Fourth Grade - pt 2 Life Lesson Don't Let It Go To Your Head

I was for sure interested in the same girl from third through fifth grade. Annie was really my first long term, for sure, no doubt about it, girlfriend. We were at each other's birthday parties, hanging out on recess, and flirting at lunch. However, there were a few distractions for me during fourth grade. One you might remember, Marti the other was Kandace. It was the third and fourth grade's turn to do the Christmas play at school. I was trying out for all the parts. I usually got stuck as a narrator, because I could memorize long parts. This time, I wanted a lead roll!

I tried out for Santa, but didn't get it. I was too short. I thought I did well, but it could be that I stuck the landing on Santa's Helper...Hughie, the fat elf. I remember standing on stage with all the other kids from the two grades and trying out. Most of you won't believe this, but I was a bit of a ham. I craved attention, and was usually the class clown. I decided I really needed to land this part. So when I read the lines, I used my cute high pitched elf voice. It was perfect! They loved it. I had a major roll! I was the elf that sneaked Twinkies into the weight watchers clinic for Santa and helped bust him out.

Now, I had a huge crush on the head exercise trainer, actually a couple of the trainers, but especially the head trainer. I had now found stardom and was getting to hang out with the cool kids. How far would this take me? I also had the flirty Marti that I had a duet with at the end of the play. What would I do? Would I use my new found popularity to break the heart of Annie?

Well, as much as I flirted with Kandace and Marti, I never made a move. I was loyal and faithful to my one true love. I could not even bring myself to do more than the normal flirty banter that kids don't even realize they do. I was hooked, hooked on Annie.

I have realized though how fame and fortune can destroy a man. Success is a dangerous thing, and it can tare you up. It breaks up relationships, love, friendship, and families. It hardens your heart and destroys you a little bit at a time. I admire those folks who can keep it together and have success. I held strong and made a choice that will remind me everyday that loyalty is stronger than success, fame and fortune.

Fourth Grade - pt 1 Life Lesson Running Towards Love

Entering into the fourth grade I was completely "in love." I had been "going out" with the same girl for most of the third grade and even over the summer! It was destiny. We passed notes in class and hung out during all the recess time. We were inseparable. We even started talking on the phone. I remember calling her and talking on our cordless phone, which was a big deal in those days. Her phone number and mine were really close to each other and I can still remember hers to this day. It's strange, but I think because it was so close to my phone number that's why it stuck all these years.

For this particular blog entry, I want to talk about a specific event that happened on a regular day in the fourth grade. It was seat changing day. It was the day that each kid took their belongings from their desk and lined up in the back of the room to select a new desk. It was one of those days that every fourth grader lived for. It was soon off to the races for our new seats. I remember wanting to make certain I sat next to Annie. I saw her put her stuff down and then boom, right next to her I slammed my belongings down. At nearly the same instance Mindy slammed her books down. It was a tie. Who would sit next to Annie? There was only one way to solve the problem, and it was our teacher, Miss Finch.

What would she decide? Who I be banished to the back row? Would I get to sit next to the love of my life? It was all too much for this fourth grade kid to handle. I was anxious and nervous. All kinds of emotions were running through my body.

She made her decision. I would be able to sit in the seat next to Annie until the next seat changing day! Yay! I am victorious. It was a great feeling being victorious. I could easily pass notes, help with math, and receive help for spelling. Mindy was unhappy, but only for a few days. Soon she was over it, I think. She may still hold a grudge!

I just know that when you are in love, you got yo run to it. Don't run away from it. Don't be scared of it. I don't think I got the concept back in the day, but I get it now. It's strange to look back at the lessons and go wow, I learned that in the fourth grade! There are more lessons from the fourth grade, but those are for another day!

Third Grade pt 4 - Life Lesson Girl's Wear Bra's

I am wrapping up the third grade tonight with a post about a girl that would come in and out of my life several times. We were always friends, we flirted for a while, and we even went on a date or two. We grew up close to each other and spent a great amount of free time with each other. She was a year younger than me and I was good buddies with her brother who was a couple years older than me. It seems that even when I would go hang with her brother, her and I would tend to hang out.

There are a couple stories I want to talk about with Marti. First let's talk about playing house. There was a big junk yard near our house and we loved to explore it. One of our favorite things o do was to dig in the old cars and find cool things and bring them to our hideout (she called it our house, but it was a hideout to me). It was either a large dumpster or an old storm shelter that wasn't buried. It could have been something else, but that gives you an idea. It had a ladder that went down into it. It was stinking cool! I remember we had a table and chairs, rope, old bottles, magazines, and other random toys and junk we had collected. I would make her explore and she would make me play house. It was an even trade off I suppose. It worked for us.

The second story I would like to share is when I realized that girls were different that boys. I went over to her house one day and she was very excited to see me. Her mom was in the living room and I had actually stopped by to see her brother. She came running out in her Wonder Woman training bra. She was so excited to show me her new wardrobe, neither of us knew how awkward this situation should have been. Her mother freaked out just a bit. I think this is when I realized that maybe she wasn't supposed to show me. I think sometimes kids pick up on these social clues, other times maybe not. I certainly did, became quite embarrassed, but soon moved on to go shoot my BB Gun with her brother.

