Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Seussitis!

What I did today!

In the library this morning, I picked up a biography of Dr. Seuss. This (of course) started me thinking about reading lessons.
I just finished posting my newest DonorsChoose project for books written by Dr. Seuss! Since a number of his books are more than just silly story books, I realized that I could use them to expand my reading lessons into other areas. It is awaiting approval from the DonorsChoose elves. (They are finished with Christmas, so the elves work their normal year round job at DonorsChoose!)

Also today, I finished my lesson plans for Foreign terms and began my lessons on propaganda devices.

I managed to get out to the bank and the salon (to have my hair trimmed). I also ate lunch at my favorite local restaurant!

Otherwise it has been a quiet day here in the Carrabba household.

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

What did you do today?

Today, I finished my Poetry lesson plans for next week. It is a short school week, so we will not read a story in Reading class. Thus, I can do something fun with another reading skill. Next week, we are reading a variety of poems. We will learn about poetic elements, different types of poems and will spend time reading and analyzing them. It will also serve as a review of other types of figurative language that we have already covered.

Today, I finished my English lesson plans for next week. I really do not like the English textbook much and in the second half of this year, I plan to focus more on how to use the language. So, next week, we will be learning how to write an outline and conduct research. The students will have two assignments given. The first is their career speech for the 4-H public speaking contest in January. Since it fits with the standards Tennessee says the students must accomplish, it is always an assigned project. The students will also have a chance to choose a different research topic from the various Time for Kids news magazines we have in class.

Today, I created two study guides for Reading stories we will cover in January.

Today, I finished the laundry for the week.

Today, I washed the guest room linens and cleaned the guest room. I also gave Vince instructions NOT to clutter that room again.

Today, I made a batch of dishwasher detergent. I found a container of Citric Acid in the pantry and remembered that I purchased that so that I could make my own detergent, then forgot to complete that task. So, I found this recipe at DIY Natural and decided to give it a try. My first load is washing now. More information to follow.

Today, I finished marking the small pieces of Rob and Izzy's wedding quilt.

Today, I vacuumed the house (again!)

Today, I finished reading a book: At First Sight by Nicholas Sparks.

It never ceases to amaze me what I accomplish when I sit and make a list. When I think about it I always feel like I did not accomplish much, when actually I do.

What did you do today?

Friday, July 22, 2011

Summer ends. School begins.


This picture shows how I feel right now...dizzy with all I am doing and trying to do! My summer is ending and my school year begins in another week.

While I spent a lot of time getting my Language Arts lesson plans put together, I am not through all of the chapters yet. I do have the lessons for the first half of the year though!

Yesterday and today, I acquired several children's story books that I plan to use with my lessons. I then discovered that I do not have copies of some very simple stories. I need Little Red Riding Hood, The Three Little Pigs and Goldilocks and the Three Bears! I find it funny that with all the books I do have, I do not have these three!
So, tomorrow I will be checking out the Goodwill Store to see if I can find these!

My reading corner for my classroom is all set. I purchased some large colorful pillows to go with the ones from last year,along with an area rug and a colorful floor lamp. Once I paint the new (old) bookcase to match my other one, I will have a neat area to read in.

Today, I also dropped a quilt top off at the quilter's. Chris will do a phenomenal job as she always does!

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

More Summer Progress!

I purchased the fabrics for this quilt top last June and have been working on it since then. Finally it is finished! I love the brights against the black background fabrics. Now I need to figure out if I have fabric for the back and I can get it off to Chris for quilting!

Three years ago, Elizabeth left me to return to Texas. I sent her off with her own Eric Carle quilt, created with fabrics designed around his book "Brown Bear, Brown Bear". I had fabrics left over and since I will be teaching Reading next year, I decided to make my own! Here it is! I even have the backing fabric all ready to go! Nothing new purchased for this project!!

I have also created 4 tote bags from fabric left over from my Balloon Race quilt, and 3 tote bags from some canvas my mother-in-law gave me.

The stash of fabrics are slowly being used.

On the funny side: I took this sticker off a shirt this morning and stuck it on Narnia's forehead. She has left it there all day. Silly Dog!

Friday, June 17, 2011

Health Goals

As I get older, I am more aware of my aches and pains. It seems that every year I work to improve my health, but as I get older, I am less and less successful in maintaining the life style changes that are necessary.

I know that there are some of you who can relate to this and I also know that there are those of you who know me and are saying that they have heard this refrain from me in the past.

What makes this year different? Perhaps it is knowing that I have probably lived more than half my life already. Perhaps it is knowing that half of those years have been spent overweight and over tired. Perhaps it is knowing that my son will be getting married in a year. Perhaps it is all of it.

Since January, I have been working on a few health issues and those appear to be under control now.

Since school let out in May, Vince and I have been eating better and getting more exercise by working around the house.

Since school let out in May, I have lost a bit more than 12 pounds. I am not sure of the exact number as I have one of those dial scales---not a digital one! Regardless, I am seeing numbers I have not seen in a year!

I took my measurements last week and at this point, I have lost 2.5 inches. Again, making strides in the right direction.

I am aware of what I eat and drink. I make sure that my caloric intake varies from day to day and that I do not drink empty calories. I have eliminated my between meal snacking and have been much more active.

When my son gets married, I would like to be a single digit clothing size.

Short term, I would like to be a total of 20 pounds lighter by the time school begins in August.

There it is folks. My goals for this summer!

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Summer Progress!

