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August 05, 2013

K minus 7 days, plus GRAND Social No. 64

August 05, 2013/ Lisa Carpenter

In seven days, Bubby starts kindergarten. I simply cannot believe it. How did we get from this...

Gramma meets Bubby — June 2008

to this...

Bubby and Gramma — July 2013

so darn quickly?

I have a feeling all grandparents — and parents, too — are similarly flummoxed by how quickly time flies. Bittersweet in so many ways.

Speaking of time, it's time for GRAND Social No. 64. Thank you for joining me!

link party

How it works:

All grandparent bloggers are invited to add a link. You don't have to blog specifically about grandparenting, just be a grandparent who blogs.

To link up a post, copy the direct URL to the specific post — new or old — that you want to share, not the link to your blog's home page. Then click the blue button marked with "Add your link" below and follow the directions.

You can add up to three posts, but no duplicates, contests, giveaways, or Etsy sites, please.

Adding a mention such as This post linked to the GRAND Social to your linked posts is appreciated. Or, you can post the GRAND Social button anywhere on your page using the following code:

Grandma’sBriefs.com

The GRAND Social linky is open for new posts through Wednesday evening, so please come back to see those added after your first visit.

If you're not a blogger, you have the pleasure of being a reader. Bloggers who link up would be honored to have one and all — other bloggers as well as readers — visit, read and, if so moved, comment, even if just a "Hey, stopping by from the GRAND Social."

For another grandparent linky, visit Connie's Grandparent's Say It Saturday Link Party each Saturday.

July 22, 2013

The Ultimate Life and GRAND Social No. 62

July 22, 2013/ Lisa Carpenter

Welcome back, and welcome to the last full week of July! Sheesh... Where does the time go?

Last week, Jim and I had the opportunity to screen a movie that I thought many of you might appreciate and enjoy. It's called The Ultimate Life, and it serves as the sequel and prequel to 2006's popular The Ultimate Gift — though it works perfectly well as a stand-alone story, so no worries if you've not seen the first.

One reason I think The Ultimate Life will appeal to many Grandma's Briefs readers is because one's legacy — what we pass to our loved ones — is a primary theme of the film. Other themes, all of which are good to reinforce in ourselves and in our families, include thankfulness, contentment, relationship, stewardship, and purpose. (Plus, Peter Fonda plays a minor character — always a major bonus.)

Here's the official trailer for The Ultimate Life, directed by Michael Landon Jr.:

The Ultimate Life, rated PG, opens in theaters Sept. 6. You can learn more on the official The Ultimate Life website and Facebook page or by following @UltimateLifemov on Twitter.

(Though I was invited to attend the free screening of the film with no obligation, I am obligated to note that I've received no compensation for sharing this with you.)

I look forward to hearing thoughts from those who see The Ultimate Life after it opens Sept. 6.

I also look forward to enjoying the posts from those participating in this week's GRAND Social! Thank you so much for joining me — and for reading one another's links and supporting one another in this crazy biz (or hobby) we call blogging.

link party

How it works:

All grandparent bloggers are invited to add a link. You don't have to blog specifically about grandparenting, just be a grandparent who blogs.

To link up a post, copy the direct URL to the specific post — new or old — that you want to share, not the link to your blog's home page. Then click the blue button marked with "Add your link" below and follow the directions.

You can add up to three posts, but no duplicates, contests, giveaways, or Etsy sites, please.

Adding a mention such as This post linked to the GRAND Social to your linked posts is appreciated. Or, you can post the GRAND Social button anywhere on your page using the following code:

Grandma’sBriefs.com

The GRAND Social linky is open for new posts through Wednesday evening, so please come back to see those added after your first visit.

If you're not a blogger, you have the pleasure of being a reader. Bloggers who link up would be honored to have one and all — other bloggers as well as readers — visit, read and, if so moved, comment, even if just a "Hey, stopping by from the GRAND Social."

For another grandparent linky, visit Connie's Grandparent's Say It Saturday Link Party each Saturday.

June 24, 2013

Your life... in jelly beans, plus GRAND Social No. 58

June 24, 2013/ Lisa Carpenter

Welcome back! Say yay for Monday! And say yeah to using your beans wisely!

Wha... huh?

Food for thought — sweet food for thought — for the start of the new week:

Use your (jelly) beans wisely.

And enjoy the GRAND Social No. 58.

Thank you for joining me!

link party

How it works:

All grandparent bloggers are invited to add a link. You don't have to blog specifically about grandparenting, just be a grandparent who blogs.

To link up a post, copy the direct URL to the specific post — new or old — that you want to share, not the link to your blog's home page. Then click the blue button marked with "Add your link" below and follow the directions.

You can add up to three posts, but no duplicates, contests, giveaways, or Etsy sites, please.

