Monday, December 29, 2014

True Story 12 29 14



Oh such fun - Reading a True Story !
 
Each week, I will be telling one of my true stories from one of my three books.
You are invited to follow by e-mail. The e-mail follow box is on my left side bar.

Please also follow by e-mail my other blog:  A Joyful Noise.
 

View the notice ON THE "BLUE BACK GROUND above" for
Other Blog Hop Suggestions that request "Anything goes."

 
The Green Sweater

Ann Voskamp wrote about a Christmas of Long ago when her elderly grandmother with the creaking knees, gave matching ugly sweaters to both her and her sister.  That story triggered a memory.

It must have been the Christmas of 1947 that I received from my mother, a long sleeved bright green cable knit cardigan sweater.

I was a selfish girl and not happy with what I had been given.

I was in high school, and one cold wintery day during gym I put on my ugly sweater to give me warmth.

Soon I noticed another girl wearing an identical sweater.  I sidled up to her and asked if she received her sweater for Christmas, and she replied, “Yes I did.”

I don’t remember commenting that it probably was on sale and couldn’t be returned, but that is what I thought.

The girl seemed happy with her sweater, and so I decided to be happy with mine.

We must learn to be content with what we have, and grateful that we are blessed.
~ ~ ~
 
You are invited to enter YOUR TRUE STORY here at our Party.

Please read a few stories near you and leaving a comment to encourage your fellow bloggers. 
  

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Monday, December 22, 2014

Tell Me a True Story Week 12/22/14



I love a True Story
You are invited to share YOUR TRUE STORY here.

View the notice ON THE "BLUE BACK GROUND above" for
Other Blog Hop Suggestions that request "Anything goes."

Monday evening, the TRUE STORY Blog Party will open.

If you enjoy comments - Remember to give a few to others

Please also follow by e-mail my other blog:  A Joyful Noise.
 

Christmas in By Gone Days

 Years gone by when I was a child at Christmas, we usually received clothing that we needed and a few small surprise gifts.  One special item that we had asked for was often there too.   

I was about ten years old, when I told my mother that I wanted a Shirley Temple doll, she said that particular doll was too expensive.  Instead she took me down to Montgomery Wards and showed me a very pretty doll within her budget.  Blond hair, Brown eyes that opened and closed and she cried mama. Although I didn’t play with dolls much anymore, I loved that doll and kept her for many years.   

It is true that many spoil their kids.  I think they must try to make up for their own meager Christmas when they were young.  When you are on a tight budget, it is difficult to flood your children with an abundance of large expensive gadgets. 

However when you have a "credit card," it seems easier.

WOW - - where did that credit card bill come from?

Yes, my husband and I use a credit card, but the bill is paid in full at the end of each month.  That way we do not owe the high rates of interest.

Few of us would ever own a home if we found it necessary to pay cash for a house.  A mortgage on your home - - as long as you pay each monthly payment when it is due, is another way not to owe any man.  The bill will be there each month whether it is for rent or a mortgage, just be sure to pay it on time.

So if it is a doll you want – choose one within your budget.  A car you need – shop around and get a sensible one.  A home – select one you can afford!

Living beyond your means is the sad fact that can get you (and me) into big trouble. 

Merry Christmas to you all and May you enjoy a Blessed and Happy New Year.

You are invited to enter YOUR TRUE STORY here at our Party.

Please encourage a couple of bloggers near you by reading their story and leaving a comment.

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Monday, December 15, 2014

Tell me a Story Week 12 15 14


Time for a True Story with a new format


 I will be telling one of my true stories usually from one of my three books.
You are invited to follow by e-mail. The e-mail follow box is on my left side bar.

Monday evening, the TRUE STORY Blog Party will open.
You are invited to enter YOUR TRUE STORY.

Please also follow by e-mail my other blog:  A Joyful Noise.  

View the notice ON THE "BLUE BACK GROUND above" for
Other Blog Hop Suggestions that request "Anything goes."

