I loved playing jacks. We had a plant here that manufactured "Staley" balls, hard and very good at bouncing. I played in the city grade school tournament for three years. Never had enough confidence to ever win but was always thrilled to be there.

Mom used to give the paddle balls to us every year, but she just waited until the ball fell off then used it on us, didn't appreciate getting that present at all.

My first Barbie,had such a strong rubber smell that I was banished to a cubby hole under the stairs which is the only place my Mother would let me play with her. She had the striped bathing suit, blonde ponytail and frizzy bangs. Sure do wish I had her.

Iloved playing games with my cousin who was the same age as I was. We were very close and the time that I spent at her house is the only "normal" family life I had.

I jumped rope too, I loved Double Dutch, never did well enough to get to the city tournament in that though.

Opens up a ton of memories.

Sherri