Over 16,528,972 people are on fubar.
What are you waiting for?
**I am a VERY SENTIMENTAL person and I was thinking about all of my childhood memories of growing up in Hampton Roads. In addition, I have included a lot of my own personal memories. I hope these bring back good thoughts for you too. If you have more to add to the list, I'd love to hear them**
Do you remember when...
* Northside Park had a skateboard ramp and a dirt bike trail. Also, I used to love to go swim at Northside Pool. I used to wish it had an outdoor pool instead of an inside one.
* When Burger King used to be across the street from Northside Park where the Pollards Chicken is now. Sarah and I walked up there to meet a guy named Jimmy who went to high school with me and then we snuck out the backdoor after he poured salt in my shoe ;-)
* When McDonald's used to have outdoor play equipment. I used to love to bounce in the big purple Grimace and climb up inside the Hamburglar.
* When Waterside first opened and they didn't have any clubs and bars. They used to give out free fudge samples at the fudge factory.
* When you could take the ferry from Waterside to Portside in Downtown Portsmouth. It was always fun when it was time to watch the fireworks.
* When you climbed up Mt. Trashmore for the first time and then the radio station dj's from FM 99 said Mt. Trashmore was going to explode. That was way before they built the skateboard park there.
* My Bubbie and Zaddie (Grandparent's) lived in Portsmouth, so I remember Mid-City and Tower Mall. Mid City had Rally's and I could eat some Rally's cheeseburgers. Tower Mall had a fountain that I would run around and throw pennies in when I was a little girl. Also, we would get ice cream samples on little pink spoons from High's. We would also go to Morrison's Cafeteria to eat after a long day of shopping. And here's some trivia for you...I learned how to drive in the old Woodrow Wilson High School parking lot.
* When Portsmouth City Park had the Pokey Smokey Train to ride around the park on.
* When Chesapeake Square Mall was built and it was the hottest mall in the area at the time.
* When Hampton Roads was not called The 7 Cities and Newport News was not known as Bad Newz. Chesapeake was not Chesafreak and Norfolk was not known as Naughty Norfolk. Portsmouth was not P-Town and now Virginia Beach is simply known as VA Beach. I'm still old school and it will always be Va. Beach to me.
* When Putt Putt and Flipper's Arcade by Military Circle Mall were the places to be.
* When there was a movie theater at Janaf Shopping Center (Will and I went to see Batman there) and also a movie theater in front of Military Circle Mall, which was called the Ring Road. Now the movie theater is inside Military Circle Mall.
*And who remembers the .99 cent movie theater all the way down Little Creek Road by Shore Drive? The bathrooms were always closed and would have tape across the front door so that no one could get in them...Scary! And Sarah and I went to see The Mighty Ducks there and she threw popcorn into some woman's hair.
* When everyone hung out at Lynnhaven Mall at the food court and arcade.
* When Military Circle Mall still had a Spencer's. That was the best store ever! And who remembers Military Circle Mall before it got renovated? Back when it didn't have a food court and the only food places were Chick Fil A and Wendy's.
* When Lynnhaven and Greenbrier Malls still had a Disney Store in them. I loved that store!
* Back when Pembroke Mall had an arcade and a candy store.
* When kids would ride their beach cruisers, skate boards and roller skate around the neighborhood. Now they all have trick bikes and rollerblades. Those were the days before computers and video games.
* When Friday and Saturday nights were spent rollerskating at Haygood Skating Rink which had a gum tree in the lobby to put your used gum on. They didn't have a sink in the bathroom, so you would have to skate outside and step up on a ramp to wash your hands. Then I would always skate into the cafe and get pizza. I loved playing 4 Corners and Shoot The Duck under the Limbo Stick.
* When there was a Game Room Arcade by the Farm Fresh right where the Hallmark store is at on Little Creek Road.
* When there was a skating rink behind the old Giant Open Air Grocery Store (now Farm Fresh). They used to see the best lemon heads candy there.
* When Giant Open Air Grocery Store had a restaurant that you could eat at. I remember my parent's taking me and as we would wait for our food, my mom would have me practice my multiplication times tables on a napkin. They also used to make the best homemade pizza and my dad would bring pizza home for us after work.
* When Shoney's used to be known as Bob's Big Boy.
* When there used to be a movie theater by the K-Mart on Little Creek Road. My Mom and I saw Terminator 2 there.
*When there was a High's ice cream in that strip mall by K-Mart. And around the corner was TCBY frozen yogurt....Yum!
* When Taco Bell used to be across the street from where it is now on Little Creek Road and it was really tiny and had no drive thru. And Zero's Subs used to be right beside it. The old Zero's Subs was at the same strip mall as the old TCBY by K-Mart.
