I’ve been wearing the same dress for a week

Posted on August 14, 2013 by saffronsrule

January 8, 1964 Wednesday, OK Day.

Had a big fight with Mommy in the morning. Elective Assembly today. Fell down and skinned my hands playing Basket Ball in the gym. Had to go in after school for help in shorthand. Mommy picked my sister Donna and me up after school. We went shopping. Mom bought herself a purple skirt and sweater to wear on her 40^th Birthday. Came home. I guess I’m going to have “Hell Night” at my house. Mommy and I are talking again. Can’t wait until Saturday. I’ve been wearing the same dress all week for pledging. Didn’t think of any ugly boys today. At least not very much. Ha Ha! Donna and Alice Pollesco came over to learn cheers. Took Alice home. Stopped at Jack’s Market and talked to Paul Mally and Chris Johnston. Bought gas, (25 cents a gallon.) Talked to Tom Davis. Got home and fell on my face in the driveway.

Pledging for Saffrons, a week of torture followed by “Hell Night” initiation torture.

Sharrie Williams is the author of The Maybelline Story and the Spirited Family Dynasty Behind It. Visit her blog at http://www.maybellinebook.com/

Posted in diary, memoir | Tagged Culver City, diary, Hell Night, Maybelline, Sharrie Williams, Southern California, teenagers, west side | Leave a comment

Fosters Freeze in Culver City was Saffron’s favorite hangout

Posted on August 13, 2013 by saffronsrule

January 7, 1964

Ordinary day, kind of sad. Late to school because Mommy had to drive me, but I snuck into class. Felt hopeless today, I think I’m going to flunk History. I can’t think or do my work. Mr. Loomer picked on me again for not paying attention, told me I had big eyes. Supposed to go in after school for help in shorthand, but didn’t go. Felt so ugly and unpopular today. I’m so glad pledge-week is almost over. Hell Night is this Saturday. Then I’ll finally be a real SAFFRON. Now all I want in Howard! I know I’d be happy then. Went to Fosters after school. Talked to Lauri about what we’re going to name our kids…Howard Gertz Jr., or William Gertz, (Billy.) I’m not sure about the girl. Maybe Linda. My Father was a real “BUG.” Didn’t want me to go to my Saffron meeting. Told Saffron’s I’d have “HELL NIGHT” at my house. Then Mom said NO!!!

After 50 years Fosters is still at 13300 W Washington Blvd Culver City, CA 90066

You can bet we were listening to Kathy Young sing A Thousand Stars in the Sky on the radio and talking about boys….

Be sure to visit author, Sharrie Williams, Maybelline Story Blog at http://www.maybellinebook.com/

Posted in diary, memoir | Tagged Beach, Culver City California, Kathy Young, Los Angeles, Saffrons Rule, Southern California, teenagers | Leave a comment

Told my history teacher I lost my term paper in the Baldwin Hills Flood!!!

Posted on August 10, 2013 by saffronsrule

January 6, 1964

I really started the year off wrong! Was late to school on the first day back. Told my history teacher I lost my term paper in the Baldwin Hills Flood. He’s giving me two weeks to do it. Told him I’d have my book report tomorrow. ( Haven’t even read a book.) I told everyone Howard was in jail. Was glad to be back in school. Can’t understand why Vicki is being so friendly. Guess it’s because everyone hates her and she’s trying to tag around with someone. Crossed out all Howard’s names I wrote. I wish Fred would call. I don’t think I like anyone special right now. I’m just so mixed up…I’m doing terrible in school and I’m just not happy with my life. Working on Daddy for a phone, record player, and a bulletin board. Went with Lauri to Carol’s so Dave could help us with our book reports. He never came home. All we did was talk about how terrible boy are and sex.

Side note: After losing my grandmother the year before and the overall sadness of Kennedy’s death all around me… I was lost in a sea of grief…hoping the perfect boyfriend would solve all my problems.

Sharrie Williams is a direct descendant of the Maybelline Family and the author of The Maybelline Story and the Spirited Family Dynasty Behind It. Visit her Maybelline Story Blog at http://www.maybellinebook.com/ Read Sharrie Williams interview in Viva Glam Magazine

Posted in diary | Tagged 1964, Baldwin Hills FLood, California, Culver City, Maybelline, Sharrie Williams, Student, Term paper | Leave a comment

“Fred is such a sex fiend, but I like him because he puts me in my place”

Posted on August 9, 2013 by saffronsrule

January 5, 1964

When I finally got to sleep at Lauri’s, I dreamed I went to the prom with Fred. Marty came over to see Lauri and when they were in the other room, I spelled out HOWARD, FRED, MIKE. LAURI AND SHARRIE with hairpins. They came in to look…I talked to Mark Ditchner and pretended I was some girl named Lenore who likes him…He loved my sexy voice…Marty took us to his uncle’s house. He was deaf, and we stayed a long time. We went to Andy’s and bought submarine sandwiches . I kept telling Marty he talked like Ernie. He got mad because I kept talking about Ernie Ernie Ernie. We went to some girl’s house and talked about Mike and what a sex fiend Fred is. Went home. Lauri drove to White Front’s and I swiped two records and a can of hair spray. Ernie called out of the clear blue sky and told me Howard was in jail for breaking into a car and stealing records. Wish Fred would call. I really miss him now. School starts tomorrow… I’m so afraid…I don’t have my book report or term paper!!! I think I like Fred, because he puts me in my place. I think he hates me now.

