Many years ago two little girls were thrilled to get a huge dollhouse for Christmas. Made by hand, the structure was already about 20 years old when we got it. With a beautiful wraparound front porch attached to the front facade. Both the front and back facades were removable. The rooms were papered with wallpaper from our house. The bedroom had the same wallpaper we had in our room.
Our kitty loved the dollhouse too. She used to sleep on the staircase.
Then, our daughter Patti played with the dollhouse. We gave it to her for her third birthday after I tracked it down and bought from an antique dealer.
At Christmas I asked Lauren, our three-year-old granddaughter, if she wanted to help me paint the dollhouse. She's been so excited about painting and getting the dollhouse ready to play.
The first time she came we talked about colors and then we went online so she could choose furniture and a family to live in the dollhouse. On a visit to Wal-Mart she insisted that she and her mom go to the tool department to buy paint brushes so she and Mimi could paint.
Finally, last week Lauren came to paint the house. She had so much fun.
Wish there were photos of Susan and me playing with the dollhouse. Have to look through the albums to see if there are pictures of Patti playing with it. As least there is a video showing Lauren painting it.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
A Blue Moon New Year
May the New Year be as spectacular a year as the Blue Moon.
A full moon occurred on Dec. 2, 2009 and will appear again to ring in the New Year. The last time this happened on New Year's Eve was 19 years ago.
A blue moon is the second full moon in a month.
A full moon occurred on Dec. 2, 2009 and will appear again to ring in the New Year. The last time this happened on New Year's Eve was 19 years ago.
A blue moon is the second full moon in a month.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Thoughts on the New Year
My granddaddy clipped from newspapers and magazines and pasted into a datebook articles, saying and advice. To a stranger, that book would give a glimpse into the soul of who he was, My daddy did it too although his clippings were apt to be found tucked many places including between pages of his bible. Mine reside on my computer to be brought up and used in speeaches or to give me private encourgement and joy. Here are a couple of them relating to the upcoming New Year.
"Let this coming year be better than all the others. Vow to do some of the things you've always wanted to do but couldn't find the time. Call up a forgotten friend. Drop an old grudge, and replace it with some pleasant memories. Vow not to make a promise you don't think you can keep. Walk tall, and smile more. You'll look ten years younger. Don't be afraid to say, 'I love you'. Say it again. They are the sweetest words in the world." Ann Landers
"We spend January 1 walking through our lives, room by room, drawing up a list of work to be done, cracks to be patched. Maybe this year, to balance the list, we ought to walk through the rooms of our lives... not looking for flaws, but looking for potential." Ellen Goodman
New Year's Wishes for You
Happiness . . . deep down within your soul.
Serenity . . . that brings peace to your heart.
Love . . . that is deep, abiding and true.
Success . . . in everything you strive to do.
Courage . . . to never give up being the best you can be.
Health . . . inside you.
Family . . . beside you with close and caring friends.
Special memories . . . to keep and cherish.
Appreciation . . . of yourself and others.
A bright today . . . that will shine on your tomorrows.
A path . . . for all your journeys to follow.
Dreams . . . that do their best to come true.
Unknown
"Let this coming year be better than all the others. Vow to do some of the things you've always wanted to do but couldn't find the time. Call up a forgotten friend. Drop an old grudge, and replace it with some pleasant memories. Vow not to make a promise you don't think you can keep. Walk tall, and smile more. You'll look ten years younger. Don't be afraid to say, 'I love you'. Say it again. They are the sweetest words in the world." Ann Landers
"We spend January 1 walking through our lives, room by room, drawing up a list of work to be done, cracks to be patched. Maybe this year, to balance the list, we ought to walk through the rooms of our lives... not looking for flaws, but looking for potential." Ellen Goodman
New Year's Wishes for You
Happiness . . . deep down within your soul.
Serenity . . . that brings peace to your heart.
Love . . . that is deep, abiding and true.
Success . . . in everything you strive to do.
Courage . . . to never give up being the best you can be.
Health . . . inside you.
Family . . . beside you with close and caring friends.
Special memories . . . to keep and cherish.
Appreciation . . . of yourself and others.
A bright today . . . that will shine on your tomorrows.
A path . . . for all your journeys to follow.
Dreams . . . that do their best to come true.
Unknown
Sunday, December 20, 2009
From Benton to Brooklyn to Wilmington
My goodness, you just never know where a comment will take you.
In September, I received a note from a gentleman inquiring about, "A place called Benton (1925-30) where a man who earlier had a place in Shermerville owned a house." I responded with what I could tell him and from then on I've been on a journey of discovery.
It turned out he too was interested in family history and lived in New York City where one of my elusive ancestors lived. I'd done some intense research on this line about six years ago, and then put it aside to attend to other projects and life altering events. While I'd dusted off the names every once in a while, my own research has taken a back seat to Village research.
