okay, so you are in a conversation with  someone new, they tell ya about there stealing a piece of bubble gum.. and ask you did u ever steal anything ?.. and you share.. about one of your most notorious childhood experiences.. and they are like Holly cow.. wow

I remember, back in 1984..right after my house was burned down. I met this guywho was going to play softball with my younger sister boyfriend, which is where I was staying. I was all dressed up,because of the money the Red Cross gave me to go and buy myself some things to where. I had no where to go,so, when  someone knocked on the door, I answered it, and my life would change for what seemed at the time , better. It was a handsome guy that was not intrested in a baseball game after we met... so I was asked several questions..including will you have dinner with me, I said when he said tonight.. I told him I wanted to get over to my house that just burned down , and rummage threw what was left.. So, with that him and his friend said they would take me... and then we would go out to dinner. Well, as we approached his car.. a TR7..2 seater... he threw his keys to his friend, and told me to sit on his lap........ well, I went along , it was a short ride... and when we got there I began to go through my Albums, my boxes.. everything thrown out the windows by the firemen.. some things were salvagable... but my boots.. my leather jackets,  jewlery.. gone.. my camera, T.V ,burned.. So, as we were taliking we found out we graduated the same school, and same year.. and in fact I know his older brother.. and most of his friends.. It was weird, I remember saying oh your a red-neck,.. see, I would not look twice at you, 11 years ago, he said he knew who I was, but never said anything to me... I was a 'head',  I liked to party.... so he went of to the Marines, and I went of to  the  Party world... then we met.. and that night, he took me home to meet his mom. and moved me in...to this Beautiful home at the edge of town, in a wooded area.. so pretty.. with a pool, and jaquzzi.. and lots of rooms.. I believe 5,600 sq. ft .and my own room. Which was the stipulation for me staying there.. stay in my room at night.. of course we agreed.. untill the 2nd night, we were watching T.V and , lets just say his mom was trying to bust the door down, She is a Christian woman.. and wanted it to be a wholesome , and helpful thing she was doing for me. Well, our relationship progressed. We would go out every night to the local drinking hole, and dance and drink till 2 am, and then I would have to drive the TR7, early in the morning to get him to work... It was great for a while.. his mom bought me a bunch of vintage boots, clothes, Jackets.. everyday I came home to something new.. most of it was yard sale stuff, but she bought the best items... so, with that, we would have our arguements, and they were so loud, and crazy... He thought it would be better if we got our own TH.. so we packed up and moved into a really nice part of town, and I remeber, him saying we have a party to go to on Sunday, in West Va.  I was reluctant to go but ,I said okay.. he said there would be a bbq , and plenty to drink... so we drove to this party, with a car full of guys following us,.. 3 -4 hours up in the Mtns. and we go down this winding road, and through woods, and ....Well, we get there.. and they put the tailgate down on the one truck, and I don't see anyone.. No party.. just the few of us.. and me, the only girl... well, needless to say .. I asked what is up??.. I don't remember the whole reason.. but I was like ticked off.. I just started walking that long road.. back to a road back to our mainhwy....!! I was wearing Flip-Flops, ergh..I was so mad.. I believe they got the dates wrong, but I remember saying I am not staying up here all day with your buddies partying.. in the woods...  well, It took me around 6 hours to get down into Sterling, Va.  and I was just waliking, and my best friend was driving by, and she sees me, and picks me up.. saying she is going to Charles Towne Raceway... Well, I told her I just practically walked back for WV. but I will go... So, we went to the races, and had a great time, because she knows the horses, and some of the winners, and jockeys.. we took pictures like we were tourists!! (at the races and, on the scenic overlooks on our way there and back.).. I can only say when I spoke to my boyfriend again, we, made up.. because,, our time together, was not over for another 3 years........

New York bound, but.. stuck in New Jersey....

Okay, 1977, I moved to Reston , Virginia. I was not in school a month, when I met my first friend. She was  a tall blonde girl, with lots of jewelery, and hair like Robert Plant... We hooked up, and became good friends.. When she found out I came from New York... the 1st thought was lets go... I was so in agreement.. I wanted here to see there was a world outside of Reston,Va.. I moved down here telling my family.. I won't ever start talking like these hicks..(just for the record when I do speak to any friends of mine up North... they say 'you sound like a southern bell'...yuck..Its only Va.. not Miss....Anyway, so.. I did not care much for the Country bumpkin hick talk....but we were 2, 15 year olds, with a free spirit..... so we decided to pack up some belongings, and hitch-hike up to New York... It was the beginning of Summer Vacation, I believe we were still in anticipation of the Zeppelin Concert.. So, we headed up the road for New York... We hitched our way all the way up North w/o incident, and I introduced here to a bunch of my friends.. we stayed somewhere....lol.. and then  in the hot summer heat, we put our belongings on our backs.. at which time I wore boots that laced up to the knees.. it was to hot for them so I swung them over my shoulder, and we kept walking and thumbing..a ride.. well, we were on the New Jersey Turnpike.. and a State Trooper pulled us over and gave  us a warning not to be hitch hiking... but, we had to.. So, our very next ride was some goon,,,, he was making such crass conversation.. me and S.. looked at each other like he is crazy... See we had a plan.. She , sits in the back seat, n me up front, when and if It looked dangerous, I would open the door and get out to get help... Well, this dude  was weird, because when we got to the GW Memorial bridge, he asked us to pay the toll..... Well... we did not have it.. or so we said... well, it was really weird the next bunch of miles, but that jerk just spilt us out at the Mt Holly, NJ. exit... the ramp alone was a mile...long!!! Well , we started to get back on the Turnpike , when we saw a State trooper, and we went in reverse, up the ramp.... heading towards what we thought was a town.. I will never forget  "THE LONGEST RAMP IN AMERICA"  We were walking and walking.. looking for puddles to sip water out of... a piece of candy.. we  were so thirsty... and the road was sooooo long.. Well, out of no where a race care pulls up, buck teeth and bald.... and asks us if we need a ride?.. We were so tired and thirsty.. We told him were we walked from he said that's 5 miles back... So, he said he would get us to the nearest Howard Johnson's... and started to tell us how many woman and girls had been raped and then thrown down on the sides of this road we were on... Well, red lights going off in me and S's mind, and this goon smiling while he is telling us of these stories... I am like We need to get out of here.. It was a densely-thick wooded scenery to our right and our left, and a drain-off to the left... he was saying like this young girl was found there last week, I am like I am outta here stop the car..... Needless to say he did.. Thank-fully we were to old to big.. whatever.. we walked like 15 more miles that day for a glass of Ice water 4x's..lol, in an Ice-ceam glass- the tallest biggest glass they had) at the Howard Jonhson's, and then at Dusk, we geared up.. for a pretty uneventful hitch-hike home to Va.. To this day I never forget Mt. Holly NJ.. and the ramp.... spent a whole day there...

