Three young girls, all interested in the same thing and the direction they took in life. A sewing machine was their beginning.

Recently I was in New York City for a lovely family wedding.

My sister lives in New Jersey.  She was kind enough to meet my husband and I for a day out on the town and a bit of adventure.  We decided to take the tourist way out and hopped on a bus to look at the city in a broad view.  We have both been there several times, she for work and me for work and fun.

While in SoHo/China town we stopped in a lovely leather shop filled with hand made items.  We both fell in love with their, far too expensive for us, products.  While looking, we both migrated to a section in the store with old sewing machines.  I knew what Mary, my sister, was thinking.  She was thinking about our first sewing machine.

The clerk walked over to us and said that they were the owners collection but that they were also for sale.  We both chuckled and one of us said, "Oh we had one like that, except it was a treadle, in a cabinet."  The clerk was engaged and we told her our story......

Remember it was a small town, during the late 60's. I was in third grade, my sister was in second, and our neighbor Brenda, was in first grade. Somehow we decided that we were going to go to an auction that was about 6 or 7 blocks from our house.  The auction was on the edge of town so it was almost "in the country."  I don't quite remember how we knew what to do at an auction, but auctions were part of the fabric of a small town back then.  I am not even sure that our mother knew where we were or what we were doing.

We had very little money in our pockets.  Brenda had the most which is key to our adventure.  We looked around at the items and we saw this old treadle sewing machine.  The three of us wanted it bad.  We wanted to sew, create and make things; on our own sewing machine.  We had watched my mom make all of our clothes and we wanted to do that too.  I don't think mom was ready for the battle of teaching her two strong willed kids sewing technique.  Brenda's mom was not a sewer but Brenda wanted to be.  (Later on Brenda's mom became, and still is, quite a quilter, an AMAZING quilter!)

We pooled our money which was around a $1.00.  The auction was huge.  It was the contents of a family's chicken farm.  When they finally came to the sewing machine we bravely bid on the machine. We had no competition.  We couldn't believe our luck.  We were so excited!  The story varies as to how we got it home.  I remember the machine having wheels and wheeling it home.  My sister remembers us getting our wagon and wheeling it home.  But we did it on our own.  I remember traveling over gravel and then thinking, finally a smooth tar road.  Our mother's wanted no part of this treadle machine.  I think their irritation was really amusement with our energy and seriousness to get this wonderful new toy.  I remember trying to figure out where to put it and it was determined we would put it in Brenda's basement as she had the largest stake in the deal.

We tried it and made it work.  We never really used it a lot.  My mom soon thereafter shipped me off to her sister's home to teach me how to sew.  This avoided conflict with mother and daughter. Frankly, I have never stopped sewing.

When I look at the three of us and our personal history that sewing machine adventure was really the beginning for each of us.  We all took different paths but stuck to our original love.

My sister,Mary, has been a planner and in allocation for the retail industry for years.  She LOVES fashion and the industry and has worked for several shopping networks and is presently at Burlington, in Burlington, NJ.

Brenda has worked in the sales end of the industry with shoes and Vera Wang.  She now owns and operates "Italia Celebrations" in Italy.  A lovely wedding planning service.   https://www.facebook.com/ItaliaCelebrations/?ref=br_rs

I went the traditional route teaching Family and Consumer Sciences focusing on fashion and sewing construction.

When we finished telling the clerk our story, her response actually shocked both Mary and I.  She was thrilled and said, "Oh, I love this story.  Someone needs to do a little short story about this, I can see the little girls getting that sewing machine home.  It should be a 3 minute short story on HBO"  We smiled and thanked her, we were just three small town girls ready to sew, but what a fine memory it is for us. And look where it took us.  Oh the places you will go........!

With love from the very soon to be, back in retirement, FACS teacher,
Jane

I am sad for our country, this election is not making us strong, or united. What have we done?

I ache inside every time I look at my Facebook page, turn on the television, look at twitter, or talk to anyone about politics.

Maybe because I am a Libra I find myself trying to balance everything in my mind but all I see is division and pain.

I am not going to lie, politics have always been difficult for me.  I am a teacher by trade and my husband and I own a small business.  These two things alone traditionally create a political conflict with each other.  I want to be conservative with taxes but I want education to be properly funded.  I see kids growing up with extreme hardships, I know family history, but I don't know how we can help families sustain in the continued economical environment.

