My mother loved to look beautiful and she wanted her children to look lovely too. Because of her sewing talent provided many cute outfits for all of her children.  Several years she would make all the girls matching dresses for Easter.  A few experiences were extra special and generous on her part.

               I was in junior high as a freshman and my class was taking skiing lessons on Powderhorn on the grand Mesa. I was from a family of five children and there were a lot of demands financially from my parents I didn't want to ask for a waterproof coat, boots, and gloves to go skiing. I had a really nice coat it was wool and wouldn’t repel water. I proceeded to ask a friend for a coat or boots that I could wear skiing. One of my girlfriends offered to lend me a coat.  I went home that afternoon only to find my mother had bought me a beautiful new yellow coat with boots and gloves and hat to match. I knew it was an extra expense for the family.  I felt amazed and grateful for her generosity.  By the way I only skied for three lessons and cracked my ankle sliding into my boyfriend on the bunny hill (story for another day).

                She would surprise me more than once as I came home and found two store bought striped dresses with fishnet stockings on my bed, very cool! That was shocking for every dress, skirt, and top I owned was from her skilled sewing.  She even made  a dress from a lace tablecloth for a spring dance, crazy 70’s fashions. All of her sewing and clothing purchases made me feel very loved and cared about.

               Asa junior in high school I was awarded the honor of being key club sweetheart for the year when I was a junior in high school. This boy’s service organization was having a Christmas tree cutting and dinner in December. Somehow in my mind I thought it was this great holiday banquet and I wanted to be dressed appropriately.  I told my mom that I wanted this beautiful black dressy fabric jumpsuit, this one piece outfit with a gold chain belt.  In the early 70’s it looked like something from a James Bond movie, fitted, black, sleek, showing my curves. So I got dressed up for the night of the banquet and put my coat on and dangling earrings, with my hair all done up going to the Christmas dinner. When I arrived I found it was a Christmas tree warehouse and they were having hot chocolate and chili. Not wanting the guys to know that I completely dressed up in heels that they can obviously see, I kept my coat on all night, it was too cold anyway.  We had hot chocolate and chili in a paper cup.  Mom, thanks for making me look great for cutting Christmas tree stands.