Stuff Sweet Stuff. A Memorist Strikes Gold (and Mildew and Mold)

I cannot believe the crap I found. I mean stuff. Stuff. Stuff is good. I like stuff- I wrote about stuff before on this blog, and posted the video of George Carlin's schtick on stuff- it was a family favorite growing up. Here's a link to that- since I wrote that post, he passed away, so as you click on the link, think of George and all he shared with us.

So anyway- I like to save stuff. And I like to keep that stuff in boxes. Over the years, some of the boxes were transferred to Rubbermaid tubs for safer preservation. Many of my boxes of stuff have went from my house in Tulsa, to my several houses in the Poconos, to my mom's storage shed, to my apartment in Wilkes-Barre, to my house in Luzerne, to my apartment in Luzerne, to my house in Bear Creek and to my house in Sweet Valley. I've been on my own since I was 17 and some of these boxes, as just said, preceded even that. Some have not really been opened except to peek in and say, "Oh wow! I'll look at that later." When Dave and I decided to go our seperate ways, I got a very small apartment with no place for said stuff. So, I left with just what I needed, proclaiming to get a storage unit in a few weeks. Four months passed. I finally got a shed and moved a big chunk of that stuff into it tonight.

THE STUFF MEANS MORE NOW, THAN EVER BEFORE!
I have been thinking of this stuff for a while. Since I writing a memoir set from age 5 until about 16, I have been struggling for details. I knew I had pictures-- but little did I know just how much stuff I've saved. I struck gold tonight. Forget about my losing a few hundred dollars last night at the Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs in Plains. I'm rich as ever-- in memories!

I found a journal from when I was about 14!! I only wrote 11 entries- but it's good stuff!! I now have dates of important teenage events, like the day I got my braces on. I told my mentor about how I was missing details- I couldn't remember how I met this one girl who became a close friend. I had this gang of people in 8th grade, but I didn't remember how we got together. Lo and behold, tonight I find a journal from 1991 that starts off like this: "I can't think of anything to write so I will tell you how I got my good friends...." Just like that- my answer from a young me!! I now kick myself for not writing more back then. But the material!! An amazing find! I found photo keychains with dates on them- so now I can piece together details!! I can now use these times and places as settings for my memoir. I now know WHAT I wore to a school dance. And-- where I bought it.

I found all my old paycheck stubs from when I was 13-16 working for the Tulsa World- not shabby for a young kid!! I found a clipboard I broke in half because I was having a bad day while selling papers. I found two Cadillac hood ornaments that my friend and first boyfriend (if you can call it that when you are 13) stole for me. I found MY GLAMOURSHOTS which I found once before, but shoved in a box somewhere. I found a dozen Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys Super Mysteries found brother and sister's baby pictures. I found a button from a fife & drum corp event I went to in St. Charles-- I couldn't remember when that was and now I know that dates. I found my first business card from my first 'real' job in radio. Just so much stuff. I brought some of the stuff here, but eveything else is in storage now. These are all things I have been writing about-- but now I have access to them again-- now they aren't just things in boxes!!

My old footlocker I used for Girl Scout camp, which is filled with photo albums-- these pictures that I haven't look at for so long reveal more details I have been struggling for. What's even more is that I describe a lot about Dado's house and when I was 16 before I moved back to PA, I flew in for Dado's funeral. While I was there, I took pictures of everything so I could remember Dado's house. Everything that I talk about in my book- that lacks detail- has a photo. It was as if at age 16 I knew I would need these pictures one day. There are plane ticket stubs, receipts and so much more so I can piece together the memories. I know what happened- but sometimes forget in what order. I found a Friendship Fill-in book my mom got me before we moved in OK- it has all these little details of my childhood friends, what we'd do together, etc. and just brought a smile and a tear at the same time! I still keep in touch with Jasmine and Laura more than any of the others and just saw Cori last month-- but to read my words about my friends when I was 12 is just incredible. I learned that skiing, playing outside games and playing Nintendo were my favorite things back then. I could go on and on, but I guess that is why I am writing a book!!

