I was online the other night finding an address and decided to put in a few older familiar addresses from the past – I punched in Bennett Ave from when we lived on Missionary Ridge. I want to say we were there from sometime late 78 or early 79 to 83? I thought it might be good to give some memories of the place even though it is no longer there...
Of course, the Reed house holds a lot of memories for us as well –
I was surprised how nice it still looks – I remember spending many hours playing Legos on that front porch and, I know this is very obscure, but for some reason I remember eating bakers (bitter) chocolate there and enjoying it. Also I remember, playing many a baseball game in their front yard. I wonder if we could get Cita to tell us of her memory of that front yard – she may include the words “scallions” and “nickels”in it. Mom and Dad may want to clear up of few of my foggy facts time wise but we certainly had some great memories here – even though Clif’s and Curtis’s would be pretty much non-existent. I’ll try to share some more as we go along – I think it might be good one of these to try to track down our place in Sandusky and even Kokomo for those who have some memories there.
24 comments:
Caleb, I think it was about Sept of '80 when we parked our 30' trailer on the side street by the house and lived in it until about Dec. Mr. Eckright and I and Dad worked on the inside trying to make it so we could move in. Then we moved in and heated with wood. Really we froze unless we were right on the stoves.
We lived there until the spring of '85. Clif was born there. Though he would not remember.
We had a cat named Mister. He came in to the house one day and droped over dead.
I'm sure the other kids can think of many things. We'll look forward th their stories.
Love you,
Mom
Mom, Thanks for the clarity! I also remember you kicking over a trash can in the back shed that I believe had a opossum in it. I think dad was on one of his preaching trips at the time. Speaking of which - I remember some of those tearful good-byes as we watched the big blue Buick pull down the street and turn the corner but then I also remember the night it pulled up from Dad's trip to NC and it was weighed down with an abundance of food including many bags of pecans that the church in China Grove blessed us with, incidentally, that is where Clifton WJ obtained the J in is his name for Pastor Frank Johnson.
Well, here I go. Caleb your memories brought tears to my eyes. I do have wonderful memories at this address.
Earning my way to SixFlags by digging up "leaks" out of Mr.Reid's yard was one of the most memorable. After school and homework I would get my little spade and bucket and started digging and counting as I went. 5cents a onion. I did it!!! And the trip was so rewarding.
Another funny memory, and I share it with my children every Halloween was...Clair dresed up as an extremely FAT man. He was so stuffed from head to toe he could barely walk. I couldnt stop laughing the whole time. The funniest part though was when we stared making our way down the big hill by the house. Clair had been doing okay getting from house to house,BUT he TRIPPED!!!Then that is when it got sooooo crazy.
He began to roll and roll and roll.
We couldnt catch him (im laughing so hard as i type this i do everytime i tell the story its kinda one of those.. you had to be there stories) ANYWAY Clair was Rolling down the middle of the street.And all I could do was laught I mean he rolled allthe way down to jimmy lees house, I think he was stopped by a parked car.O MY. Mom, I wonder if you took any pics of those costumes that year. (maybe they are in a BOX somewhere?) LOLOLO
Another memory is the summer afternoon that mom let us ride our bikes in a very HEAVY Rain downpoor. that was soo fun!!!
How about the back ally we used to ride our bikes down. and that old outside fireplace we made into a fort. How about digging around in that old shed and finding treasures LIKE glass eggs!!
Remember the Fires!!! Yikes. I really like my Yellow room I got out of it. Those spikey walls?..
I remember my appendex attack in that house.I remember a very particular spanking I got in that house (for signing moms name on test paper)Dad do you remember that? I changed from a little girl to a little lady in that house.
Daddy told me I couldnt play tackle football anymore with all the boys across the street.
Boy! memories just keeping coming. I could go on forever.But I must share one of my most special memories. It seemed so sad for a moment in my life but quickly changed to one of the dearest treasures of my life. The Birth of Cliffie. I remember standing in the kitchen with Jeff and Kathy Farnham. They broke the news to me that I had yet another brother. Not a Carla but a Cliffie. I was just crushed. I fell to the floor and cried. I cant even began to imagine having a sister. Honestly! do you think Mom or I could have handled that? Clif was just perfect!!
I learned so much about God being in control and understanding He has plans and desires for our lives that we could never imagine or dream up. I Love all my brothers dearly. Yet Cliff is the baby I prayed for daily for a few years (not knowing "she" would be a "he".
This has been fun.Caleb. Thankyou for encourageing us to remember those "ebeniezer stones" (did I spell that correct?)
Oh, one last one, Boys you remember burning your bottoms in those polyester pants,on the side of the wood stove. you all left little but cheek marks.:)
O mom what about AAAAALLLLL the monkey bread you made to sell at the flea market.
