I did it! It was a long time coming and a bit of a mind bending paradigm shift but I did it!. I didn't go Christmas shopping. Allison gave me the clue and I took it as permission to rethink Christmas. I gave my 8 kids and 33 grandkids a part of myself instead and I loved doing it, every minute. They received a pictorial history of the first 20 years of my life including the Washinton DC years, the Atlanta years, the Las Vegas years , the Provo years and all the joys and trials that went with it. You would think that I had told them all of that but I am still getting comments like.."I didn't know half of the things you talked about" "See Grandma turned down her first love for a temple marriage and see how that turned out." "Dad's engagement letter was so dear." "When is the next installment?"
Well with 20 years per Christmas, I will be good for the next for the next three or four years.
For the Grandchildren, I wrote two children's stories and asked for illustrations from my little ones, big ones too. We have some pretty awesome artists in the group. The stories will remind them of people familiar to the family and all have a Grandmother's note at the end giving kind counsel to those I love the most.
Just think, no crazy Target lines, no parking lot woes, no decisions about who needs, wants, likes what. Just puttering around in my picture files and remembering the wonderful blessings of times past, doing what I have needed to do for years.
I recommend it. Skip the Walmart ads and just do it. Give a part of yourself next Christmas and go visit them with the money you have saved.You know, Christmas, up close and personal.

Christmas Questions

So the Holly Season is fast approaching and it is truly a great time to be a Grandmother, BUT there are challenges, issues and questions on how to handle the season with the least amount of work, stress and a drain on your strength and your retirement fund. When I was working full time as a librarian, it was fun to give my favorite books to each grandchild. That was when I had a handful of little ones. Now I have 33 and 2 more on the way so we have to rethink this practice, especially now with every cent assigned to its own pocket. I have talked to so many women who have creatively handled these problems, that I request the input of those who have walked this path to share your ideas. What works, what has been fun for you and your children, what about those who are lonely during the holidays, what are some meaningful activities that bring the true spirit of the season into your family, how can you give physically and still survive economically. What a wealth of information there is out there! .Share your successes
Subjects: Gifting, Recipes, Family Home Evening Ideas, Sharing your family with their In-Laws, Out of town, Knowing what would be appreciated....

Keeping up

Time distance and finances sometimes keep me from the close relationship that I want to have with my grandkids. Electronics are my best ally. When Allison moved to New Zealand, we hooked up with a web cam. It was one of the first out and not perfect, but we could see each other in real time and build memories of who grandma is and that she cares about me, even far away. The same device was a blessing while I served a mission in Brazil. After a busy day, it was a great relief to dial in to the everyday life of my little ones at home. Now we have blogging, facebook, texting and sending instant photos over the phone. I am the worst at texting but working at it. By the time I get 10 words down, I could have said volumes on the phone, but it it their medium and by using it, I show I am in their world, on their facebook, up with them, side by side. Grandmothers should not be relegated to the past. We are ahead of them and they should know it. My mother in law, Eva, always told me, "If I didn't think I was smarter than they are, I would have given up long ago" It may take some work to show it, but yes, my dear little ones, I am.