As you can see--the record player in the above is open and playing....
Now--you may want to see some of the sections closer up- Of course!!!
This is my Gnomes section. See that painted Chip Box? I used to do these and sell them
Inside--they are lined in velvet--and on the inside of the lid is a round mirror.
1980's--I believe.....
Next---Assorted Latvian, hand-made ceramic things.
A popular gift to give in the 60's & 70's...We ALL have some of this stuff!
Now--What do I do with them???? Seems sort of passe.....
So they sit! Too sentimental to give away....
This is just small this and that.....
Seems I used to like itsy-bitsy little things to display.
Each one got wiped down.....and then re-positioned...
You would think I had better things to do on a 60* day???
My mini-mugs collection....Yawn.....
More souveneers from that cross-Country trip in 1966--with my Mom
and year-and-a -half -old daughter in the back seat. And so we drove from
Baltimore to Seattle--with stops on the way....Took 2 weeks...
Mom loved traveling--baby Aina was good as gold--
We had a car with NO A/C--and the first place we hit lower than 90's temps
was when we got to Colorado!
Crossing the Rockies put a crimp in our schedule--as it was slower going than we
had planned. That day--we drove for 14 hrs. straight--as we had lodging reservations
already made across the whole Country...That was BRUTAL!
These are more purchases from the SW Indian Tribes...
The Photo Shelf---mostly of my two Daughters at different ages.
On the shelf above--is a hand-made Latvian Candelabra.....
Ahem-----
Here is ME and my Hubby-to-be, Enn. We are are both age 24 or so. Only 10mos. apart.
He was stationed in Aberdeen Proving Grounds here when I met him.
I was sent to pick him up for a Volleyball Tournament....the rest is history!
Lots of stuff hangs on the walls down here----All mementos of some kind.
Also some of my paintings and other works...
Wanted to show you the two framed needle pointed Crests I did.
The top one is the Latvian one
The round one is the Estonian one.
Each was given to respective "Moms".
When they both had passed--I reclaimed these.
Turning back to the bar area---here is a glass-shelved, recessed case
holding many a treasure.....Photos--Brandy server--Hand made Latvian dolls
in mini-genuine Ethnic dresses..(my Mom liked doing this kind of stuff),
and some other things.....
Everything down in thei Clubroom my Ex built himself--including the Club Room
itself--the bathroom, the adjoining separate room, which now is another BR,
the stairs the floors, EVERYTHING!
I hope you can see the "loss" I feel having lost such a handyman.....
Nothing gets fixed or done now....
This is a perfectly wonderful "apartment"--as it lacks nothing....
Furnished BR--private, full bath, Wet-Bar--fridge, Microwave, TV--this HUGE Club Room--
door to the yard--4 steps down--Laundry facilities...etc....
So far--I have had 5 different people living there as "Home Sharers". Very cheap rent!
I never sought them out--they just "fell" into my life because I have such a big heart
and was willing to help all of them out in time of need.
The only "price" I paid was the lack of privacy. And some fussing about
lack of "housekeeping" and cleaning.....
Thanks for letting me share some of these kind of things with you all.
Sally--all b/c of this OPEN Thread you started!!! You are a DOLL!!!!
This was ONLY one room in the house!!!!! :o) There are plenty more!
ALL have to be cleaned in the next couple of weeks!!!!!
Company coming--April 6th to April 13th. Both mu Sisters (NJ and Alaska)
and a couple from NC. There is a reunion going on....
They are all staying here--so I have to clean!!! Needs doing anyway!
Gita
OOPS!! That was the wrong recessed shelf---
This one was the shelf to the left of the fridge--where all the glasses are--
that no one uses......
Gee! There was a time of Party--Party--and Party some more....All the mugs and
beer glasses and wine glasses attest to it....
So--that is one of the shelves above. Washes every glass and shot glass
(on the oposite side--NOT shown)...
Now--here is the recessed shelf I wanted to post.....
ALL those buttons at the top are evidence of my crazy , Party days....
Everywhere we went--there were buttons to commemorate the event....
It was CRAZY! I was Crazy! A real party Girl! We all were!!!