* When Hardee's was across the street on Tidewater Drive from where it is now. Now it's a video rental store.
* When Burger King was on West Little Creek Road across the street from Feather N Fin. Neither of them are there anymore. Who remembers when Burger King came out with Spooners (ice cream mixed with either Oreo or Heath Bar...So Yummy!)
* When Krispy Kreme Donuts was on Little Creek Road. And when I would see the flashing Hot Donuts sign....Oh Wow...Yum!
* When there used to be a Little Caesar's Pizza down Little Creek Road going towards Shore Drive. Now the only one left is inside the small K-Mart.
* When KFC used to be known as Kentucky Fried Chicken and they had another location further down Little Creek Road.
* When Ocean View was called Ocean View and not OV.
* When Ocean View was all about the Bay and Ave Streets and there were no million dollar homes there.
* When Ocean View used to have a Rec Center (Amy C. and I went to it the day my ankle got twisted)
* When my parent's would take me to the amusement park in Buckroe Beach in Hampton. I also went to the amusement parks in Ocean View and Va. Beach.
* When Ocean Breeze in Va. Beach used to be called Wild Water Rapids and Busch Gardens was known for The Big Bad Wolf. Now they have a million different roller coasters.
* When my parent's would take me to the Zoo as a little girl before it got completely remodeled.
* When Chuck E Cheese was at Janaf Shopping Center and Show Biz Pizza was by Lynnhaven Mall.
* When Tarrelton Rec Center in Norfolk was the place for all the kids to go and hang out.
* When my favorite restaurant Chi Chi's was still open and my Mom would take me there every year for my birthday so that I could drink my Nada (non alcoholic) Pina Colada.
* When the ice cream man would sell ice cream that was cheaper then $1 and fake tattoos for a penny. I used to love to get the green frogger ice cream with the M&M eyes.
* When Atari and the first Ninento were popular. I loved my Super Mario Brother's Game and The Legend of Zelda. And don't even get me started about how much I loved my Game Boy with Tetris on it.
* When my parent's waited for hours to get me Cabbage Patch Dolls at Toys R Us. I still have my Jeralee and Matthew :-)
* When my Mom and I waited overnight in front of the old Track's Record Store (now Wherehouse Music) in the freezing cold for tickets to see New Kids On The Block. Good Times! Those were the days when tickets were first come first served. They didn't do the lottery and no one ordered tickets online. Online didn't even exist yet.
* Back in the 80's and early 90's when perms and big bangs curled with the curling iron and tons of hairspray were the thing to do. I miss those days!
* When 17th Street Surf Shop was the place to buy your t-shirts, long sleeve shirts, sweatshirts, shoes (which I had in every color) and Billabong jackets. I loved that store!
* And who had jellies in every color (the shoes)
* Friday nights (TGIF) were all about the following tv shows...Boy Meets World, Dinosaurs, Family Matters, Full House, Hangin' With Mr. Cooper, Just The Ten Of Us and Step By Step.
* When Saturday mornings were spent watching Alvin And The Chipmunks, The Flintstones, The Jetsons and The Smurfs. I also used to love a show called Scratch. And you can't forget American Gladiators and Saved By The Bell.
* I used to love my Nickelodeon shows such as Clarissa Explains It All, Double Dare, Family Double Dare, Fifteen, Figure It Out, Guts, Legends Of The Hidden Temple, Mr. Wizard's World, Nick Arcade, Salute Your Shorts, You Can't Do That On Television, Welcome Freshman, What Would You Do and Wild And Crazy Kids.
* Other favorite tv shows of mine growing up were 227, A Different World, Baywatch, Beverly Hills 90210, Dallas, Falcon Crest (My Mom and I would watch both of those shows every Friday night), Full House, Growing Pains, Happy Days, Melrose Place, Roseanne, The Cosby Show, The Facts Of Life, The Fresh Prince Of Bel Air and The Wonder Years. Does anyone else remember a dating show called Studs and game shows for kids called Fun House and I'm Telling (Will, do you remember how you said we were going to get on that show)
* The days when MTV had a game show called Remote Control and they actually still played music. Headbanger's Ball, anyone? And back when the first season of the Real World wasn't scripted and it was actually real.
* I loved watching old games shows such as 25,000 Pyramid, Hollywood Squares, Joker's Wild, Let's Make A Deal, Match Game, Press Your Luck, Sale Of The Century, Scrabble, The Newlywed Game, The Weakest Link, Tic Tac Dough, To Tell The Truth, and Win Lose Or Draw.
* Back when WaWa was never even heard of and 7-11 was the place to go for everything.
* When People's Drug Store was the only local store open 24 hours. Then it closed and became Revco, then Eckerd and now Rite Aid.