What hurts me more than anything is the party division and name calling that I see everywhere from both sides of our political parties.  I have been voting since 1978 and I have heard every four years the same cry.  "We don't have a decent candidate."  Never before has this been more true.

This summer I stated several time to people in both parties, "I can not and will not vote for either of these candidates."  Each of the people that I spoke to, and it was several: said,  "You shouldn't do that, you will throw away your vote."  I can do that and I will do that.  I can not and will not support either candidate because they both have unanswered issues that are not o.k.  They are both supported by big money, which I believe is an issue for all of our elected officials.  Big money has made our government corrupt and ineffective in all ways.  I don't know how this is going to be fixed but it needs to be addressed soon.

I heard a panel on ABC this morning that was rather biased towards one direction but Minnesota's, Kieth Ellison said something that struck home to me and I find it key to everything!
This is paraphrased, Whomever wins must make a plea to all voters and talk to them to see what needs to be done in our country, to address all voters so that we can come together, and feel like all voters needs are being addressed and noticed.

In the future, I hope that we can see people respecting each others opinions and that we can be kind to each other.  I hope that no matter who wins we can say we are all members of the United States and we can stay together and support one another.  I hope that the evident, strong, nonacceptance of each others views and beliefs can be accepted and we can move on.

This election scares me, and it makes me feel like we are losing our grip as a nation.  I don't care what anyone stands for, I don't care who anyone votes for in this election.   It is not worth this divisive horrible, verbal commentary, under the table evil, and dark speculation.  Our nation needs to find a way to come together, not divide.  This, this that we have right now, will lead to something bad in the future.

With love from your temporary working, retired FACS teacher,
Jane

Oh my goodness I am sleepy after a half week of workshop. Back at it for awhile.

It has been a little bit since my last post.  I came home from vacation and really just started sewing quilts and quilt tops to get caught up.

Very soon after my lovely cousin emailed me and said, "I don't suppose you want to teach for a co-worker that has a concussion?  I said no and then pondered it.

I decided to inquire as I know there is such a shortage of FACS/FCS teachers everywhere.

So long story short I am back at it.  I have had 3 days of workshop and I am so tired I can see the words I am typing.  All a blur.

O.k. that may be a dramatization.

Anyway, I have been watching all of the great posts on Facebook about getting rooms ready for this school year. I have been noting curriculum that I want to use and will help me get through the next few months.  My job is an undetermined amount of time.

Wish me luck!  I am nervous and excited about doing Foods 1 and the energy that comes with a class full of 9th grade boys....but as I say to my students, I control my own destiny.


Take care,

With love from your retired but back at it FACS teacher,
Jane

Motorcycle, Travel and Fabric in Southern MO and Northern AR

Each year my husband and I like to do a pretty long vacation on our motorcycle.  Last year we had the opportunity to travel 15,000 miles during the summer on two vacations.  We most often plan our trip in the winter and book hotels early so that we know we have a place to stay.  When you are on a bike it is difficult to travel from town to town not knowing where you might stay.  We book them between 200 and 300 miles apart so that we don't get too cranky.  The sun, potential rain, and your back end are all major factors.

One thing that I like to do while on the bike is stop at quilt shops.  Fabric is fairly small when folded and can also be shipped if I go a little too crazy in my shopping.

This year we were very disorganized in our trip planning.  We literally planned our vacation one week before we left.  We have been trying to sell our home, have been moving to our new home and neither of us could get it together.

We went to the Ozarks, even though we didn't really have the time or the cash, which was amazing. There are wonderful motorcycle roads filled with curves, rolling hills and beautiful country side.

I had planned one stop outside of the Ozarks and that was Hamilton, MO.  They are know all over the Untied States for their 14 quilt shops in this tiny little town.  Missouri Quilt Star is worth the side trip. My husband was kind enough to schedule 4 hours of shopping for me.  (Even though he is allergic to fabric stores.)  Just in case you have not heard of this place let me give you a quick review.  Each store has a theme (although they are all owned by the same family).  The fabrics are grouped by type of fabric, solids, children, flowers, modern, themed, civil war, etc.  There is also a shop just for men to hang out, play pool or cards etc.  There is also a nice Tap room in town that my husband discovered, thank goodness.  It was a great stop.  The employees are helpful and kind.  They also sell on line.  There prices are generally $1 less than many quilt shops because they do a large volume of business.  Shipping is $5.00 or free if you spend over $100.

