Today is to honor grandparents, to give grandparents an opportunity to show love for their children’s children and to help children become aware of the strength, information and guidance older people can offer.

If your grandparents are still alive, love and honor them today (and everyday). I’ll send my love and hugs to the heavens; thinking of you today Grandma (Beatrice) Jones and Grandma (Mildred) Cline!

There’s a lot going on here. My youngest daughter Sarah is about to get married to her beau, Benard J Decrane.  Check out last September’s Blog/Vlog to hear about the proposal!

It’s a busy 2-month period staring me in the face!  I’ll be performing in San Diego next weekend, attending a wedding after that, followed by my 40th High School Reunion in Virginia.  Then, it’s off to Bosch Baha’i School in Santa Cruz for Music Industry Weekend!

Whew!

***

Dear Grandma,

Even in my earliest memories, you were one of my favorite adults. You were very approachable, laughed easily, and always had a hug ready for each and every grandchild (which is no small feat considering there would eventually be 17 of us running around). I also loved how you really got into the holiday spirit. Whether it was Christmas, Easter, or Halloween I always enjoyed holidays at Grandma’s house:

Yikes–I was rocking some serious bangs and a really cheesy smile

I was also extremely lucky to live nearby, which meant I got to see you more often. You were also always there to lend a hand, and I know I appreciated you driving me to dance classes, music lessons, and other various activities. I especially appreciated your support of my artistic pursuits. Every show, every concert, every recital…I can’t remember one where you weren’t present. That’s a pretty impressive feat considering it lasted 12 years. I’m glad that at least this once, the show came to you:

Was my hair really ever THAT long?!

Another thing I’ve appreciated over the years is all the good chats we’ve had. It’s very easy to talk to you, and I treasure all the time we’ve had over the years to get to know each other. In looking back through pictures, I think it’s safe to say that conversation is something that is never lacking in our family:

Despite all appearances to the contrary, I’m pretty sure this is not an intense conversation about floral arrangements. But then again you never know…

I’m loving the familial closeness on the couch

In addition to all the good times around town, you also shared (and passed on) your love of travel with all of your grandchildren. We were always fascinated by all the pictures and stories you and Papa shared from your international travel, and I remember how excited I was when I found out the whole family was going to take a trip to Disney World which also included a Disney cruise.  Both Disney World trips, and the Disney cruise are highlights of my childhood:

Yikes! Fanny Packs!

Although maybe this isn’t one of them:

Who wouldn’t want to rescue these darlings?

And of course who could forget my amazing high school graduation present–a trip to anywhere in the world. I choose an Australia/New Zealand trip, and you quickly agreed to it even though you had already been there at least once. To adequately describe my thoughts and feelings from that amazing, life-changing trip I would probably have to devote an entire blog entry to that alone. Thus, although it is an understatement, I will simply say that it was amazing. I saw countless breathtaking sights, expanded my worldview, and quickly caught the “travel-bug.” It was without a doubt, one of the most fantastic months of my life. I am so grateful to you and Papa for giving me the opportunity to see the world.

I realize this apology is about 8 years late…but I’m sorry for casting a shadow on you in this picture

This little guy is still the softest, warmest, most cuddly thing I’ve ever held

A final note–one of my favorite aspects of traveling with you and Papa was seeing how you both can really cut loose while traveling. For example, one of my favorite memories from my trip was seeing Papa participate in a Maori tribal dance on stage during a dinner show. Mom mentioned to me that she enjoyed seeing you participate in the cruise night events on the New York/Bermuda cruise you all recently took:

You’re busted

Thanks for all of the great memories over the years. I hope you have a great day today!

I love you,

Heather

KANSAS CITY — Debbie Wright from Ceramics & Coffee House @ Paint Glaze & Fire stopped by FOX 4 to share some Grandparents Day ideas.

Ceramics Coffeehouse at Paint, Glaze and Fire is a paint-your-own pottery shop in Overland Park. The staff will happily help with project ideas and inspiration as your children paint ceramic masterpieces. Y

In honor of Grandparents Day, they are also hosting special events. On Sept. 9, enjoy story time at 2:00 & 4:00. Any time during the day (Hours: Noon to 5:00), kids and family can paint a basic mug, cereal bowl or dinner plate for $15/item for the first painter in the family, and others in the same family may choose to paint pieces for $12/item-all-inclusive (ceramic piece plus the paint, glaze and firing). Reservations recommended for all events.

