Puberty 101

Welcome to my blog of lightheartedness, life lessons, and maybe a little advice.  These three facets have helped to contribute to my sanity or otherwise during my 60+years on this earth. If you find worth in reading, I’m in love. If you find less I will be in like!  Feel free to advise me regarding improvements etcetera. Here goes………

Where to start, how about my meager beginnings?  I was raised with seven brothers and sisters on a small farm in the Midwest. According to parental facts, there was no television, little money, country living, and lots of love. As a result, Mom and Pops were blessed with eight lively lovebugs in nine years! I fell in at #2, with twin sisters arriving just 9 months later!  Overwhelmed and diaper laden, Momma and Pops had some decisions to make regarding feedings, sleeping arrangements and raising four girls all under the age of two!

Those twin girls, Angela and Zenia, surpassed me in so many ways. They walked before I did, wore a bra first, had boyfriends, and celebrated womanhood just to name a few. My devoted nickname became “Puny.” My defenses were few and I had to think fast if I was going to make it with my seven competitors.  HUMOR and SMARTS! If I couldn’t join them, I had to fight them. Humor and bookishness became my strengths.

Braless and flat chested, I entered junior high with these sure assets and a small dose of nerdiness. My grades were above average, and I often giggled with many friends from various circles.

Seventh grade was rather uneventful. Eighth grade began with heightened excitement. I was still braless and could only hope the two fried eggs on my chest would begin to surface. As I walked in to the first day of World Geography, I took a seat at the front circle of desks.  Who should appear but three of the most popular pubescent, studs. They took their seats and my heart just fluttered. OMGoodness, how did I get so lucky to have them sit so near? Had I gotten cuter over the summer? Must be my new outfit. Must be the tan. Had my time come?

Michael, the most handsome in my opinion, placed his arm around me, rubbing my back and inquired about my summer. OMGosh, HE’S TALKING TO ME!  Paul, the dreamboat, added that I did look a little different as he flipped my curly locks. Brian just smiled his lazy, crazy self and I was thrice in like!

All of a sudden, as Michael continued to rub my back, he cockingly declared, “Nope, guys, nothing has changed. She still doesn’t. Not a bra yet.”  The chuckles ensued.

Not to be embarrassed or outdone, I quickly fibbed, “Well guys, if you must know, the bra is in my locker. A snap broke in gym class and I can’t wear it right now. I hope you’re done touching me, because I’m done enjoying it.”

Again, chuckles surrounded us and I was a part of the laughter. It became my saving grace from that point.

Whether I needed to or not, from that day forward, I began wearing a bra.  It did not fit correctly until after I got to school. How’s that, you say?

Momma always made us wear white JCPenney anklets. When I arrived to school, my empty bra was quickly filled with those lovely foot covers. I had only to remember two things: a) not to forward run into anyone, and b) dress fast for gym class so no one would take notice! In my own mind, I became the best looking 32AA in eighth grade!

Lessons learned:  Think quick and laugh! Keep one step ahead of anyone who thinks you can be outsmarted.

Laugh and the world laughs with you. A good sense of humor goes a long way.  The ability to laugh at my social awkwardness and essentially all fumbles throughout life have endeared me to others.

Thanks for chuckling with me!