All this stuff I have been carting around for 15 years finally has a purpose. It's my life, in boxes. It's my research lab. It's my memory lane. It's my fact checking station.

My mentor is on a retreat until the 14th, but I CANNOT wait to tell her about all this stuff I found, especially these journals. Reading those entries brought me to my state of mind back then-- gave me a peak inside what I was thinking and feeling.

Days 3-4 in Oklahoma

After I checked out of the hotel on Saturday morning, I didn't have Wi-Fi until very late Sunday night when I checked back into the hotel near the airport- then, I wanted to write my final OK vacation blog from the Tulsa airport- but they charged $5.95 an hour for W-Fi. Ugh. My Cleveland layover you'll learn about in my next blog. And Monday I traveled all day and crashed and went right to work this morning and went on a shopping extravaganza after work- so ah, the final vacation post isn't happening until just.... about.... now.

THE FINAL DAY IN TULSA

So- Saturday, after I checked out almost an hour late, my friend DG called me- he wanted to meet up- I wanted to get to my cousin's by 6ish, and they all live about an hour and a half from Tulsa in various towns like Krebs and Haileyville. He had to run his daughter somewhere and said he'd call when he was done. So, in between I did some more memoir research. I drove to the Yacht Club Apartment Homes, the first place I lived in Tulsa- first staying with my Grandmother and Theresa, and then getting our own place in the same complex. I actually made a video of it to help with my memoir. I recorded myself on the walks I used to take. Then, I stopped at Sonic and had a Coney and a Cherry Limeade- my first one in 14 years. (The pic to the left is of DG and I-- he is also in that pic a few posts back from when I was in OK as a teenager!)

After my enjoyable lunch, I decided to do more gallavanting- wanted to walk around the Woodland Hills Mall in Tulsa-- my mom worked as a manager of a store in the food court for a while and I spent a lot of time there-- but the mall parking lot was an absolute zoo-- so I didn't go in. By then, DG had called and we decided to meet up for a beer at a place called The Fox & The Hound in Broken Arrow. It was great catching up with him! Like with J, he reminded me of things I forgot, I reminded him of things he forgot- we caught up about families and careers. My visit with him wasn't as long as with J's, but it was equally wonderful! He said something really pivotal about our teenage years selling newspapers: "Somehow we accidentally learned some morals." My memoir centers around this job and what it meant- he and I discussed how at the time it was just something to do, to earn some money and have some fun. As adults, he and I both look back and see how this job helped us be the hardworkers we both are today. Kind of neat about reuniting with these people I haven't seen since I was a kid and hearing how we were similarly affected and all consider the job one of the most important things in our lives.

THE COUSINS

I made one more stop at Quick Trip and hit my cousin's address on the GPS. I met my cousin Shawn and is girlfriend Rachel at her parent's Italian grocery (where they live in the above apartment)-- it's a 100-year-old building and just adorable. He made an kick-ass lasagna with fresh veggies and herbs from the garden and a kick-ass bruschetta-- oh my good. Amazing. We all ate dinner at my cousin Eli's groovy pad, which was walking distance from Shawn's. My Uncle Pat; my cousin Zack and his wife and daughter, Tina and Ember; my cousin Michael, Shawn & Rachel and her son Matteo, and a few friends enjoyed the awesome dinner and some drinks. After dinner, me and Pat went to get some beer and we pretty much partied into the night at Eli's- went to a bar to see a band- hung out again until about 3-4am. Eli has lots of friends and neighbors so throughout the night, I got to meet of ton of locals passing in and out of the house. We took lots of pics, videos and laughed the light away. It was incredible to see everyone again- we had one killer time. (Picture- Eli, Michael, Shawn, Me, Tina holding Ember, Zack and Pat in front.)

The next morning, we didn't get up until about 11am-- we all got ready and went up the mountain to hang out at Pat's (and where all the boys grew up) and hung out, played Balderdash and chatted. We decided to head back into town-- picked up some pizza and this time headed to Zack and Tina's house for dinner. Tina made an awesome salad and pulled out some of her homemade bread and butter pickles- awesome. All of a sudden it was almost 8pm- I decided to head back to Tulsa to get a hotel by the airport so I didn't miss my flight. (Picture- Their friend Gates, Rachel, Shawn, Friend Kyle, me, and Eli an an awesome Beatles shirt).

