Gramma’s Life Lessons

One thing about watching my grandkids – the weeks sure fly by. Which, when you are my age, isn’t always a good thing. I’m realizing I need more exercise and physical endurance if I want to keep being GrammaSitter. By the end of the workday, I’m ready to pass out on the couch – sometimes feeling a little overwhelmed and teary. Especially when teething Granbaby girl or tonsilectomy recovering Grandson need all of my time and attention. If my husband wasn’t such a big help, I think I would have lost my Supergramma title a long time ago.

One thing I’ve done is moved my office and computer into the former spare room beside the playroom. That allows me to at least check my email and send a few tweets or Facebook posts during the day. The sun shining in on me has been helpful as well. Yesterday I took Granbaby for a walk in the cold, fresh air and she slept all afternoon as a result. That never happens and gives me motivation to take her for walks more often, regardless of how much I dislike the cold.

I’m slowly getting into a new routine and adjusting to my new life. Now watch, as soon as I have it down pat, circumstances will change and I’ll have to adjust again. At least it’s good for my brain.

How are you making out so far in 2010? Are you finding life more of a challenge? Let’s keep climbing together.

Technorati Tags: new routines, adjusting in 2010

Just when I was getting used to my computer-filled life in 2009, my routine has gone and changed again. Last year, my youngest daughter was on maternity leave so I had a whole year of freedom to work online, teach Internet related workshops, and try my hand at creating information products. Somehow those tasks managed to fill my days and evenings.

Enter 2010 and daughter is back to work. That means Gramma Me is back to cuddles and story time instead of monitors and keyboards. Grandson goes to kindergarten now, so he is gone every morning. I am one of a number of gray heads waiting on the kids as they file out of their classrooms. Grandaughter is a year old and spends her day toddling around, smiling and contented. Sure hope she keeps that disposition as a teen.

Trying to get into a schedule is my challenge right now. I’m not used to getting up early to greet the kids and am still in the habit of going to bed too late. My blogging routine and workshop presentations have been delegated to the evenings and so far I’m managing to get everything done. Although without my husband’s help I’m not sure how well I’d be doing.

I’m a little tired a lot more often, but I wouldn’t trade the times of being Gramma.  And the computer waits patiently for me.

How is your life changing in 2010? Are you learning to enjoy wherever you are in life?

Technorati Tags: new routines, life changes

The kids have grown and moved out. They’ve got their own families and their own lives now. So have I stopped worrying about them? Of course not!

To me, that 33 year old store manager is still my little boy and I have to ask him if he’s getting enough rest with such a busy schedule. That 42 year old lady with grandchildren of her own still gets a phone call if she’s got the flu. And I still wish I could hold her in my arms and make everything all better.

So I hate to break it to you, but your concern for your kids won’t go away, instead it will increase with the birth of each grandchild. I spent my whole morning the other day researching the Internet – trying to find out why my baby grandgirl has such a bad cold and what we could do about it.

Doesn’t matter if they live near or far away. I have both scenarios and it doesn’t make a difference. Especially now that I can see what my faraway kids are doing thanks to Facebook. Now I don’t have vague, what are they doing now, kind of worries, but ones that are more specific.

I have to confess, I have the ability to worry myself into the grave if I so choose. But instead, I choose to cast my cares on Christ. I am so thankful I can do that. Otherwise, I hate to think what I would be like.

Here is the second part of the video “How Great Is Our God.” Enjoy.

I’ve been watching some amazing videos from a series called “How Great Is Our God”. I’d never heard of Louie Giglio before, and science was always my worst subject in high school, but I’ve really been enjoying these videos. A number of times while watching, I was in tears at the awesomeness of my God. And at the fact that such a creator is concerned with us and all of the little details of our lives. Mankind is so seemingly insignificant, yet God loves us so much!

Here is the first video in the series. If you like, I’ll upload more later.

Technorati Tags: Louie Giglio, How Great Is Our God, creation video

Yesterday I heard some sad news about the family of someone I know online. His four-year-old grandaughter was killed when a television set fell on her. One of those accidents that you never think would happen to you or anyone you know. One of those accidents that change your whole life in a moment of time.

The tragedy reminded me of the day a few years ago when my two-year-old great-grandaughter slipped out of the house and somehow found her way to the family pool. Another moment in time that changed many people’s lives.

