I didn't post my references initially so that it wouldn't influence others.
I have a slight advantage... since I've had days to pour over photos... other photos as references... I know which ones I cropped to have only Eden in them and therefore I know more of the details than are shown.
Regardless... these are my recollections.
Eden with her namesake at 'Portland'. Geneva Gathright
the stylin' girl.. well accessorized. I believe in California for a Disney trip.
A posed shot after a sporting event??
Just another day in dressups for both eden and a cat.
the mirror/oven door. Eden loved reflections
WOW.. looks like AVA!... cozy with fur hat and muff on the stage at first ward chapel.
school photo... I believe in Texas?
After baptism at restaurant?
Birthday. age.. five?
Cleaning off boots at Portland
In performance for St. Patrick's day at Quadra chapel. Adaptation by mum of Finian's Rainbow
Same as #2... without the shades.
After a wreck on a motor bike with the Bogaerts. Gravel embedded in upper lip I believe.
14. Chillin' at Beacon Hill petting zoo, taking a call
15. Cooking up a storm
16. At Sparky and Valerie's wedding in L.A. 2001
17. A birthday party for ?? Sadie?
18. At graveside for Dad
19. ?? Dreaming of owning a cat?
20. Bowling excitement
21. School picture. highschool. Victoria
22. Waxahachie, TX. Dance performance with Sparky
23. It's baby time. Sadie 2004
24. Sassy in the galley
25. Texas and off to a dance.
26. Hot stuff
27. Cold Stuff. big snow of 1996? Victoria
28. Off to work at white spot?
29. Wyoming ranch on horseback. May 1995
30. At family reunion 1997, Victoria
31. Performing 'I could have danced all night', from My Fair Lady
32. basement in Victoria
33. West Jordan, Utah... playing dressups with the nieces and nephews.
34. Masking up for mum's episode 2019
35. Enjoying the soft luxurious rocking chair of youth
36. Yoga master
37. basement in Victoria.. braiding Bailey's hair and her own hair is on deck
38. Sports.. volleyball? basketball?
39. Earthquake
40. Ready to party it up for the forties file bash!
Some photos tell the story... others only hint at it... others hint that 'there is a story'!
So spill... the stories, or I may just make some up. And after a while... people will only remember the tale I've spun... (I'm fairly good at creating believable tales....)
P.S. Others can tell the stories also... sometimes other perspectives and memories are better!
I hope to hear FORTY stories!
Apparently it is easier to refer to the photos if I add numbers.. so here they are!
In case there are those struggling to remember what it was like in 1980... this was 'snapped' to capture us FOREVER!
Does anyone have any memories regarding the photo? I understand from being told... not from memory... that it was taken in a truck parked on the boulevard at Haultain.
(edited: not taken in a truck.. but at a studio.. Eden was just days old but coupon was going to expire)
It was the day Eden came home from the hospital or within a few days at least. Any memories from this day!... Either the visit to the hospital... meeting Eden for the first time... or perhaps someone had an adventure that day that had nothing to do with hospitals, babies or Eden at all... do tell!
(It's also Miles birthday and Bronmin Shumway's birthday... but they have no bearing whatsoever on this post!)
Today is Eden's 40th birthday!
Growing up... a 40th birthday was an incredibly important accomplishment.
Why?
It has to do with your forties file.
I'm not certain why the age was chosen... if it was arbitrary or not but the phrase was coined and is part of the familial vernacular. Mum always claimed, "you'll be glad I kept it when you're forty!"... I guess now we see if there was any truth to her claims.
The panic on Eden's face as she approaches the milestone!!
It's not as bad as all that... You look fabulous.... and ....
You've joined this fabulous club!! Here's all of us at 40 to cheer you up!
Oh... and here's one of mum at 40.
A few years ago... since I had nothing better to do I began a fortiesfile blog. It's been 8 years since there has been a post... and I can NOT keep that blog alive without assistance. I think it would be good to keep it going. The memories are delightful. The strolling down memory lane for some of us and the introduction to our past for the newer generation. I've been thinking recently about reviving Friday's as Forties File Fridays and had the realization that with Eden achieving the ripe old age of 40, it is indeed the appropriate time to re-initiate the forties file.
So in honour of forties files...
in honour of Eden's induction into the 'sacred' club,
I give you.... the first of (I intend).. many... more posts.
Cleaning and scrubbing, can wait 'til tomorrow. For babies grow up, we've learned to our sorrow...
So quiet down cobwebs, dust go to sleep. I'm rocking my baby, and babies don't keep.
-Wendy Lyn
John -- and family in Victoria in 2009
Jim -- and the girls, visit early 2010
Jill -- and crew at Christmas time 2009
Channa -- family photo time 2008
Nova -- goofing with the kids, fall 2009
Sparky 'Graton' -- at the Oquirrh Mountain Temple open house, June 2009 Paige -- and kids... hee hee.. and her animals. (they DO NOT pose for photos in this family!) 2008
Eden -- celebrating life and her birthday this year, 2010
It's true that babies don't keep, but they grow and add more to life then ever thought imaginable!
Happy Mother's day to all the above mothers and of course to 'Mum'!! We love you!
The word flexibility brings to mind only positive thoughts. Being flexible in life is good. Flexible to change. Flexible in the way one thinks. Flexible with time and schedules. Flexibility in day to day living. Flexibility in desires of food and tastes in many areas of life. Flexibility is an attitude.
Flexibility describes Eden.... and now more than ever!
Congratulations to Eden on her certification as a Yoga instructor. Certification with flying colours and the following excellent feedback!
breathtaking class set up
so many inspirational gems and visualizations throughout the class that it was astounding
it was wonderful that you smiled so much and came across so relaxed, caring, conscientious and lovely
perfect and seamless descriptions and demonstrations of the stances!
Your precise descriptions and careful choreography made it so relaxing and enjoyable to be in your class
vibrant, mesmerizing, fun and flowing all at the same time
your calm, nurturing demeanour and caring, but confident placement of your hands was really beyond all expectation
you should be very proud, Eden and celebrate like the exalted warrior!
