Dear Ms. Deniseann,

An even prettier name. At my day job, I deal with names all day long. I even ask the girls/women whose name is Ann (Anne), "With our without the, "e?" Many names can be spelled differently. One young woman, whose name I heard her as, "Kerry Ann." It’s actually spelled, "Keriayne." Even the men seemed pleased, when I ask, "C," or, "K?" For Mark (Marc).

I didn’t have to ask Brooke Shields how to spell her name. Only I didn’t recognize her, a co-worker did. Audrey came over and said, "You’re Brooke Shields, aren’t you?" I apologized, "I don’t watch television. I haven’t seen you on television since you toured with Bob Hope’s U.S.O.’s Shows.

She’s a charming, warm person. She was making a movie nearby. She always came into the Store, even if she was running late. She, "had," to see my nails.

I told my co-worker, Audrey, "She, obviously, came in to see me." With a questioning look on her face, I told her, "She was desperately seeking Susan." (groan).

I want to go on with some memoires but my bath is ready and we need to get ready for church.

Your Dad sounded to be a very wise man, who was looking for the future safety and hope for his children. My spouse is an un-admitted alcoholic, too. We’ve been married for 42-years, plus.

I had a last-minute change. I don’t have to lector today. The girl/woman (at my age, they’ll all girls.) called to ask if she could lector for me today and if I could cover her next week. No problem here.

Sunday is my only day off from both jobs.

Ms. Deniseann, I’ll write more later.

Sisterly yours,

"Missy," Susan Pauline

P.S.: My other job? I cook. In-home Catering.

Dear Ms. Deniseann (really one word first name?) Denise is a very pretty name all by itself.

I’m not even going to mention the, "Dew Drop Inn." Ooops. The Best Man, at my wedding, owned the Point Breeze Hotel with his Dad and his brother. When his Dad sold the hotel, he had an agreement that he could tend bar for the ice fishmen as long as he wanted to. The cost? $1.00 per year. He knew of too many people, that when they retired and didn’t have any hobbies, died due to the abrupt change of lifestyles.

When I went to Erie, it was called, Erie County Technical Institute. The original building in Buffalo, was the old Pierce Arrow Building (A type of Car.)

In Buffalo, all the movie theaters were former, "real" or, "legit," Theatres. Shea’s Tech was a popular  Movie Theatre. It was at that Theatre, that the (now classic) movie, "Camille," was shown. It starred Greta Garbo in 1936; way before my time. It ran for close to a year.

That place, … something Lodge? …

I’d be most happy to have a new e-sister.

I, "loved," Crystal Beach, too. We used to double-date there on a free weekend. Our friend from High School owned an English Ford, un-usual at the time. There was an un-written rule in our family. You go to Crystal Beach, you bring back the suckers. The were one park-ticket each. (6 cents) We got into a habit of playing one round of minature golf before going into the, "Stardust," Ballroom. I think I did very well playing Minature Golf in my, "almost," Prom gown and my, at that time, teetering high heels. We danced to all the great bands. Billy May, Les and Larry Elgart, The Glenn Miller Band, The Tommy Dorsey Band, The Jimmy Dorsey Band,  so many of them. Frank Sinatra Jr. was singing with the Tommy dorsey Band. We also DANCED to the Count Basie Orchestra AND the Duke Ellington Orchestra. Last year, I was talking with Paul Mercier Ellington, the Duke’s youngest grandson. This was in the Blue Note Jazz Club on Third Street, in the Village.

Woman, you are bringing back so many, "cuddly," memories. (I hope I get all the, "typos," this time I missed a few, last time.)

I went to Amherst Senior High School.

As for food, I liked Bailo’s. (Corner of Bailey Avenue and Lovejoy; not there anymore. A "Beef on Weck?" 60 cents! For pizza? It wasn’t Santoro’s for me. The name? Uh-oh,. a mental block enforce. The outline of the roof had green and red neon lights. Only half with meat; Couldn’t eat meat on Fridays. It was closer to Sheraton than either Longwood or Eggert Road. There’s a customer at my day job, that is also from Buffalo (more or less). He and his mom used to go there. In my day, they had a great Juke Box. "Three plays for a quarter," was real! I could call my sister, she’d remember. My two younger ones are deceased. I can visualize it; I just can’t make out the name. I’m supposed to sleep now?