• So, let me start this 'Story' out with where I was born.  In , Queens, NY. I was the 4th of 5 children.  I have 2 older brothers, and 1 older sister, and one younger then me, by 3 years. My Dad, was working in a gas station , in Flushing, and we were living at my Grandparents.  It was crowed, but we ate and had plenty of toys, and a big Park across the street. My, grandfather,  suggested my Dad get into some kind of school..(especially if the babies kept coming).. So, with that he enrolled in an Electronics course, and from there the ball was rolling...Before long we were moving into a beautiful 4 bedroom house out on Long Island!! Where we had every thing you could think of.. Of  course my Mom, wanted everything too, and so, we had the best furniture, cars and boats, and a telephone in every room, even my closet.. Well, I moved from my baby sisters room to my older sisters room, when we found out we had more in common.. I began smoking cigarettes, and then pot... I was hanging out with all the older crowds anyway.. I began to have my own circles of friends.. We would all end up down at the Park.. or down to a big patch of woods, we called Mills Path.. We would ride our mini-bikes, and a few would drive there vans and cars back in there , and we would hang out for hours.. till the wee hours of the night.. No questions asked.. I know from the time I was 11,  till I was 15.. It was party-time.. I was over weight, and I was getting fatter., and my 1 older brother let me know this everyday!! From they day I found out we were moving to Virginia, I started to diet , and exempt my self from my moms dinners, and make make my own.. and I began a stiff regiment of exercise.. I was brutal..on myself.. I would ride on my stationary bike for 2 hours,(in which I remember my dad walking by a few times telling me I was going to wear my knees out), and then I would  go out walking, then to the local pool, (once we moved), and then go out and party with my new found friends.. I had lost in 65 lbs. in 6 months. I was feeling success!! And I was getting compliments and Dates!!. I look back now and see the  very poor choices I made in men , and friends.. I just thought I was so independent and unique.. Oh I was.. nobody was going this way!! I was heading downhill.. So, with the partying came a lot of obstacles, and crushing heartbreak, and heartache.. one after another.. I would not minimize the pain in my heart , but I had to move on.. and from there, I fell into, a relation ship I felt I had the upper hand in.. It took my house to burn down, and one guy  to leave me,  and that was when I met T. and his Christian Mom.. She was old and preaching a message 'of Jesus Christ'.. I was totally.. unintrestested.. Until the real bad fighting, and physical abuse on both our parts started.. I began running to her.. Then, I moved out from T and my townhouse, and was living with someone who was a dealer.. and we were busted.. I was charged with 'accomdating, and was sentenced to 6 years.. I knew something was going to change.. I messed up, I began going to a Christian Church with Mom H. I went to the alter and gave my heart to the Lord, and I prayed to quit smoking, and so on... then, I was sentenced, and thrown into a 4'by8' foot cell, with 24 smelly , and very loud,women.. Stripped of my jewels ,and all my wonderful clothes, I was given a Bible!! I understood.. I was very thankful, to hear so clear from the Lord.. I could be anywhere else, and ended up dead, or in an Asylum.. but here was a 2nd chance, and lots of time to get to the bible in English, not Hebrew, (lol).. which it had been but now the Holy Spirit was there to give me understanding, and guidance ,with all the tie in the world to read.. that's exactly what I did, with all these wild women around me, I just had to get through this . I had no idea when I getting out, but eventually, 7 months later. I was freed, midnight on Valentines Day 1990, T was waiting outside for me!!! It took a few days living at his home , that I should not be there.. so I packed up and moved, We still saw each other.. See, his testimony is also incredible, and as I had been incarcerated, he was now getting planted in the church, I was going to go to.. There he  made a bunch new friends, and I was not a real people person, so I had issues to deal with.. Well, this is where I went for the next 12 years.. and I  was out to be a shining witness for the lord.. I ended up in the Streets of New york,Times Square , and Penn Station.. the very places I was copping pot from,... I also ended up in Honduras, doing Puppetry, and Pantomime's, and street witnessing. I went to Hawaii, with Pastor Chuck Smith's Senior Pastors..Skip Hizic, and Greg Lauri, are some of the leaders I met , and started a Honolulu Calvary Chapel..I missioned on the streets of London..England < and I drove through Wales Great Britain... as well.. So, I have prayed the Lords Spirit was with me to minister to whom he was drawing near to him..I had a  time to come back to my home base church and see the deceit and although, to the pure all things are pure, I began having really bad stomach problems.. and I went for years feeling like a burden,,, I see now why I had left.. I went to the doctors, and all kinds of GI's.. and there was nothing they could find.. I stood all day cutting hair, and then I would run 3-7 miles every other day, and Rollerblade everyday for 45 minutes, and then Tae-bo, with Billy Blanks, and then ride my Mtn. bike to cool down.. So sitting still.. was not what my body did well.. so, with the pressure of jealous women, and an assortment of weird men trying to get married I left, oh ya the Pastor, married a 20 years old virgin 6 days after his wife of 30 years passed away, by the way he was like 59 at the time.. I was disturbed as well as several other families.. we, picked up roots and left..I have had 'seeping out of the wood work', many stories, from the actual victims, come forth to talk to me about other activities going on there.. I only think It was to confirm, my leaving.. I did wander, and without much 'Zest',for some 9 years.. but in the last year. I realize now at 51  why.. I am in  full pursuit.. of a much stronger, and better relationship with the Lord. I have grown in many ways, and have learned to love people and do for others, (knowing it is onto the Lord I do this, and If I get hated for doing so, I am at peace with it..) and forgive and forget, not in a 'legal' way, but in a kinder way.. I see the way I went , and I can see where "He" is leading.. 

"Burning Down the House"

I know to this day, the day that song came out.. August 24th ,1984. I had been back form Los Angeles about a year or so, and I was living with my boyfriend. Yes the one who flew out to L.A, and still the one who had tried to kill himself..  well, we had one more round to go before it would 'totally' be over.. I remember just catching him with other girls..ugh, that brings back bad memories... I even left to stay at my moms apt. and I would try 'the visit him every so often' plan.. Well, that's  when I would find someone creeping out the side door!!, I actually whipped some14 year old ass..I mean I beat the crud out of her, all the way across the front lawn, and to the main road!!! I ended up getting arrested.. and so did my boyfriend, and his friend!! Well, I remember the Police coming for me the one afternoon, and taking me way down the road.. but that night a buddy of mine picked me up on his Harley.. that's the way to get home, I remember thinking.. Well, then the next 4-5 days we found out the lil sleaze had a warrant out on those 2 guys.. So, we had to hide them in our attic, until we had a plan.. (an Attorney).. Sure enough one night, there were helicopters, and dogs, and every tree in the yard had a Cop, and a shotgun behind it.. Those cops came and busted in,with those dogs, and went straight upstairs to the attic entrance,, and they pointed there guns at the ceiling telling them to come down slowly.. and with some delay.. the ceiling door slid over, and out come these 2 big guys.. sweating.. and then the dogs were called off, and they were hand cuffed, and taken to Jail.. I had bonded out, but they could not be bonded for there offenses were 'Serious', Well, we had a speedy trial, and the 'girl' dressed like a little girl.. had all this pink crap on,and bows in her hair..  She was asked to get on the stand.. and the judge's face went from a listening 'passively' to one of shock and horror, when she opened her mouth.. Every other word was "f' this and she is a 'F'n blah blah blah, talking about me.. He just saw her real side.. and asked her how she got in my house?, and she replied she broke the window , on the side..( Well.. I be.. a monkeys uncle!!) I do believe the next words aside of : Case Dismissed!!! Were if she was ever found on my property again, I would have all rights to call 911, and have her removed.. If I wanted..!!!  Okay well, that was me , I was taken care of.. Next was my boyfriend, and his friend.. they were found guilty, but of lesser offenses, because she lied about her age to them.. and (duh) the said they believed she was 27.. (yeah) So, I stood by him the next 6 months, and he had gotten out on "work-release), So, I would go up to the barn and see him..after work.. Then, he finally got out.. We were still having a time getting along.. and I believed, by now, he had met this girl, who was a cashier at the local convient store. I went in there once and saw her just 'gleaming' when she seen  him!!! I knew something was up!! Sure enough, the next few days, I did'nt see him.. It was the end of July, and 4 days went by, and he never called or came home.. Well.. I paid the rent, and read up on the 'desertion of a lease'. I found I had rights to this contract now.. So, when he didn't show up... I could legally have him pack his stuff and go.. which he did!!!. So, a month or so later,, we were apart, and I had been cleaning up the property, and I had the Kerosene lamps professionally maintained, and refueled for winter.. and I had just gotten them back, and put them in the spare room. I rememeber cleaning the whole house..just the way I liked it.. and some freinds, called me and asked me to come out and Party.. I had not been going out.. I, just had buddys over , we would party on my front lawn.. Well, my boyfriend and I had a few ugly conversations.. He wanted his wood stove, and tools, blah blah.. I was like 'come and get it'.. He never did.. but that night, the 24 th of August, I decided to go out with these people.. We went across town. As we were at their house'partying', the stereo wires started to burn and smoke??.. I was like cut it off, and I began to diagonis the problem.. and fixed it.. That was like at 1 am.. remember that.. because at that momment , my House was in flames!! I found that out the next day.. Well, anyway, we partyed till around 5 am.., when I decided lets get me back home.. and one of the guys gave me a ride to my house.. I was walking up to the front door when I noticed these gatorade bottle , and boxes all over. I said man, he had a party while I was gone.. and as I walked through the opened front door.. I looked up, and saw the whole top of the roof, and up the steps was BURNT-UP!!!! and a huge hole was blown in the ceiling...my 2 kerosene lamps Blew-up!!! I have a photo of the 5 hour alarm fire, and 7 counties ("fire squads',and trucks.).On my front law.  I had my friend drive me up to the phone booth..(lol,  I used them alot  in the day) I called the police, and they knew who I was, and in fact said, We have been looking for you!!.A person who knew I resided there,  had come up the road, and asked about me, and when they said, there was knowbody..(litterally) in there.. she was relieved.. So, when I called they had plenty to tell me.. So, I was to go back to the house, and wait.. I made a few calls, to my boss, and  my sister, and she came immediately, and we were standing in the kitchen, which hardly burned , but, it was caked with ash, and water.. Well, I had the radio on, and thats when I hard the song...'Burning down the house"!!!.. My sister  and I looked at each other, and laughed.. I opened a bottle of champagne I had in the fridge, and I remember saying 'cheers', 'one door closes and another one opens.. And it sure did.. Later..that afternoon the Red Cross met up with me, and gave me coupons to go get clothes and and a place to stay.. I was saddened, I did'nt want to leave,, that was my home.. I had a bid garden with all kinds of Veggies.. It hit later that week, and when the Fire Marshall told me that he watched very carefully that night who was driving by the house.. Arsonists always return somewhere.. to watch there fire burn.. I was like really.. Yep.. and he saw My boyfriend , and his new girlfreind drive by.. He said he knew them from the other side of town,, and a rumor went through a party he was at the night before they had ..her ex-husband set my house on fire..!! well, more on hat later..

