Here it is Monday, the beginning of a new week and I should be full of energy and ready to go, but,,,,, the wind is blowing outside, like a storm is coming, and it's cold, cold and more cold. We did have a little snow last night and maybe we'll get some more tonight, but right now, it's just windy and cold.
I really haven't done much of anything today... Read the morning newspaper as I ate my breakfast, walked around my home thinking what I should do and then sat down and looked at the Ensign magazine... I did go into my Blue Room and stripped the bed, and when the sheets are finished drying I will remake the bed and have it ready for some company, when company decides to come....
I did go to my computer and pull up the "new LDS.org" web site.. Yesterday at church in our 5th Sunday Relief Society and Priesthood meeting, they gave us instructions and helps for this new site and they talked about how you can get copies of your Patriarchal Blessings. I thought I would just check it out and see what it says. I logged in and requested a copy of blessings of my grandparents and my great grandparents. I don't know if they ever received their Patriarchal Blessing, but I thought I would at least try, who knows maybe they did. I sure hope so, that would be another link, another connection in knowing them..
I haven't written on my Blog for about a week, so I thought I would do that.. Then I thought I really have nothing to write about, so here I am, writing really about nothing...
I guess you could say, I have the "Monday Blues," I really need to have some motivation, but I think I'll wait for another day for that.
Right now I'll finish this post, put on an extra pair of sock and my walking shoes and head for the garage and spend sometime on my treadmill. After that, I'll make the guest room bed, fix dinner, and then think about the evening..
Tomorrow will be another day and it won't be Monday, so it won't be the "Blues...."
Monday, January 31, 2011
Monday, January 24, 2011
DUP and Fabrics
Going to my DUP meetings opens up my mind to my ancestors. It makes me think and wonder what their life was about and did my Great Grandmother ever think about her life back in Norway?
When my Great Grandmother arrived in Salt Lake City, it was in the fall of 1862. I've wondered many times on what did she think of her new country and this new state where she would be making her home? She left a beautiful country of Norway, her homeland, for an unknown, only for a testimony that burned in her heart. She arrived with only the clothes on her back and a few belongings. She had left a younger sister back in her homeland, never to see her again, but she did make this journey with an older sister, which I suppose, they were a great support and comfort to each other.
The lesson we had at DUP this month was on fabrics..... Now I love fabrics. When I go into a fabric store, I love to go up and down the rows, just looking and feeling the different fabrics. The different textures lets my mind dream of what I could do with them. I'm very happy when I buy just a yard or two of something that catches my fancy. I do have a "Stash" of fabrics here in my sewing room. But it brings me comfort and joy....
In the early beginning of the State of Utah and before the railroad, the pioneer's had to manufacture their own goods. This was long before a Wal-mart, or any kind of a store that you could go and buy your supplies at and if you wanted to have a new dress, or a quilt for your bed, you not only had to make it, but you would have to make or barter for your fabric goods.
Sheep was raised for the wool. We had a demonstration at DUP on the process that went into making wool fabric, from the shearing of the sheep, to cording, to spinning, to dying, to weaving, to the finish product. Oh', the time it took just to have a yard of fabric. I'm sure if I had to go to all that work, for just a yard of fabric, I would treat that fabric like it was spun of gold.
St. George was were the Cotton Mission was established. Here they planted cotton fields and built a cotton factory, to manufacture cotton fabric. That building is still standing today. Now it is, "Star Nursery" where we have purchase some of our fruit trees that we have planted in our small orchard.
The pioneers were also encourage to grow silk worms, so they could have lovely fabrics for their wear and their homes. My Aunt Sissie was a 1st grade teacher. I remember her having a box that had silk worm in it and how each new school year she would take this box to her school, so the students would learn about silk worms and watch them as they would spin their cocoons and watch the process of where silk comes from. She also had a large Mulberry tree in her yard, and the leaves from this tree, is the food that the worms eat. I remember they were sure noisy eaters.
As I thought of these industries that were established, I thought of how important it was to teach these skills to those that were there and especially to the children. I then thought of how some of these skills have touched my life.
I have an old treadle sewing machine in my entry that was my Grandmothers. I remember sewing on it when I was a young girl and my mother telling me, that it was this machine she learned how to sew on, and how she would watch her mother when she was sewing her a dress. I think you would have to have good coordination to move your feet back and forth on the treadle making the needle go up and down while having control of your material. Look at the multitasking process you were doing. Not only were you sewing a project, but you were also exercising too.
My mother in law and her mother use to take old clothes and recycle the material.. My son Mark had a quilt made out of old wool coats and suits, it's backing was red plaid flannel tied with red yarn, which was made and given to him by his grandmother. He had this quilt on his bed the years he was growing up. They would also cut old clothes into strips and either crochet rag rugs or take the wool strips and make them into braided rugs. When I was first married and had my first home, I had several of these rugs on my floors, complements from my mother in law.
