As I related stories about my kids' Halloween to exbf, I thought I would share one Halloween. My son was about ten and daughter about eight. That made the baby three.
My son wanted to be the Fonz. If you remember, the Fonz wore a denim jacket at first. So, J wore his denim jacket and jeans and tshirt. The hair was important for the look, if you remember. So, at the last minute I just used Vaseline. As I was relating this to exbf, he moan, groaned, and laughed. The rest of the story I had not told him was that I washed my son's hair at least twice that night, once the next morning and several times a day for two weeks before it even looked like it might come out.
His moan, groan, and laugh puzzle me. But, he and a gang of guys did the same thing in college to attend some sort of musical revue from the same era. He said it took them all three weeks to get out the Vaseline. It appears I am not the only person to use Vaseline for hair pomade.
The daughter wanted to be Wonder Woman. The base for her costume was a red dance leotard. I made the gold wrist bands, head piece. and belt. She was thrilled. Since she had long dark hair, she made the perfect Wonder Woman!
I don't remember what the younger daughter wore! A dance costume would probably be my choice for her. It was so easy to put those costumes on and not have to worry about thinking up something. I probably put makeup on her.
The one other costume I remember was the year the younger was born on September 27, 1975. Kmart had a costume contest. One of the categories was the youngest Spook. I just knew I had this one won.
The baby had a soft, terry cloth sleeper--very pale pink. In my stash of fabric I found some pink fabric and made a bonnet with bunny ears. A pompom stuck on her behind transformed her into a bunny.
Since she was such a floppy/relaxed baby, she could sleep and still allow me to position her where the bunny ears and tail were visible. Her cute little face helped, I thought!
At KMart anxious parents gathered. Of course, the older children and I looked for the young babies. When it came time for judging, we all had big smiles, holding our babies, just knowing our own infant would win. My bunny won by about a week or two. She won a gorilla holding a yellow banana.
This gorilla/monkey holding the yellow banana sat in the corner of her baby bed for a long time. She loved it. Given the choice, she would choose something yellow when she was older. Then, she switched to pink.
My children were also a cowboy, cowgirl, a clown, a devil, ghost and Little Red Riding Hood. Yes, I made all those costumes. I think the older girl won a costume contest for her Wonder Woman costume.
When my daughter was married and living in NYC, she wanted a Wonder Woman costume again. I made all of it with her measurements. It fit perfectly! Whew! I have a picture somewhere, but not on my computer or I would share it.
Since I could sew and imagine, we never bought costumes, just gathered things from around the house or I sewed the costume.
Your turn
Did you ever sew costumes? Gather things from what you had? Buy costumes? Did your children ever win contests at Halloween?
Monday, October 31, 2016
Sunday, October 30, 2016
Heating Up
We are breaking records right and left as the temperatures almost reach 90 degrees F in N Alabama. It was 87 on Saturday and expected to be the same today and on Halloween. There are record lows--highest lows--also. We have not had rain for 42 days and there is none in the foreseeable future. I think one day I had five raindrops on my windshield. That does not count.
I suppose all the little spooks can wear their cute Frozen outfits tomorrow night and not have to bundle up with a coat over their costumes. When my kids were little, I was always sad for them as they wanted everyone to see their costumes.
When my son was five- and daughter was three-years-old and we lived in the Northern part of KY, we had the most amazing Halloween. It was so warm that the parents sat together in front yards and allowed the children to go to a few houses in sight, alone.
My daughter had to go to the bathroom and went across the street at our house. Soon, she emerged, pants down, and in her little-girl voice yelled, "Maaamaaa, come cleeean meee" as she stood in the open door with her panties around her ankles and a short top on. As we all laughed and I was trying to get up from the ground, she yelled again. People were laughing up and down the block. Yet again, she called out the same words as I was hurrying across the street. Now, she knew how to clean her own bottom, but she was still in the stage where I "checked."
A warm Halloween always reminds me of this incident. I can still hear in my mind her little voice ringing so true and cute.
