Every once in a while something will happen and I am instantly transported to another time and another place, it is as if I am living in a moment from years ago. I can never plan for such occurrences, and I can never know when it will happen, it just happens, there is something that triggers deep down inside, it is almost as if something snaps - I do not know if I can describe it any better than that. It certainly does not happen very often, but when it does it is just like I am standing in the moment of yesterday or yesteryear once again, it is quite odd but very interesting at the same time.
Tonight it happened as I stuck my hand in a bag of 1/2 stale mini marshmallows - you know the kind, a little bit hard because the bag has been left open but no so hard they hurt your teeth, and they are a little chewier than they are when they are fresh. Oddly, this is actually how I prefer my marshmallows. Strange I know, but i think it is time and space association, for tonight when I popped one of those marshmallows in my mouth I was instantly transported to another time and another place!
I was standing in my Grandma's kitchen in the little house on John Street. Grandma has been gone just over 8 years now, and it has been at least 20 since she lived in the house on John street - however tonight things sort of stood still and I was there. I closed my eyes and it smelled like her house, it sounded like her house - momentarily I WAS at her house standing in front of the sliding door cupboard in in the far corner of her kitchen.
Oh how I loved Grandma's kitchen - it was a huge room that easily covered 1/4 of the total floor space of her little house. It was grand central station, everything that happened at Grandma's house happened in the kitchen ( with the exception of watching Gene Keniski wrestling on Saturdays with Grandpa- that happened in the living room!) I mean everything all the visiting happened around the big kitchen table, card games, skinned knees were patched, boyfriends discussed, tears dried, photos were taken, hair was styled, meals were eaten, sleep overs with my cousins always happened in the kitchen. I learned how to cook in Grandma's kitchen. Everyone was always welcome in Grandma's kitchen.
And tonight for just a moment in time I was there standing in front of the cupboard sliding it open, feeling it get stuck at the same spot it always got stuck, reaching over the nut chopper and the vanilla which were always in the same spot, and pulling out the bag of marshmallows - at Grandma's house the bag always seemed to be only 1/4 full and they were ALWAYS 1/2 stale, a little hard but not too hard. They were always perfectly stale. I am not quite sure how that always seemed to be the case but no matter how often we were there it was like that. 1/2 stale and mostly gone - it makes me wonder if when Gram bought a bag she dumped out a bunch and left the bag open on purpose because she knew I loved them that way. You know it would not surprise me in the least if that is exactly what she did - It would have been a Grandma sort of thing to do.
The mind truly is a powerful tool - for IN a split second and FOR a split second in time tonight I actually felt like I was right there in the middle of the kitchen. I do not know if it was the smell, or the feel of the marshmallows tonight that triggered the memories or if it will happen the next time I stick my hand in a bag of marshmallows - who knows and for the most part who cares - for tonight for a brief moment in time my mind allowed me the rare treasure of living in a moment from another time and another place. A blessing in deed!
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Can't sleep. . .
I truly hate nights like tonight when I am tired and go to bed early but can not fall asleep. You would think that I am 10 years old and it is the night before Christmas. It is the night before the first day of school - so I have to ask myself am I awake because I am worried for my kids? I don't think so. They are all looking froward to the return. Ashlynn and Shanna only have about an hour. This being grade 8 for Teryn she has to endure a 4 hour day - she gets to visit each of her classes in the new school - a test of sorts, the right of passage endued by every grade 8 the goal is to make it to each class with out getting lost and get there on time. Good luck Teryn!
Sleep eludes me, I have even tried the celery trick that used to work when I was pregnant - no lucky here tonight. Here is my question to you - what keeps you awake at night and what keeps you awake when you are supposed to be asleep?
Me I get up and turn on the PC - eventually it makes me drift off... I am feeling the effects now, so I will sign off and see if I can actually sleep. The other thing I try is sleeping somewhere else in the house... you know the old "change of Scenery" addage, it works sometimes for me. Not to night I have pulled out all teh tricks I kow.. so far nothing has worked but as I type I fel my eyeleids getting heavy and I am using the backspace key far to often for someone who actually knows how to type.... I am also beginning to type lyrics that are running through my head - Time to try again to fall asleep... Wish me luck.
€
Sleep eludes me, I have even tried the celery trick that used to work when I was pregnant - no lucky here tonight. Here is my question to you - what keeps you awake at night and what keeps you awake when you are supposed to be asleep?
