"Yes, Headmistress" (part 12)

(Previous posts from this series):

part 1 part 2 part 3 part 4 part 5 part 6 part 7 part 8 part 9 part 10 part 11

Part 12

It was simply a different world, and I can't think of much we did not like. We had only recently become folded into the military, so there was a lot to learn. For instance,

https://www.flickr.com/photos/lwr/5014290292/

• if you purchase at the Commissary (groceries) or BX (department store), no tax is added
• if stationed overseas (for us, England) petrol coupons are issued and you can buy a certain amount of gas for U.S. prices
• if your husband's commander's wife wants you to do something, you will probably find yourself doing it
• if you are pregnant, you're not alone! there is always a baby boom in the Air Force
• if you want to go for a walk, you will find yourself holding an umbrella
• if you have a baby or toddler, you will never be without fast friends
• if you need a babysitter, look no further than Mrs. Gutierrez.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/emzee/180639714/

Mrs. Gutierrez was the 'nanny' of any number of American babies and toddlers. "Oh, you have to meet Mrs. Gutierrez! She is superb, and reasonably priced. No, she lives off base. But you won't mind the drive once you meet her. She specializes in babies and toddlers."

I don't really remember anyone there who was not potty training. In fact, whenever you stepped through the door you would see vast numbers of babies sitting on pots. We found this surprising. Many of the babies weren't even a year old yet, but there they were, sitting, patiently waiting for the inevitable. Our daughter was whipped onto a pot just moments after we dropped her off, so I never really dealt with training. It was hilarious! You gotta love Mrs. Gutierrez. We never did see Mr. Gutierrez, although we had heard he existed. Perhaps he had been sent to his room.

She was a British Hispanic lady who had lived in dedication to American babies for decades, and they came in their droves. Hers wasn't really a day care center, it was just a comfy home with lots of little potties waiting in anticipation. Scrupulously clean. In the living room. 

"Is she trained?" was her first question when we walked in that first time. 

"Trained for what?" we asked.

"Oh, the potty, the potty, of course. " 

"But she's only 10 months old!" we sputtered. 

"No matter. She will learn. I will teach her!

And of course, she did. Nothing, apparently, is impossible.

We loved Mrs. Gutierrez. She was kind. She was funny! She was all part of the England experience we came to love. 

The SconeLady and her husband will venture down that street again, soon. We will drive by Mrs. Gutierrez' red brick home, hoping for a sign of two white haired Gutierrezes, perhaps sitting out on the patio of an evening. They would be in their 80's by now. Still ready for customers. Still asking, "Is she trained?"

They don't make them quite like that anymore.

See you along the way!

the SconeLady

photo credit: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/lwr/5014290292/">Leo Reynolds</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/">cc</a>

photo credit: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/emzee/180639714/">Micky**</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/">cc</a>