* When stores were closed on Sunday's and 24 hour Walgreen's and Walmart were not even heard of. How did we survive without 24 hour stores?
* When MacArthur Mall was never even thought of. Who would have guessed it would cost money to park your car to go to the mall?
* When they built a Ruby Tuesday's at Southern Shopping Center and closed down Uncle Louies's at Ward's Corner.
* When Suntrust Bank used to be called Crestar.
* When people still used pay phones and it cost 25 cent to make a phone call. Back in the days when people had pagers and they would have to use pay phones to return their pages.
* When you had to pay a toll to go from Norfolk to Va. Beach and from Norfolk to Portsmouth which my Mom would always say to me "Pay the man a Quarter and she would always let me throw the money in
:-) I remember some people would throw pennies in or just run through the toll without paying and then the alarm would sound.
* When Pizza Hut actually had a good buffet. Now it's gotten so small. And everyone knows I'm a buffet girl :-)
* When some of us still used VCR's and VHS tapes. Yes, I still use mine daily. I'm old school like that!
* When cassette singles were popular. I only have about a million of them :-)
* When I would make slam books for everybody to sign and I would write 20 page notes to all my friends which I still have by the way!
* When Z-104 and The Z Morning Zoo still played rock music. And then there was 97 Star with Paul Cubby Bryant who now hosts a national radio show with Whoopi Goldberg.
* When I was addicted to listening to Homie Al B on 103 Jamz every single night. People would call in with their dedications and he would say "What's up? What's it gonna be? Who's on the line with Homie Al B?
* When 2WD with Suzanne Snowden and Dan Reese would let you make radio dedications and my friend Sarah and I would dedicate "That's What Friends Are For" and "You've Got A Friend" every single night and they would would always put us on the air :-)
* The days before SOL's existed when the big tests that I had to take in school were the Monitor, SRA's and the Literacy Passport Test. And then there were the SAT's to get into college which have totally changed now.
* Who remembers the Book It Program in elementary school? You would read a certain amount of books and then you would get a button which had stars on it. Once you got so many stars you could get a Personal Pan Pizza from Pizza Hut or a Whopper from Burger King.
* Speaking of elementary school, who remembers reading Weekly Readers on Friday and ordering books from the Scholastic Book Club? And you can't talk about elementary school without all the door to door selling you had to do at holiday time. Hey, if you sold about $1000 worth of merchandise you would get a .25 cent bouncy ball or maybe if you were lucky a pizza party.
* And since we are on the topic of elementary shool, who doesn't remember field day? I loved the bean bag toss :-)
* Why did none of my schools...Crossroads Elementary School, Oakwood Elementary School and Surburban Park and Azalea Gardens Middle School not have air conditioning? Do you see a theme here?
* Who from Azalea Gardens remembers having English and Social Studies in the Outback?
* When Granby High School (Go Comets!) had no air conditioning and the math hall would always flood. And don't forget about the trailer's that we had Spanish class in. And all our football games were played at Norview's Chittum Field. Speaking of Granby though, I have to mention all the fun we had on Yearbook and Newspaper Staff. Oh, and all the fun I had when I would do the morning announcements over the tv with Kris. And I can't forget how I would give out Werther's Original's to all my classmates (especially Tasha :-) And who remembers Channel 1 that would come on every morning during homeroom?
* Speaking of places that used to be, what ever happened to restaurants such as Mama's Italian Kitchen in Ocean View? Also, who remembers Peter Piper Pizza down on Little Creek Road by Shore Drive? Those were the days before Cici's even existed. And what ever happened to Milton's Pizza? And where are the restaurants such as Annabelle's that used to be inside Pembroke Mall and Darryl's? And what happened to all my old buffets such as Bonanza, Duff's at Janaf Shopping Center, Ponderosa, Ryans, Saxby's, Sizzler and Western Sizzler? And my old fast food joints like Blimpies, Hot N Now, Rax, Roy Rogers and The White Tower?
* And where are the local stores and department stores such as Ames, Bradlee's, Drug Emporium, Hecht's, Hills, Hofheimer's, HQ, Leggett's, Lerner's, McCory's (where I would buy these gum cigarettes that would blow fake smoke out of them), Miller and Rhodes, Montgomery Ward's, Rices Nachmans, Rose's, Smith and Weltons, Thalhimers (where my Mom and I would eat in the Tea Room) Tinee Giant, and Woolworth's (which had a counter where you could eat at)
* And where are all the old grocery stores such as Be-Lo (which is now Fresh Pride), Food Carnival, Rack N Sack, Pantry Pride, Safe Way and Winn Dixie.
* When Little Creek Road used to lined up and down both sides of the streets with bars such as The Green Wheel Inn and Gary's.
