ask grandma j

2009-12-22T16:36:00.000-06:00

**Preface: Let me tell you about the lamest movie under God's Heaven. No, that's not the name of the movie, but maybe it should be. Just want to warn you that if you are busy, just go back to what you were doing because this review will probably be just as boring as the movie was.

Did You Hear About The Morgans? Please don't raise your hands....that wasn't a question, it's the name of the movie.

The Morgan's are a separated, married couple who decide to go out to dinner just because. Actually it's just because the husband is practically stalking his estranged wife, and she finally agrees to go out to dinner to shut him up.

They witness a murder after leaving the restaurant. And Meryl (played by Sarah Jessica Parker) is a high profile real estate agent with her picture plastered on magazine covers and the like. The killer finds out where she lives and yadda, yadda, yawn.

Because the killer made an attempt to kill Meryl, played by Sarah Jessica Parker, who will be referred to as just Meryl or SJP because people need to give Grandma J a break with these long names.

Really, do you ever see Grandma J spitting out her whole name?

Ok, so the authorities tell Meryl and Paul, (played by Hugh Grant), that they will be going to an unknown destination in the Witness Protection Program. This is traumatic, to say the least, for these two high maintenance NYC gaddabout towners. No cell phones, no computers, art galleries...... NOTHING.

The Parkers....yeah, that's their new last name, end up in Wyoming. Wayyyyy out in the middle of nowhere part of Wyoming. They are forced to live together in a small cabin with a couple of retired Federal Marshalls who live there. With only one small guest room with a small bed, Meryl decides to sleep on the couch.

This movie is chock full of old cliches for this "New York is the Center of The Universe" couple. There are plenty of attempts at humor ala Beverly Hillbillys and Green Acres type jokes, except they seemed forced and aren't funny.

If you are still with me...I will tell you all about the only chance this movie had to redeem itself.

That's right......Paul gets cornered by a bear!! Grandma J actually sat up in her chair, and waited for some action. The sad thing is, there's probably more excitement in the clearance aisle at Big Lots than in this scene.

I don't want to go into detail and give away the fun filled action packed ending, but let's just say it's predictable.

Sadly, Grandma J gives this movie only 2 1/2 cowboy hats out of 5.

2009-12-21T09:21:00.002-06:00

It's A to Z Monday
brought to you this week by the letter

C.....as in Coffee!

I want to share some vintage Coffee ads I ~~stole~~ found. Some are self explanatory, and some are just funny. AND...there were some that I decided not to use because they would be considered vulgar today....you know, how some words have totally different meanings today? Grandma J is all about being PC.

Let's start out with a bit of chauvinistic brainwashing and helpfull hints for the new bride, shall we?

I don't think the megaphone comes with it. Read the instructions on on how to open the can!

Who knew that caffeine was the devil? I don't know about you, but there are days that Grandma J thinks caffeine is her best friend.

Kelloggs jumped on the decaffeinated bandwagon too!

The A & P was all about elegance in the 40's and 50's. Good china...silver coffee servers...fresh flowers. Grandma J is almost certain these ads played a major role in molding Martha.

By the mid 50's everything was starting to take on an aeronautical flavor. Jet this, jet that! And be honest....was anyone convinced that instant coffee tastes better than fresh ground coffee?

The Council on Coffee started using celebrities to push coffee ~~down our throats~~ in a big way after WWII. Ok, so I'm not sure there was a Council on Coffee, I made that part up. In any event, the ads were usually generic and Edward R. Murrow was someone everyone listened to. This ad wasn't generic....but the next one is.

John Wayne....an American legend for sure. Maybe Grandma J is a bit biased, but she met John Wayne several times and he was a humble genuine man.

This is a lame comic strip...but then I've never found Charlie McCarthy stuff that funny. Maybe because Grandma J's brother had a Charlie McCarthy puppet and he would torment her with it.

George Burns and Gracie Allen....who doesn't miss them?

Don't you just love old vintage ads?

Please take a few minutes to check out more C words at A to Z Mondays! Go on, you have time...and if you please feel free to join in!

2009-12-19T12:12:00.001-06:00

Our Christmas Parade

small town in Texas style

Grandma J's granddaughter, along with her dance team, marched in the local Christmas parade last Saturday. The parade was starting at 5ish in the evening. It was a cold and blustery day...like in the low 30s....but hey, that's what it's supposed to be like in the middle of December. Cold weather sets the mood....Santa will be all bundled up and the reindeer won't be breaking a sweat.

