Grandma's Purse - 2014

We had a reading of  a special book at our house yesterday, but before I share pictures of that event, I must fill in some background details about the origins of this book.

I posted this blog back in 2005, and it gives you some of the information, so go read that first, and then come back here for the rest of the story.   Angels and Shining Stars

No peeking....go read the other blog and then come back.

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OK, now that you have grabbed a tissue or two, and your eyes are clear of tears, let's continue...

After Elisabeth died, my sister spiraled down into a deep depression, and art was one thing she could run away into to find some relief from the pain of loss. She picked up a pen and a paint brush and wrote and illustrated a children's story about Elisabeth and Mom.   All the pictures are original  8x10 watercolours, and the story is written in verse.

My mother will always be remember for her purse.  We laughed about it as kids, and continue to do so to this day.  When I or my sister are rummaging around in our purses for something now,  we look at each other and laugh... OMG we are turning into mom!

Mom didn't go anywhere without her purse, and it was full of wondrous things.   If you needed something, she more than likely had that item tucked away in there.  When she came to visit, she carried clean underwear in her purse, just in case her other luggage got lost.  So you will see in the book, that most of items listed there were actually in her purse at one time or another.  Even the pork chop!  That story is for another blog though.

After a few years, my sister took the book to a few publishers, but the publishing business is very hard to break into, so the original watercolour pictures and written verse sat in a file folder in a drawer for years.  I decided that the family and a few close friends had to have a copy of the book, so John scanned the pictures into the computer, made up a few titles pages, and printed off a few copies for me.  I made construction paper covers in the shape of a purse, stapled pages and covers together, and gave them to family members.

This is the first one I made, and I improved the design with each additional book, but I gave all the others away, so this is the only one I have left to take a picture of.   At least it gives you the idea and sort of looks like a purse.

Title page - original size 81/2 x 11

Dedication page

These little characters are hidden on every page of the book.

Sample of one of the watercolour pictures.   Can you find the angel and the mouse?

Another sample of  one of the  19 fabulous illustrations in the book.  Look for the angel and mouse here too.

 Yesterday I gave Danica my copy of the book to read, and she and JJ were enthralled with it.  She took it to school today to show her teacher, and ask if she could read it to the class, and tell them the story of her Great-Grandma Pearl, and her cousin  Elisabeth.

Danica reading to JJ

Each page ends with a question, so here the kids are trying to figure out the next item  Grandma finds in her purse.

Searching for the mouse and angel on each page.

I continue to hope that a publisher accepts the book one day, and we can share this fabulous work of art far and wide.  Above is a short video clip of Dani reading to JJ. 

Buppa's Birthday Party - 2014

We gathered at the kid's house for Buppa's birthday last weekend, and hilarity ensued.  Before we left the house we received a phone call informing us that this would be the best party ever.  When we arrived the kids were in JJ's room plotting a big surprise.

JJ came out in full costume, and thought we should all wear costumes too.  It was a very hot day, so I declined to get dressed up, and JJ was OK with that.

Dani thought Buppa should add a few things to his duds for the day, so she gave him a flowered hat and lei.

Time to open gifts and share hugs

These kids are so serious and sedate!

Dani thought she should add a special little something to her outfit, so Buppa fashioned a hat out of wrapping paper for her to wear.

Cute huh?

JJ's turn in the hat.

After the gifts were opened the action moved over to Amma's side of the room, and the kids had to show me what they wanted in the Christmas Wish book that arrived that week.

I think they had something marked on every page.

Cake with candles and the singing of happy birthday is always a highlight for the kids.

Don't know what is going on here, but I think Dani is giving Buppa some wise advice.

JJ thought he should be allowed to take a picture of Amma.

After all the fun and festivities, it was time for bed,  and after teeth were brushed and jammies on, Buppa was called on for a story

This was JJ's pick for a story.

Kids were soon tucked snuggly into beds, and we were on our way home to our beds too.  Lots of special memories were made to brighten the years ahead. 

Back to school - day two

School started yesterday, but it wasn't a typical morning for us so I didn't have my camera out, but AC did and his pics are here.  I had my camera at the ready this morning and took pics of a typical morning. 

We all gather in the front porch and do our own thing while we await the arrival of the bus.  JJ got into the Lego this morning, and happily built a Super Hero house.

Danica wanted to be out and about however, and she went for a walk with my cane and an old lampshade she found in the garage.

Buppa joined her for the walk, and went over to the mailboxes to check for mail.  They made for such a cute couple, I ran for my camera.

Danica then came back into the porch, and took a selfie to send to Mommy.

Danica took this one of JJ so she could send it to Mommy too.

JJ decided that he didn't like it as a hat, but it made an excellent force field protector for his Super Hero House.

It could also be used as a weapon to shoot light forces at the bad guys.

Soon it was time to get his shoes on and head out to the bus stop. 

So, that is a typical morning at our house three days a week.  Let the fun continue for another school year.