FINAL THOUGHTS

Taking this trip was the best idea I've had in a long time. Just being in Tulsa brought back a flood of memories. As I walked various spots around town, I could feel emotions-- like my mind/body knew something important happened at that very place. I tried to take in everything- even smells and sounds. The hardest part about writing a memoir is the details- not just the little details about people and places from long ago, but also the feelings and how I felt that long ago. This trip really helped me. I took lots of notes. I even did some research that I didn't think I'd do.

Aside from the memoir research, being back with most of my cousins (there is only one I didn't get to see of the Duffy pack- he's in NJ) was awesome. All of them now have their own places, and in some cases, their own families. I grew up with these boys at the most important part of our lives I think- the childhood years. It's with them that I learned how to be one of the boys, a trait I think I've had since I was very young. They've all done some incredible things in their lives-- many have explored a lot of the globe- and they have such strong family values yet live simple, humble lives-- I often wish we saw each other more. Love them so much!! But I'll tell ya what- even though we don't see each other very often, when we get together, we instantly connect like we just saw each other yesterday and we always stay up until dawn together- whether it's partying (now that we're older), playing games or watching the Goonies over and over again.

Old School. No really. My Old School. And catching up with cousins....

Had a great lazy morning! Slept in, wrote a blog, took my time getting ready. I made plans to meet up for a late lunch with my cousin G. and his wife M. before they headed to Texas for the weekend to see her brother- wow- talk about timing! If I came in a day later I would have missed them.

School is already in session in Tulsa, so I stopped by my old Middle School first, Nimitz Middle School, got a visitors badge and asked about what teachers from 1990-1992 were still teaching there- three of them that I had were there and all had their lunch breaks at noon- so they let me hang out in the teachers lounge until then. I found all three- they were a great three to run into as well. Mr. S. was the art teacher, but also the yearbook advisor and I was on the staff- it was his second year doing it, so he didn't remember me exactly, but he remembered the yearbook- I explained to him that I remained doing yearbook and newspaper stuff through the rest of my school years-- and we talked about how when I was in 8th grade we cut pictures with scissors and used rubber cement to make collages and for all the layouts, we used to do everything my hand with these big layout sheets. Wow! Mrs. B. was my English teacher and she was thrilled that I was writing a book- she literally jumped for joy. Mr. Y. was my civics teacher and I didn't get to tell him that for a time I was active in the local young democrats. So they were three classes and teachers I enjoyed so it was neat they were still there. Our reunion was only for five minutes, but it was neat!!

Then, I went to Memorial High School. Got a visitor pass and said I was going to the office, but I walked the whole school. I knew a guy I went to school with that was teaching math there-- I walked by a classroom and heard a very loud teacher- it was R.P!! I peeked in the window and he was in-depth in the middle of a lesson, so I didn't knock- but I kind of wish I did. I was at the school at a bad time- the bell had just rang, so it would have been hard to get to see anyone and time was ticking- I had to meet G and M for lunch.

We chose El Chico, a Mexican place with a few locations in Tulsa, but we chose the one in the mall. We had a really nice time catching up- mainly talking about our schooling, major changing, etc. They are both super smart and sharp and I wish them all the luck in the world! The great thing about my family is that we take chances and never settle-- I can see that in G and his wife too. When they graduate college, they are likely to leave Tulsa and head to the Northwest-- just like that. It's awesome.

Just thought I'd check in with a blog so I can keep these memories fresh, too. Tonight- gonna drive by the old places I've lived and walk around, try for some pics (one of the apartments became a gated community so not sure how to get in there now- but I have been known to be very resourceful) and then later try and catch up with some old friends from the newspaper crew. I asked G where some hot nightspots were so if I can't meet up with people I know, I may just go hang out on Cherry Street, where there is supposedly some great live music on weekends. Loving my trip so far.

