Nothing happened today. Told everyone about last night. Went to Pearl’s after school and did homework. Unk Ile’s Birthday today. He called me tonight and asked me a lot of questions about his liquid eyeliner. He wants me to gather information about liners and send it to him. He wants to know how my friends like Maybelline make-up. They all love Magic mascara and Maybelline pencils. Maybe I’ll start working for him…LOVE TO!!!!
Side note: My great uncle, Tom Lyle Williams, founder of the Maybelline Company, was about to change his Magic Mascara toULTRA LASH MASCARA, and add an entire ULTRA, line of products. He knew I had a lot of friends and wanted me to do a survey among them. Wait until you see what comes out of it…..
Sharrie Williams is the author of The Maybelline Story, visit her Maybelline Book Blog at http://www.maybellinebook.com/
Fosters, cold rainy day in LA. Finally got to drive to school. Was real scared in History, because the teacher handed back term-papers. (I didn’t do one.) I’m going to have to take history over. Sooooo scared. Finals are next week. Thought about Howard all day. I swear to God I love him and I pray more than anything we’ll go steady and won’t hurt me. But I really think he likes me. He sure got hot Sunday. He was sweating so much, but nothing bad happened. Club night. Drove Nancy and Patty to meeting. Talked to Bill Willis and Paul Mally. They don’t think I should go out with a Jewish boy. It isn’t right I know, it wouldn’t work out in the end. But all I wanted was SAFFRON’S and HOWARD.
Side Note: I had gone to a private Lutheran School from Pre-School through 7th grade. My parents were hell-bent against Howard and I getting serious. Their excuse was he was too old for me, but I knew it was because he was Jewish. Most all my best friends at Culver were Jewish and I lived in a 98% Jewish neighborhood in BLAIR HILLS, of course I was attracted to Jewish boys. Especially if they were big, gorgeous SURFERS.
Sharrie Williams is the author of The Maybelline Story, visit her Maybelline Book Blog at http://www.maybellinebook.com/
Got up at eleven. Went to Lauri’s and slept until 4:30. Went home and much to my surprise, Howard called. Said he had called Thursday, (so Ernie didn’t lie to me.) A lot of people were here at our house tonight for dinner. Sort of having a party. Howard asked if I could get out for a little while. Mom said yes. I was so happy I couldn’t believe it. Howard came at 6:30 and had to meet everyone here. He got sort of mad. We went to Lou’s house. Bryan Fergason and Niles were there, (from his club, WEST SIDE SURFERS). Howard wouldn’t give my phone number to them. They all seemed to think I was cute. We left, went to eat. He eats a lot. Went by the show, but didn’t want to go in. Went back to Lous’s. Started making out and I loved every minute of of. All of a sudden there were boy’s all over the car watching us. They started shaking the car. I swear it almost turned over. They left and we started kissing again. We got in the back seat. He said he never used the back seat. I don’t think he’s taken anyone out since me. I just love him. We almost fell asleep in the back seat. I didn’t fight him off like before, when tried to French Kiss me for the first time, (my first kiss.) Went into Lou’s and watched TV. We laid on the bed. Another boy was in the bed. Was kind of fun, wasn’t afraid, because I was with him. He said I was his girlfriend. Hope he isn’t telling lies. Going out with him next Saturday. He’ll be 19 on Thursday. He’s 2 1//2 years older.
Sharrie with Howard while Ernie cool’s his heals.
Side note: Although there was a lot of making out in High School, there no actual sex until after I graduated. Of course how could there be, with the armor I wore as underwear. Sort of like Spanx today… protected us from date-rape.
January 18, 1964 Horrible wet day….I still love Howard.
Sheila called at nine o’clock in the morning. I was so tired, but got up and dressed to go with her in her pick-up truck. Jackie, Debby Correo, Sheila and I sat in front and Dave, Terry and Ed Correo sat in the back. Went to Topanga Canyon to dump trash, when it started to rain. All the kids in the back of the truck got soaked. Everyone traded places, but me. I refused get wet. Ate lunch, then got lost on the way home. Wound up in Seminole Hot Springs (in the Santa Monica Hills.) Got sick driving around curves. Reached the ocean and finally got home about 4:00. Washed my hair. Asked mom if Howard really called and she told me Daddy answered the phone and asked if it was Ernie and the boy said it was Howard. If it was really Ernie, I swear I’ll hate him forever. I’d give anything to have it be Howard.
