This Monday morning the wind chill is well below zero after a couple of almost 60° days last week. The majority of the snow has melted, sap is running across the area, and my seedlings are doing well. All good things.
The best thing from this past week was a short visit with my grandson while we worked on a project together. Key words here are grandson, visit and project. 🙂
I didn’t need a pandemic to remind me that family is first. All the pandemic did was cause a huge hole in my heart from not being able to see and hug family.
During this past year my grandson grew to be the tallest in the family, his voice has deepened, and he’s gone from being a teenager to a young man. These days, I look up to him but am still flooded with so many good memories that I fight back tears as I hope all the best for him that life has to offer.
Grandchildren burrow their way into your heart with those little arms around the neck and running at you pell mell for a hug. Those feelings don’t change even when the person is almost 6′ tall.
I started blogging nine years ago and enjoyed sharing grandchildren adventures with my fellow ‘grandma bloggers.’ One of those lovely ladies is Lisa Carpenter, grandmother to six handsome boys. You can find Lisa posting regularly at Grandma’s Briefs.
Lisa recently wrote a book, “The First-Time
Grandmother’s Journal.” It provides a wonderful opportunity to record your feelings as you embrace the best job in the world – grandparent.
She asked me to read and review it for her. I was thrilled. There was a challenge in the shipment of my copy, and it ended up that I received two copies.
Since I never want to let a good book not be utilized, if you’d like one of these copies for yourself or someone who is about to be a grandmother, just let me know in the comment section, and I’ll ship it off to you for your enjoyment.
Wishing you a safe, happy, and fun week. I’ll be finding my fun indoors tending my seedlings, reading, and starting a new fabric project. So, what are you up to this week as winter holds on?
NewEnglandGardenAndThread 
I was going to take advantage of my early spot here and say ME! ME! for the journal, but I think it should go to someone who is a true new grandma. What a wonderful idea, though. I agree with my whole heart that there is nothing like being a grandma, and it isn’t just for the joy the grandchildren bring; it’s for the chance to be for them what my grandma was for me. We are a clear connection between our grandchildren and our own grandparents. I treasure that. And I congratulate you on your visit with your grandson last week. What an oasis in this rotten desert! May there be more visits, and soon!
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Yes, we are a connection – that is the perfect word. My grandson and I had a ‘tool time’ moment when I was able to explain how to use one of the battery tools, and he was really good at it. He used it safely and correctly, and I was proud of his effort. 🙂
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Wow. What a moment!
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Being a grandparent is the best. We don’t have the pressure we had as a parent. We’re far more prepared and laid back for anything that pops up. We love ’em, spoil them and then send them home for their parents to do the rest! Perfect! So happy you got to visit with your grandson. That will lighten your heart for some time to come!
Cold and windy here as well. But lots of bright sunshine.
Believe it or not, Terri was able to get a vaccine appointment for Michael for THIS MORNING! She’ll wait a couple of days and then hopefully get an appointment for me. We decided it made sense not to have both of us with a sore arm at the same time, in case one of us needs to help the other.
Have a great week.
Ginger
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Being a grandparent brings out the joy in our heart. Hooray for the first shot appointment and may there be three more coming right up! I hope you have the same reaction we had which was nothing to even write about. 🙂
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My heart is filled with joy that you were able to see, and visit with your Grandson, Judy!! I hope this is the first of many more visits and hugs!
Being a Grandma has been the best thing ever for me. I like Oddment’s thoughts on the book going to a new Grandma too. 🥰
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As you well know, spending even a few minutes with your grandsons is like getting a positive boost of adrenaline. May all of our grandkids have the very best life has to offer them.
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Here, here! 🥰
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What a sweet, warm post to read on a day when the temp, with the windchill, is zero! So wonderful that you got to be with your grandson. I had a lump in my throat when I read that over the past year, when you could not see your grandson, his voice deepened, and he went from being a teenager to being a young man. Now that you and your husband are fully vaccinated, you will have many more hugs and vists.
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We certainly look forward to hugs and visits, and the sooner the temps warm up the better chances we have. 🙂 Wicked cold here today, but I’m grateful for the bright sunshine.
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Yes, it could be zero with the snow blowing sideways. 😉
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I’m glad you had a chance to start filling in that hole, Judy. Indoor projects are back on the list around here, too. March doesn’t want to “free the lamb” just yet. Your seedlings should appreciate the care you’re providing. It’s cold out there!