I imagine it was just a simple crush that she had on her brother's friend. That playful flirting carried its way into high school and even after we both graduated. We never clicked, but somehow enjoyed the playful flirtations. The next time she enters my dating life, you will get a kick out that story.

I hope you have enjoyed the third grade. It was memorable. I remember dissecting bees in class (this was on my own time, not a class project), getting mad at my teacher for using my bottle of glue, the spelling bees, making the kazoo sound like a saxophone and Where's the Beef Lady for Halloween (my first cross dressing experience). Eventful little life I had in the third grade.

Third Grade pt 3 - Life Lesson The First Kiss

I'm going to wrap up the third grade story of Annie today. I think back to these events and how they shaped me. I honestly giggle when I think about them. I will talk about my first kiss and seven minutes in heaven in this blog.

Okay...seven minutes in heaven...a little game that we played when I was in third grade at Annie's birthday party. My friend Mark helped set this up and it's probably one of the only things he ever helped me out with (probably the only thing he helped me with). Of course after presents (I got her a heart necklace) and cake we kids were playing around. This landed us in her bedroom, I believe there were about seven or eight of us, maybe more. We were just being goofy kids. I remember she had a Chicago poster on the wall and I thought it was cool, because I loved the Chicago Cubs (this was the band Chicago, which I would learn about later in life). All of the sudden my friend Mark whispers a question to me about playing seven minutes in heaven with Annie. I didn't know what this was so he explained it. It's where you get locked in the closet with a girl and you stay in there with her for seven minutes. I was game...he asked who I wanted to be in there with...Annie...duh!

So, Annie and I get razzed by our peers and off we go to the closet. She had a huge walk-in closet and it was well organized. All of the sudden it was quiet and I was aware of the fact it was just us. There were oohs and ahs from outside the closet, and the occasional heckling. I didn't let that phase me. I really have no clue how long we were in the closet, but I know I wanted it to last forever. It's weird, we just talked and looked at her board games and she showed me her shoes and dresses. It was all very innocent, and I didn't quite understand the concept of the game (maybe this is why I never played this game again), however it was so great to spend that time with her...just me...just her...

I remember being one of the last kids to be picked up from her house that day. It was a good day, a really good day.

So you all thought that my first kiss was during this game. It actually came weeks later on the playground during morning recess. I had chased the girls (but singled out Annie of course) and we were just hanging out by the dome shaped monkey bar thing that was at the edge of the parking lot (remember we had a playground in the parking lot). It was about time for the bell to sound and get lined up to go back to class. I had finally gotten up the nerve to kiss her (I had been holding her hand for weeks). I leaned over and kissed her on the lips. Her reaction is priceless now, but was not what I expected when I was nine years old. She said yuck, spit and ran away. I still remember how funny she ran, I think mostly because she had these awkward long legs. I was heartbroken, my world was devastated. How could I face her and my friends after this? Well, the next day we were holding hands on recess and she reached over and kissed me on the cheek.

My first kiss...nothing grotesque...all so innocent and cute. I know you were hoping for something juicy...those stories are later...

Third Grade pt 2 - Life Lesson Let Her Win

Annie...I often wonder if anyone else thinks back to their first car date. It was special, who else took their mom with them on their first date? She was our chauffeur. We drove around in the light blue Buick after Annie was dropped off at my house. We then headed to Gary Don's Pizza Parlor, which had absolutely the best pizza I have ever eaten...wish it was still in operation.

When we got to the pizza place, Annie and I sat at a booth, while my mom and brother and her mom and brother sat at a table. It was an extremely romantic meal of pepperoni pizza and cokes. I'm not sure what we talked about, because I was mesmerized by her beauty (this kind of stuff still happens today, if I am talking to you and lose my train of thought, it's because you are beautiful). Soon we finished out meal, got made fun of my Gary Don, and headed off to the rest of our date.

When we got back to my house we plopped down on the couch and watched Ghostbusters. Mom brought us some popcorn and kool-aid and we enjoyed the movie (and my annoying little brother). Soon after the movie ended boredom set in. She suggested we play a game called, "who has the boneist butt." Now, this was an innocent game, where one person sat on the other's lap and the wiggled their butt into the other's legs. Whoever could stand it the least, was the looser and the other person was deemed boneist butt. Now looking back, this game could be taken out of context. This purely was innocent, I swear. I went first and she timed me. Then I went. I knew I liked this girl, so I let her win. I mean come on...isn't that what you're supposed to do?

On the ride home I remember talking about her hairy legs. I was fascinated, because I had no hair on my legs (I still don't have hairy legs). She told me that her mom wouldn't let her shave her legs until she was older (I had no clue women shaved their legs at this point). We made it to her house and I walked her to her door. I was (and still am) a big gentleman, I gave her a big hug (I don't kiss on the first date, gotta keep them wanting more, duh) and said good night. It was an amazing day with the girl of my dreams; dinner, movie, games, and a goodnight hug.

It still makes for a great date these days. Good pizza, great classic movie, conversation, and a goodnight hug. It's strange how constant some things stay in life.