This gives you an idea of what I spent a lot of time on, rather than doing my homework. Setting my hair with a mudpack on my face while listening to PLEASE MR. POSTMAN, by the Marvelettes
Side note: I can’t believe I refused to get my hair wet, when I was going to wash after I got home. What a brat. Will Howard call me, find out tomorrow. If he does, I will be ready with perfect hair.
Sharrie Williams is the author of The Maybelline Story, Check out her Maybelline Book Blog at http://www.maybellinebook.com/
Went to school with Lanny. Wore cranberry coat I gave Mommy for Christmas. Sheila kept chopping (insulting) me because it was so loud. Went to Assembly today. Whole SAFFRON crowd sat together. Had to take Junior High bus home again. It was terrible. Got home and found three failure notices from American Lit, bookkeeping and History. I’m so scared because there’s a big test in American Lit. – Edna called to ask about the test, she hasn’t studied either. I have so much to do this week, I don’t know what I’m going to do about the party. Called a few people to come. Ernie called, said he would come over but I talked him out of it.
Jan 16, 1964 Thursday NERVOUS DAY
Got wrecked in school today. First studied for American Lit. Then sat in class at lunch and studied shorthand. Got in big collision in the gym. Two girls ran into me and I got a bad head ache. Sandy drove me home. Spent so much money on the party… but Mommy’s worth it. Went shopping and bought food for the party. Then went to Bonnie’s and made potato salad, while Bon’s Mom made Mommy a cake. It said “Happy Birthday you old BAG”. Then there was a bag and it said 40 lbs.of health, wealth and happiness. Howard called. DARN!! I wasn’t home.
January 17, 1964 Friday Mommy’s Birthday, nervous night.
What a hectic day this was – couldn’t get the car so Mom had to drive me to school. Got out of gym to help Mrs. Ship. Mom picked up, me and Bonnie, in a loaner car. Went to Bon’s and started making food for the party. Was so nervous, couldn’t relax. House was a mess, everyone was mad. Mom didn’t come home until late. Carried food in car, home. Had an hour to hang balloons and lay food out. Grace was first to come. Than the Burke’s and Charlie Lewis. Then Mommie and Dad came home before all were there, which ruined the surprise. My cousin, John Huber came and I was ashamed to face him, because I never wrote him while he was in Camp Pendelton. Party was sort of quiet, broke up at 1:00 am. Mom was happy. Nana and Granddaddy cane and broke the ice.
As a Sophomore at Culver City High School, socializing was my number 1 priority. You’d think getting good grades and planing to go to College would be most the important. But no, the party always came first and having the right outfit!!!
Grace, Mom, Granddaddy, cousin John Huber, Jean Williams Nana and Dad
Wore SAFFRON colors. An orange and white skirt and blouse with orange sweater I got for Christmas. Went to Culver High with Lanny. Marilyn came by my house to get me, but I’d already left. Felt bad, because it made her late to school. School was pretty good today. Everyone was happy, but real tired. I was extra friendly with Edna today. Was in a good mood and felt real popular. Stayed after school in shorthand with Sandy and Sheila. Drove home with Sandy and Edna. Lauri came by and we went shopping at Crenshaw Center. Didn’t get anything. Thought about Mommy’s 40th Birthday on Friday. Guess I’ll get her the beads she wants. I’m sooooo happy, all my friends really like her and she seems like she likes them. Granddaddy ate over. Went to bed at 9:45.
Side note: It’s interesting how being popular and cute made me so happy, while feeling ugly and unpopular made me sad. I guess in High School, being cute and popular was very important for survival. I think It’s still like that in our culture. What do you think. What was it like for you in High School?
Being a California Girl in the 1960’s meant being tan, cute and popular. Not much else.