Grandma J and company set up camp towards the end of the parade so they can meet up with her granddaughter for a fast escape afterwards. Now, it wasn't like we were at the very end....just a couple of blocks from the end. Don't you just love the front row seats? Oh, and yes, it never gets any crowder...um, crowdier. Oh heck I don't know the right word, except this is pretty much as crowded as it gets.

Grandma J's daughter and JJ are really into this whole parade, but for different reasons. Daughter can't wait for her little girl to pass by, and JJ....well, he likes horses and of course wants to see Santa and his reindeer....mostly the reindeer.

JJ gets focused...and starts doing his little anxiety shiver.......

Yeah, like this is what JJ was expecting? This was the only Santa we saw in the parade!

By the time Grandma J's granddaughter came, it was pitch dark out...with no lighting what so ever. So, here is a picture of her granddaughter in the car after the parade.

Yes, she's in her pajamas.....and yes, can you believe a dance team wore their pajamas to march in the parade?

Does anyone else have parades like this?

2009-12-18T09:22:00.000-06:00

Loving Texas

Grandma J wants to tell you a little something about her sweet friend Kat. Kat doesn't live at The Spa or The Compound because she's not old enough. And...Grandma J didn't meet her at Walmart or the Bingo hall.

Kat used to live in CA just like Grandma J. But, she loves her some Texas!

For so many people, Texas becomes the center of their universe in a big way! Kat loves all things Texas.....

click on pictures to enlarge
....all things!

Could this be in Grandma J's future?
Should she? Would she?

2009-12-16T23:48:00.000-06:00

Birthday Dinner
or....it's People of Walmart Night at Olive Garden!

It's almost Grandma J's granddaughter's sixteenth birthday. Almost because she will be in So CA for her birthday, which is this coming Sunday.

She wanted to go to Olive Garden, and what a relief that was. Usually it's Texas Roadhouse or Chili's. Italian is a good alternative, even though I don't consider Olive Garden authentic Italian.

We had a bit of a wait, so we took advantage of the tree for a picture of the Birthday Girl with her BF, Mark.

And one with her favorite brother, A-Ron.

Grandma J didn't want to use her flash and scare anyone but where do you buy pants like these?

And, because she's a chicken, Grandma J had her daughter stand by the wine rack so she could get a picture of the pajama lady.

Yea, I think she is enroute to Walmart after dinner.

2009-12-15T23:06:00.001-06:00

Better Late

...or maybe not

In case anyone was wondering. Grandma J did not forget about A to Z Mondays yesterday. It was D day...and she specifically decided to use DREAMS as her D word. Or to be more specific, one certain dream.

I can see some of you sitting on the edge of your chairs, bracing yourself for something steamy. Well, relax because the particular dream for D Day would be whatever Grandma J dreamt about Sunday night. You know, so it would be current....fresh!

So, Grandma J took a swig of Nyquil to relax her mind...and off to bed she went. Now, just so you know, lately the dreams have taken on visions of great wealth luxuries....

...like winning the lottery. But that's not what happened Sunday night. No, no dreams of wealth or ~~mink coats~~ fast cars. Nothing exciting or steamy as in involving sex.

In fact, Grandma J's dream was so bizarre she's embarrassed to even tell you what it was about. Actually it was about a who. And, the who was a man. AND, it was about a man that Grandma J didn't know, and didn't give a hoot about. Are you ready? Seriously, I have been putting off even posting this...but I'm sort of committed to this A to Z Monday thing.

Yes, it's JoS. A. BANK. Who the H.E. double toothpicks is he? OK, so I know if I buy a suit from him I get four pair of socks for free or a tie.

Do you know what I dreamt about him? This is the really bizarre part. I dreamt that I had to find his college transcripts or they would pull his ads off TV. I don't think I ever found them. So why are his ads still running? And who dreams this kind of stuff?

Anyone else have strange dreams?

2009-12-13T12:55:00.001-06:00

A Movie Review
The Princess and the Frog

Grandma J loves a good princess movie, and no one does them up like Disney. Come to think of it, no one does Princess movies but Disney….hmmmm.

Someone wanted to go with Grandma J to see The Princess and the Frog.

Yes it was Margaret. She destroyed Grandma J’s makeup drawer getting all dolled up!

And dressed for the frigid weather. But when they got to the theatre parking lot they noticed two busses chock full of preschoolers. This was when Grandma J decided that Margaret, in her delicate physical condition...being shop worn ceramic, had to wait in the car.