The car ac decided not to work on Friday, making me think I had turned on the heater. No, I was sweltering and on my trip to the country. My house ac was turned off two days when the temperature dropped to lower 60s for two nights. Unfortunately, the sun sets on the back of the house, so the ac is now on for the unforeseeable future.
Your turn
Is your weather unseasonably warm or cold or just right? Do you have any memorable Halloween memories?
I suppose all the little spooks can wear their cute Frozen outfits tomorrow night and not have to bundle up with a coat over their costumes. When my kids were little, I was always sad for them as they wanted everyone to see their costumes.
When my son was five- and daughter was three-years-old and we lived in the Northern part of KY, we had the most amazing Halloween. It was so warm that the parents sat together in front yards and allowed the children to go to a few houses in sight, alone.
My daughter had to go to the bathroom and went across the street at our house. Soon, she emerged, pants down, and in her little-girl voice yelled, "Maaamaaa, come cleeean meee" as she stood in the open door with her panties around her ankles and a short top on. As we all laughed and I was trying to get up from the ground, she yelled again. People were laughing up and down the block. Yet again, she called out the same words as I was hurrying across the street. Now, she knew how to clean her own bottom, but she was still in the stage where I "checked."
A warm Halloween always reminds me of this incident. I can still hear in my mind her little voice ringing so true and cute.
The car ac decided not to work on Friday, making me think I had turned on the heater. No, I was sweltering and on my trip to the country. My house ac was turned off two days when the temperature dropped to lower 60s for two nights. Unfortunately, the sun sets on the back of the house, so the ac is now on for the unforeseeable future.
Your turn
Is your weather unseasonably warm or cold or just right? Do you have any memorable Halloween memories?
Saturday, October 29, 2016
Abject Failure Today, But It's Okay
First, I went to the market, finding only one guy there, a guy from whom I had bought. He was helping a woman, so I was patient. Finally, after she talked and TALKED for fifteen minutes, I went over to lean on a column, saying I had to lean on something. She said, "OH, here, you go ahead." She had her bags and remained rooted to the spot and her mouth did not cease to move. I
"I have to sit in the car." She said for me to just go ahead and talk to him as she kept rambling on. "I will just talk to him, too." "Blankety, Blank, No!" I said in my head as I struggled to get my feet and legs in the car. Still, she did not leave, just yelled for me to come on back.
When I do go back, I will not shop at his booth. He was the only person left today, or I would have gone to another booth. Besides, he was selling half-rotten tomatoes at an exorbitant price. There were huge flat boxes of better ones on the truck. THAT is what I wanted to talk about. He kept telling me to pick out the basket on the table that I wanted.
I will go to a different market on Monday.
Second, I drove for miles, maybe 30, looking for a salvage yard. A guy was going to put two new lights in my car. He called and found them but never got them like he said he would. His mother became ill and many trips to hospital and working two jobs made it impossible. He said I could pick up the lights.
Well, that was in August. Since I have not been able to even take care of myself, a trip to the near country did not seem like something I wanted to try.
Today was the right day, brilliantly sunny, light breeze and warm. Well, the first part of the directions I understood. When the salvage yard did not appear, I kept stopping for directions in the country. "Just take the next right, go through a big curve, turn next to the church, go around two more really big curves, turn right." As I opened my mouth, the guy said impatiently, "You will see it!" He turned and limped away.
He was the third person I asked. I was done. I decided after an hour and a half of bad roads to call it quits and try to find my way home, not going back the way I came because who actually knows where I turned to get where I was--lost. All of a sudden, places, trees, signs, houses started looking like ones I had passed.
Aha, I just kept making turns and finding familiar things. I was soon home and exhausted. I drove on country roads, narrow, hilly and curvy, so I could not go over 40 mph, sometimes around 25 because of road conditions mentioned. Finally, I was home and exhausted.
Since I have a county road map and now know the co rd the place is located, I will use it to find my way to the salvage yard.
Third, I thought I would get a pneumonia shot at WM, but the pharmacist I wanted was not there.
Since he will probably there tomorrow, I will get a shot when I get my Sunday paper.