A Walk for a good cause....

I remember  my sister and I signing up for a Muscular Dystrophy 20 mile walk-a-thon. It was in Los Angeles, and she talked me into doing it with her. I had been partying pretty hard. I was not working out as I had once did. Nevertheless, I agreed. Well, just one note on our preparation-none.. I did not even have sneakers..  She did though. So I took a pair of stockings, and slid into her tiny(3 sizes to small) sneakers.. See , my  toes go out , and her feet turned in.. so that was a crunch, to begin with. Well, we set out for the Cerritos Comm. College, and we signed up. We had such enthusiasm, and gusto.. We were going to finish this.. and then go and but fish, and veggies at the market, and cook this great dinner!! Well, I would say about 5 miles into this my feet were hurting.. about 12 miles into this I took those sneakers off.. I walked another 2-3 miles and my stockings were shredded up to my knees, and these were knee- hi's..lol  I remember having my sister tell me to look!! Look that guy just flashed me, in that white van!! I would go to look, and he wasn't doing anything, he was following slowly, but I never seen anything.. (she always saw these guys  do odd things in there cars, to her.) I never did.. So, we seen him trying to talk to this young girl in front of us.. and we told her to walk with us,  she did until she tired out.. Well, we were starting to really feel the pain of this walk !! So, we decided when we did get home we would just make salads, with what we had in the fridge, and by the 15th mile we were saying we would slap a sandwich together, the heck with going shopping, and or tossing a head of lettuce.. Well, we were nearing the end of this walk, and my bare feet were so Sore!!! I was hobbling  so bad!! I had to finish though..20 miles is long way to go when your out of shape..to say the least!!! Well, we were down to our last mile, and we were hurting.. but, we still were starving.. so the last 5 minutes of this walk, I said we are going to call the pizza man to deliver, and I ran to the check-Out point.. with all I had in me, and signed out.. with hat I received a gift.. a key holder for my house key when I did go running.. It would slide onto my shoe lace, cool idea.. only I never did use it.Even in my most diligent days of running, and rollerblading. Well, we got into the car and I could not even work the clutch my knees, and feet were so sore!!!  I worked it though on the side of my feet.. I was determined to get home!!! We were both so sore for the w/e we did not do a thing.. I forgot about that walk.. Until I heard an ad for a 20 mile walk on the radio the other day... I would not even attempt it w/o my size sneaker, and good athletic socks!!! Later

So, I had been back from Florida, and came through that really bad relationship, and car accident. I remember saying I am done with guys' !! I even had made friends with one of 'his' (my ex's) girlfriends!! She is in fact the one who filled me in on his where abouts while I was being hospitalized, and in the following months, she told me she received roses,from him on her birthday.. 4 days before mine, in March.. I did not even hear from him.. I remember in the Spring at like 11 pm he called me asking me to meet him in Leesburg, VA about a 25 -30 minutes form my house.. I jumped up and said Id be there.. I had no money, and no gas.. I remember using a gas can with 2-3 gallons in it.. for the lawn mower, and as I was putting it my little car,I bought with some of the accident money.. my dad drove up... he was like like, Patty what are you up to?.. I told him I was going to meet tony.. he just shrugged his shoulders.. I think he thought after all I had been through , he would never be mentioned again.. So, I drove off.. into the night down a very long lonely hi-way in the late 70's.. Now.. I don't think there is a mile of land not built on... I finally get there, and waited hours, i tried to call his house, and no answer.. I was so sad.. I drove back home.. and cried..  all night.. I was still so stuck on him.. I finally, heard from him and asked him where he was.. he said he fell asleep...!!! How naive of me.. Well, I did not see him for a few months, I think we hooked up one nite, and talked and played around, and that was it for a year or 2.. I began waitressing at the local Pizza joint..I was working with Lynn, Tony's old girlfriend..after a few months she asked me to move in. She was getting an apt. around the corner.. Well, I agreed. She was a bit of a  'hyprocondract'.so she knew all the phone numbers form the EMS to the emergency room at the local hospital.. I will explain why I put that in ..So, with all the construction men, coming in for lunch.. I met this tall brown eyed ,laid back,strong as an ox guy.. We flirted for a couple of weeks, I had seen he had this loud mouthed hot tempered girlfriend.. she would be yelling real loud,when she came in to the pizzeria.. and sit next to him.. I figured I would wait that one out.. finally a day came, he was alone..with his boss.. and asked me out.. We went to the local convenient store, and bought beer. I had my stash.So, we would drive around.. and I found out he was home less.. so, we would go to my dads house, where I would let him shower, eat.. and get cleaned up. I remember, being asked to work with him, and I quit my waitressing job, to begin a career, in Landscaping.... I was making pretty good money.. and believe me , I earned it..but I loved being outside..  this company.. STM Landscape and designs.. was totally the Company to be with in 1979-, 1980,1981,1982 we had every apt complex in Reston .and Herndon, and most of the Hotels, and Big businesses.. We did it...all. We lived and partied hard.. I found us a Lil shack in the back end of town, I mean literally, it was an old chicken coupe, and my landlord looked like Uncle Fester from the Addams family..lol.. I mean the dark circles and the big fur collar,on his coat.. I laughed.. ,but the rent was just right.. $225.00 a month.. Well, I left my Fathers beautiful 4 bedroom 4 bath, Cathedral ceiling, and all the privacy I could want.. for an old Shack.. Which I found out one night, my boss was going through the hallway.. and I tickled him from behind in his ribs and he jumped and fell into the wall laughing.. and busted the wall up!! And there were chicken feather flying everywhere.. we looked inside laughing our buts off, and the chickens wire was all inside the wall.. Also, when you see the picture of the house I took for a photography class, you can see where he built onto it.. , Wow.. he is a rich man..he had several other properties.. too.So, the year of me trying to make a house a home.. I gave it all I could.. with all my prized positions, and my boyfriends few things.. I had the usual battles.. I wanted a clean house..It caused so many arguments.. I through  a lighter at the slob one night at dinner and the kitchen table was on me the next thing I knew.. what a mess.. for a bout 2 years.. I was so high one nite, and I met up with my friend Lynn.. and she was in her apt. and said she could use  another person, well.. it was November, I packed up my belongings, and me and my pick-up truck set on 10 miles down the road.. I remember it began to snow.. and it was cold.. we had a wood stove.for heat.. and some electric heaters.. I remember saying I left my dad's beautiful home,with Central heating and A/c for this?.. I had to go,, This could not be my life..So, I packed up and moved into  this apt. I was going out to the K-mart after I unpacked my room, when I see in  my headlights, my boyfriend standing at the corner of my Apt. complex..in the Snow!! He was holding something.. So, I stopped to pick him up. I said get in the truck.. are you alright? He was not..he was furious, and sad.. He could not believe I just up and left.. I said it'll be okay.. I just need to be on my own.. I asked what was in the box, he said a pool stick.. he was going to shoot pool.. I said "oh yeah?' Let me see.. It was a gun !! I was like what are you doing with that.. he said nothing I was just going to have it for protection...... Well. I took him home the house, and I it was real empty, and I told him again, and again it will be fine.. I even tucked him in.. kissed him goodbye and headed to k-mart.. I then headed home too.. Well, around 5 am I get a phone call.. saying faintly, it was my boyfriend, saying his brother-in-law shot him , and to call an ambulance!!! I was like what, why?.. and the phone went dead!! I was like Jo, can you call an ambulance, and I will meet you over at the house.. well like I said earlier..she knew the numbers.. for some reason I don't think 911 was an option then.. So, I got to the house in a flash, and his car was running.. and the windshield was all shot out. and the door to the car was opened, I looked in and seen the 22 rifle laying on the floor , and what a bloody mess it was.. so I ran up to the front door, and more blood, and the keys were still in the door knob, and,and the door was opened, and ran inside, and there was no electric.. I went looking for him. I went into the kitchen and the phone was on the floor and in the moonlight I see blood all over the handle of the phone, and down the wall.. and as I get to the bedroom, I hear him moaning.. I was like what happened?? !! He said Tracy,(his sisters husband) a PCP, and drug user..who never really liked either of us.. Well.. I was looking for some wound when the policeman came in and turned him over and shined the flash light on the 2.. bullet holes.. 2 entry wounds, and one exit wound.. not good.. through his intestines..what a sight to see.. well.. they took him out on a gurney, and we rode to the hospital..It was hours, and hours before I seen his mother.. mind you she did not like me either to say the least.. She is a Jehovah witness, and was fighting him receiving blood.. Well, I had been living with him and I said the heck with that .. I signed a form and said to do what you gotta do.. and I remember her pacing with with me in the same hallway , telling me I did not love him.. I though you rude woman.. you don't love him, here you are denying him the care that will make or break  his survival.you don't love him..I was point blank mad!! Well, the Doctor came out to talk to us, and said he is doing fine, still critical he lost some of his intestines, and a bullets was found in his lower back.. I finally got to go in an see him.. he was white as a ghost, and lost so much blood.. he must have weighed 125 pounds!! From a well built 225lbs. to 125.. I was so shocked.. Well, he going to have a bag tied to his side for around 3 months.. So, I talked to him, and he secretly told me he felt bad, and that he had inflicted this himself.. Although the police were in route to Tracey's house.. By the time they talked to him he was cleared anyway.. he had an established alibi. Plus, the the windshield was shot out, not in.. Our neighbors came forth and said the heard 2 shots in the back woods.. around 11pm that night.. the gas station at the Dulles airport turnaround, also put a call in at 10pm saying that there was someone in his car description that got gas and did not pay.., then a bartender.. who served him like 122.00 dollars worth of whiskey noticed he walked out on his bill.. So the pieces where coming together to solve this tragic story.. It was a cry for help!!.. So, I spent the next probably 5 months helping him get back to health, and before I knew it.. he was his anawry self.. In fact he was living at his sisters apt.. downtown Herndon, where years earlier, this black guy jumped out on my front wheel of my bike, and asked me my name, I said Kathy, and he said yeah, yeah your the girl who ratted my cousin Kieth Scott out..! I was new to area.. I said NO-Way.. I did not.. I don't even know him. and with that he punched me so hard in my eye!!! I just freaked ,and through my 10 speed so hi up in the air.. cursing this state... ( my bulldog of a sister, saw my black eye, and went out to hunt that guy down, in a 'bbbaaaad' section of town.. I only had to pass the opening of this complex to get into town.. so, I thought I would be safe.. well, an Attorney saw the whole thing from his desk,window, and ran to my aid.. Well, years later here I am going in there to visit my boyfriend.. who eventually found a girlfriend in the complex.. I went off to party, but months later we got back together.. , then.. I went to Los Angeles.. then I came back again.. and then he found a girlfriend, and burned down the house I was living in...that my friends is next..

