Alice & Jim’s Home
This is the home of my grandparents on my dad’s side. They lived in their home on Yates Street for as long as I can remember. It was about a 45 minute drive from our home. My siblings and I never complained about visiting them. We enjoyed being with them and there were always tears when it was time to leave.
Their home was peaceful and there was always something to do. Mostly, playing with their dachsunds, trying on my grandma’s shoes–she had a closet full of high-heeled shoes, sitting on the front porch, playing on their organ, pretending to be a late night TV show host in their front room (discussing my variety of high-heeled shoes, of course!), going through my grandma’s junk drawer, watching Hee Haw with grandpa yelling “Yee Haw” during the musical portions and enjoying my grandma’s cooking. Her most famous recipes, pecan pie and cornbake!
They lived in a small town and would many times drive us by the local high school football field. They were the celebrities there because they sat in the same place and never missed a game. We loved going to their favorite Mexican Food restaurant. I ordered the same plate and dessert every time, a guadalajara and sopapilla. I wish I could go there now!
“Well…this life and one more!”
We made other trips down to see them for overnighters while our parents were gone or for pancake breakfasts at their church. My grandpa wasn’t much of a church goer but he had a quote he would say when things were a little crazy, “Well…this life and one more!” Church goer or not, he was letting us know he believed! My dad says it now and it still makes me laugh and smile.
They had a beautiful vegetable garden in their backyard and a pecan tree they harvested together every year. They always shared their harvest with us and we had plenty all year and then some. They also loved their rose garden and kept it pruned and meticulously groomed. I have roses in my yard now and think of their garden every time mine starts blooming.
They both worked hard and kept their home spotless on the inside and out. My grandpa kept the yard in immaculate condition and my grandma kept the house neat and clean. I can still picture every piece of furniture and decorations. When they both passed, my mom gave me a beautiful framed print that hung in their TV room. It’s hanging in my home now.
He was in the audience at The Grand Ole Opry…
They never left the house without being dressed to the T. Even watching TV, my grandpa was in nice slacks and a tailored button-up shirt. My grandma worked for a local women’s clothing store and would take us a few times a year to buy clothes and shoes there. She was like most of her generation and had her hair done once a week. There was never a hair out of place.
My grandpa worked for the local train station as a traffic controller. He knew Morse Code and could make a train horn sound as loud as a real one. He was in the audience at The Grand Ole Opry show one year and they had him do it!
They are forever two of my favorite people in the whole world, even with them not here anymore. Recreating their home with paper brought back all these happy memories of them and my childhood. It’s my favorite way of journaling and preserving my family history!
