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Sepia Saturday 267: Large and Small, Radios, Broadcasting

By Sheetar 22 February 2015 22 February 2015

Better late than never, I suppose! It’s been an incredibly hectic month around here, but I’m still trying to keep up with Sepia Saturday (or Sunday, as the case may be) even if I’ve let the regular blog posts fall by the wayside. The closest thing I have to this week’s prompt is something rather dear to me that I’ve been itching to fit into a prompt. In 1925, when my great grandma Olga Powis was only 25, she got a job as a telephone operator. She continued at that job for 33 years until the system switched to a new system in 1958, making switchboard operators obsolete. As a single mother who raised my grandpa after his dad left very early on, I’m sure this was a great way to help her support her family. The photo above shows her at the switchboard, and she took time to write a note on the back (later in life), “June 1955, On the job, Number Please.”

The way my dad tells it, she was quite the handy gal, and would regularly go back behind the board with the hot poker from the fireplace to make repairs, basically soldering back together bits of the board. The spirit of tinkering with something to get it right, fixing things by yourself, taking things apart to see how they work is definitely alive and well in my family from my grandpa, Olga’s son, to my dad and me and my brother. For me, it was empowering, in a way, to know that my great grandma may have helped set the stage in her era, for me to be able to be a woman working with computers and technology. Whether it’s learned behavior or part of our genetic makeup, I’m not sure, but there are so many stories about all of us in those four generations fixing, tinkering, and taking things apart to see how they work. It’s nice to think that it might have started with one strong woman who wasn’t afraid to fix things herself.

The article below is about the end of the switchboard system and mentions her by name (along with a photo) and alludes to the fact that the voices of these operators will be missed as people will now be able to dial numbers directly. (Click the article to see a larger version)

Sepia Saturday

Sepia Saturday 266: Valentine’s Day

By Sheetar 14 February 2015 12 February 2015

The theme for this week’s Sepia Saturday was Valentine’s Day since the holiday just happens to fall on a Sepia Saturday. I am not a huge fan of the holiday and never have been, so I’m going off the rails on the theme and am just focusing on a sweet love story. IMHO, if you love someone, you shouldn’t need a special holiday to go out for a nice dinner or buy a gift. My husband won’t be home for Valentine’s Day, but I know he cares for me through the little things, and it’s much nicer to be surprised by a bouquet of flowers brought home on a whim instead of prompted because of some special holiday. That said, I’d never turn away a Valentine’s Day sentiment, but it’s nice to be thought of throughout the year instead of on just one holiday.

Anyway, on to that photo! The date is what loosely ties me to the theme. My mother, at some point, had taken a bunch of photos and copied them along with the dates/information on the back. This one is dated February 17, 1945 and labelled as having been taken in France. In the photo is my grandfather, John Rachocki (1914-1984). He married my grandmother about two years prior to this photo being taken and had been in the Air Force for about two years when they were married. Grandpa passed away when I was only four years old so I don’t remember him very well. I’m told he was a gentle giant, standing just shy of 6 feet tall, and only spoke when he had something to say. That of course meant he wasn’t an open book when it came to his feelings, so when my mom asked if he loved grandma, he would reply, “Would I be here if I didn’t?” We found out later, after grandma passed away, that he had written many love letters to grandma while he was overseas and she kept them hidden away for so many years. He might not have expressed his feelings openly for the world to see, but it’s clear that he loved her in his own quiet way.

Sepia Saturday

Sepia Saturday 265: Arts, Crafts, Potters, and Classrooms

By Sheetar 7 February 2015 5 February 2015

I didn’t have any arts and crafts photos in the family archives, but I do have TONS of classroom photos. Here’s a slightly newer photo, but it’s from my husband’s side of the family from Holland, dated on the back as 11 September 1946. As far as location, I found a very similary photo here, including what look to be the same teachers. My husband’s uncle is in the photo, 2nd row from the back, 2nd child from the right. It’s interesting to note that there seem to be three teachers or at the very least one teacher and two aides. The kids are wearing a mix of regular shoes and wooden clogs, and there are a few toys in the front to set the stage. The kids also seem to be wearing some beautiful handknit sweaters and vests! Family stories tell us that my husband’s grandmother made a lot of their clothes as kids (knit and crochet), and being this was just after the end of World War II, it makes sense that certain necessities were a little harder to find. David (Douwe) Jaarsma would’ve been a month shy of 5 when this was taken, so I have to imagine it was a kindergarten class. Sadly, David passed away two years ago this month, and he’s greatly missed by the family.

