Old and New

I adore when Dale has a day off. Gives us time to spend as a family, regroup, relax, reconnect and sometimes cram in a project, though the latter rarely happens.  I try to think of it as a day off for myself too and let things slide around the house a little more than normal, letting some toys scatter and dishes pile up.  Dale's day off landed on tuesday, so we made a long overdue visit to Dale's grandparents in Bolton.  The whole affair was about a three hour journey, but oh so worth it to see their smiling faces.

Time has taken it's tole on them, wrinkled their once smooth faces, faded their once sharp memories and weathered their once nimble and lively bodies.  Quite the opposite of the young sprites that we brought with us.  Yet, the gathering of the old and the new is a great reminder of this circle of life. They were once our age, with five beaming children running around the house.  There was laundry, cleaning, diapers, dishes, stress, some sleep and repeat.  Here they are, 80+ years in this world, having seen & experienced all that they have, and still ever grateful for the fresh reminder of newness of life.

At one point, she looked at me, her piercing blue eyes looking into mine.
"They sure do keep you young don't they" she said.
"Yes they sure do" I respond.
"Maybe, this is what I need, to pull me out of this sickness, the young ones keeping me going" she answers back, holding on with her hand while Levi pulls the other hand, urging her to come along.

By sickness, I think she meant the sickness of being old; weary bones and growing tired.  Or perhaps there is more that she doesn't want to share.

We sipped juice, and caught up, as much as we could, whilst wrangling children back from the stairs, and away from the ornaments and statues on the coffee table. When it was time to pack up the kids, they didn't want us to leave.  She showed us out to the car, carefully making her way down the concrete front steps.  When we were done snapping in car seats and fastening seat belts, she took me by the arm, grasping it with her frail hand and said: "Love each other"
I automatically respond " yes, of course, we will"
Dale comes around the corner, and still holding on to my arm, and reaching for his she says again: "Love each other" her eyes piercing deeper into mine, nodding her head.  As if the first time she knew that I would just instinctively respond with a "yes", and that it needed repeating, so that I could really take in the seriousness of her request.  No need for the third time to do the charm, I had it at the second.  In all her years she knew it came down to that, just love each other.  Simple words of wisdom.

On the way home we stopped at one of those ole fashioned burger joints, the kind with fresh greasy fries, melt in your mouth hamburger and over watered fountain pop.  I love the entertainment at these types of places.  There is always the news on the T.V paired with easy rock playing in the background, old couples sipping on coffee in those old cream colored china mugs, and someone in the corner reading a newspaper.  Now that I type this, it doesn't sound that entertaining, but because of my love for people watching, it was for me at the time.  

It was relatively quiet when we came in, besides the hum of the t.v, there wasn't much excitement going on.  And cue Chapman family of five entering the scene.  The old couple look away from the t.v, weathered china cup in hand and the man in the corner wearing his slippers, folds down the corner of his paper to see the tornado that just blew in to the restaurant.  This is the way I feel when we enter a lot of places, entering as a hurling whirlwind with babies on hips, toddler in tow, and the sweet smell of pampers encircling us.  It tends to catch a bit of attention sometimes.  Though I love being entertained by watching those around me, I'm beginning to think that they had quite the show from us too.  After feasting on their famous "Tower Burger" and a shawarma, we blew that Popsicle stand, and packed up for home.  It's great to be able to chat in the car. I like to think of these times as car dates.

And when the day couldn't have gotten any better, I took an  hour for myself to check out a new fabric shop downtown that my neighbor had told me about.

Oh be still my heart, there are so many beautiful fabrics and patterns to choose from, I most certainly need another visit to take it all in.

The store carries a variety of sewing machines and notions, as well as a plethora of inspiration in every direction that you look.  I have to say that I was truly impressed with the service.  I showed up just a little over 20 mins before closing and the owner was more than happy to chat it up, and show me around the store and wasn't in a rush to sweep up, and close shop.

They have great sewing classes available, that I'm sure to take advantage of one day and hone my sewing skills.  Their cute shop is located downtown at 45 Dunlop St. East. Check out their website here.  Be sure to give them a visit when you are looking for something to do on the weekend, or when you have the next project brewing. When you go, ask about their re-usable bag program.  I purchased one for $5 and received 15% off my entire purchase and subsequent purchases. Can't wait to visit again, and bring mom for a visit.  She'll be in fabric heaven!