How to Survive Life in the Suburbs

Your Age Is Showing

in Family on

Are you guilty?  Guilty of saying….”In our day we had to get up and change the dial on the TV”.  “When I was a kid, I walked a mile to school”.  “You’re so lucky, at my elementary school, there was no hot lunch, you brown bagged it every day”.   We lived without cellphones, rode our bikes everywhere, and curfew meant being home before dark.  If any of this rings true you better be careful, your age is showing and just might reveal where you are from….
I’m from Banana-Seat bikes and mood rings, from Easy Bake Ovens and Twister.

I’m from Penny Loafers and Lip Smackers.

I’m from big hair, and perms, denim jackets, and polo shirts.  I did not love shoulder pads, but that is where I’m from.
I’m from Swatch Watches which were the coolest, Neon bracelets and scrunchies.

I’m from a home filled with love as well as with avocado green carpet and matching appliances.I’m from a house with a tree in the front that bloomed dusty pink flowers every year, without fail, on the week of my birthday.  Was it a crabapple or a magnolia tree.  I don’t know, but I want one for my grown-up house.

I’m from Boy George, Wham, Duran Duran, Madonna, Journey and Michael Jackson.  All recorded from the radio to my cassette recorder.  Top 10 countdowns were like totally radical.

I’m from “Why do your friends always call during dinner”, “Don’t make me pull this car over” and “That boy had better come in here and say Hello”.

I’m from hearing my Mother swear, once, and nearly dying of shock.  There was no cursing in our home.  Not by my Mother!I’m from chicken.  Yes I said chicken.  BBQ Chicken, Chicken Pasta, Baked Chicken, Roasted Chicken, Chicken Sandwiches, Chicken Kabobs…..My Mama can make Chicken in about 700 ways, but not cake.  Every cake that left her kitchen was made with love, tasted as it should,  but was the most crooked assed cake you ever did see.

I’m from impromptu pool parties with all the neighbours, and treasured weekends at the cottage “up north”.

I’m from taking all day boat rides on the lake, and singing with my sister at the top of our lungs as we carved a path in the crystal clear lakes.

I’m from Charlie’s Angels, The Brady Bunch and The Love Boat watched religiously on Friday nights.  I adored the Smurfs and had all their stickers.

I’m from Sixteen Candles, The Breakfast Club, Can’t Buy Me Love and every other 80’s movie.  They don’t make movies like they used to.  (my age is showing)

I’m from a house where children came first, but marriage was cherished and protected.

I’m from slide shows featuring thousands of pictures of me, of us, of family.  Slideshows that used to make us groan, and now, I love.  A lifetime of memories shining on a five foot screen.  Memories that don’t begin to scratch the surface of the incredibly blessed place …that I am from.

Where are you from?

    • Comments

    1. I’m a road trip kid, my parents took us everywhere in the summers on a road trip, so fun! thanks for sharing your memories, fun reading

    2. We started a tradition… well, I did. Every year I make a photo book of our family’s adventures through the year. I start with New Year’s Eve and end with Christmas but I also include trips, birthdays, Halloween, and anything else that was significant or just a great picture. The kids love looking through them!

    4. I’m a third culture kid and grateful to have so many happy memories to think back on

    5. Love this! I’m a third culture child who feels equally at home amongst multi-linguals, different cultures (from Indian, to Portuguese, to Swedish, to British, to African, to Muslim to ultimately Canadian)… I’m from parents who fought like cats and dogs and struggled to put food on the table, but raised us to be successful and humble. I’m from fusion meals, fusion religions, fusion fashion and fusion music… I’m from the era of Grunge and R&B/Hip Hop and Boy Bands… I’m from the environmental movement and the Girl Power era (so proudly feminist). I am everything and nothing at once and quintessentially Canadian!

    6. From what you wrote, you are close in age to my daughters, and I remember all those 80’s movies that I enjoyed also.

    7. What fun and wonderful memories for me. I think my children can relate to all. Thanks for sharing Stephanie!

    9. Neat places. I like that sunset photo with the boat.. I have heard of the breakfast club

    10. I’m from building the family cabin in Sunshine Valley as a young boy….and dropping the drill out the upstairs window!

    11. I absolutely love this blog post 🙂 and I am on the same level as much of the things you have listed here.

    12. I’m from all of the same places as you. I remember seeing “Can’t buy me Love” in the movie theatre and renting the movie (VHS) to watch it over and over when it was out. I had a friend that I played with every single day in the summer who lived on the same street. I never called, I just showed up everyday at her door and we’d head out to play. We used to play “Annie” our favourite movie. I remember wearing neon clothing in grade school. I remember buying “penny candies” at the corner store and having them handed to me in a tiny brown bag. I wish I could go back sometimes. Those truly were to good old days.

    14. Sweet Stephanie!! Oh, this most definitely did bring back marvellous memories, numerous out loud giggles, and so many nostalgic moments walking down your “Memory Lane”! Needless to say, a few happy tears as well! Here I am some fifty years later and I still LOVE my chicken recipes!! As a matter of fact, I’m just about to pass about 350 of them, down to our darling granddaughters! And how I LOVED our avocado green carpet and matching appliances!! Stephanie, I’m so thankful for your reminiscing and for bringing even more joy to my day! Now I’m off to make my famous Swiss Chicken and finish up with my delicious chocolate cake!!