I have good news . . . . . love is abundant. Love surreptitiously and often arrives in wrinkled, slightly-fluffy, out-of-date packages called Grammy, Pop Pop, and Grampy.

Congratulations to Ellie Schmidgall for this moving story of her grandparents’ farm which profoundly shaped Ellie’s sense of self. See her entry below.

“As far back as I can remember, I’ve spent a lot of my time at my grandpa and grandma’s pig farm. I don’t know what it is about that farm, but every time I went there when I was little I could just run around and be free. From the sounds of the rumbling tractors to the smell of pigs and fresh cut grass, I just knew it was the one place I could be me. Thinking back on it, one of the main reasons I loved it was because my older twin brothers were there to share that sense of freedom and happiness with me. We didn’t have mom’s supervision to bring us down nor did we have to worry about getting ourselves dirty.
By age 9, I had it figured out that summer meant adventures at the farm. I would stay there for days on end without getting tired or restless. “You can never be bored at the farm,” my grandma used to remind me when she’d find me walking around in the house. I suppose that’s what prompted me to go exploring one afternoon in one of the old white barns. It had chipped white paint with the brown of the boards showing through and it looked like it was full of adventure. Once inside I discovered a wooden ladder made from boards that was nailed to the wall on the right as you walk in. Curious, I climbed the ladder into what seemed like endless darkness. I boosted myself up onto the flat level surface and felt around until I found a latch. Opening what seemed like a small door, it shed light into the small loft full of hay bales. It reeked of must and old memories. An image of my father’s childhood flashed into my mind as I pictured him and his siblings spending hours up there just as I was about to. I transformed the countless hay bales into slides and mazes.
Every time I made a visit, I could always count on milkshakes and turtle shaped pancakes. Whether it be a simple gesture such as comfort food or supplying me with a hayloft full of imagination, I have never been let down by the wonders of my grandma and grandpa’s farm.
Now that I’m older, I find myself in a lot of places besides my grandma and grandpa’s. It’s not that I’m purposely avoiding it, but as I get more involved with school, the harder it is to find time to be out there. My brothers are older as well and are hardly there themselves which I guess could mean I’m the role model to my younger siblings as my older brothers were to me. I often think how hard it would be if I didn’t have the memories my older brothers and I share which allows me to play with my little sister and brother.
The farm has seemingly gotten smaller in a sense as I have ventured to larger places and have grown up. Sometimes faced with the anxiety of school, boys, or friends, I still know that I can truly find happiness at my safe haven, a place to rest and breathe. It’s my own simple paradise, the old house my resort, the tractors my rental cars, and the trips to Stanford pool my sandy beaches. I will always return to the farm, where my memories will forever be.”

Growing up, Dean Martin was a hit in our house.

My beloved grandmother adored ‘ol Dino. We loved watching his show together.

So, in honor of Grandparents Day, I want to dedicate my favorite Dean Martin song, “Everybody Loves Somebody Sometime” to my late Grandmother!

It’s not only a beautiful song, but a FUN song!

Check it out, Love Italian Style!:

Everybody Loves Somebody Sometime

If you weren’t aware, at least in the USA, today is National Grandparents Day. We all know how grandparents have been portrayed over the decades as the gentle old, kinda creepy ones in the family that spoil their grand kids and give out stale candy. lol. They are supposed to be the ones with all the wisdom of raising children because of course they raised your parents. But in reality, grandparents come in all types, all sizes and all different amounts of participation in the family unit. Mine weren’t the stereotype at all.

The only real stereotyped grandparents I have ever met was the grandparents of my ex husband. They were British and his grandpa loved to talk about the old days. His grandmother was almost completely deaf. So, while grandpa talked, every so often grandma would chime in “oot ott wha? what was that Robert? Robert? ” To which Robert (grandpa) without hesitation would look at us and say “your grandma is going deaf, terrible thing, terrible” in his British accent. Of course when they asked us over for “dinner” we knew to eat in advance because dinner was always soup, crackers and hot tea. They also gave us stale “windmill” cookies as we left. Does anyone remember windmill cookies? Anyway, they pinched us on our checks and said how wonderful we were as we left.

