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fabgrandma is 10 years old — © Danil Chepko | Dreamstime.com – Birthday cake

Ten years ago, on September 6, 2006, I decided to start a little blog. At the time, my son was in the Air Force, stationed in England; my oldest daughter was living in Norfolk, Virginia; and my other two daughters were in Georgia. Fabgrandpa and I were living a nomad life. Our home was a 34 foot travel trailer. We worked at campgrounds and resorts, for whatever the season might be, then moved to a volunteer camp host job for the off season. It was a wonderful life.

happy birthday fabgrandma — Me and Fabgrandpa

You, my readers, followed us everywhere we went. From Gettysburg, Pennsylvania; to Urbanna, Virginia; to Helen, Georgia; to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. I wrote about all our travels, the places we went on our days off, the food we ate, things we did, our family. You followed along when I got sick and was in the hospital for over a month. I received so many pieces of mail that the volunteer who delivered it each day asked me “Who ARE you?” The fact that I got all that mail made me feel loved and so not alone. You were there when we bought our house, and through all the improvements and renovations that we made while making it our home.

To thank you all for staying with me, through thick and thin, through the good times and the bad, I am going to be hosting some giveaways just for my followers. If you follow me on Facebook, on Twitter, on Instagram, or on Pinterest, you will be able to enter the giveaways. I wish I could give each one of you a prize, because you have been such good fans. Thank you all so much, because without the readers, a blog is nothing. I appreciate you all for helping make my little place on the internet what it is today. Happy Birthday to Fabgrandma.com!

Choosing Grass For Your Lawn

Karen · 1 Comment

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Climate is not the only factor that you should consider when choosing grass for your lawn. The yard space in your home might very well have its own micro-climate. You need to have a good idea of what the general climate in your area is like. If you live in an area that is constantly raining, you should consider getting cool season grasses such as ryes, Kentucky bluegrass, and fescues. Micro-climates usually differ from the overall climate due to the presence of a larger object: mostly houses, but the objects can also include bodies of water, trees, or large areas of pavement.

how to choose grass for your lawn — Photo courtesy of klahouse.com

If you take a walk around your house at different times of the day, you will understand this concept. The east side of your house is usually sunny and warm in the morning when the sun rises. In the afternoon, the west side becomes hotter and sunnier as the east gets shadier. On the north side of your house, it may be cool and shady the entire day. Conversely, the south side may stay warm and sunny all day. This proves that each side of your house has its own micro-climate, which depends on the movement of the sun.

Different types of lawn grasses adapt differently to the micro-climates of your home. Therefore, you need to look at the micro-climate of your yard before choosing grass. Alternatively, you can just choose a blend of different grass varieties when planting a lawn. Using different types of grass increases their chances of survival. For instance if you have a yard with both shady and sunny spots, you should plant a mixture of fescues and Kentucky bluegrasses. This is because Kentucky bluegrass flourishes in the sun but thins out in shady areas. The fescues, which are shade-tolerant, will fill out the thin areas.

When deciding which grass to plant in your lawn, you should look into different grass types and the conditions to which they can adapt. The following list of micro-climates will help you to choose the right grass to plant:

Choosing Grass For Shade

If your yard does not get up to 4 hours of sun a day, it can really mess up your grass. In the absence of sun, the lawn starts to thin out and is prone to disease and insects. Your house, fence, and trees are the main culprits of shade creation. You need to find different varieties of specific grasses that can tolerate shade better. Some cultural techniques allow shade-intolerant grasses to survive in the shade. You can try to water deeper but less often, mow higher, fertilize less, and stop others from walking on it. Decreasing the number of seeds planted will also reduce the competition for the sun.

Choosing Grass For Sun

Harsh sun that reflects off a nearby wall may cause your lawn grass to dry out faster. You need to compensate by applying more water; this keeps the grass from becoming weaker and vulnerable to insects.