He’s A Rebel – The Crystals click on to listen.

Sharrie Williams is the author of The Maybelline Story and the Spirited Family Dynasty Behind It. Please view her Maybelline Story Blog at www.maybellinebook.com

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged California, Culver City, diary, Hollywood, LA, Maybelline, Maybelline Story, Sharrie Williams, White Front | Leave a comment

Even the Baldwin Hills Flood Couldn’t Stop Me From Moving Like A Shark

Posted on August 8, 2013 by saffronsrule

January 4, 1964

THREE WEEKS AFTER THE FLOOD ( AT THE BOTTOM OF OUR BLAIR HILLS,)

on Saturday… I fell out of bed at 12:50 pm. Went over to Lauri’s at 2:30. Tried to think of a scheme to see Mike. Finally I thought of a way! We Drove to his house to see if he picked up my school book by mistake. Walked into his room, he was in bed. We talked to his grandmother abut getting female trouble from walking barefoot. We went home and then went to Woody’s and bought dinner. Went to the store and talked to a boy about Dorsey Kids. Called Fred, I was going to hang him up like he did me, by saying I dialed the wrong number. (He wasn’t home.) He hasn’t called and was cold last night. I haven’t thought of Howard as much. Slept at Lauri’s, didn’t get much sleep because her cat slept with us.

Woody’s Smorgasburger, was on Sepulveda just South of LAX in the 60’s.

Baldwin Hills Dam Disaster and Flood 1963

On December 14th 1963 in the hills above Los Angeles, the Baldwin Hills Reservoir suddenly cracked and eventually failed flooding the neighborhood below. Several people died and many homes were destroyed. Those of us who were there were already shaken by the death of John Kennedy only three weeks earlier. The reservoir’s floodwaters literally washed in the turbulent times that lay ahead.

Sharrie Williams is the author of The Maybelline Story, visit her Maybelline Story Blog at http://www.maybellinebook.com/

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged California, Culver City, diary, Maybelline, Saffrons Rule, Sharrie Williams, Woody's Smorgsburger | Leave a comment

Just like in 1964, Tito’s Tacos, still has the best chips in Culver City.

Posted on August 7, 2013 by saffronsrule

Jan 3 Friday

Lauri and I went to Dorsey High School and snuck into class with Fred and Mike. We even went into the gym and watched the boys swim. Told the teachers different stories. Said we were cousins from San Francisco and one teacher made us get in front of the class and tell about our school. We had to stay in the “head” one period. Fred was cold by the end of he day, because I didn’t pay any attention to him. Went to Pepy’s Coffee Shop after school for hot fudge sundae’s. Tonight Lauri and I went to Marty’s party, (everyone was Jewish.) Fred got kicked out. I left with Jackie and Pearl. Went to drunken party at Terry Cerrio’s house. Some boy tried to pick up on me at Tito’s Tacos. Wouldn’t tell him my phone number.

Tito’s Tacos – Mexican Food | 11222 Washington Place

| Culver City | Los Angeles’ Favourite Taco Restaurant | California

Sharrie Williams is the author of The Maybelline Story and the Spirited Family Dynasty Behind It. Visit the Maybelline Story Blog at www.maybellinebook.com.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged California, Culver City, Los Angeles Times, Saffrons Rule, Taco | Leave a comment

Six weeks after Kennedy’s Assassination… I’m clueless

Posted on August 6, 2013 by saffronsrule

Jan 2, Thursday

Sheila woke me up at 10:30. Said she’d come over tomorrow to do homework. Had a big fight with Mommy because the house was a mess. She left…..So I left the house Reeeeel fast. Lauri and I went out to lunch at Truman’s, then we swiped 25 records, then, went to Helen’s house to talk to Schwatzy. We left and picked up Lauri’s little brother. Went home, ate dinner and went and bought you, MY DIARY…..My New Years resolution is to forget Howard, (how can I.) I had my pictures taken. Fred called…guess I’m going out with him Friday, even though he’s an ANIMAL like Howard….. But he’s fun.

Truman’s Restaruant, Westwood Blvd at Wilshire Blvd Los Angeles CA

Sharrie Williams is author of The Maybelline Story and the Spirited Family Dynasty Behind It.

Be sure to visit author, Sharrie Williams, Maybelline Story Blog, at www.maybellinebook.com

Sharrie Williams Interview with Officially Plugged In.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Assassination of John F. Kennedy, John F Kennedy, Maybelline, New Year, Sharrie Williams | Leave a comment

Day 1, of my 1964 Diary – Five weeks after President Kennedy was Assassinated

Posted on August 5, 2013 by saffronsrule

January 1, 1964, Wednesday

Today was a mess. My 8 year old sister Billee woke me up to watch the Rose Parade. I had the most horrible New Years Ever…..I had to stay home with my 3 and a half year old brother Preston, while Mommy and Daddy were in Palm Springs. I got drunk and than went to bed. Nana came over today and stayed a long time. I couldn’t get dressed until 3:00. Mom and Dad came home at 10:00 pm. As soon as they came home, we all started screaming at each other because my 14 year old sister Donna, got drunk at my 14 year old cousin Chuck’s, house and they both got sick. Now everybody is mad. I wish they didn’t come home. It was wonderful being alone.