After a week away, I came home to the strange and unsettling sight of my kids sleeping on the cold hallway floor. Heart pounding, I searched for answers, only to find my husband missing and odd noises coming from the kids’ room. What I uncovered next left me furious — and ready for a fight!
I’d been away on a business trip for a week, and let me tell you, I was itching to get home. My boys, Tommy and Alex, were probably bouncing off the walls waiting for me.
I mean, a week is practically forever when you’re 6 and 8. And Mark? Well, I figured he’d be glad to hand the reins back to me. He’s a great dad, don’t get me wrong, but he’s always been more of the fun parent than the responsible one.
As I pulled into our driveway at midnight, I couldn’t help but grin. The house was dark and quiet, just as it should be at this ungodly hour.
I grabbed my suitcase and tiptoed to the front door, keys jingling softly in my hand.
The lock clicked open, and I stepped inside, ready to collapse into bed. But something was… wrong.
My foot hit something soft, and I froze. Heart pounding, I fumbled for the light switch. When the hall lit up, I almost screamed.
Tommy and Alex were sprawled out on the floor, tangled up in blankets like a couple of puppies. They were fast asleep, but their faces were smudged with dirt, and their hair was sticking up in all directions.
“What the hell?” I whispered, my mind racing. Had there been a fire? A gas leak? Why weren’t they in their beds?
I crept past them, afraid to wake them up until I knew what was going on. The living room was a disaster zone, littered with pizza boxes, soda cans, and what looked suspiciously like melted ice cream on the coffee table. But no sign of Mark.
My heart was doing the cha-cha in my chest as I made my way to our bedroom. Empty.
The bed was still made, like it hadn’t been slept in today. Mark’s car was in the driveway, so where was he?
That’s when I heard it. A faint, muffled sound coming from the boys’ room. I tiptoed over, my imagination running wild. Was Mark hurt? Had some psycho broken in and tied him up?
I pushed the door open, inch by inch, and…
“What. The. Actual—” I bit my tongue, remembering the kids were just down the hall.
There was Mark, headphones on, controller in hand, surrounded by empty energy drink cans and snack wrappers. But that wasn’t even the craziest part.
The boys’ room had been transformed into some kind of gamer paradise. A massive TV took up one wall, there were LED lights everywhere, and I’m pretty sure that monstrosity in the corner was a mini-fridge.
I stood there, mouth hanging open, as the rage built up inside me like a volcano about to blow. Mark hadn’t even noticed me yet, too engrossed in whatever game he was playing.
I stomped over and yanked the headphones off his head. “Mark! What the hell is going on?”
He blinked at me, looking dazed. “Oh, hey babe. You’re home early.”
“Early? It’s midnight! Why are our children sleeping on the floor?”
He shrugged, reaching for his controller again. “Oh, it’s fine. The boys were happy sleeping outside. They thought it was an adventure.”
I snatched the controller away. “An adventure? They’re not camping, Mark! They’re sleeping on our dirty hallway floor!”
“Come on, don’t be such a buzzkill,” he said, trying to grab the controller back. “Everything’s under control. I’ve been feeding them and stuff.”
“Feeding them? You mean the pizza boxes and ice cream in the living room?” I could feel my blood pressure rising with every word. “And what about baths? Or, I don’t know, their actual beds?”
Mark rolled his eyes. “They’re fine, Sarah. Lighten up a bit.”
That’s when I lost it.
“Lighten up? LIGHTEN UP? Our children are sleeping on the floor like animals while you play video games in their room! What is wrong with you?”
“Nothing’s wrong with me,” he huffed. “I’m just trying to have a little me-time. Is that so terrible?”
I took a deep breath, trying not to scream. “You know what? We’re not doing this right now. Go put the boys in their beds. Now.”
“But I’m in the middle of—”
“NOW, Mark!”
He grumbled but got up, shuffling past me.
I watched him pick up Tommy, who stirred a little but didn’t wake up. As Mark carried him to bed, I couldn’t help but think how alike they looked: one actual child and the man acting like one.
I scooped up Alex, my heart breaking a little at how dirty his face was. As I tucked him into bed, I made a decision. If Mark wanted to act like a child, then that’s exactly how I’d treat him.
The next morning, I put my plan into action.
While Mark was in the shower, I snuck into the man cave he’d created and unplugged everything. Then I got to work.
When he came downstairs, hair still wet, I was waiting for him with a big smile. “Good morning, sweetie! I made you breakfast!”
He looked at me suspiciously. “Uh, thanks?”
I set a plate in front of him. In the middle was a Mickey Mouse-shaped pancake with a smiley face made of fruit. His coffee was in a sippy cup.
“What’s this?” he asked, poking at the pancake.
“It’s your breakfast, silly! Now eat up, we have a big day ahead of us!”
After breakfast, I unveiled my masterpiece, a giant, colorful chore chart plastered on the fridge. “Look what I made for you!”
Mark’s eyes widened. “What the hell is that?”
