One, two, three o’clock, four o’clock, rock

Last night was the Father- Daughter Sock Hop, "Bring Back Your Cadillac", for the local Girl Scout Service Area Unit to which Kelsey's Brownie Troop belongs. Considering what happened last year, and where Pete will be next year, this was not an event that needed to be missed.

Now, you all know where he will be next year, and last year wasn't really supposed to be a huge evening of disappointment.  Kelsey was only one of two girls that considered going to the 2009 Hop, and we learned early on that Pete had a trip that weekend.  Then, out of the blue and at the very last minute, the trip was canceled.

No biggie, we enjoyed the extra family time, and decided to give ourselves a break from cooking on that Saturday night.  So, we went to Max's, a local cafe known for comfort food, and a very 50's style atmosphere on the night of the Sock Hop.  We arrived about an hour and a half  before said Hop was to begin and the restaurant was filled with Girl Scouts, Brownies, Daisies and their dads in their most incredible 50's finery.  Poodle skirts, pony tails, scarves knotted just so…I looked at Kelsey, and her face just crumpled.  It never occurred to me that groups of girls might go out for a pre-hop nosh, and where else (okay, a few might have gone to IN-N-OUT) has the look and feel to set the mood for the evening?

A certain someone didn't eat much that evening, and frankly, I didn't blame her.  There was no way of knowing that Peter would have been home, and I swore at that moment (not knowing about his upcoming tour in the Mid-East) that she would attend this year.  The minute we got the information, Peter put that date in his calendar as booked.  I started thinking about costumes, and even woke up at 2 a.m. one morning convinced I had missed the registration deadline.  Nope, not a chance, still had several weeks.

As the date drew closer, I realized that we needed to get going with the outfit.  I reached out to a local moms club to see if anyone had one leftover from last year, or perhaps I could find someone willing to make one (cheaper than me buying a sewing machine right now, screwing the whole thing up, and then hiring someone to do it).  No such luck, but a costume shop was recommended.  We picked out an outfit, ordered it, and picked it up from the shop last week.  In hindsight, I should have just gone to eBay.

The outfit was…okay.  I was pretty disappointed, as it was huge in the waist, too short (by my standards), and not of the quality I hoped to see.  After trying it on the second time, and finding a rip in the shirt that I hadn't previously noticed, I realized my big mistake and hopped on eBay.

Within minutes, I found this store, and the perfect outfit.  Not only did one get a gorgeous poodle skirt, but a t-shirt, belt and scarf.  I could Buy It Now, but the only problem was my deadline.  I had to have by Saturday morning…the owner of the store did say to contact with any questions, so I clicked away and found…

The savior of the night.  Not only did the owner write back almost immediately, but had no problems shipping by Express mail (even though not offered) and corrected the sizing of the crinoline we ordered (it made the outfit!).  She was fantastic, and despite the Post Office's best attempts to not deliver, I had the outfit in hand by Saturday morning.  It. Was. Perfect.

I simply can't say enough about how happy I was to have found the store, and if I ever need any 50's related item again, she will be my first stop.  My only regret?  Forgetting to purchase the saddle oxfords.  However, the black ballet style shoes from Payless worked out just fine.

And the evening? They started off at Max's with a few other girls from Kelsey's troop.  I had to drop off funds (not saying who forgot their money), but it gave me a chance to see everyone in their finery.  The girls were adorable, the men were hip in their 50's fashions (jeans and t-shirts anyone?) and all were clearly enjoying the beginning of a great night out.

Peter sent a text only minutes after the dance started to say that they were having an absolute blast.  Kelsey came home glowing with happiness and while Pete seemed a bit tired (perhaps too many rounds of the Macarena…I know, at a 50's dance?), it appears by all accounts not a night to have been missed (especially a second time).