newspapers

This month we visited our Daughter and Son in law in Idaho. On their end table was the Wall Street Journal. Both of us thoroughly enjoyed reading most of what was in this paper, we found it to be current, informative, and pertinent to what is happening both in our country and abroad.

The first week we were home, Will subscribed to the WSJ and it arrived in our mailbox this week. The Forum, the newspaper we had subscribed to for years was coming up short. It seemed most of the articles were about area fringe groups, and contained little useful information. We started thinking of the Forum as a sister paper to the National Enquirer. We will most likely continue to get the Forum as Gramma enjoys reading through the funnies, marriage and engagement announcements, and the obituaries. But beyond that, the paper is basically useless.

We are looking forward to being better informed about the actual news in the country, money and investing, and being entertained with the journal section, which is a far cry from what we've endured with the Forum's newest 'She Said'

Thank you Blair and Kristin, we'll be so much smarter now 

Mystery

I was able to be with Elizabeth as she looked for a town home close to where she works. We had so much fun looking at neighborhoods, walking in different areas of town, and joining the realtor for walk through s of several homes marked for sale. Yes, Elizabeth made an offer on one of the homes, we are anxious to hear if the offer was accepted  :)

However, I got a call from Will, who was at home holding down the fort. He had Jason this week, as Jason had laser removal of facial fibroma. He also was the chief cook and  medicine assistant for both Gramma and Jason.

Will called to ask if I had purchased several packages of candy and put them in Gramma's dresser drawer. I hadn't, and actually didn't know she had a dresser full of candy.........He couldn't figure out where it came from and neither Gramma nor Jason seemed to know. What was evident, was that both Gramma and Jason were enjoying the chocolate.

When I got home, I went into Gramma's room to investigate. Sure enough, behind and to the side of the dresser  was a big box addressed to Gramma, with a return address from Washington. Soooo, the mail lady had brought the box to the house and must have set it inside the door-we think, Will may have been in the garage or office and didn't realize someone was at the door. Gramma-on her way to the kitchen, apparently noticed the box, read her name on it and opened it, putting all of the candy in safe hiding in her dresser drawer.

It is soon Easter and Gramma has all of the Easter candy she can possibly consume in the next couple of weeks.

Visiting Kristin and Blair

This spring, Laura didn't have vacation plans during Spring break, we hoped it would work for her to stay with Gramma so we could drive out to Kristin's. We hadn't been there for a couple of years, and knew a visit was long over due. We didn't say anything to Kristin, as should something come up we didn't want to disappoint her, Laura suggested we plan the trip, and just suprise Kristin. We needed to include Blair in our plans-so they wouldn't be gone. The drive was event free, the weather suburb, and it was wonderful to hug Kristin and Blair again.

Fixing Hair

Sunday evening after supper, Elizabeth asked Gramma 'Do you remember braiding my hair'?

'Oh yes' Gramma said, 'I braided your hair, and I also cut the neighbors hair for many years'.

I remember Gramma going over to cut Louise's, Mrs. Boelter's, and Sophie's hair, these Kruegers lived to the South of Gramma and Grampa. To the West-lived the other Kruegers, Ida and Hulda, and their sister Gussie.  Gramma would cut their hair, and give permanents as requested.

I mentioned to her, she should have gone back to school to be a hair dresser-but she didn't really like that type of work she said....

she was just willing to help out the neighbors.

I also can remember Gramma going over to Kruegers and helping put in their earrings. They couldn't see where the opening was in their ear lobes, so she helped them with this, too.

Gramma could do anything......Plow, milk cows, fix hair, grow a garden, knit, sew, and clean.

Company

We are very fortunate to live in a fun neighborhood. This past week we invited one of our neighbors over for dinner. They are also providing elder care in their home for an aging parent.

It was fun to see our 'gramma's visit, repeat, visit, laugh, and visit about the same topics again and again.

They laughted and seemed to enjoy the couple of hours together.

conversation about Hair

Thursday each week, I insist that Gramma have her "head warshed". So far she has had a permanent that seemed to last several months, with a permanent her hair becomes easier to care for and looks nice. We'll need to make an appointment for another permanent soon- this is simply one more thing she doesn't want to do but will thoroughly enjoy.

In the meantime we have this hair conversation every week.....

Me- Well, it's time to wash your hair, Gramma-

Gramma Defiantly-  " No it can't be, we just warshed it a little while ago!  Besides that-after it's warshed it becomes -  fly away and hard to handle !!! "

She always puts up a fuss when it's time to wash her hair....

Me- I'll get the shampoo and conditioner, you can get ready, you know you will always enjoy having someone fix your hair.......

I  get the supplies and set them by the sink, I know I might have to wait a long time until she is gets ready.  (usually during this wait I read a magazine, or start cooking)

As I wash her hair, she will say- Oh, look at that, my hair is getting gray...why don't you put some color in it??

Me-Well what color would you like, maybe red would be fun

Gramma- Oh No, we haven't had any relatives who have had RED hair...

Me-  Maybe brown, what do you think of having brown hair??

Gramma- Oh, my Dad had brown hair, but Mom had blonde

Me-  Maybe you would rather be blonde?  Would that be OK....

Gramma- thinking about having blonde hair- "It would sure be better than this gray hair I have"

We go into the bedroom where I comb in a mousse and Moroccan oil before setting her hair on rollers.

Gramma - Does your hair have any natural curl?

Me- Oh, a little, it seems to hold a curl for a little while

Gramma - My hair didn't ever have any curl, Gladys sure didn't want anyone to touch her hair, but I love
to have my hair combed.

Me- See it's not so bad to have your hair washed once a week, now is it ????

Gramma-  OH NO- I ALWAYS ENJOY  having someone work with MY  hair.........