGHT AND HEARD THAT NANCE AND PEG WERE FIGHTING OVER A COAT HANGER, AND GUESS WHERE IT ENDED UP.DO YOU REMEMBER WHEN MOM WORKED AT THE FLOWER SHOP AND FRIDAYS SHE GOT PAID,AND WE GOT TO GO TO CILEK'S GROCERY AND GET HAMBURGER, BUNS,CHIPS,AND POP, THAT WAS OUR FEAST, OTHERWISE IT WAS BEANS, RICE,PB&JELLY, OR WHAT EVER ELSE WE GOT FROM THE GOVERNMENT.WERE YOU GUYS NOT ALWAYS EMBARRASSED BY WHO WE WERE, WHERE WE LIVED, BEING MADE FUN OF AT SCHOOL.BUT YOU KNOW WHAT, MOM DID THE BEST SHE COULD,AND DAD,WELL HE COULD HAVE TRIED TO AT LEAST HELP A LITTLE.HIS LACK OF SUPPORT IN OUR LIVES,EVEN IF IT WOULD HAVE BEEN SOME MONEY FOR FOOD WOULD HAVE MADE A DIFFERENCE.I HONESTLY REGRET EVER HAVING HIM GIVE ME AWAY AT MY WEDDING ALL THOSE YEARS AGO,I THINK IT MADE MOM MAD, BUT I GUESS I DIDN;T LOOK AT IT THROUGH HER EYES, BUT I DO UNDERSTAND. KEEP UP THE MEMORIES, THIS IS FUN.
Reading all this is just making me cry!! I loved Mom soo much and always was proud of her for trying to raise all of us on her own. I remember crying myself to sleep some nights because I know everyone always made fun of us. I always prayed that someone wonderful, and rich, would come along and marry Mom so we wouldn't have to be poor. But,that never happened. She had a hard life, and I still, to this day, will never understand how our Dad could have let us live our whole lives like that. I was so mad at his Funeral when they talked about what a loving father he was, loving father to whom, it sure wasn't to any of us 8 kids. I know I sound bitter, and I' sorry, but I just had to say it. Mom, and us, did not deserve that! But, oh well, that's life, and we all turned out fine, so I guess I just need to get over it!!!! I love you all very much.
YEAH, I THINK WE HAVE JUST ALL ACCEPTED THAT HE WAS A JERK, AND YOU KNOW WHAT WE CAN'T DWELL ON IT, CAUSE YOU KNOW WHAT WE ALL HAVE WONDERFUL FAMILIES AND A LOT OF LOVE AND A LOT TO BE THANKFUL FOR. I FEEL SORRY FOR HIM, CAUSE HE MISSED OUT ON ALL OF THAT.WE ARE THE ROBERTS GIRLS, THE BESTEST SISTERS IN THE WORLD!!!
Ok now ladies- somethings are just meant to be - we are fine we have wonderful children and grandchildren- and money and the good life are not everything heck look at Britney Spears! what a waste! we have something money can't buy- good hearts given by our mother and the strength to get us through whatever lies in our path. I am proud of all of us for what we have done with our lives we have not done too badly I'd say-
so somethings are meant to be :)
so now let's get on with the fun stuff! One of the best memories of my childhood was the birth of MIKEY! Yeah I was still a kid then!
Remember when we used to take Sue and Patty to the park and play on the swings? Susie hit her head so many times. How sad. Does anyone remember that guy that we always were afraid of? Crazy Don, or something like that. We all thought he was a killer or something. I can't remember his name. Do you know who I'm talking aboyt?
Don Lindzy and Pansie Pete the hobo's that lived in the box cars?
Yes, that's it Patty. How did you remember their names? Was he really crazy, or did we just think he was? Does anyone remember the name of the family that lived in the white house on the corner, next to the Doffin family(I think that was their name)? I used to think that house was a mansion, and I drove by there the other day, and my, how small and dumpy it looks now.
Okay guys ~ wow what a life we had ~ I too used to pray that Mom would find a nice man~remember when she would all dressed up in her one red dress~put on her red lip stick~fix her hair and go out on the weekend (probably sat night)She always looked so pretty to me and she was~alot of people told me how pretty Mom was~but what sane man would want to take on all those kids!!!!! The one thing I am most ashamed of is when I was in 6th or 7th grade and I used to skip school all the time~I'd walk to the bus stop with everyone and then not get on~sneak back home and hide until Mom went to work and go in the house~I got caught eventually and Mom had to take me into the office~where the law was laid down~I almost got kicked out of school!! Mom never yelled at me~she just cried those silent tears on the way home~those silent tears she cried often!!!!! I didn't like myself much then and wanted to just hide away somewhere. I think I was a trouble maker and bitter back then~never trusted anyone!