* And I think it's wonderful that all of my old childhood toys are making a comeback now such as Barbies (which never went out of style), Beanie Babies, Carebears, My Little Ponies and Strawberry Shortcake.
* When Halloween was fun and exciting and all the neighbors would give out candy. Now no one takes their kids treat or treating anymore. And none of the neighbors even give out candy. They all turn their lights off. No fun!
* Who remembers the old Thoroughgood Inn Comedy Club that is now closed?
* Anyone remember the old Cinema Drafthouse that has now been renamed Cinema Cafe?
* Now who remembers having their hair crimped? And who else wore a ponytail on the side of their head? I know I did.
* And I'll admit it, I still rock my tye-dyed shirts. That was the fashion back in the day.
* Who remembers Teen Talk on Infoline?
* And what about when you could call the old weather number and before the weather update came on it was a party line with everyone yelling all at once.
* Who remembers those wonderful blue and white Norfolk Public School PE uniforms? The shorts were so short that you had to wear biking shorts under them. And what about those Physical Fitness tests we had to take for PE...push-ups, sit-ups, the v-sit and reach, a pull up, and that dreaded mile run. And if you went to Granby High, then you had to run where all the cars could watch you going down Newport Ave.
* And if we are talking about clothes, yes I loved my 4 X sweatshirts with my stretch pants leggings. Hey, it was comfortable!
* Now what would a memory list be without asking who had a jean jacket? I had three of them. And since all of you know how sentimental I am, yes I still have them all upstairs.
* And the days before the Va. Beach Amphitheater was built and all the concerts used to be held at the Norfolk Scope or the Hampton Coliseum.
* And who remembers Hampton Coliseum Mall and Patrick Henry Mall?
* When going from Norfolk to Portsmouth or across the water from Norfolk to Hampton and Newport News you knew to avoid the base traffic or you would be sitting in your car for hours. Oh wait, that still happens!
* Back in the 80's and early 90's when wrestling was all about the WWF and NWA. My parent's used to take me to all the matches at Scope. I would always watch wrestling on Sunday afternoons.
* When Costo used to be called The Price Club.
* When Ward's Corner and Southern Shopping Center were the places to shop. Now everyone goes to Janaf Shopping Center.
* When the Dollar Tree opened and it didn't have all the name brand things it has now. And there was a Dollar Tree inside the strip mall at Ward's Corner instead of the outside.
* When First Landing State Park was known as Seashore State Park.
* When Kay Bee Toys became Toy Works (Sarah...Two Words...Paul A.)
* When there was not only Toys R Us, but also Kids R Us and Babies R Us.
* When The Outlet Mall opened near Pembroke Mall. I think they are practically closed now.
*When Sai Gai Chinese Restaurant was not a Chinese Steak House. And Chi Chi's near Janaf was torn down and made into a buffet.
* When Old Dominion University (ODU) had bars lined up and down across the street from it. Now that ODU is going through major renovations, all the bars are gone and The Ted Constant Convocation Center is there.
* When the Tides used to play baseball at Met Park instead of at Harbor Park.
* When concerts were held at the Boathouse. They put on some great shows!
* When Suffolk was considered to be the country and it seemed so far away. Now it is the place to live.
*When the popular dances The Electric Slide and The Macarena first came out and then they got played out.
* When every year I went to the circus at the Norfolk Scope or The Hampton Coliseum.
* When nobody wanted to go to Downtown Norfolk after dark. Now it's the place to be!
* When Calz was the best known for their wings. Now Hooter's is the place to go for wings (even though I've still never been there...UPDATE: I finally was able to sample some delicious Hooters Wings when Cory and I went to the Hooters at Janaf)
*Until Jillians opened at Waterside, Flipper's was the best known arcade in town.
* Every Christmas season, going to Coleman's Nursery in Portsmouth to see all of the decorations!
** I LOVE all of my old memories and I look forward to making lots of NEW ones**
Feel free to add your memories of Hampton Roads to the list...
**Yes, I'm very honest...probably too honest, but this is me**
I do not like odd numbers. In fact, everything I do has has to be done evenly. Yes, I know it's very OCD like.
I still have not mastered the microwave. Either I undercook things or overcook them. Actually cooking in general does not go well for me, but I really want to get it right. Practice makes perfect! My Mom and I always cooked together, so if I had a question I could ask her. Cory's (my last ex boyfriend) Mom bought me a cookbook. Yay!
I like to take pictures and I will sit in front of my webcam and take pictures of myself in various poses or different hair styles. Cory said I take way too many pics because I wanted to take pictures of him and I together every day. I can't help it. I love to take pics and then post them online!
My senior year of high school (1994) was absolutely the best and I wish I could go back to those days.
