Back in the 60s, one of the local stores would have 'Blue Light Specials' during different times of the day. If you were lucky enough to be there during this time, an announcement would come over the intercom. "Attention shoppers, we have a Blue Light Special in the outdoor furniture section. For 15 minutes only, you can purchase 2 garden hoses for the price of 1". There was a pole with a blue light like police used to have on their cars. As you walked toward the outdoor furniture section, you could see the reflection of the light flashing. You could also see the crowd that was walking down the aisles. Everyone was in a hurry to get there. Even if you did not need a new garden hose, much less 2, it was still a 'blue light special' and it was a deal.
One of my husband's favorite stories of his mom was when she found a Marvel the Mustang on sale and she purchased it. There wasn't anyone in their family to ride it but it was a GOOD DEAL so she bought it. It stayed in their garage for a while until they gave it away.
We all have things in our attics, basements, garages, closets, etc.... that we have purchased because they were good deals. "We might need these one day", "I can give this as a gift", "This would look great in the ___________". We end us buying boxes to store these items, which means more money spent. We put the items on display, which means more time to dust and clean.
As we start the new year, let's think about all of the things in our life that are taking up space. Go through the stack of magazines while you are watching TV. Give them, along with any old books and papers to a local school to use for art projects. Take any good items that you have to a consignment shop to sell. Donate a new, unopened gift to a local charity for auction.
Remember, less is more. And don't be lured by the 'Blue Light Specials' in your life.
Monday, December 30, 2013
Friday, December 27, 2013
Ronco
Years ago a company named 'Ronco' sold different gadgets in local stores. The commercials on TV made you think that you could not live without these products. "It slices, it dices". When you heard these words, you immediately wanted to buy this item because it made cooking so much easier. Never mind that you hardly ever cooked anything that needed slicing and dicing. The person selling it was such a convincer. And the pictures of the things that you could create were beautiful.
One year for Christmas, I asked for a Rhinestone and Stud Setter. It looked like a giant stapler that would make your clothes really stand out with the colorful designs that you could make. The setter looked like you could load it up with studs or rhinestones and just keep pressing down and they would come out like a nail gun.
I had a pair of jeans that I wanted to put the letter 'B' on at the bottom of the leg. As I got everything out and prepared to start, I realized that you have to put the studs in ONE AT A TIME. You would put the stud in the setter, press down on the top and the stud would go into whatever you were making and the sharp points would close shut. Then you put another one in and repeated the process. Put the stud in the setter, press down, put another one in, line it up, press down, you get the picture. Pretty soon, I was tired and I did not have the complete letter made. I finally finished it and decided against putting a 'G' (for my last name) on the other leg.
I am sure that this company made plenty of money on these things. Record album vacuums, food choppers, candle making kits-yes I had one of those also, incense making kits, etc... I do not know anyone who would have had the time or patience to make some of the outfits that were in the commercials.
I hope you are enjoying your Christmas gifts and that you got what you wanted. And it is all that you thought it would be.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_Ty7pzhckk
One year for Christmas, I asked for a Rhinestone and Stud Setter. It looked like a giant stapler that would make your clothes really stand out with the colorful designs that you could make. The setter looked like you could load it up with studs or rhinestones and just keep pressing down and they would come out like a nail gun.
I had a pair of jeans that I wanted to put the letter 'B' on at the bottom of the leg. As I got everything out and prepared to start, I realized that you have to put the studs in ONE AT A TIME. You would put the stud in the setter, press down on the top and the stud would go into whatever you were making and the sharp points would close shut. Then you put another one in and repeated the process. Put the stud in the setter, press down, put another one in, line it up, press down, you get the picture. Pretty soon, I was tired and I did not have the complete letter made. I finally finished it and decided against putting a 'G' (for my last name) on the other leg.
I am sure that this company made plenty of money on these things. Record album vacuums, food choppers, candle making kits-yes I had one of those also, incense making kits, etc... I do not know anyone who would have had the time or patience to make some of the outfits that were in the commercials.
I hope you are enjoying your Christmas gifts and that you got what you wanted. And it is all that you thought it would be.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_Ty7pzhckk
Tuesday, December 24, 2013
"Every time a bell rings, an angel gets its wings"
Bear with me, this might be long.
My dad was diagnosed with lung cancer a few days before Christmas 1989. He started radiation to shrink it so he could breathe easier. He took his treatments and was able to do a lot for the next year. He and my mom made a trip to Maui to visit my uncle and aunt in June. The whole year was good and we were thankful for the time we had.
On Christmas Eve, we always went to Eric's grandmother's house then later to Eric's parent's house. We did not get home until after midnight each year. In 1990, my in-laws were out of town so we left Eric's grandmothers and stopped by my parents. My mom was cooking for the next day and my dad was already in bed but was still awake. We were only there for a few minutes and I stepped into my parent's bedroom to say 'good-bye and see you tomorrow'.
We came home and got the kids in bed. An hour later I received a phone call from my uncle that my dad had gone to the hospital and I needed to come back to their house so I could be there when my mom got back. I made a 3 way call to my sister who knew right away that my mother would not be coming back unless there was no reason to stay at the hospital.
My dad had passed away a short time after we left. I proceeded back to their house in the early hours of the morning with my sister already there and my mother resting in her bedroom. The house was very quiet, the Christmas tree lights were on and then I heard it. The ringing of a bell. I wasn't sure where the sound came from, so I went into the living room where the tinkling was. There was a chime/harp instrument on the back of the door that plinked when someone opened the door. I assumed someone was coming in and the chime had made the sound. No one was on the porch, no one had opened the door. I reached up to strum one of the strings and realized it was not the sound that I heard. There was a bell on the front of the tree and I touched it to hear the sound. It did not match. After a few moments of walking around the tree and moving any ornament that made a sound, I found the source of the ringing. It was a bell that was hidden back in the branches. There was NO WAY anything could have made the bell move. The heat had not come on, there was no air blowing out of the vent. The ceiling fan was not on, it did not move any of the ornaments. The room was absolutely still.
I am a big fan of the movie 'It's a Wonderful Life'. I know the Bailey's have a bell on their tree that rings when Clarence gets his wings. I will always believe that my parents had a bell that rang on their tree when my dad got his wings. And I whispered when I heard a bell early on Christmas Day, 'Atta boy Daddy'.