But my grandparents were of course weird compared to all my friend’s grandparents. Just like everything in my life -weird lol.  All of them were from Kentucky in the deep rural mountain area. There was not a lot of education between them if any.

My grandparents on my dad’s side were ministers. My grandpa was a Bishop in the “Church of God of Prophesy”. Which is the kind of church I grew up in. The kind of church that damaged me,  the one that I eventually wrote to the main overseer and explained how they were destroying people. My grandpa, the only grandparent alive still would use all his strength to scold me and tell me what a terrible sinner I was for doing that. People of that denomination (cult) are very defensive of that church and feel that those who are members will be the only ones allowed in heaven.

He mostly sat in his chair with his hair full of  hair oil. The back of the chair was gross, when I was a kid. My grandmother complained about it often. But mostly her job was to wait on my grandpa hand and foot. He bossed her around and told her what to cook when company came which was always elaborate. He always made up little stupid rhymes for me like “Carla Renee, goes off and stays all day”. He would do this faithfully every time I was there to visit. Same ones every time over and over. I was always uncomfortable there. My grandma was a big collector of any “what-not”  that was red. It was her favorite color. She was very much into fashion. She loved to shop for clothes. She would always get her hair done. In their religion, she was not allowed to wear any form of make up or any kind of jewelry. That just didn’t match her personality. So she wore watches that were as jeweled as she could get away with lol. She even tried to pull off wearing a watch that went around your neck, like a necklace. But Grandpa didn’t allow it. I always hated that they were ignorant and was embarrassed by them.

Later on, after my divorce, I went along with my  parents on a vacation trip and we stopped at their house. Their church did not believe in Divorce either. But I really got to know my grandmother and got really close to her on that trip. We stayed up after everyone went to bed and she told me that she didn’t blame me for the divorce. She opened up about her relationship with my grandpa and how hard it had been. She was trying to be a good christian wife but sometimes she daydreamed of leaving him. I, looking back after she passed away, was so glad that we had a chance to bond.

As far as my mother’s side, I knew them better because I was around them more. While they were raising their kids, they were very poor. My grandmother raised a big garden and canned and even sold vegetables out of her garden for extra money. She had to feed 10 kids. My grandpa was a well-known plumber, however, he was an alcoholic. He played no part in the raising  of the kids. The only thing my mom remembers is that sometimes when he came in drunk, he would be in a good mood and give some of the kids rides on his back. But normally they had to watch him abuse my grandmother.

Oddly enough for that time period, my grandma ended up divorcing my grandpa. This actually happened before I can remember. So, to me they were never married. They both remarried but never had very close relationships with their second spouses. My grandparents even both attended all family functions, even with their new spouses. The new spouses would have to just sit there while my grandma and grandpa would talk of old times. He always apologized to my grandma every time he saw her for how he treated her. He would say that he still loved her and would never love a woman that much again. He said these things right in front of his wife lol. But she was always kind of  out of it and never seemed to mind.

When my grandpa died. My grandma grieved so bad over him even though they had been divorced for decades. He left her his cane and she treasured it. But she only lived for about 5 or 6 more months than him. I think they are together in heaven.

I could go on and on. I could tell you how crazy my grandma (moms side) was the older she got. She always talked about being hot. She once pulled a wash cloth that she  had stuck under her boobs, and threw it at me as I sat in the chair next to her saying ” feel that! Feel how hot that is! I am burning up”. I would have to refresh her cloth a lot with cool water so she could shove it back in her top lol. I took care of her a lot toward the end, once I moved here to Kentucky. I did her errands, bathed her, and cut her outrageously thick toenails,  did her shopping and bought her lottery tickets. No one else in the family would buy them for her. She would say that if it was a winning ticket she would split the winnings with me. lol When she lost though, she would accuse the lottery of taking advantage of old people and their money and never let them win. lol.

I have many memories that make me laugh and make me cry. I never bonded with my grandpa’s  but I did with both of my grandma’s and I am so glad I did. My grandma on my mom’s side that I took care of is missed the most. I have always hoped she was watching over me.

When she died, I was really bad off mentally and couldn’t go to the funeral. I will always regret it. But I go to her grave sometimes when I am down and feel like there is no one to talk to  and lay down next to her grave and talk to her. I know she isn’t really there anymore and she is in heaven, but it makes me feel better to imagine her there.

