Wednesday, June 30, 2010

X is for something you didn't know about me...

I am a very private person.

Hey, quit laughing.

It's true.

And it is hard for me to talk about this but I am desperate for something to use for my letter "X" post for Alphabe-Thursday, so I have no choice but to share this little story with you.

Some of you might know I was married before Mr. Jenny. What you might not know is that my first husband's last name was Papadopoulos.

My father was in the military and in my late teens he was stationed in Greece for several years.

There is a small US military installation right outside Xanthi where we lived from 1971-1974.

The whole region is absolutely lovely. Xanthi is the capital of the Xanthi Prefecture of the periphery of East Macedonia and Thrace and the original town dates back to 879 AD.
I have never spoken of this marriage to many people. It ended badly. Christos was a little too fond of the ouzo so after being married only a short time I fled the country and came to the US.

I will share one wedding picture with you...it took some time to find it...I thought I had destroyed them all...but...I am willing to do anything for the letter "X"...
It was not quite a Big Fat Greek Xanthi Wedding...

But this is a Big Fat Greek Xanthi Wedding lie...

OK.

And if you want to get technical...ummm.... yea...my Father was never stationed in Greece...and ummm....yea... I've never even been to Greece.... and ummm.... yea...I've never even swigged ouzo.

But I thought this was a little bit more exotic than using Xenia, Ohio (which, by the way, is the only city in the US that starts with the letter "X")

Hey...

Now don't be reciting the liar, liar pants on fire rhyme to me.

That is just plain cruel.

And...

I couldn't think of anything else to use for the letter "X".

Sincerely,
Jenny Papadopoulos Matlock

PS. This post is linked to Alphabe-Thursday's letter "X". Click here to visit the more... ummm.... truthful links.

post signature

78 comments:

Julie Kwiatkowski Schuler said...

Ah, an eXotic version of the truth. Good to know about Xenia. I will remember that.

Cheryl said...

Even if the rest is pure fantasy, I do believe you are a very private person. I've recognized a kindred soul since the day I started reading your posts.

Shay said...

I was totally getting excited because my maiden name was Papadopolous and I was born in Xanthi!

Sigh...

Ms. A said...

You're full of mud!

Jacque said...

Good Morning Ms. Matlock,

Well,you had me from the beginning because that sure sounded like the truth! Heck, I'm sorry that it wasn't..kinda would have been a fun life and all...

Only 2 more letters...yeah!!

Wanda..... said...

Hey, Xenia is just 20 minutes from where I live, Jenny. Did you really live there or did you make that up too???

♥...Wanda

Jojo said...

Wow! Your nose started growing with your opening line "I am a very private person," and as your post continued, things only got worse. Some people will do ANYTHING for "x" (fill in the blank here).

Terra said...

you silly snit. You had me totally believing this and thinking well, now that is strange...and well by the end I was laughing and that was a good way to start my day!

~✽Mumsy✽~ said...

Oh, you had me going..but this is a fantastic post for the letter X..

Short and Sweet said...

You really had me going there for a few minutes! Very creative tease, Mrs. Matlock! You really did make a beautiful bride...dark hair and all!

Unknown said...

and here I was all envious of you having lived in Greece, a country I've always wanted to visit, a food I adore and a culture that I find intriguing. Can I ever trust you again! *Sniff*

Brenda said...

Oh man...am I going to have to put you in the corner for telling such untruths? My youngest granddaughter got a bug bite this past weekend. What can I say we live in the middle of woods and spray as we might we still get a bite now and then. She went home and told her mommy Ladybug bite her. Hummm you can share the corner with my littlest granddaughter now.

Deb said...

you had me sucked in Jenny....LOL

ImagiMeri said...

Hey I was married to that guy, too!!! Wow, small world, huh? As my current husband would say...."you're a silly goose."

Love ya'
Meri

Bits-n-Pieces said...

you are so funny! I love ya chickie!!
I'm trying to link my entry. Had to do it before hitting the road.
Have a great weekend. I'll be back next week!
xoxo

Personalized Sketches and Sentiments said...

Haha!!!!! I am cracking up -out loud! For pete's sakes, you are such an amazing storyteller! And here I was squinting at "your" wedding photo, thinking...oh the ceremony must have been amazing! Ah! I was in on your story...hook, line and sinker!!!!

Hm...you definitely keep us all on our toes! hahaha...still laughing over here!

Blessings & Aloha!

Betty said...

I was fascinated reading about your past until...

Jeanie said...

I rarely know fact from fiction anyway, so I loved your story. I do know ouzo drinking is a dangerous sport.

Theresa Plas said...

Extra Naughty Jen! (thanX for making me laugh again)

jen said...

I was suckered into believing you, too.

