Murdo Girl

How many Mothers, who have 3 children of their own, would be willing to spend all day giving a 12 year old a permanent, or try to teach her how to use a sewing machine. These two ladies deserve recognition on Mother’s Day. I know the little Murdo Girl appreciates all they’ve done for her. I hope her Mother gave them a great big thank you too! 

_________________________________________________________________

Bonna Lindquist gave me a Toni home permanent. She got some pink barrettes, and pinned the sides of my hair back, which gave me a whole new look. I have been cutting my own hair some, but Mom wouldn’t let me tackle a permanent.

Ever since I quit the ringlets, I’ve been having a hard time deciding how to wear my hair. This is the first time someone else has changed me up and I had no idea how it was going to turn out. When I got home, Dad was there, and he just shook his head and said, “I’d rather shave.”

Sometimes, I like how someone else looks, and try to copy it. Remember when I went to see the movie Flipper? The girl in the movie was really cute, and I liked how she looked. She wore plaid button up shirts with jeans or shorts. I took some money out of the sales tax can, and went uptown to look for a plaid shirt. I went to Joy Paine’s store, and Lee Beckwith’s store.  I couldn’t find one, so I have to stay with the same look, until I can get to Pierre. The girl, ( Kim), had long braids, not short curly hair with barrettes, so I can’t really look like her anyway.

Have you ever heard of a “come as you are”party? Mom just went to one this morning at Pat Anshutz’s house. Mrs. Anshutz called a bunch of women and told them to come to her house just like they were right then, and not change anything. She was having a “come as you are” coffee party. Mom was in the middle of brushing her teeth and she only had one shoe on. She didn’t even wash her face or anything. She took her toothbrush with the toothpaste still on it, and carried her other shoe. I didn’t tell her she had really mushed hair in the back of her head. It looked like a rat had built a nest back there. When Mom got home, she said she was the first one there, and all of the ladies cheated, but Pat, Mom, and one other lady who came in her pj’s. She said they had the most fun. I asked her if she got a prize, but she didn’t answer me.

Mom and Dad are going to another party Saturday night at Aunt Irma and Uncle Jeff’s house. I heard Mom say practically the whole town is invited.

I’m going to Roni Poppe’s house to spend the night. They live on a farm over towards Okaton. I’m really excited about going there, because Roni is going to teach me how to sew. I asked for a sewing machine for my birthday and I got a used, portable one. Like Mrs. Theissen said, I need to learn how to do something useful. I picked out a dress pattern and some pink material to go with my pink barrettes. I had to get a zipper too.

**********************************************************************

I started this paper awhile ago, and saved it so I could tell you how everything turned out.

Sewing is a lot harder than it looks. Roni showed me how to pin the pattern to the material, and cut it out. She said the fabric I picked out wasn’t the best because it frayed all over the place. We had to sew the zipper in 3 times. The dress has long sleeves, but we only had time to put one in. I wanted to play with her kids some before we had to go to bed. Roni is married to Glenn and they have 3 kids, Glenda, Bobby, and Timmy.

I took the dress home and tried to finish it. When I was done, I tried it on, and I couldn’t get my arm in the sleeve that I had sewn on. I must have sewed it on backwards or something, because when I finally got it on, I had to hold my arm back, like I was getting ready to bowl. I still hadn’t hemmed it, but the bottom was so frayed, I finally cut it off a little, and decided to go with the fringed look.

Anyway, I clipped the pink barrettes in my hair, and went to show Mom. She looked at me and said, “Well, Good Night! What’s the matter with your arm?”

I didn’t tell her about the sleeve being backwards, because I didn’t want her to make me do it over. I tried to put my hand on my hip and act natural. She didn’t like the fringed hem either. I said, “Well Mom, I think my sewing days are over.” Do you know what she said?

Her eyes were snapping, which is never good, and she said, “Not on your life!! You asked for that sewing machine, Mary Content, and I scoured the earth to find a good used one. You just haaad to have it!” Then she left the room.

To tell you the truth, I think she was just in a bad mood. I heard her telling Doris Haugland that at first, everyone had a fine time at Aunt Irma, and Uncle Jeff’s party. They had good food and played music like “The Orange Blossom Special.” A good time was had by all, until they made the announcement that people weren’t going to be able to buy on credit at Sanderson’s Store anymore.

This could be bad for me. I hope Mom doesn’t spend all my sales tax money on food.

**********************************************************************

There has been a new development. Mom took Dad’s hunting rifle to the meat locker uptown and traded it for a side of beef. I don’t even want to be around when he finds out. He might even cry.

These don’t have anything to do with this story, but I found another Billy picture. He was home from college. The other is of me operating my first lemonade stand. My customer is Gail Whittaker from across the street. (This was before we moved to the Motel. I’m not sure if I spelled her name correctly.)

Aunt Irma will be wished a happy Mother’s Day in a separate post.