Every girl needs a sister.
Yesterday was my little sister’s birthday. HOW did she get so old so soon? Staci’s 47 which means Lesa (our sister-cousin) will be 48 next week, and I am holding at 2 Score and 9.75 until July. I’m thinking 5, 6 and 7 years old was waaaay cuter.
Time flies.
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| Me feeding Staci. |
Staci was my first, best friend. Although when the stork brought her, I was a bit skeptical about our future relationship. She stole my thunder. The new cute baby syndrome ran rampant in our house. It was annoying.
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| Cotton Pageant 1970 We were thrilled. |
I think Momma must have always wanted twins? For years, she dressed us like twinkies in handmade outfits. It was SOOOOO embarrassing. Especially when she made us model her home sewn frocks in the Cotton Pageant. We were never meant for the runway. Staci and I were much more comfortable playing with our matchbox cars in the dirt field behind our house.
This picture of our Cotton Pageant experience was in the newspaper, and it speaks volumes. Staci, at 5 years old, is shooting daggers at the cameraman with those expressive eyes. Yet she has her hands sweetly clasped, as if she’s just biding her time before having a total all-out hissy fit. I’m standing uncomfortably like I’m posing for an awkward school picture. My arms and legs are braced as I wait for the perfect opportunity to vault off the stage and run all the way home from Burdette. I prayed NONE of my 2nd grade friends saw this picture in The Osceola Times.
Staci had a Thomas Tate Temper when she was little. She threw tantrums at Big Star on more than one occasion, flinging herself to the nasty sticky floor, flailing her arms and legs. I never knew what triggered these meltdowns – maybe she was protesting our lack of store-bought outfits. Momma, remaining cool and calm, somehow completely ignored these outbursts. She lightly stepped right over her, grabbed a basket and strolled down the grocery aisle shopping for supper. I’m sure inside she wanted to slam a cocktail. I just stared at both of them, completely mortified.
Thankfully Staci outgrew those tantrums pretty quickly. We continue to have hilarious adventures together, and nothing much horrifies either one of us anymore. Except maybe our 1980s big hair photos.
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| HAIR. |
“Big sisters are the crab grass in the lawn of life.” – Peanuts, Linus Van Pelt
Musical Pairings:
Rod Stewart, “Forever Young”
The Beatles, “In My Life”
Loved this. I am so thankful that you and Staci are so close. There was a Homemade Cotton Pageant just last week in Mississippi County.It was in The Osceola Times.I thought about entering us again, as grownup people. Then, I remembered that I gave the sewing machine to Veterans of Foreign Wars. Talya’s Mom
You can have my sewing machine but don’t enter me in anything.
I don’t think it was a Pageant. I think it was a Cotton Style Show. Mom
Yes style show. There was no winner.
Close is wonderful! You made me smile today. After yesterday I wasn’t sure what to expect.
Love this sweet story!!! How fortunate you two are to have each other! I don’t remember Staci’s tantrums but I shall never forget the spanking I got from my mom after learning I’d told Staci there was no Santa Claus! Don’t know what possessed me to do that! lol. Hope Staci has forgiven me! :-). Cousin Cindy Lu
What do you mean there is no Santa Claus?
I don’t remember the tantrums either.
Are you sure those dresses weren’t purchased at the Cra-mel shop in Keiser? Cra for Craig Barnett; mel for Melody Jarrett.
Ha!
I had forgotten the name of Ruth’s store. What was the name of her day care?
Looking forward to many more fun adventures! – your lil sis :))
I LOVED THIS,,SINCE I HAVE SISTERS AND SISTERS THAT ARE NOT REALLY SISTERS BUT CALL US SISTERS…HA,,,I AM CATCHING UP ON ALL YOUR STORIES TALYA,,,SO MISSED THEM VERY MUCH WHILE MY INTERNET WAS OUT. YOU ARE A GIFTED WRITER,,KEEP IT UP,,LOVE YOU SWEET GIRL,,,YOU AND STACI LOOK SO CUTE IN YOUR DRESSES…THANKS FOR SHARING,,,LOVE YA COUSIN GAIL