More stuff to share...

It has been a few weeks since I last wrote here, busy weeks indeed since it is the middle of the biggest holiday season of the year. Speaking of holidays, well Christmas specifically, I even made you a gift and sent it along to your Mom & Dad to hold until you arrive to claim it. Yes, a bit early I will admit, but still, just wanted to make sure you knew you were wanted, in so many ways! Actually, since you will already have received the gift long before you will ever hear or read this message, I can even tell you the story of how it came to be...

Over the Thanksgiving holidays I flew to Montana to visit with my other children, your Aunt Julie, Uncle Jeremy and Uncle Craig. Jeremy and Craig are both attending the University of Montana and Julie is working as a computer lab teacher at Russell Elementary as a part of AmeriCorps, almost a volunteer kind of job. Anyway, this was the first time in years that I had been invited to share in any sort of holiday celebration and I was 'wicked' excited. I had never been to Montana before, plus we traveled on through Idaho and into Spokane, Washington. We also spent lots of time cooking, hiking along the river and 'up the mountain to the M' and even managed to squeeze in a Christmas Holiday dinner out at Olive Garden AND did some of that hectic shopping on the day after Thanksgiving. Along with all that, your Aunt Julie decided it was her turn to learn to knit. Your Dad has been crocheting for years and Craig always preferred cooking as his creative outlet. While visiting the store for knitting supplies, they were having a huge sale on blanket fleece, so I picked out some and made a tied fleece blanket of snowmen for Julie and Jeremy to bring some holiday color to their apartment. Well, of course, when Craig saw theirs, he wanted one of his own... so it was back to the store for more material. They were having an even bigger sale the next day, so not only did I get stuff for Craig's moose/green blanket, but found a wonderful baby giraffe one that was so bright and colorful orange that I simply knew it would appeal to the eyes of a baby. Well, after all that, I naturally had to also get fabric to make yet another blanket for your Mom & Dad, an ocean with sailboat one. I made up all the blankets while I was in Montana and Craig offered to take them to the post office to fill out all the forms it would take to mail them overseas so everyone in Italy would have their warm blanket hugs for the holiday! Oh, by the way, Julie did learn how to knit and she is certainly enjoying it, making lots of Christmas scarfs for everyone.

Speaking of making Christmas gifts, that is one tradition that I have certainly enjoyed sharing with all my children and have enjoyed discovering that they have continued it beyond growing up. It is just the most special part of giving, to give of ones' self. While growing up, all three of my children, like all children naturally do, wanted everything. Their lists of Christmas gifts wants were extraordinary, long and fanciful, filled with everything they could imagine. Of course I was not able to afford everything, thank goodness cause someone would have had to clean it all up, but I wanted them to learn the value of gifts well beyond the monetary costs. I am sure none of them will forget my opposition to giving money as a gift for any reason... it seemed to me like a pay off for being a friend or family member, come to my birthday party/Christmas party/etc. and bring cash. Nope, that was NOT my style, so I had to be creative to find ways to let them see how much more was behind the concept of giving. From the time they were old enough to want to give, it has been a tradition that they each gave some thought as to what the other kids would like and then we would come up with ways, means and ideas that would allow them to 'make' the gifts for each other. It was not possible to compete financially with each other, so they learned to compete with imagination, from within. This made the gifts they gave each other a whole lot more special than whatever someone could afford from the store, plus, they were allowed to open their gifts to each other on Christmas Eve, so they did not 'compete' with the stuff that Santa brought, allowing them to cherish and enjoy each other moreso than would have been possible had their shared gifts been a part of the huge overload of Christmas toys and gifts. They were the first gifts and they were acknowledged. Some of the things they made were pillows, woodburning art, games, puzzles, all sorts of wonderful results of simply thinking of a way to share yourself with another person, rather than buying to satisfy the other. It is a wonderful tradition that they have continued to this day, with your Dad making furniture and crocheting afghans, Aunt Julie making soaps and now scarves, and Uncle Craig even making Julie and Jeremy's wedding cake! Craig even made me a number of MP3 CD's to listen to while I exercise, one is just Christmas music that I listened to on the plane ride back from Montana and have continued during walking or biking in the exercise room and still I have not reached the end. Hours and hours of tunes, all different, all Christmas... wonderful!