Feedback like that doesn't come without sincerity. I only wish I lived closer... I'd babysit Ava all day for a Yoga class! (I'd babysit Ava anyway!!)
The Olympics are over and we won. We all won. Everyone in their own way. We won by participation. The event is after all meant to bring the world together and it did. We won because instead of standing around water coolers, bus stops and playgroups and discussing depressing economic times and devastating catastrophes, instead for a while we discussed incredible feats of athleticism by athletes of the world. We discussed incredible record breaking races and events. We mourned em-pathetically with those who met with unfortunate accidents that thwarted their efforts at achieving their goals. But this has come to an end. As I tucked Duncan in after the closing ceremonies tonight he had tears in his eyes.
"I'm going to miss the Olympics."
They were inspiring, incredible and emotional. But it's only a two year wait until the summer Olympics. He was intrigued.
"The summer Olympics? What kind of skiing do they have then?"
No, it's very different. There's running, and jumping, and gymnastics and swimming.
"Can we watch that too?"
Sure, if you go to bed now. :-)
Winter too seems to be coming to an end. It may not have been much of a winter for us it seems but an end it is. There may be more storms but spring is calling, it is awakening feelings of excitement and gardening dreams are surfacing. Now time just needs to be on our side. Time. That ever elusive and ever moving forward time. It doesn't stand still, doesn't sleep, doesn't wait, time. But it's time that will make what began only moments ago as February suddenly slip away and become March.
And March will fly by too. Fly by with fun events and moments of it's own to cherish and tuck away in our memory vault. Looking at the calendar this evening to plan out the month and start penciling in the activities on the horizon, I'm forced to consider it March madness. As if February wasn't fool of it's follies.... But we'll pack it in and enjoy the roller coaster that we call day to day living.
And part of that madness will include birthdays for,
4th - Eden, Miles
7th - Valerie
16th - Mackenzie
And as if that isn't enough I noticed today as I looked over the Primary birthday roster there are 11 other children just in our neighbourhood alone having a birthday this month. We ought to put up balloons on the street signs and just have a neighbourhood birthday bash!
other activities and days to create madness in March ,
picking up Daddy from the airport and handing him our to do list that we created while he was gone... he'll appreciate that we missed him!
changing our clocks again on the 14th so that we can lose yet another hour of precious sleep... it better not confuse Whittaker! I finally have him sleeping on a somewhat regular schedule.
St. Patrick's day. Love the Irish, love the green, I think we'll delve into a little more Irish heritage research this year now that we know about Patrick's deep Irish roots.
Loney Saga.... a long awaited conclusion.... yes... it's been a year since I sat down and began this saga. It's about time I sat again.
I began Lent a bit early.... if you think I'm going to give up something else you're insane. Giving up dairy is HUGE! Ok.. so I didn't technically give it up for Lent. I never have done any giving up for Lent. But since I had to give up dairy for Whittaker's sake anyway, I might as well claim that I'm giving it up for Lent and get double duty out of it!
Of course the day to day scouts, school, seminary, errands, chores, book clubs, daydreaming, projects, bedroom makeovers, blogging, cooking, exercising, squeeze in a trip to the ranch, piano lessons, Dr. and ortho. appt.'s, movie nights, lie abouts and general goofing off and more, will somehow make it in to the schedule without missing a beat... and we'll just love it!
... Sports. Childhood teams, dreams of being a pro at something? wish you hadn't played. wish you had played something else. Humorous memory of a sporting event? Are you still sports inclined or did you feel sports challenged? Do you feel sports were important to be involved in... Did you become a sporting parent? Tell of the sports that have shaped your life.. or shaped your body... Perhaps you prefer to watch sports are you an avid fan of something?? come out of the closet.. fess up do tell we all want to know... do we have a closet curler in the family... or a dream of greatness in turtle races?
I hang my head since I neglected to get my post done.... And the Gold goes to... EDEN
When I was little I wanted desperately to be in gymnastics and I remember going for a week or month or something, i think it was a free trial. I loved it. When we went to Texas I played volleyball and still truly have a love for the game, despite my height, i am still a major threat at the net!! When we moved back to Victoria, i played basketball in junior high and high school. and although again my lack of height played a roll, i made up for it in heart. Defense and passing were my specialties. I always had to check the biggest threat from the other team. I never had the highest points in a game but I knew i had an important role and my team respected my grit. Around this time (15) i started to become interested in kickboxing, some popular kids from my school were in it. I got the information packet and showed mum and dad but it was a no go, Peterec's gym unlimited membership for a year more than $1000, maybe wasnt the best starting point. When i was 20, I lived in an apartment on cook street all by myself for about a year. I missed the exercise and team sports of my youth as well I was feeling a little unsure of what i was supposed to do with my life. I bought my first YOGA vhs and did it in my living room and barely got thru the whole thing but even though it was hard, it was perfect. And it was there, in my little place that I began to explore myself and what i wanted for my body and life. I continue to do Yoga, and buy more movies and attend classes. After each baby I dabbled in running for the cardio as well as the mental space. My neighbours probably thought i was crazy running in circles around the soccer field beside my house, but it was free and convenient and effective. Even if i was tired and frustrated with the Ava, it offered me a good break to just run mindlessly (or mindfully) for 5-10 laps and then come home 20 mins later, happier! I finally took a self defense class when I was 28 and just as I knew 14 years ago, I loved it. I continued on taking muay thai kickboxing for 1 year. One day in class the Teacher, mentioned that she would be opening an new gym in jan 2010, and there would be yoga there:) So there it was, i was to teach yoga in a MMA gym. I had been toying with the idea for 10 years and here was my opportunity.
the natural inclination I had for gymnastics at the tender age of 6,wanting to stretch and manipulate my body. the determination I channeled in basketball and volleyball, the awareness I cultivated while running about the importance of exercise and carving out time to care for my body, the discipline and sense of self confidence i got in muay thai, all prepared me for this time of my life, when i am lucky enough to know my passion and make it my work.
