Leavin' on a jet plane

"All my bags are (almost) packed, I'm (almost) ready to go."

John Denver's song has been running through my mind this morning as I prepare and pack up for the Christmas visit to Bubby, Megan and Preston. Jim and I will stay the night with Andie tonight, then take off from DIA bright and early tomorrow morning. We're headed to the desert, where the temperatures are above freezing -- unlike this sub-zero crazy climate in which we've been barely surviving the past week -- and where my Bubby is waiting.

Years ago when I imagined what Christmases would be like as a grandma, this is so not what I had in mind. I envisioned happy holidays with the crowd of kids, grand and otherwise, gathered around as we sang carols and strung popcorn and oohed and aahed over all the bright and shiny gifts opened on Christmas morning, all of us in our jammies and sipping hot chocolate.

Okay, scratch the stringing of popcorn. Been there, done that, and it's really not all that fun, especially with little kids who keep poking themselves with the needle. But the rest of it always seemed so warm and cozy in my mind and so much what I wanted each Christmas.

But Megan and Preston blew my fantasy life moved to the desert. Which is okay, I gotta concede, since they're happy and making it financially (and not freezing their butts off, like we are in the mountains). And they've decided their Christmases would always be spent at their home, which is admirable and smart and the right thing to do for their family -- to establish firm family traditions from the get-go.

So our last few Christmases have involved a trip to the desert just before the big day, so that Jim and I can open a few gifts and get a few hugs from Megan and her tiny clan.

It's not what I originally envisioned, but what in life really is? And I'm oh-so thankful such a trip is possible. Especially this year, as Bubby needs not only gifts from Grandma and Grandpa, but he needs hugs. NEEDS them, I say.

And here's proof of that need:

Look at my feverish little sweetie, working on recuperating (with a little help from Roxie) from the "secondary infection" he contracted after beating H1N1.

This kid needs to 'rockie' with Grandma. Even if he is doing better. Even if he's now running around the house, dancing to Elmo songs, and chasing Roxie back and forth across the living room.

He still needs a hug from Grandma. Or more likely, it's Grandma who needs a hug from him.

So we'll soon be on our way, once I figure out how to pack all the gifts into our luggage. (Luggage I have to manage on my own, may I remind you, because we're still dealing with THIS!)

And it's the fact that the gifts must fit in the luggage that has given me a bit of a brain ache the last few weeks.

Bubby was only six months old last Christmas, so any gift I gave him would do. No big deal. But this year, he has preferences, likes, dislikes, and I want to give him the very best gift ever so he loves me more than anyone in the world smiles and grins and dives into playing with whatever gift he opens from Grandma.

But I've had a little trouble.

First of all, I found online a really great "Best of Elmo" dance mix CD. Bubby loves Elmo and he loves to dance. And I figured he'd love the CD. So I ordered it. But it's sold out, no longer available. Shucks. Strike one.

I also planned to give him one of those cool Hallmark recordable "Night Before Christmas" books that I've seen again and again on television commercials. I planned to even ring one of my many bells while recording, to signal to Bubby when it's time to turn the page. But I initially hesitated because of the $30 price tag and held off buying it. Until I found a $10 off coupon in my Better Homes & Gardens magazine. So I headed to Hallmark with a happy, happy stride, only to be told, literally, "Good luck wth THAT!" when I asked the bitchy sales girl where I could find them. "They're gone, no longer available. They're selling for $70 on e-Bay, so you can try your luck there." Strike two. Bubby will not be getting THAT this year (or ever, it seems).

Strike three involved a car playset I'd seen again and again in Toys R Us ads. I don't usually go to Toys R Us but figured I could pick up the playset anywhere -- only to find it nowhere ... online or IRL. After searching for a couple weeks, I broke down and went to Toys R Us. They had the playset. But it sucked looked like it would break soon after the first car rolled off the track. Bubby wouldn't be getting that gift either.

But I found another playset, a Fisher Price playset that I think he'll like. I even asked a young dad at Toys R Us, who was unlucky enough to be in the same aisle with me, but lucky enough (for both of us) to have a little boy Bubby's age sitting in his cart. So I asked Dad what he thought. And he asked his son, Brady, what he thought. He liked it, he really liked it. So I think Bubby will like it, too. I hope.

And I hope he likes all the other luggage-friendly gifts I've purchased, too. Here's the small haul I've gathered (minus the cool family gift Jim and I are giving but I can't include here because I want Megan and Preston to be surprised, since they'll be sharing it with Bubby):

I know it's crazy that I'm feeling so unsure of my gift-giving abilities, especially for a little boy who, years from now, will never remember what Grandma gave him for Christmas the year he was 18 months old.

But I will remember. I'll remember if he smiles, or squeals, or throws the toy to the side never to pick it up again after offering it to Roxie as a lovely new chew toy. So I really hope he likes them. We'll be opening gifts Saturday night, so luckily I don't have to wait long before finding out.