Fourth, Dominique was not eating well. She would leave oats from the day before. She leaves meat. Today, I had some salad that was going south, so I put oats on top of that and she was gobbling salad when I left. Lately, I have not felt like bending to get grass for her. For weeks, even when I was ill, I would snatch a handful of grass for her. Now, that some of it is browning, I just have not taken that extra few step to get it for her. All is well now.
Fifth, my goal of hanging up the black clothes in the washing machine did not happen. It is after dark, but I can still do that. I never hang black clothes outdoors, just in the house.
When I feel well, which I do (I know I keep saying that), setbacks are not draining at all. I will have a can of tuna in salad and call it dinner.
Bummer! As I was talking just now to exbf, he said abruptly, "The Auburn game is on." I said 'bye' and hung up. The man has few passions and Auburn is one of them. And, Dr. Who. He is an Auburn graduate. He gets testy if I keep talking when a game is on...lol. I only care who wins because my son is an Auburn fan.
To make things better, I did have butter pecan ice cream at the end of all this inconvenience.
Your turn
Do you hate country directions like the "second big curve" or the "stand of trees"? Or, the person who cannot shut her mouth and go away so you have a turn at a vendor's table? Do you have a sports fan that you know will want you to be very quiet during a game? When you feel well are inconveniences less annoying when you feel well? Conversely, if you are not feeling well and things are thwarted, does it make you fell worse and testy?
"I have to sit in the car." She said for me to just go ahead and talk to him as she kept rambling on. "I will just talk to him, too." "Blankety, Blank, No!" I said in my head as I struggled to get my feet and legs in the car. Still, she did not leave, just yelled for me to come on back.
When I do go back, I will not shop at his booth. He was the only person left today, or I would have gone to another booth. Besides, he was selling half-rotten tomatoes at an exorbitant price. There were huge flat boxes of better ones on the truck. THAT is what I wanted to talk about. He kept telling me to pick out the basket on the table that I wanted.
I will go to a different market on Monday.
Second, I drove for miles, maybe 30, looking for a salvage yard. A guy was going to put two new lights in my car. He called and found them but never got them like he said he would. His mother became ill and many trips to hospital and working two jobs made it impossible. He said I could pick up the lights.
Well, that was in August. Since I have not been able to even take care of myself, a trip to the near country did not seem like something I wanted to try.
Today was the right day, brilliantly sunny, light breeze and warm. Well, the first part of the directions I understood. When the salvage yard did not appear, I kept stopping for directions in the country. "Just take the next right, go through a big curve, turn next to the church, go around two more really big curves, turn right." As I opened my mouth, the guy said impatiently, "You will see it!" He turned and limped away.
He was the third person I asked. I was done. I decided after an hour and a half of bad roads to call it quits and try to find my way home, not going back the way I came because who actually knows where I turned to get where I was--lost. All of a sudden, places, trees, signs, houses started looking like ones I had passed.
Aha, I just kept making turns and finding familiar things. I was soon home and exhausted. I drove on country roads, narrow, hilly and curvy, so I could not go over 40 mph, sometimes around 25 because of road conditions mentioned. Finally, I was home and exhausted.
Since I have a county road map and now know the co rd the place is located, I will use it to find my way to the salvage yard.
Third, I thought I would get a pneumonia shot at WM, but the pharmacist I wanted was not there.
Since he will probably there tomorrow, I will get a shot when I get my Sunday paper.
Fourth, Dominique was not eating well. She would leave oats from the day before. She leaves meat. Today, I had some salad that was going south, so I put oats on top of that and she was gobbling salad when I left. Lately, I have not felt like bending to get grass for her. For weeks, even when I was ill, I would snatch a handful of grass for her. Now, that some of it is browning, I just have not taken that extra few step to get it for her. All is well now.
Fifth, my goal of hanging up the black clothes in the washing machine did not happen. It is after dark, but I can still do that. I never hang black clothes outdoors, just in the house.
When I feel well, which I do (I know I keep saying that), setbacks are not draining at all. I will have a can of tuna in salad and call it dinner.
