Hello Tiffany!

I just received information from one of our new blog readers and she is one of our relatives!  How great is that?

Tiffany provided the following photos for me to share.  She is from the White and the DeKilder side of our family.

Letha Mae White Fouts is holding Clare with Joyce and David in front of her (her children with Merle Fouts), Letha Louise Baker Louis is next to Letha and she is holding Janet Lewis and Sandra Lee Lewis is in front.

David, Joyce and Clare Fouts.

Fred Mullet and Joyce Fouts wedding photo.

Letha White Fouts and Merle Fouts.

Letha White Fouts and Merle Fouts.

John Fouts and Susan V. Willison Married October 28, 1915.

This photo was sent to me by my cousin "Rich" Clare Fouts, he is the son of Merle and Letha White Fouts.  The caption on this photo is in Rosa's hand writing and reads:  John Fouts and Susan V. Willison was united in marriage Oct. 28, 1915 and lived in this residence 13 years.

Thank you Clare.

My favorite photo of Rosa Dell Hann

This is my favorite photo of Grandma and her sister, Grandma is the younger one on the left and you can almost see the energy in her that she drew from all of her life...she's ready to get down and get moving.

More photos

I am adding some more photos here.

Seems like everyday I learn something new, and that includes how to display these photos in a size that they can be viewed easier.  So, having said that, some of these are already here on the blog, but they deserve a closer look.

Thank you for visiting.

Rosemary

December 3, 1951 Letter from Rosa Fouts to Gimbel Family

This letter from Rosa Dell Hann Fouts to Orpha, Bud, Bob, Claudia and Rosemary was in with the letters that Orpha saved that her son Bob wrote to her and his Dad during the time he was in the army. If you would like to read his letters, please visit http://pocofish2.blogspot.com/


Mesa Arizona

Dear Orpha, Bud, Bob, Claudia and Rosemary,

I hope this reaches you before Bob leaves. I sure would of loved to have seen him, in fact I think I am a little home sick.
I love the weather here but don't like it as it is so far from all you children.
We are about as usual.
Wish it was so you could come here while we are here.
We was to Glady's last Sunday. Willards was with us, we had a very nice visit. She wanted to get us some dinner but there were 7 of us but she made coffee and we had cake. Swell coffee to as yo know I broke my stem in mine (coffee percolator) before we left and have not bought any, so we make instant coffee, but I like perked the best.
If nothing happens we are leaving Saturday the 8th of December for California.
So if you answer right back return mail, I may not get it but air mail is I think just 1 day ahead of other mail.
You did not say when Bob was leaving for California, we are going to be around San Bernadino, that's where Uncle Henry Bowman lives.
Tell Bud, wages here are not so high but one don't use much fuel and no heavy clothes.
Did Rosemary know Bob?
Oh Orpha, I have very little paper. I forgot to get a tablet and my, I sure write a lot.
Yes, Orpha, I will be praying and praying and please, Orpha, you and bud don't get sick over Bob leaving. I feel he will be safe. I have faith and faith is what counts. The Lord can take care of us better than we can, so we must trust in him.
I too, saw where they are talking peace, I believe we will have it as I think the Russians are beginning to think if they don't do something pretty soon, we will be obliged to use the atom bomb and they don't want their soil all blowed up.
What is Claudia doing? Is she getting ready for Christmas entertainment at school?
You know I told you we went to Gladis and Willard went a long, well we got us a few small cactus and we was not supposed to get them. Then we did not hardily know how to get rid of them but we did. You are not supposed to get them. They are government property but we did not see where it was posted. Well, we have learned better. Gladys told us.
Well Orpha, I want to say so much that probably I won't say anything.
I got a letter from Mrs. Hardy and they are planning on going to Florida.
Dad likes it here a lot better than I do or at least he says so.
I wrote Merle and Joyce both a letter, I hope they have it now.
My it seems months since I saw you children.
We are on a very busy road, if I wasn't I would die from lonely.
Well, I'll be good but if I get too lonely, I will come home, cold, snow, rain or shine. It won't make any difference.
Take good care of yourselves and don't worry too much about Bob and us. We will all be fine and all be home safe and sound someday.
Lots of love to Orpha, bud and the Sweet Children.
Kisses to all and take care of yourselves.
Mother and Dad.

Women that behave seldom make history.

March 24, 2010 5:46 pm.

Thank you to everyone that will be taking the time to read this blog.