Day 1.5 in Tulsa

Hello everyone. I cannot believe I am here. Seriously. It's one thing to grow up somewhere and go back and visit every now and then- it still seems recent that way. But man- it's been 14 years since I have been here. It was hard to see Tulsa last night becauseI arrived around 10:15 Central Time and was dark. I actually had a great flight from Wilkes-Barre to Cleveland- sat next to a man I checked in behind and then subsequently saw him again in the airport bar beforehand- I had a few Lagers before the flight. It's kind of strange- every time I fly I play a game with myself in the terminal called, "Who Do I Think I Will Sit Next To." So, I won. I thought it'd be nice to sit next to him because he seemed nice, and I was the last one on the place and looked at my seat, and lo and behold, it was next to his.

We struck up a conversation and it was amazing- he's a newspaper guy. Publishes a Midwest alternative weekly like the one I used to freelance for-- and he used to work for the Village Voice- the god of all alt. weeklies. He's getting ready to launch his new website and I work in the Internet industry so we had a great conversation the whole way about the net, targeted marketing, the future of advertising, books, skydiving-- the whole nine yards. We didn't exchange information or anything, but I may try to look him up and tell him how he made my flight!

My flight from Cleveland to Tulsa was pretty bumpy. We rode on clouds the whole time. I did play the, "Who Do I Think I Will Set Next To Game." I was kinda hoping Drew Carey would be on my flight since he is from Cleveland. As I was enjoying a Peanut Butter Chocolate Banana Smoothie (which cost me $6.00), I scanned D8 terminal and picked out a nice lady I thought I'd hit it off with. Turns out, the way this plane is set up, I sat next to no one. The left aisle only had one seat, so I scored gold and got a window and an aisle, the wing seat. It was so cloudy, I couldn't see a thing the whole way, but the sky cleared when we were over Tulsa- pretty cool and hopefully telling of my trip.

The landing was bumpy- the wheels were squeaky, but I landed so I wasn't going to complain. I got my purple luggage and headed to Hertz. I was given a free upgrade to a small SUV- a Mazda Tribute- also with a free GPS. I punched in the address of my hotel and let the computerized lady tell me where to go. So, I didn't have to worry about remembering my way around. I still made a wrong turn and ended up passing my old apartment-- my heart was racing- I could tell I was getting excited for my adventure. I turned around and found my hotel, checked in, called one of my friends here in Tulsa and crashed.

I just got out of the shower and am waiting for my cousin G. to call me back about breakfast. If he doesn't call soon, I am headed to my old middle school and high school. I heard that some of my old HS friends teach at the high school, which is cool. Have to get some batteries first for by DV(oice)R.

So, since I am in OK, I will say, see y'all lated.

Long Weekend Coming Up & Time Flying

First off, I must say that I cannot believe how time flies. I called my mom last night and a man answered the phone. I haven't heard my little brother talk since Christmas, and wow, did his voice get deeper. He's a young man. I am excited that they moved back from Virginia-- I hope that I can now be more of an influence in his and my sister's life. They are in HIGH SCHOOL. I am working on my memoir for the MA (as well as for personal reasons) and the time period I am focusing on is before and just after they are born. Wow, does time fly.

I am also going to visit my old college buddy and former roommate J. tomorrow-- I cannot believe 12 years flew by since I first met him. 12 years! We still laugh about our freshman follies like they happened yesterday. Time to create some new stories to tell. The macaroni and cheese one is getting old.

I have been at my job a year as of a few weeks ago. I can't believe how time flies.

Time flies by so quick- and I know that all the fun I have this weekend will also be just a memory.

Happy 4th of July everyone. I can't wait to eat some burnt hot dogs this weekend. That's seriously my fave part of 4th of July. Oh, that's right. Last year I failed at being a vegetarian around this time because of hot dogs. Not a cheesesteak, not a T-bone steak, not fliet, not prime rib. A freakin' Ballpark hotdog. Mmmmm.

FINALLY! Graduation- 11 Years Later

I need not tell the whole story again- so here's the nutshell version. I graduated Wilkes University with my Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies with a concentration in Public Relations and a minor in sociology... 11 year after I graduated high school.

