Daughters | FabGrandma

Congratulations Are In Order!

January 16, 2012 By Fab Grandma 11 Comments

ob appointment, ultrasound, pregnancy confirmed

That's Emily in the exam room

This was a very special day for me. Yes, I know I just had a special day last month when we closed on our house, but this is even more special-er than that! Today I was invited to go to my daughter, Emily’s, OB appointment with her. Today was the day that she got to see, via ultrasound, that there is indeed a little Fab-grandchild a baking away! While this will be grandchild number six, I have never been in the right place at the right time to get to be there when the ultrasound was done. We both cried. Yeah, we are silly like that.

Waiting for the doctor to come in

She was a very good sport and allowed me to take pictures of her in the exam room. Can you tell how happy she is?

Fabgrandbaby

The doctor was a very nice and pleasant guy. He answered all of Emily’s questions to her satisfaction. He explained to her that whenever someone over 35 years old is pregnant, they call her an “elderly mother”. We got a huge laugh out of that, because if SHE is elderly, what does that make ME??? OH, and baby is due August 26th.

Filed Under: Daughters, Family

Just Another Day On The Job

May 9, 2011 By Fab Grandma 3 Comments

Today was my first day of work for the season. We did the usual stuff–saying hello to everyone that came back from last year, meeting the new people, telling what we did on vacation. (or in this case, over the winter). The weather up here at the North Rim has been sunny and gorgeous every day since FabGrandpa and I arrived back on April 25. But today? It snowed!

Snow at the North Rim

Can’t tell much from that photo, but it did snow, off and on, all day. It was cold out there, too. Walking back and forth from the RV to the fee office was a brisk adventure.

I got mail today, too. Lots of it. Bills, magazines, and Mother’s Day cards from the girls and Seth. And these loverly socks that Becca knitted just for me:

My loverly new socks

Does that girl take after her mama or what? Look at that cabling–she is one smart cookie!

In the afternoon, one of my co-workers and I walked over to the emergency services building to pick up the golf carts that belong in the campground. They weren’t charged up, so we plugged them in and walked back. While it was sort of chilly out, and snowing, I really need to get out and walk more. Don’t know that I will do that again tomorrow, but for today, yeah.

Tonight, I made some home made gluten free banana muffins to take to class in the morning. There are two of us who can’t eat wheat. Today, someone brought biscotti to eat with the coffee, which we couldn’t have. So, tomorrow, we’ll have something, too.

Gluten Free Banana Muffins

You know, when something like that happens, the person who brought the goodies always feels like they need to apologize to me (and others) because I can’t eat whatever they brought. The way I see it, is that I am the one with the special diet, so it is up to ME to make sure I have something to eat at times like that. It is MY responsibility to make something to take. I always share whatever I have, because most times it is good, even if it IS gluten free, and I can let my friends and co-workers see that I am not being deprived because I have to eat something different. Something that is not doughnuts or biscotti. And this recipe is so easy and quick to make.

Pamela’s Muffins

1 1/4 cup Pamela’s Baking & Pancake Mix

1 egg

1 tsp vanilla

1/4 cup sugar

1 banana, mashed.

1/4 cup water

Mix all ingredients well, spoon into a muffin pan, bake for 22 minutes at 350 degrees. Done, and it makes 6 muffins.

Tomorrow, we’ll have a goodie too, to go along with that B.O.R.I.N.G training.

Filed Under: Daughters, North Rim, Workamping Tagged With: north rim, on the job, Workamping

Boots, Bras, and Barbecue

March 30, 2011 By Fab Grandma 7 Comments

When we got to town yesterday, I had a shopping date with my daughter, Emily and my friend, Suzanne. We went to the mall so I could shop for boots and bras. Yeah, my two favorite things in the world to shop for. Not!

Last year, we went to a shoe store in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, to buy our boots for the job. I bought Wolverines on the recommendation of someone who has worn them all their working life, and paid quite a bit for them. They were comfortable and fit the criteria of being brown polishable boots. But after only two months of wearing them on the job, they started coming apart at the seams. That left me to represent my employer in raveled, ugly boots.When I emailed Wolverine, they pretty much told me they were not going to do anything to help me, that I should expect some wear and tear on a pair of work boots. Well, yeah, but you would think that a pair of boots that cost over a hundred dollars would last more than two months. Even at the Grand Canyon. Especially since I am required to keep them polished and clean. So, sorry, Wolverine. You don’t get any more of my money.

Crafstman 6" Sport Boot

This year, I bought a pair of Craftsmen 6″ Sport Boots from Sears. They looked pretty good on me, were comfortable, and were on sale. I hope they last through the season. If they don’t, I hope that Sears will stand behind their product.

After spending half the day finding boots, it was time to shop for the dreaded undergarments. And you know what a hard time I have shopping for bras! I wanted to buy five new ones, but it seems that most of the women in this town wear the same size as me. With three of us searching, I could only find two bras in my size. Sad but true. At least I didn’t come away empty handed.

