I’m driving west today, but not past Meridian street. Gonna watch Sassy perform in the Fiesta. Then I’m going to see my oldest friend, Kiwi.
(Not older than me, 12 days younger than me, in fact, but friends since 1981.)
We’re going to go shopping.
I don’t like shopping. I don’t enjoy it the way other women seem to, or the way I’m supposed to, or whatever. BUT! Shopping is a necessary evil, and trying on pants is essential when you’re shaped like me, so may as well do it in good company!
I asked her, “Shopping. Wow. When do you think we last went shopping together?”
“When your father dropped us off at Lafayette Square Mall. Do you remember that?”
I do. I do remember. Parachute pants and neon pantyhose and jelly shoes. Who could forget?
SoCS ‘est’ is brought to by LindaGHill
joeyfullystated 
Just by stating you actually shopped at Lafayette Square dates you. Reminding the world of parachute pants and jelly shoes just makes me laugh.
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It does, doesn’t it? After this day I’ve had, I could tell you a lot of things date me. Like did you know the Madison Florist has closed and now the neon rose isn’t lit up? Gah, that made me sad.
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Yep. That was the go to place for corsages in High School. And the Key West is gone as is the Southside TeePee . I didn’t know you were a Southside girl.
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I remember the TeePee, not the Key West.
I am not a southside girl, but I have lived and worked on the south side. I’ve taught at Homecroft and Perry Meridian Middle. I worked the Montgomery Ward at Greenwood Park Mall, and that Menards (for four years!). I’ve lived off Thompson Rd, off Southport Rd, in those apartments by Southport and 65, in other apartments off 31, and off Edgewood.
When I was a child, I lived with my father, his work was primarily southside, so we lived over there and in Franklin. I got caught up with a Roncalli boy in high school, and that took me to Fountain Square and back to the south side.
For years, The Mister ran Sears auto centers, and the only one he didn’t work at was Washington.
Kiwi has never left the south side. Until yesterday, I hadn’t been down that way in a really, really long time, like since Sassy was an infant, so about 12 years? I bout cried when I saw the Madison Florist was closed.
As a kid, I lived on the west side, 38th and Georgetown, for about 6 months, too.
I have moved ALAWT, and mostly not of my own choice. That’s why I don’t like moving!
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Hell you are more of a Southsider than I am. I lived in the Southport area from 66 – 68. Left and came back for a hot minute in 70. I used to visit my parents regularly in the 70’s and part of the 80’s. They lived near the Baxter Y until they passed. I remember quite a bit about the area. I don’t get down there very often any more. I am always amazed with the changes. Not always for the best either. In my humble opinion.
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The thing I saw yesterday that tripped me out was there’s a big arch over the road, just past the florist, and it reads Gateway South. It reminded me of Carmel and I had to roll my eyes! I don’t know what’s goin on over there, I hope some sort of rejuvenation.
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Yeah that has been up about a year. Pat doesn’t have a clue what it is either and he is a Southsider from birth. I hope they are not trying to act like Carmel. They don’t need any turnabouts down here. You said you taught at Perry Meridian? My sister -in-law is a retired teacher from there. Fancy that. You don’t remember the open air mall at Greenwood,do you. I can’t remember when it was enclosed. I liked it better as a fresh air mall.
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Perry Meridian Middle, mmhm.
I don’t remember Greenwood as an open air mall, but I always prefer open air malls, because AIR! lol We went to Edinburgh yesterday for that very reason 🙂
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Haven’t been to Edinburgh. For that matter I haven’t been to any mall in a bunch of years. You are right. When the weather is nice an open air mall is wonderful.
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Enjoy your time with your friend. Just pretend that’s the real reason for the “shopping” date. 🙂
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We had a great time. I came away with a pair of pants and a sweater, and ambivalence over whether I should have purchased some shoes… I’ll probably obsess over that until I find a pair I like better…
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I’m with you on that, I lack the shopping gene. For me, the mall was always a place to take a walk, meet friends, grab lunch, head home. And then, I had a daughter. 💝
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Ah. mmhm. I don’t have daughters like that. They do enjoy Build-A-Bear and a Wetzel’s Pretzel though 🙂
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I hope you are having a good time with Fiesta, your friend and trying on pants. With regard to the latter, I find it interesting that no matter a woman’s shape, it’s hard to find pants that fit right…kind of like getting a bra to fit right. It tends to be a bit frustrating.
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I must agree. I think I have more trouble than most, but then, who else’s body have I tried to pant? 🙂
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I kinda liked that parachute pants/neon pantyhose/jelly shoes look…
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Haha! 🙂
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I finally figured out what SOC stands for. Cell phone’s miniature screen cut off the icon. If I were to channel my stream of consciousness it would yo yo between awareness of the birds screeching around me and the growing hunger that might just force me to drag my son from his idyll in the park.
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Lovely 🙂
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Jelly shoes! I was convinced I’d be forever scarred because I didn’t own a pair…guess I’ve managed to muddle through anyway. 🙂
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That’s funny! We talked today about the things we thought it was essential to have and we didn’t get. Hers was a Coke shirt, mine a Pasta sweater — we all had somethin to want 🙂
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Parachute pants…now back with the new name of harem pants? whatever…..
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My parachute pants were bright blue with neon zippers and pockets lol 🙂
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This was my intro to SOCS. Sounds like fun..
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Well,this sounds like it turned out to be a day filled with fun! Shopping isn’t my thing either…but if I have to do it,good company is key.:-)
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It was a great day 🙂
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I don’t mind shopping as long as it doesn’t last more than 30 minutes, then I get bored. Weren’t jelly shoes uncomfortable? Not as uncomfortable as high heels though. Shopping all day in high heels- that would be hell.
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Hah, yes, we both wore flats yesterday. I didn’t find jellies uncomfortable at all.
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I have never understood the desire to shop. I try and buy online but, like you, there are some things I have to try on first. If I can avoid trying on things that’s even better. However, I create return trips to exchange or simply return. At least you had a friend to guide you along the way.
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I know, I’m a big fan of online shopping, and I hate returning via mail. Oh how I hate that!
Yesterday was good. I did come away with some things, and we had a good time 🙂
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Hanging out with good friends is always a good thing.
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I’m not a big fan of shopping either but spending time with old friends is golden.
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No fan of shopping here, either. Sometimes I’m so lazy I just buy the pants, try them on at home, and get Sam to stand in the return line when we have to go back.
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No wonder you don’t like shopping if you ended up with parachute pants 😀
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Parachute pants? Lol! What are jelly shoes?
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OMG Seriously? Imma send you links 🙂
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I have the shopping gene. It’s dominant 🙂
… and I usually prefer to do any serious shopping alone.
But parachute pants! And jelly shoes! Wow. That goes back 😉
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Mhm 🙂
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