Catching Up

I took a little break from the blog because of family obligations.  My brother has been living with his partner for fifteen years, and they finally decided on a wedding - a destination in the middle of Nowhere Montana.   So I flew to San Jose to pick up my mom, the airline connections flew us to Los Angeles, then on to Missoula.  From there it was a 90 minute drive to the Ranch.  After a whole day of traveling, I was exhausted! 

The Ranch is beautiful.  Peaceful.  Serene.  Until you mix in a wedding and forty other people from the other side of the family.  We were a loud, noisy, boisterous bunch.  The day before the wedding, we all took a trip into town for a stop at the local thrift store.  Being on a ranch, everyone bought cowboy boots!  I think this store sold all 22 pairs they had in stock just to our family group!  

For me, I wandered around taking lots of photos.  I just loaded them onto my PC and I took nearly 300 photos!  My gift to the bride and groom will be my photos on a DVD, presented in a slide show format set to music.  It's one of the things I like to do, and have done for many years. 

After so much travel, rooming with my mother in matching twin beds for 3 days, and more travel on the other end of our trip, I came home exhausted!  And appreciated that I didn't have to go to work today!!  I used it to catch up on laundry, grocery shopping and rest.   Seems like every time I sat down, my eyes wanted to close :) But that's how it goes after a vacation.

It's amazing how family dynamics work.  I was able to sit back and observe a few things.  No matter how much time family has been apart, coming together feels like a very natural thing and we all slip back into familiar patterns.  And yet there are differences because of our experiences and such.  My brother is the same, and yet he's different with his wife.  Not in a bad way, just different.  It was fun being with family, and I'll treasure the memories. 

When you have opportunities to get together with family, take each of them even if it isn't something you exactly want to do.  No matter what happens in life, family is forever.  Cherish them.  Make memories. Love them.  You won't regret it!!! 

Antiquing

I know that for some, antiquing isn't an activity, but for me?  Always has been.  There's just something about things with a history that fascinate me.  Over the years, I have collected depression glass - beautiful pinks and greens in glassware and condiment trays or candy dishes.  I've collected Vernonware - stoneware made in California.  I've always collected rocks, but that's not really antiquing -- because I don't collect rocks that I pay for!!  And Pyrex!  I just love old Pyrex.  But what's the draw??

When I'm in a shop and I find something "old" , I'm always amazed by the craftsmanship.  We don't make things like we used to!  An old dressing set of a hairbrush and mirror wasn't made out of plastic.  Some of it was very ornate, and some of it even created out of real silver!  But for me it goes beyond the actual object. 

Think about the woman who might have owned that brush and mirror.  They're beautifully placed on the top of her dresser, not hidden in a drawer.  They're beautiful to look at and yet also very practical.  It seemed there was more time for personal time in days gone by.  She probably sat on a tufted stool in front of a mirror and stroked her hair 100 times for a beautiful shine.  Now?  I'm lucky if I can slash a comb through my hair before dashing out the door.  We're just a little too busy these days! 

When going antiquing, don't go with having a specific goal in mind.  Head in to the shop and really soak up the atmosphere.  Most shop owners try to infuse their shop with a certain vibe using colors and presentation.  Take a few moments to appreciate that.  And as you're looking over the treasures in front of you, allow yourself to be pleased, and then pleasantly surprised when something catches your eye that you just have to have!!  Savor the experience!