Subscription Boxes

Goodebox February 2015

By Sheetar 4 February 2015 4 February 2015

February already and that means a new Goodebox for the month. The card in the box says that with Valentine’s Day approaching, we should also focus on self love and taking care of ourselves and the box really plays that theme out well! Before even reading the card, it struck me that all the products are about caring for your face and body – a calming and relaxing sort of theme, so, well played, Goodebox! On to the contents..

Ellovi Tinted Lip Butter – .15 oz / $5.00 – (Full size, value $5.00) I received this in the September 2014 Petit Vour, but even though it’s a repeat, it’s a welcome repeat! They changed their labelling from .07 oz to .15 oz, and either way, both tubes are the same volume, so I’m not sure why they were labelled differently. Though it doesn’t have a scent, it does smell a little like vegetable oil and not really in a good way. It’s subtle and isn’t enough to really stink or make me stop using it because it moisturizes so well and adds just the right amount of light tint.
Lotus Moon Hydro-Therapy Eye Serum – 10 mL / $27.95 – (Full size, value $27.95) I wasn’t initially thrilled by this because my eyes are so sensitive, but after reading the ingredients, I was sold! Really an incredible ingredient list with organic and basic ingredients – no weird chemicals. I’ve already given it a try and love how it feels going on (cooling/soothing).
Real Beauty for a Cause Lotion Bar – 1 bar / $9.99 – (Full size, value $9.99) A THIRD full size product?! I’ve been using lotion bars for a few years already, so I’m no stranger to how great they are. These are perfect for stuffing in a purse and won’t leak like a tube of hand lotion. I’ve never used them in the shower before (oil and water don’t mix, so that doesn’t sound like it would work well), but lotion bars do work great on my hands or on really dry spots on my legs for a big moisture boost. This one feels greasier than others I’ve used probably from the coconut oil.. I don’t think this will knock out my go-to lotion bar from my bag, but it is really fun to try.
Wild Honey Apothecary Pumpkin Cacao Honey Mask – 2 oz / $22.00 – (Sample is about .3 oz, value of $3.30) It’s a teeny sample, but it’s enough for two or so applications, enough to see how it works. The honey scent overwhelms the pumpkin and cacao, but the honey alone smells nice, so it doesn’t matter. I haven’t yet tried it, but I’ll report back with an update when I do. It sounds weird, using sticky honey on your face, but I’ve tried it before (adding honey to the Province Apothecary sample from the August 2014 Goodebox actually worked really well), so I have high hopes for this one.
MSC Skin Care Scent 003 Soy Candle – 8 oz / $38 – (Sample is .9 oz, value of $4.30) It smells like a musky, rich jasmine. Really great for a relaxing spa candle. I figure I’m going to light it in my work space to keep me mellow while I have to work at the computer. I’m not usually big on floral scents, but the richness from the myrrh and cedarwood tone it down enough that I don’t mind the jasmine so much!
MSC Skin Care Scent 002 Parfum – 35 mL / $50.00 – (Sample is 1 mL, value of $1.50 or same size sample for $3 on various websites) The vanilla really takes center stage on this and it’s enhanced by the sandalwood with the lightest touch of floral sweetness. It works really nicely on my skin and with my body chemistry and I’m really happy with the scent. Scents are such a personal thing, so it’s nice to have one work out great for me!

Overall, I was really pleased with the box! I’ll use everything, and am really happy to be introduced to the brands that are new to me. The total value for the box is around $53 which is a really incredible value and includes three full size products! Gotta love that. Well done, Goodebox!!