Ex: Buttons that said--"Kiss me--I am Estonian"----or--"Latvian Power"!
You can see how many there are--who remembers????
So--Here is the last picture I meant to post...
There are more walls--and window sills and shelves----IF you all want to see!
Pssst---I think I hear a unanimous "NO WAY!!!!"...
Sorry---I just have to show you a couple more pictures....
On the shelf in the above picture--bottom left--is the most amazing handiwork,
transforming a Barbie and Ken into a Latvian couple dressed in their
Ethnic dress.
They never looked this good--did they?
These are just SOOO unusual!...and soo pretty!
These hang on the wall just above the MW in the bar area...
We bought these in "Aber???waldt" , Switzerland. ?????
(it is where they hold the Passion Play every 10 years).
They are carved from very old roots of Grape plants. Hard as rocks!
Mischievous looking--aren't they?
Wow, what a travelogue. That was very interesting!!!
My aunts house is crammd with a fascinating array of things too. I should really find more time to visit- it is a long drive though (Cumberland MD)
Thanks Gita, that was lots of fun. You have some very interesting items. I love the faces on the grape plant wood. i also love the ethnic dressed Barbie and Ken.
I have spent part of today going through some items that I packed away a few months ago. I did a very major de-cluttering and am now going through the items I saved and am going to try and decide what to do the remainders.
I had to stop a minute ago and have a cup of cocoa and take a computer break. I need to eat dinner and then hit the sack. I didn't sleep well last night and am feeling it now.
Thanks again for the chat thread Sally.
Ruby
Ruby
Sally--
You may go there just to take photos of everything (insurance value???) and to learn the stories
behind every little trinket.
Make it a family affair--take your kids along--as they are the next generation to inherit
much of this stuff. More precious if they know the history behind it all.....
It is never too early to visit with older relatives and to learn what is important to THEM--
Once you know what came from where--and WHY--it may assume a whole different meaning
to you and any other of the "next" generation.
Most things have a story behind them---No one just leaves the house in the morning and
comes back with a horde of collectibles.....
It is a life's story tied to little things--that may NOT mean a whole lot to anyone else--like
the kids or Grand kids.....But--it is well worth knowing what it is and where it was purchased and WHY.
Ever visit an Antiques Shop? One could just cry--as many things there were remnants of
someone's life no one else wanted....If they only knew!!!
These are the threads of life woven into a tapestry to be passed on. To keep us warm on
cold days and hard times....To reminisce.....To remember.....To pass on....
What is your most precious thing you own, Sally? Why does it mean so much to you?
Here is mine----(Picture at the end) A gift given to my G-Father and G-Mother in 1928.
This heavy cut Crystal Brandy bottle, with solid Sterling Silver collar inscribed:
"From the crew of "NARA" on your Silver Wedding Anniversary--1903-1928.
It comes with 10 (2 may have been lost or broken) Chrystal shot glasses with
Sterling Silver bottoms.
I was born in 1937--so this was way before my time! He died before I was ever born.
Being a Captain--he was a big drinker and partyer...I believe he died of either a massive
brain Stroke--or a brain annurism.
His wife--my "Oma" (Grandmother) came to the USA with us in 1951 and died in 1957.
I never knew my Father (he died when I was 2 1/2) nor my Grandfather.... nor my Uncle...
This man--my Grandfather--was a Captain on many ships, as was his son--my uncle--
who chose not to leave his command and come with us as we left out Homeland. He just
felt his responsibility to his ship as more important.....
My GF was also the harbormaster of all of Latvia. The ship "Nara" whose crew gave this
gift to him was a rescue ship. They set out to save lives on the Seas...as needed...
I remember my G-Mother telling me stories about the ship heading out to rescue
someone or other--as in the frozen winters--many sailors had many mishaps...
Some froze to the masts----some ships got ice-logged and had to have the crews rescued.
That is what he did. He was a bearded , stocky man...with a slew of medals across his chest...
He had a couple of brothers--and Uncles--all equally memorable in the history of Latvia.
One built Organs....One was a writer and a Poet.....An earlier one--took years to translate
the "Odyssey" into Latvian. In the letters I translated--it wrote of how he struggled with it...
