Friday, July 27, 2007

Old Treasures Become New

I spent a good part of Wednesday at my mom's house helping to re-organize her living space. My sister and her 2 grandchildren are moving back to town and will be staying with my parents until they can get settled in their own place. This meant that the little bedroom that had been converted into a dining room would now need to become a 3 year old's bedroom, the guest bedroom would no longer be for guests and the finished basement would now be a toy/tv room for my sister to take her kids and "escape" or be "banished" depending on the day. In making room, my mom needed to relinquish certain treasures. Now they may not be treasures to anyone else, but to me they are priceless. I only brought a couple of things home but will share them with you. These pictures of me and my sister have hung in our home since we were each 2 years old. They measure 24" x 28" so you can't just throw them on any wall. I ended up hanging them in my formal dining room. They are done in oil and the top one is me, the bottom one my sister. I am 2 1/2 years older than her. I had cleavage back then!!! My strap had accidentally fallen and for my sister's pose, 3 years later, they pulled hers off her shoulder so it would match.

When my sister moves out, I will more than likely return these to my mother's house. My dad was none to pleased that they were leaving, but conceded that there was no wall to hang them and they would be better protected on my walls than in storage. He made the comment.."You can borrow them until I die and then you may have them."
This next treasure I am thrilled with. It is the cabinet stereo that my parents bought when I was in 1st grade. I remember playing all my records on it while I was a teenager, and through out my childhood my parents would have friends over and play Patsy Cline (which I listened to last night), Lorretta Lynn, Tammy Wynette and I know every Johnny Cash album ever made is in there. I have a collection of Credence Clearwater, Donny Osmond, Bobby Sherman, and some no names that had 1 hit songs...remember "The Streak"? I have a huge collection of 45's and 78's along with the massive collection of 33's. Charlotte asked if those were "giant cd's". Hold on while I grab my cane!










Not great pictures as the sun is not shining here and that room is rather dark.
As I was leaving, my mother told me to go grab a shoe box from the closet. It was full of weird little things I saved as a child. You know that sentimental side of me....this was in the box.

It may be hard to see, but there IS a sewing badge on there. Also, a childcare badge, one for cooking (what a joke!), first aide, and good citizenship. I can't remember the others. I think one is for hiking. Meeeeemories, like the corners of my mind....no I do not have that record, and it is good you can't hear me sing, because I know there is not a singing badge on that little sash!
I also got mail!! On Saturday, I received a book from Joni on stitching. I LOVE this book!!

"An Encyclopedia of 101 Embroidery Stitches" by Jane Cannon Meyers. I have enjoyed looking at it everyday since it arrived! Thank you Joni!!
I also received a partial order from Amazon on Wednesday. I was frustrated with this order as it has taken a couple of months and it is still not complete. This one did come though.
It is a collection of inspirational quilt stories. Great to pick up and set down again. Maybe a great one to read aloud with Charlotte. The author, Kathy Lamancusa, also compiled another book called "Flowers are Forever" for gardeners.
Well today I sew. I want to finish piecing a top..only about an hour to go, and finish my latest stitchery. It is hot and humid and rainy here and my sinus headache is going to require some Advil I think. Thank you all for your kind words regarding my Grandmother. Today is a better day for me. Oh, and by the way, the glass enclosed quilt shrine has been moved to the living room where, it is said, that the quilts will be more likely to be used, and that large spiky weed was gone from the root when I went to my mother's on Wednesday!!! Mom has evidently started reading my blog!

19 comments:

Knit-Wit said...

We were just listening to "The Streak" the other night - on a record! What fun! The kids were introduced to the fine art of putting the needle on the record.

Belvie said...

There's some old LP's in my house too....but no longer a player to play them on.

Love the paintings of you and sis as little girls. Sure were cuties!

dot said...

What great memories and reading your blog brought back so many for me. I remember listening to those very same records and songs. Oh the good ol' days. I do love that music though.

Joni said...

Those paintings are adorable Bren. My parents had a stereo like that, boy that brings back memories. I pray for patience and tolerance to Momma and Daddy of Bren! They might need it!! LOL

Solstitches said...

I love the pictures of you and your sister. Your dad has quite a sense of humour LOL.
How kind of Joni to send you the embroidery book. It will have you stitching like a pro in next to no time and the quilt story book looks like a nice read.
Kids come out with the cutest things. I'll never look at one of those old LP records in quite the same way again now that they are likened to giant CD's :)
Margaret

Melzie said...

What a neat trip down memory lane for us :) I'd love a record player, there is something neat about the scratchiness and the memories :) xoxo melzie

Aunt Jenny said...

We must be close to the same age...I sure DO remember the Streak!!! And records for sure!

Pam said...

Such pretty painting of you and your sister. Did you have to sit long for the painting or did they take a photo and use that? That is something that really isn't done any more - which is such a shame. Those painting will be around much longer than all our digital photos.

We have my husbands parents old cabinet stereo and a huge collection of records from the 70's. The are fun to listen to every so often. The stereo takes up a little too much wall space though!

Lily Mulholland said...

Happy birthday to Zach first of all Bren!

And yes, I have some 'favourite' things at my parents' house that they are forbidden to get rid of!!! So glad you could find a home for your treasures while you 'borrow' them.

And boy your parents are in for a fun ride! It will be strange to have so many people in the house again!

Lynda (Granny K) said...

What beautiful little girls you and your sister were! What treasures you have unearthed!
Good luck to your Ma and Pa, it will be fun!!

Rose Johnston said...

Those paintings r gorgeous!!!! we have a stash of LP's (or large CD's lol) with nothing to play them on, and i think there is a copy of "The Streak" in there somewhere!!!

Wendy said...

My 22 year old daughter collects old LP's and has a turn table to play them. She loves them!

Your paintings are such treasures, I can see why you Dad would be so attached.

Sweet P said...

My parents used to have a stereo cabinet like that too. We didn't listen to Patsy Cline, but we did listen to Frank Sinatra. How fun to listen to albums. Those portraits are adorable. Cleavage at 2? Nice touch.

meggie said...

Hi Bren, Just catching up with my favourite blogs. So sorry about your Grandma. Hugs from me.
I remember all those records you mention. Music can hold so much memory!
I just love those pictures of you & your sister, what treasures they are.

Libby said...

We love our lp's. At one time it was VERY difficult to find a stereo that would accommodate a turntable. Now there is a turn table that attaches to a usb to transfer vinyl to digital.
Your paintings are darling - no wonder your dad wants them back *s*

Sue said...

You've been a busy little blogger! Loved reading them all from this week, I've been so busy I feel like I haven't had time to turn around.

Loved looking at all your treasures!

ann said...

My grandmother has a stereo cabinet just like the one in your picture. I love it too! I am so sad that I don't have my old 45s. I don't know where they got to but I or someone else must have gotten rid of them for some reason. I still have my 33s though and a turntable too!

Yvonne said...

Really love the portraits of you and your sister. Your Dad is too funny. We have a large box of records somewhere but we don't play them anymore...not sure why we are keeping them. Will keep your Grandmother in my prayers.

CONNIE W said...

Really enjoyed reading your post, I was remembering my past along with you remembering yours. Lots in common. Fun photos!