~Poop On Jelly~

Our Family's Bitter/Sweet Life



Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Because Everyone Should Own a Baby With a Signature On It's Rump

Mrs. Nurse Boy here.

Today I am "chiming in" with my friend Lisa over at BoondockRamblings.com.

The topic? A toy from childhood.

Let me begin by saying that I am a child of the 80's. Or, should I say the 90's? I remember the 90's the most. Actually, I don't know which decade best describes me. I graduated from high school in 1992, so I think that makes me a late 80's, early 90's kind of gal.

I actually did a little googling to see which decade describes my childhood. I discovered it was in the 80's that they decided seat belts were good and smoking was bad. Like, duh! The 80's were also known for shoulder pads and big hair. Now we're talking! I was queen of the BIG bangs. Can you say, "Aqua Net?" Oh, yeah. Good times. And, good thing I knew smoking was bad, because I could have caught my hair on fire in, like, 2 seconds flat!

But, I did tease my hair and made sure my shoulder pads were properly placed on my way to watch 90210 with a group of friends every Thursday night.

THAT was so 90's.

And, let's not forget about watching Seinfeld and Friends in my college apartment. Nurse Boy and I were so Ross and Rachel. Until he cheated, that is. (Ross, not Nurse Boy.) But, Nurse Boy wasn't as nerdy as Ross and I wasn't as pretty as Rachel. And, we were college students living in Bloomington, IN. Come to think of it, never mind.

My point...and, believe it or not, I do have one...I think I am a child of both the 80's and the 90's, but was born in the 70's.

I was entering my preteen years when our nation entered the Cabbage Patch Kid craze. It was a time when the stores couldn't keep them in stock. It was a time when women and children were willing to trample anyone or anything that might prevent them from purchasing one of those treasured dolls with a signature on it's plush rump.

Of course, I wanted one. Had to have one, in fact. I had a doll collection and it seemed only natural to add a Cabbage Patch Doll to the mix of plastic faces on display in my room.

I got my doll in 1984. My parents payed $28.88. That was a lot of money for a doll in 1984. Frankly, I think you can buy them for a lot less today.

I know, I know. It's not the same.

Plus, you don't have to trample anyone to buy one. Bummer.

My doll came with the name, Genevieve Kacie. She stayed in her box until last weekend. Yes, you read that right. Remember, she was a part of my doll collection. I decided to keep her in excellent condition in hopes that she would increase in value over time. Maybe she would pay for my first car.

Hey, I was young. Don't laugh. It was my first "investment."

Last Saturday I took Baby "Gen" out of her yellowed box and handed her to Sweet Pea. Sweet Pea's entire face lit up and the two of them have been inseparable ever since.

I think Baby Gen is thrilled to be out of her box. It turns out she WAS worth more than I thought.

After all, 25 years later, she put a smile on my daughter's face.

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

I had a cabbage patch doll also. Not sure why. I remember tying it to a rope and dragging it behind the car while my sister drove. We then shot it with a BB jun. I think you found a better use.
Mr.NB

On Stage said...

I think you better keep Baby Gen away from Mr. Nurse Boy. Ouch!

momstheword said...

oh that's such a precious picture!

I have boys so they never did the doll thing. But they did "invest" their money in pokemon card packs and stuff!

I used to drink diet coke but hubby and our friends like diet pepsi so I got used to drinking that.

Mum-me said...

Your Sweat Pea does look very please to meet Baby Gen. What gorgeous eyes (Sweat Pea's, that is.)

I remember Cabbage Patch Dolls. And 90210, and shoulder pads. I am trying really hard to forget knickerbockers ....

Mummy McTavish said...

That's so sweet! My sister got a cabbage patch kid. I didn't. I try not to be bitter. I'm a middle child. I never got anything. I did just get an idea... I wonder if I have time to chime it.

Lisa @ Boondock Ramblings said...

I had one too! I have no idea what her name was and somehow she ended up going to one of my nieces and has probably been thrown out. Darn it. Maybe she would have been worth something too. But she was out of the box. I wasn't a freak like you. I played with my dolls. :-) (Just kidding! You're not a freak! ...well, maybe just a little bit of one).

I was a child of the 80s too.....and sort of the 90s. No 90210 for me, though. I hated Donna. Haaated her. Sometimes I get sucked into that Tori and Dean show though now. Darn it...

Sprite's Keeper said...

Oh my heavens! You gave your daughter your first Cabbage Patch doll in mint condition? Now, THAT is love. I remember when the dolls were sold out and my parents happened to score two for my sister and me in New York City while they were up for a funeral. They were going to give them to us for Hanukkah, but we were complaining about not having them so my mom went out and bought two Pumpkin Patch kids (which were about eight bucks) to mollify us. I remember opening that box and saying, "That's not a Cabbage Patch Kid!" My mom had the biggest laugh at our expense. And we got our coveted dolls a few months later during the holidays. You know this does qualify as a memory if you want to participate in this week's Spin Cycle. Let me know! (And the last picture? You MUST frame that. That's the best representation of happiness I've seen in a while!)

momstheword said...

Did you read Samster's blog (Mummy McTavish) on her cabbage patch doll? She wanted one and didn't get it, you had one but didn't open it, lol! (She left you a comment here)

Yeah, I sent your hubby home. He had potato chip crumbs all over his shirt.

Please tell him he is welcome again but he'd dern well better replace the toilet paper roll or heads (or hineys) are gonna roll!!!!!

Anonymous said...

That's worth more than any car she could have paid for :).

My doll's name was Gail Zara.

And I bet my big bangs coulda beat your big bangs.

Sheila said...

awwwwww....how sweet! I loved the cabbage patch dolls! And my daughter got her first one for Christmas this last year.....CP dolls live on! ;)

Mother Mayhem said...

So beautiful! :o)

CPKs are Emily's absolute favorite. She just got a new one for her anniversary. We celebrate the date of her open heart surgery. It's been 12 years.

Sir Nottaguy-Imadad said...

I was in college when the Cabbage Patch craze hit. 20 years later I got one in a box of toys I bought at auction. I paid $5 for the whole box. New, those toys cost about $250-$300.

Suz said...

My little sis. had a CPK. I looked just like her big brown eyes. I noticed the matching eyes in Sweet Pea and your doll, so darling.

I did have BIG HAIR though. It is kinda funny, the girls hair got bigger and bigger in the towns south of my home. We always thought they were hicks.