My Mother brought along some letters that were written in the old, Germanic alphabet--but in Latvian....
from one of her Father's Uncles to her father (as a young man.)
They were just copies--as the originals were donated to a Maritime Museum in Sweden
and hard to see and read....
I actually took the time to get familiar with the old writing style--and translated all these
letters into modern writing--still keeping the original context.
First in Latvian--and then further translating them in English--so our kids would understand...
None of my, or my Sister's kids speak Latvian. A sort of "dead end"....
With my daughter restoring all the ancient photos and putting them in a CD--and me translating all
these letters--I just hope someone will see them as an important link to their "roots'....
So you see--Family history is VERY important---
Someone could have, very well, throw these faded copies of letters, in a script not familiar,
into the trash...Little would they know.........
Here lies the burden of kids left to deal with deceased parent's and Grandparent's
belongings and property. To many it would just be trash. IF the preceding generation
would have taken the time to put little notes on important papers and pictures--
tell stories and sit with the elderly to listen--this would not happen....
Again--this is too long a Post--but I just have to say what I need to say...
IF it makes anyone "see the light"--it will have been worth it.....
Whew!!!! Gita
Here is a picture of my most precious passed down item.
Not saying I do not have other precious belongings---but this one has "strings attached"....
This message was edited Mar 19, 2011 8:10 PM
Wow. Just wow.
This is an "Anything goes" Thread.....
SOOO--I yakked away--and shared and shared----a lot of it quite emotional.
Did I scare everyone away????? JUst share what YOU want to share!
I feel a bit guilty! I was so "consuming" of everything I wanted to tell you all...
I SOO appreciate that I can share everything here---as there really is not
else in my life that would :listen" (ahem...) like you all do.
You know how it goes---when you start--you cannot STOP!
Is that a sign of "neediness"???????
I really "need" you all! That is why I hang in at DG.
Gita
My favorite harbinger of SPRING!
Happy 1st day of Spring everyone!!!! ONLY 32* here tonight!!! Blahhh!!!
Hope all the open blooms survive!
Gita, it a whole thread open to sharing. I found your stories very interesting. So you're just as generous with personal history as you are with plants!
My parents were not that much into personal history. Especially my mom- she Never told tales from childhood. My aunt is the one who fills us in. And when Mom did talk we got two sides to the story, sometimes- some deep personal issues between the two. But still they had a sister bond, and Mom enjoyed talking to her on the phone, and Sister was supportive.
My most valuable item? Thats impossible to say. But one thing in my goodie box is my goy goy. LOL. thats my blankie from baby hood.
Gita, I too have been lurking and enjoying the stories.
Gita, you are in the right place with your input. I met you at Holly's plant swap 2 years ago, but we didn't really get a chance to chat. Now I KNOW you and enjoy catching up on all the happenings in your life, told by you so candidly.
You are also a wonderful source of information for all the plants that you've had experience with! Hope to see you in person again someday soon.
Sally--
My Mom never shared much of anything either....she was not a happy person--
but then the burden was all hers--all through the hard years...
I often asked her to talk a bit about my Dad--as I have no memory of him--
and all she would say is: "What's there to talk about?"....He died at 36, making her a widow at 33.
Her Mother ans the three of us---then we had to flee the country--and all that...
I know it wasn't easy on her....
It was my Grandmother that told me about all the ships and what her husband (the Captain) did...
I would go to her and beg her to tell me another story....
I learned a lot more about that side of the family when I was translating those letters...
Gee! They were written in the 18-hundreds! By uncle to nephew--who was my G-Father's brother...
My G-Mother???.......she always wore a scarf on her head---and she was always crocheting...
Roses--thank you for your kind words....I do, kind of, remember you from Holly's...
Blah. rainy day! I have a Dr.'s appt. in 45 minutes...
Well today is definately a Monday. Was interesting to hear thunder this morning accompanied by hail coming down loudly! Didn't last long but did leave enough to see on the ground, was melted by the time I tried to leave for work. I say 'tried' because I had a flat tire on my car (but only on one side of the tire). Luckily my son Shane doesn't work in the rain and he drove over to change it for me. He is such a good kid. I figure the day has to get better from here.
