Tuesday, August 12, 2014

TELLING IT ON TUESDAY (Part 27 - more in the 1970s)

As told in Part 26 son Steven has been apprenticed as a mechanical fitter and is quite enjoying the experience, Karen and her husband are buying a house, and we have moved to a house we are buying in Hamilton Hill.  This time I am going to talk about our daughter and I have her blessing to tell it as it happened.

Unfortunately not long after we moved into our home Karen came to tell us that her marriage  was over.   Phil and I were very saddened by this turn of events although we had had doubts as to how strong the marriage actually was as we felt at times that Karen's husband was rather hard on her, but you don't interfere without other people's lives unless called on to do so.

Karen continued to live in the house in Trigg and fortunately she had a car as she would often drive down to our place for a meal, or on weekends, and occasionally stay overnight.  The little car she had suffered from carburettor problems and we would get a phone call from a public phone (no mobile phones in those days) with a call for help as the car had broken down.  Off Phil would go, find Karen and her car and he'd fix the carbutettor, sometimes temporarily with a safety pin.  The main thing was to get the car going again until it could be fixed properly  We've had some good laughs about that car over the years, like the time the police pulled us over when Karen and I were off to night school.  That is a story in itself but all ended well without any problem.

At about this time our next door neighbour introduced us to the game of badminton.  Phil and I both really enjoyed playing so off we would go each Wednesday night to a hall in Melville to play.   There were probably about a dozen people that played regularly so we had plenty of games and, although not experts, we usually managed to hold our own and had loads of fun.  We would take it in turns  making supper each week and would then sit around and enjoy a cuppa and biscuits and have a chat between games.

There were two young men that played regularly, both of whom I really liked, and I thought perhaps it would do Karen good to get out and suggested she may like to join us on Wednesday nights for a game.  Both these young fellows were about Karen's age and.....well, you never know do you!!  They seemed to get on very well together.  Karen brought Christie with her and she would sleep peacefully while the rest of us played badminton.  She was always a wonderful baby and so well behaved.

Another thought I had to help make Karen's life happier was to arrange a really nice 21st birthday party for her.  Phil agreed it was a great idea and when we asked Karen she too liked the idea.  We hired a hall, and caterers and decided also to have an MC who could provide music for dancing. .  We asked family and friends, including the badminton crowd, (they between them bought Karen a badminton racquet) and I believe all present enjoyed the evening immensely.  My mum said she would look after Christie so Karen could really enjoy the evening.  The little one came to the hall for about half an hour and then Phil popped her in the car and drove her to mum's home.

I made Karen's dress and she had her hair done specially for the party; she unfortunately was not happy with the hairdo, but, although I thought she looked different,  I also thought she looked very beautiful.

We had a birthday cake made with yellow icing to match Karen's dress but these photos don't do justice to the colour of the dress.


This is Karen with her Uncle Len (my adopted half-brother) who at that time was 65 and not long retired.  He was always very fond of Karen.


It would seem one of the young men from badminton also thought Karen rather special as he asked her to go out with him.  On their first date he took her to the drive-in movies where the film "Jaws" was showing.  Karen, who had and still has a phobia about sharks, came home and told me that she spent most of the evening with her head under the dashboard of the car as the film was so scary.  I teased her and said "He probably hoped you'd cuddle up to him", and in return I got THAT LOOK!

The friendship grew and after some time they decided they would like to marry.  They found themselves a house and were married on a lovely sunny November day.   Once again I made Karen's dress and also the one Christie wore on the big day. 

Over the years their family grew and we then had four wonderful grandchildren, 3 granddaughters and a grandson.   Karen and her hubby are now proud grandparents of three themselves.

I often sit and think about how pleased I am that I introduced Karen to those two young men, one of whom chose her as his lifelong partner and proved to us to be a wonderful son-in-law.   There may have been a few bumps along the way, as there is with any good marriage, but the two of them are always there for each other and I am really happy for them.

The first kiss after the ceremony:

The happy couple:

I have been told Karen and I look alike but neither of us can really see the likeness:


This photo, also taken at the wedding, is one of my all time favourites.  It is my mum (Karen's grandma) and my son Steven (Karen's brother) obviously sharing a joke together.  Unusual colour but maybe something to do with reflection off the water?


