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Post by grammadee on May 8, 2016 3:58:08 GMT
We all have stories to tell about our own mothers; many have stories about BEING a mother. And on Mothers' Day, we celebrate all the memories, all the good times, all the not-so-good times shared.
Many of us will be busy with family this Sunday: making some of those memories we like to preserve in our albums. Dd & family have invited us to a Mothers' Day brunch at the military base where her hubby is posted. This is a special day for her because after years of frustration, they were able to adopt their little guy this spring. He came into their lives in July. This will be her first Mothers' Day as a mom. I am delighted to share the day with her and her little family.
So what I am asking you to do today is to Tell Your Mom Story. If you want to make a page later about the motherhood experience, go for it! But for now, just tell the story. And enjoy the day.
My mom passed away when I was ten years old. I remember her as infinitely patient, fun loving, and creative. She raised a huge veggie garden. Her favorite flowers were crocuses and lady's slippers. She made delicious Christmas candies and mailed them to her sisters. She sewed all my dresses. And embroidered pillow cases. She built cupboards out of apple boxes, and sewed curtains to cover the fronts. It was a different world then, with no electronics, and a lot of us living in a tiny house. We talked, we played board games, we sang together and we worked together in the house and outside on the farm.
As a mother myself, I never had her patience: but I tried... I really tried! I worked full time when my kids were growing up. And I made a conscious effort to spend time with each one of them each day. We all sat down for one meal together every day. And as the kids got older, they prepared that meal. My kids were involved in all kinds of sports and activities, and a lot of the one-on-one time with them was in the car on the way to or from some game or event.
Here is a page I put together probably 5 years ago. Not a lot of technique or sophisticated design--but hey! I cut a circle and wove it around the photos--just mainly a journaling response to the experience of being these kids' mom:
 what I learned by Gramma Dee, on Flickr
And my kids grew up to become great parents and to marry people who are wonderful parents too. I love the way my dil's handle discipline. I think MY mom would have loved to see them too. They are raising 11 fun-loving, active, resourceful, caring, competent, respectful kids. And when it works for everyone, I get to spend time with each family every few months to share in their lives.
So Happy Mothers' Day! |
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Post by LavenderLayoutLady on May 8, 2016 4:15:44 GMT
I love your mom story.
I'll have to think on mine before I post. My mother is an incredible, strong, wonderful woman with more generosity than I ever could have.
As a mother myself, she is who I aspire to grow up to be.
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Post by mikklynn on May 8, 2016 12:57:11 GMT
My mother had six children in six years and didn't lose her mind! I am the oldest. My favorite memory is going grocery shopping, just the two of us. We'd stop at Snyder's drug store for real cherry Cokes.
I'm fortunate she is still with us, but sad that she is beginning to have memory issues.
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Post by LisaDV on May 8, 2016 13:49:05 GMT
grammadee love your mom story. Sweet page too. mikklynn, wow, 6 in 6. My mom wasn't a very good mom, but I was still a momma's girl. When she left I was 12 and I had to decide if I'd go live with her or stay with my dad. It came down to who really gave me the most care - who brushed my hair and washed it in the sink for me, who helped me pick out clothes to wear, etc. that was my sister who was staying with my dad. My sister has always been there and will always be the best mom i know. She's the first one i call for advice on parenting, on most things. She was my sister/mom and became my sister/best friend.
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Post by Linda on May 8, 2016 15:24:51 GMT
My mum and I butted heads A LOT when I was growing up and even into my adult years. I've never felt like she was proud of me although I've always known she loved me. As a parent, I've chosen to be different with my children than she was with us - sometimes I've succeeded, sometimes I hear her voice coming out my mouth - yikes!
Day 8 Layout #1 - 2-pg "Dad's Little Helper" - I reached DEEP into my stash for this one and dug out an old (c. 1999/2000-ish) CADD topper. I remember when I first started scrapping in 2002, I loved those and collected almost every one...I still have a few left in my stash that I didn't use back then. Added cardstock and some Sandylion stickers (the ones that were similar to Jolees?) of tools, 3 photos and some journalling.
Day 8 layout #2 - 1-pg "Love" - Colorbok Fresh Linen PP and journalling cards, cardstock, 2 photos, and journalling
Day 8 Layout #3 - 2-pg "Grammy" - Dear Lizzy(I think)PP, cardstock, Once Upon a Scribble "My Grandmother' quote (dug deep into the stash for that one - it's c.2000), white foam thickers, QK heart die cuts
Day 8 layout #4 1-pg "Leprechaun Trap" - Karen Foster PP and stickers, cardstock, 1 photo, journalling
Day 8 layout #5 1-pg "Hugs" - Colorbok Fresh Linen PP, cardstock, Creative Imaginations Letter stickers, comic strip, and journalling (no photos on this one - just a memory)
Day 8 layout #6 1-pg "Sewing" - PP (no idea of manuf.), Jolees, zig marker, cardstock, 2 photos, and journalling
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Post by Linda on May 8, 2016 22:03:20 GMT
I hope everyone is enjoying their Mother's Day! Am I the only one spending the day scrapping?
