This week, I went over for a visit at my mom’s house.
I was searching for something specific from my childhood, and instead, I came home with a Brownie sash.
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| Oh, the memories that flooded my mind seeing this one simple sash |
Isn’t it funny how you can be so focused on one thing, and then a million other memories come flooding into your mind the moment you touch something familiar?
This little Brownie sash was a big deal in my childhood.
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| We found other badges, but I didn't think about it at the time and didn't bring them home |
I remembered a photo of me walking across the bridge, saying the Girl Scout pledge, and earning that sash (if we come across it, I will share it here). I can still picture the first three fingers of my right hand held together as I said that pledge, feeling so proud to be a member.
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| Source: Back In Time Today, same uniform I remembering wearing |
This is exactly as I remember my Brownie uniform looking, I also had the brownie pin. Maybe the sash did not have other badges on the front, only the troop you belonged to? I cannot remember now.
Debbie was my troop leader back then. She had a daughter in the troop who was also in my class.
Her mom would drop her off at our house every morning before school because she had to get to work at Kroger. My mom would then take both of us to school.
Gosh, that feels like a lifetime ago. My sister was just an infant then — tiny, new, and completely unaware of the life around her.
Speaking of life, I also remember the time Debbie’s daughter gave us headlice. My mom was not thrilled, especially because my baby sister couldn’t have the shampoo put in her hair.
My best friend and I were in the same Brownie troop, and we attended weekly meetings at Debbie’s house. We weren’t troublemakers — not really — but we did get in trouble nearly every week.
All we had to do was look at each other, and we’d crack up for the entire hour. Debbie would get so frustrated and ask if we had anything we wanted to share with the troop.
Of course we didn’t. We were laughing at absolutely nothing. We just couldn’t contain the giggles.
Eventually, Debbie and her daughter moved away, leaving a void in our troop.
My mom stepped in as the new leader. Funny enough, I don’t remember laughing nearly as much after that. Mom kept us busy with crafts and field trips instead.
One of my favorite memories is her going to local carpet stores asking for donated carpet samples. We ended up stenciling “Home Is Where the Heart Is” on them and turning them into doormats for our Mother’s Day gifts.
Mom had that stenciled doormat at our backdoor for many years. I even remember when we got a puppy — he’d curl up on that doormat and sleep for hours. He was only five weeks old, much too young to be away from his mother, but we didn’t know then what we know now.
My sister would complain, “Can we send him back for another one? All he does is sleep!” That dog was with us for eleven years. Even through cancer, he was always making sure he was coddling us. I miss him to this day — all 152 pounds of him.
We also participated in the local parade.
The entire family got involved. My dad found an antique mantel, added faux brick, laid carpet on the float, set up a rocking chair, and created a whole cozy scene.
My mom played Mrs. Claus, and we troop members gathered around her while she pretended to read ’Twas the Night Before Christmas. We waved as we drove by.
I remember being so proud of that float — the streamers, the decorations, the whole vibe. It was quite the production for its time.
Oh, the 80s were so much fun in Brownies.
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| I remember these two badges being my favorites because I loved seals |
We even went horseback riding as a troop.
We saved our money, and every single one of us got to go. I remember not being able to get my horse to follow directions. They told me to slap it with the riding crop, but I refused to hurt the horse. So I slapped my own leg instead. That one smarted. I still remember the sting.
We sold Girl Scout cookies the old‑fashioned way — door to door. I think they were around $2.00 a box then. A far cry from what my husband pays now when they sell them at his work.
Eventually, I graduated from Brownies to Girl Scouts and received my green vest. I have no idea where that vest is now. Mom wants us to come home and go through our treasures, so maybe it’ll turn up.
I also remember having a chores list to earn a badge I desperately wanted.
There were daily, weekly, and monthly chores, and my mom had to check each one off. Making my bed every day was one of them. I remember thinking, Why do I have to do this every day? I’m just going to unmake it again tonight.
I wish I could say that habit carried into adulthood, but… it didn’t. Making my bed daily is not at the top of my priority list.
Cleaning up dog poo was another chore. I hated it, but I did it for that badge. At least our yellow lab always went in the same spot. I wish I were that lucky now. At least I have a pooper scooper these days.
Doing dishes was also on the list, and that one stuck. One of my biggest pet peeves is seeing dishes in the sink. Girl Scouts must have rubbed off on me there — I make sure they’re done every evening right after dinner.
As for the sash itself, the front has the bare minimum of badges, but the back is filled. This gal didn’t want the front cluttered. Sounds like me, doesn’t it? I needed that nice, clean front.
We made ruler holders, magnets for the fridge, and we even went on a train ride in Nelsonville, Ohio.
I remember the wind rustling my hair — it was all over the place. The ride isn’t long; I’ve gone as an adult, but I have to say, even now, I enjoy it.
Adult me even rode in the open‑air cart. Your hair may be a mess when you’re finished, but it is so much fun letting go and being in the moment.
The fall foliage train ride is the best — all those colors. Real life here: I wasn’t nearly as excited about leaves changing as a kid as I am now, but I had a blast riding on a real train.
Some of you may recall that my grandpa and I always played with his trains. I loved when he’d let me hit the choo‑choo button. I even had a striped cap I would wear.
Getting some tomboy vibes here? Oh yes, I was all about it — as long as I didn’t get my clothes dirty. That was where I drew the line.
I also came across my Girl Scout card. I don’t actually remember the card, but that sash… it brought back so many memories.
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| Guess I didn't sign the back |
I hope you enjoyed taking this little trip down memory lane with me.
If this is something you’d like more of, please let me know. I have a lot of things to clear out from Mom’s house, and I’m sure a million more memories will come with them.
Life has been heavy lately, and maybe we could all use a little transport back when life was simple. Let me know, and I’ll keep them rolling. See you later, my friend.