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My head is spinning and the paper is filling with outdoor projects, but winter has a good hold this week. I guess I’ll keep myself content with figuring out what I need to buy for those projects. Lowes is going to like me. 🙂
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Got to do your part to help the economic recovery 😉
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How very wonderful that you got your long awaited visit with your grandson…I’m sure the time passed much to quickly before you had to say your goodbyes. What is nice is that it will not take long before you see him again. We used to say we watched our children and grandchildren grow up right before our eyes but covid changed that for us all. As we slowly get to see them once more, I’m sure we will all be amazed at the changes that have taken place since we last saw them.
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A year in the life of an adult doesn’t make a huge mark, but a year in the life of a child growing up is truly astonishing. One day a little boy, then a teen, and now a young man. Amazing.
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I know Judy, when my grandson would visit us in New Hampshire he wanted to drive my John Deere garden tractor and I told him he had to wait until he was as tall as I was at 4’11”. The last time we were together he towered over me. They grow up so quickly and all of us have certainly been cheated.
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I’m so pleased you got to have some time with your grandson! During March, April and May last year it was the thing I missed the most. We decided as a family to make our “safe” bubble with the grandchildren and their parents, since we were all isolating and well. It has worked well for us. I got one of those “racing across the room hugs” yesterday from all 4 of them! They change so fast!
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I love your bubble, and those hugs are priceless. They grow up so quickly, and you hate to miss one minute of it. Sounds like you’ve made the best of this past year. 👏🏻👏🏻
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I’m delighted for you having had some time with your grandson. The leaps in growth and maturity astound when it’s been a while since seeing kiddos. I bet he was thrilled to be with you.
Thank you (thank you!) for mentioning my book sharing your extra copy! ♥️
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You are so welcome. Your crew sure is growing up, and I loved seeing all the smiles on your recent photo. I hope from the bottom of my heart that your book is a huge success.
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The treasure of time! It must have truly lifted your heart Judy! I’m looking forward to time with all three of my grandkids, real time that includes hugs!
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No hugs here yet, but I’ll take all the moments I can get while looking forward to that hug. I hope he’s not so grown up by the time that comes around that he rolls his eyes at me. Nah, he’s a good guy and will put up my hug. 🙂
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Yes he will, he wants and needs the hug as much as you! I know when my lanky, teenage grandson stops by, masked, of course, when he leaves he always says “I love you” and he didn’t usually do that pre-covid. I always take it as a hug!
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Good Monday story. Seedlings are doing well. And the seedling who is doing well came to visit. Glad you got that family time in. We are just about done redoing the kitchen. New oven. New paint. New hinges and handles. Nearly un-hinged re-hinger. Today the tea pot shelves should go back up and the last cabinet door should get done. I have to get my zoom presentation ready for the hybridizer group on Wednesday. And then I can start concentrating on seed sorting. As Auntie Shrew used to say ” it’s moving day! Everyone must git from the Meadow ! ” Well not quite yet. I have just about a month. Probably just enough time. Happy Monday
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You are right – ‘all’ of the seedlings are doing well. That is quite a project you have going, and I’m glad it’s almost to completion. I can only imagine you’ll enjoy it for a long time. So, tell me more about your hybridizer group – local or across the country? What’s your topic? Exciting stuff.
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Regional with outsiders sneaking/welcomed in. Based in Dayton Oh. Mainly people from Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin. It was started by a lady who wanted to share the ways of hybridizing daylilies. There is a fall and spring meeting. Fall meeting is presentation of ‘what I did in the garden last summer. AKA new seedlings and what I have registered and hope to sell. Spring meeting is usually information exchange. How to presentations and question and answer. Lately it has been more spill over from the fall meeting. It still retains the character it started with sharing, learning, respect, and graciously welcoming and encouraging new people to the group. First time presenters are encouraged. It is a fun group and so far it is surviving the pandemic and the other stresses of time.
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Friends, near and far, in person or online, have become so important during this time of staying at home. You are lucky to have this group to share your passion with, and I hope it’s a great spring meeting.
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Judy, I knew I would love your post when I saw the title Grandparenting! We also have a grandson who is approaching 6 feet tall. They grow up too fast! We haven’t seen him or his sister in over a year. I miss them so much it hurts sometimes. I needed your friend’s book when I first became a grandma! I wish her good luck with it!
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It does hurt to not see them and hug them. It feels sometimes like your heart is being ripped right out. I’m not trying to be dramatic, but the love is deep and this past year has really put up a roadblock to family interactions that we took for granted. Yes, I applaud anyone who gets a book published and especially a grandma blogger. 🙂
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What a generous offer. I’m not a mother or grandmother but I’m sure whoever gets this book will be thrilled! Happy (almost) spring!