The bell now hangs in my 'It's A Wonderful Life' collection.
My dad was diagnosed with lung cancer a few days before Christmas 1989. He started radiation to shrink it so he could breathe easier. He took his treatments and was able to do a lot for the next year. He and my mom made a trip to Maui to visit my uncle and aunt in June. The whole year was good and we were thankful for the time we had.
On Christmas Eve, we always went to Eric's grandmother's house then later to Eric's parent's house. We did not get home until after midnight each year. In 1990, my in-laws were out of town so we left Eric's grandmothers and stopped by my parents. My mom was cooking for the next day and my dad was already in bed but was still awake. We were only there for a few minutes and I stepped into my parent's bedroom to say 'good-bye and see you tomorrow'.
We came home and got the kids in bed. An hour later I received a phone call from my uncle that my dad had gone to the hospital and I needed to come back to their house so I could be there when my mom got back. I made a 3 way call to my sister who knew right away that my mother would not be coming back unless there was no reason to stay at the hospital.
My dad had passed away a short time after we left. I proceeded back to their house in the early hours of the morning with my sister already there and my mother resting in her bedroom. The house was very quiet, the Christmas tree lights were on and then I heard it. The ringing of a bell. I wasn't sure where the sound came from, so I went into the living room where the tinkling was. There was a chime/harp instrument on the back of the door that plinked when someone opened the door. I assumed someone was coming in and the chime had made the sound. No one was on the porch, no one had opened the door. I reached up to strum one of the strings and realized it was not the sound that I heard. There was a bell on the front of the tree and I touched it to hear the sound. It did not match. After a few moments of walking around the tree and moving any ornament that made a sound, I found the source of the ringing. It was a bell that was hidden back in the branches. There was NO WAY anything could have made the bell move. The heat had not come on, there was no air blowing out of the vent. The ceiling fan was not on, it did not move any of the ornaments. The room was absolutely still.
I am a big fan of the movie 'It's a Wonderful Life'. I know the Bailey's have a bell on their tree that rings when Clarence gets his wings. I will always believe that my parents had a bell that rang on their tree when my dad got his wings. And I whispered when I heard a bell early on Christmas Day, 'Atta boy Daddy'.
Monday, December 23, 2013
Merry Christmas Eve to our family
When I was growing up, I can only remember one time when we went to my aunt and uncle's house for dinner on Christmas night. My parents never went anywhere so that we could stay home and play with our toys. I often wondered what it would be like to go to church on Christmas Eve or visit someone on Christmas Day.
When Eric and I started dating, he told me that a big group got together on Christmas Eve at his grandmother's house. His family, his uncle's family and his aunt's family were always there. They drew names at Thanksgiving and exchanged gifts on Christmas Eve. Everyone brought pickups and just sat around snacking while they opened presents. It was really hectic for us since we both worked fulltime and had 2 small children. But we always made it and had a good time seeing the cousins and laughing with each other.
Merry Christmas Eve to the Summervilles, Hudsons, Covingtons/Sheffields and Packs.
When Eric and I started dating, he told me that a big group got together on Christmas Eve at his grandmother's house. His family, his uncle's family and his aunt's family were always there. They drew names at Thanksgiving and exchanged gifts on Christmas Eve. Everyone brought pickups and just sat around snacking while they opened presents. It was really hectic for us since we both worked fulltime and had 2 small children. But we always made it and had a good time seeing the cousins and laughing with each other.
Merry Christmas Eve to the Summervilles, Hudsons, Covingtons/Sheffields and Packs.
Sunday, December 22, 2013
Treat Bags
I attended the same church from the time I was 10 to 35 years old. Eric and I were married and were members there while our sons were babies and in elementary school. Each year at Christmas time, a small group of people would get together to make treat bags. These were brown paper lunch bags with an assortment of items in them. An apple, tangerine, orange, pack of gum, a candy cane, a Hershey bar and a few nuts. The church fixed enough for the members and visitors to each get one and they were handed out after church one Sunday morning. Then someone would take the shut-ins their bags later in the week. Usually around 150-160 bags were made. Everyone knew that we would be getting them, no matter how young, each person got a bag. It was exciting to get them, even if we had fruit and candy at home. It was a wonderful tradition that was carried on through the years.
I hope your family has many traditions that they are passing down.
Merry Christmas!
I hope your family has many traditions that they are passing down.
Merry Christmas!
Saturday, December 21, 2013
"No man is a failure who has friends"
We moved into our house 30 years ago this month. 9 days before Christmas, on Friday night after work, we had 2 friends show up with their truck and helped to move our washer, dryer and refrigerator. Then came back for our sleeper sofa, chair, coffee and end tables. We did not ask, they just showed up. The next day Eric's best friend came to move our bedroom suit. My sister and 2 nieces came the next week and spent the day organizing our pots and pans, dishes and linen closet. Throughout the years, we have been blessed to have had friends who would drop everything to help us out. Picking our 2 sons up at school at the last minute, watching them when school was cancelled for snow days, etc... We had friends and family cook for us when our children were born. We had offers to babysit on Christmas Day so I could make arrangements for my dad's funeral. So many people who have been our friends along the way and we never really let them know how much they meant to us. Some of them are gone now, I wish I had said 'thank you' more often. I hope they knew how much we treasured their friendship.
And I hope the ones who still count themselves as my friends today, know that I will never consider myself a 'failure'. With you beside me, I have succeeded in life.
And I hope the ones who still count themselves as my friends today, know that I will never consider myself a 'failure'. With you beside me, I have succeeded in life.
Friday, December 20, 2013
Aunt Bennie Pennies
I had a great aunt that everyone called 'Aunt Bennie'. Even if she was not a member of their family, she was Aunt Bennie. She was born in 1902 and had married and divorced young, never having had children. She devoted her life to working and taking care of her mother. In the late 1970s, my grandmother asked her to move to our town instead of an hour away since there were no family members where she lived to take care of her. A duplex was built and my grandmother was going to live in one side with Aunt Bennie on the other side. My grandmother passed away before she could move in, so Eric and I were able to rent her apt.