Me I get up and turn on the PC - eventually it makes me drift off... I am feeling the effects now, so I will sign off and see if I can actually sleep. The other thing I try is sleeping somewhere else in the house... you know the old "change of Scenery" addage, it works sometimes for me. Not to night I have pulled out all teh tricks I kow.. so far nothing has worked but as I type I fel my eyeleids getting heavy and I am using the backspace key far to often for someone who actually knows how to type.... I am also beginning to type lyrics that are running through my head - Time to try again to fall asleep... Wish me luck.
€
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Wedding Crasher
This truly was a weekend to remember for several reasons.
1) I do not recall ever taking a road trip just me and my mom
2) It is not every day you crash a wedding
3) It certainly is not everyday that you meet relatives that just a year ago did not know existed.
Friday morning bright and early Mom and I headed out to Williams Lake - our mission - to meet the surviving siblings that mom has just discovered! What a better way to do that than to crash a family wedding! (Yes! we did well sort of..)
Let me back up just a little, last spring my mom was given her father's name for the first time. (She was 67 at the time!) I took the name plugged it into Google and within 15 minutes I had an obituary for a man I believed to be her 1/2 brother. There it stated that Dougie was one of 10 (add mom that would be 11). From there I posted questions at Ancestry.com as well as genealogy.com in hopes of finding some answers & to see if my assumptions were correct. I asked questions to anyone I knew who had any connections to Williams Lake and surrounding areas. Pieces of the puzzle began to fall into place.
A number of months later I received an email from Dougie's son, Mark, asking me how I fit into this picture - wanting to make sure I had received my information from Grandma. That email confirmed what I had pretty much known from the moment I first saw the obituary. My mom who had been raised as a single child now had a HUGE extended family. She is one of 11 - children by the same father - 6 of whom are still living, and Mark is my first cousin on my mom's side! (My FIRST first cousin!) Think about that for a minute. All my growing up years it had always been just my sister and me on my mom's side of the family - no cousins - nothing. Now as Mark says - there are way too many to count, he does not even know and he grew up with them. It has been quite a thing to wrap our heads around. Time lost can never be reclaimed, however we can move forward and make the best of it! That is what we were doing. . . .
Our adventure to Williams Lake was all about meeting as many of the extended family as we could. Seeing the area Grandpa lived, basically filling in some of the blanks for mom. What a better way to do that than crash the party - so that is what we did. Now I have to say that it was not a total crash in that Mark invited us, and the bride was aware that we were coming. The wedding was a very casual affair (smart cousins I have!) in the middle of the annual ball tournament that they organize. It was so fun! We were able to meet all but one of the surviving siblings, tons of cousins, husbands, children - there are so many names and faces our heads are swimming.
For me the highlight was to see mom interacting with her brother and 2 sisters. The happiness on her face and the acceptance that was there for her. They welcomed us with open arms - and are all wondering when we will be back. A huge blessing for my mom! Questions are beginning to be answered, healing - it is a good thing.
The totally amazing thing is how they clicked from the very beginning. Auntie Janet - the sister closest in age to mom - and mom are like clones - similar in mannerisms the sound of their laughs, they think alike. I found that connection amazing. When we first got into town we were to go to a "window" store - that is pretty much the information Mom had... not the full company name (that would have been too easy!) So we come to a "window" store that Mom thinks is right, but not sure, we walk in and I see this lady sitting in the office reading - I knew - this was my aunt! She did not say anything, had not looked at us, but just the way she was sitting there - when she moved it was like looking at my mom! Here are 2 grown women, that share the same blood line but have never met, only talked briefly on the phone - but are so much the same. Genetics are fascinating for sure. It was exciting to make the connection - to SEE the connection and to feel the connection and be totally accepted in the process! WOW!
1) I do not recall ever taking a road trip just me and my mom
2) It is not every day you crash a wedding
3) It certainly is not everyday that you meet relatives that just a year ago did not know existed.
Friday morning bright and early Mom and I headed out to Williams Lake - our mission - to meet the surviving siblings that mom has just discovered! What a better way to do that than to crash a family wedding! (Yes! we did well sort of..)
Let me back up just a little, last spring my mom was given her father's name for the first time. (She was 67 at the time!) I took the name plugged it into Google and within 15 minutes I had an obituary for a man I believed to be her 1/2 brother. There it stated that Dougie was one of 10 (add mom that would be 11). From there I posted questions at Ancestry.com as well as genealogy.com in hopes of finding some answers & to see if my assumptions were correct. I asked questions to anyone I knew who had any connections to Williams Lake and surrounding areas. Pieces of the puzzle began to fall into place.
