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Since I haven't had the luck to be born and to grow up in The United States of America, or any other Western country, but rather an occupation-torn post-Soviet state that has just regained its freedom, I've never actually seen or touched half of the things on this list. And, yet, looking at all these Poo-chi dogs, Polly Pockets, and things like phone charms, I feel a massive wave of 2000s nostalgia! 

That's probably because we, as kids, were glued to our screens whenever they showed something like Dawson's Creek or even Hannah Montana, absorbing not only how the characters looked and talked but also the things they had. It was almost like having them yourself! Though speaking of the nostalgic series we used to get during the early 2000s, we'd more often get something as old as The Little House On The Prairie or Doctor Quinn rather than the newest episode of, say, Phineas & Ferb

Nevertheless, I can definitely feel the importance and the impact of the decade on our lives and the early 2000s nostalgia we all collectively feel. Things were changing ever so quickly. Straight from oblivion, we went to the Western civilization and its pop culture with half-naked ladies, boy bands, electronic toys, TV series, and even portable phones (those definitely came out of some witch's brew)! Also, the sense of liberation - both literal freedom regained by my homeland and the one given to us by the ever-expanding World Wide Web - was just overwhelming. So many new cultural experiences and opportunities were never present. Starting, of course, with 2000s nostalgia toys and ending with poking someone on Facebook, this decade was moving into the future at a breakneck pace.

But, without any more of my essayistic babble, let's dive a few decades back and reminisce on the things that we all loved dearly when growing up. From Tamagotchis to pencils with cartridges, and from the old Cartoon Network to flare jeans, you'll find many things that'll remind you of your careless youth. So, share these things from your childhood early 2000s nostalgia list with someone susceptible to the same kind of feelings that you are, and tell us which of these items, pop stars, or games you miss the most!

#1

Remember Watching The Pipes Screensaver?

Colourful pipes

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Orange is aging
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Screensavers are for entertainment, like the kaleidoscope watchface, change my mind

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#2

Burning The Sickest CDs In The Neighborhood

CD with names of songs on it

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troufaki13
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Τapes were even better! Especially when we recorded the songs from the radio!

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#3

Flipping Through These As A Kid Trying To Find Your Favourite Bands Poster

Bands Posters

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Daria B
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Or just browsing through to see the pictures without the actual intention of buying any because you're way too young to care and thus too broke as well. ♡

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Before there were the 2000s, the '90s Paved the Way for Iconic Toys

To find out more about where this 2000s nostalgia is all coming from and what games from our early days we have long forgotten, we reached out to Qudsia Shakeel, the content manager at Moonpig, who recently found out the most iconic gifts of the last 50 years.

It turns out that just before the early 2000s, it was the golden age for toys we consider iconic today. “The '90s were an especially iconic time for toys. Technological advancements presented new opportunities for toys to be much more interactive, making for a truly exciting time for the toy industry,” Qudsia told us. Moreover, she added that “there is a great sense of nostalgia brought back by these toys, the Gameboy and Furbies are seen to be true icons of the decade.”

"The 2000s saw no slowing down in the momentum of great toy production. Those who grew up in the naughties would remember some of the true gems of the era, including the Teksta Robotic Puppy and Beyblades. Not to mention the infamous Tamagochi, which saw children across the world cherishing their very own virtual pet," Qudsia commented. According to her, a combination of new technology and quirky crazes made the early 2000s a standout time for toys.

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#5

When I Was 9 Years Old My Dad Was Deployed To Baghdad, Iraq. I Gave Him These Yu-Gi-Oh Cards To Keep Him Safe. They've Been In His Wallet For 12 Years

Yu-Gi-Oh cards on the table

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Why are the 2000s so Nostalgic?

Early 2000s was the time of our childhoods, and if you were to ask anybody how they feel about their childhoods, the answer would always be the same - nostalgic! Yes, it's as simple as that.  Now, Moonpig, a brand that specializes in gifts, has seen a huge surge in interest in 2000s nostalgia aesthetic and nostalgic gifts lately. “We are unsurprised to see a number of Gameboy cards and retro gifts being purchased today,” Qudsia said. And that’s mostly because we, Millennials, are exactly the age of starting to feel nostalgic about the good ole days and want something to remember the times by. 

#7

These TV Carts Always Meant Class Was Going To Be Fun When The Teacher Rolled One In

Black old tv in the classroom

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#8

I Found An Old Pic Of Me Playing Computer Games. As It Turns Out I Haven't Changed Very Much

Boy playing video game

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What were the most Wanted Toys in the 2000s?

