About 1300 square feet for a family of 11. It was tight, but I loved being so close, literally, to everyone. There was so much chaos anyway that my mom was never misguided in thinking she would have an immaculate home. We made sure of that. As did all of our friends, stray pets and an open door policy that extended to anyone looking for a meal or a place to hang.
I may not look it, but I am pretty darn tough. I grew up in East Side San Jose Yo. Take a look at my peeps, I mean neighbors.
Obviously there were no HOA's here.
I'd like to say it was nicer when I lived there, but it wasn't.
When I got married I couldn't wait to leave San Jose. Once Glenn and I settled in Temecula it's almost embarrassing how nice our surroundings are.
I am embarrassed at times at how nice my own home is. We have 5 bedrooms. We have a formal living room. You know, in case the family room is busy.
How am I supposed to toughen up my own kids when they are growing up in Beaver Cleaver land?
I guess being an oblivious, innocent kid isn't such a bad thing.
Besides, something tells me no matter how nice I try and make their life, challenges will come their way.
Good thing they have me. When you grow up with gang bangers, you tend to learn a few things.
That's so funny! I just posted about where I live. :)
ReplyDeleteGoodness Gracious that neighborhood is ghettoooooooooo. Wow, I don't even think my hood is that ghetto and I grew up in the middle of the San Fernando Valley-Los Angeles. Um, okay I'm not sure you really are that tough but I'll take your word for it. I'm always so fascinated by the choice of paint colors on these houses....hilarious.
ReplyDeleteGreat story, Marie! I grew up in a small town in NJ and still live here. Every town has it's areas like that. Sometimes we even live in them! You should see some of the "interesting" areas in Silver City,NM where we'll be living. Intersting is the safest word!
ReplyDeleteBAHAHAHAHA, so funny to look back on, not so funny when we were in it.......
ReplyDeleteAnonymous is me!
ReplyDeleteMargo glad you figured out how to not be anonymous. And Shauna, dang you outed me girl, you're right I am not that tough, but you gotta act like you got the cred because those crazies can smell fear a mile away.
ReplyDeleteI had kids trying to light my hair on fire on my way to school and I cut my foot to the bone on a broken bottle when I jumped in the public pool. I'm really glad my kids live in Beaver-Cleaver-Land! :-)
ReplyDelete"I will cut you..." ;)
ReplyDeleteYour mom must be a saint...to have 11 kids in 1300 square feet? She sounds like an amazing person.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, no matter where you go or what you do your kids will always have their own challenges. Different challenges but challenges nonethless...
Marie,
ReplyDeleteHow did you not get a photo of some of the decorating that the local citizens did to the fences, schools, and every other piece of public or private property. I can't count how many times I saw the VLT initials spray painted all over our neighborhood. Our elementary school Hillsdale now looks like a juvenille detention center fully equipped with razor wire on top. Yes, it's good to be out of the Ghetto!
Hey welcome to my blog. Who is this??
DeleteI took the photos myself. On a trip down memory lane.
DeleteHi this is Emry and Lila. He He He
ReplyDelete