I had two other stops, both were not planned but great finds.  They do not do on line business but they are fantastic!

The first was in Salem, MO.  It is called MeLear Fabrics.  They have a wide selection and also have very affordable long arm quilting available.  It might very well be worth it to ship your quilting there because of the great price and service.  The fabric prices were mostly $3.99 to $5.99.  The newer prints were $10.99. Needless to say I went a little crazy on my selection because of the great value and the great service.  I could have very easily purchased more but I had my super patient husband outside waiting for me.  I needed to ship this box too.  Across the street is a fantastic Barbecue restaurant by the way, so don't eat on your way there.

The second was Thayer Fabric and Rug in Thayer, MO.  It is on the border of MO and AR.  I saw this giant bill board on the highway that just said FABRIC.  I begged to stop.  I could not believe this place.  I can only say, "Wow, wow, wow."  The prices were $2.99 to $5.99.  But most fabrics were $4.99.  It is run by an elderly couple that has a connection to someone in the manufacturing industry. There was so much fabric I couldn't stop grabbing.  I wanted to stay longer but I knew someone was getting a bit anxious for me outside in the heat.  But he was very kind considering how much I purchased.  We made a trip to the post office to send this stash off too.  If I lived anywhere near that place I would visit it on a regular basis.  Seriously, if you live close by make a trip with your fabric friends.   There is an o.k. Hotel next to the town if you need to stay over night called Mammoth Spring Hotel.  There is also a very lovely state park for fun.

We had a great vacation and I used up my fabric purchasing power for the next 4 months.  I know, I am ridiculous.

A sideways look at me in front of the Missouri Star Quilt Co

Barbecue in Salem, MO

Hotel to stay at in Thayer, MO

With love from your retired FACS teacher, Jane

My heart hurts.

Recently my husband and I were on our motorcycle vacation enjoying the country side.  We do this each summer and have most often stayed in rural areas because it is an escape.

We drove to St Louis from eastern Iowa to visit with my aunt and cousins.   As we live in a technical world we use a GPS to navigate and my husband never deviates.  Occasionally it irritates me.  Just
Saying.

On this trip we were directed through the city of St. Louis.   We crossed the river in Alton and went through the residential area of North St.  Louis.   I have seen similar housing in Detroit but as I felt then, my heart just ached for those living in this so called housing.  Shame on us for letting society call this housing, shame on me for not knowing that people are living in falling down apartment buildings not fit for anyone. 

Shame on anyone for saying just get a job and you could be better off.  There was no industry in the area and very little retail.  How can we sit by the side and say we have a better place when people are living in this poverty?

I was told that St. Louis is known as the most racially divided city in America and I believe it after my recent visit.   There was an instant line and noticeable difference the minute we crossed it.

I don't know the answer to the issue but I do know that there is not always equity in our society.   I do hope that if you are an employer you do not look at race but qualified candidates.   I hope that if you are in education you do everything you can to encourage children to seek a vocation that brings them financial success. I hope that we all do just a little something to change the horrible tensions in our country and bring peace.

I hope that you and I care about all in society and that we all have a goal of helping people become self sufficient members of society. I hope that all can someday be able to work equally, in fair conditions with fair wages.  And, as I type this it makes me sad because this is what the fight during the 60's was about.  Shame on us for thinking the fight is over.  No it is not, it is an allusion and escape for those of us living in privileged society.

With love, hope and peace from your retired FACS teacher,  Jane

Thank you to Curtis Duffy, Ruth Snider, and Michael Muser.....Because of your generous, kind acts combined with hard work, dedication and artistic ability FACS has been noticed.

I independently chose to become an advocate for Family and Consumer Sciences because I loved my profession.  But, I must say that my love for the profession grew from the dedication and kindness that I received from my then "Home Ec" teachers in Junior High School and High School.

