Exploration #6: Archaeological Dig

Me and Elvis, 1970

Exploration #6: Archaeological Dig
Collect objects that relate to your childhood or inspire memories. Write a brief story to accompany each object.

I decided to take a different route with this Exploration challenge and use what I already have. I don't have to go out and hunt for objects that relate to my childhood because nearly everything that does, I have held onto or collect! Yes, I'm a sucker for nostalgia. I don't live in the past, I just enjoy the things associated with it. Let's start with the two biggest influences of my childhood: Elvis and Barbie.

My Elvis and Barbie collections collide

It was December 3rd, 1968 and my mother, a huge Elvis fan herself, turned on the TV to watch Elvis' Comeback Special. I instantly fell in love. I was mesmerized by his beauty, enslaved by his voice. He was the first person I ever loved unconditionally. I loved him deeply. I threw a fit over him when I was just five years old. I was spending the night at friends house and Live a Little, Love a Little was on at 1:30am and her mother wasn't going to let me watch it. I cried and cried until I threw up and she finally called my mom to come get me. My mom popped popcorn and laid out blankets and pillows in the living room and we watched Live a Little, Love a Little, yes, at 1:30am.When he died, I mourned for a solid three years...cried nearly every day. I still do. I have a hard time not crying when I watch a movie or listen to his music. He came into one of my dreams a few years ago and simply leaned over the bed kissed me and said "thank you".

Handmade note card I made but couldn't part with

Holding a Titian haired Talking Stacy Barbie doll while my friend

Tricia rides my rocking horse. 

My first Barbie, a 1968 Brunette Hair Fair

Around the same time, actually Christmas 1968 I got my first Barbie Doll.  She was a brunette Hair Fair. I still have her and nearly all my original Barbie dolls. The clothes I have had to replace over the years because I made the mistake of thinking I could wash them all in the washing machine and they basically came out as shredded material and thread! Barbie was a huge influence on me. To me, she was an independent thinker who had grand adventures! I did have a few Ken dolls, but he was only there to drive my Barbies around in the car or camper or pilot the airplane so Barbie could go on trips around the world. Yes, Barbie had fashions out the whazoo, but it wasn't so much about that for me. It was about my imagination and creating stories, worlds and adventures for Barbie...and perhaps, one day for me.

Self portrait inspired by Exploration #6

Another collection based on my childhood is that of the Bradley Dolls. Someone gave one to my mom one year in the late 1960's as a gift. I wasn't allowed to play with it or touch it. She was beautiful with big soulful eyes and a gorgeous Victorian gown. I thought to myself "when I grow up I'm going to have one of those". 

Not only did I get one, but several and now I have a growing collection of these Mod girls from the '60's.

 I collect all the board games we played back in the late 60's, 70's and 1980's.  I still have my original LIFE, Operation, Clue and PayDay board games. Both Tripoly and Pitt bring back memories of our holidays at my grandmother's house. After dinner, the adults would get a game of Tripoly or Pitt going. The games got loud and rowdy and although us kids were interested in the toys we got for Christmas, I always wanted to be watching whichever game was going on. My siblings and I continue the tradition with an annual game of Pitt.  It still gets loud and rowdy. Alcohol may be involved. :)

The "stand-up" is when it gets seriously competitive! :)

When I was 12, I was obsessed with Farrah Fawcett. I continued to be a fan of hers right up until she lost her battle with cancer last year.  I used to cut pictures of her out of magazines, sketch her (I could never get her nose just right) and yes, even feather my hair like hers.  I only have one item left from the days of Charlie's Angels:

There are so many more items that recall childhood memories such as my Mrs. Beasley and Dancerina Dolls.  And there are some which I'm still searching for such as this original metal Easy Bake Oven:

Do you, dear reader, collect anything from your childhood? Or what objects from your childhood bring back precious memories for you?