Third Grade pt 1 - Life Lesson Sharing Time

I have lots of fond memories of the third grade. I started showing hogs in 4H, I had a sweet perm on the back half of my hair, and I went on my first date. I remember recess was split on two different playgrounds during the third grade. In the morning we went to the east side of the grade school in the parking lot (more or less) and in the afternoon we went to the actual playground with grass!

I developed my first real serious crush in the third grade. This girl would have a major influence on the physical attributes of all women who would follow her. It may seem strange, and it is a little weird to write about, but she is one of four or five women who have influenced relationship decisions for my entire life. I can still remember her phone number from grade school and her birthday. She moved away after the fourth grade, but I still after all these years later remember her. Some may think that is sad or pathetic, to me it has allowed me the introspection to understand my development, especially as it relates to my relationships with the opposite gender.

Her name was Annie. She was tall, long dark hair, slender build (weren't we all back then?) dark complected, and a smile that would stop me in my tracks (actually make me a bumbling idiot). She was sweet, nice, smart, and interesting. However, she was clumsy, ungraceful, and awkward (again, weren't we all at this age?).

This particular story is about sharing time with a friend of mine. We shared the girl we both coveted. I "went out" with her during morning recess and he "went out" with her during afternoon recess. This arrangement was agreed upon by all three parties, however my friend Jackson and I weren't real keen on the arrangement. We did go along with it, cause let's face it, she made a great argument for why it was necessary (girls are smarter than boys, we all know this, and she was sneaky smart). We used to cheat in class (sorry teach). I would share my math work and she would share spelling. I did throw a spelling bee one time so she could win. Chivalry, I know.

Anyways, one afternoon, after I had my time in the morning, she and Jackson were enjoying the day. A large group decided to play a game of Red Rover. I know you remember Red Rover, Red Rover, let Delton come over. If not, we should play sometime, it's great fun! So, as it was, I had my pack of friends and Jackson had his. We lined up across from each other, and who should be invite over...Annie. And where did she choose to charge...at me of course. Now she didn't break through so as is customary in the game, you must latch arms with the person who blocked you. So, here are Annie and I holding hands during afternoon recess, I was on borrowed time.

As the game went along, Annie was retrieved back from the other side and then I was called over. I went right between Jackson and Annie. This time, I had no intention of breaking through. I wanted to be in between them. So was my strategy, and of course it paid off. I was holding hands with Annie and Jackson. He was furious. I was enjoying every minute, until...Jackson started squeezing my hand so hard I thought my fingers were going to shoot out of my hand. I knew I had to get out of this situation and soon let someone break through to take me back to my side.

I don't remember who won the game, but I do know that after the epic battle, Annie was mine for both recesses. I had won, and it felt good.

Second Grade - Life Lesson Attitude is Sexy

Second grade was a huge jump for me socially. I thoroughly enjoyed it and loathed it at the same time. This was a tumultuous time on the play ground for me. I of course chased the girls, until they would pack up and then chase me. I would have a gaggle of girls chasing me by the end of recess. I remember the leader of the pack, Mindy. She was a cute girl with some attitude. Actually, she still has that same attitude, which is and has been a sexy trait that I have been attracted to.

So as recess would go, I would usually spend the first half chasing the girls, playing on the monkey bars, and maybe swinging for a bit. This day is clear in my mind like it happened yesterday. I recall this all the time and brings a great big smile to my face. I had upset the balance and the girls decided they would gang up on me. Mindy was the leader of the pack and they had cornered me between them and the brand new slide. I told them they had better stop, or I was going to do something drastic. This of course didn't stop them. I told them, don't take another step, or it would be bad news. They called my bluff. I picked up a patch of dried concrete next to the new slide and said..."If you take one more step, Mindy gets it." She took one step forward, and I threw the rock on her toes. Sure did, true story! She of course was angry. She went and told our teacher, who had it out for me. I still remember though. I got a talking to, no paddle, not even the principal. I am sure, I weaseled my way out of it. I did have a reputation of telling the truth.

Another story I like to tell about second grade, is going to the restroom. First of all, we had restrooms in our classroom. We actually shared with the class next door. I remember there were two toilets in these restrooms, and they faced each other. So you always had a pooping partner. We were in the second grade and never thought much about it. I remember my pooping partner one time was a girl name Jessie. I have no clue how we ended up in the bathroom together. If we snuck in or if we were assigned. I really haven't a clue. I do know, I had a super crush on Jessie. I flirted with her a lot, and I used my superior intellect show off in class. I don't think she realized it was all for her, but it was.

Back to Mindy. I had a huge crush on her, but she was always mean to me. I am sure it had something to do with throwing the rock on her foot. I also shoved her off of my well house at my 8th birthday party. She wouldn't jump. What was I gonna do. I broke her Jellies. Not sure if you remember these shoes, but they were the bomb dot com back in the day. She didn't speak to me for a while, but we are still good friends today.

I will say, I suppose I always had a super crush on her. I love the way she carries herself and the fact that she could beat me up. It was her confidence and attitude that was so sexy. I never realized that until recently. I didn't get it in second grade. I get it now. Confidence is a smokin' hot trait.