Did You Hear About How I Graduated With Honors?

Following his return to college after dropping out for seven years, Archie Brown became a good student. His company would reimburse one hundred per cent if he made A’s in his course work, so Archie did not see any reason to let his grades drop. The fact that those grades replaced the F’s he had received for goofing off in his first experience at college allowed him to graduate with honors. He had learned much, and some of it was not taught in a class room!

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Did You Hear About How My Grades Improved When I Returned To School?

After laying out of college for seven years; following his embarrassment at scholastic ineligibility, Archie Brown found he wanted to get an education. He was offered the opportunity by his employer to get an Associate Degree in Laboratory Science. He found an unexpected benefit of taking some of the basics required for the degree was that the new grades, A’s, replaced those grades he had in the courses when he was 18. The F’s disappeared from his transcript!

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Did You Hear About My Plan To Get A Degree?

When Archie Brown proposed to his boss that he would like to work toward an Associate Degree in Laboratory Science that was offered by the local junior college, and for the company to continue to pay his tuition as they had for the chemistry courses he had completed. To his joy, the company agreed.

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Did You Hear About How My Attitude Toward School Changed?

When Archie Brown decided to go back to school, after dropping out seven years earlier, his whole attitude changed. The company for which he worked would pay for his tuition, based on his grades. If he made A’s in the courses they would pay one hundred percent! For B’s he would receive eighty percent reimbursement, and only fifty percent for C’s. But Archie found that those incentives were not the only motives for making good grades. He was not a student, the wanted to learn. He did not simply want to go to school, he wanted to be get educated!

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Did You Hear About My Decision To Go Back To School 7 Years Later?

The decision to go back to school was not an easy one for Archie Brown, even though he had been told by his boss that he could get raises as he completed courses in science that would improve his abilities in the lab where he was employed. The problem for Archie was that he had really messed up his grades as an 18 year old freshman. He was embarrassed, afraid he would not be accepted into the junior college in town. But Arch had matured a bit by the time he was 25, and after some soul searching, he swallowed his pride and submitted the papers required for admission, including the transcript that showed his overall GPA was now 0.63!

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Did You Hear About How I Had a Chance to Improve My Job?

When he was 25 Archie Brown had a job in a lab at a chemical plant. He like the work and was good at it. It looked like he might be able to advance his position. One draw back was his limited education. He had frittered away his first year at college. He thought he would never go back. But his boss told Arch that the company would increase his pay if he took some courses in chemistry or science. And they would pay for the school on a prorated basis, depending on his grades.

Archie had some things to think about.

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Did You Hear About How I Did Not Care About Bad Grades?

When Archie Brown was 18 years old, he did not care that his irresponsibility had led to his grades being so bad. His first semester grade point average was 1.57 and cost him his eligibility to play baseball in the NCAA. His second semester he did not attend classes for the last six weeks of the semester, nor take any finals, so he received five F’s and a B. The B was in Physical Education and it was a gift from the graduate assistant who was in charge of the class.

Archie did not care at 18, but there was a bit of a change of heart when he was 25!

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Did You Hear About How My Second Semester Ended?

After Archie and Ronda were married, she continued to attend class and finished the semester. But Archie was to immature to swallow his pride and go rectify his situation; opening the door again to play ball for the school in a future season. Instead he took a menial job and joined a local semi-pro team. He did not finish the semester; he did not care about the report card that indicated his grades were incomplete. He did not care when they turned to F’s three months.

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Did You Hear About My Marriage Proposal?

It was not so much that Archie thought about the decision not to go back to class after he was declared academically ineligible to play baseball. He was just angry. In his exasperation, he called the girl he was dating. He asked her to marry him, to leave the next day and go to the courthouse in the county seat and be married. To his surprise, Ronda said yes!

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Did You Hear About My Decision Not to Finish the Second Semester?

Archie Brown had really made a mess of his grades in his first semester of college. His 1.57 grade point average left him academically ineligible to play baseball, according to NCAA rules. And he compounded the mess when he decided not to attend classes for the last six weeks of the semester. He was angry, and besides, he had other plans.

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Did You Hear About My Reaction To Academic Ineligibility?

When Archie Brown learned that he was ineligible to play baseball under NCAA rules, because his grades were so poor, he got angry. But he did not get angry at the one responsible for the situation. He was mad at the school, the coach, everyone but himself. He soon compounded his blunders.

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Did You Hear About My Starting Job on College Baseball Team?

Archie Brown was a pretty good ball player. He had a good fall season in his freshman year. He believed he had a good chance to win a starting job at third base in the spring semester.

