WHAT'S IN A NAME?

While we were waiting to become grandparents for the first time, I did alot of dreaming about what our grandchild might be like and how it would feel to be a grandmother. Learning from my sister, my parents, my aunts and uncles, my cousins and friends...the unanimous consensus is that "grandparenting" is one of the BEST things to be experienced in life, (and some would say even better than parenting!)

Our biggest quandry at the time was "what will I want to be called by our grandchild?" So Vince and I went through the usual possibilities: Grandma, Nana, Grandpa, Papa, Grammy, Gramps (that choice was nixed by Vince right away). We finally settled on Grandma and Grandpa after Cailyn Grace arrived!

Who would have thought that after a year, the name Grandma doesn't seem to be working anymore. That's because Cailyn has decided to call me "Mimi"! MIMI!! We ALL thought it was so cute, the first few times she referred to me by that name...thinking it would be a phase. But it seems that MIMI is here to stay...and actually, I've come to love it! Of course, this child could probably call me almost anything, and I would love it! ;-) Right now, Vince is still Grandpa, but of course, that might change next month. If it does, I'll post an update!

Where I spend my time...

We are almost through the first quarter of the school year already, so thought I would blog about where I work. I'm starting my fourth year at Skyline High School in the east Mesa area. I have never missed working in the attendance office at Dobson High School one minute! That's because I now work 10 minutes from home and I work in a beautiful school library. We have about 18,000 books, a computer lab, plus 30 student computers in the main library. We have a magazine room, and a video/DVD room which teachers can access. We have lounge chairs for a reading nook, and a teacher's computer/work area also. This is where my desk is, right by the circulation desk.I enjoy creating monthly displays for "This Month in History" If you are wondering what the "mustard" means: August 7 is National Mustard Day!Everyone needs to know that bit of trivia, right? I also change and display books in this glass cabinet near the front door. The magazine room is visible through the glass windows above the cabinet. This picture shows the "back to school" theme, but now I have the Hispanic Heritage Celebration housed there. We also receive monthly creative arts displays from our District about different countries and cultures. Here is a sample one from last month.This display is about Afghanistan. I don't have a picture of our great lounge/kitchen area housed between the library and the audio/visual department. My co-worker Colleen helps me half of her workday in the library; the other half is spent in the copy center in A.V. I am so thankful to have a job, and to work in such a pleasant environment with great teachers, staff and students.

Sadness and Joy

The last four weeks have been difficult for our family, with joyful moments sprinkled in between. My husband's mother, Rose, passed away on August 10. She was a woman faced with many physical ailments but always maintained her independence with determination and a positive spirit. Her faith in God and love of family was inspiring and she will be missed by her family.



We were thankful that our oldest daughter could fly home from Florida for her Nana's services. Jennifer stayed with us for 6 days, and it was great to have her home for a short visit. Vince and I were privileged to help the priest at St. Daniel's plan the funeral mass, and we appreciate all the kind thoughts, cards, prayers and food brought over by so many friends and family members. Mom was under Hospice of the Valley's care for a year, and we cannot say enough good things about that organization. They were like "angels on earth."



Another joyful moment was on the day after the funeral(August 14) when our 18-month old granddaughter Cailyn came to our house wearing a cute little T-shirt announcing that she will be a "big sister" next February! We are very happy for Mike and Corissa, (and for us too!)



In mid-August our daughter Alissa was featured in the Go-Gilbert Magazine with a 2-page spread about her GGRS Concepts business! The story and photos are great, and of course, we think she's beautiful too!!



God will always help us through difficult times. He has sprinkled our sadness with joy! And we are thankful!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, VINNIE!!!

