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The Misadventures of Mrs. B: A Tale of Woe and Triumph

Cook. Writer. Wife. Daughter. Sister. Friend. Klutz.

Friday, April 16, 2010

A Tale of Woe and Triumph

                     The Girl Creative

Hey all!
It's finally Friday!

Whew!

Today I'm participating in Company Girl Coffee over at Home Sanctuary (great place, great friends, and Rachel Anne is a genius in so many ways!) AND New Friend Friday over at The Girl Creative (love, love, LOVE this blog, and I'm always looking to make new friends and find great bloggers who I might not ordinarily visit!).

So, how was your week? For us, this has been a good but challenging week.  Seems like the week is usually challenging, though, so I don't see why this should be any sort of surprise.  However, good things have happened!

After a tremendously stressful experience with RD on Tuesday, I emailed Rob's brother and asked him to come over tonight so Rob and I can have Date Night again (it's been a few weeks).  I knew after that morning's hijinks, my poor husband needed something to look forward to.  So we're going out tonight! Hooray!

Now, I'm going to share a story with you which is pertinent to tonight's events and which is also pertinent to the best thing that happened to me all week.  It is a tale of heartbreak and woe, and anyone here who used to be a child (duh) will feel my pain, I'm sure.  *deep breath*  Here goes.

Did you ever have a favorite toy? One which your existence just totally revolved around?

For me, it was Barbie.  Also, to a lesser degree, Jem and the Holograms (anyone remember them??).  Let's just say dolls in general.

I loved my dolls.  They were beautiful, they were fashionable.  They had pretty hair and perfect faces.  They always had some awesome backstory, too.  For instance, Jewel Secrets Barbie had three different parties to attend on the same night taking place in, like, Paris, London and NYC (yeah, let's not go into the logistics of that backstory...I was a little girl and didn't know any better), and she needed three different looks for each party.  So you could change her outfit accordingly and change the color of the jewel in her necklace.

That's right.  I actually remember that.  That sort of total recall can only be attributed to one thing:

Utter, life-scarring horror.

See, when I was 9 years old or so, my Dad decided that it was time to do a pre-Christmas purge of all broken and unused toys.  I was completely unaware of this activity, as was my brother.  My Mom was at work so she, too, was blissfully unaware that her husband was throwing away her children's very childhoods.

He threw away all of my dolls.  Every single one.  He didn't think I played with them anymore.  And I'm pretty darn sure he took them straight to the incinerator because I would have known they were missing in time to save them from the garbage can had he not done so.  He also tossed out my brother's action figures and (saddest of all) a stuffed pig our Babci gave him.  Our Babci, who had died years before.

I cannot describe the feeling.  The sense of loss.  I was devastated.  So was my brother.  And I have come to believe over the years that had I been able to outgrow Barbie in a healthy and timely way, I would not be so in love with Barbie today. 

As a joke, for my 21st birthday my whole immediate and extended family got me nothing but Barbies and Barbie accessories.  I guess I'd been complaining enough over 12 years that they figured they'd throw me a bone out of compassion.  It was hilarious! I don't actually play with them (anymore...we did pass a few nights with Barbie back in college), but I do have a small collection.

THEN! YESTERDAY!

My brother called me in a state of shock to tell me that he was at Target, and guess who he was holding in his hands?




He was so happy for me, which was so sweet of him.  How on Earth I didn't know they rereleased Peaches n' Cream Barbie is beyond me.  Maybe because I'm 30 and have, like, other things to do.

She was my most very favorite doll! So this discovery was the highlight of my week! I don't think you have to guess who will be purchasing her after dinner tonight!

ME! That's who! I hope to gain a sense of closure after this and be able to put the horror of the Great Barbie Purge behind me.

I also hope that you'll all still want to be my friend after reading this insanity.

Have a great weekend!



Oh, and in case you haven't done so, check out my blog renaming contest.  It's not strictly a contest in that I don't actually know what I'll be giving to the person whose idea strikes my fancy the most...but I would love any and all feedback! I'm going through some growing pains at the moment and am wondering whether my blog name fits my blog.  So check it out!

Labels:

31 Comments:

Blogger Angie Holden said...

Visiting from New Friend Friday!! So nice to meet you!!

April 16, 2010 at 10:11 AM

 
Blogger One More Equals Four said...

Okay, I am feeling a little Mother guilt here. Because I totally purge my kids toys when they are gone! It is just so much easier and som much more productive. However, I will say that I have a pretty firm grasp of what they do and don't play with!

Have a great time on your date and enjoy that lovely new Barbie!