Caleb the memories you shared of daddy leaving and coming home are soo marked in my heart too. especially returning with all the goods!
Love you all, lets hear more!!!!
Cita
Clair dressing up as a fat man and rolling down the street:)) I hadn't heard about that one. I couldn't stop laughing through that-especially since I pictured it in my mind:)) I asked Clair about that one this morning he couldn't remember the fat man one but it remember the one when he dressed up as a woman.
tina
Ah, leaks, scallions, green onions – it’s all the same to me! Not sure why that sticks in my head – maybe because I was skeptical that you’d actually do it. Way to go! The bikes down the ally is one of my favorites and probably one of the most dangerous – but what a blast! I also have a memory of getting stung by like 3 or 4 bees at once in there as well. Yes, how well I remember the fires! God’s gracious protection at those times was certainly evident. Cita, you certainly had me tearing up with that story of Clif’s birthday. I remember coming in Mom and Dad’s room and finding Aunt Kathy in bed – took me completely by surprise! Not only do I remember Cary burning his “mark” into the stove I also remember getting dressed on cold mornings down by the stove and melting a couple of milk caps on the top of that thing – sorry Mom! I recall spinning the Kacho family record in the console stereo in the front room, oh, and then the day we had the great idea of building a go-cart out of a toybox insert or something – was it Robert Martin – one of the neighbor kids that was going to help us. As I was scrolling around the neighborhood I saw that the Rec. Center is still there. Wow, that was the first place I think I heard someone “cussing” after a girls softball game there. I also remember Dad hitting a line drive right under my chin – scared us both pretty good! Well, sounds like I could go on for a while – this I serves to remind me how much I love my family and the abundance of God’s grace through our time growing up! There are tougher memories there like the morning Cary was burned by the hot gravy as well as when he cut his hand. I remember Clair coming home in tears after being harassed by a couple bullies when he was selling honey out of his wagon. I must have been sitting in a corner doing nothing the whole time just taking it all in – I guess. Thanks for the memories guys – you’re the greatest family I could ever have. Love you!
Caleb
you know, Tina no that you mention it he may have been a fat "Women".
Surely he remembers that event. I cant believe he would forget that.
Caleb,This is very strange. Today as I was just sitting and thinking of the memories I had posted. The Kacho family came to my mind.the one "know Im coming home" stuck out in my mind. so funny that you mentioned it after I thought of that today. hmmm. Wow Cary,s burn I ALMOST forgot!!! I vividly remember now everything aboutthat moment.
What about, walking down to clean the Union Hall. The small of old coffee grinds takes me back to that chore.
How about this one. going down to Mccallie school and collecting all the lost tennis balls. then taking them home and pooring down from the top of the inside staircase,while one of sat on the steps and let the balls hit us. HaHa. that was some real fun.
Mom ask daddy about me learning how to make eggsalad. I mastered it in that house . taking it back and forth to daddy for tastings until I got the musterd and salt just perfect. I love that memory.
caleb this is fun. I really needed this. its been very theraputic for me. I also love my family dearly and close each and every memory. Maybe we should compile a book.
I CANT BE IN CHARGE,THOUGH LOL.
OKAY, CLAIR, AND CARY SHARE.
Wow, Family! This is good! Clif said last night, "did you see how long the comments are on the blog!" It's such a good exercise to remember the old days and express worship and gratitude for them! I love reading bout all your adventures. Ever since I came into this family it's been different being one of the "little" kids as I'm actually the eldest in my fam! I've often wondered what life was like with you four all under the same roof!
Sally, It WAS FUN!!!!!
cita
Hey, I've been thinking. Do you remember the first fire we had? Dad threw you all down the stairs. He tried to scoop water out of the toilet with a gallon jar. We all ran up to the Reeds house in our pjs or less. Dad finally got the fireman to let him go back into the house for a pair of pants.
The second was because Caleb stoked the fire in the stove to good. The fire men told Dad that they let them burn the third time. He was only joking but the thing did burn down the third time.
We didn't live there then.
Remember in the first fire the dog barked and woke us up. The paper reporters wanted to do a story until we told them the Lord made the dog bark. Then, no story.
Remember the lady, who lived just below us, and her polk weed? In the spring when you would be playing in the side yard she would come out and yell at you to be careful of her polk weed.
I talked to Cary the other night and he mentioned a few things I encouraged him to put them on here.
Enough for now. Love you all
Mom
Good Stuff mom. I thought I was the only one thrown down the steps cause daddy got me when he came back to get his pants. he thought you had gotten me and you thought he had gotten me. THATS what I remember!!! I had forgotten aboutthe dog. which dog was that?