We had a big storm in the middle of the night. You could really hear the thunder booming. But it wasn't raining when I got up and still isn't though it is overcast.
I applied for a part time seasonal job with Lowes, I had an interview with HR this morning and have a second one with the Garden Dept Supervisor on Thursday. This mornings interview seemed to go very well. I was told that there are a lot of applicants so I'm not counting my chickens yet.
Holly, you would be great there, someone who actually knows something about plants and also creative in displaying them. Good luck!!
Yes, good luck, Holly.
Good luck from me too! Hope they pay you enough! Times are lean!
Starting workers at my HD are lucky to get $8/hr. Some even less--as cashiers...
When you get the job--we can compare notes here....HD vs Lowes...
Just think, Holly! You will be able to get 1st dibs at all those clearanced plants!
They have me scheduled in Garden all three days this week and also next....
I guess that is IT! I was hoping for only 2 days in Garden--and then one day to
rest in the Phone Center...giving a break to my Ouchie foot and knees....
Besides--someone has to call all the customers whose Special Orders have come in.
That is just another job for the phone Operator to do....Service Desk does it too-but they
can get so insanely busy, that they do not get to it...
The inflammation in the toe joint of my right foot is not really going away.
Went to the Dr. today--he now thinks I am developing a "Hammertoe" in my
second toe. Still hurts! A bit less--but I have yet to be on it 8 hrs. a day.
He's talking about possible surgery.....NOOOOOO! Not in gardening season!!!!!
We will see.....we will see.....Will take a couple Hydrocodone pills along in my pocket.
At work--Garden Dept. is such a LOVE/Hate relationship for me.
"LOVE"--because I love being out there and talking to customers....I can teach them so much!
"Hate" because, whether I want to or not---I will spend most of the day watering everything...
THAT is a brutal job! Dragging that heavy, 100', rubber hose around--in between tables and trees,
and shrubs....NOT fun! HOT! Getting my feet wet.....as most of the hoses leak in some way....
I carry washers and a small screw driver in my apron--as they DO need fixing now and then...
Hose clamps need tightening--washers need replacing, etc.....
They have hired a slew of "deer in the headlights" new people in many positions...
They may be "trainable"-----
Some of the more long-time employees don't want to do these "menial" tasks--l
ike watering and fixing hoses....They hide in the break Room....
Because I LOVE plants--I am one of the ones that does the watering.....
Starting Sunday--April 17th--I will also resume my all-day Sunday Clinics in the garden dept.
Set up my table with pretty plants and hang all my signs---THAT is MY thing I do!!!
Fourth year now------The below picture is from 2008.
Gita
Best of luck, Holly! They'd be very fortunate to get you!!!
aack! Almost missed voting for my pics in the invasive species photo contest.
I'm kinda disappointed that there are a number of entries not accurately 'invasive species', or in the wrong category..As usual, people cannot read the rules. Somebody posted a little kid picking grandma flowers. Nothing whatsoever invasive species about it. I better go to bed I am grumpy!
Hello to all. Good reading. Gita, I find your stories very enjoyable and feel the same as yourself about relying on folks at DG to fill many of my social needs. Much of my adult life was spent in a counselor or therapist's chair. Since going online in 1998, I haven't had to rely on paying for talk therapy since. I can usually sit down here and begin writing whatever is on my mind at the time and if I have anything going on that needs resolution, I can usually see the solution appear before my very eyes as I write.
The folks at DG have played a big part in educating and befriending me since arriving here in 2006, I believe. The first year or two I went through some very tough times but was always greeted with such care and kindness here that I truly hold a special place in my heart for so many of you great folks.
I am once again looking forward to the spring plant swap and catching up with many of you again. I have reminders of many of you when either watering my houseplants, many of which came from Gita or walking in my garden and seeing different plants that have come from others of you.
I hope that everyone is having a great week.
