Growing the garden

No not an actual garden but Grandma would always rub our backs when we were little and she would always "grow the garden". She would water, plow , make rows, plant seeds and water again and then pick all the plants. It would always tickle me when she did it but I would always ask her "grandma can you grow the garden"

I don't know where she got it or if she made it up but it will always be a special thing that Grandma did with us.

Corned Beef and ?????

Yes-- the story that I am about to tell you has happened not once, but twice. One fine St. Patrick’s Day of yesteryear (2008), I was invited to be Vivian’s guest for a Traditional Corn Beef and Cabbage Dinner. Bob wasn’t there, he was still at “work/golf.” As always, Vivian, when you make a meal – your guests know it will taste wonderful and you always have a little treat for us as well. The table was nicely set and the kitchen smelled delicious. We sat down to eat our meal and as we began serving this anticipated meal (that we normally only eat once a year and are so looking forward to this treat)!, it seemed as though something was missing. Not wanting to be impolite, I began wondering where the cabbage was? Was it boiling in a separate pot? When I was sure that I didn’t know where the cabbage could be???? I said “Vivian where is the Cabbage?” She said OOP's, I guess I forgot to put it in!!! We had a good laugh and of course, now I won’t let her live it down!!!! Vivian, you told Bob and I last night (St. Patrick’s Day 2009–our house)! that this had happened one time before and you and Don had company and Don said “Vivian, when you serve Corn Beef and Cabbage, isn’t there supposed to be CABBAGE!?” I have to say Vivian--my dinner still tasted GREAT:)!!!!! and made some memories, too!!!

camping, card games, and the importance of friends

I discovered a great love of camping from going with you and Grandpa. It was fun to see you hang out with all of your friends...and for me to play with their grand kids that went with them. BUT- we won't dwell on the many crushes I had during those years.

I loved playing cards with you. I felt like such a grown up playing with all the "old folks" I still have to say my favorite card game is 31. I liked playing with pennies and how we were on your honor for one more round when we didn't have any more money.

I learned the importance of having and keeping good friends through the years. I thought it was so neat how you went camping with these people a couple times a year and you could pick up where you left off each time.
I look back on it now that I am older and have many friends, some I have had for almost 20 years that we could just pick up where we left off. I would love to get a camping group together with them. I wonder if they would love 31 as much as I do.

Thank you for teaching me about the importance of having and more importantly BEING a good friend.

I just read it to Connor and Cassidy last weekend

The book is still around, there's only 9 in the bed the little one is all scratched up. You must have done that just after the last time grandma had to read it to you before you went to sleep. How old were you like 19-20?

"And the little one said"

I will never forget the numerous times we would have you read us the TEN IN A BED book. "And the little one said roll over, roll over and they all rolled over and one fell out"

The book was read so often it was barely holding together when we were all to big to be read to.

Thanks for the special memories Grandma

Little Red Fire Engine

I loved the little red fire engine that you had for us to play with. They don't make toys like that anymore. I remember thinking, man your street was either really old or really special, because your sidewalk doesn't dip down at every driveway. It was like a real road. I also liked that you didn't have grass in the little mow strip area in front of your house. I always pretended that was my parking lot for my toys.

The Patio...

I love your patio. I remember loving to go visit you because I got to play office in the patio. We mostly played Dr.'s office because you had a lounge chair that we used as a Dr.'s table. Although we never really made it past the secretary's part of the role playing because you had to much cool secretary stuff. The two phones, the appointment calendars, deposit slips that we used as checks, and lots of cool pens.

I also loved going in your backyard and swinging in the hammock. I used to try and take naps out there.

Thanks for having such a cool house for us to play at.

Who are those Suspicious Characters?

On this particular day Vivian....you and Bob had something up your sleeves and was I in for a surprise! The two of you came to City Hall and Bob was all dressed up carrying a LARGE SIGN -- and you were hiding near the entrance to the Rotunda ready to snap a picture. City Hall Survelliance also noticed the two of you suspicious characters and focused in on the man holding up a sign (who they thought was a protester) and the lady hiding in the shadows!!!! When they saw what the sign said "TAMARA WILL YOU MARRY ME PLEASE" they thought it was so nice that they had to follow me up to the 14th floor and tell me that we were the First Public Proposal at New City Hall and they wanted me to have a copy of the security tape and there you are on this survelliance video (as they pan in on you in your hiding place)! Now we are part of City Hall History and part of Redevelopment Agency Trivia! Thank you for being there on my special day. It's good to know we are protected against the real kooks!!!!!?

