Many of you have asked where in the world I've been.

All I know is that after 7 plus years of blogging and a different lappy, which I don’t like, I seem to have lost my blogging fervor.

Someday, when you least expect it, I will post again.

For those of you still waiting I say thank you.

Meanwhile, I am rather prolific on twitter. Find me: @KeethaB
.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Eclectic Company - Waitin' on a New Adventure!!
.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
.

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Ollie Hopnoodle's Got NOTHING on Us!!

.
(This one is long, but I think it might be worth the read - - -)

Friday's Favorite Family Foto

This fun Friday Meme is sponsored by
Deborah over at Pictures, Pots, Pens.



This was OUR Ollie Hopnoodle vacation. Lest you are CLUELESS about Ollie Hopnoodle, just watch this:
.


Well, that was us, minus the smoking and lawn ornaments, when we took our last "all together" family vacation before our chicks began to fledge. There is a better scene about "peanut butter and jelly sandwiches" that I really wanted to show you - - - but alas and alack, I couldn't find it on You Tube.


Keri (top photo) had just graduated from high school a few weeks before we headed south to Florida for some fun in the sun. Kelly, in the bottom photo, was just heading into high school. The two of them had a very close and endearing love/hate relationship at the time.

The first thing they did - - - in the far back seat of the van, because the two younger ones were in the middle seat, was to create their own language that no one else could possibly understand - - - - and so it began - - - riding along in our automobile, Beach Boys blasting from a cassette tape, and a foreign tongue that sounded like serpents hissing going strong in the way-back seat.

Next Kelly began shifting - - - at will - - - between characters of his own creation. I believe he had started some of these prior to the trip - - - but on the trip they developed and flourished into real, live, laugh until you cry, entities.

There was "Howie" - - - an elderly hard of hearing gentleman who never understood what you said, but instead heard each word as a rhyme of the original. Howie could never seem to land in a chair or a hammock without tipping it over.

Then there was Michael Michelle - - - let's just say Michael had a tad more estrogen than one would normally wish in a son.

Jungle Dump also came with us, totally uninvited, on that trip. Jungle must have been a close kin to Forest Gump - - -

And last, but CERTAINLY not least was George. George was a happy, harmless, witless boy who lived in the orange traffic barrels along road construction sites with his mother, (uh - - - that would be me) whom he affectionately called "Kingda." If KELLY was about to get into trouble, he miraculous became George, politely telling "Kingda" that he was sorry. I'm here to tell ya - - - Kingda simply COULD NOT discipline George effectively under those circumstances!!!!

One day on that trip, Kelly became George in a Pizza Hut and simply would NOT become Kelly again. I don't think it helped that all of us were laughing hysterically at him - - - his Grammy and Aunt Jeany included. The poor waitress thought we had all taken leave of our senses, which was of course EXACTLY what Kelly (George couldn't have figured that out) wanted.

But I digress - - -

While in Florida, we spent several days at the Disney World Campground. GREAT campground, by the way, for all of you who camp.


All day as we walked around the Magic Kingdom, each child asked for various mementoes. Hubby, who is a real sucker for such things, kept letting them get whatever their little hearts desired.

Each one ended up with quite a collection of Mickey and Minnie Mouse items - - - - each one that is, EXCEPT Kelly. He picked out one tiny plastic Mickey. As his siblings got more and more things, I distinctly remember asking him REPEATEDLY, "Kelly, don't you want something else??" To which he kept replying, "No tank you, Kingda."

Oh the swelling of this mother's heart with pride! I had SUCCEEDED with training ONE of my children to be frugal, unselfish, and giving. What an honorable and noble little son I had raised. My buttons nearly burst with pride, UNTIL - - -


We got back to the campgrounds and started taking pictures. That little scamp had REFUSED all offers of bigger and better things so he could, as seen above, hold that tiny little Mickey up in each picture and later be able to tell people, "that was ALL I GOT." Oh, I SHOULD have had a CLUE when he snapped THIS photo - - - holding the camera in one hand and his teeny tiny little Mickey out into the picture with his other hand - - - just to have proof later.


Here you see PART of the haul the other kids made. Korie, on the left, with her Mickey AND Minnie and Kyle's Mickey too. Kyle on the right with some optic light toy in his right hand and his Mickey clenched tightly in his left.


