When we were kids back in Pennsylvania I remember we would ride out into the country and have a picnic and play in the "wild". In those days people did not put up "No Trespassing" signs. We were always careful to leave the places we stopped as neat or neater than when we arrived. Dad would pick out places that had a small stream or "creek" as we called them so we kids could
splash around in the water and the boys could find tadpoles. Mom would make a meatloaf and potato salad. It was great fun. We went camping with other families once. I remember the smell
of the oiled canvas of the tent we slept in. Dad was always great about taking us to cook our breakfast out when we moved to California. The spot he thought was the best was Bouquet Canyon. I have no idea where it was, but we would get up early and drive out - he would make a fire pit and lay a fire. We had a grate for the pans to set on. There were no ready made pits in the area at the time. Those kind of Parks came much later. There was nothing better than fried potatoes, bacon and eggs in the out of doors. I remember getting together with friends Dad worked with during the War and making a day of it - starting with breakfast.
Doing things with Mom - well that was a lot different. She and I worked together in the Red Cross bandage making center when the War was going on. Mom was one of the instructors, and I sat for hours making what they call "sponges" in surgery. They were small square bandages that we have to make sure had no loose edges. We made thousands of them and sent them "off
to war". I made sandwiches in the USO while she was on duty. We made beds and cleaned the kitchen where meals were served to men who were on "leave" in the town. I helped at the Navy
Mother Bazaars and attended the dances they held for the men. After we were both members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-daty Saints we attended "Know Your Religion" lectures and
attend the Temple together. Once we took a Church History Tour together for two weeks. It was a great experience. I was fortunate to have great parents who tried to give the three of
us the best they could afford. I am sure many times at the expense of giving up something they would like to have had. None of us attended College. Not because it was not offered, but because we all chose our jobs before we ever left High School. Ralph was a printer from High School, but found he liked Machine Work better. Ronald stayed with printing - both the boys had spent long hours in the Print Shop at Huntington Park High School. I spent my time in the Accounting Office and followed that line of work.
Written: December 31, 2008
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Description of my Husband Jay
Jay Ford Rosenberg - I saw him first at work. He was in charge of one of the Decorating Machines at Owens-Illinois Glass Company. He was tall - had a gorgeous tan and was SHY. I was told that most of the girls in the office had wanted to have a date with him
but he didn't talk to any of them. They thought he was a bit "stuck up", in reality he was just very shy. When he wouldn't make it easy, I decided to take a chance and go talk to him. When I went over to where he was working he was polite, but kept on working with the machine. I being the forward one asked him how he could go to the beach and get such a great tan and never concider my working so hard on his bonus sheets and payroll and not take me at least once so I could get a tan too. He was a bit taken back at my forwardness I belive, but replied he
would except he didn't have a car. He bumed his rides with friends when he wasn't working. I smiled and said - likely story and walked off. I stopped by once in awhile just to keep the idea in his mind. Wanted to prove to the other girls that it was possible. One Saturday when I was working to catch up on things, I went out to post the bonus sheets and saw him taking a break on the shipping dock. He motioned for me to come over. I walked to where he was and he asked if I would like to go to a party with him, he finally got a car. I accepted the invitation. He picked me up at 8 that night and that was the beginning of the rest of my life.
Jay was such a clean cut young man. Neat in his dress and manners and he impressed my mother enough to have her wait up for me to come home when she asked me: "when is my son-in-law coming back." She loved him from the first and they had a wonderful relationship.
