One of my favorite blogs that I read daily is Sentiments by Sophia at: http://sophiacorbridge.typepad.com/sentimentsbysophia/
Sophia hosts many parties but one of them that I enjoy reading about the most is her husband's sibling family dinners. For each of these dinners Sophia creates table talk questions. As one of her blog entries she answered the October table talk questions as a meme. I thought I would do the same. So here goes:
What keeps your awake in the middle of the night? Not being able to sleep. Duh
What would people be "surprised" to know about you? I am very intimidated by rich people. I think I have some notion that they are better than me.
What creepy thing scares you the most…mice, spiders, bats or something else? Mice with bats at a close second. Bats really are mice with wings. Yuk!
What was your favorite Halloween costume ever? I was either a gypsy, a hobo, a ghost or a pirate every year. We never bought a costume or made one we just used whatever we had in the house. Canning jar rings were used as earrings for a pirate or a gypsy.
What’s your favorite fall food? Pumpkin roll with cream cheese frosting but I don't make it very often because I tend to eat the whole thing.
Were you a candy hoarder or do you eat it all up on Halloween night? To this day I can't hoard candy. If it is in the house it is in my tummy within minutes. What can I say, I love candy.
How old you do you think is too old for Trick or Treating? When they are bigger than me.
What scents remind you of fall? Cinnamon. I love the cinnamon pine cones.
Do you have any phobias? I really hate mice. I am afraid of heights & probably my biggest fear is of water.
On your worst day, are you more of a witch, a vampire, a ghost? A ghost.
If you could have a bottomless bucket of Halloween Treats, what are three things you’d have in it? I have given this a lot of thought and I am still concerned about getting it right. First if it could be anything in the bottomless bucket of Halloween treats it would be popcorn, Diet Coke with Lime & Sees butterscotch squares. If it only could be what is truly handed out on Halloween night then it would be Dots, Jr. Mints and Snickers with Almonds formerly know as Mars bars. I answered this differently at our family party but after much thought this is my final answer.
What’s your favorite “scary” movie? Probably “What Lies Beneath”. I am not a fan of scary movies.
Pick a costume and tell us why: Scarlett O’Hara, Dolly Parton, Amelia Earhart or a Witch Probably a witch. It just seems the most Halloween-ish.
If you could “wiggle your nose” and have an instant “material” wish, what would it be? New flooring throughout my house.
What’s your favorite thing about Halloween? Your least? I love that Halloween heralds in fall. Autumn is my favorite time of year. I dislike that Halloween involves so much sugar.
If you could cast a spell to change one thing about you, what would it be? The person who I copied this meme from was very inspiring in what she wanted to change about herself. She wanted to be able to be more productive with her time. Not me. It is all about the physical here. I just want to have a flat stomach & I wouldn't mind having some of the wrinkles disappear.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Last month Marci and I were enjoying a little mother daughter bonding at the jewelry counter at Macys. Marci was looking specifically for a red necklace for the Fourth of July. There was a rather ugly piece but it was red and on sale so I tried it on to see if it looked any better on than it did off. It really was a hideous piece I am not sure what I was thinking. We continued our search. As I was looking at more red necklaces my very classy California cousin, Karen happens by. I haven’t seen Karen since September and I was really enjoying catching up with her when Marci all of a sudden says “Mom are you planning on stealing that necklace”. Confused I reached up and felt the hideous red abomination on my neck. A little frantic I ran to where I had put a necklace back on display sure enough there was my beautiful necklace.
One would think that I would be embarrassed that I had been caught doing something so dumb but all I can think about is that Karen saw me in that hideous necklace. She must think I have horrible taste.
One would think that I would be embarrassed that I had been caught doing something so dumb but all I can think about is that Karen saw me in that hideous necklace. She must think I have horrible taste.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Thirteenager
Abby Arnell turned 13 years old on June 1, 2009. What a beautiful young lady. I thought that turning 12 made you a teenager but she told me "duh, is twelve a teen".
I have always had a soft spot in my heart for my firstborn grandchild. I love that Abby is the one who taught me how to be a grandma, something she is still helping me to try and get right.