His spring work on the diamond was even better. On the last Saturday before the season was to begin, the team played an exhibition double header against a Southwest Conference school. Archie started at third in both games. He was elated, until the team arrived home that night. The eligibility list was up, and Archie’s name was not on it!

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Did You Hear About My First Semester at College?

Archie Brown turned 18 about two weeks before he left home for college four hundred miles from home. He had led something of a sheltered life. When he arrived at school, away from the constant accountability to his parents, he was less than responsible about being a good student.

In fact Archie was all about having some fun. He played ball in the afternoon, dated in the evening and played poker most of the night. That left little time to sleep. He decided the best time for a bit of shut eye was during class time. At the end of the first semester, his grade demonstrated Archie had played too hard. His grade point average was 1.57 in a 4 point grading system.

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Did You Hear About Our Mutual Anniversary Hot Air Balloon Plans?

The plans for the mutual anniversary celebration by Archie & Ronda Brown and Larry & Barbara Searcy included an ride in a hot air balloon! Archie had found a place outside of Houston that offered rides for four people for $100 per person. It was more than they really wanted to pay, but the idea of sharing the adventure won out and the reservation was made. Sadly, Larry had a heart attack and was in the hospital for surgery a week before the flight was to take place. The balloonist was considerate in canceling the reservation and refunding the deposit. But the balloon ride never took place.

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Did You Hear About Our Mutual Anniversary Dinner Cruise?

For another mutual anniversary celebration Archie and Ronda Brown met Larry and Barbara Searcy in Galveston for a dinner cruise on the bay! The boat ride lasted around four hours. That allowed the couples plenty of time to enjoy a fabulous seafood meal, the musical entertainment provided for the guests, and still have time to stroll on the deck under the spring time moon!

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Did You Hear About The Time My Daughter Called About Naming Her New Baby

Archie Brown’s daughter called to announce her pregnancy. She wanted her mom and dad to have a say in the name of their next grand baby. Archie searched online for the meaning of the names before submitting them for Beth's consideration. He and his wife, Ronda, had selected names that sounded nice to them, without considering what the names meant. Archie was able to discover that his name means “athletic”. He called Andy back to give him the information.

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Did You Hear About Our Mutual Anniversary Train Ride?

One of the first mutual anniversary adventures the Browns and Searcys embarked on, following the Searcys’ move to the country, was a train ride. A train made a dinner excursion out of San Antonio. The Browns and Searcys met in San Antone and boarded the train. They were shown to a compartment for four. It had a table set with elegant china and silver, with a yellow rose in a silver vase at each of the ladies’ place. There was a small stair case up to an observation deck where the couples could sit and enjoy a view and some conversation till dinner was served. The train made its way to Hondo station, and then headed back to San Antonio. The meal was great and the trip was wonderful.

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Did You Hear About Our Mutual Anniversary Friends Moving Away?

Archie and Ronda Brown shared many anniversary celebrations with Larry and Barbara Searcy over at least two decades. It was not always as easy as the first one when they were neighbors, because The Searcys moved away to the countryside near Gonzalez, Texas, which was several hours drive away from the Browns. But they enjoyed each other and the adventures they embarked on so much that they always worked out a way to meet.

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Did You Hear About My Friend's Discomfort At The Elegant Restaurant?

Everything was going so beautifully on the double date by Larry and Barbara Searcy and Archie and Ronda Brown in celebration of their respective anniversaries. The restaurant was elegant and service was very accommodating. It was so good that Larry had never seen anything like the moment the waiter unfolded Larry’s linen napkin and placed it on Larry’s lap. That was a bit uncomfortable for a farm boy.

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Did You Hear About Our Orders At the Elegant Restaurant?

The elegant restaurant Archie Brown and Larry Searcy had chosen as the place to celebrate their respective wedding anniversaries with their wives had turned out to be a wonderfully satisfying success. Their wives, Ronda and Barbara, were beaming as the waiter recited the menu. Archie and Ronda each chose steak as their entrée, Barbara selected Long Island Duck, while Larry ordered Filet of Sole.

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Did You Hear About Our View of the Swans?

When the Browns and Searcys approached the entrance, the doorman opened the door and welcomed the couples as though they were dignitaries, despite the fact that they had never seen such a place. The maitre d and waiters were all dressed in tuxedos, there was a tree growing in the middle of the large dining room. The couples were seated at a table near a bay window that provided a great view of the lake and the swans.

They were out of their element, but really pleased at the choice they had made in where to celebrate their anniversaries.

