Long Distance Grandparenting

Well - our friends Dave and Barb are new grandparents. CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

They live in Michigan the new cutie pie, Ethan, lives in California. I was telling her about when Sheala was just a few months when she moved to Hawaii with her parents. I talked to them every single day (that was when we had to pay for long distance phone calls, too!)

When they came home for a visit and Sheala was around 9 mos - She heard my voice at the airport and jumped into my arms. I knew right then that long distance grandparenting works.

So - I did a google this afternoon - and found several great ideas - here are just a few - click on the title to go to the site:

20 Activities for Grandparents to do with their Grandchildren

The Chicago Children's Museum: Long Distance Granparenting

Helium Learn what you need, share what you know

Barb and Dave - such a beautiful blessing - we are so happy for you.

Sound of Music

If you have a few minutes - ENJOY

Rain Rain Go Away

I love Michigan - but today at Noon - let's say a prayer for NO RAIN - 13 people in the duplex for a picnic? Yikes? But - I think we will enjoy each others company even if it is pouring! I'll blog and let you know how your prayers worked!

Weekend Travels

We went to Ann Arbor on Friday and had a chance to play with the twins again. They are so much fun. Pat did some plumbing with Everett and I got to sing songs, play patty cake, kiss and snuggle with the boys and talk with Ells. It was so nice - I wish they lived closer.

On Saturday we went for a ride to find dishes and I only found one on a very, very long ride. We won't be going on a treasure hunt that way anymore. Most of the shops seemed to be closed - we decided to go to Mt. Pleasant on Sunday. So after church off we went. However, I only found a few to purchase there, too.

Most of the prices have gone up at the antique stores and the thrift stores do not have much to choose from - I'm thinking that nobody is donating anything and the garage sales this summer are going to be where I will have to find dishes. I think we will clean out the basement and make a big donation to Goodwill. Of course we would have to STAY HOME to do that and if you read this blog on a regular basis you know the van calls to us and says "Let's go for a ride!" All the time!

You will see by my next post what I did all weekend in the car - READ BOOKS!

I did find some really great beads at Joanne's this weekend - I am going to wrap knives for an hour before I go to work - so I better get going.

Books, Books, Books

I've read three books in the past few weeks - they are all good.

Cindy gave me "Heaven Has Blue Carpet" by Sharon Niedzinski - a book by a Saginaw woman about her experiences as a sheep farmer. She learned so much about her faith when she became a shepherd and realized how like sheep all of us really are and she shows that the comparison that Jesus uses is so perfect.

The Friday Night Knitting Club was from Jan and it is by Kate Jacobs. This was a very good book about friendships and relationships. A single mom starts a yarn shop and gathers friends as much as wool over the years.

Last but not least, I read a garage sale book, The Chamber by John Grisham. I realized again, just like when I watched Dead Man Walking, that there is such horror on death row. But both the book and the movie bring to mind my reading of The Shack where God uses any situation to bring about change.

Now I am reading one of the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency books that Cathy gave me because I love the new HBO series. Amy has been taping it for Jan and Jim and Pat and me to watch - we all love it.

My new favorite blog!

Meredith is a fabulous blogger - she has links to almost anything you can think of - she is a frugal shopper - saves on everything - loves to shop garage sales and thrift shops - her blog is fun.


I love this blog - click here

Holy Thursday

The service on Holy Thursday was very moving. The music was beautiful, the readings were heartfelt, the foot washing was life changing. This was the first time that I have seen so many women come forward. So many women over the age of 80 which made me think of my Mom and how she never would have come forward for the foot washing - but how I rubbed her feet in the afternoon when she was so ill and how I felt I was part of something much larger than life itself.

To see Fr. Jack on his knees, lovingly washing and serving the parishioners was seeing the Gospel in action. If you know Fr. Jack - you know what I'm saying here - it is amazing how during a service that there is a presence about him. Sometimes the moment is so reverent and holy that I have to catch my breath. I count my blessings that we can be part of this parish at this time in our lives. And then there is the Jack I love to see after liturgy - and usually not much reverence about him then! But he makes me smile.