Want to know why June Cleaver wore pearls? Watch this.
~ ~ • ~ ~
Don’t let anyone tell you that my life is not exciting, that I was not a dynamo of whoop-de-do fun while my husband was away over the weekend attending a convention in warmer climes.
I mean, would a boring person spend her Saturday morning sorting through her sweaters, winter clothes, jewelry + scarves, reorganizing her part of the bedroom closet?
Hmmm…?
And then, as a reward for doing such a good job, would a dull person go to Bed Bath & Beyond to buy drawer dividers and a scarf hanger on which to put her newly organized accessories?
Me thinks not.
And lest the foregoing revelation of suburban debauchery doesn’t convince you that I’m a wild child, I’ll tell you, my gentle readers, how I spent my Saturday night.
[Try not to clutch your pearls too hard.]
I watched reruns of Frasier.
Yep, if that doesn’t confirm how exciting I am, then nothing will.
I’ll admit that at one time in my life I’d have been ashamed to let anyone know how low-key and practical I am when left to my own devices & vices on a Saturday.
But now, as a wise woman with a penchant for getting things done, for bringing order to chaos, for buying things with a coupon, I’m happy to tell you this.
~ ~ • ~ ~
So what did y’all do over the weekend? Did you wear pearls a la June Cleaver while you did it?
Ohh, to me that sounds like a warm, fun, perfect weekend. Fluffing our nest, cuddling within that nest, and watching old TV – all comfort “food.” Me? This weekend the illustrator for my children’s book Birds of Paradise came for a 4-day visit with her husband. I’ve written my next children’s book, Molly Finds Her Purr, and the illustrator shared the sketches she’s made for it so far. Really fun!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pam, you’re right. What I did on my own was the homeowner equivalent of “comfort food.” Your new book sounds adorable, I can see why you had such fun looking at the sketches. Your weekend must have been… wait for it… purr-fect. 😉
LikeLike
Sounds like a great weekend to me, ABean. I spent the weekend stressing about my December 1 deadline…I’ll be cutting it close. I always loved June Cleaver!
LikeLike
Jill, December 1 isn’t that far away, but I’m sure you’ll make your deadline. You always do, don’t you? I like June Cleaver, too. She rocked those pearls.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes…so far! 🙂
LikeLike
Go Jill!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You know, I had to think really hard. I went swimming Sunday afternoon — up to half a mile on my way back to the mile I used to do three times a week. Woody and I are watching reruns of West Wing now. So there was some of that. Pretty tame stuff too. Your weekend sounds heavenly.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Janet, I admire your ability to swim half a mile. I used to swim a few times a week and made it to a quarter of a mile. Swimming is hard work. I’ve never seen West Wing, but I bet I’d like it.
LikeLike
Netflix has them all. The first few years are better written than the last few. But great characters all.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks. We have Netflix and once winter gets here I’ll be looking for a good show to watch at night.
LikeLike
Definitely watch West Wing. Awesome show.
LikeLike
She was always graceful.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, she was. I’m a klutz, but June had it going on.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was a fun show that gave us a brief escapism from the realities of real life. I watched it as a kid.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I saw it as a kid, too. I remember laughing so hard at the Beav. Simplier times, eh?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sounds like a perfect weekend to me, Ally.
And I am enlightened to learn about June Cleaver’s pearls. Who knew it was all about the ‘hallow’?!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Donna, I know! I didn’t know that about the pearls, either. Now that I do I feel like a real ‘Leave it to Beaver’ insider. I can cross that off my bucket list! 😉
LikeLike
Oops – That of course should have read ‘hollow’! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙃 Got it!
LikeLike
A weekend all to yourself should never have to be justified by what did, or did not, occur. As long as you enjoyed yourself then who’s to judge!
