Angel

For many years, my Dad made fruit baskets for others.  He'd make several trips to the produce market to fill up the back of his pickup or van with bushel boxes of Washington apples, navel oranges, grapefruit and tangerines.  Plus nuts and other things.

The garage always smelled wonderful.  To this day, the smell of citrus reminds me of Christmas.

My brother would help unload all those boxes in the garage where they worked.  Dad would mix them around.  Everyone at the garage and gas station would get a box.  He put bags of walnuts in them too.  

This picture above is from the cemetery.  Mom and I visited and placed a wreath on Dad's grave before Christmas.  Journaling: 

"Last Christmas Dad was very sick.  This year he's making fruit baskets and building fires for the angels.  Dad's helping Pop Pop Harry make pancakes for the angels."

Dad kept busy and was always trying to do things for others.  He also would drive his 1940s Willys jeep and plow neighbors driveways in the winter.   

The penny on the layout is a 1953 penny (from the year I was born).  My sister found it and mailed to me with a note that said "an angel was thinking of us".

Palmetto Perfection

Our son Greg and his wife Michelle recently moved to South Carolina.  This is our lovely daughter-in-law Michelle on the beach in December-a beautiful sunny day.  The water was 50 degrees-too cold to swim but fine for wading.  

The grain bag is from Palmetto Farms-Yellow Corn Grits.  The kids brought me one for Christmas. . . this is the older bag I had in my cupboard.  We had several nice visits with them over the holidays when they returned to Morgantown for 10 days.

December Cards

Amelia is a WVU student and the instructor for the water aerobics class I attend at noon 2-3 days a week.  She loves the water and the sun and we love her.  This card was for Christmas and a thank you for a fun semester.

My cousin's daughter married this year to a young man from Germany.  Carlo and Tessa were married in Germany earlier in the year.  In December, they married in Maryland.  Bob and I took my Mom to the wedding where she sat with her brother John, the Grandfather of the bride.  It was my Mom's idea to give them the page I made about the love story between our grandparents many generations ago:

This is the framed layout we gave Carlo and Tessa for their wedding:  

"This is a beautiful love story.  They were of Dutch/German descent.  Christopher Fier came to America first from Holland to work building railroads then sent money for Anna Hoffman to come.  It took a long time for her to get to New York by ship and when she got here she could not locate him.  She got a job as a Nanny and that family helped her get to California where she searched the railroad being built and found him.  They got married and came to the Midland, Md. area to live.  Christopher Fier and Anna Marie Hoffman were born c1828.  they were my Grandmother Marie's grandparents.  Christopher had red hair and blue eyes."

My friend Betty has some health issues.  This is a card for her:

"I send these get well wishes and praying for you too,

For a speedy recovery for somebody as nice as you."   

Taylor teaches chair exercise at the Senior Center where I take my Mom on Tuesdays.  This card has her picture (that's my Mom in the foreground).  Taylor is a grand-niece to one of my best friends (Liz).  This is a Christmas card for Taylor.

"Christmas time is here.

We'd like to Thank You

& a Happy New Year!"  

Bob's brother David celebrated his 64th birthday of December 19.  This is a card for him.

"Wishing a very special brother

A wonderful birthday with

Lots of love and best wishes."

Johnny Moore is a musician who played with Bobby Darin in the 1960s.  Johnny now performs at nursing homes and senior centers in Western Maryland and West Virginia.  His concert of Christmas carols at the Tri-Towns Senior Center was great.  My Mom sat right by the amplifier and sang along.  I included a reprint of Johnny in this thank you note for him.

"Thanks from all who came

We really had a ball

Thank you for all the songs

Bringing pleasure to one and all." 

This is the New Year's card I made for the staff at the HSC Cafeteria and Catering.  I received many nice cards and notes from previous staff members.

"May the old year depart with a blessing

For the new year will keep us guessing.

Give to each a smile on their face,

With a year full of happiness and grace." 

This is a Christmas card for Diane, the director of the Senior Center my Mom and I visit on Tuesdays.  She has helped Mom with so many things over the past few years.  That's a picture of Diane dancing at the Christmas carol concert.  I thought the 9 Ladies Dancing paper strips were appropriate. 

"We made this little Christmas card just with you in mind

To say a great big thank you for being so very kind!

It may be just a simple thing but the sentiment is true:

We wish you Joy and Happiness today and all year through!"

Tammy is a staff member in the HSC Cafeteria with a charming personality and 2 precious kids.  This birthday card is for her:

"Today for you come wishes most sincere of healthy and happiness.  

May there be countless joys ahead for this coming birthday year."

