Answer these questions on your own blog, then back here tomorrow to add your link to the party.
Thanks to Joice for being the brains behind this link party.
1. Tell me something you remember (or if you're not there yet, something you look forward to) about being 35.
It was October 17, 1989. I was 35 when the Loma Prieta earthquake hit San Francisco and the Bay Area. The boys and I (They were 5, 8, and 11 years old) were preparing to watch game 3 of the world series between the Oakland A's and the San Francisco Giants. I had homemade chili in the crock pot.
We lived 18 miles from Candlestick Park, where the game was being played.
We had aftershocks for a couple of months and everyone was stressed - we slept with our shoes on for at least a month. When I went out to open my garage door, the hinges were loosened and the door swung open out of my control and hit my youngest son (5 years old) in the head. He was fine but his school photo that year had that scab on his forehead and to this day we call it his earthquake boo boo.
I really thought it was the BIG ONE.
2. Last time you 'burned the candle at both ends'?
It's been so long, that I can't remember. I really try not to do that to myself anymore. Old age has taught me to delegate and I'm good at that. I don't have to be a superwoman anymore, nor do I want to be. Been there/Done that.
3. Are you someone with the 'gift of the gab'? Elaborate (which shouldn't be a problem if you answered yes teehee).
No. Quite the opposite. I really don't talk much. Don't get me wrong - I'm not mute. I smile, make eye contact and I am an awesome listener. I know how to make niceties - My gift of gab is trapped inside of me I guess - That’s why I enjoy blogging. I've been like this since I was a kid. Everyone said I was shy - maybe as a child I was, but I don't believe I am shy anymore.
4. Do you request a special meal on your birthday, and if so tell us what that meal is? Do you want the same kind of cake year after year or will any flavor work? Do you want cake at all? Growing up were birthdays a big deal in your house? Are they a big deal now?
NO special meal - as I have mentioned before I am low maintenance. It doesn't matter to me. I'm content to be healthy and alive. I'll be 70 on my next birthday - we did have a family dinner when I turned 65. The big one where I might throw myself a big party is when I pass 74 - which is when my Mom died.
Growing up, birthdays were special up till the age of 8 or so - and then after that, it was pretty much like,
"suck it up, buttercup - you aren't anything that special."
They didn't actually say that, but birthdays just weren't that big of a deal. And I didn't seem to mind. I never felt deprived or depraved by the lack of big birthday celebrations. I'd get a card, a cake, and some money.
I did have a slumber party when I was like 13 - it was wild.
I always acknowledged my son's birthdays (and still do) but never went overboard and I refused to keep up with the Joneses. I lived in the Silicon Valley - I was a single parent. No way could I even keep up a little bit. My boys were happy - never complained about the cake mix cake with Betty Crocker frosting. We did campout birthday sleepovers in the backyard with their friends -
5. 'Age is just a number.'..agree or disagree? Tell us why.
Agree. It's how you feel. Definitely not how you look.
6. Insert your own random thought here.
This is in regard to the Take a Plant, Leaf a Plant. Apparently, it started in Southern California in 2020. I checked, and they have them all over the country now.
https://www.sunset.com/home-garden/flowers-plants/little-free-library-plants
My mother-in-law was in San Francisco when the Loma Prieta earthquake hit. Scary stuff.
ReplyDeleteI remember that earthquake as well. We lived in the California Central Valley and we felt it strongly even that far away from San Francisco. Birthdays in our family were acknowledged and special days, but we never went overboard. I always made a cake for my kids and they got to choose what we had for dinner that night and they always got presents. No money for much more than that when my kids were young either. I hope you have a good day. I enjoyed this Hodge Podge post.
ReplyDeleteLearned quite a bit about you that I did not know!
ReplyDeleteNice answers, me well I remember bugga all from when I was 35 and never burned the candle at both ends and I do not have the gift of the gab for me age is just a number. I can't remember doing anything special for birthdays, we did have our favourite meal for lunch or tea (dinner).
ReplyDeleteI do remember that earthquake and seeing it on tv. So glad your son was not terribly hurt. Unlike the earthquake in San Francisco when lots of folks lost their lives. We deal with tornadoes every now and then and I have been in one of those. Not fun either. Janice
ReplyDeleteThe party I remember the best was my 16th, hadn't had a part before that one for years. I loved it, we danced and talked and really had the best time. I was in Grade 11 at the time and for the first time ever I had boys and girls at the party.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
I remember we were watching the World Series when that quake hit San Francisco. Let's see, you say that was 1989? We were living in Englewood, Ohio (near Dayton). I wasn't 35, however, I was 39. I never had big birthday parties either after I was 8. I had a small one at 10, and after that it was always just family. We've done more birthday celebrating as adults than I ever remember as kids. Our kids just had simple parties too, home made (Betty Crocker) cakes with canned frosting and no fancy writing...just candles. I am thankful we never got caught up in that big party thing trying to outdo the others. We never could afford that either. But our kids were just as happy and never complained. Being "preacher's kids" they learned to be content with what we had. I enjoyed your answers. Hope you have a wonderful rest of your week.
ReplyDeleteWe were watching the World Series on TV when that earthquake hit, so we remember it happening, but I can't imagine how frightening it would be living in that area! Enjoyed reading your answers today. Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteWow, what a moment and a memory! I live in SC and apparently there is a fault here that has been acting up in recent years. Not right where we are, but not far either. Slumber parties are always wild : ) Not my favorite lol.
ReplyDeleteI live in a part of the country where we have lots of tornadoes so I've lived through some of those but to me, an earthquake seems like it would be more terrifying.
ReplyDeleteI was driving home when the earthquake happened so I didnt feel it. Got home turned on the ball game to see players in the field with their families and the announcers talking about the major earthquake that just happened. I have felt a few thourgout the years though. One Thanksgiving day I was at my Grandmothers house Just outside of Salinas and there was one that was centered near Gilroy. Her whole house swayed back and forth, it was a gental rolling feeling. Another, two friends and I had gone to Reno for the weekend and were up on the 26th floor in our room, all of a sudden we noticed the light over the table swinging back and forth. That one was centered by Eureka. Just a few weeks ago I felt the one that was up by Lake Almanor. I was sitting at the computer and it felt like someone gave my chair a small sideways shove. A couple friends said they got the same feeling sitting down.
ReplyDeleteI guess being born and raised in California, I don't really worry about them since I have always known we have them here.
I enjoyed your answers. I always say my words come out better on paper or spoken inside my head.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed hearing your answers today. I loved the "cake mix and the Betty Crocker frosting." They are still good today. I can just imagine the campout sleepovers for your sons' birthdays in the back yard. You must have been pooped the next day. And it's special that you didn't try to keep up with the Joneses. I would say you did well for yourself and your family.
ReplyDelete~Sheri