Move Takes them to East Prairie, MO 11/17/2011
Helen had fixed some bologna sandwiches for their trip before she finished packing the kitchen. She knew that in a few hours they would be hungry as they make their trek back to Missouri. Linda still had a swollen mouth and gums from her fall the day before. When the swelling goes down, Helen is hoping she will have forgotten about sucking her thumb. It hurts too bad right now to put her thumb in her mouth...so just maybe she will stop that habit. She was definitely beginning to show the effects of thumb sucking. Willie drove safely as Linda stood beside him and held onto his shoulder. She stood there until she got sleepy and then she would put her head in her mommy's lap and close her eyes. Sondra and Larry watched out the window at the passing trees and then would play a game to make the time pass quicker. The games they played didn't require any toys...they'd play games like "I Spy Something" until they got tired then they'd rest. When they got rowdy, Helen would trick them and say let's see who can be the quietest...I think she called it quiet as a mouse. Of course they wanted to win, so they would try to stay quieter than the other one. Being quiet didn't last...but there was silence for a short couple of minutes! They pulled off the road just outside of Kennett, MO to eat their bologna sandwiches and let the kids run some of their energy off. Willie needed to stretch his legs and find a hillside to relieve the pressure on his bladder. Once everyone had eaten and went to the rest room, they got back on the road. They were anxious to get to their destination, it seems as though they had been on the road for days even though it had only been a few hours. Traveling with 3 children was interesting to say the least. Willie would begin his teaching job at a school in Wyatt, MO Monday morning bright and early, and he was thankful that this became available to him just when they needed it. He may only finish out the rest of the school year there, but that was okay...it would serve its purpose for now...extra money. He hadn't taught since before leaving for the service, but was pretty sure he hadn't lost his touch. They found a little house in East Prairie, MO that would be great for them. It would mean a little bit of a drive for Willie, but would be okay...he had found an old car he was able to purchase for hardly anything. Of course it had some issues...such as big hole in the floorboard and a little worse for the wear, but it was his and it ran. That was good enough for him, AND good enough for Larry! Larry loved riding with his dad in that old car and when it was parked in front of the house, he was out there pretending he was driving. He never seemed to go anywhere...(haha), but in his imagination...he went all kinds of places. Helen had made the move with no sickness and was thankful for her little house and Willie's job! Comments11/17/2011 6:56pm
I also have to say that it's kind of fun to read a memoir in which I have been to every single town mentioned. LOL. Between reporting and recruiting for SEMO, I hit every inch of Southeast Missouri. Haven't thought of those places in years... Paula Maupin 11/17/2011 7:57pm
Thanks for your kind words Kate! Would love for you to mention it on your blog and if you hit the facebook like at the end of one of the stories, it will post it on your facebook page. I have so many people that I don't even know that are reading the blog...it is humbling and exciting. Thanks again! Your comment will be posted after it is approved. Leave a Reply |  Author
Paula Tollison Andrews Maupin I am married to Bobby and live in the Nashville, TN area, working as Executive Assistant to both the Director of Sales and General Manager of FOX17, MyTV30 & CW58 television I have 3 wonderful sons and daughters in
love (Brad & Holly Andrews, Bryan & Stacy Andrews and Brandon
& Ashley Andrews) from Tulsa, St. Louis & Springfield
respectively. They have given me 9 precious grandbabies. (Joseph,
Cooper, Margo, Sloan, Jonas, Nora, Everett, Lawson and Blythe & Gma
loves them so much) I also have 2 great stepsons and daughter in love
(Jonathan & Kathryn Maupin and William Maupin) from Lexington,
Kentucky.
As a lady who's lived through both good & bad circumstances in my life, I've learned and continue to learn a lot of "life lessons". Along the way I have been inspired to be a better me. God is faithful in ALL circumstances and His love covers all. My hope is that you will be inspired to be who you were meant to be. I have been writing this blog about my mom and dad since September of 2011. You can find their story from the beginning by going to the Stories link. Happy Reading!!!   ArchivesMarch 2012 |
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