Good Things Happen in Threes?

Dearest Tina,

Let's change that old expression into a positive one, shall we?

Let's also count our blessings. All is well with Francine and she and Jack will be touring the Betty Crocker kitchens in November (remember, sssh!).

Now I hear that Lou's darling niece, Helen, will be working at Bonwit Teller (in Lou's hometown, Chicago). Helen has dreamed of working at the Michigan Avenue store since she was a little girl when Uncle Lou would take her there for her annual shopping spree!

"Do not let her get away," Store Manager, Mr. Davenport warmly advised Personnel Secretary, Miss Eunice after Helen left her interview to sit in the office and fill in additional paperwork. She was hired within minutes!

Helen began her training in both the junior's and women's departments. She told Lou that Miss Eunice said Mr. Davenport has already commented on how poised and professional she appeared to be on the sales floor and that he remarked that he has "high hopes for this young lady."

So, now that good news happens in threes, what's next? Do let me know if you have any good cheer to share!

Yours truly,
Vicki

All is Well

No need to worry. All is well with Francine. Yes, the sisters at St. Luke's and Dr. Robert Chisholm took fabulous care of our gal. Nothing was broken, just a little bruised. Nothing that a little ice pack and a gin and tonic couldn't cure! And yes, she was back at work the next day.

Francine knew she would get quite a bit of teasing from the girls. She is, after all, know as being on the excessive end of safety-conscious, okay to the extreme. All the girls said, "Mrs. Maxwell, the very first thing you taught us in Home Economics I is to turn the handle of a pot or pan into the middle of the stovetop!" (And she left her's dangling out on the edge of the right-front burner!) The girl's teased lovingly because they adore her so.

Apparently while demonstrating a technique, Francine swept lightly by the stove, and the cast iron-skillet's handle caught onto her apron's pocket and got knocked off the stove and landed on Francine's right foot. That's how it all happened.

Enough of that story. Even though all the teasing was in love, Francine is a little "sore" about what happened because after all, she is a perfectionist, and wanted everything to run smoothly during her first year back at Washington Heights. Remember how nervous she was prior to her return?

Let's all put this behind us and carry on. Do me a favor, and do not bring this incident up when you see Francine at the bridge tournament next weekend. Let us just focus on the positive whilst there.

For example, did you know that Jack is treating Francine to a tour of the Betty Crocker kitchens in Minneapolis next month? Yes, for Thanksgiving break, Francine and Jack are traveling to Minnesota. First they'll visit Francine's Aunt Marie, who lives nearby (they'll be celebrating Thanksgiving there), then the kitchens.

Jack has arranged a special tour for Francine. Sssh. She does not know. Normally, around the holidays, the kitchens are closed, but Jack (his firm represents General Mills) managed to set up the tour.

He also requested the ktchen manager to invite the Home Economics teachers from the local high school area to attend, so that Francine would not feel lonely or odd on the tour. It would be much more fun to share the experience with a group of gals who have the passion and excitement for cooking and baking and organizing and cleaning, just like Francine. And who knows Francine better than Jack (well and little old me). Isn't Jack thoughtful?

Girls, thank you so much for your concern. You are all such special ladies. What would one do without friends? I remember a quote another dear friend once said to me, "Friends are the family you choose for yourself."

Take Care, Francine

Dearest Lois and Evelyn,

Oh, dear! Just heard from Vicki. Francine dropped a cast iron skillet on her foot during Home Ec class today! Smart girl that she is, she knew exactly what to do (first-aid wise). Jack was contacted by the principal's secretary and he FLEW over to Washington Heights. She was taken to St. Luke's in the afternoon.

I have not had an update, as of yet, but I do hope she is on the road to recovery and stays off her feet. Knowing Francine, however, once she left the hospital, she probably wanted to rush back to school to work on her lesson plans and get the kitchens set up for the next day.

Do call me if you hear from Vicki.

Yours truly,

Tina

Back-to-School Buzz

Dear Lois,

Saw Vicki at the Y. She was just exiting the steam room. We had a chat, and yes, talked about Francine.

Tomorrow is Francine's first Back-to-School Night and our gal is a little bit nervous. Of course she wants everything to go smooth as silk.

Vicki reported Francine stayed in her kitchens until 6 PM tonight organizing her pantry and setting out ingredients for the kids to make her famous coffee cake to serve to the parents.

Tomorrow morning, she's heading out to the flower mart (yes, in DOWNTOWN) to pick up fresh-cut flowers for her floral arranging unit in Home Ec IV. Their arrangements will adorn the auditorium stage for the PTA meeting and each table in her classroom will feature a student's arrangement. I can't wait to pop in her room to see what's she's done. She's really going all out. I can't wait to see what she'll wear!

Washington Heights is so fortunate to have our favorite home economics teacher back on their illustrious staff.

Take care,
Evelyn

Back to School Dos & Don'ts

Francine, we are almost at the month anniversary marker, so can we laugh about the don'ts yet?
Sure hope we can, doll. If we "don't" have a sense of humor in our occupations, we will not last for very long, my longtime and very dear gal pal!
Do's:
1. Arrive on time, early for that matter. This gives us plenty of time to get our coffee in the teacher's lounge, have a nice chat, and stroll to our classrooms in a leisurely manner and look forward to our fruitful day ahead.

2. Accessorize smartly. Jewelry, such as bangles, are a no-no. They get in the way of our typing, writings notes and signing passes, and all the wonderful duties of a home economics teacher.

3. Set the tone at the very beginning of the school year. First, firm, fair, and then friendly.

4. Friday Get-togethers. The end of the week is a joyous time. Why not celebrate two "Jobs Well Done" by a visit to the local sewing/arts & crafts store and a coffee shop afterwards!

5. Menu plan. Wake up a wee bit later on Saturday (Sleeping in for us now means 7 AM). Get out your favorite cookbooks and steno pad, and plan your menus for the school week. Make your grocery list, shop early (market, butchers, pharmacy) because Jack will be home from golf around 2 PM.

Don'ts

1. Wear anything colored cream. Oh, my dear Francine. The wool blend suit was gorgeous indeed. But after first period, you knew your dry cleaning bills were going to skyrocket after going back to the classroom. Navy blue, burgundy, forest green, chocolate brown, are perhaps better color choices.

2. Put off for tomorrow what can be done today. Francine, take advantage of your preparation period. Leave your nights and weekends free to fuss over and pamper Jack. He won't tell you he feels neglected, but the dig about the tuna casserole speaks volumes.

3. Make the tuna casserole again for quite a long time (See #2).

Cocktails Poolside (Before Back to Work)

Vicki, dear, I am sorry that we were cut off on the telephone earlier today. I imagine that one of the bellhops brought you a phone poolside because you probably had a long distance phone call from Lou. Is he still in the midwest? The poor fellow must be dying from the oppressive humidity.

I am trying to relax. I just visited your place in the desert (virtually.) It looks like a very luxurious and relaxing spot. I hope you and the gals are getting a lot of fresh air and rest. I know that you will be refreshed and ready to run your annual "Business Workshop" for those lucky devils at "our" school, (my new school), Washington Heights High next week.

Jack has promised me a dinner and dance at the club on Saturday night. I am just finishing up a new dress that I started last month. I have got to get up to speed with my sewing now that I am going back into the classroom. I truly can't wait.

I do think also that Jack is going to appreciate me just a tad bit more when he finds that I am not home every minute of the day and so available.

Well, doll, think about me during your next cocktail poolside, Yours truly, Francine