* * * * * * * * * * NYLA BONES * * * * * * * * * * *

Yesterday morning as I was enjoying my first  cup of coffee, I glanced down at Wrigley diligently chewing her Nyla bone.  Although she appeared totally relaxed atop her regal pink fleece (alongside Her Magesty's court-appointed comrades), I was impressed with her determined, focused chewing.  Quite frankly, the $3.00 I'd spent just two weeks ago on that Nyla bone was pretty well spent as she continued to shred it apart.

As I think about it, I have my own Nyla bone.  Not literally, of course, but figuratively.  Wrigley's bone in many ways symbolizes her passion, her delight, her place of safety.

I don't mean to sound sacrilegious, quite the contrary, but I would venture to say my "Nyla bone" is my search for God.

I would expect that many who know me would describe me as a "religious person."  I don't like that tag and here's why.  I have gone to church all my life.  Being "good" is spiritually not enough for this wild 'n crazy grandma.

In my spiritual life, I crave the REAL DEAL.  And that amounts to the person of God.  I want to know Him; I don't simply want to know about God. I desire to talk with Him, to have Him speak to me.  I guess you could say I want an intimate relationship with the living God.

Now that is something I could be passionate about, delight in, and feel extraordinarily safe!!!

A CALL FROM MY TEENAGE GRANDDAUGHTER

Did you ever push the "power-END" botton on your cell and sit stunned at the wisdom you have just taken in?

Ashlan called me tonight and what joy I felt when I looked at her name on my phone.  It had been a long time since we actually visited.  She's in Texas, such a longggg way from the Midwest. 

Before the conversation ventured past our "hello's," she instructed me to look at something on the computer.  She told me to first go to "youtube.com."  Then in the search area type in " 'This is the Stuff' lyrics."   Once the page comes up, I was to click on Francesca Battistelli.

WHOA......what a song!  About God, about life, about hard times, about stress.

"This is the stuff that drives me crazy, This is the stuff that's getting to me lately.

In the middle of my little mess, I forget how big I'm blessed.

But I gotta trust YOU know exactly what YOU'RE doing.  It might not be what I would choose.

But this is the stuff YOU use."

My 16-year old granddaughter has had to go through more than her share of hard times.  But the image of the caterpillar spinning and disappearing within his cocoon, only to emerge as a beautiful butterfly is exactly what Ashlan is becoming.....a discerning, wiser-than-her-age young woman.  

I think my granddaughter just taught me a little bit more about living life.....

PENNSYLVANIA JET LAG -- RUMINATIONS OF THE TRIP

It's Wednesday, and 36 hours ago I was driving home from Kansas City, musing upon the events of the long weekend in Pennsylvania.  I was alone with my thoughts driving the interstates as the sun sunk into the horizon of orange and red....

The vision of Will, Noelle, and Caroline waiting for us at the airport warmed me inside like a steaming cup of Starbuck's latte!

Noelle just had to catch a ride on the famous "Grandpa Express!"  All our kids seem to like the reckless rides.  Who needs carnivals coming to town?  Just bring 'ole Grandpa and Grandma!!

Remember those animal gifts I thought were so cute?  And remember I wanted them to perform a puppet show?  Well, remember life does not always respect our wishes!!!  The wild 'n crazy gramma was 1 for 3.  Noelle LOVED her skunk, Caroline was politely grateful for her peacock, and Will threw his cow to the floor in disgust.  If this was the wild west in the early 1800's, them little critters living in a one-room homestead farmhouse would have jumped up and down in glee for the only gifts they had received in the two years livin' in de wilderness!!

.

A surprise awaited us from Jay and Meg.  For our Christmas present, they had lined up Saturday as a "King Grandpa and HIGH Queen Grandma for a Day!"  They had hired a guide from the Mennonite Tourism Department to give us a two-hour tour of Amish country in Lancaster County.  Our guide was a Mennonite woman named Louis.  She truly was a saint and a fantastically knowledgeable guide.

What an interesting life the Amish lead!  And they are superb craftsmen and cooks.  We brought home some homemade strawberry jam to die for!  We had to catch the agrarian "feel" of the Amish lifestyle as well.  So we visited a farm! It was UTTERLY fascinating!!

