This is going to take some thought. I have trouble remembering much of when I was little or even bigger for that matter. Oh well. Here we go…
Where did you live at age five? Is it the same place or town you live now?
I lived in a town called Nutley, NJ. (no jokes, please) I remember we had to walk down a flight of stairs to get to the front door, so the apartment my mom and dad had was below ground level. We weren’t there long, but that was the place when I was five. It was pretty much right outside of NYC. Not huge, but not a one horse town either. And don’t read anything into that. I LOVE horses and small towns. 😉
You are invited to a party that will be attended by many fascinating people you never met. Would you attend this party if you were to go by yourself?
Of course I’d go. I am fascinated by fascinating people. And they would be fascinated with me. LOL (but no Fru Fru dress. Right, Pix?)
Did you grow up in a small or big town? Did you like it?
Belleville, NJ. Size wise, I’m not really sure. I guess it was kind of big since I had to take a bus to school. It was right outside of Nutley – next town over – so also – not a one horse town. 😉 But mostly a poor one as I recall. I know we were.
As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to be a writer and a teacher. I ended up finishing high school, going to secretarial school, getting married at age 19, and working in an office for 25 years. After that 25, I got ‘downsized’ and I’m not talking about my weight! Decided 47 was a good age to start college, graduated and became a teacher. Now when do I become a writer?
Bonus question: What are you grateful for from last week, and what are you looking forward to in the week coming up?
Last week? Jeff being home from work for a few days.
Looking forward to? Jeff being home for a couple of days.
Since I don’t have any pix from when I was five, I thought I’d share this one. (It is Share Your World, right?) I think I was two. Check out the car. (and the shoes AND THE HAIR DO – OMG!) Then check out Cee’s blog by clicking on the icon below.
Dear Bliary 
I went to Legal Secretarial school and started out as a word processor. I was one of the first official word processors back in the day. I actually did stay in the secretarial (admin) business up until I quit work 5 years ago. Good for you on becoming a teacher, how very special it must be for you. 🙂
It was special, Cee. And an eye opener. Until you walk in someone’s shoes…
What a difficult, but rewarding profession.
Retirement is even better. 🙂
Gemma I love the SHOES and little you! Those little twirly things, what a memory. I see a little girl with a little curl in the middle of her forehead… yes you can want to smack me. And yes, right, no Fru Fru dresses. I might have mentioned this before but I do not own a dress. .. Fru Fru or any other style. I would have loved to have you for a teacher.
Thanks, Pix. Brought that pic and some others to my mom at the nursing home today. It really cheered her up. Me too. 😉
They would be fascinated by you Gemma…I sure am.
Thanks, Jo. SO GOOD TO SEE YOU.
Hope your well. Miss your wit. 😉G
I miss my wit too at the moment…and I live with it, and me.
Ugh! Here if you need me. 🙂
(Sorry for the long distance. I would gladly try to cheer you up)
Beautiful throwback picture of you Gem , Thanks for sharing your precious moment as a kid.
A www. Thanks, Jake. So sweet. 😉
Ha! Great sharing. I know that picture, even though I didn’t know you when you were 2 or 5. That didn’t stop us from experiencing so real, old-fashioned Belleville fun. Poor is in the eye of the beholder…. xo
I thought it was just monetary at first, but then I thought again. You better than anyone knows things were different for some than for others. That was the garden for the sunflowers and the weeds.
😊😢
It sure was… 🌻🌿
You were a real sweetie at two, and you really haven’t changed that much either. Love that windmill on a stick. Reminds me of one I once had. I also got married at nineteen. Enjoy having Jeff at home. Have you got jobs for him to do, or are you just going to have fun together? 🙂
Thanks, ad. 😍
I still have to work, but at least he’s home when I get here for the next few days. And I eat better when he’s around (’cause he cooks better) 😉
You are so cute! And I am not just talking about your picture!
Haha! Thanks. (Ouch! I felt a tug! Was that you pulling my leg?) 😉
No, I meant it. It was the thing about Jeff I think that really made me smile.
Oh. 😊 We were talking a few days ago, before he left for a few days at work. I said, how many couples do you know that look so forward to seeing each other after being together 23 years? The answer is, we don’t really care. We’re just glad we’re one of them. (Two of them? Whatever. 😉)
It ain’t always perfect, but it’s pretty dang good.
It took three tries, Dawn.
ADORABLE! And I love those shoes! And you are a writer. 🙂
Oh! Thanks, Sue. I guess we all kinda are. 👍😍
I agree with Sue, you are a writer 🙂 Love the picture, enjoy the little extra time with your hubby. I do love the owl
Thanks, J&M. You’re way too kind. You guys are the creative ones. And the owl is a candle holder. So cute!
Love the picture, Gem, absolutely wonderful. And this Inquisition is easy – which makes a change! Here goes! At age 5, I lived in a small seaside town in Somerset, called Weston-super-Mare (and yes, super starts with a small s!). It means Weston on sea I guess = latin! I now live in Bristol, not too far away, but a city.
No problem with going alone to the party. I grew up in small town Weston-s-M; I liked it, there was nice countryside close by; vast numbers of holidaymakers appeared in the summer. And there were always seagulls around – my first (real) job was inland, and I’d never been in a place without gulls before – really missed them!
Not the slightest question: all through my youth, probably from age 5 or so, I wanted to be a geologist – and achieved that aim, but then got waylaid by birding, ornithology, photography and, more recently, creativity. Last week, and next week, I’m grateful for recovering from a small operation! A xxx
You’ll need to come to Joisey and I’ll take you and E. to the shore. Seagulls galore! No pun intended. ❤️ ATP
Enjoy your days home!
Thanks, Allan. We (almost) always do. (nothing’s perfect) 😉
How marvellous to arrive at teaching a little later on Gemma .. I’m sure it was rewarding as well as VERY tough at times . Can imagine you are glad to be retired from it all and able to explore your creative side for yourself .. oh and us 😉 Time and seeing you Mum of course . Bet she was glad to see that photo too … cute as a button 😀
Thanks, poppy. And yes my mom thinks he’s a trip. I watch him every day for several hours. Next year he will be in school all day so it will be another job I retire from. I was lucky to find such a fun, kind, generous family to work for for a little while. Maybe then I will REALLY retire. 😊
Somewhere in an old tin box, there are photos of a very puny looking me, at about that age, chucking a ball. 😦 I much prefer your ‘little helper’ 🙂
When you find, you share. 😉
Gemma – I really like how you started a career change at 47 – you are the 3rd person that I have read about doing something great like this at aged 46/47- and how awesome. also – love the photo of when you were two – what keepsake for sure.
🙂
You do what you gotta do.
yeah – I hear ya – have a great weekend G ❤ ❤
Hey hey. I’m trying to figure out – but can’t – what the deal is with power vs prior. 😫 can you explain to this dumb a_ _?!?
That’s an interesting career path, how things worked out. I like that you did that at 47 – just goes to show education isn’t just for the younger crowd 🙂
I once new a woman who got her BA at the age of 63. Now that I’m there, it doesn’t seem as silly as it did when I was 25 and giggling at the thought of it. Just goes to show ya… 😉