tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4729754282024342033.post6156550049817665107..comments2023-11-09T20:58:04.284-08:00Comments on Ric Rac and Polka Dots : Farewell EthelRic Rac and Polka Dotshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15589881110509261778noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4729754282024342033.post-27180156070709817952011-11-08T06:32:51.605-08:002011-11-08T06:32:51.605-08:00This is my first time here - reading about Ethyl m...This is my first time here - reading about Ethyl made me want to cry. Seriously.<br />Bullying happened to me also. I was so glad to leave that HS and switch to the county school. Things were so much better.<br /><br />I love your blog.<br />I’m a follower<br />cindyAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05613560832462002975noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4729754282024342033.post-29354542450054260592011-11-05T07:44:36.118-07:002011-11-05T07:44:36.118-07:00I know exactly what you mean. I was not the outgo...I know exactly what you mean. I was not the outgoing cheerleader type. I have always been introverted stand to the side and watch everyone else type. I remember one time I really stood up for myself. I girl who was part of the very loose group I associated with grabbed my fountain pen (yeah showing my age now) and wouldn't give it back. That was the day I had had enough and I told her if she didn't I would hit her, she laughed and said no and I slapped her right across the face. Everyone at the table was stunned, she gave me the pen, and oddly enough NO ONE ever grabbed ANYTHING of mine again. We were never close friends, but no one ever bothered me again. I think I was 11 or 12 (still in elementary school). The only other person I ever hit after that was my youngest brother (oddly enough for doing the same thing) only this time I threw a glass with water in it at him and never had anymore problems with him. He caught the glass but got drenched with the water. Only 2 times in my life have I gotten violent, but both times the problem was solved. I don't advocate violence as a general rule, at all but sometimes it works.Maryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04924658558730736909noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4729754282024342033.post-80584692667670741512011-11-01T22:14:16.072-07:002011-11-01T22:14:16.072-07:00I too was the lonely child in the playground. Too ...I too was the lonely child in the playground. Too rub salt into the wound I had a brother with a disability and back in the 70's it was unheard of to 'keep a child' like this. Most were sent to a childrens home. I was outcast so others wouldn't 'catch' his Downs Syndrome. People can be cruel. I too would seek out friendships in literature and made best friends with Nancy Drew and anything by Enid Blyton....this was my refuge. <br />I went on to have a large family and love the children we have brought into this world. Each one of them is friendly, compassionate and takes into their fold 'the new kid' or lonely children in the playground. My stories have become a gift to all the lonely kids in their playground. They feel sad to know that their Mummy was sad and lonely when she was little. <br />Your story is beautiful and apart from your chooks our stories are very similar.<br />There is power in words and stories such as these can open people's hearts and create a better world.http://frenchblueandpeachypink.blogspot.com/http://frenchblueandpeachypink.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4729754282024342033.post-58754552672683978482011-10-31T20:22:40.614-07:002011-10-31T20:22:40.614-07:00Julie, Wiping the tears from my eyes for Ethel. A...Julie, Wiping the tears from my eyes for Ethel. And unfortunately, my own self, yes, as an Adult, I Still feel picked on. Actually, it happened this past weekend on my job and I feel so sad about it. I wear my heart on my sleeve, and people seem to use it against me...:( As a child growing up, I was in the popular with the most of the kids, but as soon as I needed to, I would put any of them in there place, and stick up for anyone who needed my attention and spoke my mind whenever necessary, so I lost a few "friends" along the way. But, when at my 10 year High School reunion, and a boy I had went to school with that had been outcast for belonging to the Boys Club in High School, came up to me and said, I was the only person he was looking forward to seeing again, I felt proud of myself as a young women. But still, here in adulthood, I seem to have to stick up for myself and the way I feel. Only, now at 47, I seem to be the one on the outside the fence like Ethel, and If I dare get inside with the other chicks, I will be pecked to death. I feel for Ethel, and am glad she had such a kind women like yourself to love her enough to take her away from such a sad situation. Thanx for sharing your story. It touched my heart, and made me understand that, we can't change the way people treat us, but, we can take ourselves out of the situation. Or, in Ethel's case, someone can love us enough, to take us out of a bad situation. :D<br />Hugs, ChristineChristinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13434242370958789687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4729754282024342033.post-38450024194971967162011-10-29T08:27:25.139-07:002011-10-29T08:27:25.139-07:00Wow Julie, I could have written this post. Except...Wow Julie, I could have written this post. Except that I was an only child, which added to the loneliness growing up. Thanks for sharing your heart. I hope all goes well for Ethel.Jocelynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02714577523744715551noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4729754282024342033.post-11558478259541797042011-10-27T14:45:56.677-07:002011-10-27T14:45:56.677-07:00I think we can all relate to your post so well, th...I think we can all relate to your post so well, this has happened to so many of us. I am now having to go through it with my seven year old Gabs, she is a little bigger than the others in her class and very strong willed but such a lovely lovely girl, I tell her that everyone will catch her up, but as we know when we are little we don't listen to grown ups!!