On Saturday, September 8, 1951 I was born. I was born in Tillamook, Oregon and lived there until I was 16. That’s when I ran away from home. I ended up in Salem, Oregon that same day and eventually ended up in San Diego, California.
I finished my high school education and did the usual babysitting and waitress jobs like most girls did. My life has been filled with many adventures that continue to this day. I’m happy to be alive. Here’s some stuff that happened in 1951.
1951 Unemployment dipped to 3.3% in the US and new roads were built to take the ever increasing numbers of cars including the New Jersey Turnpike. Children were given more than any other time in previous history with guitar lessons and sets of Encyclopedias to improve their minds.
The average family income was $3,500 per year and people had money to spend so cars became more luxurious and had more powerful engines with options for two tone paint, during this time things like turn signals were still an extra and most drivers still used hand signals to tell other drivers which way they were turning.
Television continued to grow with popular programs like, “I Love Lucy” and the first tests for Color Television Pictures were broadcast from Empire State Building on June 25th . Europe continued to export many cars to the US including Volkswagen’s and Austin’s. Source: The People History
Prices in 1951:
House: $16,000
Average income: $3,515
Ford car: $1424-$2253
8.3 cu. ft. General Electric refrigerator: $330
Milk: $.92
Gas: $.20
Bread $.16
Postage stamp: $.03
1 lb. of buttered peanut brittle: $.25
14 oz. can of Hershey’s Syrup: $.17
Sliced Bacon: $.63 per lb
Coca Cola, 6 bottles: $.37
Canada Dry Ginger Ale, (2) 28 oz btls: $.39
Post Sugar Crisp, 6 oz pkg: $.15
Jerry Mahoney Ventriloquist dummy: $14.95 Source: Fifties Web
So grab a piece of cake and let’s celebrate my 64th birthday. Also, thank you Paul and Mary Lou of Mr. Cruiser’s Notes for the wonderful birthday card you sent. You’re great friends.
Image Credit: Click on Image
♪♪Happy Birthday to you,♪♪
♪♪Happy Birthday to you,♪♪
♪♪Happy Birthday Dear Sandee,♪♪
♪♪Happy Birthday to you.♪♪
Happy Birthday, sweet gal. I know Zane will do everything in his power to make it perfect for you! big hugs xoxo
He's doing just that Barb. I'm a lucky gal just like you are. 🙂
Happy Birthday Sandee. I hope you have an awesome day from beginning to end. Gibbs is sending puppy kisses for a wooftastic birthday too
Tell Gibbs I loved all the puppy kisses. 🙂
Wishing you many happy returns of the day, Sandee!
Thank you my sweet friend. 🙂
Happy Birthday! May the best years be yet to come.
Here's an interesting fact about the highways built in the 50s. Many of them have sections that were purposely built to be landing strips for airplanes in case of another war.
Thanks Jean, I hope you're right about the best years be yet to come.
I didn't know that about the highways. Makes sense though. 🙂
Happy Birthday Sandee. I had no idea you ran away when you were younger. Glad it seemed to have worked out for you.
I'm still alive because I left. It's a long story. 🙂
Well a very Happy Birthday to you Sandee. All the kitties here send you lots of paw hugs. Mom sends a big hug too. We just know you will have a great day doing lots of fun things and eat lots of cake. Take care.
I'm loving all the hugs. Thank you. 🙂
Happy Happy Birthday to youuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!!! You are the same age as my sister, and one year younger than my husband!!!!!! You are one special lady and I wish that all the happiness you give to others is returned to you a ZILLION TIMES! You are the BEST!!! xoxoxo Love always from all of us!
catchatwithcarenandcody
Oh thank you Caren. What a lovely comment. Made me smile. 🙂
Happy Birthday, sweet friend. You are one blessed gal. I know Zane will treat you as you deserve, especially today. Much happiness…always.
Big hugs, honey…
Zane treats me fabulous every single day, but you know all about that. You've got a great husband too. 🙂
Have a " HAPPY BIRTHDAY " Sandee and we're happy that you loved your card. You deserve more but the card was all I could get you. Have a beautiful birthday my wonderful friend. See ya.