And here's Keri, in the hammock - - - see her sandal shod feet - - - taking a picture of her three siblings showing off their loot - - -


The two babies, Kyle left and Korie right, innocently and totally unaware that - - -


A crazed mad man was bearing down upon them ready to strike at a moment's notice - - -


A mad man who is still clutching his TEENY TINY TOY tightly in his right hand (do you see it?) so he can be SURE to point it out when he gets home.


Meanwhile, just what were the PARENTS of these darling children doing???? Well, the MOTHER figure was aging significantly while she struggled to keep order, but the FATHER figure was totally clueless, relaxing in his lawn chair, sipping his coffee at the end of a long and tiring day.


Let's take a closer look at that MOTHER FIGURE, see her neck tendons popping out - - - -


I believe she's saying: "KELLY, give me that camera. Give me that CAMERA! GIVE ME THAT CAMERA!!!"

Too late.

Be sure to tune into this same station on Sunday when you will hear, and see, the continuing saga of "THOSE" Broyles Children.


(Later addendum: Dear bloggy friends, my family has been having a HAY DAY in the comments reminiscing about this vacation. PLEASE do not let that deter you from joining in - - - we WELCOME your input and comments. In fact, go ahead and READ their comments, they have added even MORE fun to the post.)

.

33 comments:

grammy said...

Oh don't you wish for those days to return!!!! I do!!! They were the cutest grandkids on this earth (until you had your three)!!! Who would have thought "George" would have his own Pizza Hut to manage and I must add...a MUCH nicer one.

Keetha Broyles said...

Oh Grammy, I didn't THINK of that connection. Hmmmmm I wonder what he as a MANAGER would do if an actor "George" was making a scene like that in HIS Pizza Hut??????

Keri said...

Mom, this is AWESOME! Grammy, I miss those days, too! That was one of the best vacations we ever took, I have lots of memories from it. And oh Kelly how you take the boring out of ANYTHING!!!

I love my family. :)

(Grammy...I see what you mean now about Mackinley looking like Kyle! These pictures of Kyle look a lot like MJ!)

Oh and I REALLY want that movie on DVD!

Kyle (via text msg to Keri) said...

Hahaha that was great

Keetha Broyles said...

Keri - - - when I was searching for the "Peanut Butter and Jelly" clip, that I never found, I DID find some sites online (Amazon maybe) that HAD OHHOB on DVD. I did - - - go look.

That was a GREAT vacation, and my little story here only tells a TINY bit of it - - - there was the fishing in Rookery Bay (you and dad, Keri) and the FLOODS, and the old man in the tight little speedo bikini - - - and well, LOTS and LOTS more too.

grammy said...

Keri, when I looked at Kyle, I again thought how much Macky looks like him.

I can not get enough looking at these pix....and loudly laughing just remembering how fun that was and thinking about the last time we were in Indy & those kids starting singing those songs again revisiting that same trip!!!

Keetha Broyles said...

KYLE!!!!! I think this is a day to MARK ON THE CALENDAR!!!! I believe this is your FIRST EVER comment on your old mom's blog!!!! Thanks for the visit. (And I'll COUNT it as a comment even if your big sissy DID have to "talk" for you again by posting it for you!!!)

Keetha Broyles said...

Hmmmm - - - I'm not seeing the Kyle-MJ connection. I still see it in Kelly's 3 year old pictures. BUT - - - they ARE from the same gene tree you know!!!

Tonja said...

Oh! HOW. FUNNY! I loved your story and pics! I can just imagine how much your family will laugh!

Nothing is better thansweet memories, and reliving them!

Thanks for the smiles!

Keri said...

Oh my goodness how I wish I had pictures of me and Dad stranded in the high tide in the teeny little Crawdad with our engine out of gas and our trolling motor's battery dead, rowing and rowing and feeling like we weren't moving! That was scary but a memory with my Dad that I treasure.

grammy said...

DJ was watching hockey play-offs & came into puter room and wanted to know what I was laughing at so FORTUNATELY I got to read it all to him(along with showing pix) and I am still laughing!!!

You must do this MORE often Kingda!! Your kids are hilarious!! The best kids ever (except of course, my two)!!! Must hurry & get sleep over so I can revisit site again for more laughter tomorrow!!!

grammy said...

This site meter comments is similar to watching stock market when it is active....you got the hits fast tonite Kingda!!!

Where's Korie & Kelly's comments oh yes, & the Big Fisherman? Do I need to send him a txt msg?

Keetha Broyles said...

No word yet from Ole, Kelly, or Korie - - - -

grammy said...

