Tag Archives: Grandparents

Today Would’ve Been My Grandma’s 95th Birthday

Posted on by Gertie

Good Evening, World!!! Today would have been my paternal 95th grandma’s birthday if she were still alive. Sadly, she passed away exactly a month after her 88th birthday. That meant she died on Valentines Day. So this Valentines Day will mark seven years since she died. She and my grandpa helped my dad raise me. I owe my grandmother a lot of gratitude and appreciation as she was a motherly figure to me. I miss her so much but I am glad she is no longer suffering.

I do not have much else to write about or discuss in this blog post except that I am glad she and my grandpa helped my dad raise me. I do want to thank you the reader for reading my blog. It is greatly appreciated from my end of things that you the reader, read my blog. If it was not for you the reader, reading my blog, I would not be continuing to write my blog. Again, thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading my blog. Peace Out, World!!!

Today Would Have Been 69 Years of Marriage

Posted on by Gertie

Good Evening, World!!! Today is a bittersweet day. It is bittersweet because today is my grandparents anniversary. They would have been married 69 years if my grandma sadly didn’t pass away in early 2018. I miss her greatly. In fact I called my grandpa this morning to wish him a happy anniversary and he began to cry because he is happy that I remembered and sad because he misses my grandma. I am grateful that I was able to witness the love between my grandparents. In fact my grandpa visited my grandma’s grave site today and put a dozen yellow roses on her grave. My grandma’s favorite flower was yellow roses.

I do not have much more to say in this post except to wish my grandparents a Happy 69th Anniversary. I do want to thank you for reading my blog. It is greatly appreciated from my end of things that you the reader, read my blog. If it was not for you the reader, reading my blog, I would not be continuing to write my blog. Again, thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading my blog. Peace Out, World!!!

Daily Prompt; Think Back On Your Most Memorable Road Trip

Posted on by Gertie
Bloganuary writing prompt
Think back on your most memorable road trip.
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I think the most memorable road trip I had was the summer between seventh and eighth grades with my grandparent. To give you some back story the last week of school during seventh grade Betty White was on my junior high for two days to interact with students and I met her. The road trip from Southern California to Northern California with my grandparents happened the week after school got out.

On the way to the final destination my grandparents and I saw many celebrities which isn’t unusual nor was it the first time seeing celebrities due to the fact I have seen many at school assemblies or the many times I went to Disneyland. Some celebrities just wanted to be left alone while others appeared to enjoy interacting with fans.

I share this because once my grandparents and I got to our final destination we checked into our not all that fancy hotel when low and behold Betty White was checking in front of us. It turns out that we had the room right next to Betty White. Anyway, the third night we were at this particular hotel we heard a knock at the door. I answered and it was Betty White who asked to speak to my grandparents. Betty White informed my grandparents how “polite” I was to her when she was at my school for a couple of days as well as “polite” I was to her with the couple of interactions at the hotel pool. Betty White took my grandparents out for dinner and then took me to a movie so my grandparents could “have a few hours without a teenager.” I had a blast and have been so impressed with Betty White as she is the most down to earth celebrity that I ever met and I am sad that she is no longer on this earth.

Everyday Inspiration; Day 11: A Cup of Coffee

Posted on by Gertie

Let me to you that I’ve lived in Seattle since I was sixteen years old and that means I’ve been in Seattle for twenty seven years. Wow it’s hard to believe I’ve been in the Seattle area for nearly thirty years. It doesn’t feel like I’m that “old.” In fact I’m not that “old” but considered middle aged even though I don’t think of being middle aged.

Anyway, I have got slightly off topic as today’s topic is “A Cup of Coffee.” Can you believe after being here in the Seattle area nearly thirty years I still detest the taste of coffee. I love the smell of coffee but don’t like the taste of it. I do keep small can of coffee around for any guest who may show up at my place wanting a cup.

If you been reading my blog for a while you know my dad raised me as a single dad with the help of my grandparents. I remember waking up every morning to my grandpa drinking coffee as he read the paper and my grandma drinking tea as she read the paper. In fact I think it is because of my grandma that I drink a morning cup or two of tea.

