From a Granddaughters view

I have great memories of Mimi. Most of them are so funny!

My Grandmother was the funniest, warmest person in the world! I remember sitting on her belly on the couch while she laid there, so I could pluck the hairs on her chin. There was a time that she pretended to be drunk and was kissing me and tickling and falling on me. I remember one time we were stopped for the Mystic bridge and I got stung by a bee in the car, and she called the police officer directing traffic over to look at my finger! I was so mortified!

Just thinking about her, makes me remember more and more. I could go on forever.
Mom just told me tonight that I am rough like Mimi was when I tickle her, and that made me proud! It is an honor to be like her. Part of me wants to have a daughter so I can name her Joan Elizabeth, but the other part does not want to bring a child into this world that would not be able to meet the most perfect Grandmother! I would feel like that child had missed out.

But I'm lucky that she gave me a wonderful Mother, and the best Aunts and Uncles! I feel we are all truly blessed with the family she raised and loved!

Dyann

Connies' Challenge

Gosh, I have soo many memories, I'm not sure where to start. I remember living in Milldale,waiting for Gail to be born and Mom deciding to let Richard name the new baby.
He chose Clementine Hortense (truly believing no girl would come into this world with that name waiting for her)he settled on Gail because I couldn't say Pamela.
Even in Milldale Mom sewed and I think thats where she first developed her sewing skills.Although she never mastered button holes , Richard quickly baled her out as he was a master of button holes.
I remember playing monopoly with Mom ,Uncle Butch and Richard and having Charleston chews and penny candy on saturday nights.
How 'bout the many pictures she had done of us oldest to youngest sitting on an Ironing board.

I remember Mom going to work at Ivers Paint,walking to and from unless it was rainy. She taught us how to cook and we would start supper,take the frozen clothes off the line although she always cautioned us to take them off before it got too late. They smelled great and I think that's why I love the smell of clothes line dried clothing today.

Holidays were always special. We baked dozens of cookies,made millions of meatballs for lasagna on Christmas eve and had a blast doing the Easter baskets.

Christmas was a little touchy the year Harold decided not to wait to be born. Poor Connie got left out of the Santa frenzy because I forgot where some stuff was hidden. Mom had left notes for everyone and had stayed up all night to finish a beautiful wool cape she was making for Gram for Christmas.

I can go on and on but to me ,Mom was my mentor, a strong ,independent woman. Giving ,loving , non judgemental (most of the time) with incredibly strong family values. She taught each of us that family was the most important thing in life. She often told me that she would never trade any of us,she loved us equally and she adored each and every grandchild and great grandchild.

Next time,I'll share about all her trips.
Dianne

Connies' Challenge ,Response from Gail

Connie, I guess those Barbie doll clothes were alot easier than our outfits. Moms' chores were endless. I wonder how she did it all. I always loved the frozen clothes in the winter,bringing them in stiff and letting them thaw. I mentioned to her once about a poor person at the laundry drying her clothes and Mom told me "poor people don't dry their clothes in a machine ". I laughed and had to agree.
Also,Thanksgiving in Cheshire really brings back some memories. Pops at the head of the table, the old dining set w/buffet ,lace table clothes and a fine smelling house. Black olives,stuffed celery, a Silver christmas tree (Santa sleeping on the couch) waiting for Pops to come home from work. Great memories and Great parents.

CHALLENGE

I want to challenge everyone to see how many memories we can come up with about Mom. I will start. The earliest memory I have is Mom ironing in Mildale. I remember the ironing board being set up all the time and Mom at it. Not sure if it was because we always needed our clothes ironed or if she was sewing for us and had it set up to press as she sewed. Which brings me to her sewing. She made the most beautiful dresses for us. I fondly remember the dresses having layers to them. I think they were called tulips? Maybe Dianne can correct me on that. At Easter she always made our dresses and then we would go shopping for new shoes, hats, gloves and little purses. We sure looked good when Dad took us to see Nona and the Aunts. And all the mittens she knit for us. Our hands were always kept warm thanks to Mom. I especially loved it when she knit my Barbie clothes. I had the best Barbie clothes on the block. The little skating outfits with angora trim were my favorite. I do wish I had learned to knit better but at least I did learn how to sew.
I also remember her canning and freezing fruits and veggies all the time. I loved sticking my finger in the hot wax and watch it harden. Cheap fun. Those veggies and fruits were so "YUMMY" come winter. Especially those peaches.
I will not go on although I could because I want to read what you all have to share. I am counting on you ALL to jog my memory with your stories.

Thanks, Connie