Sister Cita
The Greatest Dog Ever - Bandit - something about that Dog and Dad's pants - When we first got him I remember he ran Dad a little too fast and....
OH my word I Totally forgot we had Bandit at that house. Oh ya... Dad and his pants WITHOUT A BELT!! HAHA
sis
Yes, it was Bandit. Dad just was reading over my shoulder when I was laughing. I told him he needs to get involved in this, and that you are having laughs at his expense.
Some of those fire memories are a bit foggy (smoky).
I guess we will never forget the pants and dog walk story.
Caleb, I guess the time Dad came home with a car load of food and gifts was the highlight of living in that house. God has used that time to remind us over and over of His love and care and right timing. He is faithful in spit of us.
have a good day . I love you all.
Mom
Yes God is Faithful and Does love us in spite of our-selves. Someone just this weekend reminded me that Daddy told him that once and he never has forgot it. It ment a lot to him.
Mom can you find a picture of us standing in front of our tower of food? that would be great for Clif to post. so others can see what we experienced.
cita
family idont key board very well and im inpatient because ithink faster thani can type and it frustrates me but i have enjoyed reading the comments ouall have written its anexercise in forget ot all HIS benefits. we have been partakers inabounding grace.
i too remember the food pounding from china grove pulling in while you kids were inschool.i had picked up some frozen shrimp just before leaving for home when i arrived mom steamed the shrimp and we ate it for lunch just the two of us.it dawnd on us the magnificent grace of GOD that though the fridgr was empty and the cupboards near bare god had provided SHRIMP for us WOW!! what a token of HIS goodness to us and to our family!!! Really we are so wealthy and much of that wealth is in remembering and thanking HIM again.These events of GRACE are also reassureing when we enter a valley of need. OUR GOD IS FAITHFUL dad
Good Job,dad
cita
Well for me the memories abound in that old house on bennett ave. Pet wise, I remember Mister the cat, Bandit the best one of many dogs, and of course my beloved guine pigs. I went to hamsters in the Rockford ln house. I had to give up the pigs due to the cat eating some babies one morning. I remember the kitchen and some memories there. My lesson in obedience stands out the most. Saturday morning and the tent team at the house for breakfast (Girl, you can cook! love you mom). I was to be in my seat at the card table but I just had to have the matchbox car on the landing. I darted across the entrance of the kitchen just as Mom was coming out with a bowl of super hot gravy. She tried to lift it up out of the way but it hit my head and spilt down my neck. WOW, that hurt! I was scooped up and shoved under the kitchen faucet. I wet my pants. But I didn't miss a meeting under the tent. And I have very little scar thanks to a world class medical team, Mom and Dad. Thanks for the lesson in obedience. I remember mom leaving the beans on the stove and melting the pan on the stove. I loved that woodstove in the kitchen and its melting power. I can still see mom standing on that kitchen porch calling for us. I loved that old claw foot tub in the bathroom off the kitchen. What I would give to have that tub know? The fires will always be memorable. That crazy house had only one closet and all the clothes had smoke damage.(footnote: The house on Rockford ln had more closets in it than you could shake a stick at.) The clean up from the fire is what scarred me. I was cleaning glass shelves in the bathroom when some one removed the grate from the chute to down stairs. When I turned around one leg went down the chute and the glass shelf put 11 stitches worth of cut across my right hand fingers. Thank Mrs. Reed for the nice hospital visit. When I was young I was prone to "running away". One day I loaded my bag and headed out to the basement apt that was in that old house. Oil tanks in the basement I didn't care, there was a shower and black and white tile floor. I came back up stairs. I miss that radio we used to have with the tv channels on it. We couldn't see spiderman but we could listen to him. I miss that store we went to a couple streets over and buy that cheep gum with the chinese proverbs. I remember when Cita found the civil war bullet up buy the water tanks. Man I was jealous, of all the boys a girl finds the cool stuff. I loved the old VW and how many people did we pack in to that thing to go to school? My memory count at one point eight or nine: Clair, Cita, Cary, Caleb, Brother and Sister from up the hill, and Butchy when he got up, plus the driver. How about that blue car we had that we pushed more than we rode in. No heat but Mom had nice knit mittens and a sweater to match. I remember Mom and all the wallpaper she and others took off the walls in that apt over the "print shop". How many layers were there? I got my first yard cutting job when we lived on bennett. I went in to that safe shop and asked if I could cut their strip of grass. They agreed and the pay was $2.00us. I was in the money! I remember the first time I went in to collect that $2, I was so proud. Thanks to Dad we all have a great work ethic. Dad, are you painting any more houses? Gray on gray was a great choice and you did a wonderful job. "Just hop that ladder down the wall,Clif. you waste so much time climbing up and down to move that thing." I enjoyed climbing the two holly trees out front. They were so easy to climb with all those limbs. Well I better quit before you fall asleep. I'll write more later.