Today is another in and out day! Vince is continuing to work on the garden shed and had already advised me to be ready to assist him! (That is the OUT).
I finally repotted this plant that we brought back from my mother-in-law's house in Alabama. I can only hope that it survives!


I spent the day in my working studio, finishing up those UFO's of a variety of types! Yesterday, I finished Jena's quilt, well more accurately, Maurice's quilt. Earlier last week, I did the quilting and put the binding on. Yesterday, I put the final stitches in the binding and here it is:


I also finished 4 sets of Car Club placemats that will be door prizes for next year's Bunny Run Car Show. These were pending from Last Year! I never finished them. So, I decided they needed to be completed this summer and be available for next year's show. Here are two sets:

I was also working on using up the fleece and ribbons I had laying about. So, I put together more of ribbon blankets that I have been successful selling and using as baby gifts.

I had a lot of red and blue fleece so many of the blankets have a patriotic theme going on. The flannel I used was a yard sale rescue and left over pieces from other flannel projects. As always, I work to reuse or rescue fabric and make them into a new creation!


My goal for today was to finish these up. Yay to have met that goal!

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Summer Break--what I do!



Everyone always thinks that it is wonderful that Teachers get the "ENTIRE SUMMER" off work.
Those of you who know me know that this is not actually true.
Yes, I do not have a strict schedule for work.
Yes, I can sleep in and stay up all night.

But.....

The school system schedules in-service (training) and meetings during the summer so that we can prepare for the next school year.

I clean out my classroom of items I did not use in the past two years. This year, because I am teaching a new subject, I shared a lot of my math and history items with other teachers. I also acquired a number of Language Arts items.

There is always one BIG project for my classroom, this year it involves Vince (as always), but will not be as time consuming as the prior years' projects have been.

I also work on lesson plans and activities that I have thought of and want to use next year. I also revise lesson plans that did not work out well the prior year.

This year, I am working on learning my new subjects (English and Reading--collectively called Language Arts). I am really excited about teaching Language Arts! I have been going through the lesson plans of my fellow teachers and working my own twist on them. I have been reading the stories and coordinating the grammar and writing with the standards for the 6th grade.

I located this nifty website called Web English Teacher that has lesson plans for some of my favorite authors (Dr. Seuss, Chris Van Allsburg, Patricia Polacco and more!). I love using children's storybooks to encourage my 6th graders to write. I am glad that I will now be able to do these activities and they will actually be in the subject I am teaching.
Last week, Vince and I went to Alabama to close up my MIL's house, and then I went to St. Louis to visit Rob and Izzy. So, my first week of summer break was a little work and a little relaxation!

This week, I have been working--cleaning up the house and putting away items we acquired from my MIL's House, freecycling items Rob and Izzy gave me that they did not need, and sewing. We also sold the old water heater, Vince's golf clubs and a purse I did not like. It has been a good week to get tasks accomplished and begin the annual summer PURGE!

Look for updates!

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Abundance


Do you live an abundant life? What exactly does that mean? I am sure that it holds different meanings for different people. According to Dictionary.com:

a·bun·dance

[uh-buhn-duhns]
–noun
1. an extremely plentiful or oversufficient quantity or supply: an abundance of grain.
2. overflowing fullness: abundance of the heart.
3. affluence; wealth: the enjoyment of abundance


So, it appears that living an abundant life means that you have more than what you need to get through life. I suspect that initial thoughts go to material items in life, perhaps even actual monetary worth.

I spent the day contemplating whether I was living an abundant life and I decided that I was getting there.

My life is abundant in love and friendship. I enjoy my work and the comfort of my home in a spiritual as well as physical sense. I am working towards having more peace in my life, moving away from the Type A personality that I have developed over time.

How about you? Are you living an abundant life?

Saturday, May 14, 2011

Studio Changes!


Vince and I (mostly Vince) have been hard at work on the current household construction project.

The intent is to convert my original studio into a second guest bedroom. So, Vince finished the utility room so that it would be a small working studio. The photo above shows my threads in their new home on the wall.

Here is where I sit and sew:

I can open my curtains and get natural light in there, plus I have SUPERB overhead lighting. My original studio had very poor lighting.

I also have lots of shelf space for my doo-dads and what-nots.....Did you find Barbie's Head yet?

The original studio is gutted: Wall paper removed, ceiling removed, carpeting removed, wall mirror and paneling removed!
The door you see in this photo leads to my working studio:

This is facing the wall that use to have mirrors on it.

What we found very entertaining was that there use to be a door in this wall. It was the original basement of the original house, so there was a doorway into the cellar.
When I was explaining this to Rob, he asked how there could be a doorway there when that part of the house is below ground level. We decided that the best way to describe what the outside door looked like was to say that it was one of those old-fashioned basement doors...like in the scary movies!



SO, we have quite a bit of work pending here.

When it is finished, it will have a Murphy bed on the wall with the scary basement doorway, a larger closet for my storage of fabrics, shelves for Barbie, wood laminate flooring, florescent lighting in the drop ceiling, a ironing board that lowers from the wall, shelf space for books and plenty of floor space for me to set up a large cutting station. YAY!

Monday, April 4, 2011

Farewell Bell!


Today it was Bell's turn to be adopted!
In the midst of a horrendous day of storms, Bell had to contend with thunder, lightening and rain! For most of the day, she was snug in her little dog house.

Until the wood standing next to the house fell over and scared her out of the doghouse and around the corner of the house. Vince found her huddled against the side of our house, shivering and wet.

We brought her into the house and dried her off and comforted her.

