Tags
children, Diana Schwenk, family, growing up, happy, humour, Hump Day Chronicles, joy, kids, laughter, love, memories, old photos, parents, Relationships
I was thrilled when Mom recently sent me a bunch of photos from the early days of our family. Today it is my pleasure to share some of them with you and tell you a little bit about them. I will do my best to tell you what’s going on in each photo, but please know, if I can’t remember, I am not afraid to make something up!
When I was little I thought my dad was the smartest and handsomest man in the world. At night when he tucked me in I would say, “Daddy, when I’m old enough will you divorce mommy and marry me?” He always chuckled and said, “We’ll see how you feel about it when you’re older.” Mom always read to us and I remember her singing to us at bedtime – You are my sunshine, my only sunshine – I thought she had the most beautiful voice in the world, the voice of an angel. I day-dreamed about being as good a singer as her one day.
I think I’m three years old in this photo and Mom has told me that this was the first Christmas that I was aware of the tree, decorations and presents. Forty-seven years later, my best friend will tell you that I am hardly ever aware of things around me. I’ll be all like, “Hey, check out the new restaurant!” And she’ll be all, “Yeah, it’s really changed the neighbourhood since they opened…..5 years ago!”
“Really? You’re taking a picture when I’ve just woken up? It’s not bad enough that you’re making us eat porridge?” Apparently, I’ve never really been a “cheerful” person in the morning. But nevermind me, doesn’t Mike look hung over?
“Dis twuck…is..good toy!” “Oh you naive little boy, everyone knows Raggedy-Ann is where it’s at..” Years later, in our teens at Christmas, I bought Mike a Frank Zappa album and he bought me a Pink Floyd album. We opened our gifts, said thanks and traded albums.
Dad was great for play fighting and humoured me when I fancied myself as a German Shepherd by whistling for me and patting my head. But seriously, a wrestling match was not an effective way to convince us that it was time for bed. I distinctively remember thinking that the fun had just begun, “and you want me to what…go to bed?”
This would be my first of many ‘World Domination’ speeches: “Ok, pay attention boy, I’m the oldest, I’m in charge, you will do as you’re told!” “Yeah, sure, whatever floats your boat…pyscho…”
True Story: That used to be a one-piece bathing suit and when I grew taller, Mom cut it into a two-piece. I was so excited to wear it – I felt like a woman! Whoa, do my feet look extra-large to you?
My love for water and sunshine exists to this very day! Some 42 years later, my Mom and I would take our first tropical trip (neither of us had EVER been south) together to the Dominican Republic. Turns out she loves water and sunshine too.
As much as I love summer, I hate winter! “Seriously, what’s with all these layers? Oh, it’s %^$#((^ cold out here! And I have to pee!”
Dad was always trying to be funny or make people do a double-take…like the time we came down for breakfast and he was in his underwear with a long red-haired wig reading the paper or the time he was watering the lawn (before the sod had been lain) in a thunderstorm with an umbrella…I’ll never forget the looks on the faces of our neighbours as they gawked out their windows!
Here’s a family photo of Dad, Freddy the Teddy, me, Mike and Mom. In later years, I gave Freddy to some poor kids down the street because he had provided me such friendship and security and I thought he would brighten their day. Later that day, I passed their home again and much to my horror, Freddy was torn to shreds on the front lawn!
In spite of all these things, I turned out OK..wouldn’t you agree?
~ HUMP DAY CHRONICLES ~
I wonder how my daughter will portray her childhood when she’s 50!
Now tell me how your childhood was weirder than mine…please!
elizabeth2560 said:
I can totally relate to just noticing the “new” restaurant when it was five years old. I do that sort of thing ALL the time. So we must be soul sisters.
Great snapshots of what looks like a magnificent childhood.
I think that you turned out more than just ‘ok’, you turned out quite magnificent.
🙂
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dianasschwenk said:
If it doesn’t move, I don’t notice it. I have been known however, to smack a spider on the wall behind and to the right of me while talking to someone in front of me!