I'm a big kid at heart and I would much rather be around kids then adults any day. If I go to someone's house I can usually be found on the floor playing with the kids :-)
I can't stand that I have gray hair (it's hereditary) and I am in desperate need of getting highlights. Because I have dark hair the gray really stands out. Hate it!
I have low self esteem and I'm very self conscious of my body because of everything I have gone through with my health. I lost weight very quickly and then the steroid medicine that I was put on made me gain weight too quickly and it changed how I look physically. I wear 4X shirts to cover up even though it probably draws more attention to me and makes me stand out even more. I recently got what I call my "skinny" jeans and some shirts that are more low cut. People say that I look a lot different in those clothes.
I am a people pleaser in every sense of the words and I have a very difficult time saying no. I worry way too much about what other people think about me. I want everyone to like me.
I "lied" to everyone about being a virgin when I really wasn't. Everyone assumed that I was a 31 year old virgin and I didn't know how to come clean about the truth. However, I did confess and I even wrote a bulletin on Myspace about it so that the whole world would know the truth. Keeping a secret was taking a toll on me and it was a very heavy burden to carry. I was having chest pains. No one was surprised about me not really being a virgin. I lost my virginity to my ex fiance when I was 28. He was my 1st love and 1st kiss when I was 27...yes, I led a very sheltered life with overly protective parent's.
I have always been a perfectionist. For instance, whenever I would have a paper to write I would continue to revise it until right before it was due. And I was always the last one to turn in a test in college because I would keep writing everything I could think of until time was up.
I like my life to run on a schedule and when things don't go according to plan I get panicky and I will vomit bile and acid because I get so stressed. I'm trying to be more spontaneous. Heather giving me about 30 minutes notice before we go out is a good start.
Ever since my Mom passed away I have to take sleeping pills to go to bed or I can't sleep. And I have to take more then what I should because if not I will not be able to sleep through the night.
I look very conservative, but I am the naughiest person you will ever meet. Yes, it's true that the quiet ones are always the freakiest and kinkiest!
I never liked drinking water until my Mom passed away. She was a water drinker and now I will drink it, but it has to be ice cold and put in the freezer first.
I had my 1st love and 1st kiss when I was 27 and we got engaged. He tattooed my name on his heart. I saw him again over the summer and well you know what happened...
I got high for the first time a few months ago. I had even told my Mom that I was curious about "experimenting." I lived such a sheltered life that even though I am almost 32 I am like a 16 year old when it comes to life experience.
After seeing it in porn and having my heart broken by 3 men back to back I had a girlfriend. However, what I want more than life itself is to be a Wife and Mommy! It wasn't for me and I love men :-)
I can clean other people's houses and vehicles, but it is difficult for me to throw things out in my own home because I'm so sentimental. I get it from my Mom who still has the kleenex she cried in when she found out she was pregnant with me. I am getting better at throwing things out though.
I always wear an angel pin. I buried my Mom with the exact same pin by her heart.
I had alcohol for the first time when I was 28. That year was also when I tried my first cigarette (I am not a smoker, but I tried it), went in my 1st bar, got drunk, watched porn and lost my virginity. Yes, I had all of my firsts with my ex fiance.
All of my favorite movies except for a select few are from the 80's. And I still love the same songs that I liked when I was in middle school. When I find something I like I will stick to it. And I have been known to play the same song over and over and over again.
I am old fashioned when it comes to technology. I got my 1st computer for my 30th birthday and it's a desktop. I don't have a DVD player (except on my computer and I've never tried it), Ipod, MP3 player, digital cable, tivo or a digital camera. I still tape things on my VCR and I don't use the ATM. My Mom was so happy that our car had a cassette player. No, I don't have a CD player in my car. I am catching up though...I got my 1st cell phone a few months ago and now I don't know how I ever went without one. I am really getting the hang of texting!
I fall in love quickly and when I fall I will fall fast and then I get my heartbroken. I always believe everything that a guy says to me. I am way too trusting! Everyone tells me that I'm too nice.
I am the most sensitive and emotional person you will ever meet. My feelings get hurt easily and then I cry.
My parent's both have the same name...Jerry and Gerry.
May 2008 was a very difficult month for me. May 11th was Mother's Day, May 12th was my birthday and May 13th was the 2 month anniversary of my Mom passing away. 3 very tough days all back to back. I got very depressed and had extremely bad thoughts during that time. I will just say I was standing on the bridge and on train tracks... The only thing that stopped me was that I want to be a Mom more then anything and I made my Mom certain promises in the obituary that I wrote for her and I want to continue to make her proud.
