I'm remembering my dad, he was born 96 years ago today. I wasn't real close to my dad, but I loved him and knew he loved me. 

Plans today are to have lunch with the Anita's. Finn Fest is coming to our area and we are going into Houghton today to see a Finnish dance team and to help Anita set up a display. My friend, Anita has a Finnish heritage so she is quite involved in the festivities. I will probably be the one to keep track of the other Anita while my friend takes care of what she needs to do. 

I hope to do some more cleaning if there is time when I get home this afternoon. I need to dust the living room and dinning room. 

Hubby is stressed with everything he has to do. On the upside there is lots of work, on the downside, there is too much for him to do alone, do well and do in a timely manner that will please the customers. 

I was able to completely clean out the garage yesterday and put out all my summer yard decor. I feel quite a sense of accomplishment. I should have thought to take before and after photos. We were even able to get my car repaired and returned to us all in one day.

Supper will be easy tonight. I have some left over shredded chicken and lots of fresh vegetables that won't be fresh for long, so we'll have a chicken salad.  

Memories of Daddy on Valentine's Day

My memories always turn to my Daddy on Valentine's Day, it was a day he never failed to celebrate. One year I remember he even bought my mom a used Pontiac...red of course! I don't think I'll ever forget how surprised she was when he took her outside; how she loved that car!

He and I were never really very close and he was gone more often than not, but one thing I could always count on was a heart shaped box of candy on Valentine's Day. Each year the box was different and he was careful to choose one that fit my age and special interests at the time. Sometimes I wish I could have saved them all, how fun that would be to look back on them all now. Although my waistline certainly doesn't need a box of candy any day of the year, I have to admit I do miss looking forward to that special box each year from my daddy and I find myself every year going to the seasonal section of the store to look over the beautiful array of heart shaped boxes and getting a little teary while missing my daddy.

I hope today brings all of you special memories and loads of love.

Memories of Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day

Feb 14, '09 6:53 PM for everyone

Last night I spent some time listening to CD's of my family talking from when I was a little girl. Hearing those voices brings back so many memories, I needed to hear them.  I can't stop listening to my Mom say my name. I of course heard my Daddy's voice on there too and I always think of him on Valentine's Day, he always made it so special. He always bought my Mom and I each a box of chocolates; I always looked forward to the box! I could tell each one was especially picked out just for me because they changed as I grew older, but each one made me feel special to him. I remember the year the box changed from looking like a little girl's Valentine to a woman's Valentine, I was probably 12 or 13. I wish now I had saved them! He rarely said he loved me, was hardly ever around, and so many presents my Mom picked out and signed his name to, but he always chose the Valentines; I'm sure that's what made them so special. I remember the year he bought my Mom a red Pontiac!! It wasn't new, none of the cars he ever bought were, but she loved that car!!

I am thankful that I married someone who makes this day special too. This morning we went out to breakfast alone together and tonight we are going to see The Association in concert. I slept in until 8:00 this morning which is unheard of, then I took a nap this afternoon, yet I'm still really tired, but I want very much to enjoy this night.

Daddy

Daddy

Jun 14, '07 12:20 AM for Julie's contacts

My thoughts have turned to my Daddy, because today is his birthday. I wasn't very close to him because he wasn't around much when I was young, and he rarely spoke about his past, but I do have a few special memories of him.

He was an artist, but made his living as a sign painter. He liked black licorice and the color red. He liked to travel, and because of that, I was able to travel through most of the western U.S. states, and see Disneyland twice. I'™m not sure who enjoyed it more, him or me.

He wanted everything for me. I think he thought I was some sort of princess. He couldn'™t afford much, but he was always checking my wardrobe (my mom made most of my clothes) to see if they were good enough and appropriate enough for me to wear. He was very critical of the current styles and fads. When I came into my teen years he wanted to see that I was attractive, but at the same time his greatest fear was that some boy would become interested!

He wanted me to become a great pianist someday, so he provided me with piano lessons and later voice lessons. His dream was that someday I would be one of those girls floating around the stage on the Lawrence Welk Show! He was all for any opportunity that came along for me to further advance my musical abilities. Because of that, I was able to attend music camp in Fort Collins on three different occasions, and travel for three summers with my church choir on tour, and my high school choir one spring break. I also toured with my college choir for two years as well. He would never step foot in a church unless I was either singing or playing the piano for something special, then he had a front row seat. He was always there to support me, and sometimes push me a little more than I desired at the time.

One time when I was around 12, Mom had to have surgery. Daddy was there to take care of us while she was in the hospital, but Mom made sure to tell me that I was to take care of him. I did all the cooking and cleaning, and he was so kind and encouraging in my fledgling efforts. Because he did not live with us full time, when Mom came home from the hospital, he left again. That was the only time I felt I had truly bonded with him and it broke my heart to see him walk down the sidewalk and get into his car.

All the time I was growing up he always told me when the time came for a young man to ask for my hand in marriage, he would grill him with a thousand questions to make sure he was worthy. When the time actually came and M asked him if he could marry me, Daddy said, sure, take her!! Since I had built up all this fear of him possibly saying no, it upset me slightly to think that he was so ready to get rid of me, that is, until I saw his face as he walked me down the aisle and actually broke down in tears in the receiving line.

Though I never thought I was much like him, I see in little ways some traits he instilled in me. I am truly thankful to him for his care and encouragement, and all the opportunities he gave me that have shaped me into the adult that I am.

Daddy passed away May 12, 1993.