Summer Surprises . . .

What a hot month July has been. Perhaps not for everyone who reads this blog, but for those who have been loving the heat, keep soaking it up. For those like me who avoid it, summer is almost over. The days are starting to get shorter, going to camp and visiting the relatives are coming to an end, school will begin for some, and hopefully, cool weather will make its return. Meanwhile, summer still has a few surprises up her sleeve and just recently, my family received one in the form of a large envelop stuffed with family papers and photographs.
What treasures!

As previously mentioned, I am in the process of writing a book on this blog and it is taking me all summer to do it. Taking selected blogs and editing them into a book has not been easy, but enjoyable. Being dedicated to this project, I have not blogged as often as I should, however, during August, I am going to write about the papers and pictures we received and how they will be organized, preserve and displayed. After all, that is what having a Family Museum is about; showcasing your family’s history.

So log on to my blog as often as you can and see what was discovered. Until then, enjoy the remaining summer times and don’t forget to capture those moments any way you can.  A quote by Gail Lumet Buckley, a contemporary author, is very fitting for times spent with family and friends:

"Family faces are magic mirrors. Looking at people who belong to us, we see the past, present and future. We make discoveries about ourselves."

Birthdays . . .

Last week Thursday was my birthday. I always said that someday I would go to Paris to celebrate my day because they have fireworks and more, commemorating Bastille Day. But alas, I did not go to Paris, but I had a love time celebrating my day with my family and friends. We went out to dinner and while waiting for our food, I opened my presents. Lots of books, including this cook book. Can’t wait to try out the new recipes.

So what do birthdays have to do with a Family Museum? Plenty! When I look into our museum, I see a few precious birthday present’s given to me. It really is a wonder that I still have them.  Here is one of the earliest pictures of me sitting at the head of the table for my third birthday. There is another picture of the part and I am holding a white stuffed kitty, but this critter is long gone.

As I grew older I guess jewelry was the gift to give, so I received a blue rhinestone pin of a ballerina, and charm bracelet spelling out July, and a watch. All of these pieces are in a shadow bow with an assortment of trinkets.  

 I loved paper dolls and the Lennon Sisters were my favorite; 4 dolls and lots of clothes kept me entertained for hours. I love Nancy Drew Mysteries and when I was about 12 year old, was given my first book. Now I have a good collections of her books, movies, even a jigsaw puzzle.  That was a real challenge.

Talking about challenges, the hardest one I have had is coping with the far-to early passing of my dear friend Barbie, who would have been 57 years today. So I take a moment on this day to send her a birthday wish, hoping that she is at peace.

And as a tribute to her, Barbie was with me when I went up into my attic to find all the boxed stuff that eventually made it into our Family Museum. When she asked me what was I going to do with all that stuff, I jokingly said, “Maybe I should put together a family museum.” The rest is history, our history, and you and your family should be saving and displaying your history, too.

Summertime . . .

Another great 4th of July holiday has come and gone, but not the memories. Hope you made some good ones and now it’s summer time and a great time for creating more memories. Everything and anything you and your family do this summer, remember to take lots of pictures and movies of the moments, even any artistic endeavors such as sketching, painting (not the house, but that would still be an activity to remember) and don’t forget those sandcastles.

When the pictures get developed, either in hard copy, on disc or to a hard drive, don’t forget to jot down the; who, when and where the images were taken. We all have photographs that have no name, date, or place written on the back. But if we just take the time to jot down those facts and a little story, you, your family & friends will be able to recall those wonderful times years later.

Keith (right) fishing with his brother

Little Lizzie on a beach

Charlie camping with his Pop

Tiffeni and her dog Sidney in the pool

Here are a precious few photographs in our Family Museum telling stories, some forgotten, some remembered.
So remember to . . .  
Roll out those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer
Those days of soda and pretzels and beer
Roll out those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer
Dust off the sun and moon and sing a song of cheer

Just fill your basket full of sandwiches and weenies
Than lock the house up, now you're set . . .

"Those Lazy-Hazy-Crazy Days of Summer"

Sung by Nat King Cole; arranged by Ralph Carmichael