Friday Foto....

Simply stunning....

Of the 2,853 (I kid you not) photographs from my youngest daughter's wedding this past June, this one is my absolute favorite.

For those of us who know and love these two kids, this photo truly captures the essence of their relationship - the pure love and total joy they find in each other's company.

And are they funny! It's like watching a running sitcom when the two of them get started....

Posed photographs are wonderful to have, but more often than not, it is the captured spontaneous moments that I enjoy the most.

I promise to post more photos from this day in the weeks to come. Spinning through them can make me dizzy. Seriously. So I need to pace myself.

Happy weekend to all!

p.s.  Hurry home, Englishman!

Thursday's Thought for the Day....

“I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.” 

― L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables

I didn't discover "Anne" until I had my daughters.  I came upon the work of L.M. Montgomery through the films first, then sought out her books. The girls and I would listen to the books on tape while driving up and down the Parkway during the summertime. And the soundtrack to the original film is one of the most soothing pieces of music I've ever heard.

There was a series produced called Road to Avonlea, created by Kevin Sullivan, based on the L.M. Montgomery books.  I used to let my class watch it on rainy days at lunchtime.  They absolutely loved it.  I noticed that even the Eighth Grade students, the boys as well as the girls, who would monitor them in the classroom would get caught up in the stories, hoping for a string of rainy days so they could see it in its entirety.

If you are not acquainted with Anne of Green Gables or any of the other numerous books by L.M. Montgomery, I highly recommend that you seek them out.  The vivid imagination, high-spiritedness and pure joy that is "Anne Shirley" is treat not to be missed, whether you are a young woman or a Grandmom like me.

And yes, I too, am so very glad I live in a world where there are Octobers, my favorite month of the year!

Wednesday's Wisdom....

Talk about it.....

It's taken me many years to learn the value of talking about thing that are bothering me, whether they be a problem or a worry.  "A problem (worry) shared is a problem (worry) halved" is a popular proverb.  And I've actually found it to be true, when I've put it into practice.

"I don't want to bother anyone" or "It's no big deal" or "No, really, I'm fine".  Sound familiar?

Those are often excuses I've used to keep things inside, swirling in my head.  Experience (as well as the Englishman) tells me, that's not a very good place for me to keep them.

It doesn't have to be that I'm necessarily looking for some sort of answer. Oftentimes, it is enough just to say something out loud, to have another person listen and nod.  To clear it out of my head so to speak, so I can look at it and possibly find some sort of solution or at least peace.

I've learned that having the courage, taking the time, or being just so filled with something that I think I'll explode, and talking about it can bring tremendous relief.  More often than not, things are not always as bad as I imagine them to be.  It's just that I might need someone else's perspective to see that. 

In addition, through the experience of sharing with others my "stuff", I've learned that there is often a benefit not only to me, but to the listener.  Sometimes, my sharing has given the other person the opportunity, or even the self permission they need, to open up about what is filling their head at the moment.

Talking about it - getting it off one's chest - dumping - are key watchwords for me to remember when my head starts to fill with all manner of imaginings.  Maintaining a "clear head," devoid of worry, allows room for the lovelier aspects of life to reside.  

Tip for a Tuesday....

Be Prepared

Yes, it's that time of year again.  Time when colds start to run rampant, allergies rear their ugly heads and coughs start (or continue, ugh!).

Now is the time to start stocking up on those necessary items to help ease the pain so to speak and get you through, both night and day.  Since illness never seems to arrive at a conveniently scheduled time, I have found it best to have several key items on hand for what is inevitably coming....

Things like multiple boxes of Kleenex, Halls lozenges, ginger ale, individual containers of applesauce, aspirin, vitamin C, chocolate bars, chicken soup, and tea bags.

OK, so chocolate isn't medically helpful for either cold or flu, but it is a necessary daily component for my overall well-being.  I'm quite certain the Englishman will back me up on this one.

It might be helpful to start thinking about getting in a few things so one is not rummaging around in cupboards in the middle of the night, wishing one had picked up that bottle of aspirin....

A Monday memory.....

As I was perusing some entertainment articles last night on the computer, I noticed that the cast of Full House was celebrating their twenty-fifth reunion.  

Good Lord - has it really been twenty five years since the Englishman and I would sit on the couch, surrounded by our own three daughters, watching the antics of the three Tanner girls?

Now that's enough to make me feel old!

Television has been a huge part of my life since I was young.  Whenever I was home sick from school, my mother would wheel in the television which sat on a stand from the kitchen and place it at the foot of my bed.  I'd watch such classics as The Dick Van Dyke Show, The Andy Griffith Show, Leave It To Beaver, and I Love Lucy.

