46 random facts should count as Little-Bits-of-Random don't you think?
1. I had to do the math to figure out what birthday this was. 2010 - 1964. (kind of funny, but 46 is just a number to me... )
2. I think Faith is a very key ingredient to a great life.
3. I was delivered to my mom in a Christmas stocking.
4. 2 of my 3 daughters weighed the same as I did at birth
5. I think that Peanut butter should be it's own food group!
6. I like the dark hours of the day (well I guess that would be night...)
7. I love sleeping in a tent when it is raining
8. Christmas is my favorite time of year
9. I LOVE to travel
10. That being said, I would go almost anywhere if I were given a ticket!
11. I have dipped my toes in the Pacific ocean from the West coast of one country, and the East Coast of another.
12. Sauerkraut is one of the nastiest things that people call food. Sent shivers down my spine just typing that.
13. I received the same comment on almost every report card I received in elementary school. "Dianna needs to spend less time staring out the window and more time concentrating on her work in front of her"
14. I loved the 11 years that I co-owned the scrapbooking store, but I rarely miss it now. I miss the people, but not the daily store stuff for the most part.. some days yes.
15. I read every night before bed
16. I rarely talk on the phone without a pen and a piece of paper in my hand (there are scraps & doodling by every phone)
17. I collect snowmen - I hung almost 200 on the garland in my stair well this year.
18. The pull tabs on the Minute Maid frozen juice with the ones with a finger hole make me happy.
19. Salty over sweet most days.
20. My all time favorite Christmas movie is "It's a Wonderful Life"
21. We wrap gifts and watch the above movie every year on my birthday.
22. I can only recall one time receiving a combo birthday / Christmas gift. (well until this year, but that is o.k T it really is!)
23. I love the smell of a brand new book
24. Love Love Love walking beside the open ocean
25. I with the help of some great Doc's and God's healing hand.... kicked breast cancer to the curb
26. Yes, I do dye my hair
27. Disneyland is one of my happy places.
28. Silver over Gold
29. I have made snow-angels in the snow (in my bathing suit)
30. I like to shoot people with my Canon
31. I rarely dream at night.. daydreaming is another story see....#13
32. Long road trips with 3 kids ARE FUN, I look forward to them and treasure the ones of the past.
33. I have laughed so hard at my kids that stuff has come out my nose
34. Walking on the beach is one of my favorite things to do
35. Bath over a shower any day, preferably with bubbles
36. I am a self professed chocolate snob - dark baby!
37. I believe that laughter is truly the best medicine... Laughing every day is a goal
38. I can get lost online reading blogs and looking at photography sites...
39. I may not dream, but I have been known to sleep walk and wake up in a closet
40. Was the best birthday party ever... Rollerskating with 100+ friends and family members- SO MUCH FUN!
41. I have slept under the stars
42. My most favorite piece of Jewelry is my charm bracelet - so many stories.. so many memories
43. I really like red shoes but sadly only own one pair (might need to change that this year!)
44. I am blessed to have many friends near and far. I may not see them often, but we can pick up where we left off and go from there, no questions asked...
45. Is how old I thought I was until I actually did the math.. Man that year went by in the blink of a calculator flash.
46. I actually like making lists like this. It does not start with "TO DO TODAY"
So there you have it 46 slightly random things you may or may not know about me...
One more.. Today was a great birthday, and that flash of a year was great too.. No regrets!
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
What's his is more mine than mine is.....
It's true. Royd's extended family is more my family than my own extended family. I suppose that distance, different views of life, divorce, adoption, and in the extreme case not even knowing we had extended family on mom's side all add up to cousins who I rarely see or have anything in common with.
Royd's family on the other hand feels like how I always imagined family should be. Certainly not perfect, and there is certainly some disconnect there as well, however the ties that bind are much tighter. Royd's dad is one of 10. Royd is one of 30 grandchildren, 15 boys & 15 girls. When Ashlynn was born I think we calculated that she was the 30th great grand child - since then that generation has exploded and I have lost track. Last weekend as many who could make it gathered for a Christmas get together, it was a loud, happy, joyous affair. By Hilstad standards there were very few there (33 I think) but those who were not there were certainly there in spirit, talked about (in a good way), remembered and cherished.
