In my blog I plan to chat about nature, crafts, baking, gardening, beekeeping, family, and whatever else seems appropriate at the time. Sit back, relax, and enjoy!

Thursday, January 2, 2014

The 2nd best gift of all!

Read previous post for the best gift of all!

Now, the 2nd best gift was this one.....
 
As we were preparing to open presents
 




My Sister announced her 'project' this year.
She made each family a memory book.  The book is for the 'kids' of places that their parents frequented when they were kids.  It is basically 'our' (mine, my sister, and my brother) memories.  Since I don't have children she gave a book to me.

 You all know how much I love pictures, and my family.  I have to say I was more than touched by this gift.  She took my nieces to Logansport where I was born, and took pictures of them holding signs in front of houses that my parents lived in when I was born, and when my brother was born.  She took pictures of every house we lived in, including the house my Shug and I just sold.  She also took pictures of the places we loved to visit.  Riverside park, the hot dog stand, the custard stand...to name a few.
 I didn't notice until yesterday that this picture (below)was taken in front of my cousin Vickie's house.  This house, was her parent's house, which we visited quite often.  Vickie and her husband bought it and moved in after her parents passed.  The live there now.
 There were lots of pictures of family....all of us.
 There were several more pages to the book than I am showing you, but you get the idea.
I will say I got a bit choked up when I got to this page....the house I grew up in.  Oh...the  memories that come flooding back from a picture of a house.

Then I got to this page
 and the tears started rolling.  The other house I grew up in.  Seems like we came to this house every weekend.  It's where my Aunt and Uncle AND Grandpa lived when I was growing up.  I must have this picture framed.  And I must find an older picture...of my Grandpa...sitting on this same porch. He was the only Grandparent that I got to know.  My Grandparents all passed when I was less than five years old, except for my Mom's Dad.
 When I come by this house, which I do every time I visit Logansport, I see my Grandpa sitting on this porch, or standing by the wall smoking a cigarette.  I see it like it was yesterday.  My how the time flies.    I surely do miss the days of my Aunts and Uncles all getting together here, while my cousins and I played.  It's why my cousins and I are friends...still.  They were my friends growing up.
I see my Aunt looking out that window to the right.  That's where the kitchen is.  That's where the cards were played. That's the room the laughter came from....

 There's my Grandpa and Grandma.  Bottom left.  And that bar, Polsinelli's, to the right, that's where he worked.  For years, after he retired.  When I turned 21, I went there for a little birthday party.  When I walked in he said, "See this sign..."  It was a sign that said R U 21...Run.  My Mom said, "Dad, she is 21 now."  And he served me my first legal drink. 
Yup....the memories.... they be good peeps. 

Cindy Bee

PS.  Apparently my nieces didn't have as much fun doing this as the pictures look!  I heard all about it from Theresa and Vickie after Christmas. Oh my.

13 comments:

  1. The Pres and I got some old photos of him after his Mom passed...I love them...:)JP

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    Replies
    1. So glad you got the photos and appreciate them.

      Cindy Bee

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  2. What a wonderful gift! Priceless!!

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  3. I think this gift shows so much imagination, thought and love, and a wonderful way of giving memories solidity. As someone who moved around a lot when growing up I think I would like to have book like yours. Philippa xx

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    1. Philippa,
      I know, right. And My Sister says she isn't crafty. I think you should make a book like this.

      Cindy Bee

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  4. How fun, I love these books that you can make on the computer. So glad you enjoyed your Christmas so much! What a great family.

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    Replies
    1. I've never made one but I'd like to give it a try.

      Cindy Bee

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  5. love this! I would absolutely love a gift like this.

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    1. janis! How are you! I was just thinking about you today...seriously...and I was thinking that you would love a book like this. I remember when you were posting old pics on your blog.

      Cindy Bee

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  6. i was one of the first to know about the new babe.
    The book was a great idea......

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  7. My older sister's 50th wedding anniversary is this next July and we (most of us) are going to NY for that. I want to take my youngest sister to the house my father built that we left to move to FL when she was a baby. I'm hoping she can come, her job may not allow her to. I want to take pics there and of my grandparents house too that she doesn't remember because she was a baby. Love this post Cindy. xo

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Thank you for taking time out of your busy day to leave a comment on my blog. I enjoy reading them. I hope you have a wonderful day.

Cindy