On August 5th my hubby, my honey, the father of my children, will be 61 years young!! Happy Birthday Vince!! By the way, you look too young to be THAT OLD!! I must have been a "child bride" when we married 34 years ago! ;-) In honor of your birthday I want to remind you of your favorite things....My wish for you is that some of these favorites will bring you happiness on your birthday. I've listed 61 favorites, in no particular order, and I'm sure there are many more!!
Italian food, cold weather, John Wayne movies, watching (or napping through) the game show JEOPARDY, flannel shirts, philly-beef sandwiches, baseball, rainy days, mountain driving, watching NCIS on TV, Joe's Real BBQ, ice box cake, afternoon naps, eggplant parmigiana, Dogs (not cats), Cabella's Sporting Goods, real maple syrup, Coach's Oatmeal, collecting old cameras and camera parts, watching westerns on TV, annual September fishing trips with "the guys" real butter, eating shell peanuts at baseball games, eggs "over medium," James Bond movies, reading the daily newspaper, family togetherness Italian bread toasted with peanut butter, watching Fox TV News, Jason's Deli, reading fishing magazines, Venezia's or Barro's Pizza, saving paraphernalia "just in case" it might be needed later, cooking with olive oil and garlic strong coffee with half 'n' half, going to mass early on Sundays, short homilies, going-out-to-breakfast on Sundays, dark chocolate, vacations in Montana or Colorado eating almonds, meatball subs, dark chocolate, flyfishing in rivers, float tube fishing on lakes, "french silk" Blizzards (not lingerie), stuffed artichokes, Greer Arizona, chocolate ice cream, large pickup trucks or SUVs, Lee's Ferry Arizona, crumb cake, M & M's, Cailyn's smiles for Grandpa reading and sharing trivia, applie pie, Durango Colorado, orange juice, NY cheesecake, whole wheat bagels, Whitefish Montana!

Remember age is simply "mind over matter"...if you don't mind, it doesn't matter! Happy Birthday and I Love You!

Helping Others

A couple weekends ago, Vince and I were able to help out my parents with two ceiling fan installations! They have always been there for us with helping hands during our entire married life, so whenever we have the opportunity to lend a hand, we are ready and willing!!

Coincidentally, Michael and Cailyn were available to come for a visit on the same day, so while Cailyn played and explored at her great grandparents' house, Michael helped his grandparents with a few computer chores and questions.
Cailyn thought the ladder was in the house to use as a "jungle gym"!

Cailyn loved Great Grandma's bed and hallway mirror.

Cailyn loved the "little doggy" pulltoy, a toy that all the grandkids played with years ago!
And she especially enjoyed rocking in her great-grandma's childhood rocking chair!

Great Grandma served a delicious lunch for the helpers, and Cailyn always enjoys eating!

Payson Getaway

Last weekend, we were invited to visit friends in Payson, staying at their comfortable and roomy home. It is always delightful to visit with Bev and Craig Douwstra. They are wonderful hosts, making everyone feel welcome and at home!
Their son Jeremy also visited that weekend with his cute little girls, Kylie and Emily. We met our friends, Bev & Craig, Janie & Lee Fucci, for breakfast at The Beeline Cafe, and shopped at the Farmer's Market afterwards. In the afternoon while the men enjoyed naps, sports and John Wayne westerns on TV, we girls headed to Pine to check out the cute shops there.
Saturday night is the traditional summer "concert in the park"! Everyone brings their lawn chairs, snacks and enjoys a live band concert in the cool mountain air under the stars! Another couple joined us: Lou and Tina Smotek, seated on either side of Janie & Lee in this photo. Here the guys are admiring the antics of Kylie and Emily! These three couples are all valley homeowners. However, during the summer, Payson is where you'll find them on the weekends!
On Sunday morning, Bev fixed a wonderful breakfast, including pancakes, bacon and fresh fruit! No weekend in Payson is complete without a trip to WalMart and the DollarTree store! Always looking for a bargain! Thanks again Bev & Craig, for a great Payson getaway weekend!

BUILDING ROADS

Now that Cailyn is almost 18 months old, one of her favorite things to play with at our house (besides the tupperware cupboard and reading books) is a toy that Cailyn's daddy and her aunts used to play with. Cailyn calls it "the road"! Grandpa or Grandma help Cailyn build "the road", and then Cailyn happily takes it apart! Such FUN!

She enjoys playing with the "little people" and connecting the cars together, but mostly Cailyn likes taking "the road" apart!