I'm Just Saying...

Sometimes the Universe gives us much more than we ever imagined we'd have. Like today...I have two biological grandchildren -- but today, the Universe decided I was to be the Neighborhood Gramma! Making peanut butter sandwiches and fruit punch Crystal Light for my two plus four more!! I had to pull out my paper cups...stood at the back door pouring punch and making sure everyone ate their whole sandwich before handing out a piece of lemon cake. Then along comes my dad - he wants to know what everyone else is getting that he's missing out on!! He wasn't too thrilled with PB & J so he went back home.

So far today I've cooked spam/potatoes/eggs/toast for seven (Krystal, Tashyra, Trevell, Mama, Daddy, Chris ((Rocky's boyfriend)) and myself)...washed and put away the dishes...assisted Krystal with giving my mom a shower...organized Mama's clothes...washed Mama's clothes...fed and fruit punched the neighborhood...and now I'm babysitting for Jaythan and Shelby!!!

Of course, I am not complaining....I'm just saying --

Peace...and I'm outta' here.

A little Poetry

My mom is a victim of Altzheimer's and it has greatly affected my family. My father is overwhelmed but extremely stubborn about putting my mom in an appropriate facility. So her life is fairly bleak right now. I'm pretty helpless to do much of anything, but I do what I can.

This poem came out of the pain that Altzheimer's inflicts on its victims and their families.

I DON’T KNOW

I don’t know how to tell you
I don’t know what to say
I really can’t explain it
The words just won’t obey.

They took away my car keys
And I lost my falling star
It hurts me when I realize
I can’t remember who you are.

I know that I should do “it”
But “it” just slipped my mind
I used to have so many friends
But they’ve left me far behind.

The man who sleeps beside me
Is someone I don’t know
My life’s no longer one I live
So I wish that I could go.

By Lisa E. Shepard
Copyright 2008

Peace all...and I'm outta' here.

My Loved Ones

I haven't explained why the title of this blog is "A Jazzy Gramma of Two Roses" -- My grandkids' last name is Rose...Trevell and Tashyra Rose. But this blog is not just about me and them...it is about me and all of my Loved Ones. So I thought I'd show you some pictures of the most important people in my life.

The first pic is of my grandkids, Trevell and Tashyra, with their dog (my 4-legged grandkid) Krillin. The second is my daughter, Krystal and my mom, Nancy. The third photo is my dad, Gerhard.
Finally, this fourth photo is of my roommate (and "adopted" daughter), Rocky and her boyfriend, Chris.

At this point in time, these are pretty much the most important people in my life...MY LOVED ONES>

Peace...and I'm outta' here.

Give a Day, Get a Day!!!

For those of you who have not heard about it yet, Disney is giving away vouchers for a free day at a Disney resort in exchange for a day of volunteer work! I did my volunteer work last Tuesday, January 19th - serving the homeless and hungry with Share the Bounty at St. Philomene's Church in Sacramento, CA. I got my voucher today!!! I'm going to help my daughter sign up her and my grandkids now so we can all go to Disneyland together -- FOR FREE!!! How cool will that be.

If you are interested in participating in this program, Disney is only giving out one million vouchers so you need to get on it right away. Go to www.DisneyParks.com and click on the Give a Day, Get a Day button...then just follow all the instructions.

Good Luck!!!

First Post

Okay - so this is the first post of my new (2nd) blog. My other blog is Gramma's Restaurant and that is where I post recipes that my family - mostly my grandkiddos - love. If you want to check it out go to www.grammasrestaurant.blogspot.com.

Anyway, this blog is going to be different -- no recipes. I think I'll share my poetry, bits and pieces of my recovery, everyday and special happenings, photographs and my musings on everything else under the sun. I used to maintain a journal at Open Diary.com but I think I like this blogging thing better. I also keep a hand-written journal - but the things I write there are much more personal....it's how I work through pain and record spiritual growth - for mine and God's eyes only...until I am gone from this earthly home.

I feel that there are few things more tragic than written words that are never read...so I sincerely hope that someone will find their way here and find what I have written interesting or entertaining. My other wish is that my grandkids will possibly become followers as they get older and will learn a thing or two from me, about me -- and themselves -- and the world as I knew it.

So that's my first posting...stay tuned for more and better!!!

Peace all...and I'm outta' here.