Personally I did more this weekend than I ever do. It’s usually work then home to play mindless online puzzle games, or read or catch up on TV. I had a shopping excursion with my oldest one day, then off to see Bohemian Rhapsody with my youngest the next day. I had forgotten what it’s like to get out into the world!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Deb, I like your attitude. Good point, we’re grown-ups so do what you want on the weekends. I haven’t been on a proper shopping excursion in a long time. I need to make that a goal. I’d like to see that movie, too. You liked it?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Mixed reactions to the movie Ally. It’s probably nothing new as far as major revelations about Freddy or Queen, and I had a hard time getting past the prosthetic teeth cause you could tell that the actor was having a hard time with them as well! Music was awesome of course and in general I just left feeling sad because of the outcome we all knew was coming.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I see what you mean. Fake teeth would distract me, too. Plus you’re right, knowing how it ends would make the whole movie bittersweet. Maybe I’ll just listen to the music at home and call it a win.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m totally type A, so organizing drawers and a closet is positively orgasmic for me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
rivergirl1211, I’m more of a Type B, but given the chance to get organized without any distractions, I went for it. The calm in the closet is amazing now!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can’t remember that far back… I lurve organizing things. And shopping with a coupon! You live it up, woman!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Tara, yes, thank you. I know how to kick up my heels, if I do say so myself!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve found that following a strenuous session of organizing drawers/closets, Golden Girls is a good chaser maybe with a side of margarita! I once ran into one of my single bachelor girlfriends at the grocery store on a Saturday night and she swore me to secrecy. Her reputation would have been ruined if someone knew she did grocery shopping on an iconic date night!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Kate, I like how you live! I haven’t watched a Golden Girls episode in a while, time to do that. The margarita is a nice touch. I admire your girlfriend for being a practical woman, not tied down by the conventional constraints of Saturday night expectations.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Like you, I felt the comfort of switching wardrobes last week, but I don’t think it was on the weekend, which started out with a phone call to my publisher. Then quieter stuff: reading, taking walks in a nature preserve. Sunday, I helped little people in my S. S. class make placemats for Thanksgiving. Sunday afternoon: Downton Abbey reruns + The Durrells of Corfu on PBS. Yes, I’m a British drama junkie.
NO, I did not wear pearls for any of these activities, dear reader!
LikeLiked by 1 person
marian, I usually switch wardrobes by throwing the new season on top of the existing season, smooshing it all together in the drawers. But this year… Martha Stewart would be proud!
I know Downton Abbey, of course, but am unfamiliar with The Durrells of Corfu. I like British dramas, but seem to be out of the loop on that one. 🤔
LikeLike
👍
LikeLiked by 1 person
I quit wearing necklaces when the children were little and never started back. I admire your cleaning frenzy, something that would definitely not happen when John is away. When alone, I vow to do nothing that starts with “I should…”
LikeLiked by 1 person
Anne, I’m good with necklaces, it’s pins that I avoid. I’ve gotten pricked one too many times. One of my favorite sayings is: don’t let the world should on you. Sounds like you’ve learned to embody that saying!
LikeLiked by 1 person
So much nicer than my outdoorsy, worky weekend! We finally gave up on the idea that we might get One More Chance to sit on our deck or porch and wrestled all that furniture into the basement for winter storage. Sigh.
Then I rewarded myself with some new black leather booties.
You know, despite June and Ward Cleaver’s formal dress, they were pretty down-to-earth parents for their TV time period. They had some very realistic assessments and expectations of their kids (and June really had Eddie Haskell’s number, too).
LikeLiked by 1 person
nance, we have yet to wrestle the porch furniture into the basement– and I’m not looking forward to it, but maybe this upcoming weekend we will. Sigh, indeed.
I agree about June and Ward. They dressed like they did, I suppose, because that’s how TV executives of that era thought parents should dress. I liked June, although I’ve never aspired to doing housework in pearls, so her influence only goes so far with me.