Ruby
We interrupt this message to say-
I WON I WON I WON I WON !!!!!!! Second place in some category of the Invasive Species Photo COntest- two free months added to my subscription and of course endless admiration!!!!!!!!!!!! Now I have to get ready for work and don't have time til later to find out WHICH picture I won with , I entered a few
8 ^)))
big grins
WOOHOO!!!!! Congrats, Sally
Yeah Sally, Can't wait to see the pictures. How great!!!!
Second interview went very well. They are doing a background check which shouldn't be any problem and then I will need a drug test also not a problem and then I will get a job offer.
Good for you, Holly. I am dying laughing cuz I read your post as "then I will need a dung test'.... I did a quick double-take and died laughing.
Well they are going to want a sample of something..........LOL
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Congratulations Sally! You would have loved the Doug Tallamy talk that greenthumb, ecnalg, and I went to last night - Bringing Nature Home; natives, invasives, etc... Gita and Ruby, I feel the same way you do about DG filling a social need - I was going thru an extremely rough time when I joined in 2008 and lurking and/or talking to people with similar interests helped fill the void I was feeling. Holly, good news on the job front - from experience, the best advice I can give on the drug test is learn how to hold the cup so that you don't pee on your hand - been there done that, Eewww HA HA HA.
I agree I have made some wonderful friends here at DG.
LOL Teri, Yes been there done that. Eewww.
Holly---
I KNOW you will get the job! You have so much gardening expertise!
Make sure you point that out to them--so they will not just delegate you to watering plants,,,,
The most un-favorite thing to do in garden centers....Wet shoes, wet socks, wet pants....
Maybe you need to get some kind of waterproof boots or gardening shoes.
If I were you--I would aim high asking for a salary. Woo them with your experience and knowledge--
then--if it comes to be--ask for at least $10hr. pay. All they can say is "NO"!
If you aim too low--they will gladly give it to you...
You can lie--and say HD was willing to pay it to you---(NOT!)--but they won't know....
I think HD starts cashiers now at $7.75-$8/hr. A shame!!!! Don't get trapped into it!
They have gotten cheap--as the Economy is a big crunch!
They may also have rreaal limitations on what they CAN pay you--but--aim high and see
what happens...
Several years ago--Lowes BLATANTLY came to out HD and tried to hire people away from us...
by offering them $2 more an hour.....
So rude!...Of course, when they had to cut personnel, guess who got canned first?
Is there any reason you applied to Lowes rather than a Home Depot????
I think both have some positives and negatives....
Go for it, Girl!!! Head high, assertive...tell them what YOU can do for THEM!!!!
Whew!!! as I write this it is thundering and lightning out there--and it is pouring rain---again!!!
Tired of rain! Man! it is even noisy--how it is pouring down......like a real storm!!!
Now I hear hale!!!!! Must go look!!!! ...............
Nope! Just really heavy rain and non-stop
Bahhhh...Wahhh...I want dry and warm for a bit!!!!
Gita floating down de-Nile......
thunder!!!
Congrats to Sally and Holly too. Some years back I was thinking of what my ideal job would be. I decided that I could be a plant waterer and never grow tired of it. Watering the plants here at home always allows me time to slow down and think clearly. I find it very relaxing and enjoyable. Now.....the water hose has to be in good condition and no other unforeseen types of disasters are allowed to enter in to the scene either. I would be a very happy camper spending my days watering.
I spent several hours working on my houseplants today. For most of the winter my plants have been sharing a room with boxes and bins full of de-cluttering types of things. I didn't have adequate space to move around easily until I packed away some of it in the closet over the weekend. Today I was able to walk around without boxes being in my way, so it was quite enjoyable.
I also fixed a great dinner which I just tasted a bit of. After finishing this post I will sit down and eat properly. I prepared stuffed peppers, baked potatoes and a corn pudding. It is going to be yummy. So, my mouth is watering and so I shall bid you all adieu.
Ruby
We cross posted Gita. You just pointed out some of the down falls to my ideal job. hahaha So funny that different folks tend to like different things. My only problem with ever working retail is that I am sure I would spend my whole pay check wherever I was working before bringing any of it home. I wouldn't do well any place that sold jewelry or sweet things to eat.
Ruby
