Meals, Wardrobe and Company Rules

Meals

In looking back now, I see a bit of compulsivity in mom. Each day of the week had it's ordered, unchangeable menu. Only exceptions were during those nightmare camping trips.

Thursdays were mac and cheese, homemade of course. Saturday brought us tacos or hamburgers. Sunday was a pot roast or pork chop day. Even in summer, don't worry about heating the house up, just get those pork chops in the oven!

Breakfast was Rice Krispies, Corn Flakes or Shredded Wheat. Now you have to remember, back then Shredded Wheat did not come in small, frosted bite size pieces. They were jumbo and wrapped in white paper. You tore open the paper and shredded the already shredded wheat into you bowl.

Veggies - had to eat what was on your plate. Otherwise, you would be dished the whole bowl of whatever the vegetable was. None of us ever tempted dad so I never found out if he would follow through or not. At the dinner table is where I learned that mashed potatoes made a great buffer for ocra.

Coming home from school you were offered two fresh baked cookies - no milk - saving that for dinner.

Company Rules
Dad, when we was home, sat at the head of the meal table. There wasn't any talking unless dad asked a question and your response needed to be brief and to the point.

No one got up until dad dismissed us. The only wild and crazy thing I recall was Lynn, the oldest of us, requesting water near the end of dinner. He was thirsty and his ration of milk was long gone. He would stand at the sink and fill his glass. Before drinking it, he would turn so we girls could see that he poured the water in his glass that still had milk in it. It was his way of rebelling against the orderly rules. I remember each of us girls holding back laughter. I wasn't sure what would happened but I knew I did not want my dad to catch me with a smile or laughing - never at the dinner table.

Wardrobe
Again, mom and her compulsive behavior. Lynn got to bathe alone. Kathy next, alone. Edith and I had to share bath water. I didn't get it but didn't question. Sunday was hair in rollers, strip beds, polish saddle shoes and a trip to our closet with mom.

I stood with interest as mom showed me what I would be wearing each day. That navy blue pleated skirt made many outfits! My clothes were hung in order along with knee socks for each day.

My rebellion - when I was in the 7th grade, mom bought me a multi task coat. Confused? It's ok. I spent much of my youth in that same form of mind.

one side of the coat was green corduroy. It was reversible. The other side was a beige raincoat. It was bland and didn't feel as nice as the soft corduroy.

In obedience, on rainy days, on went the coat, beige side out. Then the plastic rain hat. remember those 2 inch in length plastic, polka dot or stripped shiny rain hats that noisily but conveniently unfolded?

Once I got around the corner from home, I would stop long enough to take my coat off and reverse the order of things. yes, I was wet but the coat felt nice and I didn't feel like such a dork.

More Company Rules
I'm not so sure I want to hear about your childhood. I thought mine was normal. When dad was in port and home, mom and dad would invite friends over. Only on Saturdays of course. Mom would have us eat an early dinner, not veering from the menu. Each of us would be sent to put on a dress, comb our hair, or in my brothers cases, pants and then hair combing.

Sounds like a great start to a Saturday evening/party? You have NO IDEA.

By 7 p.m., we were waiting for the signal -
Door bell rings
Not yet
Mom calls us
All 5 of us parade out in our given order
We stand like little soldiers in a line beside mom and dad. We are introduced to whoever the company might be.
We say hello
Mom says - now you can go back

Go we did - back to our bedrooms, trading our fine clothes for P.J.'s

Playing quietly in our rooms, listening to card games, laughter and munching of potato chips.

A few times a year mom and dad would do the same of dressing us up, stuffing us in the pink rambler and driving us to their friends homes for a social gathering.

Don't be silly in thinking anything other that fact yet.

The company rules at home or not were pretty much the same. In order, we paraded inside. Standing at attention until introduced, then escorted by mom to another room of the house to sit until they were done visiting. Mom would remind us to sit quietly.

There we were, all five of us in our fancy clothes sitting for a couple of hours while mom and dad visited with friends. While we talked quietly or said nothing at all.

I wonder if mom and dad thought we kids were in the way - their way - a burden.

I guess I'll never really know but what does it matter now?