I think that my oldest sister, "lived," at the Anchor Bar. She always went there after the Hockey Bison’s played.

I remember that my friend, John, took me there. He knew I liked Jazz. Girls were not allowed to go in without an, "escort." The grat Jazz saxman, Coleman Hawkins, was playing there. It was the only time I got to see him.

I think that my Mom took me to the Ice Capedes, once. I enjoyed it. I used to like to watch the Olympic Figure Skating. These days, I’ve got no time for television. Two jobs. Six days. … Sleep is my first priority.

That discovery of finding out that your Gram went to school with Lucile Ball must have been a pleasant surpise. My greatest closeness was that at my Brother-in-law’s home, I slept on the same sofa as Miles Davis once did.

Un-oh, it’s after 1:00 A.M. I didn’t get out of work until after 11:00 P.M. The alarm’s going to sound in less than four hours.

Sisterly yours,

"Missy," Susan Pauline Bauer. (sometime, I’ll tell you about, "Missy." It’s not short for Melissa.)

Oh! My Word. We have close frends still living on Lake Shore Road. Their home is right on the lake. So it was a bit of a trek to Evangola State Park. I’d forggotn about W.T.Grant’s and Woolworth’s. W.T.Grant’s had a nice store at the University Plaza. Did you ever go to Leonardo’s at the plaza? How about Cavage’s? They would pull on of their records and let you listen to it before your purchase.

My oldest sister worked part-time at Endicott Johnson (Shoe Store) at the other end of that same plaza. I think she used to work for shoes rather than a paycheck. For four, "magical," years we were the same size!

It was ironic that we didn’t get our Grant’s charge card until we moved to Brooklyn!

My spouse’s birthday is November 19th! At our wedding, Mary Claire, my Matron of Honor, has November 16th for her birthday. The Best Man’s date is the 15th, He’s also Godfather to two of my children. I have an, "e-sister," way down in Texas, whose birthday is November 5th. And a lovely lady, with whom we have an occasional Sunday breakfast out, is the same as yours! November 7th! We also swap books.

The grammar school I went to was in Eggertsville, St. Benedict’s. We, technically, lived in Synder. Just think back then there were no zip codes. Telephone numbers had a name and four numbers.

I’m with you. My memories of Buffalo gave me an aura of being loved and safe. i still feel the same way now. My granddaughters have me, "hooked on ballet." They, also, taught me how to text.

As far as skating, I used to get ribbed, "Why put on your skates? Just sit down on the ice now .. less falling to do."

However, ballroom dancing was mine. That’s were I met my spouse, although our families knew each other since 3rd or 4th grade.

However, I have to get ready for work. I did a lot of the prep work, last night.

Please do post again. I"ll bet we could, "talk," about Buffalo forever. It does bring back memories of happiness and contentment.

"Sisterly yours,"

"Missy," Susan Pauline Bauer

Dear Ms. Rho,

Even during the summer, "Fashion Avenue," is nice, too. If you need a breather, there’s always Bryant Park to enjoy before going back to Fifth.

Missy Susan

 Dear Ms. B, I just replied to Ms. Denise Ann, and Chrisrmastime in Buffalo. Redlinski’s! Buffalo has seven great susage makers. My Dad grew up in South Buffalo, near Saint Theresa’s Church. When I was bigger, he’d take me to the Broadway Market and to, "998." Those trip were fine, but those trips to downtown Buffalo with my great Aunt Bessie were the best.

A very Merry Christmas and a Happy Hew Year to you and yours,

"Missy," Susan Pauline Bauer

Dear Ms. Deniseann,

Another girl who remembers Christmastime in Buffalo! I was going to make my own entry about Christmas and shopping but I just couldn’t pass-up sending a note to you.

My great Aunt, Bessie (Elizabeth) took me shopping when I was little. It always included a beautiful lunch at, "Laube’s Old Spain." I hear tales about the stores in Boston that had window displays but it must have paled in comparison to all the stores in Buffalo. They all had window displays with moving figures. The was J.N.Adams, Hengerer’s, A.M. & A.’s [Adam Meldrum and Anderson].

Christmastide in Buffalo was great. The busfare was 5 cents. If you needed to transfer, it cost you 2 cents for either the bus or the trolly car. It started to disappear when our beloved stores started to open a branch in the, "burbs." By then, we had moved to Eggertsville, out Route 5. The trips to downtown Buffalo were still enchanting. With Aunt Bessie’s guidance, I got my Christmas shopping done for Mom and Dad, and my sisters. I was so proud of my self, when I opened my little purse to put out the money to pay for my purchase. To me, the actual shopping was secondary to being with my Aunt and seeing all the store’s displays and moving figures.

