ForeverMissed
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Mom & Her Mom

March 17, 2017

I remember Mom telling me about how much she loved her Mom. She grew up in harsh conditions in Brooklyn, NY doing without a lot and enduring a lot. But she told me that no matter what; the one thing that was always on her mind, was how to make things easier for her Mom. She recognized the sacrifices her Mom had made along the way. Mom told me to remember that you only have 1 Mom, and one day she will be gone; and you will think of all the things you didn't say, and all the things you wish you didn't say.....so Mom, today.....when I think back to that conversation we had.... you were so right.... I wish more than anything that I had more time with you.....to say those things...I love you.... Patti

If It's Paper....

June 18, 2013

One of my great joys at working at If It's Paper... was working with Fran.  Here we are at one of my Mardi Gras parties in Houston - Randy, Fran, Jeremy (hiding), Michael, Beverley Sutton, and me.

The baby fell and hit his head...

March 17, 2013
Only Mom and I know how hilarious the title of this story is. I can't explain it here because no one will "get it". But it was one funny moment for sure. We had so many laughs for years and years over this, and see, I still think of it. Just in case you are curious, we were reading a story in a true confessions magazine, lol, I know, most of you don't even know what that is! Before National Enquirer ! Anyway, there was a run on sentence and we just howled at how we thought what it meant. Funny, of all the things I could write about today, that is what comes to my mind. I guess Nona just wanted me to remember something funny, and not be sad today. I love her. Pappy

Lil Sugar In My Bowl~

April 23, 2011
by j j

Frances~

Your unique personality & sense of humor will be forever ingrained in my memory.
I'll treasure our time listening to Nina Simone's "I want a little sugar in my bowl...I want a little sweetness down in my soul." Your kooky - saavy ways and incredible zest for life will be missed by all who were fortunate to cross your path.

Much love 

out last late night talk

March 22, 2011

Ok, for those who know Rhonda best you will so understand how I was lucky enough to have spent 2 hours from 3:30 am to 5:30 am with Frances.  Well the night started out as a work event that soon turned into my adventures of babysitting my freind.  Actually, alcohol did play a role, but I will leave that part out....So after tucking Rhonda safely in bed and trying to sleep myself, I was awakened at around 3:30 am to the humming sound of my sleeping partner (snore much) .  So I walked quitely into the kitchen to get a glass of water only to hear the soft screach of Frances whom I had run into in the kitchen.  Well, much to my surprise, she was wide awake and in need of a little talk time.  I was captivated as she took me back many years to her days as a young mom.  I got to hear stories of how she so enjoyed getting on the floor and playing with her children.  How she spent endless hours (very happy hours she said) putting the finishing touches of patti's playhouse so it was just perfect. How she would sew the little curtains and how Clyde made his sister a  vainity table and used a compact mirrow to make it just right.  How much she loved having all the kids over her house to play and she would bake all kinds of goodies for all the neighborhood children.  I laughed as she told me that if one kid would get out of line, she would send them home to chill out and only allow them back when they were better behaved.  I could almost see her in the role of a young mother as she spoke of those days and with every story she would smile and we would laugh.  She told me all about each one of her children and how they were growing up and how they were today.  I can tell you that she is do proud of each and every one of her children, and very proud of her grandchildren and great grandchildren!  We laughed about some of the similarities she shared with Rhonda and we both agreed that no matter what.....Rhonda is a survivor! I feel so lucky that I was so blessed that she shared some beautiful memories of her life.  I can tell from talking with Frances that she was very at peace with her life and had a very happy and wonderful life.  Her greatest joy will always be how wonderful her kids were to her.  I saw it even in the dimmest of lights in the wee hours of the night when I looked over and saw that beautiful smite on her face when she mentioned her family! 

My Nona

March 21, 2011

I loved my Nona will all my heart. I will always remember staying up late watching old movies with her. When she moved in with us for a little bit while I was in high school she was surprised to find out I loved old movies. From then on we would stay up till 3 or 4 in the morning watching old movies and chatting! I got to come visit her this Christmas while she was in the hospital and brought my iPad (which she thought was the coolest thing ever) and we watched old movies on my iPad in the hospital. She was just tickeled about that!