Bummer! As I was talking just now to exbf, he said abruptly, "The Auburn game is on." I said 'bye' and hung up. The man has few passions and Auburn is one of them. And, Dr. Who. He is an Auburn graduate. He gets testy if I keep talking when a game is on...lol. I only care who wins because my son is an Auburn fan.
To make things better, I did have butter pecan ice cream at the end of all this inconvenience.
Your turn
Do you hate country directions like the "second big curve" or the "stand of trees"? Or, the person who cannot shut her mouth and go away so you have a turn at a vendor's table? Do you have a sports fan that you know will want you to be very quiet during a game? When you feel well are inconveniences less annoying when you feel well? Conversely, if you are not feeling well and things are thwarted, does it make you fell worse and testy?
Thursday, October 27, 2016
Lowering Communications Costs AND Retaining Services
The cost of communications has gotten out of hand for many of us. I remember forty-years ago when I was stressed by a $12 telephone bill and could still get TV without a cable or antenna. For the last few months, I have been actively seeking cheaper sources for home phone, cell phone service, tv and internet.
*The first thing I did last year or the year before was to get an antenna. Now, it seems every month I get fewer channels. I am down to two channels that don't get religious channels, most of which are in Spanish some nights. Then, both of those two good channels had football games last Saturday. Aaaargh!
*I thought I was getting a cheaper cell service from ATT last year. But, no! It is higher because I have to pay for the phone monthly, besides the fee for the service. I am looking at PCMetro. I would have to pay $150 dollars left on the phone to leave ATT. Does anyone have or know anything about PCMetro? I need to beat $57/month ATT bill.
*Yesterday, I had internet service that was soooo slow for about $40/month. I switched and at midnight was receiving a faster and cheaper internet service--$10/month + taxes and fees, making the total about $15.
*Magic Jack works for the home phone at less than $3/month. Plus, the phone never rings. An email is sent to me. If it is not a 30 second message, I delete the call. I love it and the price. If I want the phone to ring, that is possible, too. It did ring for many months and then I must have sent the phone to email. Plus, you don't need a computer to access Magic Jack.
The phone does ring! You have to choose the email route.
I am wary of calling any of the many phone numbers listed in various internet sites for Magic Jack. A friend who has used MJ for a long time gave me this number which is a legitimate number: 844-866-2442.
*Getting more channels or programs was the next project. I heard about Hulu for $5.99 and signed up for that. Today, I signed up for Amazon Prime, getting something similar to Netflix, not sure. I had to buy a $28 Roku box, which I did several weeks ago. The $99 charge will be put on exbf's credit card in one month. I have that long to pay him $99. I can do it with the savings on other communications' lower rates. Amazon Prime can be paid with $9.99 a month. (I think that price is correct.)
Additionally, Amazon Prime gives me free two-day shipping. I order little from Amazon and only do so when there is free shipping. This will make it easier to take advantage of cheap prices.
Immediately, I cancelled Hulu. Since I am in my first month, cancelling meant I did not have to pay that $5.99. Plus, with Hulu there is no contract and a person can cancel at anytime. Hulu was a great deal, but I think Amazon Prime is better. If you use this, can you tell me if it is worth the money for the programs you can access?
I am breathing a sigh of relief as my costs have been lessened by a little over $30/month today just with the addition of cheaper and faster internet. I have plans to increase my benefits on other programs. Stay tuned!
Your turn
Do you use Amazon Prime for free shipping? For streaming and getting programs? Do you use a Roku box? Hulu? Antenna? Do you, too, think the prices for communications are exorbitant? Do you have any opinions, good or bad or caveats, about any of these programs?
*The first thing I did last year or the year before was to get an antenna. Now, it seems every month I get fewer channels. I am down to two channels that don't get religious channels, most of which are in Spanish some nights. Then, both of those two good channels had football games last Saturday. Aaaargh!