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Post by grammadee on May 9, 2016 0:10:48 GMT
No scrapping for me. We have been at dd's house since 10:30 this morning. Dh just left to go home. Dd just left to go to a 2 day course. Daddy is bathing the little guy. Then they will call dsil's mom and wish that gramma happy mothers' day. I have the little guy Monday & Tuesday.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
May 13, 2024 10:05:35 GMT
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Post by Deleted on May 9, 2016 0:13:59 GMT
Just wanted to post a pic of my Mom. She was a very classy lady.  |
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Elsabelle
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,608 
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Post by Elsabelle on May 9, 2016 0:19:46 GMT
I'm scrapping today and I got quite a bit done and crossed a lot off my list of goals for the month. I finished scrapping all the layouts I had pictures for, which turned out to be 16. They're complete with titles and journaling. Then I had 11 more that had been sitting around for a while that needed titles and journaling and I got those done. So a total of 27! I feel really good about that.
After I finished up with that I cleaned up my scrap area. There were paper bits everywhere!
Now I'm moving on to editing pictures. I gotta find something to listen to so I won't start dozing off and drooling. Editing is so boring.
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Post by grammadee on May 9, 2016 0:51:24 GMT
Thanks for sharing your mother's photos, @elaynef and myboysnme . I have enjoyed reading everyone's stories Glad you got some play time, linda and Elsabelle . |
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Post by Linda on May 9, 2016 1:25:25 GMT
Thanks for sharing your mother's photos, elaynef and myboysnme . I have enjoyed reading everyone's stories me too! Day 8 layout #6 1pg "Snuggles" = HL Nautical stack, cardstock, die cut letters, hand-cut heart, journalling, 1 photo
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Post by LisaDV on May 9, 2016 1:47:59 GMT
Thanks for sharing your mother's photos, elaynef and myboysnme . I have enjoyed reading everyone's stories me too! No scrapping for me today. We just got home. We went to church, then lunch, then Captain America, then shoe shopping, home depot and groceries. Whew. Now I'm checking the boards and having a glass of wine. |
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Post by myboysnme on May 9, 2016 2:12:25 GMT
Just wanted to post a pic of my Mom. She was a very classy lady. I gotta say, your avatar favors her! She is lovely. |
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Post by justjac on May 9, 2016 2:31:54 GMT
I did a bit of crafting today. I finished the card for my mother-in-law.  And I did my LOAD page which is about food.  Mothers Day brings mixed emotions for me. I love my mother and my mother-in-law. I called my mom today and we took DH's mom out for brunch. It's just as a 40ish woman with no kids it feels weird to be out and about today. It's all in my head as no one else said anything or even looked at me weirdly. I just notice my childless state more today than any other day. That being said, I love having a chance to honor the amazing mothers in my life. My mom and I talk at least once or twice every week. She's still my go-to person for an opinion or a pick-me-up when I'm feeling down. I hope you all had a great day. ETA: I'm not facing fertility issues or anything. We're just DINKS (Double Income No Kids.) I reread this and it sounded worse than it is. |
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Post by Linda on May 9, 2016 2:46:39 GMT
((((Hugs))) justjac Day 8 layout#7 ="football" (soccer) 1pg - 'grass' PP, cardstock, Deluxe Cuts colourblocking template, BoBunny random words, Sandylion sticker, 3 photos, journalling Day 8 layout #8 = "All American Kid" - 1ph - cardstock, CADD topper, 1 photo - super simple layout in red/blue/grey/white but it highlights the photo and I LOVE that photo |
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mjmone
Full Member
Posts: 441
Jul 3, 2014 2:58:29 GMT
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Post by mjmone on May 9, 2016 14:14:22 GMT
This is tough, as my mom is going through Altzheimer's right now.
She is one tough cookie, smart as can be...she is a fun grandma to my kids...they loved her 'sauciness'. She pretty much says whatever she thinks.
But she comes from tough beginnings, her dad died when she was 6 years old, so her mom became sole provider for 6 kids...during post war Japan. She has memories of the war and bombings and food lines. They were dirt poor, And every child had to be a part of keeping the household. Even 'play' involved going thru bombed out buildings to find nails to sell. At 6 years old, she says she would come home from school and start the rice for dinner...and that all the kids would line up in the street waiting for their mom to walk down the street.
So, growing up she was very frugal. She made all our childhood clothes. Money was her barometer. She was a 'name-caller' and had a terrible temper. (I am part Japanese and Irish...never saw the Irish temper, my dad was so mild mannered, but that Japanese...whew, I even hid the fly swatter at one point...as she would hit us with it)
She was not a warm, fuzzy affectionate mom. Maybe now in her later years, I hear an occasional 'I love you'.
I do love her. I try to understand her and not take things personally. But like others, I have intentionally decided to treat my children better, no name calling, lots of love...now I am in grandma stage and absolutely love it and feel completely blessed.
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Post by Linda on May 9, 2016 14:21:03 GMT
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Post by grammadee on May 9, 2016 20:51:35 GMT
thracian I just came back from your Blog. Love you page about what you share with your mom. And thanks to everyone who shared your Mother's Day and mom related stories here. (((((HUGS))))) to you all. My 3 yr old dgs is missing his mom a lot today. She left last night and won't be back until after bedtime tomorrow. But when he gets a bit weepy, I ask him "Where's Mama?" And he puts his hand over his chest and says "Right here!" She has told him that she will always be in his heart and he will be in hers. He was quite into our taking photos of everything he did this morning and texting them to Mama so she wouldn't miss him too badly. Just waiting for him to wake up from his nap so the action will start again.
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Post by thracian on May 10, 2016 3:04:59 GMT
thracian I just came back from your Blog. Love you page about what you share with your mom. And thanks to everyone who shared your Mother's Day and mom related stories here. (((((HUGS))))) to you all. Thanks so much for the link! My mom came over for dinner last night, and she loved the layout. |
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