Did You Hear About The Peacocks & Black Swans At the Restaurant?

The Browns and the Searcys were feeling pretty smug as the got out of the car at the fancy restaurant. It was the first time either of them had used valet parking. As the walked up the winding path to the entrance, they passed several peacocks that were a part of the ambiance. They saw the azaleas in bloom around a gazebo on the little hill in the middle of the garden. It overlooked a small lake on which a pair of black swans was swimming peacefully. The Browns and Searcys were very impressed, and they had not even inside the restaurant yet!

Did You Hear About The First Time We Celebrated Our Anniversary With Friends?

Archie and Ronda Brown had some friends Larry and Barbara Searcy, whose wedding anniversary was within a week of their own. One year the Larry and Archie decided to take their wives to a very fancy restaurant. Both the couples were from rural backgrounds and loved the same things. The evening went so well that the two couples celebrated their anniversaries together for the next twenty five or more years. They had some fine adventures. And some funny moments too.

Did You Hear About Our Foster Daughter's Move From Defiance to Glee?

Bethany, the Brown’s foster daughter, had been allowed to come to the supper table after overcoming her first act of rebellion in her new home. She ate alone. And the fact is that she probably threw and spilled as much as she put in her mouth. But she did not get in any trouble over the messiness. The only thing that had been demanded was that she say the word “eat” instead of grunting and pointing. For the next few days, she continued her defiant demeanor as she still clinched her teeth and said, “eat” as meal time arrived. By the end of a week, however, she would gleefully run to the table shouting, “eat, eat, eat!”

Did You Hear About Our Foster Daughter's Second Breakthrough?

When Bethany had been sent to her room she continued the screaming for a full forty minutes, while the Brown family ate supper. When supper was over, Archie went in to Bethany’s room, to find her standing in the middle of the room with her hands balled into tight fists. Archie told his little foster daughter, “Bethany, you have met the hardest headed man you will ever meet. You can continue to scream if you want to, but if you want to eat, you must say eat.”

She looked at him, quit screaming and, through firmly clinched teeth, growled, “Eat!, Eat!, Eat! She was escorted to the table and given her supper.

Did You Hear About Our Foster Daughter's First Rebellion?

When Bethany arrived at the Brown’s home as a foster child at eighteen months old, she regressed in her development. She had been speaking, but reverted to grunting and pointing. Archie and Ronda did not place any demands on her for the first few days, perhaps a week.

At that time she was told that she would have to say “eat” if she wanted to eat. She was stubborn and refused. And she began to scream, not cry, just scream. Archie told her to go to her room. She did that, but continued to scream.

For forty minutes!

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Did You Hear About The Time I Bought A New Ball Glove?

Archie and Ronda Brown had been married a couple of years. He was working for a local chemical plant, but he still loved to play baseball. He was the shortstop on a semi-pro team that was made up of local boys who had foregone college for one reason or another, but who could not just hang up their spikes.

Archie decided he needed a new ball glove. So on his way home from the plant one day, he stopped at the sports goods store. He found the perfect glove for him. It was $40, and that was a big portion of Archie's paycheck in 1967. He bought the glove, but guilt hit him almost the moment he left the store. He decided to hide the golve from Ronda.

Bad choice.

At the next game, Archie used his new mitt. As always Ronda was in the stands watching. When the game was over, she wondered where he had gotten the new glove. He had to admit his spending spree, and his attempt to deceive.

He learned a lesson that day about honesty and relationships that served him well for the rest of his days.

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Did You Hear About Our Foster Daughter's First Expressions of Love??

That first break through was the product of Evonne and Shelby’s sincere expressions of acceptance and love to Bethany, and the consistent attention and care of Ronda.

On that day six weeks after Bethany’s arrival, Archie came home at the usual time. When he entered the living room he saw Ronda on the floor singing “Jesus Loves Me” to Bethany. Bethany was not resisting being held and hugged. In fact, she was stroking Ronda’s cheeks with both hands!

It was a sweet moment. It validated all the work that had been done for the first six weeks. And it motivated continued efforts in the days ahead.

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Did You Hear About Our Enjoyment of Christmas Movies?

Archie Brown and his wife, Ronda, love the Christmas season for many reasons. One of them is that some of their favorite movies are Christmas movies. They still love to watch older classic movies like "Miracle on 34th Street" and "It's a Wonderful Life."
They enjoy watching the children's movies like "A Charlie Brown Christmas" and "Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer" with thier grandchildren. And they always have a laugh with the more recent classic, "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation", with all its slapstick gags. Arch and Ronda have an ongoing debate as to whether egg nog is better when in a Melk Mug. Archie could never make Ronda see that a mug that looked like a cross between a moose and an elk had any impact on the pleasure of eggnog!