April 16, 2010 at 10:27 AM

 
Blogger MrsJenB said...

Oh no, please don't misunderstand me, I am a huge fan of toy purging. After a while it gets ridiculous, especially around the holidays. But my dad literally left my brother with, like, a small cardboard box of toys. He had the best intentions, of course!!! But he should have asked for guidance from my mom! haha

April 16, 2010 at 10:43 AM

 
Blogger Gigi said...

Funny post! :) I love that they're reviving a lot of the old Barbies - even the ones from my decade, which were the 1970s Barbies. So cool!

April 16, 2010 at 11:02 AM

 
Anonymous Jamie said...

I totally felt your pain! But your 21st birthday is such a funny ending. Thanks for sharing.

April 16, 2010 at 11:05 AM

 
Anonymous Ashley said...

LOVE Barbies!! I can't wait til my daughter is old enough to inherit all my Barbies... I even have a few "original" Barbies (from the 60s) thanks to my mom and aunt!

April 16, 2010 at 11:15 AM

 
Blogger Linda @ A La Carte said...

Oh to lose a child hood toy. I would let my children gather up unused and outgrown toys and sell them at the yard sale and they could keep whatever money they got from toys. It helped them to purge and get some $$ and was a good learning experience. Yours, not so much. Enjoy your Barbie!!!

April 16, 2010 at 11:23 AM

 
Blogger Steph said...

Thanks for sharing the story! Enjoy your date night!

April 16, 2010 at 11:26 AM

 
Blogger Lea @ CiCis Corner said...

What a great entry and I bet your Dad never did that again, or at least, I hope not. At least not until he checked with everyone concerned. I'm a big "purger" but I do so in a thoughtful manner. :o) Enjoy your date night! Those are always fun and usually much needed. Blessings to you!

April 16, 2010 at 11:30 AM

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

My mom did this to me! I have never let her forget my stuffed Fozzie bear from the muppets that she threw away. I bring it up sometimes just to mess with her and she will say "Oh, no! You and that dang Fozzie bear! I'm sorry already!" Haha!

P.S. I remember that Peaches n' Cream Barbie. She was dreamy :)

April 16, 2010 at 11:41 AM

 
Blogger Kristin @ Yellow Bliss Road said...

OMG I loved loved my Barbies! I had the Jewel one, and I'm pretty sure I had the Peaches and Cream one too!!! My BF's little girl loves Barbie too, and I may have to go get that one for her! :))

Oh, and I loved Jem too!!!

April 16, 2010 at 12:17 PM

 
Blogger Kristin @ Yellow Bliss Road said...

I loved loved Barbies when I was a kid and had so many! I had Peaches and Cream Barbie too! Thanks for the memories!! :))

April 16, 2010 at 12:19 PM

 
Blogger Allie and Pattie said...

Oh, do I EVER get this!! MY Mom sold all my Barbies and my brother's GI Joes at a GARAGE SALE!! AACK!! When we weren't home! It was years before I forgave her- I don't think my brother has yet .... Last year she tried to make it up to him by giving him a Big Wheel for Christmas. He's 48
xoxo Pattie

April 16, 2010 at 12:32 PM

 
Blogger Leslie said...

Company Girl stopping by! Enjoy your date night!

April 16, 2010 at 12:52 PM

 
Blogger alicia said...

Funny story. I am not a person who becomes deeply attached to "things" of any kind. I actually love the feeling after a good purge session, but still a good story.

Glad you are getting out tonight. We made it to Friday. Yah!!

April 16, 2010 at 1:19 PM

 
Blogger G said...

Jen I still have my pink Barbie Corvette in my shed in the backyard... I won't let me dad throw it away!

He DID, however, throw away my Beep Beep, which was my little ride-on toy that had a horn on it that I would "beep beep" everytime I played with it. So what if it had a broken wheel and a severely cracked seat that I'm 100 pounds too heavy for? That's no reason to throw away a perfectly good Beep Beep!

April 16, 2010 at 2:55 PM

 
Blogger Aiming4Simple said...

Mostly I remember playing outside as a girl. I wasn't so into dolls, though I did have a few Barbies. My parents are the opposite of yours, however, and I am dreading the day I have to help sort through all the clutter they've help onto!

April 16, 2010 at 3:33 PM

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Wow, yeah. Sounds traumatic. You should do a different toy theme every birthday party. I'm your newest follower from New Friend Friday at The Girl Creative. I love you blog. Can't wait to read more.