Sorry I went so long. I could say so much more. I know that some have bad experiences with their grandparents, even abuse. I am so sorry that for some all the memories are bad.  Hopefully if not yet, one day you can be the grandparent you wish that you had. I would love it if anyone wants to comment about their memories of their grandparents too!

And those who are grandparents “Happy Grandparents Day!

“If nothing is going well, call your grandmother.” – Italian Proverb

Talk about the most ooey gooey warm your heart thing of the day… today is National Grandparent’s Day 2012. We must admit that this is the first year we’re officially celebrating this day around princess headquarters. So in the name of all things grandparents, we went on a research mission to get our creative juices flowing. Take a look at all the great things we found! Now invite the grandparents over and tell them just what makes them so very grand

Funny Poems
Advantage: Grandma

Allergic Reaction

Texting With Grandpa Coloring Page

Get Crafty

Materials:

• Two sheets 8 1/2-inch x 11-inch card stock, 1 dark pink, 1 magenta
• 1 sheet of light pink construction paper
• Drinking glass with 2 1/2-inch diameter for tracing circles
• Family photographs
• Scissors
• Pencil
• Ruler
• White craft glue

1. Trim the sheets of card stock by 3 1/4 inches lengthwise so that each measures 11 inches x 5 1/4 inches.
2. Trim 1/2 inch from the end of each piece so that each measures 10 1/2 inches x 5 1/4 inches.
3. Lay the pieces out horizontally and mark each piece of card stock at 3 1/2-inch intervals so that you have two light pencil marks separating three equal sections of cardstock.
4. Fold the card stock along the lines in the opposite directions so that the folded pieces are 3 1/2 inches x 5 1/4 inches and form a Z shape.
5. Overlap the end pieces of the two different folded card stocks and glue them together so that you have 5 faces on each side.
6. From the light pink construction paper, trace five circles, cut them out and glue them onto the faces of the card.
7. Select an array of family photos and trim them to fit within the circles.
8. Inside each light pink shape attach a snapshot with adhesive glue dots.
9. Display your photos on the nearest table or mantle.

Source:  http://larremoreteachertips.blogspot.ca/

Interview your Grandparents
Sample questions to learn more about your grandparents (For grade school age)

1. Where were you born?  What year?2. What are the names and birthdates of your brothers and sisters? 3. Did you have a pet when you were growing up? 4. Did you get an allowance? 5. Who was more strict, your mom or dad? 6. What were your favorite games and activities? 7. What chores were assigned to you? 8. What did your house look like?  Is it still the same? 9. Did your house have electricity when you were young? 10. What traditions did your family have? 11. Did your family have big reunions? 12. Did you like school?  What kinds of grades did you get? 13. What were your favorite subjects? 14. When you were a teenager, what time did you have to be home at night? 15. How old were you when you met grandma/grandpa? 16. How old were you when you got married? 17. What was your first job? 18. Tell me about my mom/dad when he/she was growing up. 19. What makes you proud of my mom/dad? 20. Have you accomplished what you wanted in life? 21. What do you think the President should do for the country now? 22. What advice would you like to give me? **Source material found at www.grandparents.com and www.grandparents-day.com** SUBSCRIBE to our blog and stay up to date on all the latest and greatest princess news. Party ideas, great deals, recommendations and more! Click SUBSCRIBE at the bottom of the page.

]]> http://funflowerfacts.com/2012/09/09/how-to-celebrate-grandparents-day/ Sun, 09 Sep 2012 13:30:04 +0000 funflowerfacts http://funflowerfacts.com/2012/09/09/how-to-celebrate-grandparents-day/ Happy Grandparents Day, 2012! For Canadians, today is National Grandparents Day! This holiday is celebrated on the 2nd Sunday of every September since 1995. Grandparents Day is a holiday created to celebrate and acknowledge the importance of grandparents in our society.

Like mothers and fathers, grandparents are just as important and they definitely deserve to be celebrated. They are often neglected and left to live in seniors homes. But these loving seniors are the heart and soul of our society. They are full of knowledge and wisdom. We can learn so much from them. And like any other human being, they want to  be acknowledged as a valuable member of society.

So take the time today to tell your grandparents how much you care about them. Give them a hug or two! It will make their day that much brighter!