Sepia Saturday

Sepia Saturday 264: Coastline, aerial photographs, looking down on things

By Sheetar 31 January 2015 28 January 2015

A postcard this time instead of a photo for Sepia Saturday, but it ties together a few other Sepia Saturday posts and fits the prompt image pretty well! The postcard is written by Boyd Wagner, father of the two kids from Sepia Saturday 248, husband to Mary Elizabeth Harris from Sepia Saturday 239, to my great-great grandmother Jessie (Battin) Powis. Boyd and Mary weren’t married until December 20, 1909, so this was sent just two weeks before their marriage if I assume the date to be December 2, 1909 on the postcard. The postcard was sent from a now non-existent post office in Expedit, Pennsylvania, a small mining town in Cambria County. It’s a shame the postmark wasn’t better stamped to show the date and location! Boyd sent the postcard, writing, “With best regards to all, Boyd,” a short and sweet greeting. As the front of the card states, the image is from Coalport, Pennsylvania, and is a very similar view to the postcard from Sepia Saturday 243 albeit some 40 years time difference. The one thing that stands out in the postcard above is the same chuch, Coalport Methodist, as seen in the newer postcard, standing in the bottom left corner, steeple and all. The church, built in 1902, still exists today in its same layout and my last living grandparent is still a member.

Subscription Boxes

Petit Vour January 2014

By Sheetar 28 January 2015 31 January 2015

A new year of Petit Vour! This is a big improvement over the last box that wasn’t a good fit for me at all. This month’s theme is, “The New Luxury,” and the box was co-curated by Emily Nolan of MyKindofLife.com. As usual, there’s a nice mix of products from makeup to hand cream and hair care. I really love that Petit Vour makes an effort to have that kind of variety in each box – it’s never just four makeup products. Anyway, on to the contents!

100% Pure French Lavender Hand Buttercream – 2 oz / $8 – (Sample is 2 oz, value of $8) This smells SO good and isn’t one of those sticky sweet lavender scents, but a nice warm botanical lavender. Moisturizes well without feeling really greasy, and the blend of oils and butters in the ingredients list is awesome! This is going on my bedside table to moisturize dry winter hands overnight, plus that calming lavender scent is great for bedtime.
EVOLVh Leave-In Conditioner – 2.5 oz / $8 – (Sample is 2.5 oz, value on website is showing $10 for the 2.5 oz travel size, and the 8.5 oz size for $26, so value of $10 as packaged) Oh man do I love a leave-in for my curls! This is basically a blend of all kinds of oils which is great – no curl-unfriendly ingredients! I’m not all that wowed by the scent (I prefer the scent of Yarok’s better) since it’s really floral which isn’t my thing. Still, the scent fades quickly anyway and it works great as a 2nd (or 3rd) day curl reviver, and on wet hair as a frizz-fighter. I detangle in the shower by finger combing my hair so I won’t really use this as a detangler. I can’t even tell you how long it’s been since my hair has seen a comb or brush – 6 years? More? Great product though, very happy to see this in the box!
Modern Minerals Eye Shadow – 2 g / $12.50 – (Sample is Full Size, value of $12.50) The color is, “En Pointe,” and is an exclusive color for Petit Vour subscribers. It’s a shimmery coppery pink that’s great for everyday wear and of course, the ingredients are simple and clean. I found this to work really well over a white eye shadow base for an extra pop of color since it’s so light.
RawSkinCeuticals Creme Cheek Color – 5 mL / $15 – (Sample is Full Size, value of $15) Great value, covers the cost of the box, but a totally weird product. The ingredient list contains zinc oxide and titanium dioxide which are great if the product is a sunscreen or eyeshadow or concealer or in some product that you need heavy coverage. For blush, it just doesn’t work. The texture is something like wet chalk – it goes on like a creme and then starts drying to a powder-like finish. Then there’s the color.. The color doesn’t AT ALL match what’s on the website for, “Rose,” and looks much more violety mauve. It makes my cheeks look pasty and pale and dull instead of bright and lightly flushed like a blush should do. I’ve mentioned before that my cheeks are already pretty naturally red/rosy, so a weird purpleish color just doesn’t work. I have a feeling that the zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are not the right ingredients for a blush and cover far too heavily to work well as a blush. However, what makes it fail as a blush makes it work perfectly as an eyeshadow! It actually feels a lot like Nyx’s Eye Shadow base in terms of texture and application/coverage, so I have a new eyeshadow instead of a new blush. That works for me.

