I inherited a priceless gift from my mother… her skill in decorating.
At an early age, creating homes for my Muffy Dolls was a passion.  I would find different accessories around the house and in my mind, I had
created a mansion.
Eventually, I advanced, somewhere around the age of 7 or 8,  to actually build my own home out of discarded appliance boxes.  Using a dull
knife, I would make windows with shutters, arched doors and a peaked roof.  Soon I advanced to painting the flimsy structure and even add
fabric to creating make-shift curtains.
Then it hit me!  I could prop the house on top of our wagon, put a rope on the wagon to the back of the tricycle and I had my first mobile
home!  Little did I know I would eventually live in an actual size mobile home and raise seven children!
My mother loved creating beauty, and my dad delighted in her creations.  Daddy was a ‘man’s man’ yet he slept in her lace covered canopy bed.
He loved to dwell in the colorful, flower-filled environment filled with love and my mother.

]]> http://www.welcomehomegirlfriend.com/2012/05/a-tribute-to-my-mother-the-decorator/feed/ 0 http://www.welcomehomegirlfriend.com/2012/05/a-tribute-to-my-mother-on-mothers-day-a-7-day-series/ http://www.welcomehomegirlfriend.com/2012/05/a-tribute-to-my-mother-on-mothers-day-a-7-day-series/#comments Fri, 11 May 2012 17:04:58 +0000 lmoxley http://www.welcomehomegirlfriend.com/?p=948

Mother’s day is here.

Some of you are scurrying to get just the right card, just the right flower and plan just the right dinner.

Others may be waiting for the surprise that Mother’s Day can bring.

I know of new mothers who will be celebrating their very first Mother’s Day with joy and anticipation.

Others of you feel the pain that the role of a Mother can bring… looking for the time, when it will be “…all better!”

And for some, this will be the first Mother’s Day without your Mother.

The isles of cards, signs, overabundance of flowers ready to be purchased are a painful reminder.

You feel hollow inside and so much like an orphan without purpose.

I miss my mother, I miss buying things for her, I miss the person that loved me no matter what… always.

Thank you, Mother, for who you were and what you instilled in my life.

I honor you, and rise up and call you blessed.

All of the pictures are from our home growing up in the West Hill of Portland Oregon.

Thanks for the memories, Mother, for this “Moment In Time”

Who: Men & Women of All Ages
What:

• Old Praise Songs
• Hymns
• Camp Songs
• Happy Songs

When:

• First Friday of every month
• May 4
• 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Where:
Welcome Home Girlfriend
18266 S Holly Lane
Oregon City, OR 97045

How Much:

• No Charge Event
• Donations accepted

Why: Because harmony is more fun than melody.

Romans 13:9 – “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.”
To love thyself, one must know thyself.

This is a series of teachings based on “The Relation-ship” Welcome Home Girlfriend’s Cruise.
When we learn how we are designed, we can effectively chart our course in life and avoid the sand bars that can cause fatal accidents in life’s passageways.

Upon completion, you will have your own binder with a complete overview of your design. This may include a weekend retreat. The “Tag” line for Welcome Home Girlfriend is “A Place To Find Yourself” and that is what it will be all about.

Who: Women only until God tells us to expand…
When:

• Second Tuesday of every month
• May 8
• Morning Session: 9:30 am
• Evening Session: 7:00 pm

Where:
Welcome Home Girlfriend
18266 S Holly Lane
Oregon City, OR 97045

How Much:

• No Charge Event
• Donations accepted
• If you would like to bring a snack, all would enjoy
• Coffee, tea & water provided

Now it’s time for the Little Ladies to enjoy a night out with friends! Join us for Little Ladies Night Inn exclusively at Welcome Home Girlfriend.

When: Friday, May 11
Time: 6:00pm – Pumpkin Hour at 12:00 midnight
Cost: Same as Ladies Night Inn – $10 if you bring a snack to be shared by all, $15 if you don’t bring a snack.
Who: Little ladies – K-8th Grade. (Little ladies must be accompanied by an adult that remains a companion throughout the evening.)
Where: Welcome Home Girlfriend
Linda Moxley’s Home
18266 S Holly Lane
Oregon City, OR 97045

Reservations are not required for this event. Come as you are!

See more details about Little Ladies Night Inn & Traditional Ladies Night Inn.

on September 11, 1882.

I would like to honor Loman, at this point, for feeding, dressing and

bringing the boys to church every Sunday by himself, as was his custom.

Family tragedy never deterred him from the purpose of his heart.

"Amanda, Alissa & Mindy" background "Angel & Darrell"

The Dillions (Angela Moxley) & The Mallorys (Karil Moxley)

“I can see clearly now the rain is gone…” oops, it’s back!

March 2012 has been quite a month.

It is amazing that out of 31 days, only four days record even partial sun.

"Reality Report"

The National Weather Service reports:

Portland is less than half an inch away from breaking the record for the wettest March in more than 50 years, according to the National Weather Service.

Rain is such a part of Northwesterners, that we even have a man of steel imitating our daily lifestyle.