To say that Abby is talented may be an understatement. She is beautiful, brilliant and has just the right amount of sass. Earlier this month as I attended her dance recital I was overcome with her stage presence and her talent as a dancer. Marci commented that she looked like she was having a really good time dancing. Whether it is tackling homework, helping a sibling, hiking a mountain, running a race, riding a steer or performing a dance, piano or violin piece Abby seems to know how to have a good time.
One of my favorite sayings is to “find joy in the journey”. I think that Abby is an example of this. Thank you Abby for reminding how fun life should be!
Love you,
Gramnell
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Marvelous Mother’s Day
My first Mother’s Day greeting was from my little brother and in the text he said “Your Brandon is a true HERO”. Intrigued I asked him to tell me more. Roger told me that Brandon had spent Saturday evening from 8:30 until midnight extracting water from the home of a little old lady in Roger’s neighborhood. Then Rog added that Brandon seemed happy to do it. I don’t think that I could have asked for a better beginning to my Mother’s Day. Every mom loves to hear about their children’s kindness.
Next I spent a fair amount of time in the kitchen just making some of my favorites. Angie had invited us to her home for dinner and had only asked me to bring rolls and dessert. Lately I have had this obsession with berry lettuce salad so I made that and I was craving Jill’s spaghetti salad so I made that too. Dennis teased me about bringing the dinner when we were invited to Angie’s but I only made what I wanted to so I felt like I was just spoiling myself for Mother’s Day. Kurt grilled yummy teriyaki chicken & Angie’s corn and bean salad was delicious! Great yummy meal! I believe my Tueller genes are true to form in me. I love to create, eat and even read & write about good food.
Hearing from each of my children was the best. I missed Ty’s call from Argentina but I told him I actually think it was better for me that I got his voice on voicemail. I miss my baby boy. Adam was the first of my sons I spoke with & he told me that Camden had something he wanted to tell me. I assumed he had done well at his T-ball game and was expecting to hear about a great hit or play. I was so surprised when he informed me that his mommy was going to have a baby. Literally not ten minutes later I got a call from Travis and as the call was winding done he said “Well mom I have some news”. For a moment I was worried that maybe his job had been dissolved. Then he told me that Heather is expecting! I am not sure if it was the surprise of the announcements, the timing or the sentimentality of the day but I was overcome with gratitude. Two more beautiful grandbabies, joy!
Brandon’s call was the last of my day and he reminded me of when he was in high school and playing soccer that I would make chocolate chip cookies for the team and take them up to his locker at school. What a fun memory for him to share. It made me feel loved that he would remember that.
Last but not least in church instead of giving us a flower they gave us Sees chocolates. I ate chocolate in Sunday school – Marvelous Mother’s Day? I think so!
Next I spent a fair amount of time in the kitchen just making some of my favorites. Angie had invited us to her home for dinner and had only asked me to bring rolls and dessert. Lately I have had this obsession with berry lettuce salad so I made that and I was craving Jill’s spaghetti salad so I made that too. Dennis teased me about bringing the dinner when we were invited to Angie’s but I only made what I wanted to so I felt like I was just spoiling myself for Mother’s Day. Kurt grilled yummy teriyaki chicken & Angie’s corn and bean salad was delicious! Great yummy meal! I believe my Tueller genes are true to form in me. I love to create, eat and even read & write about good food.
Hearing from each of my children was the best. I missed Ty’s call from Argentina but I told him I actually think it was better for me that I got his voice on voicemail. I miss my baby boy. Adam was the first of my sons I spoke with & he told me that Camden had something he wanted to tell me. I assumed he had done well at his T-ball game and was expecting to hear about a great hit or play. I was so surprised when he informed me that his mommy was going to have a baby. Literally not ten minutes later I got a call from Travis and as the call was winding done he said “Well mom I have some news”. For a moment I was worried that maybe his job had been dissolved. Then he told me that Heather is expecting! I am not sure if it was the surprise of the announcements, the timing or the sentimentality of the day but I was overcome with gratitude. Two more beautiful grandbabies, joy!
Brandon’s call was the last of my day and he reminded me of when he was in high school and playing soccer that I would make chocolate chip cookies for the team and take them up to his locker at school. What a fun memory for him to share. It made me feel loved that he would remember that.
Last but not least in church instead of giving us a flower they gave us Sees chocolates. I ate chocolate in Sunday school – Marvelous Mother’s Day? I think so!
