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.

Can you tell...

that Luci likes her cheesecake with blueberry topping? All homemade, of course!

Mom--I used your Royal Cheddar Cheesecake recipe that you got from Family Circle's November 1966 magazine. It's still a great cheesecake!

Made It!

And Papa is happy! Last year, Luci would have nothing to do with Papa. She's making up for it on this visit. So far, in one afternoon, she's told jokes, been read to, and fed the squirrels with Papa.

Katie and JT playing checkers.

Luci with Laura and Katie,playing piano, making sure both girls are following her plans.
We almost didn't make it. We had to stop several times. Luci was sure she had to go potty NOW...in places far away from plumbing, so we pulled out the kiddy-port-a-potty. Neat invention, but it did not help Luci. She's an Army kid for three more weeks, until Daddy retires--so I'm calling her not going a Dereliction of Doo-dy.

Papa Remembered What Nana Was Wearing When He Met Her

My grandfather, Papa, told me this story decades after meeting his wife...and gave me some advice.

I was a young schoolteacher at the time, just like Nana was when she married Papa. Papa told me that when he first met Nana, she was wearing a red wool jacket. He told me (a spinster at 26!) to get a red wool jacket, too. He thought that might make a difference. So I did, and before long I met John, and the rest is history, as they say.

Nana must have known something:

story: Red on Women Drives Men Wild

The Two Vivians

Audrey Vivian with Luci Vivian

Card Tricks with Nana

Luci showed Nana her card trick. The boys have learned several "magic" tricks and Luci picked this one up. She also picked up other little tricks of theirs, but I didn't film Luci asking Uncle Charlie to pull her finger. Big brothers teach lots of good things; however, some items are perfectly useless.

My mother's middle name is Vivian, which is also Luci's second name. We're big on family names at our house.

Mom! Do You Remember This Outfit?

When we were paperchasing for Luci, Martha Stewart's Living Magazine had an ad from K-Mart with a cute, cute little Asian girl modeling this outfit. Mom and I got the outfit together for Luci, thinking we were bringing home a three-year-old! We actually bought this outfit before Luci was born.

Two parts came from the Boise K-Mart and one part from our K-Mart here. Little did we know it would take two years for this outfit to fit! (and I still need to take up the skirt, Mom!)

I love it, Nana!

It's So Hard to Be Civil...

...when you've had very little sleep. It is humiliating to have to apologize to your own kids more than once in a day. Luci has slept through the night just 4 more times since December 17, the last sleep post. The last few nights, she has wakened and needed momma TWICE a night. I am exhausted. Nothing works...making her miss naps...feeding extra snacks before bed...melatonin...extra physical activity during the day.

Nana, recognize that Raggedy Ann? The clothes are in a safe place.