I had only been out of the bathtub about 10 minutes when this picture was made. After that birthday party, this dress was never the same. I never saw that little purse again.I first became aware of the Awfuls on the occasion of Jamey Awful’s fifth birthday. I was probably about four and totally ignorant of what birthday parties entailed. I only knew that Mother ruined a perfectly good day by calling me away from my sand pile to take a bath in the middle of the day, an unheard of event. I was disturbed especially since she insisted on washing the sand out of my hair. I’d just spent a good portion of the morning pouring sand on the top of my head, enjoying its powdery coolness showering down on my shoulders and the back of my sundress and saw no reason for her outraged reaction. “I told you not to get dirty. We have to go somewhere today.”
As far as I was concerned, sand was clean. Mud was dirty. Axle grease was dirty. Chicken poop on my shoe was dirty. Sand was white and dusted right off. It was not dirty. At any rate, Mother filled the tub with water and sprinkled in a bit of Tide Washing Powder and plunged me in. That was what passed for bubble bath at our house. I would have been content to spend the afternoon there, but she washed my hair and hurried me out, ruining another good time. Then she brushed my stick straight hair and stuffed me in a fluffy petticoat, a white fluffy dress with red and blue polka-dots, white socks, and sandals. Worse yet, I had to submit to a photo session. Mother was a novice with a camera making me pose forever, staring into the sun. She’d gone to a great deal of fuss making matching dresses for me and Phyllis for Easter and was extremely proud of the effect. Too bad the confection was wasted on me. When she’d said Easter outfit, I’d envisioned a cowboy getup.
Then she walked us over to the Awful’s house. I doubt Mother knew Mrs. Awful, since we’d never been to her house for coffee, even though they only lived a couple of houses over. I guess the poor woman was scraping the bottom of the barrel to find enough kids for a party, since I was a year younger and Phyllis was a couple of years older and neither had ever laid eyes on Jamey.
Mrs. Awful met us at the back gate. There were a dozen or so kids running round in the yard, so once Mother made Mrs. Awful’s acquaintance, she headed home, promising to be back for us in a couple of hours. Mrs. Awful ushered us in the back gate and the fun began. I was in Heaven!
It is interesting how our perspective is so different at 4 and 5 years old. Cute story😄
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Thank you. More to come?
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Well, you looked adorable in your dress. I look forward to hearing about the birthday party as I am sure that beautiful dress is going to gert mucked up! 🙂
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That dress didn’live to be a hand-me-down.
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I bet it didn’t! 🙂
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Four stars for the photo! I love the dash of Tide in the bath.
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Economy!
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Is your Mom good?
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She is great!
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I’m glad to hear that. I think of her often. In fact, I thought of her alot when I was in the worst of it over the death of my sister. I had imaginary conversations with her about it. Your Mother was very comforting, at least as I imagined her….:)
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You imagined her right. She is a rock in a storm.
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🙂
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Can’t wait for the next episode! 🙂
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Tomorrow!
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loving this and the picture is adorable!
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So glad you enjoyed.
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I found this on Patricia’s blog, and met you, “Beth.” Delightful story told in a little girl voice – love it!
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So glad you joined me.
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So far so good. Now I’m waiting to see what happens to you and the dress. That’s a darling picture. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Thanks.
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You’re cute as a button–then and now. 🙂
I expect total meltdown at this party. The Awfuls’ kids will ruin their own party somehow. Can’t wait to learn if they do. ❤ 😀
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I have to say, I’d have swapped mothers in a minute.
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That sounds like you had the sort of party your mum would not have approved of !
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Indeed!
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As a kid, maybe. I think you made out quite well. ❤ ❤ ❤ It's those Awfuls' fault to turn your head that-a-way. 😀
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That’s it! I certainly never got in trouble on my own! Ha!
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Ruh Roh….trouble brewing ???
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Usually was.
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I can’t wait to hear about the fun! LOL!
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Tomorrow!
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Oh, sorry, Linda! I accidentally commented on your blog which was meant for another post… lol! Sorry about that!!
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😂😂Very good! That might become Sacha’s favorite!!
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What a beautiful photo of you! Such a cute girl. And the “fun” is part of a sequel?
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It is. More tomorrow.
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Very cool!!!
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Loved that memory, thanks for sharing 🌹
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Thanks for reading
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Reblogged this on The Writers Desk and commented:
I wouldn’t miss any posts from this blog and neither shoul you. ☺☺
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Thank you, Pat.
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I an totaly addicted to your history, ☺☺☺
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Thanks.
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