Then, unfortunately, put her in the car and took her to her new home!

Farewell Bell and I hope you have a happy life. It was fun having you and Ranger here to visit for this short time.

Friday, April 1, 2011

Farewell Ranger!


Today we found a new home for Ranger! It was a tearful goodbye for all of us!

Ranger and Bell and I took a ride, as the family wanted to meet both pups before making a final decision. The little girl liked Ranger best, perhaps because he was the smaller of the two..who knows. Regardless, Ranger left with his new family and Bell and I went shopping.

Only for dog food.

When I returned to the truck, Bell was making herself at home on the rear seat of the truck, having hopped over the seats from the cargo section!

She road home with her head hanging down between the seats...perhaps out of loneliness, perhaps out of curiosity. She was a bit mopey at first when we arrived home, but seems okay now.



This will be her first night alone in quite some time.

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

We HAVE become foster parents!


These two puppies have made their way to the base where Vince works. They were scrawny and obviously had been abandoned at the airport. The crew members have kept them outside (not allowed inside the base!) but have been trying to fatten them up a bit with food.

Now, we need to find them homes!

The lighter one is a girl, the darker one a boy. They are believed to be brother and sister and get along quite well. Vince said they play together and sleep together and are just adorable!


We will probably be their foster parents until we find them new homes. They cannot stay at the base, so when Vince leaves work today, he may have some company!

UPDATE: The pups are officially here. Their names are Bell (the female) and Ranger (the male) after the helicopter that Air-Evac flies. They are very energetic and playful. They will bark when Kashmir and Narnia bark, but they do not bark incessantly for no reason. They are eating well and often as we try to fatten them up a bit---their ribs are still showing a bit too much.
There is no sign of any illness or problem-- ears and eyes are clear, poop is normal!
Right now, they are sitting outside the window peering in at me, hoping I will take pity on them!

Saturday, March 5, 2011

Something Old.......

In January, my friend Jena asked me if I could do some repairs on a quilt of her husband's. We met for lunch and then she introduced me to her husband's quilt. It was made by his grandmother and he now wants to preserve it.



I looked at this and I knew that there was no way to repair it. The back looks bad, too.





I told Jena that I would probably have to salvage large blocks out of the quilt and create a new one from these blocks.
When I got it home, and really looked at it, I realized that it would be hard to do.


















I did manage to salvage 5 Twelve inch blocks from the quilt. It was hard working around the extensive damage and paint splatters. The original top was one solid piece of fabric. The original quilter used what looks like a thin blanket as batting (nothing at all like any batting I know of) and then a solid piece of fabric for the backing. I wanted to keep as much of the original quilting as I could in the blocks, and given the fragile state of the quilt, I left the three layers together when I cut my 12 inch blocks.

Then I searched and found three fabrics that would complement the colors in the quilt. Today, I finished putting the new quilt top together!


Friday, February 25, 2011

Letters from Ireland, December the 14th

"Dear dauter rose i sit down to ancer your letter i am glad to here from you that you and your fameley are all wel we are all well at precent thank god wel rose i have good news to tel you the govrment has granted a penshion tow all old people of seventy years of age i am getting my book this day for to lift my penshion on the first of the new year 5 shillings a week giving as long as we live i will be an hold penshionor now all old people that is seventy years of age is geting it i now nothing about the Barkeys now more than your self cince the old tinker went back to them the are all a bad party I got now etter from john yet i think he must be dead or sick i rote a letter to lysey money she did not ancer it yet let me know how is your ant roe and amy megill we did not here a word from that girl cince she said she would gow to see you we had no letter from Mary gun this 3 months we now nothing about her we have very cold wet weather wel rose my health is middling thank god but i am afraid that i will not live long tow lift the penshin it will be 12 pounds a year and its all a wanting you may put on a penny stamp will your letter it is oney a peny here rite sown and let me know how you dowing john be dead or he would rite wel rose Johny Bulick has bout the farm of Besy and he has bilt a new house and there is great changes all round her i have nothing more to tel you we all going in cending our love to you husband and fameley all our children cends there love to your childer know more from your mother ann smith rite sown again know from your mother"

Translation:
Dear Daughter Rose,
I sit down to answer your letter. I am glad to hear from you that you and your family are all well. We are all well at present, thank God. Well Rose, I have good news to tell you. The government has granted a pension to all old people of seventy years of age. I am getting my book this day for to lift my pension on the first of the new year. 5 shillings a week given as long as we live. I will be an old pensioner. Now all old people that is seventy years of age is getting it. I know nothing about the Barkeys, no more than yourself since the old tinker went back to them. They are all a bad party. I got no letter from John yet, I think he must be dead or sick. I wrote a letter to Lysey Money, she did not answer it yet. Let me know how is your Aunt Rose and Amy Megill. We did not hear a word from that girl since she said she would go to see you. We had no letter from Maryann this past 3 months. We know nothing about hr. We have very cold wet weather. Well Rose, my health is middling thank God, but I am afraid that I will not live long to lift the pension. It will be 12 pounds a year and it is all awanting. You may put on a penny stamp will your letter. It is only a penny here. Write soon and let me know how you are doing. John be dead or he would write. Well Rose, Johny Bullick has bought the farm of Besy and he has built a new house and there is great changes all round here. I have nothing more to tell you, we are all going in sending our love to you, husband and family. All our children send their love to your children. No more from your mother, Ann Smith. Write soon again, now from your mother.


