weekend round up.

Last week a very dear woman in my family passed away.  She was born in 1910 she passed one month and one day prior to turning one hundred.  My aunt never married, and was the oldest of six children.  When my grand parents were aging, she took care of them both until they passed away themselves. She loved everyone, and treated everyone the same.  When I think of all the things that she saw happen during her life- automobiles and there changing styles, flying, man going to space, among so many other things.  She loved sports, and treated herself to big screen this last year to watch sports.  She was and extremely devout woman and loved her church and the community she lived in for the last 50+ years.
Her funeral was Thursday and the services were attended my the majority of the family, as well as some extended family and friends.  There must have been over a 100 people there. Immediate family went to the cemetery meaning her two surviving siblings, (one is 95, and one 78), one sister in law, nieces and nephews and their children too.  We then went to the church hall to celebrate her life. 

Many of us don't see each other except for weddings and funerals. My brothers were here as well and its the first time I've seen them in about 8 -10 years.  I had forgotten I was so short compared to the two them. The tallest one has 3 children  between 12 and 3, and the shorter one has a daughter who is about 17 months older than my own daughter.  Our children were not present. It's not a great photo but probably the first one of the 3 of us since about 1981.  And I can't stand my hair looks so bad, it was so HOT there, and we had been outside at the cemetery just frying. I kept running my hands through my hair and it totally messed.  Meanwhile I look at many of my girl cousins my age, and they must have a love affair with hair products, because some of those women didn't have hair that budged, not a hair misplaced.  OH well, and so it goes.

I made a quick trip from the funeral to visit my daughter.  Its only 120 miles or so, and once in the area it would be a crime to not see her.  So she and I had dinner at a little Greek restaurant called Mycos? I think down on Polk st. Then I took her grocery shopping for some things she might not be buying usually.  It was a very quick visit but one I was glad to have.  I would have stayed another day, but her BF was coming into town for the weekend and 3 in this case is definitely a crowd.  She'll be home for a week in November though to celebrate her birthday and Thanksgiving.

I finally sold my car this weekend.  Yeah! is all I can say, and goodbye sweet little KIA.  I have enjoyed my Spectra 5.  It was a fun car, and I wish my daughter had been able to get the hang of it.
Now if my house would sell things would be even better. 
We checked out a couple houses today.  One was not great but had pretty gardens and yard. One was ok, but needed some work, and one we liked the outside, but it ended up not being open.  Then we went and looked at the new houses we looked at several months ago by Inglemoor high.  They are still are so pretty and for the price, to have a new house vs one with issues.    I don't know, its not all about location, but a big part.

Gratitude & life's energy

Just a quickie today- i think.  I've been thinking about some things and one is gratitude.  Sometimes i get lost in all the things around me.  It seems like there's too much clutter, too much I need to do. Too little time to be with my family & friends.  Too much want. 
     If i change those thoughts around i can see that i have  much to be grateful for.  I'm thankful for the friends and family i have and every moment that i get to spend with them.  Do i wish i had more minutes with them, of course i do, but its more important that i can appreciate what i have.  I have a wonderful spouse, and lovely daughter who have made life full and joyful over the years and for them I give thanks.  My aunt who is one of my best friends, my friends who fall in and out of my life- all of them make my life more joyful. 
     The clutter i hate (it stifles my mind and energy)- my spouse really doesnt know how much i hate it- he thinks i like it.  Oh you have know idea about this one, BUT i have clutter, which means i want for nothing.  I need to get rid of things, quit being over sentimental.  I learned from my MIL that when you want to clean out things, offer it to people who you think might want to use it. And if they say "NO" then its time to take it to goodwill so some one else can.
Unfortunately in my crafty mind, I'm always thinking of what I can do with this in the future, BUT its time to say how long have i had this? Have i done anything with it?  Will i use it in the next 7 days? Then lets move it along.  OF COURSE there are things we have we dont use every 7 days- sewing supplies, and some crafting staples,  etc. But even those need to be reduced. 
     So usually when we think about gratitude people associate the word attitude with it.  Its all in your attitude of how you see things.  But i believe its more than that,  its not just attitude.  You can fake attitude, i've done it many times.  It's really about being honest with yourself.  Looking at all that you've been granted in your life. 
     I have in my control  the ability to declutter, bring the energy back to my life, and create for my family and friends.  I know there are changes all the time, and making the most of those changes is acting with gratitude.

Lovely Sunny Day!

Waking up today to such a lovely sunny fall day is perfection!  Its brilliance, and the air is crisp, and energizing.  It's a college holiday, so my daughter is home this morning, which indeed is a rarity.  Actually having her be home is a rarity, since her senior year has started. She runs up as i came down the stairs so "whatcha gonna do today?"  Hmm well i have and appointment later, what are you going to do?  I have homework.  The constant answer it seems, homework- if its not homework for her school classes, its homework for her choreography classes.

   Last night we went on the search for a vintage photo of my mother.  She was modeling for a photographer in the woods in a suit that looks as if its made from a few bandana's tied together- something sort of wood nymph like.  I've always loved this picture of my mom.  Now my daughter wanted to use it for a storyboard for one of the pieces she was creating.  What a compliment. See photo to the left.  It was interesting though, as we toured thru this old album of photos where most NOT ALL but most of the individuals had passed on.  She would look at a photo and say who's that?  and it would be my mom, or an aunt.  And then we found this beautiful picture of my grandmother, and she says who's that?  It's my grandmother, I said, she looks at me and back at the photo, and says you look like her.  I'm in total agreement.  My lovely grandmother was short, blonde and rubinesc.  My mother was tall, dark haired and not thin, but was not over endowed on top.  I prayed as a kid i wouldn't have my grandmothers abundant breast.  I certaintly was headed that way, and as a teenager, and it scared me.  Fortunately somewhere they stopped and i do not have the abundance of my grandmothers breast or lack of  my mothers (according to her) but am happily in the middle.  This tour thru the photos was not very long, and a little sad for me.  My daughter never met my grandmother, or mother, or several other dear relatives.  She has grown up only knowing stories of them, and actually knowing a few other relatives on my side, and my spouses parents and siblings. It was an interesting time.
So today, we have lovely fall weather and the feel for foods made from winter squash or pumkin.  The smell of cinnamon cooked.  Perhaps i will make the little pumkin tarts that Bakerella made  a week or two ago. Pies and tarts always bring back family memories as well.  It's just one of those days.
Have a great one!
trev