 Ms. Deniseann, you are so right, it was always, "Merry Christmas; Happy New Year."

I remember the Christmas when I got my first pair of heels! I’m melting with happiness as I key.

A very Merry Christmas to you,

"Missy," Susan Pauline Bauer

Well, Girls,

As my Mom did, I wear dresses. When I was growing up, each day had its’ own chores. Often, that day’s was the traditional, house-dress with nylons and mid-heel shoes with those, "cuban-heels." Back then, they were simply heeled oxfords. today they’d be called, "lace-ups."

Monday was wash day; Tuesday was ironing; Wednesday was either Her, "At Home," day or we [if there was no school] visited some of her friends. I was right there with her.

When I was little, I was finding out about how to sort the laundry, how to iron and what clothes to wear, that didn’t have to be ironed. Thursday was cleaning day and Friday was marketing day. Her Mom, was with us, too. We dressed very pretty on Wednesday. Just as on Sunday, I could wear my patent-leather Mary Janes. Friday was a cross between wearing pretty dresses (not cocktail dresses, mind you.) and function clothes that you didn’t mind them being in a fish market, a butcher shop, the produce store, et cetera. I had come to realize the the food shopping was really secondary. It was the meeting of other people and finding out what was new.

I only wear dresses. I do have one pants-suit, …someplace. To me, the only women who wear pants, unless it’s part of a Uniform or work dress-code, are women who are ashamed (by choice or chance) of their legs. I still get compliments on mine. I also never wear those tie shoes that Mom wore. I like my Mary Janes. Different heel heights. Just as my Mom did, I wear stockings (or pantyhose, now), heels, slips, housedresses, et cetera. Now, where are my five-inch, patent-leather spikes?

After dinner was, "under way," she changed into a prettier dress and some regular court shoes (pumps). I was very proud to be able to tend to the kitchen’s needs while she changed before Dad come home. I do not wear girdles, as she did.

When Mom and Dad were going out, I wished that I could have been in the pretty dresses and shoes that Mom was wearing. I still do very well at Contract Bridge.

Mom taught me how to, "mix and match," the colors and styles of the seperates. This increases your wardrobe without added costs.

So, yes, Mom did influence me with my clothes selections.

"Missy," Susan Pauline Bauer

I can’t believe all the, "typos." But, it’s late.

Missy Susan

Dear Miss Eileen,

I just got in from work and I, "fired-up," the computer. I shut it off. The dregs of Tropical Storm, "Ida," murged with another storm from Canada and we got a, "nor-easter."

A ballerina? I’m impressed. Toe-shoes and all? My oldest granddaughter thoroughly enjoys doing the routines. At the last New England N.E.S. competition, she not only got an award for her ballet to, Schereade(spelling?) The one by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov. I have my C.D. of it, where I cook. She also got an award for doing her own choreography. She also did the choreography for her sister’s Jazz-dance.

Do you remember the one-liner comment about ballerinas? "Why don’t they just get taller girls." (rim-shot)

NOTE: If one takes too long keying in a reply or any entry, it gets wiped out. You go to post and it get wiped out.

Since I had to work on Halloween, I put up a note for the, "Trick or Treaters," that I love chocolate as much as they do and next year, it’ll be double! I also noted that I like to, "dress-up," as much as they do. There were four neighbors, that on Monday night, I dropped off some assorted chocolates for the family. In the mail, tonight, there was a hand-delivered Thank-you note from one neighbor, who’s little son was so sad that I didn’t get to see his costume nor he, mine.

A few years ago, I was a, "sexy nurse." (iParty)

November 1st was the second of my set of three Ballet presentations. My daughter-in-law drives the girls over from Connecticut. The four of us have a grand time at the Boston Ballet.

Now to answer your, "Halloween in November," question. There’s an adult Halloween Party on the Cape (Cod). Since everyone is with their own kids or grand-children on the 31st, another date was selected. It’s the Saturday as Election Tuesday. It’s for girls only, and that includes the married couples. My spouse never comes. It’s a great place. It used to be an Inn. He still has the original bar that was part of the Tavern. Every bedroom has it’s pown bathroom. He Dad used to be with the  Boston Pops. He played the bass trombone. He also played with Jan Savitt’s Big Band. The Nat King Cpole Trio used to visit their home. Well, <iss Eileen, I’ve got to head to bed. The alarm is going to ring in five hours.

