Norman Miller

Biography

Timeline

1. 1965

   Barbara and Norman marry

   Barbara's Chapter

2. 1965

   Move to the Bloomington-Normal area

   Barbara's Chapter

3. While at Western Illinois University

   Barbara meets Norman

   Barbara's Chapter

4. date not given

   Three children arrive in quick succession

   Barbara says they had Matthew, Jennifer and Amy in quick succession.

   Barbara's Chapter

5. date not given

   Norm finds enjoyable work at State Farm Insurance

   Barbara says Norm has always enjoyed this job.

   Barbara's Chapter

6. the first time Norm came to our house to meet the family

   Norm meets the family

   During Norm's introductory family visit, Floyd took him to Iris’s house and silently drained an almost empty liquor bottle found in the garage garbage.

   Barbara's Chapter

7. On the weekend

   Weekend apples and cider outings

   Norm took the group to the Apple Barn to load up on apples and cider during Mom’s visits.

   Carol's Chapter

Stories mentioning Norman

• Norm’s Unforgettable First Family VisitOn Norm's first visit to meet the family, Floyd took him to Iris’s house. Entering through the garage, Floyd silently picked up an almost empty bottle of booze, drained it, and returned it to the garbage.
• Floyd at the StoplightNorm associates Floyd with sitting in a car at a stoplight, opening the door slightly to spit, and calling other drivers “half-wits.”
• Barbara’s Years of Family, Learning and QuiltingBarbara left for Western Illinois University in 1963, met Norman Miller and married him in 1965. They moved to the Bloomington-Normal area that year and had Matthew, Jennifer and Amy in quick succession. After taking ten years off to raise the children, Barbara completed her Art degree in 1979. Norman found enjoyable work at State Farm Insurance, while Barbara devoted years to children's activities, worked in university Admissions and at an art center, and later found creative satisfaction in quilting.
• Christmas Trees, Stocking Treats, and Family TogethernessCarol recalls Daddy waiting until close to Christmas to buy inexpensive trees, once paying fifty cents, and drilling holes to rearrange branches. The family decorated with paper chains, popcorn, ornaments, saved tinsel, and fiberglass angel hair that made their skin itch. Their everyday socks held fruit, walnuts, and candy; they later learned Daddy bought the biggest apples and oranges at Lagomarcino’s. He traditionally gave Mom two pairs of nylon stockings. Larger family gatherings moved to Iris and Bill’s for Christmas Eve. Christmas was Mom’s favorite holiday: after the children left home, she usually put up her tree by early December, shopped with Barb in Normal, and enjoyed specialty shops and tearoom lunches. Norm took the group to the Apple Barn for apples and cider. Mom also finished ornament balls at Barb’s and taught Amy and Jenny to make them. Carol believed Mom especially loved the holiday because it brought the whole family together.

In the family geneagram

Recorded in the geneagram kept with the book. Where the corrected pages and the master run differ, both readings are shown and the corrected one is the reading the archive follows.

Referenced in

• Barbara's Chapter — MEMORIES OF DADDY
• Barbara's Chapter — LATER LIFE
• Carol's Chapter — COOKIES