(Almost) Wordless Wednesday ...

Jake and the pumpkin caper looking for a green one.

This one isn't green ... but it will do ;)

Imagination at play!

We Return To Normal

Summertime is rolling right along.  We've had two rounds of company so far ... and one more for the month of August ... my folks; they are easy to have as house guests as they know their way around town and offer me respite throughout their stay :)

I'm amazed to see how much Nathan has grown this summer in height and weight.  Not that he's a large boy, but he definitely is growing.  Camp exercise and fresh air give him a good appetite.

I just couldn't resist posting this pic of Jacob and Daisy Mae (his new puppy).  Both come over for regular visits to melt this grammy's heart!

Today was berry picking day at the local farm.  I picked two quarts of raspberries and 2 quarts of strawberries to make some freezer jam and stockpile the freezer with frozen berries for winter treats.  

Hoping your summer is spent with family and friends making good memories.

Wordless Wednesday

Pics:  Jacob playing peacefully at our neighborhood lake June, 2009.

Picture Memories - Part 1

... are currently scattered on top of my desk.  I have been blessed with an abundance of faded, time worn heirloom family photos ... handed down by my mother, via her parents, via their parents ...

These memories are my connection to a different era.  The past that steps so close to .. but is no longer touching ... the present.  Some memories are stored in my mind from stories told by my dearly departed relatives about their youth; though most of said memories are of when my ancestors were my age and older that I remember from years ago.  To see them as youngsters full of mischief in a different era makes me want to step through the boundaries of time ...

To possess my grandparent's wedding announcement and marriage certificate makes me long to see them again.  Time is passing all too quickly.  In the blink of an eye ... so many changes ... inventions ... modes of transportation have come and gone ... and yet, we are still connected by heart strings and family genes.  How will I be remembered by my descendants?   I hope to one day print out my blog journals and bind them with a pretty cover.  Then little Jacob's grandchildren can read about their great grandma's family and remember from whence they came.

... to be continued

Mrs. Mac's family photos:         Click on photos to enlarge

Top, L-R Maternal Great Aunt Theresa & Grandma Donna taken on their First Holy Communion day.  According to a story told to me by Grandma Donna ... Auntie was mad at her for getting to wear the pretty gold locket ... and she had to wear the old pearl necklace;) ... you can almost imagine that just before the picture was taken, they were in a tiff with each other as is evident on their pretty sad little faces.

Center photo:  Mrs Mac's Great Grandmother Myra's beautiful Victorian farmhouse parlor.  She was well off with house servants and fringe lined buggies to drive.  Great Grandma Myra had the latest modern furnishings for her era (according to my mother) ... including an electric stove before most anyone else.

Bottom photo:  Mrs. Mac's Great Grandparents, Myra Grigsby Hodges, and their family.  My grandfather is the cute little boy; the baby of the family.  He married the little girl with the pretty gold locket.  This is the same family in the new blog header .. years earlier.  It is this grandfather that I led to Christ when he was in his 70's ... (When Grandpa Got Saved)

... to be continued

On Being A Grandma

There is nothing better than having your wee grandson take hold of your hand and say:  "I luff you Nana"   ... what a heart melting moment. 

Photo of Jake ... age 3

Potty Talk

What goes around comes around .. all things potty that is. My little grandson is becoming a big boy now and grandma is enforcing the new rules about not piddling on her wood floors, keeping big boy pants dry, use your words to tell me when 'it's time to go' ... If he wasn't my own flesh and blood, I'd be sending home a little bitty baggy of wet training pants each night.

... On Being A Keeper At Home

I have to confess, since we got rid of our cable TV, life has taken a much slower, less hectic pace! Either silence or beautiful Christmas music fills the air ... and the pitter patter of my grandson's little feet. Reading books, knitting, writing letters, baking and occasionally watching an old movie have been rediscovered. A friend and I get together once a week for prayer time as well. Then there's my weekly trip into town for perishable groceries. Exciting life, eh? But it suites me well. There's no place like home, aaaah!

Grammy X's Terrible Twos

Ssshh, it's nap time. Both for this grammy and her grandson. When he rests, I rest. Amen!

I forget how long the terrible twos last. Any idea. My home is not too child friendly, so I'm kept on my toes until nap time.