You know the Halloween Rule? You only buy candy that you like.

Sisterly yours,

Missy Susan

Dear Miss Eileen,

Should I curtsey, here? I’m so happy that I provided some happy moments of reflection for you. About five years ago, my spouse gave me a gift in Mid-November. It was a very pretty French Maid Uniform. Feather duster, fishnet stockings, White, lacy apron and all. There was also a tube of a bright red lipstick! "Your Halloween Party is coming up. You needed to upgrade your outfit. I saw this commercial (I don’t watch television; well one show a year.) and my birthday is coming." I looked at him with a question. "THere was a guy at the dinner table and he was being served by a girl in a French Maid outfit. The girl turns out to be his wife. She sat on the table, crossed her legs and even dangled her patent leather high heel."

Their children were in the kitchen and not, "understanding it," at all. I wound up having to work that night. I’ve worn it at home once or twice but nothing come of it.

I hope you didn’t discard your outfit. What did you wear tihs year, even if it was just to answer the door?

Missy Susan

Dear Ms. Phyllis,

You are too kind but ….. but it’s not the same Uniform nor even the same plaid colors. Since, "French Toast," only has girls sizes, I had to go to a fetish store to buy it. They had School-girl Uniforms in my, Miss size 14/16. Your observations were correct. Being in it, sets my day and makes me feel comfortable. It’s somewhat as a good batch of Pasta e Fagioli but it’s non-fat and sugar-free, too. There have been some mornings that I even twirled around in it. I did feel as a little school girl trying to please my Mom and impress my Sisters. I didn’t fall or have to hold on to anything. I did observe the 26th Anniversary of my 39th Brithday. (If 39 was good enough for Jack Benny, it’s good enough for anyone.) While I’m writing this, I think to some of the words to that Sinatra/Gene Kelly/Dean Martin song. "It Had To Be You." (…with all my faults, you love me still ….)

After a busy morning at work, when I got home, I sorted the hamper and went to the laundromat but not before I changed into my School-girl Uniform. I even swapped my Mary Janes for a pair of my white, patent-leather, ankle-strap spikes. I got a few, "looks," but I didn’t care. My favorite author had just written a new book and I had to bring a timer with me. At the laundromat, I’m in my own world. I could just drop off the clothes and pay to have it done but then some quiet time would be gone. I even take my press-pot of Dragonwell green tea with me. Working two jobs plus all the chores at home does fill my day but it doesn’t, "fulfill," it. It must be justas when our daughter had her, ‘skin." (in Junior High and High School) Today it would be called a, "hoodie." She felt comfortable and secure in it and she got great grades.

We all like to be comfortable. It’s different items for different people.

Sisterly yours,

Missy Susan

Dear Ms. Bonnie,

I concur with, "Green Tears," You have excellent thoughts. It’s getting into the habit of practicing or initiating them. Accesories can be quite costly. I just remember was Mae West once said, "It’s better to be looked over than over-looked."

Missy Susan

Well Girls,

I have off from my day-job today, otherwise I’d have an hour’s work done already. So my stupid, time-consuming habit is still on. Before, I leave for work, I, "need," to be dressed in my School-girl outfit. I’m up at 3:00 A.M., each Monday through Friday. After I’m out of my bath and get into my lingerie, pantyhose, and my Mary Janes, I just have to put on my simple, girl’s blouse and put on my school-girl Uniform. I look in the full-length mirror. Then I just have to polish or buff my shoes and re-look in the mirror. Once I’m sure that I’m properly dressed, I take off my Uniform and blouse. Then I get into my logo’d polo-shirt and my pants. [sigh] and dream of my, "yesterdays." If I rouse my spouse, do you think that I’d get a wolf-whistle or, "you’re lookin’ good, girl." No way. Most of the time the covers just get pulled over his head with a groan. I don’t even get a, "Why?" I never got a, "look over," in Grammar or High School either.

It uses up about a half to three-quarters of an hour. Time that I could be sleeping. Sometimes I’ll even go downstairs to have breakfast and then come back upstairs to change.

