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Thursday, January 20, 2011

Thrifty Thursday


 Recycling an Old Friendship

Born in the same year, we first met as newborns. Right from the very start, we never had much interest in each other. She seemed to get along quite well with my mom and my mom sure liked her but even from an early age, I could tell she was a wee bit complicated. So for those first few years, we remained in a state of blissful ignorance of each other and while our relationship wasn't very memorable, I can tell you that she was always hanging around. Always.

Eventually, I got a little older, a little less egocentric and it wasn't long before I started to become more aware of her presence. As I watched the relationship between my mom and her flourish, I suddenly had an urge to strengthen the bonds of friendship with her myself. Perhaps I had read her wrong, maybe she had a lot more to offer than I gave her credit for.

So I took the first step, offering her an olive branch of kindness loaded with big fat humbling olives. She seemed to accept my offer of a truce, almost more excited than I to end our unspoken vow of silence towards each other. My mom, so happy that at last a friendship might finally develop between her and I, eagerly reintroduced us to each other. She even took me aside, explaining that she understood my initial apprehensions all those years ago and that while she may have her little nuances, just as we all do, that in plain truth, she was a simple girl who just wanted to have fun. And tell me, what's so wrong about that?

So, one lovely Saturday afternoon, we sat down together at the dining room table and began to get to know each other better. At first things seemed to be progressing well and I wondered, how could I have misread her so? She was polished and refined in her own way and I admired her for her strength and many talents. But before long, it all came back to me. She was fickle, she liked things a certain way and she always wanted to travel at a certain speed but gosh darn if I could figure out what that was. Soon my patience was sorely tested and as my frustration grew my patience shortened more and more. Embarrassingly, I lost my cool. I was ten. It happens. Yet even more maddening was how she took it all in stride, not showing a single shred of emotion. So nonplussed was she about this whole situation that I doubted her sincerity from the very beginning. After that, I stayed away for a good many years. Her relationship with my mom came and went, my mom became busier with work outside the home, but whenever they did get together, everything fell into place as if they'd never missed a day apart.

Since then, memory has faded my disillusion and I have made a few attempts at rekindling a friendship. When the male twin was born, she helped me make a beautiful Christmas stocking for him but it wasn't easy sailing. My mom had to referee all of our time together, sort of odd since we were both in our thirties. 

Nowadays, as I try to revert to a home made life, here in the old farmhouse, there are so many things we could offer each other. I've looked her up, my mom has brought her around for a visit and she's staying here now. I'm really hoping that this year, this winter, we will finally once and for all develop the relationship that I know we were meant to have.

Please meet my friend, Singer.
What do you think, is there any hope for us?
We have a thing or two in common, namely my mom and the fact that we're both vintage.

And vintage, baby, makes my heart sing! 



 ~Respectfully submitted friends~
 

25 comments:

Mary, Windy Meadows Farm said...

An absolutely lovely post...beautifully written! Yes, my machine and I are at odds many times. Sweet Girl wants to learn to sew...yikes, I am not the one to teach her! I have no patience with my machine. When the front of my stitching looks lovely, only to turn it over and see a horrid mess, what's a girl to do? Hmmm, maybe, just maybe, I'll dust her off this winter as well. Thanks for the inspiration! -Mary

Nancy said...

What a beautiful machine, Andrea. And a very nicely-written post.

My mom had an old black Singer that she used to make clothes for us. Unfortunately when she replaced it, it probably got sold in a garage sale.

What a nice piece of memorabilia for you to keep and pass on. I love it!

MJ said...

Oh what an enjoyable post!! I love this and I am grinning right now because I can so relate! Let us know how it goes between the two of you. I believe I have her sister here with me and she is exactly the same--well, not as classic perhaps. Mine is tucked away right now until I can take her with me to a "counselor" who can explain a little better about her "complicatedness". Thanks Andrea, for a fun start to the day :).

Deb said...

Oh my, beautifully written! I think a lot of us have a similar relationship with our sewing machines.

ain't for city gals said...

I finally took the advice of Co-Dependant No More and let go of this friendship...lol...just too stressful for me..I had to "detach" myself from this relationship......good luck!

TexWisGirl said...