Knowing full-well that a family historian knows local sources the average searcher doesn't, I asked my online friend a couple of questions about where to go to find New York area vital records and obituaries. His responses and his own digging for clues has led me on a two-month magical journey learning about my ancestors from early 1830s through 1900 New York and Brooklyn. I've also met family I've never known, shared our research and discovered some unbelievable coincidences.
One of those newly found family members lives in Wilmington, NC, where another of my ancestors lived at the same time as the family I am researching.
Last evening I sent a note to one of my new "cousins," who like my father was in the Navy. My sister lives in Wilmington, as did my father for the last few years of his life. In my note, I added a link to the story that began this blog - the story of the day I visited four Clark ancestors' homes in one day.
My "cousin" passed the link on to a friend of his who sent me a note today. A part of her note is included below.
That is more fascinating than you'll ever know. I tried to write a comment on her site, but was required to register with Google--too hard. So, here is what I tried to send her . . .
Judy,
. . . forwarded your site which I so enjoyed reading. My husband and I lived next door to the Duncan Clark House from 1978 to 1985 and know the owner . . . When we lived there, his Labrador was named Duncan in honor of Mr. Clark!
I am the historian for the Friends of Oakdale Cemetery. Our projects include trying to tend orphaned graves--those for which we know of no descendant. I suspect the friends are responsible for restoring the Clark grave markers. Their web site is OakdaleCemetery.org.
So, from an online historical question about my Village I have gone back in time to the home towns of two of my ancestors, and the final resting place of one of them. This has been an amazing journey.
Soon, my research will be placed back on the shelf so I can write about our Village founders for the Annual "Founders' Day Cemetery Walk and in doing so I'll tell the story of our Village and provide some of that "local knowledge" about a few men and women whose descendents may contact the museum in the future.
Thanks Robert for all your help, and for getting me moving forward on the Faron research steam engine.
In September, I received a note from a gentleman inquiring about, "A place called Benton (1925-30) where a man who earlier had a place in Shermerville owned a house." I responded with what I could tell him and from then on I've been on a journey of discovery.
It turned out he too was interested in family history and lived in New York City where one of my elusive ancestors lived. I'd done some intense research on this line about six years ago, and then put it aside to attend to other projects and life altering events. While I'd dusted off the names every once in a while, my own research has taken a back seat to Village research.
Knowing full-well that a family historian knows local sources the average searcher doesn't, I asked my online friend a couple of questions about where to go to find New York area vital records and obituaries. His responses and his own digging for clues has led me on a two-month magical journey learning about my ancestors from early 1830s through 1900 New York and Brooklyn. I've also met family I've never known, shared our research and discovered some unbelievable coincidences.
One of those newly found family members lives in Wilmington, NC, where another of my ancestors lived at the same time as the family I am researching.
Last evening I sent a note to one of my new "cousins," who like my father was in the Navy. My sister lives in Wilmington, as did my father for the last few years of his life. In my note, I added a link to the story that began this blog - the story of the day I visited four Clark ancestors' homes in one day.
My "cousin" passed the link on to a friend of his who sent me a note today. A part of her note is included below.
That is more fascinating than you'll ever know. I tried to write a comment on her site, but was required to register with Google--too hard. So, here is what I tried to send her . . .
Judy,
. . . forwarded your site which I so enjoyed reading. My husband and I lived next door to the Duncan Clark House from 1978 to 1985 and know the owner . . . When we lived there, his Labrador was named Duncan in honor of Mr. Clark!
I am the historian for the Friends of Oakdale Cemetery. Our projects include trying to tend orphaned graves--those for which we know of no descendant. I suspect the friends are responsible for restoring the Clark grave markers. Their web site is OakdaleCemetery.org.
So, from an online historical question about my Village I have gone back in time to the home towns of two of my ancestors, and the final resting place of one of them. This has been an amazing journey.
Soon, my research will be placed back on the shelf so I can write about our Village founders for the Annual "Founders' Day Cemetery Walk and in doing so I'll tell the story of our Village and provide some of that "local knowledge" about a few men and women whose descendents may contact the museum in the future.
Thanks Robert for all your help, and for getting me moving forward on the Faron research steam engine.
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Thankful for so many things.
I have so many things for which to give thanks. Sometimes, I forget to stop and give thanks for all my blessings. Today, it is laughter - and a note written by my grandson Jake.
A great quote to take to heart - "If you can think of nothing for which to give thanks, you have a poor memory."
A great quote to take to heart - "If you can think of nothing for which to give thanks, you have a poor memory."
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Progress on the Memorial
Posted to keep everyone aware of the memorial.
Sunday, September 15, 2009
The Memorial is finished. It is all that I hoped it would be. The families of so many of the boys were there in person and others in spirit. Their boys, my boys, will be remembered.
To see photos of the dedication click here.
Sunday, September 15, 2009
The Memorial is finished. It is all that I hoped it would be. The families of so many of the boys were there in person and others in spirit. Their boys, my boys, will be remembered.
To see photos of the dedication click here.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Facebook | Your Photos - Ground Breaking
Memorial Day - Ground Breaking for memorial to Northbrook residents who gave their lives in service to their country.
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