surprise!!

2007.  This picture was taken at my dad's ninetieth birthday celebration in Florida.    There's my funny boy, Jeremy, hamming it up for the photo.  I look downright surprised.  Great party.  Dad was really touched that so many people attended his birthday party, especially the relatives that flew in for the weekend.  Dad was presented with a huge notebook of greetings from people he had known throughout his life both professionally and casually as well as family members.  He treasured that book and after the party was over, he began to write to every one of the people in the book.  He completed the task and I truly believe that the joy that was sent to him within these notes was returned many times over in the letters he sent back.  He truly touched lives.  He is a fine example of what I need to be more like.

hanging out with my son

This picture was taken about twelve or thirteen years ago.  Jeremy had been working in San Diego for a while.  I used to visit each one of my sons when I could and when I did, we just hung out for fun.  I always told the guys to save their vacation days for something that they wanted to do.  Don't take a day off for me.  That's what weekends are for.  The days that Jeremy went to work I just walked around the neighborhoods and browsed the antique stores on the main street of Ocean Beach.  Every evening we would walk to a different restaurant in the area.  Life was so simple then.  Just hanging out suits me fine.

only seven years ago

2011.  The little girl in this picture is my granddaughter.  I am standing with the little girl's father, who also just happens to be my son.  My aunt and uncle are seated and holding the baby.  How time passes so quickly and the changes it brings are immense.  Three of us are seven years older.  Ana is in the second grade already.  She and her family (which now includes a little brother) have moved from Texas to Washington.  Sadly, both Aunt Doris and Uncle Oscar have passed away.  I look at this picture and I find it hard to believe that so much has changed in this relatively short time period.  I  really need to appreciate each moment of every day more.  They go so quickly.

a baptism

In the Spring of 2011 I had the privilege of attending the baptism of my first grandchild.  Here I am standing with my son (her uncle) in the sanctuary of the churchI made a bonnet and set of booties for her with her name embroidered on the soles of the booties.  What a wonderful day.

in La Jolla with Jan

Here is a picture of Jan and me that was taken in 2013.  We are sitting on a ledge overlooking La Jolla Bay near San Diego.  Jan became my daughter-in-law later that year.

engineering a wedding dress

Which road do I take?  Which path will bring me to my final destination?  Boy, those are heavy questions.  And, what do they have to do with engineering a wedding dress?  Well, let me tell you.  As far back as I can recall I have been a problem solver.  My focus is rather narrow.  I certainly can't solve the problems of the world but I can figure out the mystery of sewing and alterations.  Exhibit A-this dress.  It was actually two identical dresses that were miraculously joined together to make one dress.  One of the dresses was originally worn by the woman on the right side of this picture.  The woman in the center (her daughter) wanted to wear the dress for her wedding.  Notice the height difference.  That in itself should tell you that there was going to be a fit problem.  After analyzing the dresses and coming up with a solid plan, I was able to combine the two dresses (using the best of both) into one fabulous dress that fit the new bride perfectly and yet paid homage to the beautiful dress worn by the brides mother almost forty years prior.  This is what I do.  Solve problems.  Next?

mom, kids and wallpaper

I have posted other copies of this picture in the past but I thought it might be good to go ahead and post this one, too, as a wrap up to this series of pictures.  Several things come to my mind as I look at the details in this picture.  It appears we are out in the country.  There appears to be a large field next to the house.  My mom is wearing a kerchief on her head.  I don't recall her doing this unless some heavy cleaning was involved.  The wallpaper design is very distinctive.  And lastly, my brother Steven is the spitting image of my mom.  I never realized how similar there faces were.  Everyone seemed to think he took after my dad's dad because of his short height but he is definitely a close copy of my mother.  My mom has a sweet, yet tired, expression in this photo.  I have no idea where we were but I believe this picture was taken in about 1954.