The movie was fantastic! Well, there were few surprises as far as the story line went. I mean Tiana was a poor girl in New Orleans, circa 1920’s. She was best friends with Charlotte, the pampered spoiled daughter of Big Daddy La Bouff (John Goodman), a N’awlins mover and shaker. As one might guess, Tiana’s mother Eudora (Oprah), worked for Big Daddy La Bouff.

Disney’s princess movies all pretty much follow the same theme. Good wins out over evil. Poor wins out over rich. All good, beautiful girls fall in love with a prince and live happily ever after. Oh yeah, and all frogs can be princes if they find a pretty girl to kiss.

I’m not giving the story away, am I? You can’t say too much about a Disney Princess movie without spoiling it. I will say that I loved the characters, and the music was catching and good…just like you’d expect. Ok, you do have to like jazz!

This movie gets four out of five frogs…because a perfect movie isn’t this predictable.

2009-12-11T09:41:00.000-06:00

The Other Elise
or...where's the beef, and...is this a raw deal?

* for the record.....it's not this Elise, aka Little One

It's this one......Elise Egan

This Dec. 7, 2009 picture, made available by the Marion County Sheriff's Office shows Elise Egan. The 53-year-old Dunnellon woman has been arrested after allegedly hitting a man in the head with a raw steak!

According to a Marion County Sheriff's Office report, the man told deputies that Elsie Egan repeatedly hit him with the uncooked meat and slapped his face after he refused a piece of sliced bread. The man said he wanted a bread roll. Egan denied hitting the man with the steak but did admit to slapping him, saying she did it "so that he could learn."

According to online records, she has been released on $2,500 bond and is scheduled to appear in court in January. It's unclear if she has an attorney.

Grandma J says: Elise, GF.....what were you thinking? Raw beef? If you use a three iron they don't arrest you!

2009-12-10T14:51:00.001-06:00

Some Potpouri

.....or spending a slice of time, on a typical day with Grandma J

Of course you all know that Grandma J gets up when the crow honks. Then she braves temperatures in the 20's to garner a spot in line at Mc D's to pick up breakfast for her granddaughter. The order is always the same...one number 8 with apple juice, por favor.

Grandma J hates it with a passion when the person in the car in front of her has issues with the amount of creamer in their coffee. It just makes Grandma J want to ~~reach for her three iron~~ scream bloody murder!

Normally Grandma J pulls right into the drivway in front of the house and lets JJ come for the ride...but on mornings that she has a full plate, she pulls up by the side driveway so JJ doesn't see her car and go bananas.

After dropping off her Granddaughter at school this morning, Grandma J heads on over to the Post Office to mail a huge box of Christmas presents to Andrew, Beauty and Little One...and their parents.

Do people dress like this at the Post Office everywhere? Or is it just Walmart and Texas? and yes, I know, post office shouldn't be capitalized...except here in Central Texas where it's more like a theme park.

Oh, and this package that arrived in the mail? The one someone opened my mistake? Some of you ~~nosey snoops~~ asked what was inside......

Sweet Pea! Everything Sweet Pea, from Bath and Body Works

Now please excuse me.....there's some trouble brewing in the 'hood.

2009-12-08T22:41:00.000-06:00

Shortest Post Evah
by Grandma J that is

I just have a quick question.....look at the picture below and be honest......

Who does this?

You know, who receives a Christmas gift in the mail and opens it right away?

2009-12-07T22:40:00.001-06:00

The Blind Side
....the review

Today was a perfect day for Grandma J to go see a matinee. It was raining, and school was in session, so once again she had the place to herself and was able to bawl like a baby.

Most of you have already seen The Blind Side, and if you haven't then ~~shame on you~~ maybe you should just wait for it to come out on DVD. This is a true story about Michael Oher (Baltimore Ravens), a homeless teenager who is taken in by a wealthy woman and her family. His grades improve and he is a natural at football.

It's definitely a feel good ~~nose blower~~ tear jerker of a movie. Grandma J liked it because it had a happy ending...and it was a true story....and because Kathy Bates was in it...a bonus.

Grandma J gives this movie 4 1/2 hankies out of 5.

Now, the next matinee Grandma J is going to is this coming Friday to see........

The Princess and the Frog! I only wish it was in 3-D.

2009-12-06T23:45:00.000-06:00

A to Z Mondays

Brought to you by the letter E

That's right, Grandma J decided to go with Entertainment for all her Friday Matinees.

