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!