One thing I do know already, though: Next year, I'm having the gifts SHIPPED to him directly from any place I order them. No more luggage-size goodies for my Bubby. He'll be 30 months old next Christmas ... and ready for something bigger than what I can fit in my suitcase!

On to other things ...

First of all, there's still time to enter a haiku for the week! Here's where and how you do it.

And, last but not least ...

Today's question from "The Christmas Conversation Piece":

What is your favorite Christmas scent?

My answer: This is an easy one for me. I absolutely LOVE the Jack Frost (pepperminty) candles from Yankee Candle Company and usually buy a couple of the big jars when it's available during the holidays so I have some to burn now and then throughout the year!

The next Grilled Grandma

The next Grilled Grandma is my No. 1 fan and my No. 1 commenter here on Grandma's Briefs.

She's also my mom -- better known to Grandma's Briefs readers as Ann.

You may be wondering why I didn't feature my own mother as one of the first Grilled Grandmas. Well, as any editor worth her red pencil knows, it's imperative to have a backup plan for when a story falls through, leaving editorial space to fill. My mom has been my backup plan for the Grilled Grandmas feature since Day One ... which she knew and agreed to.

This week, one grandma I approached politely replied "No thank you" and another gave no reply at all. So, like she does in so many ways, my mama saved my ass helped me put my backup plan in place and stepped up for a grilling. Many, many thanks to you, Mom!

See ... even grandmas still need their mamas! I'm so happy to share mine with you. You can read her grilling right HERE.

Of course, if you know of a grandma who'd be happy to be grilled, I'd be happy to grill her. Just e-mail me her first name and e-mail address and I'll do the rest.

Today's question from "The Christmas Conversation Piece":

What's the biggest change in your life since last Christmas?

My answer: Sheesh ... there have been so many changes in the past year that I'm still trying to catch my breath. But probably the biggest change is that I've come to terms with the fact I'll likely never be an editor again after last December's layoff. I'm finally at peace with that and, although still in the process, I'm rather enjoying the reinventing of myself.

Five ways the Internet made me a happier grandma in 2009

I recently was invited to participate in a group writing project, coordinated by Daily Blog Tips. The idea is for bloggers across the globe to get together and write on a specific topic, with the posts being angled to fit the focus of each individual's blog.

The topic upon which we are to write: 2009 in Review.

As Grandma's Briefs is all about being a grandma -- with a few totally unrelated posts diversions along the way -- my year in review post should, I figured, be about being a grandma. And being an online writing event, it seemed appropriate to incorporate the Internet into my angle.

Which led me, genius that I am, to the topic for my 2009 in Review post: Five ways the Internet made me a happier grandma in 2009.

So here goes ...

1. As a long-distance grandma with 819 miles between me and my grandson, I miss out on lots and lots of stuff going on with Bubby. But thanks to Picasa Web Albums, Megan regularly shares with me photos of some of that stuff Bubby's doing. It's free, it's easy and it's my lifeline to my grandbaby. She can take some pictures, easily upload to Picasa, and I can download the entire batch -- or just those I like, but I love them all! -- and have each and every one on my own computer, for printing or daily gazing on the screen. Picasa makes me happier than any other app on the Internet.

2. Although Picasa allows reams of photos to be shared for free, sometimes it's awfully nice to see Bubby in action ... and the only way to share videos of my baby through Picasa is to pay for a larger account. And I don't want to pay, I like free apps. Sure, Megan could upload videos of Bubby to YouTube, but we don't want to broadcast Bubby, we just want a way for Megan to send me videos I can download to my computer. For free. So we turn to SendSpace. The SendSpace tagline is "Send big files the easy way." And it is indeed easy. Because of SendSpace I've been able to see videos of Bubby sliding at the park, taking a bath, wandering around in his crib while singing to himself and trying to avoid going to sleep. SendSpace makes me very happy.

3. Even better than pictures and videos is seeing Bubby face to face. The 819 miles between us prevent that from happening as often as I'd like, but because of Skype, I can see his face live as often as Megan and I fit it into the schedule -- and Bubby's attention span extends beyond 45 seconds. It's a fantastic tool for seeing new haircuts, new outfits, new words/sounds in the vocabulary. I wrote a post about Skyping with Bubby a few months ago. I envision Skype making me even more happy in 2010, as Bubby will soon be willing to sit down and read a book with me over Skype, versus having to taste and test every office supply on the computer desk or pull the webcam down to get a closer look.

4. I'm a reader. I survived parenting only because I read and read and read. I devoured any and every book and magazine related to parenting. Some were disasters ("Toilet Training in a Day" anyone?) but most were helpful and comforting. As a grandparent, I want to do the same. I can find lots of books but it's nearly impossible to find magazines specifically about grandparenting. While the AARP magazine is interesting and all, I want something that gives me the scoop and such only on grandparenting. And I found that in an online magazine called GRAND, "The online magazine for grandparents & the grandkids who love them." Go ahead and click on it. I'll wait here while you peruse the pages to see why this magazine has made me a happier grandma in 2009. (Just be sure to come back to read No. 5 on my list.)

