My Grandma

I'm not really sure why I was feeling so sentimental today, but my Grandma H has been on my mind all day! Maybe it was because I got up and made rolls....maybe I made rolls because I was thinking about her! One can never tell, but I thought I'd write about her for a minute. I know my sister blogs her memories very well and is an amazing writer with a great memory. She recently wrote about our piano lessons when we were younger. Along with walking the path to the back door, I remember walking home to grandma's to get our ride home. Sometimes it scared me to walk past a couple houses- the duplexes at the end of the street. I'm sure there were very nice people living there, but being younger and not in the most familiar of neighborhoods I thought it was scary.

Grandma's house was always really comfortable. We would literally place ourselves strategically in the car behind the passenger seat to be able to get out of the car faster, jump the hedge and up the stairs to get the prized seat next to Grandma on the couch! We never knocked at the door, usually barged right in! If you moved the rest of the night, someone would for sure take your place.

My grandma was amazing at a lot of things. I remember her always taking care of someone or listening to them on the phone. Her phone cord stretched through the entire house, I'm sure. I remember being in the living room, with the card table set up and genealogy being spread from here to kingdom come! Her bathroom cabinet with Avon lipstick trials in it, Tabu perfume and toothbrushes. I was lucky enough to receive her "emerald" teardrop jewelry when she passed away. I remember that set about her the best.

Grandma sewed like no other. It wasn't a piece of grandma's without having a pin left in it. She made everything from school clothes to square dancing dresses. I still have my jumper she helped me make for the very first time. I am now in possession of her sewing machine that she used and it still runs like a champ. :)

Cooking was always a big deal with Grandma. Or it seemed like it. Sometimes when we'd sleep over, we would get to make cookies with her. She made sandwiches for grandpa every day for lunch with chips and olives or pickles. She's the reason I still do gingerbread with my mom. Her rolls were heavenly... which is where this started in the first place! I always think about Grandma and am so proud when I can "feel its a good batch." Today's were ok. :)

Meg and I would get to sleep over and help with the Christmas tree and wrap everyone's presents but our own. We were under strict instructions about how to measure wrapping paper and how much tape to use. I'm very good at wrapping presents with only three pieces of tape. Talent like that- well, its hard to come by.

My favorite memory with my grandma was going to the hair salon with her on Thursdays. Grandma didn't drive so Grandpa would drop us off at the bus stop by the 7-11. We'd ride downtown to the salon and walk down the long hall. In the back were the spaceship hairdryers I could sit under. There was a little Precious Moments sign on the wall that said "I know I'm somebody, 'cause God don't make no junk." I'd sometimes step outside and look in the store front window next door at the puppies for sale... so cute! After Grandma's hair was done, Grandpa would pick us up in the sticky dashboard Chrysler and we'd make our way to the Coachman's for lunch. I tried some of Grandma's liver and onions once.... still haven't recovered.

Anyway, there's my ramblings about my grandma today. I attribute most of what I know about cooking and sewing to her. Sure miss her some days. :)