About Me

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I am a retired English teacher and department head, the mother of three grand mother of four, and have been married to the same man for 52 years. I subscribe to Dr. PM Forni's concept of Civility. I was born in South Philadelphia and grew up in the 'burbs. I love soft pretzels and cheesesteaks, the Phillies, the Eagles, and San Diego. I love being Mom, Aunt Kathy, Nona Kathy, and Teacher. I spend a lot of time in my gardens in the spring and summer, and in the winter I plan what I'm going to plant. I also am an avid reader and photographer.

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Monday, November 24, 2008

The Great Tampon War of 1994

Several of you have asked about The Great Tampon War of 1994, a day of infamy in our household:). My daughters fought about EVERYTHING; actually the word 'fought' does not do what transpired justice. (The older one would steal the younger one's clothes and then claim she'd never seen them. We'd ALL see them when she'd send back pictures from college of herself and SHE'D BE WEARING THEM!) During the time they were teenagers I often asked my husband, "So why did we go to such lengths to get pregnant?" I'm convinced our marriage is/was successful because, living in a house with three teenagers (our son and two daughters), we clung to each other in fear. But I digress.
One night, the older one (aka clothes thief -- always under the impression "What's mine is mine, and what's yours is negotiable (read: mine, too)) accused the younger one of taking her last tampon at which time all Hell broke loose. Now people who have not lived with adolescent girls with PMS have no idea of the magnitude of such an indiscretion. Doors were slamming, threats were screamed, boxes of pads flew, CD's the older one had 'borrowed' cut through the air like machetes. My husband, an only child who grew up in a house where no one ever raised a voice at another, panicked screaming, "WHAT DO WE DO? WHAT DO WE DO?" I've never had sisters (I have two brothers), but I lived in the college dorm, been around teen girls all of my professional life, and knew enough to reply, "Duck and get the Hell out of their way!"

7 comments:

Deblynne said...

Thanks for another delightful tale. The timing is great It reminds me of my family and how I love them not only in spite of, but because of these kinds of experiences. We have so much to be grateful for this Thanksgiving. And I am thankful for you and for friends like you.

Gin said...

Wahahahaha...I love it!! I only had one son, but I come from a family of 4 girls and one boy. My brother can most likely relate to your DH's feelings. I think he spent a good share of his teen years under his bed!! LOL

Great story!! And so familiar!!!

Ruth Hull Chatlien said...

Ah yes, the dreaded teen PMS. I didn't have sisters either (four brothers), but I can imagine the overflow of emotion.

Anonymous said...

Way too funny! Great story.

I only have a baby brother so I was in a bit of shock when those hormones started raging. I agree...we lock ourselves in our room with earplugs in!

Cheryl said...

I can just picture your husband screaming that! Thank G-D I only have one hormonal child.

bonnie said...

You are a fabulous story teller, so gifted with the pen. My best stories were always about our pets.

Two Minute Takes said...

Your story brought back so many memories of growing up in a house full of eight females and only two males. My poor father and little brother had to endure so much and with only 1 bathroom! Back in the day, whenever one of us girls started menstruating for the first time, my mother would let my father know by saying "We have another woman in the family." I'm sure he just hung his head and said "Oh Jeez!:) As late-comer to your blog, I'm enjoying very much going through your older posts.