Saturday, October 16, 2010

Best friends. . .

During my growing up days, my best friend, Pam, and I loved to go shopping on a Saturday afternoon in our small town of Carlsbad, New Mexico. Our first stop was always Woolworths five and ten cent store. Upon our arrival, we headed directly to the jewelry counter. Pam always bought a beautiful "diamond" ring and I a "pearl" ring. These, of course, were our engagement rings (I am pretty sure our boyfriends at elementary school did not know they were "engaged"!) After our ring purchase, we would then peruse the Barbie dolls and all of their lovely adornments. Sometimes, if we had enough money, we would buy paperdolls. These paperdolls gave us endless hours of enjoyment. Last stop for the afternoon was the Corner Drug Store. This was an old-fashioned drug store with a soda fountain. We always ordered a hamburger with chips and a Coke. What a wonderful time we had and how grown up we felt on those magical Saturday afternoons. Even though Pam and I live many miles apart now, I feel like we could start our conversation right where the last one ended. She was and still is a true friend, a friend of the heart and soul. I hope you have enjoyed many friendships throughout your lifetime, dear friends. I count each and everyone as a kind friend who I value very much. Enjoy your lovely autumn weekend as you think on times past! Love and blessings always.

26 comments:

Julie Marie said...

Oh Vicki, I so love your posts where you reminisce about happy childhood memories! How fun you had "engagement rings"! My sister Jill and I spent many an afternoon at our local Woolworths too... and lunch at the counter was such a treat back then! So many of your childhood memories match mine... we could have lived right by each other and been best of friends! Jill and I always bought a "surprise ball"... remember those? Thanks for reminding me we are still "young" at heart and treasure these wonderful times from yesteryear... xoxo Julie Marie

Rita said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Rita said...

Lovely post dear Vicki.
I so much enjoyed reading about your childhood friendship memories and your buying engagement rings put a big smile on my face.
have a great and relaxing Sunday
rita

Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottage said...

Hi Vicki,
I enjoyed your post so much. I never had a best friend when I was growing up because my family moved around so much. My best friend came into my life after I was married and had two of my boys. We had so much in common, she and I. I ended up having another boy and she had three herself. We so enjoyed one another's company and I really miss her today. She passed away from breast cancer a number of years ago. I am glad you still have your best friend with you and I know you cherish her. The little vintage photo of the two little girls is adorable! Thank you for sharing my dear friend. Happy Pink Saturday.

Blessings,
Sandi

Elaine said...

My twin sister was my best friend growing up. We always went to Woolworth's. Many times we would take our school lunch at the counter at Woolworth's instead of cafateria food.

Those were the days.

Sissie's Shabby Cottage said...

I loved Woolworths too! The lunch counter was a great place to drop your shopping bag on the floor and have a hotdog and coke! I loved buying that tangerine lipstick and a compact with powder! LOL.

thanks for the memories.

hugs
Sissie

Char said...

Vicki, I so remember the counters with the penny candy. I also loved the soda shop with the tables that had the one cent fortunes. Do you remember those devil fortune machines? What fun the good days were. Thanks so much for visiting and for the memories. Good friends both old and new are precious, Char

Mari said...

HELLO SWEETIE,

LOVE YOUR POST, I DO HAVE A FRIEND FOR OVER 30 YEARS, AND HAVE SHARED MANY LAUGHS, AND TEARS TOO :) AND THE BEST PART IS THAT WE HAD LOST EACH OTHERS FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS AND BY CHANCE, I MOVED 2 MINUTES AWAY FROM HER AND SHE FOUND ME AGAIN!!!

XOX~MARI

Jocelyn said...

Hello Vicki, what a beautiful post. Friendships like that are rare and far between. I met my best friend when we attended a church together. She had two little girls and I had a girl and a boy. She became my "heart" friend, and I like Sandi lost her to cancer 6 years ago this past September. But God is good. 10 years ago I met Lin. We live 1000 miles apart, but over the years, she has become my very special BFF. We love each other like sisters and she is really the first "heart" friend that I have felt I could really share my heart with. We try to get together at least twice a year. Either she comes to Florida or I go to Ohio. God gave us friends so we can have a little taste of unconditional love. I've had that with two very special Godly women. Thanks for sharing about your special friend.