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Happy (almost) spring to you too! Blue sky and sunshine, but it sure isn’t warm out there today. Later in the week, I think we get another taste of spring.
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First of all, this is a GREAT book! Perfect place to record all your feelings of love and excitement over becoming a grandma. Sharing those thoughts with the children at a later date will strengthen bonds and make them realize how very cherished they are! I LOVE my copy!
I’m not one bit surprised at the deep affection your grandson still has for time spent with you. When you establish as strong a relationship in the early years as you did (wonderful camping trips!) that bond will never lapse, even as the kids move on to friends, sports, college, and jobs. My two oldest grandkids – the twin boys – are twelve. I almost cry when my daughter tells me they look forward to this summer’s Grandma Camp! This – from sporty guys who are growing tall and strong and starting to field phone calls from girls (!) – you would never suspect they’d be looking forward to crafts on the deck with grandma!
I am so proud and happy to be part of the circle of grandma bloggers you referenced! 🙂 We are blessed to have each other!
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Twelve years old – hard to believe your two oldest ones are going to be teens soon. Of course, they’re looking forward to Grandma Camp. Anyone would forward to your camp that you plan out with expertise and precision. Yes, we will always be part of the grandma blogger circle regardless of how grown up our grands get, and we certainly are blessed. ❤️
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Lovely post, Judy!
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Thank you. I hope you and Marian are well and looking forward to warmer weather and time outside. Have you been able to get your vaccine shots yet? Stay well.
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Marian has had two, I have had one! No side effects. We hope to be back to church by Easter. We were teased by a few 60deg days, but now it’s single digit wind chills again. Some shrubs are budding! We are trying to figure out how to see our kids more, but two hour journeys to/from Brooklyn are no fun in the cold! Spring is not far off, but March snows are common here! Some local friendships and visits are now happening…
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Sounds like some things are getting back to a near normal, and that is a wonderful thing! Looking forward to your spring photos.
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Family first, without a doubt. I think separation from family has been the hardest part of this pandemic. So glad you had some time with your grandson, Judy.
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It was pure pleasure to see and talk with him.
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I’m not a grandmother yet, but our older daughter and her husband are now formally trying to make me one. 🙂 My husband can’t wait to be Grandpa!!
janet
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I hope they are successful, because you will be one happy woman to be assigned the best job ever!
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Lovely that you were able to spend time with grandson at last! Being a grandmother is just the best thing! My granddaughter is nearly four, due to Covid we had to miss her 3rd birthday, so we won’t be missing this one…I’m a little bit sad that she seems so grown up recently! My little grandson (6 months) just smiles all the time…what can I say!
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So glad you will be able to enjoy #4 because we never want to miss a birthday celebration. It is nice to still have one smiling all the time and probably enjoying some quality time with you in a rocker. 🙂
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I remember the first time I had to stand on my toes and look WAAAY up to see my son’s face. He has shrunk a bit since then, but so have I so and there hasn’t been much hugging in this past year. But I’m almost done with vaccination and Garry is finished and my granddaughter is 24. Hard to believe, but I remember her tiny, in the middle, and now a young adult. Generations and generations. I’m lucky during this period that whatever family I have left lives nearby. I just looking forward to seeing friends again. I miss people. Not even family because I have seen family (we are a very small group), but just to talk to strangers and friends and go out to eat and NOT pizza!
What do you do about skunks, by the way? The skunks have eaten ALL our bulbs. It took them a while, but they finally got every last one.
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Congrats on the vaccines! Isn’t it amazing how we shrink as we age. It truly is hard to understand, but it certainly happens. Glad all the family is well, and it sure will be good to see friends and eat something besides take out. 🙂 Now, skunks are a topic for sure. I dealt with them all last year. There are deterrents you can buy, traps that are messy, services which are extremely expensive as in $160 per trap. I’d go with the easiest and cheapest – deterrents that you can buy and spread around. I have mine bought and ready to put out as soon as the snow melts in the area where they hunkered down last year.
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When you have time, tell me what deterrents you use. Other than trying to use a wire cover over the entire garden, which turned out to be completely impractical, they are pretty tough to stop. I’d pretty much given up. They have eaten EVERY bulb we had for every flower that grew from a bulb. Until I can control them, I’m not bothering to plant anything. They are amazing diggers and no one wants to mess with them.
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I bought a container of Bonide Repels-All animal repellent in granular form. I’m going to sprinkle it near where he settled in last year. Here’s hoping we can both get rid of them.
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My grandparents were two of the most important people in my life and I miss them everyday.