That is how the tradition of making gifts for each other started in our family and one that I hope continues through to you. Other Christmas traditions were always taking one night during the holiday season to dine out at a nice restaurant, driving around just looking at all the house decorations, pajamas from Mom; opened every Christmas Eve so everyone had something nice and new to wear for pictures on Christmas morning, making Christmas candies, cookies and, especially, a new Christmas food to deliver to each friend/neighbor for the holiday. Last year I handed out chocolate covered Ritz/peanut butter crackers on sticks, wrapped in holiday plastic and looking like a pretty bouquet of Christmas flowers. This year it will be hand knit or sewn scarves for all those dieting people and easy, low sugar praline bars for others. In the past we have made wreaths of everything from bread to chocolate rolls, and Christmas tree cakes and candies of all sorts, just for fun. Having fun with others is the best reason to celebrate any holiday!

Love & wiggle hugs,
GrandMom

Memories of your Dad...

Where in the world do I start? That is such a huge topic and holds so very, very much. Your Dad, Jim, was born on February 24th, 1978 after almost a 10 month pregnancy. He had been due on January 28th and I think he would have been born on February 28th all by himself, but the doctor was concerned with his size and his mother's fluctuating blood pressure and decided not to take any chances, just to have the baby born ASAP and so it was that I traveled to Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor, Maine for labor induction procedures; well after a stop at KFC for a huge fried chicken dinner that is! I knew the food at the hospital in Bangor would not even come close to comparing with the wonderful menu offered at Blue Hill Memorial Hospital, so dining first was a priority, the on to the hospital where I was met by a specialist, Dr. Vance Aloupis, who was scheduled to deliver the baby. It seemed like it took forever, but in reality the labor ended on the same day, the 24th, with the delivery of a screaming little boy just after 7 in the evening. Screaming, did I mention that already? Yes, well he was... screaming so much and for so long that his coloring was more of a reddish purple instead of the fresh pink of a baby. He apparently did NOT want to be born yet and he was making it known to the entire world, he wanted to wait for his birthday, but alas, that was not to be, his birthday had just changed!

Jim was most like my side of the family, with the broad shoulders and all, though I am still pondering on that temper, which continued to flare up now and again through his entire childhood. When he was good, he was simply darling and he slept so peacefully and soundly through the night from the third day on... just that he would get upset about something, no telling what it was since he was way to young to talk, and start that long wail of angry anguish that made me feel so helpless at times, sitting there and watching the vein pop up on his soft head and feeling his entire body stiffen up in frustration. I think I will always consider that aspect of Jim as being the direct result of a difference of opinion on what would be a good birthday for him. He always believed he was right! *smiles*

He was such an adorable baby, with a streak of impulsiveness that just wouldn't quit. He would be nursing, pause, look up with the most amazed expression on his face and then bit down hard... just because it got an immediate response! The result was that his first costume was a devil outfit that I made to coordinate with big sister, Julie's, sun dress with the angel. They wore the matching outfits to Aunt Marianne's first wedding ceremony.

As a baby, Jim sure did not impress his big sister much, but he sure did satisfy her intense need to have someone around whom she could 'boss around' and, since he was a baby, he could not even complain about it, even if he had wanted to! When he was learning how to speak, he quickly learned to take advantage of his sister and 'allowed' her to speak for him. There is one telling moment when this sticks out prominently in my mind. Julie was about 5 and Jim was 3 1/2-4 and he was trying to tell me a story about something when Julie spoke up and told him to just be quiet, to foget it, she would talk for him, thereby getting the necessary attention shifted to her, where it rightfully belonged, at least according to her, plus it was just easier for her to translate for her little brother rathur than taking to time to teach him how to correct it. Because he was not allowed to practice a whole lot, Jim learned to cut his words short and it became necessary for him to attend speech classes years later, after he found a voice apart from his sister, to correct the lisp (widdow wed widing hood). He was just soooooooo darn cute that he got away with it and a whole lot more besides.