Blessings,
Jocelyn
http://justalittlesouthernhospitality.blogspot.com/

Pansy Cottage Girl said...

Hi Vicki~
What a sweet memory. I remember going to Woolworth's too.I think they are all gone now; makes me feel old!

Unknown said...

Oh how I loved my best 'growing up friend' Patty...we were always together. We try to get together as often as we can... time always gets in the way..but,no problem with Facebook in our lives..
I loved my visit here..thank you for reminding me to visit my best friend..

Pink Roses and Teacups said...

Hello dear Vicki!

How wonderful you still have your childhood friend. I have one also! Oh, I have fond memories of woolworths. I too, used to go there, and shop. the paperdolls, and the Barbie stuff! Then, when I was a little older, it was makeup, and the Tangee lipstick! Then, at 16, I worked there at the luncheonette! Happy times! Thanks for the great memories!

bunny hugs,
Debbie

Snap said...

I remember Woolworths. I could get at chocolate soda at the bar. (Chocolate rules!) Love your stories. I drove through Carlsbad many times and went to the caverns, but didn't spend a lot of time in town.

Hugs---

Pom Pom said...

You would like the Betsy-Tacy books. You've probably read them, but I find they are such delightful re-reads. Maud Hart-Lovelace believed in friendship.

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Vicki, this made me homesick for my small hometown! I loved reading this SO much. Thank you for sharing your heart with us and your childhood memories. I am so very thankful to have found you in this big blogging world, and I am grateful for your friendship.

XO,

Sheila :-)

Heather's Blog-o-rama said...

This was such fun to read. there is actually a Woolworth building here in my hometown. I'm not sure if it used to be a department store at one point in time...but now it's a lot of small shops on the ground floor and office space on the upper floors. The building still looks beautiful and vintage :) Love and hugs from Oregon, Heather :)

koralee said...

Oh my best friend lives miles away from me too...but we will always be best friends.

Love your post today!

xox

Olivia said...

Oh my I have so missed stopping by to say Hi to you. What a sweet memory from childhood! I just adore your vintage images. Thank you for sharing.
Hugs,
Olivia

Nanette said...

Hi Vicki,
What beautiful memories you have. Pam sounds like a wonderful friend. Beautiful post!
Valerie

Marie said...

Hi Vicki - cute postcard...and the memories you've shared with us is so wonderful. Thanks for visiting me.
-marie

DEBBIE said...

Such sweet memories to treasure forever!
Thanks for sharing!
The engagement rings... So darling!Lol

DEBBIE MOSS

Maria said...

Hi Vicki!
Oh I DID enjoy my stroll down memory lane with you!
Did we grow up in the same town? heehee...
I think all towns were so similar back in the day.
We had a Woolworths and I loved going through all the things in toyland! Back then, the "toy section" of the store was just a little area of a downstairs room. {If I remember ours correctly}
I loved all the dolls ~ baby dolls and the arrival of Barbie too.
I smiled at your description of the lovely rings you and your friend, Pam, bought :D

I do miss the simplicity of those days,
and enjoyed reminiscing with you, Vicki!

I'm so busy these days planning a retirement party for a colleague. It's this Wednesday... and so many are coming~ a lovely testimony to her.

Wishing you a wonderful autumn week.
*Blessings Always*
~Maria

Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise) said...

How very sweet! I too have a friend who like yours we've refrained in touch over the years. We met under a tree on the first day of school, went to High School and College together and we were each others Maid of Honors. Ya just can't beat a good friend! Sweet Post :o)

Ya'll have the most magnificently blessed 'fall' day!!!

Julie Harward said...

How sweet to have those memories and a dear friend like that...I remember times like this too..the best! :D

Stephanie ~ Angelic Accents said...

What sweet memories and sentiments you've expressed! I love the graphic you posted, too! Hope you are having a wonderful Autumn!

Big TX Hugs,
Stephanie
Angelic Accents

Jil~Say It With Roses said...

Weren't those the days, Vicki? I loved Woolworths soda counter...a chocolate soda and a hamburger and fries...it make my mouth water to think of them. Hamburgers do not taste like that anymore!
I had three best friends and we went most everywhere together sometimes walking, but mostly on our bikes.
It is so nice to go back and think of that sunny safe time....Weren't we lucky to have lived those days!
A thoroughly enjoyable read!
Jil