I started digging in the archives for photos from my childhood days after reading about @grow-pro's awesome When I was a kid challenge.
Hope you're also going to take a peek at that and join in the fun, as I really enjoyed my trip down memory lane, hope you do as well, some of the stories are sure to give you a big belly laugh:)
I was the oldest of 5 children, the only daughter, my brothers all were real rascals. Being the first grandchild, I was doted on by my grandparents. Grandpa Saunders was not happy the first time Mom dressed me in trousers, actually pulled me aside and said I must not allow them to dress me up as a boy as I was his little girl!
Grandpa Saunders
Mom's youngest brother had a huge influence on my life, and he was more like an older brother.
My uncle holding me, like a proud older brother he was!
The Eastern Cape city we lived in then had a bustling beachfront with annual fancy dress competitions.
Uncle who was super talented in the arts, used to dress me up in all kinds of outfits. So sad that I could not find any of those photos! I often won the competitions as he was super talented, actually ended up as a theatre wardrobe manager in his latter years.
He dressed me up on one occasion as the Terror of St Trinian's; with a long cigarette holder, beehive hairstyle and stilettos that I could hardly walk in. I still remember the large box of chocolates that I won, was almost as big as I was, could hardly carry it, but I clung onto it for dear life, would not let anyone help me with that.
Image Credit - Setana Books
We moved to Dad's new workplace in a forestry station deep in the mountains of the Eastern Cape of South Africa. Those were fabulous days, my brothers and I would walk through the forest to the tiny farm school picking gum off trees, that was our chewing gum! I can still smell that forest, proteas grew wildly there as did the 'Buchu' bush, a powerful herbal remedy for many ailments. Of course we were terrified of the Baboons that roamed those mountains and the boys would often tease us by mimicking their barks.
Image credit
My brothers used to keep snakes as pets in a snake pit in the backyard, until Mom found a cloth bag with something wriggling inside in their wardrobe. That put an end to the snake pet saga!
Our school consisted of 18 pupils in total! The headmaster had a dual role, he was teacher to all the children as well. I still remember how we laughed as my brother came first and last in his grade - he was the only one in that grade :)
We each had our own little vegetable patch at that school, that's probably where my love of gardening was awakened.
When I got to my teens, as with teens throughout times, I wanted to be dressed in the latest fashion; it was the late 60s, the days of Twiggy, Mary Quant, The Beatles and many famous icons.
Image credit
I had to have round John Lennon glasses.
My best friend Melanie & I
Being one of five children, I learned to design and sew my own clothes, often with the help of my arty uncle.
I’ve told this story many times, but have to share it with you.
It happened one day that Mom had upholstery fabric left over in bright psychedelic colours, which was the fad at the time!
Image Credit
At the end of the evening, I invited friends over to my home for a cup of coffee, but of course realised my mistake too late.
As we walked into the lounge and I sat down, I and my stunning pair of bell bottoms blended in perfectly with the couch.
Of course I got teased about that endlessly, and those bell bottoms ended up on the scrap heap, never to be seen again :)
Never took a photo of that one but the memories are etched in my mind forever!
Good memories of carefree days, thank you @grow-pro!
Hope to hear your stories of When I was a kid challenge.
THE CHALLENGE:
Want to Enter? It's Simple!
• The post can be a photo from your childhood or something that reminds you of your childhood - music, food, clothing, toys, places, or anything like that! Feel free to get as creative as you like!
• Be sure to use #iwasakid as 1 of your 5 tags in your post - this will help others view your posts related to the challenge!
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All images property of @lizelle
