Granny Nanny

Hello! Typepad has managed to erase all my photos in prior posts and wasn't letting me insert any pictures in this one earlier in the evening. So, if anything looks wonky, let me know...or perhaps don't, because I can't do a d*mned thing about it. Par for the course, as golfers would say, for a week when I've Granny Nannied every day, fought a couple of bad traffic days (stupid racers on Interstate 5 South) and dealt with cat throw up, tiredness from early mornings and a general discontent/depression with the state of the world. Still, Ziggy had a worse week with noisy workmen in the UP house. No, they weren't doing anything as exciting as installing a second bathroom. Instead, they were strapping the house to the foundation. (not cheap) Craftsman homes, as well as many (most?) old houses would simply slide off their foundations in a major earthquake. Modern construction building codes require protections for such catastrophes, especially in earthquake risky areas like the Pacific Northwest. Don't worry--the strapper or whatever the workman was called, eventually covered the holes in the sheetrock so Ziggy can no longer invade the wall and ceiling. :) 

I've been loving the time with Little Guy and have admired Older Daughter's green thumb. She is like her dad in that regard! 

See what I mean?

Grandson is still a fan of his diggers and enjoys dumping pea gravel (and dirt!) into Mémé's hands. Today he ate his own lunch then co-opted both of my spring rolls as well as eating his weight in blueberries. He likes to joke about his "purple poop." LOL He requests my stories about Mari's misbehavior constantly, especially the one where she tried to get into my Trader Joe's Oatmeal Cranberry Dunker Cookies by knocking them off the counter in the early morning. (nearly scaring me to death) He loves books, talking, hide and seek, teasing/joking and trying to avoid naptime.

Some of the time he succeeds, but not today. He is a treasure! Mémé is extremely tired in the evenings, but it is such a privilege to spend the days learning about this wonderful little person. 
 

 

Comments

[DrumMajor Linda in Kansas]

How did Ziggy get up THERE? What ARE the funny green things growing? A banana pepper? With his eyes closed and expressionless sleep, Mr. Dig now looks like his Dad; a little. Linda in Kansas

[Arkansas Patti]

I'm wondering how Ziggy got up there too. I guess if he digs gravel and puts it in your hand, that makes you the dump truck:) He is just too sweet and that sleeping shot with Dad is why people can't wait to have children.

[Luftmentsch]

That is a funny picture of Ziggy! I'm sorry that Typepad lost your pictures. I'm glad you're enjoying spending time with your grandson, and also that I don't live in an earthquake zone!

[Susan]

Strapping the house to the foundation sounds like a huge project. It's very important and once completed must bring peace-of-mind. Ziggy loves high places. Good job he did not get accidentally enclosed in one of those openings! The vegetable garden looks amazing and very productive. Your time with N is precious and you have a great bond. That's a cute photo of N napping with his Dad.

[Debbie]

I figured there was an issue as I looked for a post last night (per your typical schedule) and just saw craziness. I'm glad this one is working for now! I suppose I never even considered earthquake retrofitting for a house, and when did that become code for homeowners? You know I can empathize with the driving, long days and tiredness. It all can be draining. Give yourself permission to let other routines go on those long, long days.

[AC]

Cute cat pic and of course the grandson sleeping one. Sounds like a tiring week. Have a good weekend.

[Ally Bean]

Did Typepad lose your photos or is there a limit to how many photos you can post? On WP once you hit a limit, you have to delete some or pay more money. Old craftsman-style houses are delightful, but I've never known anyone who didn't have many issues to deal with. Kind of the unspoken thing about them.

[Ed]

I have been worried more than once about the lack of ties holding houses in my area down to the foundation, especially older ones. Both of the ones I have lived in have only had a few nails shot through the sill plate into the concrete. But we don't have earthquakes and thus far, both are still standing after tornado like winds. Perhaps only because I have too much heavy stuff holding them down!

[Jenni Elyse]

Love that picture of Ziggy, doing what cats often do. And, I love reading about your interaction with your grandson. It's so cute and he sounds so smart and adorable. :) Sorry Typepad isn't working right. Your post looked fine to me.

[Wendy]

Wow! Strapping the house down sounds like quite a job to do, but a necessary one to keep that house together in case of an earthquake.
How fun to be the nanny granny though. I know it wears a person out but how wonderful to spend that time with grandson, and help out your daughter and son in law. So typical of a little boy to play in the gravel and dirt and fill your hands up.
I planted NO tomatoes this year except for some honeygold mini tomatoes for the daycare kids to eat off the vine.

[Doug M]

Margaret I'm very sorry about your blog, I hope this was a temporary setback! On the plus side, Ziggy gave me a real chuckle in that top photo and is it just me or does your son-in-law resemble your OD? Anyway, love the grandson stuff and is purple poop for real?? Ha! 😄

[Zazzy]

Typepad should be taken out and shot. But so should WP now and then. I hope your photos have returned.

I love Ziggy in the ceiling. I can picture my old cats doing that - don't think Zoe would do so. What is that vegetable? Some kind of eggplant? tomato? pepper? So glad she's enjoying her garden. Think of all she can grow next year!

Does grandson sleep deeply enough that Dad could get up if he needed to? They do make a sweet pair.

[Joanne Noragon]

My brother's house, built around the turn of the century, was not fastened to the foundation. He discovered that when he set out to replace the lathe and plaster. As it had stood for a hundred years, he let it be.

[Musings]

Sigh... You are so lucky. I haven't seen my grandsons in 3 years and now they're moving to Sri Lanka because of daughter-in-law's job. Sigh...