Showing posts with label children. Show all posts
Showing posts with label children. Show all posts

Friday, February 17, 2017

Making the World a Kinder Place Starts at Home

I bet there are many times in our lives when we would love to be a fly on the wall and know what goes on behind closed doors of our friends' homes.  This monthly blogging challenge gives us that opportunity each month and I thoroughly enjoy hearing my friends share their stories.

This past month, although busy as always, was rather uneventful.  I know that much of the country was hit with unusually severe snowstorms.  Living in the Pacific North West in an area that rarely sees snow, Mother Nature gave quite the performance.

In our area, we do not even have snow removal equipment. Normally, we don't need it. However, this year we broke all records for snowfall. It certainly was beautiful but our town, our highways, schools, businesses, banks, basically everything shut down for a few days.  

Here is a picture of the first day's snow and by the time it stopped snowing we had over three feet.  There were no tire tracks on our roads -- only footprints.  It was so beautiful.  
snowstorm

2017 snowstorm

My daughter called me a week before the snowstorm as she and her little ones were struck with that terrible flu that put many people flat on their backs for more than a couple weeks. She would not have asked me to help her unless it was serious.  When she called at 5 A. M. on a Sunday morning, I knew it was serious.  

There were no flights available so I had to make the seven-hour car trip to find all three of them terribly sick.  I was so happy to have the time and the opportunity to be there and lend a hand.
kind children
One thing that will stick in my mind forever is watching my five-year-old grandson, who never got off the sofa for a week, be considerate and kind to his one-year-old sister when she wanted his attention.  He would gently tell her that big brother was too sick to play but that he loved her very much.  

When he needed a glass of water he would ask using his best manners - please and thank yous.  It's great to be proud of your kids and grand-kids, but when you see them behave in such a manner, it is button-busting. He had bouts of throwing up regularly, and yet he never whined or cried.  He apologized for doing it and was sorry Gramma and Mama had to clean it up.

Once again, my hat is off to his mama for raising thoughtful, kind and polite children. People, even strangers, often ask her what her secret is to having such courteous and mannerly kids.  
precious granddaughter

Getting up one morning, my daughter strongly suggested I head home as a storm was approaching.  I didn't believe her because we don't get snowstorms!  But I am certainly glad I listened because I made it home a few hours before the storm hit.

snowstorm 2017


It was awesome to be housebound for almost a week.  I wrote articles, met deadlines, and got caught up with interviews and work I had to postpone the previous week while tending my family.  Crazy how things work out!

Hope you had a great month and I also hope you take a moment to check out some of the other stories here:

Baking In A Tornado                   
Menopausal Mother                     
Spatulas on Parade                   
A Little Piece of Peace                 
Cluttered Genius                 





Friday, April 22, 2016

Can a 4-Year-Old's View of Marriage Be Enlightening?

Ever get a brand new major appliance that DID NOT work?  I was so excited to finally get a new washer and dryer operated by a computer instead of the old fashioned dials. The first day I noticed that all the bells and whistles were not functioning but assumed it was the operator, not the machine. But I soon realized that the only water temperature I was getting was HOT.




I did NOT need my jeans to shrink!  After calling Sears, they assured me it was a simple fix and a repairman would be there shortly.  I'm pretty easy going in these situations because I realize that mistakes happen; there are lemons that can be from the factory.

For the year that followed, I had three motherboards replaced and four repairmen try to fix it.  Every single time I called to find out the status of the replacement parts or when the serviceman was going to show up, I got the same response.

"I understand you are having a problem with a machine that does not fill up with water."

Each and every time I would tell them that there is no problem with the machine filling up with water -- but that NONE of the settings work and I cannot change the water temperature.

F I N A L L Y.....they agreed to replace the machine with a brand new one.  They showed up the next day and once again, I was thrilled to have a new washer -- and one that worked.

I filled the washer, turned it on and viola....it lit up like a Christmas tree.  YAY!

Three.  Minutes.  Later.  I hear 'ding' indicating the load was complete.  Clean clothes in three minutes.  This must be some kind of miracle.

I assumed I was having yet another blonde moment and needed to try it again.  Obviously, I did something wrong.  But, no, it was the exact same scenario.

I took all the clothes out, started the machine again and used a flashlight to see what was happening. The machine started with a gentle spin, then stopped, another gentle spin in the opposite direction and that was it.  Why?  BECAUSE THERE WAS NO WATER.

I knew instantly that they had given me a refurbished machine and let's just say you don't need to know what I told them -- but they are delivering a new machine tomorrow with an extended warranty -- their gift to me.  I'll keep you posted.