Sports have both influenced and shaped my life.
mama E (RYT) registered yoga teacher may 2010!
The Silver Medal to... MUM
this is a hard one... I'm of few words ...and that just isn't my style...is it ? The lack of words goes with the real lack of sports in my life . As a little girl , I liked to roller skate...and that 'sport' moved into figure skating . I think that is the only sport that i stayed with to ever accomplished any level of real skill.
In school p e classes i had a go at track and field, badminton volley ball , basket and baseball "! none o f which i pursued outside of class. tho i was a good hitter ! I and did stay a spell with long jump and did better at that than I did with high jump.......again the duration wasn't long.
in later years i had a go at the hammer throw , and placed ! at the highland games but that was a limited engagement !
As far as my sports interest..i n the spectator category.. hockey is the only one that stands out . I did play grass hockey for a length of time but only watched ice hockey. .. If i were to be pursuing a sport now at this stage o f my life it would be archery, horse shoes and tap dancing !
It could be said that i have an interest in any and every sport if I have a personal interest in one of the participants !
And I will honestly take the Bronze NOVA
I am not what I would consider to be an athletic individual. I did participate in sports as a child, I was a soccer goalie, loved drop kicking, and I was on the cross country running team for a few years in high school. I excelled as a basketball scorekeeper and became skilled at operating the time clock and other electronic (high tech for the day) equipment. But that is the extent of my organized sports involvement. I was involved in highland dancing, and in Texas, drill team... but they aren't really sports.
Now in high school, we were introduced to many different sports. I remember some more fondly than others. I wasn't keen on field hockey, playing basketball or many of the track and field events. I thought baseball was my speed until I was told to stop making daisy chains out in the fields. Volleyball was big since Channa was so involved in it and although I tried out for the team, it wasn't an exciting endeavor either. I did however enjoy the unit in P.E. class that took us to the Rec. center's tennis bubble, and the gymnastics unit.. although not all the stations. I was a dreadful vaulter, disliked the floor exercises and couldn't get enough of the balance beam or the uneven bars! I liked the swimming unit so much that Channa and I decided to try going swimming each morning before school. That worked for as long as I was willing to drag her out of her bed... which she often didn't go for. On days that I successfully woke her and we went it was fun... I never did quite master the spin around at the end of the lane to swim the next lap. I didn't ever become a grand swimmer though. I did swim daily for about 2 years after Duncan was born. I'm an on again off again athlete.
I've done step aerobics, plenty of video workouts, found that I love yoga and pilates and currently get exercise in any time I can, but sports .... well... I'm no Olympian.
I coached a little league baseball team one year for Sarah and Miles. It was a lot of fun.
It has been brought to my attention that I neglected to enter contestant in the Sports Olympics Forties File Friday posting. I received this post orally a full week before anyone else entered! So the honourable mention PLATINUM medal goes to.... PAIGE!
Against organization. Organized sports, religions, homes etc....
In Elementary, wished she could be the goalie on the soccer team.
It was only a few days before Halloween when Valerie blogged about Audrey and the skittle mishap at her house.... read it by clicking here. (be sure to read the comments--see how important comments can be!) So.. since Sparky can be credited with organizing a national night of door to door candy soliciting'. I thought it might be good to let him know that it actually went international! It's a hit.. but then anything that involves dressing up and eating candy typically is.
Super Sadie the Feather Lady The biker with a pirate wife and Ava the little chick
Just so you know, we'd totally trick or treat with you... I love it when the parents dress up too!
Life is exceptionally busy and I have STILL not met my newest niece Ava! Today she is 1 and I really could say much about a 1 year old that I've never met on a birthday blog other than. I have a niece who turns one today... Not much of a blog. So today I have a guest blogger! Eden, my sister, her mother who actually has met Ava and knows all about her! So I will learn about Ava along with all of you! It will probably make me feel even more sad that I STILL haven't met her!
Firstly, I am not a blogger, so mum don't get any ideas, but for my sweet Ava I will make an exception.
Ava: aka noisy bot, Ava bell, sweet petunia, little chewkie
Activities she enjoys are :
dancing to songs such as the strawberry shortcake theme. sleeping beauty, and fifi and flower tots.
sneaking up the stairs,
playing in her big sisters room.
she also enjoys singing although there is some debate as to whether it is just squealing.
hide and seek,(in the tent or just under a blanket).
sharing and feeding us.
eating toes
Words she says include, mama, dada, beesista, bong,(which can mean nearly anything) my baba, my beebee, nye nye (night night) and most recently NO
Achievements she is most proud of,
wiping her bum (pretend) and then blowing her nose with the same tissue. sweeping,
pointing,
feeding herself with a spoon,
putting things in the garbage.
waving,clapping, blowing kisses. climbing off the trampoline (that's after bouncing on it).
walking, running (away from me and Sadie) and walking backwards.
Things she loves,
US (to clarify.. that's her family not the US of A.)
her couch,
anything soft,
SHOES,
dress up,
music,
bath time,
food,
swimming,
brushing her teeth,
making us laugh
I would be remiss in describing Ava if I neglected to mention her shall we say, Determination. She has spunk, is feisty and sometimes relentless. Things she does not enjoy...... laying still for her diaper change, getting in her new car seat, when anyone (especially Sadie) takes something from her, food being removed from her mouth, (entire pancakes etc) She is not patient and she is loud.
I know she is barely 1 but, when I get online updates of what she should be doing, it is laughable. She amazes me everyday with each new skill. not that I have taught her, but that she lets me know she can do,
She is beautiful, and loving, funny funny funny, like no kid I've ever seen, not only does she know when something is funny, but she knows how to be funny. she lights up our days, completes our family and has taught me so much about myself and how to be loving amidst frustration. I am learning how to teach patience by being patient.
She is one of many Ava's born this year, but she is unique and wonderful.
So to my sweet baby love on her first birthday..... We love you.