As a family, we would have dinner on TV trays on Saturday night, so we wouldn't miss a minute of The Jackie Gleason Show, a variety show which was broadcast live.  "And away we go..", Jackie Gleason would sing out as he'd do a quick two-step shuffle off the stage to begin the show.  Sunday nights were sacred, for Ed Sullivan was on at 8pm.  I can still remember when the Beatles appeared for the first of three appearances. (My mother once teased my father-in-law that it all started to go downhill from there, once the Beatles arrived on our shores....)

When I was in high school and college, Saturday nights were reserved for The Mary Tyler Moore Show.  You wouldn't dream of going out, no matter who your date or the destination, until you had seen Mary.  If you were staying in, you followed it up with The Bob Newhart Show, staying awake to finish the evening with Carol Burnett at ten.

As I said, while our girls were growing up, there were certain programs that we watched together as a family, including Little House on the Prairie, Growing Pains, and Family Matters. When British programs became more available, the Englishman was quite happy to introduce the girls to such classics as Fawlty Towers, Are You Being Served, and later, a real favorite, The Vicar of Dibley.

These days, we are establishing new traditions with the youngest generation, the Grands.  While the Englishman and I eat lunch with Little Miss on Sundays, we tune in to watch Caillou, a cartoon show for pre-schoolers.  The fact that it is narrated by "the Grandmother" is merely coincidental as to why I enjoy it so much.

Routines.  Traditions.

"It's a good thing" as Martha says.

Friday Foto....

How adorable is M, riding on her new pony!

This is, in fact, a rocking horse which I purchased for "the nursery" when the Englishman and I were starting a family of our own.  It's been sitting in the loft (aka attic) since we moved into our current home. 

The horse's mane and tail had seen better days, so the Englishman and I set about restoring it for the next generation.  My solution for the ragged looking hair was to purchase a cotton mop replacement.  Between the two of us, we snipped, unraveled, and cut the mop into usable pieces.  The Englishman screwed it in securely, then reset several screws on the horses' body to assure a safe ride for the Grands.  Here's another look at our handiwork:

We are really pleased with how it turned out.  And looking at Little Miss' face, I think she is too!

Have a lovely weekend everyone!  

Thursday's Thought for the Day....

"The only real failure is the failure to try, and the real measure of success is how we cope with disappointment, as we must.  It doesn't matter if we feel that we're too old, too scared and disappointed...we get up in the morning.  We do our best.  Nothing else matters."

                                                      "Evelyn" - writing in her blog
                                                      The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

My sweet and thoughtful Englishman purchased this film for me yesterday on iTunes, remembering how much I enjoyed it when we saw it together in the theater.  Even better, he put it on last night so I could settle in and watch it right away.

And this time, I took notes. As I wished I could have the first time I viewed it.  Portions of the film's dialogue really touched my heart and need to be recalled, over and over.  

There is so much in just this quote alone - about success and failure.  And about doing our best.  That should count for something.  When we do the best that we can, with who we are and what we have to work with.

Try.  Cope.  Do your best.

Wonderful advice - so important to remember.

(and important to see this film!)

Wednesday's Wisdom...

Been racking my brain for several days in anticipation of today's blog and my new theme about sharing  what I've learned after many decades.  Nothing seemed to be coming easily, but one thought that kept rattling around was about "routine".

As a child growing up, as a student, a mother, homemaker and as a teacher, I have always felt a  a sense of security in following a routine of sorts.  I like lists and crossing things off, and marking calendars to let me know when things are occurring.  I like knowing what is going to happen, for the most part, on any given day. Keeping to a routine, or schedule, frees my mind up for the inevitable surprises that life seems to throw at me.

Doing things the same way or at the same time almost makes me feel as though all is right with the world.  At least with mine, anyway.

Having varied from my "routine" this past summer, due to dealing with my constant cough and traveling back and forth between houses, I am now working very hard to reestablish my regular set of tasks.  I've already written out several lists, now lined up on my desk.  The calendar is filling up and I'm back to laundry on Monday, dusting and tidying on Tuesday, etc.

Of course, having Little Miss visit with the Englishman and I every Sunday is the most wonderful routine of all!

Tip for a Tuesday....

Recently, I've come across several sources such as Pinterest and websites like Good Housekeeping, all touting the the wondrous virtue of Borax.  I was curious what the fuss was all about and sought out a box, finally locating one in the supermarket.  