But I'm always up for a good prank. Thanks.
I'm going to google earth Xenia right now.

The Quintessential Magpie said...

The hair color was the first tip off, Jenny! LOL! But I was willing to go along for the ride. ;-)

XO,

Sheila :-)

lissa said...

fun post, I think it takes very little to fool people but I was fool but cute name - Papadopoulos

Tina said...

LOL, Jenny. (I think a lot of my comments start this way...but you are a humor writer, right? So me laughing is ok, right?) Anyway, this story cracked me up. You had me going until the wedding picture...and for the record, my parents have been to Xenia, OH many times in their work for Campus Crusade. So I know it really exists, and you didn't make ThAT up, too. :-)

PeggyR said...

Great X...

Jules said...

Truly Jenny, is it any wonder I keep coming back!!!! xx

Andrea said...

Jenny you are a riot! I was seriously looking at the photo thinking, "wow, look at Jenny!". Yes, I am gullable. (I think I mispelled that)

Busy Bee Suz said...

You had me right up until the "fleeing" part...I could not see you fleeing a country.
I could see you fleeing towards a yardsale, but that is it.

Sami said...

Yup, you had me going.

I could see the drama! Young maiden Jenny, stowing away on a Greek olive transporting ship, fleeing from her drunken Ouzo-laden husband who would throw plates all-the-time...

;) I love your imagination!

GardenOfDaisies said...

LOL Jenny! There were enough elements of truth in that story that I totally believed you!

laterg8r said...

hahaha - big liar, x is hard :D

ain't for city gals said...

I have diet on the brain..I stare at the photo and thought "Wow, Jenny was really skinny then"..lol...cute post...

Keri {One Mama's Daily Drama} said...

Oh my goodness, I was laughing so hard when I read this! I wonder where you come up with these posts some times.

Susan Anderson said...

I feel betrayed.

"/

PS. In the spirit of AlphabeThursday, I am working toward forgiveness. (It may take some time, as you've triggered some childhood issues around 12-letter names beginning with "P.") And you spelled Greece wrong, which was my favorite movie.

Susan Anderson said...

PPS. Don't try to excuse yourself because I spelled "Grease" wrong, too. I'm not lettin' you off that easily.

"/

Anonymous said...

Hahahahahah! I was totally believing you. I was even trying to pick you out in the picture. And, wondering why I haven't heard this story before!

Pondside said...

You did it again - had me laughing out loud, early in the morning, all by myself like a mad woman.Thanks for the laugh!

Lourie said...

I was in my friends BIG FAT GREEK wedding. I was the Maid of Honor, but because I was not Greek Orthodox her cousin's name and signature was on marriage certificate. What the heck? Thanks for sharing your story.

Tracy said...

Dear Miss Jenny I think you should have detention for being a liar. Ok I will forgive you this once as it was so good.
Thanks

Theresa said...

I already knew you were nuts, now you are telling fibs:) Have a blessed day my friend! HUGS!

aimee said...

sounded like an LMN (lifetime movie network)movie. i almost made popcorn! you are very good jenny matlock :)
blessings,
aimee

"Cottage By The Sea" said...

You totally had me going. I can see where you needed to tell a little white one for the letter X. It was a great one too. I was about to comment on what an interesting life you've lead. Never the less, I'm still sure you've led an interesting life.

RACHELLE said...

hahahaha...u stinker...i waas feeling for you! very good "x" story! even if you tricked some empathy outta me lol

shell

gypsylemonade.blogspot.com

RACHELLE said...

hahahaha...u stinker...i waas feeling for you! very good "x" story! even if you tricked some empathy outta me lol

shell

gypsylemonade.blogspot.com

Holly Lefevre said...

An alter ego..I love it...why can't Xenia Ohio be exotic...we must give our small towns more credit! What are you doing when the alphabet id over????

Red Couch Recipes said...

You had me! Joni

H said...

I hate to admit it but my middle name is gullible and I was believing you all of the way! HUMPH!!!

Cheryl D. said...

Wow, you had me going! I would call you a name, but I can't think of one that begins with X! Oh, why couldn't I have done this during the B week! LOL! (just kidding, of course!)

jfb57 said...

Naughty, naughty, naughty! Lines for you my girl!

jeff campbell said...

Are you ever serious?...is there serious buried beneath an Xtremely thick layer of goofiness?

Auntie sezzzzzz... said...

You sooooooooooooo *bad*!!!!

-giggggggggggggggles-

Unknown said...

You crazy funny lady LOL!
I do enjoy your stories, thanks for the laugh :) .
Blessings,
Catherine

Kat said...

Oh, you got me! This was a hoot Jenny. Just so you know, I have your favorite seat reserved in detention. And yes, I'll bring the drinks. Just not ouzo lol! Kat

J said...

