A little about....Family History

As I have mentioned I love history, and one of my passions is researching my family history. I have been engaged in this pursuit for several years now; however it was not until I made contact with a distant relative also interested in our family history, that I was really able to get the ball rolling. It is amazing that in a little over 4 months I have doubled my family tree and taken the generations back to my great, great, great, great, great-grandparents. (Early 1700s).

I love the stories, the connections, the past that created my future. To me finding an old picture or document with family significance has my heart fluttering and pulse racing.

I don't know what fuels my fascination with the past. Perhaps it is because what is remembered about the people are facts written down on paper. There are few stories left and this makes the people I research seem ideal; none of their faults, mistakes or problems are researchable.

I do like seeing where I come from though. The type of people, their professions, trials that they lived through, and most importantly, the history they lived through.

One day I will have to visit Scotland and Ireland, where all of my family come from. Sometimes I wonder if I would feel some kind of connection, however diluted, with the land that hundreds of my ancestors where born on in a time of deep rooted family traditions and clans.

As recently as today my found relative has given me the email addresses to two other family relations that I have contacted. I imagine each will provide a continued wealth of information that I can analysis and share with my family.

That’s a little about...Family History, until next time,

Torrie

A little about...Cleaning

Cleaning sucks...I mean really, it’s exhausting, draining, time consuming and comes with a very short term reward...interestingly I have heard dating described in the same way! ;)

The key to any chore be it cleaning, or laundry is self motivation. Now someone may ask well how can I possibly motivate myself to clean? Well some crank up the music, some break up different chores into long term projects and some like myself, lie.

Now I don't lie about actually doing the work, I lie to myself. "Oh it will look so good when you’re done!" I tell myself or "Really REALLY it will be fun!!!" Despite what you may be thinking this does work...sometimes.

But when you lie yourself into cleaning and doing laundry all weekend only to find come Monday it looks like you have done nothing, any sort of motivation becomes hard to drum up...like having the motivation to get out of bed for instance.

So what’s the solution? Go back to the days of packed dirt floors and rock selves...then no one will notice the dust. :)

That’s a little about cleaning...until next time

Torrie

A little about...Night Shifts

A few days ago a worked my first night shifts at a long term care home where I am working as a 'personal support worker' for the summer. My shifts were 11p-7a and I had 2 of them in a row. While I loved the shift more than any other I was genuinely surprised at all the physical after affects of doing the 2 shifts. Besides being tired, days later I am finding my sleep pattern is still disturbed and for several days now I have been running a low grade fever, and forever having the chills and sweats. It makes me wonder about the people who work nights full time. Does their body simply adjust to nights and then thrive on the consistency? Or do they always have to work on keeping their body adjusted to working nights and sleeping in the day? I wonder if it is better to simply stay on nights rather than flipping all around from days, afternoons and nights. Well in my chosen profession nights will always be part of the equation and I am in some ways happy to have the summer to practice adjusting.

Well thats a little about night shifts, until next time,

Torrie

A little about...Dogs

Did you know that domestic cats "pets" will start to eat the flesh off your body after you die, before your body is even cold?

Point goes to Dogs.

I love how dogs all have such unique personalities. As mention before I have 3 labs, 2 yellow and 1 chocolate and they are all different from one another.

Secret is the oldest and whom we affectionately call the "queen bee". She is often a very playful and affectionate dog, running around and snapping her jaws at us to encourage playing, however she is also very...high maintenance. For example all the dogs like to go for car rides and Secret always sits in the passenger seat, unless of course I am the passenger. When I have to kick her out of her "thrown" she will remove herself to a back seat but will refuse to look at me. She simply stares out her window and if she peaks at me to find me looking at her, she will snap her head right back to staring out the window, pretending I am not there. The character in her personality is most interesting and always amusing, especially when all is forgiven with a treat. ;)

Dublin is our puppy. Well she is actually almost 4 but she is always happy happy happy and I have never seen a tail whip back and forth so quickly in my life. She lives to live and is always ready for a belly rub or an ear scratch, or to play. Dublin is also the dog that ALWAYS smiles at you with squinty eyes and everything, very cute!!!!

Rhythm is our pup. She is 2 and still enjoys the odd chewing of socks or wood blocks. She has a very thick coat of beautiful brown hair and HUGE FEET. I call her my bear because of these traits.

Over all our dogs complement each other and our family. I have always had dogs as part of my family and would never consider not having them. They bring life to an empty house in my opinion and share in our ups and downs. I always feel like animals bring things into perspective...often they will sense your down and be there to comfort you but you can always see them wondering "what could make her not want to play?" Which really is a valid point, life is meant to be fun even in times that seem impossible.

Well that’s a little about my dogs, until next time,

Torrie

A little about...Me

Welcome to my blog. I have often wondered what drives a person to create and maintain a blog about themselves and/or family. What is it about blogs that make them a unique communication tool in comparison to such venues as msn, email, texting, or actually talking to someone either by phone or in person? Perhaps it is just the thrill of having yet another tool in which to communicate with, or maybe the thought that Blogs can potentially reach anyone in reach of a computer that makes them appealing. Maybe it’s a way for families and friends to express their interests, share pictures and news while allowing for the recipient to view the contents of the blog at their own convenience.

Whatever the reason, I have decided to start a blog. I don’t know how long I will remain committed, nor do I know if I shall acquire any self satisfaction from "blogging" but I intend to try.

I have just finished my first year of university where I am taking a bachelor of nursing degree. I love dogs, having currently 3 labs as pets. I intend to learn how to ride a horse at some point this summer, although I am slowing finding that while an intent to do something is profitable, it is most always infeasible. I currently have 2 jobs to balance not to mention family and friends.

One of my great passions is history. I love digging up old family documents and pictures. I find it easy to look into the face of a woman or man in an aged photo and see the life they lead with clarity. Everyone truly does have a story worth remembering, and I try to make sure it is remembered.

Well that’s a little about me, until next time,

Torrie.