7 Questions.....Answered by Moi

I am jumping on the fun, happening bandwagon and joining Gentri Lee today for her weekly Seven Questions party.
It looks fun and I want to fit in with the young, cool folk.
Because, in my head, I am totally not 37-ish. In my head, I am still rockin it at 22.
Is "rockin it" a cool term?
Whatever.


1. Bold or Understated?
Sadly, everything about me is understated. I don't have much colour in my wardrobe and my makeup routine consists of under eye concealer and Blistex. My hair is the same style it has been for 20 years...with a few grays added in. When in a crowd, I prefer to hide out in the corner. 
Sad, I know.
One day, maybe I will dress in these colours, have the confidence of a Kardashian and actually learn how to put on eye makeup.
But don't count on it.
Source
2. You have to survive alone in the wild and you only get to take one thing with you. Your choices are: A Pocket Knife, a Water Bottle, or a Book. Which do you choose and why?
Oh man.  This was a tough one. 
I choose a pocket knife because if a snake comes near me, I will have no choice but to chop it up.
I do not enjoy wild creatures that could possibly eat me.

3. Thirty Two Cows, Seven Eight Chickens, How Many Didn't?
Huh?

4. Would you rather die doing one legendary act of service or do small acts of kindness that may go unnoticed every day? Ummmm....I would totally do small acts of kindness, for two reasons.  One, because it makes me feel good.  Two, because I am understated and prefer to go unnoticed.

5. Happiness is _______. (one word; fill in the blank)
Chocolate. 
Specifically Kit Kat chocolate bars, but any chocolate will do thank you very much.

6. Can you laugh without smiling?
This is my attempt.
{Please ignore the zits and triple chins}

I know. That was probably the creepiest video you have ever seen.
I will have nightmares of myself doing that for the next month.

7. Do you pop your knuckles?
Not on purpose.
Should I?
Is that what the cool peeps do?

_______________________________________________________________________________________
If I was a good blogger and grand daughter in law I would have dedicated an entire post to this handsome fellas 96th birthday yesterday.
But, I suck.

96 years old.
Which means he has lived 35 years longer than my dear Daddy did.
We love him.
Cherish him.
And I am pretty sure he can laugh without smiling.


Also linking up with Alicia, because I like her.

75-95

Once upon a time...actually 95 years ago, a boy was born in a far away country.
His family moved to Canada.
He met a nice young girl.
They fell in love and were married 75 years ago.


They had two children.
Their children each had two children.  One of those children being my hubby!And then those children had children.

The family came together to celebrate their 75th anniversary and the "boy's" 95th birthday recently.
Isn't he handsome?

This boy grew up to be a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather.

The relationship he shares with our children is one that can never be duplicated.

They are his life.

He is a huge part of theirs.

Our family is blessed.

Happy 95th birthday Grandpa!

Happy 75th anniversary Grandma and Grandpa!

Go see Cecily's fantabulous back to school tradition and other photostory stuff here.

And tell me if you know anyone ever married for 75 years!

Grandpa

*Dear God.  I wish you gave me the talent to speak comfortably in front of other people, because if you did, I would have had the guts to speak at my Grandpa's funeral.  But...since I am unable to speak publicly, I will write my thoughts out on this here blog of mine.  Amen*

My family just spent the weekend saying goodbye to my grandfather.
My wonderful, adorable, kind, caring, almost 82 year old grandfather finally went to Heaven.
He had begged to go for weeks, even asking everyone who visited him how he could unhook all of the tubes and wires so he could finally be out of pain.
*sniff*
It wasn't the tubes and wires keeping him alive though.
It was his body.  It just kept going until it was his time to go.
That time was on his 60th wedding anniversary.

My grandma wanted him to hang on until their anniversary.
He did.
*sniff*

Hundreds of people came to pay their respects to a wonderful man.
I mean, I knew he was loved and respected by many, but had no idea just how many.
As I stood close to my grandfather and the many flower arrangements and pictures that bathed the room, I introduced myself to many people I had never met.

I shook their hand.
I hugged many.
I introduced myself as his granddaughter.

Many shared stories that I had never heard about.  Many introduced themselves as family that I never knew.
But everyone told me the same thing.
That my grandfather was a well respected, very loved man who positively influenced the lives of many in his community.

I already knew that.


