Monday September 5 2016  TAKING A DAY OF VACATION AWAY FROM RETIREMENT…

Or otherwise known as…THE HOUSECOAT DAY!

Occasionally I actually schedule A HOUSECOAT DAY.  I look ahead on my calendar and I cross a day off, writing “housecoat day” across the blank lines and then do not schedule ANYTHING on that day!  I did this when my work schedule became overburdened and I knew I needed a down day.  When anyone called and asked for any kind of appointment on that particular day, which I considered sacrosanct, I would simply look at my calendar and say, “Oh that day is totally full and it is not possible for me to go”.  It was spoken guilt free because I truly was “busy” doing something else.  I was wearing my housecoat all day without getting dressed and nothing was going to prompt me to go out.

My housecoat days sound more leisurely than they really are.  What I used to do on “housecoat day” was to sit in front of the computer, hours on end, working on wedding photos or high school senior portraits.  I would accomplish more on that one day than I could the rest of the week between appointments.  Post production work in digital photography is a tall mountain to climb.  Post production work was my nemesis.  But, oh how I enjoyed those housecoat days because I was totally uninterrupted.

Only once did my housecoat day backfire on me.  I was ensconced in the computer, enjoying the bra-free day, when the doorbell rang.  My heart started racing because I knew I had nothing on my calendar.  Or did I and I had just overlooked it somehow?  I panicked.  And panic was due.  I went to the door and there stood a man and woman who had an appointment with me for a final consultation for their wedding which was a couple of weeks away.  I was so embarrassed!  I apologized for my undressed state, checked my calendar and to my chagrin saw their name written very lightly in pencil underneath my crossed out lines for my housecoat day.  I asked them to please give me a moment and I would get dressed.  When I returned I then ushered them to my office.  We had the two hour appointment; went over all their wedding details, and they left in a much better frame of mind than what I was feeling.  I must have been convincing in my sincerity that I would not be late for their wedding, and would be appropriately dressed (said with humor), and they acted like it was no big deal.  We laughed about it later.  But I learned my lesson. 

You might think my lesson was that I should never again have a housecoat day.  But no, that wasn’t it.  My lesson was that I would never again use a pencil again to write in an appointment.  My goal when working with wedding clients was to develop a relationship with them during the 18 months to two years I worked with them.  Some of my contracts were made one to two years in advance.  There are several contacts with each couple over those months; updates about plans, engagement photos, dress consultations, photo presentations, picking up orders, pre-wedding consult, the actual wedding, post wedding presentation of photos on the computer, design of the album, and pre-presentation of album before order is sent in.  By the time this couple came they had already surmised my character and professionalism so I did have a plus going for me when they caught me unaware.  It might be funny now to tell about it, but at the time I was not laughing.

So, I said all of the above to tell you two things.  First, this is a housecoat day for me.  It is Labor Day and Dave and I have surmised that we too are getting a day off “from our retirement”.  We need a break!  We slept late, ate late, and started everything else later than usual.  He usually goes to a men’s breakfast each Monday and leaves the house a bit after 6:00 a.m.  So, today was truly a refreshing day for him because the breakfast had not been scheduled.  Even though the morning was relaxed, I somehow see my day progressing as busily and tightly maneuvered as usual.  But, it was great to sleep in until after 7:00 a.m., to not be in a hurry, and to breakfast leisurely.  We had open faced pumpernickel chicken, avocado, and tomato sandwiches with a cup of soup, watermelon and cantaloupe, and cherry tomatoes.  It was delicious!  Our next meal will probably be about 4:00 or 5:00 p.m. with a little snack before bedtime for Dave’s blood sugar levels.  So, my housecoat day will be my reward for all the work I plan to get done. 

