Two Noras: April 7, 1914 and April 7, 2021

 Nora Bauer: Tuesday, April 7, 1914

Rained again all morning. Margaret Schnitz was down to the office and we were trying to start a set of books. 20

Nora Spitznogle: Wednesday, April 7, 2021

Another beautiful day in the Valley of the Sun. Ann had a PT appointment followed by lunch and vintage shopping. 

You may remember that after Grandma Nora died in 1951, Paul married Margaret Schnitz in 1954. I find it delightful to find glimpses of Nora and Margaret together. I also find it interesting that Nora always mentions Margaret by first and last name. 

Sunny and warm here. Harry and I took an early morning walk and shared a banana at the local coffee house. Ann had an afternoon physical therapy appointment. I sat outdoors and soaked in the sun while Annie did the hard work. 

We stopped for lunch at one of Ann's favorite Mexican restaurants and she took me to a fun vintage store. I found a few things, including a vintage flashlight, that will fit in my suitcase. 

We had a relaxing evening at home. Annie and I watched episodes of HGTV shows, including the Brady Bunch house renovation series. The Brandy Bunch was one of the few shows that we were allowed to watch as kiddos. It blew our minds when we learned from the renovation show that the house shown in the series was not the interior used on the show....in fact, when you look at the house you realized that there is no second floor, while there was on the show. 

Tim, Ann, and I  played three rousing rounds of dominos - Ann beat us soundly all three rounds. Rematch tomorrow! 

Two Noras: April 6, 1914 and April 6, 2021

Nora Bauer: Monday, April 6, 1914

Was raining all day. Was working on my waist tonight. Had it cut out and basted part of it up. 

Nora Spitznogle: Tuesday, April 6, 2021

Beautiful sunny day in Phoenix.  Morning walk with Harry, errands, lunch with Indiana cousin Julie. Swinging and nap in between. 

A waist is a blouse! At least I think it is...here is an article that sort-of-explains it - the author is justifiably confused also. It sure makes more sense that Grandma Nora was cutting and basting a blouse pattern rather than some sort of belt or sash. 

Today was warm and sunny - in the 90s. I took Harry for a short walk followed by errands with Ann. 

Nora, Julie, Ann

Our maternal cousin Julie and her family are in Phoenix for their Spring Break. I did giggle the we had to go cross country to see each other when we both live in Indiana. It was great to catch up with her. 

Ann and Tim have a wonderful backyard that includes swings - how fun is that? And it's impossible to not smile while swinging. 

Two Noras: April 5, 1914 and April 5, 2021

Nora Bauer: Sunday, April 5, 1914

Was nice out today but pretty cold. Margaret, Clara and I went out walking this afternoon passed the light plant. We all went to Aunt Kate's tonight. 

Nora Spitznogle: Monday, April 5, 2021

Woke up early and took Harry for a 45 minute walk. Drove Annie to physical therapy appointment at Mayo Clinic. Watched NCAA Men's Championship and EBTH tonight. 

I spent a few minutes seeing if I could find Clara's last name and whether Grandma Nora meant Margaret Schnitz. When she's mentioned Margaret Schnitz in the past, she's always included her last name. The Light Plant was in the news that month because the manager was under fire for mismanaging public funds. I wonder if Nora's employer, Barnes Construction, built the building?

Aunt Kate is married to Nora's Uncle Valentine. 

It's three hours earlier in Phoenix than Indianapolis, so when Ann and Tim's dog, Harry, bounded in the room, I was already awake. We walked around the neighborhood for 45 minutes. For a small dog - he weighs less than my Tilly cat - he makes an impressive amount of potty stops. 

Ann and I ventured out to the grocery store - I purchased a cute felted Easter rabbit on sale - and walked around the outdoor mall. Back home for a short nap before the drive to Ann's PT appointment at Mayo Clinic - it's an impressive place! Lunch and back home for a rest. I soaked in some sun while swinging in their back yard. 

 

At Ann's suggestion, I'd brought Yat's with me. a favorite of Tim's. My little food safety heart wanted to make sure that it got there at the correct temperature. I picked it up on Thursday, blast chilled at at work and froze it solid for transporting in a cooler with freezer blocks. We enjoyed it for dinner - it sure was tasty! 

Ann and Tim have a projection television and a huge screen - what a great way to watch the championship game. I really enjoyed watching the games this year - I'm sure it had to do with the fact that they were all in Indianapolis (or at Purdue and I.U.). We were rooting for Gonzaga, but Baylor dominated the whole game. 

After that we watched "my" episode of the HGTV show Everything but the House. It was big silly fun to see myself larger than life. 

I had the giggles! 

Wait! I'm Nora S.! 

Two Noras: April 4, 1914 and Apri 4, 2021

Nora Bauer: Saturday, April 4, 1914

Was up town this morning and went up to the Church this afternoon. 

Nora Spitznogle: Sunday, April 4, 2021

Mass this morning. Visited with all of my immediate family today! Flew to Phoenix .

Sometimes describing my day in the same number of words that Grandma Nora used to describe her day is a real challenge! 

The day started out in a panic. I'd worked late at the Red Key and it was after 4:00 A.M. by the time I was showered and in bed. I thought I'd set my alarm for 9:45 and clearly goofed up. I woke up at 10:22 and managed to be sprinting in to the church gym at 10:31. Luckily I live only five minutes from the church. With distancing protocols in place, the Mass was live-streamed into the gym so more people could attend. I was an EME for the gym service - I love participating in the Mass. This morning I walked from the gym to the church and took the concentrated hosts back to the gym for distribution. I'm glad it wasn't raining! 