OMG Toni if I was the one who stuck that coat hanger in your eye~~I am sooo sorry ~ but I don't think that is why you had surgery~I think you were cross eyed or something!!! Okay I'll come up with something funny next time...........
Remember the little red barn~some of us were really scared of that place the old man killed little kids and hung them up in the red barn!!!!!!!!!!
Here's a funny one~when I was just 14 I got to go to an ROTC Ball with a very handsome guy~Mom paid $16 for a dress for me and Raymond Hanlon came over to do up my hair~gee I thought I was so pretty~~~until I got to the Ball~~I had the ugliest dress and the stupidest hair-do~~couldn't turn an ugly duckling into a princess after all~~~~never saw the handsome guy again either!!!! Now that is funny......
Toni he was a drunk - he used to sometimes sleep on Hardin's back porch if it got cold at night- for real- him and Pansie Pete they seriously lived in the old box cars that used to sit along the railroad tracks- but they never hurt anyone just homeless drunks.
Nance I always thought you were a very beautiful big sister. Hey just thank god none of us looked like Trudy Lagrow - I'm sure you all remember her - poor thing.
I remember pansy pete and that don guy~very dirty and very drunk~they used to pick up cig butts~but they never hurt anyone as far as I know~they also would steal food off the Hardins back porch~they kept eggs and stuff out there~talk about a big family~but they always had plenty of food and she (the Mom) was a very good cook~oh yeah I sure do remember the Hardin's LOL
Mom had a wringer washer and once Mike got his arm stuck in the wringer~Butch fell off the top bunk and broke his arm~we were playing stage coach! Dad was very mad he had to leave work early~ Mom always wore dresses and an apron in the kitchen~she wore yellow rubber gloves when doing dishes or cleaning the bathroom~Mom had a flower garden on the east side of the house~we were not allowed to play there~remember the lilac bush in the front yard~remember the tavern picnics Dad & Mom took us too~the little Church we went to~before Grandma died Mom took us all the time~we were always in the Christmas programs~Aunt Cora played the pianio(sp)Mom never learned to drive~I guess when she was learning she almost ran over Peg and so she stopped trying~the big living room was once a small living room and the part at the east end was a bedroom~I remember a few of us being sick and we had to stay in that bedroom until we got over whatever it was we had~~~~~enough for now......
OH, YEAH, TRUDI LAGROW,AND DAD FRANK, REMEMBER HE HAD THAT STOLL HE CARRIED ALONG WITH HIM CAUSE HE HAD TO STOP AND REST WHEN HE WAS WLAKING. REMEMBER OLD MAN METZLER,EVRYONE SAID HE KEPT ALL KINDS OF MONEY IN HIS HOUSE.TONI, REMEMBER GOING TO LETZ MANUF.CO. WITH UNCLE BILL, HE WAS THE NITE WATCHMAN,AND US AND WANDA WOULD GO WITH HIM ON HIS ROUNDS.REMEMBER DEBBIE BARNES ACROSS THE STREET, WE WOULD GO XMAS CAROLING WITH HER. REMEMBER SHOOTING BASKETS WITH DAVE AND JOE BOSEL, AT GRANDMA BOSEL'S. HEY NANCE, I SAW MRS. HARDIN AT THE CLINIC A FEW WEEKS AGO,SHE JUST STARTED COMING THERE, SHE SAID, DO YOU REMEMBER ME? I SAID OF COURSE,SHE SAID SHE ALWAYS WONDERED WHAT HAPPENED TO ALL OF US. JANICE MADE HER APT, BUT ANOTHER DAUGHTER BROUGHT HER IN, CAN'T THINK OF HER NAME THOUGH.
Yes, I remember Debbie Barnes. Actually, I think she was the only friend I ever had, besides Leta Carlin. Everybody else always made fun of me! I kind of remember going to that factory with Uncle Bill and Wanda. But why did we go there Barb, and what did we do? Help me out here guys, the little lady, the one related to Trudy Magrow, the house we always went to, next to Charlie Bosel's house, was that Grandma Bosel, or what was her name? I just can't think of it. I know we were at her house all the time, and I think it was just to get food!
Toni are you talking about Getty Bosel~and the fried green tomatoes and all the flies!!