Aunt Bennie was the kind of person that everyone should strive to be. She was a Christian who truly lived up to the definition. She never gossiped, not even to her closest friends. She was very soft spoken, I never heard her raise her voice in anger at ANYONE.
Aunt Bennie was a firm believer in missions. She especially had a heart for Lottie Moon. All through the year she would collect pennies to give in December to the Lottie Moon offering at church. No matter how few she had, it went to the Lottie Moon offering. She was known for asking if you had any pennies to give. A penny wasn't much and people usually had a few of those in their pockets. She was not bashful when it came to collecting, anyone was fair game.
As a way to remember her, my family has collected pennies every year since she has been gone. Since 1997, we have rolled the coins and donated them to a church, specifically for Lottie Moon. Both of our sons kept a small container on their dresser and would give it to us when it got full. I keep a china teacup in my closet for pennies and we empty it out periodically.
I hope to always keep her memory alive by collecting for Lottie Moon. I have had people offer me other coins, it isn't the same. It has to be a penny. If you see me and have a penny in your pocket, don't hesitate to give it to me. I will take them any way they are offered.
Some people will see money laying on the sidewalk and will not pick it up. Not me. When we walk and I see a penny on the ground, I pick it up and know that it is one more 'Aunt Bennie Penny.'
Aunt Bennie was the kind of person that everyone should strive to be. She was a Christian who truly lived up to the definition. She never gossiped, not even to her closest friends. She was very soft spoken, I never heard her raise her voice in anger at ANYONE.
Aunt Bennie was a firm believer in missions. She especially had a heart for Lottie Moon. All through the year she would collect pennies to give in December to the Lottie Moon offering at church. No matter how few she had, it went to the Lottie Moon offering. She was known for asking if you had any pennies to give. A penny wasn't much and people usually had a few of those in their pockets. She was not bashful when it came to collecting, anyone was fair game.
As a way to remember her, my family has collected pennies every year since she has been gone. Since 1997, we have rolled the coins and donated them to a church, specifically for Lottie Moon. Both of our sons kept a small container on their dresser and would give it to us when it got full. I keep a china teacup in my closet for pennies and we empty it out periodically.
I hope to always keep her memory alive by collecting for Lottie Moon. I have had people offer me other coins, it isn't the same. It has to be a penny. If you see me and have a penny in your pocket, don't hesitate to give it to me. I will take them any way they are offered.
Some people will see money laying on the sidewalk and will not pick it up. Not me. When we walk and I see a penny on the ground, I pick it up and know that it is one more 'Aunt Bennie Penny.'
Thursday, December 19, 2013
Busy Christmas
I like to watch old TV shows like Donna Reed, Andy Griffith, I Love Lucy and My Three Sons. Several years ago we bought my mom a DVD set with Christmas episodes of Red Skelton, Beverly Hillbillies, Jack Benny and Bob Cummings, just to name a few. When she passed away and we were cleaning out the house, everyone took back the gifts that they had given to my parents. During that Christmas season, I decided to watch some of the shows. One of them was Ozzie and Harriet. Now, if you are under the age of 50, stop reading right now and Google-Ozzie and Harriet. This particular show was taped in 1956 and was titled 'Busy Christmas.' Ozzie waited until the last minute to get their Christmas tree and also put lights up on the house. He was 'volunteered' to go Christmas caroling, be Ebenezer Scrooge in a play and play Santa at a children's home for the Men's Club. All of this was to take place on Christmas Eve. He was practicing his singing part as he climbed the ladder to put up the lights, his teenage son was helping him rehearse his lines as he tried on his costume and he was rushing around.
After the play was over and his stint as Santa ended, he came home to apologize that he didn't get a decent tree or the lights on the house. His family surprised him with a nicely decorated tree and the lights strung up outside. The carolers came by singing 'Silent Night' and Ozzie reminisced about years ago when he and Harriet had first gotten married. It was so quiet except for the carolers. The family got their coats and went out to join the singers as they went through the neighborhood. Ozzie had gotten so busy that he almost forgot what the real meaning of Christmas was.
Over the next week, slow down and remember what the season is all about. Don't let your Christmas be too busy.
After the play was over and his stint as Santa ended, he came home to apologize that he didn't get a decent tree or the lights on the house. His family surprised him with a nicely decorated tree and the lights strung up outside. The carolers came by singing 'Silent Night' and Ozzie reminisced about years ago when he and Harriet had first gotten married. It was so quiet except for the carolers. The family got their coats and went out to join the singers as they went through the neighborhood. Ozzie had gotten so busy that he almost forgot what the real meaning of Christmas was.
Over the next week, slow down and remember what the season is all about. Don't let your Christmas be too busy.
Wednesday, December 18, 2013
Happy Birthday James
My late father-in-law James birthday was this past weekend but I knew that he would feel that it was more important for me to write about the anniversary of Sandy Hook.
I told you in an earlier post about the night I met Eric's parents. I have no idea why his dad kept trying to get us to eat watermelon, it still makes us laugh when we talk about it. I have many memories of James but I guess what sticks out in my mind were his car mechanic skills. Eric had a truck that in its later years was referred to as 'Lazarus', since he felt like he kept raising it from the dead. If something was wrong with the truck, Eric could call his dad, describe the noise or problem and his dad could diagnose it over the phone. And usually James was right.
We have 2 sons who had to share a car through high school and college. This car was referred to as 'old blue' when it started getting older. Eric's dad could tell him what was wrong with it when it started acting up. While our kids were in college, if they were with someone whose car didn't start or was making funny noises, they would call Eric to ask what was wrong. To the best of his ability, Eric would tell them what it sounded like MIGHT be wrong with it. But there were times that he would just have to say 'I don't know what it could be'. When he would hang up the phone, he would turn to me and say, 'Why did they call me, I don't know that much about cars'. And I would say, 'didn't you always call your dad and ask him?'
Happy Belated Birthday James.
I told you in an earlier post about the night I met Eric's parents. I have no idea why his dad kept trying to get us to eat watermelon, it still makes us laugh when we talk about it. I have many memories of James but I guess what sticks out in my mind were his car mechanic skills. Eric had a truck that in its later years was referred to as 'Lazarus', since he felt like he kept raising it from the dead. If something was wrong with the truck, Eric could call his dad, describe the noise or problem and his dad could diagnose it over the phone. And usually James was right.