Do these have Peanut Butter???

I remember one summer when I was staying the week at Grandma & Grandpa's and Grandma tried a little "experiment" on me. Now, as you all know, I'm allergic to peanut butter. Food allergies are common now, but back then in the early 80's, they were rare. Grandma must have thought my aversion to peanuts was all in my head, and she was going to prove it. She doubled a batch of cookies, but halved the amount of peanut butter the recepie called for, so there was like only 1/4th the amount of peanut butter as there should have been. I think her thought was that since I wouldn't be able to "taste" it, then she could sneak it past me. 

Well, she baked the cookies and offered me some while I was watching TV in the family room. I ate one or two and remember that they tasted kind of funny, but I didn't think anything about it. Maybe I thought they tasted a little burned, but I wouldn't dare say that to Grandma, 'cause we all know that she is a fabulous cook. Well, a little later in the afternoon, Grandma and I went to the grocery store to get some things and I told her that I didn't feel so good. I ended up yacking in the front seat of her car and in between heaves I said, "I don't know why I feel so sick." Her reply was priceless, "Oh honey, I do. ...I put peanut butter in those cookies."

So Grandma, I guess you learned your lesson that day. I always look forward to whenever you bring baked goodies over, so I can give you the raised eyebrow and a grin and ask, "Do these have peanut butter in them?" And in a huff of fake exasperation you reply, "No, they don't have peanut butter!" I love hearing that!

Kings Corners!

I don't remember exactly how old I was but I know I was not that old when you first taught me how to play Kings Corners. I remember how fun it was being able to play a "grown up game " with my grandma. "Look around" was your way of telling me I was going to miss something.You were always nice enough to give me hints. Once I learned Kings Corners we moved on to 31 and then Rummy.

Grandma, thanks for always playing cards with me even if sometimes you had other stuff to do.

Babysitting for a Week

Back in 2004, Eric and I went on a Caribbean Cruise...without the kids. We asked Grandma to stay with Rion and transport him to school and soccer practice for us. (Hailey stayed with a friend since she was so young.) We got home after a week of fun and sun...and Grandma vowing never to play Chutes and Ladders again!

Morning Coffee...and hot chocolate

I LOVE the smell of Coffee! I know that is weird because I don't drink it but it will always remind me of you and Grandpa. I would love to get you your coffee in the mornings. You still have the same mugs that we used when I was little. I would pour you a cup of coffee. You would always have hot chocolate there for us to make so we could all sit around in the morning talking and drinking our coffee and hot chocolate.

Now every time I pass a coffee shop I inhale deep and think of you!
Love, Angie

The small of Grandma in the mornings

I loved it when you and Grandpa came to visit us. I remember the house in Santa Maria (428 Garnet Way) had a guest room/den downstairs where you would sleep. My favorite thing to do in the morning was to come down and wake you up. Then you would let us snuggle with you in bed for a while. I remember how you smelled. No you didn't smell bad! I will just always remember how we loved to cuddle. The first one down would get the best spot so I wanted to be the first one there.

V is for Vivian

Grandma you have always been a special part of all of your grandchildrens lives and now part of your great grandchildren. I see this every time you are with my girls and how much they love you. As we try and teach them their ABC's and we go through the alphabet they have come to know the letter V as V is for Vivian. This must have started a while ago after one of your visits to dads house. You mean the world to me Grandma and I love you

Great America

I will always remember the first time you and grandpa took me and Mark to Great America. We were so excited to actually being going. All those times we would drive by and see it and wish we could go. Well it was fun when we got there except Mark and I ( mostly Mark )were scared to go on any of the big roller coaster rides. We would watch as you and grandpa waited in line to go on them. It was fun seeing you both on them. It was not so fun when the ride was over and you both came running off like two little kids and said " We are going to go again because the line is so short" and off you went and there we waited. I think we skipped Great America the following summer.