Oh this was brilliant! You described my few attempts at "Singer-sisterhood" perfectly! :)

Sadly, we had an old antique black singer and like a fool I sold it at a garage sale many years ago.

Your machine is lovely in her fickle finery!

Lisa ~Suburban Retreat~ said...

What a wonderful tale of a temperamental acquaintance! I can only 'hope' for hope! Have a great day!

Chris at Red Gate Farm said...

Oh, Andrea... THIS is why I love ya! This is such a fabulous post... My aunt bought me and my sisters a Singer when I was about 10 or 11 years old and I must admit, we never bonded. When "Viking" came along around my 20th birthday, well we were inseparable for many, many years. Sadly "Viking" went on to Valhalla a couple of years ago. All is happy again, since "Brother" has come to live in my pink sewing room.

~Chris

PS I understand if you don't accept blog awards, but I've passed one on to you... check out my latest post :)

Rural Rambler said...

What a fun sweet post Andrea! She is lovely! May you have a long and productive relationship.

Elle Bee said...

You are such a good writer! I kept thinking it was going to be knitting needles. :o) My sewing machine and I have a strained relationship at times too...not sure we'll ever be BFF's! What a gorgeous sewing machine. I love the pink!

Jayme Goffin, The Coop Keeper said...

I'm in awe! Perfect post! Yes, you can rekindle that relationship and pick right up where you left off!

teekaroo said...

She's beautiful! Those vintage machines were built to last, if you can keep from throwing them out the window.

Biz said...

Thank you so much for stopping by! I really appreciate eadch and every comment I get!
I hope you have a blessed week & I look forward to reading some of your past posts!
Biz

Vintage Country Girl said...

You're too funny! I really didn't know where you were going there for a minute! I LOVE my singer, and my 60 year old vintage one from a garage sale has taken a leap over the edge, never to return I'm afraid. I bought myself a new one for Christmas, and love it! I think you'll love it too!

Joan said...

Good story! You had me guessing right to the end! LOL! You do have a way with words.

Staci@LifeAtCobbleHillFarm said...

Andrea I just loved this post! Love the photos, love the story...love it all. So sweet that you still have her in your life.
Staci

Anonymous said...

I so understand.....I never became friends with my mom's friend either. She now resides with my sister, they get along much better!

Joan said...

Ü I hope the two of you are getting along and playing nice now. I have my Mom's old black Singer that I did battle with all my life as well. It still works, but I have no intention of ever being friends with it ... still gives my heartburn just recalling the frustration from earlier years! Good luck, Andrea!

~from my front porch in the mountains~ said...

You are too cute and sooooo clever! I cannot wait to see the creations you make together.

I do believe that pink/blue Singer needs a Vintage decor sewing room to hang out in. Maybe with *cabbage roses* wallpaper and a corner filled with a wicker rocker and table to hold the tea pot! It could double as guest room.

I love wallpaper with *cabbage roses*.
~hint~

Hmmm. Someday....
xo, misha

p.s. Thank you so much for your sweet words on my post. I heart you!
LYLAS!

Osage Bluff Quilter said...

Aweeee SWEET!

Maura @ Kisiwa Creek Photography said...

Andrea that was wonderful! I was trying to figure out what you were talking about but a sewing machine didn't come to mind until near the end. Beautifully written. You should try your hand at writing if you haven't already..you have a way with words. I was drawn right in. Love the sewing machine and the fact that it's been in your family as long as you have. Have fun! Maura :)

Flat Creek Farm said...

Oh, dear friend, Andrea... you *do* have a way with words, whether English, French... or..? By golly, You can do it! What a perfectly written post. That girl is absolutely gorgeous, and I know you two will at last find an enduring friendship ;) -Tammy

Verde Farm said...

Andrea, what a beautiful post. I was hanging on every sentence to see who this friend was. How sweet. I love that Singer-she is a beauty but I can appreciate your periods of frustration with the relationship. I have a good feeling now is your time :)

Cheryl said...

What a great post!
Beautiful machine....I'm sure you will develop a lasting friendship!

Jenny said...

I love htis post! It almost looks like my sewing machine!

If you're rusty, e-mail me your addy and I'll send you this ridiculous book I wrote to make strip rag quilts!