*I thought I was getting a cheaper cell service from ATT last year. But, no! It is higher because I have to pay for the phone monthly, besides the fee for the service. I am looking at PCMetro. I would have to pay $150 dollars left on the phone to leave ATT. Does anyone have or know anything about PCMetro? I need to beat $57/month ATT bill.
*Yesterday, I had internet service that was soooo slow for about $40/month. I switched and at midnight was receiving a faster and cheaper internet service--$10/month + taxes and fees, making the total about $15.
*Magic Jack works for the home phone at less than $3/month. Plus, the phone never rings. An email is sent to me. If it is not a 30 second message, I delete the call. I love it and the price. If I want the phone to ring, that is possible, too. It did ring for many months and then I must have sent the phone to email. Plus, you don't need a computer to access Magic Jack.
The phone does ring! You have to choose the email route.
I am wary of calling any of the many phone numbers listed in various internet sites for Magic Jack. A friend who has used MJ for a long time gave me this number which is a legitimate number: 844-866-2442.
*Getting more channels or programs was the next project. I heard about Hulu for $5.99 and signed up for that. Today, I signed up for Amazon Prime, getting something similar to Netflix, not sure. I had to buy a $28 Roku box, which I did several weeks ago. The $99 charge will be put on exbf's credit card in one month. I have that long to pay him $99. I can do it with the savings on other communications' lower rates. Amazon Prime can be paid with $9.99 a month. (I think that price is correct.)
Additionally, Amazon Prime gives me free two-day shipping. I order little from Amazon and only do so when there is free shipping. This will make it easier to take advantage of cheap prices.
Immediately, I cancelled Hulu. Since I am in my first month, cancelling meant I did not have to pay that $5.99. Plus, with Hulu there is no contract and a person can cancel at anytime. Hulu was a great deal, but I think Amazon Prime is better. If you use this, can you tell me if it is worth the money for the programs you can access?
I am breathing a sigh of relief as my costs have been lessened by a little over $30/month today just with the addition of cheaper and faster internet. I have plans to increase my benefits on other programs. Stay tuned!
Your turn
Do you use Amazon Prime for free shipping? For streaming and getting programs? Do you use a Roku box? Hulu? Antenna? Do you, too, think the prices for communications are exorbitant? Do you have any opinions, good or bad or caveats, about any of these programs?
Wednesday, October 26, 2016
Two Days in a Row!
I awoke too early with too little sleep, but I felt great! It has been so long since I felt so well that I am reveling in the feeling.
Exbf came today. Since he has such a difficult time getting up and down the steps and has to walk with a cane, I try to make it easier for him. Instead of him coming in and then waiting for me to get ready, I get ready and he calls me when he arrives.
Today, we made a stop to pick up some documentation. The person to give it to at the next stop was not there, so I have to go back Friday. Walmart was a stop for milk. My doctor was not in today. Hopefully, every bit of the uti is gone. I canceled my appoint with eye doctor. When we went by the sewing shop, it will be closed for two weeks. My scissors need sharpening! I was busy busy busy not getting much done. We just got home earlier.
I had to lie down before I made lunch. So, I worked then, too. I made appointments while resting my back. Tomorrow, I will tell you how I am lowering my communications costs while lying down today.
Lunch was chicken on a bun with salad greens. I forgot the tomatoes. Then, he took a nap. I had to sit up, so that made my back hurt. I forgot to give him grapes! When I am in blinding pain, forgetting happens.
Dinner was easy peasy. I lined a casserole with foil, sliced zucchini and yellow squash, poured on olive oil, and ground herbs over that. I forgot the onion and garlic, but I was hurting so much. The grape tomatoes from lunch could have gone in, too. I put the casserole in the oven while it was preheating to 400 degrees. Then, I turned on the broiler for a few minutes and sliced chicken into the casserole of veggies. On the top when it was on his plate, I sprinkled some Parmesan cheese on top. He said next time I could leave that off. This was the first time these things had been cooked together.
When I wad up the foil, the dishes will be done. Hey, that is a good feeling, knowing there are no pots and pans to wash.
I forgot to put the already-cooked carrots in the casserole. Still, he enjoyed it and took the tomatoes and carrots home.