To celebrate, she's going to a matinee today to see Blindsided. So many of you have recommended this movie, and Grandma J have been anxious to see it.

I'll be back with a brief review since several people have already seen it...and all seemed to love it!

For more E words check out A to Z Mondays!

2009-12-05T18:59:00.000-06:00

A Memorable Day

Making new friends.......

Shaking hands with her and her family.....

Getting three of these signed......

One for me, one for my well deserving daughter.......

And one for him with a cherry on top... because it's what he wanted for Christmas.....

2009-12-03T23:11:00.001-06:00

The Weather Outside Is Frightning

It hasn't risen about the mid thirties all day.

Tonight it's dropping below freezing....with a good chance of snow all day tomorrow. Guess what Grandma J will be doing?

She'll be camping out at 7 a.m. for the whole day at Fort Hood for a book signing at 6 p.m. It's what she does from time to time, but never in sub-freezing temps!

2009-12-03T00:34:00.001-06:00

Visiting The DMV

No matter where you live, if you own a car, you have to register it.   Here in Texas we don't have a Department of Motor Vehicles....or DMV. No sireeeeee, it's The Texas Department of Public Safety. And, besides that, you have to go to separate places for your drivers license and vehicle registration.

Grandma J knows she's boring her Texas Ke-mo-sah-bee's, but all this is still new to her.   In other words she's still learning the ropes, so to speak.

Last December, Grandma J bought a new car.   Then several months later she moved from The Compound to The Spa.   Here we are, and it's December again, and she should have gotten a renewal notice for her car registration.   Of course if she had bothered to submit an address change, she would have gotten one two months ago.

So, today it was off to renew her vehicle registration.   For that Grandma J likes to drive a few miles east to the town of Belton, Texas because it's ~~the county seat~~ small, and laid back.  There's no line, and only two people at the counter.   Easy peasy....$72.50 and off we go!

Now there is more to the town of Belton, Texas   that Grandma J likes.....it's a bit country, and funky.   Here's a peek at a few things that make it a couple bubbles off center.....

Let's start with this green house . It's on a main street with no parking, so it's hard to get a good picture. Grandma J loves it this time of year because the occupants go all out and put a red bow on the mailbox for Christmas! Don't you hate it when people get so carried away?

Now who doesn't love a car wash called Sea Horse Car Wash? Especially when the closest ocean is about 200 miles away. Don't you love the underground utilities?

But then again, what else would you call a car wash that had sea horses on the walls?

It warmed Grandma J's heart to know that here in the heart of Texas prayer is still allowed in public schools...but that's only because they purged spelling from the curriculum!

Amen

2009-12-01T14:08:00.000-06:00

Where's ~~Waldo~~ Crusty?

For that matter, you've probably been wondering where the heck has Phillip Johnny Bob been lately too. Well, without too much ado......they are alive and well, and just finished helping Grandma J trim her tree.

Phill was a tad jealous that Crusty was able to jump right up on the tree and frolick and loligag around to his heart's delight.....so Grandma J let Phil use her computer chair to gain better access.

They had a blast decorating, but Crusty as having a bit more fun thatn Phil. He loves teasing Phil with a pinch of his claws every so often...then scamper up the branches out of reach.

Now they are hanging out with Margaret in the kitchen....wondering why Grandma J didn't splurge and buy them a special Texas treat....

One like this! Does Hormel make party trays shaped like your state? This is yet one more Texas thing that makes Grandma J laugh.

2009-11-28T17:16:00.001-06:00

Conversations Between a Dad and.......
.........Elise

You remember Elise....aka Little One. The infamous ~~Walmart~~ Target shopper.

The diva who loves breakfast at ~~Tiffany's~~ McDonalds.

Well, she's had yet another interesting conversation with her Dad!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Elise: Dad, Knock Knock

Dad: Who is there

Elise (pauses): It's ME, Elise (with a look like Dad had forgotten who she is)

Grandma J has been busy cleaning and ~~coughing~~ putting up Christmas lights and her tree. What's on your agenda this weekend?

2009-11-27T23:08:00.000-06:00

Thanksgiving 2009

.....the homefront edition, with very little narration.

Toasting Dad!

A taste of the real thing Grandma J is so glad no one noticed the gravey in the measuring cup!

With some hesitation from A-Ron

Who survived it! neither one of them finished their champagne.

A bit of Facebook business

From almost everyone......