<br />Think it has all turned out the best for Ethel,<br />have a great rest of your week,<br />Andrea xAndreahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04273164090959213765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4729754282024342033.post-68342722540280600052011-10-26T13:10:38.962-07:002011-10-26T13:10:38.962-07:00I just found your blog! You write so beautifully! ...I just found your blog! You write so beautifully! I'm glad everything worked out with little Ethel. <br /><br />I'm a new follower!gothearthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01257993993270228975noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4729754282024342033.post-37992215313988274372011-10-25T07:11:54.185-07:002011-10-25T07:11:54.185-07:00Hello Julie...You have wrtten this post so eloquen...Hello Julie...You have wrtten this post so eloquently...I am sure many will be able to relate to your story...Poor Ethel..I am so glad that you have found a happy outcome to the situation although I am sure you will miss her...but it must have been so hard to watch her being bullied.<br />Thank you so much for calling by my blog and your lovely comments about the emboidery...I hope you have fun at your classes...my machine is a Bernina and I love it!<br />Wishing you a great week,<br />Susan x♥ Mary Janes TEAROOMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05773609140590006438noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4729754282024342033.post-79212534606970808902011-10-22T08:20:21.058-07:002011-10-22T08:20:21.058-07:00Hi Julie,
Thank you so much visiting my blog! I a...Hi Julie,<br />Thank you so much visiting my blog! I am your newest follower! There is so much truth in your story--things that have happened to so many of us in one way or another. I wonder if we ever outgrow needing acceptance--I don't think so!<br /><br />Wishing you a wonderful weekend.<br />XO<br />CindyCindy Adkinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00094347625510484862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4729754282024342033.post-87901295151927324822011-10-18T21:05:58.212-07:002011-10-18T21:05:58.212-07:00Thanks for stopping by my blog!! I hope you will ...Thanks for stopping by my blog!! I hope you will post some before and after pictures of your sewing room. I love to be organized too. My space is still very much a work in progress, but it's coming along. I only have half the room ( and a very small closet where I keep my quilting fabrics) to work with, as the other side of the room is the computer/office space. <br />We didn't want to "take over" our kids rooms yet... someday when they are out of college and into their own apartment and working full time, it might make sense to spread out a bit more, but for now we want them to know that their rooms still belong to them.GardenOfDaisieshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03110646840082802721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4729754282024342033.post-30778435904303304452011-10-14T13:00:53.533-07:002011-10-14T13:00:53.533-07:00So glad that you are following my blog Julie! I th...So glad that you are following my blog Julie! I thought that I followed you also because your on my favourites, been here before, now a follower, Marilyn. I like to think of myself as looking like my beach photo, but the truth is I am much paler:)! I love your vintage images, and it's a pleasure to meet you, Busymartha<br />My daughters gave me that handle when they were young, they thought I was just like Martha Stewart!busymarthahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06495445065221514938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4729754282024342033.post-58870333667775478302011-10-09T23:04:18.858-07:002011-10-09T23:04:18.858-07:00Julie, It seems we were the same girl in childhood...Julie, It seems we were the same girl in childhood. I think now I am glad for this as it has made my heart a kind one as an adult. I admire young women with all the confidence in the world, and I am so surprised to find they admire me. It seems they must see in us what we can't see in ourselves.<br />Have a lovely week ahead Julie! ElizabethAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10973995314752982177noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4729754282024342033.post-14235932574542731942011-10-06T07:08:11.511-07:002011-10-06T07:08:11.511-07:00Lucy,
I am so sorry that you lost your Ethyl :(
