November Thanks--Part 2

Today I am giving thanks for my four wonderful children.  All are productive citizens--A Safeway deli manager, a U-Haul assistant manager, a Safeway pharmacy tech, and a Yavapai County computer specialist.  All respect God and family.

And I am thankful for all my grandkids.  They bring such joy to my heart.

School Clothes--Flour sacks to Fakes

My little granddaughter loves to shop, just like her mom.  She recently went shopping for school clothes, and being the little fashionista that she is, it was a long day.  She likes certain styles, and colors, and even has an opinion about fabrics.  It sure is different than when I was a kid.  

Flour sack fabric 1940-1950

My mom made all our clothes generally from flour sacks or reworked from other dresses. Occassionally we would get a dress from new fabric she got in town.  Now don't get the wrong idea, my mom was an excellent seamstress, and she copied the styles out of the latest Monkey Wards catalog, but their were no designer labels or high end trims.  We were ignorant of the difference.  We were proud of our wardrobe, and bragged that "Mommy made this!"  

When my girls were growing up, I made all their clothes, but they were label conscious. There was a SAS fabric outlet store not too far from us, and I scored with labels--they were rejects from the manufacturer, but no one ever knew the difference.  My girls were happy--they knew they were fakes, but didn't lose face with the other kids and the money I saved was amazing.  Which brings me to this thought, it is sad that status symbols are often more important the a persons substance.

Almost Mine

My girl and her family

Today, I'm thankful for my "kind-a-kid".  A daughter not by birth, or adoption, but by love. She was the child of a substance abuser--a nice woman, but with a problem she couldn't handle.When the baby was ten days old, through a friend's referral, I baby sat her for the evening while her mom went out.  Three days later, mom came to pick her up.  That was the beginning of my motherhood with her. The pattern repeated itself again and again. Sometimes I would have her for a week or a year. (Now child protective services in Arizona is terrible, so the thought of turning her over was never an option).  I loved that little girl. She truly brought joy into my life.  She was funny, loved being clean, inquisitive, obedient. She did love to shop, though.  If she found a penny on the sidewalk, she would come running and tell me "lets go shopping". Through the years she grew into a wonderful women, with a good profession, now with two children of her own.  She is a loving, thoughtful person.  Her house is shiny clean and yes, she still loves to go shopping.






Also I give thanks today for my son.  Today is his birthday.  He is a loving dad, a faithful husband, trustworthy employee, and a child of God.

She was a Beautiful Baby

3 Months

2 Years

3 Years

I remember a hot day in June, I was sunburned after a picnic at Lynx Lake near Prescott.  Shortly after returning home, it was time, it was TIME.  A few minutes after rushing to the hospital, this cute little redhead entered the world, and things have never been the same.  Independent, strong-willed, determined, an "I can conquer the world" attitude, are words that best describe my daughter.  She makes an unforgettable impression on everyone.  She is going to college full time finishing her degree, she works full time, she manages her home, and now this Saturday she will be getting married.  I think that will be her birthday present.  I am so proud of you!  Happy birthday, my dear daughter.

High School graduation

Just look at her now