5. Welcome back. Last on my list but closest to my heart is this blog. I was reluctant to get into the blogging thing (as you may remember reading about here). But Grandma's Briefs quickly become an integral part of my day. It has made me a happier grandma because of all the wonderful people I've met, people with whom I've maintained relationships, people who seem to truly care about Bubby and my grandparenting experience. YOU people, those of you reading this post. It makes my day to share this and that with you and to have you comment and care about whatever it is that I'm putting into pixels. I appreciate you. You've made me a much happier -- and better -- grandma in 2009.

That, my friends, is my 2009 in Review.

Now, as I promised I'd do throughout the holiday season, here is ...

Today's question from "The Christmas Conversation Piece":

If you could create a new holiday by blending Christmas traditions with those of another established holiday, which two special days would you combine?

My answer: I would combine the fireworks of Fourth of July with the gift exchanges of Christmas. Once the gifts were opened, there'd be spectacular fireworks displays to express the sheer happiness and joy of having given -- and received -- the perfect gift.

Swapping sweets

Saturday was my family's annual Cookie Swap, better known as a cookie exchange.

The Cookie Swap is one of the few extended family traditions that have withstood the test of time, with the first swapping of goodies having taken place 25 or more years ago. I say 25 or more because none of us are exactly sure about how long we've been doing it. But I do know that the youngest of my four sisters and two brothers was MIA from a swap at the time her son was born and she was living in Seattle -- and that son is now 24 years old.

(One boastful note: I am the only one of the siblings who has made it to every single one of the Cookie Swaps throughout the years. Which makes me the boring one with no life Mom's favorite child! Right, Mom?)

A different family member hosts the event each year, and this year it was Mom's turn. So six of her seven kids and most of their significant others, along with several adult and near-adult grandkids cozied up in Grandma's new house for a three-generation event.

It was a great time: great food, great conversation, great hugs and great cookies.

The swapped goods were fantastic, as always. I am so proud of the cookies Brianna and Andrea made, in particular. Brianna swapped a goodie called Cranberry Noels, packed with cranberries and white chocolate chips, and Andrea's offering was a chocolate dough wrapped around a Rollo candy, baked to create a chocolate-carmelly confection. Awesome bakers, these girls of mine!

For my part, I swapped the same damn cookie I do each and every year: Christmas Spritz. I've been making this cookie for about 15 years, and every year I consider doing something different -- and have swapped a different kind, the years we've done two kinds of cookies each (when the number of participants has been low). But cries of "It's traditional" and "But you've always made those" win out, so my Christmas Spritz Cookies were bagged up and passed around. (The recipe for these traditional goodies will soon be posted in my Recipe Box. I'll let you know when it's there.*)

So we all made it through the crazy day of baking dozens and dozens of cookies and the wild time swapping those baked goods, for a successful and sweet 2009 Cookie Swap. The only thing that would have made it better, in my opinion, would have been for Megan to be there, too. Although she always attended the annual Cookie Swap as a child, Megan has never been in the same state as the Cookie Swap since becoming an adult ... and I anxiously await the year she can be part of the madness Swap. But Megan did e-mail me this photo over the weekend, which is almost as good as having her and Bubby here with us.

One day Bubby will get to run around the Cookie Swap, nabbing cookies and hugs from his great aunts, uncles and second cousins. For now, though, I'll just take him a plate from my dozens and dozens, so he can try them out when Jim and I visit in FOUR DAYS! <Yay, yay, happy dance!> I'll swap Grandma's goodies for Bubby's hugs and kisses -- the best sweets ever!

And now for something completely different ...

Today's the day I announce the winner of the VisionQuilt Audio CD Folio offered up on my Giveaway page. And the winner is ... ANN! Yay for Ann! Contact me and I'll give you details on how to claim your prize. Congratulations!

And, not to be forgotten, ...

Today's question from "The Christmas Conversation Piece":

Which particular person that you've lost contact with would you most like to surprise with a phone call this Christmas?

My answer: My younger brother, the only sibling missing from this year's Cookie Swap. (But, unfortunately, crazy circumstances prevent such a call from ever taking place.)

*Update: My Spritz Cookies recipe is now posted in the Recipe Box.

Fave photo of the week

One reminder before revealing my favorite photo of the week: You still have time to enter the giveaway for the VisionQuilt Christmas Audio CD Folio. Details HERE.

Now, my favorite photo of the week (chosen this week; not necessarily taken this week):

The prequel: "Boys Who Stare at Goats."

Today's question from "The Christmas Conversation Piece":

During the holiday season, what specific aspect of being a young child do you miss the most?

My answer: Not having to worry about the holiday prep, i.e., gift buying, party scheduling, meal planning.