I think if I were to live closer it would cause strife. Eden could potentially give Jill a run for her money in the favourite auntie department... (if the two of them are as competitively possessed in that regard as it would appear that I try to be.) Looking back at some photos of my last visit home, we have some wonderful memories at Jill's house and some equally wonderful memories of a few short days with Auntie Marvelous as she referred to herself as, and it stuck!
Only a few days and a quick jaunt here and there and an afternoon at her house and my kids were convinced that Auntie Marvelous she was!
We toured the inner harbour, checked out the undersea gardens and the octopus that fascinated Miles for many months afterward. We had treats in a grassy spot downtown and generally had a great day ending up back at Eden's house where she served 'Zoodles'. Grandma and I must have gone some place because I recall returning to hear my children all singing "Zoodles for lunch are fun to eat, fun to eat, to eat, to eat!!"
While they haven't had quantity visits with Auntie Marvelous they've certainly had some quality ones... it's just so sad it hasn't happened in so long! We must do something about the distance that keeps me from meeting, let alone spoiling, two adorable nieces and prevents my children from enjoying delightful times with Auntie Marvelous!
Odd how growing up pets were not mine. They were family animals or decidedly one persons thing. We always had a cat that I can recall. There were some I know of but don't remember myself.
* Stadler, a decidedly Channa feline. Stadler was around a long time. Then she brought home Dremel.
* Sugar and Spice. We had sheep. I dont' remember the how or why we had them but we did... and we fought for them. I couldn't have been more than 8 or 9 and Sparky and I went to the city council to petition to be allowed to keep our sheep. I can remember watching them be sheered.
* Bringing home a dog for only a few days and it destroyed Eden's shoes... me the one who doesn't like dogs... Finding Sorry dog irresistible
* I did not like birds. We had an assortment for a few years. I was assured that they go to the tallest one in the room. I would crawl on the floor to avoid them landing on me... LIARS... they still landed on me! I also wasn't a turtle fan. Now Paige has some cool ones.. but technically those are tortoises... what we had were little aquarium stinky turtles.
* Jim, I heard that he had a pet chicken but I don't personally remember it, Taylor will always be remembered as the Granddog. Without grandchildren he was it! He got front seat privileges in Jim's car and was even ordered for in the drive thru! He made it into a family photo.
* Paige. Not sure if I can go here..... Fine line between pet and menagerie I guess... but love of animals was evident very young. Not of my love but hers! I can definitely remember NOT being impressed to hear that 'one of the white mice' was missing from the 'Rodent Hotel'! Cockateels, Guinea Pigs the stinky turtles were probably her doing too.. One I didn't mind too much was Norman the duck. I didn't even mind too much that given the chance he tried to swim in the pool! Norman lived with us (thankfully, outside), in Texas until one Thanksgiving week when he had vanished! That was most upsetting that someone would abscond with Norman!
* I've been corrected.. the birds were Edens' idea!
* I know we had a pony collection going. We were determined to save money for a pony... We got a gray one. A Hyundai pony, not quite the same thing.
Camping.... Did you like camping growing up, did you have a favourite camping trip or location, do you still camp now as a result of positive memories of camping as a child.... ?
Ahhhhh, camping. Purposely putting yourself into discomfort in the name of recreation and relaxation! We did... we do.... and it's always more work than it seems and usually as much fun as hoped for!
My camping experiences growing up were varied and memorable! I went to Brownie camp two different summers I believe. There was a cabin that we always went to, a great set up with long tables for eating and crafts and the walls were lined with bunk beds. I made my presence known right away by falling off the top bunk in the night. (not the last time that would occur in my life either!)
I don't how we got involved in 'family camps' but we did.... these were not positive places.... One year I was a champion of stilt walking.... until I fell and banged my head... concussion at camp .... such good wholesome recreation!
Then the year to always be remembered, when I awoke to the LARGE spider kissing my lips! My lips were soo swollen... 'kind hearted people' referred to it as a snout! I couldn't put a spoon in my mouth to eat and I can remember having to go ask if I could have a straw to suck up my oatmeal with .... why no one offered to get it for me I don't know... instead of making me go up and try to speak with enormous lips... Never been much of a spider fan....
No idea if it is the same camp as any of the above mentioned but one camp had a small success... Camp Imodene.... why it had a name and the others didn't??? ... but for a campout we sure came away with some cute ceramics?!???
I know that as a family we camped with the Richards family... at least once.... I'm sure it was as exciting as could be expected with a family of ten and a family of nine!
Camping took on another type of adventure when we left one of dad's work parties I believe one time and Mum and the younger kids all went on an unplanned adventure... camping along the way and ending up at Hornby.... Hornby would for many many years be the camping, long weekend, holiday, any spare time destination for many years to come. We bought the 'gowaydumbee' cottage with the loft that would later be disastrous for Eden, but would be filled with memories and a few odd jobs...... When we first arrived at Hornby... there was always the chill in the cabin that had to be dealt with. Some how by bed time it was just right and we would snuggle into our loft beds with Dad reading books from the couch below. Then when the heat became so unbearable at oh... 3 am... there were great Skip Bo games at the old 60's diner table down where it was a little more bearable... It was a great time... we learned a lot about Mum through Hornby... Who knew she was such an outdoors woman... a pyro at heart and a fan of two seater dutch door style outhouses? I've never been a huge fan of the beach... not liking sand much... but I do have fond memories of playing on the beach both at Hornby and at Willow's beach. The giant clam, sand dollars, rowing in the blow up boats, playing in the tidal pools.. ... but this is about camping not playing at the beach and I do have another camping 'experience'.
