Personally Speaking

Personally Speaking

It's time again for Tuesday 4 hosted by Anne from Cottage by the sea. Published each week in memory of Toni Taddeo, it's original author.We keep Toni Taddeo's original idea alive here with 4 questions each week to get you blogging, visiting and  learning about yourself and other bloggers.   The more people join in, the merrier and the better it gets. We are always looking for topics, subjects and ideas so feel free to chime in if you have idea.

I thought it might be nice for you to have another chance to tell a bit about yourself.   

1  Are you named for anyone? My name was apparently the name of either a character or actress on a British soap opera or show that my mom watched and liked. Haha!! I always chuckle..like "really, I couldn't have just been named after a family member". Is there a story behind your name?See above...at least that's how I understand I came to be name...I don't know of any other "Kirstin"'s in our life.

2. Where were you born?  My dad was in the US air force and stationed at RAF Lackenheath in England. I was born there. What town and at home or hospital? Well, when I looked online it says that Lackenheath is a village in Suffolk, England. We only stayed there for about 6 months or so after I was born.  

3.  What were your parents like? Well, my mom was very outgoing and was always kind of like the neighborhood mom. We moved to Washington when I was in 4th grade. My dad drank a lot when we lived in Ohio (where they both grew up) and would get verbally abusive and sometimes would throw things around the house...I don't think he was ever physically abusive, but I don't think I ever had that conversation with my mom...anyways, she gave him an ultimatum, he quit drinking or we leave him. We decided to all start over in Washington where her brother and family lived. My dad got a job at Boeing. Things weren't perfect, but he did quit drinking. He did what he knew to do and I know that he loved us, just didn't always know how to show it. I am thankful that he was willing to make changes and that over the years I was able to take our relationship for what it was...in later years, we enjoyed talking about food together and recipes. Both my parents were talented when it came to drawing and painting...my dad was a drummer and in his younger years was in a band. He loved hunting and fishing and also was a taxidermist on the side (and really good at it). My mom was never afraid to learn something new. I always loved how she decorated our house and they both loved working in the yard. She passed away when she was 54, 21 years ago. My dad passed away in 2021. I miss them both and wish so much that I could go back and have so many conversations with them. Ask them so many question.  What kind of home or apartment did you live in? We lived in a ranch style house in Washington from the time we moved there until my dad moved out a year or two after my mom passed away. In Ohio we lived in a small house on a large lot. We actually visited it when I went to visit last year. I'm sure I have a photo of our home here in Washington, but I don't really have time to find it. 

My parents wedding photo. 

My dad didn't have boys so I learned how to do a variety of things..my sister did too, but we had different interests. I loved building model airplanes and he always helped me with them. 

In June while visiting family in Ohio, we took a drive to the town everyone lived in and drove past my old house (above) as well as houses of aunts and grandparents. It was fun going down memory lane. 

4.  Do you have a nickname? My name is Kirstin....so my nicknames have been Kirstie, Keek, Kiki, Kirst How did it come about? Usually just because it was a shortened version of my name...often with kids because they couldn't pronounce it. My grandkids call me Nonni Kiki. 

With Joy Unquenchable,