************************************************************************
This letter references the Old Age Pension Act that was passed in 1908, and became effective in 1909. So, this places the letter date as December 14, 1908.

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Letters from Ireland, October the 12th

"Well dauter rose i sit down to ancer your kind and welcome letter which i long wached for i was draming every nite about you i am onley very midliying my self i am going down fast but wat can i espect i can wach none now breth tow blow out a candle i could not be better cared any plase as i am where i am i have nothing to dow nor cant dow any thing i keep the children out of the fire for she is bysey carying in and caring out feeding pigs and cattle she is erning her bread hard patrick is working very hard in the place he cant gow to ern a shiling any plase there is now money here he will get it very hard to put on he has a heavy burthen a big fameley now help yet we all can take a bit if we get it i dow not know how he will get them rared the are as find locking childer as you would see maryan is at scool every she is in the second book she is like you and has hear lick yo roseellen is like myself her hear is white briget he are is black and we call it ehe black bird i had know letter from johny cince i rote to you before wel rose i am sorry that your coff is stiking to you sow long i cof myself every morning till you would think i would dy i get a we drop of tea it dose help i get my breakfast in bed every morning the best in the house mary gun is going to gain her huband hold property tow hundred pounds it is in law she was to days at law in Monaghy her and Patrick she had the best of the law she will gain all in three months we had harvet we lost a lot of corn we have good weather for the potaes now there is skanges let me know did your ant rose get much of insurence or how is she give my love to mis any megill patric mrs and all childer sends there love to there little cousins hoping the are all keeping well after there visit we have three good children now since any more yet she has not time to bread any more let me know did you rite to john yet we all goin in cending our love to you and husband if you come home bring your husband with you we woud lick to see him patrick is taking to gow to see him and johny he wants to now has be big pay the money is carse here now know more from your mother wite sown again the children cends kisses a pice to co XX kisses"

Well, Daughter Rose,
I sit down to answer your kind and welcome letter which I long watched for. I was dreaming every night about you. I am only very middling myself, I am going down fast. But what can I expect, I can watch none now, breath two blow out a candle. I could not be better cared for any place as I am. Where I am, I have nothing to do, nor cant do any thing I keep the children out of the fire for she is busy carrying in and carrying out feeding pigs and cattle. She is earning her bread hard. Patrick is working very hard in the place. He cant go to earn a shilling any place. There is no money here. He will get it very hard to put on. He has a heavy burden, a big family, no help, yet we all can take a bit if we get it. I do not know how he will get then reared. They are as fine looking children as you would see. Maryann is at school every. She is in the second book. She is like you and has hair like you, Rose. Ellen is like myself, her hair is white.Briget hair is black, we call it the blackbird. I had no letter from Johnny since I wrote to you before.
Well, Roses, I am sorry that your cough is sticking to you so long. I cough myself every morning till you would think I would die. I get a wee drop of tea, it does help. I get my breakfast in bed every morning. The best in the house. Maryann is going to gain her husband's whole property, two hundred pounds, it is the law. She was two days at law in Monaghen, her and Patrick. She had the best of the law she will gain all in three months. We had harvest, we lost a lot of corn, we have good weather for the potatoes now. there is changes. Let me know, did your Aunt Rose get much of insurance or how is she? Give my love to Miss Amy Megill. Patrick, Mrs and all children sends their love to their little cousins, hoping that they are all keeping well after their visit. We have three good children now since any more yet she has not time to bread any more. Let me know did you write to John yet? We are all going in sending our love to you and husband. If you come home bring your husband with you. We would like to see him and Johny. He wants to know has he big pay. The money is scarce here now. No more from your mother. Write soon. Again, the children sends kisses a piece to co XXX kisses.

Monday, February 21, 2011

Letters from Ireland, September the 9th

"dear dauter rose i sit down to rite those fue lines to you you mos be dead or sick you never ancred my last letter you would not think it worth your wile we are all wel at present thank god i hope those fue lines will find you the same let me now did you get my letters from john i got none cence chrismas from he he has forgot me i think wel rose we here that there si two of john mceniff sons home tow Barny and awn we never seen won of them lysey an burk has left old robesin and he is home loged in nublis he left her and the child in that country he is going to cend for her we had a very hot sumer and all wet now we will get it very hard to get the corn saved i would have rotw sowner onley i was not able i am a little better you may excuse my bad riting i cant mind any thing i cend my love to sister rose rite as sown as you get let me know how all the childer is all and let me know how is lysey Money and famely is i will rit her a letter sown rose let me know how is your coff or is it any better or how is your health i coff every morning till you would think i wid dy i am not able for to down any thing i will sown dy i am a hold woman
Patrick and famely cends there love to you and all the fameley i send my love to any Megill and rose now more to say at precent rite as sown as you get this letter know more from your poor mother Ann Smith rite sown and let me know are you alive"

Translation:
Dear Daughter Rose,
I sit down to write those few lines to you. You must be dead or sick, you never answered my last letter. You would not think it worth your while. We are all well at present, thank God. I hope those few lines will find you the same. Let me know, did you get my letters? From John I got none since Christmas from him, he has forgot me I think.
Well, Rose, we hear that there is two of John McEniff's sons home too, Barney and ...(cannot read name).. We never seen one of them. Lysey Ann Burke has left old Robesin and he is home lodged in nublis. He left her and the child in that country. He is going to send for her.
We had a very hot summer and all wet. Now we will get it very hard to get the corn saved.
I would have wrote sooner only I was not able, I am a little better. You may excuse my bad writing. I cant mind any thing.
I send my love to sister Rose. Write as soon as you get. Let me know how all the children is and let me know how is Lysey Money and family is. I will write her a letter soon. Rose, let me know how is your cough or is it any better or how is your health? I cough every morning till you would think I would die. I am not able for to do any thing. I will soon die, I am an old woman.
Patrick and family send their love to you and all the family. I send my love to any MeGill. and Rose, no more to say at present. Write as soon as you get this letter. No more from your poor mother, Ann Smith. Write soon and let me know you are alive.

