GTKY - Childhood Memories

This week's GTKY day theme was Childhood Memories!

1. What was your favorite childhood family vacation? Where did you go and what do you remember most about the trip? (this doesn't have to be a big trip... even a camping trip - or whatever you remember!)

I remember going with my parents and my friend Trish to Indiana Beach (amusement park). My dad promised my mom she could choose ONE ride for him to ride with her. Well, she choose one with this boat that went up and down in the air, and Dad got SO SICK!!!!!!!! (I inherited this, because I don't like amusement parks or rides much either. Just a wierd thing about us I suppose.)

2. If you knew your grandparents, what do you remember most about them as a child? If you didn't know them, what stories do you remember being told about them?

I didn't know my Dad's parents much... his father died before I was born, and his mom died when I was 3. (I remember her giving me urine cups - unused of course - to play with... she was in the hospital then. I thought of her when I played in my sandbox with the urine cups!)

I have a lot of memories of my grandparents... I remember the small of sawdust in Grandpa's workshop, going to the local diner with him for breakfast, making brownies or playing Rumikub with grandma... watching TONS of movies... playing on the computer... and haircuts. I hated having my hair cut! Mom and Grandma did my haircuts together, making me look like a little Amish boy... it was traumatic!!!!

3. Do you have siblings or not? What do you remember about growing up with or without them?

Yes, and no. I grew up from birth to 14 as an only child... in the country... I played outside a ton, with the dogs and kittens and things. I learned to play board games by myself, and I read a lot. My parents divorced when I was 13, and dad remarried... I gained my first step-sibbling! Her name was Laura, and she was the Anti-Jana. I was short, pale, skinny, and brunette. She was average height, chubby, dark tanned, and blonde. We got along great, I loved that kid. I mainly remember fighting her for a remote, and sitting on her... she cried like I was killing her, despite the fact that she sat on me, weighed more than me, and it didn't hurt ME. (As an adult, I realize that's because I had a bony butt! LOL) I found a picture of her in one of my dad's drawers... and felt bad, because there were none of me. Why didn't I ever think to give my dad one of my school pics?

Anyway, dad's next remarriage got me a stepsister (Anna - my same age, in and out of jail at the moment) and two stepbrothers (Robert & Kyle, a little younger than us). I LOVED Robert... he was SO fun! I miss him, too. (I need to drive to his job and visit him... assuming he still works there.) I didn't really get to know Kyle... he was busy getting into trouble, right about then.

4. What did you like best about summer vacation from school?

SUMMER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Tanning!!!! I liked being able to read without having to hide the book in my desk during class. I loved extra time playing with the kittens. I loved being OUTSIDE, ALL DAY!!!!!

5. Did you like school or dislike school? What is your most memorable school moment?

I liked and hated school.... i LOVED learning, and the teachers, and access to the LIBRARY! I hated the 1-hour ride on the bus to school, and being made fun of almost all the way home, every day. I hated being made fun of in classes. And I hated homework, and rebelled by never doing it lol!

Bonus: Post a favorite photo of yourself from your childhood!! (I'll get mine up for you all to see later in the day too!)

This is the only decent photo of me that I have uploaded at the moment... I made this about a year ago, and posted it here on my old blog. (If you click on the pic, it should get bigger!)