We have 2 sons who had to share a car through high school and college. This car was referred to as 'old blue' when it started getting older. Eric's dad could tell him what was wrong with it when it started acting up. While our kids were in college, if they were with someone whose car didn't start or was making funny noises, they would call Eric to ask what was wrong. To the best of his ability, Eric would tell them what it sounded like MIGHT be wrong with it. But there were times that he would just have to say 'I don't know what it could be'. When he would hang up the phone, he would turn to me and say, 'Why did they call me, I don't know that much about cars'. And I would say, 'didn't you always call your dad and ask him?'
Happy Belated Birthday James.
Monday, December 16, 2013
Please let me know...
If you are reading my blog but are unable to comment on it, please email me at agsummer@bellsouth.net or send me a PM on my Facebook page-Summerville Stories. Let me know what you think, I will not print or publish anything you send. I would just like to hear from you. Thanks so much.
Bridget Summerville
Bridget Summerville
Sandy Hook-1 year later
The anniversary of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting was Saturday. The town did not want any tributes or any media coming to the area. The churches rang their bells at 9:30 to mark the time the horrible tragedy occurred.
As a parent and now a grandparent, I cannot begin to imagine what the parents of the 26 people went through and are still going through. They took their children to school thinking this was one of the safest places they could be and it happened 2 hours later.
Since it is Christmastime, our thoughts turn to another child. When the angel came to Mary and told her that she would bear a son, how happy she must have been. Then to be told he would grow up and be killed for people that she did not even know, must have been like a stabbing to her heart.
On Sunday when I was on the treadmill at the gym, I was channel surfing and came across ESPN with Chris Berman. He made a few brief remarks then the screen turned into a picture of the victims names, shaped like a heart. This song was playing, ESPN did not show the video.
Please listen and continue to pray for these families.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1RwCTNdX78
As a parent and now a grandparent, I cannot begin to imagine what the parents of the 26 people went through and are still going through. They took their children to school thinking this was one of the safest places they could be and it happened 2 hours later.
Since it is Christmastime, our thoughts turn to another child. When the angel came to Mary and told her that she would bear a son, how happy she must have been. Then to be told he would grow up and be killed for people that she did not even know, must have been like a stabbing to her heart.
On Sunday when I was on the treadmill at the gym, I was channel surfing and came across ESPN with Chris Berman. He made a few brief remarks then the screen turned into a picture of the victims names, shaped like a heart. This song was playing, ESPN did not show the video.
Please listen and continue to pray for these families.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1RwCTNdX78
Friday, December 13, 2013
MERRY CHRISTMAS CHARLIE BROWN!
My dad was a TV repairman when I was a little girl. We lived in a big 2 story house and his shop was in the front room. If he could not fix someone's TV, stereo or record player at their house, he would bring it home to fix it. He had a station wagon (yes the name was painted on the side) and could lay the back seat down to slide the broken item in. To fix a record player, he would play an album to see if it needed a new needle, had a busted speaker, etc... then proceed to fix it. Now he had a few 'records' that were his favorites and he would use these for testing. During any other time of the year, it could be Johnny Cash, Loretta Lynn or somebody else. BUT for Christmas it was Buck Owens. It had a green album cover with a red stocking on the front. I guess you are wondering how I remember that. It made its way to my house when my mother passed away a few years ago. But my sister and brother-in-law made sure years earlier that I had a cassette tape of it also. When my kids were growing up, we played that while we decorated our tree. It was tradition and yep, Georgia has heard it for the past 2 years. Drew's turn will be next week and I am sure that he will give me a Granddaddy Peanut look as Buck sings 'Santa looked a lot like Daddy'.
Years ago, people bought furniture, appliances or other things on credit from the local stores. My dad had a contract with one of the furniture companies here in town to fix the above mentioned 'electronics'. There was a broken TV (big floor model) that needed to be fixed that made its way to our house. At Christmas. Just in time for Charlie Brown. My brother has told me that when daddy brought the TV home, we watched the program in color. And the TV never made its way back to the store.
I am so glad that Charlie Brown is still being shown, despite it being religious. The Little Drummer Boy, Nestor the Long Eared Donkey and a few others have survived the test of time when everyone has to be politically correct.
I will be watching next week when Linus, Lucy, Sally, Violet, Pig-Pen and Schroder take the decorations off of Snoopy's dog house and decorate the sad little tree. And I will say along with the group 'MERRY CHRISTMAS CHARLIE BROWN'!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0UTEVtDm0M
Years ago, people bought furniture, appliances or other things on credit from the local stores. My dad had a contract with one of the furniture companies here in town to fix the above mentioned 'electronics'. There was a broken TV (big floor model) that needed to be fixed that made its way to our house. At Christmas. Just in time for Charlie Brown. My brother has told me that when daddy brought the TV home, we watched the program in color. And the TV never made its way back to the store.
I am so glad that Charlie Brown is still being shown, despite it being religious. The Little Drummer Boy, Nestor the Long Eared Donkey and a few others have survived the test of time when everyone has to be politically correct.
I will be watching next week when Linus, Lucy, Sally, Violet, Pig-Pen and Schroder take the decorations off of Snoopy's dog house and decorate the sad little tree. And I will say along with the group 'MERRY CHRISTMAS CHARLIE BROWN'!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0UTEVtDm0M
Thursday, December 12, 2013
I wish I had never read the book
With all of the publicity recently about the 'remake' of The Sound of Music', I was thinking about the original movie and what really happened. I had always wondered about the part where the nuns take the spark plug wires out of the policemen's cars. That didn't seem like something that a nun would do back in the 30s (not sure if they would do it now or not) so I was curious if that part had been written into the movie. I checked the book out of the library about 10 years ago and decided to read through to see if it was true. The book was the Trapp Family, they had dropped the Von part of their name.
When reading it, I discovered that the main character was named Maria and she had been living with nuns. That is about all of the similarities there were. The oldest child was not a girl, the children had been taught to sing by their father years earlier, the father had lost his money and they had renovated their house to rent it out, there was no national anthem (no Edelweiss), they did not escape over the mountain, they did not leave right after the honeymoon, etc...
