I'm 36 years old and I've lost 36 lbs. as of today. There must be something lucky in that! I weighed in at 158 when I stepped on the scale this morning. Just 3 more lbs. to go to reach that midway point...
I've been experimenting with my Oatmeal and have just about decided that my favorite way to flavor it is with cinnamon and honey. I add a dash or two of cinnamon to the pot as the Oatmeal is cooking - which makes my kitchen smell divine - then drizzle on some honey. Toss a few Stewed Prunes on top --- and perfection. I like my Oatmeal a little chewy, too, so I always take the pot off the burner just before the cereal is completely finished cooking. How do you like your Oatmeal?
As we speak, my Drip-O-lator is bubbling away with a pot of coffee. That's one of my favorite rituals of the week. Saturday morning, a pot of coffee, and a chance to catch up with my dear readers. There'll be plenty of time later this morning to set my kitchen back to rights. And my one-year-old niece, Poppet, is going to be my date this evening. Her parents are taking Kitten to a show - they're trying to spend some one-on-one time with each of their daughters - so I get to have Poppet all to myself for a change! I don't think I could have asked for a more wonderful way to end the week.
It's funny how excited I get when I've got plans with my nieces. It's just like getting ready for a date. What will I wear? Do I have something sparkly or something with buttons she can play with? Poppet loves it when I wear a necklace. She'll turn it over again and again in her chubby, little fingers, then tug at it to see if it comes off. What should we do this evening? Should I pick up a new toy or book before I go over? One thing I know is that I'm definitely getting a goodnight kiss on this date - though it might come along with some cracker crumbs. Poppet's learning how to kiss right now and she loves giving lots of open-mouthed kisses on the lips!
Vintage etiquette guides are chock full of advice when it comes to dating, a term so newfangled in 1941 that Lily Haxworth Wallace still uses it with quotation marks in her New American Etiquette. Let's take a peek. How much of this advice would you say stands the test of time?
Many a girl or young woman is liable to rate the popularity of her girl friends according to the number of "dates" they have. Don't make that mistake. It is the quality of your "dates" rather than the quantity that counts. You probably had a better time with Tom tonight, even though he was the only one who asked you out, than Mary, who turned down three other invitations after she had made a "date" with Harry.
When you meet a young man on a party and enjoy his company, either you or he may properly take the step that will bring about another meeting.
When you are parting, he may say, "May I call on your mother and you some evening?" or you might say, "Mother and I will be home Thursday evening. I should like to have you meet her."
However, do not make the "date" unless you are quite sure that you really want to know the young man. Do not invite him or accept any invitation from him merely for the sake of a "date." Only make "dates" with friends or those you believe will be worthy of your friendship. Anyone you would prefer to class as only an acquaintance should not be your partner on a "date." If you are doubtful at all, make some excuse and withhold your favor until the doubt is removed.
A young man on a very limited budget has a right, if he goes about it properly, to seek "dates" with any nice girl, even though she comes from the richest family in town. He should not give her any false notions about his position but should tell her frankly that he would like to take her to the cinema and ice-cream parlor because that is all he can afford at the time. If the girl likes him, she will have more fun out of that date than she would with a man she doesn't like although his pockets may be well filled.
When you have made a date do not be tardy. That is very rude.
Never attempt to bring a girl friend along and, to the man I say, it is equally rude for you to bring a chum. Three was a crowd in the past, it is a crowd today, and will always be one too many in the future.
When you start out on a casual, unplanned "date," do not force your escort and others in the party to do what you want. Let other people make the suggestions most of the time. However, it is always welcomed if you can provide an answer to the question, "Where shall we go?" when everyone else is stumped.
Rats. Are you telling me I can't date unless I move back in with my mother? I sure hope Ms. Wallace has some advice coming up for the bachelor girl who lives alone.
4 comments:
Wolf whistles! Well, I would if I could. LOL Congratulations.
I like my oatmeal a little chewy also, but served with peaches, sugar or honey, and milk. I like rice cooked with a little cinnamon served with sugar, raisins, and milk.
Holy cow! That dating advice would have been too weird even in the late sixties - except the being late and bringing a friend along. Those two things still basically holds true. Nobody likes being the third wheel.
Enjoy your niece. Maybe pick up a picture book and/or some special toy that you take with you and then take home. Then that item (or items) are always special when Auntie comes. That way too, you won't always have to show up with a "present". That can get expensive.
I like oatmeal chewy, also--it reminds me that it's real oatmeal and not uber-processed stuff. I usually add a few raisins just before it stops cooking (to soften them a bit) and then a bit of honey or brown sugar and a lot of cinnamon.
Peaches sound like a great idea, too, though. I've been meaning to make another peach/rhubarb pie but I want to wait until I can find fruit pectin to experiment with thickening the filling. Our grocery store used to have it but seems now to have gotten too upscale.
I think the "mother" thing is easily translated into "can I come by sometime?" I like the quality-over-quantity bit, though. I must be pretty old-fashioned. I don't date much but I've never had one that was a real flop.
"I sure hope Ms. Wallace has some advice coming up for the bachelor girl who lives alone."
I'm guessing Mrs. Wallace would say something about only allowing gentleman callers to visit you at home when a third person can be present, or for the two of you to spend the evening at the home of a trusted friend or relative. Otherwise, your reputation could be sullied by vicious rumors as to how the two of you spent the evening.
Mmmm... peaches! That's a great idea. I agree about the being late thing, Packrat. And I'm not to keen on friends and things these days who are incapable of making plans and sticking to them. Having to call each other 76 times to meet for a movie just isn't worth it.
Latter-Day, the "mother" thing does seem like it must've sounded a little disingenuous even by 1941 standards.
Hairball, it sounds like you could give Ms. Wallace a run for her money in the etiquette world!
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