SEPTEMBER

"Our lives are a mosaic of little things, like putting a rose in a vase on the table" ~ Ingrid Trobisch

1. DID I LEARN TO SEW OR MAKE OTHER CRAFTS? IF SO, HOW AND WHEN? WHAT WAS THE FIRST THING YOU MADE?

As far back as I can remember I was always doing some sort of craft. I learned to sew when I was fairly young. My dad's mom was a sewer and so was my mother. Many of the clothes we wore were made by my mom and grandmother. I made doll clothes and Barbie doll clothes with a babysitter we use to have. In Jr. High and High School I took Home Ec. classes where I learned more advanced techniques in sewing. I took classes over in Coos Bay at night at one of the sewing machine stores on how to work with "knit" fabrics - polyester was just becoming popular at that time. I continued using my sewing skills, especially working with knits, when I had to sew Nicole's clothes as a little girl. Her Cerebral Palsey made it difficult for her to get her arms in form fitted clothes and her dexterity wouldn't allow her to do "buttons" when she was little. Her and I would go through the Sears and JCPenny catalog and sometimes women's magazines and pick out clothes that she liked. I would then copy that style of item and make it so she could wear them. I used my sewing skills when the kids were young to make their Halloween costumes, sew badges on uniforms and hem pants, etc. In my late 30's I joined the Sacramento Living History Program where I used my sewing skills to make period appropriate costumes for the characters we portrayed. Over the years I made a few quilts and now that I'm a gramma, I'm going to be taking on that sewing task again.

Grammie Babs, my dad's mom, was a BIG 'crafter' and helped me learn alot of crafts. I guess I came by it naturally from her. She did a little bit of everything and she was good at whatever she did. Let's see, I did a lot of 'cross stitch' when I was in my mid-20's, followed by cake decorating, bees wax candle making, beading, and on and on. I've dabbled in many different crafts. I've dwindled them down to my favorites which I'm hoping as time passes to have more instances to do them. I enjoy knitting - which my mother is very proficient at; embroidery - which my Granny (mom's mom) did a lot of when we were young; I enjoy sewing and most of all paper crafts - card making and scrapbooking where I can incorporate my love of photography. I have a great aunt (maybe "great-great", I can't remember) on my mom's side of the family that was 'crafty' and did alot of scrapbooking. She was also quite the artist. I'm proud to have an heirloom piece of hers hanging in my dining room.

I honestly can't remember the first thing I made. Some early 'recollections' of craft projects include a coaster made from clay - in the shape of a 'leaf' - a still life portrait done in oils; my sister and I use to make pot holders from polyester 'loops' and weave them together - I think that was called "Looper Loom" or something like that! Grammie Babs use to work with us when we were very little learning to crochet - she would sit with us on the sofa and let us "chain" away.

2. TELL ABOUT A SPECIAL OUTING YOU TOOK WITH YOUR MOTHER OR YOUR FATHER.

I remember taking a few trips as a younger girl - one to California (we lived in Oregon at the time) right shortly after my brother was born - so I must have been 11 or 12. We went in my dad's truck with camper. My sister and I road in the upper part of the camper the whole way. I remember it being 'hot'. I can remember stopping in Golden Gate Park but don't know what we stopped for...I remember diaper changes and the first "Pampers" - you still had to use diaper pins with them - no velco or plastic tape tabs - no elastic around the legs and no cute 'designer' styles. I remember going to visit cousins and my Great Grandpa Burt down at the retirement home he lived in. We went to Knotts Berry Farm and Hearst Castle.

I also remember going to the Oregon State Fair when I was in High School. My parents let my sister and I invite our 'boyfriends' at the time. For us, that was HUGE! Haha! I remember thinking that was the coolest thing my dad ever did. We stayed in a hotel that had a swimming pool. I don't remember if it was the same trip or not, but we ate at a Denny's restaurant (in Salem, Oregon) and sat at a table across from Roy Rogers and Dale Evans and their son. My 'memory' isn't too clear on the 'when' - it might have been another time - but we definitely saw them in a Denny's - which was kinda cool.

Our summers also consisted of "trips" - so to speak. My dad was a commercial fisherman for several years and we would stay in the County Park for the summer a then come home on the weekends to do laundry, shopping and go to church. I grew up playing and staying at Bastendorf County Park for years. They were good memories of a lot of fun.

3. WHAT WAS THE MOST TENDER DAY IN YOUR CHILDHOOD?

Boy that's tough. The dictionary defines "tender" as:

1 a : having a soft or yielding texture : easily broken, cut, or damaged : DELICATE, FRAGILE b : easily chewed : SUCCULENT2 a : physically weak : not able to endure hardship b : IMMATURE, YOUNG c : incapable of resisting cold : not hardy 3 : marked by, responding to, or expressing the softer emotions : FOND, LOVING 4 a : showing care : CONSIDERATE, SOLICITOUS b : highly susceptible to impressions or emotions : IMPRESSIONABLE 5 a : appropriate or conducive to a delicate or sensitive constitution or character : GENTLE, MILD b : delicate or soft in quality or tone 6 obsolete : DEAR, PRECIOUS7 a : sensitive to touch or palpation b : sensitive to injury or insult : TOUCHY c : demanding careful and sensitive handling : TICKLISH d of a boat : easily tipped by an external force

With that in mind, and at this time, I can conjour up "nothing" - I will have to revisit this question at a later time.

4. WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE SUBJECT IN GRADE SCHOOL, JR. HIGH AND HIGH SCHOOL? WHAT WAS YOUR MAJOR IN COLLEGE? WHY?

I went to a couple of different grade schools growing up; I finished Kindergarten and began 1st grade in Juneau, Alaska. I finished the 1st grade in Coquille, Oregon - Jefferson Elementary, I believe. I don't remember the 1st grade much. I do remember that I liked singing the "My Country 'Tis of Thee" each day after we said the Pledge of Allegiance. I continued 2nd and 3rd grade there. I remember doing a report in Mr. Stewart's class on the Anchorage Earthquake in Alaska and I got to bring in a bunch of items we'd brought back from Alaska - some Eskimo yo-yo's, my beaded moccasins with the fur trim, a pin made from fur and leather that made up the face of an Eskimo and a handmade Eskimo doll that belonged to my mother. 4th, 5th and 6th grades were spent at Lincoln Elementary School. We'd moved from the 16th street house to a house at the top of the hill on East 14th St. We walked to school and yes, ALL the way up this hill - you'd have to see it to appreciate the 'hike', trust me. Again, I don't really remember much about my 'subjects' in the 4th grade - but I do remember that I couldn't stand my teacher - she punished me one time for something I didn't do which embarassed me terribly - Oh yeah, her name was "Mrs. Richmond" - she had red short hair and I thought she was 'mean'. Ha! I do remember that we had to stay inside when it rained and we'd bring our 45 records to school and play them on the record player in the back of the room and sit on our desks and the back counter and listen to music. I can remember listening to "Downtown" by Petula Clark, I believe - which I knew all the words to. 5th grade - oh yes...Mr. Patridge! Probably one of the best teachers I had in grade school. Certainly one that made the most impression. They still 'spanked' in school at that time and he had this paddle that seemed "huge", but probably wasn't, and had six holes drilled in it. I remember a few boys who made frequent trips to the hall with Mr. Patridge and that paddle (i.e. John Farley, Ray Morgan, Bob Scolari) I remember for Halloween that year, Mr. Patridge did this really cool thing - we shut the window blinds and put our heads down on our desks with our eyes closed - he then had some 'creepy' music thing going on in the back ground and told us a 'story'. As he told the story he would pass around this brown paper bag for us to reach into and 'feel' what was in there. Lots of squeels, shreeks, etc. as we reached in the bag and felt "eyeballs" and "tongues", etc. It was fun. 6th grade wasn't very memorable - Mr. Wilson was my teacher and I just remember PE - we did a serious of "dancing" classes - where we learned various dance types and we did this down in the lunchroom.

Junior High meant farther to walk and we had "mini" classes available to us for 'electives'. I remember taking Motorcycle Repair and Adjustment. Uh huh, sure did! Hehe! I LOVED Art class - I can't remember our Art teacher's name but just that we all thought he was "Cool" as he had real long hair and he was "hot". Mr. Beers taught Math and we all had lockers and it was fun decorating them inside.

My favorite subjects in High School were Choir, English, Home Economics, Typing (yes, typing - we didn't have personal computer then) Good ol' Miss Swayne. She was definitely an 'interesting' sort - I think she had a favorite "beverage" that she indulged in during the day. During the typing lessons she frequently 'slurred' her words together and often would bump into the desks/typewriters and turn around and say "Excuse Me" - Haha! We learned on IBM Selectric Typewriters - with a 'correctable' key! Ha!

After High School - which I graduated in 1979 in the top 10% of my class - GPA 3.51 (my GPA probably could have been higher, but I didn't always apply myself) I went to George Fox College from 1979 to 1983 where I majored initially in Home Economics. I changed at one point to Communications, but then returned to Home Economics - or as it was later changed to "Consumer Science". Why did I choose this major - well, I think at the time I chose this because these were the things that came easy to me. They appealed to my creative side, but often didn't do much for my analytical side.

5. AS A YOUNG PERSON, DID YOU VOLUNTEER FOR WORK IN CHURCH, COMMUNITY OR SOCIAL SERVICES? TELL ME ABOUT IT.

Growing up we were always involved in church - which once I was old enough, meant volunteering in the nursery and eventually leading Children's Church. I was a Job's Daughter and we did numerous community fund raising events.

6. WHEN DID YOU MOVE AWAY FROM HOME? DESCRIBE WHERE YOU LIVED AND HOW YOU FELT ABOUT IT.

I moved away from home after I graduated from High School in 1979 and moved to the dormatories of George Fox College in Newberg, Oregon. It was exciting to me to get out of our small town and meet new people. I was naive though and didn't have alot of good conflict resolution skills. I didn't have a lot of experience dealing with 'mean' people or rejection. Looking back, it was definitely a 'growing' period.

