When I was little, I had this hamper full of dress-up clothes--and a friend who loved it as much as I did. And while Kate had Pippa, I had Evie, a neighbor friend. Evie and I hung out often, digging into that hamper for plastic "glass" slippers, old prom dresses, and a gold plastic wig. We'd spend hours dolling up for our imaginary husbands-to-be and strutting around the backyard like we were princesses in our own right.
I can remember that while I had the Hamper 'o Fun, Evie had a Barbie collection to die for. And when we would be discussing what we were gonna do on any particular day, I'd yell "Barbies!" and she'd yell "Dress Up!". Sigh. Needless to say, it was a serious case of the grass being greener, and it oftentimes led to all out war. To which it ended up with either me or her stomping home and dragging out the possessions in question, flashing and flaunting for the other to see two houses away. It was ugly--but it worked. We were both miffed.
This is one of my favorite photos of my childhood because it reminds me of how we used to just play until the streetlights came on. Life was good then--no cell phones, no child abductors that we knew of, no PlayStations or computers to waste good sunny days on, and plethora of neighbor kids to hang out with.
It was just so different then. I think we were more easily entertained because we didn't have all of this technology or our parents to figure out what we should do for fun. We just went outside and did whatever--and we never really got into trouble with all that freedom. We were creative and happy--or we were bored.
And I'm not sure why, but everyone had an "ie" or a "y" at the end of their names. I was Linnie, my brother was Stevie. Petie and Paulie lived next door. Evie lived 2 houses over--and right in-between was Jeannie. Richie lived across the street, right by Susie and Johnny. I think Pammy moved in after they moved. I can't make this stuff up--these are actual names of the kids on my street. What is with the inclination to add an "ie" to everyone's name?
When I thought of the Royal Wedding, I thought of this photo immediately. And I wondered if Evie was watching somewhere remembering our days of being princesses.
26 comments:
Honey here (yep-everyone said look at Sam with his little honey so it stuck). Brother Howie (now Howard the attorney-yuk), best friend Jodie, friend Suzie. Nothing could change Darlene though.
You were an awesome princess-now you're kind of the Prince Harry of blogs.
You are making me flash back to my neighborhood days of dusk nights in the cul-de-sac playing kick the can. Then there is my girls, whose names all have the delightful "e" ending sound, playing dress up from the box that now sits idol in the basement full of regal choices. Wait a minute my girls still play dress-up with my prom dress and of late my wedding dress. LOL Girls. Always little girls at heart.
I missed out on the dress up playtime. Growing up in a house full of boys, I dare not show a dress up weakness for fear of how they me torment me with it.
The photo is very sweet and nostalgic and I do long for the day when electricity or batteries we not required to have a fun.
It's great when you go into a nostalgic mode. Fun times. My kids, same era: Ivy and Kenny, but not much could be done with Delbert, and Ann would not abide the "ie" on her name.
I thought it was maybe your confirmation dress!
I never dressed up, as I had all brothers. My kids LOVED dressing up. Yeah, the simple days... I sometimes long for the electronic-less days, too, but then I realize that I work online all day... so maybe we can just ditch the video games and leave the computers alone. :D
Lin, you brought back some major memories but most of the time, since there were no boys in the neighborhood, my twin sister and I practiced being the bride and the other, the pretend groom. Funny how the bride was also the flower girl! :) Thanks for the memories!
There was much more make believe...
How was the party?
I so, so miss those wonderful days of childhood. I remember them very much like you do!
And I'm giggling because the kids I played with in my neighborhood were named Kathie, Wendy, Julie, and Debbie, so your name ending theory is true for me too.
Oh yes! I loved playing dress-up! Is there an app for that now? Probably!
Those were the good ol' days! I too enjoyed dress up and Barbies. Back then most girls had only one Barbie to play with, and if you were REALLY luck you owned two! Nowadays, little girls have armies of Barbies in their possessions!! Building "tents" out of blankets and tablecloths was fun too. Love your photo Lin, thanks for the memories!
I think I know the origin of "ie" after everybody's name. When I was little (a hundred years ago) we called our friends from the middle of the backyard. "Yo Suzie" was sung out in a long dragged out song and Suzie would come to the door. For some reason we never knocked on the door or rang the bell--only "Yo Suzie". Yep, memories of long ago. Phyl
You're too funny plus I wish I had dress up clothes. I am not so jealous of you I can't stand it. One of the toys I wanted was this truck of princess clothes... To make up for all the barbie stuff I didnt get.
man, get over it already will i. sheesh
My kids spent a fair amount of time dressing up (although they also play a lot of Wii). We are lucky because we live in a neighborhood and my kids spend a lot of time playing outside.
Childhood was so much simpler before all the technology messed it up! :) I didn't play dress up but every day in the summer I was outside with my neighbor exploring every field and pond in a 2 mile radius of our houses. To this day I drive by an old barn or farm house and wonder what great finds and memories are inside. My name doesn't end in ie!