So, If were were to go to “coffee” I would most likely be having tea as we discussed what was going on in our lives. Yes, I know it is is sacrilegious to not drink coffee but just count me has an odd duck. Everyone else does. LOL

A Sad Three Day Weekend for Me

Posted on by Gertie

Good Evening, World!!! It’s Friday and I am surprised that I feel at peace right now. I wish I was happy but I am good with being at peace for the moment. Normally, this weekend would not be a three day weekend for me but it is. It is because Monday, February 14th, 2022 marks the four year anniversary of the death of my grandma. February 14th also is Valentines day which makes it that much more challenging for me that it has been in the past before my grandma died.

I never needed a special day for someone to tell me that they loved me. My grandma made everyday Valentines Day for me especially since I wasn’t exactly the popular kid or most liked kid in school. I think that is why this Monday will be heard for me. It will be hard for my grandpa as well.

I decided to take Monday, February 14th off because of the anniversary of my grandma’s death. On a plus note, I will be taking my grandpa out on a date on Valentines Day in hopes to make better memories. I’m sure this brunch date with be bittersweet but at least we will be together making good memories.

Thank you for listening (or should I say reading) this sad post. I am grateful that you read it. You the reader, reading my blog means a great deal to me. So, thank you from the bottom of heart for reading my blog. Peace Out, World!!!

A Mini Get Away

Posted on by Gertie

Good Afternoon, World!!! Right now, I am currently in Bremerton, Washington. It being Labor Day weekend here in the United States, I decided to come to Bremerton yesterday and I will be going back home to Seattle tomorrow. I decided to take tomorrow off as it is nice to have an extra day off from time to time.

I came to Bremerton because it is a Ferry Boat ride away and feels like it’s far away. I love being able to come to Bremerton for a couple of nights as it is a form of self care for me. It has been a form of self care for me since I made the active decision to be in active mental health and self harm recovery. In fact it was my grandma’s idea and she would pay for a couple of nights in a hotel for me because she knew that being near water and a couple of days away would help me even when I am doing well.

Even though my grandma passed away three and a half years ago, I still come to Bremerton as a way to recharge. In fact, I am really missing my grandma right now. I miss being able to call her up and talk with her. She and my grandpa helped my dad raise me. My grandma was very supportive of me and I am grateful that I am still keeping up with this self care tradition. Most importantly I am grateful that I have a job to be able to pay for the mini get away myself without needing to ask for someone else to pay for it.

Speaking of paying for my trip, my grandpa is taking care of my cat, Billie Dean as I am out of town. Billie is at my grandpa’s getting even more spoiled than he normally is. My grandpa really enjoys taking care of Billie. Billie also loves being spoiled by my grandpa.

Well it is lunch time and I am hungry. So, I am going to end this particular blog post so I can go eat and walk around the Bremerton waterfront. I do want to thank you for reading my blog. It is greatly appreciated from my end of things that you read my blog. If it wasn’t for you the reader, I would not be writing my blog. Again, thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading my blog. Peace Out, World!!!

A Valentines Day of Grief

Posted on by Gertie

Happy Valentines Day, World!!! I have never been a big fan of Valentines Day because, why do you need a selected day to say “I love you.” Plus it adds added pressure to relationships to make sure the day is special which isn’t the best thing for relationships.

Despite the usual reason, I am not a big fan of Valentines Day is that my grandma died on Valentines Day of 2018. So, today marks the two year anniversary of my grandma’s death. She died due to complications from Parkinson’s Disease. My grandma fought hard for her life as well for those she loved especially her family. I miss my grandma so much but I know she is looking down on me as my guardian angel.

Billie Dean my new cat is helping me through today by just being himself. He is being the lovable, cuddly, talkative and playful self he is to be. I am so grateful that he chose me when he did. I love my Billie Dean.

I don’t have much more to say. I want to thank you for reading my blog. It is greatly appreciated that you read my blog. Again, thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading my blog. I hope everyone has a great Friday and Valentines Day. Peace Out, World!!!