Adding a mention such as This post linked to the GRAND Social to your linked posts is appreciated. Or, you can post the GRAND Social button anywhere on your page using the following code:

Grandma’sBriefs.com

The GRAND Social linky is open for new posts through Wednesday evening, so please come back to see those added after your first visit.

If you're not a blogger, you have the pleasure of being a reader. Bloggers who link up would be honored to have one and all — other bloggers as well as readers — visit, read and, if so moved, comment, even if just a "Hey, stopping by from the GRAND Social."

For another grandparent linky, visit Connie's Grandparent's Say It Saturday Link Party each Saturday.

June 10, 2013

Weekend highs and lows, plus GRAND Social No. 56

June 10, 2013/ Lisa Carpenter

Welcome to the new week! I hope your weekend was grand. Mine was a mish-mash of highs and lows.

Canon Rebel selfie One significant weekend high? I participated in a workshop on using DSLR cameras in manual mode instead of auto. Meaning learning about the "three-legged stool" of aperture, shutter, and ISO. I'd read on those things, watched videos on those things time and again. But being all about numbers, which are not my thing, the concept just would not stick in my brain. Going over it in person with a pro finally made it make sense for me. The workshop was presented — for free! — by my pastor, who is a fantastic photographer (and blogger) who's more than happy to share his gift. I look forward to our next workshop: a field trip to a regional park to practice our new skills.

And a significant low? Friday night I learned my cousin — who would have been just 40 years old today — passed away unexpectedly earlier in the day, was found slumped over her computer. Tragic story, with the reason (we hope) to be revealed today once the autopsy is completed. She had a brain tumor removed in recent months, so that likely played into it. A brilliant light snuffed out too soon, breaking the hearts of many. Please keep her family in your thoughts and prayers. And cross your fingers for me too, please, as it'll be a busy week; family will arrive from Wisconsin for the funeral in the next couple days, with a few scheduled to stay at my house. I look forward to seeing my relatives, but the circumstances just plain suck.

Anyway... that was my weekend. And this is GRAND Social No. 56. Thank you so much for joining me!

link party

How it works:

All grandparent bloggers are invited to add a link. You don't have to blog specifically about grandparenting, but you must be a grandparent who blogs.

To link up, copy the direct URL to the specific post — new or old — that you want to share, not the link to your blog's home page. Then click the "Click here to enter" text below and follow the directions to add your post and graphic to the list.

You can add up to three posts, but no duplicates, please, and none you have promoted on a previous GRAND Social linky. And no contests, giveaways, or Etsy sites, please.

Adding a mention at the bottom of your linked posts, such as This post has been linked to the GRAND Social linky, is appreciated. Or, you can post the GRAND Social button anywhere on your page using the following code:

Grandma’sBriefs.com

The GRAND Social linky is open for new posts through Wednesday evening, so please come back to see those added after your first visit.

If you're not a blogger, you have the pleasure of being a reader. Bloggers who link up would be honored to have one and all — bloggers and readers — visit, read and, if so moved, comment, even if just a "Hey, stopping by from the GRAND Social."

Looking for another grandparent linky? Be sure to visit Connie's Grandparent's Say It Saturday Link Party each Saturday.

Thank you for participating in the GRAND Social!

May 20, 2013

Joe Cocker kicks off the GRAND Social

May 20, 2013/ Lisa Carpenter

Today the inimitable Joe Cocker turns 68 years old. In consideration of his birthday as well as the general spirit of our weekly link party here on Grandma's Briefs, I'd say the following song is the perfect way to kick off the new week, the ideal complement to yet another GRAND Social:

Happy birthday to Mr. Cocker! Happy GRAND Social to my friends! Cheers and thank you for joining me.

link party

How it works:

All grandparent bloggers are invited to add a link. You don't have to blog specifically about grandparenting, but you must be a grandparent who blogs.

To link up, copy the direct URL to the specific post — new or old — that you want to share, not the link to your blog's home page. Then click the blue "Click here to enter" text below and follow the directions to add your post and graphic to the list.

You can add up to three posts, but no duplicates, please, and none you have promoted on a previous GRAND Social linky. And no contests, giveaways, or Etsy sites, please.

Adding a mention at the bottom of your linked posts, such as This post has been linked to the GRAND Social linky, is appreciated. Or, you can post the GRAND Social button anywhere on your page using the following code:

Grandma’sBriefs.com

The GRAND Social linky is open for new posts through Wednesday evening, so please come back to see those added after your first visit.

If you're not a blogger, you have the pleasure of being a reader. Bloggers who link up would be honored to have one and all — bloggers and readers — visit, read and, if so moved, comment, even if just a "Hey, stopping by from the GRAND Social."