Books, Humor, Life, Nonsense, Things I Want to Remember

things i want to remember | part 24

Kari

i don’t want to lose track of the random thoughts swirling in my mind, so i’ve been jotting them down in the notes section of my phone. i’m sharing them in the hope that they resonate with you, too.

if this is your first visit, welcome! you can find the other parts of this series right here.

1- for anyone new here, i dropped capitalization on this blog in september of 2023. it wasn’t something i planned—just a spontaneous choice during a time when life felt totally out of control. i do, however, still capitalize in the comment section. i like to keep everyone on their toes.

2- we just finished the show somebody, somewhere (highly recommend). in the story, one of the sisters had died of cancer before the events of the show begin. in the season finale, a character says, “i’m scared of losing the sadness because then it means i’m losing her.” holy hell, is that relatable.

3- ella has never been a fan of sit-down restaurants with servers. she always calls them “check restaurants,” which never fails to make us laugh. i wanted to add it here so i never forget it.

4- do you give your pets middle names? our dogs’ middle names are buddy rascal and biscuits gravy.

5- i found a fun “easter egg” while watching christmas with the kranks a few weeks ago. dan aykroyd, who’s in the movie, asks the question, “who ya gonna call?” while trying to find someone to help with a problem. it instantly made me think of ghostbusters, where that same line, “who ya gonna call?” became the iconic tagline. a little hidden reference i loved.

6- whenever i hear a small plane flying overhead, it instantly takes me to a cool, sunny spring day with the windows open. i can’t really explain it, but it’s always felt that way.

7- does anyone remember the 80s show here’s boomer?

8-there’s no greater lesson in humility than trying to get up a ski hill on a t-bar.

Photo by Erik Mclean on Pexels.com

9- there was this guy in the drive-thru ahead of me once, and he pulled up with his music blasting. he didn’t even turn it down when he was ordering. first off, rude. second, i have to turn down my radio just to find an address.

10- it’s funny how i remember things differently from how they actually happened. that’s why i’m so glad i keep a diary (and a blog)—it helps me see how things really went down, because my memory is never quite as accurate as i think it is.

recently, i was (gently) called out about something, and my immediate reaction was to push back. later, though, i came across an entry in my diary that proved the other person was right. it was such a humbling moment and a reminder of how subjective memory can be.

buddy sitting at my dad’s usual spot at the table last christmas.

11- last christmas eve, my dad was in the hospital, and our usual plans ended up looking nothing like what we’d imagined.

after leaving the hospital, my mom, mike, the girls and i ended up at mcdonald’s for dinner. the manager was dealing with rude customers, and our food was cold. at the time, it didn’t feel very christmas-y, but now, looking back, i realize how special that night was. we were all together—my dad was still with us, and we still had hope, before we learned of his cancer just days later.

since then, my perspective on special days has shifted. i’ve learned to ask others what they’d like to do, we collaborate, and we take it as it comes—no pressure. being more flexible and open to whatever happens has felt like a more peaceful way to approach the season. it also makes the moments that truly matter stand out even more.

if i could go back to that night, i would. it’s funny how, in the moment, things seem to be going wrong, but sometimes, those are the moments that become the memories we hold on to—the ones that mean the most.

here’s to creating more of those memories.❤️

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46 thoughts on “things i want to remember | part 24”

  2. I get your #11.

    I have to take things moment to moment with great flexibility & appreciation because that’s what life has dealt me.

    I wish I’d discovered this mindset from choice & not necessity 😂

    We just have right now. And right now can be full of love.

    I hope you & your family have a wonderful Christmas.

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  4. I’m with Ella – sit down restaurants with servers are too awkward for me! Check restaurants is a great word for them! I like to drive through or walk up to a counter, or grab & go at a grocery store!

    The photo of Buddy at the table is precious. 

    “We take it as it comes—no pressure. being more flexible and open to whatever happens has felt like a more peaceful way to approach the season. it also makes the moments that truly matter stand out even more.”

    That is beautifully put, Kari. That’s where we’re at now too, after several family members have passed away over the years.