"Mr. Umbrella Man"

Portland’s life-like sculpture tagged by the public as “Umbrella Man”, (actual name:  “Allow Me” by J. Seward) lives in Pioneer Courthouse Square and NEVER puts his umbrella away.  Ever.

Wise man.

Perhaps this is why my mind wanders and wonders…

Do people from the Pacific Northwest appreciate sun more than most?

I tend to think so.

Our FBI (“Family Bureau of Information”) via my son, Dennis, provided an optimistic definition of “Sunny Days in the Northwest”:

• If it is blue sky anywhere, it is a sunny day.
• If there are high level clouds and it is bright out, it is a sunny day.
• If …there are low level clouds, it is partly sunny.
• If there is rain, it is showers with some sun.
• If it is pouring, it is raining with a chance of sun.

Optimistic…?  One has to be in order to survive the days of gray.

"Love Sunshine"

Growing up in the Northwest, sunshine has always been a great source of joy for me.

Sunshine and I always had a secret plan in the mornings.  When I would wake up to rays pouring in my windows, it meant Mr. Sun and Linda had a goal.

I would come downstairs to the great light invading our Living Room.  Equal squares stretched out over the hard wood floor.

"Mother's Morning Sun in the Living Room"

Confidence was built in me over time, the pattern would always be the same!  (Even the pictures that I share today of our house growing up, when it was ready to sell, display the same squares I saw as a little girl.)

"Landing of Stairway at Mother's House"

In the morning, as I stood on the landing of the stairway,

I would look out over the floor and ponder… which square would I choose today?

"Mother's Living Room Facing North"

My job, working with Mr. Sun, was to fit my entire 4 year old body into one of those squares without touching the lines.

"Squares of Sunlight"

I would pick out the square,

stand in the center,

squat my petite frame down within the four lines,

tuck my knees tight to my chest,

pull at the rolled up hem of my frayed pink, silk nightgown,

and bring all the edges under the command of my feet!

There.  I fit!

Freeze!

Hold the human cocoon tight and examine if all body parts and nightgown are within the sunshine square.

Check!

Mission accomplished… now hold it!

Hold it and just feel the warmth of the sun,

the warmth of the floor,

and even my frayed pink silk nightgown,

gradually warming my body.

Invasion!

The aroma of pancakes and bacon wandered my way, distracting me of my purpose, but I held tight.

"Ava's Morning Pancake"

Silently I would enjoy the moment… today, some would call it~ “Meditate”.

Startled out of my moment of glory, I heard my mother call “Pancakes are ready, better hurry, you don’t want them to get cold.”

Giving myself the permission to release from the organized square, I would jump up, much like a ‘jack-in-the-box’ ready for my next adventure:  the kitchen. Break the all-night-fast!

"Morning Sun in Mother's House"

Whenever the clouds would allow, we would feast on a colorful sunrise, out the kitchen window, while devouring mother’s pancakes.

Growing up in the west hills of Portland, Oregon, we looked east over the Willamette River, to a spectacular view of Mt. Hood.   (Actual picture of a morning sunrise from our kitchen window growing up house)

Even as a child, I don’t think I ever took it for granted.  There is a special splendor of beginning a day with sunshine while breaking the evening fast, especially with mother’s pancakes.

"Morning Sun in our Dream Home"

My mother told us over the years, the importance of the kitchen facing east “… because you get the morning sun.”

So when we planned our new home, it had to have kitchen windows to face east for the morning sun, for whenever it might show it’s yellow face.

And, have windows with squares, because that is just who we are.  (Yes, I know they are called panes.)

"Gathering Room With Square Windows ~ Under Construction"

When the sun shines through and creates little squares on our floor…

"Morning Sun Through Windows in Gathering Room"

I will teach my grandchildren how to pull their knees up close to their chest, tuck them in real tight, and feel the warmth of the sun, within their little corner of their world.

Now, when I come downstairs to the morning’s bright shining light through my window…

"Burst of Morning Sun in Gathering Room"

I am so grateful for the sun, and I see it creating patterns on our “Gathering Room” floor…

"Sunlit Squares in Gathering Room"

I am grateful because us “Northwesterners” treasure those bright sun rays…

However,

as I look at these squares,

I KNOW I won’t fit my ‘little body’ within these lines…

in this “MOMENT IN TIME”.

"Dream House in Sunshine"

March, for many reasons, is a significant month in our family.

The month brought a mark in my history, as well, in 2005.

It was an unexpected blessing when I found out I would be traveling to London and Eastbourne in England on a business trip with a special opportunity for sightseeing on the weekends.

Our company was merging information from the UK office and the USA office that required concentrated networking.

A week of intense meetings was sandwiched in between two tourist packed weekends of sheer bliss.

As we began to explore the land, it was an unforeseen reaction to feel like my feet were touching the soil of ‘home’.

William Clark, who was 21 years of age at the time.

Now, standing on the same shore in March 2005, overlooking the great body of water, I wondered…

… What time of day did they depart?

