June 01, 2020

Some grand news amidst all the bad news

June 01, 2020/ Lisa Carpenter

So much bad news surrounds us lately. Most of it beyond bad, in fact. Bad news about the pandemic, about politics, about inexplicable injustices and more batters our brains and hurts our hearts pretty much every single day beyond anything we might have imagined mere months ago.

Yet amidst all that bad news, I have some good news.

Some grand news.

April 29, 2020

Flat Stanley Part II

April 29, 2020/ Lisa Carpenter

Flat Stanley Part II

Long, long ago in the pre-coronavirus days (okay, March 11), I published a post here on Grandma’s Briefs about the super time I had showing Flat Stanley around Colorado Springs. Camden had sent the character to me as part of a school project, with instructions for me to introduce Stanley — and ultimately, Camden’s classroom via a presentation by Camden using all the materials I collected for him — to the highlights of my city.

I did show Stanley the best of the Springs then returned him — and loads of literature and pics of his visit — just as instructed, for Cam to create his presentation.

Then schools closed.

April 20, 2020

Puttering and pondering

April 20, 2020/ Lisa Carpenter

Puttering and pondering

As stay-at-home orders continue, I find myself doing more puttering and pondering than ever before. I know many motivated grandmothers and others are using this time to craft and create in new ways but I’m definitely not one of them. I’ve found I’m not even crafting and creating in the old ways I did in pre-coronavirus days.

Nope, I putter and ponder … and watch out my window as …

Plus GRAND Social No. 387 link party for grandparents …

April 09, 2020

Getting to know you …

April 09, 2020/ Lisa Carpenter

During this time of physical isolation, video chats with my grandsons are for me, like with many grandmas, a saving grace. They not only let me see those faces my heart misses so — the long-distance ones as well as the one belonging to my local love bug — the sessions allow me to get to know the boys in ways not possible in face-to-face real-time rendezvous. Trying to keep conversations flowing provides telling insight … and some fun musical performances too.

April 06, 2020

Keep pushin' on

April 06, 2020/ Lisa Carpenter

Keep pushing on

Well, I’m about done with this whole virus thing. The social distancing, the masks, the not seeing my loved ones in person, the sheer sadness of the lives lost and overburdened healthcare workers trying to limit the loss.

Yep, I’m done.

I bet you are too.

Unfortunately there’s not a darn thing we can do about it … except plod onward. Things will get better. We just gotta keep pushin’ on.…

Plus … GRAND Social No. 385 link party for grandparents …

March 11, 2020

Snow day for Flat Stanley*

March 11, 2020/ Lisa Carpenter

Alternate title: Oh, the things that we do for our grandchildren!*

I don’t typically make comments or judgments about the physical appearance of folks who visit my home. Yet, a friend of my grandson Camden recently stayed at my house and I just gotta say, well, that kid was thin. Flat, in fact. So flat that the descriptor is officially part of his given name.

Yes, it’s Flat Stanley of whom I speak.

March 09, 2020

PAW Patrol!

March 09, 2020/ Lisa Carpenter

PAW Patrol

Benjamin has something to share with you: his love for a DVD I recently received free for review.

Head to my Back Room — where I post all my reviews — to see Benjamin’s sheer delight upon screening Paw Patrol: Mighty Pups Super Paws. (I simply adore that kid’s smile.)

GRAND Social No. 381 link party for grandparents

March 02, 2020

Little things ...

March 02, 2020/ Lisa Carpenter

Little things

There’s a quote from singer Paula Cole that goes like this:

“I think it's important to find the little things in everyday life that make you happy.”

Considering this photo of Benjamin that Brianna …

February 17, 2020

Beach boys!

February 17, 2020/ Lisa Carpenter

Beach boys!

A while back, Declan simply could not get enough of Disneyland and pleaded with Mommy for them to please go again. They did go again not long after … and again the beginning of February.

The fortunate grandsons also went to the beach — a definite delight for the desert-dwelling trio.

A definite delight for this fortunate grandma, too, who was on the receiving end of ...

February 13, 2020

Weekly pic: S.W.A.K.

February 13, 2020/ Lisa Carpenter

Valentine’s Day sentiments for my long-distance sweeties: confetti popcorn and corny jokes, of course. Sealed with a kiss and sent off with speedy delivery!