Many of you have asked and wondered why my mom is referred to as "Jenius" on our blogs. Some have even wondered how to pronounce it. Well, I will tell you the family story behind the nickname. Mom, and any of my sisters--correct me if I get anything wrong. Now remember, this is a family story so it will be funny to us, while most of you will read this and get to the end, staring at your computer with a confused look on your face and think we're a bunch of weirdos. Just remember: FAMILY JOKE.
Okay, here it goes:
Bless my Mom's heart, but she planned three weddings (and they were big) in one year, almost to the day. One sister got married on July 27, one on June 28 and the other on July 26 just to have Denise celebrate her 1st anniversary the next day! It was a busy year for my parents, but especially for Mom. She had three emotional brides-to-be to deal with, three wedding dresses and mother-of-the-bride dresses to search for, three cakes to order, three receptions to plan and find caterers for. I don't know how she did it, but she did so beautifully and without a hitch.
After Dayna's wedding (the last of the three), Daddy decided to take Mom, Dolly and me on a little vacation up North. It was still summer, school hadn't started back and Dolly and I were the lucky ones left at home, so we drove all over the New England states and had a great time. Now we all know that when weddings come around and we find ourselves in the wedding party, we all try to watch what we eat and lose a little weight. Well, add the stress of planning three weddings on top of that and you get a very skinny mama. Mom had lost a lot of weight that particular summer and alot of her clothes would just hang on her. So, one night we were in the heart of Quincy Market in Boston, MA and we were all laughing at how skinny she looked in her jeans and how they were just hanging on her. So out of that, we started calling her "Skinny Jeans" that night, which slowly morphed into the one word phenomenon of "Jenius" with a J. This worked out even better because her middle name is "Jeanne" and hey, she is a genius (we think so, anyways), so we all started calling her Jenius!
Almost 12 years later, we are still calling her Jenius, sons-in-law included. And now new people are calling her this, too! Whether she's Skinny Jeans or Jenius, she's still Mommy to me and I love her dearly:)
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
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12 comments:
Good one Donna. For some reason the only thing that I could think about while I read this one was Bob Wiley singing to Dr. Leo Marvin "...you genius..." Mom, you are a genius. I don't know how you did it with us all in the house and all the emotions that involved. You were a wonderful mom and still are!! ILY
Yes mom you are a Jenius in more ways than one. You skinny jeans you!
Taking care of all five of us girls and Daddy makes you a Jenius for sure. I ditto Dayna's comment about Bob Wiley in "What About Bob?" For you're a jolly good Jenius! Love you mom!
Good post Donna!
Donna, only YOU could have explained a meaning like that which was kind of hard to explain, in such a good way. Good explanation! That trip up to the New England states was so fun. Those were the days!!!!
Oh, and I ditto the other girls comments too mom! You're a jenius in more ways than one. So many meanings! I don't know how you did it so gracefully with 5 girls either. You made it look easy!
Okay, that is SO not what I was thinking about how she got her name!
Jenius...WOW is all I can say!!! I didn't realize 3 of your girls got married so close together...why did your sweet daughters do that to you? Were they testing your love for them? :)
Cute story!
What a great post Donna and thanks for the inside scoop on Skinny Jeans...I mean Jenius.
Have a great day and hope you get to watch the LOST episode from last night...it was INCREDIBLE!
Now it all makes sense. I cannot believe that your poor mom had 3 girls' weddings to plan in one year! WOW!
OK, Jennifer. What WERE you thinking?
Ha ha Jenius! Nothing bad...just thought it would be something along the lines of your obvious intelligence...not skinny jeans! :)
I have to agree with Jennifer. I was suprised that "Jenius" was from the Greek root word of "Jeans"
I also thought it would have something to do with her high IQ or an inside joke of her doing something the opposite of genius.
I loved the explanation Donna. I have always wanted to hear this story and you explained it well.
Jenius, you are a good woman! I'm proud to know you!
She must be a "Jenius" to have raised 5 godly, sweet, creative, lovely daughters!! Her girls sure do "rise up and call her blessed"...what we all hope to accomplish as moms!
Great explanation, I can't wait to meet the woman who can handle 3 weddings in a year {Mother of the BRIDE style!}
Yes, very different than what I thought! Moms are thought to be wise and since Mrs. Reber has 5, I'd say she's a genius. I just thought that you spelled it with a "J" for Jan. Thanks for the explanation!
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