I...Lucy,<br />I am so sorry that you lost your Ethyl :( <br />I can relate to being bullied, I was called Jaba the Hut (by the son of the PREACHER of my church.) for 6 years! All through Jr high and high school, I was never once asked on a date, I was told over and over I was too fat (I was a size 14) to date...the list goes on.<br />Know you are loved beyond measure now and I am so glad we "met".<br />Love,<br />EthelJenny's Hearthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05510824808788866017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4729754282024342033.post-91791223951182609202011-10-04T15:00:09.878-07:002011-10-04T15:00:09.878-07:00Julie, how sad all those children missed out on a ...Julie, how sad all those children missed out on a wonderful friendship.<br /><br />Throughout middle & high school I wasn't popular nor unpopular. I don't know how I would of been labeled.Perhaps freinds with all. But my very best friend was picked on all the time and I was often asked "why are you her friend" and other questions. But the sad thing was those people never stopped to take the time to know her. Had they, they'd seen she had a heart. They missed out on knowing a fabulous human. They ruined her MS & HS years sadly.Maryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14010797308475849421noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4729754282024342033.post-69375626904952644662011-10-04T07:08:33.423-07:002011-10-04T07:08:33.423-07:00Well! I hope Ethel will stick up for any new chick...Well! I hope Ethel will stick up for any new chickens that come along to her new school! <br /><br />Our new kitten torments our old mama cat and it makes me so mad! Our mama won't fight back and I feel so sorry for her! <br /><br />I was a tormented underdog in grade school and always made friends with other underdogs. I had a strong sense of justice and it **infuriated** me that the teachers allowed the bullying to go on and that they clearly favored the smart/ pretty/rich kids... what a difference it would have made if I would have had just one caring teacher and/or a caring home life.<br /><br />It only got worse in highschool and with no spiritual life, it really fueled the rebelion I was already in. If you've seen the movie the Breakfast Club, I would have been that vile stoner guy... <br /><br />The schools are supposedly cracking down on bullying these days but kids still won't tell so I feel the only answer is for better supervision. Some kids handle bullying and teasing better than others. One of my boys was teased for being nerdy in school but it didn't phase him and he actually grew up to be a "cool" guy. On the other hand, people like me still have to recieve healing from the Lord for the abuses in childhood.<br /><br />(Or homeschool like I do!)<br /><br />Come by and say hi for Dotty Hop Day! ♥Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4729754282024342033.post-69838758782237005382011-10-03T20:24:36.869-07:002011-10-03T20:24:36.869-07:00PS- The little town I visited was in Missouri.PS- The little town I visited was in Missouri.GardenOfDaisieshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03110646840082802721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4729754282024342033.post-63478339284031664602011-10-03T20:23:21.179-07:002011-10-03T20:23:21.179-07:00Poor little Ethyl. I'm so glad you protected ...Poor little Ethyl. I'm so glad you protected her and then found her a new home where she would be safer. <br />Your childhood sounds so sad. Makes me want to cry. I would have been your friend. I don't think I ever belonged to any "clicks", but I did join lots of different clubs and interest groups and I was friends with pretty much everyone I crossed paths with. We moved several times and so I went to 3 different high schools, so I was always in the "making new friends" stage. I do cherish my longtime friends and continued to nurture those relationships via mail, and now e-mail, all these years later.GardenOfDaisieshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03110646840082802721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4729754282024342033.post-36432882191663612962011-10-03T18:23:04.673-07:002011-10-03T18:23:04.673-07:00You would probably be amazed at how many kids felt...You would probably be amazed at how many kids felt this same way. Sad but true. And those of us who experienced it spend years trying to get past it - often in vain. It should remind every mother to be watchful and to validate their kids in every way possible. blessings, marleneStitchinByTheLakehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04501479854150315011noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4729754282024342033.post-61410540627432413892011-10-03T17:57:07.595-07:002011-10-03T17:57:07.595-07:00Hi Julie,
Thanks for sharing this with us. I was ...Hi Julie,<br /><br />Thanks for sharing this with us. I was feeling so sad for you, but clearly your experiences have shaped the kind and caring person that you are now. And you passed that down to your childen. I have always thought that no matter what happens away from home, if you have a family that loves you you can get through it. Sadly though, that isn't always the case. I also have read the stories of how common bullying is in schools and am glad my kids are past that. I was never bullied as a child, but definitely was not in the "cool" group. But I think that's really where I'm most comfortable anyway. <br /><br />And as for Ethel, I'm happy that she is in her new home. I know that must have been hard for you. But you considered what was best for her. <br /><br />You've really hit on a timely subject with this. It brings up memories of similiar experiences for so many.Betsyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12666343108502030118noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4729754282024342033.post-5296803896424693722011-10-03T12:06:42.145-07:002011-10-03T12:06:42.145-07:00What a tear jerking post - you are a beautiful wri...What a tear jerking post - you are a