We didn’t think we could ever get through it, as I’m sure the man I mentioned is feeling now. But we did. We even learned to love again as God sent more beautiful babies to heal our hearts. But we will never forget our Sara, nor could any other child fully take her place. Her memory lives on in every area of our lives.

When we hear of these tragic moments, let it be a reminder. Not to be afraid of what the future may hold. But to grab all the memories you can from the present. To love while you can, hold while you can, spend time while you can. Then, should that moment come that changes your life, you can be thankful for those times you had.

Every so often, a television or newspaper ad catches my attention. Usually because it’s crazy even to me. Here are two for my “you’ve got to be kidding” collection:

1. Our local department store is now selling ladies pajamas that have been infused with vitamin E. Now whether that means they won’t wrinkle as easily or they heal any rips in themselves, I don’t know. And does the vitamin E soak into your skin as you wear it? Can you get too much vitamin E in your system with these pajamas?

2. This is without a doubt the most ridiculous tv commercial I’ve ever seen. First, one of those sketches that can be seen as two different objects comes on the screen.  A lady thinks the picture shows one thing, but a man sees something else entirely. The point is then made that men and women see things differently because they are different. So the product being advertised is also made differently for each. The product? ‘Depends’ adult diapers. Give me a break. I couldn’t stop laughing.

It’ll be interesting to see if these products sell better as a result of their unusual advertising. Seen any crazy ads lately?

I just finished two full days of training and now am a certified tutor with Laubach Literacy Ontario. It was an exhausting two days, but gave a good foundation for helping adults with literacy challenges.

The motto of Laubach is “each one, teach one” and tutors are partnered up with adult students who may share the same interests. I will be volunteering for two hours per week minimum for at least one year. Students and tutors meet either in rooms at the Literacy Group or rooms provided by the public library.

My preference will be involvement in group computer training, which is also offered, but I will be starting off one on one. Hopefully, computer skills can be woven into the reading and writing activities.

Since client privacy is a number one priority, I won’t be sharing any specifics of my tutoring, but you can go ahead and ask me general questions about the program if you like. Oh, and the tutoring is provided without any charge except for the odd workbook.

Technorati Tags: Laubach tutor, Laubach Literacy Ontario, volunteer tutoring

Eight years of what, you ask? Well, eight years ago this April, I started my first business. I’d gone through a government self-employment program and was excited to be opening a little computer cafe. A little over a year later, I closed it. Was the whole thing a waste of time? Definitely not!

When I opened the cafe, my thought was that people could come and use the computers to teach themselves programs with the many self-teaching cd’s I supplied. It would be much cheaper than taking a computer course and I would be nearby to help when needed. But I didn’t really know my market.

My target market were middle aged and older people who I knew from my research wanted to become more computer savvy. But I found out that they didn’t want to learn from a cd. They wanted a teacher beside them and step-by-step encouragement. Sure, it was nice to walk in and practice anytime you wanted to, but other than a few university students, most of my customers wanted classes.

I don’t for a moment regret opening that little cafe. I learned building codes for the space I rented. I learned health department rules when food is involved and what licenses I needed. I found out about the insurance I needed for the computers, not only for theft, but because I was responsible if a client accessed an improper site. I leased computers, got them networked, had signage and advertising done. A masters business course couldn’t have shown me any more than I found out that year.

Most importantly, I found out more about myself. I didn’t like sitting there, waiting for customers to come in. I didn’t like being open long hours every day. And I missed training people.

So at the end of that year, I closed up shop, found homes for the computers, and started training. Sometimes at my home, sometimes at a client’s, and sometimes a workshop in a community center.

Today, I’m still going strong (or as strong as a 60 year old can), giving workshops, creating information products, blogging, and marketing online. Am I successful? If success is measured in dollars, I’ve got a ways to go. If it’s measured in job satisfaction, yes I am!

Technorati Tags: computer training, lessons learned, business startup

I had never heard of the group, Il Divo, until I found their Amazing Grace video online. A lot of their songs aren’t in English, but this one is and I really like it. And the bagpipes are amazing. I wanted to learn to play them when I was a teen, but my grandfather said I wouldn’t have enough air. Someday I have to get to Scotland. It’s in the blood!

Technorati Tags: Amazing Grace, Il Divo, bagpipes