Glancing quickly at the information on the back of the carton, I noted something about hard water and laundry.  That's for me, I thought.  I've been most unhappy with the state of my laundry recently, especially the sheets.  Despite hot water, bleach, and a change in detergent, they seem to have an odd feel and a tinge of yellow.  

Well no more!  After adding a half cup of Borax, they are much whiter and feel cleaner.  I'm sold!  From here on in - Borax added to every wash load.

If you live in a hard water area as I do, consider picking up a box.  There is also detailed information on the back as to how this product can be used for cleaning all manner of things as well.  Why, it can even be useful in warding off ants.  I highly recommend it!

A Monday memory....

This is a photo I took of photograph (I love technology) from a yearbook dating back to the mid 1950's.  It is a picture of the front of the school my siblings and I attended, from Kindergarten thru Eighth Grade.  The actual room I was in for Kindergarten is located all the way to the right, behind those posts.  And it is the same room where my oldest granddaughter now attends Pre-K.

Isn't that amazing?  Half a century from when I first went to school I now have a grandchild sitting in the same classroom.  Also, my mother was a volunteer secretary at the school for many years.  I doubt she ever thought that some day her first great-grandchild would walk thru the same doors.

I recently went with daughter #2 to pick M up from school.  What a flood of memories!  As I got out of the car, holding on to granddaughter C, I found myself looking every which way, saying, "and there's building two, and the gym, and that's where we used to line up...."

We climbed the hill and went inside with the other parents and grandparents who had come to collect their wee ones.  I found myself standing in the hall, in the exact spot where I met my first best friend, Eileen. I could see into the classroom, with its vast windows and remembered the overhead light fixtures, which had characters from nursery rhymes circled around them.

Understandably, none of my recollections mean anything to my children or grandchildren. It sailed right over Little Miss' head when I excitedly exclaimed, "This used to be Grandmom's school!"

Several things in the building have changed, as they should, but enough remains to make it feel familiar.  And bring back memories of a wonderful time in my life, when, like M, I was excited to go to school to learn and "play with the kids."  May this be just the beginning of many similar happy school memories for my granddaughter.

Friday Foto....

Many years ago, my Dad purchased a wooden gate with the intention of placing on the side of the house, separating the front yard from the back, alongside a very large hedge of yews.

I was his assistant in this endeavor and we got as far as digging the hole for the post to which said gate would be attached.  By the end of our dig, I was literally lying on the ground, with the full extension of my right arm descending deep into the earth.  It was not an easy task.  I do remember lots of detailed instruction from him as he stood over me about how I should be doing it and actually, a lot of laughs, too.

Needless to say, I was a little disappointed that my efforts were for naught because the post never did go in and the gate was placed on a shelf in the garage.  And there it stayed for over forty years.

Until we started renovating the "retirement house".  Unhappy with the small black plastic one in place on our side yard, I asked my mother if I could have the gate and finally put it to use, a thought which pleased her very much.

Thanks to the skill and ingenuity of the Englishman, the gate is now the core part of our new entrance to the side yard.  He was able to use it as the central piece of what has become a much larger gate, adding new pickets to either side and firming it all up with metal hardware.

I haven't decided yet how we will finish it.  I often like to live with things for a while before making a final decision.  But at the moment, its enough for me just to have it there, along with all the sweet memories it brings -  the labor of the two most important men in my life.

Thursday's Thought for the Day....

Ellen DeGeneres

(this photo is "pinned" from Pinterest. could not find original source)

I agree with Ellen 100%!

Especially about the dance part.

Wednesday's Wisdom....

The thought struck me as I was driving back from dropping off Dudley's urine sample at the vet's earlier that I need to come up with some more definitive topics for my blog.  "Tip for a Tuesday, Thursday's Thought for the Day"......then I thought, "Wednesday's Wisdom".  Yes. I like the sound of that.  On Wednesday I will write about words of wisdom I have heard about, read about, learned about (sometimes the hard way), etc.

Oh, the urine sample?  Poor Dudley, who I've shared before has Addison's disease, had some questionable results from the urine test done at the time of his yearly check up.  The vet said they would need to run three consecutive tests and if they all showed the same results, Dudley would need yet more medication.  Test two was not good, so I needed to go back again with one more.  Ever try and get a urine sample from a dog?  Ah, now there's an experience.  Dudley may only be a dog, but he strongly objects to anyone venturing near certain parts of his body.  After my second attempt failed the Englishman had a "chat" with Duds and thankfully came back in the house with the needed sample.

Which, in a round about way, leads me to today's wisdom:  Be where your feet are.