Much Love, Cary David
WOW! Thanks for taking the time to help us remember all that Cary! That is some priceless stuff!
WOW YOUR RIGHT,CALEB! Priceless.
love those memories!!! What about that HUGE candy bar and HUGE sugar daddy we had in the freezer!! HA it was broken in small chunks and we ate on that for days!!!
Cary, I was just telling Rena about that little store we bought gum at... Loved that!!!
The memory of the tub brought back a painful memory for me.
I attempted my first "shaving of my legs" against mom's orders. I was haven some serious peer pressure.I was a cheerleader in elemtary school,had a game that night,thought i needed to DO THIS!
so I did and cut my ankle. Lied to mom.(cant member the wild story I told her) couldnt get the bleeding to stop, had to put a big gauze pad under my sock and boy that was so embaressing. Cary, that was one of my MANY lessons on obedience and lieing. Man!! and when i type the Word "obedience" the only way I can spell it is when I sing the song "O-B-E-D-IENCE>>>>" Remember? we sang it all the time. Its branded on my brain. anyway,That is "My memory in the Claw foot tub". :)
SISTER CITA
That would be "Elementary"! (just so you know I can spell it!!) OKAY???
need a tutor
Ok, Roths, I hope it's ok if I intrude for a minute on your family blog. I saw Bro. and Mrs. Roth at Jeremy Sykes' wedding, and she gave me your blog address. When she told me the current topic, I had to put in my two cents about that house on Bennett!!!
I remember taking a bath with Cita in the big bathtub off the kitchen area. It was the kitchen area, right? The funny thing was (if Cita and I in the same tub isn't funny enough!) that Bandit kept trying to get in with us!
I also remember sleepovers upstairs with Bandit lying across our feet to keep us warm in that drafty old room!
And I recall a scary 4th or 5th grade version of Truth or Dare in which all the girls over that night were giggling hysterically as we sneaked the dictionary to look up the definition of "fart." We were SOOOOOOO bad! :-)
I remember that you all had a rock used as a paperweight that had the music to "Honey in the Rock" decoupaged on it. Why I remember that, I don't know. In fact, I don't know if I've ever even heard that song sung.
I also remember listening to some old records from you all. Remember the one that was the telephone call from God?!?! I also stil sing the one to my kids ...Sweet Jesus, what a wonder you are. You're brighter than the morning star. Remember that one? Was it the same record?
Most of all I remember the fun times and feeling of home I always felt when I spent time with you all.
Much love to all of you wherever you are! Thanks for the fun times. They made me who I am today!
Becky (Whitely) Van Der Hengst
Becky - Thank you so much for adding to our discussion! That was great!
Here's a couple of fun links for everyone to enjoy:
http://www.hymntime.com/tch/htm/h/i/hintrock.htm
First line begs the question if he doesn't know the Savior is he my brother? hmmmm.Along with some other sticky theology I suppose it did make for a nice momento if you are into painting rocks :)
http://www.turnbacktogod.com/jesus-sweet-jesus-what-a-wonder-you-are-song/
Be sure to click on the arrow to hear this "hug theology" song.
Wonderful memories!
Now that I'm off my soapbox - one other memory came to mind as I was reading Becky's comment and that is Saturday mornings listening to WDYN and calling in on their sword drill thing - If/when we got through we would just go absolutely bzerk running through the house and trying to get other kids from our school to call in. Wow - I hadn't thought about that in a long time.
Thats great stuff, Becky!!! Fun Times! Caleb the WDYN Sword Drill I cant believe we almost looked over that! That was so unbelievably fun!! We would. We would go nuts when we got through.
Becky, remember my old beat up pea green play kitchen? we would sneak moms spices and mix of some crazy concoctions... then try to get the
boys to taste them.
Well. What about "Jesus Jesus Jesus
I gotem on my mind"..."driven down the freeway Ive gotem on my mind" :)
cita
Hey, I also remember listening to the NPR station with you guys to some program that started off with "Songs...are jumpin' in my mouth." it was a little rap/poem like thing.
Weird what we remember.
The WDYN stuff was big time. When A. Patti came to visit from MD, she would always call, too. We would dial all the numbers except the last one. That was rotary dial, by the way.
Hey, Cita, my email is vanderhengst@gmail.com Send me an email when you get a chance. I'm the only human, I guess, not on FaceBook, but I waste too much time on the computer as is.
I had so much fun with you guys. What a great childhood. Fun trip down memory lane!
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