Layout: Christmas 1961

When I was young, the adults in the family would put on a short skit at our Christmas gathering.  My grandma Stoll always had our Christmas and always invited her sister’s family and Grandpa’s sister and her family since they were the only close family living in town. We were still a small group, less than 20 people total.

I used a kit from Sweet Digi Scraps called “Mistletoe” to do this layout commemorating the 1961 skit of “The Night Before Christmas”. I used a template from Scrapping With Liz that is available in her “Recyclables 18” collection.

Layout: Memories of Afghan Knitting

Every winter Mom would knit an afghan. She used the same pattern only doing it in different colors.  She would knit a few rows in the evenings after she had finished fixing dinner, cleaning up (of course, I helped with that) and grading papers.  It usually took several months for her to get one done.  Many of them were gifts for people although I still have several of them.  Her first one for us was shades of orange.  Orange was her favorite color and autumn colors were the “in” colors for decorating in those days. She also made one in scarlet and grey for Dad.  She made one in shades of blue for me when I lived at home. Later when I was in an apartment of my own, she made one in shades of brown.  I still have all 4 of these afghans to this day!

I did this layout to document these memories. The afghan in the picture was made in 1972 and was a gift for my cousin, Jack.  In this picture she was finishing the edges and our dog, Patches, was giving her paw of approval.

I used a kit from Sweet Digi Scraps called “These Memories” and a template from Sweet Digi Scraps “Splitsville” collection.

Wordless Wednesday

39 Years Ago.....

Jul 20, 1969: Astronaut Neil A. Armstrong was the first man to walk on the Moon.

I was 14 years old and on vacation in Carter Caves, Kentucky. My parents, my cousin, myself and another family we were with watched it on a black and white TV in the motel room.

Why would we take time out of our vacation to watch this on TV?

Neil was from our hometown, Wapakoneta. Actually, my parents knew both Neil and his parents. His parents lived right around the corner from us (I could see their house from my bedroom window which today is my office/scraproom). My grandparents were very good friends of Neil's parents. And, in high school, my Dad had dated his sister a few times.

It was also a pretty big accomplishment at that time and who knew where it would lead.

Now that is one childhood vacation I'll never forget.

When I started digi-scrapping, one of the first layouts I made was this.



And, yes that is a true autograph on that picture. The picture was given to my parents by Neil when he was home for the homecoming celebration in September, 1969. It still hangs proudly in our family room.

An exciting moment in history and a proud memory for my town. Wonder what the 40th anniversary will bring next year?

Friendship....

I've been doing a lot of digital scrapbooking lately and have found several websites that have daily challenges. One site, GottaPixel has a lyric challenge once a month. In May, it was for the lyrics of a song called One Friend by Dan Seals. As I read the lyrics I thought of one person and knew I had to do a layout in honor of our friendship.

We've been friends an awful long time. I don't remember a time without her in my life. We may not see each other very often since our lives are so very different.... she's got an almost teenager and I have no kids. But, I know I can count on her if needed. She and her husband were my saviors during the ice storm in January 2005.

This week is her birthday. So, my friend, hope your birthday is a happy one and know that I will always love you.

Here's the layout in your honor!

Independence Day

Besides being a national holiday and a day off work, in my small town it is also the day of the St. Joseph Festival. #58. That's more years than I've been around. The festival is held at the county fairgrounds which just happens to be south of my house by a couple of miles at the most. In fact, my driveway is in an almost direct line with the infield of the race track.

When we moved into this house in the mid-60's, the trees between our house and the fairgrounds were not that tall. We could sit on our front porch and see the fireworks that went high in the sky. Over 40 years later, I still do this. Even though the trees have gotten taller, I can see the fireworks from my driveway.

Tonight I sat at the edge of the garage with my camera on a tripod to see if I could get any decent pics. Got to love digital.... can take as many pics as I want and it doesn't matter if there are bad ones. I don't have to get them printed to know!

Here's just a few that I thought didn't turn out too bad.











Grand finale....


I wasn't alone tonight either. My neighbors to the east were in their driveway also watching the fireworks. They had the family picnic at their house this year.

Hope your July 4th was a good one!

Goodbye Uncle John....

You will be missed. The Marker clan reunions will not be the same without you. Who will go in the water in their clothes because it is too hot? Who will be the friend to all?

Rest in peace and know that you are loved.

Rest in Peace, Uncle Bill.....

A wonderful man passed away yesterday.

A wonderful father, grandfather, uncle and friend.

Anyone who met Bill loved him. He was funny, entertaining, smart, witty, and an all around nice guy.

His first career (that I knew) was as a high school teacher and basketball coach. Know how many of the young men he coached still called him "Coach" 30 years later? Lots of respect there also.

His next career was as a salesman for LaChoy Foods. The people he met and made friends with during that time was also astonishing. He's got friends all over the country and this was long before the internet!