Choosing Grass For Heat

Warmth that is stored in walkways and driveways usually radiates into nearby lawns. Those parts of the lawn dry out a lot faster, making them prone to pest invasion. Such areas need to be watered more often to counter the effects of the heat.

choosing grass or your yard — photo courtesy of homealarmadvisors.com

If you want to take care of your yard properly, you need to have a functioning sprinkler system. When your sprinkler is on the fritz, you need sprinkler system repair services. Get it repaired as soon as possible to prevent your grass from drying out. Make sure that you hire a qualified person. Choosing grass for your yard based on the micro-climates there will go a long way in creating a beautiful lawn.

Groupon Is A Great Source Of Local Things To Do

Karen · 1 Comment

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This is a sponsored post, but all opinions are my own.

Have you ever had one of those days where you wanted to go out and do something but you didn’t know where to go or what to do? Then Groupon Things To Do is the answer for you. Did you know that Groupon is a great resource for finding fun, exciting things to do right in your area, no matter where you live?

Groupon Things To Do is the way find out about things to do locally, and then get the tickets or passes at a great discount. That’s a win win if you ask me.

Whether you are looking for movies, concerts, theaters & shows, comedy clubs, sporting events, the ballet, a massage, or a Japanese restaurant, you will most likely find in on Groupon, at a fabulous price. You might find a football game you didn’t know about, a bowling alley with charm, or even a circus!

Getting started with Groupon is so easy, too. Just sign up. It’s free to join. After you open your account, you can search for things to do by categories or by location. With Groupon Things To Do, you won’t have time to be bored again. You might even find an online soapmaking course! Now that is a unique thing to do that is useful, too.

We Depend On Depend® To Keep Our Mother Comfortable

Karen · 8 Comments

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This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #CaringMadeEasy #CollectiveBias

Our Mother is 88 years old. She has always been a very independent, strong, hardworking woman. She raised five children, and worked a full-time job for most of the years that we were growing up. So, when she started showing signs earlier this year that she was not able to do things she has always done, it was distressing to me and my siblings. She also started doing some things that if it weren’t for the fact that they indicated her mind was slipping, it would have been funny. For instance, I took her to a doctor’s appointment in April, and she had to give a urine sample. I was in the bathroom with her, helping her with her clothing. To my surprise, she was wearing five pairs of panties, with a Poise® Liner in each pair! When I asked her why she had on so many pairs of underware, she told me that she couldn’t walk fast enough to get to the bathroom and she did not want to wet her pants.

Mama was diagnosed with dementia not long after that, and we (my three siblings and I) had to make some very hard decisions. She was falling down at home because she forgot to use her walker. After the second fall, she was taken to the hospital via ambulance. Her doctor told us she could no longer live alone. So, we decided as a family to admit her to a rehab facility to see if they could improve her strength, while we looked for an assisted living facility to move her to. Last month, we got her moved in to a nice one bedroom apartment in an assisted living home just a couple of miles from my sister’s house.

Now that Mama is in the assisted living facility, she is wearing Depend® Fit Flex Underwear for Women. These disposable undergarments are easy to get on and off, so that if Mama remembers to go to the bathroom, she can just pull them down like regular panties. And if she forgets to go, she won’t be embarrassed in front of the other residents of the facility. If she needs help changing, they are easy enough to get on and off that I am able to help her, even with my disability. Depend Fit-Flex women’s undergarments have all-around leg elastics and a smooth, close-to-body fit. When Mama has them on, no one knows she is wearing them. They are soft, quiet, and breathable so that they are comfortable to wear.

depend fit flex womens undergarments — Depend in the Sam’s Club Pharmacy.

Depend® and Poise® products are both available at Sam’s Club, which makes it really easy for me to pick them up while I am shopping for other things. Sam’s Club is your one-stop shop for all things caregiving, including prescription refills, free health screenings, and health-related products. How do you care for your patients or loved ones and how can Sam’s Club help? Take a look at the Sam’s Club Caregiver page to see all the products and services available in the club. You can also shop online, which is a great time saver.

