How to Grandma - Proof a House

When our daughter Colette announced she's coming for a visit in June, my first reaction was a very enthusiastic "Hippy Ki Ho!"  Or "Yippy Ki Yo!"  One of those two.  Very excited because she hasn't been home since her youngest child was born.  Besides 3 year old Cassie she's also bring our youngest grandson, Marc...a tall, handsome 15 year old with an excruciating droll sense of humor.  Promises to be a fine time.  

Then I started eyeballing our home by keeping in mind what a busy, busy, BUSY three year old  might see and determine was fascinating to explore, bounce, roll, mix with food or waste products and possible, even break.  That's when I realized I might want to remove a couple hundred small pieces of special items in my "collections."  It was very easy when the other grandkids came visiting as youngsters because they were in that inquisitive stage before I bumped into the golden years, when for some ambiguous reason women my age feel they must start a collection.  Many, many collections!  

I don't know when this desire to fill my home to overflowing with cute and clever pieces of ceramic do-dads, plastic curly-q's, tiny tea cups nobody in their right minds would attempt to drink from, bells that nobody is allowed to ring, clang or clatter, dolls that just hang about in their designated spots....without interaction with humans.  Of course, throw in the special gifts from loved ones that are crystal (Waterford baby!),  Belleek (Yay Ireland!), wildlife sculptures (thank you loved ones that venture into tourist shops) and the list  goes on and on and on.  I get one thing, fall in love with it and proclaim a new collection in the making.  Than I announce it to one and all via cyperland, telephone,  special courier and homing pigeon, "Hey, wait till you see what I just looooooove!", and a new collection is born.  Oh, not everything is age appropriate.........but,  can't help myself.  Anything to do with Tweety Bird finds its way into a collection.   I think perhaps because Tweety is a symbol.  Sweet and a rather cuddly looking with major attitude.  Don't want to mess with that bird even if you're bigger, scary-looking, and appear to be more powerful, 'cause she can take you down.  Love it!

So, maybe instead of instructing our feisty, inquisitive little three year old to not touch anything,  or put everything out of reach,  I'll just leave them out and teach her about collecting.   Maybe she'll make a couple of mental notes about what she thinks her grandma might like to have to start a new collection or two.  

One of my favorite pictures from my grandma stash of photo's.....and believe me, when it comes to the grand kids, that stash runs into the thousands.   While youngest grandson, Marc, feigns sleep....his baby sister,  Cassie,  has been yelling in the vicinity of his left nostril, to WAKE UP!  He's funning around, she's serious!

Upswept hairstyles? Must mean Prom!

I have to admit, the genes on my husbands side of the family tend to produce what I consider to be very pretty females.  Good thing, because that seems to be what turns up a lot in our brood.  Our 16 year old grand-daughter, Hali, went to her prom this past weekend which made me hunt up some prom pictures from the girls before her.  The first to dance away in a upswept "do", a smile and a promise to be home by curfew was Colette in the first of her prom gowns. Gotta love those 80's styles!  Next came Rhonda in the first of her gowns appearing mellow after an hour or so of submitting to her mother styling her hair and sticking roses in her locks.  Poor dear.  Next, our oldest grand-daughter in her first formal...red and sparkly....and wearing her hair up.  Hali, before her date arrived in her blue, bubble dress and...yes, the hair worn back & up.  Last is ...Ohhhhh!  Ashli in her first formal!  Couldn't resist.  However, please note her hair is not upswept.   

Recipe For Winter Beauty

I've been known to complain about winter, but occasionally we have had moments when the right conditions prevail and we have a delicious scene.  All Mother Nature does is mix the following:  Early morning fog or mist, mixed liberally with cold air and snow.  Sit aside a few hours than  fold in sunshine and blue skies and a bit of warmth.  Have a seat at a nearby window and enjoy the view.  Can't serve this scene near enough for family and friends to enjoy.