As a young woman.. having attended girl's camp every year I passed all the required stages to become an advanced Adventurer qualifying me for the campout of a lifetime.... "the west coast trail"... This is a rugged and famous trail that many an experienced hiker looks forward to completeing and adding to their repertoire of great hiking trails.... Unfortunately... I am unable to truthfully add it to my list... other than to say... I started the west coast trail on a sunny day in August... My backpack held the maximum weight that was allotted to me... We set off in good spirits.... we had trained for this and we were ready... just not ready for what was coming our way! The first day we encountered all the things we had been told to expect... rickety bridges, rope ladders, small streams, narrow pathways, waterfalls, other hikers, but by that night we also encountered... the life flight helicopter on the beach where we were camping for the night... to take one of our leaders to the hospital for chest pains... he had a small stroke... On we went... the next day... as it started to rain.... and rain... and rain... It rained the rest of the trip with patches of cloudy sky here and there.... But on we hiked over hill and dale... through brush and muddy trail... pulling ourselves across ravines in little wooden? boxes high above on a wire.... (who created the trail?) As we camped each night... the goal was to try to get dry and rest. We were 15 and 16 year old girls... we were exhausted and aching. On the third night as I was sitting as close as I dared to the fire to warm myself and rotate my hiking boots next to the fire so they would dry out for wearing the next day... I failed to notice when one tipped over into the fire. It was luckily brought to my attention before the boot was completely destroyed... but there was definitely a hole burned through the side of the boot and part of the sole had become a melted mess. but it was dry now!
The next morning found us with a torrential downpour. We were camped along the shore and had quite a bit of beach walking that day... Somehow one of the tents had sprung a leak in the night and so 4 of the girls had wet gear... wet sleeping bags and essentially wet everything to now lug with them. Our spirits weren't quite so high anymore. There had been some twisted ankles along the way and cuts and scrapes which would have been inevitable. The rain had slowed us down quite a bit and now with some girls completely chilled we were struggling with getting out on schedule and intact. Then another leader fell... I don't recall what she broke but I'm fairly sure she broke a bone. It was arranged that one of the remaining leaders and an older girl would hike out to the nearest exit and send some help back.
We made a camp mid day and tried to dry out. We spent the afternoon drying out gear and waiting. By early evening the rain stopped but the winds picked up. But so did our luck.... sort of... The coast guard had been sent to our rescue! I've been told of the cute coast guard trainees that were on board that night, and of the chef's amazing dishes that he served to the girls that came aboard.... but as one of the first aboard the zodiac that took us out over the choppy waters to the rescue ship and then having to climb aboard with the sea spray whipping up at us. I'm queasy at the best of times on a still boat... this didn't improve.... We were shown to some berths where we could change into dry outfits and and lay down if we liked.... oh how I liked! I slept through the next 6 hours of adventure that I've been told was quite a feisty night at sea with all those sailors.... but I just wanted my head and stomach to stay where they belonged until we docked in the marina and found our parents who had been wakened to pick up their rescued daughters a little early from their hiking experience.
All these experiences did not stop me from taking my own children camping.... I've done the mormon trail with Caleb at 2 in a handcart, gone on ward campouts in SLC , camped in oregon, wyoming and arizona and had adventures in my own backyard.... but it's already too long a post for one Friday, so I'll save all that drama for another time.
So far responses are in from John, Dad, Eden, Paige and Mum and can be found by clicking here!
My sister Eden likes penguins... has for years... they're cool... she liked them before they were all the rage... I'm not sure if she's ahead of the curve or the trendsetter...
I'm not sure if there is one definitive thing that set off the actual penguin craze of if it is just a culmination of events that snowballed into what is now penguinmania... or maybe it's just all in my mind...
March of the penguins, Surfs up, Happy Feet, (lesser known and extremely annoying) Pingu, Disney's penguinclub.com, penguin diner, there were some penguins in the Madagascar movie and Veggie tales ran a stint of 3,2,1, penguin as well.What exactly is it? I'm not against it, just curious why the sudden craze.... is it their incredible story from March of the penguins that got everyone hooked... is it their formal attire?, maybe their ever wacky stories portrayed in cartoon? Now penguins are making it big online in gaming!.... I held off as long as I could but it was inevitable I guess.... When it's all Derek and Cooper can talk about?? And 3 - 5 year olds are where it is at in the keeping me cool department!
So we checked out club penguin...... apparently so did tens of thousands of other people world wide.... and more each day.... It's just the amount of bribery needed to get my kids to do their chores... so they can go to club penguin.... If I view it in just the right light it's like my family is going on vacation together and playing games... I mean the other night via 4 cell phones, 7 computers, club penguin and the internet.... 7 cousins and 2 sisters were able to connect in a fun atmosphere of 'hey look I made my penguin dance'... 'I took my penguin to the dojo... we're playing a card-jitsu game and I have a yellow belt already'... 'come check out my igloo'... and apparently penguins have pets.... 'puffles'.... as if we don't have enough responsibilities in the real world.... each of my children had to get their penguins 2 puffles which require feeding, bathing, playing and walking .... or they return to the wild!!
The worst is the competitive aspect.... and everyone is wound up in it... there are a some interactive games... one that is particularly competitive is the afore mentioned... card-jitsu ( a sort of intense rock, paper, scissors online card type game).... you work your way up in belt colours based on skill and number of games won! Black belt is of course the highest rank.... and when my kids learned that Derek and Cooper were already black belts, ninjas and secret agents they have been vying for computer time anyway they can! Paige who doesn't have a competitive bone in her body................. called first thing this morning to 'inform' them that she had just earned her black belt! I've never seen them whip through school so fast! In order for peace to reign in my home though each of the children play from a different computer at the same time... the computer time is easier to control this way and when time is up all of them are up.... but it does mean that I get booted from my own machine in order for it to happen.... so while they are all rapidly moving up the card-jitsu belt ladder... I am a lowly yellow belt... which is only just above a white belt....(the start).... but I have better 'puffle round up' skills than they do.
I suppose one could say we've all gone to the birds..... but who knew it would be so fun there!
Alyssa for most adorable niece to pitter patter through my home! click here
Channa for dealing with only half a face the longest and pretending to be interested in all my blogging.... I know it's just so you can be favoured a little more than Amber!
Mum for persevering and holding on to all those treasured memories! Forties File Fridays will continue in 2009... I'll ignore all protests and groaning! John for meeting the most famous person this year Prince Charles!
