Thursday

"The Book of Me, Written by You" - Toys and Games

This is a journey of finding yourself and how your loved ones see you in their eyes. Further, this can be online and carried forward to share, if you wish, to future generations.
This is a journey of finding yourself and how your loved ones see you in their eyes. Further, this can be online and carried forward to share, if you wish, to future generations. - See more at: http://joannfitz.blogspot.com.au/2013/09/the-book-of-me-written-by-you-topic-1.html#sthash.2TuO2bVu.dpuf
This is a journey of finding yourself and how your loved ones see you in their eyes. Further, this can be online and carried forward to share, if you wish, to future generations. - See more at: http://joannfitz.blogspot.com.au/2013/09/the-book-of-me-written-by-you-topic-1.html#sthash.2TuO2bVu.dpuf
The prompt for the week is:    
Toys and Games
The Brief:


Can you remember your first toy, or game?
Do you still have it?
Who did you play with?
Did you play board games?
Have you inherited any of your family games and toys?
Share some pictures if you would like to!


 When I was growing up, I had 3 favourite things before I reached the age of 5. These are:
  • a picture of a sad looking beagle on my wall of my bedroom
  • a plastic black and white Mickey Mouse Club House (early 1970s)
  • and a red metal tricycle
The first 2 I had until my mother left my father when I was about the age of 4 1/2. As we left most of our stuff behind, I never saw these things again. About 2 years ago, I did go searching for the plastic Mickey Mouse Club House but was never able to find it. I did find something like it (which someone had gotten me to replace the one that went "missing". This looked like below.


The red metal tricycle was there after my mother left my father as I remember riding it when I did go over to my father's to visit. My father kept putting new things on it like paint and wheels. However, once he considered me too big for it, it too disappeared and I never saw it again. 

This is what the tricycle looked like minus the bell and plastic tassels.  

How sad is it the things I used to have as favourites are all gone from my life. 

Other mentionable items are:

The plastic Hawaiian Punch or Kool Aid cups we got for free (once you saved up the barcodes from the packages and sent them in). I loved these... each day it was great to see which ones I would get to use. Below are the different ones in the collection. Again, one my mother left my father, these all disappeared never to be seen again.














 
The wooden toboggan which my brother used growing up which then got passed down to me. My nieces and I used to use it together (as there was just me and its not very fun for just one person) and we used to be able to get us all down the hill at once. This was given to me when I was older (between the ages of 7-11). I know I used it until we all couldn't fit on it any longer. I'm not sure what happened to it either. 

It looked a bit like this one but the cord that runs down the sides was blue and red.




Check back for the continuation of "The Book of me, Written by You" series.   

Wednesday

"The Book of Me, Written by You" - Special People including past family members

This is a journey of finding yourself and how your loved ones see you in their eyes. Further, this can be online and carried forward to share, if you wish, to future generations.
This is a journey of finding yourself and how your loved ones see you in their eyes. Further, this can be online and carried forward to share, if you wish, to future generations. - See more at: http://joannfitz.blogspot.com.au/2013/09/the-book-of-me-written-by-you-topic-1.html#sthash.2TuO2bVu.dpuf
This is a journey of finding yourself and how your loved ones see you in their eyes. Further, this can be online and carried forward to share, if you wish, to future generations. - See more at: http://joannfitz.blogspot.com.au/2013/09/the-book-of-me-written-by-you-topic-1.html#sthash.2TuO2bVu.dpuf
The prompt for the week is:    
Special People including past family members
The Brief: 
If you had to hold a dinner party and could invite a maximum of 12 special people who would you invite?

You can include family in this – the special people could be famous or historical people - family from the past you have never met or people that you know or knew

What meals would you serve and why.

Perhaps include the recipe or a photo if you decided to actually cook the items
The video is http://youtu.be/P8hzm6vq5Tg

This post has taken me awhile to do because I needed to think carefully just how I was going to handle this one. My family isn't a Brady Bunch type of family. Its more along the lines of a European Handball type of thing - everyone's in and if you get hit with the ball then your out (of that person's life). Even with the grandfather's, whom I never met, it was more along the lines of play along with me or else your out from what I understand. 

Because of these things above, it was more how in the world am I going to have any dinner with family members without World War 3 breaking out. Then I thought that I want to do this in a different way - my small groups. That way things can be asked and said without all hell breaking loose. 