After the shopping trip, we all went to our favorite barbecue joint, Hudson’s. It was delicious as usual. I have to tell you about Suzanne. We met over 40 years ago when we were both working at Southern Bell. She was my first room mate when I moved out of my parents house. We kept in touch with each other for about 10 years but then lost each other as life went on. Then, a couple of years ago, we hooked up on Facebook. Yesterday was the first time we had seen each other in at least 30 years! It was really fun to see her again.

Suzanne, her husband, Bob, and me. She was my first room mate way back then.

My son in law Tommy and grandson, Spencer met us at the restaurant, too.

Emily and Spencer finishing up his homework

Spencer is like most other third graders I have known, and puts off doing his homework as long as possible. But because Emily is a teacher, she makes sure he does it. Here he is working on his homework while we waited to be served last night.

Emily, Spencer, and me

Filed Under: Daughters, Friends, Georgia, Grandsons, Life on the road Tagged With: boots, Family, Friends, shopping, shopping for bras

The Tote Bag Project Is Finished

March 3, 2011 By Fab Grandma 7 Comments

Military Uniform Recycled Into a Tote Bag

A while back, my daughter in law asked me if I could make a tote bag for her out my son’s old Air Force uniform. I told her I would certainly try. She left the design and colors up to me. This turned out really cute! I had wanted to use the waistband from the pants around the top of the bag, and put an orange grosgrain ribbon through it, but I couldn’t figure out how to add it without messing up the handles. Oh well, it’s still cute!

This is a large tote bag

When I received the old uniform, I cut off the pockets and the various patches, and reused them on the outside of the bag. My son’s last name on the pocket makes this a really personalized bag for Sarah. The pattern I had did not have that fabric stripe near the bottom, but once I got the pieces cut out, it looked like it could use a touch of color, so I added it in.

Lots of pockets inside

The bag has lots of pockets on the inside, too. And believe it or not, the whole thing is reversible, so Sarah can have two looks out of this bag if she wants to.

This is a large bag!

The finished bag is very big! She will be able to carry everything she needs for her two little ones in it. The straps are long enough to wear over the body, or on the shoulder. I am really pleased with the way this turned out. And yes, if anyone wants one, you have to send me an old uniform, and we can discuss what type of bag you want made. Price depends on what you want done.

Filed Under: Daughters, Fun Stuff, Sewing Tagged With: Life on the road, project, Sewing

Sadness At The Fab Household

March 2, 2011 By Fab Grandma 10 Comments

It has only been a couple of weeks since I announced that we would be grandparents again. My beautiful daughter, Emily told us after nine long years that she would be blessed with a new baby. She told me a few days ago that the baby is not to be. We both cried, and I wished like crazy I could be there to hold her in my arms and comfort her. I have been sad for her since then, and wanted to give her a few days to absorb her loss before I wrote about it. I know she will never forget that little life. Neither will I.

Filed Under: Daughters, Life on the road Tagged With: daughter, Family, Life on the road

Becky And Rafe Got Married

February 22, 2011 By Fab Grandma 12 Comments

I know you have all been waiting for pictures, so here ya go! It was the most beautiful wedding and we had so much fun! On Friday night, we went over to the Cornelia Community Center to meet up with Rafe’s parents and their friends Evelyn and Gabe, and Rafe’s Aunt Ann to decorate the venue and set things up. It was hard work, setting up tables and chairs.

Cornelia Community Center

We put out all the linens–table covers, chair covers, sashes for the chairs. Candles. Lots of candles. and tyed some more bows.

We tied all those bow! I think there were 85 of them.

The fireplace decorated with greenery and candles

On Saturday night, we attended the Non-Rehearsal Rehearsal Dinner. We met so many people, and met up with our daughters there:

Left to right: Emily, Becca, Me, Becky, the bride.

Me and my girls--I am in Mama heaven here.

I wish I had taken pictures of the food. Becky and Rafe made sure there was gluten free food at the rehearsal dinner and at the wedding. I felt so special just for that! At the rehearsal dinner, which was held at The Nacoochee Grill in Helen, Georgia, I had Shrimp and Grits with Grilled Asparagus. OMG was it ever good! FabGrandpa had Flank Steak, and it was so tender he could cut it with a fork.

Here I am with the mother of the groom, Nancy

FabGrandpa and I really hit it off with the parents of the groom. At the rehearsal dinner, Nancy and I both stood up and said our little piece, and we both got all choked up and cried. (and of course our husbands and children laughed at us!) We are both just so very happy for our children.

The primp party!

On Sunday morning, Jenna Carros from Charmaine’s Inc. came to do everyone’s hair and makeup. I went first. Jenna did a wonderful job and made me look stunning! She put my hair up in a loose bun in the back, and my makeup was not too much. I loved the finished look.

FabGrandma all dressed up!

When it was time for FabGrandpa to get all dressed up, his daughter told him “Dad, put on your black Converse sneakers and let me see how they look with your suit.” She deemed it appropriate, and said “That is so “Dad”.”