Trunk or treat

One of the more pleasant things about the up-coming holiday is the new tradition of trunk or treat.  You simply back up your car in the church parking lot, install candy, and the children come in droves.

Last night Otter hosted one of the biggest of its history on Franklin Road.  So many cute little Cinderellas and super-heroes running around.  Of course, Sheryl made the kids' costumes--different and unique.  Maddie was Bat Woman, Sam was a proud Shark Boy and Ella was a very cute and stylish car hop.  Sheryl, however, was the hit of the evening dressed like Luci Arnez--red hair, big lips and all. I did not even know her at first.  What fun!

I decided to add oranges to my selections this year--they were cheap at Publix and they were a big hit as an alternative to all that chocolate.

One-On-One

This Spring Break, we are doing a one-on-one program in which each of the three grandchildren get a night and day alone with Nonnie.


So far, it has been a rich experience. Ella (6)was first--her question in the door was "Nonnie, what are we going to do?" My answer: "Whatever you want to do--it's your day." So, we played

Restaurant (Ella wants to be waitress when she grows up); We had a tea party; She colored at the art table by herself; we watched the old Disney movie "So Dear to My Heart" together; we had Toaster Strudels with her initials in frosting on top; got out the Lincoln Logs --and generally had a wonderful time.


Maddie (7) came next--She wanted to do the Lincoln Logs and made a masterful house in no time at all--and then we did House Makeover with the spectators and the demolition. We printed bookmarks with Maddie's own verse and prose on the back (of course this thrilled me); we printed Power Rangers for Sam, and Maddie colored them. Then we did some things for Ella--Big Sister wanted gifts to take home (an indication of Maddie's big heart). We played Go Fish at which I was roundly beaten; Old Maid--beaten again; had a tea party, and Maddie read two books to me(Again Thrill!). She is reading so well at this point in first grade--really into the Junie B. Jones books.



Sam's time will come later in the week. He has already asked for a tea party with cookies.


There is nothing sweeter this side of heaven than drifing off to sleep feeling the light breath of a grandchild on your arm.

25 Things I Have Never Done

As I write my 986th blog, I want to repeat that the main reason I began Musings was for my grandchildren. I want them to know what kind of woman I was and what I was thinking on many subjects when I am gone. I am making hard copies of these blogs so they will have them. In the interest of their knowing me better here are 25 things I have never done:

1. Traveled to Europe
2. Learned to swim
3. Shot a gun
4. Begun a business
5. Worn boots
6. Earned a doctorate
7. Hiked a very tall mountain
8. Jumped on a trampoline
9. Played bridge
10. Ridden in a sailboat
11. Met a U. S. President
12. Learned a foreign language well enough to communicate
13. Learned to ski
14. Found a wine I really like
15. Created a work of art (painting, sculpture, song)
16. Played a recognizable melody on the piano
17 .Met either of my grandfathers
18. Eaten sushi
19. Driven a luxury car (Lexus, Caddie, etc.)
20. Cooked liver
21. Watched or read pornography
22. Eaten lamb or rabbit
23. Watched a live car race
24. Gone to the Macy's Thanksgiving or the Rose Bowl parades
25. Spotted a celebrity in Hollywood or Nashville

November, 2008 Memories

There are many Novembers I remember, especially the one of my marriage in 1962. But this month's memories are very special:

Maddie's Thanksgiving Program: There is something very patriotic in seeing the 3rd generation don Pilgrim costumes and singing "America the Beautiful." I remember doing that and reading a poem in my second grade program.

The Thomas Thanksgiving Production: When the children spend the night last Monday, they performed their own Thanksgiving program. A big box with a round hole on each side and two large kitchen spoons (oars) became the Mayflower. Pilgrim Ella rowed . Every now and then, she would put her hand to her forehead looking for land and eventually she said, "Land ho!" Indian Sam, in a paper vest decorated with pictographs and a feather head dress, sat in the box and said, "We come for food." Pilgrim Maddie wrote, produced, and narrated wearing a fringed vest made at school. One of my fondest memories!!!

Maddie's lost tooth: this is a big step in the growth process, and it looks like several of the bottom teeth will follow quickly. Of course, Sheryl and Brandon made this event a big one with glitter and cash.

Decorating the tree: The children also helped me decorate my Christmas tree. Flinging red, green and gold beads everywhere, hanging 3 ornaments on one branch often. Looking at the ornaments half-way up the tree, I could tell that they were getting taller. When we had hung the last ornament, they stepped back and said, "Nonnie, isn't this the most beautiful tree ever?" And it is.