The Wave of Grief Strikes Again

Posted on by Gertie

Good Morning, World!!! As I sit here at my laptop, I have tears rolling down my face. Tears rolling down my face because I really miss my grandma and wish she was still here on Earth. I know it has only been six and a half since she died but I wish the pain wasn’t so difficult to deal with.

As difficult as it is for me to deal with my grandma’s death six and a half months ago, I am sure it is that much more difficult for my grandpa. My grandparents knew each other for over seventy years and married for sixty two and a half years. As hard as my pain is with missing my grandma, I am sure it is that much more difficult for my grandpa. It is hard to see him break down when he cries about my grandma. Now that is difficult to see when an eighty eight year old Navy man cry over the loss of their spouse.

As much as I miss my grandma, I am happy that I have my cat, Lil Gertie, to help me through moments of grief. Another thing that I have found helpful with dealing with my grief is journaling. My cat and journaling have been life savers the last week or two in regards to dealing with grief.

Thank you for reading my blog. It is greatly appreciated. I do apologize that it is a depressing to read a post about grief first thing in the morning. Again thank you for reading. Have a great weekend. Peace Out, World!!!

Birthday Dinner With Grandpa

Posted on by Gertie

Good Evening, World!!! I just spent the last two hours with my grandpa as today is his 88th birthday. It was an extremely difficult birthday for him as it is his first birthday dinner since my grandma’s death on Valentines Day of this year. As difficult as it was for him and I both, he really enjoyed himself. As much as my grandpa wishes my grandma was still around to cook him his birthday dinner he appeared extremely grateful that I stepped up to the plate and made it for him. It was nice to have a meal with just my grandpa and myself.

Over dinner we discussed me going back to work and seeing if I was ready to go back to work. He agrees that I am ready to go back to work and he is proud of me that I am seeking out jobs in the field I love and finally getting interviews. Even when the interviews are far in between each other at least I am getting them. He might take me to my job interview on August 31st so I don’t have to take an hour bus ride each way. Of course if I get the job I will have to take the bus but  I am okay with that.

Thank you for reading my blog. It is very much appreciated. I hope you have a great rest of your Thursday. I am glad that my grandpa at a great birthday despite our grief over my grandma. Have a great weekend. Peace Out, World!!!

Just a Bunch of Randomness

Posted on by Gertie

Good Afternoon, World!!! Today, I am having a mixture of emotions especially when it is in regards to my paternal grandparents. I am having a huge wave of grief that I am dealing with in regards to my paternal’s grandma’s death on Valentines day of this. Today’s wave a grief hit extra hard because this is the first birthday my paternal grandfather has had my grandma by his side in over seventy years even though they were married for sixty two and a half years. My grandpa is having a rough go at it so I invited him to my place to have a birthday dinner I will make. I don’t know if I can cook meatloaf as good as my grandma but that’s what he wants for his birthday or at least what he wants for his birthday from me.  As I grieve over my grandma even six and a half months later, I celebrate my grandpa’s 88th birthday today.

On the other hand let me update you on the pain of my migraine. I did go to the hospital last night and had a bunch of test run on me because they wanted to make sure that the infection in my mouth hasn’t spread even though I informed the doctors it felt like a regular migraine. They were just be overly cautious because it turns out it was a regular ole pain in the ass migraine. My mouth infection is looking a great deal better and its starting to feel better as well. I’m still in pain from the infection but at least the pain is subsiding.

Now on to the fire alarm system and smoke detector inspection that happens every three months that ended up being a month late this time around happened today. My cat, Lil Gertie, was not a fan of the inspection. Hell, neither was I but I am sure it was worse for her and her poor lil ears. She freaked out a little bit but not as bad as I thought it would have had on her.

On the note of my cat she is helping me deal with my depression and grief at the moment. She is sitting next to me on my favorite chair as I blog this particular post. Having her cuddle up next to me while purring sure helps with both the depression and grief I am dealing with. With my emotions they way they are today, I am grateful for my cat.

I don’t have much more to say at the moment. Thank you for reading me ramble on about a bunch of randomness. I appreciate each one of you. I hope you have a great Thursday. Peace Out, World!!!