And then it was time for pie..

No matter where you go, you can't hide from your BF.....not when you have pie

Then you sleep it off....

With all your favorite GFs

Happy Thanksgiving!

2009-11-26T17:01:00.000-06:00

Thanksgiving Day in Iraq

Grandma J's son-in-law called to talk to us today right as we sat down to eat! His kids were excited, as was his wife. You all can just imagine how happy Grandma J was to talk to him too.

He mentioned that he had just emailed some pictures of their Thanksgiving celebration in Iraq...he said to share, so that's exactly what I'll do.....

"Hello all,

I hope you guys are having a Happy Thanksgiving, sorry I am not personalizing this email, but it takes forever to download photos to email out. I wish I was at home with you guys to enjoy some family time and food. My day started with a 5k Turkey Trot, most of the guys in the group picture ran in it. We had a good time. Then my Company and I had the opportunity to serve the Thanksgiving Lunch meal to the Soldiers. We then had the chance to break bread with each other. FOX News Live was in our DFAC for the dinner meal so if you see GEN Odierno talking to Soldiers a lot of them were from my company. Overall it was a nice day. Well, just getting in tonight...the day is almost over, watching the football game as I relax.

Well, I miss all of you and I love you. Say hello to everyone and if you can pass the pictures along please do so...

John"

John serving.....he loves his 1st Cav stetson!

John is on the left end, back row......but ya'll knew that already!

John is second one in on the left....but ya'll knew that too, right?

Right now it's football and nap time at Grandma J's. Updates from the homefront later with more pictures....and yes, JJ came over undercover. Disguised as a ....um, cowboy dressed like a dog.

2009-11-25T23:07:00.001-06:00

Wishing you all a....

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Grandma J feels so blessed this Thanksgiving for all the wonderful people in her life....family and friends alike. A special prayer of thanks to our troops who are deployed, protecting our freedoms.

God has been very good to me.

Now can someone please tell me....

....where the heck my turkey disappeared to?

2009-11-24T15:32:00.001-06:00

Staying Connected

When Grandma J's internet provider updated the area guess what happened? We had no internet at all for three days.

Lucky for Grandma J, she could connect to the internet on her phone....and read blogs on her phone, but she couldn't comment or post new stuff. How come that is? Of course her internet on her phone is through AT&T and not Time Warner.

So what has Grandma J been doing you ask?

Well she invited some friends to swim in the Spa's pool, which is heated year round. But they got a bit rowdy...as guys often do.

Then she went out and got her a turkey to stuff for Thanksgiving dinner. As she was ~~plucking the dickens out of the fowl~~ preparing her turkey, she happened to glance out her kitchen window...and this is what she saw......

Yep, that's right! Grandma J has a new internet provider! Thank you, Comfort Suites for the free WIFI!

Now please excuse Grandma J, she has go back and visit some bloggers and blisters and say howdy!
Then Grandma J has to call Time Warner and cancel her high speed turbo roadrunner.

2009-11-20T13:47:00.000-06:00

Born A Rock Star....
...or born to rock your stars

That would be my JJ. I know, I know what you're thinking... Grandma J is off her rocker...gone over the edge, Phase II!

Well, let me tell you a little secret. Everyone who meets JJ here in Central Texas has a true epiphany, a life altering experience.

Every morning Grandma J picks up her granddaughter at 8 a.m. for school. JJ comes along...riding shotgun, and keeping an eye out for the bad guys....it's his job!

Lately it's been cold real cold, and G~~randma J shivers to the bone~~ no one complains. So, for an added treat, Grandma J took JJ with her to the bank so she could make a deposit at the drive up teller...because it was too cold to get out of the car.

JJ was very intrigued with the audio video transaction...and immediately fell in love with the pretty teller.

And when Grandma J opened the canister for her receipt, it was apparent that the teller fell in love with JJ....altering her life forever!

Who's your rock star?

2009-11-19T10:52:00.001-06:00

Why Do Boys Go Last?

....because they are gentlemen

Or maybe because they are the oldest, or because they love their sisters. Maybe it's because that's the way Grandma J planned it.

Grandma J took all three grandkids to the Fairfield Inn for a sleepover. This was Andrew's third sleepover there with Grandma J. And this year, because he is so much older, he decided to actually cook his breakfast at the free buffet. He waited patiently for his turn to make waffles on a real waffle iron...but the adults must have thought he was just an observer because they kept cutting in front of him. Grandma J set them straight.