The internet has allowed me to reconnect with people from my past who I thought I would never be able to find otherwise. It makes me feel good to find people who remember my Mom. Also I have found people who were not very nice to me in the past. Now that they are adults they have apologized and that means the world to me.
I always thought I would be married with children by the time I was 30. My Mom had me when she was 30. I feel like I'm running out of time! My biological clock is ticking very loudly.
I am not a foot person and I always wear socks. However, I love my feet to be rubbed. I don't like touching other people's feet though. I will do it for people I'm in a relationship with and I always rubbed my Mom's feet.
I can order a cheeseburger at any restaurant that I go to and be happy. And my burgers and steak have to be cooked well done, but not burnt. I like mayo, mustard and ketchup with lettuce, tomato, onion and pickle on my cheeseburgers.
I would much rather go to a buffet then a restaurant anyday. I like the variety!
I am a soda drinker and my favorite soda is Dr. Pepper. However, there is not a soda that I don't like...maybe diet drinks, but I will drink them if I have to.
When I order alcoholic drinks I will never order the same drink twice. I will end up having 10 different drinks and everyone always tells me I shouldn't mix my clears and my darks. I'm forever asking the bartender or waitress what a good shot or drink is. Then they have to get out the trusty bartender's guide.
I constantly get excruciating headaches. I usually have to take a combination of headache medications and powders to get any kind of relief and even then my head is still throbbing.
Over the summer I had a crush on a guy who was a week away from his 18th birthday. What! He was hot and he had originally lied and told me he was 24. We still keep in touch and he always reminds me that now he's legal. Then his super hot girlfriend told me that she is legal. I'm not even going there though!
This may make me sound like a hypocrite, but I am not physically attracted to heavyset men. However, I get offended when a guy judges me by my weight. I don't get mad if someone is not physically attracted to me. You can't force chemistry if it's not there. I would rather be friends with a guy then nothing at all.
I never in a million years thought that I would be standing here before you today at my Mommy's funeral. This is the absolute hardest thing that I've ever had to do in my life. My beloved Mommy was much more then just a Mom. She was my life, my entire world and my very best friend. She was the most dedicated, devoted and loving Mom that I have ever known. She would have done and sacrifaced anything for my happiness. My Mom always put my needs above her own. She called me her pride and joy and the light of her life. My Mom would say that the day I was born was the happiest day of her life. She would tell anyone she ever met that I was her entire world and whole reason for living. Everyone always knew that wherever I went my Mommy would be standing right there beside me. Neither one of us could stand to spend even a minute apart and we had lived together since the day I was born until my Mom passed away suddenly and unexpectedly last Thursday. On that day my world forever changed and my life as I knew it stopped. However, the powerful bond and connection that my Mommy and I shared with one another can never be broken no matter what.
My Mom and I had a very special and unique relationship and bond that most Mom's and daughters can only ever dream about. We have always been very affectionate to one another. I could never get enough of my Mommy's loving and warm hugs and kisses. We always knew what the other was thinking before we would even say it and we could always finish each other's sentences. My Mom gave me pure and unconditional love and whether we were sitting together quietly reading a book- Her favorite book of all time was The Secret Garden. My Mom had told me that when she was a little girl she would sit and read that book over and over again. And as a side note my Mom taught me how to read when I was very young and she always talked about how one night she went to read me a bedtime story and I said to her Mommy, I'll read the book to you. Or whether we were watching one of our favorite television shows that I got her addicted to such as Desperate Housewives, Grey's Anatomy and One Tree Hill or watching one of our treasured VHS movies like Anne of Green Gables, Girl's Just Want To Have Fun and Grease where we would recite every line from the movie by heart, or whether we were watching VHS concerts such as Cher who we saw in concert and Fleetwood Mac and singing along to every song, whether we were playing a board game or card game and laughing or going on one of our traditional weekly Saturday shopping trips where we had to stop and eat lunch first we always had a wonderful time together. My Mom especially enjoyed when I would act out various commercials for her. I could always get her to laugh every single time I did impressions of other people. My Mommy and I could honestly spend every waking second with one another and yet still not have enough time together. I cherish all the time that we did have and I will hold every memory we shared together and with one another close to my heart. As a little girl I fondly remember spending every Friday night with my Mommy watching Dallas and Falcon Crest on tv and then sleeping with her in the big bed. I would always bring Annie Rose the Raggedy Anne doll that my Bubbie made for me. Just last week my Mom slept in the big bed with me. We cuddled and loved up on each other. It warms my heart to know that she was able to share that special time with me. Even now at 30 years old my Mom still called me her little baby. When she would look at me she would talk about me as the 4 year old who had pigtails in her hair. Every year on my birthday my Mom would sit down with me and tell me the story about the day I was born. That was our special tradition and I will cherish it always. My Mom drove me to school and picked me up from school every single day of my life. Those car rides together were our special time to talk and listen to our favorite music cassette tapes such as Enigma, REO Speedwagon who we saw in concert and Yanni. My Mom was always very involved with my education and the day I graduated high school as a 16 year old honor student I could see the immense pride on her face. My Mom was so excited she decorated the outside and inside of our house and our car with my school colors. My Mom always said that I was the smartest person she knew. Even in college my Mom was always right by my side. When I became President of the Psychology Honor Society it was my Mom who sat there beside me with such pride on her face. I knew that by having my Mom with me I would always be safe and that my Mom would never let anything happen to me. She always made sure that I was protected and that no one would ever hurt me. And I thank you and I am eternally greatful to you Mommy for that love.
