Conversation Starter - July

[SuzSee-PLP Creator]

The conversation starter's purpose is exactly that...to spawn conversation. We'd love to hear your responses to these questions, and perhaps we'll all learn a little more about each other (and likely things we never would have considered asking.) It'll be a central place where we can come and not only answer the questions, but peruse through each other's responses. Who knows? Maybe you'll meet someone you haven't talked to before and find you have something in common. You can create your own dialogue from here.

We'll list three questions. Feel free to respond to all three or any one of the three. Whatever you are comfortable with doing. Hope this is fun for all and, above all, creates some laughter and/or sparks some thought. Don't forget to keep checking back to see what others thoughts are about the topics posted and to even reply to someone else's posting to keep the activity going. We're always open for suggestions on topics, so don't hesitate to submit your ideas. It's our first year anniversary, so I thought we'd talk about "firsts"

1) Do you remember your first pet? What was it's name and what type of animal was it. Feel free to share as much as you'd like.
2) Who taught you to drive your first car? Mom? Dad? Any fun stories to share?
3) Do you remember your first day of school or have any tales to shares about any memory you have of someone's first day at school?

[Edward Klassen]

(1) My first pets that I recall was Isaac ( my dad named all our pets) a big yellow tom cat that years later dad had to put down and BUSTER our dog ( dad named all our dogs BUSTER) buried - in Mom's garden. BUSTER was also the dog who saved my life from a very angry cow with long sharp horns. I was crossing through the pasture when I tripped and hurt my ankle. The cow was charging when out of the blue there came this brown streak attacked the cow. Buster stood by me as I got up and limped out of the pasture. Buster got his leg broke by a horse ( honest!) and my brother set the leg with splints. Every afternoon Buster came running on three legs to meet me as I returned home from school. Now I have two beautiful Cats, biological brothers 1 year apart. Mr MaGoo is about 13-14 years and Angel is 12-13 years old. They are my buddies and my friends

(2) My (biological dad) taught me to drive when I was 15. He had lost the tip of his finger during a Farming accident. My first trip? To church. I drove for 6 years before I got my driver's

(3) I was 6 years old when I started grade 1. There was no such thing as kindergarten in the old one room country school that had grades 1-10. The teacher was Mr. Voth in Greenland, Manitoba. We had double desks and my "desk-mate" was my cousin Harry. Years later when my son turned 4 ( he would be 5 in October) started to school and I walked him - kinda misty eyed. he is now 33.

[SuzSee-PLP Creator]

Thank you for sharing! I so love learning things about our family here at PLP. Buster sounds like he was AMAZING. Made me smile at the thought of him trying to rescue you. Also, once you shared your 1st grade information, you made me remember my own first grade teacher's name. Mrs. Avon -- how could I forget? I can only imagine how it must feel to take your own child to their first day of school. It's easy to forget our own, but that of our own sons and daughters, I would imagine that's etched in the brain forever.
Take care,
Suzie

[Pet Lovers Paradise]

Awwwww - you are so sweet!! Hugs right back to you!

1) I once had a bird named Bozo. Similar reason as well. Sure does make me smile to think of him and love your sharing about your own Bozo the clown
2) Now you have me laughing out loud about the ex-thing. Too funny, huh?
3) You go girl!! I love the spunk - and it sounds like you've had it for quite some time!!! Woo-hoo!

[SuzSee-PLP Creator]

Uh-oh, I just realized that my bird's name was BoBo. Not Bozo. I couldn't say BoZo so it came out BoBo.

[Bonnie M. Jonas]

My first pet was a toy manchester, named Peanut. My dad put off letting me have a pet for years. Well, when I was 18 I finally got him and was so happy. Then, a couple of years later I got married, and guess what? My dad wouldn't let me take my dog. He had grown so attached to him, and I didn't have the heart to tell him he couldn't have him. That dog would go every where with my dad, riding inside his jacket.

My dad taught me to drive. What a fiasco! He would take me out, and by the time we got home his face was beet red. He would never yell, but he would get frustrated. He was a very strict teacher, and I must say I turned out to be a good driver because of that.

Oh I remember my first day of school, so well even though it was eons ago. My mom was looking forward to walking me to school, and I would not have anything to do with that. I had the girl from down the street, who was a big fourth grader walk me. My mom was crushed.

[SuzSee-PLP Creator]

Do you have any pictures of Peanut? I'm not sure if I know what a toy manchester is and would love to see. Ahhhhh, I know that crushed look on your Mom's face. It's the same face my sister gave when my nephew said he would take the bus. Ah well. I think you both still get an "A" for independence.
Take care, Suz

[STACY]

1) My first pet was a grey tabby named Skippy. My brother had found him tied to a tree and he was really just a beat up tomcat. I carried him everywhere and he always followed me. we moved to RI from NY and he wound up passing away I'm guessing he was about 8 or 9.

2) my brother started to teach me (till I tried to take his car when he wasn't there) then a boyfriend taught me to drive my first car.

3) I definitely remember my kindergarten class, but not the first day. however, my son was so proud on his first day! he had a new backpack and crayons and was going to conquer the world! (or atleast this school!) he wasn't sure what to think of the few kids that were crying and not wanting to go.

[SuzSee-PLP Creator]

Oh my goodness, your second entry had me in stitches. I can see why your brother wasn't fond of you driving. My sister did something similar to me once, but it involved taking my drivers license and trying to pass as me.

Thank you for the morning smile! XOXOXO - Suz

[Tracy-PLP Admin]

1) Yes I do It was a Rat Terrier named Toby, my dad brought him home to re-place my sister's dog who had passed and she was also a Rat terrier named Pandy...He was suppose to be hers but turned out to be mine, LOL..he was the coolest dog and always thought he could take on the biggest of the big dogs no matter what their size, LOL...I miss him dearly but will always have him in my heart and he is still with me today I just know it:)

2) My dad tried to teach me, LOL because he wanted me to learn first on a stick-shift boy was that a fun time, LOL...He tried his best to tech me the ropes on how to shift and the clutch and it was "buck City" all the way down the road, LOL but I finally did get it even though I do not like stick-shift to this day, give me an automatic anyday, LOL...Brings back alot of memories thinking of this


3) Yes I do remember I was wearing a patchwork dress of different colors and I remember my mom walking me to my classroom and I was so excited but at same time scared but in time had made many friends and my teacher was wonderful just wish I could remember her name, LOL

[SuzSee-PLP Creator]

Oh my goodness, you brought a smile to my face! I remember my dad teaching me how to drive a stick shift. Can you believe it, I still am a "manual transmission" kind of gal. My hubby asks me often when I plan to get an automatic as it would just be easier to drive, and I glare at him. Seems like the one thing this old gal isn't willing to give up from her teenager days. LOL

[Ronda Fenlon]

1. My husband and daughters gave me my 1st Chihuhua puppy MOBeansLittle 1/2 Pint for my 42nd birthday. I love him to pieces and now he is number 1 of 5.
2. My dad taught me to drive an automatic. My husband taught me to drive a stick on our way to our marriage prep class. We are still married after 27 years soooo it wasn't to painful.

[SuzSee-PLP Creator]

What a great name for your puppy! Just love it.
I also loved your comment on your hubby teaching you to drive - CONGRATS on 27 years.