“Language!” I scolded. “It’s your very own chore chart! See? You can earn gold stars for cleaning your room, doing the dishes, and putting away your toys!”
“My toys? Sarah, what are you—”
I cut him off. “Oh, and don’t forget! We have a new house rule. All screens off by 9 p.m. sharp. That includes your phone, mister!”
Mark’s face went from confused to angry. “Are you kidding me? I’m a grown man, I don’t need—”
“Ah, ah, ah!” I wagged my finger. “No arguing, or you’ll have to go to the timeout corner!”
For the next week, I stuck to my guns. Every night at 9, I’d shut off the Wi-Fi and unplug his gaming console.
I even tucked him into bed with a glass of milk and read him “Goodnight Moon” in my most soothing voice.
His meals were served on plastic plates with little dividers. I cut his sandwiches into dinosaur shapes and gave him animal crackers for snacks. When he complained, I’d say things like, “Use your words, honey. Big boys don’t whine.”
The chore chart was a particular point of contention. Every time he completed a task, I’d make a big show of giving him a gold star.
“Look at you, putting your laundry away all by yourself! Mommy’s so proud!”
He’d grit his teeth and mutter, “I’m not a child, Sarah.”
To which I’d reply, “Of course not, sweetie. Now, who wants to help make cookies?”
The breaking point came about a week into my little experiment. Mark had just been sent to the timeout corner for throwing a fit about his two-hour screen time limit. He sat there, fuming, while I calmly set the kitchen timer.
“This is ridiculous!” he exploded. “I’m a grown man, for God’s sake!”
I raised an eyebrow. “Oh? Are you sure about that? Because grown men don’t make their children sleep on the floor so they can play video games all night.”
He deflated a little. “Okay, okay, I get it! I’m sorry!”
I studied him for a moment. He did look genuinely remorseful, but I wasn’t going to let him off the hook when I had one last blow to deliver.
“Oh, I accept your apology,” I said sweetly. “But I’ve already called your mom…”
The color drained from his face. “You didn’t.”
Right on cue, there was a knock at the door. I opened it to reveal Mark’s mother, looking every bit the disappointed parent.
“Mark!” she bellowed, marching into the house. “Did you really make my sweeties sleep on the floor so you could play your little games?”
Mark looked like he wanted the floor to open up and swallow him whole. “Mom, it’s not… I mean, I didn’t…”
She turned to me, her face softening. “Sarah, dear, I’m so sorry you had to deal with this. I thought I raised him better than that.”
I patted her arm. “It’s not your fault, Linda. Some boys just take longer to grow up than others.”
Mark’s face was beet red. “Mom, please. I’m 35 years old!”
Linda ignored him, turning back to me. “Well, not to worry. I’ve cleared my schedule for the next week. I’ll whip this boy back into shape in no time!”
As Linda bustled off to the kitchen, muttering about the state of the dishes, I caught Mark’s eye. He looked utterly defeated.
“Sarah,” he said quietly. “I really am sorry. I was selfish and irresponsible. It won’t happen again.”
I softened a little. “I know, honey. But when I’m away, I need to know you’ve got things under control. The boys need a father, not another playmate.”
He nodded, looking ashamed. “You’re right. I’ll do better, I promise.”
I smiled and gave him a quick kiss. “I know you will. Now, why don’t you go help your mother with the dishes? If you do a good job, maybe we can have ice cream for dessert.”
As Mark trudged off to the kitchen, I couldn’t help but feel a little smug. Lesson learned, I hoped. And if not… well, I still had that timeout corner ready and waiting.
“The stunning ‘Daisy Duke’ looks completely different now – her famous legs were once insured for a million dollars.”
Back in 1979, my Friday nights were spent glued to CBS, eagerly waiting for The Dukes of Hazzard to come on.
As a young boy, I was infatuated with ‘Daisy Duke.’ Honestly, every guy who grew up in the late ’70s probably had a crush on her. The gorgeous brunette was played by the effortlessly stunning Catherine Bach.
Now at 70, Catherine looks quite different, but you can’t help but smile when you see her recent photos…
How many TV characters leave such a lasting fashion legacy? Catherine Bach, forever known as Daisy Duke, cemented her place in pop culture history.
The beautiful actress, who famously had her legs insured, rose to fame in the late ’70s and ’80s. A native of Cleveland, Ohio, she became iconic for her bold wardrobe choices—being one of the first to rock short shorts on TV.
But those who think Catherine was just another pretty face couldn’t be more mistaken.
She had the creativity, confidence, and smarts to shape the character that defined her career.
For instance, the producers of Dukes of Hazzard wanted her to wear a tight white turtleneck, go-go boots, and a poodle skirt for the role. But Catherine took matters into her own hands, designing her own wardrobe. She even handmade many of the outfits, including her signature look.
Today, cut-off denim shorts are still known as “Daisy Dukes,” and it’s amazing that girls continue to wear them, sometimes not even realizing the name’s connection to the show.