There are 2 other movies that are based on real life stories. 'Remember the Titans' and 'The Blind Side.' Both are really good movies and there are certain parts that I hope DID happen. However, there should be a disclaimer before the movie stating that the movie is only 10% true. It would still be a good movie.
By the time The Sound of Music was made, the father had passed away from lung cancer and the family needed the money. So I guess that is why she agreed to let the movie studio write it to include all of the drama.
I wish I had never read the book.
When reading it, I discovered that the main character was named Maria and she had been living with nuns. That is about all of the similarities there were. The oldest child was not a girl, the children had been taught to sing by their father years earlier, the father had lost his money and they had renovated their house to rent it out, there was no national anthem (no Edelweiss), they did not escape over the mountain, they did not leave right after the honeymoon, etc...
There are 2 other movies that are based on real life stories. 'Remember the Titans' and 'The Blind Side.' Both are really good movies and there are certain parts that I hope DID happen. However, there should be a disclaimer before the movie stating that the movie is only 10% true. It would still be a good movie.
By the time The Sound of Music was made, the father had passed away from lung cancer and the family needed the money. So I guess that is why she agreed to let the movie studio write it to include all of the drama.
I wish I had never read the book.
Friday, December 6, 2013
Happy Birthday Muriel
My late mother-in-law's birthday was last week. (We were out of town and I could not post.) I remember the first time I met her and Eric's dad. It was on a Friday night and they were hanging blinds in the den of their home. (These blinds were still hanging up when we sold the house in April.) It's funny how you can recall specific details about certain events. Eric and I had been dating about 2 weeks. Their house had 3 bedrooms but when Eric was born, instead of him having his own bedroom, he shared a room with his older brother. The 3rd bedroom was made into a den. Previously the living room had been used as a 'true living room', but when they converted the den, the living room was no longer used. Yes, there was furniture, but no one went in there. Except at Christmas.
Anyway, after Eric introduced us, he and I went into the living room. Eric's dad James, would come in every 10 minutes or so and ask if we wanted any watermelon. We still laugh about that, you would have to have met him.
A lot of good memories come to mind when I think about Muriel, but I have to say cooking and food immediately jump out. Every year at Christmas she would make fruit cake cookies. Yes, you read that right. Fruit. Cake. Cookies. Lots of fruit, some nuts and a little cookie. It was tradition and even when we would tell her that we didn't eat a lot of sweets, she still made fruit cake cookies. She would offer them to Andrew and Paul, but again we didn't eat a lot of sweets. So they would decline. Now on the other hand, cut up fruit was plentiful at Christmas. Oranges, grapefruit, apples, grapes and nuts in a big glass bowl with coconut sprinkled on top. If we were over there for supper, she would ask what the kids wanted for dessert. Cake, ice cream or fruit. Always 'fuit'. Always. (They couldn't pronounce fruit.) She could not get over a kid wanting fruit as opposed to cake or ice cream. But you had to taste this fruit. Eric now cuts up the fruit for Christmas, it is special only for that time of year.
The black and white picture was made in front of their house that was built in 1952. They lived there until they both passed away. The color picture was made in 2000 or 2001.
Good memories always stay with you.
Happy birthday Muriel.
Anyway, after Eric introduced us, he and I went into the living room. Eric's dad James, would come in every 10 minutes or so and ask if we wanted any watermelon. We still laugh about that, you would have to have met him.
A lot of good memories come to mind when I think about Muriel, but I have to say cooking and food immediately jump out. Every year at Christmas she would make fruit cake cookies. Yes, you read that right. Fruit. Cake. Cookies. Lots of fruit, some nuts and a little cookie. It was tradition and even when we would tell her that we didn't eat a lot of sweets, she still made fruit cake cookies. She would offer them to Andrew and Paul, but again we didn't eat a lot of sweets. So they would decline. Now on the other hand, cut up fruit was plentiful at Christmas. Oranges, grapefruit, apples, grapes and nuts in a big glass bowl with coconut sprinkled on top. If we were over there for supper, she would ask what the kids wanted for dessert. Cake, ice cream or fruit. Always 'fuit'. Always. (They couldn't pronounce fruit.) She could not get over a kid wanting fruit as opposed to cake or ice cream. But you had to taste this fruit. Eric now cuts up the fruit for Christmas, it is special only for that time of year.
The black and white picture was made in front of their house that was built in 1952. They lived there until they both passed away. The color picture was made in 2000 or 2001.
Good memories always stay with you.
Happy birthday Muriel.
Thursday, November 28, 2013
Tuesday, November 26, 2013
Defrost your turkey
Over the years when I would watch the early morning shows on Thanksgiving Day, the last segment would be a cooking segment. They would always have Q&A for problems that people would email them about their Thanksgiving dinner. Usually 'my gravy is too thick' or 'how do I know the stuffing is done if I cooked it inside of the turkey'. But there was always one person who would say 'I forgot to defrost my turkey, what do I do'. And the answer was 'look in the phone book for a restaurant that is open, because you aren't eating at home today'.
Defrost your turkey. Today. Now.
Defrost your turkey. Today. Now.
Sunday, November 24, 2013
My favorite thing
I am a charter member of the Belmont Historical Society. It was started in 2005 by 7 gentlemen who wanted to make sure that the history of Belmont is preserved for future generations. We were given a house by the Stowe Foundation for our 'Cultural and Heritage Learning Center'. It is the 3rd oldest house in Belmont and we are very proud to be the recipients of such a great gift.
There are 5 rooms and a long hallway with displays in them. Some of our displays are permanent and some are temporary. We have pictures of old churches and schools, and items from businesses that used to be in Belmont. My favorite display is a scrapbook that was started by the Chamber of Commerce in 1946 or 1948. We were given the scrapbook when we opened in 2007. Since it was about the local businesses in Belmont, there are ads from years ago. If a supermarket was having a grand opening, they took out a full page ad and listed prices of their food. At Christmas, toys might be advertised along with Santa's visit to the store. There are car, furniture and clothing ads. Some things have gone up in price whereas other things have gone down in price.