My nephew Dan turns 36 on December 28th.  Dan has red hair, a muscular build and a heart of gold.  This card is for Dan:

"We're sending loving thoughts your way

On this your very special day.

Those 36 years have fast flown by

As in the twinkling of an eye.

In you we have been blessed to see

A nephew sho has grown to be

Someone who has made us proud.

So we just want to say out loud

With all our love and wishes too.

Happy Birthday and good luck to you!" 

Betty and John retire from the HSC Cafeteria tomorrow.  Together they have 80 years of service with WVU Medicine.  This card and planter is for them:

"As you retire, look back and be proud

Of all the work you have done.

Looking forward to friends and pleasures

That await you.  Enjoy every day.  Good luck!" 

Handkerchief Shower

It was the early 1940s and Mom was a sophomore at Bruce High School.  The principal, John Fisher, was called to go to war.  The students at the school, grades 7-12, had a "handkerchief" shower where everyone brought kerchiefs.  They hailed Mr. Fisher off by singing "You're in the Army now!"

All Year Long

This Christmas layout features pictures from the Harper's Ferry Old Tyme Christmas and Wheeling's Festival of Lights.  Both are annual events held near home in West Virginia.  The words are to the song "You Make it Feel Like Christmas" by Neil Diamond.

"Cozy we are
Closer than far
Sounds of forever still around

Lovers in love
Just like we were
'Cause being apart's a lonely sound

And when people ask how we stay together
I say you never let me down, ye
And you make it feel like Christmas
Even when things go wrong
I hear the sound of Christmas in your song
All year long

Look at the sun
Shining on me
Nowhere could be a better place

Lovers in love
Yeah, that's what we'll be
When you're here with me
It's Christmas day

Just look at us now
Part of it all
In spite of it all
We're still around"

Merry Christmas my friends!

 

 

In This Light

Bob's comment when he saw this layout was, "We took all those Christmas pictures and this is what you used?"  I replied, "Get over it!"  Bob was very happy that day as we walked through the ruins of the church at Harpers ferry, WV, a place that served as a hospital during the Civil War.  The December weather for the "Old Tyme Christmas" event was very warm and sunny.

2015

November Cards

My water aerobics friend Linda had surgery and is out for 6 weeks.  This card is to cheer her up!

"With warm wishes

I just want to say,

That I hope you'll feel better

With each and everyday." 

Bob's brother David, a pharmacist, retired.  He likes trains and old cars.  He once drove a "woody" car.  David is an advocate for Amtrack and will now devote his time to refurbishing a train station in Prince, WV.  

"Oh the places you'll go!

Retirement opens the door

To a whole new world

Of enjoyment, adventure and happiness.

May it bring you everything

You are looking for." 

Our niece Brittany and her husband Brian are expecting a child.  They are a delightful couple and will make excellent parents.  This is my congratulations card.

"We've heard the patter of tiny feet

will soon be coming your way.

Lots of love and giggles

will soon be with you to stay.

So enjoy the next few months

as you prepare for your bundle of joy.

You'll adore your brand new baby

whether it's a girl or a boy!" 

My dietitian colleague and former boss Kendra lost her Dad a few weeks ago.  Kendra and her husband Jim did many things with her Mom and Dad.  This card is for them, with a poem I must repeat to myself.

"There's an angel sitting beside you

To help take some of the pain,

Though you can't see him or hear him

There by your side he'll remain.

He'll manage your sorrow and anger,

He'll hold your hand as you sleep

Though you can't see him or hear him

His love for you he will keep.

Talk to him often I ask you,

Tell him your doubts and your fears,

For though he has gone from your vision,

He'll still love you all of the years."

Liz was one of my closest friends from high school and turned 62 this month.  She is retiring from her job as a special education teacher.  Look closely and you'll see our yearbook pictures very close together.

"When we were young and single

The world was at our feet,

Everyday was so exciting,

New places and people to meet.

The years have come,

The years have gone.

Our lives have changed and grown.

Our beautiful little babies

Have left their nests and flown.

So now it's time to think of us,

To do exciting things once more.

To show the world we've still got it

We're about to open new doors.

So my dearest friend in all the world,

My good wishes are sent your way.

For let's mark your birthday as a starting point

For new adventures today!"

Sally is a cashier at the HSC Cafe.  She retired once and came back to work full time where everyone was happy to see her.  Sally always told the customers to have a good day.  I hope she does too!

"Hoping that your birthday

Is a very happy day.

For someone that is wonderful

In every single way.

Also please remember that

Each day the whole year through,

The best of things are always wished

Especially for you."