Jill for staying the busiest and still choosing to find time to read my blog!
i cant speak for everyone, but here is my response.. the questions are great and fun, nothing wrong with them.. when i read them, i instantly have visions and memories that come to mind... but unfortuneatly i am usually in a hurry, dont have time to respond right then and there, and it is just so hard to get back to it, and take the time that a good question and vivid memories command.. it has a very busy time for me, and i cant even blame xmas..it isnt even a factor for me yet,, but i work mon-fri, i am single parenting dayton thru his hockey and school, trying to spell myself between town and the island, attend daytons game on the weekends, see doug at some point, my singing career, rehearsals, poster making, advertising, press release deadlines etc. the list goes on and on.. and to take the time to get back to the question at hand is often difficult at best... but rest assured that your requests are not the only things in my life that are suffering from back burner syndrome... i have not done a lick of anything for xmas, none of the usual, like baking, xmas partys, shopping, decorating.. none of it!! i cant remember the last time, i called someone , or sent an email, just to chat and catch up, i have not acknowledged a birthday for longer than i can remember,, including yours, the most recent.. and not because i forgot... that whole week of your birthday i thot of you, but did i take the time to call or write? no,, i have lists ofunfinished projects as long as my arm, and another arms length of projects i dream of an d have not yet begun,, so it is the same with the 40's questions.. i'm afraid it is also similar to how i treat housework, and the attention i should be giving to my husband.... i'll get to it when i get to it... regrettably, auntie favorite...
Paige for being the most dedicated reader! (sometimes multiple times a day)
Sparky.... hmmmm I guess you can have the most focused individual... since you likely won't even read this blog for a month or better!
Eden for teaching Sadie to enjoy my blog from a young age and for multi-tasking so well in order to even read it!
Dad for checking my blog at work... he's got his priorities straight!
Patrick... for putting up with my newest addiction... and going out of town so you don't realize how much I really do blog! shh (he doesn't really read it much... )
Caleb, Sarah, Miles and Duncan for always giving me fodder for me to blog!
VALERIE Growing up in Los Angeles, snow wasn't a big part of my life. The only experience with snow that I remember from my childhood was my parents driving us to the mountains to play in the snow. We were so excited and had big plans for hours of frivolity and snowman-making. When we arrived, we eagerly scrambled out of the car in pursuit of winter's delights. We probably lasted 30 minutes. Soon we were back in the car, stripping off our wet clothing, rubbing our raw, numb hands, howling for more heat, and vowing never to go back. My parents were both perplexed and amused at our about-face. In all our imagining, I think we somehow had missed the concept of snow being cold.
My next encounter with snow didn't happen until I was 14-years-old. I joined my uncle's youth group on a ski trip. I was really excited to learn how to ski, and fly down the slopes with grace and ease. Well, despite a ski lesson, I spent most of the day, face-planted in the snow, and never did master the bunny hill. I would fly down it, uncontrollably, and people all around me would scream, "stop" and the only way I could stop was to fall over. My uncle took pity on me, and taught me to snow plow, but it still wasn't much fun. Especially, when I'd fall over in line, or coming off the ski lift, and wouldn't be able to get up again without help.
I prefer to enjoy snow, from an indoor window, or curled up next to a fireplace. This So.Cal girl never got used to the undeniable. fact that snow is cold. MUM Snow in the olden days ..... of my youth you ask... hmm. Never enough snow to stop our world from carrying on..
It was in the days before snow tires.. but then there weren't as many tires on the road !
It was in the days. of ''carry on'' rain or shine (or snow)though our city didn't have a snow plow
It was in the days.. where we had a little more snow than Victoria now has... (with one exception) we really had more slush than snow ..it was so often mixed with or diluted by rain..
It was in the days.. when everyone who had to commute on such days turned to the buses and that seemed to handle the intrusion snow made into our winter lives..
It was day that we always hoped for a white Christmas.. but that was rare rare rare.. and if snow did come in December.. and we held out hope..for it staying till Christmas.... it didn't ! as rain also came in December and that was the end of snow..
It was a time when big brothers threatened little sisters..
It was a day when i had red woollen legging that matched my hooded coat and i delighted in making snow angels. without fear of really touching the cold of the wet clumpy sticking snow..It wasn't a snow that you could brush off
It was a climate of wet snow that rolled well into snow balls huge for snow men
It was a day when we actually had coal from our basement bin.. for the snowmans eyes!
It was in a day when we first heard the song of frosty the snowman. published in 1950 . I was 8.
It was in a day of Bing Crosbys winter wonderland.song .. that always increased our our hope for a snowy winter. ( Bing was born in Tacoma! and sang I'm dreaming of a white Christmas) in 1954.. I was 12.
It was a day when it was an exciting opportunity to shovel side walks with wooden homemade shovels
It was a day before the days of rubbermaid or plastic.. and for the few times shoveling was necessary.. no one would''purchase'' a shovel ( if they were even for sale). the dads would just quickly make one in the basement
It was a day when people walked to the store for groceries every few days and usually pushed babies or toddlers in buggies or prams.. but what fun it was in snow times.. to be taken on a sled..
It was a day when you always walked to school.. (up Hampshire Hill both ways,) and it took much longer in the snow.. we walked home for lunch always,.. but on snow days we got to take our lunch ! now that was special !
Yes it was a special day .. but snow to kids was the same as it is today ... fun fun fun.. with cold wet mitts to hang to dry.. .mitts that were made of wool not fleece or vinyl or thermal... and would be caked with snow.. they would dry faster if you soaked them in warm water first, ironically, the only way to quickly remove the snow !
And the worst thing that could happen would be that you were sick (in bed) with a cold and only saw the snow through a window ! and had the real fear that it would likely be gone before you were allowed out! just such a time happened to me.. Now that's a memory of a sad lost opportunity of a childhood.
