When I was a kid, we used to have the Avon lady. She would come to our house every week. I LOVED it.
She had her catalogs, she had her plastic baggies of samples, (which makes her sound like a drug runner, but they were little packets of perfume/lotions, etc) and she
had her cute little folding case of lipstick. When it opened up, it was
filled with teeny tiny tubes in all shades of lipstick. When colors were
discontinued, she might pass couple onto me or my sisters.
It was seriously fun.
In the late 1970s, Avon came out with a collectible set. Made from
cranberry red glass, it contained wineglasses, decanters, dishes, and a
bell. There were other pieces too, but I only know the above, because
those are the ones my mother had. She bought several pieces from the
Avon lady. That Christmas, the one I remember, my aunt sent my mother
the bell from the Cranberry Red collection.
I remember that my mother really loved the Cranberry Red collection from Avon.
I also remember that I broke the bell.
A few times in my adult life, I have spent a little bit of time
searching for this bell. I've wanted for some time to give it to her,
maybe as a Christmas or birthday gift, not because it's expensive, and
not because it's fancy, just because – it's a memory. I haven't ever found it - I've found the glasses, the decanter, the plates - but no bell.
This weekend, I went to in antiques store with my oldest son. I went
there looking for Pyrex – I really would like to find a lot of Pyrex,
but I don't have much luck. My niece can find it every time she goes to a
thrift store, but I have never found any.
Of course, that there was no Pyrex to be found at this antiques store,
but I rounded the corner and ran smack into something I haven't seen for
close to 30 years...
That's right. I found the bell.
(When I bought it, I told the saleslady I didn't need a bag (I hate shopping bags and never take them if I can help it) - she was a bit taken aback, but my son, ever witty, said, "She's not gonna break it a second time.")
That's an awesome story! I wonder if any of my local avon ladies have this?
Posted by: Kyooty/Mary | February 11, 2013 at 09:44 PM
I know the feeling! Congratulations! You didn't just find a thing, you found a memory.
Posted by: lisa | February 11, 2013 at 09:50 PM
Yay!! How fun!!
Posted by: Mary Ostyn (Owlhaven) | February 11, 2013 at 09:50 PM
That bell looks so familiar. I wonder who in my family had one? Now I need to find out!!
Posted by: Jodie in MN | February 11, 2013 at 10:06 PM
Awesome sauce!
Posted by: Tara | February 11, 2013 at 10:24 PM
Annnnnnnnnd what did she say when you gave it to her?!?!??!
How awesome is that?!?!
Posted by: KG | February 11, 2013 at 11:14 PM
Great story and what can I say, it was meant to be found by you. By the way, your description of those Avon lipstick tubes brought back great memories!
Posted by: Maggie | February 11, 2013 at 11:19 PM
How PERFECT for Valentine's day!
Posted by: mbillock | February 12, 2013 at 07:04 AM
LOVE your son's retort! I'm sure she was very touched. Closure of the perfect sort!
Posted by: Cheryl | February 12, 2013 at 08:23 AM
That is so sweet!! I'm sure she will be delighted. I used to buy my mom the Spode Christmas pieces. Don't know where they are now, but I hope she has saved them!
Posted by: Soni | February 12, 2013 at 12:32 PM
That's a really great story! Love the bell! Glad you found that for her. Great share!!!
Posted by: Sydney Psychologists | February 13, 2013 at 08:09 PM
Amazing! And love the son's comment.
Posted by: addy | February 14, 2013 at 07:57 PM
Glass Bell !!
Posted by: facebook fans | February 22, 2013 at 01:45 AM
What a wonderful story! My aunt was an Avon lady, I remember those little lipsticks, too and hadn't thought about them in DECADES! :-D
Posted by: MamaBearJune | February 27, 2013 at 01:37 PM