General 10 Important items part 1

There are only a few items that I have that are special and need to go to special people. One of those items was passed along today. Some items were passed along in June 2013 and 2014. Two items were passed along in March. Some items much earlier.

In March 2014, I gave Amanda S the red-white-blue afghan and that has been previously mentioned in this blog. A dragonrider print went to Kathie S also previously mentioned. Along with the print went a little purple dragon with a rose. It jumped up and down and said it needed to go with the print. Kathie appreciated both and understood the purple dragon talking to me. 

In June 2013, I went to Phoenix Arizona to see Amanda B graduate from high school and Jeremy R graduate from community college. I took with me my mother's hope chest, my mother's black teak jewelry box, my porcelain butterfly collection, Philippine Island spear and arrow holder, the flag that was over my brother's ashes, Space Shuttle picture that my father was given when he retired. If I've forgotten anything I'll make another post or add it in.

In June 2014 I went to Phoenix again, this time for a Forever in Forks event. I took pieces of my mother's jewelry that I had recently found and my military pictures. 

In July 2009 I went to Mesa Arizona for a WesternCon and met up with the nieces and gave each of them a strand of pearls from my mother. 

The pearl strands, the teak jewelry box, hope chest, flag, shuttle picture, PI spear, and butterfly collection RWB afghan are the important items so far. Today I gave David B the sunset picture from 1995 trip to Uig Scotland. There are only two special things I can think of left - the commissioned dragon library painting and my mother's diamond stud earrings.  

There were two things that had been previous distributed - sterling silver flatware set and three hand made table cloths. Those were passed along before my mother died to Jay and Val. I don't think the other nieces / nephews know about those items. Kind of funny that Mom and I talked about the family heirlooms and who should get them...figured Jay and Val had best chance at stable marriage and family....not so sure any more. The two oldest boys have flown the coup and not looked back. 

I have no idea who should get the last two special items. Both I will keep with me for a while. The diamond studs were a gift from Dad to Mom for either their wedding anniversary or her birthday while we were living in Germany. Most likely for their 20th wedding anniversary in August 1962. Quarter carat diamonds in platinum setting. 

The painting I commissioned Jennifer O'Meara to paint to go over my library door. It has a dragon wearing glasses and books all around and a computer. No one special comes to mind for this or the diamond studs. Since I'm keeping them, no hurry I guess. 

There were four (4) strands of pearls total. All bought while living in the Philippine Islands. All but one knotted on both sides of the pearl. Three are white and one is pink. I still have the pink strand that is need of being restrung as it broke and it is the one that wasn't double knotted. The pink strand was found more recently in the flat jewelry box. 

While I was growing up I was told that I would get one strand when I married, my brother's bride would get one when they married, and Mom would keep one. Well....I got my strand when I graduated from high school. That told me that my parents didn't expect me to get married. They were correct all those years ago. My brother had to get married and did so in Colorado while were in Germany. Mother was not going to give the strand to his wife. So I decided in 2009 to give one strand each to Valerie, Kandi, and Kirsten. Kirsten also got the pearl earring posts this June. 

General 9

I've been reading. Did get the owl trivets and Celtic Advent wreath to UPS store on Wednesday. Items got to their destinations on Friday. Did get to the Harvest Festival in San Mateo on Saturday. Found some nice taper candles to go with the holders. Didn't find any pillar candles though. Instead got a personalized ornament and some handmade ornament holders. Strangely found a close to suitable white nightgown at the Vermont Store along with the usual 'granny flannel' nightgowns. Did find a lightweight green jacket with hood...do not remember ever getting it or buying it. Almost too cold for it. Tying to get upbeat again and back to work on cleaning and organizing. 

General 8

Got into that cabinet some more and found some interesting things: 2 pharmacy tiles, one Star Trek shower curtain well worn, one oil glass lamp, one glass hurricane candle holder, two more butterflies, butterfly done in wood, and the boxes for my Cape Cod red candle holders. The pharmacy tiles can go to Pharmacy College at UoA. The three porcelain butterflies to Kirsten. Think I'll keep the wood one for awhile. The red Cape Cod candle holders I'm keeping for awhile. The other glass ones...thinking about what to do with those.

Pictures: 

The owl trivets going to Amber. She thinks they are cute.

Picture of sunset when visited Joanne in Newburyport, Ma and the vase with whales go to Joanne. The vase I got at the animal park back when it was in Redwood City and reminds me of the whale spotting trip we took when visited her.

The Celtic Advent wreath for Christine is she still wants it. 

This is sunset on Uig Island Scotland. This was entered into county fair and got honorable mention. This goes to David Buchanan as he was with me on that trip. 

General 7

Actually went to the mall. Apparently women are no longer wearing slips. No slips to be found in Pennys, Sears, Victoria Secret. No satin nightgowns either, maybe wrong season, but would think there would be some. Did find something red, on sale and coupon lowered the price. That will go with the blue I have on order. Did enjoy the pizza pretzel and frozen yogurt. Found cards only at the Hallmark store, no nice box or paper, just plain white box. Will ask Kathie to put bows on the boxes as they won't stay nice shipping. Bypassed cookies and cinnamon buns. Did find a house coat for me....saw one with butterflies but only S or M...the one I got has a cat on pocket and was on sale. First new thing not a TShirt I've bought in long time. 