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    1. I agree with you and Ella! 🤣

      Buddy loves sitting at the table when my mom (and dad) comes to dinner.

      I love that you’re at that stage too. Sometimes holidays don’t need to be on the specific day others say they do. A number on the calendar doesn’t mean anything anymore. There’s freedom in that. ❤️

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  7. Nigel’s middle initial is P…the really doesn’t stand for anything (except maybe the name he had prior in the shelter “Picolo” When he was dumped at the shelter as a kitten his name was “Razor” we gave him a name of Sophistication.

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  8. I have never noticed that easter egg in Christmas with the Kranks; now I kind of want to watch it again just to check for it.

    I know you KNOW in your heart that losing the sadness does not mean you’ll lose him. You have so many fabulous memories with your dad and even if they are not always 100% accurate or the way others remember you won’t forget him. But I do know what you mean about letting the sadness go too.

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  9. Kari, I knew nothing about ‘Somebody, Somewhere”, but after watching the trailer, I am definitely going to watch it. It looks soooooooooo good!

    And yes, I do remember the show, ‘Here’s Boomer!”

    ” i have to turn down my radio just to find an address.”

    OMG, that made me LOL because I do the same!

    And it’s so true what you said about our perspective shifting on special days because my mother passed away a week before Thanksgiving. At first, Thanksgiving felt very heavy for a few years after. However, my perspective eventually shifted to feeling “thankful” for having had her in my life as my mother.

    Wishing you and your family a peaceful and healing Christmas, my friend!

    ((((((((((((( XXXX )))))))))))))

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    1. I think you’ll definitely love Somebody, Somewhere. We’re watching it all over again with Ella this time.

      I love that you remember Here’s Boomer! A lot of people don’t!

      I definitely can’t multitask! I have a friend who can listen to music LOUD in her car and have a full conversation. I can’t even think!

      I love your perspective! That’s amazing you had that awakening, my friend. So many people never experience that.

      Thank you so much. It was a good Christmas. ❤️

      I hope yours was too! xoxo

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  10. I loved Somebody, Somewhere and eagerly wait its return. I remember my first time skiing and how embarrassed I was on a t-bar. I have to turn the radio OFF when I sit in my car, reading texts.

    I wrote a post once about my husband’s erroneous memory of our college graduation. He claimed he didn’t go and I said, not only did you go, but you drove us to it together and we stood in line together to get in. I managed to dig up a photo of him in his cap and gown! So bizarre! How does one forget a monumental occasion?

    I understand completely your feelings about last Christmas Eve. I think you’ll always cherish that one. My childhood family went to Sizzler (remember that restaurant?) one Christmas Eve and I’m guessing it had to do with something sad (which I don’t remember) but it’s a Christmas Eve that stands out to me, so I treasure the memory of when it was just me, my brother, and my mom and dad.

    I hope your day tomorrow is filled with love and peace. Love you, my friend!

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    1. I skied from middle school all the way through high school and never had to use a T-bar until I was an adult. It felt like being on Earth for the first time and having to do math. I couldn’t get the hang of it at all—it was incredibly frustrating.

      I’m the same way in my car! I just can’t multitask.

      That’s hilarious he didn’t remember! Definitely a monumental occasion!

      Omg, Sizzler! I always wanted to visit one. We had Ponderosa instead. 😔

      It was a good Christmas ❤️

      Love you, my friend.

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  11. So often things seem strange and weird and then when you look back at them, you realize how wonderful they were in their strangeness and weirdness.

    Sending you lots of love this holiday season. I know it’s going to be hard without your dad. I hope you can celebrate in a way that gives you meaning and joy. xoxoxo

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    1. YES!

      We definitely enjoyed Christmas more than Thanksgiving. My mom feeling better made a big difference, and we had space to feel my dad’s presence too. I also think we felt the love from everyone around us virtually. It was honestly a lovely thing. ❤️

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  12. I haven’t heard of somebody somewhere. I hope it is on a channel we get. Always looking for a good show.

    The photo of Buddy. So sweet. What is he thinking?

    I don’t really remember Boomer show, but I must’ve been somewhat familiar with it, because before I clicked on it – I was like A dog show, I think?