It is a lot of fun to sit there and look through the book and compare prices to things nowadays. If you live in the area, stop in one day and look over the book. It will certainly take you down memory lane. I wonder how much a Thanksgiving dinner would have cost back then.
There are 5 rooms and a long hallway with displays in them. Some of our displays are permanent and some are temporary. We have pictures of old churches and schools, and items from businesses that used to be in Belmont. My favorite display is a scrapbook that was started by the Chamber of Commerce in 1946 or 1948. We were given the scrapbook when we opened in 2007. Since it was about the local businesses in Belmont, there are ads from years ago. If a supermarket was having a grand opening, they took out a full page ad and listed prices of their food. At Christmas, toys might be advertised along with Santa's visit to the store. There are car, furniture and clothing ads. Some things have gone up in price whereas other things have gone down in price.
It is a lot of fun to sit there and look through the book and compare prices to things nowadays. If you live in the area, stop in one day and look over the book. It will certainly take you down memory lane. I wonder how much a Thanksgiving dinner would have cost back then.
Saturday, November 23, 2013
Don't judge me at the stoplight
Years ago we went to a local pizza place with another couple. They had a juke box and while we were sitting there talking, a song with a really good beat came on. We thought the song was saying 'Bob Greasy' and we could not figure out who would make a song about 'Bob Greasy'. I don't know if it was the pepperoni or what, but we absolutely could not stop laughing. We could not catch our breath or stop snorting about this song. It never occurred to us to go look at the number/letter of the song playing to find out the real name.
This morning I heard that song on the radio as I sat in my car at the stoplight. I was immediately taken back over 30 years ago to that night when we heard that song. My reaction in the car was the same as it was at the pizza place.
I have a niece who always thought that 'Stop in the Name of Love' was really 'Stop in the Neighborhood'. While I am glad that she was observing the driving rules at the age of 5 or 6, I wonder why someone didn't tell her what the real words were.
I once heard someone say that they thought the song 'Islands in the Stream' was really 'I Live in the Street'. Would it really be possible that someone would live in the street? If they pitched a tent, would they pull it up every time a car came down the road?
If you see me at the stoplight and I am laughing, don't judge. I am singing a song from my past and I probably don't know the words.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEfFOd8TDZA
This morning I heard that song on the radio as I sat in my car at the stoplight. I was immediately taken back over 30 years ago to that night when we heard that song. My reaction in the car was the same as it was at the pizza place.
I have a niece who always thought that 'Stop in the Name of Love' was really 'Stop in the Neighborhood'. While I am glad that she was observing the driving rules at the age of 5 or 6, I wonder why someone didn't tell her what the real words were.
I once heard someone say that they thought the song 'Islands in the Stream' was really 'I Live in the Street'. Would it really be possible that someone would live in the street? If they pitched a tent, would they pull it up every time a car came down the road?
If you see me at the stoplight and I am laughing, don't judge. I am singing a song from my past and I probably don't know the words.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEfFOd8TDZA
Friday, November 22, 2013
Thursday, November 21, 2013
Mood rings
In the 1970s, mood rings were a popular piece of jewelry. The ring had a stone that would change colors to match your mood. The color could range from black to brown to green and finally to a beautiful blue. The idea was if you were in a good mood your body would be warm and would make the stone turn blue. The warmer your hands, the bluer the ring. According to the chart, if you were in a bad mood or were sad, your ring would be black.
My hands have always been cold. If I met someone and they wanted to shake hands, I apologized in advance for having cold hands. Needless to say, my mood ring indicated that I was in a different mood than I was.
How many times have we looked at someone and thought they were mad, perplexed, upset or just in a bad mood? How often have we decided that a person was a grouch when we hadn't even taken the time to ask how they were? Did the lady almost knock you down in the drug store? Maybe she was in a hurry to pick up a prescription for her sick child. Did someone rev their engine behind you at the traffic light? Maybe their car was going to cut off and they were trying to keep it running. (1973 Mazda, many times).
We need to stop looking at everyone's mood ring and start looking at them. Really look.
My hands have always been cold. If I met someone and they wanted to shake hands, I apologized in advance for having cold hands. Needless to say, my mood ring indicated that I was in a different mood than I was.
How many times have we looked at someone and thought they were mad, perplexed, upset or just in a bad mood? How often have we decided that a person was a grouch when we hadn't even taken the time to ask how they were? Did the lady almost knock you down in the drug store? Maybe she was in a hurry to pick up a prescription for her sick child. Did someone rev their engine behind you at the traffic light? Maybe their car was going to cut off and they were trying to keep it running. (1973 Mazda, many times).
We need to stop looking at everyone's mood ring and start looking at them. Really look.
Wednesday, November 20, 2013
http://insidemovies.ew.com/2013/11/18/its-a-wonderful-life-sequel/
If this is true, it is just not right. What good could possibly come from a sequel? The original movie ended the way it should. **SPOILER ALERT** Although I have wondered what would have happened if Mr. Potter's henchman would have told George that Mr. Potter had the money. If the sheriff would have investigated further instead of just issuing an arrest warrant, he would have found that Uncle Billy gave old man Potter the newspaper the money was wrapped up in.
Have you ever thought about what life would be like if you had not been born? If you are an only child, what would your parents life had been like? Are you married? Who would your spouse have ended up with? Would your children have been born to someone else? Would your beautiful grandchildren be here?
What an awesome movie! And to be made during the era that it was. No special effects. Just good acting and camera shots. One scene that is so brilliant is where George has a close up of his face. He slowly turns and realizes 'this is not a dream'. And Clarence says, 'You see George, you really did have a wonderful life.'
It doesn't matter how bad things get or how hard life is sometimes, try to remember the good things. And hopefully you will find you really do have a wonderful life.
Have you ever thought about what life would be like if you had not been born? If you are an only child, what would your parents life had been like? Are you married? Who would your spouse have ended up with? Would your children have been born to someone else? Would your beautiful grandchildren be here?
What an awesome movie! And to be made during the era that it was. No special effects. Just good acting and camera shots. One scene that is so brilliant is where George has a close up of his face. He slowly turns and realizes 'this is not a dream'. And Clarence says, 'You see George, you really did have a wonderful life.'
It doesn't matter how bad things get or how hard life is sometimes, try to remember the good things. And hopefully you will find you really do have a wonderful life.
