Clothes

As a teenager, Joanne was ALLLL about name brands. For every one outfit Joanne would buy, I would buy three. I was never into brand names (and I am still not).

Her favourite brands back in the 80's were, in no particular order:

Laura Ashley
Esprit
Polo/Ralph Lauren (you know, the "alligator shirts")
Le Chateau

You get the point. She was no "Woolco" girl.

Because she had so few outfits, she would often run out of clean clothes. So, what did my darling sister do?...she raided MY cheapo closet.

It just so happened that one day, she scored LARGE in my closet. I had just boughe a beautiful pastel checked skirt with a matching blouse...shut up people, it was the 80's!! Anyway, it was no brand name number, but I really liked it and, by my standards, it wasn't cheap. I had honestly worn it ONE TIME.

I was at work. I had no idea that she was raiding my closet...until the next day.

For whatever reason, Joanne decided to wash my brand new outfit after she wore it. When I got home, I went looking for my new outfit because I was going out for dinner with some friends. It wasn't in my closet. I knew immediately that Joanne had taken it, so I called...err...maybe I screeched at the top of my lungs...her. She came upstairs all innocent-like and asked me what I wanted. I DEMANDED to know where my new outfit was.

"Oh...I needed something to wear yesterday, and I figured you wouldn't care, but I washed it already...it's in the dryer...I'll iron it for you."(sweet little innocent one)

I remember screaming some profanity at her and went to get the outfit myself.

Imagine my horror when I opened the dryer to find red streaks everywhere...all over the outfit, all over the dryer, all over everything.

Long story short...she accidentally left red lipstick in the pocket of my brand new skirt. The dryer melted it onto everything. The outfit was ruined. I was devastated.

I LOST IT.

Joanne said she would replace it (damned straight she would!!!) but when we went to the store that weekend, the outfit was gone. There was no replacement. She ended up paying me back for it, but I never let her live that down. I must admit, I think she felt really bad, but...until she got married and moved out, she continued to raid my closet (and Mom's too!) To this day, Mom and I have clothes that we never ever found.

Oh Joanne....LOL.