Memories

 
My earliest recollections are measured by where I lived during different spans of time.

Ages three and four were when we lived in Exeter, California, prior to our move to Oakland.  I remember Mother washing clothes in an old wash tub in the yard and hanging them out to dry on a line.  She used one of those old fashioned wash rub boards to get out the spots and make sure everything was clean.  The outhouse was vivid in my memory, but I was very tiny, and a small potty chair graced the back porch just for me. 

I had just turned three, and I remember banging on the bedroom door, and demanding to see my mother when my sister was born.  My Aunt Edna told me that I could not see her because my mother was sick.  Refusing to be denied, I screamed and yelled, “I want my Mama,” until my aunt finally allowed me a short visit.  Mother smiled at me, and reached out to give me a gentle hug, and then she asked me to please obey my aunt, so I did. 

Even though my mother had two other babies, she found time to rock me, and sing to me for my nap.  Although I was three years old, and closed my eyes, I remember thinking, “I will pretend that I am asleep and trick mama.”  Mother thought I was asleep so she quietly carried me to my bed, except by the time she laid me down I was out like a light. 

Having just celebrated my fifth birthday, I watched as Mother packed an ironing board and two boxes of kettles and dishes.  Then I went along with her to the train station to ship them off to Oakland where I would eventually grow up and attend school.   

There was perhaps only days, when I, my brother Allen, and my sister Zelma slept on the floor on a mattress at Uncle Cliff and Aunt Beulah’s home while our parents searched out a rental house.  That year living in the rent house cemented age five in my memory.  The move after that was to a home purchased by my parents and it held all my childhood memories until I married, and left home at age 18. 

At the urging of our foster daughter Nancy, for several years, I have been documenting memories from my childhood; remembrances from my children growing up; and other golden memories.  It was time to get those stories into a book. 
 
There were so many stories enough for three books.  Contact me if you would like to purchase copies.  Each book is $10 which includes postage to USA.

Time marches, on and today is the day to rescue YOUR memories, and not allow them to fade into the distance.  Begin now to write your memoirs.  Go ahead and post and save them. 

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Monday, December 8, 2014

Tell Me a True Story Week of 12 08 14



Reading a True Christmas Story


Tell me a True  Story is a Blog Party.  Your True Story is Welcome.
Be sure to read and make comments on a couple stories near you.

You are invited to follow  by e-mail. The E-mail follow box is on the left side bar.
Monday evening at 5:00 pm, the TRUE STORY Blog Party will open.
Please also follow by E-mail my other blog:  A Joyful Noise.  

View the notice ON THE "BLUE BACK GROUND above" for
Other Blog Hop Suggestions that request "Anything goes."
 
Meaning of the Carol; 12 days of Christmas 

From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics.  It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church. Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality which the children could remember.

-The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.

-Two turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments.

-Three French hens stood for Faith, Hope and Love.

-The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John.

-The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament.

-The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.

-Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit--Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy.

-The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes.

-Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit--Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control.

-The ten Lords a-leaping were the ten commandments.

-The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples.

-The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles' Creed.

Merry (Twelve Days of) Christmas Everyone
This is a Blog Hop and opens each Monday for your entry.

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Friday, December 5, 2014

True Story - Are you Shy?


I will Speak Out, What You Tell me to Say
 
Tell me a Story has a new format.  I will be telling one of my true stories here.
You are invited to follow by e-mail. The e-mail follow box is on my left side bar.

Monday evening at 5:00 pm, the TRUE STORY Blog Party will open.
Please return Monday to enter YOUR TRUE STORY.

Please also follow by e-mail my other blog:  A Joyful Noise.  

View the notice ON THE "BLUE BACK GROUND above" for
Other Blog Hop Suggestions that request "Anything goes."

Shy Girl
Are You Shy?
 
As a young child in school, my face would turn beet red when ever I was called on by the teacher.  I respected adult leadership almost to the point of being afraid to speak out. 