From that first date until he passed away, we were together. I don't believe either of us thought it would be that way, but things were just right from the start. He told me on more than one occasion that he knew from that first date he would never have to worry about talking to people of fitting in as long as he had me by his side. I don't know why he felt so insecure because he was smart and fun to be with. Lack of confidence held him back from doing a great many things he
would have enjoyed if he would just have let go. Jay was loyal and honest. I don't believe I ever met another person who was a loyal to friends or as honest to do business with than he
was. If he borrowed something, which was not often, he would see that it was in better condition when he returned it than when he borrowed it. I have seen him spend hours cleaning a skill saw he had borrowed for a small job until it looked like new. He even replaced the blade. He could make just about anything, and could fix most anything if it was worth repairing. If I had some idea for a project I was working on, if I would discuss it with him, he would come up with just the right thing to make it work. He said we made a great team. I could think it up and he could make it happen. We sure made a lot of neat things together. Made any project less of a challenge and more of a creative partnership. When he developed leg problems from standing on cement floors in the Machine Shops he decided to change jobs. He wanted to go into business for himself. He thought it through and when he had it worked out in his mind he asked me if I would go along with it. I explained to him if he went into business for himself, he would never have any time for himself, or for us. He was so set on dong the change, I agreed to go along, but told him he would have to do the books as well. He agreed, and was off on the adventure
of a lifetime. If he had not have been so completely envolved, he might have had better health, but I believe he kept the truck up and made every job he worked on as good as he could by the
part that he did with it that he wore himself out. I don't believe anyone ever worked with Jay that did not like him. He was the first to give a helping hand and the last one to give up on anything. In the trades, he was always asked for first. When he was on a job they knew he would be willing to do what ever was asked, and if he was needed to help finish, he would be right there as long as he was needed.
Every home we owned had a mark of his total devotion to doing the best job possible. I remember when we built the addition on the Cord Avenue House in Pico Rivera the plumbing inspector told him he had a great job in the bathroom he added on. He told him it was obvious no plumber had done the work, it was too perfect. When they inspected the fireplace he was told the same thing. That fireplace was so great, it would run you out of the room if you built a big fire in it. That fire box was really great. Too bad we couldn't have taken it with us. The house on Irene Street in Taft, he had the yard so laid out that the water drained down the cement walks he made so it went right out the front of the lot. We never had puddles or problems with standing water at that house. He put the pool in by himself. It was only a Doughboy Pool, but he had the hole dug and then shaped the floor so it was lower in the middle. When he put the liner in he poured cement around it. I was in the pool and would support the side until it was firm with cement around. There was no problems with the pool. He poured a deck around it which help secure the pool. We enjoyed that more than we could have an expesive constructed pool. The brick work and cement block work he did was perfect and laid out with such artistic design one might have thought a brick layer or mason had been on the job. Not so, it was Jay who made it happen.I always knew it was in jest, but he would say: "I am so good sometimes I scare myself!"He surprised me a number of times, but he never scared me. I was most fortunate to have had such a wonderful friend and companion to share this lifes experience.
Written December 30, 2008
but he didn't talk to any of them. They thought he was a bit "stuck up", in reality he was just very shy. When he wouldn't make it easy, I decided to take a chance and go talk to him. When I went over to where he was working he was polite, but kept on working with the machine. I being the forward one asked him how he could go to the beach and get such a great tan and never concider my working so hard on his bonus sheets and payroll and not take me at least once so I could get a tan too. He was a bit taken back at my forwardness I belive, but replied he
would except he didn't have a car. He bumed his rides with friends when he wasn't working. I smiled and said - likely story and walked off. I stopped by once in awhile just to keep the idea in his mind. Wanted to prove to the other girls that it was possible. One Saturday when I was working to catch up on things, I went out to post the bonus sheets and saw him taking a break on the shipping dock. He motioned for me to come over. I walked to where he was and he asked if I would like to go to a party with him, he finally got a car. I accepted the invitation. He picked me up at 8 that night and that was the beginning of the rest of my life.
Jay was such a clean cut young man. Neat in his dress and manners and he impressed my mother enough to have her wait up for me to come home when she asked me: "when is my son-in-law coming back." She loved him from the first and they had a wonderful relationship.
From that first date until he passed away, we were together. I don't believe either of us thought it would be that way, but things were just right from the start. He told me on more than one occasion that he knew from that first date he would never have to worry about talking to people of fitting in as long as he had me by his side. I don't know why he felt so insecure because he was smart and fun to be with. Lack of confidence held him back from doing a great many things he
would have enjoyed if he would just have let go. Jay was loyal and honest. I don't believe I ever met another person who was a loyal to friends or as honest to do business with than he
was. If he borrowed something, which was not often, he would see that it was in better condition when he returned it than when he borrowed it. I have seen him spend hours cleaning a skill saw he had borrowed for a small job until it looked like new. He even replaced the blade. He could make just about anything, and could fix most anything if it was worth repairing. If I had some idea for a project I was working on, if I would discuss it with him, he would come up with just the right thing to make it work. He said we made a great team. I could think it up and he could make it happen. We sure made a lot of neat things together. Made any project less of a challenge and more of a creative partnership. When he developed leg problems from standing on cement floors in the Machine Shops he decided to change jobs. He wanted to go into business for himself. He thought it through and when he had it worked out in his mind he asked me if I would go along with it. I explained to him if he went into business for himself, he would never have any time for himself, or for us. He was so set on dong the change, I agreed to go along, but told him he would have to do the books as well. He agreed, and was off on the adventure
of a lifetime. If he had not have been so completely envolved, he might have had better health, but I believe he kept the truck up and made every job he worked on as good as he could by the
part that he did with it that he wore himself out. I don't believe anyone ever worked with Jay that did not like him. He was the first to give a helping hand and the last one to give up on anything. In the trades, he was always asked for first. When he was on a job they knew he would be willing to do what ever was asked, and if he was needed to help finish, he would be right there as long as he was needed.