But I also know that his bear hugs were like no other...
...that his on-the-lips kisses was his way of saying "I love you so much, I will even kiss you on the lips"
...that his appetite never suffered even though he was
...falling asleep in the middle of a conversation did not mean he was bored
...his snoring was somewhat calming
...his prayers at meal time were straight from the heart
...his intelligence was inspirational
...his feelings weren't expressed by many words
...his belly laugh was one of a kind
...his love for my grandmother was undying
...having his family around was what life was all about

I am not sure how the family will ever adjust to him not sitting at the head of the table at mealtime.  I don't know how we will ever get over not seeing him sitting in his chair in front of the big window when we drive by.  His lawnmower will never work the same without him sitting on it in his green work clothes and work boots.

But I do know this.

We will do everything we can to make the transition easier for my almost 84 year old grandma.  We will continue keeping the family together because that is what my grandpa cherished the most.

And the memories will be shared with his great grandchildren...and their children.....

...because he will never be forgotten.

Rest in Peace

Words cannot describe the love that I feel for my Grandfather.
No matter what I write, it will not do justice to what my heart feels.
He loved my Grandma more than anything.

He had a part in making my dear Mother.
There was nothing more important to him than his family.

But he was suffering.
And no matter how much I love him and want him around to see his family grow older, I did not want him to suffer any longer.
So my heart is at peace knowing that he is not suffering now.
He has been reunited with loved ones so dearly missed for many years.His parents.His brothers.He is no longer suffering,

Now it is our turn.

Pray for my Grandmother.
Their children.

Grandchildren.
Great Grandchildren.
And the many others that loved him dearly.
Because we all need it.

May you Rest in Peace, my dear, sweet Grandpa.
I love you.




See more here

Grandpa.

My husband has a 95 year old Grandfather who still lives in his own home, does his own laundry, cuts his own grass, plants his own flowers and prepares his own meals.
Grandpa comes to our house every weekend to help out around the farm.
Whether it is building fences,
or horse stalls,
or driving tractors.
He does it.

Pretty special huh?

He also packs up many {unhealthy} treats for the kids, loads them in to a box and brings them here.
Every week.
I am thinking of asking him to pay for my children's dental bills when they end up with cavities from all of the {unhealthy} snacks.
But that wouldnt be right, because the joy he has brought to my children {and husband.....and me} is priceless.

Go see more Wordful Wednesday stuff here.

Feeling Nostalgic

I havent travelled to many places in my 35.5 years on this Earth, but I do know where my favourite place is.
The one place in this Universe that makes me forget about my problems.
The one place that I can just sit and take it all in.
And not have any worries.

Thinking about my family members running one of the largest dairy farms in the area.
Working together.
Being together.
Simply.
Brings me some sort of comfort.

My Grandma's kitchen.
The bedroom I slept in when we visited as a child.

The shed that "housed" the snowmobiles and tractors.
The barn used to make horse bridles and horse shoes.

Oh, how I wish I was there to see it all happen.

I do remember some of it.
The cows.  The smells. 
The chickens.  The smells.
The milk room.  The smells.

It is sad that we realize how lucky we were to experience such simple things as a child when we are older and living a more complicated existence.
So, for now, as therapy, I wander through the property and take pictures.
And imagine what it was like.










Travelling to other places in the world is nice.But there is no place like my grandparents.Sappy....I know.But so true.

Birthday Day

Life should begin with age and its privileges and accumulations, and end with youth and its capacity to splendidly enjoy such advantages. ~ Mark Twain

Today is my grandfather's 80th birthday.

80 years old.

In his eighty years, he has overcome so much.

Accomplished so much.

And married the best lady in the Universe.

In his eighty years, he has worked.

Every single day.

In his eighty years he has had much sorrow.

But much more happiness.

He has raised 3 children.

He has enjoyed 8 grandchildren.

And 9 great grandchildren.

I am looking forward to the next 80 years and what else they bring to his fabulous life.

As long as he stays out of the hospital......

I love you Grandpa.

xo

Hands

These hands are 93 years old.

93.


Think about that.

93 years old.

These hands belong to my children's Great Grandfather.
Messy's namesake.
My husband's grandfather.

These hands still drive.
Do laundry.
Cook.
Clean.

These hands work at the family business.
Every day of the week.

These hands care for a wife who is 91 years old.
These hands live in the same house they have lived in for over 50 years.

These hands hug my children.
And my dog Studley.

These hands make Jello for my children every week. Just because they want to.
These hands come to my house at 3pm every day to visit my kids.
With a snack.

These hands sit in the back seat of their own car so my children can sit in the front seat and pretend they are driving.
Sometimes Studley joins them.

These hands are 93 years old.

93 years old.

Imagine everything they have seen.
Touched.
Experienced.