Running the Streets..Queens Blvd.,Jamaica Ave..at midnite...

Lets see 1973-74. I was 13-14 years old. and my I had a friend whose Dad lived in Forest Hills, NY. We  would go every weekend . She had been born and raised there so she had a bunch of close friends. Once her parents divorced,  she moved to the town I was in. That's how we met.. She was a Big girl, and Tall too.. and we met in class, and became good friends. So, we would go into the city, and hang-out under the train tracks. Smoking, and drinking Colt 45's.. and Strawberry Knots Farm  wine..(yuk).. Hanging with our buddy's, Frankie, and Tony and Steve.. My friend liked Steve. SO he was off limits.. not only to me but any girl that looked his way.. Many  of times.. fights would break out. !! We weren't afraid.. We should have been.. Those streets were just as mean as they are now.. There were guns, but mostly in my circles were Knives..(Stiletto) and billy-clubs, and of course 'good ole fists..' . Well, I remember  what we used to call, and still do, 'running territories'.   Our hang-out at night was 2,3 certain territories away form  the apt. complex we  stayed in.. So, we through a tantrum sorta speak to want to sleep on the fire escape.. do you believe this. It was a couple of floors up, and we would  say we were going to sleep out there, and put our pillows and blankets out there, and when her Dad would go to sleep,  We, would lower the metal ladder down, and run !! We would run through these blocks ,without much of a problem till we hit Frankie's, and Steve's neighborhood, and then go to the Forest hills dome.. and hang!! We would Smoke, and make out .. and just clown around.. and then run back to the stairs, and raise them up, and go to sleep..Out on the fire escape.. Did not matter what the temperature was.. It was about risk, and taking it.. We survived,..lol. On certain rainy mornings, we would go down to the Delicatessen under the train tracks and meet our buddies, and hang there all day.. The train going by over head, and the smell of the city bring memories back when I think about those careless days I spent there.. Running Territories....

My brother ...

I have a brother..who NEVER liked me very much.. In fact, he hated me so much ,I could not even set his plate, fork, or silverware at the dinner table. I was not allowed to touch his 'stuff' . He called me names that would just wound me.. I would cry, and my parents if they heard this railing going on ..would intercept.. and tell me not mind him.. or don't give in , that what he wants!! Oh my god.. It hurt so bad.. I remember 2 times in my life, he had to make a decision to save my life.. I went to Gibbs pond to go Ice skating.. and it was cold, and everyone was there.. skating and laughing.. I remember him waving me over to him.. and being curious and (stupid) I  skated over there. and in a flash I FELL through the Ice... All I remember seeing is the murky ,yellow, and greenish water around me As I was going down.. it was so cold on my hands and face.. and I was in shock.. and kicking to get back up.. I stopped kicking, and I see that murky water, and roots with fuzzy goo on them,, I am raising my hands reaching for the area I fell through at, and that when my brother grabbed my hand and began to pull me up!! I believe several people grabbed me.. and as soon as I was up and out i headed for the nearest secure ground, and took those skates off and ran home crying.. I was so cold, and and upset.. I never skated on ice, ever again.. needless to say!!..It was  another time ,out on the Long Island Sound.. My parents would leave us , after meeting my Uncle and his wife where the Connecticut Sound meets the Long Island Sound, and for hours we would be out there swimming, and  jumping of the bow of the boat.. In the middle of the Ocean!! Well, I had hurt my middle toe some weeks before, and It was starting to come off.. Well, wouldn't you know I was swimming , and the tide was rushing out.. and I was being pulled out with it.. I was a good swimmer for like a third grader.. and so I was kicking and paddling anyway I could to get back to our boat, when I had to holler.. Help me.. my toe nail is falling off, and   it hurt so bad ,I could not move my foot.. And I needed that leg to help get me back in.. to the boat.. There was no land.. We were out in the Sound.. (awesome on any other given day).. Well, I can honestly remember my brother acting like he's thinking about saving me.. Do you believe this , I was scared by this time, and pretty far away form the boat, no life vest, no rope.. I am floating seriously out to sea.!!! I remember crying ..his name, saying you gotta help me.. , and I think he thought , I better have my little sister her when my parents return, .. so he jumped in and swam out to where I was, and grabbed me by my neck, and head locks me, and swims us back to the boat, and as so as we got up the ladders, he riped that nail off my toe... and was so mad at me.. It was not good.. But I had to calm down.. It was a very 'shaky' thing, to think I could have been ..Floating out to sea!!!

Always wanting more!!!