Tuesday, November 19, 2013
Things of 'value'
As I was growing up, my parents would say that they were glad that they didn't have money/expensive items to leave to my siblings and me when they died. I told them that it wasn't money that we wanted, it was sentimental things.
When I was about 7-8 years old and was sick one day, I remember my mom letting me play with her pink jewelry box and the contents. Now before you say that you can't believe she let me play with anything expensive, let me assure you that wasn't the case. The very few items that she had that were worth any money, were kept in her top dresser drawer in a box. This pink jewelry box was made out of hard cardboard and contained trinkets that I am sure she got for her birthday, Mother's Day and Christmas from stores like K-Mart, Woolco and the dime store in downtown Belmont. She had 2 small crown pins that she wore on her brown winter coat lapel. Every year. Without fail. In later years I asked for the pins only to be told 'no' since my sister wanted them also.
One Christmas about 12 or 13 years ago as we sat opening gifts, I unwrapped my gift from my mom. Inside was the pink jewelry box with the crown pins. As I looked up expecting my sister to say 'that's not fair, I wanted those', my sister instead said 'I got the bracelet'. (Something she had asked for before and had been told 'no'.) I was glad that my mom gave us those things before she passed away so that she could see how happy they made us.
Before Eric's dad passed away 2 years ago, he told Eric that he wanted his sister-Eric's aunt-to have a certain afghan that Eric's mom had made. Eric told him to give it to her then while his dad was still alive, so that he could see how happy she was to receive it.
As we started cleaning out my in-law's house last year, we would take pictures of anything that we thought the 4 grandchildren would want. I would send out a blanket email and picture and they would tell me yes or no if they wanted something. If no one did, then we donated it or sold it. One of the things that all of the grandkids said was, 'I remember the glass canisters that sat on the refrigerator with the cereal in them'. Always Raisin Bran, Frosted Mini Wheats and something else. And I am sure that as they reminisced, they were taken back to the nights they spent with their grandparents and had cereal out of those canisters.
If you think that you don't have anything of value to give to someone, you might be mistaken. What one person values is different from what someone else does. And if you think it would make them happy, consider giving it to them now.
And the glass containers? We had enough to give everybody one. We don't know what they are being used for. It could be for cotton balls, tea bags, nuts and bolts or just sitting on a shelf in the garage. But we hope that when the grandkids see them, they are taken back to their childhood and the Saturday mornings sitting at Nanny and Paw-Paw's kitchen table.
When I was about 7-8 years old and was sick one day, I remember my mom letting me play with her pink jewelry box and the contents. Now before you say that you can't believe she let me play with anything expensive, let me assure you that wasn't the case. The very few items that she had that were worth any money, were kept in her top dresser drawer in a box. This pink jewelry box was made out of hard cardboard and contained trinkets that I am sure she got for her birthday, Mother's Day and Christmas from stores like K-Mart, Woolco and the dime store in downtown Belmont. She had 2 small crown pins that she wore on her brown winter coat lapel. Every year. Without fail. In later years I asked for the pins only to be told 'no' since my sister wanted them also.
One Christmas about 12 or 13 years ago as we sat opening gifts, I unwrapped my gift from my mom. Inside was the pink jewelry box with the crown pins. As I looked up expecting my sister to say 'that's not fair, I wanted those', my sister instead said 'I got the bracelet'. (Something she had asked for before and had been told 'no'.) I was glad that my mom gave us those things before she passed away so that she could see how happy they made us.
Before Eric's dad passed away 2 years ago, he told Eric that he wanted his sister-Eric's aunt-to have a certain afghan that Eric's mom had made. Eric told him to give it to her then while his dad was still alive, so that he could see how happy she was to receive it.
As we started cleaning out my in-law's house last year, we would take pictures of anything that we thought the 4 grandchildren would want. I would send out a blanket email and picture and they would tell me yes or no if they wanted something. If no one did, then we donated it or sold it. One of the things that all of the grandkids said was, 'I remember the glass canisters that sat on the refrigerator with the cereal in them'. Always Raisin Bran, Frosted Mini Wheats and something else. And I am sure that as they reminisced, they were taken back to the nights they spent with their grandparents and had cereal out of those canisters.
If you think that you don't have anything of value to give to someone, you might be mistaken. What one person values is different from what someone else does. And if you think it would make them happy, consider giving it to them now.
And the glass containers? We had enough to give everybody one. We don't know what they are being used for. It could be for cotton balls, tea bags, nuts and bolts or just sitting on a shelf in the garage. But we hope that when the grandkids see them, they are taken back to their childhood and the Saturday mornings sitting at Nanny and Paw-Paw's kitchen table.
Monday, November 18, 2013
Our parents weren't always our parents
Last week I was speaking to someone that has known my family for years. He was telling me a story about my mom and dad and an activity that they all enjoyed. My dad's parents and brothers/sisters lived in Michigan and sometimes my parents lived there also. They all worked for the automobile plants during the 50s. This particular event must have happened in the late 40s, I do not know the timeline. As you can imagine, it was cold in Michigan during the winter. My parents and this couple went ice skating. The lady fell down, apparently her feet went completely out from under her. My dad started laughing (her husband was laughing as she told the story) and my mother told him to be quiet. Now, I am not sure how good my dad was at ice skating so I don't know if he had fallen before and this lady had laughed at him. But I do know my dad probably went over and helped her up after he stopped laughing.
I had never heard that my parents had gone ice skating. Of course I have pictures of them when they were children and pictures of them as a young couple. But somehow I never thought of my parents as anything other than 'my parents'. As I was growing up, I was always Brud and Christine Gilreath's daughter. Then I turned into Andrew and Paul Summerville's mother. Now I guess I will be Georgia and Drew's Granny B. Which is fine, I am proud to be all of those.
But now that I know this story, I somehow see my parents differently. And I wonder if my kids will always think of me as 'their parents'.
I had never heard that my parents had gone ice skating. Of course I have pictures of them when they were children and pictures of them as a young couple. But somehow I never thought of my parents as anything other than 'my parents'. As I was growing up, I was always Brud and Christine Gilreath's daughter. Then I turned into Andrew and Paul Summerville's mother. Now I guess I will be Georgia and Drew's Granny B. Which is fine, I am proud to be all of those.
