Advent Calendar - December 6 Santa Claus

This Blog is pleased to join with other GeneaBloggers around the world in presenting this Advent Calendar over the next 24 days leading up to the Christmas celebration. There will be a different topic each day. I will attempt to post on each of the topics.

Did you ever send a letter to Santa? Did you ever visit Santa and “make a list?” Do you still believe in Santa Claus?

I am sure I wrote a letter to Santa as a child but that is the best I can do with this memory. As a child Santa Claus came to visit us at my Grandma and Grandpa Day's house on Christmas eve. A big jolly fella in his red suit, I thought he kinda resembled Vern from our church. But of course Vern resembled Santa all year round.

My sister reminded me that one year our cousin Bonnie told us there was no real Santa Claus. My sister says her heart was crushed. I knew Bonnie was lying and teasing us and I still believe that today.

Of course there is a Santa Claus and he lives in the heart of true believers all year round. I love this wonderful, generous Jolly Old Man. I even see him on the street waving to us as we drive by this time of the year. And of course I always wave back. You gotta love that guy.

I am doing these Christmas memories of my childhood only. I will print and give to my sons and grandchildren for them to read if they like someday.

Monday Memories Eating Soup In My Mom's Bowls

I was reading a story over at Greta's Genealogy Bog about memories of old bowls and children fighting over one certain bowl. I had those same bowls at one time. They would not break.

My bowls that bring back great memories are these old soup bowls that belonged to my mother. I remember her warming up Campbell's Tomato soup. She would serve in these bowls with a few crackers along side.

I still have them and use them several times a week for my soup or chili. I still feel like a little girl every time I have some soup with a few crackers or a piece of bread on the side.

Got to love those old memories.. Grace

My Favorite Song Saturday Night Fun with Randy

When I first read what Randy 's Saturday Night Fun was about, I thought of passing it by. Then I decided it would be good to see what I would come up with. I have decided it tells alot about me and I plan to print and put in my family book for generations to know what I thought and felt at different times of my life based on music.

This blog entry is on the personal side , but Randy Seaver threw out the idea of having some “Saturday Night Fun” this week by blogging about our favorite song. It is hard to pick out only one song when so many years have past.

Different songs have been my favorites over the years as a young teen to now. So I will have to tell you about a few of my favorite songs over the years and why.

I grew up in the 1950's in a family that did not listen to the radio and music.
We went to church every Sunday and at least once during the week. We did not go to the movies or listen to any popular music. The closest I came to was watching " Name That Tune " with my mother as a class room extra credit project. Move forward and I am probably 13 years old and my first song was " Piano Boy " By now I had a little record player that played 45's and I was able to play this over and over. I no longer have this record and do not even know who did it. It was about a young boy playing his piano and a girl listening to him playing this song over and over.

Then came Elvis, Bobby Vinton, Bobby Vee and Bobby Darrin . I loved them all but Elvis won in the end. My favorite at that time would of been " Love Me Tender". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZBUb0ElnNY . I would go to a girlfriend's house on Saturday, and we would sit in her bedroom and play Elvis records over and over as we got ready to go on a date with her boyfriend and a friend of his. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elvis_Presley

Go to the late 70's. I am unhappy and Gloria Gaynor becomes my banner song. " I Will Survive" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZBR2G-iI3-I To this day my 2 boys and some of the granddaughter's know this is one of my all time favorites.

Move to the mid 1980's, I am divorced from my first husband and single for the first time in 20 years. Tina Turner and her songs were my songs. " Better Be Good To Me " became a favorite and I would play her music over and over. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Rvxb-J-fJs

It is now 2009 and I am no longer unhappy. I am settled ,I have been married to a wonderful man for nearly 20 years, and I know who I am and happy with who I am.

Today my favorite song is " I Can Only Imagine " by Merci Me. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xwzItqYmII
Gloria Gaynor is still with me and a close second. I have survived many battles over my years. But I have survived and I can only Imagine what is waiting for me.