Grandma's treasurers

My mom and stepdad are moving back to my hometown this summer when they return from Arizona.  My grandfather moved into an assisted living apartment, so they are moving into my grandparent's house just a few blocks away.

Even though it's just a one-story home, they still have quite a few of my grandparent's belongings that they need give away or sell.  When I stopped up for my grandpa's birthday last week, my mom asked if I'd be interested in taking a few of my grandmother's items.  I couldn't believe my ears when she asked if I'd like to take home my grandmother's sewing machine and, the most practical item of all, her accordion!

When I opened up the accordion case, my mouth dropped.  It's the most beautiful accordion I've ever seen, with red and white keys.  And like everything my grandmother owned, it's in mint-perfect condition.  My hubby couldn't resist breaking it out as soon as we got home.

 

And no, neither one of us plays the accordion.  But I'm sure going to learn how!

The sewing machine is also a beauty.  It's made from metal, not plastic like the ones in discount stores today.  It will be great to have two sewing machines, so that I can work on more than one project at a time (when I find time to get back to sewing, that is.)

I miss my grandmother everyday, and it's so nice to have a few items that make me feel a little more connected to her.

Happy B-Day, Grandpa!

Last weekend, the whole family got together for my grandpa's 90th birthday.  He's been excited about this for so long, it was great that the weather was perfect for traveling and we were all able to attend, including my cousins from Colorado and Florida.  Even my mom and stepdad took a quick break from the winter stay in Arizona to host the party.  And that was tough for them!  They love it Arizona this time of year.

My grandpa likes to tell stories about how he got started in farming when he was in his early 20s.  One of my favorite stories is how he purchased his first tractor.  Back in WWII, tractors and other farm equipment were scarce because steel and rubber were saved for the war effort.  My grandpa saw a train carrying new tractors parked in a nearby town.  He asked the dealer if he could purchase one of those tractors, and the dealer agreed. 

However, grandpa wanted a tractor with lights and automatic start.  Back in those days, farmers used a hand-crank to start up the tractors.  The dealer said he could equip the tractor with the extra, but it would cost more money.  "How much do you think it cost?" my grandpa always asks me.  "$20! That's it." And the tractor cost him less than $250.  Today, a new tractor costs more than my house!

My grandpa also wanted his first tractor to have rubber wheels, instead of the steel wheels common back then.  But he had to ask the county rationing board for permission to buy rubber.  They granted him permission, and he ended up with one of nicest, "fully" equipment tractors in the county.

I love it when grandpa shares stories about the "good ol' days."  Really makes me appreciate all that I have.