My very own ‘Steel Magnolias’

 

Who has seen the movie Steel Magnolias? I’m a huge fan of the movie and this is probably at the top of W’s list of movies he can’t stand. Guys just don’t get it. They don’t understand the movie because they don’t have friendships like these.

Well, I am a part of my very own Steel Magnolias at the moment. But first, for those of you who have not seen it here is a synopsis:

Revolving around Truvy’s Beauty Salon in a small parish in modern-day Louisiana, STEEL MAGNOLIAS is the story of a close-knit circle of friends whose lives come together there. As the picture opens, we find Drum Eatenton shooting birds in the trees of his back yard in preparation for his daughter’s wedding reception that afternoon. Shortly thereafter, M’Lynn and Shelby (Drum’s wife and daughter) depart for Truvy’s to get their hair done for the wedding. “Just the sweetest thing,” Annelle Depuy Desoto (who may or may not be married because her marriage may not be legal) is introduced to Truvy’s customers as her new “glamour technician.” While in the chairs, the sour-tempered Ouiser Boudreaux shows up and entertains the assemblage with her barbs. It seems that the only one of the group who truly understands Ouiser is Clairee who is recently widowed and looking for a diversion. As she says, later in the picture, “If you can’t find anything good to say about anybody, come sit by me.” Filled with humour and heartbreak, we see through the views of these different women. We see love, apathy, pain, loss, secrecy and a desperate attempt at living a life of happiness. Dreams built and burnt, the power of hope, the love between a mother and her child and the bond that can be so unbreakable between true friends. Their strengths will be sorely tried, their wit stretched thin and their hearts broken as the realities of their lives unfold through the changing of the seasons.

Click here for a reminder of the movie or for a preview if you haven’t seen it yet.

If you haven’t seen it, YOU MUST SEE IT! Please gather your besties, grab your tissues and have a pyjama party, because Steel Magnolias will touch you to your core and you’ll appreciate all your girls even more while you laugh and cry together.

I work at my son’s Primary school (Elementary school). I help out in the school canteen (cafeteria), yes that’s right. I’m a lunch lady. But in Australia, the Canteen (sometimes called Tuck Shop–tuck meaning food) is like a little shop that the kids can come and buy stuff from and we have a lunch menu where they put their lunch orders in. This has been the perfect little job for me. I get a bit of income (so I can pay my tithing) and the hours fit around my studies.

I started volunteering seven years ago once a month, which turned into every other week, that turned into a paid position every Friday. The school has grown by over 200 children since we’ve first been a part of the school and I genuinely LOVE all the kids at the school plus I get to be a fly on the wall watching my son play with his friends. Win. Win. Win. I love it when I’m not at the school and the kids recognize me…I hear them whispering to their parent…”That’s the canteen lady at my school”. I always smile and wave.

The school canteen is Truvy’s beauty salon and we have a Truvy, Annelle, Clairee, Shelby, M’Lynn and Ousier (Weezer).

Here’s a rundown of our own real live characters…

Truvy runs the canteen, so she’s the continuous staple in the kitchen. She always has something to ask, question or a story to share, a song to sing or dance to her favorite song.

Annelle (skinny as a stick) is the youngest one of us all (and squeakiest), loves her family and is the fastest little working bee…maybe because she drinks so many energy drinks.

Clairee is funny and never stops laughing. She’s the first to want to hurt anyone who has hurt her friends. She stops in just to chat and lend a hand when needed. And one day aspires to sing in front of a crowd, I hope to be in that crowd when she does.

Shelby The fittest of us all, second youngest and loves to bring in baked goods she’s made.

M’Lynn very mother-like over all of us. Gives great advice and is always encouraging.

Ousier (Weezer) funny, sometimes “sour-tempered” and can quote most movies and is a wiz at the song lyrics (only second to one other).

Some of us come together every week (usually on a Friday). We laugh, cry, dance, sing and tell each other our everything’s as we prepare the lunches for the kiddos. We listen to each other talk about their troubles of the week. Each of us gives advice and encouragement to do what needs to be done, especially when it’s hard to do. Then when the bell rings we open the counter sales and look out over a sea of green and yellow uniforms while we smile and serve the kids popcorn, icy poles and noodle snacks at recess and lunch time.

It’s become an unexpected friendship and one that I adore and want to protect. We always have room for more “Southern women” in Truvy’s kitchen, so come and help out at the school canteen if you can.

Take this quiz (here) to see which character you most represent…I got Weezer!