There is a sticker inside the Depend package that you can use to redeem at the Sam’s Club pharmacy for an awesome caregiver sample kit. I am going to get mine next time I go! And, if you download the Digimark app, you can scan anywhere on the Depend packaging, and it will take you to the Sam’s Club Caregiver website. How handy is that?

Mama has a hard time remembering family members. She usually thinks my sister is her mother, and she doesn’t remember my brother’s name. I decided to make her a Family Memory Book to tuck into a gift basket I am making for her.

To make the memory book, I looked through family photos on Facebook, and downloaded a photo of each family member.

**Next, I chose some pretty paper, and cut out frames for each photo using my cutting machine. I varied the shape of the frames to make the book interesting.

Cut the photos to fit the frames I cut out with my cutting machine. — I cut the photos to fit the frames I cut out with my cutting machine.

**Then, I pasted each photo onto a 6″ X 6″ sheet of colorful paper, and pasted a frame on each one.

To help Mama remember, I used a marker to write everyone's name. — To help Mama remember, I used a marker to write everyone’s name.

**The next step was to use a marker and write each person’s name on the paper, so Mama would know who they are.

I used a hole puncher to punch holes in the paper.

**Last, I punched holes in each sheet of paper, threaded a coordinating ribbon through the holes, and tied the ends of the ribbon in a bow. Now Mama has a small photo Family Memory Book to help her remember the names of her children and grandchildren.

The inside:

Do you have a friend or relative that needs a caregiver? Are you that person? What products or services help you the most? Do you have any tips or suggestions for helping someone with dementia remember those they love most? What items would you include in a gift basket to help their transition into an assisted living facility go smoothly?

Sweets for My Sweeties

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I think Grandparents have a right and obligation to spoil their grandchildren. For me and Fabgrandpa, that means having lots of treats around the house. Fresh fruit, cookies, cakes, and candies keep us and them happy – and coming back for more. I always like to have sweets for my sweeties when they visit. (Of course I DO ask Mom for permission before I give them to the kids, wink wink)

Colorful fruits

Colorful fresh fruits are sweet and tasty.

Nutritionist Dr. Rosemary Stanton recommends fresh fruit daily. Starting children early on fresh fruit introduces them to the bright colors and rich tastes. Fruits are chock full of Vitamins A, B, C, and E. And, the low-fat and high-fiber content promotes healthy digestion and reduces the risk of diabetes. I try to have a bowl of several fresh fruits available whenever the grandchildren visit. We like strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries, but I get whatever is in season.

Cookies

What kid doesn’t love cookies? I don’t get to do it often, but once in a while Spencer likes to help me with the baking a batch of cookies. I try to keep a couple of boxes of gluten free cookie mix on hand for times when we can get together. Because I’m the Fabgrandma, I add flavor and texture with raw oatmeal, mashed banana, and crushed nuts. Even raisins are a good substitute for chocolate.

Cakes

In my day, I thought carrot cake was a healthy choice because it included carrots. But, I have learned that the threat of childhood obesity requires attention to calories and fat content. Still, the grandchildren do love their cake on big occasions and small. One way I control their calorie intake is to make cupcakes, something they can literally get their hands around.

Again, I try to favor natural ingredients like fruit, nuts, and low fat ingredients. Better Homes and Gardens recommends a light, delicious Lemon Poppy Seed Angel Cake or an Upside-Down Pineapple-Ginger Cake with complex and rich flavors. Both avoid calorie- and fat-rich toppings with enough sweetness to please the youngest taste.

Candies

Of course, the Fabgrandkids love candy. And, I just can’t refuse them the occasional lollipop. If you are like me, and want to offer a little variety, you can check out all the other other candy options at Sweet Services. They offer a whole inventory of sugar-free treats so you can have a mixed selection of sugar-free mints, taffy, jelly beans, and licorice drops. Classic brand names like Brach’s, Werther’s, LifeSaver, and Dr. John’s guarantee quality, and you can be comfortable, even when the little ones sneak a piece when they think you are not looking.