So, let me start with the fact that my bedroom was my favorite place to hang out.. It is where I would go and , be surrounded by my cool  "things'.  I had acquired a ton of items from the Mall..  !!..I had a huge box of Jeans, I had just walked out of a store with time after time.. Vests, and denim shirts, and Levi jeans.. , So, when I began to lose weight, I began giving them all to my Uncle.  We were getting ready to move to Virgina, and I did not want to fit into a waist 34...ever again. Well, when we arrived here in Va. I found it hard to adjust.. at 1st. My older sister and I found each other roaming the halls at the High School, after the bell rang.. for Homeroom, on the 1st day, and said lets get the H**l outta here.. So, we looked for the tall bldg, near our Town homes, and started to hike towards it.. just complaining..how  dumb this place was.. for it country bumpkin ways.. lol.. I do believe we were looking for a good excuse to cut classes.. It was'nt long after that , I met my friend, in the Study hall.. She introduced me to her friends, and we all got "high" so we all had something in common. Then she introduced me to this one girl, we were talking, and she let us know her father was 'doing things' to her.. Well,  basically she wanted to get him back, by having someone 'Steal all his worldly possessions..' Well, me and my girlfriend agreed.. !! We would break into there beautiful home, on the out- skirts of town, and steal his cameras, and 'teli -photo' lenses and whatever else we could grab!! Well, we set this whole ordeal up, and wrote out 2 copies of an agreement, with a map and directions:: on where to get the spare key.. and we had her sign..these 'contracts'. We even had this other friend..set up an appointment with some people downtown , Arlington, Va.  and have these item sold, on  the night we actually had the stuff. Okay that was near the beginning of 10th grade.. Well, we hung out that September, Oct. November, Dec. Jan Feb.March. April,  Let see , May was the Led Zeppelin Concert.. And then in June on the last day of school.. We , met and that morning at school, and said lets go for it.. today!! We made a call and had this stuff sold.. I heard, in the amount of  some  $14,000.00 dollars.. yahoo!!.. So, we 'siked' ourselves out .. and called our ride.. and we  went home and dressed in dark clothes, I put a pair of moccasins on.. to run really fast. If I had to.. Well , we had our ride drop us off at the back end of the property, we had to go through a good patch of trees, and  bushes.. and then there was some 'barb wire' fence.. and as I got my one  foot over the fence, We both saw a Bull.. a very eager, and angry looking bull.. I just got my one foot back over , when I said Run.!!. Just Run... and so, we ran ' like the wind' too!!!, those moccasins were great for running, and through the briar's, and thorns I did n't  feel a thing.. Well, we made our way up to the front door..  there was no key So we went around to the back door.. there was a coat hanger holding the door closed.. so we busted it off.. and proceeded to go inside..We put all the projectors, and cameras, and tri-pods by the door, and went up these spiral steps to the bed room, . We found Jewelry boxes, and we just dumped them on the  huge 'round bed' , and used the' bed spread' as a carrier.. Then, My friend, said lets  get the '6 ft.tall 'Pevi'  Amps, and we carried 2!!!! of them down those spiral stairs.. and out the back door to a creek. We put the bed spread of items there too.. I saw a 55 millimeter lens and a 35 millimeter camera, and threw that over my shoulder..and covered it on my shoulder with my faithful Indian fringe jacket I had worn.. Well, when we finally finished the list of items, we were waiting on our ride, and ,finally he came and we piled Acoustic guitars, and most of the big equipment in the station wagon, and for some reason we , ended up walking out to the front of yard,on the main road!!  While , he, drove on.. to a secluded place we had, to stash the stuff till that evening.. Well, we were seen, by a neighbor , a brunette and a blond..,..we were seen,  Because, that night while eating dinner the phone rang.. It was my Friend .. saying the Police were there and wanted to talk to my parents!! I hung up.. Well, she called and again , and said Pat, just tell them what and how this came about, and show them the signed letter..they are on there way over !! I was like Holy Cr**p!!!  .My Father was so pissed!!.. He all of a sudden knew.. where my stash was, and grabbed those carved boxes, and told me to empty them down the toilet, and then told me to get rid of my 6 ft Pot plants.!!. He did' 'say  to burn them'.. but I couldn't do that..and I said so..  So I dug a whole about 2ft long and wide in the woods by our Town house, and I bent them all up to fit in there, and even remember saying ' I would be back for you  later'.. So, about 45 minutes later, the FFX County, Police showed up....Well, I explained the deal, and showed the letter..to them, and my Dad.. And with that, they said our 'stories did match , and that was saving us.. Apparently the girl told her older sister what she had planned, and so since we had not done the robbery.. all year long ,she figured we weren't going to do it.. So, they knew all about it..and told us ,she was a sick girl..and the father , I was told had her committed.. I only think, he won again.. because she ended up going away for some 20 years.. to a 'loney House'.. Well, as for all the stuff.. I don't remember having to recover it all. There were items on the creek bed in there back yard, there were items on a hill at the Lake.. where we all hung out at.. Never the less.. We got away with it.. I was not allowed to see my friend again for the rest of the summer..and that is where I just stayed home and Exercised, and ate right, and, I lost another 25 lbs, so by the end of summer, My friend called me and said come on out , lets just meet and go an Party, and so we did meet on the golf course, and she said, she did not even recognize me!! I had gotten so thin.. I was like, I finally did it.. got rid of that weight.. and I went out and "Partied"..1977-78!!

In conclusion to my 'Dental Post' !!!

I just want to THank Dr. Swanson.. He finally got me my two front teeth . I ahve been waiting , and waiting for.. !! Thank you !! Okay.. I just had to post that.. Dr. Swanson, Southpoint Dental Group.. in Massoponax, Va. Well Done...

Talk about Drunk-Driving.....

• I was working for a Roofing company, about 2years. That was after I realized..the winters got to cold to landscape.. and  cut firewood and sell it. I just walked into the office of this roofing company and  I was hired !!! To Roof'. I never did this before, but I needed to work.. and a 9-5 job indoors just did 'nt get it for me.. ever.. not then and still.. So, I was welcomed aboard.. and I met the crew. I began working with Hot Tar..'built up roofs'  We had been all over D.C ,Maryland, and Northern Va. I was pretty strong..or so I thought..I went to put the huge mop in the bucket of 250 degree hot tar, and pull it out..I could not even it lift it let alone swab it on the plat form of insulation!!!! Well... I could not let that happen again..I have some proving to do.. I work with a bunch of men, and most of them  are 3rd generation roofers.. I will get to that point in  a minute.. So.. I gave it all I could.. and by the 3rd week into this job.. I was lifting that mop up and out of the bucket like a pro.. !! Which leads me to the pro'  This one guy had been roofing some 28 years.. his father, his fathers father.. his brothers.. Well, here he goes on this Hot summer day.. it was like 95' degrees on the ground, so it was like 110 up on the roof.. I remember buying a chocolate milk to drink with my lunch.. and Greg looked at me like .. Your not going to drink that now are you..I was like sure ..I love chocolate milk !! Well,  he says ' in 30 min utes your going to go home sick.. that is going to curdle in your gut..in no time up there.. Needless to say I did not drink it.. That made so much sense.. So, that day.. we are in Reston, Va. and Greg goes to get his mop out of the bucket.. all of us are working as usual, and We here a yelp.. and turn to it.. and it is him..with a crap load of Hot Tar all over his front . From his chin down he was burning.. and we  climb down, and go into the business and call 911... The EMS, did not even take his shirt off.. they said it had melted into his flesh... Yikes... Well, around the next 100 degree day.. I got back to the office and told Dave, my boss.. I just don't think roofing is for me.. "I need my feet back in the grass' lol.. I asked is there anything in the supply yard I could do.. ? Well, he said I think we can find something for you.. I began the next few weeks working around the yard ..I am a great organizer.. I fixed hie yard up of all the tools , and roofing materials.. I began ordering, and soon the 2 people in the office who were not really doing much of anything, were fired, and I became his sole 'Office Manager' I did Payroll, for his crews..22-30 guys.. I went to seminars to retrieve information on new tools,and so on..Well, this one time , I was asked to go to Fredricksburg, Va. - Holiday Inn, right off 95 south..Ironically, now that is the area I live in now... Well, I was told to bring a friend,go grab this'roofing information', and have lunch and drinks on his business credit card...Wow.. this was going to be good. In that year,1981-82, Fredricksburg was like a 2 hour drive..and pretty desilent..hi-way road.. Well, me and my friend sandy.. headed off.. We finally got to the exit, went into the seminar, grabbed everything on these Tremco.. products and left for the Bar , right through the lounge.. Well we hit it right at Happy Hour !!  3 for 1's a $1.95 !! Jack Daniels and diet cokes with 2 cherries!!!! # at once, and they were some pretty big drinks.. let me tell you.. So, there we were for hours shooting pool, and drinking and so forth..( please read my book, when published to get the full story..) lol This is family oriented blog.. So, we were so blitzed. Then Sandy said she was going home to get her check book.. I was like okay.. I am staying and going to finish my table of drinks!! I had a few round bought for me too.. I was intending on drinking them too.. so about midnight, I did not see Sandy, and I was ready to head back home.. and go to her house, way in the country to see is she made it.. Well, All I remember about 95 north was I laid my head on my arm..I had a Ford PU with a couch seat.. SO I put my arm up and laid my head on it, with my eyes blurred, and half a sleep.. I remember waking up once to see this hugh mac truck in the right lane.. and the next thing I remember I pulled up in Sandy's driveway ,you did not go up all the way, fro her boyfriend shoots then asks questions.. I knew him well.. So i stood up on my door way of my truck and hollered Is she here.. awhile he pointing a gun.. He said Yep.. I  just got in my truck and drove another 30 minutes.. to Reston to my mom;s apt.. and fell asleep.. I was so lucky!! to say the least.. Many a  time.. I stayed up for days one time.. and showed up for work, and I remember having to type contracts.. I was so snow blinded.. As soon as my boss left, I went home.. too.. It was like a year later, I would be packing to move to California..