Group 1:
My grandmother's and great grandmother's. 

I would sit them all down and have a traditional Polish meal the way I know how to cook it - Stuffed peppers and cabbage, Pierogi's in many different types and styles. Along with many of the types of desserts as well.

I would love to sit down and talk about the different dishes (and possibly make them with them along with others), learn some Polish, learn about what their lives were like when they lived in Poland and what they went through. I'd ask them all about their relatives and where they lived when they were there. I know basics but to listen to the describe what they did and where they lived from their perspective would be fantastic.

My grandmother on my father's side - Jean
My great Aunt Honey
I would hope that my grandmother's would sit down together and talk about how to be strong. I'd love to ask my grandmother (with whom I get my middle name from) on my mother's side what happened before she got sent into the mental institution, what it was like and where she is buried. The times I met her she was so high on drugs I couldn't get to know her because there was nothing there but a shell. I would like to know how I could get her medical records and where she's buried to give some dignity back  where she really had none when she died as they (her husband and all the medical people), I feel, took all of that away from her. I want to try and give some of that back to her. Also, I'd like to find out more about her life and what it was like, as I know basics of this as well.
My mother and I in 2011

Later in the day, I'd love for my mother to meet up with her mother, and my nieces and their children, meet up with all of these great women. I think this would mend many fences that have fallen down
through communication loss over the years. I would take so many photos of each and everyone as I have none of my great grandparents or my grandmother on my mother's side. Although I do have a picture of her sister, whom my mother called Aunt Honey, which looks very much like her.

Group 2:
My grandfather and great grandfather on my father's side. 

Now this would be a very interesting meeting as I would only have things like potato chips and other quick to eat type of foods. There would be alcohol (as I don't think my grandfather would appear without it). 
My grandfather on my father's side

The talk would be to introduce myself to each of them as I never knew them. I'd ask them about themselves and talk about what I've heard about and researched for each. From what my father said about my great grandfather is that he was a hard worker and he loved his wife and children very much. I think I would great along with him. However, his son and my grandfather, I think we'd have a few choice things to say to him. I would love to ask some pointed questions and ask him why he was the way he was - an alcoholic, had many other ladies on the side, and liked to gamble. I think his father would probably give him a good talking to as well. Later, I'd have my father and uncle come in as I'd love to see the dynamics of these relationships as well.


Group 3:
My grandfather and great grandfather on my mother's side. 

Now this would be a very interesting meeting as I would only have things like potato chips and other quick to eat type of foods, like I would with my other grandfather and great grandfather. There would be alcohol (as I don't think my grandfather would appear without it). 

The talk would be to introduce myself to each of them as I never knew them. I'd ask them about themselves and talk about what I've heard about and researched for each. From what my mother said  about her father was the same as my father's - an alcoholic, other women, and loved to gamble. I've been able to do some research and found my great grandfather did a lot for the community and church from what I've been able to research. That being said, back then, there was much mental and physical abuse that was hidden and I'm not sure if this was an issue. I'd want to talk to him about things and see where things rested. 

For both of my grandfather's, I think there would be much arguing and name calling along with some other outdated ideas. Well this will NOT fly with me and I'd put them in place. I'd make it know about how I feel about what happened and how they are and discuss what I think what happened with my grandmother's, which I'm not at all impressed by. 


Group 4:
My grandmother on my father's side and my sister Jean. 
My sister Jean
My grandmother Jean


This would be a small group of 3 people boy would it be lively. The only person I've never known my sister Jean to actually accept their ways would be my grandmother Jean, for whom my sister was named after. I would give my grandmother the run down of what she's been up to and why most of the family won't talk to her. I want to see if she can have some kind of influence over her to stop being like she is and get her to clean up her act. However, I think its probably a lost cause but I can hope. 

As you can see, I would use these group chats as a way to clear up misunderstandings, understand the people and hopefully draw the family closer. That being said, I know miracles sometimes happen but keep in mind that sometimes they don't. 

Tuesday

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays

From myself and my family to yours

Happy Holidays

&

Merry Christmas

Happy New Year!