Thanks for saying I’m better than OK, Mom will be pleased to know that! 😉
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On the way... said:
Lovely to see your pictures and read your stories. I don’t think you’re that weird at all!
Thank you for brightening a difficult day.
Lx
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks for stopping by and I hope your day gets better!
xo
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Wyrd Smythe said:
I would definitely agree. Turned out better than many, I would say.
My childhood was disgustingly normal. Well, except for the repeated alien abductions and that time I got sucked into a plot by underground lizard-trolls to take over the world. Along with some other kids, we totally saved the world. (Oh, and there was that business with the evil twins from the alternate universe, but the less said about that the better. I’m still not sure which one I am.)
But other than that, totally normal.
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dianasschwenk said:
Oh well then thank you for saving the world!!
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artsifrtsy said:
Wonderful photos and I love the captions. My mom was a seamstress and she made most of my clothes including my swimsuits – I had a converted bikini too!
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks Lorri! I loved that bikini, did you love yours?
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artsifrtsy said:
Not so much. I would rather have swam in overalls – but my mom was all about style so I complied.
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dianasschwenk said:
swimming in overalls, now that would be a workout!
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artsifrtsy said:
I’ve seen fellows fishing here in the Ozarks standing waist deep in the river in their overalls – kinda odd looking.
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dianasschwenk said:
water proof right?
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artsifrtsy said:
Nope – denim. Hillbilly fishin’
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dianasschwenk said:
I absolutely love that!
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artsifrtsy said:
The Ozarks have their charms 🙂
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dianasschwenk said:
Why yes they do, they have you!
xo
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artsifrtsy said:
🙂
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Sheryl said:
The photos and descriptions are fantastic. I like how your mother resolved the problem of an out-grown swimsuit–and at the same time convinced you that the new suit was more glamorous than the old one. 🙂
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dianasschwenk said:
Sheryl, I’d never thought of it that way but you’re right – I did think that suit was even more glamorous!
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Susan Burford said:
Ahhh Margot. Your Mom is so sweet. I especially love the pic of her with blond hair. You were pretty cute back then Di
and you still rock a bikini by the way.
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dianasschwenk said:
haha Mom sported blond quite a bit back then when people actually believed that blonds have more fun! Thanks for your beautiful words Sue!
Love ya and miss you,
Di
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Margot Schwenk said:
Dear Diana, I am so happy to see all the pictures again and I really like the comments you made for each picture. It made me so happy to give you and your brother a childhood I never had. You and Michael are the love of our life.
Mom and Dad
oooooo
xxxxxxxx
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dianasschwenk said:
I know Mom and thank you, I have great memories!
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joannerambling said:
I don’t know if my childhood was weird it was just what it was and I look back at it and think how bloody lucky I was to have such a great childhood no dramas in it. I loved looking at the old photos
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dianasschwenk said:
That’s good to hear and I’m glad you enjoyed the photos!
Cheers.
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stuffitellmysister said:
Love the pics….so sweet. My favs???? The Christmas tree and the bikini…adorable! 😉
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dianasschwenk said:
(smiling) glad you enjoyed them. One of my mom’s faves is the Christmas tree as well.
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stuffitellmysister said:
I love to go thru our old pics. Funny and fond memories ♥
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Bonnie said:
Diana..love this post! So fun and makes me think differently about some of the more memorable family photos of my brother and I..hmmmm!?! 😀 Thanks for sharing these; definitely put a smile on my face!
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dianasschwenk said:
Glad it made you smile! So hmmmm, are we going to see a post about you and your brother??
xo
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Bonnie said:
It is certainly tempting!! If I can find the photos…you are on! xo
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dianasschwenk said:
That would be fun!
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mrs fringe said:
LOVE this post, the photos, the stories, the insight into you. This might be my favorite Dianatalk. 🙂
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dianasschwenk said:
Merci beacoup Madame Fringe – tu es tres gentile!
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mrs fringe said:
:tosses flower petals through the magic portal:
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dianasschwenk said:
And that’s why you’re a great writer! 🙂
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mrs fringe said:
🙂
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Kristi said:
Was smiling through…haha …..great photos and seriously entertaining comments! 😀 So, you caring for others so much started already at that young age, when you gave up your Teddy….wow! I’d say you turned out pretty awesome Diana!
