Vintage Thingie Thursday: Vintage Toy Lion

Welcome everyone to Vintage Thingies Thursday. If you have a love for vintage things, well....you have come to the right place. We have a "dog-gone" good time each and every week!!! If you are new to this party, please take the time to read and follow the instructions for participating in Vintage Thingies Thursday, click HERE. I try and keep things fairly simple, so  please make sure you follow the instructions. 
Please only ONE link per week. 

This is a vintage toy lion that I have always called Leo. He belonged to my great grandmother, who I always called Grandma 2. She had this toy at her house and I always loved it when I was little.   I love his cheerful face the best. My grandma kept him in her bedroom on her bed and that is where he had to stay most of the time. As a little kid, that held a lot of attention and wanting to drag it all over the  house.

I can still vision that bedroom in that little house. Although as a child, I did not think that their house was all that small. But to drive by there today....it looks the same as I remember, just a whole lot smaller. This lion sat on her bed that was covered with a dusty pink chenille bedspread. I can remember how that old bedspread felt as I would lay across the bed and play with this lion.

Friends, that was a long, long time ago. My great grandma passed I believe in either 1969 or '70 and I was around seven or eight when she passed. I remember asking for this lion as a way to remember her by. Luckily, my mom was outspoken and would speak her mind because I was not the only one who wanted him...and I was lucky enough to have him for my own.

And in-case you are wondering, when I attach myself to things that mean something to me, I don't take ownership lightly. He is for the most part in exactly the condition he was when I got him all those years ago. Never, did I play with him. He sat on my bed or dresser for most of my childhood and when I was a teenager and got a hope chest....he found his way there for safe keeping and has been there for years on end. I hate to think of what would have become of him had I not been able to have him. I would hope he would be in the same shape, but it is not likely.

Of course, I did not need this toy to remember my very special grandma 2.....but I would not take any thing for him and he really means a lot to me.

He does need a few repairs. I have no idea how old he actually is, as there are no tags at all. His body and legs have wires, as you can see the one sticking out of his tail. There are a couple of places where the stitching has come undone, this is the one with the most need of repair. I tend to believe if he had not lived in that chest for so many years, he would not be in the shape he is today. I need to find a way to display him and enjoy him while I am still here to do so. I think he is adorable, and reminds me of someone I still hold very dear to my heart.

This is a photo of my (left to right) Papaw, his brother Edmond, my great grandma 2, and my great grandfather 2. They were very sweet and special people in my life and I am so thankful that I was old enough to remember special bits and pieces about my great grandparents.

Happy Vintage Thingie Thursday everyone!!! Have a wonderful day!!

First, Fifth Forever ~ A Letter Writing Journey - Senior Birthday Update

 Welcome to First, Fifth Forever here at The Coloradolady. In case you are just finding this post or topic, this is a year long letter writing journey that started in January of 2011 for me. Each month, I try to send a letter to someone or card and let them know what they mean to me.

** This month,  I am sending a letter and several cards out. Sometimes it is nice to be reminded about how much someone means to you and thank them for being such a big part of your life.


Out of that endeavor developed another project to bring a little joy and excitement to seniors all over the country. A spin off from a dear facebook friend's project, I started this on my own blog.  Each month, (hopefully) I post about a senior s birthday and  leave the information on my blog and I also have a designated email for this. If you'd like to be a part of making a big difference with just a small amount of effort, please join us. You can email me at onefineblessing (at) yahoo (dot) com to be added to the email list. Likewise, if you know a  senior who would benefit from this or could just use a little pick me up, please email me their name and birth date so we can be sure and spread a little cheer.
 

September had an early birthday and I was looking forward to telling you all what a blessing every one who sent a card was to this very special senior, Mary Ellen, but had to wait all month to do so.

The letter on the left is a thank you card from Mary Ellen. (Click the photo to read) She tickled me so in her letter, but the reality of her world weighed heavy on my heart too. Seems after her bills are paid for the month, she only has $59.00 left over for any personal items, cokes, or necessities. I am sure you are thinking like I am, that this does not go far and from what I understand, she get no help from her family. She is just there, in a home, fending for herself the best she can.

After I received this card, we impressed upon her to not spend her birthday money on stamps and stationary. That money was for her and we would relay the message to all concerned. Being the proper lady she is, that was difficult but we convinced her that was not what the money was for. So from the bottom of Mary Ellen's heart, she thanks each and every one who made her birthday one she won't soon forget.

This dear lady was so excited and with her money, she was going to buy herself a pair of shoes as the shoes she has been wearing were borrowed from a friend. She needed so many things, this certainly made a dent in what she was either completely out of or what she had been doing without for lack of funds. Blessings....they truly come from the unexpected and in small ways bring so much.

I also received a sweet postcard from Helen. Thanks are never necessary, as it is so fun to do this for others. I don't always get feedback from the cards we send and that is OK. If I do get feedback, I like to share it here each month. It serves as a reminder to me that small things I can do make a difference and it is not in the big things one does, but small ones that make such an impact sometimes.

And I could not do it all by myself! Thanks to all who have signed up to get the email each month, and who have sent me names to add to the list. You along with so many others are helping spread a little cheer into parts of our world that seems to have lost all hope and joy. That my friends...is a HUGE thing. 

 If you missed the list for October.....click HERE for the Birthday list.

The link is here to this post if you have something you'd like to share.....Have a wonderful October!!!