The Third Degree

My bathtub-snuggling friend MissHeathyrm gave me a piece of blog bling (try and say that ten times fast!) today and so I have to post it and then pass it on, but I’m feeling really stuck with it … because I really have nothing to share.

You’re supposed to take a picture of keepsake and then write about it … but the two keepsakes I had in life are both gone now, so I have nothing to take a picture of. It makes me feel like I’m missing part of my life that all girls seem to keep. I rarely hold on to anything, and so even when there are intenses memories attached to a certain something, I don’t feel the need to hold on to it.

Sally was a soft stuffed doll with long braided pig tails and a navy blue polka-dotted dress I had until middle school. I don’t know where I got her or what happened to her, but she went everywhere with me until she didn’t.

Barnaby was a gift from ThEx. Well, kinda. The second Christmas we were dating, I was supposed to volunteer at the homeless shelter, but got so violently ill (I still refuse to eat green bean casserole because of this!) I couldn’t go. I was devastated – I was all about volunteering in high school. ThEx went in my place and they gave out these super-soft stuffed bears to each volunteer. He gave me the one that I would have received. For the following eight years, Barnaby did everything with me. (ThEx totally hated that he even slept in the bed with us.) Last year I took Barnaby to my parents house and we lit him on fire. That was fun.

Instead of a picture of Sally or Barnaby, I have a list of things that I hope to pass on as keepsakes. Hopefully I have a child with more of a sentimental heart than me. Damn my practicality.

1. Grams’ cooking suit – when Grams died the only thing I asked for was her fancy cooking suit. A custom-made apron for her cooking adventures now hangs in my closet, and I cannot bring myself to wear it. When I give it to my daughter, or daughter-in-law, I will sew a piece of my own custom made cooking suit (thank you Bean) into the pocket of Grams’.
2. Grams’ favorite handkerchief – when Grams was working she would tie her hair back in pretty handkercheifs. When Gramps gave them all to my mom and my mom let my sister and I pick through them, I picked the most worn, torn, raggedy one, because that’s the one I remember her wearing. My sister thought I was crazy. I dont’ think she realizes how Grams shaped who I am today.
3. Part of my wedding dress – my currently non-existant wedding dress, but I will save part of it to pass to my daughter or daughter-in-law. I think it’d be romantic to sew a part of my mom’s & my husband’s mom’s wedding dress into mine. Too bad my mom got rid of her wedding dress DECADES ago. I’ll wear her wedding shoes (black peep toe pumps!) to my wedding if I ever remarry.
4. A set of $300 pearl/diamond earrings & necklace – these will go to my “niece” when she graduates from high school. ThEx gave them to me as my first gift (the necklace) and my wedding gift (the earrings) and while I think they are gorgeous, they have so many memories attached to them, I seldoml wear them and since he’s still her real uncle, she can have them.
5. Sterling silver napkin rings – Grams gave me a set in 2003 and while I have never used them (who uses napkin rings?) they are special to me because she gave them to me. (I am totally sensing a trend, here.)
6. My book – it’s been in the process for three years now. One day it’ll be done. Hopefully.

So, I’m supposed to pass this on to three bloggers who are then supposed to share their own keepsakes with their readers. Since I took the liberty of changing things up, feel free to do the same!

• Ewokmama – you can’t count the Little Man as your keepsake. I’m keeping him. :)
• ChelleBelle – I’m keeping my neices, too. AuntieSarah from California’s Funny Hat would love to steal them away.
• Beauty School Drop-out – I’m going to start a sweatshop with the children I’m keeping. Yours included. Love you.