LikeLike
Funny to hear Barbara talk about the questions Oprah asked. My mom always wore dresses with nylons because that’s what my dad liked. I would love a weekend to myself. Since the hubs is retired and I work from home I rarely have time to my own. I’m thinking of sending him to visit his mom again for a week or so. Organizing the closets is a marvelous feeling, isn’t it?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Janet, I rarely get a weekend by myself, so this past one was cool. I second your idea to send your husband to his mother’s. Of course, my idea of fun might not be exactly what it once was, but like you said, organizing the closet was a marvelous feeling. You deserve to have that experience, too. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m lost in admiration of your project. I need to find the motivation to go through clothes, cupboards, etc.I’m alone most of the time and get very little done except reading and the minimum of housework. The cat isn’t judgmental about my messes. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Margaret, when the time is right you’ll get around to sorting through your stuff. I can totally understand why you lean toward reading and minimal housekeeping. If it was just me and a cat, I’d be less inclined to rework the closet, too. I’m glad the cat understands you!
LikeLike
At least one day a year, even the most exciting person in the known universe has to spend a weekend reorganizing closets, sorting through clothes, and watching reruns of “Frasier.” This was your weekend.
LikeLiked by 1 person
John, exactly! That’s how I look at it, too. Also, the joy of finding things in the closet is so rewarding. Make hay when the sun shines, as they say.
LikeLike
😀😀😀 I spent part of my weekend staring at the mounting towels in my bathroom closet. Yes, I still haven’t organized them. Instead I gathered by the space heater, huddled under two throws. Fun times! 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
L. Marie, I await your blog post in which you share a photo of your perfectly folded towels, nestled wherever it is that they nestle. As always, I believe that when the time is right the muse of organization will inspire you to get at it. 😁
LikeLike
That was an interesting little vid.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Betsy, I know. The things you learn along the way. Go June!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your weekend sounds like any of my favorite weekends. What satisfying ways to spend your day. The only difference might be that I would end my night with a glass of wine and a good book.☺️
LikeLike
Nancy, I’m not against a glass of wine and a good book! Ever. In fact, it sounds delightful to me, but last Saturday night I was more in the mood to laugh. Tonight however… 🤔
LikeLiked by 1 person
Puttering around is a favorite occupation of mine ~ and decluttering while puttering is even better!
We went to Symphony on the Sand on Saturday night. Gorgeous weather and great music. On Sunday, I had a long chat with my younger brother who decided to spend a snowy Sunday on the phone with his siblings. To clarify: snowy there, not here.
LikeLiked by 1 person
nancy [the third one to comment today and what does that mean?], I like to putter. I’m kind of a pro at it. A Symphony on the Sand sounds WONDERFUL to me. You live in a great part of the country. While I have no siblings, I am lead believe that as an adult talking with one is fun. Good for you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am going to pay you a compliment.
Pay attention.
You do not seem like an only child. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nancy, thank you! You’re not the first to say that. My childhood, that I don’t go into here, made me who I am.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sounds like an excellent use of a weekend. I spent mine acting as chauffeur to children’s birthday parties and getting the annual family picture taken. So in other words, I really earned my wine.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Allie, you got lost in moderation for some reason. 🤷♀️ Anyhoo, I’m proud of you for earning your wine. You rock the mom gig. 🍷
LikeLiked by 1 person
How great to have thw house to yourself for a whole weekend. Doesn’t happen often enough here! Frazier is a perfect amusement to end a perfect day of lackadaisical achievement. 😏
LikeLiked by 1 person
Eilene, it was novel to spend a weekend with nothing specific that had to be done. I went with the flow, which took me into the closet!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m still relatively new to your blog, so I’m entranced by your ability to make the most ordinary things interesting and humorous. Following your example of finding fun and excitement in ordinary things: I didn’t just buy groceries; I found some interesting things at the olive bar to add to my salads, and I heard suspenseful story from the man who bagged my groceries and brought them to my car about sandbags and a flash flood. He was in such a rush to throw the sandbags around his house that he broke his rotator cuff. Sunday is always an exciting day. After church, my daughters who live on the other side of the country call me and tell me how their week went.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Behind the Story, thank you. As a child my elders always told stories about what happened to them in their daily lives. What they shared was true, but it had a funny spin on it. No whining allowed. Somehow that ability to babble about ordinary flapdoodle and twaddle was passed down to me.
