Thursday, September 04, 2008

Friday Show and Tell - and Twin Update



It was my senior year in college. I had to spend the summer there to finish my student teaching and officially graduate. Nobody could stay in the dorm and I could not afford to rent an apartment; possibly a room. I had a job on campus, but it wouldn't provide an abundance of money. I began asking around to see if I could find something I could handle financially. A local girl was in one of my classes - in fact, we were the only two elementary education majors in the John Bunyan literature class - it was mostly religion majors. I took all of my electives in the English department. This girl told me she'd do some checking.


It was only a matter of a day or two when I had a letter in my mailbox. It was from this girl's mom. She was inviting me to stay with them in their spare room that summer. Apparently, they had done this before, because the letter was filled with her requirements and expectations. She must have had some real doozies, because one of her expectations was that I would change the sheets regularly, and not throw my underwear into the ceiling light fixtures! But imagine my amazement and gratitude when they asked me to be their guest for the summer. God is so good!

Not only did they give me the room, but they fed me, and took me out to eat several times that summer. There were some things that were not ideal, but overall I couldn't complain about the accommodations, considering the financial arrangements.

Imagine my surprise when, on top of all they had done for me, they then gave me an amazing graduation gift. This woman had found a china pattern at Montgomery Ward that she really liked. She bought it in bulk and gave sets of china for all wedding gifts. She also gave me a set - and I was not getting married - I was setting up housekeeping as a single teacher with a roommate. What a generous gift!

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(Note the zinnias from my yard - I love them)

Here is a close-up of the pattern.
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Also included in the set were various sized serving bowls and platters, one large enough for a turkey dinner.


Amazingly, my sister stayed with them the next summer for only two weeks and they gave her a set for graduation as well. Years later, when this wonderful, uniquely interesting lady was doing some remodeling of her kitchen, she sent all of her extra pieces to my sis and me. We have enough of these dishes between us now that we can serve our large family holiday dinners on matching china.


Needless to say, I have visited this lady almost every time I've been back to that town in Oklahoma.



The twins are growing like little weeds - they'll be 8 months old on Sunday - unbelievable!

I love the way they interact with each other. They were both crying, rolled over on their tummies, and hugged.
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Their hair is the same color - the sun makes Emma's look reddish.

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They love their baths, with a maniacal kicking and splashing fest - and they love making funny noises - and they laugh gustily when you copy their noises back at them. Notice their sweet little hands??

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For more Friday Show and Tell stories, stop by Kelli's blog, There Is No Place Like Home.


EDIT: It's a chilly fall-like morning in Colorado - 48 degrees at 7:30 a.m. I feel like crawling back in bed for a good snooze! I hope this isn't a harbinger of our winter to come! DC is at a golf tournament today for his job (poor guy). But seriously, normally it is a lovely fall day when he gets to do this. Providing I get myself going this morning, I think I'll be driving to the gym instead of riding my bike.




46 comments:

Mary said...

Dawn,

I love your show and tell. I had some dishes like that once, but alas, only one plate is left.

The girlies are sure growing and they look so happy and content. Aren't grandchildren wonderful.

Blessings to you. Have a wonderful weekend.

Mary

Corrie said...

Hi Dawn,
I stumbled here through Robin's blog. Those babies caught my eye! I have twins that are 19 months old and they are more fun!
I look forward to seeing more of your show and tell!
Corrie

Anonymous said...

Those are beautiful dishes and a lovely story. Gorgeous babies! I wouldn't mind twins.

Ceekay-THINKIN of HOME said...

Very pretty china and how sweet that she would give it to you. I know you must cherish it.

Sherry said...

cute pictures of the little girlies. They are getting so big!

That's a cool story about the dishes. Was it the Brashers? I couldn't remember who Vicki said she stayed with.

Carrie said...

I enjoyed reading about your china...and the photos of the twins are so very sweet.

Diane@Diane's Place said...

I was a live-in babysitter for one of my high school teachers the year I graduated high school, from that winter into the next summer. When I got married she gave me a set of china identical to yours, except the design on mine was all white on white instead of the blue on yours.

Hubby wasn't very conscientious about what he warmed up food in the microwave in, and he burned off the platinum on several pieces and almost set the kitchen on fire. I finally packed that set of china away in favor of a set with no platinum edging for our own safety.

When Jessica got married and set up housekeeping a couple of years ago I gave her my china set like yours.

The girls are so cute! They are growing with every new set of pictures you share, and their personalities are really starting to shine. :o)

Happy Friday and weekend!

Love and hugs,

Diane

Carla said...

Always touching aren't they? How perfect! What lovely china, what lovely memories, thank you for sharing today!

Anne Fannie said...

Hello Dawn, what lovely china and a sweet story. Your grandbabies are the cutest!
Love, Ann

Gattina said...

What a sweet story ! It means there are still good people on earth !
Your twins are adorable !!

Unknown said...

Lovely china, and a lovely story behind it too.

Your twins are adorable!

Hootin Anni said...

Wonderful story part of the show n tell Dawn. There are GOOD people out there. And you have proof for us!! And the twins...love their striped outfits! So darling.

My show n tell is all about Fall. Starting with the fireplace! Stop by if you can find time. Hot mulled Apple Cider is being served!

