My family are not too fond of leftovers, so I bought some containers with separations and make up homemade tv dinners for my mom. She gets a full meal that she would not make as a one person home, I am able to subsidize her social security by providing a good portion of her meals. If I cook something I know is one of her particular favorites, I will make extra just to make up several meals to freeze. I do this also for my teenager. She then just takes out what she wants and defrosts one when she is home for lunch, or on fridays before football games. ... View related article.
I actually went to lowes and bought chalkboard paint. It paints on smooth and when there is a problem, you can paint it over again and again. Also there is magnetic paint which you can prime on in several coats. it will make the board magnet and also chalk. I painted my kitchen table with the chalkboard paint and it was a big hit with my teenage daughter and her friends, also cool for putting those to do notes that always seemed to get overlooked. Hard to overlook large pink letters!!!! You tend to wear through quicker, but then I just get out the pint can and repaint. ... View related article.
I did something similar with my mothers parents and my husbands grandmother and is something I will treasure foreever. In my grandparents case, I interviewed both of them separately about growing up, how they met ect. Just little clips at holidays, visits ect. My mother is an only child and the first Christmas after both of them had passed away, my teenage daughter took my videotapes, transferred them to the computer, added a picture slide show and gave the resulting dvd as a gift to her. Imaging not knowing I had saved little mini interviews over several years, and hearing your mother say when asked, what was her most treasured memory and it being the day she first saw her daughter after birth. It turned a holiday which was very hard for all of us into a wonderful memory. ... View related article.
Sandra, I am new to the site and am excited by your wall treatment. and would love to have the instructions sent to me. How did you get the coloring. I have a room in shades of green and would want to do this in greys.
I agree that you are not wrong. This is a very special event. But, it is most special to your parents and those most close to them. You don't say how long your son has been married, or if your d-i-l comes from a close family. For example, I have a sister who comes from a family which is not close at all, and my b-i-l very rarely will attend family get together's and will admit to confusion that my sisters and I are very close, and although live in different parts of the country, talk every few days. Your d-i-l may feel like a rubber band pulled in two directions. What has your son said? Maybe the decison of attendance was discussed between the two of them. Also, maybe she can do both, go to the bday party for part of the time and then go to the anniversary party, even if it is long enough to let your parents know that she and the children care. Causing a big rift will only hurt everyone involved including the grandchildren. You just need to say to yourself, I am going to make a wonderful day for my parents, and although I will miss my d-i-l and grandchildren, it is out of my control and is their loss. At least when your parents are no longer here, you know that you will not have to play the "shoulda Coulda, Woulda " game. Forcing her to attend will make for an unhappy attendant and will dampen what should be a wonderful accomplishment for your parents. ... View related article.
