Ok...well I thought I would give my thoughts...you are so right...there is no reason for jealousy because how could any parent not want the grandparents to love their child... But here is where the reptile...a snake in this case spits venom....when a DIL sees that her children may lean more favorable to their husbands mother...that is a no-no.....in my case, I am the more fun grandmother...my grandchildren gravitate to me when around both grandparents.... My DIL hates it and likely me as well...and for this reason...she just backed off in our lives...our son basically goes with her flow...so we are grandparents with a lot of love to give but only when we initiate a time with them....my son only comes over with his family on a holiday or a meal is involved...but I have had some foot issues in the last couple of years...not as active...and just had surg. To correct these issues...no visit...DIL or son has not gone out for a card for the kids to send...nothing ever nevrr... This got worse when DIL's mother left her husband and moved to the area...she used me for years as a babysitter...hated to see any attention her children gave me or me to them...she did not seem that interested in her own grandmother...so maybe that was the telltale sign of who she is.. While it takes a village, I am no village idiot...I know when I am being rejected....now my other DIL is expecting and I can tell it will be the same way...she knows how close my grandchildren were to me...she has a mother..she will protect her mothers best interest...I have decided to just let it be.... I am not going to put myself out there for anymore hurt...life is too short...and I am dealing with other issues in my own home to worry about someone elses....she is the most controlling person I have ever seen...she is even trying to control what people buy the baby for the baby shower tomorrow...which thankfully I am not attending.. I refuse to show up in a boit cast and crutches only 3 wks from surgery for this woman...its not the babys day yet...its still hers...I bought some great gifts for the baby, but was told that she told her own mother if she did not get the right item, she would take it back... I even hesitate to give these items to her....for fear it will not be to her liking....never mind they are very nice items....this is just what my sons went out into the world and married...the total opposite of their mother....

I don't need it....nothing....don't need anything more.... BUT....today I went to the $ store because I needed several gift bags....and while I was there...I just had to walk around...and bought 3 glass pinch bowls...I was getting along just fine with custard cups...but... AND I got a new dishwasher last week...but that was because my 22 year old trusty Maytag died. I know better then to buy one of the newer Maytags (the ex CEO was a very good friend and next door neighbor and when he made all those trips to China and Japan, I figured it out!).. Anyhow I got a Jenn Aire....I know they are in the business of down draft vent systems....but it's a hotsy totsy model, likely last years but I made the dealer an offer...prepared to up it....and he said OK. Surprise! But its' not "fun" in the way that a new stock pot would be...I still am trying to figure out the best way to load the thing! Also got 2 new YeehaH stoves for the church...I bucked the people who said why do we need to spend that for stoves.....and I splained why!! Because I cook on them and you don't! I think I need new potholders.....mine are beyond awful...and people give me oven mits and I feel clumsy using them, so I save them for the grill. I Have a fairly nice assortment of Halloween, Christmas, Valentine's day potholders...but I need some simple every day ones that don't have burned corners and the stuffing hanging out. Linda C

thanks to all for your condolences. MIL is definitately in a happier place. Her last few years have been very tough for her and she was ready to go, so now for us to just celebrate her life and be happy for her that her suffering is over, and try not to be too sad. Beautiful pictures Funnelweb. It's great to hear about your gardens. You have inspired me. Rather than sit here fretting about a delay getting away this morning, I went out into the garden.. oops I mean jungle... and enjoyed the beauty that persists among the tangle. the blooms and scents are so soothing to the spirit. Even my clematis has long tendrils out into the grassy area. They have a reputation for being tricky, but gosh, my clematis has been sooooo tough. I never give it any love or attention and it's still survived. Amazing. And I have been further inspired. I think I'll start another blog to record the rehabilitation of my garden. Legal fight with landscaper should conclude by end of year and we can really get going on the yard, so it will be great to start now while it's a bit .. well.. embarrassing LOL. Re French lace, mine was a uniform cream/white. No pink anywhere. I suspect a mislabel. I have to dash just now, but I'll post a link to my garden blog and piccies when I get a chance to put it up. I think it will look more like garden true confessions than an inspiration just now... but you will at least see my trusty tea roses.. they are just so awesome. PS.. Funnelweb, my persoonia pinifolia is looking wonderfully happy. Lots of snottygobbles on it. Wouldn't it be great if it self seeds. It is a local native after all.. fingers crossed.

I make all of the Christmas cards we send. Birthday, sympathy and other holiday cards, not so much anymore. Birthdays always seem to sneak up on me so they go out late. Even though I have a number of stamp sets for sympathy cards, I just haven't quite gotten the knack for them. I need to work on that, and get some made ahead. I usually keep cards for several years before tossing them. I know when I start cleaning out the house I am going to find many from our KT card exchanges!