Photo: sleeping 'baby' Jacob ... 11/07

Shhh, Grandma's Baby Is Sleeping

Last night was my oldest daughter's final class of dental school. She's been burning her candle from both ends for quite a long time now. I've tried to help out with 'free granny daycare' (a luxury I somehow escaped years ago). Her schedule has included opening at a local eatery (leaving home at 4:30 AM) ... coming home after her shift ... taking a nap ... studying and homework ... and off to night school. Somewhere in there she took care of baby and her husband. To reward her for her efforts, I offered to take the baby for the night (not that I don't see him enough ;) ... so she could have a 'date' with her husband. Of late the baby is very fussy when they take him to a restaurant. Gone are the days of this quiet little fellow content to look at his toes from the comfort of his infant carrier. My home is not too baby friendly ... two stairways and no fenced backyard. So I'm closing for now to take a reprieve as he slumbers for the night. I hope your fourth was celebrated with great food, friends, legal fireworks, and appreciation for the country we call home.

Spoiled Mama

I'm just now coming down from could nine after all of the attention given to me by the Mr. this past week. The whirlwind has passed and now the dust must settle. Back to reality. My glass slippers are shelved until the next milestone. The tiara has been returned to the vault ... butler released from duty ... cook sent packing ... maid let go ... and I now sit at home alone with my feather duster and can of Endust ... boo, hoo. I'm a survivor ... and shall rise once again from the ashes. To what? Retirement beckons ... wait a minute sister ... my life won't really change. I still have motherly and grandmotherly duties to take care of. The dawg needs her daily cookie and walk ... garden seeds need to be planted in the pony pack trays ... there are countless tasks calling my name come spring. Window tracks to clean out ... flowerbeds to clean ... patio furniture to dust off once my snow mound melts ... a BBQ to rescue ... aaah, common life is beautiful; I'm not cut out to be a full time queen.

What I Do For Fun On Thursday Nights

Granny's Slumber Party:

Where: Granny Mac's Home
When: Every Thursday Night (Until your mommy graduates dental night school)
Time: 4:30 PM 'til ?
RSVP: A day in advance
Bring: Diaper bag, formula

On Thursdays I keep my grandbaby overnight because his mommy has night school and his daddy gets off work at 9:00 PM. They both have to be at work very early on Friday mornings.

Currently I'm watching "Wonder Pets" (The new "Barney") ... this episode is all about going wee, wee ;) I think WP is very cute ... but watching more than a few episodes is punishment for this granny ;)

Baby's "Booty"

With the arrival of my first grandson last March, this grandma has begun to outfit a home nursery with: playpen, car seat, diapers, formula, etc. It's like starting all over again. Last week the roads were in poor condition from the snow ... and son-in-law could not make it up the hill to pick up Jacob (some days I have to pick up the baby from his daddy at the local bar's parking lot (hee, hee) which is the closest area with plowed morning roads). I kept the baby overnight and said I would drive him home in the morning. Well, I forgot I didn't have a car seat yet when making this statement. Ann had to leave late for school so I could drive my 11 year old Nathan to the bus stop (minus the baby) ... Now all that's missing is a proper high chair. I'm sure next payday, that will be on my shopping list.

Up To Some New Tricks

It's been a while since I posted any pics of my grandson. He's becoming quite a little monkey with all of his new skills. Just in a matter of two weeks he has learned how to sit up by himself, pull himself up to stand and crawl around thus keeping me on my toes for his safety. We play patty cake and peek-a-boo, read books together and coo back and forth to each other. I love being a grandmother. Last night he got reacquainted with grandpa ... seems afterwards they both needed to change their pants ;) Jacob is such a little squirt.

Sunday Afternoon @ Granny Mac's ...It's Tradition

As is tradition, Sunday afternoon is a day to gather as a family and share a home cooked meal. My oldest daughter was taking a cat-nap and didn't make it for the photo. Nathan is being camera shy, and Ann so enjoys Mom's cooking. Ryan and Jacob head for the couch and take a soporific rest after the meal.

Miss Terry, aka Canadian Blogger requested some time ago for me to post pictures of one of our Sunday gatherings.

This and That

Recently, we took Nathan to our local amusement park for a special citizen's day. He and I got in for free ... and our guests paid $12 each. Right away he made it known that he wanted to ride the wooden roller coaster ... but I opted for him to wait and go with daddy another time ;) ... Then he talked me in to riding the tilt-a-wheel which brought back my vertigo ... and nearly brought up my lunch :( I really just wanted to park myself on a bench and be a people watcher ... NOT! We walked a fast pace for about 2-1/2 hours ... by then I had blisters and sore shins from trying to keep up! That's when we ran in to Ronald McDonald ... and the purple blob (?) in photo. Anyone know the blob's name? Nathan made sure to tell Ronald he LOVES french fries.