I also will always remember all the letters she used to write to me when I was little when she lived far away. She would always draw illustrations as part of her letter. I loved that I could finally read but had so much fun looking at all the pictures she put in her letters. It was so much fun to read and I saved every single one of them.

"I didn't do it........"

March 20, 2011

Back many years ago Mom was working at the old Gateway Mall in the wig salon.  One night when I was a young hellion I borrowed Mom's 1968 corvair ( would I love to have that car now) to go cruisin.  Well I took it out to what is now Gandy Beach and was driving in the grass and dirt like any 17 year old would at that time.  For a rear engine car it sure could spin donuts.  Well low and behold I crashed it into my friend Eddy's 1968 Pontiac.  The car was still drivable and I knew that no one I was with would tell Mom what happened, so I took the car back at the promised time, parked it in the lot, and gave her the keys. 

Imagine my surprise when she called me later and asked me if I saw any damage on it.  Of course I said "No".  I was astonished beyond belief when she told me that front end of her car was wrecked.

I told her that she should call the police and report a hit and run so the insurance would cover it.  She did that however the officer was perplexed because the car was parked facing a walkway and there was no tire tracks on the sidewalk.  The officer asked if that was where she parked it and she said yes but her son had used it and even parked it right back where she had originally.  By this time I'm sure the officer had his own ideas as to what really happend and told her.  But Mom ensured the officer that her son was a "good boy" and would never do such a thing like wreck her car and not tell her!   The officer took the report and no one was the wiser..............or so I thought. 

Fast foward a few weeks or so later.  My sister Patti, myself, Mom, and Sandy are all at Aunt Mildred's house when somewhere during a conversation I through Patti under the bus for something.  Unbeknownest to me at the time Patti knew about the so called "accident" and whar really happened. 

She immediately unloaded the bombshell to Mom that it WAS me that had wrecked her car. Mom was livid to say the least.  She told me that now me and my friend Eddy would pay for her car to get fixed and it had better be done to her perfection. Lucky for me Eddy worked in a body shop.  It still cost me $60. Needless to say that was the end of my car borrowing days. 

Mom loved telling this story and it always made us laugh. 

My time with France

March 20, 2011

The times I spent with France  always put a smile on my face,she was always there for me and I will never forget that.

 

 

 

                                                              Love Your Friend Carmela

Wedding Day

March 19, 2011

Nona told me that this was her favorite photo from her wedding day because you can tell by the gaze in their eyes that they were truly in love. She said that the look in grampa's eyes said "I'll love you forever and a day" 

To My Bestfriend...

March 19, 2011

Where do I start...for 42 years you have been my "bestie" through thick and thin. You wanted "no tears, no boo-hoos" (your words verbatim). That was asking a lot and I stayed as long as I could. 

The memories of our favorite times will forever be etched in stone in my heart. The more I thought about what was to be the ultimate end of you, the harder it became to comply with your wishes. You know exactly where my heart is; no questions there.  

I will never forget my trip to Yucca Valley and our trip to Vegas. We nearly wrecked the car laughing so hard over the "sailor mouth" from both of us. We had more fun than most people should be allowed to have in a lifetime but it was ours to have.

I will never forget New Years Eve and our dart-throwing at the guys who had angered us beyond reality. We were so determined...

You will be missed, never forgotten and will remain my "bestie" until we meet again and then we will tear up the white clouds of heaven with our antics...

So long for now my best friend and aunt...I will always love you

 

 

 

 

Great Minds think alike!

March 18, 2011

Christmas is Mom's favorite holiday. Of course, every year we search for the perfect gift for each other. This one year I knew that I had found a unique gift for Mom. I found a blue diamond pendant that was very unusual. Was I ever surprised on Christmas Eve when I opened my gift from mom and it was the EXACT same necklace. We had no idea that we bought each other the same thing! Virgos!!!!!  

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