So, which 2000s nostalgia toys are we talking about, exactly? Well, you probably remember Furby, a chatty furry ball that became a must-have for children all over the world. In 1998, Furby released its first model consisting of 48 colors and 22 special editions. The same year, a whopping 1.8 million Furbies were sold, and the toy was translated into 24 different languages.

Furby paved the way for other robotic toys of the 2000s that became incredibly popular. Like, the famous Teksta the Robotic Puppy. This little doggo started a huge craze in the early 2000s when kids realized they could literally fulfill their dream of having a pet, minus all the hassle. Parents were also excited with the idea, so over 7 million robotic puppies were sold in the first year. As a result, the Robotic Puppy became one of the most popular birthday gifts of the new century.

Tamagotchi, a virtual pet, is basically a symbol of the 2000s nostalgia. After its launch in 2005, children would carry it everywhere they went, attaching it to their belts and backpacks, in order to be always ready to take care of their pet whenever it needed them. Feeding, training, and playing were part of the journey of raising a Tamagotchi, but in turn, it would grow and… not much else! Yet, many millennials still remember it with great nostalgia.

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If you want to delve on the past for a little while longer, check out further submissions on our list. Besides serving well for a walk down memory lane, all of these items are a great inspiration for a nostalgia 2000s-themed party if you were planning on staging one!

#10

Only Fidget Spinner I Ever Owned

A pen inside a ruler

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Robert T
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Plus you could also hold the ruler against the desk and go ga-doi-oi-oing with it. :D

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#12

The Ge Alarm Clock That Everyone Seemed To Have

Electronic alarm clock

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Vicky Z
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is so not 2000's! My parents had this thing before i was born!

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#13

The Old Cartoon Network

A poster with cartoon characters

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Chyppa Homer
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When I was watching, this used to be the new Cartoon Network

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A.J Milne
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I miss Courage the cowardly dog, the original ben ten, dexter's lab, the original powerpuff girls, johnny bravo, and o boy, there's much moe

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Michelle M
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I miss courage the cowardly dog too and the original Ben 10 is so much better than the ones being made now.

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Cadmar Orion
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Cartoon network keeps remaking them and they're just not the same

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Chucky Cheezburger
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Aw yeah, Ed,Edd and Eddy, Grim adventures of Billy and Mandy...I woulda been watching these even if my son wasnt watching.

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Daria B
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Can't relate. Grew up with the various Italian channels. Tons of anime, but also other nice cartoons.

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ZAPanda
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

what about that la linea guy? or the qua quao duck? you must have had those

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Genie Kayleigh
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What about Xiaolin Showdown? That was one of my favorites as a kid!

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Sarcastic Cow
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Some of this cartoons was really sick :D Cow and Chicken? What the actual f*ck was that?

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CYCLO_ WEEB
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2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Used to sneak to another room which had tv for couple of shows airing after 2am

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Pamela Blue
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Really? I've just scanned all of them and I don't recognize ANY of them. But I'm ancient, and Yogi Bear, Huckleberry Hound, Woody Woodpecker, Bugs Bunny and Elmer and Wile E Coyote (and others) were my go-to cartoons. (none of my cartoon characters looked as nasty as this lot!)

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Aubrey White
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ah yes I remember being like 4 or 5 and it being a winters day and coming home watching this while my grandma made dinner I felt so safe back then

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CincyReds
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I really do miss the old cartoon network....good memories

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Robert Knabe
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I know it is my age speaking but none of these characters look cute at all. Tweety and Sylvester, Hector and Jeckell, Tom and Jerry, the Chipmonks...those were the funny ones to me. Oh, yeah, I forgot Donald Duck and Mighty Mouse!

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ptm45
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love Dexter's Lab, Johnny Bravo, Ed, Edd and Eddy

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deanna woods
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I loved these cartoons. My two favorites were The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy and The Powerpuff Girls.

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Thay
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They moved half of those shows to Boomerang and then everything fell off the map until streaming services took over as COVID made things pretty weird lol

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Pa4040
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The Real Adventures : Johny Quest was on back in 1998, possibly the most amazing intro I could have seen (seriously, look it up on YT, still gives me chills ). Samurai Jack and Time Squad were my favorites!

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Melissa Wong
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I really miss Cartoon Network. I don't know if it still exists?? I only ever got to watch it when my family and I went once a year to the sea on holidays (The hotel had DSTV - a satellite tv service which was and still is expensive to have) and I'd make sure to stay up really late to watch the channel with crisps and cola every night.