Gosh!!!! We must have been hungry!!!! When I got old enough to date~~~~the only reason I wanted to was because we would usally go to out to eat somewhere!!!!Barb if Mre Hardin comes in again~ask her where Mary is now! Gee what were all the kids names? Gerald, Danny, Mike, Mary, Janice, Wilma, Betty Jo, and I think there was a little brother~
WELL, TONI WE WENT THERE WHEN UNCLE BILL WAS WORKING, WE ACTUALLY JUST SAT AROUND IN THE FACTORY,AND EVERY HOUR HE HAD TO DO HIS ROUNDS,AND WE WALKED THROUGH THAT BIG DARK BIULDING WITH FLASH LIGHTS. YES WE DID GO TO GETTY'S JUST BECAUSE SHE ALWAYS FED US,FLIES OR NO FLIES, WE DIDN'T CARE.NANCE, WILMA IS THE ONE WHO BROUGHT HER TO THE DR. MR. HARDIN DIED A FEW YRS. AGO. MIKE HARDIN WAS ONE OF THOSE INJURED NOT TOO LONG AGO AT THAT EXPLOSION AT ONE OF THE MILLS, BUT JANICE SAID HE IS DOING GOOD NOW.GERALD ALSO COMES TO THE CLINIC,HIM AND HIS WIFE ARE BOTH PATIENTS THERE.NEXT TIME I SEE ANY OF THEM I'LL ASK ABOUT MARY.FRIED GREEN TOMOTOES!! SOUNDS GOOD. MRS. HARDINS BISCUITS SOUND BETTER.
Gerald bought me a pair of white go go boots~ remember those and the funky black nylons with funny patterns all over!!!!LOL
Patty didn't you hang around with Janice and Sue with Wilma??? Didn't someone hang themself at that house accross the street?
Gerald, Danny, Mike, Wilma, Diane, Janice, Betty, Johnny and Dion - I hung around with Janice, Sue hung around with Diane - I think that was all of them- she did make very good biscuts but that's all I remember her ever cooking was beans and biscuts! They had lots of cockroaches in the house - you should see that house now - someone remodeled it it is very nice now. yeah I think someone did hang themself across the street. In fact I think we caried some of their cockroaches home with us probably in our clothing when we spent the night.
oh yeah and Mary and she was married to John Salyers or something they got divorced and he killed himself or something like that I think
Yes Johnny did kill himself after he went back to Ky~I never liked that guy~he hit on everyone~that is one of the reasons Bob & I stopped hanging around them~and the fact that we moved to North Judson and Bob got drafted. Talk about roaches ~ remember park st~man they were everywhere! I remember Mrs Hardins breakfast the best~she aways made a big pot of oatmeal~really sweet stuff.
Barb & Toni~I didn't realize that you two got made fun of as much as I did~ but you handled it better~you both made good grades and at least outwardly didn't let it show~~~ Patty how was it for you and Sue~I thought that by the time you got into Jr and High school things were just a bit better~did you get made fun of too?
I forgot about Diane and Dion and couldn't remember John's name~so that makes 10 altogether then~what a bunch~she (Mrs Hardin) must be getting up there in years now~she was much younger than her husband.
Imagine this ~ remember when all 4 of us older girls would take the bus to Gary and mess around up there all day and then take the bus back~but it was much safer back then~or we were just so lucky that nothing bad happened to us.We also went to that place I think it was called the Village shopping Mall. The big store in Gary that we went to had a radio station inside~I'm thinking it was Golblatz or something~anyway we always went there and it was a big store! We were our own best friends~some people thought we were crazy hanging around our own sisters so much~but they were just jealous cause they didn't have built in friends to hang with!!!
R C Cola & a Susie Q for a quarter~penny candy from the candy tavern~a nickle was plenty back than~Mike must have had a lot of candy in that bag he bought back!!!! I used to love to buy chips and frech onion dip~me and Mary would pitch in together or she would just steal a buck from her Mom and we would buy chips and dip and sit and eat it all.
YUM, OATMEAL WITH COCKROACHES, GRITS!YEAH, I REMEMBER THE COCKROACHES AT PARK ST, YOU'D TURN ON THE LIGHT, AND THEY'D SCATTER.THE BUS TRIPS TO GARY, DOWNTOWNAND THE VILLAGE, THAT WAS THE BEST,BUT DIFFERENT TIMES, NOBODY BOTHERED YOU THEN. WHEN WE GOT EVICTED FROM THE HOUSE ON MONITOR ST, HOW WERE ABLE TO MOVE RIGHT AWAY TO THE HOUSE ON PARK ST., WAS THAT ALREADY ARRANGED. DIDN'T CHARLIE BOSEL MOVE US. I FOR SURE REMEMBER THE LITTLE DAIRY,A RC COLA AND A SNOW BALL CAKE. OH, YEAH, WE GOT MADE FUN OF ALL THE TIME, THE ONLY ONES WHO TALKED TO US WERE FROM OUR SIDE OF TOWN. I'VE SEEN MANY PEOPLE I WENT TO SCHOOL WITH OVER THE YEARS, ESPECIALLY BEING HERE IN TOWN, AND I AM JUST AS NICE AS CAN BE TO THEM, THE ONES THAT THOUGHT THEY WERE ALL THAT BACK THEN, YOU SHOULD SEE THEM NOW!! IF THEY ONLY KNEW HOW MUCH IT HURT, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOUR A KID.TO BE MADE FUN OF ALL THE TIME. NANCE, YOUR RIGHT, WE ARE OUR OWN BEST FRIENDS.