I don't ever remember playing dress-up and of course there were no Barbie dolls but the diminutive ending on names was rampant. Amongst Italian-Americans there was the additional "-boy" ending so Johnny became Johnny-boy.
I was never ever called "Gracie". EVER. My parent's used to say "If we wanted them called Johnny, Gracie and Larry we would have NAMED them Johnny, Gracie and Larry" They pounded that right into our heads!
What makes we shake my head is when adults still refer to themselves in the diminutive -
When I was little I wanted to be a Duchess - go figure that one!
I think the "ie/ y" ending symbolizes a much sweeter time. Everyone was a 'ie" because they were just cute, sweet, playful kids. These days you'd be hard pressed to find any kid actually wanting to act and dress like a kid. Let ALONE one who is capable of entertaining himself. Sheesh.
I think you need to track Evie down on Facebook and rekindle your friendship.
Sorry Lin, I DID notice your beautiful picture and mean to comment but my ADD got the best of me and I forgot by the time I got to typing. You were (and still are) a cutie.
Oh the good old days. Back when kids had imagination. Lets see on my street there was me (Annie), Valerie, Stevie, Danny, Ricky, Becky and I can't remember the rest
Ahh..the good ole days! Don't you wish you could go back just for a day or two...preferably on a day with cake!
Helene--I like Honey. :) Reminds me of Nancy Drew. :) Poor Darlene--no cute nickname for her. Bummer.
Jodi--Do kids even play kick-the-can anymore??
Highway--I grew up with a bunch of boys in the neighborhood, so I know what you are saying. We definitely played dress-up when they weren't around.
Vanilla--I'm thinking Delbert would be "Bert" in our 'hood. We had a "Bert" which came from Robert. We still call him Bert. :)
Rebecca--We used to do a lot of camping when our kids were small to escape the TV and phones. We all loved that.
Chocolate--We never had a groom either, but I like your creativity. I also like the bride/flower girl combo!!
Pricilla--Yeah, we had more freedom too. Things are very different now. The party was GREAT!
Violet--Isn't that funny how everyone had an "ie"?! Today's names don't allow for that. Bummer for them.
Betty--Hahaha! Probably. I'll bet you play Barbie online too. :(
Hot Rocks--You are sooo right! I only had one or two Barbies and no extra clothes to change them into. But, man, we wore those Barbies OUT! Mine were beat up from overuse. Blanket tents and cardboard forts ROCKED!
G'ma Phyl--That's because you grew up before phones!! Hahaha! Remember when Petie would look in our kitchen window to see if we were done eating?
Tracy--I didn't get much Barbie stuff either. We were lucky if we had an extra outfit. I think my mom might still have that hamper with the clothes in her basement if you want me to ask her for it. :)
Anne--Emma played dress-up too, but I think it's because I made a lot of it. I think playing outside forced us to be creative. I'm glad your kids got that opportunity too.
Beaded Tail--We had "prairies", which were just overgrown lots. That said, we still brought home cattails and garter snakes. I think that is why I have the pond now--brings back those days. I think you should change your name. ;)
Grace--There were 3 boys on the block (brothers) who didn't have the "ie". Their mom would yell their names when it was time to come in for dinner. You'd hear "MIKE, MARK, DAVE!" every single day of our lives. I guess she thought like your mom did about the names.
Nancy--I think you are right about nobody wanting to be a kid. Add in the funky names everyone has now and there goes the sweetness of youth. Bummer for them.
Casey--Hell no! She's probably still mad that I was always the bride!!
Ann--Remember how your block was loaded with kids too??! Man, those were good days. :)
Melodie--Yes I do! It would be a summer day and I can see us sitting on the curb, trying to figure out what to play and waiting to see who was coming outside. It would be fun to go back, wouldn't it?!
Very Sweet Princess. What a treasure.
The two of you look so CUTE! :D
P.S.
Lin, I made a special mention of you in my new blog post in my new blog URL- http://blog.junezach.com .
Have a nice week! :D
LJ--If I'm not mistaken, I think that is a slip on my head, but only you and I know that now. ;) Princess with an undergarment on her head--go figure.
Zach--Oh! I'm glad you have a new blog!! I'm going there now.....
Adorable! A Queen in the making to be sure! :)
xo Catherine
I love that shot and the story. Life was so much easier and less stressful back then. I spent many summer afternoons in my Nana's attic trying on all of her old dresses and hats with my little sister. Those were truly fun times with no electricity or batteries needed.
Catherine--Who knew I was such a fashion plate back in the day??! (Uh, that's a slip on my head. Don't tell anyone) :)
lenox knits--I used to LOVE my g'ma's attic! I forgot all about it until you wrote that!!! Wow. Good times, eh? Kids today are missing out. Big time.
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