JILL wet cold snow, down my neck, and down my sleeves, being pelted with hard ice snowballs by older brothers and their friends, being the younger sister, i didnt have a fighting chance, suffocating ' face washes' where you are choking for air. in yet. like everyone else, i too felt the joyous anticipation and hopes for knee deep snow as the first flakes would turn to flurries outside the classroom windows, turning even high school students into giddy children at the sight of the white stuff. i recall checking out the windows at night and finally seeing the white flecks blowing about in the light cast by the street lights. i remember feeling that excitement for the next day of a world in white ,and hopes of school closures and snow angels and igloos. but more often than not, the reality was the contrary. these visions were swiftly dashed . usually the snow had turned to rain, and there was nothing but dirty slushy mess , splashing up by passing cars on the long walk to school,and stepping off the curb to cross the street and that seemingly harmless bit of snow would easily give way, to the pool of water underneath, sinking just deep enough to spill icy cold water down inside the boots. cold wet feet for the duration of the day.. a particularly unpleasant situation if one had been coached to wear cozy leotards. resulting in removing the wet stockings, and spending the day in bare legs with the mini dress style at the time, perched on the cold desk chair. ohh the memories.. and i havent even brought up the wet mitten saga, and the restricting tangled string threaded though the sleeves of my stiff and bulky winter coat, all in the name of keeping the mittens from becoming lost from each other, what a magical invention! and so comfortable , especially when trying to ride a bike , with arms extended to as far as the strings would allow.... memories... and of course the static cling that always accompanies winter, magnified by knitted touques and long hair.. i do recall, some snow men over the years, getting creative with gender and accessories, and hoping that it wouldnt be completely melted by the morning or the end of the day. and usually, if it was ever cold enough to not melt, some mean kids would knock it down in the night. with all this said, i still feel giddy inside when i see the first flurries, besides it has been a long time since someone tried to give me a face wash!
i forgot to mention, shoveling stairs, walkways, paths, it was fun at first, but when it would get so hot inside the stiff bulky winter coat, it was less fun,, and when that was done there was always other peoples driveways and walkways to clear, to do the good Samaritan act, for the older folks on the street. but the warmth felt in the heart was usually worth the temporary discomfort of the stiff bulky winter coat and the wet mittens..besides there was often hot chocolate waiting inside with toasted raisin english muffins.
Snow wasn't a big part of growing up in Victoria and even less so a part of living in Texas. Nothing that would have prepared me for the snow that I would experience later in life, first in Idaho at Ricks, then in Wyoming at the ranch, and also in SLC. But there were still some memories of snow filled moments in my childhood.
I know we must have had enough snow to create a few snowman over the years.... of course all the snow in the yard was likely used with grass showing all around the snowman. Snow never seemed to last more than a few days if it lasted that long. I know one time that older siblings and parents?? were up later than the little kids when it must have started to snow and they built a snowman and then woke us to let us see it in case it was gone by morning.
I know that in highschool it began to snow one day which was a surprise to us since I had ridden my bike to school and then had to ride home in the snowy slush. Snow was always VERY WET. It wasn't until my years in the ID, WY, UT snow that I learned that there are different types of snows. Also that snow could be fluffy and that it wasn't always bitterly, bone chillingly cold just because there was snow outside... although it certainly can be. In Victoria snow always came with the bone chilling cold. Or should I say that there was a bone chilling cold in Victoria and that sometimes it even snowed.
I don't ever remember sledding but I do remember as a young teen going on a skiing trip with John and Jim. It didn't take long to know that I enjoy sipping hot chocolate and waiting by the fire in the lodge for those who have the knack for moving too quickly down a snow packed mountain on two skinny pieces of fiberglass and plastic... To this day I dislike ski lifts... especially in the summer time when there isn't many feet of snow to bring the ground level a little closer... (we took on the alpine slide in Park City and to my chagrin.... the only way up was the ski lift)but I digress...
Childhood snow although not frequent or deep was exciting to anticipate and to enjoy regardless of how quickly it melted away!
EDEN
I remember snow in Texas once or twice. nothing that stuck, but I remember the light flurries in the wind.
I remember the way the tree house looked with 5 inches on it's roof. and the pool with a layer of white
I remember the blizzard of '96 with snow drifts 4 ft deep between the trailer and the container.
I remember face washes
I must have gotten hot chocolate after playing cause thats what I do now with Sadie and it feels natural.
I remember all the work involved in getting ready to go out, only to be too hot and have cold wet hands. I remember all kinds of snow, crisp light morning snow and than slushy dirty afternoon snow.
JOHN
Snow!
I remember a snow so deep that we dugg tunnels in it! I remember walking in the Snow to Grandma's house for Lunch! It can remember being so grown up sitting in the Living Room drinking hot chocolate in the same cups and Grandma and Granpa drank their tea! I remember the first snow we saw was in Prescot Arizon on the top of a mountain! I also remember thinking if it is so cold on the top of a mountain while it was so hot down below where we lived the whole thing about burning in hell must be true. It must be very hot! But, I don't want to go to heaven because it would be so cold! I sort of remember asking if we wore jackets in Heaven and the answer that came back was no White Robes! I just figured at that time that they must made of fur!
It was brought to my attention recently that today is someones birthday and I didn't do a blog! A birthday should be recognized no matter the age or how well one is known!
So, I will remedy the problem pronto.... except what do you write about someone you think you met one time 6 years ago for a few minutes! hmmm......
To the daddy of Sadie and Ava whom I haven't yet met and it breaks my heart to know that out there are two darling little girls who need to have the chance to be swayed into believing that I am the favourite aunt,
Happy Birthday! I hope that by this time next year, through either the medium of this amazing technological world wide web or even better, by in person, I will have something more to say in a Happy Birthday to Shawn blog. Eden tells me that she wastes a portion of her life reading about my life... I don't know if you have succumbed also to such an indolent activity but if you have then you are reading this pathetic attempt to wish you a Happy Birthday.... good thing I'm certain that thanks to Eden you are dining in style on some delicious birthday morsels! Maybe even entertaining or being entertained by some family and friends! However you are celebrating today, I wish you happiness in your heart.
