Ardent's FTB Answers

[Barkeep49]

[terpkristin]

Thanks for answering all those questions, AE! Even the ones that came in AFTER the deadline. I've known you personally for awhile, but this opened up new parts of your life, especially about your siblings, that I never knew, and that was really cool to me. :)

/tk

[flere-imsaho]

Great read. That part on your extended family? :eek:

[wade moore]

Informative, good read - still a great feature!

[JAG]

Great answers Rodney. Thanks for sharing quite a bit I didn't know about you. Hope we'll have a chance to get together sometime when we're in the same general location.

[albionmoonlight]

Great read.

[Poli]

I realize now that I forgot to comment more on my more immediate family, that being my stepdad, mom, brother, and sister.

My mom passed away April 29th, 1999, of a heart attack. She was 40, going on 41. She was a great mom in my younger days, doing all the mom things. She played with us, taught us math, mom stuff.

When we moved my at the end of my freshman year to Bonne Terre, MO, we moved to a rather seedy part of town. In fact, I kind of pin the blame on the downfall of my family on that location. If you were from my town, and I told you I lived on the corner of C and Long Street, you'd have a different opinion of me and probably think lesser of me. The names of the families in that area are kind of infamous for our area with horrible things...Marler, Reagan, Gowen, Sansoucie, Hawkins, Rulo, Franklin. Many of the kids I grew up with in that area have seen some sort of jail time. One of them is now a registered sex offender.

My mom had cleaned up her act before we moved to Missouri, but our move into Bonne Terre led her and my family astray. The move, by the way, was made because my dad was friends with the owner of the home. If I'm not mistaken, the owner was friends with my grandpa when grandpa was alive.

My mom soon met Dorothy, her drug dealer, who shares one of the last names I shared above. Dorothy began to hook my mom on just about anything she could get her hands on.

By my senior year, my mom was having more bad days than good. By bad days, I mean, there's someone moving around downstairs, but it surely can't be my mom. My mom went in and out of drug rehab over the years, but as soon as it was an option for her, she was right back out of rehab and back on the drugs.

I used to think it was because my mom had a thyroid condition. She had a seizure in 1988 and that's when they found out about her thyroid problem. She complained often about being in pain, and I believed her. 10 years later, she passed away. I was naturally concerned when I found out at age 30, I had a thyroid problem. That was the same age my mom found out about hers.

Looking back, it was likely just a crock so my mom could get more drugs. It's really a shame.

When I was living at home, mom used to tell everyone that would listen that I beat her. It certainly wasn't true, and most people knew that...but of course, her drug dealer sided with her. It drove me nuts.

I actually took my mom to my senior year's athletic awards banquet...and she disappointed me by going into that shell of herself. The night was highlighted by her trying to stuff a helium balloon in her purse.

After I joined the Navy, my mom had to change her storyline, and my sister took my place as who beat her. Now with my sister, I wouldn't actually have put it past her.

My last conversation with my mom was that my sister was beating her. I remember that conversation like it was yesterday. I had a Navy friend over at the house at the time and really played the conversation off well so my Navy friend could see how bad my mom could get.

My mom soon after had another seizure and went to ICU. I requested leave to go see her, but the Navy told me no. It wasn't life threatening, so there was no reason to go.

My mom passed away about 3 days after being released from ICU. The Navy did their apologizing and sent me on leave, but I was angry about that for a long time. I was also bent on killing Dorothy.

Fortunately, my mom's autopsy came out relatively clean, a little weed, but that was it. I was actually impressed.

There's a story about my mom's death, and I mentioned that it changed my sister's life, and I'll comment more on that in a bit.


My stepdad is a soon to be 67 year old man currently living somewhere in my area, though I have never been to his home. It will saturated with cigarette smoke. Since I no longer have to tolerate that environment, I choose to stay away. He's more than welcome at my home. He's been over a few times.

At 67, he's about 6 months younger than my grandmother, placing him about 17 years and 361 days older than my mom. Kind of crazy isn't it?

He's inherently proud of me for all I've done, though I still remember those days when he said I'd be nothing, that I wouldn't make it in the Navy, and how worthless I am.

He remarried after mom passed away...just over a year later. What's really freaky is that he married someone who looks like my mom's twin, with maybe a few more pounds. Height, face, hair and length, stature, all the same. I heard about this before I came home on leave 6 months later only to be utterly shocked at the resemblance.

I know next to nothing about her other than her name and the name of one of her sons...and I only know that because we were in that blasted neighborhood.

My dad has caught flak from the three of us since he hasn't paid the bill for the funeral. Two years ago, the three of us pitched in and bought her a headstone.

My brother...man, he shared a doozy of a story this morning with me.

He's 14 months younger than me...and his birthday is sandwiched in between my mom's and dad's. It literally goes July 6th (mom), 8th (Tubby), and 10th (dad). Tubby was tubby as a baby and though he's a relatively skinny guy now, that's what we've always called him.