When we visit our grandchildren, who live one-state way, I don’t take my Uniform with m0e. I actually miss it. Not later in the day, but in the morning. Then, I’m too busy to dream.

Last year, All Hallow’s Eve was on a Friday. What did I wear to my day-job? (Costumes within company guidelines) I wore the iParty French Maid Costume that my spouse had gotten for me. While most of us wear flats or sneakers on the train and keep our heels in our desk drawers, I was just the opposite. I wore my black, patent stilettos on the train. Since no heels are allowed at work, I keep a duplicate pair of flat Mary Janes in my locker.

So, wearing a school-girl’s Uniform for just a few minutes, each  morning is my time-wasting habit. I don’t smoke, I don’t purchase a lot of things, I only have a glass of wine, if I remember to, and it doesn’t harm anyone.

Halloween is my favorite holiday, however this year, as last year, I had to work my night job. Other years, you know how I was dressed to answer the door for the trick or treaters. Two years ago, I was a French Maid. I was tired of hearing, "don’t you have any other costumes?" No one knows, that it’s not a costume.

For some reason, it’s a part of my life’s needs. When I fully retire, who knows? Perhaps, I’ll have to get a second Uniform. I just love that pleated skirt. I even wear that matching tie. The only variation is my tie’s knot. I use either a windsor knot or the two half-hitches knot.

Well, I’ve got to go look in the mirror. I think that I just might keep this on all day long. However, I just might change from my flat Mary Janes to my high heel Mary Janes.

Sisterly yours,

"Missy," Susan Pauline Bauer

a School-girl at heart.

Well Girls,

I, too, remember the milkman. We lived just to the East of Buffalo, out Route 5. I remember my Mom telling me that, when she was younger, milk was 7-cents a quart, delivered. I, also, remember her telling me, that before they were married, she earned $7.00 per week; that was a six-day week.

When the milkmen went on strike, the local grocery stores, (A&P;Nu-way; Loblaws) had refrigerators built in their stores … for milk. Grocery stores sold groceries. Meat markets sold meat, fish markets sold fish, fruit and vegetable stores sold produce. It was also Mom’s, "news center." All the people she’d meet and talked with. I loved being with my Mom with these Friday sojourns; her Mom was with us, too.

We had a milk-box that was built into the wall of the house. The post office, shared that same box. Yes, standard milk with the top cream.

Our dairy, was Jones Dairy. That was bought by the, Rich Dairies. They became Jones-Rich Milk. The Rich family is the same one that has that Football Stadium; used by the Buffalo Bills football team.

Decades later, when I was married, we were living in Brooklyn; later, New Jersey. We had milk delivered. We also had children by then. Our place, in Jersey, was a third floor walk-up. With another baby inside, I needed all the non-stair trips I could get.

In Buffalo, Kart’s Dairy was another Dairy that delievered where we lived.

Then, my first after-school job was …. was, where else? Wendt’s Cream Top Dairy. The were out of Niagara Falls, (NY). Our store also sold Ice cream.

I still have my Mom’s 78 r.p.m’s One of those records was, "Any Ice Today, Lady?" It was by the, Seven Little Polar Bears. Cameo Records. Obviously, it was, "novelty," record. My favorite was a Mario Lanza recording of, "Guardian Angels," written by Harpo Marx.

Ooops, I’m off topic. Sorry. Memories do that to me.

I never got to see the Milkman until a lot of deliveries stopped because the grocery store now had milk. The milkmen that still had routes, had longer routes and I got to see the nice, friendly man. He was handsome. Short, salt n’ pepper hair. Clean shaven. He always had a kind word for me.

As Bob Hope sang, "thanks for the memories." In this case, thanks for the trip down memory lane.

"Missy," Susan Pauline Bauer

Dear Ms. Margo,

I’ll bet that your Mom remembers that Ogden Nash Limerick, that I partly re-call reading in Reader’s Digest. the last two lines are, "…is a greeting and not a question." I just can’t remeber the first three lines.

 About a year ago, I asked one of our regular customers, how they were, other than soggy. (It was raining.) He told me, "I’m on the right side of the grass." Perhaps, he was at too many wakes during the past few days. When I’m asked that, "greet-ing-question," by one of my customers, I usually reply, "Fine and Dandy." These young, "kids," today, don’t remember that most proflic tune. (Second only to Gershwin’s, "I’ve Got Rhythm.")

Missy Susan