Dave, my mom and my grandmother attended. I didn't have the biggest crowd in the joint- but it was quite special. My mom bought a "Wilkes Mom" shirt and wore it to the graduation which was a cool surprise.

I was also glad that by the time I finally took the challenge exam for the lingering computer science class-- the ONLY thing that stood between me and the degree for a year- the summer graduation was about here. That meant a quick and painless ceremony!

I think a part of me didn't want the college experience to end, so I think that's why I put off taking that exam for so long. But if I did not put it off, I would not be with the creative writing group I am with in the MA in Creative Writing program-- so I believe things happen for a reason!

I am glad to still be a part of Wilkes in the MA program-- it's like I can never leave this great learning community!

Here Kitty, Kitty, Kitty

24 hours.

Alone.

In Redneck Territory, where everyone likes to shoot at things in their backyards.

I wish my nine-year-old cat, Spectra had a little camera attached to her head so I could see what adventure she had the past day or so. On Tuesday night after work, Dave was hard at work in the garage working on the Dodge Neon (my soon-to-be gas saver)-- so when I came home from the gym I made coffee and brought him out a mug. I then sat down on the couch, did some work online, read a little and then fell asleep. Dave came in, got ready for bed, woke me up and then we went up to bed. It was around 11:00. Something was missing. THE CAT.

Dave told me that when he came in from the garage, the door was open. I knew she got out. She's only ever gotten out once before, but we got her right away. She must have been lured away by a firefly or something and eventually wandered off. I looked around in the yard, but couldn't find her. I decided to sleep downstairs with all the windows open, hoping she'd meow and I'd hear her and let her back in.

I woke up Weds. morning very early and went around the yard and the woods looking for her. No luck. My neighbor to the left, Jean heard me yelling and said-- from her bedroom window- she thought she saw a cat chasing a rabbit earlier in the morning. So, she came down and helped me look for a little while. No luck. I had to get to work. On the way to work I called my other neighbor to the left of me to let her know. Before I left for work, I put food on both porches, as well as a blanket so she could curl up and wait for Dave or I to get home.

After watching the Secret a few months ago, I learned to not think negatively. So,even though my imagination was playing out all sorts of plots, I just focused on my day at work, didn't talk about Spectra and just thought positive thoughts. I came home, and my neighbor Doloris had put catnip on the porch for me to help lure Spectra. That was so nice. Dave and Doloris and I looked again for quite some time. I then continued, walking a half mile or so up and down the highway, looking along the side of the road for, gulp, Spectra. And called, and called for her. No luck. It was about 24 hours now. My positive thoughts were wearing thin.

Before I went to bed, something told me to look again. Cats are on the prowl at night. So I grabbed Dave's flashlight and headed to the yard again. Jean had said she saw the cat and that also her boyfriend thought he heard a meow somewhere in the afternoon. But Spectra didn't answer our calls, and she usually comes like a dog when you call her. So, I decided to try Jean's yard/garden one more time.

As I shined the light through some plants, I saw her scared eyes. She didn't come when I called her so I hd to just scoop her up and carry her home. I have no idea if she was there the whole time, but something tells me she was and she was just too scared to come out because maybe she didn't know how to get home, or maybe the traffic scared her....

At any rate, her adventure is over and she's back to bothering me as I type. ; ) She slept with me all last night and I fed her a feast of wet food- her favorite. I usually only give her half a can, or a 1/4 of the larger cans-- I gave her an entire can. And I gave her a good brushing to make sure I didn't see any fleas.

My Specky's home! Nine years I've had her, and now I guess she has at least eight lives left.

Inner Makeover & Campfire fest

Kind of a double post here. The first thing: I wrote an article about an inner make-over I gave myself. Please check it out at my Associated Content page.

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/305798/how_i_gave_myself_an_inner_makeover.html



Sometimes writing is therapeutic, and this was one of those times.



Second-- Saturday, Dave and I had our first party since we've been at our house. I love to entertain and am so happy we had a nice turn out. The weather was beautiful, the beer was cold and the food was fantastic!! Thanks to everyone who came. We did have some no-shows which led to A LOT of leftovers!