Fabgrandpa and I are on the same page when it comes to treating the grandchildren. Of course, as all grandchildren will, they know how to manipulate each of us and “swindle” us out of another treat. But, we don’t mind – even though I may give them the “look” of disapproval.

I try to keep our offerings unique enough that we can discuss the health and nutrition of each item and recipe. We let them participate in the selection and food preparation. And, a final side benefit comes from the fact that Fabgrandpa and I can indulge in these guilt-free treats as well as the kids! Now that is a sweet deal!

Introducing Morti, The New Kitty Rescue

Karen · 5 Comments

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While all the health issues were going on in the last couple of weeks, Fabgrandpa and I decided to get another kitten. We wanted one that was at least three months old, so that he would be a companion for Rosie The Boy Cat. We went to the Haralson County Animal Shelter to adopt our new little kitty.

morti the shelter cat — Morti The Shelter Cat

Morti, short for Mortimer, is an orange Tabby cat with somewhat long hair and a bushy tail. He was the oldest kitty at the shelter, and his euthanization date was the day after we were there. He was also the friendliest one of all, actively reaching out of the cage to play with us. He is a pretty boy for sure.

The first day that Morti was here, there was a lot of hissing, batting of paws, and arching of backs on both sides. Rosie was not sure that to think of this feline intruder. This went on for about two days, then there were a couple of days of Rosie ignoring Morti, sort of like, if I ignor him he won’t be here.

On the second or third day here, Morti claimed Rosie’s bed as his own. This was not taken very well by Rosie. I am going to have to get another kitty bed for him soon. I know he was mad at me for this, I could just tell. I got the cold shoulder from Rosie for several days.

the new kittie — Morti stole Rosie’s bed. I never thought that would happen.

It has been exactly one week since Morti came to live with us. The two kitties are now at least friendly to each other. I saw them playing together this afternoon for the first time, and that made me happy. What do y’all think of our new kitty?

Cardiac Catheterization: Fabgrandpa’s Heart Surgery

Karen · 2 Comments

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When we were called and asked to come in to Dr. Rouse’s office just a couple of days after Fabgrandpa’s stress test, I knew it would not be good news. Doctors don’t call you that quick when it is happy or good news. So, when we went in and heard that Fabgrandpa needed to go for a Cardiac Catheterization, I was not surprised. The stress test was on Monday, August 8, the counsultation in Dr. Rouse’s office was on August 11, and his procedure was scheduled for August 18. Dr. Rouse told us that they would do the catheterization, and if they found any blockages, they would insert stents into those arteries. Fabgrandpa would be in recovery for 6-8 hours, and then we would go home. It didn’t happen exactly like that, but we are now back home after a three day, two night stay in the hospital. NOTE: Graphic photos are ahead, if you are squeamish, don’t click to read more.

Save Money With Groupon Coupons

Karen · Leave a Comment

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This is a sponsored post but all opinions are my own. #GrouponCoupons #ad

Now that Fabgrandpa and I are retired and getting Social Security, we have a fixed income. We have to try to stay on a budget so that we can make ends meet all month long. Some months it is hard to do due to unexpected expenses, or those pesky co-pays for medical care. One co-pay for a specialist visit is $45! And we had three of those in one week this month. It all really adds up.

To help save money and keep more of our money in our pocket, we use coupons. The Groupon Coupons can help save a lot of money because they offer so many. When we went to see our daughter in Virginia a few months ago, we used a Groupon Coupon for parking at the airport and saved over $50!

Now that we have two cats, we will need to start using Groupon Coupons from PetSmart. Right now Groupon has 52 coupons available for PetSmart! What a big way to save! Sears also has more than 150 coupons offered through Groupon, including $10 off of a $25 purchase, and one for $5 off of an apparel order. These savings really add up.

Groupon is free to join. As soon as you sign up, you can start looking for coupons from your favorite retailers. What are you waiting for? Go get your Groupon Coupons now!