I know exactly how you feel, however, I decided in the beginning I would accept the other grandparent for who she is. The other grandparent always walked in the door laden down with "things" for the children, naturally she became the favorite grandparent, got lots of hugs, kids climbed all over her etc. I have different values, children need to learn to like a person for who they are rather than for "things" brought to them. I do not get the same kind of welcome, I do get lots of hugs and thanks for things I help them learn to do, always hugs when they come and when they leave, same at their house when I come or leave (not giddish type, meaningful hugs, etc.). If grandchildren fail to come and give me a hug I quickly inform them with arms stretched out that grandma needs a hug and I get a genuine hug with meaning in it. I do not play favorites with our grandchildren, the other grandparent does. The other grandparent seldom visits with adults at parties, spends all her time in another room with some of the children, giggling, acting silly, chattering nonsense constantly, etc. By nature I am not the giddish type person, I am more reserved, sincere and visit with all ages. I am not one to jump up and down, oooh ahhh, I give them praises for their accomplishments, lots of hugs, etc. but not jibberish. The other grandparent has things to offer the children that are different than what I have to offer. She is a playmate rather than a grandparent figure in their lives. This grandparent is a shopper, gad about but not interested in things on the home front like cooking, sewing, crocheting, knitting, embroidery, crafts, etc. Not a serious bone in her body!! I offer love, solid rock foundation, supportive, teach them to sew, crochet, knit, embroidery, and many other things. Our 8 year old grandson just finished sewing a quilt for charity all by himself, thrilled at his accomplishment, loves to sew and very confident. The granddaughters have made clothes, sewed on quilts for charity. Grandchildren are now 6, 8, 11, 13. I am the one they can depend on in time of need, stable, they know I am always there for them.

I think she means the original E. Boerner Aloha that was used extensively by David Austin in his early breeding efforts. This rose is classified as a large flowered climber and (for me) would never make a natural looking bush shrub. It can naturally grow bolt upright so I'm finding it's best grown as a short climber training its canes while young and pliable. Currently its wrapping itself around a make-shift tuteur, but since planting in the ground last year, is reaching onward and upward. I'll need to make a new much taller obelisk. While I feel intuitively that Ingrid is a delicate flower with hands to match, (I also recall them being very pretty and well-kept from a past picture), Aloha is a huge powderpuff of a rose and almost always in bloom. I'm adding a second this summer. Aloha Hawaii is on my 'someday soon' list. FreedomGardens also grows it so it should be hardy in your zone, flowers, but I'm not sure how much it will climb. :-)) P.S. A couple of the entries on HMF are duplicates using alternate names and the breeders' codes.

NM, I managed to locate some.

Since this recommendation is for fellowship funding for a Master's Degree, the organiztion will want to know in what ways she is worthy of the award funds. The first sentence should say that you are happy to reccomend her, and use some word to indicate what level of support you offer, such as happy, delighted, extremely glad, (however you feel about it and her application). The next paragraph should tell them how you know her. "I have known ____ for the ______years we have been colleagues at ________, where I am (her supervisor, or whatever the work relationship is). Describe how the relationship began and changed over time, if it has. The next paragraph should tell them why you think she is worthy of their fellowship, including facts about her that will make her a credit to the profession when she completes the degree. For example, " ___(her name) often displays qualities of ______, _______, and _______ in her work and relationships here, and I believe she would make an excellent __________ (whatever she's studing for). Then tell one or two very brief anecdotes that illustrate what you said about her qualities. Say how she is regarded by the other people with whom she works, and how well she carries her share of the responsibilites. Is she a leader, a follower, a cheerleader, a mascot, the most popular "sounding board", or the consoler, advisor, however most colleagues see her. Next you can offer them your trust that she will be a credit to the funding source by her good work in the future. "It's a pleasure to add my support, and to share my trust that ___her name_ will be a fine credit to ___their organization__ in her future career as ______. It is a particular strength of her application that she has had this work experience before beginning the Master's Degree. She will be a better prepared and more focused student, and will return excellent value for your investment in her education. To close, you can say that you're happy to answer any further questions they may have. "Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions. My preferred contact information is below. Thank you for the good work you do helping our community prepare __name of job/field for the future. Sincerely, Your name Your job title If you have official work stationery, with a letterhead, use that. Note, the letter doesn't have to be very long, just long enough to tell them the basics of what you know about her realtive to the profession for which she wants to study. About a page and a half max, typed. One page is OK if you can fit it all in. Rec letters that are too long are sometimes a little biased toward the personal side and not the objective. Hope some of this is useful, take what you like and leave the rest!