keep it simple

It is that time again, making a list, checking it twice...

I recently heard about an idea that circulated over the last couple of years to simplify gift giving, to cut down on excess spending and excess in general... parents would give their children 4 gifts: Something they NEED, something they WANT, something to WEAR, and something to READ.

I think this is a great idea. I mean, when you ask the grandkids what they want and they have to think for a long time to come up with something because they have everything under the sun... there's something wrong with this picture!

And what about the things they do come up with? Do you have trouble understanding or even reading your grandkids' wish list? A sim card for something or a gift card for iTunes or MP3 or DS or iPOD - I don't know what the heck they are talking about and the best part is I don't have to… that is stuff the parents have to worry about!

So the want/need/wear/read concept is great for parents, they can understand what they want, they know what they need, who knows what they will wear or read...

...but us grandparents don't even have to go that far, we just give them whatever we want to. How about a game or puzzle, a soft knitted scarf, maybe a funny t-shirt or some folding money...

blue ribbons

Kids of all ages responded to the 'refrigerator door contest' and of course at granma's house everyone is a winner!

my favorite holiday recipe

kids say the darndest things...

Times Courier newspaper 23 November 2000


my 6-year-old grandson Kyle tells how 'Grandma Susan' cooks turkey...



Now he is 15 and taller than me and driving, if only we had saved those training wheels and helmet...

one stitch at a time

Wandering round the yarn shop this one jumped out - pure cotton, named Ty Dy.

The colors and name remind me of my first tie-dyed t-shirt I made in Ms. Curtacci's art class in high school. Memories of fun times are being woven into this one, one stitch at a time.




Ty Dy yarn
Mistake rib pattern
tie dye memories

just for kids

sent this out to the grandkids.... will be interesting to see what comes back!

coworkers

Coworkers - do you soar with eagles or work with turkeys? Are your coworkers entertaining and intelligent or do they just wander around looking for something to eat?

Looking out the window at work yesterday... they're back and just in time for Thanksgiving!

thoughts of home

Melissa is sending out packages to the troops and asked all of us to write letters to enclose, so I am looking over some past thoughts written down about home and hearth and all things we take for granted. Here's hoping they all make it home safe and sound.



when we first found this old farm road, we went to the top of the hill and declared that this would be a great place for a house

it has not changed much over the years, a dirt and gravel lane
the old blue tractor keeps it in shape, smooths out the bumps

when there is not a drought, the perpetual puddle in the curve gives it character

stray dogs and cats have made their way up the drive looking for food and company, many have stayed - Dolly and Clifford come to mind

new babies made their first trip to their new home

many steps have been made from the school bus to the house, kicking rocks or picking flowers along the way

scars prove it is not practical for bicycles or scooters or skateboards

kids of all ages have sledded on its snow

daughters have learned to drive on it, the trees could tell some stories

there have been 4-wheelers ridden up and down, first by kids, now by grandkids

prom dates have made their way up the country drive, panicked at the dust on their newly waxed cars

moving trucks filled with boxes and a lifetime of memories have traveled out and back again

the familiar crunch of gravel on the tires is a welcome sound, a sign to sleeping children in the back seat to wake up

it changes with the seasons, a row of daffodils in the spring, or lined with rhododendron blooms in the summer

as the seasons change, it is littered with acorn shells, piled with colorful leaves, and eventually may be frosted with a layer of white snow

in November folks come up the driveway from near and far, inlaws and outlaws, to share turkey dinner

our connection to the outside world, there is no gate, all are welcome

whenever away from home - whether just to town, or gone on vacation, or returning from a long stint of work - our driveway is always a welcome sight

it's always good to be home again

~the way home, October 2007