On Grandparents Day, yes we are still talking about Grandparents Day, Andrew was OK with Grandma J visiting Beauty's class first because he's a boy, and older, and a gentleman. Besides, this was the fifth year of Grandma J visiting his class on Grandparents Day at Stoneybrooke.

This is Andrew's teacher.....and he thinks she's swell.

These two love each other so much....and have no problem showing it.

Don't you love the blue ribbon Andrew made for Grandma J? Wouldn't it have been even nicer if it were on right?

This is Andrew and Grandma J on Grandparent's Day 2005!

Andrew has a beautiful voice, and was the only boy to actually sing a solo at the talent show. He got a standing ovation!

Grandma J had a one on one afternoon with Andrew....just like she did with the girls. The difference is, Andrew didn't want to shop for clothes...no, he wanted a game for his Nintendo DS thing. Once he found the one he wanted, and believe Grandma J when she tells you he had a very hard time deciding, he didn't want to focus on anything else. He didn't want to go out to eat......

Because, he wanted to hurry home to put batteries in, and play with his Bakugan wrist thing...the other electronic gismo he had to have!

Andrew used to call Grandma J Mum before he could say Grandma, and it just warmed her heart that he put that on her medal, as her name, for all to see.

On Grandma J's long drive back to Texas, she noticed how all the other drivers on the road where looking at her blue ribbon medal with envy.

2009-11-18T10:03:00.001-06:00

Do They Think We Don't Notice?

Once a year you can buy one of my favorite flavors of ice cream. It's not the pumpkin pie flavor, or the Santa's Helper Scoop-a-Doop-o'-Poop. It's this one......

Peppermint Candy.

Just once a year, and Dreyer's has it in stores early for me this year. Next month Dairy Queen with have a Blizzard with added chocolate chips. Grandma J always tells them....hold the chococate chips, heavy on the peppermint candy, por favor.

There is a problem though. This year Dreyer's is trying to pull a fast one. Has anyone else noticed that their half gallon container is only 1.5 quarts? What is with this? Kind of like the coffee companys short changing us on their packaging.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Here's a little gem for you, courtesy of my son-in-law.

Daddy says 'Little One don't eat the crackers we are having dinner.'

Little One says 'I'm not. Just licking them' ....as she places them back in the box....

2009-11-17T12:45:00.001-06:00

BEAUTY...
...is more than skin deep!

Grandma J isn't exaggerating or being the least bit biased when she tells you that Beauty is beautiful beyond what the eye could ever imagine on the inside. Her outer beauty is a mere shadow of her brilliant soul.

Grandma J and Beauty go waaaaayyy back as bosom buddies. When Andrew was diagnosed with leukemia, Beauty was limited to just a handful of people she could be around...limiting contact with infections brought into the home. And yes, Grandma J was at the top of that list.

Beauty looks forward to the Fairfield Inn sleepover every year. And just like Little One, she likes some chocolate with her Wheaties.

No one, except Grandma J, was more excited about Grandparent's day than Beauty. You see, last year she was in kindergarten at Stoneybrooke Christian School, and the one question she had for her teacher at her "meet and greet" was, when is Grandparents Day?

She had patiently watched her brother go on and on every year about this huge event, and she was finally going to experience it first hand. But the school didn't schedule Grandparents Day at the usual time, and they did it with short notice, so Grandma J couldn't attend.

This year Grandma J attended....with bells on! Beauty told her it was the happiest day of her life!! She also told Grandma J that last year when all the other grandparents came to school she cried. Please pass me another tissue.

But this year was special for Grandma J too....because she got to meet Beauty's teacher. Did Grandma J forget to tell you that Beauty is the bestest speller in the whole first grade?

... and see some of her friends again.

friends that Beauty has been going to school with since the age of three at pre-school.
Then we went shopping for some accessories....and shoes....and stuff all about Selena Gomez and the Jonas Brothers. Can you say O.M.G.?

We visited an old stomping ground. Beauty and Grandma shared a cup of sweetness like they had done so many times over the years. Just like BFFs!!

Beauty ordered her happy face pancake for dinner....

The older, much more mature Beauty chose the one with fruit and yogurt instead of the one with chocolate chips!

Grandma J visited Stoneybrooke Christian School for their talent show to watch Beauty and her BFFs sing a Selena Gomez song.

...and shake their booties.

The morning Grandma J left to go back to Texas, Beauty got all decked out to say farewell after breakfast at McD's. I miss her!