Sounds like you’re a fantastic grandma. ❤
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My grandparents were an integral part of my life as well. I love my grandkids that is a for sure thing.
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The book looks delightful. What a great find. I’ll be inside this week, too. It’s taken a turn for the cold again here, just to remind us that it is still winter until Saturday!
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That’s right, winter just didn’t want us to forget it had a few days left. 🙂
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I have yet to meet a grandparent who hasn’t said it was the best gig going 💕
From little arms, to grown-up arms. They’re all good!!
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Yes – you nailed it. 🙂 Hope you well and hanging in there with your handsome guys.
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My nephew is now in his late 30’s, and I’m still taken aback when he calls me on the phone and I hear his deep voice. He’s also lost most of his hair, which also shocks me. In my mind he’s still a teenager! – Marty
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I look at my grownup grandson and see a little five year old boy. Isn’t that nice that your nephew calls you because that’s a gift for sure. 🙂
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Aww! That’s so nice! We have two grandkids we seldom see. I think they think we’re whole new people each time, since they’re still so young, lol! I don’t know how long our daughter will stay with her husband (*^@!!#%) or in (@#$^!) Florida (!!!) but I do hope to get plenty of grandparenting in one way or another.
Sassy assures me I will at least have many grandpuppies 😀
When you described how you don’t feel any different when they’re six feet tall, I thought of my dear nephew Simon, for he has always remained cherub faced and dimpled and to me, he is always three 😉 I know he is almost 30, but…
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Well, I certainly hope they move a little closer because they don’t know what they’re missing with Grandma Joey. 🙂 Yes, he’s grown up, and I see it, but I can still visualize a little five year old.
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How wonderful that you got to see your grandson! Your heart is full and there are more joyful times to come!
I am not a grandmother yet… but sweet man has 5 grandchildren and they are ours now. I love them like my own and they are so fun to be with. My two boys will have children some day and then we will have even more grandchildren!
Sending hugs your way!
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You will have a combined tribe of grands – hooray for all those folks to love. 🙂
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This looks like a wonderful resource. I’ll check it out. I’m so blessed to have our gorgeous new baby grandson near enough that we can drive to their place and visit if we want. They live about 90 minutes drive away but it’s straight down the motorway and we’re there easily. The exciting news is they are coming to stay with us this weekend for two nights!! I’m so looking forward to long cuddles and baby chats with our darling 4 month old. And I’m also looking forward to the times you describe in the future as he grows and changes, grandparent days at school, competitions and events he’s involved in. So proud already.
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You have SO much fun ahead, and you will love this weekend’s visit. Rock away for as long as they let you while smelling that sweet baby and checking out all those cute fingers and toes. Oh, I do envy you this grandparenting trip and hope you enjoy every single minute of it.
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I’m sure we will both make the most of the time we have with him. My mother reckons Mr ET is the most besotted grandpa she’s ever seen. 🙂 It’s easy to be besotted when our little boy is such a darling.
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Seeing grandkids, planting seeds, and relishing what we will be able to do this summer–it’s going to be a memorable spring.
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I can only imagine how long your to-do-list is and how anxious you are to get at it. 🙂
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There is nothing better than being a grandma…I try my best to be a good grandma…I only had one grandmother alive, and only seen her once or twice a year…she did not seem at all interested in being close to me. And I had one grandpa and only remember seeing him a couple or three times…I am sure I seen him more but I sure don’t remember them. I feel like I really missed out on something important in life…so don’t want Lorelei to ever feel that.
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Lorelei certainly doesn’t have to worry about missing grandparenting opportunities, and that’s a good thing for all of you. She’s growing up quickly. 🙂
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Brrrrr!!!! I thought our weather was at 50 degrees and rainy! Happily back to the 70s tomorrow and hopefully full-on spring from here out. Agree whole-heartedly re grandchildren. Ours arrive tomorrow for the first time in a full year. By far the most difficult thing about the pandemic has been an inability to see our families. Summer and Christmas reunions were cancelled and although we here in the south have had it much easier than most, that part has been awful for all of us. Wishing you warmer temps and more family time with the coming of spring!
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Yes to more family time, and I hope you have a marvelous visit. May there be smiles, hugs, laughter, and a wonderful time had by all. 🙂 You’ve been on my mind every day because I’m doing the beginning work on that fabric piece from your gorgeous photo. I certainly haven’t found any local fabric to capture your colors, but I’m trying and it’s keeping me busy. So, thank you for the inspiration, and you’ll be the first to know when I pull it together. 🙂
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