A Dolly Parton Look-alike
Catherine Bach was born in Warren, Ohio, in 1954. She had a unique upbringing, splitting her time between her father’s ranch in South Dakota and summers with her mother in California after her parents’ divorce.
While spending time in California, Catherine attended drama school and fell in love with acting. Just two days after finishing high school, she hopped on a plane to Hollywood, determined to make it.
She went through a list of agents in town, visiting every one until she found someone willing to take her on as a client.
The aspiring actress, determined to break into movies, landed a few small roles before learning about an audition for a show called The Dukes of Hazzard. It was her then-husband, David Shaw (Angela Lansbury’s stepson), who brought the opportunity to her attention.
“My husband was a contractor… and he liked to hire struggling actors, writers, and producers. One of them was painting our house while writing a show about an old moonshiner called The Dukes of Hazzard,” Catherine revealed to Beaver County Times in 1981.
Catherine recalled that the producers were originally looking for someone resembling Dolly Parton to play Daisy Duke, envisioning a woman with big blonde hair, a curvy figure, and an hourglass shape. Despite not fitting the description, Catherine auditioned and impressed everyone, landing the role the same night.
The Dukes of Hazzard quickly became a massive success, ranking as one of the top TV shows of the late ’70s. While critics weren’t fans, the general public loved it. The show had everything—car chases, cheesy jokes, and a stunning lead actress.
Catherine Bach’s portrayal of Daisy Duke turned her into a household name. Many fans tuned in just to see her, and her character was adored by viewers.
“Daisy is a mix of many people I’ve known. She’s part of the wildest girl I knew in high school, part of a few close friends I had in Georgia, and there’s a lot of Dolly Parton in her too. She’s also a lot like me when I was a waitress—independent, tough, and able to do anything the guys could do,” Catherine explained in 1979.
In the late ’70s, Catherine represented natural beauty. She had no cosmetic enhancements—no implants, Botox, or veneers.
Within the show, she played the sweet, slightly naive southern belle with strong morals, but it was her good looks and charm that captivated viewers.She wasn’t covered in tattoos, didn’t have unusual piercings or dyed hair—she was simply a down-to-earth, naturally beautiful woman.
Famously, her legs were insured for $1,000,000, adding yet another layer to her star appeal.
Husband’s Tragic Death
After The Dukes of Hazzard ended in 1985, Catherine struggled to maintain the same level of stardom. She appeared in a few low-budget films, and her career slowed down.
However, she later gained recognition for her role as Margo Dutton in the popular Canadian series African Skies. Some fans might also remember her recurring role as Anita Lawson in The Young and the Restless.
Unfortunately, tragedy struck in 2010 when her husband, entertainment lawyer Peter Lopez, passed away. The couple had married in 1990 and remained together until his untimely death.
“He was the love of my life,” Catherine shared with People magazine.
Catherine’s husband tragically took his own life, leaving her with countless questions and few answers. He wasn’t struggling with addiction, rarely drank, and they enjoyed a stable financial life together.
So what led him to this decision?
“There’s a lot of stress in the music industry, but Peter was always composed and collected,” she shared with People.
“The more time that passes, the more I feel he did this to protect us. Something must have happened that he couldn’t move past.”
Confronted with profound loss and overwhelming grief, Catherine dedicated herself to her family. She paused her career to support her daughters, Laura Esmerelda and Sophia Isabella, who were only 11 and 14 at the time.
Catherine couldn’t afford to fall apart; she did everything she could to hold their family together as their home was “swarmed with reporters, the coroner’s office, and various people.”
“I realize these girls are my legacy, and Peter’s legacy. They represent our love and our values about family. I couldn’t allow myself to focus on my own feelings,” she expressed to Huffington Post.
Ultimately, the actress found strength through her faith.
“I prayed a lot. I attended church frequently. I’m Catholic and maintained a close relationship with my priest, whom I deeply trust… That’s what kept me going.”
Catherine Bach Today
In 2024, it will mark 40 years since The Dukes of Hazzard concluded, and Catherine, of course, looks quite different from that young star of years past. Yet one thing remains unchanged: her radiant smile! Catherine has aged beautifully and is still a lovely woman.
During her time as Daisy Duke, she stayed fit by “dancing three hours a day, hiking, and swimming.” Her athleticism not only aided her in the role but also helped her fit into those notoriously tiny shorts.
“The hardest part of wearing the shorts was keeping them zipped,” she once admitted.
However, things have changed a bit over the years. Like many of us, she has experienced fluctuations in weight as she ages.
“I’ve gained a little weight, but who cares?” she told People.
In 2022, the actress was spotted in public for the first time in a while, enjoying some retail therapy in Los Angeles. The stunning star of the 1970s traded her tiny shorts for large sunglasses, black sneakers, and a cross-body phone case.
Many fans noted that the years have changed her and struggled to recognize the former star—but that’s quite normal.
While people age, their character and personality can often shine even brighter. Catherine has always been, and continues to be, a true sweetheart.
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