Blast from the Past

This book was waiting for me under the Christmas tree this year. Doesn't really look like my style, huh? But it was - about 30 years ago.

I remember this book from my childhood. I don't remember much about the plot or why I liked it, but I remember reading it over and over and over again. As I was putting together my Christmas list this year, I decided to ask for it (there were copies on Amazon going for a penny) and see if I could discover what captured my attention as a teenager.

Yep, I got funny looks when I unwrapped it, and stranger ones when I squealed for joy when I saw what it was. We'll see if the story lives up to my memories in the end.

Two Lost Weeks

Sometimes my husband and I toy with the idea of going away on a trip, just the two of us. Travel with just three people is fairly easy, especially at my son's age, so these ideas have never materialized into anything concrete. And I don't feel like something is lacking in my life or my marriage because of it. I'm happy to have the three of us together, to "do" life together.

The other day, I was thinking about the time I spent with my dad before he passed away. I was thinking back to the logistics we put together - the friends and family who helped - so I could go be with him for the last couple weeks of his life, and my husband and son could do work and school respectively until the school year ended and we could see where things were going to go from there.

I was dismayed to realize that I have a two week gap in my memory of my son's life.

I have no idea what his life looked like while I was gone. Sure, I talked to him on the phone and Skype while I was away, but I don't have a mental image of what it looked like to have a cousin come over and get him ready for school in the morning (what did he have for breakfast? how did things go when she dropped him off for school?). I can't remember what he did after school (did he go to after school care? did my husband leave work early?). I'm pretty sure I missed a field trip in there, and I know I missed a major school presentation (my in-laws came over so he had someone there).

I don't like having that two week gap. I know as he gets older, those gaps are going to naturally become more plentiful as he becomes more independent. But for now, I want to soak up as much time with him and memories as I can to compensate for those two lost weeks of his life and to prepare me for the gaps yet to come.

Nostalgia Week - Cottage Cheese

I know - cottage cheese, right? How weird is that? But I have a serious thing for cottage cheese at this one particular restaurant.

Every table automatically gets a bowl of cottage cheese, a bowl of kidney beans and a basket of breadsticks to help you pass the time while waiting for your meal. When we go, I get one bowl of cottage cheese, and the rest of the table has to get their own. Ever since I was 4 or 5 years old, I have had a crazy attachment to this cottage cheese. My mom tried to replicate the recipe, but never could get it just right. The owner would smile when she asked for it, but he never told her. I never get tired of the stuff and look forward to having it at least once a year when I go back home.

So, I've shared some of the foods that take me back to the good old days - do you have any?

Nostalgia Week - Tootsie Pops

More nostalgia today - this time for Tootsie Pops.

The other day, I was watching a show with my family about food-factory tours, and one of the spots they talked about was the factory where they make Tootsie Pops. Watching the program reminded me of a favorite memory related to Tootsie Pops.

When I was a kid, our family went to a particular restaurant/bar on a regular basis. In fact, my parents went there every single Friday night for several of my elementary school years. Most of our family celebrations took place at this restaurant. And they always had a collection of Tootsie Pops for kids when they left the restaurant. Often, my dad would get one early on in the meal for me. He would put it in his pocket to save until the end of dinner. But every time - magically - there would be two in his pocket when we finished dinner. 

Now, if it were my son, he would want to know how it worked. I don't remember ever caring. I just loved the treat. It wasn't until I was an adult with a child of my own that I even thought to ask how my dad pulled off the trick. Turns out, he would get up to have a cigarette or use the restroom or get a drink from the bar, and pick up a second from the owner and pop it in his pocket. I never paid enough attention to notice and put the pieces together on my own. To this day, though, when I see a Tootsie Pop, I smile and remember the special treat my parents and their friends put together for me.

Nostalgia Week - Keebler

Keebler Fudge Sticks.... Yum.

I've been feeling a little nostalgic lately and these cookies are always a part of any reminiscing about my childhood. 

When I was my son's age, and a little older, I would go to my grandparents house after school. My grandfather and I would play cards and eat cookies - Keebler Fudge Sticks, among others. Years later, those cards we used were always sticky with cookie crumbs, and I loved them. My grandfather developed Alzheimer's  as I got older and he became more difficult to interact with. But I still had - and have - those memories of card games and Keebler Fudge Stick cookies.