Sunday, March 8, 2009
76 Trombones
One of my gorgeous granddaughters, Phoebe Jane Arnell, is currently starring as Amaryllis in the production, Music Man. Every time I heard the name of the title I would be triggered to thoughts of my father singing 76 Trombones and strutting around the house. I am sure my loved ones got tired of me saying “Music Man is one of my father's favorites” as if it was the first time I had said that. Little did I know what the play was going to do for me. Of course I was mesmerized by Phoebe's brilliant performance. Her lines were delivered with perfection and her duet with Marion the librarian was beautifully harmonized. With her long thick braids hanging well past her waist she really looked like she was from the era. Her costumes were cute and her two cousins who came with me that evening couldn't say enough times what a great actress Phoebe was. To say I enjoyed the play is an understatement. As each song was performed I realized how familiar it was and that was because dad had sung it. Whether a love song, such as, "Till There Was You", "Goodnight, My Someone", or one of the silly songs like, "Ya Got Trouble", "Wells Fargo Wagon", or the resounding "76 Trombones", each song flooded me with memories of my father.
I had realized before going up to the play that it was the six month anniversary of mom's passing and I had been a little reflective all week missing my parents, but that evening sitting in the theater I realized again what a loving, fun home I had grown up in. I lost my father when he was only 49 years of age and I was 17. I have experienced the healing of time but I also grow more homesick for my loved ones.
Loving and missing you mom and dad.
Love, (your baby girl)
Debbie Sue
I had realized before going up to the play that it was the six month anniversary of mom's passing and I had been a little reflective all week missing my parents, but that evening sitting in the theater I realized again what a loving, fun home I had grown up in. I lost my father when he was only 49 years of age and I was 17. I have experienced the healing of time but I also grow more homesick for my loved ones.
Loving and missing you mom and dad.
Love, (your baby girl)
Debbie Sue
Monday, March 2, 2009
Belated Birthdays
Three more birthdays come & gone. Will, Chloe & Torin celebrated birthdays in January and February. Chloe turned 8 this year & the 2 boys 7. I love watching my beautiful grandchildren growing & becoming independent little people.
John William Arnell, born January 18, 2002, was my first grandchild to create deja vu for me. He looked so much like Brandon as a baby and toddler that I often felt like I was looking at my own son. Will is an agrarian from a former era. He knows more about gardening than most adults. He helps Pop, his maternal grandfather, with one of the most amazing gardens you will ever see. Will takes great pride in his produce and loves eating the bounty almost as much as nurturing his crops. Will and Pop have been best buds for as long as I can remember. They are two peas in a pod. Pleasant, kind, hard working, serving others, a fun sense of humor & focused would be words I would use to describe Will & those words can be applied to Pop & to Brandon as well. They each are great examples to me of what I would like to become. Will, Pop & Brandon - three of the sweetest peas in a pod!
Our little Chloe entered this world on January 25, 2001. Chloe is an energetic, beautiful girl. She is a dancer, a singer, a performer. It is hard to be objective as a grandma but I sure think Chloe is very talented! Like Adam, her dad, everything she does she does well. Chloe’s Grandma Warnick is very involved with the organization, Mother’s Without Borders, and she hosts an annual boutique as a fund raiser for that organization. The bracelets Chloe makes are one of the hottest items there. She makes more each year just to try and keep up with the demand. What a wonderful compassionate granddaughter I have! Chloe is a polite, appreciative young lady. She always remembers to say thank you and I love the cute thank you notes she always sends. Chloe is a great big sister and a wonderful big cousin. She loves helping with the smaller cousins and is a great help at our family parties and sleepovers.
When Torin Argyle Anderson, was born on 2/22/02, he had a little rocky road. Torin was born with fluid in his lungs so he had to come home from the hospital with an IV. That rough start hasn’t slowed Torin down in the least. He is as active as any 7 year old can be. To watch him play the Wii you would think that it is a contact game. He can dribble a basketball, pass a football & hit a baseball with the best of them. A few years ago when he had just turned 4 I went up to Sundance and got to see this little guy come skiing down the mountain. Thankfully, he had a helmet on because for what he lacked in skill he made up for in speed. Torin has always had a very tender heart. After Michelle’s first hyper guy she was thankful to have a more mellow fellow in Torin. She was even able to get Torin to sit down and learn how to read before going off to school. He is a sweet, smart young man.