For the main part, the Amish are dairy farmers, not grain farmers.  Milk trucks were at a majority of the farms we viewed.  I caught my son Jay showing Will the cows....but he was showing me a glimpse into his heart!!!

The time spent with the grandkids was precious.  They were genuinely excited about our coming, and they desired to be around us all the time we were there!!

I wonder if Caroline is destined to be the next "Wild 'n Crazy Grandma!"

This is Will going into Sunday School class!  How can you NOT love this??

TAKE A TRIP WITH ME.....TO PENNSYLVANIA TO VISIT THOSE GRANDKIDS!

Today starts the adventure!!  The wild 'n crazy grandma is packing up and going to Pennsylvania.  I'd love for you all to go with me! 

I have good news and bad news.  I personally like to get the bad news off the table from the start.

 

I have to leave Wellington and Wrigley home!!!  This is killing me but I have no choice.  The trip was planned before my husband surprised me with Wrigley.  Besides, Wrigley's been having some tummy problems and needs to be close to our vet.  THIS KILLS ME!!!  But the family in Pennsylvania is my #1 priority, and we haven't seen them since summer. And I cannot wait to get my hands on Caroline, Noelle, and Will!  My daughter is babysitting Wrigley along with her three girls, two of which are down for the count with a very nasty virus. (And now she is going to deal with a sick puppy?  The girl is certifiable!!) 

Wellington lies down, head on paws, eyes drooping whenever he sees suitcases out and clothes being packed.  Poor guy....but his redemption comes with the fact that he gets to stay with Gramma Mo and Sandy.  He LOVES them!  So my Wells goes into his manic/depressive mode.

The good news now....I AM taking animals out for the kids!  I found these at a local toy store and think they are so adorable!  They are hand puppets.  I thought the animals I chose depicts Grandma and Grandpa's part of the country!  Now when we get there, they MUST put on a puppet show for all of us!!

Warning:  You can expect a daily play-by-play of the trip!

HAPPY VALENTNE'S DAY!!!

LIVE LOVE !

WRIGLEY SENDS KISSES AND HUGS!!

THE VACATION OF A LIFETIME CAN BE YOURS!

BENEFITS OF A MIDWEST VACATION IN
JANUARY,FEBRUARY AND MARCH

___________________________________

___________________________________

As a Midwesterner, I can assure you that this region of America is the Dream Vacation destination, particularly if you come in January, February, or March.  Research analysis in market segmentation for Seniors prove that grandparents who vacation in the Midwest experienced an existential closeness to the elements which they will never forget.

We can promise that a vacation in January, February, or March delivers in the snow category.  Mountains of snow await you.  As an added bonus, this vacation package offers the vacationer ice -- specifically, ice covering sidewalks, parking lots, and driveways  This provides the opportunity for diligent balance activities, and, for an additional fee, dance instructors are available at designated parking lots to teach the rumba, the waltz, and the limbo!

The temperature in most of the Midwest states included in this scenic wonderland will stay constant.  We promise!

Constantly, that is, near 0 or below!  Vacationers will receive a free gift of an outdoor temperature gauge which is awaiting you in your assigned igloo.  The gauge will be a lasting memento of running noses, numb toes and fingers, and even frost bite if you're in for real adventure.

Past travelers have described the cold as brutal, cruel, and inhumane.  Truly, this vacation is not you're ordinary "sit on sand beaches, tan in the hot tropical sun, and read at your leisure" kind of boring get-away.

All of you vacation seekers who suffer with arthritis MUST visit this dreamland as the cold, dry air exacerbates nodules and inflammation.  You might ask yourself, "Why would I want to do THAT?"  Good question! Our medical advisers here in the Midwest have examined the physical and emotional benefits of vacationing here:  IT MAKES YOU TOUGH, HEARTY, AND RESILIENT! What woman wouldn't want arthritic hands such as this model's!!!

Lastly, a Midwest vacation in the middle of our brutal winters bring the vacationer a once-in-a-lifetime chance of designer outerwear for your pets!  Who wouldn't want to outfit their chic pets in blankets and sweaters like this:

                                                                                                                                                                                                           



PLEASE LORD, DELIVER US FROM THIS BRUTAL ICE BOX SOON!!!!

A NEW BABY HAS ARRIVED!!!

IT'S A GIRL!!!!!!