Well, you had me fooled until the end. Good job, haha, you crack me up.

mrs. c said...

You are nothing but a HOOT! ou really ahd me going and I was feeling so sad about what had gone on with you and then.....thanks for the funny post!

Sarah said...

Oh, you are always the best at writing with an entertaing slant. Great post! ~ Sarah

Judie said...

OMH! I know that guy! I met him at an arts festival in Atlanta in the late seventies! He liked my work, and he asked me out. I should have known not to say "yes" when he didn't buy any of my paintings. After going out with him TWICE I discovered that he was a member of a religious sect whose sole purpose is to recruit new members. He wanted me to meet him at a remote place where a space ship was supposed to land and take us to another planet where Jesus would be waiting to welcome us. I politely declined.

Unknown said...

Dear Mrs. Matlock,
You are quite a story-teller! I thought you were telling us the truth until you said it all was a lie. Very funny!

But seriously, 'X' was not an easy letter and many of us were tempted to cheat a little to get this assignment done, be it chosing a word that starts with 'ex' rather than 'x' or using a foreign word, in Greek or Chinese, or taking a photo of an object shaped like an X.
So, we forgive you, if you forgive us!

(Now I don't feel so badly about that horrible story about that dentist that lost his finger. I almost deleted it for the sake of good taste!)

Can't wait until we do 'Y' and 'Z'!

Best wishes & hugs,
Anna
Anna's X-words

Belle (from Life of a...) said...

Where you really had me going there!! What a hoot! Thanks so much for stopping by Life of a Southern Belle. I'm just tickled pink to discover your blog and look forward to having time this weekend to find out more of your world. Come back to see me again soon...

The Words Crafter said...

Oh, you're goooooood. You're reeeeeeally good. You had me going....and when you began confessing, I was like, dang! 'S okay...I'm outing you on my blog in the very near future. I know who you really are....*trying to maintain an evil/wicked grin...and failing!!!! so I'm just grinning*

myletterstoemily said...

YOU are a nut! :)

thank you for stopping by my blog.
i can't believe that you have the time
with all your followers. it is very
sweet of you.

and shy, too.

Debbiedoos said...

OK OK you had me for about a half a minute! You are hilarious Jenny! Have a happy safe 4th!!~

Little Messy Missy said...

Too funny!

Christy said...

You had me all the way to the end. I am gullible like that. ;o)
Have a great 4th!

Linda Bob Grifins Korbetis Hall said...

loved to learn about your culture.

My Grama's Soul said...

This story is tooooo funny and too fabulous!!

Jo

Linda @ A La Carte said...

I was thinking you would never have kept quiet about living in Greece even if the guy was an Ouzo lush! Just sayin.... :)
You are entertaining!

PERMANENT POSIES said...

Such e-x-citing info to not tell anyone e-x-cept for a few (hundred or thousand). I am X-tremely xenophobic though so, it is good that you are
e-x-agerrating. hahaha
Liar, liar.....pants on fire.

Mid-Atlantic Martha said...

Oh my gosh! I soooooo fell for it! Thanks for your sweet visit. and guess what -- next week I WILL be in Greece -- yes----really---no lie!

Jo said...

omg that was so funny you made me snort ... yes SNORT ... and I'm not to happy about that ... but I am relieved no one was around to hear it ...

Nadeen said...

Bwahahaha. I bit for a moment, but the Popowhatalus was a bit too much.

But just think how fun that wedding woulda been!

People Who Know Me Would Say: said...

MWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! I can't stop laughing!!!!!! What a goofball!!!!!!

The Muse said...

Let me see...It is apparent to this Muse that the oinos was flowing at the time of this post...

Ok, repeat after me...
I will not operate the blackboard under the influence...
I will not operate the blackboard under the influence...

LOL

What a delight!

Nancy C said...

Silly girl...I thought that last name sounded fishy...it's the same fake Greek name used in "Vegas Vacation"!

Serline said...

Next time you spin a Greek myth, make sure you take a leave out of "Spartacus: Blood and Sand" and add lots of blood and violence too ;-P

Viki said...

White lies are acceptable for Alphabe-Thursday. Good story. Great x post.

Chatty Crone said...

Funny - you picked a real name - that is the name of my dermatologist here in GA - I love him. His family is from Greece.

sandie

signed...bkm said...

There is always a touch of truth in lie....this was an Xcellent Xtruth...bkm

Steph said...

Okay... you are totally crazy-fun. Xanthi does sound lovely. Poor Christos.

I've been away from blogland for a while and am not truly sure if I'm back. It just got a little overwhelming and some times I wonder how it fits in with all the rest of life. But I am glad to be back at unique, lively, and thoughtful space for a visit.