Jim never slowed down much during the day, which is why he slept so soundly at night I suspect. As the middle child he never got to do anything first and he did not have nearly enough time being the baby, though Craig would not be born for another 4 years, I think Jim would have enjoyed being the baby of the family for much longer, because that also comes with special privileges, but no, he was the middle child and, for all of that, he still adapted well and has made the world a much nicer place just for being a part of it.

Next chapter, pre-school holidays and special events!
Love & Hugs & Kisses,
GrandMom

Looking around...

I spent some time last night while I was packing for a weekend visit to Northern Indiana just looking around my home, seeing what kinds of stuff there might appeal to a grandchild. I have lots and lots of craft stuff, right now I am on a kick with knitting, but I have crocheting stuff in case a grandchild might take after their Dad, Jim, who used crocheting as a wonderful way to relieve stress sometimes. But also there are lots of fun things like sticks, crayons, colored paper, fun shape scissors, glue, trimmings... so much for the imagination to work. Mostly though, the toys that I have are stuffed animals and lots of dolls, of course, since I am a girl, so if I am lucky enough to have a grandson, I will definitely have to find more boy-style stuff, since I only have one leftover McDonald's truck! Not much, huh?
Speaking of such things reminds me of so very, very much about your father when he was young and as he grew up. He loved doing crafts, paper, wood, etc. and actually still does! Takes after his Mother that way, for sure. I hope the videos last so that you will be able to see him in the 'shows' he created, news bulletins to commercials. He has such creativity in writing, designing, crocheting, woodburning... I just love it. He also has a passion for animals, to take care of them as well as to rescue them. Since this is a rather busy day, I will wait for another day to tell you the story of the 28 cages of field mice that he had at one time!
Love & Hugs & Kisses,
GrandMom

The Next Day...

Well little one, it has now been almost 2 days since I received the news and it is spread as far and wide as I could manage. I sent out email messages just to make the announcement to everyone on my address list, old friends, new ones, people that I have never even met in person!!! You name it, I have told them. Received loads of well wishes and congratulations from all corners of the country. Did I tell you yesterday that I ended up celebrating by going to dinner with my friend Nonie and her son Brett at Frisch's? I decided on the salad bar so I could pick and choose from a wide variety of foods and Nonie was getting upset because Brett was eating from my plate, but it sure did not bother me at all. Perhaps someday I can take you to a buffet and we can share and taste lots and lots of different foods. I sure do hope you like cucumbers though! Brett did not, though he did try them as well as sliced mushrooms too.

Your Mom sent out a list of names this morning, both boy names and girl names because no one knows yet which you will choose to be. I will have to write back and tell her that she left off Bella in the girl's name column. Of course you will think that corny, all kids think at one point or another that they have been given the corniest names ever or the plainest ones or the most confusing ones, or something is just wrong with it. Ultimately you learn to embrace your name and find that you make the name fit you, just you as an individual. Til then, you have to struggle with it for a while, everyone does.

I don't know exactly where or when you will ever get to read this, but right now, in 2004, I am living in Cincinnati, working for Ohio Shared Information Services and enjoying the thoughts of who you will be! Isn't that silly? Bet your Mom and Dad are doing lots of the same kind of thinking though, it is what people do when a new baby is announced, learn to dream all over again. Dream well, sweet one, until we finally meet I will adore you from afar!

Love & hugs & kisses,
GrandMom

The beginning...

Wow, I just found out yesterday that I am going to become a GrandMom! That is just the bestest news and I figured what better way to celebrate that event than to begin a journal of sorts; a collection of thoughts, events, etc. that surround the baby to be, the child to become, the teen to grow and finally, the adult. Gee, I sure hope you don't grow up to be an English major or else my grammar will ultimately drive you crazy 'cause I write best in the familiar style that I also use for speech.