The anticipation is over, the REALITY is here.  I have been so excited for her delivery.  I haven't been this excited for years!  What's wrong with me??  Maybe that nurturing desire never leaves a woman, I don't know.  But, believe me, when she finally arrived, I WAS NOT DISAPPOINTED!

ALLOW ME TO INTRODUCE MY NEWEST ADDITION    

WRIGLEY!!!

How does this fit into grandparenting?  My grandkids who live near us have been SO excited.  One morning, Lauren called us at 6:20 am to find out if I had heard from the breeder!!!  She even made Wrigley a bed out of a shoebox and then another one from her collection of doll carriers!!  


Her birth has made Grandma and Grandpa two of the most popular people in our grandchildren's lives!!!  They are all looking forward to helping Gramma housebreak her, train her and nurture her.  Wrigley is quite timid but that makes her all the more adorable.  Whoa.....I'm in love:  hook, line, and sinker!!!

                       

                                      

                 





(Top left, Reese and Harper/  Top Right:  Lauren and Carter/  Bottom Left:  Carey and kids/
Bottom right:  Sarah and kids) 

Praise God for little, lovable adorable puppies!!!

The fact that my husband would do this for my birthday present blows me away!!  We already have Wellington, a pitch black American Cocker.  It was so meaningful for me that he wanted to surprise me.  He is the best!

                                       SIR WELLINGTON

          "I KNOWETH NOT WHAT I THINKETH OF THIS!"

And our family has been going through a difficult period with the loss of my father, our oldest son's serious physical health problems, etc.  Through it all, I firmly believe God sent me a little love gift through my new puppy.  Thank you, Father!!! 

NOW, THIS IS THE WAY TO WATCH THE SUPER BOWL!!!!            

HAPPY DOGGIE DREAMS!!!

               

          Even Gramma Mo has fallen and can't get up!


                                                                                                     

WILD ' N CRAZY GRANDMA IS EXPECTING!!!!!!!!

EXPECTANT HAPPY 60+ GRAMMA!

CAN IT BE?

Most of us women remember those times in our life when the "nurturing" urge hits us and we find ourselves desiring to cuddle, to feed, and to.......yes, to even change diapers.

I am in for it!  I am expecting a little one!!!  When I myself heard the news, I lay on the kitchen floor, kicking my feet in disbelief and giddy anticipation.  A miracle has happened!

Stay tuned for pictures of my baby....they'll be showing up soon!

HOW TO BE A "WITH IT" GRANDMA

Now, girls, do you want your grandmothering to look like this???  I didn't think so......

Here is a list of "to do's" to turn us all into WITH IT GRANDMAS!!!

1.  Get with the new millenium!!  Know how to use cell  
     phones, for goodness sakes!  And break down and
     spend 15 bucks for a designer cover for the phone. 
     Your grandkids will hold you up as the coolest
     grandma ever!

2.  Once you buy the cell phone, learn how to TEXT. 
     Yes, "with it" grandmas text their lovin' hearts out.  I
     recently purchased TEXTING DICTIONARY OF
     ACRONYMS.  You understand, we must earn the
     respect of our pre-teen and teenage grandchildren.
     Writing longggg words is a FAQOMT.  (translation: 
     frequently argued waste of my time.)

3.  Know what television shows and music your kids
     of all ages enjoy!  The other day, I asked a little
     girl in the doctor's office if she liked The Wiggles.
     She and her daddy glared at me like I was from outer
     space!!!  Ok, the Wiggles were popular five years
     ago....FORGIVE ME FOR LIVIN'!!!

4.  Listen to "in" music.  I know, you will never under-
     stand the words, but that's the way these kids like
     it!  Try to find some artists that you enjoy.  I actually
     like dance music.  And I don't mean BALLROOM!!!
     For my 60th birthday party, my friends hired a DJ and
     we partied on like no other.

5.  And lastly, try to be "with the fashion."  Now I don't
     necessarily mean wearing leggins with a dress that
     barely covers your cheeks (and that's not the cheeks
     on your face!).  But we can look cool in the sense of
     "cool for a lady of your age" kind of thing.

Well, grandmas everywhere, I have a storehouse of many more tips, but you'll have to wait until a later time.  Ya know, in the end, if we really show an interest and listen to our kids, we'll be the "withiest" grandmas ever!