Today, I was still hurting from yesterday's activities as I did not get enough sleep last night. My joints, skin, muscles, and flesh hurts. He rubbed my back and arms. It is like a miracle how the pain subsides.
At 6:30 pm, my body feels better than it did this morning. That's a good way to end the day. And, for the second day in a row--I do not feel ill! The day was mild and beautiful. Still, I needed the ac last night and today.
Your turn
Do you have fibromyalgia and PAIN? Or back pain? Who has a repertoire of one-dish meals that are so easy? What is your favorite one-dish meal? I would prefer spaghetti. Do still use the ac here at the end of October?
Exbf came today. Since he has such a difficult time getting up and down the steps and has to walk with a cane, I try to make it easier for him. Instead of him coming in and then waiting for me to get ready, I get ready and he calls me when he arrives.
Today, we made a stop to pick up some documentation. The person to give it to at the next stop was not there, so I have to go back Friday. Walmart was a stop for milk. My doctor was not in today. Hopefully, every bit of the uti is gone. I canceled my appoint with eye doctor. When we went by the sewing shop, it will be closed for two weeks. My scissors need sharpening! I was busy busy busy not getting much done. We just got home earlier.
I had to lie down before I made lunch. So, I worked then, too. I made appointments while resting my back. Tomorrow, I will tell you how I am lowering my communications costs while lying down today.
Lunch was chicken on a bun with salad greens. I forgot the tomatoes. Then, he took a nap. I had to sit up, so that made my back hurt. I forgot to give him grapes! When I am in blinding pain, forgetting happens.
Dinner was easy peasy. I lined a casserole with foil, sliced zucchini and yellow squash, poured on olive oil, and ground herbs over that. I forgot the onion and garlic, but I was hurting so much. The grape tomatoes from lunch could have gone in, too. I put the casserole in the oven while it was preheating to 400 degrees. Then, I turned on the broiler for a few minutes and sliced chicken into the casserole of veggies. On the top when it was on his plate, I sprinkled some Parmesan cheese on top. He said next time I could leave that off. This was the first time these things had been cooked together.
When I wad up the foil, the dishes will be done. Hey, that is a good feeling, knowing there are no pots and pans to wash.
I forgot to put the already-cooked carrots in the casserole. Still, he enjoyed it and took the tomatoes and carrots home.
Today, I was still hurting from yesterday's activities as I did not get enough sleep last night. My joints, skin, muscles, and flesh hurts. He rubbed my back and arms. It is like a miracle how the pain subsides.
At 6:30 pm, my body feels better than it did this morning. That's a good way to end the day. And, for the second day in a row--I do not feel ill! The day was mild and beautiful. Still, I needed the ac last night and today.
Your turn
Do you have fibromyalgia and PAIN? Or back pain? Who has a repertoire of one-dish meals that are so easy? What is your favorite one-dish meal? I would prefer spaghetti. Do still use the ac here at the end of October?
Tuesday, October 25, 2016
Today Was A Good Day; Today Was A Bad Day!
Today, Tuesday, was the first day I washed my hair and went out. On Monday, I awoke for the first time since about the fifth of September and felt well. I piddled and went to WM for milk with ratty hair. It was not so dirty, combed, but had been so badly tangled I think I must have pulled half the hair off the back of my head. I need a satin pillowcase.
The Tuesday lunch was today. I could not eat the meatloaf (mammal meat) and did not like pinto beans. I gave away the cornbread to a ninety-two-year-old woman who thought mine looked better than hers. I did eat the mixed greens and chocolate cake and three glasses of unsweetened iced tea. Dominique ate only part of what I gave her. But, she did give me an egg for which I thanked her.
As I stepped outside the church fellowship hall, the guy leaving at the same time told me to look up. The sky was the clearest blue ever, not murky or even a cloud in the sky--not even a little fluffy cloud. From the heat in the car, I think it was in the high 80s today....just perfect. At 6:30 pm it was 80 degrees, 38 days with no rain, humidity at 50%.
