I have mentioned a bit about how I named
this blog, and why. But I never told you the story.
This handsome couple are my maternal
grandparents.
Donald (Duke) Ellington and Edith Wicklund
were set up by friends on a blind date and married
shortly thereafter.
The adopted son of a wealthy Los Angeles
couple, and the daughter of Swedish immigrants
fell in love. They survived the remainder of
the depression,WWII, heartache and joy.
And the impact they made in my life
has forever shaped me. My father, who I met
for the first time less than three years ago, was
shipped to Vietnam, and the divorce was final
before I could remember. So my grandparents
became surrogate parents, my mom and I
moved back home, I was the only kid
on the block to have three parents,
I thought it was cool.
This left my Mom, one of the two children my
grandparents had, now a single parent in the
early 70’s. Without a college degree, (and
perhaps with one), at the time her options for
work were slim. While she sorted fruit in our agricultural
community, or worked caring for the elderly, my
grandparents, now retired, spent their time shaping
and teaching one stubborn little girl who
didn’t like rules, school, structure…
I don’t suppose you may have had a bit of this
nature in you as well?
Thank goodness for insightful grandparents.
My Grandma was extremely nurturing,
my closest confidant and friend,
she went to be with the Lord in 2007. My
Grandpa was a Marine. If you have had the
pleasure of having been raised by a Marine,
you know that they are Marines.
Not ex-Marines. They will remind you of this
should you forget. And he was wonderful.
I have yet to meet anyone with that much
personality. He passed away
in 1995, I sure do miss them.
So with a lot of love, and some much needed
structure, I grew up in the home they built,
{the address 1208}. I asked my Grandma
to teach me at home and she didn’t think
that would be good for me. If your kids
struggle in school, or cannot sit still. Be patient,
God has given them gifts they can discover
with your help. Grandma discovered I like
to make things. But she still made me go to school.
I survived. I created every type of
mud-pie imaginable and they made a space
for me to create. I searched the yard sales in
the neighborhood to decorate my little
mud-house which was a converted shed.
{hoarding genes in full swing}
With stacks of plastic dishes, an old
tea kettle (and an outdoor sink with running
water!) I was deep in creative, domestic bliss.
We farmed, ate organic food, raised cattle,
and I spent countless hours running between
fruit trees, eating fresh carrots with some of
the dirt rinsed off, and learning about compost,
politics,and everything in between.
We had a close family friend and neighbor “Sam”
who was a master potter and taught at the local
college. When Mt. St. Helens blew in 1980
we had quite a bit of ash in Central Washington.
Sam created a special glaze using this ash for
her gorgeous pottery. Can you imagine what
she could have done with internet access?
Sam had traveled the world, seen the Great Wall
in China, and brought home art from Egypt.
She listened to classical music very loud,
and drove a baby blue Nova.
Charlie’s Angels had nothing on Sam.
And her backdoor had an old skeleton key
I would use to enter and take care of her house
when she traveled. I think I was about six years
old then. This is a reminder to me to give my
kids more responsibility, they can handle it.
Thank goodness for neighbors who love strays.
As the years went on, the core lessons had
begun to take hold.
Life happens, pain, joy, laughter, loss.
I am still learning the lessons
that began years ago.
Flowers can grow just fine among weeds.
Just like these I found in my
garden this week.
To choose joy over despair.
To remember that this too shall pass.
To serve and give, you can’t take it with you.
To be silly and not take ourselves to seriously.
To remember that circumstances can change
quickly, don’t give up.
To remind myself that the most resistance
usually happens right before a breakthrough.
Dig in and don’t lose your foothold.
Be kind.
Prepare for the rain.
Love.
So when I named this place that I give my
heart to each day, create and share from.
It had to be the place that I love, a name
I could grow with. But that held so
much meaning that each time I read it
or say it, it makes me happy.
Thank you so much for reading this
online journal of mine,
twelve O eight.
I count it joy to be able to share with you,
and appreciate you so very much.