Cruisin Paul
I loved the card Paul. A lot and thank you so much. 🙂
Happy and Blessed Birthday to you, Sandee. Wishing you good health and may your blessing overflow in your life. May your life continue to be filled with great, exciting adventures! God bless you and family!
Thank you Nancy. My life has been and will always be an exciting adventure. 🙂
YAY! Happy birthday!!! It does sound like you've lived an exciting life. My birthday is in September, too. September is a big birthday month.
I have lived an exciting life. It's been wonderful. 🙂
Happy, Happy Birthday! Wow 16 and you ran away! You are one tough cookie! My 7 year old keeps telling me she will do just that. I hope you have a wonderful day and make sure to grab a couple of slices of cake. I just adore birthday cake!
Yes, I did and it was a good thing. 🙂
"☆•*¨*•.♪♫♪♫.•*¨*•☆☆ ♪♫♪♫☆•*¨*•..•*¨*•☆ ♪♫♪♫ HaPpY bIrThDaY tO yOu ♪♫♪♫ hApPy BiRtHdAy To YoU ☆☆♪♫♪♫ ☆☆HaPpY bIrThDaY♪♫♪♫ ♪♫♪♫ dEaR sAnDeE ♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫ HaPpY bIrThDaY tO yOu ♪♫♪♫☆•*¨*•.♪♫♪♫.•*¨*•☆♪♫♪♫☆•*
•.♪♫♪♫.•*¨*•☆and many more!
Thanks Uncle Skip. You sing very well. 🙂
Happy happy joy joy. Hope you have a GREAT day.
Thanks cube. It's been a great day so far. 🙂
I'm not sure why I came here. Is it your birthday today?
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Youngster! c-)
Yes, and I love what you left me over on Facebook. Hot. Smoking hot. 🙂
A very Happy Birthday Sandee :-f
That was interesting especially you running away :-O
Have a tanfastical birthdaytastic day g-)
Yes, I had a different kind of childhood. 🙂
Happy Day to you!!! Love the facts!
Thank you Kathe. I loved the facts too. 🙂
Happy Birthday Sandee! I hope you enjoy your day! Although things started off rough, I'm glad you have a wonderful life now filled with love, friends, family, Little Bit and a boat!
Hugs and purrs from all us BT girls!
Love all the hugs and purrs from the BT girls. 🙂
Wishing you a very Happy Happy Birthday!!!! Always love the facts … Golden Woofs
Thanks Sugar. It's good to see you again. 🙂
Happy birthday to a great lady! Hope you are having fun celebrating. You deserve it!
Thanks Lisa. You are so kind. 🙂
Happy Birthday. SQUAAAAAWK.
That's a great SQUAAAAAWK Kismet. 🙂
Happy Birthday blogging friend of mine. You're a few years behind me, but we both grew up in what will come to be known as the "Golden Age" of America. Have a very blessed day.
Yes we did grow up in the Golden Age of America. I'm as happy about that as you are. 🙂
Happy birthday!!! w-)
Thank you ever so much. 🙂
Happy, happy Belated birthday!! I have no doubt you celebrated well. 🙂
I did indeed. It was a most wonderful birthday. 🙂
Happy Birthday to you, dear Sandee! I hope you had a fantastic day yesterday! 🙂
That's a fabulous birthday post, so interesting to read how different things were back then!
Sending lots of birthday hugs to you,
Beate
I did have a fabulous day yesterday. Very special. I also love going back to someones birthday year to see what was happening. Very fun. 🙂
Dear Sandee, Happy Birthday!!! I wish you a beautiful year filled with wonderful memories.
xoxo Your friend Catherine
I wish the same for you Catherine. 🙂
Happy Birthday, Sandee! I know you had a rather tough upbringing, but you sure made good later in life.
I had a scary upbringing, but I didn't let that rule my life. 🙂
I'm so sorry I missed your birthday. Girl, I'm wishing you a million more.
Thanks Cube. It was a wonderful day. 🙂