Thursday

"The Book of Me, Written by You" - Iconic and Famous Figures Dinner

This is a journey of finding yourself and how your loved ones see you in their eyes. Further, this can be online and carried forward to share, if you wish, to future generations.
This is a journey of finding yourself and how your loved ones see you in their eyes. Further, this can be online and carried forward to share, if you wish, to future generations. - See more at: http://joannfitz.blogspot.com.au/2013/09/the-book-of-me-written-by-you-topic-1.html#sthash.2TuO2bVu.dpuf
This is a journey of finding yourself and how your loved ones see you in their eyes. Further, this can be online and carried forward to share, if you wish, to future generations. - See more at: http://joannfitz.blogspot.com.au/2013/09/the-book-of-me-written-by-you-topic-1.html#sthash.2TuO2bVu.dpuf
The prompt for the week is:    
  Iconic and Famous Figures Dinner
The Brief: 
If you had to hold a dinner party and could invite a maximum of 12 special people who would you invite?
You can NOT include family in this – the special people could be famous or historical people.
What meals would you serve and why.
Perhaps include the recipe or a photo if you decided to actually cook the items!
Please look at the video for this week as it explains about week 14 too!


Check back next week for the continuation of "The Book of me, Written by You" series.    - See more at: http://joannfitz.blogspot.com.au/#sthash.LXywwwLd.dpuf
I have to admit, I've been putting both prompts for dinner's off. The next one, on who would I have to dinner with family and friends (alive and dead), took me awhile to come around to, and I do have some thoughts on that one. However, this one? I don't have a clue what to do about it.

At first I thought, maybe people who influenced me? Nope, I have to say only family and friends (and in some cases people who were NOT friends or family) have done that. Then I thought about people important to where I grew up (New York USA) and where I now live (Australia).  Yes, there are some influential people in either country, but honestly, it doesn't really interest me.

Then I started to think - what else can I do for the prompt? I thought if I could have a few sit downs with Famous & Iconic people who made decisions that affected others it might be interesting. So here are a few people I'd sit down with (along with a interpreter!) and the reasons why I chose them.

Bolesław II The Generous
Bolesław II the Generous - When I first read about Bolesław's father, I thought that he was great because as a Duke of Poland, he reunited and gave people what they deserved - if you worked for it, you were rewarded. Upon reading more into the history, I found Bolesław. He was given a stable country people liked him and thought of him as a capable ruler. He gave the country many
monasteries and churches. Further, he also was one of the first to produce their own coinage or currency and this helped bring in money into the royals pockets. Because of this the economic and cultural development of the country flourished and was able to become sustainable in its own right. However, when he declared himself King of Poland, this upset many people. Remember Bolesław's father stayed a Duke of Poland because he knew once he declared himself a King, it would result in uprisings. Bolesław didn't seem to care and declared himself a King and the Polish nobles and others revolted and ended up having the King overthrown (to say the least).

I would loved to have a talk with him about why he decided to make himself a King, didn't he know why his father never took up being a King? Once the unrest started going towards revolt, what motivated him to keep going while the people were getting more upset, why didn't he listen? If he could have changed things, what he would have changed in how he did things. Would he have given up the Kingship and go back to a Duke or would he have stayed?

Josef Pilsudski - I have mixed feelings about this person. He was Poland chief of state in 1918, but wanted reestablishment of Poland’s independence which had been lost. He became leader of the Polish Socialist Party (PPS) and traveled to gain
Josef Pilsudski looking over the Polish Army
some assistance with gaining back independence. Once revolutionary movement began, he returned to Russian Poland (as Russia had a majority of the land that was Poland when it was split up into 3 partitions) to help with the movement. He was highly instrumental in putting together a Polish Army. In 1916, they declared Poland an independent country which the other countries did not like and they set out to attack these armies. He refused to comply with the other countries to stand down and they arrested him in 1917. In 1918, West Germany collapsed and Pilsudski returned to Warsaw and became a hero and head and chief of Poland's Army. 

I loved that he was a fighter and came from basically nothing. I can understand him wanting his country free again instead of split into 3 other countries. I'd love to ask him if it was worth all the fighting? Or would he have waited until the Polish Army was more set up and functional before setting out and declaring Poland an independent country. Would he have changed anything? Would there have been any kind of self defense taught? I would have talked about what the men that served in the Army would haven like and what the conditions were. This is due to a Great Uncle of mine serving in the Polish Army.