Hugs & blessings
xo, Tanya
Weekly Link Parties & Buttons where you can find me posting projects:
Friday
MyRomantic Home, Whipperberry, Redoux Interiors, Thirty Handmade Days,
French Country Cottage, Simply Designing, Tatertots & Jello,Chic On A Shoestring,
Shabby Nest, Simple Home Life, Create Craft Love, Liz Marie Blog (button below), Design, Dining & Diapers, The Humble Brag Link Party , Jennifer Rizzo, Tidy Mom, 504 Main
Just Us Four
SaturdayIt’s Overflowing, Your Homebased MomFunky Junk Interiors, Positively Splendid, I Heart Naptime, Family Ever After, Too Much Time, Be Different Act Normal, Power Of Pinterest Party, Classy Clutter, Love And Laundry,What’s Cooking With Ruthie
Sunday
Nifty Thrifty Things, Flamingo Toes (button below)
Cherished Treasures, Polkadot Pretties, Under The Table And Dreaming (button below)
Monday
The DIY Showoff
Between Naps On The Porch, Craft O Maniac, The Southern Institute, Keeping It Simple,
Skip To My Lou, Alderberry Hill (button below), Mad In Crafts, The Farmhouse Porch, The Girl Creative, Sumos Sweet Stuff, Mod Vintage Life, http://lechateaudesfleurs.blogspot.com
http://www.nap-timecreations.com/
Tuesday
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia,Sugar Bee Crafts, A Diamond In The Stuff, Home Stories A to Z, Reasons To Skip Housework, The DIY Dreamer, The Winthrop Chronicles (button below), Today’s Creative Blog, House On The Way, Primp ,
The Blooming Homestead (button below)
Wednesday
Savvy Southern Style, Someday Crafts, Ginger Snap Crafts, Clean & Scentsible, Uncommon Designs, Southern Lovely, Lil’ Luna (button below)Practically Functional, Vintage Gwen, I Gotta Create,
Sew Much Ado
Green Willow Pond
Rae Gun Ramblings
Thursday
Delightful Order,The Shabby Creek Cottage House Of Hepworths, 52 Mantels, Beyond The Picket Fence, Crafty Scrappy Happy,Christina’s Adventures, The 36th Avenue, A Glimpse Inside,
Stone Gable
19 Responses
This is such a nice post and tribute to your grandparents! Grandparents are such a huge influence in their grandkids lives. It was interesting to learn how your blog got its name!
Beautiful Tanya! I loved reading this. It sounds like a majical childhood filled with incredibly special people! Have a great weekend, Jen @ City Farmhouse
Oh Tanya, I love love love your story!!
Thanks for sharing it.
Amanda
Wow – what a great story!
My childhood was very different from yours, but I was also very greatly influenced by my grandparents and remain close with my surviving grandmother to this day. When I visited her last fall, she told a friend that I was practically her fifth child because I'd spent so much time living with her. I was really touched.
That is one of the most uplifting stories I could have read today… And it's only ten in the morning!!
So special. Glad to know more behind the name : )
This is such a great story! I always wondered about your name thanks for sharing it!
And what a wonderful way to grow up:)
ooo how fun to read! I always love to hear the "story" behind the blog! It's my first time here, following with blog lovin now! Would love for you to stop by my blog sometime.
http://www.nap-timecreations.com
What a wonderful, heartfelt story!
Susan
what a neat story! you chose a meaninful name 1208
Tanya, what a beautiful story of your grandparents' love and commitment to their family! I'm so happy you shared this with us. What an incredible blessing to be able to have your blog home be a reminder of such an important place in your history. Thank you for your inspiring story, and words of hope and encouragement!
Jeanette
Our family and our history shape us and make us who we are. Thanks for sharing your special story. ~di @ Musings
Me again. I wanted to recommend a storytelling sight, it's called Cowbird, you might like to join and share this story and other stories there. ~di @ Musings
Hi,
Lovely to get to know you. I am following you at From House to Home – I Choose Joy.
Many blessings,
Janis http://www.janiscox.com
I was always curious how you got the name. What a wonderful story!
–Gena from ichoosejoy.org
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