For those of you who do not know I have been going through very serious health problems and my Mom was always right by my side. My Mom sat sat by my hospital bed in a chair and not for even a moment did she ever leave my side. When I was not able to eat, my Mom would not eat. Every person that she met she told that she would give her life for me to get better. My Mom wanted me to get better more than anything in this world. My Mom would say she wished that she could take away all of my pain and that she would give it to herself. The day that my Mom passed away I told God to take my life if it would give my Mom her's back. My Mom's love for me and my love for her run so deep and so strong that it can never be broken. Ever. My Mom always said that she wished she could give me the sun, the moon and the stars. When I was in the hospital she gave me a stuffed sun, moon and stars and I will treasure them always and forever.
I have so many wonderful memories that I shared with Mom that I will continue to hold in my heart for the rest of my life. My Mom and I are the most sentimental people you could ever meet. My Mom still has the kleenex that she cried in the day that she found out she was pregnant with me. I will always cherish that forever. Something that always made my Mom smile was when people said how much we looked alike. Many times we would be out somewhere and someone would say that we looked like sisters. I always considered that to be a huge compliment being that my Mom was such a beautiful person on both the inside and out. My Mommy had a smile that would light up an entire room. I have always aspired to be just like my Mommy and I would always tell her that she was my greatest role model in life. I will never forget how as a little girl she taught me how to blow my first bubble with bubble gum and how she taught me how to jump rope by jumping with me. She taught me how to swim and she loved watching me in the water. She taught me how to drive and how to cook and bake. We shared everything with one another. There is not anything that has ever happened in my life that my Mom did not know. She was my very best friend and I trusted her more than life itself. I could talk to my Mom about everything. My Mommy loved me more than anything in this world and there has never been a single thing that I have ever wanted that my Mommy did not get for me. If we were at a store and I could not decide between two things my Mom would get them both for me. She wanted me to be happy more than anything in the world and let me tell you there is no one else in this world that has ever made me happier than my Mom. My Mommy was standing right beside me holding my hand for every single milestone in my life and I know that as my angel she will be right there beside me holding my hand for every future milstone that I have in my life.
My Mom was a retired Pre-School Teacher and she had a deep love and burning passion for children We could not go out anywhere without a former student running up to us to say hello to "Miss Gerry." My Mom will always be remembered for her caring, giving and thoughtful heart. She never met a stranger and could talk to anyone about anything. She was very compassionate to others and there was nothing that my Mom would not do to help another person who was in need. My Mom was without a doubt the world's best and greatest Mommy and she has left a part of herself in everyone who knew her. She was a kind soul and her gentle heart and spirit will always be remembered. My Mom was a dear friend to everyone she ever met. I can't tell you how many times my Mom would start talking to someone whether she knew them or not and hours later they would still be talking and laughing. Everyone who ever met my Mom absolutely fell in love with her. Everyone always referred to us as Amy and her Mom. We were a team, a package deal, one in the same and everyone knew it.
My Mommy touched the lives of so many people with her love and she will be greatly and forever missed by all. Her heart was bigger than life and she was always filled with unconditional love for anyone she ever met. My Mom had such a love of life and deep compassion for people that made her the special woman that she was. My Mom can now truly rest in peace in a chocolate covered heaven surrounded by piles and stacks of money with the sounds of children's laughter where there are no bills or worries and no hurt and pain. I know that my Mommy will continue to guide, protect and give me strength as my constant protector and guardian angel.
All my Mommy ever wanted in this world more than anything else was to see me her daughter and best friend get physically healthy, marry a nice Jewish boy, have a son and daughter so that she could become a Bubbie and get my degree in Child Psychology. Just know Mommy that all of your prayers will be answered. Everything that you have ever wanted for me and more will happen and I know that you will be right there beside me helping me to achieve all of my dreams and goals every step of the way just as you have done my entire life. One day when I become a Mommy myself I plan to name my daughter Geraldine Rose after you, her Bubbie and my Bubbie. You are a wonderful Mommy the world's greatest Mommy and I will forever and always hold you in my heart. I will continue to live every single day of my life making you proud of me just as you always were. Mommy as you look down on me from heaven I wish you health, wealth and much happiness because you deserve it just as you always wished for me. May God bless you today, tomorrow and always. I Love You Mommy! Goodnight Sleep Tight! Best Friends Forever! BFF Babies!
