History.

My blogs are becoming, irritatingly, like way too personal. But I can't seem to stop it. This morning, I did survive and actually enjoy breakfast. I spent the remainder of the morning looking through old photo boxes. I hadn't gone down in the living room section of the basement since I have been staying here. The house was robbed a couple of years ago, through the basement window, so my brother deadbolted the door that leads there. This morning, I figured I better make sure no homeless dudes were squatting there, and stumbled upon a great collection of history.

This is maybe a Valentine that my brother sent to me. Not sure what the year was, but he had to be like 7 or 8, so I was 4. I love the word order Katie: You I loved. It made me giggle. And the house? Probably the world's highest ceilings.

The next is a bunch of stuff from my dad. A photo, his father's Newman Club membership card, for 1929 to 1930. I like to think it was his firehall and that someday people will keep our cards. It also is a picture of a receipt for the Hotel Annapolis in D.C. The bill was only $16! and a really sweet note from my dad to his dad that says, "The best father a son could ask for. You have given much more than I merit and I thank you for it." I would love to know the story behind that. Its touching and sad at the same time.

There is this rare picture of my sister, Andrea. She died of Leukemia when she was like 5. Well before I was born, during my dad's first marriage. I didn't even know she existed until I was about eight. She wasn't talked about. But, now, here she is, looking happy and kinda like me, maybe?

And this is so sad because it was wrapped up together. But its my grandparent's wedding announcement. It doesn't give the year and I wish I knew. But it says my grandfather was on the editorial staff of the Messenger. Which is pretty cool. But, the morbid in me found it really, really strange that its paired with their burial plot info. Seriously, I see where I get most of my quirks. Its all hereditary.

And, just for fun, its blurry, but this is my in my first show on my old horse, Sparky. Pre-headgear. But I would still wear those boots.

So, I am sorry for the more personal nature of this post, but it was the most fun one for me that I have done yet.