Pictures of My Past

Months ago while sorting all the boxes and barrels in the attic, I came across a barrel that contained toys, etc. from when I was a young girl.  As I dug out and examined each item, memories flowed over me and I was once again that little girl who, from my perspective now, had not a care in the world.

This is a large sturdy cardboard doll with a permanent attached felt slip and moveable arms.  She came with a wardrobe of clothing that would "stick" to her.  She was probably about 1/2 my size at the age I played with her.

"Janette" was my all time favorite doll!  She is almost bald and contains a few ink marks, but don't look too bad for being about 40 years old.

 

Little china set and cast iron cookware.  As you can see in the background, the large bead hair elastics were "in", too. 

 

When I was about 7 or 8, I received this cool baby buggy.  Around that time, I had a new cousin born and for some reason, my sister Karen thought she should put "Tammy" in my baby buggy.  Well, she exceeded the weight limit and forever made my buggy lean.  Needless to say, I was very upset!  I remember still playing with it, but making sure I pushed it in a way that it didn't lean.  Then when I would let go of the handle and it would flop to the side again.

Somewhere in my younger lifetime, I must have sold this buggy at a yard sale or something.  I can't remember, but a few years ago I walked into Jubilee and here was this buggy sitting in the area where the drop off bin is.  I instantly knew that was my buggy, for it was a leaner!  I wondered who had dropped it off, the manager didn't know, but it was still in good shape - no less wear than when I originally had it.  I told her the story of this buggy, she priced it and I bought it!  How was I suppose to leave my baby buggy sit at Jubilee?  Plus now I have 2 grand-daughters who could play with it.  

 

 

Oh, how I loved playing with this tree house!  It has a living room, bedroom with beds, kitchen with table and chairs, an elevator, swing, car and garage, and of course like you can see, Mr. Doggy in his dog house.  Getting it down from the attic, I set it all up and played with it again.  Why can't we buy toys like this anymore?  

 

Next is Barbie and Ken with 1967 & 1968 neatly stamped on their backsides.   Not sure who made the clothing to replace the usual seductive wear they come with, but there must have been a wedding, for she has her wedding gown still on.  Ken must have looked handsome in those striped green pants! :)  In doing research, these dolls aren't worth anything spectacular anymore.

 

Laura Ingals paper dolls.  I could not get this picture to rotate, so you will just have to cock your head sideways to take a look. :)  Not sure how the precious moments little person got in there, but I think I had a set of those, too.  Paper dolls were another neat thing back then!  Does anyone play with them yet?

 

In the age before trampolines, this is what we had to resort to!  Can't believe anyone was allowed to sell something so dangerous!  A few years ago, someone had posted a picture of the same Jump Shoes in the "Reminisce" Magazine.  I remember seeing that article, thinking "I have a pair of those and they are considered an antique????"  Whew!

 

There is a story to this poor teddy.  When I was in first grade, I had a terrible time learning my alphabet.  (yes, back then the children did not learn to read in preschool and yes, I struggled in school).  I was the last one in class to learn them and finally my mom left me pick out this bear at the store (and no it wasn't at WalMart either, probably KMart or Woolworths or Fryers in Hamburg,) and said that I could have it once I learned the ABCs.  I learned them and remember taking this little fellow to school with me.  Some of the boys, I think it was Brian Reihl and Richard Daley - for those of you who remember them, kidnapped him and stuck him up in a tree at recess.  When they FINALLY got him down for me, he smelled like sap.  Meanies!  :)

 

My autograph humpty dumpty - was fun to read the signatures that my friends and teachers signed on there long time ago.  "Mr. Wilhelm", my 5th grade teacher, is right up there next to his eyes, "Dad" on his leg and "Kevin" on the rim of his hat.

 

Can't remember which year this was, but this was my first buck and I shot him in West Virginia.  He was an albino deer and his 2 front hooves were white and he had a strange set of 4 point antlers.  My dad encouraged me to have this lamp made from his legs.

 

I loved home-ec in High School and received an award from Mrs. Deppen at our graduation ceremony.  We had become really good friends and she helped me put together this quilt top during one of her free periods in 11th - 12 grade. After 29 years, it is still just a quilt top folded in my cedar chest.  Would love to finish it!  Maybe this winter would be a good time. :)

 

My first gift from Dave was a Christmas gift and he bought me this sewing box, brown knitted mittens and scarf, which I still have, and a pair of pink sweat pants and sweat shirt, which I don't think I have anymore.

 

Funny how seeing an item, holding it, and smelling it can take a person into the past!

Precious memories!

I grieve when I go into a store and try to look for nice toys for the boys and for the grandchildren.  Why would any little girl want to play with a doll with one eye and unreal features and colors, or toys that are gruesome and anything but pleasant to look at?   Seems hard to even find a nice lego set that is not eery looking.  No wonder children have night mares!  

Until next time......