Babysitting

While we lived in California, I earned money babysitting.  The going rate was 50 cents an hour and 75 cents after midnight.  In 1962, I made $133.10.  In 1963, I earned $145.95.  There were about four or five families that I babysat for on a regular basis, along with other families that I watched their kids a time or two.  Now you probably want to know how I spent my hard-earned money.  I bought make up (mascara, eye liner, lipstick); purses; jewelry; nail polish; clothes; shoes; stockings; cologne; stationary and fountain pens; crossword puzzle books; and pillowcases and dresser scarves to embroider (one with Viking ships and another with leaves), which I still have.  I also went to the movies.

The kids in one of the families that I watched loved popcorn.  We didn't have those electric popcorn poppers, and we sure didn't have microwave popcorn.  I would pour oil in a tall pot, add popcorn. and put the lid on the pot.  I would slowly move the pot around on the burner so that oil and popcorn wouldn't burn.  When I heard the first kernel pop I moved the pot a little faster.  I kept this up until I didn't hear anymore popping.  I then poured the popcorn into a big bowl and added salt.  The kids and I would then watch TV while eating the popcorn. 

Sometimes when I was babysitting, I would be watching a really good movie on TV when the parents came home.  The dad would pay me and drive me home.  As soon as I walked in the door of our house, I would quickly and quietly turn on the TV and watch the rest of the movie.

 Here is a photo of me when I was 16.  Click on the photo to see my cool "cat eye" glasses better.