Get the picture?

Friends came for dinner the other night and brought their new dog, a French Poodle by the name of Mister Red.  We snapped his picture while he was sleeping on our living room carpet and when I looked at it later, I couldn't stop laughing.



Friday, March 18, 2016

Do You Stay Calm During Stressful Situations?

"Mommy?"

"Yes....?"

"Can you and daddy make me a boy one -- just like my sweetie girl?"

How do you answer that?  Rochelle said she would talk to daddy.......

I adore watching how my 4-year-old grandson loves his new little sister.  Before she was born, William made it exquisitely clear that if mommy and daddy had a boy baby, to PUT HIM BACK.  He only wanted a sister.


William and Aubrie
Now, he wants another sibling.  He begs to hold her and cuddle with her.   How long do you think that will last?  We can hope....forever.

It is hard to believe that she is a month old already and in a moment I will be recalling at her high school graduation, "Seems like yesterday I held Aubrie in my arms, welcoming her into this world."















Thursday, August 21, 2014

What Would Spiderman Have Done?

Stealing goes far beyond the actual act.  When the victim is a child, it is an even greater crime.  Many of you will remember my recent posts on taking care of my daughter's sheep, six dogs, and a cat while they went on their first family vacation.....to Hawaii. The morning Rochelle, Thomas and their two-year-old William left for Hawaii, I helped William pack his new Spiderman Bag from Gramma.



The bag carried as many Thomas the Train vehicles it could possibly hold, along with a small track. This would certainly provide entertainment on the long airplane ride.   William also packed an iPhone that had a few of his favorite movies downloaded. He was ready to go and excited.

The trip to Hawaii proved to be a wonderful vacation for Rochelle and her family.  They used William's iPhone to take almost a thousand pictures and were excited to have all those wonderful memories recorded.  

Friday, July 25, 2014

Be Honest - We Love To Know What Goes On Behind Closed Doors

Come on... be honest.  You know you would like to know what goes on in other blogger's homes!  Here's your chance.  Join us each month at Fly On The Wall and you can see what goes on 'behind the scenes.' Here are some highlights of my past month:

The Pencil Skirt
I was asked to speak at a prestigious women's club and needed a new outfit.  I found the most gorgeous deep purple knit pencil skirt with a lighter shade sheer shirt.  I had the shirt altered by 'pleating' the back to make it even more stunning.  All set, and I was so pleased with the snug fit of the skirt.

After the meeting, I noticed that the skirt was sagging in the back and took it to the store, complaining.  The lady asked if I wanted a refund and I said "No, I want a replacement that will not lose it's shape."  She said she couldn't do that but would give me a 30% discount.  "What good will that do me?  Can't you just call another store and find me another?"

Thursday, June 19, 2014

Oh! To Be A Fly On The Wall

Wouldn't you love to be a fly on the wall sometimes?  Just to see what goes on behind closed doors?  Here's your chance.  This is a group challenge sharing what is going on in our homes.
@BatteredHope Throw this stupid phone away

I have had my Blackberry Q10 for a month.  I walked into the telephone store yesterday.
"Hi, may I help you?"

I managed to maintain a smile, "Yes, you can throw this stupid phone away and sell me one that works properly!"

Monday, February 24, 2014

Stay At Home Moms -- What Exactly Do You Do?

I am now a grandma and loving every minute of it.  I didn't have my first baby until I was 35 and poured myself into parenting.

I continued to run my business out of my home and also home schooled my children in the early years.

I was often asked "What do you do?"  I could have responded with a list of all the things I was involved in and my business, but this is the way I responded.  I know that all moms, whether you are a stay-at-home mom or not will appreciate this statement:

"I am responsible for creating an environment of love, joy, peace, beauty and order in my home.  I am training a future citizen of America.  What do you do?"

The responses were always interesting and most people were very surprised at my response to their question.  Try it and let me know what happens.


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Friday, December 13, 2013

I May Be A Small Dog - But I Dream Big



I come from strong stock.  I may be small in stature but I have always dreamed big.  When I dream, it is not only what I think about when I am awake, but also when I am asleep.  If I set my mind to something, you better believe that I will do it.  I am a very determined character.

Dreams Do Come True

Even when I was very young, I knew that I wanted to be a husband and father and I never gave up hope that I would meet the perfect girl.  When I laid eyes on that Mexican senorita, I knew she was the one for me. She did not disappoint and we were able to raise a family together.

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