To
start, let me introduce myself. My name is Hannah Joy, but I have been called
Haney, Harney, Actuallywhatyabut, Somebody, daydreamer (ask my wonderful,
home-schooling mom just how often she had to pull my head out of the clouds),
and other various, sometimes rather odd, names. Most people are aware of the
fact that I am over thirty, and a single mom to a mostly-wonderful boy (the
four-legged, furry, kind). But for the sake of some of the coming posts over
the next couple of weeks, I think it is important that I introduce a couple
other members of this Joyous family that are not as widely known...
NINA:
A grandmother, hearing of the first grand-daughter, fought the crowds
for one of the first Cabbage Patch dolls, which was presented on the
grand-daughter's first Christmas (at barely three months old). Jannina
"Nina" Florence, however, spent almost three years in the box, until
she could be used to entice the grand-daughter to stop climbing furniture. Nina
and that grand-daughter were almost inseparable thereafter. Nina went on every
doctor visit, got dragged through the mud (and got left outside in the rain on
a windowsill), was a pillow and tissue on more occasions then anyone could
count when they stayed overnight in the hospital. In fact, Nina has had it so
rough, that her fingers and the back of her neck (her head has threatened to
detach) has been re-sewn on several occasions, until she finally got a pair
gloves made during one of those homeschool sewing class.
In
the all-to-imaginative mind...Nina is often portrayed as the adopted, adorable
African-American infant. Her hair done up in tiny little braids, pulled back
into an almost permanent pony-tail. She smiles a lot, and is a generally
good-natured little one, who likes to pull herself up -- be it, by dog, pant
leg, or furniture. When allowed to roam free, she can often be found trailing
and trying to imitate Joyce, or climbing on Lance...
JOYCE:
For
birthdays and Christmases, a great-grandfather, lovingly, would give his great-grandchildren
money to be put away for college; but one time, just shy of the ninth birthday,
one of those great-grandchildren, was given permission to buy something -- yet at
the time of purchasing the desired baby boy doll, a toothy-grin-ginger-of-a-doll
caught the great-grandchild's eye, instead! Joyce Elaine (the true middle name
remains a mystery as the Cabbage Patch birth certificate got lost shortly after
purchase), being one of the pose-able dolls, came in a pair of overalls so she
could climb/hug trees; however, the wire in her limbs eventually broke, making
her pose-able no more.
Imagined...Joyce
was born with teeth, and a curly mop of red hair. She is about toddler age (2-3
years old, usually) with a cute, infectious laugh and joyful spirit that she
takes, almost, anywhere. Her sassy, stubborn attitude, however, can often get
her into (and trying to wiggle out of) trouble. (we have no idea where she gets
it from ;) ) She takes after her aunt, in that she is like the energizer bunny
and never stops, until she completely drops! She is a bit of a tomboy, and can
often be seen running or dashing around. Underfoot. Climbing. Everything. Or
hugging. Anything...
BRUNO:
When that great-grandchild (above) with her great-grandfather's birthday
money, found the girl doll she could not resist, she had also picked the boy
doll she wanted. It had been a difficult decision to go home with only one
doll, but to her delight, when her surprise birthday party came around, her
mother had somehow (aren't mother's amazing?) snuck that boy doll home to be
wrapped and saved for the party! Bruno Shane, like Joyce, was one of the pose-able
Cabbage Patch dolls; he came with a tennis hat and shoes, to run and play outdoors,
but unlike Joyce, he still has a couple of pose-able limbs.
(side
note: when that great-grandchild "outgrew" dolls, she kept three: (1)
the inseparable, raggedy doll called Nina, and (2 & 3) Joyce and Bruno,
who, in a way, were a last [tangible] gifts from that great-grandfather, due to
the great-grandfather's death but a few months after the birthday)
Imagined...
Bruno has a cute, dimpled-smile, bright blue eyes, and can sometimes fool a
person into thinking he is a shy, thoughtful oldest child (about age 5). Sometimes,
he is a gentle, caring, helpful older brother to his sisters. And, well,
sometimes, being older means he has a couple little sisters to tease, torment,
blame, and dare into trouble. Or maybe it is because he has no brothers that
his boys-will-be-boys nature is brought out on his sisters. Especially Joyce --
it begs the question, would she have been a tomboy if she did not have Bruno to
lead? Some days, he brings out the tomboy, whether she wants to or not! And
other days, it is a toss-up as to who likes mud the most or can get dirty the
fastest!
LANCE:
Yes, let us not forget the four-legged, fur-baby! (the one most of
y'all already know). Born at the beginning of 2013, just about the time the
hunt for a service dog began. In a dream it was revealed that it would earn the
nicknamed "doughboy" as not a day would pass without the bringing
forth of laughter (think of the Pillsbury doughboy's laugh). Shortly after, as
if by a miracle, a picture of said puppy (then called Lance) was found online,
and within a week, was given as a gift.
Upon
adoption, the puppy was given the full name of Sir Lancelot Doughboy. Aside
from Doughboy, Lance has earned several nicknames -- among them: Lancey,
Goober, Goose -- but he only truly responds to his given name. He continues to
be a source of pride and joy, and a (mostly) wonderful adventure. To train. To
raise...
Imagined?
No, Lance can not be portrayed, or imagined, as anything but himself, because he
is already quite real! (unless a person only sees a dog?)...but...he is
fantastic at posing for pictures, so I'm sure we'll have some great adventures in
the days ahead! #watchful #hekeepsawearyeye #goodboy
Welcome
to our home...
