Tag: parenting

Being a grandparent is the best!

~ nickc324 ~ Leave a comment

I love being a grandparent.

I was told it would be fun and rewarding, but I had no idea how much I would love it.

Technically, I am a step-grandparent, but the grandkids have always known me to be around and I am blessed to be part of the family. These amazing and fun children always brighten my day. Here are a few recent examples:

One day recently, our five-year-old granddaughter was being dropped off to play with my wife and me for a few hours. Her mom and her aunt brought her to our house and we talked with both of them for a few minutes just to catch up. My granddaughter, though, was ready for everyone to stop talking so she could get inside and start playing. She looked up and her aunt and told her quietly, “When you leave, the fun begins.”

It may not have been the nicest way to say something like that, but it absolutely made my day and pretty much my whole month.

Continue reading “Being a grandparent is the best!” →

A weekend at home turns into a drive across the country

~ nickc324 ~ 8 Comments

Last weekend, I was all set to have a nice quiet few days at home.

I had dealt with a minor health problem for a few weeks and then had to work the two previous weekends. I was tired and I was ready for two slow days of working in the yard, doing some writing, watching television and relaxing.

So, of course, I drove from Ohio to New Mexico instead.

Continue reading “A weekend at home turns into a drive across the country” →

Tales of a good and bad summer weekend

~ nickc324 ~ 5 Comments

It was a good news/bad news kind of weekend. Here are a few examples:

I finally got the hedges trimmed again so that they look nice. It was a lot of work, but I feel pretty good about it.

Along with trimming the hedges, I also trimmed the poison ivy hidden in the backyard. I feel pretty itchy about it

It finally stopped raining and it looks beautiful outside.

It’s too hot to actually go outside. It’s so hot that when I was taking a shower earlier today, I ran out of cold water. Continue reading “Tales of a good and bad summer weekend” →

A few items that perplex me as a parent

~ nickc324 ~ 13 Comments

As a parent, I have watched children conquer physics, learn new languages and reach great academic heights, yet still apparently be clueless about how the dishwasher works.

It is one of the great mysteries of life, and it often baffles me. Do they think the dishes get clean just from setting them in the sink? Why not just put the dishes right into the dishwasher? Do they not realize that you can decipher if the dishwasher is clean or dirty by opening it and looking inside?

Continue reading “A few items that perplex me as a parent” →

I like my chicken fried, and the memories that come along with certain songs

~ nickc324 ~ 12 Comments

It’s funny how certain songs often become attached to specific memories and emotions.

When my son, Ben, was about to play in his first high school basketball scrimmage back in 2010, for example, I was sitting in a gym in West Virginia with several other parents. Along with the sounds of shoes squeaking, basketballs bouncing and people talking (and sometimes squeaking) that evening, there was music playing over the loudspeakers.

Continue reading “I like my chicken fried, and the memories that come along with certain songs” →

Winter is a good time to worry, especially if you are a parent

~ nickc324 ~ 9 Comments

When I was younger, I couldn’t understand why my father would worry so much about my siblings and me.

If it was snowing and I was working late at the grocery store, for example, he would want me to go straight home after work. He wouldn’t want to worry about me driving to get something to eat or spending time with friends.

It seemed ridiculous to me at the time.

“What is he worried about? I’ve only gotten stuck in the ditch twice due to snow!” I thought to myself. “He just loves watching the weather reports and worrying about the snow.” Continue reading “Winter is a good time to worry, especially if you are a parent” →

A few important (to me) rules for the grocery store

~ nickc324 ~ 21 Comments

Going to the grocery store may seem like a simple exercise, but there are several rules that should be followed in order to make the most of your shopping experience.

If you’re like me (and why wouldn’t you be?), you want to get in and out of the store in a reasonable amount of time while picking up everything you need. I generally make pretty good time in the store, so I thought I should share some of my tips here with you.

I don’t want to brag, but I have been known to shop at speeds as high as 30 aisles per hour! Continue reading “A few important (to me) rules for the grocery store” →

A New Year’s Eve to forget

~ nickc324 ~ 6 Comments

Another big New Year’s Eve is in the books and I am ready for 2018.

This is the year to become rich and famous, hopefully for something good and not for something like being attacked by a Bigfoot that I catch on film or for getting a big settlement after eating some bad ice cream.

No, this is the year to become hugely successful and to capitalize on all of the positives of 2017. It was a great year and it ended with an interesting Dec. 31.

Continue reading “A New Year’s Eve to forget” →

Top 5 Ways The Pets Help With Cleaning The House

~ nickc324 ~ 18 Comments

While cleaning the house today, we received quite a bit of assistance from the dog and cat.

Whether they were confused about why we were home during the day or they were concerned that the cleaning was not up to their high standards, they were an ever-present presence presiding over the work.

This pet pestering got me thinking about how often they are involved with cleaning, and now our judges have put together the Top 5 Ways The Pets Help With Cleaning The House. Continue reading “Top 5 Ways The Pets Help With Cleaning The House” →