That friggin neighborhood ate him up, too. When we were kids, my brother and I swore we'd never touch alcohol, drugs, or smoke. I have a good feeling my brother's done all three, although I'd guess he hasn't much of the drugs.

I never got along with the kids in the neighborhood (after all, none of them played Strat-o-Matic), but my brother did. He eventually joined their little "ABC" gang, which was named after A, B, and C streets. Original.

He ended up being a bit of a man-whore through high school, while I chose to be the exact opposite. Our worlds clashed. We grew kinda apart.

He's had two kids with two different mothers, which I suppose isn't that unusual in today's world, but here's the kicker...his last girlfriend, Amanda, has three kids, and the oldest is his. What's unusual about that? Well, sure they've broke up now and then, but never for more than a few months. She sure got busy during those months.

My brother would just go with it, and act as if the other two were his very own. I never understood it. I try not to. After my own marriage, it's hard to cast judgement.

Anyhow, he says he's finally kicked her to the curb. I hope he's right, but with him, I'll never know.

Why should I say that? Well, I asked him this morning where he was on Sunday. He was supposed to come over. Instead, he had spent all night with the mother of his first child, Holly.

That child is probably 9 years old and my brother hasn't had anything to do with her at all in years. Like 8 of them. He pays his child support and that's it. Somehow, he ends up sleeping with her Saturday night. How, why? I don't know. I chewed him out for being stupid.

Ah, I love my family.


Finally, my sister. She really went off the deep end after we moved to that place. She was into anything and everything by the time she got to high school. It was actually rather disgusting. At 14, she had no problem cursing anyone and everyone out. She stole money from my mom and dad and then demanded more. She stole drugs from my mom and drank any alcohol that was left by itself in the house.

She absolutely hated me, and I'm not quite sure why. My clothes would disappear. My CDs would disappear. Books would be gone or torn in shreds. If I went to my parents, they'd say I couldn't prove it was my sister. What a worthless argument. I mean, it had to have been SOMEONE in the house...but because I accused her without concrete "here's a picture of her doing it" evidence, I was clearly wrong and they would not listen to further arguments.

As I believe I mentioned, she refused to come to the wedding, and did the immature bit about how she just might show up to object.

What got her to change so much is that she cursed my mom out the day that mom died. When she returned, she found mom laying face down in the living room. That actually had been somewhat of a recurring theme for my sister...who often would find my mom in the floor after a seizure.

As my sister later told me, she actually cursed mom for having a seizure and went to help her. When she tried to help her up, she realized mom was gone.

Tracy has since quit the drugs, quit smoking, and I think given up on alcohol as well. Now if she'd just kick that Russian to the curb, I'd be happy.

Tracy married a Russian going to college here in St. Louis so he wouldn't be deported. A marriage of convenience, it wasn't supposed to be more than that. I told her not to do it, but she did it anyhow.

Well, they eventually "fall in love", and she goes off to boot camp. After training, she went to Korea. He couldn't go because of his nationality or something. That didn't stop him from spending nearly every dime she made. It actually kind of reminds me of what my wife did in 2003, now that I think of it.

Now that they're together, he's verbally and physically abusive. My brother and I both owe him a beating.

But at least I have my sister back. The one good thing about mom's passing is that it brought the three of us closer together.

[path12]

Excellent as usual. I almost always think you're a wolf, BTW.

[Poli]

Great read. That part on your extended family? :eek:
I could talk all day about my family. They're amusing from a distance.

[Lathum]

I swear never to say my family is screwed up again. ( no offense meant)

Great read.

[Poli]

Excellent as usual. I almost always think you're a wolf, BTW.
I'll add this about werewolf. I feel woefully out of touch with the game as of late. There are number of new players that I don't feel I have a good read on.

That's a good thing because it makes it challenging, but I wonder if it just hasn't changed me from a good WWer to a horrible one.

There are some really good players (no offense to the vets) these days.

[terpkristin]

Wow, an "extended edition," no less. ;)

I agree with I think Lathum, I'll never be able to say my family is crazy again (and like Lathum, no offense meant).

/tk

[SackAttack]

Great read, Rodney. Thanks!

[JediKooter]

Awesome AE, thanks for sharing and answering my questions. Good thing you are working with HVAC, 'cause those St. Louis summers can be a beast.

[Antmeister]

AE, thank you for your brutal honesty. With you family's background, I would have understood if you only gave a few details, but your honesty made it a very fascinating read and also gave a great view of how you developed your current personality.

Too bad we don't live in Phoenix anymore, because it would have been nice to meet you for lunch or something. I wish you the best with you and your wife as well as hoping that you accidently land a job coaching a football team.

Great job.

[Schmidty]

That was amazing, AE. I don't think I could ever be that in-depth or maybe not even that honest.

[Poli]

Lordscarlet, FYI, I officially don't know my hat size. It's larger that 7 1/4. I'd go with 7 1/2 to 7 3/8 or 7 5/8.