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dianasschwenk said:
(blushing) Aww thanks Kristi!
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russtowne said:
Thank you for the fun and funny photos and captions. They brightened my morning. More, please!
Russ
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dianasschwenk said:
Mom! you heard him – more please! Thanks Russ!
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this is lemonade said:
I reckon you turned out “OK” not in spite of but rather because of these things. What a lively and imaginative childhood you had! Your dad does look rather dashing in these photos, I’m not surprised you wanted to marry him. I still think my dad is one of the greatest ever (maybe it’s a vanity thing – after all, aren’t we admiring the source of our own genes haha!) And I’m going to bear your mum’s scissors to one-piece bathing suit idea in mind in case it comes in handy lol! She was way ahead of her time – just turn to Pinterest and see everyone cutting up their t-shirts all over the place. No sew alteration! Excellent 🙂
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dianasschwenk said:
haha thanks for leaving such a delightful comment! I have to say, that never again was I as excited about a bikini as I was then. 🙂
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Jennifer S said:
This was really great storytelling! I loved the pictures. The watering the sod story? That’s hysterical. What a Monty Python’s Flying Circus kind of upbringing your mom and dad gave you! I will never stop being sad over the teddy bear fiasco… we’ve talked about this one before. AND… also, could the two of you have been any blonder?
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dianasschwenk said:
The teddy bear thing bugs me to this day as well! Jennifer I was so blond you could not see my eyebrows and eyelashes until I got a bit of a tan and then I just looked like the negative of a photograph!
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Jennifer's Journal said:
Mom used to dress my sister and me as twins. Never mind we were two and a half years apart!
Wonderful photos, Diana. (I used to have a Freddy the Teddy too, or maybe it was his brother)
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dianasschwenk said:
Freddy was a good friend. Once my mom dressed me and her as twins in these white and red striped shorts and tank tops – I was mortified! I think I won that one! haha
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Jennifer's Journal said:
Ha ha, now that’s just weird! Another weird thing was how Mom cut our bangs – too short and hardly ever even. I’ll have to show you a picture someday.
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dianasschwenk said:
Yes and even my daughter complains about that, saying I cut her hair like a boy! But at least I didn’t spit on a Kleenex to remove schmutz from her face and I was totally against the whole ‘pinch their cheek and tell them how much they’ve grown thing.’ I remember that really hurting!
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dianasschwenk said:
Oh and yes – I’d love to see some of your old photos!
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on thehomefrontandbeyond said:
okay, my childhood was weirder than your–actually it was not weird unless you really stop to think about it
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dianasschwenk said:
(smiling) weird is relative I guess!
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on thehomefrontandbeyond said:
are you saying some of my relatives are weird–well, then–you would be right (laughing)
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dianasschwenk said:
haha was about to say no, no and then I caught the pun! 🙂
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Healthy A-Z said:
Now that was fun! Living with your dad must have be entertaining…unless you weren’t awake yet.
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dianasschwenk said:
haha it was fun!
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bulldog said:
Damn how do you look at breakfast now?? No your feet don’t look to big, it is a sign of a good understanding… loved this photo trip through the years…
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dianasschwenk said:
A good sign of understanding – is that an African proverb? Glad you enjoyed it! 🙂
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bulldog said:
No … its a Bulldog Joke, people with big feet have good under standing.. ( good feet to stand on)
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dianasschwenk said:
Oh, makes sense! I take it you have big feet?
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bulldog said:
Not that big…
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Rob said:
Charming pictures. Whether you’re OK is an entirely different question. 😉
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dianasschwenk said:
I guess it depends on one’s definition of OK? 🙂
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Rob said:
Agreed!
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Louise Gallagher said:
Love the photos and the journey through time — but then… I love you and everything about you. You rock every boat! 🙂
but… um…. the one of you at breakfast….do you like morning yet? 🙂
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dianasschwenk said:
Um … I fake morning better…does that count?
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