Chapter Two

Being a first time Grammy has definitely been a new adventure.  It is so different from being the mom.  I love the time I get to spend with PDub, and he is my best little buddy in all the world. 

Now it is time to begin a new chapter, Chapter Two.  The one I should title, 'Mama Cat'.  Yes, Aunt Cat and Uncle Jaybird are going to have their very own baby!  I will keep you posted on the milestones, but just to get you started, I can tell you they have heard its little heartbeat.  (Awwww...)  And it has little fingernails and toenails now.  Cat has outgrown her britches already, but you wouldn't know it to look at her.  But tell her she is showing.  She'll like that. 

I already have a book for Baby H, too.  I won it at one of my favorite blogspots, PB Junkies.  Alicia Padrón illustrated ABC Baby Me! by Susan B. Katz.  "Adore me, Bathe me, Cuddle me, too, Diaper me, Encourage me, Fix my Boo..."  I love the multicultural babies that Alicia drew and the fact that she included GRANDPARENTS in her illustrations!  It won't take any time before Baby H will be able to relate to all the activities in this sweet board book.  I am giving this signed copy to Cat, but I will be giving this at all baby showers from now on.  It's the perfect gift for new mommies and babies.  Thank you, Alicia, for getting this wonderful book to me all the way from Venezuela!

Chapter Two.  I can't wait.  This is one time I won't skip to the end of the book to peek.  I am enjoying this adventure one grandchild at a time!

It's a page turner!~

Thanks for Thanksgiving!

This will be at Grammy's house for PDub to enjoy.

As I look out my windows, I see the world changing colors and taking on its autumn glow.  In a day or two, I will put away the mess that occupies our space from day to day, and Papallama and I will set the stage for the Thanksgiving family gathering.  The table will be expanded and adorned with linen, flowers, and the fine china.  The silver will be polished and the candles set in place.  There is shopping to do, making sure that everyone's favorite dish can be prepared.  Ham delights, macaroni and cheese, cornbread dressing, Toll House cookies are all must haves. 

The Turkey Committee

On Thanksgiving Day, the men folk will gather outside to fry the turkey and make sweet potato garnishes.  The women folk will handle the rest.  The preparations will take much longer than the actual meal where we will stuff ourselves despite our promises not to. 

We use the highest sanitary standards in our kitchen!

After the meal, we will go around the table and tell what we are thankful for.  It is not easy.  We are not allowed to say family or health because those are a given, so it's a challenge to come up with something that does not fall into one or the other.  We start with the youngest and go up the chain of command.  Papallama will close for us. 

Then there will be a game of RISK, minus me.  I have never played.  Don't plan to start now. 

The entire time will be spent being together.  Papallama,Grammy, mama, daddy, daughters, sons, sisters, brothers, grandchild, nephew, aunt, and uncle...one big happy family. I can't wait!

Thanksgiving '08

Gobble, gobble~

Red

As we celebrate this Veterans Day, I honor my father, aka "Red", a veteran of World War II, or "The Big One", as he calls it.  He was a signalman in the US Navy.  Today, at the age of 85, he continues to practice law.  I think Tom Brokaw said it best, "It is, I believe, the greatest generation any society has ever produced."


 

The Other Mother

In memory of Lib~ 11-10-1920 to 3-30-2011

1963-r.Lib, my MIL

Gramma is turning 90 years old this Wednesday.  She is the first to say, "Now, that's old!"  Lots of family gathered at the Home to celebrate and honor her.  Born in 1920, she was one of 12 children, grew up in a mill town, and married the man who took one look at her and declared his intention to sweep her off her feet.  She birthed twin boys, one daughter, and another baby boy. (Papallama)  She managed a household, and had the bulk of raising the children while her husband worked hard on the railroad.  She stretched a dollar and sewed many of her own clothes, as well as clothes for the children.  She went to church and was a good wife, mother, daughter, sister, neighbor,and friend.

Lib at 60 right before our first child was born.



When I married her baby boy, she welcomed me into the family with open arms.  The first Christmas after we were married, I cross stitched a picture for her that said, "A mother holds her child's hand for a while, his heart forever."  That is so true.  My husband loves her dearly.  So do I.  A mother-in-law can be a formidable opponent.  She knows her son better than anyone until the new wife comes along.  But Lib was a wonderful mother-in-law.  She shared the recipes that her son loved, like caramel icing, her special turkey dressing, and a chicken dish that will make everything all better! She made me feel like I was smart and talented, and never once put me down. 

She wore the title "Gramma" proudly.

Her support was always there, from the piano recitals to the graduations, and even the youngest granddaughter's wedding. She was my confidant on many occasions, and I was honored to be hers in return.  We had a trust that neither of us betrayed.  Was it always perfect?  No, families aren't perfect.  She was allergic to scents and I had to hide all the scented soaps and candles until I gave up even buying them.  She was kinda bossy, but if you had been part of our crew, you would have appreciated that someone was in charge, and that it was her. Oh, yes, I feel blessed in the mother-in-law department.

In happier days with her husband and children

But now she is 90.  She has lost a son, a husband, and says, "It's a lonely life."  Each day, she leaves us just a little more.  On this birthday, I celebrate the 90 years that have passed rather than the one that lies ahead, and I do it with a grateful heart for a woman I proudly call  my 'other mother'.

Four generations
2 Wallaces and 2 Elizabeths



Shark Bait, Ooh Ha Ha!

Nemo, played by PDub

I vividly remember Halloween as a little girl growing up in a small town in the *cough* 60's.  I  pulled my costume together at about five o'clock Halloween day with some old jewelry, handerchiefs, scarves, and if I  had planned ahead, a plain mask over my eyes. You can't tell what I am?!!  Why, a gypsy, of course!  I would tag behind my big brothers, who were either Dracula or ghosts, until I had made the rounds at the local houses.  Then my dad would take me to his secretary's house.  She always made delicious candied popcorn balls, guaranteed to pull out at least one filling, but worth the trip to the dentist.  Halloween took two hours~ tops.

I would say things have changed just a little.  Today's costumes are elaborate Oscar worthy designs. Halloween doesn't just occur on one night.  There's the school party, the church party, the neighborhood bash, and the community haunted houses.  I think it's all great fun, but it does make me wonder how it will look in forty more years.  Oh, and I do intend to be around to see for myself!

So here is the recap of PDub's Halloween.  Many thanks to Mama at Law for the pictures and the title for today's post.


It ain't fun to trick er treat without yo pawdner! Here's PDub with his BFF, Deputy Hunter.  And speaking of partners, that pretty girl in the door is PDub's Partner in Crime.  She helps him score some big Halloween loot every year!  And yes that is a shark bag he is carrying; my one contribution to the wardrobe.



And they're off!

Be afraid, be very afraid!


Now gaze into my crystal ball...the future is looking verrrrrrrry interesting!!!!!