Princess Diana - Everyone knows Princess Diana's story or about it. Her struggles and only wanting to do right for her family, children, and anyone she could help. She started off as a shy teacher and became quite good at public speaking. 

I loved that she had the courage to meet any challenges that were thrown at her. She did what was right and her way no matter what anyone else thought once she had enough of "doing the right thing" as she was probably instructed to do. I would love to sit down with her and chat about how she found the courage to do what was right and her way faced with the pressures she would have gotten from the crown. How she could pick herself back up once she was down and pressed on. What tips should would give all of us for doing the same? 

Danny Thomas  - Most people know that he was an comedian and actor. I was fortunate enough to actually talk to Danny Thomas when he was alive. Growing up, I did many charity things for babies and children. Many of these charity bike rides, walks and runs were for St. Judes. I was about 7 or 8 when I first got into doing these things. I just knew I was helping sick kids have a chance at getting better. Then I stopped for awhile doing this due to spending time with family. Anyhow, when my
sister, Theresa, decided to do something for charity, I suggested St. Judes as I had done things before with them. I told her to write to the company and ask them for support in advertising materials (bags, t-shirts were big things back in the 1980's). She did write to them and in return, Danny called her. I picked up the phone and passed it along to her. To say the phone call didn't go well is an understatement - in polite terms she told him that she didn't think it was him and hung up. I asked what was going on and she told me that someone pranked her and said it was Danny Thomas. I told it was probably him as he runs that charity. She didn't know this and when the phone rang again, she was very sorry over and over again to him.  We did ended up getting the advertising materials and using them and donating the money to the hospital. 

I would love to ask Danny if he ever would change what he did? I know he said that he would always open a shrine to St Jude Thaddeus, the patron saint of hopeless causes.I know of this saint and is one of the ones I look up to as well. What other saints does he look up to? Why did he choose St. Jude Thaddeus to pray to that one night? What else does he wish he could have done? What tips would he give?

Patrick Swayze - Again most people would know that he was a singer, dancer and actor. He had made some mistakes and admitted to it and got help over the years. However, he was always faithful to his mother and wife from what I understand. When the chips were down, he backed out of the spotlight and kept what was most precious close - his family. When most people would have either given up or died from horrible pancreatic cancer, he stayed and fought like no tomorrow. However, it wasn't to be and he was taken from us. 


I would love to sit there and talk to him about how he was able to back away from the spotlight. Also, ask and compare notes on how he and his wife, Lisa, were able to keep their marriage alive and survive not having children which is much like us. I think it would be interesting to compare notes and see what we did the same and what we did differently. 

Besides, he was always a good looking man - who wouldn't want to sit and look at him all night? 

The Dinner

Pierogi
After sitting and talking to each person, I'd bring them together in the dining room and would serve a mixture of foods. This is due to the different influences. It would be like a Thanksgiving but would be more traditionally Polish. Some things would include: flatbread, forest berries, nuts and wild cabbage, beets, turnip, carrots, peas and cauliflower. Pickled cucumber or Pickles, oranges, lemons, olives, figs, tomatoes,  pierogi, kielbasa, stuffed cabbage (GoÅ‚Ä…bki) & peppers, steak (Karkówka) and chicken (Kurczak pieczony po wiejsku).  For drinks: Vodka, milk, buttermilk and various herb infusions, tea, and coffee.
Faworki (we also call them Bow Ties in our family)
honey,

Desert would be more of chocolate, PÄ…czki and Bow Ties (or Faworki)

Discussion 

This would include why we help who we help or fight for.  What gives or gave us the strength to be as strong as we were/are. I would ask about religion as before I wrote this, I didn't know everyone (except for 1) had some kind of tie to the Roman Catholic Church. Some were the rulers or fighters, and others celebrated a Roman Catholic Saint. There's only one, Patrick, which I could find no connection to any church, which is interesting. 

I would love to find out why each of us considers family or important and our love of them. Did they help with their strength when they needed it? How did they influence the decisions they made? 

I think it would be a very interesting dinner and discussion overall.  