People like the man who bagged your groceries are the best ones for learning too much about something you’ve never thought about before. 🙄 I had a rotator cuff injury once and it hurt for weeks, I ended up in physical therapy to fix it. I hope your sandbag guy is ok.
It’s nice that your daughters call you. Lovely to keep in touch with those who care about you and you care about.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sounds like a great weekend. And the video was really interesting.
It always feels feels so good to go through closets and purge things that you haven’t worn or even thought about for eons. I try to get rid of an item whenever I buy a new article of clothing. But it doesn’t always work. I love clothes and am always on the lookout for something really different.
We went to the beach Thursday-Saturday and found some really cool shells that are never in that area. I think the recent hurricanes may have stirred them up and washed them to shore.
Our youngest grandchild (2 mos) got baptized Sunday. She cried the whole time! Did not like getting awakened with cold water on her head!
I practiced flute for all the upcoming Christmas activities. It’s never a dull moment around here!
LikeLiked by 1 person
beth, I like to purge clothes, too. I’m not much in love with clothes and dream of being one of those super organized women who has 33 items in her closet at all times. I read about them, see their closets– but never quite get there. I hang onto to too many things, just in case…
I haven’t been on a beach in years. I enjoy walking on them but there are none near us. Or none that would be worth walking along, looking for shells.
I like a baby who knows her mind. I don’t blame her for screeching about cold water on her head. Honestly, from a baby point of view, it’s almost barbaric! 😝
LikeLike
I did not wear any pearls over the weekend, mainly because it would have made me look very weird at work… even by Mecca’s odd people standards. That, and pearls always clash with my work shirts…
LikeLike
evilsquirrel13, good to know your own personal style and stick with it. If pearls don’t work for you then by all means, don’t wear them.
LikeLike
Gilles has been away for the past 3 days. I’ve spent my time alone by going to a movie with a friend, eating junk food, and working on some art. In case that sounded like too much fun, I also raked leaves in the yard AGAIN, paid bills, and dragged said bagged leaves to the curb with this week’s garbage for pickup.
We really know how to live!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Joanne, I like how you live! A little bit of practical chores, a little bit of entertainment, a little bit of creativity. And there you go… time well spent.
LikeLike
I try 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
Usually when I have a free weekend, I instinctively want to make plans to meet up with my favourite people. But a couple of weeks ago, I managed to resist this urge, and spent the weekend at home, just doing homely things. It was amazing. Your weekend sounds like it was perfect 👌
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pistachios, I thought about getting together with some people over the weekend, but decided that being by myself is a kind of luxury that I could embrace. It was nice.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Indeed! It’s a luxury I should probably embrace more often too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Please do! You deserve it. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lands, Ally! Normally I’m right there with you, but last weekend, I went to a play, shoe shopping, a party, and on a fam sushi date. It was too much. This weekend I have volunteer hours at the school, and will otherwise only engage in practical, useful endeavors AS GOD INTENDED ME TO.
LikeLiked by 1 person
joey, that’s a lot of good times to jam into two days, but I’m sure you did yourself proud. As they used to say… you go girl. I’m sure this upcoming weekend will set you right with the world. Practical is as practical does. Enjoy.
LikeLike
You wild woman! Actually, that sounds like an awesome weekend. Hope you enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed reading about it! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Laurie, I have to admit that my weekend was perfect for me. I enjoyed doing my own thing at my own pace. I mean, how often does that happen? 🤔
LikeLike
Some of those Frasier episodes were pretty far out there.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dan, yes they were. But I adore Martin Crane’s common sense while his boys, the fussy doctors, bumble around. Plus Eddie!
LikeLiked by 1 person
We really liked that show.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s always good for a laugh and has held up well over time. The family/work humor is timeless.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Low-key weekends are the best. We did a couple of kids’ birthday parties and a football game party. I’m ready for a break from the weekend!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Erika, I’ve had weekends like yours. Sometimes all that relaxing with the people does an introverted soul in. 😑
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes! Too much peopling.
LikeLiked by 1 person