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The Aunt Bobbie China

By
Real Estate Agent with RLAH@Properties AB95346

My great aunt Bobbie (my mother's aunt) was quite a character. 

When I was growing up, she would come to visit us a couple of times each year.  And during every visit, she would give me a Tonette, an old Toni home permanent for little girls.  And for the next six months, I would look like I stuck my little finger into a light socket.  And by the time the frizz finally started to relax, she'd show up again.  And BZZZZZZ!  More frizz. 

She bought me my first flute and took me to my first concert at Carnegie Hall.

Once when I was sixteen, we were walking down a street and a kid about my age passed us.  And, as she patted her hair, Aunt Bobbie asked, "Did you see how that young man looked at me?"  Yeah, she was pretty glamorous for an old lady, but I think the guy was actually looking at,  um, me.

She died during the late 1960's, and she willed me one of her prize possessions - four full place settings of her Haviland China - the Springtime pattern, white with a flowered pattern around the edge and in the center.  But there was a catch.  It was to be her wedding present to me, to remain in my mother's custody until I got married.

As I entered my late 30's, my mother was starting to wonder if she shouldn't just give me the stuff.  Then I surprised everyone by finally tying the knot. 

So I got the china, but I was afraid to use it!  It was so old and fragile.  What if I broke a piece?  I'd feel awful.

Then something magical happened.  I discovered E-Bay, and before long I had twelve full place settings.  More important, I knew that if I ever broke a piece, I could go to EBay.com to replace it!

So one of the fun things about Thanksgiving is that, first, there will be enough place settings for everyone.  And two, I'm not freaking out worrying that somebody will drink too much wine and break a piece!

So thank you, Aunt Bobbie!  I think our Thanksgiving turkey tasted better on your pretty plates.

 

Comments (18)

Bob & Carolin Benjamin
Benjamin Realty LLC - Gold Canyon, AZ
East Phoenix Arizona Homes

Sounds like your aunt who gave the Tonettes must have been related to an aunt I had.

Nov 26, 2009 04:50 PM
Jane Peters
Home Jane Realty - Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles real estate concierge services

That is a great great aunt.  Now go to bed.  It's 2:00 a.m.

Nov 26, 2009 04:58 PM
Charles Perkins
Charles G. Perkins, CPA - Burien, WA

It can be a lot of fun pulling out the nice china for the holidays.  We have a nice set that was handed done to us as well.  Nice to know that pieces can be found at places like ebay and www.replacements.com

Nov 26, 2009 05:03 PM
Liz Moras Migic
Chilliwack, BC
Chilliwack, British Columbia - Realtor

Now thats a fun story! And your aunt sounds like quite the character.  hmm you mean i can make my set of china grow? 

Nov 26, 2009 05:09 PM
Sun City Grand Homes Surprise AZ Real Estate Leolinda Bowers Designated Broker Leolinda Realty
Leolinda Realty - Surprise, AZ
Sun City Grand in Surprise Arizona

It's fun dressing up the dinner table for Thanksgiving and Christmas.  Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Nov 26, 2009 05:16 PM
Jim Hale
ACTIONAGENTS.NET - Eugene, OR
Eugene Oregon's Best Home Search Website

Pat -

Thanks for the story.  Family is such a great part of life...especially the holidays.

Nov 26, 2009 05:20 PM
Steve Shatsky
Dallas, TX

Hi Pat... what a wonderful way to keep Aunt Bobbie with you always.  That's a very special story!

Nov 26, 2009 05:59 PM
Janice Roosevelt
Keller Williams Brandywine Valley - West Chester, PA
OICP ABR, ePRO,Ecobroker

Pat: what lovely memories and beautifully written. It resonates with me as I have a set of stemmed cranberrry glass goblets from my grandma Bessie. I, too, found a place where I could add to it, and never worry if a piece breaks.

Nov 26, 2009 09:30 PM
Missy Caulk
Missy Caulk TEAM - Ann Arbor, MI
Savvy Realtor - Ann Arbor Real Estate

Pat, we all love to dust off the china this time of year, and polish the silver. Well not really.....but I do enjoy seeing a pretty table and appreciate the history that has been passesd down to us.

I have my grandmothers plus my own so I rotate them.

Nov 27, 2009 12:09 AM
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

Pat:  I'll have to look up the china pattern my husband's mother gave us that was handed down to her.  Being the graceful creature I am, I broke a piece while washing it from being packed in newspaper.  Haven't even used it.

Nov 27, 2009 12:47 AM
Barbara-Jo Roberts Berberi, MA, PSA, TRC - Greater Clearwater Florida Residential Real Estate Professional
Charles Rutenberg Realty - Clearwater, FL
Palm Harbor, Dunedin, Clearwater, Safety Harbor

Pat - old china is always beautiful on the table - glad you are using it!!!

Nov 27, 2009 12:51 AM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

Pat, I remember those Toni perms!  I had them myself a few times :)  Ebay is a wonderful thing and I've been able to replace things on there myself that I never would have found.  I'm glad you got a complete set and don't have to worry anymore....I like to use the fine china myself.

Nov 27, 2009 02:34 AM
Hannah Williams
HomeStarr Realty - Philadelphia, PA
Expertise NE Philadelphia & Bucks 215-820-3376

Pat..Isn't Ebay wonderful...They even make Thanksgiving complete...Love the story!

Helpfulhannah

Nov 27, 2009 02:52 AM
ASHEVILLE REALTY REFERRAL RESOURCE 828-776-0779
REAL ESTATE REFERRAL NETWORK - Asheville, NC
CONTACT janeAnne365@gmail.com

Patricia~ you are always the storyteller who captivates me ...I read...and then I look forward to the point you make: " So one of the fun things about Thanksgiving is that, first, there will be enough place settings for everyone.  And two, I'm not freaking out worrying that somebody will drink too much wine and break a piece!"  THANKS for knowing you!

Nov 27, 2009 05:16 AM
Lynn Michaels
RE/MAX Central- Marlboro & Manalapan, NJ - Marlboro, NJ
Marlboro-Manalapan Real Estate

Wish you hadn't reminded my about those old Toni perms! I rememeber staying home from school "sick" because I couldn't show my face with that frizzy perm!

The best part of all this is how often and how lovingly you remember your Aunt Bobbie. Makes me smile.

Nov 27, 2009 06:00 AM
Irene Kennedy Realtor® in Northwestern NJ
Weichert - Lopatcong, NJ

Pat,

We're all enjoying Aunt Bobbie and her china today. She would not have liked it just sitting in a closet; sounds like the kind of gal who made special occasions out of everyday life.

Nov 27, 2009 08:53 AM
Terry & Bonnie Westbrook
Westbrook Realty Broker-Owner - Grand Rapids, MI
Westbrook Realty - Grand Rapids Forest Hills MI Re

It is so fun to dress up the table and have family over on the holidays.  Ebay is so great to find those wonderful treasures.

Nov 27, 2009 10:13 AM
Mary Douglas
United Country Ponderosa Realty, Red Feather Lakes, Colorado - Red Feather Lakes, CO
REALTOR, Red Feather Lakes, Colorado

Hi Pat, I loved reading this story and your Aunt Bobbie sounds like a great great Aunt - except for the perms! LOL  Every year for as long as I can remember, my Mom has used her best china for Holiday dinners.  I feel better knowing if I break something I can now go to E-Bay!  Thanks Pat!!

Nov 27, 2009 11:08 AM