Happy Birthday today to my son!

 

I love you…

                     So very much.  

And I miss you

even more.

Seth Aaron

I found a little poem

and thought of you.

“Happy birthday to a guy who’s smart, charming and

absolutely

gorgeous….

and I’d say that even if I weren’t your Mother!!

{author: Thena Smith}

I love you Seth!  You’re my hero!

Happy Birthday!

 

Another birthday…and

another birthday card!  Thanks to

“the Graphics Fairy” I was able to

put this card together for my husband.

Actually, his birthday was on the 2nd…

He is working on his

pilot’s license and has been doing a lot of flying lately. 

These vintage air plane and “steampunked” images

tied in pretty well for his birthday card.  A little metal

“bling” and we’re all set!

We celebrated last night

with a couple of friends at the Mexican Restaurant.

(Kris and her daughter Dylan)  Cute Dylan colored a picture and made a special feather pen for dh.  Made with “real” chicken feathers…donated by the “real” chickens

that are out in her back yard!

 

Yup!  An original Dylan Design!!

Tiny Tin Types…

 

I found these delightful  {and very tiny}

tin types tucked away from time

and the light of day in an old box

of dusty and tattered letters. {actual size}

These three precious pictures

surprised me when they

fell out of the folds of a letter

onto the carpet.

I continued to poured over the beautifully

handwritten letters {desperately

trying to make out the words hidden

in all of the swirls} imagining what

life must have been like for them,

my 4th-Great Grandmother ,

my 3rd-Great Grandmother

part of MY family

… my ancestors of long ago.

I believe that they are Civil war error,

1860’s.  The actual size {1”x 3/4”} 

“Mother Sandborn” as I  heard her referred to.

  My 4th Great Grandmother.  She is so petite,

so many  “British” features and expression.

Her hair is still so dark, yet her face

seems worn beyond her years.  {early 40’s? late 30’s??}

Her mouth is drawn. Has she lost many teeth?

  I feel a sense of a calm, sweet spirit when I look at her eyes!

 

One of her daughters; Sarah?

or perhaps Elizabeth {Lizbeth}  I’m not sure.  I’ll have to

research this one. {can’t read the pencil script on the back}

I’m thinking this is the same girl…only older? 

Hmmm…it’s a mystery.

I can’t wait to restore these photos a bit

and do a layout.  It will be interesting to find  out …

…the REST of the story!

Another Birthday!

 

Happy Birthday to my cousin, Calvin!

{actually it was YESterday

but, I just found this photo TOday}

Happy {belated} Birthday ~ Cuz!

Isn’t he a HANDsome kid?  

{he takes after MY side of the family!}    hehe

Happy Birthday!

To my Step-daughter, Wendy!

Here’s a birthday card I made  in

honor of her birthday. {she travels a lot}

Credit for this card lay out goes to Gretchen Mc.!

{yes, I totally scrap-lifted it!}

 

I used some wonderful “Thickers” with sparkles on them.

{hope your not blinded by them…sorry, flash on my camera}

I sprayed some vintage eyelet binding with Tattered Angels

glimmer mist! {Bell Bottom Jeans}  LOVE!  Post card by

Graphic Fairy and paper by Jenni Bolin collection.

 

Hope your day was great!

September…School’s back in session

 

 

Actually, here in the “deep South”

it’s been over a month(!)

since the kids have gone

back to school. 

So…time to get to work.

like

painting.  

I have said all summer

that I’ll 

“…wait until September to get started”.

 

Right…I know.  It is and HAS been

September.

 

Got it!

 

At least the leaves are still green.

No fall leaves here…

yet.

More about Meadows, Sunshine and the American Flag!

 

A memorial unveiled…

and blessing given

in Shanksville, Pa today

for the heroes of flight 93.

 

The once brown and scarred pastures

 

 

have given way to the tall

green grass of September.

… the meadow’s soft,  gentle breeze

is a welcome partner to the early

Autumn sunshine.

A beautiful and fitting tribute to those who lost their lives on  flight 93 ten years ago, tomorrow.  

Those 40 people who became

the REAL first responders, our first soldiers against terrorism

as they made their

heroic battle plans to save others,

many others….

for their country.

 

The monuments are still modest {phase 2 is planned}

but the names are all there…

etched in stone and surrounded by flags.

Lots and lots of flags.

 

I wondered…as I watched

family members walk up to

the white stone monument and

gingerly raise their hand

to gently  trace

the precious name of

their loved one.

Can a Mother’s heart “see” a reflection of

her son in those etched letters?

Does the, not so young now, wife

“hear” her husbands gentle voice as the

National anthem is plays?

There is a peace that becomes their face.

An ever so little smile escapes from the

corners of their mouth as another asks for

their picture…with the name.

It seems,

there is fierce and wonderful power

in those melodies.  A flag flying high

above can make even the strongest

soldier’s {or police officer or fire fighter}

eyes gleam with tears of sadness and pride.

 

And perhaps all of “this” is why

it was SO very important to

have our people lend a hand in stitching

the strength and pride BACK into the

flag that flew over ground zero.

The flag that became tattered and

torn…

as it guided the heroes of 9/11

 

{images found on line, via bing}

 

  “Ditto”