When my daughter Marta was little, we lived only a couple of block away from her Grandmother and her Great Grandmother. Many of days she would go visit this Great Grandmother and sit in her tiny front room, cutting strips, watching and helping this special Great Grandmother, make a rag rug. In this daughters home today you will see crochet rag rugs in different room in her home. I think she found comfort and peace and memories too when she was sitting there, with her fingers busy crocheting one of these rag rug. In my sewing roon on a shelf, in a box I have a wool braided rug that my sister in law, Zella, gave me that needs to be finished. Some day I'll take it down and start working on it.
Learning about our ancestors teaches us about our self. For many years this Great Grandmother of mine worked for a Tailor in Norway. She surrounded herself with fabrics, a sewing machine of some sort, needles and thread and a scissor. I too surround myself with fabrics, sewing machines, lots of needles and thread and scissors. In fact my husband calls me the "String Lady."
In my sewing room, over my door I have a sign that reads, "Surround yourself with the things you love,"
and I do.....
When my Great Grandmother arrived in Salt Lake City, it was in the fall of 1862. I've wondered many times on what did she think of her new country and this new state where she would be making her home? She left a beautiful country of Norway, her homeland, for an unknown, only for a testimony that burned in her heart. She arrived with only the clothes on her back and a few belongings. She had left a younger sister back in her homeland, never to see her again, but she did make this journey with an older sister, which I suppose, they were a great support and comfort to each other.
The lesson we had at DUP this month was on fabrics..... Now I love fabrics. When I go into a fabric store, I love to go up and down the rows, just looking and feeling the different fabrics. The different textures lets my mind dream of what I could do with them. I'm very happy when I buy just a yard or two of something that catches my fancy. I do have a "Stash" of fabrics here in my sewing room. But it brings me comfort and joy....
In the early beginning of the State of Utah and before the railroad, the pioneer's had to manufacture their own goods. This was long before a Wal-mart, or any kind of a store that you could go and buy your supplies at and if you wanted to have a new dress, or a quilt for your bed, you not only had to make it, but you would have to make or barter for your fabric goods.
Sheep was raised for the wool. We had a demonstration at DUP on the process that went into making wool fabric, from the shearing of the sheep, to cording, to spinning, to dying, to weaving, to the finish product. Oh', the time it took just to have a yard of fabric. I'm sure if I had to go to all that work, for just a yard of fabric, I would treat that fabric like it was spun of gold.
St. George was were the Cotton Mission was established. Here they planted cotton fields and built a cotton factory, to manufacture cotton fabric. That building is still standing today. Now it is, "Star Nursery" where we have purchase some of our fruit trees that we have planted in our small orchard.
The pioneers were also encourage to grow silk worms, so they could have lovely fabrics for their wear and their homes. My Aunt Sissie was a 1st grade teacher. I remember her having a box that had silk worm in it and how each new school year she would take this box to her school, so the students would learn about silk worms and watch them as they would spin their cocoons and watch the process of where silk comes from. She also had a large Mulberry tree in her yard, and the leaves from this tree, is the food that the worms eat. I remember they were sure noisy eaters.
As I thought of these industries that were established, I thought of how important it was to teach these skills to those that were there and especially to the children. I then thought of how some of these skills have touched my life.
I have an old treadle sewing machine in my entry that was my Grandmothers. I remember sewing on it when I was a young girl and my mother telling me, that it was this machine she learned how to sew on, and how she would watch her mother when she was sewing her a dress. I think you would have to have good coordination to move your feet back and forth on the treadle making the needle go up and down while having control of your material. Look at the multitasking process you were doing. Not only were you sewing a project, but you were also exercising too.
My mother in law and her mother use to take old clothes and recycle the material.. My son Mark had a quilt made out of old wool coats and suits, it's backing was red plaid flannel tied with red yarn, which was made and given to him by his grandmother. He had this quilt on his bed the years he was growing up. They would also cut old clothes into strips and either crochet rag rugs or take the wool strips and make them into braided rugs. When I was first married and had my first home, I had several of these rugs on my floors, complements from my mother in law.
When my daughter Marta was little, we lived only a couple of block away from her Grandmother and her Great Grandmother. Many of days she would go visit this Great Grandmother and sit in her tiny front room, cutting strips, watching and helping this special Great Grandmother, make a rag rug. In this daughters home today you will see crochet rag rugs in different room in her home. I think she found comfort and peace and memories too when she was sitting there, with her fingers busy crocheting one of these rag rug. In my sewing roon on a shelf, in a box I have a wool braided rug that my sister in law, Zella, gave me that needs to be finished. Some day I'll take it down and start working on it.
Learning about our ancestors teaches us about our self. For many years this Great Grandmother of mine worked for a Tailor in Norway. She surrounded herself with fabrics, a sewing machine of some sort, needles and thread and a scissor. I too surround myself with fabrics, sewing machines, lots of needles and thread and scissors. In fact my husband calls me the "String Lady."
In my sewing room, over my door I have a sign that reads, "Surround yourself with the things you love,"
and I do.....
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
DUP Meeting
Yesterday was my DUP Meeting, now I know what you are saying, "What is a DUP Meeting?" DUP stands for "Daughters of Utah Pioneers."
We meet once a month. I enjoy these meetings, we have prayers, sing songs, reports, pioneer lessons and then a nice luncheon.
I think why I enjoy these meetings is because my Great Grandmother was a Utah Pioneer. She joined the LDS church after hearing the missionaries in her native land of Norway. In 1862 with her sister and after the death of her father, the two sisters decided to make the journey to America and join the Saints in Utah. After their arrival in the states, they joined a company of saints and walked to Zion...
This Great Grandmother is extra special to me, I feel this kindred spirit strongly towards her. I wish I knew more about her and about her life. She didn't leave any journals that I know of and I only have a short story about her, that my grandmother had written, plus the ones that were published in the DUP books. So by going to these DUP meetings, I'm learning more about pioneer life, what it was like here in Utah in the 1860's and that tells me something of her life and what life was like for her.
My life has been touched by this Great Grandmother, and it began many years ago.
When I was about 15 my Nannie asked me if I would do something special for her. As I loved this grandmother very much I would do anything for her. She then asked me if I would name my 1st daughter Marta, as a special favor for her.. She then told me that it was her Mothers name. She told me that in Norway her given name was Marta, but when she arrived in the States immigration wrote down her name as Martha... Of course, I said I would name my 1st daughter after her Mother, my Great Grandmother, so my Marta, was Marta long before she became.
The second part of this connection comes the day Marta was born. Now my grandmother was 79 years old when Marta was born and she was very happy about this birth, to say the least. This new Great Granddaughter, straight from heaven and named after her Mother, became a closer connection when it was realized that she was born on the death date of her namesake.
My connections with this Great Grandmother is also seen in my home.
In my entry hangs a velvet crazy patch quilt picture. This was hand stitched by this special Great Grandmother and handed down to me by my grandmother. Also hanging in my home is an old picture frame that belonged to my Grandmother. She had 4 of these frames. My mother was given these old frames, years ago when they held pioneer pictures in them. My mother placed another picture print over the original picture and hung them in her home. Years later she gave one of these frames to each of us, her children. Just before her death she told me that behind my picture, in my frame was a picture of one of her grandparents. I could hardly wait to look behind the picture in my frame to see who was there... and to my joy, it was this special Great Grandmother.....
I'm doing all I can now, going back in Family History, trying to find all I can about these special Great Grandparents, that gave so much for the gospel sake. Maybe I will be lucky and find someone out there that know something more about this Great Grandmother of mine.
I know the DUP museum in Salt Lake City has a picture on file of Martha (Marta) Anderson Larsen Sorensen, my Great Grandmother..... Pioneer History has a beginning and I know my history is woven in it.
Oh, by the way, I have my Nannie's pioneer apron and bonnet that she would wear at special events when she too belonged to DUP...
We meet once a month. I enjoy these meetings, we have prayers, sing songs, reports, pioneer lessons and then a nice luncheon.
I think why I enjoy these meetings is because my Great Grandmother was a Utah Pioneer. She joined the LDS church after hearing the missionaries in her native land of Norway. In 1862 with her sister and after the death of her father, the two sisters decided to make the journey to America and join the Saints in Utah. After their arrival in the states, they joined a company of saints and walked to Zion...
This Great Grandmother is extra special to me, I feel this kindred spirit strongly towards her. I wish I knew more about her and about her life. She didn't leave any journals that I know of and I only have a short story about her, that my grandmother had written, plus the ones that were published in the DUP books. So by going to these DUP meetings, I'm learning more about pioneer life, what it was like here in Utah in the 1860's and that tells me something of her life and what life was like for her.
My life has been touched by this Great Grandmother, and it began many years ago.
When I was about 15 my Nannie asked me if I would do something special for her. As I loved this grandmother very much I would do anything for her. She then asked me if I would name my 1st daughter Marta, as a special favor for her.. She then told me that it was her Mothers name. She told me that in Norway her given name was Marta, but when she arrived in the States immigration wrote down her name as Martha... Of course, I said I would name my 1st daughter after her Mother, my Great Grandmother, so my Marta, was Marta long before she became.
The second part of this connection comes the day Marta was born. Now my grandmother was 79 years old when Marta was born and she was very happy about this birth, to say the least. This new Great Granddaughter, straight from heaven and named after her Mother, became a closer connection when it was realized that she was born on the death date of her namesake.
My connections with this Great Grandmother is also seen in my home.
In my entry hangs a velvet crazy patch quilt picture. This was hand stitched by this special Great Grandmother and handed down to me by my grandmother. Also hanging in my home is an old picture frame that belonged to my Grandmother. She had 4 of these frames. My mother was given these old frames, years ago when they held pioneer pictures in them. My mother placed another picture print over the original picture and hung them in her home. Years later she gave one of these frames to each of us, her children. Just before her death she told me that behind my picture, in my frame was a picture of one of her grandparents. I could hardly wait to look behind the picture in my frame to see who was there... and to my joy, it was this special Great Grandmother.....
I'm doing all I can now, going back in Family History, trying to find all I can about these special Great Grandparents, that gave so much for the gospel sake. Maybe I will be lucky and find someone out there that know something more about this Great Grandmother of mine.
I know the DUP museum in Salt Lake City has a picture on file of Martha (Marta) Anderson Larsen Sorensen, my Great Grandmother..... Pioneer History has a beginning and I know my history is woven in it.
Oh, by the way, I have my Nannie's pioneer apron and bonnet that she would wear at special events when she too belonged to DUP...
Saturday, January 15, 2011
New Year's Resolutions
Here it is the middle of January and I am now just thinking about what my New Year's resolutions should be.
I'm one that has to have a goal and a plan, or else my days just seem to come and go. I will find myself wasting time, thinking about odds and ends and not really accomplishing much.
When I was working in the work force my days were pretty much planned for me. I arise at a certain time in the morning, went to work, did my job and time there and then home. The evenings were spent doing the things that needed to be done at home and preparing for the following day. The weekends consisted of taking care of the house, doing laundry, shopping, going to church and preparing for the next week.
Now that I'm retired, I have six days a week to do my thing and the seventh is the Sabbath, which is the Lord's day, so that day is devoted to spiritual matters.
I need to have a plan on the things I would like to accomplish this year and then a plan and a goal on how to achieve it.
So first I must write down the things I want to accomplish, then I will refine it and figure out how I will implement my goal.
For years I have kept a black composition book on the table, next to the place I sit in the evenings. I always begin a new year by writing that year on the next clean page in my book. I then write my goals and things I want and need to accomplish and how I plan on achieving this, and when I have accomplished that goal, I will give it a check mark and date it.
OK. to start with, I want to:
Read the Book of Mormon (3 chapters a day)
Lose weight (I belong to Tops, watch what I eat, want to have a weight lose each week)
Clean and organize my sewing room (spend at least 1 hour, 5 days a week on room)
Walk on tread mill (need 10,000 steps on my pedometer 5 days a week)
Make curtains and drapes for my home (start with kitchen)
Finish my unfinished projects (make list of projects, and start with the first one)
Take a trip or 2 this year (Have passport must travel)
Tomorrow is Sunday, the Lord's day, so I will begin my plan on Monday, January 17th. It might be the middle of January, but still it's important to have a plan and goals for this New Year. I feel good, of course I will be adding more things that I want to accomplish as this new year marches on, but for now, this will be my beginning....
I'm one that has to have a goal and a plan, or else my days just seem to come and go. I will find myself wasting time, thinking about odds and ends and not really accomplishing much.
When I was working in the work force my days were pretty much planned for me. I arise at a certain time in the morning, went to work, did my job and time there and then home. The evenings were spent doing the things that needed to be done at home and preparing for the following day. The weekends consisted of taking care of the house, doing laundry, shopping, going to church and preparing for the next week.
Now that I'm retired, I have six days a week to do my thing and the seventh is the Sabbath, which is the Lord's day, so that day is devoted to spiritual matters.
I need to have a plan on the things I would like to accomplish this year and then a plan and a goal on how to achieve it.
So first I must write down the things I want to accomplish, then I will refine it and figure out how I will implement my goal.
For years I have kept a black composition book on the table, next to the place I sit in the evenings. I always begin a new year by writing that year on the next clean page in my book. I then write my goals and things I want and need to accomplish and how I plan on achieving this, and when I have accomplished that goal, I will give it a check mark and date it.
OK. to start with, I want to:
Read the Book of Mormon (3 chapters a day)
Lose weight (I belong to Tops, watch what I eat, want to have a weight lose each week)
Clean and organize my sewing room (spend at least 1 hour, 5 days a week on room)
Walk on tread mill (need 10,000 steps on my pedometer 5 days a week)
Make curtains and drapes for my home (start with kitchen)
Finish my unfinished projects (make list of projects, and start with the first one)
Take a trip or 2 this year (Have passport must travel)
Tomorrow is Sunday, the Lord's day, so I will begin my plan on Monday, January 17th. It might be the middle of January, but still it's important to have a plan and goals for this New Year. I feel good, of course I will be adding more things that I want to accomplish as this new year marches on, but for now, this will be my beginning....
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Cell Phone Frustration
I had to purchase a new Cell phone the other day. Now for most people that's not a big deal, but for me it was.
I have had a cell phone for about 3 years now. I really don't use it that much, only out of necessity, and my sweetheart uses it less than that. The phone I had was costing me way too much money, so I went shopping.
After asking around and seeing what was available, I settled on a Virgin Mobile. I bought 2 phones, one for myself and the other for my sweetheart. Simple, no problem...... I had been told I could transfer my Verizon number to my new phone, I had 30 days to access it. That would be great, no need to go to the trouble of changing phone numbers with everyone. But there lies the problem.......
That evening I tried to activate my phones. I told the customer service person what I wanted to do. He asked for my Verizon phone numbers that I wanted to transfer and said he would take care of it, it would take 24 hours and to call back the next day....
The next day I called Virgin Mobile and that is when everything hit the fan.
It is very hard to reach a "REAL" person now days. I wonder if they really exists!! I kept hitting the "O" button and saying to the voice on the phone, "CUSTOMER SERVICE," "CUSTOMER SERVICE." When I finally reached a live person, I had another problem. No one now days speaks "English" or at least I can't understand their "English." When I finally figured out what language they were speaking, I was told I could not transfer my numbers, the numbers did not exist anymore. OK, then give me a new number... Simple, just give me a new Virgin Mobile number.. "I have to transfer you," I was told, so I get transferred and disconnected.... Major Problem... I would have to redial the Virgin Mobile number, try to get a Real Customer Service Person and start all over again with my request.
This went on for three hours and a dozen customer service people. I kept telling them, "Don't put me on Hold and Don't Transfer Me or you will Lose Me!!"
Finally I succeeded in getting my new cell phones activated. But I also ended up with a headache and major frustration. I felt like taking those phones and tossing them out the window, as far as I could throw them. Who needs them anyway. I'm not one that has to have a phone surgically attached to my ear... I only want one for emergency and convenience when one of us needs to connect. No big deal, simple, I say!!!
I haven't program my special numbers into these new phones yet. I'm still coming down from major frustration, I'll take care of that another day. Right now I think I need a Chocolate bar.... maybe two..
I have had a cell phone for about 3 years now. I really don't use it that much, only out of necessity, and my sweetheart uses it less than that. The phone I had was costing me way too much money, so I went shopping.
After asking around and seeing what was available, I settled on a Virgin Mobile. I bought 2 phones, one for myself and the other for my sweetheart. Simple, no problem...... I had been told I could transfer my Verizon number to my new phone, I had 30 days to access it. That would be great, no need to go to the trouble of changing phone numbers with everyone. But there lies the problem.......
That evening I tried to activate my phones. I told the customer service person what I wanted to do. He asked for my Verizon phone numbers that I wanted to transfer and said he would take care of it, it would take 24 hours and to call back the next day....
The next day I called Virgin Mobile and that is when everything hit the fan.
It is very hard to reach a "REAL" person now days. I wonder if they really exists!! I kept hitting the "O" button and saying to the voice on the phone, "CUSTOMER SERVICE," "CUSTOMER SERVICE." When I finally reached a live person, I had another problem. No one now days speaks "English" or at least I can't understand their "English." When I finally figured out what language they were speaking, I was told I could not transfer my numbers, the numbers did not exist anymore. OK, then give me a new number... Simple, just give me a new Virgin Mobile number.. "I have to transfer you," I was told, so I get transferred and disconnected.... Major Problem... I would have to redial the Virgin Mobile number, try to get a Real Customer Service Person and start all over again with my request.
This went on for three hours and a dozen customer service people. I kept telling them, "Don't put me on Hold and Don't Transfer Me or you will Lose Me!!"
Finally I succeeded in getting my new cell phones activated. But I also ended up with a headache and major frustration. I felt like taking those phones and tossing them out the window, as far as I could throw them. Who needs them anyway. I'm not one that has to have a phone surgically attached to my ear... I only want one for emergency and convenience when one of us needs to connect. No big deal, simple, I say!!!
I haven't program my special numbers into these new phones yet. I'm still coming down from major frustration, I'll take care of that another day. Right now I think I need a Chocolate bar.... maybe two..
Monday, January 10, 2011
Christmas Cards 2010
I just finished gathering together the Christmas cards that I received from this past season. I reread each one and looked at the pictures that were sent with them. The notes that were jotted on the cards were loving and meaningful, but now the season was over, so what should I do with them?
What should I do with these Christmas cards? Before, I would just toss them, or use them for a craft project, something like that, but now the cards that I am receiving have more meaning.
Some are handmade with special messages. Some are greetings with family pictures. Some have special notes written on them. Some cards are so elegant that they are a beautiful picture in itself. So what should I do with them???
I think I should combine the ones that are special in a book, maybe make a scrapbook of them and add to it each year. This way I will have a visual record and an up date of family members... Good idea, now I'll just have to think on how I'm going to implement this.
All the cards that have meaning to me are special. My niece Dina loves making greeting cards, she evens has her personalize stamp on the back, plus they always have a personal touch. Many send family picture greeting cards, which is always good for updates. Some grandchildren send beautiful cards with a family picture included. The cards are always a joy to receive and a joy to display.
This year I received a special Christmas card from my granddaughter Cara. It was a picture greeting card, designed by her. It picture's Cara, her loving husband and her three children. The setting is: their standing in a kitchen, she's dressed in a dress, with an apron, high heel shoes, looking at and holding a apple pie in one hand and holding her baby in the other. Her husband is standing next to her, all dressed up in nice pants, white shirt and tie, leaning towards her, kissing her on the neck. Her daughter and son each sitting on the floor. Connor, her son is holding onto his Daddy's leg and her daughter Eden, is holding onto her leg. The greeting on the card says: "May your holidays be as classic as Mom and Apple Pie."
I think why this card was extra special to me, was that it let my mind, go back in my memories, to my childhood.
When I was being raised, woman never worn pants. I remember my mother always wearing a dress (called house dresses) and an apron and even high heel shoes. She did her house work in this attire. She did the laundry, the sweeping the floors, the cooking and cleaning, always dressed like this. She had her lipstick and makeup on, and her hair was combed and styled the first thing in the morning. Mother was a good cook, but she left the making of apple pie to my Nannie.
Cara's card was designed in a Retro style and I know she has received many complements for this Christmas card. She did a beautiful job in designing and executing her idea, but I am most grateful to her for her creativity, for it triggered in me, sweet memories of my dear mother and memories of a loving home and of a childhood, that I hadn't thought about for many, many years.
Yes, I think I will make a scrapbook of my special Christmas cards and I'll also ask my Cara if she will send me an 8x10 picture of this card as I would like to frame it and put it in my red room.
What should I do with these Christmas cards? Before, I would just toss them, or use them for a craft project, something like that, but now the cards that I am receiving have more meaning.
Some are handmade with special messages. Some are greetings with family pictures. Some have special notes written on them. Some cards are so elegant that they are a beautiful picture in itself. So what should I do with them???
I think I should combine the ones that are special in a book, maybe make a scrapbook of them and add to it each year. This way I will have a visual record and an up date of family members... Good idea, now I'll just have to think on how I'm going to implement this.
All the cards that have meaning to me are special. My niece Dina loves making greeting cards, she evens has her personalize stamp on the back, plus they always have a personal touch. Many send family picture greeting cards, which is always good for updates. Some grandchildren send beautiful cards with a family picture included. The cards are always a joy to receive and a joy to display.
This year I received a special Christmas card from my granddaughter Cara. It was a picture greeting card, designed by her. It picture's Cara, her loving husband and her three children. The setting is: their standing in a kitchen, she's dressed in a dress, with an apron, high heel shoes, looking at and holding a apple pie in one hand and holding her baby in the other. Her husband is standing next to her, all dressed up in nice pants, white shirt and tie, leaning towards her, kissing her on the neck. Her daughter and son each sitting on the floor. Connor, her son is holding onto his Daddy's leg and her daughter Eden, is holding onto her leg. The greeting on the card says: "May your holidays be as classic as Mom and Apple Pie."
I think why this card was extra special to me, was that it let my mind, go back in my memories, to my childhood.
When I was being raised, woman never worn pants. I remember my mother always wearing a dress (called house dresses) and an apron and even high heel shoes. She did her house work in this attire. She did the laundry, the sweeping the floors, the cooking and cleaning, always dressed like this. She had her lipstick and makeup on, and her hair was combed and styled the first thing in the morning. Mother was a good cook, but she left the making of apple pie to my Nannie.
Cara's card was designed in a Retro style and I know she has received many complements for this Christmas card. She did a beautiful job in designing and executing her idea, but I am most grateful to her for her creativity, for it triggered in me, sweet memories of my dear mother and memories of a loving home and of a childhood, that I hadn't thought about for many, many years.
Yes, I think I will make a scrapbook of my special Christmas cards and I'll also ask my Cara if she will send me an 8x10 picture of this card as I would like to frame it and put it in my red room.
Friday, January 7, 2011
Boxing Up Christmas Decorations
Today I spent the day cleaning up and putting away the Christmas decorations. It took me longer to do this than I had planned, maybe it was because my decorations hold memories.
I have decided to keep only the decorations that have memories or meaning to me, so first I sorted out the two main plastic containers that I was going to store these decorations in. I have a box now of old Christmas decoration that's going to go to DI, maybe someone else will have a use for them, but for me, decorations filled with memories will be my keepsakes.
I started by gathering the decorations from the different rooms and putting them on the dinning room table. As I looked at each one, pictures came to mind of time and places, where and when, and who they were from and the stories behind them....
I put in a small box, a battery operated Backwoods Outhouse that my son Mark had given me years ago. He said at the time it was for memories of the Outhouse that was in the mountains, where we spent our family vacations. I put it in the bathroom on the sink this year, so he would see it when he was here for Christmas.
I package up a stain glass work of art, of a poinsettia that my daughter Marta made. It sets in a piece of wood that you put a light behind, the light shines though and makes the glass sparkle.
My granddaughter Shawna has made two angels for me. The first on is made out of straw and is very simple, the other one is made with beautiful ribbon, gold and cream color satin, different widths and very angelic.
I have a Christmas red, green and white quilted wall hanging block that my daughter Ann made. I love quilts and quilt patterns, so this is in my sewing room.
My cousin Barbara is a beautiful quilter and she has made me a lovely Christmas quilted table runner. I cherish this for the friendship we share.
I have a lighted glass block with the word Believe on the front, tied with a lovely Christmas bow made by my sweet daughter-in-law Susan. Her sweet spirit is a joy to me.
I have a set of 4 blocks, red and green, with the letter N, O, E, L, painted on. This was made by my granddaughter Cara and this year I had them in my Red Room.
On the inside of my front door hung the face of "Santa" made from a bleach bottle. My son Mark made this for me when we were living in Texas. I had to smile each time I went out the front door seeing Santa and thinking of my son and his soft heart.
I have a Christmas rabbit made by my Mother, sitting on the dresser in another room. On the mirror in my front room, hung Christmas Bells with a full, red velvet ribbon bow, also made by my dear mother.
I have cross stitch pictures of Old Santa's that I have stitched, plus 4 stuffed cross stitched nutcrackers sitting in front of my fireplace.
In my sun room from the mantel of the fireplace, hung the 2 Christmas stockings that my daughter Marta made and sent to us, that lonely Christmas in our Texas apartment years ago.
But one of my decorations that I treasure the most, is the 16x20 picture that I had hanging in my entry this year. It is of a Christmas tree, with Christmas lights a glow, it is on a back ground of red velvet. The tree is made out of old jewelry, earrings, pins, brooches, bracelets, it shines, it sparkles and glows of many colors. My aunt Sissie made this for my mother many years ago, and now I have this beautiful keepsake. Each time I looked at this picture, I remember my dear aunt Sissie, and it makes me feel good just seeing some of her jewelry that she had worn and the sweet memories I have of her.
At Christmas time the stores are filled with all the latest in Christmas decorations for your home and tree. They are all so beautiful and lovely, but the decorations, that to me, have the most meaning, are the ones that come from the heart. They are selected or made and given to me, with love from the giver.
Christmas in 2010 is now just a memory, but one to remember.....
I have decided to keep only the decorations that have memories or meaning to me, so first I sorted out the two main plastic containers that I was going to store these decorations in. I have a box now of old Christmas decoration that's going to go to DI, maybe someone else will have a use for them, but for me, decorations filled with memories will be my keepsakes.
I started by gathering the decorations from the different rooms and putting them on the dinning room table. As I looked at each one, pictures came to mind of time and places, where and when, and who they were from and the stories behind them....
I put in a small box, a battery operated Backwoods Outhouse that my son Mark had given me years ago. He said at the time it was for memories of the Outhouse that was in the mountains, where we spent our family vacations. I put it in the bathroom on the sink this year, so he would see it when he was here for Christmas.
I package up a stain glass work of art, of a poinsettia that my daughter Marta made. It sets in a piece of wood that you put a light behind, the light shines though and makes the glass sparkle.
My granddaughter Shawna has made two angels for me. The first on is made out of straw and is very simple, the other one is made with beautiful ribbon, gold and cream color satin, different widths and very angelic.
I have a Christmas red, green and white quilted wall hanging block that my daughter Ann made. I love quilts and quilt patterns, so this is in my sewing room.
My cousin Barbara is a beautiful quilter and she has made me a lovely Christmas quilted table runner. I cherish this for the friendship we share.
I have a lighted glass block with the word Believe on the front, tied with a lovely Christmas bow made by my sweet daughter-in-law Susan. Her sweet spirit is a joy to me.
I have a set of 4 blocks, red and green, with the letter N, O, E, L, painted on. This was made by my granddaughter Cara and this year I had them in my Red Room.
On the inside of my front door hung the face of "Santa" made from a bleach bottle. My son Mark made this for me when we were living in Texas. I had to smile each time I went out the front door seeing Santa and thinking of my son and his soft heart.
I have a Christmas rabbit made by my Mother, sitting on the dresser in another room. On the mirror in my front room, hung Christmas Bells with a full, red velvet ribbon bow, also made by my dear mother.
I have cross stitch pictures of Old Santa's that I have stitched, plus 4 stuffed cross stitched nutcrackers sitting in front of my fireplace.
In my sun room from the mantel of the fireplace, hung the 2 Christmas stockings that my daughter Marta made and sent to us, that lonely Christmas in our Texas apartment years ago.
But one of my decorations that I treasure the most, is the 16x20 picture that I had hanging in my entry this year. It is of a Christmas tree, with Christmas lights a glow, it is on a back ground of red velvet. The tree is made out of old jewelry, earrings, pins, brooches, bracelets, it shines, it sparkles and glows of many colors. My aunt Sissie made this for my mother many years ago, and now I have this beautiful keepsake. Each time I looked at this picture, I remember my dear aunt Sissie, and it makes me feel good just seeing some of her jewelry that she had worn and the sweet memories I have of her.
