Monday, July 29, 2013

Life Can Change in a Instant

My last post was about the wonderful reunion we had.

Remember my cousins the singers
They bring so much joy by writing songs about our families adventures
They are so warm and loving
On the way back to Colorado from Illinois they had a serious car accident outside of  Columbia Mo.

sitting at 1515 I would have no idea a few days later that he would be in critical condition with a rupture aorta and liver damage
dear Judy on the rt. had a punctured lung and rib fx
she is to go to rehab tomorrow

I could not even sleep the night I heard about this
Such a happy time with family ended in such tragedy.
Just 24 hrs prior Bob was elected Vice President of our
Galbreath Mitchell Reunion

Their family has flown in and I spoke to Judy and she wants me to come over after their children have to go back home. Luckily I am only 2 hours away and they are being treated at a wonderful hospital.

Judy is the Choir Director at the Trinity Methodist Church in Denver and Bob
is retired from the service.

Many are praying for them
After everyone left I took them to the cemetery to see where a 
"witch" is buried. The witch was married to a distant relative of ours.
I drove them back to the church and we said our good byes.
"love you, be safe going home"

They are strong in their belief
I ask you to pray for them

They really are the dearest two you would ever want to me

I love you Bob and Judy

Saturday, July 27, 2013

A Sigh of Relief

Did you miss me?
Wonder where I have been?
The yearly Galbreath Reunion...#107

Last year I was so worried, only 18 came to our reunion.
I was so concerned that it was just myself and my cousin holding it together.

But this year was a complete turn around!
I planned a 3 day weekend.
We had people from Seattle, San Antonio, Maryland, Indiana, Iowa,
Colorado, AZ and all over Illinois

First day I got there the doorbell rang at 1515 and it was cousin Fran from Maryland.
We had lunch and then dinner with the twins and the Texas cousin and that was Thursday.

Friday my cousins from Indiana arrived and we in this new age text messaged everyone to come to lunch at our favorite new place.
meeting cousin Greg and wife Linda for the first time
You have to remember we are cousins through our 3rd or 4th Great Grandparents

Then some hanging out at 1515..love that

That night we did our annual Ribs at Roc's in Charleston
prior to my cousin David's book signing
18 of us! that was how many there were at the reunion last year!

cousin Gregg, Bob and Cleone meeting
Their Great Grandfathers were brother and as we found out
fought in the Civil War together.
Lois is from AZ, and I had never met her, she was so sweet.
And even though the twins are not related they came and joined us
because everyone wants to be related to them!

cousin David ready to do his book signing 
appreciate Bob Bertrand for opening his Pensees Bookshop for the signing

The next day was the workshop I had put together
but something happened along the way there......
I was rear ended!!
By the Assistant Regional Superintend of schools so I took the 
opportunity to discuss the Charleston Riot and the schools participation.
The policeman said that the superintend said I was the nicest person
he could ever of ran into.
So I was late for the event I was hosting by only 10 minutes.
But I was frazzled the rest of the day.

26 showed up for the Genealogy workshop!
I was so very happy
Our focus was our family during the Civil War
But the highlight was the appearance of the family bibles!
cousin Gregg touching the 1767 Mitchell Bible that was hidden
in the trunk under my 5th Great Grandmothers dress when then the 
British stormed the spring house they were hiding in during the Battle of Guildford Courthouse NC.
My 4th Great Grandfather's birth recorded in it 4th May 1774

Bob and Judy entertained us with Civil War music and music they have written
about our families adventures!

Some of us at 4pm went to the family cemetery
My 3rd Great Grandfather who served 7 years in the Revolutionary War
and whom we honor

some of us were enjoying the baby calf's
or they watching us!?
that night a impromptu dinner for 10 at 1515 we had a blast!
and July in Illinois means fresh corn, green beans and tomato's!
cousin David and the twins held court and we laughed at the stories they told.
It was a late evening

The next day was the official reunion day
at my Grandmother and Great Grandparents church
getting the meal together
I asked cousin Lynn "when did it happen that we now are the ones getting the meal together?" It is like a coming of age thing we decided


cousin Phil who was President for many years

Jerry talks to his Aunt Janet who brought a display of her husbands things.
He was my Dad's first cousin and a well known archaeologist and Professor at SIU

I did a display and the bibles were there that day too.
the tables were full!
and how many were there?
38!!!

I was so happy

Phil and dear cousin Fred have kept this going for so long.
We elected new officers and was so happy Phil's niece is the new president!
Bob and Judy played again and the Battle of Adam Mitchell they are going to put on You Tube!

We officially changed the reunion name to the 
Galbreath-Mitchell Reunion
I cried
I am such a sap
but I work so hard on this.
I ran cousins Bob and Judy out to St Omer cemetery
to see the orb tombstone of our distant cousin
they say one was a witch because her tombstone 
says she died Feb 31st.
I say she was the last to die and now one was there to point out the error


Time to say goodbyes
9 Descendants of my Great Grandparents
2013
1933 when our parents were children
my dad is in the overhauls
with our Great grandparents
or
cousin Fred is the only one from the 1938 picture in the picture now
he is the little boy on the rt front and in the now picture
back row lt
times change but the love remains
look at my sweet daddy hugging his sister on the left

I would think Adam Mitchell and William Galbreath are pretty proud of their
Scottish Clan



Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Fun Day......always is when Antiques are involved!

My SIL invited me over to her house to go through some of her Mom's things.

Thought you might like to see and get your opinion on stuff.
Now mind you her Dad was born in Yugoslavia so I wonder if somethings might be from Europe?

First thing was some vases I never seen before?
They are very opaque white milk glass type vases.
They appear Victorian?
This is where I need help from Richard and My Old Historic House
they are beautiful but on this I had no idea of the value?

unusual meat fork, the other attatchment on it is like a clip to grab the meat.
I knew it was not made of wood but a horn or bone
design on the handle
the end looks like bone
any ideas?

for life of me I can not remember the name of this pattern?

pretty Bavarian celery dish, right up my alley

probalby worth about $20?

older plate I am thinking from the late 1800's

condtion issues? $40?

her Mom's negleica from her honeymoon circa 1946
other than the wrinkles in mint condition 
no way could I sell this

the hat I sold to my Girlfriend for $10
love the bow

my heart skipped a beat when she brought out the
vintage Christmas corsages!
I told her to keep them!
love them
she had a crystal bowl and I threw them in it and said
"perfect for Christmas" she loved the idea.

Barbie view master reels


these were her Mom's glasses.
Told her I would try to find the pattern

It was fun 
I wanted to bring most of it home with me!
I did bring home some cookbooks
I hope some of you can help with the vases and the meat fork

Thanks!

Ann