Now for something Completely Different

Not that this blog has gone places, cause it hasn't, I feel I may take this and turn it into something that also includes more of my life and interests. Through the decades I have had many hobbies and interests. It did kind of start with Barbie and my need for her to have things for her imaginary house. My mother had a sewing machine and the next thing I knew was learning to sew. I come by it honestly. My Great grandmother in Bernburg sewed and my mother learned to be a seamstress in Germany. She didn't use her skills to make a living, but I did watch how she sewed and then watched how my playmates mother sewed her daughters clothing. Between both of them, I learned to construct my own clothing, and clothing for my youngest sister. Some of the stuff was garbage, but we'll call them learning experiences.

My mothers style and the clothes that were popular in the seventies fueled the desire to construct my own clothing. I made mostly blouses, but also made skirts, pants, outfits. Most of the items turned out really good and I found my way to make things cheaper than what I found. Mostly it was a way to fit me too, since I always was a tad heavier for the norm of the day. And taller. Now it is nothing to find clothes that actually fit, if places carry that size. I suppose sewing was my first hobby. It evolved into doing embroidery, and then somehow everyone was doing cross stitch, in which I made several works of art for my walls. My love of Barbie furniture turned into creating things in miniature. 1 to 12 scale. Still have all that stuff. As my daughter grew up and it was time for Barbie and American Girl, I was able to make things that I loved. These hobbies have sustained me. I find now though I am having a difficult time finding things to do that I love. I do not like to just make things without a reason and for this I am sad. Hopefully one day I'll have a reason to feel motivated again.

I love Class Photos. They give the viewer a glance of the times. My mother is in this one and I would think this is taken between 1947-1948. She would be 6 to 7 years old if this is the case. I believe the family was living in Bernburg, Germany at the time, however I might be incorrect. The hair styles are very similar. 2 children are smiling. My mother is the child in the middle in the third row with the white collar. Surely she would not get mad if she should see this?

I love Class photos for some reason. I love this one because my Oma is in here. She is in the second row, and she is the second child on the left. Gotta love the hat that the teacher is wearing. I do not see any boys in this class. It is the only class picture I have of my grandmother. It would be nice to know which school this is also, but I believe that might always be a mystery.

        The next picture is of my Grandfathers class. He is in the middle. I love his teachers look also. I was thinking I was told he was in high school there? But since the German learning stages of schooling are different, I am not quite sure where he was. Looks as if he is about 17 in the picture. But he was schooled in Bernburg, and studied in Berlin for his Doctorate which he had when he was married to my Grandmother.

Class Photo in Berlin 1926. perhaps 1927

A Class Photo with my Grandfather

Introducing my Great grandparents on my Grandfathers Side

Paul Stapf

This is Paul Stapf also. I guess in Germany, it is not the way to say Senior or Junior. I am unsure if there is any formality to this. I know that they lived in Bernburg. And that he did something at the soda factory maybe.I know my family lived with them after the war. I am thinking they moved there during the war.

Auguste Hedwig Stapf nee Nettling

My mother said that my Great Grandmother was mean. They only had one child that I am aware of, and that was my grandfather. I wish I knew their birthdays and death dates and also where they are buried. And if there are any other photographs. I have a couple pictures.Also being able to trace back more in terms of Geneology would be nice. The Nettling I did find was from the 1700's and was an artist. Coincidentally we have strong artistic abilities. My nephew is a tattoo artist and my aunt is very talented as well as my mother and myself. 

So my aunt remembers their address. Neinburger Strasse 11. Shame Google maps hasn't got Street view for Bernburg. My grandfather never saw them again after they left East Germany.