I kept putting off completing this About Me page because I simply didn’t know what to write that would be interesting! And those who know me will find it hard to believe that there would ever be an instance that I would be at a loss for words!!
Let’s see, where do I begin? I guess at the beginning!! I am the youngest of nine children (three boys and six girls) and was born and raised in the Marine Park section of Brooklyn, New York. My dad was a New York City Police Officer and my mom stayed at home raising our large brood. She sewed most of our clothes on the old, black Singer. I used to watch her, but never ventured to try it myself. I can recall once in freshman year of high school that I wanted a new dress for a dance. My mother was too busy to start it for me, so she told me to take this piece and that piece and sew them together. I kept running back and forth to her every time I completed another step until—Eureka!—it was finished and I did it all myself!! I then proceeded to make most of my own clothes for many years.
While still living in New York, I worked on Wall Street for many years. After I got married and our family came along, I was a stay-at-home mom and I made sunsuits for my son and “special occasion” dresses for my daughters. I even smocked my daughter’s First Holy Communion dress! In 1979, we moved from Morris County, New Jersey to Lancaster, Pennsylvania and I started to sew again, mainly because I worked part-time at a fabric store (I know, I know . . . it’s like putting an alcoholic in a liquor store!!). At that time I was mainly into appliqué work—cute designs on children’s dresses and Bermuda Bag covers (remember those??). By the late 1980s and 1990s, the sewing machine was taken out primarily for quick repairs. In 2003 and 2004, along came my grandsons and “Grammy” was recruited to make personalized appliquéd first birthday outfits as each one turned one year.
I have three wonderful children—John, Christine, and Kerry. My husband, John, THE most kind, loving, and wonderful man in the world, passed away on December 16, 2002 while waiting for a lung transplant. I am proud to state that in death, John himself became an organ donor! I know that made him very pleased! At the time, we were married 37 years. Our first grandson, Gabriel John, was born three months later to Kerry and Scott. Ten months after that, Gavin Jack was born to Christine. And ten months after that Kerry and Scott had a second son, Aiden Scott. The boys are the lights of my life and at times I am so sad that John was not able to share this joy with me. However, I know he watches over us from his heavenly home.
When our son was in college, I went back to work full-time, knowing that I would soon have two in college at the same time. I helped a friend whose market research firm was just starting out. It is now one of the largest firms conducting satisfaction studies for many of the largest CCRCs (Continuing Care Retirement Communities). When I was Director of Business Development, it was interesting traveling to many of the largest retirement communities in the U.S., as well as attending conferences around the country. But leaving the corporate environment was a wise decision and I now love being my own boss.
In the spring of 2006, I was looking for a new beach tote on Ebay. I came across a few sellers who had absolutely beautiful handmade tote bags and I became intrigued. I tried to bid on quite a few of them, but because of my budget restrictions, I was always outbid. It became apparent to me that if I wanted some of these lovely totes, I would simply have to sew them myself!
I have corresponded with several Ebay sellers who are lovely, gracious and most encouraging. I’ve learned that when you are good at what you do and secure in your work, you don’t need to be threatened by new competition.
A huge thank you to my daughter, Kerry, who has taught herself html and has created this page as well as many of my auction pages. If you would like any custom auction templates, just click on her link below (monkeytemplates-n-such).
I am extremely grateful to all the wonderful people who have visited my auctions and found something they like. I have enjoyed meeting you.
Well, thanks for wading through all of this! I warned you in the beginning that I’m rather verbose—and I always tell the truth!! Oh! And thanks, too, to Ebay for the lovely anniversary card I received as I begin my 9th year on Ebay! It's been a blast!!
I wanted to share with you an Irish verse that I love:
May those that love us, love us.
And them that don't love us, May God turn their hearts.
And if He can't turn their hearts,
May He turn their ankles, so we'll know them by their limp.
Oh . . . one more thing. If you're wondering the name of the song you're hearing, it's "The Way You Look Tonight." It was the song that John and I chose for our first dance at our wedding reception.
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