You know someone once said "Women that behave seldom make history". My Grandma Fouts certainly did not follow any one's path. She was a good woman that did not behave as others in her generation did, as pretty much all the strong women in my family. I'm proud of them all.

My Grandparents probably had only a 6th or 8th grade education, they managed to maintain an above average life style by working hard, saving, flipping homes - selling them on land contracts earning interest. I think at one time they may have had 6 homes, maybe more. They also made money raising and selling cows, butter, chickens, eggs, corn, asparagus, raspberries, cherries, cucumbers, sweetcorn, flowers, rabbits and who knows what else.

Yet, they lived good, they never went without. They had nice clothes, nice cars, beautiful homes, televisions, modern appliances, and good food. They were also caring and sharing people.

They were members of the Church of the Brethren, baptised there, but they just really really believed in God. Period.

I didn't know when I started this blog, that I would find myself saying hello and then sadly goodbye again to Grandma, Grandpa, as well as my Mother, Father, Brother, Sister, Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins.

I want to invite anyone that has questions to contact me, this is "our" family and I have old photos and other information you may be interested in sharing. So please contact me at Pocofish@aol.com.

I also have the "Gimbel Family Tree" in Ancestry.com as with any of this, you are welcome to check it out and use the information that you need. I will continue to update and add, I just made a major correction this morning, so I am learning constantly and value input from others. I will also be adding more photos, soon.

Thank you again.
Rosemary Gimbel King
Orpha and Bud's Daughter, Rosa and Orby's Granddaugher and Hazel and Otto's Granddaughter.

November 1966

Tuesday, November 1, 1966
It flaked a little snow this morning. I mopped my kitchen. I am dizzy but the floor was so dirty.
Wednesday, November 2, 1966
I was sick. Orpha came over and was with me 4 hours, she is sick herself but Orby called her also Bud and you know she was sick herself but came and would not eat any dinner. They brought our tractor and snow plow over tonight, cost $5.00 to get fixed.
Thursday, November 3, 1966
It snowed last night, I don't know how deep as Dad has not got out. I feel some better but awful dizzy yet. Sent letter to Merle and Letha.
Friday, November 4, 1966
I sent letter to Lane Bryant today. Dad shoveled snow out of driveway. Then went to big store in Kalamazoo.
Saturday, November 5, 1966
It is flaking a little snow. I am still dizzy. We will have chicken and sweet potatoes for dinner. Mrs. Dennis called. She is not too good. Ernest better. Orpha called, she was mad, I don't know why. Snow is going away some.
Sunday, November 6, 1966
Wrote letter to Mrs. Charles Isabell Carlson at 2345 E. Main, Mesa Arizona. I had Rex of Ohio on at 8 o'clock, his sermon was good. They had Communion today. Orpha and Rosemary was here a while today. Orby went to Ike's and got papers. Dorothy and Ken and Butch was here a while.
Monday, November 7, 1966
I cleaned my blinds, did not do much. Orby wanted me to cut on pie when we had apple sauce, plums, pears open and I would not. Then he said we never have anything to eat. We also had irish potatoes and sweet potatoes besides pickles, beets and what goes every day with a meal.
Tuesday, November 8, 1966
Today is Election Day. Dad voted, I stayed at home. Orpha called, she said Rosemary was in school. Snow is gone and am I glad. Dad went to Kalamazoo for groceries.
Wednesday, November 9, 1966
It is raining some. Well, election is over maybe now we can hear other programs besides election. (Even back then..) I had meat, hominy, kraut, pears and cookies.
Thursday, November 10, 1966
It is raining. Wrote Willard a letter about Carlson at Mesa to see them, as they are back 2 months on payment on house on Miller Road. Carlson paid 2 months, October and November.
Friday, November 11, 1966
I vacuumed the house. Did not do too much but it is not too nice out , looks like rain or snow.
Saturday, November 12, 1966
Sat around all day, my eye was blood shot. So I did not do much.
Sunday, November 13, 1966
I did a wash, hung 2 sheets out doors as it was real nice, the rest in basement. Mrs. Hardy called and I was in bathtube but Dad told her I would call tomorrow.
Monday, November 14, 1966
I did another wash, hung 2 sheets out as I know they would dry as it is nice. Dad went ot Otsego to get Ike's shoe, last as my shoes need resoling. Orpha called said Laura and Leon from Grand Rapids was there for dinner. Called Mrs. Hardy. She is not too good, we talked quite a long time. Got letter from Lane Bryant and Merle.
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(And this is where we say "Good bye" this is the last of her entries...Thank you Grandma, you were one heck of a woman!
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