The Barbie of My Childhood

So, now we know we're safe from the fires. But all activities (school, sports) have been canceled for the week. And we're basically supposed to stay inside because of poor air quality.

I've been complaining all Fall about how we're over-extended. Here's the golden opportunity to live a slowed-down week with lots of time to hang out with the kids.

I haul down my Barbie collection for child #4. As I pull the plastic black case from the highest shelf of my closet, I'm filled with warm and fuzzy feelings. I dust off the top of the case and tear up at the thought of all those magical hours of Barbie games in the rec room with my sisters. I can't wait to reconnect with Barbie, Midge, Skipper, Ken, Alan and Ricky.

I pinch the metal clasp to pop open the case. Yikes! Skipper is partially bald. Barbie's eyes aren't aligned. Midge is missing four toes. The lot of them are obviously living at the poverty line with tacky clothes and mismatched shoes. And my dishes collection is mostly old toothpaste caps for cups and prescription vial lids for plates.

Holy cow! What else have I misremembered from my childhood? Maybe this calls for some deep introspection, long phone convos with the sisters, psycho-therapy?

Nahhhh. Let's just ditch Barbie et al and go bowling.

(BTW, Sister #2, I have your gold sequined Barbie ballgown. The one Auntie A. sewed. And your Skipper.)