Beauty School Days.....

I remember,once Larry and I got back into town,  looking for a beauty School to transfer to from Los Angeles.  I ended up in an  Arlington, Va.  Beauty Academy.  My hair was a scary ,Orantang orange.. in fact when Larry was looking for a brunette at the airport,in L.A, he said he 'freaked' when he saw it was me with this funky orange hair..screaming his name out .. but he was so shakin' from his first 'Airplane ride' that he did 'nt care what I looked like at that moment... he was so scared.. the Flight Attendants gave him free beer, and a little set of wings, and even let him sit in the cockpit with the Pilots... that would not happen today!! So, then we drove home in my souped up Pick-up truck..and it was here that I finally found a blond color to tone that horrible color down.. I was drinking pretty heavy at the time, Diet cokes and Rum-( A Qebra-le bra? They called it in the 80's.. I met my new drinking buddy  Mary. We would meet early in the morning and start drinking..the bottle we had,at like 10 am.. on my days off.. and then end up at the local Bar. Continue till the am hours.. go home and get up and do it again.. I fit my School in , and a morning -afternoon shift at the Holiday Inn as a waitress . I remember being in Theory, and reading my Cosmetology book, downing little bottles of Jack Daniels. (hee-hee) I passed all my tests.. Then I would meet Mary and we would drink, and dance and party!! Until,  I started another job waitressing at night , Too.. At the Golf and Country club of Fairfax, Va. I was in 5th gear!!! and in my early 20's. I can even remember sending lots of those people off with a To-go cup!! with whatever they were drinking.. , I would 'nt  be able to get away with that today either... So, I was getting to my am job at 5;30 am start the coffee pots, and get ready for a breakfast crew.. which by the way this is the restaurant I served the Redskins, and Steelers at.. I would then clean up, and get ready for the lunch rush.. and run home, right around the corner, and change into my white uniform, and go to Beauty school, some 45 minutes towards D.C and get out of there and go to my other waitressing job, till around midnight most of the week.. . Somewhere in there Larry and I were having problems.. and I ended up  with a DUI.. 2.6 bal.(blood, alcohol level) I don't remember even getting punished,  harshly for it... So, then I got another one ..that was a mess.. I had a wad of green apple gum in my mouth, and the cop was taking the glass case off of the breathing machine on his desk( that's how old the machine was..) he removed the glass, and moved the needle ..I was like wut the hell are you doing..? Needless to say, when court day came.. he could not even find my paper work.. and the Judge dismissed it.. The cop was so frazzled.. I left.. I still see him looking through his papers. just bewildered... ..lol.. I was then stalked by  the Herndon Police.. I mean I would be on my way to K-mart, and be pulled over.. and for ridiculous stuff.. like having a object dangling on my rear view mirror, like speeding 3miles per hr. over the speed limit. I had a list so long,,and one day I was on my way to K-mart, and this one cop.. comes up be hind me, and he has done this like 3 times.. and I wrote those times down,, and  this time I am not even a 1/4 of a mile form home, and he uses his speaker and says 'PULL OVER MISS DIDONATO-- NOW!!  I believe he said it 2-3 times.. I had to find a place to pull over  off the road, and he comes up screaming at me.. and asks for my name..duh.. and my license.. and he grabs it from my hand, and says if your license is suspended You know I know where you F'n live... and he walks away to go check it again for the forth time that 3-4 month period.. of my life.. Then he hands it back to me calling me names.. and makes me sign my tickets which were so bogus!!  See my house was right on a border of 2 towns... Loudon, and Fairfax.. and they knew the house was a party house.. but I would leave the property to go to the shopping center.. , innocently.. and get pulled over, that year I was in and out of court 26 times!!! That cop gave me a ticket ,for something.. but I went in and defended my self..I was so pissed reading everything I documented, and that Judge knew I was truthful, and said 'Waht is going on here? to the cop.. and told me I was free to go, and I found out later that cop was reprimanded,.. and on  review.. Man he just exhausted me.. that year. Well, then  I in my beauty school, struggling to make ends meet, looking around I seen all the Vietnamese, and Spanish girls with these new Uniforms, and gold dripping from them.. and at lunch time they would bring lil' ovens and crock-pots filled with food, for a feast.. and here I was in  thrift store used uniform... Well, I made friends with these 2 girls.. and one day, the one girls asked me to 'get' her a perm.. and in my white uniform I put one in my pocket, and the girl told on me !!!! I was caught!!!  I tried to say I was going to pay for it, but the girl already told them  she saw mw steal it... I was literally Expelled.. there was No-way I could go back.. that lil' B... I ended up.. working full-time.. and having to pay that School, for the months I had remaing.. in order to get my hours. I was stuck. see if I did n't give them the 3500.00 hundred, I would not recieve my credit hours.. What a mess..  I remeber saying a 10 month course , turned into a 2 year nightmare!! So, I worked my azz off.. I also sold my Pretty Black FOrd, PU Truck... and paid that school off, and enrolled in another School, closer to D.C then the other one..I borrowed, some money from my Dad..again, and found a little ford pu truck.. and paid $2,000.00 bucks for it.. now remeber I have had driven, all kinds of cars and ran heavy Equipment.. I knew about engines.. and so forth.. and this one time I put that much on a vehicle.. and it stops working after a few weeks, that just pissed me off to the max!! Some  'older'  guy seemed  like he could be anyones Dad.... ripped me off !!! So, I bought a new engine from Blue-chip , and I had a friend put it in, and I drove that for a round 30 days, because when it stopped running.. I called the Engine people up, and and they said my 30 day warranty was up....   a day ago!!! So, I sold that to  the mechanic.. and he got it running. and drove it for a long time afterwards.. I would see it in the church parking lot.. many years.. We have since left that church.. I see his wife on Facebook.. and they left around the same time I did.(thats a whole nother chapter.. So, I began that new Beauty Acedemy, and I was flying through the chapters, and the Practical work.. my Instructors were real fun, and not so uptight... I have  a well kept secret.. I may reveal later.. about  the ending of my School Dramas.., and the beginning of  a new Job in the Hair Industry.. I will put it this way the President of the Acedemy. was arrested  a month later for stealing &4,000.00 and trying to make it look like a robbery, when she got out of her car at the 7-11.. leaving the bank bag in her car.. but it all came around, and pointed to her... So, I read about it in the Washington Post... Let's just say I am glad to have gotten my Diploma, and so I began working..for Salon in Sterling,Va. It was there that I would really learn how to cut and design Hair!!!..REally..okay later!!

Hanging-out at the Park....