Every home we owned had a mark of his total devotion to doing the best job possible. I remember when we built the addition on the Cord Avenue House in Pico Rivera the plumbing inspector told him he had a great job in the bathroom he added on. He told him it was obvious no plumber had done the work, it was too perfect. When they inspected the fireplace he was told the same thing. That fireplace was so great, it would run you out of the room if you built a big fire in it. That fire box was really great. Too bad we couldn't have taken it with us. The house on Irene Street in Taft, he had the yard so laid out that the water drained down the cement walks he made so it went right out the front of the lot. We never had puddles or problems with standing water at that house. He put the pool in by himself. It was only a Doughboy Pool, but he had the hole dug and then shaped the floor so it was lower in the middle. When he put the liner in he poured cement around it. I was in the pool and would support the side until it was firm with cement around. There was no problems with the pool. He poured a deck around it which help secure the pool. We enjoyed that more than we could have an expesive constructed pool. The brick work and cement block work he did was perfect and laid out with such artistic design one might have thought a brick layer or mason had been on the job. Not so, it was Jay who made it happen.I always knew it was in jest, but he would say: "I am so good sometimes I scare myself!"He surprised me a number of times, but he never scared me. I was most fortunate to have had such a wonderful friend and companion to share this lifes experience.
Written December 30, 2008
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Grandma Remembers Christmas
My first recollection was in the house in Greensburg, Pennsylvania. It was a two story house with a big stair case going up to the second floor. Dad bought a huge tree that went all the way up to the second floor. He and Mom decorated it with lights and beautiful sparkling decorations and tons of icecicles. They don't have them anymore, but what a tree they made. It was the example that we used on every tree until they became Modern and didn't make trees like that any more. I must have been about four years old. I had wanted a table and chair set so I could have tea parties with my dolls. It was a lovely table with drop leaves. It had two chairs and I still have one. It has been around all these years when the table and other chair have gone the way of all such things. I loved that set. It helped me enjoy many happy hours playing all kinds of things with, and on it. It was made of pine and had a white wash over the pine finish. It had a red and blue emblem on the back of the chairs and around the edge of the table. I remember one of the legs of the table was broken and Dad mended it with a limb from a tree. It didn't look very fancy with three well turned legs like on the chairs, but it held the table steady. The last I remember of it, it was holding some of Dads gardening supplies just under the bathroom window at 2914 Belgrave Avenue, in Huntington Park, Californa. I suppose the weather did a job on it and it finally was thrown out. A little girls dreams and play time long forgotten. However one of the chairs suvived. It was moved from house to house staying in one garage after another. Usually hanging on a wall so it wouldn't get broken. It became dusty and worn, but it was always a very dear thing to me. One Christmas I was finishing up the food for our Christmas dinner when the door opened and my Son in Law came in with "MY CHAIR". I dropped everything and ran to see it. What a great and sweet thing to do. Greg had taken it and refinished it. It is beautiful. An old lady sentimental over a small chair. It is special to this day, and I wonder if any other little girl will love it as much as I have over these years.
I'm a bit too hefty to set in it now, but that doesn't matter. Just looking at it now that I am nearly 80 brings back a host of sweet memories. When we moved from Pennsylvania to California and had to pick and choose just what would fit in that small trailor we would pull with the Model A Ford Dad had, well that Table and Two Chairs were deemed Special Enough to be
kept. Many of Moms beautiful things were sold to help pay for the trip and keep the family until Dad could find work in California. That was in 1935 the Country was still in the Depression of 29. How my parents afforded the Table and Chairs for me, I will never know, but they too had thoughts of those three small pieces and kept them for a Daughter they loved very much.