Sunday, February 20, 2011

Vanilla Extract time again!



Just under 2 years ago, I made my first batch of homemade vanilla extract. I have a little left, but realized that I needed to get the next batch started so that I did not run out entirely!
So, here I am today:

I purchased my vodka yesterday as part of my month grocery shopping trip to Jackson, and here I am all set up to begin.

The beans were a little harder to cut up than I remember from the first time, so my hand was tired by the time I finished! I actually have beans left over, so I guess I will be buying another bottle of vodka!



Here is the finished product. In about 4-6 weeks, I will have a jar full of vanilla extract! This jar is larger than the one I used with my initial batch, and it took the full bottle of vodka.


Letters from Irelend, August the 12th

" dear rose i take up my pen to rite those fue lines to you hoping to find you wel we are all wel at precent thank god wel rose casy Mcenif is to call to see you i cent a shall and a pipe to your husband there is a dauter of andy mccabes with her it is in her box we has to put it and the are to give it to you all rite i was short takikng i did not know the war was going of sow sown i onley got up the nite before the went a wy and the wid not let me home for a week katey is mrs meghay now wel rose i have now nues to tel you mor we are all wel at precent thank got i hope your asre all the same wel rose i will be watching for a letter we all goin in cending our love to you and husband and children i am watching for you to cent me your husbands likeness and your own and the babys to i hope yor coff is better we had a great wack the 15 of augst patrick and briget and the children all going me cending there love to you now more from your poor mother wite sown a keep mice rose for all nues with come home soon"

Translation:
Dear Rose,
I take up my pen to write those few lines to you hoping to find you well. We are all well at present, thank God. Well, Rose, Cacy McEniff is to call to see you. I sent a shawl and a pipe to your husband. There is a daughter of Andy McCabes with her. It is in her box. We had to put in and they are to give it to you. All right, I was short taking I did not know they were going so soon. I only got up the night before they went away. and they will not let me home for a week. Katey is Mrs. Meghay now. Well, Rose, I have no news to tell you more. We are all well at present, thank God. I hope yours are all the same. Well, Rose, I will be watching for a letter. We are all joining in sending our love to you and husband and children. I am watching for you to send me your husband's likeness and your own and the babies too. I hope your cough is better. We had a great week the 15 of August. Patrick and Briget and the children all joining me in sending their love to you. No more from your poor mother. Write soon and keep nice Rose for all news will come home now.

********************************************************************

Each letter seems to mention my G-grandmother's cough. I know she died in 1909, perhaps from a lung condition.

Letters from Ireland, May the 18th

The penmanship of this letter is much worse than the others I have read so far, and after reading the letter, it appears that my G-G-Grandmother was quite sick and lying in her bed to write this letter, which explains the handwriting quality!


"dear rose i sit down to rite a fue lines to you it is time after a long wate i got a terable cold the wether was very wet ther was now won tow help me we had 3 horses the weather was do bad i cut twelve bags and i never she will cut a nother never got it is hard i am not out of it yet you would i would gash every minet i cannt say much for myself if itg is a ...that i never rite home a leter bydy with news that now from john since before christmas something must have hapend excuses me for not witing to excuse my pen and hand if i mend i will rite a long letter i have scrible this lying on my bed know more from your mother mrs smith the prist bes with me often the are doing all they can for me"

Translation:

Dear Rose
I sit down to write a few lines to you, it is time after a long wait. I got a terrible cold, the weather is very wet, there was no one to help me (I am not sure what is said here). The weather was so bad, I cut twelve bags and I never. She will cut another. I never got it is hard, I am not out of it yet. I would guess every minute I cannot say much for myself. yet if it is a .....that i never write home a letter by dy with news. I had no letter from John since before Christmas, something must have happened. Excuse me for not writing to excuse my pen and hand, if I mend I will write a long letter. I have to scribble this lying in my bed. No more news from your mother, Mrs. Smith. The priest has been with me often, they are doing all they can for me.

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Letters from Ireland, May the 16th


"Dear Dauter Rose i sit down to ancer your kind and welcom letter which i was long watching for i thout you were sick be my draming about you wel rose i am sorry about your children being sick keep them warm and the will be all rite i hope wel rose i am got a little better but keeping very stiff and weak not ble to wach i cut all the spuds and we have all the crop in we were verry bysey all spring a very nise spring well rose the Burks is ceting sale the sixteenth of gune and if you gow to see them you will have to gow quick and i wont you if it lise in your power to bring your husband with you to see them i would be very proud of them seeing him dont let them now anything you care about gow in the best stile you can go in to them Patrick wants your husband to send him a pipe the are going to stop in a fue month here i had now letter from john cince before chrismas give my love to your ant rose adn to amy megill and uncle alick let me know how is lisey money well rose you may let the Burks now that there father can entertane them well his house is lick a cassel gratley in proved the are all earning plenty of money wel rose i mite live for another year and your chilren will be strong and you and them and james can come over to see as houle hard tile you have a big purs Patrick Briget and the fameley all going cending our love tow excuse my bad riting i cannot mind to letters after other give my love to your husband cend me his picture and your onn dont for get i have know more news to cent you at this time give my love to your thre children we have only three here now sine if any more we have anof write as you get this god be with you all fare well"

Translation:
Dear Daughter Rose,
I sit down to answer your kind and welcome letter which I was long watching for. I thought you were sick. Well, Rose, I am sorry about your children being sick, keep them warm and they will be all right I hope. Well, Rose, I am a little better but still very stiff and weak, not able to walk.