Two hours is all it took me to get my internet bill straightened out at the bank and at the corporate ATT. That exhausted me. I spent $5 at KFC getting the Tuesday Special and another meal of leftovers for Dominique. I asked a fellow diner if I could have her leftovers. She gladly gave them to me, saying her cat was picky and would not eat KFC.
Since I awoke too early with a nightmare, I feel a nap coming on and hurt all over. I sat up too long today.
There is a raccoon just waiting to be trapped.
Your turn
Did you have blue skies today? Pain? Don't you love the first day you can get out after an illness that keeps you bed bound many days? Do you wear yourself out like I did?
The Tuesday lunch was today. I could not eat the meatloaf (mammal meat) and did not like pinto beans. I gave away the cornbread to a ninety-two-year-old woman who thought mine looked better than hers. I did eat the mixed greens and chocolate cake and three glasses of unsweetened iced tea. Dominique ate only part of what I gave her. But, she did give me an egg for which I thanked her.
As I stepped outside the church fellowship hall, the guy leaving at the same time told me to look up. The sky was the clearest blue ever, not murky or even a cloud in the sky--not even a little fluffy cloud. From the heat in the car, I think it was in the high 80s today....just perfect. At 6:30 pm it was 80 degrees, 38 days with no rain, humidity at 50%.
Two hours is all it took me to get my internet bill straightened out at the bank and at the corporate ATT. That exhausted me. I spent $5 at KFC getting the Tuesday Special and another meal of leftovers for Dominique. I asked a fellow diner if I could have her leftovers. She gladly gave them to me, saying her cat was picky and would not eat KFC.
Since I awoke too early with a nightmare, I feel a nap coming on and hurt all over. I sat up too long today.
There is a raccoon just waiting to be trapped.
Your turn
Did you have blue skies today? Pain? Don't you love the first day you can get out after an illness that keeps you bed bound many days? Do you wear yourself out like I did?
Monday, October 24, 2016
Shoe Polishing...Almost One Hundred Years Ago
As I was searching for shoe polish on my shelf where I thought it was, I thought back to my grandmother and mother.
My grandmother walked a short distance to town. I don't know how far or for how long. But, I seem to remember it was one mile and for a short time. Mama said when her mother walked to town, she always wore old shoes and carried her good ones in a bag. Memaw then sat down in edge of town and changed to her good shoes.
Mama said all the other women who walked to town wore their good shoes to town and thought it strange that my grandmother changed shoes.
When I was a child, I remember my mother polishing our shoes. Before I wrote this, I tried to remember when she did this, the time frame. I remember her polishing our shoes from first grade through eighth grade. I was the oldest, so she did this much longer. Plus, I remember polishing my own shoes in seventh and eighth grade. Maybe she did it sometimes for those last two years. Since my youngest brother was born when I was in high school, I suppose she polished shoes longer.
My mother did not just polish our shoes once a week, she polished them every night. We were poor, but we had the cleanest shoes in school, of that I am sure. I remember noticing other kids with scuffed shoes. We only had one pair of shoes, so they were worn at home, in the yard, walking to the school bus stop, and on the playground at school.
I don't remember anything but lace up leather shoes. But, each night she faithfully washed the mud or dust off, rubbed on the wax polish and buffed all four pair of shoes. She performed this act of love whether she was ill, overworked, abused, or pregnant. I never went to school with shoes not freshly polished.
For Sunday, we three girls wore patent leather shoes. Did you? I took a wet cloth and removed every speck of dirt and put Vaseline on them to make them shine and rubbed it all off and rubbed them often before leaving for church. I suppose all the Vaseline I put on my shoes just drew dusty dirt to the shoes...lol. Mama told me not to use so much. I cared for these shoes.
Outside church before entering I knelt to get all the dust off. I remembering carrying a bit of toilet paper in my patent leather purse to wipe off my shoes before entering the church. One day, some ladies were smiling at my wiping my shoes. I thought they were smiling because my shoes were shiny. Now, I imagine they were smiling at the third-grader keeping her shoes shiny.