Back home to pack for my visit to sister Annie -the temperature in Phoenix is in the high 90s! 

Brother J.R. and his family (beautiful wife Anna, and their fabulous children, Molly and John David) invited the family for desserts in their back yard. Mom and Dad and sister Beth and her hubby, Troy were there, as was our cousin Jim and his daughters, Maggie and Monica. A whole gaggle of Grandma Nora's children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. 

We also celebrated Dad's upcoming 85th birthday (April 8) 

Not sure why I was staying on one foot...Niece Molly (20), Nora, John David (18)

J.R. and Nora

Cousin Jim Spitznogle

Cousins Maggie, Molly, and Monica Spitznogle

What a joy! The immediate family hadn't been together since Christmas 2019. I did a terrible job of photographing the group - I was too busy soaking in the moment. 

I headed to the airport from there. I like to get there in plenty of time and I'm glad I did. I had no idea how many people travel on Easter - it must able be Spring Break time. My flight was full - I hadn't been that close to that many people since I last flew (October 2019). I'm vaccinated and I was double masked (one was a KN95) and my seat mates were great about keeping their masks on. 

During my restaurant and health care years, I worked as many holidays as not, and always appreciated when a customer acknowledged it. I took some windup toys to pass out along the way. I gave them to the baggage crew, gate crew, and flight crew. They were a big hit, especially with the flight crew. They thanked me over the intercom and had fun racing them - apparently blue always won. 

Tim, my wonderful brother-in-law, picked me up at the airport. The Easter Bunny had left my Easter basket in Phoenix - how fun! It was great to catch up with Ann and Tim with over salads. 

Two Noras: April 3, 1914 and April 3, 2021

 Nora Bauer: Friday, April 3, 1914

Got up for 6 o'clock Mass this evening. Was up town again this afternoon and saw Paul. Uncle Val was sick today and Bertha was too. 

Nora Spitznogle: Saturday, April 3, 2021

Beautiful weather today.  Cleaned and organized the house in preparation for traveling to Phoenix tomorrow. Worked at the Red Key this evening - busy night. 

I wonder what time Grandma Nora got up in the morning? Was she and early bird or night owl? Uncle Val was sick last week also. Bertha is one of Nora's cousins. 

I spent the day doing laundry and chores. I ventured out to put gas in the car and go to the post office. The house is ready for me to leave town, but I'm not. I still need to pack...

The Red Key was nice and busy. 

Two Noras: April 2, 1914 and April 2, 2021

Nora Bauer: Thursday, April 2, 1914

Was colder today. Went up town this afternoon. Went to confession tonight and went home with Mrs. Medland. 

Nora Spitznogle: Friday, April 2, 2021

Worked until time for Mass. End of Lent dinner with Brad and Ed at Aristocrat. Red Key after.

 It was colder here today also. I probably should have covered my rhubarb and bleeding heart plants. 

I just realized that I haven't gone to confession for over a year. My confessions at this point in my life are starting to resemble by teenage years....I'm frustrated with my parents, I didn't clean my room...

I did a quick search of the Medland's. There was a Medland family that were Catholic and in the construction business. 

I worked until 2:00 today - scrambling to get everything done since I'll be gone next week. Attended Good Friday services at Saint Joan of Arc. Happy to see long-time family friends, Mr. and Mrs. Kramer. Not only is the Good Friday service a solemn occasion, with the pandemic there is no socializing. 

I'd planned to break my Lenten no-booze fast (although I'd already cheated twice - Saint Patricks' Day and when Aaron was in town) at dinner with Brad and Ed at the Aristocrat. We popped over to the Red Key to celebrate the 70th Anniversary of the Settle family owning the tavern. We sat next to Brad and Ed's friends Tracy, Jer, and Leslie. I've waited on themover the years, so it was nice to officially meet them. 

Two Noras: April 1, 1914 and April 1, 2021

Nora Bauer: Wednesday, April 1, 1914

Rained again today. Went to church tonight. 

Nora Spitznogle: Thursday, April 1, 2021

Long work day. Errands and calls after. 

I should have gone to church tonight - it's Maundy Thursday, or Holy Thursday as it's better known. The day is a remembrance of the Last Supper. I am signed up (there are still capacity limits due to the pandemic - which I'm all for) for Good Friday Mass tomorrow afternoon. 

I love April Fools' Day and had fun with some innocent tricks. 

I spoke to half of the family this evening - Mom, Beth, and Ann. Annie sounds good, she's home after her surgery. I'm starting to *think* about packing for the trip to Phoenix. I was telling Beth that I've forgotten how to travel. 

Speaking of the Last Supper, here is a little grouping I put together as part of my rearranging project. I purchased this Last Supper/Jesus from Beth a few years ago. 

Last Supper from one angle

Rock Star Jesus from the other angle

My favorite piece is this painting that was given to my material Grandmother Leona as a wedding gift in 1935 from Sister Rose, the superintendent of nursing at Saint Vincent's Hospital in Indianapolis, where Grandma Leona went to nursing school. 

Grandma Leona gave it to my Mom and Dad as an anniversary gift in 1976. Mom gave it to me in 2015. I love how the history is preserved on the back of the painting.