Just Like My Mama

The first time I can remember my mother taking me clothes shopping was in 1974.  August.  The mini-mall in Boise.  The Bon Marche.  Lots of polyester.  Trying on lots of clothes, and everything that fit, I was able to take home!  Wow.  That was the first time I can remember Mom not balking at the price tag.  (I'm sure there was a big sale going on for back to school clothes.  Plus, we got those handled bags that said, "Bon Marche," perfect for toting gym clothes back and forth to school.) 

Many of my clothes until then had been sewn by mom, or picked out when I wasn't with her. While shopping that day, there was one particular blouse, one that had a drive-in movie scene printed on the polyester:  I said, "We can't get this one, there is another one almost just like it in my pile." Mom said, "Yes, we can."  Wow.  That was rare! 

Mom always was generous when shopping for her grandchildren (and that time for me at The Bon--and probably for Janet, too, but my child-memory has just mom and me being there).  When we'd go to Boise, she'd say, "Let's go to Penney's!"  By that time, Boise had a HUGE mall, with a HUGE and very nice JC Penney's.  That usually meant new clothes for the boys, and later for Luci, too (she got Gymboree!).

Which brings us to Today.  Today I had a coupon for 30% off my total at Kohl's and they were also having a big sale.  Plus, I had a girl who has outgrown most of her things, even the clothing that Santa brought not that long ago!

Luci tried on, and tried on, and everything that fit went into my basket.  She was so happy!  We found a dress that fit and looked so cute, and then went and found two others with the same cut--and asked Luci if she liked those colors, too.

She said, "I like them, but I'd rather have the one we already picked out.  I don't want to trade."  I said, "Yes, I know--but we can get both of these, too."  She was thrilled, but sort of in disbelief.  Just like I was back in 1974. 


Modeling some of her bounty, with JT's help.

A Blast from the Past

In a former life Before I married John, I taught school in Texas...two years in Kindergarten (one of those was in Louisiana) and then 5 years in third grade. 

I had some truly wonderful students and some that had me scratching my head in puzzlement and on my knees in prayer. 

Let me tell you about one of the wonderful kids!  Two months ago, I got a Facebook message from a woman whose name I recognized, but had not heard anything about since 1991.  Robin was the mom whose notes to me came on a pad of paper with this quote:  "Now I know why ferrets eat their young."  :) (Robin, I'm pretty sure that was you--if not, please correct me!)  Robin's email asked me to email her daughter, one of those terrific kids from that previous life, and wish her a happy birthday.  KC is the daughter's name. 

I was happy to!  KC was one of the brightest little girls in my class the last year I taught in Texas.  Cute, cute cute, and smart and funny. 

I was lucky as a teacher:    Those kids became my nieces and nephews every year, because I did not have a family to go home to.  I loved them, and I loved teaching. 

So, for all practical purposes, KC was one of my nieces that last year in Texas.  Turns out that she and Luci share a birthday!  

Now KC is in Germany, the wife of a soldier who is deployed right now.  She is mommy to an adorable little Ellie, and guess what?  She has gone through school, to be a teacher, because she loved the year with me 'way back in Texas.  That really tickles me, KC.  I hope you have as much fun teaching the young ones as I did.

Thanks for contacting me, Robin.  KC, so glad that I got to be your teacher all those years ago.  You were a great girl and now you're a great young lady.

Memories

Presents are wrapped, Daddy's home, Christmas is almost here.

Today I am traveling down Memory Lane. I had this come to mind this morning, as I sat in a fog at breakfast.

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My mother was about my age (not telling what that is!) when this happened. I can so relate to this! I was in college, and the youngest in our family was about 16. I remember very well late that Christmas Eve, my mother telling all of us:

Anyone gets up before 8 am, it all goes back!

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John is home! Homecoming photos later today. Merry Christmas, Everyone!

Terrific Memories

Yellowstone
Mt. Rushmore
Yellowstone
7-11 Store...

JT and Bryan were 7 & 11 when this was taken

Winnie the Pooh signs a t-shirt for John, who was overseas on his first deployment. All the characters we met at Disney World signed his shirt!