Hey Lunchbox!

Did your lunchbox define you? Did you carry a metal one? Or, a vinyl one? Were you more of a TV show, cartoon, Football team or character? I look back at my annual lunch box purchases with fond memories. My mom would patiently take me to each discount store (Woolworth's, K-mart, the food store) to find JUST the right lunchbox. I remember every lunchbox I carried. Mom was a saint and dealt with my (obsessive) need for a different lunchbox every year. One year, I couldn't decide and was the proud owner of TWO! That was a good year...

1st grade- Snoopy

2nd grade- Barbie (in Vinyl) and Super friends
3rd grade- Betsy Clark

4th grade- Holly Hobbie
5th grade- Charlie's Angels

6th grade- brown paper sack

I remember how we would judge kids on their lunchbox. If they had a cool character like Six Million Dollar Man or Evel Knievel...that was cool. But, if a kid had some TV show like, say The Walton's...this really defined the kid. Set him up for a year of ridicule at the lunch table. That Walton's carrying kid also had a box of raisins and an olive sandwich. Poor kid.

I always secretly wanted a Little House on the Prairie lunchbox. I liked Nellie Olsen and all.

Cool boys had their favorite NFL team, The Hulk or Star Wars. Cool girls had Holly Hobbie and TV shows.

But, the thermos always did a lot of damage. It would roll around and flatten the fluffy, Wonder bread p.b.& j. Sometimes, it would "smash" a Ho-Ho or a Hostess cupcake. I hated that. No matter how my mom would pack it, something it would always get steamrolled in the metal box.

What lunchbox did you have a kid? Please comment...!!

Lost an Angel on Earth, Gained an Angel in Heaven...

Today, we lost and Angel on Earth...but Heaven has gained one. As you may know, Farrah has passed away. I wanted to share my memories of Farrah with you. I was a big fan of Charlie's Angels and have memories of the lunchbox (my fifth grade weapon, made of metal), the action dolls (I had all three), and of course, the POSTER. My dad bought the poster (for me) and hung it in my room. As a young girl, I would stare at it and wish for such a beautiful smile. Her teeth were amazing. Most people were "looking elsewhere", but for me...it was the teeth!

Recently, I was on a journey to "enhance my body"-- you can read more in my previous blog..."Two Boobs or Not Two Boobs" (to be "filled in"). I had an epiphany. I realized that my first step to physical improvement began with my teeth. At age 38, I was the proud recipient of braces. Twelve months later, straight teeth. All thanks to my husband who wanted me to be happy with my smile, and to "Dr. Frank" who made me pretty.

I know it all started with that poster and a smile that would shine down on me. Sitting on my bed, I would look up and think..."How did she get those teeth SO white?" Again, I did not purchase the poster. This was the handiwork of my father who hung it on my closet door. I really wanted the poster that had all three Angels! He bought this one. Hmmm....wonder why.

Anyhow, I was writing about a nice set of new boobs and this poster came back to me. I had one of those deja vu moments about the poster, the teeth and now the boobages. I was re-telling this childhood story to my husband, who sadly puts up with all my walks down memory lane. I am an only child...he has to suffer!

So, I added this memory to my "soon to be best seller of a book". Then, I changed my mind on the boobs, altogether. I do know that Farrah was a big part of my childhood though. So, was the poster....

An icon of hair, bathing suits and THOSE teeth...may she rest in peace and her family have many happy memories of her. She will be missed.

*If you have memories of the 70's, watched Charlie's Angels or if you wore Farrah hair, please comment!