…and I do hope wiser.
My life started when I was little.
I was a real swinger.
I started out a brunette and then became a blond and then switched back to brunette.
Kindergarten at Montebello Gardens Primary School. This school only went to the 3rd grade at this time. Starting in the 4th grade we were bused up to Montebello (over the Rio Hondo river) to Fremont Elementary. Montebello Gardens (not a garden by any stretch of the imagination) is part of Pico Rivera. (Top Row Left with my Buster Brown “do”)
Mrs. Nicolaus my 1st and 2nd grade teacher was one of a handful of my teachers that I knew was fond of me. I was a voracious reader and she recommended that I be skipped from 2nd grade to 3rd grade. (Top Row left with my curly “do”)
The majority of the children I went to school with in my primary school days were Mexican/American. Of course now the politically correct title is Hispanic. My growing up experiences were not in the era of political correctness. (Top Row right with my Buster Brown askew)
I tried to count the candles on this cake to see what birthday it was. It looks like 7 but I’m not sure. This was at our house in Montebello Gardens/Pico Rivera, 4635 Oak Street. It’s funny how the old addresses stick in my head. My sister Kathy on the right with my cousin Jim Loscutoff. On the left is my brother Fred and my sister Vera.
I know this is later than the photo above since my brother Steve is sitting in the highchair and my cousin Tanya is sitting at the table. My best guess is that this is 1960 since my brother Steve was born in December of 1959 (my 9th birthday). My cousin Valia, cousin Vera, cousin John, and cousin Walter blurred along with my brother Fred blurred. Looks like a store bought cake for this year…
When I was in the 5th grade we moved across the river into Montebello and I was able to walk to school. During my 4th grade year I was bused. Speaking of 4th grade, I talked too much and my handwriting was messy. Funny how the criticisms stick with you all your life. My 5th grade teacher gave me the distinct impression that she did not like me at all. She made me stand up once in class to chastise me and I remember thinking in my head “I may be standing up on the outside but I’m sitting down on the inside!” My 6th grade teacher was a gem who encouraged me with his kindness. I worked in the cafeteria in the 6th grade and got free lunches. The cafeteria ladies were another group of adults who encouraged me.
God has brought me through these 63 years with so much tenderness and care. I’m forever grateful.
We are heading across the mountains to our son’s home for the weekend. We’ll have my birthday dinner in Chewelah. Dear will be helping Dan with some projects and I’ll see what mischief I can get into. Don’t know if I’ll be checking in to the internet until Monday. Have a great weekend!
The Happy Wonderer ~ ellen b. 
HAPPY SWEEY BLESSED BIRTHDAY!!!!
Happy, happy birthday, Ellen! Love the pics—my favorite is the primly-seated-crossed-legs-and-hands one. Have a great celebratory weekend!
Happy Birthday, Ellen!! This is the cutest, sweetest post! It has really made me smile this morning. 🙂 I love the pictures of you and your family as children and reading about your early school days. My parents still tease me because my teachers ALWAYS wrote “talks too much” on my report cards. Some things never change.
I hope you have a wonderful day and many more birthdays to come!
Hugs,
Denise
I enjoyed walking through part of your life. Have a wonderful birthday weekend and enjoy the love that comes your way.
Happy, Happy birthday dear sweet sister. I love you immensely and am so thankful for your life and the joys we are able to share.
Looking at your pictures, I remember how God knew about each place and He was present! I thank Him for you today. You are a mighty woman. ” Happy Birthday Happy Hour” this next week?
Jan, H.H. sounds good to me! We are headed to Dan’s let’s talk next week.
I enjoyed these photos and personal reflections going with them, Ellen. I love how all of the children dressed up for picture day. I also wish you a happy birthday and year ahead filled with God’s blessings.
Happy Birthday dear Ellen!!!! Your pictures are just so wonderful – memory lane for sure (especially the furnishings and clothing styles – oh, and “does”). As you mentioned, it’s all too easy to remember the criticisms but also wonderful to remember those who have encouraged us along this road! May we all be the encouragers… Have fun this weekend.
Happy Birthday…I hope you have a wonderful weekend!!
Happy Birthday, Ellen. Enjoy your day! Who among us bloggers of this generation could have imagined all those decades ago that one day we would be sharing our special moments through photos and stories with friends all over the world through this amazing technology and the Internet!
Wishing you a blessed day and year! Happy Birthday! Love the photos!
I loved seeing your childhood pictures…so sweet! And I love your heart of gratitude, your acknowledgement of His tender care. Birthday blessings to you!
Happy, happy Birthday, Ellen! You were such a cutie-pie. When I read where you will be eating your birthday dinner, I thought of the book “Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs” and the fictional town of Chewandswallow. Have fun celebrating.
Happy Birthday, Ellen! I know that you’ll have a great weekend making a corned beef to honor St. Pat’s. I really enjoyed this glimpse into your childhood. You were a darling little girl and I loved those haircuts. Loved the very ladylike pose and sweet smile on the bench.
Here’s hoping you have had an awesome day so far…with one hour left! I love this post!
Happy Belated Birthday, Ellen!
Happy Birthday Ellen!! We’re the same age! I loved seeing these old photos…they remind me of my family… & I cracked up at your first line. Funny!
Your header is magnificent. I must poke around a bit to learn more about the occasion for it.
Enjoy your birthday MONTH…we believe in celebrating all month long.
Belated Happy Birthday, Ellen. I hope you are having a wonderful weekend.