    #11 is really good perspective. Oh my heart.

    I can only imagine who challenging this Christmas will be. I hope you find comfort in your people and your shared love for the very important person who is smiling from above.

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    1. Well, it’s on HBO Max, so I hope you can get that. ❤️

      I always wonder what my dogs are thinking. Sweet souls in their little fur suits.

      This year was tough at times, but I really tried to let myself feel all the emotions, and it definitely helped me navigate the season better. We missed him so much, but we felt his presence with us.

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  13. All the pets on my husband’s side of the families middle name is Anthony. We did it on purpose and it’s hilarious! Merry Christmas, my friend! Cheers to a great 2025!

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  15. I’ll have to follow that link to see why you dropped the capitalizations. I like it as a form of self-expression or a personal style.

    I feel you so hard on #9. I have no idea why I do this, but if I’m driving through an unfamiliar area, I always turn the music way down…as if that will somehow help me concentrate better.

    Thank you for the reminder that one should never take holidays for granted. Life surely can change in the blink of an eye. Merry Christmas to you and your family, Kari. Hope this year brings you some happiness and peace.

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    1. The only issue I’ve had with the capitalization thing is skipping it in places where it’s expected—like an email to someone important. I’ve definitely done that and thought, oops. 🤣

      It might be an overstimulation thing for me. I can’t have too many things happening at once if I want to concentrate. For example, I can’t listen to music with lyrics while I write.

      Thank you, friend. Christmas was so much better than Thanksgiving. I’m hoping for that for all of us in 2025. 🩷

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      3. I can’t listen to music with lyrics while I write or read! Nor can I read if there’s any conversation around me, such as in a coffee shop.

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  16. Both of our girls have the middle name Marie. I don’t know why, but that’s how it happened. Zelda Marie and Hannah Marie. If they’re being super naughty, I do bust our their middle names. That’s how they know they’re in trouble.

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  17. Awww.. Buddy. :)

    I don’t remember Here’s Boomer. But I’m starting to forget a lot of stuff, so like you, I rely on my blog/diary.

    Peanut Butter and Biscuits (and) Gravy, those are my dogs official names.

    I love Somebody, Somewhere. I’ve not finished it yet.

    Check Restaurants. I mean, it makes perfect sense!

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  18. Somebody Somewhere was our latest favorite series we watched. We’re both having withdrawals. Can’t believe it’s over! It could’ve easily continued.

    Some of my kitties have had middle names; others didn’t. Clementine didn’t have one until the last few months of her life when I started calling her Clemmie Lou, for whatever reason. Biscuits Gravy…lol, I love that!

    I turn down my radio when looking for an address, too. Why do we do that?!

    The photo of Buddy at your dad’s place at the table…OMG. He KNEW.

    xoxo

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  19. Check restaurants! Love this!

    My husband and I are watching Somebody, Somewhere and I am resisting it, despite all the great reviews. I feel like it’s going to rip my heart out at some point — and that quote you shared does not contradict that concern!

    T-bars are THE WORST. That’s how I feel in in-person conversations, by the way: like I’m trying to make it up a hill, skis on, poles in hand, dignity intact, on the wobbliest, most uncomfortable transport device known to man.

    Love your perspective on last year’s Christmas Eve. I’ve been thinking of you and your dad. Sending you all the love.

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    1. It’s okay to resist it—I totally get it! I feel this way about so many shows. Why get invested when I know I’ll just be sad when it’s over? And with this show only being three seasons… I also don’t always love the shows everyone else does. Honestly, this could make an excellent blog post.

      I feel this way about in-person conversations too, Suzanne!

      Aww, thank you, friend. Christmas wasn’t as hard as I thought it would be, but for some reason, I’m feeling more emotional now that it’s over. A lot of it is tied to memories from this time last year, which I wasn’t expecting.

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  20. I love this type of reflection. I need to try it myself. How do I want to remember this Christmas? I want to remember that I had quiet time in the early mornings, that the house smelled like pine and roast, and ham, and corn; that the kids were happy. for the most part; that we had quality time, T and I.

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