7. WHO WAS YOUR BEST FRIEND AFTER YOU WERE MARRIED? DESCRIBE SOME OF THE FUN THINGS YOU DID TOGETHER.

For the first few years after I got married, Mike was my 'best friend'. There wasn't anything (except work) that we didn't do together. Since we had custody of his three kids, our life evolved around their care and doing things as a family. When we moved to Woodland, California in the early 80's, Kallii Lane was a good friend and neighbor. She lived a couple of duplexes down the street from us and her son Denny and Todd were good pals. She was into sewing, crafts and art like me and was the only one to befriend me when we first moved there. We attended church not far from our duplex where I met additional people that soon became close friends. Robbie (Dye) Rubio, Christy Frantz, Kathy Gee and Beth Sampson. Our friendships led us to Arbuckle where we bought a home there and later raised the kids. Robbie, Christy and I use to go to Robbie's house in our pajamas on Saturday mornings and drink coffee and watch cooking shows. We did lots together - including on my 30th birthday we went up in the hills to cut down Christmas trees.

8. WHAT ARE YOU SPIRITUAL STRENGTHS?

1 Corinthians 12:27-30 and Romans 12:6-8 talk about various Spiritual Gifts bestowed to Christians. Although many believe the application of those "gifts" (strengths) was limited to early Christianity, I believe God has given each of us a set of strengths and weaknesses that are a part of who we are. Me personally, I feel my strengths lie in Giving, Helping and Administration. I have always felt it is better to give than to receive and it gives me alot of joy to help others in whatever possible way I can. I feel that God has blessed me with a lot of talents and have been given a lot of experience in many different facets of life so that I can be available to help others. I enjoy organizing, collecting data and have always like 'paperwork'.

9. HOW WOULD I LIKE TO GROW SPIRITUALLY?

Spiritual growth, I think, is a life long process. I'd like to strengthen my inner self in the areas of Discipline and being at peace with life. I want to strengthen my ability to "live at peace with everyone" and "not sweat the small stuff". I have a tendency to be very hard on myself and because I care so much about things, I tend to take things more personal than I should. The perfectionist in me doesn't allow me to 'make mistakes' without a lot of self deprevation and chastisement as a result. Discipline is something that goes without saying - that will be a life long goal and struggle. I'd like to grow in the area of faith - faith that everything will be just fine and to quit worrying so much.

10. WHAT SPECIAL TALENTS DID YOUR PARENTS NURTURE IN YOU? HOW HAVE YOU DEVELOPED THOSE TALENTS?

My parents encourage my artistic talents my whole life. I began taking and playing the piano when I was in the 3rd grade and continued that through High School and into college. My mom shuttled both my sister and I to piano lessens and my dad endured our hours of "practicing". I sang in the church choir and played piano 'specials' in church from time to time. In High School I sang in a select singing group called "Triple Trio" - which was through the school. We'd sing at ladies clubs and various school events. I played piano for weddings. As an adult my time for playing piano has waned some - but after losing my Great Grandmother's piano during a moving accident one year, my husband bought me an electric piano with different features that allows me to dabble from time to time when the urge hits. I play guitar as well - self taught, for the most part -but like the piano, don't play much.

Art was something else my parents nurtured. I took oil painting classes in Coquille at the Coquille Art Center. I can't remember the lady's name but I can remember her face.

My parents never really stood in my way of trying any craft or artistic project. I had a lot of external encouragement in whatever I chose from my grandparents and other extended family.

11. WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO LEARN TO DO? WHY?

I always like to learn knew things but I'd very much like to learn to speak Spanish. I'd also like to learn to take better photographs and I wouldn't mind taking some additional computer coding classes - especially in the area of web design/development. Why? Well, from a social standpoint, I feel having a knowledge and ability to speak Spanish - especially in this state - will only improve my social skills and won't leave me feeling so frustrated in certain social situations. Not to mention that I just think in general it's good to know another language. I'd like to development my skills in photography and web development as they are something that feeds my creative as well as my analytical side. Not to mention that I just plain enjoy both! Ha!

12. WHAT WOULD YOU DO DIFFERENTLY IN LIFE IF YOU COULD?

Oh boy, let's see...1) Listen more 2) Focus more 3) Give more 4) Not worry as much 5) Finish college 6) Eat less and exercise more

13. DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONAL STYLE IN CLOTHING, MAKEUP OR SKIN CARE AND HAIR CARE.

I've always liked classic styles - things that are less 'trendy' - simple lines, solid colors. I like natural fibers: wool, cotton, silk, rayon and hemp. I like shells, tortoise, ivory, gemstones, etc. Jewelry has to be simple - nothing too gawdy or flashy. My color choices are: black, brown, navyblue, cream/ivory, red. I like stripes, paisleys and polka dots. Nothing floral or checked. Makeup: Growing up we weren't really allowed to wear a whole lot - and what I did wear was hypo-allergenic as my skin seemed sensitive to chemicals. As an adult my makeup is natural mineral makeup and all natural whereever/whenever possible. Everything from toothpaste to deoderant to moisturizers to shampoo. Hairstyle: I like to keep my hair style relatively close to what's in fashion. Nothing dates a person faster than their hairstyle, pant length or their shoes. I wear it medium length and prefer it long - however, that isn't always practical.