I couldn't resist...I sent txt to Ole!!! WAY past my bedtime but I must read again!!! Need one more laugh.

Deborah aka Miss Bee said...

This is PRICELESS! This post would make a movie in itself! I got such a kick out of your kids! What fun! Thank you so much for the laughs!

Deborah

Debby@Just Breathe said...

Great story Keetha, what an adventure. How the heck did you remember all of that. I guess looking at the pictures brings
the memories or are you just one of those people who remember every detail of all the years. What a great read, thank you for sharing.

korie said...

so im in denver staying at Jordan's apartment because she is graduating saturday and I just read the whole blog to her and her roommate and they wanted to tell you they thoroughly enjoyed it and that you are VERY entertaining!! love it mom :)

Kristin - The Goat said...

Well that was funny!!

I'm a big fan of Ollie Hopnoodles Vacation, and the Great American Fourth of July and of course A Christmas Story. That Jean Shepherd can certainly tell a story. It's been years though since I've seen the Ollie Hopnoodle one though.

You have some very creative kids... a new language, split personalities, guilt trips! Love it!

Diane said...

What a wonderful, funny story and what great memories! I swear, reading your families' comments has been as entertaining as the story! You have a great family, Keetha! Thanks so much for posting this and letting us laugh with you!

Many hugs...........

Diane

Anonymous said...

WHAT FUN FOR US TO ALL GET TO RE-LIVE YOUR FUN TRIP WITH YOU AND YOUR FUN FAMILY!
I DIDNT WANT IT TO END!
IT WOULD BE NEAT TO GET YA ALL TOGETHER AGAIN NOW TO DO IT ALL OVER, OR MAYBE NOT, HEE HEE

ClassyChassy said...

Priceless!

Marjorie (Molly) Smith said...

Your trip sounds like some of ours...lol...that was a priceless story you should write it all down and present it to Kelly in a book form...lol...

Barbara Jean said...

Keetha,
That was such a cute story.
I love the "and that's all i got' part. =0)
Kids! Gotta love 'em even though some times you'd like to strangle 'em!!

Thanks for coming by and for signing up to follow my blog.
Did you make it over to my "Treasures' blog??

Blessings on you and your family.

Barbara Jean

Leigh of Tales from Bloggeritaville said...

Oh, Keetha, or shall I say Kingda (you need to add that to your name son your blog) this is a priceless story and memory! I love it and I wasnt even there. Fun times! WEll told. LOVE the pictures. HAHAHA!

Erin said...

I LOVE Ollie Hopnoodle's Haven of Bliss. And I've never known anyone else who has ever seen it! That's awesome!

Erin said...

I just looked up OHHOB on Amazon. Apparently it is quite a collector's item - have you seen those prices?! Yikes!

Julie said...

Oh my! I love this post! Your son Kelly is too much-I can only imagine all the fun you guys had!

I can only imagine all the Kelly stories you must have-what a riot!

I love the pic of you & your husband also-I've so been there-although Craig would have his face buried in the newspaper.

So funny-this post made me snort and spit and will keep me laughing all day! What a great family you have.

Trish said...

Is Ollie Hopnoodle's Haven of Bliss a movie??? This post, left me with a big ol' smile on my face...thank you for the laughs!
Family Vacations are such fun...what a wonderful bunch of kids you have Keetha!!!

Kristin - The Goat said...

I meant to answer you, but forgot until now - Yes, the Great American Fourth of July is the same family - but it's out of order. Ralphy is a teen and he's played by Matt Dillon. It's a good one. I hope you get to see it sometime.

Malisa said...

Oh,my gosh! I think I just spent 30 minutes on your blog. Watched the video...and then had to watch it again! Funny! We use to have one of those windmills. Yikes! Your photos and your memories of your family outing are great! I love all the family comments on your blog. My grown boys do their best to pretend I don't even have a blog! :) I enjoyed...as usual!

Malisa

Elaina said...

ok, how do you had YouTube vids like that without them looking stupid? :( this is "Leigh from Bloggerativeville" or whatever she calls its daughter by the way. :) lol

kyooty said...

What a great post, I wish I was at a place with my kids were I could see the humour in what they "do"?
I think I must be too serious! :) you have great parenting skill!

Sherrie said...

Hi!
Awesome story and photos! It must be one happy family living at your place. Have a great day!!

Sherrie
http://sherrie-plummer.blogspot.com/2009/06/fridays-favorite-family-foto.html