No I don't think anyone really made fun of me except someone in my own family calling me bucky beaver -and I would always cover my mouth when I smiled until one day someone told me you look much prettier when you smile -that's when I realized that I really did look ok- but other than that I think it was just my own lack of self esteem and embarrassment from being so poor that made me feel not good enough but actually made fun of I don't think so. yeah we used to go to the store and get a pop and a susie q - and take pop bottles back all the time to pay for it.
I always wondered how Mom managed to get the house on Park St~she had no money for a down payment unless she borrowed it~and after losing the house on Monitor it seems like it would have been hard for her to get another so fast!!I do remember tearing an eviction notice off the house on Monitor St~of course or we (I'm sure I had help) waited until those men left. I was in Tn with Mary visiting her Aunt when Charlie helped Mom move~one of you wrote me a letter and told me about the move and how nice the house was. I didn't see it for about a week or so after you moved in.
It is funny how hurtful words seem to stay with us even when we are all grown up~the saying "sticks and stones can break my bones but words can never hurt me" is so not true ~ hurtful words spoken can hurt and last much longer than a stone thrown~but when we grow up we realize that all of that is not so important because then we all must learn how to just survive and make our lives meaningful in some way~if for no one but ourselves~But even today I can not stand to see a child or any one else left out or picked on for any reason!So I guess that is a lesson learned! I always had the best friends in the world right there in my own wonderful family.
Okay~let us have it Patty~Who called you bucky beaver~but it was probably not meant to hurt you. I was called nanny goat~for awhile I thought I must look like one and once I was told that I was so skinny I could stand under a clothes line and not get wet~man what happened!!!
Honestly I really don't remember - who and it really doesn't matter I was just saying that's the only making fun of I remember if there was anything else I think it was just my own lack of self esteem . Yeah we were all so skinny! Ha! We still are! Remember when Toni was 98lbs soaking wet! she was the skinniest! Hey has anyone talked to Peg yet to see how their trip was? Wish they would post on here.
I haven't talk to her yet and I wish they would get on here too! I have asked them to many times~I e-mailed Laura a few days ago but haven't heard anything back yet. Peg did say that they would be coming back around the 7th or 8th so they may be back~I'll give her a call tomorrow~since I won't be going to the store.
Lets see Peg was the mature and more serious one ~ Barb and Toni were stuck together like glue ~ Butch was smart but very much a loner (Dad was so cruel to him) Mike was the most out going and seemed to have no problem making friends, very good at sports (of course he didn't have to put up with Dad) I was probably the most rebellious and meanest and spent alot of time away from home~lived with Sharon for a couple years and then got married and moved away~seems I wasn't there much Patty when you and Sue were growning up and we weren't as close as we should have been. That was my fault for staying away so much of the time. This post has just about run its course it takes too long to scroll though it.
I called Peg and her and Eddie got back early Sunday morning like 2 am they had a great time and the kids are all doing good~Peg and Eddie both have colds right now but they'll get better! Peg said she does check out the blog from time to time and enjoyed all the pictures we put on of Christmas!
We had many many good and happy times as kids too~seems we have been dwelling on the bad~but all said and done we had many good moments and good with the bad we all came out of it just fine and we have much to be thankful for~~~and I am!
OMG! It took me forever to read these comments!!! I'm really lucky to have such a wonderful mother and so many wonderful aunts! I love you all so much!
Man you ladies are writing a book, hehe. No I love reading about your childhood, though it makes me sad to see how rough you guys had it, I'm so thankful for the family that i have, and the wonderful family's all of you have.
YEAH, WE COULD PROBABLY WRITE A BOOK, BUT THEN I GUESS A LOT PEOPLE COULD, BUT IT WOULD ONLY BE INTERESTING TO THEM.THERE ARE CERTAINLY A LOT OF CHAPTERS THERE, BUT I THINK THE BEST CHAPTER IS GOING ON RIGHT NOW, AND LOOKING TO THE FUTURE.
Amen to that Barb~We can remember and hold those memories near our hearts but we can't go back and change anything ~ what we can do now is enjoy every minute that God gives us now and make the most of what we have!
Post a Comment