Remodeling

We have lived in this apartment for over twenty five years. A few years back we were told to get everything out because the owners wanted to completely remodel the place. My husband was working at the time so it was up to me to get the help to get things moved. I will never forget the mess. Everything was moved so quickly. I am still trying to find some things.(I never unpacked everything) We were very glad when the project was completed. It took about six weeks.

Quotations

My grandmother on my fathers side of the family was quite a hard working woman. She would get up early every day and milk the cows, weed the garden, do laundry and then do her own household chores. 
I can still remember some of the things she would say to us. I never liked the crust on bread so I would just peel it off. She would get upset each time and tell me "You will never have curly hair unless you eat the crust." My hair has been naturally curly my whole life. As I grew up I realized what she was trying to say to me "waste not, want not."
Another one of her quotes was "If you keep your eyes crossed they will stay that way." As typical kids we would always try something at least once that we were told not to.
My grandmother always had the attic door locked and walked around with the  key pinned to her dress. I remember once the door was ajar and a couple of us started up those stairs just to see what was up there. We didn't get far and we heard "The jelly man is up there and if you go up there he will put jelly all over your hair." Don't ask me why it scared us not to continue up those stairs. We never did find out what was up there.
Now when I look back, I am guessing she used the space as storage that she didn't want us kids  rummaging through. Do you remember any quotations that you grew up with?
(above picture courtesy of public domain)

Package

Isn't it always nice to see the package you ordered to arrive on time? I watched as the days went by on the calendar. Finally the moment arrived. When I opened the package and saw my name on the cover, I cried. It was my first novel I had ever written, knowing then I was an author. I finally accomplished something to be remembered by.

Oldest Sibling

My oldest sister is a very talented person. Over the years she has sewn many kinds of clothing, jewelry, had her own tie-dye business, as well as written several novels. You never know what she will have her hands in next. I remember even when she was in school she was very talented in art.

I still have this skirt she made for me when I was in the sixth grade and as you can see I have taken very good care of it. This picture was taken recently.

Nails

Last year was the first time I ever went out and got my nails done. I was really surprised at all the different types of manicures there are out there.

My first experience was with some type of gel. I found out later something they used in the gel was toxic. I quickly changed to what they call "ANC". That is using your own nails as a base but adding the tips to them. I chose the french manicure. At first I had them different colors but I ended up with just the natural look.

Mothers

My mother has always taken care of someone her whole life. We grew up on a share croppers farm in Texas. There were seven of us siblings. My mother somehow always performed her magic at meal times to stretch things as far as she could to feed all of us. Daddy's eye sight failed as the years went by. Once again my mother was care giver.

As the years went by and after daddy had passed she moved in with one of my sisters. Mama wanted the company but also wanted to be there for my sister. She had inherited the diabetes from our father.

Now in later years our mother has developed dementia. I am always asking why? This woman took care of someone her whole life. Two of my sisters brought her for a visit a few years ago. That's where this photo was taken. We were playing "chicken foot". A game that is played with dominoes. Considering her state of mind she did very well and had fun.

Lemon Meringue pie

Lemon meringue pie is a type of pie that is baked with a lemon custard filling and a fluffy meringue topping. I have a sister that makes the most delicious lemon meringue pies. You can always expect to see one on special occasions. My husband and I go to Texas to see family when we can. We stayed at Scherri's house while we were there. There was not one time while we were there that she didn't make one of these pies.
(The photo above is of my second oldest sister, Scherri and her family. She is the pie baker.)