I've been working very hard lately on remembering to be where I am and not be worrying about what may or may not happen later in the day, next week, or next year.  For instance: When I go to bed at night and the thoughts of dread and worry start to flood in about say, an upcoming physical.  I ask myself, "Where are you, right now?"  Simple answer - in bed.  "Are you at the doctor's office?"  Well, no.  So stop worrying and go to sleep.

Which is what I'm doing with Dudley's situation.  He may or may not be having another problem with his health at the moment.  Until the vet calls and confirms there is something we need to address, there is no sense in worrying or even thinking about it.

Until I am actually going through an experience, I don't need to live it in my head over and over.  Yes, planning is good and a certain amount of preparation is always necessary.  But how many times have I thought out a scenario in my mind, only to arrive at the actual event and have it be nothing like I thought it would.

Right now, I'm focused on writing today's post.  I'll deal with the laundry when I go downstairs.  I'll work on the bookshelves after that.  I need only experience where I am at any given moment.  The payoff?  Less worrying and actually noticing more of the good things that are happening - right where my feet are!

We will never forget....

Not in our family.  Not ever.

September 11th will forever be a solemn day of remembrance for my family.

Life changed that day.  For each and every one of us.

For the Englishman, who watched as a dozen friends perished before his eyes.

For our daughters, two far from home on college campuses and the other kept at her high school, frantically searching for information and longing to be home.

For me, in a Third Grade classroom, trying desperately to act as though nothing was happening when every fiber of my being wanted to run, gather my family and hold on to them as tightly as I could.

For my nephew and his friends, in their Senior year at West Point, whose future would now include trying to survive in a war zone.   

We still remember.

Please take a moment to read our youngest daughter's editorial (click on the highlighted, underlined text to go directly to the editorial).  It is a beautiful piece.

Then read of the news we received yesterday, about "The Note",  on our middle daughter's post (click on the highlighted, underlined text to go directly to the post).  

Prayers and gratitude for all those who work tirelessly to keep us all safe. 

May God bless and protect them.

And all of us.

When in Rome....

or in this case, the "retirement house", the Englishman flies the flags to show we are "in residence" so to speak, as they do for the Queen in England.

As you can see, it is a gorgeous day here today.

I am thrilled to report that M's first day of school went well.  Her Mommy has posted a video of her and photos to mark the occasion.  You can check it out by clicking on her blog, on the lower right hand side at "Mommy Musings".

And yes, as her Grandmom, I held my breath all morning and was often close to tears, so I am relieved that it was a good morning, both for M and for my middle daughter.

You never really stop being a Mom either, even when they are old enough to be sending their own off to school, so it was doubly tough this a.m.  

Think I better go shopping now to recuperate....

Please don't make me go......

George Hughes 1907 - 1990

Oh yes, I remember this scenario, both as a Student Teacher and as a Mom.

The second stint of Student Teaching I did was in a First Grade classroom.  I was fortunate that the teacher, Natalie, allowed me to begin on the very first day of school in September.  Most of the young students seemed eager to enter the room that morning, and there were many smiles and hugs as they separated from their families to join us inside.  Except for a tall girl with dark brown hair, who clung desperately, not to her mother, but to the door frame of the classroom. She was literally too terrified to come inside and leave her mother and younger sister. Natalie calmly approached the situation and was able to quickly ascertain from the mother that this was the first time Jan Marie would be in school and leave her mother's side.  She had not attended either pre-school or kindergarten. Total fear was written over her face at the prospect of leaving the comfort and security of her Mom.

Our hearts broke for this young child. But the fact remained that the bell was about to ring, and like it or not, Jan Marie was going to have to come inside. Together Natalie and I pried her fingers from the door frame and sat her at one of the tables in the classroom.  Poor child collapsed her face onto her arms and sobbed.  There she remained for the next hour as her cries finally subsided and she fell asleep from the sheer exhaustion of her ordeal.

Jan-Marie was to repeat this routine every single morning for a couple of weeks. We would pull her in the door and she would immediately head for the table to commence her sobbing. And then, two weeks to the day, it was over.  She bounced into the classroom with the others, a huge smile on her face, eager to start the day.

Natalie had wisely allowed Jan-Marie the time and space she needed to adjust to separating from her mother.  She didn't insist that the girl participate in any of the activities until she was ready.  Jan-Marie gradually began to trust that "Teacher" and I cared about her, and that all would be well.  She was to become one of the top students in the class and made many friends.

I too learned some very important lessons from the whole experience, which
would later serve me both as a Teacher and a Mother.