I cut all the spuds and we have all the crop in. We were very busy all spring, a very nice spring.

Well, Rose, the Burks are setting sail the sixteenth of June and if you go to see them, you will have to go quick. I want you, if it lies in your power, to bring your husband with you to see them. I would be very proud of them seeing him. Don't let them know anything you care about. Go in the best style you can go in to them.

Patrick wants your husband to send him a pipe. They are going to stop a few months here. I have had no letter from John since before Christmas.

Give my love to your Aunt Rose and to Amy Megill and Uncle Alek. Let me know how is Lisey Money.

Well, Rose, you may let the Burks know that their father can entertain them well. His house is like a castle, greatly improved. They are all earning plenty of money.

Well, Rose, I might live for another year and your children will be strong and you and James can come over to see us............

Patrick, Briget and the family all joining me in sending our love too. Excuse my bad writing, I cannot mind to letters. Give my love to your husband, send me his picture and your own. Don't forget. I have no more news to send you at this time. Give my love to your three children, we have only three here now since if any more, we have enough. Write as soon as you get this. God be with you all. Fare well.

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If my great grandmother had three children when this letter was written by her mother, then it would put this letter prior to 1907 which is when my grandmother was born, the last child.
So, this letter dates from sometime between 1903 and 1906.

Perhaps after I have transcribed all of these letters, I will be able to put them in actual date order. Right now, I have organized them by the months they were written.

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Letters from Ireland, April the 12th

"Dear Datur rose i sit down to rite you those fue lines to let you now that we are all well at precent thank god we were all a bad cince crismas all coffing with a bad cold there is some of them better but for myself i will never wil mend much i got my age from doublin out of the cences book i am age seventy three years of any old people seventy will get the penshion as long as they live i am geting 5 shilings a week it keeps me of very well i am not able tow gow for it but i got a line from the docter and i sine my name to my check and bydey gets it and bings it home to me we have got now ceop in yet with rain i got now letter from jhon yet he must be dead or he wid have rote to me wel rose i must let you know that there is a large fameley here and will sown be more she is work very hard rose let me know is your coff any thing then det or it there any of your children coffing let me know did you here any word of the Burkes there is not a word about them here know more than if the woi dead matthew celley got maried to a cathlick man and he is ded and she is a real cathlick now let me know how is lysey and ant rose give my love to any Mcgill and sister rose we all sends our love to and fameley Patrick and BrMary ann rose Briget ghon gosefit all meney is as used a part scald i can rite home know more from your mother ann smith we have the best children in the world know more rite sown if you know any thing about johny tel me he must be dead rite sown."

Translation:
Dear Daughter Rose,
I sit down to write you those few lines to let you know that we are all well at present, thank Got. We were all bad since Christmas, all coughing with a bad cold. There is some of them better, but for myself, I will never mend much. I got my age from Dublin out of the census book, I am age 73 years. Any old people 70 will get the pension as long as they live. I am getting 5 shillings a week. It keeps me up very well. I am not able to go for it, but I got a line from the doctor and I sign my name to my check and Bydey gets it and brings it home to me. We have got no (unknown word) in yet with rain. I got no letter from John yet, he must be dead or he would have wrote to me.
Well, Rose, I must let you know that there is a large family here and will soon be more, she is working very hard. Rose let me know is your cough anything or is there any of your children coughing. Let me know. Did you hear any word of the Burkes, there is not a word about them here no more than if they were dead.

"Unknown female name" Celley got married to a Catholic man and he is dead and she is a real Catholic now.

Let me know how is Lysey and Aunt Rose. Give my love to any McGill and Sister Rose. We all send our love to any family. Patrick and Br Maryann, Rose, Briget gone goes fit all Memey is as usual a hurt I called, I can write once I know more. From your mother Ann Smith. We have the best children in the world. Know more. Write soon. If you know anything about Johny tell me, he must be dead. Write soon.

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I bolded the line "From your mother, Ann Smith" because it is the first time I knew her first name.

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According to the Old Age Pensions Act of 1908, The Act provided for a non-contributory old age pension for persons over the age of 70. It was enacted in January 1909 and paid a weekly pension of 5s a week. So, it is possible that this letter was written in April of 1909.

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Letters from Ireland February 2

This is a series of letter written to my Great Grandmother, Rose Smith Warrington from her mother who resided in Ireland.

I will attempt to transcribe them exactly as Great Great Grandmother Smith wrote them. She did not put years on her letters, so I ordered them according to the months that they were written. Her handwriting is difficult to read, her spelling and grammar are poor, and it appears to be one long run-on sentence! Below, I will attempt to translate her letter!

