Hazel Langhorn

Bingo!  Everyone that knew my mom knows that she loved to play Bingo!  Years ago when it was cheap to play we played 7 days a week including twice on Sunday.  We have shared so many good times at Bingo and I've got so many stories that I could tell.  I remember one time Mom came to pick me up and I had my cute walk on walking down my drive way.  This was when we still played with bingo chips.  I go thru falling spells.  Well this just happen to be one of those times.  My feet came from under me I shook the earth and Bingo chips flew everywhere.  I hit so hard everyone heard and came running.  Mom said girl pick up those Bingo chips you gonna make me late for Bingo.  We laughed so hard and by butt was so sore but we went on to Bingo! She knew that I was ok. We have shared some great Bingo moments.

Speaking of babies...lol. 

When Pooh (Chris Reed Jr) was little he suffered from the family afflicition of not being capable of keeping a secret.

I took him aside and entrusted him with the holiest of holies.  No matter what he could not tell.  It was the biggest secret EVER...no one....NO ONEcould know this!  He promised....promised that he would never tell.

So,  I told him that the reason Granny Hazel's stomach was getting big was because there was a Baby inside.  He was sooooooooooooo excitied.  His eyes got big.  He had a big ol grin on his face.  Granny Hazel was having a BABY!  A BABY!  Oh, my, oh,my!

I reminded him of the secret & sent him on is way.

Well, Pooh was so excitied he strated touching Mom's stomach every chance he could.   Mom finally got irritated.......hollerng "Boy, what is wrong with you!"  Pooh was smling and gleefully repiled...."I know Granny Hazel's secret....I know why your stomach is so big.....you're havin' a BABY!  LOL........Momma clicked!

Oh, liver lips told on me.......Momma cussed me out about teling the kids stories and having them believe all those things.

But it brings a smile to my face to remember those things. AND yes, I am crazy....like she always said.

Having a baby!  No! No! No!  I cried....sobbed....begged her not to have that THING.  But she did and that little "Me first! Me First! monster turned out to be my youngest sister.  I owe them both an apology for that day.

Kikki turned out to be a the primary caregiver during Mom's illness.  Now, don't get me wrong...I am in no way undermining anyone's actions.  I am only praising the attention and care that Kikki gave Mom since Sept - Oct of last year.  On many occasions, Mom told me how well she was taking care of her...ensuring she took her meds.....arriving at her appointments...monitoring her levels.....seeing that her needs were met.  She adjusted her work hours around Mom's life.  She was a real trooper!

Words can never adequately express my heartfelt appreciation and gratitude for the way my sisters & brother rallied to take care of Mom.  You can say whatever you wish about any of us BUT you can not cast negativitiy on them or what they did in my absence to help her.

We may not be what we should have been or we may not be all we can be......but one thing is for sure.....................my mother was loved by her children and they demonstrated it over & over again.

I'm glad my mother bought that baby home and I'm glad she had the others. 

I love you all.

One night Mom got all dressed up to go out.  Well, you will not believe this.....she & Uncle Albert Lindsey (husband of Darlene Crowder, father of Allesia Lindsey & Snoop Dogg look alike) won a trophy for a dance contest at the Italian American Hall over by Louisa Street in Peoria. 

Our mom could dance?

I guess why not..... Aunt Louise & Aunt Dot are the ones that led me to the path of all the dancing I have done over the years (those are stories my sisters will write on my memories page....lol).  Oh, Mom was mad as hell when Jeannie & I showed her how Aunt Louise taught us how to roll our tummies.

We played records - 45's with the spindle in the middle and sang along for a good family time. Then when we got an 8 Track...we were hot stuff!  W.T. Grants would let us pay for the record player on credit.  Do you remember when we would go down in the basement to pay the bill?

We had some good clean fun and I wouldn't trade those days for anything in the world.

Misty memories with valuable lessons will come with some pretty entertaining stories. Here is my first:

I thought I was half grown because I had a Baby and a Baby daddy even tho I still lived in my mommas house.  Momma told me to mop the kitchen floor I said "yes mamm" and went on outside and sat on the porch with my baby. After a very short while Chris came over and sat on the porch with me and he was holding "little Chris".

The screen door opened and momma said " Didn't I tell you to mop the kitchen floor!" I turned around and said "I said I would."

The next time the door opened I made the mistake of not looking back. The next thing I remember is  this stinging on my back and trying to get past her swinging belt to get that floor mopped. I didn't stop to think, all I could do was cry, make mop water and mop that floor like I ain't never mopped a floor in my life. The thought to grab that belt or say something smart never crossed my mind, all I could do was mop that floor. I was plenty embarrassed but the boys in our neighborhood knew and respected my momma and Chris was no exception.

That was my last physical whooping and I wont ever forget it because I learned that day that no matter how grown you thought you were, your Mom could come to your house and whoop you, your baby, and your man if necessary. Much respect always.