A Hint of Home said...

That is one generous lady. How very sweet she was to think of you girls. Lovely pattern.
The twins are cuties.

Susan said...

What lovely dishes and such a wonderful "God provides our every need" story. The twins are growing, week-by-week.

Thanks for the sweet e-mail forward. I needed that. "God provides our every need"!!!
Susan

Kathi~Lavender, Lace and Thyme said...

Your host family must have loved you! What a beautiful graduation gift and those twins are priceless!

Have a Fantastic Friday!
Kathi :)

Kellie said...

beautiful dishes and the twins are adorable!!

nannykim said...

Wow, amazingly gracious of the lady to give such a wonderful and thoughtful gift!!!! Love the kiddos--so cute. Hope you are enjoying, "retirement". ;-)

Robin said...

Those twins! I just love how they always snuggle with each other. How blessed they are to have each other.
Our weather has cooled down too - I hate the thought of winter nipping on its heels. But it is supposed to warm up this weekend again - so maybe we have a bit more of summer to go!

Izzy, Emmy 'N Alexander said...

Adorable twin pics! It's hard to believe they are going to be 8 months! They are so tiny and it cracks me up that they still fit in the same bouncer together! Great show and tell too!

Sam said...

Hi Dawn,

Those dishes are beautiful. What an incredibly generous gift! I'm sure you treasure them!

The twins are becoming really beautiful! No doubt they are going to be really gorgeous girls! I love the one of them hugging. That's pretty amazing. It's going to be such a wonder to see how their relationship develops over the years.

Oooh, that cold weather sounds so nice! It's gotten unusually hot here, but I know I shouldn't complain since the summer has been so mild. But I'm really looking forward to cold days!

Jean said...

This is a great Show and Tell! Love the story and your china. Jean

Sandra said...

Such beautiful dishes :)

And look at those adorable twins, how cute!

My Show and Tell

Theresa said...

Oh how beautiful the twins are! They have grown so quickly. I love your china, and what a heart-warming story.

Missy Wertz said...

Dawn, how beautiful and what a wonderful gift! And a wonderful family to have you come stay with them. What a blessing. God is good isn't He.

The twins are growing like weeds! We will not see 48 degrees around here for several more monhths. enjoy your cool weather.

Jess said...

Ya,...it's been chilly here today. Had to change Emmy into pants.

The twins are so cute!

Loved your dishes/china.

Have a great weekend

Tammy said...

What a wonderful story, Dawn! And the china is absolutely lovely.
Too funny about some of her requirements! LOL Did you ever ask her about that?

Those grandbabies of yours are too sweet for words! I love these latest photos!

Hugs,
~Tammy

Needled Mom said...

Ahhh.....how absolutely adorable the girls are.

What a lovely set of china. I'm sure that using it always stirs up fond memories.

I'll be back to blogging soon. xoxox

Sharon Lynne said...

I'm here! Better late then never. Wow those twins are adorable. What a great story about the China.

Last night while we slept, our house was 81 degrees. We are still having hot days...and the house doesn't cool down.

It's hard to believe it was 48 degrees at 7:30 a.m. at your place!!!

Diane@Diane's Place said...

I'm here. Better private and by invitation only than not at all.

Love you,

Diane

Carole Burant said...

Hello dear Dawn,

I'm too late visiting to see any of the pictures...that will teach me from not being able to visit the last few days! lol Know that my prayers are with all of you as you all go through this difficult time. xoxo

someone else said...

Thanks for the invite.

Midlife Mom said...

I too couldn't get the pictures but I can just picture in my mind those precious little girlies!

What a story about the family that had you live with them. What a giving spirit! That's nice that you can still visit them when you are in the area.

It's been cold mornings here too. We got some frost last night but it didn't seem to hit my flowers. I think I will cover my mums tonight just in case as I just bought them today.

My son had to play in two work related golf games this week. One was three and a half hours away and the other two hours away! I think he got more then he bargained for!

Take care and I'm glad you are up and running again!! xoxox

Susie said...

Hi Dawn,
Thanks for the invitation. I can't see any of the pictures, but understand why. Glad you've decided to go private rather than quit blogging. Hope things are a bit better. It hasn't been the easiest week for either of us has it??
xo

Mary said...

Dawn,

Thanks for the invite. I hope all is well. I'm keeping your family in my prayers.

Blessings,
Mary

nancygrayce said...

Dawn, thanks for inviting me! I see the pictures! The china is lovely and the girls are beautiful. I'm praying too!

Sam said...

Hi Dawn!

I missed you! :-) I'm so glad you're back!

Sammy

nancygrayce said...

Oh, my gosh, I just thought about what you said! 48 degrees????? I walked in my neighborhood this morning....but it was 90 degrees at least!

Jess said...

Thanks for the invite, and I agree better to be private than not at all....Hope things get better!

Judith said...

Letting you know I'm here at your blog, and that I'm praying for you and for all of your family in this trying time.

Nancy said...

Thanks for letting me know Dawn. Please know that you and your family are in my prayers.

I'm able to get this cranky computer to work tonight but who knows when the next time will be. Thanks for your loyalty.

BLESSINGS to you my friend!

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