At home and can't find what I want for white on line either. Bummer. I'll let Kathie know and she and Amanda can fill in. 

later update: forgot to mention when I got there and saw full parking lots I asked myself - Why am I shopping on a Saturday? Stay anyway. Inside not so crowded. 

Contacted the vet tech student, Amber, she would like the owl trivets. Hooray! another item finds a good new home. My friend Christine is interested in the Celtic Wreath. I'll post pictures tomorrow. 

Records 8

Stupid box manufacturers! They have downsized the dimensions by 1/2 inch so the albums no longer fit. Bummer. Sent message to Anna asking if she can wait until gone through all the records and I'll deliver personally in Spring or Summer. 

General 6

Having problems getting up and out to get a different box to ship records in. Did remember something that I had that might be a nice wedding present for Amanda S. Found that and a couple of other things. The original item was a set of owl trivets, one large and four small ones. Also found a Celtic Advent wreath and a set of crystal candle holders. All back in the days when I would have a nice place and people would come over and decorate for holidays. Except that never happened, so the items have been tucked away in closet. The candle holders will be going to Amanda S. I've sent message to a Scottish friend to see if she or her children might be interested in the Celtic Advent wreath. Thinking the owls might go to a Twilight friend that is going through Vet Tech training. Also found another butterfly that needs to go to Kirsten. All of that cleared out one section of a cabinet. 

General 5

My Plan A for shipping records didn't work out. The box was just a little too small. Bummed. Thought need to get a book box movers use, that was the right size for records. Eventually checked the garage and found one that may work. So tomorrow check and see and then if not go find some packing boxes. Hoping the bubble wrap doesn't take up too much space height wise. Find out later today I guess. Not much done. 

General 4

Started gathering items to pack up a ship records to Anna. Shortened one pair of work out slacks so I won't be walking on them while wearing my slippers. Mailed the two letters. Looked for honeymoon sleepwear for Amanda...no red-white-blue ones. Saw a couple of ones that would be sexy and still modest, ie satin or silk instead of see through lace. And read. Nothing much on downsizing or organizing really. 

General 3

A quiet Sunday. Did laundry and filled out my ballot. Wrote a couple of short notes to friends. Nothing on the downsizing effort today. So....

One of the things I really wanted to make sure got to the right person was the red-white-blue afghan my mother knitted for me when I first went into the military. I had complained about how cold the control room was. We didn't have pant suit uniforms yet and the skirts were regulation 2 inches above knee. So she knitted the RWB afghan as a lap robe. It was too big for that purpose, but was useful in room. 

I asked Val if she though Justin and Jamie would like it and appreciate it. She wasn't sure since they had not been in touch with them in some time. So I posted on Facebook if anyone had family that was military and would like and appreciate the RWB afghan. One reply from Gwen and her daughter is in the AF, but has some afghans already. I started thinking maybe contact the AF Academy chaplains office and see if there might be someone in need of a touch of home and not getting it. 

About this time a fan fiction writer I've communicated with and we are FB friends mentioned her daughter feeling a bit down as her boyfriend was getting ready to leave for Marine boot camp. It hit me, warm fuzzy goosebumps and all, this is where the afghan is suppose to go...give her something to wrap in while he is gone. I sent Kathy an email asking if she thought Amanda would like it and appreciate the handmade nature of the gift. They were both thrilled with the gift. While I was at it I asked Kathy if interested in a Dragonrider print. She was agreeable to that as well. 

Here is a picture of the print and where Kathy has put it. The print is by Margarite Fields before she only did American Indian myth paintings. Kathy has written a couple of Dragonriders of Pern fan fictions and it seemed a good fit and a way to say thank you for sharing her writing talent with Twilight stories along with Pern. 

Here is a picture of Amanda and the afghan. I am so happy that it has a good home now and for awhile to come. Amanda and Tyler recently announced their engagement with a 23 December 2014 wedding. May the afghan continue to bring some comfort whenever they are separated.

Records 7

I figured I'd gone on long enough about the soundtrack albums and left list 8 to write about today. On another front I made some headway in cleaning out the car today. My ballot is about half done. Got the trash and recycle taken out to the bins. Need to check the mail, not sure when the last time was that I checked it. 

List 8 of records has some classical and Christmas and Sousa and miscellaneous titles. Not a lot of memories here. I did see the New Sousa Band in a concert at Flint Center with the conductor and band dressed as Sousa would have been. It was a delightful concert and why I got the two (2) albums. Rather than rock 'n roll, maybe I should find some marching music CD's to play to get me going. Worth maybe doing that. 

Must remember to fall back clocks one (1) hour tonight. Daylight savings is stupid idea and we really should do away with it. 

1 November is author day and read a book day - both together on same day makes sense. Wonder what the difference is between a writer and an author. Wonder how my author friends wish to be thought of. A question for a Facebook post maybe.