But now that I know this story, I somehow see my parents differently. And I wonder if my kids will always think of me as 'their parents'.
Saturday, November 16, 2013
My business card
We won't be moving anytime soon. I had 750 printed up.
Friday, November 15, 2013
My thank yous-2nd attempt
As I looked over my posts, I realize somehow my thank yous did not print. So I will again attempt to say my thanks.
To my kids, thanks for your comments and suggestions. I will keep them in mind for my next book.
To Eric, thanks for believing in me and listening to me talk about this over and over and over and over and.... For not nagging me while the kitchen was a wreck with my papers and other book related items were scattered about. Thanks also for listening to Christmas music 3 weeks before Thanksgiving so I could get into the spirit while I worked on my book. But at least it was Nat King Cole and not Buck Owens.
And last, thanks to my mom and dad, Christine and Ernest (Brud) Gilreath. For instilling a love of reading, and always having newspapers, books and magazines at our house. For making sure that I had a few dollars to order books from the Weekly Reader book site when the teachers were getting an order together. I hope you like the book and I hope I made you proud.
I love all of you.
To my kids, thanks for your comments and suggestions. I will keep them in mind for my next book.
To Eric, thanks for believing in me and listening to me talk about this over and over and over and over and.... For not nagging me while the kitchen was a wreck with my papers and other book related items were scattered about. Thanks also for listening to Christmas music 3 weeks before Thanksgiving so I could get into the spirit while I worked on my book. But at least it was Nat King Cole and not Buck Owens.
And last, thanks to my mom and dad, Christine and Ernest (Brud) Gilreath. For instilling a love of reading, and always having newspapers, books and magazines at our house. For making sure that I had a few dollars to order books from the Weekly Reader book site when the teachers were getting an order together. I hope you like the book and I hope I made you proud.
I love all of you.
Tuesday, November 12, 2013
Back cover
I have had a library card since I was 7 or 8 years old. That was something else that my parents believed in. We probably went to the Belmont Public library 2-3 times a month. The library cards had a small piece of metal embedded in it. Mrs. Dunlap was the librarian and I can still hear the 'clunk' when she would put the book card into the machine to stamp the return date on it. And I can still see the little tables and wire chairs that sat in the children's section.
The Christmas tree is what I chose for the Summerville Stories trademark. Like many other families in the 60s, we had an aluminum Christmas tree. Ours had red ball ornaments and yes, we had the 4 color wheel that shined on the tree. It was only natural that I pick something that I remembered about my childhood.
I hope if you are reading my blog that you will visit my Facebook page-Summerville Stories. In the next few weeks, I hope that people will start posting some of their favorite memories of their past Christmases. Whether it is about the stockings that the textile mills gave their employees or the treat bags that the churches fixed for their members. I want to hear them all. So put your thinking caps on and let me hear from you.
Monday, November 11, 2013
Sunday, November 10, 2013
The book is finished!
So I have finished my book! Received my ISBN so it can officially be catalogued. I am now a published author. Long way from Catawba Heights Elementary School. This is where any teacher who is reading this should say 'Thank a teacher today'.
Selling for $10. Cute book to start a tradition with your family.
Selling for $10. Cute book to start a tradition with your family.
Friday, November 8, 2013
About the author
For the past few days I have been trying to think of what to write in the section 'About the Author'. Unless you have tried to do this, you don't realize how hard it is. What I have decided on is a very short bio about my family. I'm sure that everyone would say that it should be about me since I wrote the book. I have to disagree. My family started the tradition many years ago and I feel that they should be included.
After I finish this part, I will be ready to put my contact information out to the public. Thanks to everyone for your support.
After I finish this part, I will be ready to put my contact information out to the public. Thanks to everyone for your support.
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
30 years ago
When we moved into our new house 30 years ago, it was 10 days before Christmas. Our only decorations were stockings on the mantel and our tree. Our older son Andrew was 9 months old. The next year we had purchased a manger scene with separate pieces. Around the 1st of Dec., we sat Mary, Joseph and the animals out on our dining room china hutch. Jesus was not displayed until Christmas Day. We put the 3 wise men upstairs in one of the bedrooms and as the days went by, we would move them from place to place. When Paul was born in 1985, we continued our manger display. Over the years, the pieces have been broken but we have glued them back together.
When our granddaughter was born in 2011, I wrote a book titled 'The Traveling Wise Men'. We bought 2 manger scenes and gave her one of the nativity sets and books. When our grandson was born recently, we gave him the same book and the other manger scene.
I have always thought it was a unique idea and I hope you do also.
I will be self-publishing my book in a few weeks just in time for Christmas. I hope with my idea that children will learn the biblical story of Christmas. Please feel free to share your thoughts with me.
When our granddaughter was born in 2011, I wrote a book titled 'The Traveling Wise Men'. We bought 2 manger scenes and gave her one of the nativity sets and books. When our grandson was born recently, we gave him the same book and the other manger scene.
I have always thought it was a unique idea and I hope you do also.
I will be self-publishing my book in a few weeks just in time for Christmas. I hope with my idea that children will learn the biblical story of Christmas. Please feel free to share your thoughts with me.
Monday, October 28, 2013
My childhood dream
Hello and welcome to my blog. My name is Bridget Summerville. I have always wanted to be a writer and at the age of 53, I am trying to make my wish come true. My husband Eric and I have 2 wonderful sons, Andrew and Paul. Both are married to 2 beautiful girls, Danielle and Amber. We are the grandparents of 2 grandchildren, Georgia and Drew.
I recently started a company called Summerville Stories and I hope to publish my first book soon. It is a Christmas book that I wrote for Georgia and Drew and any other grandchildren that we are blessed with. I hope that you will check out my blog in the next few weeks as I hope to have everything up and running.
Wish me luck! This is exciting and I can't wait to become a 'published author'.
I recently started a company called Summerville Stories and I hope to publish my first book soon. It is a Christmas book that I wrote for Georgia and Drew and any other grandchildren that we are blessed with. I hope that you will check out my blog in the next few weeks as I hope to have everything up and running.
Wish me luck! This is exciting and I can't wait to become a 'published author'.
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