For as long as I can remember, my dad called Denise, Darin and I the Ding-a-ling Sisters. My oldest sister, Deni, wasn't wild about the nickname, possibly because she thought it made us sound like... well,ding-a-lings... But I loved the nickname and wore it proudly. Partly because I loved being grouped with my older sisters who I completely idolized, and partly because every now and then my dad would explain how he came up with the nickname.
As the story went, a long time ago there was a TV show that had a group of girls called the "Ding-a-ling Sisters". They were smart and beautiful and funny and whenever they got together they laughed a whole lot. My dad said that's exactly how he saw his daughters, so that's how we became the Ding-a-Ling Sisters.
I never saw the show, of course, so in my growing-up-in-the-70's-brain I imagined the Ding-a-ling Sisters show as kind of a cross between Three's Company and Charlie's Angels. Three beautiful sisters appearing slightly clutzy and dingy, but secretly, sharp as tacks, fighting a life of crime in matching jumpsuits and boots.
I'm not sure what made me think to do it, but the other day I typed "Ding-a-ling Sisters" into the youtube search engine and suddenly there they were! The actual Ding-a-ling Sisters, four of them, not three... and guess what?!? They were wearing matching jumpsuits and boots! They weren't fighting crime though. They were singing and dancing in some comedy routine with Dean Martin. Now I'm sure my dad probably mentioned the singing and dancing thing but I must have forgotten. Anyway, it was kind of cool to actually finally see them as my dad might have seen them. Not sure how he decided they were smart but they were beautiful.
I almost wonder if I made up the smart part. Though it doesn't matter because I've never doubted that my dad thought we were smart and beautiful and my sisters are still the ones who can make me laugh until I cry. We do have the occasional ding-a-ling type moments too... like the time we must have stopped to ask for directions at least three times one night, each time politely thanking the person, rolling up the window and then saying, "Did anybody actually understand what he said?" so I continue to wear the Ding-a-ling title proudly.
I think I like my Three's Company/Charlie's Angels version a little more though than the real show. Sorry, Darin and Deni but I get to be Farrah. I didn't spend my entire 3rd grade year sleeping on pink spongy rollers for nothing. I am so prepared for that part. By the way, my dad also claimed that if it was quiet enough he could hear bells ring when we shook our heads. Lord knows how many hours of my childhood were spent alone in my bedroom shaking my head and straining to hear those bells. (Thanks, Dad.) But please take a moment to picture me, running in slow motion with my smart and beautiful sisters. I'm shaking my bouncy Farrah-hair like a Breck girl and if you're really, really quiet you can hear the faint peal of bells.
As the story went, a long time ago there was a TV show that had a group of girls called the "Ding-a-ling Sisters". They were smart and beautiful and funny and whenever they got together they laughed a whole lot. My dad said that's exactly how he saw his daughters, so that's how we became the Ding-a-Ling Sisters.
I never saw the show, of course, so in my growing-up-in-the-70's-brain I imagined the Ding-a-ling Sisters show as kind of a cross between Three's Company and Charlie's Angels. Three beautiful sisters appearing slightly clutzy and dingy, but secretly, sharp as tacks, fighting a life of crime in matching jumpsuits and boots.
I'm not sure what made me think to do it, but the other day I typed "Ding-a-ling Sisters" into the youtube search engine and suddenly there they were! The actual Ding-a-ling Sisters, four of them, not three... and guess what?!? They were wearing matching jumpsuits and boots! They weren't fighting crime though. They were singing and dancing in some comedy routine with Dean Martin. Now I'm sure my dad probably mentioned the singing and dancing thing but I must have forgotten. Anyway, it was kind of cool to actually finally see them as my dad might have seen them. Not sure how he decided they were smart but they were beautiful.
I almost wonder if I made up the smart part. Though it doesn't matter because I've never doubted that my dad thought we were smart and beautiful and my sisters are still the ones who can make me laugh until I cry. We do have the occasional ding-a-ling type moments too... like the time we must have stopped to ask for directions at least three times one night, each time politely thanking the person, rolling up the window and then saying, "Did anybody actually understand what he said?" so I continue to wear the Ding-a-ling title proudly.
I think I like my Three's Company/Charlie's Angels version a little more though than the real show. Sorry, Darin and Deni but I get to be Farrah. I didn't spend my entire 3rd grade year sleeping on pink spongy rollers for nothing. I am so prepared for that part. By the way, my dad also claimed that if it was quiet enough he could hear bells ring when we shook our heads. Lord knows how many hours of my childhood were spent alone in my bedroom shaking my head and straining to hear those bells. (Thanks, Dad.) But please take a moment to picture me, running in slow motion with my smart and beautiful sisters. I'm shaking my bouncy Farrah-hair like a Breck girl and if you're really, really quiet you can hear the faint peal of bells.
Great story Dione! Love to hear your stories of your sisters. How sweet is that picture. Jaden kept saying ALYSSA!
ReplyDeleteYou totally get to be Farrah.
ReplyDeleteI swear, every time I am having a really good hair day--I am grateful that I took your advice when I went to the hairstylist.
You were the one who told me to make sure I looked really cute, dressed nice and actually did my hair before my appointment with a new stylist so she would be sure to give me a cute, sassy do. I took to heart that warning that if I showed up frumpy looking at a salon, I just might leave looking even frumpier.
Now that I'm thinking about it...was that actual personal advice that you gave to ME, or was that a blog post? I take these things very personally. :)
Anyway. Love your hair, love your blog, love-love-love it!!!
I REALLY like the advice you shared with Courtney and I am sure that my previous bad haircuts were the result of my 'natural disaster' look going into the salon. So, from now on, I will take the necessary 'pre grooming' time and see if there is any change........and report back! hehehehehe
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed another great blog post! TFS
Cheri
Your blog keeps getting better and better! Your older articles are not as good as newer ones you have a lot more creativity and originality now keep it up!
ReplyDeleteAs the producer of a pair of websites devoted to both Dean Martin's "Dingaling Sisters", and the larger set of singer-dancers from which they were spun off -- The Golddiggers -- I was quite taken by your piece.
ReplyDeleteSadly, neither I nor anyone else on this Earth can put you in touch with Farrah (may she rest in peace). However, if you'd have any interest in communicating with alumnae of the actual Dingaling Sisters who vocalized, interacted, and laughed with Dean Martin on his weekly variety series, you'll find them at the website for which I've provided a link below.
They're an extremely sweet, lovely group of ladies -- many of them still performing to this day -- and I have no doubt that they'd be very touched to hear the story that you've told on this page. The URL of their regular communications forum is http://www.DeanGoldsAndDings.com, and the section of that site where they and their fans post messages to each other is called the "Pallies Lounge". You're welcome to drop by, if you wish.
In addition, if you'd ever like more extensive background information on both The Golddiggers and The Dingaling Sisters, you'll find it at the web's most complete resource on the subject, The Golddiggers Super Site, at http://www.TheGolddiggersSuperSite.com
On behalf of all of The Dingaling Sisters, I thank you for remembering them. And should you get to know them a little better, I think you might even grow to find them as awesome as Farrah!!