I don't know if we used shoe polish or shoe cream. As for the difference in shoe cream and shoe paste (both are shoe polish): Shoe cream has a higher oil content and a lower wax content, and shoe paste is just the opposite with a lower oil content and a higher wax content.
She used a small rag to apply and spread the shoe polish. Then, she held the shoe between her knees and buffed them with another rag drawn back and forth, like at a shoeshine stand. She finished them my buffing them all over with the same rag.
Back to now. One shoe toe is exceptionally scuffed to the point of little polish. This is from dragging my foot on the one high step at the door! This is an older pair, but it is the pair without a hole in the sole. It cannot be seen on the other pair, but water does seep through. I just hope the best old pair will work with polish and not have a leak. Maybe Santa will bring me new shoes!
Kiwi was the brand at WM. It seems that we used Cavalier brand.
Your turn
Did anyone else have a mother who polished school shoes every night? Did you ever use Cavalier brand? What brand did you use then and now? Do you polish your leather shoes regularly? Do you have these kinds of memories about your mother's loving sacrifices? Share with me.
My grandmother walked a short distance to town. I don't know how far or for how long. But, I seem to remember it was one mile and for a short time. Mama said when her mother walked to town, she always wore old shoes and carried her good ones in a bag. Memaw then sat down in edge of town and changed to her good shoes.
Mama said all the other women who walked to town wore their good shoes to town and thought it strange that my grandmother changed shoes.
When I was a child, I remember my mother polishing our shoes. Before I wrote this, I tried to remember when she did this, the time frame. I remember her polishing our shoes from first grade through eighth grade. I was the oldest, so she did this much longer. Plus, I remember polishing my own shoes in seventh and eighth grade. Maybe she did it sometimes for those last two years. Since my youngest brother was born when I was in high school, I suppose she polished shoes longer.
My mother did not just polish our shoes once a week, she polished them every night. We were poor, but we had the cleanest shoes in school, of that I am sure. I remember noticing other kids with scuffed shoes. We only had one pair of shoes, so they were worn at home, in the yard, walking to the school bus stop, and on the playground at school.
I don't remember anything but lace up leather shoes. But, each night she faithfully washed the mud or dust off, rubbed on the wax polish and buffed all four pair of shoes. She performed this act of love whether she was ill, overworked, abused, or pregnant. I never went to school with shoes not freshly polished.
For Sunday, we three girls wore patent leather shoes. Did you? I took a wet cloth and removed every speck of dirt and put Vaseline on them to make them shine and rubbed it all off and rubbed them often before leaving for church. I suppose all the Vaseline I put on my shoes just drew dusty dirt to the shoes...lol. Mama told me not to use so much. I cared for these shoes.
Outside church before entering I knelt to get all the dust off. I remembering carrying a bit of toilet paper in my patent leather purse to wipe off my shoes before entering the church. One day, some ladies were smiling at my wiping my shoes. I thought they were smiling because my shoes were shiny. Now, I imagine they were smiling at the third-grader keeping her shoes shiny.
I don't know if we used shoe polish or shoe cream. As for the difference in shoe cream and shoe paste (both are shoe polish): Shoe cream has a higher oil content and a lower wax content, and shoe paste is just the opposite with a lower oil content and a higher wax content.
She used a small rag to apply and spread the shoe polish. Then, she held the shoe between her knees and buffed them with another rag drawn back and forth, like at a shoeshine stand. She finished them my buffing them all over with the same rag.
Back to now. One shoe toe is exceptionally scuffed to the point of little polish. This is from dragging my foot on the one high step at the door! This is an older pair, but it is the pair without a hole in the sole. It cannot be seen on the other pair, but water does seep through. I just hope the best old pair will work with polish and not have a leak. Maybe Santa will bring me new shoes!
Kiwi was the brand at WM. It seems that we used Cavalier brand.
Your turn
Did anyone else have a mother who polished school shoes every night? Did you ever use Cavalier brand? What brand did you use then and now? Do you polish your leather shoes regularly? Do you have these kinds of memories about your mother's loving sacrifices? Share with me.
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