One, Ruth Gregerson-Burg noticed my gift for sewing and let me sore beyond my classmates in Junior High.  She, Jan Walsh and Roxanne Ebnet helped me hone my leadership skills, and continued to let me grow with textiles skills through out high school.  I thank them for that and appreciate what they did for me personally and for my education.

This blog is not about me it is about the life a wonderfully successful man, Curtis Duffy, who chose to acknowledge Ruth Snider for her kindness and positive involvement in his life.

On the Family and Consumer Sciences Facebook page, one of the 4000 members remarked about the documentary on Curtis Duffy and Michael Muser.  I immediately watched it (with tears) and felt an instant, "well finally" feeling in my heart!

Many times we hear successful people talk about their teachers and how they helped them but it is often in the general sense and very rarely do we hear about FACS professionals.  Curtis states very clearly, in his story both in the newspaper, and in the film that Ruth did not teach him his skills but introduced to him an art and a skill that he felt good about, gave him purpose, that he wanted to pursue as a career.  He could have very easily talked about Ruth as his teacher and not included the "Home Ec" title but he chose to give her that label with dignity and pride.

For those reasons I thank the group of you in this film.  Your food, service, ambiance, staff all appears to be fantastic (well dah....3 Michelin stars) but really thank you again for sharing your roots.  As educators dealing with life long lessons we often get over looked,  poopooed, and told "anyone can do that".  As FACS professionals we often sit by the side knowing that we are most often strong, family oriented, people that work more hours than the average due to our diverse content area!  For those reasons I can not thank you enough for your acknowledgement of that fantastic woman, in that small town, in Ohio that gave you a breath of life through food.  Because really, there are many more like her!

Your love for each other, the food that you prepare, and work that you do, shines very brightly in this documentary!

With love from your retired FACS teacher,

Jane

A note of thanks to the documentary folks, Kevin Pang and Mark Helenowski for bringing this film to the public.

For FACS professionals looking for this film, you can find it on Netflix and Amazon.

So "Mom hair" is now a thing.....What is wrong with it? And, why do we ALWAYS have negative connotations associated with MOM?

Recently I was listening to talk radio while the personalities were talking about the article written about "Mom hair".  I became a bit outraged while driving in my car.  With out reading the article it was implied that because someone became a mom they instantly became frumpy, drab, and became even more so when they cut their long hair into a reverse bob.

Seriously??????

Here is the public link to the article:

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/23/fashion/mom-hair-tips.html?_r=0

As I read it, it talked about Mom's feeling bad about their appearance and so the instantly cutting their hair to make them feel better but it often does the opposite because it makes them look chubbier.  Say what?

I am a Mom of grown children and yes, I and several of my friends have this hair cut.  Guess what, some of our grown girl children say that we are with it, we are vogue, we don't appear our age.  So what about the Mom hair is an indication of your old and out of touch?  Someone, please, explain to me why having your hair manicured and styled is frumpy and bad.

Over the years we have attacked Mom's about their clothes, their body shapes, their personal appearance, now their hair and along with many other things.  How about we salute Mom's and be grateful for the things that they do and have done for their children.  How about we praise them for the items they give up so that their children can have more.

How about we give Mom's a break for not being slim, trim and having a tummy from birthing children and maybe drinking one too many cocktails during their relaxation time.  What Mom, with children, has time to take an hour out of their day to run to the gym and exercise for an hour several days a week?  What Mom hasn't given up the "new" jean silhouette so that she could provide more for her children?

Mom's are super heroes!

The average mom sacrifices so much for her children and her family.

She gives up her personal time, clothing budget, personal space, social time with her spouse, often while working too and keeping up the home.

Is their a way to help Mom's with out criticizing what they do?  Is their a way to make a mom feel like she doesn't need plastic surgery and lypo suction to be attractive?  Is their a way we can help society make Mom feel like she is a wonderful, kind, giving beautiful person just the way she is?

Let's celebrate Mom because she is Mom.  Let's not judge each other but celebrate each other.  Let's be at peace with who we are in the moment.  Let's just be.

Because with out Mom, her love, her giving, her kindness, her understanding; we wouldn't be the people that we are.

With love from your retired FACS teacher and yes a lady with "Mom hair".

Jane

P.S. Mom is spelled with a capital M with intention!