Memories of 225 Drexel Drive

As my mom has been posting and telling me about cleaning out our grandma's house, I've been hit with nostalgia. That house holds so many memories. Countless hours of childhood were spent there. A few years ago we said goodbye to our childhood home as my parents bought a new house. I'm so glad for memories.

As far back as I can remember we'd spend time over at Grandma and Grandpa's house. They would watch us for a few hours if mom needed to go do something, and we'd spend the night often.

When I was 6.5 we moved to our house on Eastview, which was only one block away from their house. It was the best! I loved to call Grandma and talk on the phone with her. When I wanted to spend the night I'd call and talk, but even as a little kid I was shy about asking if I could spend the night, so I'd drop hints to see if she'd ask me. Sometimes she would and other times I had to ask. She'd always say she'd ask Grandpa, and then I'd hear her talking to him. Then I'd hear, "Oh yeah!" (And my relatives will all read that in his voice. :))

If it was nice out I'd walk over. Mom would pack our HIDEOUS tan and red (orange?) overnight bag, and walk me to the end of the block. Then I'd walk down 1st Ave, and Grandma would meet me at the end of Drexel.

There was something special about spending the night at their house. For starters other than a couple of occasions, I got to be the only child. One on one attention from Grandma and Grandpa? Heck yes!

When I was younger I always slept on the pull out couch in the green room (we called the rooms by their colors). It was the best because it had a TV and I could watch it all the way until bedtime if I wanted. Even better? They had cable! (We didn't get that until I was a freshman in high school). There was a doll up in the closet that belonged to Aunt Jeanne. One time Grandma let me watch Child's Play. Yeah. I was like 5 or 6 and she let me watch a horror movie about a doll that murders people! That's Grandma for you. Anyway...I always made her move that doll out of the closet after that because I was scared it would come to life and kill me. (Later in life...as in when I was late teens and early 20's, Aunt Jeanne got the doll back. I house sat for them and I made her put that stupid doll away because it sat on a chair in the hallway. No way was that thing sleeping outside my door at night!)

And as I got older I switched and would sleep in the blue room. I don't remember why though. I think maybe they got rid of the pull out couch.

I'd usually watch TV for quite awhile on my own while eating snacks. Snacks weren't apples or a package of M&M's, No. Grandma let us eat anything and everything. Giant bags of Cheetos, BAGS of Reeses's. Cans of Pringles...cuz once you pop the fun don't stop my friends. They had a big upright deep freezer in the basement which was always stocked with ice cream, Little Debbie Devil Squares, Reese's, Butterfingers and Kit Kats. It was basically junk food heaven. Finish that heaping bowl of ice cream? Grandpa would offer another bowl!

Grandma and I watched all of the game shows together. We'd all watch Wheel of Fortune (after Grandpa had retired anyway). She always taped all the game shows. My favorites to watch with her were Press Your Luck (or WHAMMY! as she called it), Supermarket Sweep and Shop Til You Drop! We'd also watch Unsolved Mysteries late a night before bed. I can still hear Robert Stack's creepy voice... "If YOU have any information on Jane Doe's whereabouts..."

Grandma has always loved jigsaw puzzles and always had one going on a card table. I always liked to help her. Funny because I really don't enjoy puzzles. I've never been good at them, but I always liked trying to help her even if I only got a few pieces put together.

I liked going out in the yard with Grandpa and helping him in his garden. I loved sitting in the chairs that he made. I don't even know their real names. I just called them "Chutey chutes" because I could slide down them because they dipped down. Grandma always hung the laundry out to dry on the clothesline. I loved sheet day. I'd run in between them, and pretend I was in another land.

They both enjoyed watching sports. I wasn't really a Hawkeye fan back then, but if there was a game on, Grandpa would be watching or listening on the radio. He loved the Chicago Bulls, so I'd watch the Bulls games with him. It was back in the day of Michael Jordan and Dennis Rodman. (Or Popsicle Head as Grandpa called him after he died his hair multiple colors). Even now, when I watch basketball and here the squeaks from the players shoes, it takes me back to their house. They even watched WWF...or as we'd call it, "Bing Bang Boom".

Sometimes Grandma and I would play board games. There were 4 I loved to play. A Tom and Jerry Game, A Winnie the Pooh game (that I always cheated at!), Candy Land and Chutes and Ladders. She'd also read me stories. My favorite at their house was always, "The Monster at the End of this Book"

Grandma always went to garage sales. She never drove, so grandpa faithfully took her to sales each week. Thursdays were the big sale days, so in the summers the best night to spend the night was Wednesday. I LOVED going to garage sales!

Sometimes in the summer they'd let me spend 2 nights. There was one time I spent 5 nights. Each day Grandpa would ask, "Well, Rachel. You gonna stay another night?" And I'd call mom and she'd say yes!

When Grandpa was still working, he would leave in the afternoon, but before he left he would pick me up in the kitchen and bonk my head on the lights. I don't know why, but it was the best! Haha!

One of my favorite memories was sitting at the table eating Oyster crackers and milk with Grandpa. We'd each get a coffee mug with milk and then dump the crackers in and eat them with a spoon. Sounds weird, but it was so good!

I could go on and on, but at least I have these memories. I'm thankful for the love and care they gave me over the years. I'm thankful they let me come over with no hesitation. They loved having us there, and we loved going! I miss my Grandpa so much, but am thankful we still have Grandma. She's on to new adventures in assisted living now, so soon we will say goodbye to the house forever.

Thanks for the memories 225 Drexel Drive.