From The Past: October 16, 2006

The kids returned to school today. They were off all last week for their fall break. When I was in school, we never had a fall break. We were out a few days during Thanksgiving and then a few weeks during Christmas.

When the weather became warmer and we all thought we were going to die because we were so sick of school; spring break would come. It was a glorious and well-deserved week, especially since we had Achievement Tests the entire week beforehand.

Actually, Achievement Test week wasn’t bad. My teacher would allow us to bring a sack lunch and a soft drink in a can for lunch. Drinking a soft drink for lunch was a BIG DEAL. I could hardly wait for lunch to come! I vividly remember drinking a grape Crush.

Testing never lasted all day. Since the teachers weren’t supposed to put any undue stress on us during this week, there was no actual teaching – no spelling tests – no extra of anything, so after testing was complete for the day, we went outside to play. My elementary school had an awesome playground (and still does). The playground is where many friendships were formed, so I am thankful for that time.

When I was off for spring break, my parents still had to work. I believe back then my dad was on the night shift, so he would sleep most of the day. It was as if he wasn’t there, so my sister and I did as we pleased.

We were good, trustworthy kids though and didn’t get into any trouble. I can clearly remember making Campbell’s vegetable soup for lunch and watching The Price Is Right and Love Connection. Why don’t they make Love Connection any longer? That show was one hilarious train wreck after another!

I would play with my Barbie’s for hours on end. I had the Barbie Dream House, the Townhouse, and two Corvettes, tons of furniture, the Dream Cottage, and lots more.

When I wasn’t playing with Barbies by myself or with my sister, I would have a friend over. We would watch TV or listen to music. We had a tape player along with a record player, so while I was playing a record, we could record ourselves singing on the tape player. I can still her us wailing out Michael Jackson’s Human Nature. I wish I had kept those tapes.

I do still have two class pictures.

Here is the one from third grade. I am on the top row, seventh person:

This is the one from sixth grade. I am in the second row from the top, wearing the red, blue, yellow, white, and green striped sweater: