Grandchildren are so Precious

Thursday - March 29, 2012

This past weekend, Bill and I, along with all the other grandparents, aunts, uncles, and friends helped Cora Ann and her cousin celebrate their birthdays - it was a "Birthday Observed" celebration! It is amazing at how much Cora Ann has grown, with her skills developing by leaps and bounds. She is smart as a tack and quick to catch on . . . no fooling this little girl. We had a great time with her as she celebrated her birthday!! She loves to have her picture taken . . . . but more by herself. Possibly if we were with her more and longer, we could squeeze some pictures in with her and us!!!

Ben is also growing like leaps and bounds. He smiles 90% of the time is as lovable as he can be!!! He is crawling backward and frontwards! He was trying to stand why his mother held onto him. I see him walking before long! He loves his sister and watches everything she does.

They are the perfect siblings! They adore one another, and I see in the future many days of fun days for them both.

Hope you enjoy the pictures!

Cora looks adorable in her sunglasses! We were on our way to the park for a cookout.

Cora is ready for her party. I made her a "Minnie Mouse" dress, and she was modeling it for me!
Our beautiful girl with her Minnie Mouse ball! She loves playing with the ball!

Patiently waiting for her to be allowed to open her presents!

She turned three . . .the day she would release her paci into the air so another little girl could use them!! She was such a brave girl to do this!

The thrill on her face as she watched the balloons take her pacifiers up, up, and away!!!

Ben and Grand-dad talking things over . . .looks like a serious conversation to me!

lol . . . Ben looking back to see if what Grand-dad was telling him was true!!! :):)

I got to hold both Ben and Molly!!!!!

Ben is adventurous . . .sitting in the grass did not bother him as it had his sister!

Love his expression when he saw himself in the camera!!!!

All smiles with Grand-dad

FINALLY . .. :):) Bill and i got a picture with ALL our grandchildren . . . . Ben, Molly, and Cora Ann!!

Words can never express how much Bill and I both love our grandchildren!!!!

Challenging . . . . But Rewarding

Wednesday - March 14, 2012

Before I actually started teaching full time, I did a lot of sewing. I actually made the majority of the clothes I wore. This was a trait I got from Mom. She use to sew dresses for me when I was little. On several occasions, she made a "Mother/Daughter" dress. Oh how I wish I had that dress now!!!

While in Junior High, it was required that all girls had to take a semester of cooking, and a semester of sewing. Whether I really want to admit it or not, I did learn some things from those classes. However, I give my mother and grandmother most of the knowledge, drive, and determination I have to cook and sew.

I love challenges, and I will not give up until I have successfully made the piece I am working on to look perfect, well at least as perfect as I can make it! Mom would get so tickled when I would take the piece apart again, and again, and again, and again.

I am working on some special projects for a couple of precious girls. The final projects will be posted at a later date . . . actually after their special day!

There are certain parts of sewing that I feel uncomfortable with trying, possibly because I want things to look as perfect as possible; and in my mind I have not made the perfect button hole; put in the perfect zipper; or have the facings look just right.

I love sewing; and I love trying new patterns. Last year it was trying the Pillow Case dresses . . . by summer's end, I felt comfortable with the finished dresses!!! Trial and error in many cases was my best teacher. The one thing you don't do is give up!!! If you come to a part that seems to give you a problem, walk away and come back later. Breathe . . . and then it will come to you!

The following are some of my recent endeavors with a couple of new patterns. Both of the patterns have the word "EASY" written on the front. However, there have been some challenging parts; but I did not give up, and was able to do what needed to be done. It may not be perfect, but it was the best I could do.

These ladies will have an "original" . . . . as far as I know there are no other dresses made with the colors I used!!! :) Hope they enjoy them and can't wait to see them wearing their "originals!!"

One of the first thing I do is choose the pattern, buy a selection of potential material, and get all notions needed to complete the dress!

My machine has a built-in button hole maker; button holes are one of the areas I don't feel comfortable with making. However, the ones I needed to make are okay . . .not perfect, but okay!

The type of dress I am working on is called a "knot dress!" They are apparently called this because a knot is made at the end of the strap and then placed through the button hole to hold the dress up on the shoulders. There were several patterns suggested to use according to the research I did to make the knot dress. This one was a McCall's pattern.

