Old Soul

I saw this quote the other day, and it resonated with me. I've always felt like somewhat of a "old soul", even as a child.

When I was a kid I befriended my moms friends. When I was in high school, my best friend was in her late 20's. Now I'm in my (almost) late 30's and 3 of my closest friends which includes my mom are 20 or more years older than I am. Of course I have always had a couple friends my own age too. I've even had/have best friends around my age.

I was my mom's sidekick when I was a kid. She was the dean at Bible camp one summer. I was right by her side and dubbed "Little Dean of Camp". I didn't want to hang around the kids. I wanted to be around the adults. In fact, when I got sent to camp on my own in 3rd grade I tolerated it, but I didn't want to do it again. How dare I get left with all kids my own age. I preferred hanging out with my counselor.

If it was moms turn to work in the church nursery, I was in there with her helping take care of kids. I can remember her telling people I was living up to my name. In most baby books Rachel means, "Lamb" but in the book my mom had it also had the definition of "motherly". I felt so grown up.

I started babysitting when I was 10 because I was mature. I look at 10 year olds now and think "WHAT!?!?!" I was TEN and the family that lived across the street from us trusted me to take care of their 6 year old, 4 year old and 1 year old! By the time I was 11 or 12 I was THEE baby-sitting. The one that everyone called. I was raking in the dough!

The church we went to had an annual "Ladies Bus Trip". A whole day of shopping out of town with other women. Women. I was probably 9 the first time I went. I was the only kid allowed to go, because once I again I was more mature. (I do think one year one other girl got to come along too) I went on at least 3 of these trips and hung out with the "old ladies" Ha! It was a blast...minus the year I walked head first into a pole in Galena! 

Our neighbors went to a Lutheran church and would invite us to VBS in the summer. Their mom Lisa was always in charge of the crafts. Did I go to VBS to participate in a class with other kids? Nope. I was her assistant.

My parents never had to worry about me going to parties or getting into anything bad because my ideal Friday and Saturday night consisted hanging out on the couch with my mom.

I have always had a fascination with old houses. It started with falling in love with my Great Grandma's house and my grandparent's house. I love the character and charm. If I were given the choice of a brand new house or a 100 year old house I'd pick the 100 year old house (as long as the big things were updated ie: electrical and plumbing! Been there done that with the plumbing nightmares).

While I am grateful for modern technology and being able to stay in close contact with my family...I do miss the simplicity of life before the internet and cell phones. Would I give them up now? No. But, life used to feel so carefree. I remember watching Mad Men which took place starting in 1960 and thinking, "man I wish I was alive then (minus the whole smoking everywhere part). I even went out and bought a couple of dresses that gave me Betty Draper vibes. 

In many ways I'm very much a millennial, but there's always that part of me that thinks I was born in the wrong decade.  (Okay...not really because I wouldn't have actually been able to exist)

Childhood Games

I've been having the itch to write again, but just haven't taken the time to do it. I think part of it is just not knowing what I want to write about.

I have felt a bit nostalgic lately, and for some reason childhood games were on my mind the other day, so I started Googling to see if I could find any. 

We loved to play games. We had a lot of the more popular games that we played frequently. Candyland, Chutes and Ladders, Trouble, Clue, Battleship, Yahtzee, Hi-Ho-Cherry-O, and the list goes on.

Of course Monopoly was a favorite of mine. I would spend days playing it at my grandparent's house in the summer when I would go spend a week or 2. We'd leave the board out and continue playing until I would inevitably bankrupt my grandma. Then I'd try to play it with Erica at home, and my bossiness didn't go over so well. It would usually end in fights because I wouldn't let her buy Boardwalk and Park Place. One time she got so mad she flipped the entire board and stormed upstairs...only to come back a few minutes later as I was cleaning it up, to kick me in the butt and then bolt back up the stairs again. I mean, now that I think about it, I most likely deserved it.

What I really was thinking about though were some of the lesser known games. Ones that I don't think many people will remember, but they sure brought a smile to my face when I Googled them.

I would frequently spend the night and my Grandma and Grandpa's Smith's house and Grandma would play board games with me. She'd go rummage around in the closet under the basement stairs and pull them out. We had to play them in a certain order (because I apparently have control issues). It was always, Tom and Jerry, Winnie the Pooh and then we'd finish out with Candyland.

Tom and Jerry:

I really don't remember how it was played, but I assume there was a spinner and you went to the color you landed on. But I LOVED watching Tom and Jerry, which made this game seem extra fun.

Winne the Pooh

If you know me, you know that Pooh has always been my favorite Disney character. (I had a slight obsession in middle school). This picture brings back all the feels. From what I can find, this came out sometime in the 60's or 70's. You would put the little tiddlywinks in that gold bag and draw one out on your turn. There was one certain "bad" color and if you drew it, I think you had to go back to start or lose a turn or something. 

I was SUCH a cheater. If I was worried I was going to draw that one, I would pretend I needed a drink, take the bag with me to the kitchen and poke around and find a good one to draw.

Grandma clearly knew what I was doing but never called me out. I'm sure Grandpa got a kick out of watching me do that.

Barnum's Animal Cracker Game

Oh, man, I LOVED this game. This was one we had at home. Each player had to spin and get the animals that were in your circus car picture in front of you on the board. I loved the crinkly vinyl board. Those animals bring back so many memories. I loved the black panther.

Roller Coaster

This was another game at our house. I got it for Christmas in the early 90's. Erica and I played this one frequently. I couldn't tell you how to play it anymore, but I do remember racing those little marbles down the "roller coaster" chutes. I also found this one sells for quite a bit on eBay. Wish I still had it!

Grabbin' Grasshoppers

What a weird little game this was. We got this one for Christmas as well at Grandma and Grandpa S's house. I can vividly remember sitting at the kitchen table playing this. You have to press down a bunch of grasshoppers with suction cups on the bottom onto the board. The trick was being able to press all of them down at once, so they wouldn't start hopping too soon.

Then you had to use the plastic nets to try and catch them as they started jumping up off the board and flying through the air. The person who caught the most was the winner. This was another fun one that I wish was still around!

Beauty and the Beast

This wasn't your classic board game, but this baby was gold. I got it from my parents for Christmas. My first and only electronic hand held game and by far one of my most used Christmas gifts. We didn't have video games. I was obsessed. Beauty and Beast was (and still is)  my favorite Disney movie. Erica got the Aladdin game and we would trade sometimes, but I think be both thought ours was the best.  

I don't need these games again, but it sure was a fun trip down memory lane!