All About Anne

This is my mom, Anne. Wasn't she beautiful? I think Uncle Norman told me she was 16 when this picture was taken. She was always tall for her age - and at 16 could often pass for 21.

It was an exciting time in history, especially in Northern Virginia, when Anne was a teenager.  But one of Uncle Norman's favorite memories from this time took place very close to home.

Anne was real popular and had hundreds of boyfriends, began Uncle Norman. But we could never tell her we liked a boy or she'd go right out and pursue others. Phil was one of the ones we liked - he was just the nicest guy.

Mom Mom lived with us then, and she always stayed up late. Especially when Anne had a young fella visiting. She saw it as her job to keep an eye on things. And then she'd go through the rooms and turn off the lights, check the doors and just close up the house for the night

Oh, Anne and Phil would go sit on the swing to kiss ... just outside of Mom Mom's view. Well, and our view, too. Watching Anne and her suitors was a favorite entertainment for us younger kids - and gave us some good teasing material.

So on this one particular night we were looking out the window (and listening, of course) with Mom Mom when we heard Phil say, "Don't move!" and all of a sudden saw a mama skunk and her baby scurry past the window with the two lovebirds not far behind.

Well that was some good material for a good long while ... teasing Anne about when she and Phil scared the skunks.

Meet Norman

It's been one month and 11 days since I posted here. And since I first left my home to stay at Sharon's house. Wow. Friday was the first time since Jan. 4 that I spent the night at my house. Lizz and her roommate were home for the weekend so I got to camp out here, too. Minor crisis with a backed-up drain/overflowing washing machine Saturday just as the girls were starting to do laundry ... but a handy guy from church fixed it so we were back in business by evening. Phew.

Today I'd like to introduce Norman. Norman is my uncle - one of my mom's three younger brothers. I've been told that if I'd been a boy I would have been named Norman Paul. I think that's so cool. Isn't little Norman adorable here?

Uncle Norman - aka Uncle Looboo (I forget why - but that's what I called him when I was a kid) has been telling me some stories about my mom the past few Sundays. For many years, I'd let the stories told by my aunts and uncles just wash over me. I'd say, "tell me again about ..." but I've decided it's time to pay much closer attention and write them down.

So tomorrow we'll begin the All About Anne series. And maybe along the way we'll learn a little more about Norman and some other members of our family.

Fire up the grill ...

... and throw on some memories.

Just found this photo of my grandfather the other day. Doesn't he look the happy grill-master?

"How do you take your steak? Yeah. You'll take it medium-rare and be glad about it, bub."

I'm happily installed at Sharon's for a week or so. What a day. Feel like I moved my entire house. But I'm looking forward to spending quality time with my sister ... and picking her brain for some good childhood memories.

OK ... Isn't that just the cutest apron? I love this picture.

Speaking of ... when I did the Casa al dente post last month, I mentioned photos of that house. I guess the photo I found is not so much house as me (on my 21st birthday - with my Dirty Dancing hair). I know I have another pic of the interior somewhere - but maybe this will keep you occupied for a while. (Oh! Nurse Lizz just called. She's back at school all safe and sound.)