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The Good Ole Days!

7/30/2014

9 Comments

 
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Nearly 50 years ago, I lived in the back of this store. My parents were the hard working owners of Sauly's Grocery & Market. They worked from six in the morning until eleven at night. It was the only store in the area that had a fresh meat market. The store was more of a small grocery store with convenience, instead of just a convenience store. They carried milk, bread, cereal and vegetables, in addition to cigarettes, cold drinks and candy. In the back of the meat market there was a swinging door that led to our kitchen. Our home consisted of a large room that was our kitchen, living room and my parents bedroom. Then there was a small hallway that led to a bathroom and our bedroom. My sister and I shared a room and it had a little alcove, about the size of some walk in closets. The alcove was my baby brother's room. It was big enough for his baby bed and that was it. The window behind my bed opened into a small enclosed area that stored empty coke bottles and milk bottles. The door to that room was in the back of the store.  

I am sure that by today's rules and regulations, that we would have never been allowed to live in the back of the store. In many ways, this was a much simpler time. I was the oldest child and I was almost 5 years old. It was my responsibility to watch out for my little sister and my little brother. My sister was about 2 and my brother was almost 1. My parents were just on the other side of that swinging door. I do not really remember going out into the store very often. We did have babysitters in the evening hours. They made sure that we had food to eat and helped with diaper changes, but they were usually in school during the day.

 Did we get into a little bit of mischief? Perhaps! I can remember one time that my little brother painted our coffee table with his poop and he used my toothbrush for his paintbrush! My mom threw away the table and the toothbrush. I did get a new toothbrush, but we did not get a new table. I can remember getting in trouble for sitting in the parking lot. I was not in trouble because I could have gotten run over, but because I was sitting in a puddle of oil from someone's car. I know that the walls of our bedroom held a lot of art work done in crayon. No paper, just bare walls that we had colored on!

As their business grew, they hired more people to work in the store and mom got to stay with us more. It was only a few years until they bought a house. It was a nice, new, three bedroom brick house with two and a half bathrooms and a two car garage. It was a big change from our meager living quarters in the back of the store. My parent's hard work paid off and we survived an awesome adventure of living in the back of the store.

What adventures did you have as a child that would not be tolerated today?





9 Comments
Vishal Bheeroo
7/30/2014 01:21:35 am

You have priceless memories of seeing your parents' business grow. As they say, patience leads to success. Glad to read this beautiful piece.

http://vishal-newkidontheblock.blogspot.com/2014/07/an-orkut-love-story-chapter-30.html

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Cindy Ackley link
7/30/2014 01:54:13 am

Thank you, Vishal! I do have many priceless memories of their hard work and dedication to not only their business but to raising the 3 of us. It is nice to be able to share these stories. Have a beautiful day!

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Dorit Sasson link
7/30/2014 01:28:06 am

It's so important to give voice to family stories as you have done which gives us a sense of identity and who we are in the moment. Otherwise these stories get lost.
Keep on writing!
Dorit Sasson
Giving a Voice to Your Story
www.GivingaVoicetotheVoicelessBook.com

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Cindy Ackley link
7/30/2014 01:57:46 am

Thank you, Dorit! I agree that family stories are worth preserving and sharing. And thank you for the encouragement to continue writing. May your day be filled with the beauty of the written word.

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Donna Ward link
7/30/2014 02:20:13 am

This is a wonderful example of the saying ~ Blogging is the new poetry of our time! Loved your family story - and your own story of survival - Big hugs :)

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Cindy Ackley link
7/30/2014 02:42:30 am

Thank you, Donna! I have not ever heard that saying, but I love it! I have so enjoyed learning to share stories by blogging. It has been a very rewarding experience. I have learned so much from people like you that teach us the ins and out of blogging. I have made so many new friends and we have shared so much of ourselves through this challenge. I hope that we all will continue our sharing even after the challenge is done. May you have a wonderful day and I will be reading your blog forever!

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Alana link
7/30/2014 11:36:26 am

Wonderful story. My father's father owned a candy store in Brooklyn and he grew up in a somewhat similar way although it wasn't the back of the shop (as far as I know). When I was growing up, my parents patronized a "hand laundry" whose owners/family lived in the back, separated from the storefront by only a curtain. When it was hot the curtain was pulled back and you could see right in there.

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Cindy Ackley link
7/30/2014 12:09:01 pm

Thank you, Alana! Don't you just love the good ole days, back when these things were allowed. Now that would be a building code violation or health code violation. I have great memories of those days ( most of them)! Did I tell you that my grandparents were from Rochester? I am so happy that you stopped by! I love hearing from you, my friend! Have a beautiful week!

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Kelly Olson link
1/6/2021 10:54:34 pm

Lovelly blog you have

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    Hi! My name is Cindy Ackley. I have created this blog about enjoying the beauty of life and being as healthy and happy as we can be. I am a lung cancer survivor and I have discovered that beauty is everywhere. It is seen in nature and it is felt with our laughter. The beauty of life can be enjoyed with our healthy choices. I love helping people see the beauty.

    I also had gained close to 40 lbs. with my chemo treatments. I sure did not feel  very beautiful or healthy. I discovered Skinny Fiber and have since lost about 51 lbs. I feel amazing. I learned to eat healthier and to drink water instead of Diet Pepsi!

    I want to share everything that I have learned on my journey with you.

    If you are struggling with weight issues, please join me at my free weight loss group @ http://www.facebook.com/groups/positivelyskinnyandhealthy



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