Grandparenting Category Archives :: Consider This

Hating Air-Conditioned Potties

Yesterday when I was pulling up her britches after she went potty, she said, “Boy, I hate these air-conditioned potties! They freeze my butt! Why do these people keep the potty so cold?”

And the answer I (my beautiful Bride) gave to her about the air-conditioned potty? Well, here goes:

“I guess these people want to have a high turnover in the potty. If it’s freezing cold, they can get people in and out fast. There aren’t any people outside the door waiting to use the potty right now, but if there’s ever a long line waiting to get in, we’re ready for them!”

She was happy with that, and when she’s happy, I’m happy too.
—Mama, July 15, 2010

Source: Caregiving on my Sweet Bride's Blog. This was a conversation she had with her 92 year-old Mom!

A Trip to Mama & Papa's House

Source: Mama lovingly created this slide show for our Grandchildren in September 2008.

Too Many Daves

Source: The Sneetches: And Other Stories by Dr. Seuss 1989 Random House ISBN: 0-394-80089-3 (trade)
> Read Too Many Daves online.

Isabelle Anna's First Birthday

July 5^th, 2008 was Isabelle Anna's first birthday.

Here's a slide show of her birthday photos.

Children Never Listen

children have never been very good at listening to their elders, but they never fail to imitate them.
—James Baldwin

Source: A Hand to Guide Me: Legends and Leaders Celebrate the People Who Shaped Their Lives by Denzel Washington, Meredith Books 2006 ISBN 13: 978-0-696-23049-3

Every Relationship is Different

If you've been disappointed by strained relations with a friend or loved one, you must realize that each relationship is unique. Don't let tensions with one person convince you that you lack the ability to be a good friend or a loving family member.
—David Niven, Ph.D. in Every Relationship is Different: Number 28 of The 100 Simple Secrets of Happy People

Researchers found there were no differences in overall happiness between those who mainly relyed upon friends for companionship and those who maily relied upon family. People have the capacity to create happiness from the relationships available to them and do not need all their relationships to fit an ideal image.
—Takahashi, K., J. Tamura, and M. Tokoro. 1997. "Patterns of Social Relationships and Psychological Well-Being Among the Elderly" International Journal of Behavioral Development 21:417.

Source: The 100 Simple Secrets of Happy People: What Scientists Have Learned and How You Can Use It. by David Niven, Ph.D. 2000 HarperCollins ISBN: 0-06-251650-7
See also: Country Inns & Suites by Carlson Read & Return It program.

Christmas Eve, Bandung, Indonesia

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugarplums danced in their heads.
—Clement Clarke Moore [or, perhaps, Major Henry Livingston, Jr.] The Night Before Christmas

Source: Garrison Keillor's The Writer's Almanac for Sunday, December 24, 2006
The original title of the poem, published anonymously in a New York City paper in 1823, was Account of a Visit from St. Nicholas.
See also:
The Definitive Bibliography of the Night Before Christmas
Children world-wide track Santa Claus [English language version]as he makes his journey across the globe.
Mama and I are spending Christmas with our two Grandsons, Alex and Asher, in Bandung, Indonesia.

To Be Grandpa

My grandfather was a wonderful role model. Through him I got to know the gentle side of men.
—Sarah Long

Source: Daily Celebrations: Favorite Grandparent Quotations