Mommy, I still can not believe you are no longer physically here with me. I will cherish the time that we shared together and remember all of the wonderful memories that we had with one another. I know that one day I will see you again in heaven and we will be together forever! Mommy, continue to hold me in your arms just like you have always done and give me strength! I will continue to celebrate my Mommy's life every single day until we reunite in heaven. My Mommy always wanted to make sure that I would not get cold and so she would bundle me up. My Mommy would always ask me if I was cold. I know that right now she is looking down on me from heaven on this beautiful day with such pride and admiration and I know my Mom is holding a jacket in her arms for me. It's ok Mommy your powerful love will always keep me warm. My Mom had a heart of gold and I will miss her every second of every hour of every day for the rest of my life. As I wear this angel pin close to my heart every day for the rest of my life when I touch it I find comfort knowing that you are forever wearing the exact same pin that I placed close to your heart. We will always be united as one together forever in life and beyond today, tomorrow and always. I love you Mommy more than anything else in this whole wide world. Spread your angel wings and fly Mommy. All my love now, forever and always. Your daughter and best friend in the whole wide world Amy Lynn
Geraldine Gutterman
Geraldine R. Gutterman NORFOLK - Geraldine "Gerry" Rae Gutterman, 61, beloved and loving Mommy, Wife, Pre- School Teacher and Dear Friend to everyone she ever met passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on March 13, 2008 in Norfolk. Gerry was born on Dec. 7, 1946, in Portsmouth to the late Dave and Rose Glazer. She was married on Dec. 1, 1973, to Herman Jerry Gutterman and gave birth to her pride and joy and the light of her life, her daughter and best friend Amy Lynn on May 12, 1977 at 10:59 p.m. Gerry was always known to say that the day her daughter was born was the happiest day of her life. She was a devoted Mommy and would tell anyone she ever met that her daughter Amy Lynn was her entire world and whole reason for living. Everyone always knew that wherever Amy went her Mommy would be standing right there beside her. Neither one of them could stand to spend even a minute apart. And they had lived together since the day Amy Lynn was born until the day Gerry passed away. Gerry had a deep love and passion for children and was a retired Pre-School Teacher. She couldn't go out anywhere without a former student running up to say hello to "Miss Gerry." Gerry will always be remembered for her caring, giving and thoughtful heart. She never met a stranger and could talk to anyone about anything. She was very compassionate to others and there was nothing that Gerry would not do to help another person who was in need. Gerry was without a doubt the world's best and greatest Mommy and she has left a part of herself in everyone who knew her. Gerry was a kind soul and her gentle heart and spirit will always be remembered. She is survived by her dedicated, devoted and loving daughter and best friend, Amy Lynn Gutterman of the home that they shared together for 30 years who is left to forever cherish her memory and by her husband, Herman Jerry Gutterman both of who are from Norfolk. Gerry touched the lives of so many people with her love and she will be greatly and forever missed by all. Her heart was bigger than life and she was always filled with unconditional love for anyone she met. Gerry had such a love of life and deep compassion for people that made her the special woman that she was. Gerry can now truly rest in peace in a chocolate covered heaven surrounded by piles and stacks of money with the sounds of children's laughter where there are no bills or worries and no hurt and pain as she continues to guide, protect and give strength to her daughter and best friend Amy Lynn as her constant protector and guardian angel. All Gerry ever wanted in this world more than anything else was to see her daughter and best friend Amy Lynn get physically healthy, marry a nice Jewish boy, have a son and daughter so that she could become a Bubbie and get her degree in Child Psychology. Just know Mommy that all of your prayers will be answered. Everything that you have ever wanted for me and more will happen and I know that you will be right there beside me helping me to achieve all of my dreams and goals every step of the way just as you have done my entire life. Mommy as you look down on me from heaven I wish you health, wealth and much happiness because you deserve it just as you always wished for me. I Love You Mommy! Goodnight Sleep Tight! Best Friends Forever! BFF Babies! The graveside service and celebration of Gerry's life will be held at noon today in Chevra Thilim Cemetery, Portsmouth, at the intersection of George Washington Highway and Frederick Boulevard by Rabbi Michael Panitz. Friends may join the family after the service at 101 Talbot Hall Road, Norfolk. H.D. Oliver Funeral Apartments, Norfolk, is handling arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www. hdoliver. com.
