Memories March 2013

My first memories are of living in Central, Arizona.  We lived just down the road from our Grandma and Grandpa Martin.  Our Grandma and Grandpa Carpenter lived in Thatcher, a small town not far away.  I lived there while I was a preschool child.

Oma as a baby

When Nada Sue, my cousin,  came over to Grandma's house she had to sit and visit like a lady.  If I knocked on the front door and asked if she could play the answer was always no.  So, I would go around to the back and eventually Nada Sue would sneek out and we could play.

Oma as a young child

I loved to play dolls.  When  Nada Sue, came over we would play house  in the irrigation ditch.  It was a cool alternative to the hot Arizona sun.  It was very deep and had a cement pipe that was under the drive way that acted as our playhouse. One time I left my favorite doll in the "playhouse".  The irrigation water came in and swept my doll away.  I was very sad.

My dad made me a doll bed where I put the dolls to sleep at night.

I can remember walking to see my grandmother in a gorgeous princess dress.  I stepped into the house to show her and suddenly my gown turned into a plain towel because my grandma had company.  I didn't have to worry because they both admired my fine attire.

My grandma Martin made all types of dolls, monkeys and other items.  Her hands were always busy.  She taught me how to snap green beans and how to kill the flies that were on her porch with the flyswatter.  I was a good help!  She had hollyhocks growing near the front porch.  I always think of her when I see those flowers.

We had round the block parades for primary.  We would dress up our bikes and wagons and go around the block.  My grandma would be there to wave at us.  When we lived there my brother Carl said that he liked going to the Martin's to eat better than the Carpenters.  He said it was because he didn't have to wash his hands at the Martins.  It was a fun place for children to visit and explore.  I got to gather eggs and take tractor rides with grandpa Martin.  They also had a see-saw in the front yard under the pecan trees.  When we moved away we got a sack of pecans from their trees for Christmas.  One of our favorite family activities was shelling pecans.  I guess not only because we loved pecans but  because it connected us back to our Arizona family.

My Aunt Marva was a teenager when I lived there.  She was lots of fun.  She could pick up things with her toes!  She could do cartwheels down the street!  She loved Elvis Presley and had huge full slips that she wore under her skirts.  Although I don't remember many of the things that we did together I do remember that she loved me and liked having me around.

Carl and Sherri Martin
Oma and her brother Carl