At Christmas time the stores are filled with all the latest in Christmas decorations for your home and tree. They are all so beautiful and lovely, but the decorations, that to me, have the most meaning, are the ones that come from the heart. They are selected or made and given to me, with love from the giver.
Christmas in 2010 is now just a memory, but one to remember.....
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
I Put On My Dancing Shoes
Tuesday nights I have a standing date with my friend. We go dancing...
I put on my dancing shoes, she picks me up in her car and we head to Cedar... From 7 o'clock in the evening until just before 9 you will see me on the dance floor.
Our dance instructor is a really nice lady. Her name is Sue and she sure is good with names. She knows each one of us and is eager to help us and has lots of patience. She's a good teacher, she laughs, she talks with us and she makes dancing fun..
I've been doing this for about a year and half now and I'm not doing so bad, if I say so myself. It might take me a few times to learn a new dance but it will soon click in. My brain just has to soak in the new steps and the order they go in and then in a few times my feet will take over and dancing and a clapping I go.
I've always loved to dance and when I was young I always went to dances. We had a teen canteen not far from our High School and after school they had games and dancing there. Sometimes my girl friends and I would drop in for a while, it was just a place to "hang out" and have some fun.
Most of my boyfriends liked to dance and some were real good dancers, but then I met my Sweetheart, and things changed. He really doesn't enjoy dancing that much, but he is a good sport and when we go someplace where there is dancing, he will dance with me a few times and spin me around the dance floor.
Now you would be surprised to hear where we first met.
Our stake was having a special Mutual program down at his ward. After the meeting they had a "Dance"... that's right, a "Dance" and he and another young man came running up to ask me to dance, and he got there first.
I remember like it was yesterday. He was tall, good looking, wearing blue jeans, and a kelly green pull over jersey T shirt with a collar and had a gold basketball charm on a gold chain around his neck.
I only danced with him for that one dance, (as my ride was ready to leave,) but a couple of days later my telephone rang and it was him asking for a date, and that was the beginning..
Tuesday's is when my friend and I go Line Dancing... It is fun and I enjoy it and it's good exercise too.
When we lived in California I had a dancing friend there too.
When my friend and I went dancing, we went Clogging. I think I enjoyed clogging a little better then I do line dancing. Maybe it's because I had my clogging shoes. Clogging shoes are like tap shoes.... they have these special kind of tapes on the soles of the shoes. It's was fun to put these magical shoes on and tap, tap away.
I still have my clogging shoes, there in my closet and who knows maybe I might put them on again one day just to see if they still fit, and just maybe I might go tapping away, but until then, I'll just keep doing my line dancing with my friend.
I put on my dancing shoes, she picks me up in her car and we head to Cedar... From 7 o'clock in the evening until just before 9 you will see me on the dance floor.
Our dance instructor is a really nice lady. Her name is Sue and she sure is good with names. She knows each one of us and is eager to help us and has lots of patience. She's a good teacher, she laughs, she talks with us and she makes dancing fun..
I've been doing this for about a year and half now and I'm not doing so bad, if I say so myself. It might take me a few times to learn a new dance but it will soon click in. My brain just has to soak in the new steps and the order they go in and then in a few times my feet will take over and dancing and a clapping I go.
I've always loved to dance and when I was young I always went to dances. We had a teen canteen not far from our High School and after school they had games and dancing there. Sometimes my girl friends and I would drop in for a while, it was just a place to "hang out" and have some fun.
Most of my boyfriends liked to dance and some were real good dancers, but then I met my Sweetheart, and things changed. He really doesn't enjoy dancing that much, but he is a good sport and when we go someplace where there is dancing, he will dance with me a few times and spin me around the dance floor.
Now you would be surprised to hear where we first met.
Our stake was having a special Mutual program down at his ward. After the meeting they had a "Dance"... that's right, a "Dance" and he and another young man came running up to ask me to dance, and he got there first.
I remember like it was yesterday. He was tall, good looking, wearing blue jeans, and a kelly green pull over jersey T shirt with a collar and had a gold basketball charm on a gold chain around his neck.
I only danced with him for that one dance, (as my ride was ready to leave,) but a couple of days later my telephone rang and it was him asking for a date, and that was the beginning..
Tuesday's is when my friend and I go Line Dancing... It is fun and I enjoy it and it's good exercise too.
When we lived in California I had a dancing friend there too.
When my friend and I went dancing, we went Clogging. I think I enjoyed clogging a little better then I do line dancing. Maybe it's because I had my clogging shoes. Clogging shoes are like tap shoes.... they have these special kind of tapes on the soles of the shoes. It's was fun to put these magical shoes on and tap, tap away.
I still have my clogging shoes, there in my closet and who knows maybe I might put them on again one day just to see if they still fit, and just maybe I might go tapping away, but until then, I'll just keep doing my line dancing with my friend.
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