Check back for the continuation of "The Book of me, Written by You" series.    
Check back next week for the continuation of "The Book of me, Written by You" series.    - See more at: http://joannfitz.blogspot.com.au/#sthash.2yfPO9gS.dpuf

Check back next week for the continuation of "The Book of me, Written by You" series.    - See more at: http://joannfitz.blogspot.com.au/#sthash.LXywwwLd.dpuf
The video is http://youtu.be/P8hzm6vq5Tg
The video is http://youtu.be/P8hzm6vq5T
The video is http://youtu.be/P8hzm6vq5Tg

Saturday

The Book of Me, Written by You - on Snow

This is a journey of finding yourself and how your loved ones see you in their eyes. Further, this can be online and carried forward to share, if you wish, to future generations.
This is a journey of finding yourself and how your loved ones see you in their eyes. Further, this can be online and carried forward to share, if you wish, to future generations. - See more at: http://joannfitz.blogspot.com.au/2013/09/the-book-of-me-written-by-you-topic-1.html#sthash.2TuO2bVu.dpuf
This is a journey of finding yourself and how your loved ones see you in their eyes. Further, this can be online and carried forward to share, if you wish, to future generations. - See more at: http://joannfitz.blogspot.com.au/2013/09/the-book-of-me-written-by-you-topic-1.html#sthash.2TuO2bVu.dpuf
The prompt for the week is:    
Snow

The Brief:
Do you live in area where you routinely have snow?
How old were you when you first saw snow?
Do you remember it?
Did you make snowmen?
Throw Snowballs?
Sledge Rides ?
What is the image that first came to mind when you read snow?
What does snow feel like, smell like ?
How do you see snow ?
The video is on YouTube. 
I have covered this topic a bit when I posted in this series about My Favorite Season. I do love snow and winter which is a bit strange for most people. I love or used to love going for walks when its snowing out and everything is covered in it. Its very quiet and you can hear the crunching of it under your feet. Around the holidays, like Christmas, when you go for a walk, you walk by houses that have taken the time to decorate with lights and with the falling snow its so pretty. Then add to almost no traffic and the quiet its quite magical. As I used to walk around in the snow, while hearing the crunch of it under my feet and looking at all of the lights, from time to time you could see into people's homes at the joy, happiness and love that shines through from the families that you see. That being said, as much as the views that you can see, it can bring out - especially if you walk by yourself - is the feeling of being quite alone and loneliness of not having what you are seeing. Depending on what your view is, it can bring about of both happiness and loneliness at the same time. 
Growing up
I grew up in upstate New York (around Walden, Maybrook, and Newburgh areas) and I had snow from the time I was born onwards until I moved from NY in 1997. When I was growing up, we
One of my last winter's in NY before moving to Australia
would get slammed with major snow storms from November until sometimes April. I don't think there was one child that when they looked out the window in the mornings, and didn't wish for snow because if there was snow, you would turn the radio on to see if you had either a delay or a free day off from school. The radio stations would announce if there was a snow delay (of 1 or 2 hours) or if school was cancelled for the day. 
I remember those days when it was delayed, but snowing to the point where you were frozen and couldn't see, we lived on the outside of town and would walk from there into the school - on a good day it could taken you 30 minutes and during snowing and iciness it could take you over an hour. 
Visiting the US during winter
My husband in front of both Falls in 2010 when its snowing
I remember snow very well. It was almost 4 years ago when I wanted my husband to experience true snow for the first time and we planned our trip over there in January/February. The only time we really got snow was when we went to Niagara Falls and there was a tiny bit when we landed in Fort Worth Dallas airport which ended up being cancelled because of the snow (it was less than 6 inches but it was like 3 feet to them because they just don't have the stuff very often). We ended up spending the night sleeping in the airport. 
Canadian side of the Falls when it was snowing  in 2010.
 
We really didn't get much snow, but it got really cold for my husband. He did some driving and that was an experience he will never forget. He did go outside with my nieces and their children to play but there wasn't enough of it to really play in. 
 
