1. My parents are divorced. I grew up with my Mom and Step-Dad for the majority of my life (they married before I had memories). For the most part, I called my step-dad "Popa" and my biological father, "Dad". We had a strained relationship in my youth, and I often refered to Popa as my "Dad" and left many people very confused. Sadly, Popa passed away right before Suzy was conceived. However, since then, I have begun to have a really great relation ship with my Dad. It's odd how God works, but I'm really enjoying this new peace between us. So, that sets the stage a bit. I used to visit my Dad about 1-2 times per month and his house was always a huge playground. More on that as the post continues....
2. My brother, Jeremy, is a genius. I'm sure he's Mensa and such, but I just can't describe to you how smart he is. As a kid, he was a big nerd and I couldn't understand how some of my friends thought he was "hot". I mean, this kid won Lego engineering contests when he was like, five.... ??? He still has a bit of a nerdy appeal to him, but it's very endearing. He was recently written up in the local paper for riding his bike everywhere. It's not Austin, folks. In Indiana, that makes you a bit "odd". How smart is he? He builds entire homes from reading a "how to" manual. He taught himself photography. He ran a successful music business without ever taking a business class. While we were home, he decided he wanted to learn guitar and so he is teaching himself that as well. He likes classic rock and was learning the Beatle's "Hey Jude". He changed the words to "Hey Suz" and it was a huge hit with Suzy. Big brother, I think you are truly amazing.
3. There is a trampoline sunk into the floor of the rec room. My dad likes pools. He also likes to build things himself and such. So, we once had an outdoor pool. Then, we had an indoor pool here in this room. He has since boarded over the pool and made it a game room. First, however, he bought this trampoline at an auction from a High School and put it in the shallow end. If you lift the mats on the sides, you can still fall into the pool itself. My siblings (with children of their own who live closer) have since put mats all around the edges to prevent further "pool slidings". This was a HUGE hit with Suzy. All the little cousins (13 of them) really enjoy this part of the house. 
4. So, now, the pool is back outside. He built this pool outdoors and then put a roof over it. Since it's so cold in the winter here, he has since bought a Swim Spa that is also a big hit with the wee ones.
5. So, it's like a spa here. There are three pools still and two steam showers. I think there is also a sauna that has been moved out here from the rec room, but the door was locked while I was here.
6. There is a full sized racketball court / basketball court attached off of the rec room. I didn't get any pictures this trip, but we used to just watch the clock to know when Dad would be awake so we could play down there for HOURS on the weekends. You would assume I'm good at racketball with all the practice I got, but I never really improved my game. My brothers, however, could kick your tush....7. Like all families, we have a few skeletons in the closet. One of which, my father has named, "Jimmy". I used to be fascinated with this thing as a child and always wondered if it was, indeed, real like my siblings taunted. My dad is s physician and bought this to explain things to his patients before they were really common place out of plastic and resin. This trip, I found out once and for all that Jimmy is, indeed, a human skeleton. Turns out though, Jimmy is a small asian lady. Who knew! I had pretty well forgotten about "him" until I came to the house while everyone was still down in Kentucky (riding motorcycles - ho hum.... maybe next year). I opened the closet door to make Andy's little bedroom, and was greeted with Mr. Bones himself. It creeped me out a bit to think of Andy sleeping with a skeleton, so I moved Jimmy to another bedroom.
Andy's "not so spooky" bedroom for the duration.
So, there you have it. Seven random facts about my childhood second home. It was sure fun to relive the memories of how my Dad's house was such a playhouse. Oddly, to Suzy it's known as Mamaw's house and she has yet to experience some of the really big fun that will be coming in later years such as all the travel and motor sports....I'm not tagging anyone else. Most of the poeple I know have already been hit. If you are reading this and feel left out, you can always tag yourself! :) Maybe later I'll come back and add links to Diana's blog and such. Right now, my children waketh....
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