Main Entry. Bradford House Akron, Ohio some time yesteryear past.

He was a good old fellow. Watchmaker. Gardener extordinaire. Bee keeper and pruner of the fruit trees. Sam, my great grandfather, trusty wielder of a rusty pocket knife the foe of any sweet apple nearby. My great grandmother, fashionably vintage, even for her time. Pack rat of old things treasured. I have her mink stole and a beautiful barrel back desperately needing of upolstery (supposedly haunted because Teeny used to bark at it but I don't care). I get my love of antiques from her. She was part of the garden club and would host tours of one of my favorite places in the area, Stan Hywet Hall, my once slate floored dream tudor mansion. Superstitious and odd alike the Bradford clan from the old hills of Tennessee produced a firstborn, my grandfather, pride of their reticent souls and brilliant beyond brilliant devourer of all books everywhere. First preacher boy from the gates of a historic fast growing baptist church in Akron he was, and we miss him greatly. He was the only one that could make our twig arrows shoot from our branch bows. And he would always make me homemade peach cobler because he knew it was my favorite.

Sorry for the nostalgia and sentimentals. I believe I do feel as such since we have been living here for some time. And story has it that Sam hid a rather large treasure somewhere in the basement that even the old neighbors have speculated upon for several years now. Anyhow, I have enlisted the help of my partners in crime (Abigail...niece...and Jaydon...nephew) and we plan an excavation of the fruit cellar once the weather breaks this spring to find said treasure. I believe the fruit cellar to be the most likely of places. I love a good egg hunt.

None of my art today. Working on something big though. I shall have to post my niece's little monsters on here. She is only 3 years old and draws me the sweetest little creatures because she knows I love them. "Where's Aunt Alwie...is she here...I have more monstwers for her." 


Those kids are so great. One day, as I was undoubtedly engrossed in one of those History Channel specials on Egyptian past that I love so (and Monster Quest...I really do love monsters), lil b (Abigail) started spouting off something she knew about sculptures as if she were speaking in tongues haha. Astonishing how smart kids are these days. It was as if she knew more about sculptures than the host on the History Channel.

today is brought to you by the number...

That is how old I am today. I suppose I should not admit that.

Bad luck I have on wishes, but one good thing to come...Number One Pho to you I will pay a visit quite soon! My favorite meal...mmm pho!

I would leave an old Irish saying of glad tidings and the like, but that'll do not to speak of wishes this year. Broke another mirror, you see. Plus, I've got a little bit of Cherokee in my blood from the old days in the hills of Tennessee, so I've heard...and don't know any Cherokee proverbs.

Anyhow, another year under the belt.

allie

in the waiting room with ceREAL monsters

So the other day I had to get my car serviced. Apparently, its computer thought some kid's fingers were obstructing the driver's side window? Since there wasn't anything of the sort, of course, something had to be done. I didn't want my window finking out on the cold days. Anyhow, my mini mechanic's name was Frankenberry. No joke. Thinking that no one would believe it, I wanted so desperately to grab one of his business cards that were neatly stacked in front of me. I would have too had he not sniggered at my email address (the key gives it away)...kind of froze up hoping he did not see my face when I spotted his name. Nevertheless, as I sat waiting for them to defrag my car's computer and install the flux capacitor, I kept hoping Count Chocula would show up. To my disappointment, he never did.

Got a free car wash though.

allie

ps. Picked up a Punky Brewster dvd set (childhood hero). I wanted my niece to experience it firsthand. She always steals my Soleil Moon Frye autographed Punky Brewster doll (its worse for the wear...but the devil may care...dragged her everywhere when I was a tyke). What kind of aunt would I be if I didn't properly educate her on the acuteness of playing nice with others and the essentials of forming a unique style with which to accessorize each outfit accordingly?

tidings of chaos and joy

Just finished painting my nails. I should say, I have been neglecting what I should be doing quite well by occupying my time with meaningless little distractions. You see, there is a dire need to organize the fabric that keeps piling up on my ironing board. It is utter chaos in my room (merry Christmas to me!). I have decided that amongst all the books, art supplies, sewing materials, and clothing, all or some have to go haha. Not to mention, there is small paint brush that has been calling my name for a week now (I wanted to paint something for an old friend's birthday...seeing as how his day has just passed, it seems silly to linger on such a notion...he is far too beautiful of a person to receive such a small painting by a girl with shaky hands).

If you haven't noticed I suffer from chronic procrastination. Even though I do hate it so, I have learned through the years to except it with some attempt to overcome it. I have one too many maladies beginning with a wheat gluten allergy and ending somewhere between clumsiness and superstiousness. It sounds ghastly I know (sorry...don't mean to bring it all down).

Anyways, this is my first post. I am excited to christen the site with its first words. Note: I used to be able to spell very well, and my grammar was once flawless. Now, I think it is evident that run-on sentences are this girl's best friend, and thank God for spell check. I also have a certain fondness for the ellipses (...) gives it a little extra something, don't you think?

Thanks for bearing with the first entry. Many more to come, I should hope. Hope your holidays have been filled with mirth and the most wonderful blessings.

allie

ps. I was looking at print magazine in borders today and was overcome with joy to see a beautiful Ken Barber poster staring back at me from the midwest section. I happen to have said poster, practically had to wrestle it out of my professor's hands haha, but it is so much more breathtaking in person. Ken Barber is one of my many heros.