Memories of Marie

Our dear Aunt Marie joined her sister, Rosemary, and brother, Lew, in the Lord's Kingdom July 19. She was a very special person to all of the Barrs. We will miss her physical presence among us but will always feel her beautiful spirit with us. Below are a few of the many pictures I have with many, many fond memories.

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The Moir Family

Lew, Rosemary, Marie (Sister Mary Gildas), and Bill

circa late 50's/early 60's

Plano, Texas

Destin, Florida

Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Monroe, Michigan

Our last visit to see Marie.

Here are a few more pictures from a past post.

Tap and Toe Girl

Having never had a dance lesson in my life did not stop me from believing I was a dance prodigy.

The costume above belonged to my girlfriend Carla. Her dance recital for this costume must have had some sort of peppermint stick theme. I have on tap shoes and am pretty sure I spent lots of time tapping around in the carport.

I remember this Christmas gift of pink satin toe shoes. I had told Mom that was the only gift I wanted and I was desperately hoping the box would be under the tree. To throw me off, Mom told me a few days before Christmas that I would not be getting toe shoes because I didn't know how to toe dance. I was crushed. When I opened the box I couldn't believe my eyes and I couldn't get those toe shoes on fast enough. I was so happy, even though my expression shows apprehension. I'm sure I spent the rest of that Christmas day toe dancing around the house. Who needed dance lessons?

I had never seen these pictures until the Branson reunion when Tom and Linda presented us with the wonderful CD full of old family pictures such as these. This was a wonderful reunion gift. The memories came flooding back.

But maybe it's not too late. Now with the empty nest and a little more time on my hands, perhaps I will audition for this group.

With This Ring

Friday evening, on the waterfront in Wilmington, the city where they met, Will gave Angela the most beautiful diamond engagement ring. The wedding will take place about a year from now. Tim and I could not ask for a more lovely and sweeter future daughter-in-law than Angela. Life is good.

Just One More...

Before we leave the wedding theme, just one more favorite picture from the album.

Our ring bearers and flower girl
Scott Barr, Renee Patton, Tom Barr, Jr.

VKC - Part I

Exciting news. I am starting a series where I will describe items I have dearly possessed for decades. These items are still very usable but some are out of date style wise. They are part of my Vintage Keeper Collection (henceforth known as VKC). These are possessions that I hold near and dear to my heart. I will be posting periodically on these various treasures.

And now for the first installment.

I was in junior high school - the early 60's - when I learned to sew. My first project in Home Ec was a reversible wrap around skirt. I loved making it.

Later on I was dying to have my own machine. I chose to buy a Singer and purchased it "on-time". That is, I sent monthly installments to the Singer Company until the $80 was paid in full.


In the late 60's I was asked to be a bridesmaid in a friends wedding. I was also asked to make my dress. I loved the bright colors of the fabric and the bow in my hair was just the right touch.

A few months later I was asked by another friend to be her bridesmaid. Once again I was asked to make my dress. This dress was a daisy theme. After it was constructed I had to hand sew fabric daises around the neck and the hem. I was not too crazy about this one. Yellow is not in my season.

And here is the wedding mentioned in a recent post. I was the maid of honor. I made my dress of blue dotted swiss and the floppy blue hat was just right. I made an identical dress for another bridesmaid. Then I made the yellow MOB dress. This was a difficult project. The fabric was a heavy type silk and was lined. After I finished making it, I somehow got a spot right on the front. The bride was most upset, but we calmed her down and got the spot removed. In the picture the groom is thanking me for getting rid of that spot.

I continued sewing for several more years and later quit for a long time. Then when the kids were small I started using the Singer again mostly to make costumes. I made Melanie a few jumpers here and there. Also, I was the volunteer uniform neckerchief maker for our Scout troop. It was during this time that I used the Singer to proudly attach merit badges to shirts and sashes.

My machine is quite heavy and very sturdy because of its steel construction. And the stitches are still so perfectly straight and tight. The foot pedal is a little stiff now and the bobbin winding has always been a little awkward. But she still hums along, still making the unique rhythmic stitching sound that only comes from a solid sewing machine. I will never part with my Singer. It holds a top place in my VKC.

Neighborhood Expansion

Parents, Ken and Anna, live directly behind us. I suspect in the future there will be lots of activity...splashing, cannonballs, etc...coming from their backyard pool!

A Sign Of The Times

7/10/71

Here we are 37 years ago.

Remember the dress from this post?

M P in '08

If you're tired of those other two candidates jump on this bandwagon.
Click on the play button in the lower left hand corner.

Hydrangeas

The flowers from the wedding in October 2006 were the beautiful hydrangeas. White for the bride and blue for the attendants.

We have a hydrangea bush on the side of our house. Last summer it did not bloom - I think because it had been pruned back so far. This summer they have come back to see us.

I had to have some of these in the house. I grabbed the scissors and away I went.

Voila! I wish they would keep forever.

4th of July

Way back when...

Harry Truman was President

Gas was 26 cents a gallon

Eddie Arcaro won his 2nd Triple Crown title

and

There were only 3 Barr kids

Jerry and Chris were ready to celebrate the holiday.

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God Bless America