Overall, I received two full size products and two travel size products for a total value of $45.50 which more than covers the $15 cost of the box! Really an incredible value this time around and I’m glad that even though the blush isn’t great as a blush, it doubles as a perfect eye shadow, so it’s still a win in my book.

EDIT 31 Jan 2015:
I keep thinking about that blush and keep trying it as a blush, but it keeps coming out dull and oddly reminiscent of zinc-oxide-wearing lifeguards with those big white stripes on their cheeks and nose (Zinka!). I was thinking about alternatives and remembered Josie Maran’s Cheek Gelee which is also vegan and cruelty free as a good example of what works in a cheek product. When I have to use blush (which is rare, because I always have rosy cheeks even when wearing foundation), my go-to favorite is the Josie Maran product because it doesn’t dry my skin out like a powder blush and sinks in well unlike the RawSkinCeuticals that lays on top and manages to miss filling in pores, highlighting them for the world to see. The Josie Maran blush feels creamy and hydrating where the RawSkinCeuticals feels drying and chalky. I wanted to show you the difference so I did a quick side-by-side on my face to show you how the RawSkinCeuticals matches up.
I’ve only corrected the white balance on the image below, no other digital manipulation. Josie Maran on the left, RawSkinCeuticals on the right. You can clearly see here how the left looks pleasantly rosy and the right looks pasty and pale. Both were applied over clean skin, no foundation. And, for the record, I have no connection to either company, just sharing what I found!

Sepia Saturday

Sepia Saturday 263: Old adverts, horses, carts, strange products

By Sheetar 24 January 2015 26 January 2015

Another non-photo prompt for the theme this week. I was (again) a little behind getting my act together and getting a post up, but hey, here we are, finally! Since I’m sticking with family photos for my submissions to Sepia Saturday, I took the horses from the prompt image and came up with mules and photo I’ve been wanting to include sooner or later.

This is Harry Oscar Frederick Powis, aka “Fritz.” He was my great grandma Olga’s brother and lived from 1903-1972 in Clearfield County, Pennsylvania. Thanks to Olga’s efforts later in life to go through and label photos, we know this was taken 27 May 1920 in Coalport, PA and is of, “Fritz and his friendly mules.” Her pen traces over an earlier pencil label likely done when she was much younger. Fritz didn’t live or work on a farm to my knowledge, but the mules may have been used at a coal mine, hauling up loads of coal, similar to the linked photo here. There were farms in the area of course, but unfortunately the 1920 census taker didn’t enumerate this family in 1920 (same census taker missed a number of houses in the area), so I don’t have a paper record of what he was doing in 1920. I guess it’s not out of the realm of possibility for those to be farm mules, but I have no family stories or documentation to prove it either way. Still, it’s a lovely photo and it’s really wonderful to have an exact date to go along with it!

Sepia Saturday

Sepia Saturday 262: The law, trials, photographs with writing on them

By Sheetar 17 January 2015 7 January 2015

I decided to go with photos with writing on them since I have no photos of the other parts of the theme and these have been bugging me for quite some time! They’re glued (securely) to a black construction paper type paper inside a small album that was once my great grandma Olga’s photo album. Two different girls, and for a date, it could be somewhere in the 1930s or 1940s based on where they are in the album and who’s in the pages before and after. I’ve long suspected these may be two of my great grandmother’s cousins or their cousins’ children. There’s really no one in the Battin family that fits the dates well with two girls in the family, so I’m still pretty stumped. Either way, someone was corresponding with my great grandma Olga Powis with inscriptions on the photos saying, “Wishing for your company all by myself,” and, “Greeting from an old pal,” and, “Sitting pretty all by herself.” The center and right photo look to be taken on the same set of steps too. So, still a mystery, but a set of nice photos for a Sepia Saturday.