Originally posted on 9/7/08…
We were so ready for the Labor Day holiday weekend. Yes, we needed our annual Jerry Lewis fix, but I’m talking about something more. The summer just seemed way too short. I know they’ve shortened the summer vacation here in Indiana and you can tell that it just doesn’t last as long as it used to – of course that perception could just be due to old age, I suppose. However, the extra day off allowed us to get a few projects done around the house. So, as Ann & Amy went off scrapbooking for 8 hours, I kept the kids (and the neighborhood kids) at home and refinishing the front porch and bench. Below are a couple of before and after pictures… Ann wasn’t happy with the results, but I thought it looked pretty good. LOL! We all know how that debate will end – don’t we? J I don’t know how the attitudes have been this past week in your circle of the world, but it seems there’s something in the air around here. The kids here at home, the kids (and staff) at our works, even Ann and I – everyone seems overly tired, unmotivated, grumpy and just “over it.??? I don’t know if it’s due to lack of sleep, the busy schedule (compared with that of the leisurely summer), the weather or the lunar cycle; but something’s got to give! And it was this attitude that was carried over to the kids’ sports teams this week…
Both Matt & Abby’s ball teams lost this week, which was a bummer. For Matt’s football squad, it was a long game, as the scored indicates: 6-0. It is unfortunate that the game was decided on a referee’s judgment call. As Rushville went for it on 4th down, their receiver appeared to drop a pass in the end zone. The crowd stood and cheered as the closest referee signaled incomplete. However, the head ref came over and after a short discussion – overruled the call. The other questionable call was a fumble in the last 2 minutes of the game. As Greensburg had moved the ball approximately 40 yards on 6 plays, they had the momentum and you could feel the electricity and anticipation in the crowd. However, during a sweep to the near side as the runner gained 15 yards and appeared to slip, the ball came loose on the 25 yard line.
In junior high (and high school), once the knee is down, the play is dead. He appeared to be down before the ball came out, but after another meeting of the referees, the call again went in Rushville’s favor and effectively ended the game. Perhaps an early loss will help motivate the team. We’ll see. They have their first away game next week, so it could get interesting.
Abby’s team looked abysmal as they lost their 4th consecutive game to start the season. It was our third of four straight games at Sunman and to be honest, they were never really in it. After getting down 2-0 in the first few minutes of the first quarter, they seemed to wake-up and played much better through the rest of the first half. They had a few shots on goal and played excellent defense. However, at halftime, her head coach (in an attempt to get the offense jump-started), moved the players around radically. It was a good scheme on paper, but the kids looked confused on the field and were quickly down 5-0 by the end of the third period. Thankfully, the Sunman team called off the dogs and the game ended with them scoring only 1 goal in the 4th quarter. Abby was pretty discouraged (and so am I), as she’s never been on a losing soccer team before. The rest of the season will be a challenge to get her motivated. We’re tired of losing, but the majority of the team seems content to simply show up and be courteous to the other team. I guess there’s something to be said for that type of attitude. However, that word is not “win.???
But enough of that, time to turn on the way back machine…
Leading off, we have Ann from her early high school years, mid-80’s:
Next, we have a nice family photo from the living room on Rockwood St. in LaPorte, early 80’s with Peanuts:
Here’s Tom in the early 70’s (in Grandpaw’s hat) in Grandmaw & Grandpaw Brown’s living room on Elmwood St. in Lafayette (I loved that stupid orange tree):
Here’s one from around 1971. Looks like the front room at our little yellow house on Shortridge St. in Lafayette (I rode that horse until it wore out and broke years later):
Here’s a picture from our vacation in ’04 at the House of Mouse in Orlando (Nice “Fonzy??? there Matt!):
An innocent age for Robby (late 80’s):
Here’s a long-forgotten picture. I laughed so hard when I saw it again. This is, of course, Grace and Abby at Grandma & Gigi’s house on Main St. in Greensburg (circa ’03):
Here’s another from that same time period. Matt rode his Big Wheels nearly as much as I rode mine back in the day (I’ll have to look for a picture of that!). We still have that Hot Wheels Power Wheel Lamborghini. This is out in front of the house, here on Russell Dr:
OK, now we’re talking! This one is for Sharon & Dan. This is obviously their wedding reception…and it appears to be at the Bryan household in Lafayette. What year is this Shar?? Is this the correct location as well?
Speaking of weddings, this is our wedding announcement picture from ’95:
Here’s a rare photo of Ann’s father, Dean (and MaryAnn). Looks like Ann is playing at halftime of a varsity basketball game in Greensburg. I’d say circa ’87:
Here’s a good one with a very young Robby, Nathan and Katie. This is Sharon & Dan’s living room in Kokomo at their home on S. Waugh St, circa ’81 (that couch was so comfy!!):
Here’s a photo I had to digitally enhance due to a gesture that the guy in black made. It turned out better than I expected. Good picture of us all from that time period at the front house (AKA Mom & Dad’s Dream House – at first – and then in later years, it was lovingly referred to as the Money Pit!) on I-26 in Rossville (circa mid ’90s):
We’re going to end with two of my top 10 favorite pictures. First is one of me with my cousin Barney. We were really good friends and really good at getting in to trouble at that age! This is Christmas at Granny’s house on Highland St. in her front room (circa ’72):
Finally, a picture that sums up Matt’s early years. He was always eating crackers (which is what he is doing in the picture…feeding his face with crackers!)! …and you couldn’t go a day without Sandy & MaryAnn having to take him somewhere or do something with him. I believe this was taken in 1997 and was the first of four appearances in the Greensburg newspaper within a span of about 18 months:
Hope you enjoyed the pictures this week. Please come back for more way back pictures and if you have any ideas or eras you’d like to see featured in this segment, please let us know. Have a good week…and does anyone know if there’s a full moon this week?