" Dear Dauter Rose i cit down to rite those fue lines to you Hoping the may find you well and all the fameley Dear Rose we are all well at prescent thank god onley my self and i am onley midling my self but what can i expect i am not able to gow any where now i get my bread and tea in bead every morning then i rise when i lick we have a very rof wedt cold winter now sow it is a winter for berring the dead we had four corps in the chapple on towdays a gow Mary gun is well where she is she cends her love to you she is not going to that country she could not live out of the cassel we are going to have a lething now we are geting ahome rule. Past wel rose i must let you now Burks girles is riting home a nod time lysey ann is maried and has a young son and she cent home to flamen shirts to her boy. Mary Jane cays she will be an old made if she dose not get a man licke lysey anns man he is sow good the are coming home agan sumer to live a drum he has a cssel there the done you now good any way i had a letter from johny before christmas and to Pounds in it he is not forgeting the hole time he is a good boy to his mother. Patrick and Bydey is good she is working very hard feding pigs and children thee fine girls there is now cine afany more yet nor it is not much loss this country is gone to the bad. Bydey Mccernin has got her tow legs in to the ritches now willey to ole the acts all is bydes now she has her name on the sind bord now dont you tel the clarkens the will here it time enof the sisters would her it dont you spake of it she s a poor locking crature she will sown have another young man. Patrick Briget and all the children cends there love to you all and in pertular to your husband give my love to your ant rose and all the girls and to by sey money tell hir to rite me a letter i am sorry of mrs costiken how many children has she or is the old man alife rose et me know dose your nose be any trouble to you or dow you coff hard or are you got anny fatter rose it want you to cent me your husbands picture and your own in the won card till i se you towgether before i dy know more from yor mother my blessing and gods blesing be about you allrite sown and let me know how you are"

Attempt at a Translation: (Even this is not good!)

Dear Daughter Rose,
I sit down to write those few lines to you hoping they may find you well and all the family. Dear Rose, we are all well at present, thank God. Myself, I am only middling, but what can I expect, I am not able to go anywhere now. I get my bread and tea in bed every morning, then I rise when I like. We have had a very rough, wet, cold winter now, so it is a winter for burying the dead. We had four corpses in the chapel two days ago. Mary Jane is well, she sends her love to you. She is not going to that country. She could not live out of the cassel (castle??) We are going to have a lething (??) now we are getting home rule. Past well, Rose I must let you know Burkes' girls is writing home another time. Lysey Ann is married and has a young son and she sent home two flannel shirts to her boy. Mary Jane says she will be an old maid if she does not get a man like Lysey Ann's man. He is so good, they are coming home again summer to live at drum. He has a cassel there. Anyway, I had a letter from Johny before Christmas and Two Pounds in it. He is a not forgetting the whole time. He is a good boy to his mother. Patrick and Bydey are good, she is working very hard feeding pigs and children, three fine girls. ............(cannot figure out what is being written about here).......... This country is gone to the bad. Bydey McCernin has got her two legs in to the britches now willing to
Patrick, Briget nd all the children send their love to you and in particular to your husband. Give my love to your Aunt Rose and all the McGills and to Lysey Money, tell her to write me a letter. I am sorry of Mrs Costiken , how many children has she or is the old man alive. Rose let me know, does your nose be any trouble to you or do you cough hard or are you got any fatter. Rose, I want you to send me your husbands picture and your own in the one card till I see you together before I die. No more from your mother, my blessing and God's blessing be about you. All write soon and let me know how you are.

Monday, February 14, 2011

Warrington Genealogy

This is a transcription of a handwritten letter from Thelma Waddell 1988.

This information is what I have collected from family Bibles, family members and some research.

William Warrington I of Yorkshire England Born 1773. Do not know month or day of birth. I was told William ran away from home and joined the British army at a very early age. William served in India for some time. As of now, i have not been able to locate William's discharge papers. My mother, Nellie Waddell, Aunt Frances Balleo and Uncle Harry told me that had seen these papers but did not know where they went to. After William's discharge he came to Canada and married Frances Martin Cunningham Young. Frances Cunningham first married Robert Young and they had one son, A.J. Young, born October 27, 1829. Years ago, A.J. Young lived in Plattsburg, NY.


Frances Martin Cunningham of Glasglow, Scotland, born October 19, 1798., came to a cousins in Canada at age 15 in 1813. Was told Frances' father was killed in coal mine in Scotland. I believe Frances M. Cunningham Warrington died in 1882. I know she died in Newcomb, NY and is buried in old Methodist Cemetery in Newcomb. There is no date on her stone, only Mrs.Warrington. There was a very rich man who lived in Newcomb some time ago and I was told he had headstones put up for those with no markers.

William and Frances Warrington had one son, William II born Sept 11, 1838 near Solomon River in northern NY state. Also one Daughter, Elizabeth born March 17, 1840. Elizabeth died at birth. William and Frances wanted to live in the United States, but British Government would not give William his pension unless he moved back to Canada. William and Frances and son William moved to Hemmingford Province of Quebec.

On September 20, 1983, I went to Hemmingford with Vivian Warrington and my sister, Gladys. We went to the town clerks office looking for information but office was closed that day. I saw minister and he sent me to St Andrews United Church of Hemmingford. I found this record of William Warrington I recorded like this: "William Warrington I Pensioner of township of Hemminford died on 29th and was buried on 31 day of Oct 1866 age 93 yrs. James Patterson, minister of Scotland, Witness Donald McFee and Ruth Gregg. Signed Frances M. Cunningham."
After death of William Warrington I, his son William II went to Hemmingford and brought his mother Frances M. back to Olmstedville, NY to live with him and his family.