“If nothing is going well, call your grandmother.” - Italian proverb

Here are some things you can do with your grandparents today:

1. Spend some face-to-face time with your grandparents. Get to know their story. Ask questions. Listen.
2. Take a family portrait.
3. Complete a family tree together. Get to know your family history.
4. Make a scrapbook. Find out the stories behind the photos.
5. Host a family dinner celebration. Cook your grandparents’ favourite foods. Serve dishes from old family recipes.
6. Learn a new skill together. Teach your grandparents something new and vice versa.
7. Take your grandparents out to their favourite places and spend some time together.
8. Don’t forget to give your grandparents a gift, even if it’s just a card. It shows them that you care!  Flowers are always a welcomed gesture!

Flowers that your grandparents would enjoy:

Related articles

• Let’s Celebrate Grandparents (a2mealsonwheels.wordpress.com)

Today Baby Hall wants to wish a big HAPPY GRANDPARENT’S DAY to Abuelita Laura, Nana Linda, and Abuela Mercedes!!!!!!!!!!

A week later when I opened the box my strong prejudice to its arrival quickly turned into a willingness to use it. Why the sudden change of heart? Well, it had something to do with the name – “Grandpa’s” – and the vintage packaging also gave me some sort of confidence in it. I thought, maybe, my skin would be comforted somehow – there was a sense of love and care about the whole thing. It wasn’t so much the soap that made me want to use it, it was the myth of a Grandpa as being a sage, a man of knowledge and wisdom. I thought “that is why everyone needs a Grandpa” and I guess that’s what changed my mind.

In point of fact I never knew my own grandfathers, nor those of my husband. But, my images of them all have been created from the recollections and reminiscences of family members. In my life they have become the missing “Grands” that in spirit help solidify the tree of my life, hearty branches that connect the present to the past. For me, their lives became the foundation of my family existence, even if the doings of their lives were mere shadows in my mind.

What I do have left of them that is concrete are relics, objects of theirs passed down to me that connect me to them. I use these relics often, if not daily then weekly, as tools in my jewelry studio or as utility items in my everyday life. For me my Grandpas are still here in spirit in the present, their so-called relics still helping me complete my daily tasks – drawing a straighter line – opening a bottle of wine, more easily than I could without them. Those once mythic shadows have been replaced with images of them and their doings, and these images I add to the vast abstract pattern of my own life – even to my own self.

So that’s how I’ll celebrate National Grandparents’ Day today, with my recreated grandpa imagery and with my soap and tools close at hand! I cherish those relics of my grandpas’, and the collection of the Grandpa’s soap that does wonders to my skin everyday!

My favorite tools from my Grandpas

Every year growing up from kindergarten to my senior year in high school, every student would write a letter to their grandparents right around this time. It’s been years since I graduated, and yet I still feel the need to write a letter. However, I confess that I haven’t written one yet. Well, there’s still time to get that letter written, or at least make some phone calls.

Those of us who have lost a grandparent know that we never know how much time we have left and we don’t want to waste any of it. If you have any grandparent still living, take the time today to tell them you love them.

Now, depending on what your grandparents are like, you may also be able to celebrate Teddy Bear Day and/or Wonderful Weirdos Day at the same time.

“Rise in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the Lord.”
Leviticus 19:32

HAPPY  GRANDPARENTS DAY

“What is REAL?”

“What is REAL?” asked the Velveteen Rabbit one day… “Does it mean having things that buzz inside you and a stick-out handle?”

“Real isn’t how you are made,” said the Skin Horse. “It’s a thing that happens to you. When [someone] loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real.”

“Does it hurt?” asked the Rabbit.

“Sometimes,” said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful. “When you are Real you don’t mind being hurt.”

“Does it happen all at once, like being wound up,” he asked, “or bit by bit?”

“It doesn’t happen all at once,” said the Skin Horse. “You become. It takes a long time. That’s why it doesn’t often happen to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept.

“Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don’t matter at all, because once you are Real you can’t be ugly, except to people who don’t understand… once you are Real you can’t become unreal again. It lasts for always.” *

*― Margery Williams, The Velveteen Rabbit or How Toys Become Real

OH, You mean Grandmother!

(Who knew that the Skin Horse was describing Grandmother?)

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