Sharrie Williams is the author of The Maybelline Story, be sure to visit her Maybelline Story Blog at http://www.maybellinebook.com/
Got up at 6 this morning after going to bed at 4. Got dressed. They blindfolded us and took us to the “Pancake House” for breakfast. We were starving after no food except cake last night. We were soooo tired we could hardly eat. Went home and went to bed until 2:00. Got up and tried to wash all the junk out of my hair, but it’s still ruined. My parents had some people over for a bar b que, Jill P., and Beverly and Joe came over later with Mary Jo. The whole Saffron initiation was terrible, sad, but wonderful. Now I’m a real SAFFRON!!! Sooooo happy. At last I really belong to something GREAT!!!!
Sharrie Williams is author of The Maybelline Story and the Spirited Family Dynasty Behind It. Visit her blog at www.maybellinebook.com
January 11, 1964, Saturday, TERRIBLE BUT WONDERFUL DAY
HELL NIGHT!!
Went to Vera Groom’s and worked in her backyard for two and a half hours (for torture.) But, was black tan when I came home. Then I cleaned our backyard! Uncle Charlie Lewis came over and helped me. We did it in an hour. Hell night was Hell. We had to wear 50 articles of clothes. We looked like the Fat Club. It was so funny. First they cut off our long nails, which was really upsetting. Then we sat in a big appliance box for an hour and a half in a dark room starving and couldn’t go to the bathroom. Then one by one we stripped down to a bathing suit, counting each article backwards while standing on one foot. Then the worst came. We went outside while they put cold liver down my blouse and made me sit in the dirt while they poured oil, syrup, glue, flour, corn and vinegar in my long hair. Then I had to eat horrible concoctions, like raw liver. I laid on a bench while they put a squid, a fish and and a live sand crab on me. I kept screaming. I had 5 minutes to wash it out. Ernie and Dave Kendal came over about 1:00 in the morning. At last we went in for the last thing. They chop you out, (embarrass you, and make you feel bad) by telling you, you didn’t make it. I started crying because they brought up Mayme (my grandmother who just died.) And, I was so tired and weak. We went in at last and got our diplomas. Was so happy, everyone kissed each other, then ate an orange and white Saffron cake. Went to bed at 4:00 am and everyone went right to sleep.
At last an official SAFFRON…..
Here are a few examples of what CHOPPING YOU OUT means. Also we’d say What a Chop…
Sharrie Williams is author of The Maybelline Story, visit her blog at www.maybellinebook.com
Lannie had to take me to school because Marilyn had to go to detention. Lannie lost the election for commission of publicity to Mark Clay. Today is the last day of pledging!!! Tomorrow night is “Hell Night.” Marilyn took me home. Then Lauri, Lannie and I went shopping at the One-Two-Three Shop and I got some $15.00 Capri’s. Lauri and I talked about Fred and Mike. Went up to Lauri’s and called (the guy she likes,) Mike. Pretended I was from Westchester High, calling my boyfriend Michael. He fell for it. Talked for 25 minutes. Said I was going steady. He said he was going with a girl named Lauri from Culver. Lauri couldn’t believe he said that and was sooooo happy. He was stoked on my voice. Went home to bed.
Shopping , talking on the phone to boys, hanging out with your friends and listening to the top hits like HE’S SO FINE…… Not much has changed today with teenage girls has it.
Sharrie Williams is the author of The Maybelline Story and the Spirited Family Dynasty Behind It. Be sure to visit her Maybelline Story Blog at http://www.maybellinebook.com/
Forgot to tell you, Ernie called me last night. Told me Howard was out of jail, but has to go to court. Almost late to school again. Didn’t finish my homework. Today was last day to wear same outfit. Tomorrow we wear Blue and White. Had to go in after school for help in shorthand again. Then had to take home Jr. High Bus. (God it was loud!) I’m not use to dumb kids. Surprisingly enough I didn’t think of any ugly boys. Came home and fell asleep at 7:00 pm. Granddaddy ate over. Did some some homework and went to bed at 10:00 pm.
Sharrie Williams is the author of The Maybelline Story and the Spirited Family Dynasty Behind It. View her Maybelline Story blog at http://www.maybellinebook.com/
Saffrons Rule 