Due to the second dress being much smaller, I needed to use a different pattern. So, I chose a Simplicity pattern. The knot is made by tying two straps together to form the knot. But the first thing you have to do is sew the straps and then turn them!!! My, my . . . have you ever tried turning something so small without tearing it apart? I discovered using a sturdy straw was the best tool to use on this task!!!!

It was a challenge, but it worked . . . . .

. . . . and all four pieces got turned without being ripped or coming apart!!!!

The finished top of the dress with the front and back facings attached and sewn to the yokes with the straps in place!!! Again, another challenged tackled and accomplished!!!

The rewarding part of all my endeavors is that not only am I satisfied with the finished dress, but the recipient and mothers are also satisfied.!!! When we do the best we can, the reward is also knowing we did all we could!! I love being creative and making new things for others!

Happy crafting to those who love it; hoping all others find something they enjoy doing and being creative. Even though something may be challenging, it is rewarding when completed!!!

Rosies Getting Ready for the "Today Show"

Tuesday - March 6, 2012

Where does a person start when trying to explain who a Rosie the Riveter was, and what a big part they played in the war effort during WWII. It wasn’t until 2009 that I really understood the importance of these ladies; the sacrifices they made; and just how important they were to the war effort! Shame on me! My mother was a Rosie who went to Ypsilanti, MI and worked on B 24 Bomber at the Ford Bomber Plant. I, of all people should have known! However my mother didn’t really talk about that period in her life.

As a young child, I knew my father was an amputee due to injuries he suffered in “the war!” Dad was the one who told me that Mom had worked on “planes” during the war. She explained that she and two of my aunts rode the train to MI and worked on the wing of “a plane.” Still, I had no idea it was a bomber, and that it was very much in need during the war. She and Dad never talked about their experiences or the important part they played in this part of our American history. For this generation it was what they needed to do to ensure we kept our freedom. They did what they did for the present and the future generations of our country.

My SIL’s mother sent an advertisement from the “Cabell Standard,” a community newspaper, which was looking for any and all Rosie the Riveters so that they could record their stories. These were stories that needed to be told so that younger generations would know how important these ladies were. Most of the women had been like Mom. They didn’t talk about that time in their lives, not because they were ashamed, but basically because they were doing what needed to be done, and it was no big deal! They were doing their part, nothing more, just helping out the best way they could.

Since September, 2009 Mom’s story has been told. She was interviewed her at the house by three of the nicest people - Anne Montague, John Haulotte, and Tijah Bumgarner. They were able to get Mom to recall that time in her life. They all made her feel special and that the part she played was indeed an important part. They videoed the interview which was later used in a documentary about Rosie the Riveters. And so, the journey had begun for all of the Rosies, their stories are finally going to be told.

Mom was able to attend one of the gatherings in which the Rosies were going to be recognized, and they were going to be able to tell what part they played. I smile when I think back on that day. My mother was not a public speaker. Put her behind the scenes, and she would work just as hard as she could. She tried to get me to speak for her, and even asked her grand-daughter where the door was. I think she might have made a fast retreat given a chance! She was a trooper and spoke to the group. They were gracious and understood she was nervous and encouraged her. She did a great job.

Mom’s health kept her from attending many of the Rosie gatherings, but they always kept her in the loop. She felt honored that they were inviting her to all the activities. She was so proud when I ordered her a copy of the documentary. She was a simple lady; a humble woman; one who never sought the attention, but was appreciative of the honor given her.

Mom has gone to her heavenly home, but her being honored as a Rosie is not over yet. The Today Show is coming to Charleston to interview the Rosies and to get their stories. It will be a segment on their morning show in the near future. I was notified that Mom’s picture, as well as two other ladies who have passed away, have been submitted to the Today Show. Her story will be told, and she will be honored again, but this time, she will be looking down with Dad and John by her side – and she won’t have to talk!!!!

We will keep you posted as to when this segment will air!!!

Mom - early 1940's

Mom and Dad right before they were married - Dad was out of the service!

The Newlyweds - August, 1946

Mom with her brood of four - Dink, John, Sue, and Mike in her arms! She was a great mother! The was about 1954
Another mother and kids pic - Dink was still in this one - look at the picture of the end table! :)
This was probably around 1955 - 1956

Mom posing beside a "Rosie the Riveter) mannequin

Had we been able to see Mom dressed as a Rosie, this picture would come close to how she dresses when she worked on the bombers!