We had the Smithtown Park, right around the block from our development. Each night we would get all dressed up, and go and hang-out till all hours of the night..it is there that I smoked pot for the 1st time.. way up on a hill with  my best friends older sister.. not the one I was a kleptomaniac with, and not the one I took off for Florida with.. the other one.. She was a fighter..  the other sister... she had 3 older sisters.  Almost every time we hung out she would get into a fist fight with some -one, and I mean this little woman would deck someone out - to the ground in a matter of seconds.. I had  seen some of the biggest and toughest go down. I seen her jump up from behind and pull them down and punch the living day lights out of the person..It was okay at the time.. so long as you weren't on the receiving end.. At which one time I was.. I have no idea what we were in an argument about, but on a corner in front of my house we met there after a phone conversation lead to us meeting out front there, and  I brought a bat.. I knew she was a heavy hitter.. and we came face to face before I could even get in a swing position she punched me so hard in the jaw.. I was seeing stars.. I got all heated up and , basically astonished she hit me..She saw how I took it too.. and then we started to talk, and just walked off together as best friends to the park.. Like nothing ever happened.. That night we hung out in the Park lights.. with our regular friends.. I had a crush on this one guy..  I found out  he was a lot older then me, and already hooked on hard drugs.. He drove this big dark blue Caddy.. and his cute younger brother.. turned out to like me.. I would be about a 189 lbs.. at the time, and he asked me for my phone number... he was so cute, but I had never been really on a date.. So the night I was supposed to meet him, I was so nervous,, and my sister helped push me through this.. Even with the help form my sister,, and the reality of a first DATE...I walked really slow up to the corner.. just hoping I would be late.. I was  there and waited about 3 minutes and started for home.. really fast.. I was not going through with it..I mean I am like 12 -13 years old.. I am a party -rock-n roll girl, not that " frilly girly' dating type.. Wow that took the pressure off... So, I went home got undone.. and went to the other corner where my other buds were hanging , and partied there in Mills Path the rest of the night. I eventually went up to park and bumped into  that one guy..  we did not bring up the issue.. Life went on as usual.. I had another crush on a guy.. but he had a girlfriend.. she never hung out with us.. but I meddled my way into his crowd.. and I just remember being near him every second of every night, that I even heard him tell his buddies that"everytime he turned around She was there" pointing at me.. I turned red.. and left.. I was ..so embarrassed. He liked my friend Vanessa.. so I would hang-out with her and we three would walk home.. So I guess I felt I could hang out in his circle of people..he was actually a lot older then me and some of my friends.. I was just all over back then.. I just hung with who ever.. And attached myself at several points to any group , and then moved on.. It was like that for years.. The girls who would get punished would call me over , and we would get high.. and hang out all night in there rooms.. Then when they were off there punishment I would not here from them, and I would see them hanging out.. Well, that was life ..

Marshall Tucker Concert....

Well, it was going to be my 15th birthday present , to myself.. I bought tickets for the Marshall Tucker band. The Original Band. My 2 friends and me were hitch hiking to the same Arena some 20 miles away, and it was March, still a little frosty up North, at the time.. Well, we planned our trip..  and headed out early. We had gotten their so early we were right up against the stage.. Well, when the band came out and the lights started flickering..Woo-hoo!! It was great!!!  When they played "Can't you see?" the best song ever, , and then Fire on the Mountain..  We were right there, and I don't remember how it came about.. but I put my friend on my shoulders, as we sang and danced.. and the lead singer put his  Cowboy hat on her head.. and at least 15 -20 minutes we were dancing and cheering.. wearing his hat.. I know we gave it back.. and just were in awe.. See the stage was only 4  feet high, so that is why we were so close and at a level to place a hat on her head !!! Well, I do believe we left  and made it home w/o incident.. as opposed to my last concert there.. The sad thing is after that concert all 3 of the Marshall Tucker Band brothers had passed away in some form or another.. I  am sure at the time it made news, , but some how later, way later I found out right after that concert  one by one.. How sad for there mom.. I remember thinking , when I read the Bio.. I just have a good memory of the best 15 th  birthday.. ever..

Easy Money..

Which leads to my next story... my aunt had been working, and still living at home.. I would go in her room while all the adults were down stairs. One time my little sister was with me, and we had our new favorite 'colorforms' present ,  we had gotten at Xmas time. I,  had seen the nightstand draw opened a little bit, and I opened it to find 50's and 20's and 1',just  piled up on top of each other,  and I just had to have it.. So I opened  up the box and took the guts of the game out, and filled it up with all kinds of cash. Then my lil sister was was playing with hers, and I took it.., and opened it up, and filled it up with 50'and 20's...and closed it all up. We rode home to the Island, 45 minutes, and just knowing we knew what we had.. I was in like 2nd grade, and she was in maybe kindergarten.. She did not even ask me for a dollar, of it.. So , I put 4 one dollars bills in this lime green wallet my mom gave me in the past, and then I gave my friend  a $5,00 dollar bill. I put the wallet under a pillow in the living room.(no kids  room) . I went to school.. I remember just thinking My mom is going to vacuum or take a nap on that couch, and find my money..So my stomach was turning all day.. Well, when I did get home, I found it there and untouched.. Shew, I made it through those hours. It wasn't until After midnight, our phone rang.. and my Dad, came in my room, and in the moonlight, he was asking me where  I got $5.00 dollars to give her?, and I was like oh crap.. she told on me.. Then my dad said we would talk about it in the morning.. my stomach turned all night long.. What in the world did she do? I kept asking myself.. Well, by morning my Dad  told me She had it in a book, and as she walked into her parents room it fell out... and her parents asked where she got it from, and she told them what I told her.. Well, I had a horrible day at school, and when I came home my dad had me hand over the money, and explain what, and how I did get it.. it was returned to my Aunt.. and I never did turn over the 4 bucks in the green wallet.. I think I bought wax teeth with it.. lol, and my family would just forget that it ever happened.. Except..till this day my brothers, and one of my sisters would still think I am a thief.. But my one sister thought I dated truck drivers all my life also... Wrong!!, and one brother thought I was binging and throwing up my food , if we were out to dinner, and I just wanted to got freshen up in the bathroom.. he made a comment to my little sister ,about my throwing up my dinner.. and my sister stuck up for me.. and said "no , Patty likes her food to much to do that" I was like wtg ,  sis, when she told me what he said.. Later he would see, I dieted and exercised to lose and keep my weight down.. Well, where I should have been punished for what I did ..I did 'nt.. It may have scared me straight, but getting away with things like that.. proved to me that the paths I took in life were going to be very risky, and criminal..
Nevertheless.. a learning experience.. Crime does not pay.. I tried, and tried.. but I see, and have seen it first hand.. It takes some people a longer time then others.. and some ppl already know... I am like good for them... They have shown me..by example.I am impressed!!

Why were my Parents so 'lax'..??

I have been asked recently.. (and many a times in the past..and, I even asked my self.).Where was my mother.. while I was trapsing the niebor hood.. I really knew the answer.She was pms'ing on the couch, this  way before Midol.  Asprin, and wine..were the only things available,and they had just baley got her throuhg it.. So, I would just leave her alone and go play!!! And those later years, where we basically had no "curfew' I was told many stories, on how my parents were not trusted as young children, and in fact, beatenat the drop of a hat. So, when my parents became parents they made a pack not distrust us, and be nosey.. and believe me, they weren't!!! They should have beat us, and pryed ,I agree now with diciplining. My Dad was a man who would talk, and raise his voice , where you knew he was pissed, I did fear him,, He would take back hand me from time to time, and chase me up the stairs,I would be doing one step as fast as I could and he would be skipping 2-3 steps to catch up to me.. I was sad, because I got cauhgt cutting  class, or saying something stupid at the dinner table, after he would ask about a situation that came up.. But they did not snoop.. I had a room filled wiht all kinds of "party paraphnelia, and it stayed left alone for years.. The one story my mom told me was how she would have to wear these clothes my granmother laid out for her, and then, Grams would go to work, my mom would change into something she liked, and tassel up the other clothes, and throw them into the dirty wash basket.. and be dressed in her after school, clothes by the time gramma and pop got home.. One time my mom shaved her eyebrows, and widows peak, the evening of her Prom, and my grandmother beat her with pots and skillets, in a rage, and ended  up taking her to the beauty parlor to get them drawn in.. My mom.. never questioned my taste, and wants in clothes.. We would take a credit card and go shopping, and I would get my boots, and jeans and cool shirts.. (And yet, I still wrote my Dads, parents,, and asked them for money for school clothes..) well that backfired, when they showed up one w/e to tke me out shopping.. I did not want them to buy anything, so I refused to like anyhting at the mall.. I just wanted the cash...

Born a Brunette!!!!