William II married Harriett Burnell, daughter of Louis and Mary Cordelia Burnell of Olmstedville, NY on April 25, 1865 in town of Schroon at old Leland Hotel. Witness Isace Bristol and Matthew Tannahill. Harriet wore a fawn colored dress, cape and bonnet trimmed in blue. Cape and bonnet were lined in blue. Harriet and William went to Plattsburg, NY on their honeymoon.

Harriet born May 5, 1849 at what they called Upper Iron Works at Tohan NY up near Newcomb. Harriet died Oct 11, 1924 at Lake Placid, NY. William II died March 28, 1911 at Lake Placid, NY. William died of influenza. Harried died from myocarditis with articular fibrillation. I got these records of their deaths from death certificates Vivian Warrington had.

William and Harriet Warrington Children:
Alexander William---May 4, 1866
James Henry--------June 10, 1868
Frances Martin----- June 5, 1870
Elmer Louis --------May 26, 1872
Harriet -------------May 7, 1874--called Hattie
Robert Fenton ------April 7, 1876
Nellie ---------------June 15, 1878
Emma Sophia -------Aug 24, 1880
MaryJane-----------May 30, 1884--called Marie
Addie---------------June 17, 1887
Harrison Edward---May 20, 1889--called Harry
Ross Everett-------January 6, 1892
Ernest-------------Sept 27, 1897

Some had middle names and some did not. I got names and birth from Family bible.

Thelma W.

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Failure to become a quilt

In June of 2007, when I was in Pennsylvania with Sherry, I purchased a quilt pattern which was a variation on the Card Deck, and used Log Cabin Blocks. I had seen it several times that weekend and loved the pattern.
The following summer, when Cat was visiting, we purchased the rest of the fabrics so that I could start this quilt.

I did start it, and right now, I cannot find the photos I took of the quilt progress I had made.
I did manage to get all of the log cabin blocks sewn and the colors were wonderful!

The problems arose when I had to cut the log cabin blocks on the diagonal and then sew them together with background fabrics.

I had mountains and valleys in my quilt! I took it apart several times, repinned, trimmed, and stitched this quilt attempting to make it do what it was supposed to do.

All to no avail.

Finally, I just decided it would never be a quilt. I took what I had left and remade them into two nifty totes and several small purses!


These are presently being gifted to several friends.

Actually Izzy has just claimed the tote with the pink handles!

So, the moral of this story is: "When fabric does not go your way, make something else!"

Thursday, January 27, 2011

William Warrington marries Frances Cunningham


In conducting the ever evolving history of my family, I stumbled across this document. It is the record of my great great great grandparent's marriage in 1871. From what I can decipher of this rector's handwriting it says:
"On this thirty-first day of August
in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty one
were married by Banns.
William Warrington, bachelor, farmer
& Frances Young, widow,
both of the ? of Cape Magdalen."

So I went in search of the Cape of Magdalen and came to the Magdalen Islands in Canada. They are actually a province of Quebec, a tiny group of islands in the Gulf of St Lawrence.

The reference citation for this marriage record mentions that the protestant church is in a town named Trois-Rivieres. So off I went in search of that town. The map shows a neighboring town of Cap-de-la-Madeleine.
(Cap-de-la-Madeleine is located on the north shore of the St Lawrence River at its confluence with the St-Maurice River.) Since this is so much closer to Trois-Rivieres, where they were married, I suspect that Cap-de-la-Madeleine is correct.

Of course, further research may show which is the actual residence of my ggg-grandparents at the time of their marriage.







Saturday, January 1, 2011

Green changes made in 2010?

I would have no idea where to begin my list! I have made many changes in my lifestyle in recent years, what a lot of people call "going green". These were lifestyle changes made for specific reasons: personal health, economics, and environmental to name a few.

1. I stopped using conditioner on my hair, liquid shower gels, liquid laundry detergent and laundry fabric softener. I wanted to reduce my plastic consumption, as well as the chemicals I was exposed to and that I was exposing the environment to. Plus, it saves me money to buy less!

2. I stopped taking plastic grocery sacks to the store. I collected and made my own reusable totes that I now keep in my vehicle. I worked for months to remember to use them and have achieved success! It probably took me 6 months to get in the habit. The occasional plastic grocery sack that ends up in my home gets reused over and over again until it falls apart and then gets recycled.

3. I use a different version of Luna Pads (that Cat talked about) from Many Moons Alternatives. I even managed to make my own so that I have plenty in supply for those light days!

4. I use a homemade deodorant powder or a mineral stone instead of commercial deodorant. Not every day, because summertime in Tennessee while I am in class is painfully hot! So, right now, it is a weekend, vacation and winter weather option for me.

5. I wear mostly cotton clothing. As items needed to be replaced, I purchased cotton. I gifted away a lot of my non-cotton fibers.

6. I compost. Anything that can be composted, is. I save scraps in a bucket in the freezer until I carry it to the compost heap as it saves on smells and potential bugs!

7. I stopped using paper towels and paper napkins and paper tissues. I have fabric for that!

8. I switched to a 100% recycled toilet paper that is wrapped in paper (no plastic there!)

9. I replaced my incandescent light bulbs with fluorescent ones. It was a challenge to find the globe style bulbs I wanted for my bathroom fixtures, but I did!

10. I stopped using Brita Filters for my water. I found that the water quality here was fine and that it tasted fine as well. I use aluminum or steel bottles to carry my water.

11. I am more diligent about requesting paper packaging on any item that I have shipped to my home. Companies are wonderfully agreeable in most instances!

12. I canceled all magazines, eliminated junk mail and catalogs that are sent to me.

What have you done?