As a side note, it's nice to know yet another individual, lucky enough to have been born in the month of November! And to think if you'd been born a few hours earlier, we might have even shared a birthday... but then, not everyone can be that lucky!!!
I look forward to learning more of you and even meeting you some day,
happily, the blogging lady, Nova!
P.S. Birthday is one of those occasions where strong emotional bonds, and warmth of heartfelt best wishes go beyond the barrier of language and sincere and cordial birthday wishes... so to go beyond language barriers, enjoy the following...
Next Weeks Question will be, "Let it Snow, Let it Snow... " What are memories you have of having snow growing up?
Once again in the order in which they were received, the answer to the question, "My mother always said..." What stands out as phrases or sayings that make you think of Mum?
NOVA
Don't put it down, put it away!
Do the thing you fear to do and fear will disappear.
Nothing on the floor anymore! (in a sing songy voice)
That which you persist in doing becomes easier, not because the nature of the thing decreases but your power to do it increases.
If your solution creates a problem for another then it is not a solution
I'm so mad I could spit nickels!
I'm hiding in a box
(Grandma's) A whistling woman and a crowing hen are sure to come to a no good end.
CHANNA
Less is More. (or was it Less is better?)
Don't put it down, put it away.
Do the thing you fear to do and fear will disappear.
What 3 places have you looked?
Look with your hands.
A gum chewing girl and a cud chewing cow, there's a difference I'll allow, it's the intelligent look on the face of the cow.
PAIGE
Lack of planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on mine!
The notes posted all over the house.... I guess they aren't really memories since they still are... even in our new homes!! In the fridge, on the toilet, on the door, on the wall, washing machine, inside the cupboards, on the t.v.... I guess you could say Mum is still saying things....
DAD
My mother Roberta Mae would always respond when I would ask one of life’s imponderable questions. “ That is a wait and see!” That just about covered everything so I would just have to keep waiting to find out what I wanted to know.
JIM This is one thing mother said in my teens perhaps even later teens...
"Even if I am Wrong I am right...I am your mother..."
As you know, mothers can get flustered when addressing teens and it would often come out,
"Even If I am Right I'm wrong... I'm your mother"
If either version was said you new it was in desperation.
JILL
There were two things that mum would say, (fairly often as I recall) and would use interchangeably, usually resulting in a child to stand still, staring off, head tilted with a dumbfounded look on their face... because it was unclear whether it was a compliment or an insult. In fact it was cleverly disguised as both at once, (which I figured out later in life) and I quote
"You re not as dumb as you look "
and
" You're smarter than you look"
This is when you did something conceived as being clever, or correct anyways.....
and of course the infamous.... " Layovers for medlers"
which was usually said in good humour ( as rosette would say)
usually in conjunction with a surprise, treat or present..
I recently pondered this age-old favorite saying of mums, ... to be specific..when I was stuck in an airport for a long while...
"Layovers for medlers" hmmm.. i thought to myself, I thought..that if I were a nosey, rude person that didn't mind their own business, and I was required to spend a lot of time in airports waiting for connecting flights.... that I could actually be experiencing a " Layovers for medlers".
"Be Good and have fun"
This one was actually Grandmas saying, and I don't know if mum ever said it, perhaps because they are kind of both ' givens', in that you hope and expect the child to be good, and you hope and expect them to try and have fun.
I have used this one on my kids, however, usually more elaborately detailed, being somewhat more specific than grandma's loose instructions. I would try and define my versions of " good" and " fun " ...in 5000 words or less.... as I was dropping them off somewhere, still talking a blue streak.. long after the car door has been shut, and I am fumbling for the electric window button, so at least my final words of infinite wisdom can be heard by anyone within earshot, ....and usually long after my child is out of sight....
'Ding Dong' - pretty self explanatory... mums version of swearing
What 3 places have you looked? again...pretty self explanatory
"Sit you doon"
now this one was not from growing up, it was more recent, like the past 10 yrs... perhaps, the longing for Scotland burned in her blood... she began to come up with these little scottish habits? not to be confused with her mush habit .
FHB aka Family Hold Back ... This one was the family code, discreetly slipped into dinnertime conversation, when we had missionaries, and lonely shut in seniors, (orphaned by their own families) . This was to inform us that the chef had miscalculated the number of guests and that there would not be enough food for all.... that is.. if we were to dish up the usual gathright sized mountains of mashed potatoes, and jim-size portions of creamed corn and roast beef and lakes of gravy, that we would inevitably like to dispense on to our plates. it was for those of us that were to young, to immature , too hungry ( or all of the above) to forsee the potential disasterous situation of the hostess... to run out of food !!!
For example... " Jim, can you please pass the peas and the FHB?"
"Dont put it down put it away!" ya.. ya..
"Do it well or not at all !" now this was contradictory, as i don't ever recall having the option of not doing the task...
Its better to be silent, and thought a fool, than to speak up and remove all doubt
This was actually Prez. Abe Lincolns saying i believe..
But I heard it from mum first, I dont know if she was referring to dad.. who was the silent type...
I am sure there are more, but I am out of time for reminicsing down childhood lane....
MUM
Hmmmmm, how do I approach this topic.. since its the repeat of my sayings or mini pontifications, maybe I wasn't even invited to participate!
I think my fun will be to hear the sayings that have been remembered ....and to see who remembers what...
There were probably sayings in the earlier days that may have been dropped and newer ones for the later kids that cropped up. . we'll soon see on the new blog version of an old attempt at a family newsletter and the revival of the forties file..
I remember sayings from 'my own' mother... that I don't think I used with you all, but that have come to me often over the years when I have needed them..
I'll send them in the blog comments.... in the mean time I'll wait to see what quotes have been immortalized...
EDEN
happy day
nothing on the floor anymore
don't put it down put it away
a layover for a meddler
it's not that they're thoughtless its just they don't think
in my day...
my generation...
I could spit nickles
old head on young shoulders
no whistling
that which we persist in doing becomes easier not because the nature of the thing changes but our ability to do it increases
continue to do what you've always done you'll continue to get what you've always got