A number of months later I received an email from Dougie's son, Mark, asking me how I fit into this picture - wanting to make sure I had received my information from Grandma. That email confirmed what I had pretty much known from the moment I first saw the obituary. My mom who had been raised as a single child now had a HUGE extended family. She is one of 11 - children by the same father - 6 of whom are still living, and Mark is my first cousin on my mom's side! (My FIRST first cousin!) Think about that for a minute. All my growing up years it had always been just my sister and me on my mom's side of the family - no cousins - nothing. Now as Mark says - there are way too many to count, he does not even know and he grew up with them. It has been quite a thing to wrap our heads around. Time lost can never be reclaimed, however we can move forward and make the best of it! That is what we were doing. . . .
Our adventure to Williams Lake was all about meeting as many of the extended family as we could. Seeing the area Grandpa lived, basically filling in some of the blanks for mom. What a better way to do that than crash the party - so that is what we did. Now I have to say that it was not a total crash in that Mark invited us, and the bride was aware that we were coming. The wedding was a very casual affair (smart cousins I have!) in the middle of the annual ball tournament that they organize. It was so fun! We were able to meet all but one of the surviving siblings, tons of cousins, husbands, children - there are so many names and faces our heads are swimming.
For me the highlight was to see mom interacting with her brother and 2 sisters. The happiness on her face and the acceptance that was there for her. They welcomed us with open arms - and are all wondering when we will be back. A huge blessing for my mom! Questions are beginning to be answered, healing - it is a good thing.
The totally amazing thing is how they clicked from the very beginning. Auntie Janet - the sister closest in age to mom - and mom are like clones - similar in mannerisms the sound of their laughs, they think alike. I found that connection amazing. When we first got into town we were to go to a "window" store - that is pretty much the information Mom had... not the full company name (that would have been too easy!) So we come to a "window" store that Mom thinks is right, but not sure, we walk in and I see this lady sitting in the office reading - I knew - this was my aunt! She did not say anything, had not looked at us, but just the way she was sitting there - when she moved it was like looking at my mom! Here are 2 grown women, that share the same blood line but have never met, only talked briefly on the phone - but are so much the same. Genetics are fascinating for sure. It was exciting to make the connection - to SEE the connection and to feel the connection and be totally accepted in the process! WOW!
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Minding your P's & Q's
This is one of those things that falls into totally random useless information but was interesting!
Today in the office I was asked if I knew the origin / meaning of the term "Minding your P's & Q's" , something my mother and grandmother used quite frequently - to me it meant be on your best behavior, mind your manners and be polite. I never gave a second thought to where the term originated. Until today! I must say there are times when Google is my best friend, within 20 seconds I had my answer here. . read on if your inquiring mind needs to know. I must say that I laughed out loud as I read, and I would have never guessed in a million years where it all started.
Today in the office I was asked if I knew the origin / meaning of the term "Minding your P's & Q's" , something my mother and grandmother used quite frequently - to me it meant be on your best behavior, mind your manners and be polite. I never gave a second thought to where the term originated. Until today! I must say there are times when Google is my best friend, within 20 seconds I had my answer here. . read on if your inquiring mind needs to know. I must say that I laughed out loud as I read, and I would have never guessed in a million years where it all started.
Saturday, July 21, 2007
Sucessfull swimsuit shopping.... and no babies!
I think that one of the worst things to do, and I know that many women agree, is the task of finding a new swimsuit. Every time a new one is needed I dread it. This year was no exception, and I looked and looked here in town and found nothing - now granted I did not go to the cruise ware or specialty swimsuit stores, that was not in the budget for this year. I just needed something that would cover and be reasonably comfortable (an oxymoron I realize!), and be in the budget, not a huge problem - or so I thought as I set out. Sure there are LOTS of suits on the racks, however once you rule out the 4 racks of mix & match 2 piece numbers with string closures- OBVIOUSLY! Then there are ones that are cut so high in the leg that they come up to your armpits - OUT!. Fabric that is too thin, or even single layer, OUT! Tummy control is a nice option - but hard to find on a suit that does not look like an old iron maiden girdle that my grandmother used to wear (A sorry fashion era for sure!) There is really very little left - well actually there were still a great many styles, just not the size I required! (Must be every women in the lower-mainland that shares my size beat me to the racks this year!) I can not recall how many suits I tried on, lets just say it was LOTS! Some that the girls just rolled their eyes, or shook their heads - a good sign I am about to make a fashion faux pax! (Thank you girls!) All that said I left for holidays with the suit from last year that was o.k. but a little snug in the bust.... so swim with a T-shirt on..... workable but not the best option as far as ease of swimming.