… When did they hear the last sea gull?

… What was it like to experience their first sunset?

… Did they feel fear, the first night of pitch black with the sound of water slapping against the ‘boat’?

… Was he seasick?

… Did he keep a diary?

Daydreaming and gazing over the water as it sparkled in the sun, I marveled at their courage.

little medical knowledge or medicine if needed.

History books records his life as follows:

“Trumbull called Clarke, “One of the ‘Dorchester men’ who arrived here soon after the settlement of Mr. Mather, he remained, to the end, the firm and faithful friend of his pastor. A man of quiet dignity, self-contained, and ready of resource, he bore a more conspicuous part in the early history of the town, than any others who lived here during the first twenty years of its existence.” Clarke was “one of the most influential among the founders of the town. His reputation as a man of business preceded him, and he was at once put forward in many affairs of public importance, and so continued, a leader, till old age compelled him to give place to younger but scarcely better men. A man of great public spirit, resolute and capable, he was sure to be employed by the town in conducting any of its businesses requiring skill, knowledge, tact, and determination. He was a hard worker, a pioneer in the best sense of the term. Enduring hardship with cheerfulness, meeting difficulty half way, conquering oftener that conquered, he stands one of the most prominent among the promoters of the plantation. Founder of a numerous family that has had worthy representatives during the entire history of the town, and whose descendants are scattered throughout the land, his name I honored and respected wherever it is found.”

His life made a difference in the new land and he left his mark:

“…firm and faithful friend ~ …quiet dignity, self-contained, ready resource, leader, ~ great public spirit, resolute and capable, ~ skilled, knowledge, tact and determination, ~ hard worker, ~ endured hardship with cheerfulness, “

“…whose descendants are scattered through the land…”

No special education,

no grand inheritance.

What he lived cost nothing yet it was priceless.

Free and priceless.

It is my responsibility.

I CAN make a difference in my “Moment in Time”.

I am blessed with many heirlooms, but my mind immediately went to the tiny treasured book that sits quietly on the greeting desk in the Vestibule.

Calligraphy has been a passion from High School days in my art class with Mr. Clere.  He took pride in my work and his connections brought me my first job of hand lettering certificates for the Portland Public School Board.

My journey in calligraphy began in 8th grade through my “Antique” teacher, Miss Baughman, at Chapman Grade School.  She had been teaching for so long that a collage education was not required when she began her career.

But she knew her stuff, and her handwriting was a work of art.  I was honored to sit under her training and it has stayed with me all my life.

Penmanship class was part of our daily curriculum.  Hold your arm still, do not move your wrist, form the letters using your whole arm back to your elbow.  This will keep your ‘circles’ round and even.  Lines after line of ‘slinky’ circles were drawn trying to master an even flow of ink.

Miss Baughman would walk from desk to desk looking over the shoulder of each student, pause a bit longer at my desk, pat me on the shoulder and say a simple “Good”.  That was just the word I needed to apply myself to the challenge of the perfect “O”.

With my passion for the pen, it will not come as a surprise that a discovery amongst my Grandmother’s belongings, literally took my breath away.  A  family heirloom “Autograph Book” with pages of vintage script handwriting written by my ancestors.

Hattie, my maternal great-grandmother, was the proud owner of the beloved collection of words in an art form, that were written to her.  She would have been 10 years old when she received the precious “Autograph” book.

Signatures and sayings were collected from 1880 to 1884 throughout various places in the New England states. The tiny book is filled with poems, advice, remembrances, signatures and wisdom all from a pen nib filled with ink.

“To Hattie”

Feb 15, 1883

When you wish to Laugh,

Glance at my Autograph

Norwood, NY

T.C. Ellis Aged 73

“In after years when this you see, I wonder what your name will be?”

Your Schoolmate ~ Lizzie M. Farris ~ Lowell, Massachusetts

April 16, 1884

“Trust In Jesus”

Hattie

Drop one gem in the casket of remembrance for Your Friend

Jim Grant

Pittsfield NH December 3, ‘83

I wonder if the book traveled to all these places or if these autographs came to Hattie.  I knew of our roots in Connecticut, but all of the documented places stir me on to more research of our family and the beginnings in the New England states.

What I value most, in this tiny book of life, is to read the Spiritual challenges and encouragement that was given to my Great Grandmother, Hattie.  I would love for her to know that I, too, love Jesus and want my children and grandchildren to know them as their ancestors have and successfully transferred the Truth.

Onward & Upware

be your motto, Hattie

Rust Sweet Jan 7, 1882

Hattie, Seek to have well grounded principles of Truth & Righteousness

W. F. Grant

Dec. 28, 1883

Always obey the voice of the

“Good Shepherd” Hattie

Aunt Hilda

April 12, 1882

May your name be an Angel’s pen,

In the Book of Life be written,

And the Friends of earth

May you meet again.

On the peaceful shore of Heaven

Grace Lewis

April 24, 1884

Miss Hattie Sweet

Bombay

Franklin County

New York