Entering Kindergarten, one of my daughters had her own difficulty in leaving the security of home to spend an entire day in a classroom environment. My experience told my head that she would be able to overcome her fear and come out stronger for it, as Jan-Marie had.  My heart, however, initially had a little trouble trusting that all would be well.

My daughter was fortunate to have a sensitive, young teacher, who
negotiated with me a plan to help ease the transition.  We decided I should pick my daughter up at lunchtime two days a week and bring her home. The plan worked beautifully.  Well, except for the one day when the phone rang and her teacher inquired, "Mrs. G, did you forget something today?"  "Whoops, leaving right now", I responded as I headed for the car. I will always be grateful for that teacher's kind understanding, as well as the Principal who supported the idea. My daughter was able to stick it out and had a wonderful year.

New beginnings are tough, whether you are heading off to school for the first time, off to college, or starting a new job.  But as Jan-Marie, my daughter and I have learned, overcoming your fear can be the start of an exciting adventure.

Fingers crossed Little Miss feels that way on Monday morning, her very first day of pre-school.

Thursday's Thought For The Day....

I needed to remind myself of this today.

I receive daily emails from Real Simple with a thought for the day and this was yesterday's.

There are no coincidences.

I need to practice what I preach.  I'm always reminding my girls to look for the lesson when mistakes are made.  Because we all make them.

But if we can learn from them, then it isn't all for naught. Something good can come out of every experience.

Even if it's only that reminder that we are human.  And all humans make mistakes.

It's what I do after I've made a mistake that can make all the difference.

Acknowledging, learning from, then moving on is the best response I can make.

Workin on that.....

Go Big Blue!!!!!

They're back - The New York Giants that is, with the official start of the NFL season tonight, live from New Jersey.  Yes, the New York Giants play in New Jersey.  Confusing? And they also keep changing the name of the stadium they play in too.  Just trying to keep us all on our toes, I suppose....

Which means that my adorable granddaughters will be sporting these matching outfits tonight, as their  mother is a true blue fan and everyone must dress appropriately. 

So, Go Giants - Beat Dallas!

(For the sake of those little girls) 

As for me, I'm looking forward to Army (West Point) football on Saturday. 

Go Black Knights!

GO ARMY!  BEAT NAVY!!

Tip for a Tuesday....

Think ahead....

New month, new beginnings. 

Why not look ahead at the upcoming month this week and prepare.

Pull out your calendar and see what's in store.  Be sure you have noted special events, meetings, school activities, etc.

Birthdays or anniversaries on the horizon?  Buy those cards and gifts now, so you won't be scurrying around the night before in a panic.

Longing to scent the household with the smell of baking apples?  Seek out any recipes you've wanted to try your hand at with the change of seasons.  Add the needed ingredients to your shopping list and stock up.  That way, when the urge strikes, you'll have all the necessary components already on your pantry shelves.

Planning and preparing for the necessary tasks frees me up for some spontaneous fun.

Like going out to lunch yesterday with the Englishman, daughter #2 and the granddaughters.

Priceless!

Labor Day Weekend....

It is said that Labor Day is the unofficial end of Summer. As far as the weather is concerned, I'm not at all unhappy to see this summer depart, taking with it the heat and extreme humidity I've tried to endure. The season started out in an amazing fashion with daughter #3's wedding. In the weeks that followed, there have been a host of sweet memories and laughs shared with the family, whether in person or via "group" texting.  (Those, actually, are hilarious!) Physically, I'm just a much happier girl when the Autumn breezes start to blow....

Growing up, Labor Day was the last weekend we spent at the swim club and the final day culminated in a barbecue with all the families we shared the sand with.  Then it was back in uniform and back to school.

In talking with my former roommate this weekend, I reminded her that it was 40 (whoa!) years ago this weekend that she and I first met, following a long car ride up north to my new life adventure at college.   D and I only roomed together two years before I transferred, but we stayed in touch and later shared an apartment for a year after graduation. Her parents house always felt like a second home to me, and I truly enjoyed visiting there with her Mom and Dad while we were at school.

Since those days, we have celebrated one another's weddings and the births of five daughters between us.  We are also godmother to the second of each other's girls.  We've spent hours together laughing and supported each other through some very trying life events.  No matter how long the stretch between phone calls or get-togethers, we seem to always pick right up where we left off, as though time has stood still.  Our lasting friendship has been a true gift in my life.

Although Labor Day signifies the ending of a season, it is often the start of a new chapter in life. Whether heading back to college, in the case of two of my nephews, or entering school for the very first time, as Little Miss will do next week, it is true what they say, "When one door closes, another one opens."

So farewell Summer.......and welcome Autumn, my favorite time of year!