beautiful writer Julie. I grew up just like you did - I not only was shy and small but also had curly hair, freckles and thick glasses - I was a bookworm like you and loved Nancy Drew and the same books you did. My three sisters were "in" while I was "out" if you know what I mean. They had lots of friends, straight hair, no freckles and good eyes - wonder where I came from?? I survived childhood but to this day am still shy and find it hard to really make lasting friendships - my children and husband are my friends. I feel so bad for Ethel but am sure she is happy now. I have been reading that bullying has really become a serious problem in schools - am so glad both of my children are past that stage.annemariehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07526668349590879593noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4729754282024342033.post-22686644636733648412011-10-03T06:29:30.230-07:002011-10-03T06:29:30.230-07:00Wow, I guess I wasn't alone. I figured as muc...Wow, I guess I wasn't alone. I figured as much. And Meri, yes, the bigger kids got picked on too. So what if some kids are bigger and some are little, and some have freckles, and some have ears that stick out. So what? What is so sad for me is once you are picked on and told you aren't good enough, it stays with you. Even as a cheerleader, (and I still can't figure out how I made the squad,) I never felt good enough. I felt like the dorkiest, ugliest, most uncool cheerleader, and felt I never quite fit in. I actually quit cheerleading halfway through senior year because I had a part-time job afternoons (I left school at noon because I had enough credits) to help me save for college, and I was told that by missing daily practices each afternoon I would be given a demerit, and after 17 demerits I would be off the squad. I told the cheerleading advisor that we should just save everyone a lot of time and trouble and I quit. I wasn't going to give up my job, I needed the money. So even cheerleading didn't help my self confidence. Bullying is a terrible thing, and I wish it didn't happen, but it does. Look at Ethel . . .Ric Rac and Polka Dotshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15589881110509261778noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4729754282024342033.post-59446923387550147702011-10-03T06:01:01.497-07:002011-10-03T06:01:01.497-07:00Oh Julie each time you write something it seems I ...Oh Julie each time you write something it seems I can relate to it so much. I was extremely shy when I was young so I found it hard to make friends. I did have a couple of good friends at school but as we lived out of town, even though there were a lot of kids living there, I just didn't seem to fit in with them too well for a long time. One day one of the families moved away and I became friends with a girl who had been friends with them. A bonus for me really. A few years ago I started writing about my growing up years and it seemed I was lonely for a lot of years but I have no regrets and I feel quite lucky because like you I had parents and brothers who loved me. I grew up with the beach at the front of the house and bush land behind it. It was fantastic. I know I have said thanks to you before for your posts but thank you again for this one. HugsKathyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07708407695368608874noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4729754282024342033.post-45322669845699163392011-10-03T05:36:09.020-07:002011-10-03T05:36:09.020-07:00Your post really touched me today. I can totally r...Your post really touched me today. I can totally relate to your feelings, having gone through similar incidents while growing up. Sad about Ethel, but I'm sure she'll enjoy her new home.StaceyJeannettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15511558021869622461noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4729754282024342033.post-24352067491478165962011-10-03T05:27:10.269-07:002011-10-03T05:27:10.269-07:00Dearest Julie,
I knew we must have a lot in commo...Dearest Julie,<br /><br />I knew we must have a lot in common......this story proves it. However, I do have to enlighten you about your theory of "Isn't that the way it always goes? The little ones always seem to get picked on." I got picked on for exactly the opposite reason........I was bigger than everyone else. There are so many hurtful ways to pick on people, whether they be small or tall, and none of it is right.<br /><br />I'm so sorry I still haven't managed to get your package out to you, the only excuse I have is that I keep forgetting and I'm so exhausted. I'm so sorry, but it will be sent, I promise. Thank goodness it's not something perishable or growth related, as it would have molded or you'd have grown out of it by now....LOL.<br /><br />Big Hugs,<br />MeriImagiMerihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14604146258780421306noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4729754282024342033.post-27541620542369676392011-10-03T03:08:08.212-07:002011-10-03T03:08:08.212-07:00oh i am sitting here crying my eyes out my friend ...oh i am sitting here crying my eyes out my friend for you and for Ethel -- my heart is breaking in half on all levels of the story. sending you and miss ethel as she flies high all the love in the world and for all of those that were and are being bullied in life -- i believe in the old addage that it is so much easier to be kind and nice then nasty and mean. take care and God bless. hugs...The Cottage Market {Andrea} ♥https://www.blogger.com/profile/00914712736035286802noreply@blogger.com