Better Late Than Never

Yesterday was my Grandma's 83rd birthday. I meant to actually write this ode to her yesterday on her day, but I was at the Blaze-a-thon, a local BBQ contest which I'll write about later, with my family until late afternoon, then I went to a baby shower for my friend Mandy, and then I proceeded to take a two hour nap so blogging was just not on my agenda, but I'm sure Grandma won't mind if I'm a bit late.

This is my grandma back in the day. Wasn't she gorgeous?

And skinny? I hate her just a tiny bit for being that skinny, but I mostly love her so it's ok.

When I was a little girl I would go visit her and Grandpa for the weekend. Grandma would wash my hair in the kitchen sink. I loved it. She would also let me use her Estee Lauder body powder after I took my bath and I would put it on till I looked like a ghost, but she never said it wasn't ok.

There was always something so calming and soothing about being at her house. It was always quiet and cool and comfortable. In the mornings when I would wake up I could hear her and my Grandpa talking over their morning coffee and the sound of their voices was so comforting. Then I would go out in the den and curl up on the couch next to Grandma and she would "scratch" my arms and hands with her fingernails. I don't know why, but that is one of the best feelings in the world.

Looking back I wish I had visited more often, but I'm not sure I would appreciate the visits I did have as much if I had been there all the time.

During the summer visits we would all go sit out on the back porch after I had eaten dinner and had my bath. I loved that as well. I always felt a little scandalous being outside in my pajamas even though only my grandparents could see me.

I love talking to Grandma, especially when she's talking about kitchen type things because she pronounces some words so funny. Like when she says we need to make some ROOM in the freezer it comes out like this we need to make some RUM in the freezer. Rum! Ha! My cousin Jessica and I have made fun of her for this for years. The lush. Also, she says suh-redded cheese instead of shredded cheese. Unfortunately, Jessica and I are the only two people on Earth who think our Grandma is hilarious. What can I say? We're special that way.

Happy 83rd Birthday Grandma! I'm sorry I'm a day late, and I hope you had an amazing day and have many more to come you gorgeous lady!

And...I'll forgive you for being so skinny back in the day since I love you so much.