-K
http://mypottyseat.blogspot.com/

April 16, 2010 at 3:44 PM

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

We only had 2 Barbies, one for me and one for my little sister. I think my sister has them now, but most of our toys ended up at my cousins' house because my grandma took them thinking we were too old for them, and didn't want them anymore. I guess they got to enjoy them, and we ended up in a less cluttered home. I wonder if she can come help me out now, even though she's 103 years old! Barbie has way more clothes than I'll ever own in my entire life. =p

April 16, 2010 at 6:01 PM

 
Blogger Forgetfulone said...

Hi! So nice to stop over for Company Girl Coffee and chat. I LOVED Barbie, too. I even had a collection of holiday Barbies that "someone" made me get rid of only a few years ago (and I'm over 40!). The Peaches Barbie sure is pretty. As a little girl, I could spend hours playing Barbies

April 16, 2010 at 6:08 PM

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

See, Jen...I knew we were friends for a reason....Peaches and Cream Barbie was my favorite too!!!! I loved how her wrap buttoned to the dress....

April 16, 2010 at 6:11 PM

 
Blogger xinex said...

Hi Jen, I totally enjoyed the story but I felt your pain. I am the opposite of your dad. My kids want to throw away things and I salvage them, lol. I don't like throwing things or toys away. Thanks for coming by...Christine

April 16, 2010 at 6:14 PM

 
Blogger Unknown said...

I still want to be your friend!!LOL
Happy new friend follow. I am following you now, come follow my blog.
A Plus,
Frenchy

April 16, 2010 at 8:31 PM

 
Anonymous Melissa said...

Your brother is so sweet! Fortunately, my mom was a hoarder so this never happened to me. However, unlucky for my children, I am not. (You know, I'm into sentiment, though)

I can not believe you lived through this horrifying trauma. And I infer no sarcasm. As a child, this must've been one of the deepest losses you'd ever known. I'm sorry.

What I think is amazing, though, is that you experienced this with your brother and that the two of you were able to share the experience.

Congrats on being reunited with Peaches!

April 16, 2010 at 9:44 PM

 
Blogger Alecia said...

What a sweet brother!!!!!!! That was awesome of him!!!!

April 16, 2010 at 9:56 PM

 
Blogger MommaKiss said...

While I can't imagine that sort of loss as a 9 year old - I had to share that I'm jealous of the barbie-love. I have 4 brothers (who aren't nearly as sweet as yours!) and grew up with storm troopers and matchbox cars and g.i. joe. I barely got Mom to get me a cabbage patch doll, much less any barbies.
Alas, Reunited and it Feels So Good!

April 17, 2010 at 9:31 AM

 
Blogger Martha said...

Awww, this is so sweet! Have fun playing with your Barbies :-)

Thanks for the comment over at Our Krazy Kitchen this morning too. Have a great weekend!

April 17, 2010 at 11:05 AM

 
Blogger Heather said...

This is hilarious because I totally relate (and still jokingly give my parents a hard time about all the ways they "traumatized" me as a child). Well written! :)

April 17, 2010 at 1:55 PM

 
Blogger Angie said...

I love those Retro Barbies. I always stop and reminisce when I see them in the stores. I end up telling stories to my daughters while standing in the aisle, they just wander off in search of a Little Pet Shop or some other toy that has their fancy. Maybe someday... :)

I'm also frequently suggesting that they should buy Barbie clothes with their hard earned money, but they've never taken me up on my suggestion. Maybe I have a repressed gene that still wants to play. Probably.

Thanks for stopping by my blog!

Have a great week!

April 19, 2010 at 9:01 PM

 
Blogger Melinda said...

Oh wow!! I'll purge, but wow, not to that extent.

April 19, 2010 at 9:16 PM

 
Anonymous Rooh said...

(you visited my blog, so I'm visiting yours ... a little late in the game, but hey, I'm here!)

(GASP!) He did WHAT? I sat here reading what your father did with my jaw dropped ;) I was never into Barbie's, or similar dolls, but if one of my parents had thrown out my Cabbage Patch Kid (Flora is on my bookshelf right now, and I don't share her with my kids), I don't know what I would have done. My kids get to play with my old Care Bears, my Smurfs, a few My Little Pony's ... my Lego! They get our old Hot Wheels and He-Man stuff at my parents house :) I couldn't bring myself to throw them out, and it was hard to share my own toys (!) with those that might accidentally break them (even if they're my flesh and blood), but I'm happy I did.

I can't imagine the devestation you and your brother must have felt at the time! Good thing your friends had a sense of humour for that Barbie party :)

Enjoy your week!

April 19, 2010 at 9:54 PM

 

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