I was lucky enough that he married my mom's sister. Growing up, we spent many wonderful times in Archbold with their family. His 3 children are like siblings to me. Sue and I are only 14 months apart in age so have always been very close. Her kids call me "Aunt" even though I am just a cousin....

12 years ago on Leap Day, my aunt passed away and now her DH joins her. I hope that they are forever together....

To one of the most loyal OSU Buckeye fans I have ever known....





Say hi to Woody!

Love you always!

Reflecting on 2007......

There have been a lot of ups and downs.

This was the year that a favorite uncle was diagnosed with cancer. He valiantly fought the disease only to succumb in August. Uncle Mike, you are always missed....

Thankfully my dad is still cancer free. I'm thankful for that every single day.

I made some lifestyle changes starting with joining a gym in January and working with a personal trainer. Because of the changes I made in my eating habits and the exercise I was able to lose 20 pounds and 13 inches in 8 months! I feel great and have been told that I look great. And through all of the turmoil of the last 4 months at work I have not had a major weight gain.... just staying within a 3 pound range :)

Work has been a roller coaster. Basically since a co-worker's 2 week vacation (which was the same time as my uncle's death and funeral) I've been working 48-50 hours a week. I blogged about it before so no need to go into it again but the end is in sight! The new payroll clerk has been hired and today started her 3rd week. She is progressing quite nicely considering she was thrown into the fire with 2 holiday weeks in a row and a vacation day for me next Monday! I think things should be back to normal by mid-February and I can't wait!

One upside to all of the hours I've been working has been the overtime pay. Because of that I have been able to get myself into a better financial situation. I've loosely followed Dave Ramsay's "Total Money Makeover" after reading the book this summer. I feel very good about being able to pay for various purchases with either cash or a check. I have paid off my car loan and the HELOC. I have closed 2 credit card accounts leaving myself only 1. I'm now building my retirement fund.... I still use it for internet and gasoline purchases but the money is there to pay that bill when it comes :) What a great feeling!

On the fun side, I had several long weekends away this year. First was SSMI in East Lansing, MI on the campus of Michigan State University in January. I met some wonderful ladies and had a great time. Next up was SWON in London, Ontario, Canada in July. Again lots of wonderful ladies and a fabulous time. Then in August, a few of us from SS spent an afternoon at the Longaberger Homestead. Lots of shopping and eating and some new friends. That Michele.... she talked about the OH Fall Retreat so much that day that when work went to hell in September I signed up! Nothing like a weekend in Amish Country, Ohio to rejuvenate a person. Even more wonderful ladies and again a great time! But best of all was the weekend visit with Diane. She came from Grand Rapids MI to see me and the kids. I will return the favor summer 2008!

Of course, Pepper and Paige have been the lights of my life this year. Without them I'm sure the last few months would have been unbearable. I was away from them for more hours than usual and I can tell that they were affected. They missed me as much as I missed them. Oh yeah, they are at my feet as I type this.... comfort at its finest.

Last of all, I'm thankful for the friendships I've made online at ScrapShare. Some of those have carried over to real life. Love ya ladies!

Now, I'm really excited about 2008 starting with.....

SSMI II in 4 days!

Happy New Year to All!!!!

Senior Moments..... 1973/1974

The latest Scrapshare blog challenge.

In honor of the new school year, think back to your senior year of high school, and answer these questions accordingly:

1. Who was your best friend?
Had 2, we were always together. Pam and Cindy.

2. Did you play any sports?
No

3. What kind of car did you drive?
1964 Ford Falcon



4. It’s Friday night. Where were you?
High School Football Game in the fall. Basketball during the winter. Or just out with Pam and Cindy.

5. Were you a party animal?
No

6. Were you considered a flirt?
No

7. Were you in the band, orchestra or choir?
Band--loved it! Also choir but I'd rather forget that.

8. Were you a nerd?
No

9. Were you ever suspended or expelled?
No

10. Can you sing the fight song?
In my head, absolutely. Out loud, no way would I ever subject anyone to my voice!

11. Who was your favorite teacher?
Tie between band director and bookkeeping teacher.

12. What was your school mascot?
You mean someone dressed as a mascot? We didn't have one. Our nickname was (and still is) Redskins.

13. Did you go to the Prom?
Yes with Gary.



14. If you could go back, would you?
While I thoroughly enjoy looking back on those years, I'd rather not live them again. Now if you would be talking college and my 20's, just maybe ;)

15. What do you remember most about graduation?
Walking in next to Marjean. She had her baby 9 days later.

16. Where were you on Senior Skip Day?
We didn't have one.

17. Did you have a job your senior year?
Started working at McDonald's the end of April a few hours a week.

18. Where did you go most often for lunch?
School cafeteria. We were not allowed to leave the school grounds. However, instead of senior skip day, some of the seniors did skip lunch one day the last week of school. My friends and I didn't but some others did. One girl told us in English class right after lunch that the Asst Principal stopped them and asked them to pick up some cigarettes for him while they were out.....

19. Have you gained weight since then?
Of course.

20. What did you do after high school?
Got a college education and have been working since 1978.