[BYU 14]

Really great stuff Rodney.....After meeting you in person I would have never guessed you had gone through some of the things you have on the family front.....It's a great testament to your character that you have done so well for yourself in many facets....I have a lot of respect for you.

[Hawglaw]

You didn't mention that you used to steal other kids' toys. I am disappointed...

[st.cronin]

Still waiting for those pics.

[Poli]

You didn't mention that you used to steal other kids' toys. I am disappointed...
You never asked.

[lordscarlet]

Lordscarlet, FYI, I officially don't know my hat size. It's larger that 7 1/4. I'd go with 7 1/2 to 7 3/8 or 7 5/8.

How tight is the 7 1/4? I have trouble that I'm between 7 1/4 and 7 3/8. Some 7 1/4's fit perfectly, some are too tight.

[Poli]

Way too tight. I wonder now if my head's grown with my weight or if the hat has simply shrunk.

I'd likely have to go 7 3/8.

[Joe]

these are very long

[Antmeister]

Ooops

[st.cronin]

AWESOME

[Poli]

Let me guess, Antmeister's questions were here. :)

[Lorena]

Let me guess, Antmeister's questions were here. :)

Hahaha, how'd you guess? As soon as I'm done with ww I'll read your ftb Ardent, it's some crazy stuff over there.

[Dutch]

Good stuff, AE. Well done and I appreciate your honesty. I'm glad the Navy got you where you want to be (wife and good job). Sometimes it does take sacrifice to get what you want. But despite that, I sense you enjoyed the journey a bit as well. Despite all the damned forms. :)

[JeeberD]

Unstickied

[Poli]

For those of you interested, my biological father passed away last night. He was 48.

[Lorena]

For those of you interested, my biological father passed away last night. He was 48.

I know you didn't get along with him, but... sorry to hear of his passing :(

[Passacaglia]

Sorry to hear that, AE.

[Poli]

Eh, it gets worse. Turns out he took his own life and left a 16 and 15 year old behind without immediate family.

[Swaggs]

Sorry for your loss, AE. :(

[terpkristin]

Eh, it gets worse. Turns out he took his own life and left a 16 and 15 year old behind without immediate family.

Yikes!

I know you didn't care for him at all, as he seemed to be a bit of a SOB, but it's still awful news. It sounds like he had a lot of problems, and it's sad when that happens.

I hope that things turn out OK for you, and that your family (however estranged they might be) can stay strong...

/tk

[Butter]

Eh, it gets worse. Turns out he took his own life and left a 16 and 15 year old behind without immediate family.

Boy, that sucks. Sorry to hear about this.

[DaddyTorgo]

Aaah. I see now.

I remember as everyone else has said that you didn't really care about him, but still, that's a tough thing to swallow.

And leaving 2 kids behind without immediate family...not to speak ill of the dead, but I guess that really...validates your opinion of him. So, with those kids being...half-siblings I guess...and not to get too weighty or whatever, but...how much do you know them? Do you get along with them? Is helping them something you are exploring?

My thoughts are with you.

[Poli]

I don't know them at all. I've given it a cursory thought about having them stay here if they had no other option, but I'm sure someone in the clan down in Arkansas actually knows them and would be a better fit.

[Lathum]

sorry Rodney :(

[Antmeister]

Tough situation and I hope everything work out for you.

[Poli]

Kind of weird reading my responses from back then. :)

I'd definitely respond a little differently if asked today.

[Groundhog]

Kind of weird reading my responses from back then. :)

I'd definitely respond a little differently if asked today.

Yeah, totally. I mean myspace?? Sheesh, I had to check the date on this these post to verify they came after 1995. :D

[Toddzilla]

So, *did* you get any good pictures of Djibouti? *snerk*

[Poli]

LOL. Nope, I am what I am. I was loyal to a fault with me ex-wife. I will say this, that divorce was the best thing to ever happen to me...and Will Kerchee was constantly telling me to go through with the divorce.

He was right.

My ex has since asked me to come back twice...predictably on her good mood cycles. She swore to me in February she had made a change for the good "for good". I heard last week she had to be picked up by her mom at a party. A shame.

No other weird family updates to my knowledge. My brother was married two weeks ago...surprisingly. He found a woman that was just as wild as he was...and they kind of canceled each other out. They decided to get married last month and did it with a quickness. He's had some health issues, so I'm assuming that had something to do with it. He got married in and orange Tennessee shirt and has been holding it over my head ever since. No way I can ever top that.

My little girl, Snuggles, passed away in January from cancer in her leg and finally her liver. That was pretty hard on me. I miss her quite a bit. My ex still has Charmin, though I never get to see him.

I'm dating a wonderful neonatal nurse from the area who seemingly "gets" me. She understands my funny side, my weird side, my serious side, my football coaching side...and she's still around...so I must be doing something right.

As for the "Ardent Enthusiast" in me...I feel that since the divorce I've been able to finally return to that guy. I'm not where or who I was...but I'm much closer today than I was in 2007 and I'm closer every day.