Bye bye Johnnie

Howling, bye, bye, bye, bye

Bye, bye, bye, bye
Bye bye Johnny
Good bye Johnny B. Goode

RIP Chuck Berry

1926-2017

Written by Chuck Berry • Copyright © BMG Rights Management

Down under

Momma and I are still recovering from our whirlwind trip to Honolulu (Momma brought back a cold, too), but I wanted to post one special photo of two of my newest friends from Australia!

Momma and I met these two lovely Aussies, their parents, and Grace and Maryellen while staying at the Royal Hawaiian!

I was, of course, delighted to meet them and see my Good Friends, but they laughed when I told them about my desire for Nugget the Wombat!
 

Oh well, I tried.

G'day mates! I hope your travels were fun, good and safe.

A Charlie Brown Christmas tree

I don't know who is more excited (or sentimental) about Maryellen's silver Christmas tree - Momma or Maryellen.

Momma has fond memories of her paternal grandparents' silver aluminum Christmas tree - complete with color wheel.

Aluminum Christmas trees were first made around 1955 and continued into the 1970s. The aluminum Christmas tree was even used as symbol of the commercialization of Christmas in 1965s, A Charlie Brown Christmas:

Charlie Brown: Well, this is one play that’s not going to be commercial. What our play needs is the proper Christmas mood. We need a Christmas tree. 

Lucy: Hey, perhaps a tree. A great big shiny aluminum Christmas tree! That’s it! Get the biggest aluminum tree you can find. Maybe paint it pink!

Admittedly, the tree of Momma's youth is long-gone, but this is the next best thing.

 

Counting puppies

I must admit I am Quite Amused watching Momma make a fool of herself over the new BeForever girl, Maryellen. (I was very surprised that Sissy didn't get her!)

Momma is the same age as Julie, but eras can blend easily when you're raised in a small town. Momma relates a bit more to the 1950s than she does the 1960s for many reasons, including the wearing of hand-me-downs from her older cousins. 

But one of the things Momma likes best about Maryellen is Scooter.

Scooter is Maryellen's lovable dachshund dog. He's short and stout with soft tan fur and sweet brown eyes—and he's always looking for a comfortable place to rest.

And with Maryellen's Sofa Bed Set,

In the 1950s, autograph books took on a new form—as stuffed animals! This set also comes with a dachshund-shaped toy dog printed with the names of Maryellen's classmates.

Momma's family has had dachshunds for as long as she can remember. (Girl of the Year Lindsey has always been one of her favorites, but she was disappointed Mr. Tiny was never made.) So you can imagine her excitment when she spotted the new Counting Puppies pajamas from Target. Even the turquoise and pink colors are nearly perfect for Maryellen.

I'm detecting a couple of trends here, aren't you?