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Somehow it seems like a week has already passed here....that either speaks to the amount of fun being had, or the number of family that have been pouring through my grandparent's house. But let's start at the beginning:
Wed July 7th
Last full day in Victoria, with desperate hopes that my passport would come soon. Well, after a long struggle with the Italian Consulate (give them at least 6-8 weeks to process your Visa regardless of what they say), I got notice that an attempt had been made to deliver my passport that morning while dropping my mom off at work. And when might I be able to pick it up at the post office? After 1pm the following day of course...why not right? Except that I was leaving the next morning....hmmmm. After some negotiating, and a few calls to the Canada Post main depot downtown, I got my passport passed through a side door (with appropriate security checks of course) at approximately 7am on Wed July 8th. Phew!!!!
Thurs July 8th
Off to Toronto, Guelph, Inglewood and a few other small Ontario towns. Dinner in Inglewood (the wine was already flowing when I arrived) and a huge strawberry shortcake for my grandfather's 90th birthday. Which is in fact the main reason for this rather large family gathering. Happy Birthday Grandpa!!!
Fri July 9th
Preparation is in full swing for the family "test dinner" tonight (grandpa's homemade sausages) and the big to do in the community hall and large family dinner the following day. Grandma is being left out of the preparations and plans (which is driving her crazy) and grandpa is going about his plans rather silently. The plan seems to be do whatever job is given to you at a moment's notice. None of us are used to grandpa being the head planner, but he seems to be so happy doing it.
Sat July 10th
None of us have seen grandpa this worked up, but it all seems to be coming into place regardless. Grandma has promised to stay out of the kitchen and seems to be holding to her word. The day involved a lot of family transport in the morning (many are too old or visiting from too far to have cars), set up in the big hall, preparation for the big dinner at the house afterwards. Sounds simple? Ha!
The gathering at the hall involved all the neighbors, old friends and family. It involved some lovely speeches, a lot of food and drink and a video put together by my cousin Corina featuring a selection of family photos and old film footage. The funniest moment was when the bartender realized she should not have set up pretty yellow displays of coloured water at the bar. It's an elderly community you see, and not everyone was able to tell that it was not very intensely toned white wine or understand her explanation of what it was. I'm not sure which was more entertaining, the befuddled look on the bartender's face, or the intent declarations of the customer that kept insisting the yellow water was fine for her (she was a little hard of hearing).
Later that night the dinner ran without any major bumps, excluding the 15lb rib roast catching fire on the BBQ and my lovely aunt Jackie providing hilarious comic relief with her lack of ability to opperate a point and shoot camera. I have a number of pictures of her eye and neck as she continued to shoot pictures of the family grouping backwards.
Sun July 11th
Today we decided to escape the family circus and head to Jackie and Brock's house (aunt and uncle) in Inglewood. As we were trying to leave the Grandparent's house in Guelph more and more family kept pouring in. Eventually I got grandpa going (with much protestation) and he drove us the 45 minutes over to sleepy Inglewood. Grandma and aunt Margaret came for a visit as well. We simply told the rest of the family that remained behind to raid the fridge and have a good time.
After a few hours of sun on the porch grandma, grandpa and Margaret left lemonade and store bought cookies with the rest of the family. Mom and I remained at Jackie and Brock's to watch the final match between the Spanish and the Dutch in peace. After a lovely afternoon of soccer watching, thunder and lightning storms with brilliant sun on each side, and afternoon wine in the treehouse/deck I am beginning to remember a little about this thing called relaxation. And now, off to bed.
- comments
Kat Loving your blog. Keep it up darlin. We miss you terribly but, wow what an adventure you are on. Can not wait to live vicariously through you (and your blog). Miss ya. Kat
Dave Higham Oh how badly I wish I could have been there!!! Love my family!!
Kirsten Musial This is great :o) Glad all worked out with your passport and you are finally relaxing. Looking forward to hearing more. Have a super time. lots of love, Kirsten
Georges Duhamel I am glad that your trip started weel.... Have a nice day DAD