Treasured Memories

Dear Brian:

There's nothing more special for me right now than to discover a pile of old photos!  I was cleaning out one of my "treasure boxes" and found a few more.  I look at them and remember all the things we used to do! 




Here's a photo of the pumpkins we carved while camping out at Big Basin, which was a great place to go for a quick little get-away weekend.  The smile on your face must mean you were having a great time!

While I know that I'll be ... troubled when thoughts of you drift into my head in the dark of night, I'm trying to be reasonable, knowing full well that it's part of the process.  Will I ever get "over" this?  I think not.   But I'm praying that I arrive at some kind of peace; to be able to accept that your choice is what you felt necessary.  I'll always believe different: that with some talking and some care, things would have gotten better. 

I started attacking that overgrown tree in the backyard.  Not sure I'll be able to finish doing the digging out of the root ball, but as with everything now that I"ll be doing alone:  a little at a time!


I'll be posting a few of your old photos found on the website ForeverMissed.com and telling the story behind them.  It's been fun being able to share.  But I'm a little sad about it too.  I don't think your dad and I know Grandma just can't look at your photos and stories.  They're so sad.  Grandma told me she had a photo of you from Anthony's wedding that she put in a frame, but she can't bear to look at it.  Which makes me sad as well. 

I want her, I want everyone to remember you
as you were, just like you asked us to.
Which is why I just keep writing .....
Love you always, son!
Mom

Treasures!

Saturday morning, and I'm awake extra early today, but that's how it is some times.  After much tossing and turning, I decided to head out to the local park, see what I could come up with -- at the same time, get a daily walk in.  Nothing much in the way of 'eventful' happens that early in the park, however.

When I got home, my son was up, awake, semi alert -- early on a Saturday for him, because its 50% off everything day at Goodwill!   Off we go, looking to find any kind of treasures -- we ended up hitting 3 different Goodwill stores, spent a total of just under $30 and got 24 treasures!  A very good shopping trip!

Can't wait to post pictures of the "after" as we experiment with different techniques.  There's something about using your creative side that makes you feel alive. :)  And if things don't work the way we plan, we're not out a lot of money.

One of the things I found that seems to fit into the whole southwest theme here in the Valley of the Sun is this jug with leather on it.  I'm assuming its deer hide, as there are small places where there are tufts of hair still attached.  The only marking on the bottom is "cy"  and while its not an old piece, it seems to have been made in the old style, and that works for me as well. 

Treasures

"One man's trash is another man's treasure."  ~~~ That much is very true.  And the evidence can be seen at any local Goodwill store.  When was the last time you shopped in a Goodwill store?  I never tire of going in and looking at all the things people don't want any more.  And if you have an eye out for things, you never know what you'll find! 

Over time, I've collected a lot of different things.  Lately, I'm more interested in things that I can actually use.  I always look for PYREX  brand glass bakeware -- they work well, they stand up to the tests of time, and frankly, I love how they look!  I'm not sure it matters to me if its old, or new.  However, I do have some pieces that I know are very old  (Scalloped handle 1926-1939)  -- an inheritance thing, you see.  :)  Here's today's find:  

I also collect antique or unusual kitchen gadgets, like this one:

Not sure what specific use these tongs are made for, 

but seems like it would work well for olives, 

given the rounded shape and 'fingers'.

If you haven't shopped a Goodwill store in a while, maybe you should give it a try again!  You never know what treasures you'll find in there!