Fast forward Shushwap day two... or was it 3 no matter, a trip into Chase is needed to pick up a suit Mary had ordered for one of her girls. I decide to go along. We are in Feilds - there is no Feilds close to home - and there is one very SMALL rack of suits, I flip through thinking will not find one here.... however I find 5 to try on - amazing! One that if it does not work Mary says, hey I will try that on if you do not take it... It is a Tankini - I am thinking just give it to her, and cut your losses.... The tankini style as a general rule never fit correctly because I have a longer than average back/ waist ! No I decide to try all of them on. Of the 5 - THEY ALL FIT! Now i have a choice to make, as I only really need 1. Black one too boring, Lime and orange one, too bright etc... Brown one not on SALE. I am now down to 2 - a blue one piece and the tankini... both will serve the purpose, both are on sale for the same price. I LIKE both of them, the little voice inside my head is saying just buy both.... my practical side kicks in and says if you buy one you can buy the little skirt you also saw and the t-shirt. That won out - I bought the Tankini because the size label said M - total pshycological choice - I do not remember the last time I bought anything in a M! happy dance..... So for the price of the swimsuit at regular price $69.00 I bought a Skirt, T-shirt and the bathing suit and still saved 20.00 - Successful shopping day! Happy Happy Happy!
We get back to the house, I get ready to go to the beach, my new suit is on and I start to think, it really does fit well, I love the colour etc. It is a bit odd that it is a M as I read the tag more closely just to check.... It certainly says "M" but not for MEDIUM - "M" stands for MATERNITY!!!!! What the heck I just bought a Maternity swimsuit... no wonder the top was extra long...... Good thing I can laugh at myself - because that tops the cake for funny here these days! And No that is NOT a back handed way of making an announcement (That would so NOT be funny!!!) So just to be perfectly clear there are no little ones being added to the Hilstad clan! Moral of the story - if the suit fits wear it! Then laugh.
I still think I got a good suit and a great deal. The bonus I have a funny story to tell to go along with it!
Fast forward Shushwap day two... or was it 3 no matter, a trip into Chase is needed to pick up a suit Mary had ordered for one of her girls. I decide to go along. We are in Feilds - there is no Feilds close to home - and there is one very SMALL rack of suits, I flip through thinking will not find one here.... however I find 5 to try on - amazing! One that if it does not work Mary says, hey I will try that on if you do not take it... It is a Tankini - I am thinking just give it to her, and cut your losses.... The tankini style as a general rule never fit correctly because I have a longer than average back/ waist ! No I decide to try all of them on. Of the 5 - THEY ALL FIT! Now i have a choice to make, as I only really need 1. Black one too boring, Lime and orange one, too bright etc... Brown one not on SALE. I am now down to 2 - a blue one piece and the tankini... both will serve the purpose, both are on sale for the same price. I LIKE both of them, the little voice inside my head is saying just buy both.... my practical side kicks in and says if you buy one you can buy the little skirt you also saw and the t-shirt. That won out - I bought the Tankini because the size label said M - total pshycological choice - I do not remember the last time I bought anything in a M! happy dance..... So for the price of the swimsuit at regular price $69.00 I bought a Skirt, T-shirt and the bathing suit and still saved 20.00 - Successful shopping day! Happy Happy Happy!
We get back to the house, I get ready to go to the beach, my new suit is on and I start to think, it really does fit well, I love the colour etc. It is a bit odd that it is a M as I read the tag more closely just to check.... It certainly says "M" but not for MEDIUM - "M" stands for MATERNITY!!!!! What the heck I just bought a Maternity swimsuit... no wonder the top was extra long...... Good thing I can laugh at myself - because that tops the cake for funny here these days! And No that is NOT a back handed way of making an announcement (That would so NOT be funny!!!) So just to be perfectly clear there are no little ones being added to the Hilstad clan! Moral of the story - if the suit fits wear it! Then laugh.
I still think I got a good suit and a great deal. The bonus I have a funny story to tell to go along with it!
Friday, May 25, 2007
Totally random - Quiz
Found this tonight as I was blog hopping..... have fun
Try it and see what kind of donut you are....
| You Are a Glazed Donut |
 |
http://www.blogthings.com/whatdonutareyouquiz/">What Donut Are You?
Try it and see what kind of donut you are....
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Love this. . .
Love "mini grass daisies"
Love that they are in an egg cup sitting on my kitchen table.
Love that they were just waiting for me this morning.
Love that one of my girls thought to pick some for me.
Love that at 141/2 , 13 or 11 they still do this.
Love that I did not know which one picked them at first.
Love that when I took a photo, my oldest wondered why I would take a photo of her flowers.
Love that she just let on that it was her that picked them with out coming right out and saying so!
Love that when I told her that I was going to blog this she smiled!
Love this life!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)