There have been many Christmas since that one, each one filled with all kinds of memories, some very close to us. Jay and I have two children and Christmas was special in our house. Jay
always said I would separate a pair of sox to have more packages under our tree. I would have him put the tree up the day after Thanksgiving, and nearly everyday something new showed up. Kept the kids checking to see just how many packages they had. When they were small, I did a lot of sewing for them. I would work on things after the kids had gone to bed and then wrap packages while they were at school. I don't remember all the things they received, but one of the brightest Christmas memories was the one where Paul got his two wheeled bike. I think Dawn was as excited about it as Paul was. I don't think we had as much excitement when she got her bike years later.
Time passes, families grow and add more families. Children are so very special, and grandchildren just add more to the mix, but when the great grandchildren come, and you are still able to enjoy their excitement about the Holiday, well that is the Cherry on top of the Whipped Cream. Thanks to my wonderful family - they bring so much joy and happiness into my life. I believe the one thing that has pleased me the most is that as our numbers have grown, the blessings of the Gospel has been embraced by the Third Generation. Jay had come into my life and brought with him not only the love and companionship a girl dreams of, but my introduction to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I am greatful for the wonder life we shared and the family we have established. As the story continues, may it be a blessing to all those who follow. er
I'm a bit too hefty to set in it now, but that doesn't matter. Just looking at it now that I am nearly 80 brings back a host of sweet memories. When we moved from Pennsylvania to California and had to pick and choose just what would fit in that small trailor we would pull with the Model A Ford Dad had, well that Table and Two Chairs were deemed Special Enough to be
kept. Many of Moms beautiful things were sold to help pay for the trip and keep the family until Dad could find work in California. That was in 1935 the Country was still in the Depression of 29. How my parents afforded the Table and Chairs for me, I will never know, but they too had thoughts of those three small pieces and kept them for a Daughter they loved very much.
There have been many Christmas since that one, each one filled with all kinds of memories, some very close to us. Jay and I have two children and Christmas was special in our house. Jay
always said I would separate a pair of sox to have more packages under our tree. I would have him put the tree up the day after Thanksgiving, and nearly everyday something new showed up. Kept the kids checking to see just how many packages they had. When they were small, I did a lot of sewing for them. I would work on things after the kids had gone to bed and then wrap packages while they were at school. I don't remember all the things they received, but one of the brightest Christmas memories was the one where Paul got his two wheeled bike. I think Dawn was as excited about it as Paul was. I don't think we had as much excitement when she got her bike years later.
Time passes, families grow and add more families. Children are so very special, and grandchildren just add more to the mix, but when the great grandchildren come, and you are still able to enjoy their excitement about the Holiday, well that is the Cherry on top of the Whipped Cream. Thanks to my wonderful family - they bring so much joy and happiness into my life. I believe the one thing that has pleased me the most is that as our numbers have grown, the blessings of the Gospel has been embraced by the Third Generation. Jay had come into my life and brought with him not only the love and companionship a girl dreams of, but my introduction to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I am greatful for the wonder life we shared and the family we have established. As the story continues, may it be a blessing to all those who follow. er
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Grandma...Tell us about you.
Life was not meant to be bottled up forever! This jar is jam packed with deliciously interesting questions to inspire you to celebrate something very important…YOU!
Recipe:
Combine a generous slice of your life history with a dash of nostalgia and several cups of facts and feelings. If you follow this recipe you will soon find that you have a very delicious, personal history finished. Draw out a slip of paper, tape or staple it to the top of a blank page. Spend a few minutes thinking about the question, and write/type a detailed answer. Don’t worry about spelling, handwriting, etc. Just tell YOUR story! This jar was prepared to preserve your stories. Enjoy the scrumptious memories…
Love you with all our heart.
Keara
Recipe:
Combine a generous slice of your life history with a dash of nostalgia and several cups of facts and feelings. If you follow this recipe you will soon find that you have a very delicious, personal history finished. Draw out a slip of paper, tape or staple it to the top of a blank page. Spend a few minutes thinking about the question, and write/type a detailed answer. Don’t worry about spelling, handwriting, etc. Just tell YOUR story! This jar was prepared to preserve your stories. Enjoy the scrumptious memories…
Love you with all our heart.
Keara
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