Yesterday, November 2, 2004, was election day here in the US. I awoke very early to make sure to get to the polls in time to get my vote in since it was expected to be a huge election turnout and it sure was, but unfortunately today I am listening to my choice for President giving his concession speech, John Kerry did not win enough votes to unseat George Bush from the White House. Now I know that people are not expected to offer their vote publicly, but this just seemed like such an important election to me because I was one of those hundreds and thousands of people to lose my job and my healthcare during the last four years of the Republican government, so I had to try to make a change for myself and others like me.

Ah, but I digress... the reason for this newly created Blog is to find a way to let you know, way in the future, what's going on, how things feel and, most importantly, to share with my grandchild(ren). Yes, I made that plural, just in case, but for now, just knowing there is soon to be a grandchild, well it sure does make me smile. So let me tell you about my day yesterday....

I was at work, I work for Ohio Shared Information Services, a non-profit computer networking company in Cincinnati, Ohio. I may have more to say about that later on, but for now, I want to focus on November 2, 2004. I received an email message from your Mom saying that they had misplaced my cell phone number and needed it so they could call me. I sent back a message with both my cell number and my work phone number and *poof* five minutes later my phone rang. When I answered it, your Dad said Hello and then proceeded to tell me that I needed to get a new t-shirt, instead of the ones I have that say 'Mom'. Then he asked me to wait until your Mom was back in the room and all of a sudden I just knew what he was going to say. I have waited soooooooo long, well not really, it hasn't been all that long, but it sure feels like it, to get to be a grandmother and now I was finding out it would really, really happen! So when your Dad told me that I needed to get new t-shirts that said 'GrandMom' on them, well I was laughing and crying all at the same time, but don't worry, they were happy tears. Of course I don't think I have ever heard anyone actually use the term 'GrandMom', but I figure I will go with it until you grow up and let me know just who I am. It is a little bit different, so for now it will work for both of us.

After congratulating your Mom and Dad and listening to them being so happy, giggly, excited... I promptly called out to the entire office, the good news, that I was going to be a grandmother! We finally had to say goodbye because they were calling from Italy and I was just sort of babbling by that time. I then announced that I hoped no one would expect much work from me for the rest of the day, it was only about 3PM here, as I was just way too excited to concentrate. Congratulations came from all those around me and then I started phoning family and friends to let them know, too. When I left work, I went out to dinner with my friend Nonie to celebrate and then on home to knock on my neighbors' doors to spread the news. My next door neighbor, Mary Geoff, gave me a happy new grandparent to be gift, a box of Christmas cards she had picked up at the store that had a picture on the front of the card of a little girl in blond pigtails and a purple long dress, curled up in a chair hugging a kitty and a puppy climbing up too. She said it had reminded her too much of me, she wondered when the artist had found time to paint me, so she had to get them for me and then decided it was the perfect celebration gift!

I know why she thought of me when she saw that picture, cause I dressed up as a Little Dutch Girl for Halloween this year. I went to the Witches' Ball with my friend Karen to help her sell jewelry that she makes, so I needed a costume. I just happened to still have a pair of wooden shoes that your Great Uncle John had brought home to me as a gift when I was 13 and they actually still fit, so all I needed to do was make the clothes and braid my hair. Then I asked Mary Geoff to guess what I was, just to make sure I had made the costume properly... she guessed right! And it was that look which matched the one on the cards she bought. I will try to find a way to include the picture of me in the outfit on this blog somehow, just so you will know, way into the future, what in the world I am talking about!

So, suffice it to say that I am sincerely excited, extremely happy and anxious to meet you, to get to know you, to share this world with you, be it one or more of you. It just feels so right and so good. I just want to say Welcome, dear baby, to a world that I have always worked on making good just for you, for the future... making friends, sharing love, enjoying fun. Now, before I get too sappy sweet or something like that, I will post this first entry with a warning... some days I just can't stop myself once I get started, but somedays I just can't get started, so this blog will be sporadic, but filled with all the emotion, love and color that I want to share just with you!

Hugs and kisses,
GrandMom