My shyness extended into High School, and I wanted an A in Geometry, but my teacher informed the class that she only gave A's to those who would raise their hands and explain the answer to the problem we had that day.  I did my best, but in her opinion it was not good enough, and she gave me a B+ on my report card.   

The next day, I called my teacher to my desk and quietly but outright told her that I deserved an A and she was in error to give me less.  For “shy me” that was risky business.  

As far as I knew, no one else complained, but my words flustered her a bit.  She told me to speak up more which I did, and at the end of the semester she relented and gave me an A as my final grade.  

I have outgrown my shyness, and with God’s help I am no longer afraid to speak out. 

Usually I have found it best to delay and not to speak in haste or in anger.  Often I wait until God says, NOW, usually the next day.  While waiting I ask our Lord, what exactly should I say? 

The Holy Spirit begins to formulate a plan of words and when I follow the script that He gives to me, and there is no offence.  

One or two Sundays a month I share one of my very short stories with a message at my church, and I aim to express them as I am led.   One recent Sunday, my story may have been considered unusual to some, but as I finished all I could see were smiles. 

My hope is that the needed words are heard and received in their spirit.  

If you are shy, just ask God, “What do I say next?”  He will give you His words to say.

This is a Blog Hop and will open 5:00 pm Monday for your entry.
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Monday, December 1, 2014

True Story Party - week of December 01, 2014


Please Read Me a True Story
 Tell me a Story has a new format.  I will be telling one of my true stories here.
You are invited to follow by e-mail. The e-mail follow box is on my left side bar.

Monday evening, the TRUE STORY Blog Party will open.
Please return Monday to enter YOUR TRUE STORY.
Please also follow by e-mail my other blog:  A Joyful Noise.  

View the notice ON THE "BLUE BACK GROUND above" for
Other Blog Hop Suggestions that request "Anything goes."


65 Years - December 01, 2014


How to reach 65 years of Married Life? 
Keep breathing and start out young! 

I was 17 and was volunteering to work in the craft department of the Vacation Bible School our church was hosting.  We were assigned the kitchen which contained a nice large window viewing the neighbor’s yard 

Through that window I first saw my darling Robert and thought to myself - - such a handsome fellow.  One of the boys in our craft class, said, “That is my big brother.” 

Following the Vacation Bible School, the church held a revival with a fiery evangelist who preached hell fire and brimstone until all the sinners came to the alter to receive Jesus.

Many of the families of the children who came to the VBS were there at the revival.  Robert’s family attended also.  At the call for repentance, his mother dug her elbow deep into his ribs and up he went to the front to receive Jesus as his Lord 

The family became regular attendees to the church and often on Sunday my brother invited Robert to have Sunday dinner with us at our home.  Ha ! 

As winter rolled around a couple from our church invited me, their sister my age, and Robert for a snow trip to Yosemite.  We met at the couple’s house, and Bob found a place on the living room floor to sleep.  Most of us didn’t get much rest, and the guys talked several hours.  Robert was on his stomach, with his arms cradling his chin and his arm muscles from his hard work at his job, showing beneath his white tee shirt. 

Zing, ping went my 17 year old heart strings.   

We girls went into another room to giggle and chat.  Our hostess friend confided that she had already asked Robert, which of the girls do you like best, the brunette or the blond? 

He had told her that he liked the blond best.  That was me, I am the blond, and I was pleased! 

Soon after that we began to date and when I turned 18 we were married on 12/01/49. 

I believe it is until death do us part and so it has been for these many years..

How to stay married? 

Wives, honor your husbands, and learn to keep quiet while he fusses.  Later when the dust settles, you can give your opinion. By then it might not be necessary!

Husbands, LOVE your wife as Christ loved the church AND take time to listen to your wife.  If you pay attention and not be so macho, it might save you a LOT of money and grief. 

Hug and kiss a lot - - and tell each other those sweet words, “I love you and you only.”

This is a Blog Hop and is open Monday evening for your entry.

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