Today I had a play date with my little grandson, Jacob ... My daughter is working a couple of partial days per week and brings him over for a few hours until daddy gets off work. His newly emerging social skills: blowing bubbles, cooing, and the occasional smile have me speaking motherese all over again!

Photos: Nathan, Ronald, Purple Blob 5/07; Jacob ... 8 weeks weighing in at 12 lbs!

Sunday Dinner At Grandma's

As a child growing up, I had the opportunity of having dinner most Sunday's at my grandparent's home. Grandma would arrive home from church, put on her apron and begin making a delicious meal. She always made sure the Sunday supper was special and I enjoyed helping her at every opportunity. I would usually peel the potatoes and snap the green beans, cut some fresh flowers from her garden for the table, set the table and put things in order. We ate out on her enclosed porch, so the windows needed to be opened and the benches dusted off. Her meals always included a little bit of dessert and coffee. She was not a fancy cook, nor did she make gourmet meals ... just good comfort foods that were dished up with love. After her passing, my mother gave me Grandma's cook book from the early 1930's. Pressed inside were little sprigs of flowers and a few recipes cut out of a newspaper.

My own children love to eat at their grandparent's homes too; although they were not afforded the frequent meals that I had growing up. But their fondest memories seem to be the sights, smells, and sounds from their grandparent's homes. This past Easter we bridged the miles by making some favorite recipes from Grandma. It's funny how food connects us and brings back so many childhood memories.

Now it's my turn to start cooking Sunday dinners for my grown children and grandson. I usually ask them to help plan the meal a few days in advance. (They always ask for something from their childhood.) At the end of the evening, it's nice to hear them say "thank you, Mom, for a wonderful day."

Excuse My Absence ... I've Been Playing

Yes, I've been playing with Jacob nearly every day this week. And all the granny stuff people have told me over the years is all true. It's the best job in the world! Maybe tomorrow or early next week I'll return to my blog. Until then, you can find me at home, or the park, or his house. Or perhaps drop me a line at my email address:
sillyoldme@yahoo.com

Ha, Ha, Fooled Ya All ... Duh, I Just Needed To Resize The Photo

Here you go folks ... the first ever posted picture of my little Jake just a few days old! I'm such a ninny and didn't know a thing 'bout resizing web photos (silly old me). Now go on and tell me what a cute little fellow he is :)

Photos: Proud Grandma with Jacob. Shhhh, sleeping Jacob

Excuse Me, Please, I Have An Announcement!

OK, I know you've all been waiting with baited breath to hear (and see pictures) of baby Jacob. Well, he finally made his arrival just this morning at 6:01 AM ... weighing in at 9.56 lbs, 21-1/2 inches long, lots of dark hair and a very rosy complection. The perfect picture of a delicious baby if ever I've seen one! Oh, I did mention pictures, but you'll have to wait with that baited breath just a few more days cuuuzzzzz I don't get hooked up to the Internet until next Monday or Tuesday afternoon. Mommy and Daddy are doing fine, but a wee bit exhausted. Poor Mommy started labor late Tuesday night, arrived at the hospital Wednesday afternoon, and delivered the little fellow Thursday morning (today). She's a bit wiped out from the experience, and will spend the night with baby at the hospital. I tried to stay with her until Jacob was born, but alas, I had to scoot home to catch 1-1/2 hrs sleep and get Nathan on the bus at 7 this morning.

So, just put up with my library visits a bit longer (sorry no pics yet) ... life has been very exciting the past few days, weeks, and year! I'll try to visit your blogs ... I have about 20 minutes on my timer :)!

Just Call Me Gramma

I have a secret to share. Of course now it's not a "secret" ... but out there for all to read. After reading Pat's post yesterday about her love for babies, I thought it a good time to claim my soon to be grandmahood status. You know I'll have to post and boast about the new addition sooner or later, so how 'bout sooner? You say when? Well, towards the end of March to be exact. You say from whom, how bout me saying my daughter that got married last year. You say, but she just got married in December, I say ... do the math. Yes, she was expecting before her nuptials, and I must admit I was disappointed in her & him for not waiting until they were married, but that's water under the bridge so to speak. She did have the wherewithal to not move in with her beloved, and to want to make a wrong a right, so I have to give them credit for that smart move. Hence the rush, rush of a shortened engagement. It's to be a grandson. His name is Jacob. Maybe Miss Terry will be so kind as to find out the meaning of his name and get back with me. Excited? Me? Of course!

Photo: Baby Jacob being "knit together" in his mother's womb. He has his mother's nose :)

For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.

My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth

psalm 139:13-15