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Chucky Cheezburger
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I remember seeing Thundarr the Barbarian late one night on Cartoon Network...Who remembers "In the year 1994, a runaway comet "...

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Soap
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Anyone remember a show called Ruby Gloom (or something similar)?

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PatriciaB
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Cartoon network was the best because it was on the latest. Nickelodeon finished at 7pm then it was paramount, CN was on untill 9pm then it became TNT (UK cable TV in the 90s).

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Robert Martens
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I remember watching Saturday morning cartoons, and I just recently learned why they went away in the U.S. Among other things, Congress stepped in and said if you show cartoons, you have to show a certain amount of educational and informative shows as well. Broadcasters didn't want to do this as companies did not want to advertise during these times for lack of viewership. One funny work around I found recently is that METV will show cartoons, and they use Saved by the Bell as the educational and informative program required for the cartoons.

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best turtle
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

so many great shows lost to the shadow of the garbage they put out now

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#14

Remember When You Didn’t Have To Enter Your Personal Info Online To Win A Soda?

Inscription on the back of a bottle cap

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Hello it Smee
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When I was in high school I got Sprit free all summer because I realized if you flip the bottle over you could read the cap inside and it wound either say win free Sprite or Play Again. Not the best choice of promotion on a clear soda. 😊

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#15

Can We Please Bring Back The Holes To Put Phone Charms On Our Phones?

Flip phone with charms

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#18

Found An Old Polly Pocket While Cleaning My Mom’s Basement

Yellow Polly Pocket

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#21

Starving Your Calculator To Death

Human hand on the calculator

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#23

Surreal Moment Today. I Went To Oaks, PA Too Many Video Games Expo. Found My Gameboy From Early 2000’s

Person holding a gameboy

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#25

I Know I'm 31 And All, But I Still Get Excited About Scholastic Book Club Order Forms

Book club order forms

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#26

Today A 70th Years Old Ma'am Gave Me Her Nokia 3310 To Change The Battery. I Couldn't Resist

Person holding old nokia cell phone

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#27

Msn Messenger! Playing With Emojis Over A Decade Before It Was Cool

Screenshot of a MSN messenger

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#28

Friendship Bracelets - I Used To Love Making These

Handmade colorful friendship bracelets

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#34

My 20 Year Old Toy Phone And My Daughters Brand New One! Both Fisher Price

Toy phones connected by a red rope

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Robert T
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

These are much older than 20 years - I had one more than 40 years ago. And a little sausage dog on wheels that you pulled along - this is probably why I love sausage dogs.

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#36

My Girlfriend Got Me The Evangelion Tamagotchi For My Birthday And I'm So Excited To See Which Angel I Get First

Person holding tamagothchi

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#37

Girlfriend Made Me The Chatterbox From The Opening Sequence For Our Anniversary

Person holding the chatterbox

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#39

You Guys Remember Boondoggle? Anyone Know Any Other Cool Stitches?

Woman making a boondoggle

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#40

I Restored My 16 Year Old iPod Nano

Black iPod Nano

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Robert T
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2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Just realised I haven't seen mine in years and wondering where on Earth I put it. Edit: Found it and plugged it in and it's still working!

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#42

Me And My Best Friend In 1999/2000 Working On Our Donkey Kong/Banjo Kazooie Fan Website Titled "The Dk/Bk Jungle"

Two boys near old pc

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Marette
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Awww, the spoon collection on the wall just adds to the adorable geekiness 😅

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#43

These Cereal Bowls I Used To Eat Out Of As A Kid

Kellogg's cereal bowls

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Anonymous
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I still have my full set of strawberry shortcake dishes and silverware from 1982

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#44

Plastic Tube With Water And Plastic Fish Inside It, If You Try To Squeeze It It Just Rolls Itself

Plastic tube with water and plastic fish inside

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#45

Found My Old Nintendo DS And Nintendogs And I’ve Been Screaming At The Fake Dog To Sit For 15 Min

Person playing old nintendo with the dog on the background

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#46

20+ Years Of Lip Balm Pans. Who Remembers Lip Smackers And Lip Lix?

Different lip balms on the table

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Warrior Mama
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was so excited to get my daughter the same soda flavored lip smackers that I had as a kid! Had no idea they were still around!

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#49

I Know You All Remember The Spacemaker Pencil Box

Purple spacemaker

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Marco Conti
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When I went to school, my pencil box was made of stone and contained only chisels. My trip to school was uphill both ways with waist deep snow even in summer. I had to carry my Atlatl to scare away saber tooth tigers.

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#50

Torture Device Known As The Sit And Reach Test

Woman trying the sit and reach test

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