I remember my first ever Christmas gathering, there must have been 50 or more gathered in Art's house (Royd's dad's). To say I was overwhelmed was an understatement. At the time Royd and I were 'just friends' truly, and honestly 'just friends' good friends albeit, but just friends. I was feeling a little shy and just wanted to observe. That did not matter to the aunts and uncles... I was as good as married to the guy - after all at 20ish he had never brought another girl to the shin dig, grandpa & grandma loved me, and I sassed a few of them back (in a most playful polite sort of way)... I was invited back the next year by Uncle Larry then and there. I am sure that Royd had not thought that far in advance. To say the least I was welcomed into the fold and totally engulfed by the love that is this family. 20 some odd years later, it truly is more my family than my own is. And you know what that is o.k. my family is what it is and I am happy to embrace my husbands extended family in the same way they have embraced me. I am glad for my girls, that they can be a part of it knowing that they have a place to belong, aunts & uncles who look forward to seeing how much they have grown each year. Cousins, to play games with, tease and interact with or little ones to entertain. This is what family is supposed to be. Even if there are months or years between visits.. you pick up where you left off, give a hug and in the Hilstad family, grab a coffee and a piece of Lefsa and settle in for a good visit. Looking forward to this summer when we will gather for an Aunt & Uncle's 50th anniversary - now that will be a party! Watch out Saskatchewan the Hilstads are coming......
My dad is one of 3 boys. Bob, did not have any children. Larry, has 7 and the last time I saw more than one of them was at Grandma's memorial service - 12 years ago. Gulp! I do have one cousin that I keep in random contact via Facebook, he is likely the only one who would recognize me if we passed on the street. However it is a contact in the case of family emergency... Sad, yup, but that is the reality in the world of the Rogers boys. My mom, well that is a long story and you can read more about that here. Suffice to say, I have more cousins on that side than I even knew existed before 2008.
Royd's family on the other hand feels like how I always imagined family should be. Certainly not perfect, and there is certainly some disconnect there as well, however the ties that bind are much tighter. Royd's dad is one of 10. Royd is one of 30 grandchildren, 15 boys & 15 girls. When Ashlynn was born I think we calculated that she was the 30th great grand child - since then that generation has exploded and I have lost track. Last weekend as many who could make it gathered for a Christmas get together, it was a loud, happy, joyous affair. By Hilstad standards there were very few there (33 I think) but those who were not there were certainly there in spirit, talked about (in a good way), remembered and cherished. 
I remember my first ever Christmas gathering, there must have been 50 or more gathered in Art's house (Royd's dad's). To say I was overwhelmed was an understatement. At the time Royd and I were 'just friends' truly, and honestly 'just friends' good friends albeit, but just friends. I was feeling a little shy and just wanted to observe. That did not matter to the aunts and uncles... I was as good as married to the guy - after all at 20ish he had never brought another girl to the shin dig, grandpa & grandma loved me, and I sassed a few of them back (in a most playful polite sort of way)... I was invited back the next year by Uncle Larry then and there. I am sure that Royd had not thought that far in advance. To say the least I was welcomed into the fold and totally engulfed by the love that is this family. 20 some odd years later, it truly is more my family than my own is. And you know what that is o.k. my family is what it is and I am happy to embrace my husbands extended family in the same way they have embraced me. I am glad for my girls, that they can be a part of it knowing that they have a place to belong, aunts & uncles who look forward to seeing how much they have grown each year. Cousins, to play games with, tease and interact with or little ones to entertain. This is what family is supposed to be. Even if there are months or years between visits.. you pick up where you left off, give a hug and in the Hilstad family, grab a coffee and a piece of Lefsa and settle in for a good visit. Looking forward to this summer when we will gather for an Aunt & Uncle's 50th anniversary - now that will be a party! Watch out Saskatchewan the Hilstads are coming......
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