Skype ... next best thing to being there!

If you haven’t discovered Skype, you heard it here first and you’re in for a real treat. Gone are the days of talking to your grandchildren by phone and having them not know who you are. Last night I sang a song to my 2-month-old granddaughter and as her eyes were glued to the screen of my son’s computer, I actually think she recognized my voice.

Skype is the next best thing to being there, for distant grandparents who want to continue to be a presence in their grandchildren’s lives. It’s a simple download: www.skype.com and set up and you can then communicate computer-to-computer, all over the world, for free. If both computers have cameras, then you can both see each other in real time. If there is no built in camera, an inexpensive web cam can be purchased and attached to the computer.

Once downloaded, you locate the person you wish to speak to and add them to your list. When the person you want to call is online, the Skype list on your computer will indicate this and the person calling simply clicks on the name of the person they wish to speak to. Your computer then dials their computer. It’s as simple as that.

Skype also allows you to call a landline for a small cost.

This GlammaGrandma fully intends to continue singing to my granddaughter as well as read books to her. The older grandchildren enjoying showing me items they have made at school or the latest dance steps.

For those with grand-pets, Skype can keep them from missing you when you’re on a trip. Two years ago when I was in Japan for several weeks, I called home and “talked” with my dogs. My husband pointed the camera so that I could see the dogs and they could see me on the screen. (GlammaGrandma’s love our grand-pets almost as much as our grandchildren!)

Running Hugs,
GlammaGrandma

Must Try these Products ... they WORK!

As a GlammaGrandma it’s always nice to find products that work as they say they will, and make life easier, and enjoyable. I recently accidentally discovered 3 such items, in random places, and I must share.

The first is called “Grandma’s Secret Spot Remover,” and it’s a miracle. It comes in a 2.5 fl. oz bottle (so you can carry it with you on a plane) and it works on oil, grease, paint, make-up, grass, clay, inks, blood, baby formula, spaghetti sauce, coffee, rust, tar, fabric bleed, turmeric, betadine … and most any kind of STAIN! It WORKS and with only one drop! It’s also environmentally sage, biodegradable, non-toxic, and has no chlorine or phosphates.

I found this product at Hancock Fabric store and I’ve also seen it in an embroidery shop, but if neither of these are available to you, check it out at www.grandmassoap.com.

For wonderfully fresh-smelling clothes try Eucalan for a whole new spin on laundry. A no rinse, delicate, wash for machine or hand washing, this product is lanolin enriched concentrate with scented oil in lavender, eucalyptus, grapefruit, or natural unscented. One teaspoon per gallon of water makes this 3.3 fl. oz. bottle go a long way. This product was purchased in a knitting store, but you can check it out at www.eucalan.com.

I only know one person (my mother) who enjoys ironing. For the rest of us, it always helps to find a product that makes it easier. “Mary Ellen’s Best Press,” does just that. It’s a clear alternative for starch that has a soil guard and wrinkle resister. It also leaves clothes smelling like lavender. I purchased this at Hancock fabric store also, but the website is www.maryellenproducts.com.

So GlammaGrandma’s, give these products a try and if there are others that you’ve tried and want us to know about, leave a comment.

Running Hugs,
Glamma Grandma

You Can Never Have Too Many Books

Thinking about our grandchildren, a Glamma always attempts to spoil them rotten and this means we seek out the best of everything. I recently wandered into the local Borders bookstore and two hours later begrudgingly left with three bags of books… and a pretty penny spent. There are some “classics” that no self-respecting grandchild should have to live without and developing a good library for a baby starts him or her on the path to appreciating the written word. The following 10 books are on my personal “must-have” list.

1. Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown and Clement Hurd
The perfect bedtime book and even though you may have to read it more then
once each night, it slowly lulls your child to sleep.

2. The Runaway Bunny by Margaret Wise Brown
My daughter and I loved reading this book. I would always hold her just a bit
tighter and let her know that I would always be with her.

3. On the Day You Were Born by Debra Frasier
The child who is read this book will know that he or she is a significant part
of the universe. The parent reading this book will realize how wonderful their
new little miracle really is.

4. Good Night, Gorilla by Peggy Rathmann
Find the little mouse with the banana on every page.

5. Guess How Much I Love You by Sam Mcbratney, Anita Jeram
The perfect snuggle up book that sends the perfect message.

6. Wheels of the Bus by Jerry Smith
Can a child get through childhood without this classic song? This book captures
the popular song with wonderful illustrations.

7. The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
Children learn counting and the days of the week as they watch a caterpillar eat
his way through the book.

8. Dr. Seuss’s ABC by Dr. Seuss
I read this book so many times to my son that both he and I memorized it.

9. One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish by Dr. Seuss
Counting and colors are easy to enjoy with this book.

10. Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss
After reading this book you must make green eggs for breakfast with your child.

Running Hugs,
GlammaGrandma

Welcome Glamorous Grandmothers ... and Friends

As baby boomers we are hanging up our “mommy” hats and beginning to enjoy the fruits of our labor. We are now having the pleasure of watching our children, (who knew it all), show us exactly how “it’s done.” In other words, our children are having children and we get to be the adoring grandmothers. The best part is that we have kept ourselves busy with careers, volunteer work, hobbies, and travel. We have kept our bodies in great shape by being active and eating well-balanced meals. We are fashionable, fit, healthy and happy. We get to “play” with our grandchildren, enjoy the time with them, and then go home and enjoy our peaceful, fulfilling lives, while our sons and daughters enjoy chaos of parenthood.

Running Hugs,
GlammaGrandma