Happy Birthday Diane!

Over the years, my sister Diane and I have lived many miles apart and I regret that we haven't been able to get together a little more often. But even though we are a long distance from each other, I want to wish Diane a very Happy Birthday today!

Thinking back over the years, I remember a few things about Diane and found some pictures. I thought I'd share. . .

Diane had some musical talent. Well, so did the rest of us. The three of us girls took piano lessons. Since we each had to practice an hour every day, the piano was going all the time. Each of us also played a band instrument. I played the clarinet and flute and Yvonne also played the flute. Diane chose something "easy" with only three keys to play: the trumpet. I think it surprised her when she found out that it wasn't all that simple of an instrument. She had to squeeze her lips together plus play the appropriate combination of keys in order to make the right notes. It was fun when we got together and played in our own little band at home. Diane played the organ too. When I gave up my calling as the Ward Organist, she inherited the job from me.

When we were young we liked to play. We played on our swing set and we played with dolls. I had a Barbie and Ken doll and Diane had Midge and Skipper. I had a bride doll and Diane had a cool Chatty Cathy. You pulled the string at the back of her neck and she talked! One year I got Quick Draw McGraw and she got Huckleberry Hound for Christmas. Now that shows you how old we are. Her kids and mine won't know who those guys are.

I think, though, she preferred to play outside games such as softball and dodge ball. In fact, she liked all kinds of balls. One Christmas we got a Super Ball (the really bouncy kind) and were bouncing it in the garage of our new house before we had moved in. A few bounces later and SHE broke the window. Yes, I am putting all the blame on her because I can't get her to read my blogs. Therefore, I can say what I want and she won't dispute it.

Diane had her fair share of injuries when she was little. Thinking back on our childhood, I think Diane and I scrapped and fought A LOT. When we were little, I discovered that if I pulled on her arm, it would pull out of socket and knock her out of commission for a while. She would have to wear a sling for a time and sometimes Dad had to pull her arm again to set it. I'm sure it was pretty painful, but, I promise, I DIDN'T pull her arm on purpose!

I also remember Dad mowing the lawn when we lived in Yuba City and a bolt coming loose from the underside of the mower. The bolt was thrown from the mower like a bullet and it hit Diane in the side. I think there was an exact imprint of the side view of the bolt on her skin for a long time. Another time while at school she was playing, "Smear the Queer." Well, she got smeared and ended up breaking her collar bone.

Diane was the rebel of the family during the "Hippie Era" in the 70s, and during the days of mini skirts and long straight hair. She'd leave the house with a short skirt on, as short as she could get away with when leaving the house, and then as soon as she got on the bus, she'd ROLL up the top to make it shorter! And, speaking of long straight hair, that was Diane's hairdo in those days. Mom was always after her to curl it or get it out of her eyes. But in her defense, long straight hair was the style of the time!

Diane always insisted on having the very best and along with that, always had good taste. I think she hated homemade stuff and, therefore, she wouldn't wear home-sewn clothes like the rest of us. I truly think she would have preferred to go naked rather than wear something homemade!

Red must have been her favorite color years ago. Maybe it still is. When we were little, she got a red go cart for Christmas one year when we were back in Utah at Grandma and Grandpa's house. And then, a few years later in the 70s, she bought herself a really cute little bright red Honda Civic car. Oh, and by the way, Diane had a LEAD foot too!

Check out some of these pictures. . .


A Family Christmas Picture. (Mom, what kind of an outfit are you wearing?)



Diane and Me in our Red Radio Flyer Wagon



Me, Diane and Yvonne



A Portrait With Santa Claus - Me, Yvonne and Diane
(No wonder Diane didn't like homemade clothes. Look at the outfit she is wearing!)



Christmas at Grandpa and Grandma's House in Utah, 1971



Me, Yvonne, Mom, Diane and Dad in the 70s



Diane and Jaron, 1976



The Entire Family Gathered for Mom's Birthday, May 1984



Both of our Families Somewhere in the USA. (Where's Shaun?)



Dad and Diane - Now. . .



Diane - Then. . . On Her 3rd Birthday

Though the years grow longer and the memories grow fainter, every once in a while something comes to mind about Diane and I have to chuckle or smile to myself. I hope she has a really Happy Birthday!