Did You Hear About Our Foster Daughter's First Breakthrough??

When Bethany came to the Brown’s home, she did not know how to give or receive affection. But that did not stop her new foster sisters from treating her like a baby doll. She was hugged and kissed and given attention such as she had not had in her first year and a half!

It only took six weeks for the first break through!

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Did You Hear About Our Foster Daughter's Being Neglected As A Baby??

Archie and Ronda Brown received an 18 month old little girl into their home for two months of foster care. The name she was born with had been changed, she was now called Bethany. She had been neglected as a baby, never held or cuddled. She did not know how to receive nor give affection.

That was one of the major obstacles she would have to overcome in life.

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Did You Hear About Our Foster Daughter's Early Days??

The little girl the Browns agreed to take in as a foster child was only eighteen months old when she was brought to their home. But she had already lived in 5 homes by that time. Her mom was unable to care for her. She stayed with her mom’s parents for a little while, but they were unable to continue the arrangement for long. The little girl had already been to three other foster homes. But she was not easy to handle, so she had been sent back to the agency.

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Did You Hear About The Time We Agreed to Become Foster Parents?

In that original meeting with the representatives of Christian Services, Archie and Ronda Brown were also asked to consider doing foster parenting until the infant boy they were seeking to adopt was available. There was an 18 month old little girl with special needs that the Browns were asked to take as a foster child for the two months it would take to get her paper work done so she could be adopted.

The Browns agreed. Their future was changed!

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Did You Hear About The First Meeting with the Adoption Acency?

In the meeting with the director of the representatives of Christian Services of the Southwest, Archie and Ronda Brown learned many things about the process of adoption.
They learned that there was usually a few months waiting period for an infant boy. They learned the financial requirements. They learned of the state regulations and the expectations of the agency.

But that was not all they learned!

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Did You Hear About Our Decision to Adopt a Child?

Archie and Ronda Brown decided that they would work seek to become adoptive parents. They had two daughters and figured they would adopt a little boy, younger than Evonne and Shelby. They did not want either girl to lose their place in the pecking order of the family. They contacted an agency in Dallas and made an appointment with the director and a social worker.

The first step toward a changed life was taken.

Did You Hear About The Time I Made 2nd My Daughter Take A Speech Class?

Archie Brown not only insisted that his first born, Evonne, take a speech class in high school. He made the same demand on his second daughter, Shelby. And the resistance he met from her was far more vehement than with Evonne. But once again he prevailed. She did well in the class. And once again the class had a positive outcome. Shelby got to serve as a foreign exchange student to Singapore representing the Rotary Club from her hometown. While in Singapore, Shelby had been expected to make a presentation to 600 men, in a foreign culture. When she returned home, she told Archie that she was glad he had made her take that speech course!

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Did You Hear About The Time I Made My Daughter Take A Speech Class?

Archie Brown’s dad, Orel, had insisted that Arch take a speech class as an elective subject in high school. It had turned out to be very helpful in Archie’s life as a teacher. So naturally when Archie’s daughter, Evonne, was in high school, he made the same demand on her as he had from his dad. Evonne did not want to take speech, but was no more successful resisting her dad than he had been in resisting her grandpa.

Again it paid off. It gave her confidence that she could present ideas with clarity and skill. She became a wonderful Sunday school teacher.

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Did You Hear About The Time I Had To Take A Speech Class?

Archie Brown wanted to be a major league baseball player. Or maybe a veterinarian. So
When his dad, Orel, insisted that one of Archie’s elective courses in high school be used to take a speech class, there was a pretty big fuss between them. Orel had such an aversion to speaking in public that it had held him back from advancements. He did not want his son to have the same stumbling block. Orel won the argument. And he was vindicated when Archie actually enjoyed it. Public speaking became a part of his life as a teacher.

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Did You Hear About the Times I Called the Hogs!

Archie Brown’s dad, Orel, loved the Arkansas Razorbacks football team. When his kids were still living at home, Orel would try to schedule at least one weekend trip each season to see a game.

The Hogs were always competitive, so the kids enjoyed the games. But their favorite part of the contests was when the cheerleaders would lead the Arkansas faithful in calling the hogs. Archie and his siblings loved to join in!

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Pig, soooie! OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Pig, soooie! OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Pig, soooie!

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