SuperGramma

I was going through some old files of mine and came across a little poem I wrote in 1995 – And yes, I have three boys who are two years apart. The format is actually four lines per stanza, but for the sake of space, I’ve made it into two. I hope you enjoy it and feel free to pass it on as long as the copyright information is with it.

Long ago and far away, In a land I’ve never been,
There lived a great, big, family. The worst I’ve ever seen.

They never could be quiet, They never could be sweet.
Their house was always messy. It wasn’t ever neat.

The boys were always fighting. They’d wrestle and they’d punch.
Their mom was always yelling. I’d hate to go for lunch.

At breakfast it was chaos. At lunch and bedtime too.
Their mother was beside herself. She didn’t know what to do.

No matter how mom threatened, No matter how mom cried.
They would not stop their foolishness, No matter what mom tried.

They seemed to like to argue, They seemed to like to fight;
No matter how she pleaded And said it was not right!

Those boys were in one family. Their mom and dad the same.
To see them always fighting Was really quite a shame.

“To bed” their mom would tell them. “I’ve had enough today.
Or read or play piano, Or go outside and stay!”

“That’s boring” they would answer. “There’s nothing here to do.
What will we have for supper? It better not be stew!”

“But stew is very yummy” Their mom said with a grin.
“There’s lots of good old gravy To dip your bread right in.”

“I can’t cook all the things you like With all this noise around,
But I could make a restaurant meal If you wouldn’t make a sound.”

Those boys were really hungry. They didn’t want the stew.
By the way their mother acted, There was just one thing to do.

Tom went over to his brother, And he whispered in his ear,
“Hey Bob, I know what we can do, So lets get out of here.”

Now the house is very quiet; The brothers get along.
You want to know their secret? They turned the TV on!

© Carol Bremner

Now that I’m back to watching little people at my house, I have to think about things like childproofing. Here I thought my home was pretty safe. Silly me. Grandbaby girl can spot a crumb on the floor at a hundred yards away. She delights in trying to open all the cupboards and has radar built in that tells her if Gramma forgot to put the gate across the stairs.

Department stores sell all kinds of gadgets to keep children out of places they don’t belong, but soon the house is so locked up you can barely function. Plus there is always some new drive-gramma-crazy adventure brewing in those little minds. One of my other grandsons, age 2, decided to be a mountain climber in his kitchen. The mountain was a big white stove and its door was a convenient ladder. Once on top, he claimed victory by turning a knob. Fortunately it was the oven knob and not a burner. His mom was right behind him and the climb was short lived. I’m glad I wasn’t there to see the action.

I remember one lady I knew had to padlock her frig. And when my youngest daughter was growing up, everything went into her mouth – lego, soap, sometimes even food. So here I am again trying to stay one step ahead of an accident. The latest attraction is my plants. I only have  two, but they may soon spend their days in a locked room rather than their spots by the window. I wonder if that’s the reason artificial plants were invented?

Technorati Tags: childproofing, home hazards

A perky young friend of mine has decided that instead of starting the new year with resolutions that often won’t be fulfilled, we should instead celebrate all the things we’ve accomplished in the past year.  So thanks to Lisa, I’m trying to rack my brain and remember what I can. Lucky for her my long term memory isn’t bad. Short term memory is another story entirely.

I started out 2009 with my days to myself. In 2008, I was watching my grandson every weekday while youngest daughter worked. 2009 was a year of maternity leave for her and freedom for me. You heard me right, she had one full year of paid maternity leave. I remember when I got six weeks and then it was back to work.

Anyway, here I was with a full year of time to myself. Not only that, but my Canada pension started since I was also now 60. Not only freedom, but a bit of money in my pocket too. How my life changed in 2009. No longer did I spend mornings at drop-in nursery school groups or afternoons playing colour and shape Bingo. No more Sponge Bob Squarepants matching games or cuddles while we read books. Nothing but me and my day stretching out before me.

I decided that 2009 would be the year I went full steam to become an Internet marketer. No more part-time on the computer until midnight. Now it was full time, all day, every day – my computer and I were inseparable. I ate my meals at my desk, typed until my fingers hurt, watched video tutorials until I could see them in my sleep. And once in awhile I stopped and said hello to my husband.

I did do some things differently in 2009 though. As I learned a new technique, I implemented it. I focused on becoming an information product creator and blogger instead of generally chasing the newest way to make money online. I joined a mastermind group of like-minded people who met for weekly online brainstorming sessions. We also posted regularly on a private forum and helped and encouraged one another. And I began to see results.

Drum Roll Please…….. Read the rest of this entry »

If you feel like travelling these days, I’ve found a few websites full of ideas. I’m thinking about warm places I would rather be, especially when it’s so cold here I can barely stand the walk from my car to the store.

For those of you who don’t mind the cold, there are a mix of places to visit, depending on your interests, time, and finances. Most of these are family friendly if you’re able to spend time with the grandkids. Let me know if any of these sites was extra helpful to you. Have fun on your travels and stay safe.

Family Vacations

Dude Ranches

Train Travel

Vacations Especially for Grandparents and Their Grandchildren

There are a lot more, but those are enough to get you started. Right now I’m debating between dude ranches and that last website. Now how many kids can I handle taking and how many days could I handle?

Technorati Tags: travel ideas, travel with grandchildren

One of my granddaughters is in her third year at the Ontario College of Art. During 3rd year, if your marks and portfolio are very good, you have the option of taking your year at their campus in Italy. Of course she said yes and is having the time of her life.

Only problem is that she usually works two jobs as well as going to school to pay her way and in Italy she can’t work. So this donation button is for Michelle and if you contribute you’re supporting a young lady who one day may be a renowned artist. (Although I think she wants to teach and inspire young people.)

Grandaughter Michelle

This is Michelle on the left with her mother (my daughter). She is an amazing girl and as well as being gifted in art, is a terrific writer. If you don’t believe me, she blogs about Italy at The Adventures of Captain Defiance Drake (she’s a major Star Trek fan) Her future may very well be teaching high school art and English.

Technorati Tags: Ontario College of Art, studying art in Italy, art student