Itsy Bitsy Organizing Task

We call it a glove box, and I actually did find a pair of stray gloves in it...

 

... along with $1.21 in small change, an ink cartridge for a printer I no longer have, the car manual and assorted pamphlets that came with the vehicle, invoice for new tires recently purchased, multiple (by that I mean LOTS) of coupons for oil changes, etc that had all expired, bandaids, Advil, 4 pens, small tablet, a Christmas ornament, 3 Kleenex travel packs - each with 1 - 3 tissues, tape measure, chap stick, and a bit of garbage. Time to tidy up! 

I started by choosing the items that would be good to have in a handy spot when on the road, and I put them a cute little bag so they will be easy to grab. I included some tissues, bandaids, chapstick, pens tape measure & Advil in a little tin. There is room to add other things as I think of them.

 

The car manual came in a plastic bag so I used that the corral other papers that we want to keep with the car including the registration and insurance card.

 

I added a pocket road atlas, a small note pad and put it all back in the glove box - nice and tidy!



 

Ready for a road trip!

 

Till next time...

Blessings,

Gail

 

 

 

 

 

 



It's A Fiesta!

 

Picture Source & History of Fiesta Colors

 

Fiesta dishes are connected in my memory to family meals as we sat at the round kitchen table - my mom, dad, brother and I. As I entered seventh grade the four of us moved into a new home that my parents had built, and it was then that the Fiesta dishes appeared. We not only had the forest green, chartreuse, gray, and rose colored dishes on our table, the same colors were all around us. From the paint on the walls, the inlaid linoleum flooring, the formica countertops and the printed drapes at the windows - everything coordinated with those dishes. Mom must have been in her glory as she painted the walls and sewed the drapes. It was the first time she would have had the opportunity to really make a space her own. I can see it all in my mind, but oh, how I wish I had pictures of every detail.*

 

 

I don't know what happened to the dishes. They were later replaced, and the colors and curtains were also changed out to reflect changing times. I'm sure the dishes were probably boxed up and saved for a while; but they must have eventually been given away or sold at a garage sale, because they have been gone for a long time. I hope they are still out there somewhere being treasured by someone else.

 

 

Over the years I've thought of collecting a few pieces in those four colors, but never followed through with that plan until recently. I finally made the decision that I would like to have a disc pitcher (my favorite Fiesta piece) in each color. And one by one my Vintage Boy has found them for me - he's such a sweetie! So now I can just look above the cupboards in my kitchen and remember the Fiesta dishes and my family gathered at our round kitchen table.

 

 

 Do you have special memories of the dishes used in your home when you were a child? Sometimes it takes those tangible items to bring back the feelings, emotions and the memories.

 

* Perhaps we need to take out the camera and record all the rooms in our homes every few years (at least). Those pictures will be treasured some day - and may also provide a few laughs.

 

By scrolling on down you will see what books are on my bookshelf today.

 

Until next time...

Blessings,

 

Gail

 

 

Four Drawers

Any piece of furniture that has many drawers grabs my attention immediately. Most of the antique pieces were originally used in businesses, but are now finding their place in homes - sometimes just for the look, but many times they are used to hold items for crafting. I love them all, but unfortunately we have no room for another piece of furniture.  I did, however find a spot for this four-drawer card file cabinet, and I.Love.It!

 

It's been sitting like this for a couple of months, and I knew it needed something else to give it a little pizazz. Maybe something could go in one of the drawers...

 

 

So I searched through each room, and this is what I came up with - a garland with little red berries, and one of my favorite giraffes (a gift from my friend, Claudia).

 

 

Doesn't he just look so proud sitting there? Perfect!

 

Be sure to scroll on down to see what books I am reading or will be reading soon!

 

 

Till next time...

Blessings

 

Gail

 

 

 

My Mom

I will wish my mom a Happy Mother's Day knowing that a few minutes later she will not remember that it is Mother's Day, nor will she remember that I had been there when she closes her eyes at the end of the day. The gift of a visit is the best choice - flowers may brighten her room for a few days, but she won't know where they came from and food is not an option as she is on a very limited diet. It's hard to find clothes that work for her, but a pretty nightgown or new slippers are always useful and she still likes pretty things.

 

My mom has slipped away from us slowly over the last several years, and it is a sad thing to watch. But I am so thankful that she knows me and always asks about my family. She may have a fleeting moment of sadness thinking she has not seen them for 'so long' even though they might have just been there earlier in the week. I am thankful we are able to have conversations about the distant past as that is still fairly clear in her memory. I am thankful for those who care for her on a daily basis - for their patience in reminding her of things, answering the same questions often, and lovingly dealing with her independent nature. I am thankful that she seems content.

Most of all I am thankful for the memories of all the times we have had together, and for all the ways she has shown her love for me. I don't remember her saying it much, but I've never doubted that she loved me and wanted the best for me. I think that's the best gift we as mothers can give our children.

Have a wonderful weekend my friends, and to those of you who are mothers, Happy Mother's Day!

Till next time...
Blessings,

Gail

Who Would I Be?

I just recently watched the movie "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel" and found it to be a delightful story. The movie promo reads - The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel follows a group of British retirees who decide to "outsource" their retirement to less expensive and seemingly exotic India. Enticed by advertisements for the newly restored Marigold Hotel and bolstered with visions of a life of leisure, they arrive to find the palace a shell of its former self. Though the new environment is less luxurious than imagined, they are forever transformed by their shared experiences, discovering that life and love can begin again when you let go of the past.

Watching the story unfold raised some questions in my mind. If I were transplanted, for whatever reason, all alone into another country and culture...

• how well would I adapt to my different surroundings?
• would I be able to learn to communicate in another language?
• how would I deal with meeting all new people? 
• since none of the other people would know anything about me, would I be able to step out and be that person I've always wanted to be? or would I still be the same "me?" 
• would I maintain the morals and values that I hold here in this place - in our society?

None of these questions have answers, of course; but it does provide the opportunity to do a bit of dreaming and soul searching. If you haven't seen this movie, I would suggest you track it down and give it a go - let me know what you think.

Till next time...
Blessings,

Gail

May Day Past & Present

As I sit here this May Day morning watching the snow pile up all around us, I'm going to think back to May Days of the past that didn't involve snow. (We ate our evening meal at that table just a few days ago.)

As a college student I received a dozen roses on May Day from my Vintage Boy. It must have worked because we were married later that year!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And then there were May Baskets...

My funny memory of delivering a May Basket to a boy in my class - about 4th grade - and having him chase me into the back seat of my dad's car to give me a kiss. 

And later the torture of getting May Baskets put together for my kids to deliver... yes, I said "torture." I know a lot of you enjoyed doing those types of things, but to me it was just one more thing that had to be done in already busy days. I hope I didn't scar my kids for life with my bad attitude!

 



 

Till next time...

Blessings,
Gail