I love my grandchildren. I know of no greater joy than to see your children become wonderful parents to the most amazing young people. I am thankful for the gift of being a grandmother. Thank you.
John William Arnell, born January 18, 2002, was my first grandchild to create deja vu for me. He looked so much like Brandon as a baby and toddler that I often felt like I was looking at my own son. Will is an agrarian from a former era. He knows more about gardening than most adults. He helps Pop, his maternal grandfather, with one of the most amazing gardens you will ever see. Will takes great pride in his produce and loves eating the bounty almost as much as nurturing his crops. Will and Pop have been best buds for as long as I can remember. They are two peas in a pod. Pleasant, kind, hard working, serving others, a fun sense of humor & focused would be words I would use to describe Will & those words can be applied to Pop & to Brandon as well. They each are great examples to me of what I would like to become. Will, Pop & Brandon - three of the sweetest peas in a pod!
Our little Chloe entered this world on January 25, 2001. Chloe is an energetic, beautiful girl. She is a dancer, a singer, a performer. It is hard to be objective as a grandma but I sure think Chloe is very talented! Like Adam, her dad, everything she does she does well. Chloe’s Grandma Warnick is very involved with the organization, Mother’s Without Borders, and she hosts an annual boutique as a fund raiser for that organization. The bracelets Chloe makes are one of the hottest items there. She makes more each year just to try and keep up with the demand. What a wonderful compassionate granddaughter I have! Chloe is a polite, appreciative young lady. She always remembers to say thank you and I love the cute thank you notes she always sends. Chloe is a great big sister and a wonderful big cousin. She loves helping with the smaller cousins and is a great help at our family parties and sleepovers.
When Torin Argyle Anderson, was born on 2/22/02, he had a little rocky road. Torin was born with fluid in his lungs so he had to come home from the hospital with an IV. That rough start hasn’t slowed Torin down in the least. He is as active as any 7 year old can be. To watch him play the Wii you would think that it is a contact game. He can dribble a basketball, pass a football & hit a baseball with the best of them. A few years ago when he had just turned 4 I went up to Sundance and got to see this little guy come skiing down the mountain. Thankfully, he had a helmet on because for what he lacked in skill he made up for in speed. Torin has always had a very tender heart. After Michelle’s first hyper guy she was thankful to have a more mellow fellow in Torin. She was even able to get Torin to sit down and learn how to read before going off to school. He is a sweet, smart young man.
I love my grandchildren. I know of no greater joy than to see your children become wonderful parents to the most amazing young people. I am thankful for the gift of being a grandmother. Thank you.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
2 Tag
2 Favorite Names: Amelia & Steven
2 Favorite Months: November & December
2 Favorite Foods (and you can't say pizza): Shrimp & Soup
2 Favorite Nuts: Pistachios & Cashews
2 Favorite Stores: Chicos & Macys
2 Favorite Activities: Shopping & Pedicures
2 Favorite Huggers: Make that 16 favorite huggers, my grandchildren - Collin, Torin, Brianne, Riley, Abby, Phoebe, Will, Lucy, Owen, Chloe, Camden, Alec, Nikki, Christian, Faith & Landon
2 Favorite Conversationalists: Debra & Lianne
2 People to tag: Michelle & Angie
Becky did this tag & I thought it was fun. So I chose to do it too. Thanks Becky!
2 Favorite Months: November & December
2 Favorite Foods (and you can't say pizza): Shrimp & Soup
2 Favorite Nuts: Pistachios & Cashews
2 Favorite Stores: Chicos & Macys
2 Favorite Activities: Shopping & Pedicures
2 Favorite Huggers: Make that 16 favorite huggers, my grandchildren - Collin, Torin, Brianne, Riley, Abby, Phoebe, Will, Lucy, Owen, Chloe, Camden, Alec, Nikki, Christian, Faith & Landon
2 Favorite Conversationalists: Debra & Lianne
2 People to tag: Michelle & Angie
Becky did this tag & I thought it was fun. So I chose to do it too. Thanks Becky!
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