Here are some pics from the par-tay. Mark your calendars for next year- the second weekend in July for Campfire Fest '08. We want it bigger and we want people to camp out!!

Creative Writing: Part III-- Pics from Angie

All of us 501-er's owe Angie Eckhart big time for capturing some memories of our final night together. She snapped and shared some pics from our Friday night banquet and after-party @ Keenan's. There are just a few of the pics! Thanks, Angie!!


This is Carol, Jon Rocks, Anna, Ryan, Mike Suppa and Angie. I had a blast with these guys. We went out for Mediterranean several times and have some great 'study' groups!

Three of my new favorite boys!! Remember these faces- Rocks, Suppa and Ryan will be famous one day! They had me in hysterics most of the week.

A few more of my new pals- Kim, my roomie Nicole, me, Mary and Russ! Awesome folks!

Can you tell this was from the after party? Anna wrapped Mike Suppa's head in her scarf. Too funny.

As Jonny Rocks, our Philly boy displays, all writers need a moleskine. He had his at all times. He was either collecting dirt on us, or material for a screenplay... or both!

I went around the bar and did one of my famous bar napkin jokes-- everyone was hysterical as you can see from this picture of Mike falling on the ground, me about to fall on the ground and my other new favorite guy, Scott-- only his elbow made the picture! What was the joke? That's top secret. I want YOU to fall for it one day, too. (Samara from islands of Washington state is on the left...)

I saved this pic for last because of the uncanny nature. The first night we had a mixer with the 'older' students (those who were graduating) and one of them was poet Craig Czury. He looks like my dad, dresses like my dad, has a demeanor like my dad-- and lives in the same town as my dad. And he is adopted.... needless to say, he and I had a connection that week. He's awesome. Also, he's artsy and free-spirited like my dad. I told him about my dad's book shop, so I hope Craig stops by and they can become pals. (My buddy Tim McLoughlin, who is already published is in the background.)

And for those looking to join a writing community- visit www.wilkes.edu/creativewriting.

I'm a Big Sister Again

I remember when Joey and Shannon were first born! Now they are teenagers! Oh my!

My dad and stepmom recently adopted a two-year old boy from Kazakhstan-- he's been here for a few months and I met him for the first time yesterday. As soon as I came onto the porch, he greeted me by running up to me and hugging my legs! He must have known I was his new big sister! Meet, Cary Ploshay!

I spent the day playing with him-- and realizing just how out of shape I really am! A two-year-old can really make your heart pound and make you work up a sweat! That's for sure! Up and down the hill, and around the trail twice, and just having fun! The funniest part was when we went down the path to retrieve a ball, and then he began to wash it in his bucket/fountain. Jeanne had informed me he likes water, but I didn't anticipate him dunking his head underwater in the fountain. He did it about three times and was laughing and giggling the whole time. I think he's going to be a swimmer! After playing with him all day, I think I was the one who needed a nap!

Cary has a great smile and he's silly funny! A blast to be around. I can't wait to see him grow up! And pretty soon, he'll be a teenager like Joey and Shannon-- I miss those days when I was the big sister who got to take care of them, and now they can take care of themselves! FOR MORE PICTURES, VISIT JEANNE'S ALBUM.

NIGHT DRIVING

I am one of those people that can fall asleep anywhere. I think it had to do with my childhood spent traveling so much by car. At any rate, Jeanne had reminded me of a funny story my dad told her. When I was younger, I was asleep in the backseat of the car. At some point I rolled off the back seat, onto the floor but didn't even wake up. My mom and dad didn't even realize til much later. So, fast forward to today. Any time Dave and I go somewhere at night, I almost always pass out in the car. So last night coming back from just outside Reading to our house, about a two-hour drive-- I was starting to fall asleep. So, I stopped halfway at my mom's house and crashed. I think I would have fell asleep at the wheel had I tried to make it home. I barely said hi to her-- I grabbed a pillow and blanket and crashed on my brother Joey's floor. I don't think I should drive places by myself after dark!

Random Story From My AC Articles Page: Goddesses of Motherhood