The second thing I wanted to tell you is that I am truly my mother’s daughter.  Now how is that for a segue from the above paragraph about my housecoat day?  Well, last week our friends who live through the woods asked us to come down and join them for the movie “GOD IS NOT DEAD” #2.  I told them we could come if I could wear my housecoat.  They have seen me in my housecoat many times and I have absolutely no shame about being seen in my housecoat.  I go outside and work in the yard in my housecoat.  I often wear my housecoat over my clothes because I am cold.  I get into my robe as early as I can at the end of the day, and love to stay in it until the last moment.  I think I would wear it over my church clothes on Sunday mornings if it would be acceptable.  I have gained status to the age barometer that tells me I am always cold.  But, instead of my housecoat I just take a small blanket and throw it across my lap.  Or sometimes I just use my jacket or coat if the weather deems I wear one. 

My friends said my housecoat would be perfectly acceptable to wear.  So Dave and I traipsed across the neighbor’s meadow to get to the path in the woods and we were greeted at the back door by John and Carolyn.  The movie was great, but what made it so enjoyable was having my housecoat wrapped around me, covering me from my neck to just above my feet.  I was warm and I was cozy.  And I think it gave me more enjoyment as I watched the movie; which brings me to the point that I am truly my mother’s daughter. (In case you are wondering, I was dressed underneath.)

While working on the photo albums of our family I have come across some interesting photos.  One that caught my eye was of my mother sitting with a group of ladies at church, at what appeared to be a quilting session.  Mama was an avid quilter by necessity for most of her life.  The quilting frames she used consisted of four, 2X4 inch boards about 10 or 12 feet long.  The boards were wrapped in layers and layers of cotton cloth strips which created a thick padding.  The frames were hung from the ceiling and clamped together at each corner.  The backing of the quilt was tacked to the padded wood and stretched as tightly as possible.  The quilt batting was laid down and basted on the quilt backing and then the quilt topping was tacked on top of the batting, stretched tightly around the hanging board frame.  The ladies would sit around the outside edges of the quilt on all four sides in order to quilt the outer edges.  As work was accomplished the finished part would be rolled tightly around the padded frame.  They would then scoot their chairs closer and begin the next row.  Slowly the quilt would become smaller and smaller and the ladies became closer together.  If the quilt was not finished when it was time to go home, the quilt would conveniently be drawn up to the ceiling in order for it to be out of the way.  I actually remember many homes that had quilts hanging close to the ceilings.

In the picture I mentioned, I can see one edge of a quilt frame and my mom sitting close by.  There are other quilting frames in the room as well.  The photo is dark and it appears that these frames are anchored to the floor with heavy metal bases keeping the frames taut.  It appears my mom is in the basement of her church with other people who are also quilting.  She attended these quilting meeting faithfully each week during her later years.  But, it appears that she is the only one who is wrapped up in her HOUSECOAT!  YOU GO MAMA!  Now I know for certain whose daughter I am!  I honestly did not know that she wore her housecoat at a public gathering such as her quilting group.  It made me smile!  And she liked the same kind of housecoats I do; the kind that are velvety or perhaps soft velour with a zipper up the front and about two sizes too big.  And I bet because she wasn’t so cold, she enjoyed her quilting time all the more.

It was comfy to wear my warm snugly housecoat at John and Carolyn’s, but the day I was caught unaware; THAT WASN’T FUNNY AT ALL!

 

LIKE A VISIT TO THE HEART

By Kathleen Martens

September 5 2016

 

Memories on little pieces of paper

Bring smiles to my face.

So interesting to view a loved one

As well as the place.

 

Parts of life briefly captured,

Forevermore at rest and concise,

A moment standing still in time,

Pinpointing a moment precise.

 

Most memories bring joy,

But some come with tears,

Knowing loved ones have passed away,

And have been gone for many years.

 

But that simple photo

Is like a visit to the heart.

And the pain is dulled a bit,

Even though we are apart.

 

And so I choose to smile

But there are moments when I cry.

And yet it is so fun to visit

My loved ones who have died.

 

Because I know someday

I will again see their smile,

For we are only separated

For just a little while.

 

Because we share the same Father

Who lives in heaven above

I know some day I’ll see my Mama

Because of God’s amazing love.

 

Thank You Father for all the beautiful memories I have of those I love.

Thank You Lord for Your unending tender care.

Thank You Lord that Your spirit tenderly calls me day after day.

Thank You for photos.

 

HOPE YOU HAVE A GREAT AFTERNOON.  GOD BLESS YOU.