Another favourite of mine is this one with little Christie looking so gorgeous:


This last photo is one Karen chose to show on this post.  Another one of her much loved Grandma Win (my mum); who was 80 when this was taken:


I hope you have enjoyed my story about our lovely daughter.  Next week perhaps the story of son Steven, or perhaps not.  Lots to tell there so much to think about before 'putting pen to paper' so to speak.

20 comments:

  1. Most enjoyable. And yes, you DO closely resemble your daughter. That's a good thing.

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    1. Thanks Geo. Strange how others see a strong resemblance but Karen and I don't see. I was told I looked like my birth mother and yet I can't see the likeness there either. I never met her but do have photos and we became telephone friends for several years.

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  2. Thank you. And yes, you and Karen are alike. And both lovely.

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    1. I think this was one of my best TIOT posts. There you are again re likeness but why can't Karen and I see it too. Yes Karen is lovely.

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  3. I enjoyed your story about your lovely daughter what a beautiful family and you are so blessed to have so many grandchildren. LOVE the pics of your Mum and Karen is truly beautiful and yes you do look alike. Hug B

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    1. So glad you enjoyed this post Buttons and the photos too. I am always so thankful for my wonderful adopted mum and for my lovely daughter and her family. xx

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  4. You do look very much alike. Lovely memories of such an important day.

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    1. I must get someone to take a photo of Karen and me and see if there is any likeness now. I still can't believe how over the years people have recognized a likeness that she and I can't see.
      It's nice to have photographic memories although the memories in our minds are still strong.

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  5. Hari OM
    Peas in a pod is what comes to mind - extending to little Christie!!! Strong maternal gene going on there. What a shame Karen had to echo your own history - but what joy to follow. That final photo of your mother is truly, truly beautiful... YAM xx

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    1. Well, there you go so I'll have to accept there is as likeness.
      In both cases the second time around has been good for us. Karen is not far off celebrating her 40th w/ann and Phil and I our 47th.
      Mum was still very lovely even at age 80. xx

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  6. I also do think that you and your daughter look alike - so lovely. And your mother is just so beautiful and regal!

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    1. Seems we have to accept there is a likeness after all.
      My mother was such a fine lady and always looked so special even when 'just at home'.

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  7. I love, love, love this story. How neat is it that you and Pop had such a part in the beginning of Bert and Karen's story. I had no idea. That's pretty cool. I always love the pictures too. You were quite the sewing queen. Do you do much sewing anymore?

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    1. I am so glad you enjoyed this story Kam. I often pat myself on the back when I think I was instrumental in introducing the pair of them.
      It's good for you to see pics from way back and it all helps you complete the story of you and Beth.
      I loved to sew and do needlework as well but alas. my hands are not good now so can't use scissors of even hold a sewing needle. Never mind, I have great memories of all the sewing I did and I know Karen loved some of the garments I made for her over the years. xxx

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  8. I'm glad Karen found happiness the second time around. Many firsat marriages seem to be a "practise" one where the mistakes are made and learned from. Some are lucky enough to find the right person on the first try, others are prepared to stick it out no matter what, but I think that's a bit silly, why be miserable your whole life when there is a solution?
    Karen's dress is very nice and her husband looks vaguely familiar, probably reminds me of someone I went to school with although I can't remember who.

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    1. Thanks River for your kind words. Karen and I have both been so luck 'second time around'.
      Karen's hubby is from Victoria. He came to Perth with his family when he was about 15.

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  9. Yep, you're just gonna have to accept it. You and your daughter look very much alike. Great story and pictures. Sounds like you missed your calling as a matchmaker. Perfect record so far!

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    1. Thanks Susan for your kind comments. I was fortunate in this matchmaking but doubt I'd like to do it full time as it could lead to disasters for which I'd never forgive myself.

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  10. Weren't we all so much younger then?? I was certainly a good move on your part to invite me to badminton all those years ago, my soul mate and I might never have met otherwise. He certainly is a beautiful soul who has filled all our lives with love and caring.

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  11. Mimsie - this is a beautiful story, and I love the photos. I am so happy to have found your blog through Words for Wednesday. I just read your "about me" information today. I hope your hips, back and knee are behaving - and not causing you too much pain.
    You are an inspiration. I became a writer after turning 50 - but it is because of women like you, and my mother (who after she turned 80, learned to use a laptop computer and is writing her life story) that I have had the courage to do so. Best wishes!

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