So, since I was young, I can remember bleeding brakes, on the Ford Station wagon, with my Dad, and making sure on the rainiest dark and cloudiest days going to our boat, and pumping the bilge.. Grease under the fingernails was yet to come.. I would listen to every word any of my older guy friends had on keeping a car, truck, or motorcycle in great running shape!!.. I learned enough.. to keep my vehicles running and in great shape.. The only things I would need from  a garage was a front end alignment, and an Inspection sticker.. I even was able to Time my trucks..back in the day.. I used to say, a lot, Ford built his trucks so even a woman could work on em!!! You name it from Solenoids, to Freeze plugs.. I could change it, and whenever something did go wrong I knew what it was.. And anyone Else's car ,for that matter... shocked a hell of alot of men over the years..that was just fun!! Note; many times I was broke down in the middle of nowhere.. and cars would just race by me.. So, if I wanted to get anywhere I would have to figure it out,in order to get moving, So, you see, many blonde's don't know whats under there hood, or did nt in those days, But had I been a blonde I would have had a better chance of getting help.. except for this one instance:
              I remember breaking down on a trip to Roanoke ,Va.. at like 1 am , I thought I would just drive this lil' truck down there, and back,,I had just bought it, used had it painted Black, just like my big truck I bought in LA. (had to sell her,so I could live and go to  Beauty School) So, I bought a another one just smaller...and here I was on the Interstate, in November.. and she popped so loud, and cut off.. So I rolled over to the side of the road.. not a soul in site!!!, I looked up a head and in the distance I see an exit was a head.. about 1/2 a mile. I was just getting out of my truck when this big rig,pulled over...!! I was like holy chit, and a guy jumps out, as fr as I could see, holding something in his arms, I am alone, mind you, and my heart is pounding.. he gets up to me, and says, you may need these, and he had 5 quarts of oil...I was so relieved!!! I thought how nice is he, to pull off the highway,in that big truck, and help..me,, Well, we put them in and it still did not start.. So he called a tow truck for me, and said he had to get going.. I thought Thank-you... and away he went,,, I remember thinking.. I am in a Party-mode.. this can not be happening.. I want to go ..by my situation wasn't going... So, in about an hour.. I was being towed that 3/4 of a mile up the ramp, and on the first right... $65.00 bucks, I remember being so Mad!! I could have pushed my truck,for free... What a rip.. Then it started to rain cold sleet, and the driver, said there was a motel across the street.. Well, I woke the Old couple up, ringing the bell,at the office.. they gave me a room with a phone, and a Black and white T.V that flickered Barnabas Jones.. no cable.. not there any way!!!and so I called the ppl. I was supposed to be meeting.. and we talked for a long while when they realized I was not going to be making it, they left there room, and went down to the Bar, and never answered my calls again.. So, I had to call home the next morning, and sound pathetic, and , that I needed help.. So, a friend of ours, had a low boy trailer, and 6 hours later.. and a slice of cheese on white bread,with no mayo(dry), and nothing to drink.. I was lucky to get that sandwich.. there were no stores around, so this couple fed me.. sorta.. And I sat in their  kitchen awaiting my help.. because check-out time was of course 11 am.. I did not sleep.. I was so mad.. to say the least.. then I had to drive all the way back up North, and basically sell my truck for parts..and within a few weeks I was living back at the house on the edge of Herndon.About a year and half later, it would be burned up,mysteriously, while I was out one night..august 24th 1984....

Patty's Mystery'

I remember when I was in 2nd grade, I woke up late one night to find my legs totally bruised with huge black-n blue spots , and swollen so big. I woke my parents up, and my dad, had to carry me to the car. I could not even put my shoes on my feet, and my moms shoes would not fit either.. It was so bazarre, that the Doctor.. admitted me into the Hospital, and for the next few weeks, if not months I remained there on the 4th floor.. I had Christmas, and New Years there, I also remember my Birthday being celebrated there, so that was Dec. Jan Feb, and March.. Because all those Holidays I had made some kind of a  figure out of a toilet paper card board roll.. and cotton, and construction paper.. I remember my Grandparents giving me this raccoon Russian hat.. I wore with my flannel nite gown, I remember my hate full brother having to get me all my home work.. and I remember waving good-bye from my window to my family out in the snow covered parking lot.. I also knew where the cookies were.. at the nurses station, and I would wait till real late at night, and sneak up there. and get a pack of them.. I finally got back to normal, and the diagnosis, was never determined, so from then on my family and the Dr. just called it "Patty's ( Mysterious )Diesease' I
 never ever to  day  ever had another occurrence of it either.. I had gone back to school, and went straight into 3rd grade..I was back to normal...

Exercise, and Diet.. Exercise, and Diet !!!

So, I started to diet when I was 14 years old.. I began  running to my bus stop, and babysitting jobs. I stopped eating meat.. and peanut butter and jelly sandwich's at mid-night..By the time we moved to Va. I had lost 30 pounds, I was on a stationery bike for 2 hours a day!!! I would grab a radio and good book... and peddle. My dad would say "you are going to wear your knee caps out..) I did not think it would ever happen, and to this day I am thank-full it didn't.  I started Yoga, at home, and Hi-Impact exercises, and walked and  would take swims in the public pool.. (my dad , would never approve of this.. ) It took us  a night to get this. My older sister and I would  climb over the fence to the public pool, and go swimming, and one night we hopped the fence, and we began to swim , when I felt something hit my ankle.. in the dark water, that scares the hell out of me!! I said man, I am outta of here.. When we realized it was the furniture, and the pool had been vandalized,we were seeing blue lights.. , of a cop, coming up, I said " make like the pool fool'.. get under!!, I began laughing while going under the water.. It was all I could do to keep quite, but they flashed the lights on us and we had to come out..so we grabbed our towels  and I grabbed a 5 gallon gas can , I was taking for my Dad.. climbing over the fence, we were  asked questions ,
 about the gas can.. I had in my hands, behind my back.. I said I found it.. well, it turned out to belong to the Lawn crew..., and we were told to leave it.. Well, then we were asked where we lived, and had to show them. When we got to our house, it was after midnight.. and the cop, was going to knock on the door.. and we bolted.. that cop was not sure what he was walking into.. If we were scared, it made him even more the  nervous .. so he pulled his gun and told us to stop.. and with this we turned around and my dad answered the door.. well, we were lectured, and so forth.. and I don't believe we swam at night the rest of the summer.. Well, I had met a girl in school, and we hung out partying, I have written about those days.. It was over the course of the next 30 years, I would gain weight, and lose it gain it and lose it.. After I was put away for 7-9 months, I gained like 60 lbs.. I worked out in there.. but the meals we were feed were pure Carbs.. ..to fatten us up.. see.. It made the County look good.. if we were fat, instead of starving.. skinny women all gaunt, basically , like when we arrived.. I was a slim 129 lbs, like I said when I left there.. I was 189..!!! But I was Saved , and I was going to church.. and I thought  I would just live for the Lord, and I would get wisdom on the things I was to be working on.. In Jail, I grew in the word.. and Patience, and endurance.. among other things.. I was learning how to walk this life out , in the real world..  I guess 2 years into it and the numerous Missions trips I took..Honduras, and England, and Hawaii.. and then Israel, and Rome..  I came back,, and learned how to Roller Blade.. I bought a tread-mill, and I began a regimen of exercise , that I feel now  would blow any ones mind.. I had  good hours at my job.. so I could get up and get on my Treadmill for about 2 hours, then do my Tao-Bo and then Rollerblade for 1 and half hours, then get on my bicycle and cool down for about a hour ride.. I would make sure I had a plan of roads and paths everywhere I lived.. I had the same neighborhood pretty much the 4-5 different address's in Sterling.. And when I moved to Chantilly, I made a route that worked out too.. I did not drink, smoke or chew, and I did not hang with those who do... I had brand new smile, my brother, the dentist gave me.. sorta. I was in the best shape of my life.. I owned my Mobile home , and would stay up all hours of the night painting, and fixing it up.. I found though as the years went on I was still alone... I had some friends , but even they seemed 2 faced and shallow.. It went on , and on... I began to wither.. and the crap that was being thrown into my lap. and the emptiness I was feeling.. I should have stood.. the test, but I did not.. I was hit really hard.. and I took a path.. I know I should not have.. You know in reality, it has had meaning.. I know more now,of course from life's lessons, but in the Spiritual, it has meant growth  for me.. I have more Love and genuine care for the people I meet, and work with.. not just a passing 'put up with them, attitude, till they are gone.. but a real care, and patience, I did not have before.. So, I am graced to say.. I am and have not been Forsaken, or discarded.. as so I may have thought.. many a times. I am still walking this through.. but I seek God, for the paths I am to take.. each day.. I am very Thank-ful..