 
Did I ever go sleigh riding? Throwing snowballs? Make Snowmen? 
The hill where we used to go (along with many others) when I was young
My mother didn't have a lot of money but what we did get was one sleigh a year if we were lucky. If not then I sat down on well compacted ground that people had already used and went down the hill in my jeans and jacket with gloves and hat. With ice, I would use my sneakers on ice to ice skate. It was cheap, free and fun. 
The pond and where the house is now used to be where we would sleigh ride in 1980s.
Growing up, I spent this time with my nieces and we would go sleigh riding and making snowmen together. These pictures (above) are both places we used to visit.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Driving and Snow
My mother digging out the car in 2003
I grew up around snow and this includes driving in the stuff. I hated digging out the car, waiting while the car was warming up, and then if someone wasn't good at driving in it (or its one of the first snowfalls of the year) then you had to always watch out for other people. Its always the other people you had to watch out for because once you got on snow or ice and started to slip, you were just a passenger and couldn't control the car at all. That's a downside as well. Add that to what you had to walk around in (slush) when the snow started to melt and its a pain in the butt. However, for the beauty and magical feel of it, I still consider it well worth the trouble.
Memories of Snow
I remember one Christmas, my mother, her boyfriend, myself, my brother and sister in law went over to my father's for our presents. We all went in one car, to save everyone gas. Anyhow, we ended up leaving early, after we got tired waiting for my father, and the roads were getting bad with snow and ice. On our way home, we slowed down because we saw a snow plow that was at an intersection in front of us at the stop sign. We stopped about a car length behind it. Anyhow, as we were waiting for the snow plow to move, the driver put it in reverse and before we knew what was happening, they backed up right into our car. My mother's boyfriend and my brother got out and ran up to the driver yelling at him. The one thing that rang, and still rings, in my ears is that my sister in law was pregnant and my brother was very worried about her even though she was sitting in the backseat with us and at the other end of the car from where the plow hit. This is now we found out my sister in law was pregnant. Thankfully, the pregnancy went full term and my nephew Charles Jr was born. It was a bad and good memory wrapped up in one. 
Even today, if we were over in the US and it was snowing, I would take the time out to go for a walk and just walk around seeing the snow. It certainly is a magical time of the year.
Australia and Snow
Christmas Day 2006's hail storm
As of 1997, I don't really get to see snow any longer. Well, if we wanted to "go visit it" where they make it up on the higher elevations then we could do that, but its too much work for not enough of an award. We do get hail from time to time and my husband runs around excited at that. In a way, its very funny to watch him go nuts over some hail, but if it makes him happy then go for it. However, sometimes I still have problems dealing with not being able to do many of the things I've discussed here - driving, snowballs, sleigh riding, etc - because overall I do LOVE the snow. I'm seriously thinking about asking Santa to bring a snow making machine, so I can still have a white Christmas... I wonder if it would work...?
Check back next week for the continuation of "The Book of me, Written by You" series.   
  

The book of me, Written by You - Message in a Bottle

This is a journey of finding yourself and how your loved ones see you in their eyes. Further, this can be online and carried forward to share, if you wish, to future generations.
This is a journey of finding yourself and how your loved ones see you in their eyes. Further, this can be online and carried forward to share, if you wish, to future generations. - See more at: http://joannfitz.blogspot.com.au/2013/09/the-book-of-me-written-by-you-topic-1.html#sthash.2TuO2bVu.dpuf
This is a journey of finding yourself and how your loved ones see you in their eyes. Further, this can be online and carried forward to share, if you wish, to future generations. - See more at: http://joannfitz.blogspot.com.au/2013/09/the-book-of-me-written-by-you-topic-1.html#sthash.2TuO2bVu.dpuf
The prompt for the week is:    
Message in a Bottle

The Brief: • If you were to physically write or virtually write a message to place into a bottle what would you write?
• Do you live by the sea and are able to potentially throw into the Ocean? Or perhaps a river
• Do you feel strongly that you would not "litter" in this way - in which case you may complete the task virtually
• What would you like to happen with the message?
○ Do you hope it is picked up somewhere, miles from home?
○ Are you going to create a secret email account in case it is picked up and someone
• Or would you like to write an anonymous note to someone that you know
• Or write a message to deceased loved one?



This will be a very quick prompt for me - I wouldn't do this and have never done it. Even with the major water current that goes around the Earth, which controls weather, I don't think anything unless its huge would go very far in the water. 


That being said, you could try to send a post online using Social Media through one of the types. This has been done for years now and it does work. Would I do it? Not really - I think people have better use of their time. Also, there's too much of this type of for one word - crap - that happens out there, and there doesn't need to be more of it out there.



Check back next week for the continuation of "The Book of me, Written by You" series.